Jinx's Fire by Sage Blackwood Page B

hunger.
    â€œPerhaps I could come with you to study it,” Sophie suggested.
    â€œDon’t!” said Jinx.
    â€œI think it would be best not to,” said Malthus regretfully. “Although I’d be delighted to have your company, I’m afraid the other werewolves in my pack would . . . also be delighted.” He took the book in his claws. “The Eldritch Tome! I can hardly believe it.”
    More red-gold hunger. Jinx could tell that Malthus was now having a lot of trouble not eating them.
    â€œWe’d better go,” said Jinx, grabbing Sophie’s arm and pulling her away.
    It grew colder and colder. On their journeys between the clearings that Hilda and Nick had contacted, Jinx and his companions got frostbite on their fingers and toes. One night, in a crowded, drafty hut in Churnbottom Clearing, they were awakened by a loud explosion.
    â€œWhat’s that?” cried Hilda. Most of the people in the hut huddled, terrified, but she went to the door and opened it.
    Jinx followed her out into air so cold it hurt to breathe. Nick joined them, his feet squeaking in the snow. Jinx could see tiny ice crystals floating in the moonlight. He listened to the forest.
    Two more explosions, one right after another.
    â€œExploding trees,” said Jinx.
    â€œIs the Bonemaster doing it?” said Hilda.
    â€œNo,” said Jinx. Several more trees exploded, and he heard the forest murmur and moan.
    â€œWhen it gets really cold, their sap freezes, and it expands, and—bang,” Jinx explained. “It hasn’t happened in like a hundred years, but—”
    â€œNot the Bonemaster, then?” Hilda rippled cold silver doubt, and shivered.
    â€œHow could it be?” said Jinx.
    â€œI think you think it is, sir,” said Hilda. “We’re just getting everything organized, getting people ready to fight, so that we can hold out while you go after him. Right?”
    â€œBut we’ll go with you, of course,” said Nick. “I mean, not that we can do much against a wizard, but—”
    â€œNo. You’re good with people,” said Jinx, shivering. “You’ll have to help Sophie hold them all together while I go.”
    â€œGo where, sir?” Hilda was shivering, too. “Bonesocket?”
    Jinx thought of Simon, and of the Paths of Fire and Ice. “I’m not really sure yet.”
    Out in the forest, another tree exploded.
    The cold autumn became a cold, cold winter. By now Jinx couldn’t feel the Urwald’s lifeforce anywhere.
    Elfwyn and Sophie tried to make a pumpkin pie forJinx’s birthday, as Simon always had. Jinx appreciated their effort.
    Satya stopped showing up to work on the map. They’d found several new clearings, and Sophie added them in pencil, but she said she wasn’t sure she’d gotten them right.
    â€œIs it too cold for Satya here?” said Sophie. “Because we could take the map through to the Samaran house.”
    â€œShe’s busy right now,” said Wendell. “You know. With her stuff.”
    There was an uncharacteristic red flash of resentment when he said it.
    â€œAh. Yes.” Sophie asked no more questions. “Well, I think I’ll go through to the Samaran house for a bit, anyway. My toes are turning blue.”
    She went through the KnIP door, which they usually left open now to heat the south wing. Even though Jinx knew that people who didn’t know the door was there wouldn’t be able to see it, having it open still made him nervous.
    â€œSo did you have a fight with Satya, or something?” he asked.
    Wendell shrugged. “She’s really into the stuff she’s into. That’s all.”
    â€œThe Mistletoe Alliance, you mean,” said Jinx.
    â€œIt’s the only thing that matters to her,” said Wendell.
    â€œNo, it’s not,” said Jinx, feeling very awkward anduncomfortable. Satya didn’t have pink fluffy