Unlocking the Spell by E. D. Baker Page B

isn’t fit to drink.”
    Annie’s eyes lit up. “Oh, good!” she cried. “We mustbe getting close to the spot where we’re supposed to turn.”
    â€œBut I’m thirsty!” wailed Gwendolyn.
    â€œWe all are,” Annie told her. “It won’t hurt us to go a little longer without water. We can probably drink when we’re upstream of the cows, don’t you think, Beldegard?”
    The bear prince shrugged. “Maybe.”
    Gwendolyn was still grumbling when Annie led her back to the road. When they continued on and there was still no sign of the cattle, their feet began to drag. “Maybe Beldegard was wrong,” said Gwendolyn. “We could still go back to the stream for a nice long drink.”
    â€œWe’re probably close,” said Annie. “Look, there are people over there. We can ask them.”
    â€œI don’t think—” Liam began, but Annie was already hurrying to the fence that divided the road from the land beyond.
    â€œExcuse me!” Annie called, leaning up against the fence while she waved at the small crowd standing in the shade of an old oak tree. “I need some directions.”
    The sun was lowering in the sky, its rays shining into Annie’s eyes, making it harder to see. She cupped her hand over her eyes and called to the people again, but they all kept their backs to her and remained huddled together. The few who seemed to be walking around aimlessly ignored her as well.
    â€œThey’re very rude,” Gwendolyn said at her side.
    â€œMaybe they didn’t hear me. I could climb the fence and go closer to talk to them,” said Annie. “But did you notice how odd they’re acting? They’re just standing around, doing nothing. Look over there. Some are asleep in the grass.”
    â€œHonestly, I don’t think they’re going to be any help at all,” Gwendolyn told her.
    A loud snort made both girls turn their heads. One of the men who had been by himself was coming in their direction. Annie squinted, trying to see him better in the sun’s glare. He was bigger than the rest, with bulging muscles and a head that… Annie gulped and stepped back from the fence, pulling her sister with her. This wasn’t a person, it was a minotaur, with the body of a human and the head of a bull.
    A roar broke the quiet of the afternoon as the minotaur came rushing at the fence, his head lowered. Annie and Gwendolyn fell back to the road while Liam ran to stand in front of them with his sword raised. Although their attacker slammed into the fence, bellowing, he made no further effort to reach them.
    The group standing under the oak tree turned their heads. Annie shuddered. They were minotaurs as well, mostly adult females with a few children and two or three adolescents.
    â€œThese must be the cattle the ogre mentioned,” said Annie, her mouth so dry that her voice sounded odd.“There should be a road near here where we can turn right.”
    â€œAs long as we don’t have to go through that field,” said Gwendolyn. “I’m glad you didn’t hop the fence to go talk to them, Annie.”
    â€œSo am I!” Annie told her, casting one more glance at the minotaurs.
    Annie and Gwendolyn were careful to keep their distance from the fence and the now-watchful minotaurs, but Liam and Beldegard eyed the occupants of the pasture with interest. The beast with the head of a bull kept pace with them on his side of the fence, snorting and pawing at the ground if they stepped off the road. Eventually even he lost interest and left to rejoin his herd. Annie was relieved when he was gone, and began to enjoy the scenery, knowing that they were going the right way.
    They were out in the open country now, with crops growing on one side and the fence on the other. Bees hovered around the wild roses covered with small white flowers that hugged the fence. Crickets chirped in the tall