Anxiety swept over him. He stumbled a few steps, and Morgana placed her hand around his arm. "You okay?" she asked, the intensity of her green eyes heightened as she arched her brow and fixed her gaze on him. Brown hair spilled over her shoulders. She had tied most of her locks up in a ponytail, but some strands had come loose. "I'm okay. A little spent, I guess." He felt foolish saying that after what she'd been through. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Spent?" She shook her head. "Uh, mentally tired. I'll be fine." He smiled, and tugged her hand. Ahead, Throg and Brodeur were engaged in conversation. They walked for a couple hours, and Zach felt much stronger. Night had fallen, but moving around was safer. Staying in one place so late might be more than a little dangerous. A deep roar emanated from the west of them, and they all stopped to stare in the direction of the sound. "Manticore. Not a good omen," Brodeur said, his expression stolid. "They say they appear only when unnatural events occur.
