by Joshua Cook
Cendan sighed. “I didn’t want him to die, either. And as much as I wish he had just barred the door, I don’t know if that would have stopped the things. Sal may have just saved the damn world.”
Marcus just nodded. “Well, it appears we won. But I don’t have to feel like celebrating.”
The Slyph felt the Bridges reverse even though she didn’t initially understand. “That construct, Oakhearts pride and joy, its back!” Snarling the Slyph could only feel the Bridges now, her control of them broken. All that power, all that work, undone by that new Maker—but maybe her hounds had captured him!
That hope was shattered by the hounds appearing in front of her, stiff and unmoving. Rushing to them, her touch seemed to undo whatever was preventing them from moving. They both howled as they realized that they were back with the Slyph.
Both had blood on them–Finder blood. But not Maker blood. So, the Maker had survived, but her hounds had ended one Finder’s life, at least. Locking eyes with one of the Hounds, the Slyph learned that part of their mission had been successful. The hounds had damaged a very important part of the Finders’ tools. She had lost this battle, but the war would continue. Grimly, the Slyph stood and ordered the hounds to follow her.
She had fights to win.