Flashback ( PDFDrive )

She chewed her lip as she considered their options, glancing again
at Tam and Wylie. I think we should split up. You keep watch from over
there—she pointed to a patch of ferns about a hundred feet away that
were thick enough to hide him—and I’ll stay here. That way we cover
them from both sides, and Ruy can’t trap us in the same force field.
I guess that makes sense, Fitz admitted. But I don’t like it.
Sophie didn’t either.
It’s only a hundred feet, she reminded both of them. And here—take
these. She removed the two goblin throwing stars she’d hidden in her
boots and handed them to Fitz. I still have a few more, don’t worry.
Fitz nodded grimly, tucking the extras into his cape before he
turned to head where she’d pointed. But after a step he spun back and
threw his arms around her, hugging her much tighter than he usually
did. Stay safe, okay?
You too, she told him, watching him sneak away and wondering
how she was supposed to defend herself now that her knees had
turned into jelly.
Get it together, she mentally chided, shaking her left shoulder to
loosen it and making sure Tinker’s bangle rested against her left wrist
as she scanned the shadows.
There was one patch dead ahead that felt darker than the others.
And she took a silent step closer, wondering if investigating was a
smart move or something she’d really regret.
Another step.
Another.
Only a few left.
And then . . . glaring light flared behind her.