Jinx's Fire by Sage Blackwood

first, inside the clearings, and the wards afterward. That way an enemy couldn’t get between the Urwalders and their means of escape. He and Elfwyn put separate, small wards around the Doorways, just in case an enemy figured out how to use the doorpaths.
    â€œI just hope the wards are strong enough,” said Elfwyn.
    â€œEven if they are, it’s no good,” said Jinx. The realization had been weighing down on him more and more as they walked.
    â€œYou mean it won’t stop King Rufus the Ruthless from invading the Urwald,” said Elfwyn.
    â€œYeah. Exactly.”
    â€œBut it’ll at least protect the people in the clearings,” said Elfwyn. “And they’ll be able to escape if they need to.”
    â€œAnd then they’ll all come to Simon’s house!”
    â€œAt least it gives us time,” said Elfwyn. “To find out how the Bonemaster is draining the Urwald’s power, and stop him.”
    Jinx heard a crunch and looked up. Werewolves were moving through the trees, keeping parallel to Jinx and Elfwyn as they walked.
    Jinx stopped. The werewolves stopped too.
    â€œHi,” said Jinx.
    The werewolves gazed at him.
    â€œWe need to talk to Malthus,” said Jinx.
    The werewolves grinned. Jinx could almost taste their hunger.
    â€œCould you ask him to meet me at, um, at the edge of Bone Canyon tomorrow—”
    â€œWe won’t be home by tomorrow,” said Elfwyn.
    â€œThursday, then,” said Jinx.
    The werewolves stood watching Jinx and Elfwyn with golden eyes. Jinx was sure they had understood him.
    â€œAnd tell him we’ll lend him the Eldritch Tome.”
    The werewolves still didn’t respond.
    â€œPlease,” Jinx added.
    One of the werewolves peeled away from the pack and trotted off into the forest.
    â€œThanks,” said Jinx uncertainly. He and Elfwyn walked on, and the werewolves kept pace.
    â€œYou’re sure they’re on our side?” said Elfwyn, very quietly.
    â€œYeah. Well, the Urwald’s side, and they understand that’s the same thing.”
    â€œFor now,” said Elfwyn.
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œThey still make me nervous.”
    â€œYeah,” said Jinx. “Me too.”
    They both tried hard not to show it.
    Jinx and Sophie stepped through the Doorway at the edge of Bone Canyon. Malthus was waiting for them in wolf-form, but slid up into a more human shape when he saw them.
    Jinx could see the roiling clouds of terror enveloping Sophie, although they didn’t show on her face.
    â€œMalthus is all right,” Jinx told her. “Or, well, he kind of leaves suddenly so he doesn’t eat you. Malthus, this is Sophie.”
    Malthus’s golden eyes gleamed. “Ah, Sophie the Scholar! This is an honor.”
    Jinx was impressed by how calmly Sophie managed her first hand-and-clawshake with a werewolf.
    â€œI have great respect for Samaran scholarship,” said Malthus. “It’s been years since I’ve really had a chance to sink my teeth into—”
    â€œSophie has some questions she wanted to ask you. About”—Jinx watched closely, in case Malthus suddenly attacked—“the Eldritch Tome.”
    â€œYou have it with you?” The werewolf gleamed hungrily. Jinx braced himself in case he had to make a ward spell in a hurry.
    â€œYes.” Sophie drew the slim blue book from her coat, pulled off her woolen mittens, and paged through it. “I was wondering about the balance of lifeforce and deathforce. If you’ll look here—”
    Malthus leaned over the book eagerly. “Ah, yes, I see. The Paths of Fire and Ice?”
    â€œAre they real paths?” said Sophie.
    â€œYou see this word here—” The werewolf pointed and made a grating, snarly sound. “Means ‘paths.’ They are real. The infixes mean ‘ice’ and ‘fire.’”
    â€œI know that,” said Sophie. “You told Jinx