Chapter 81

He probably deserved the punch to the gut. He'd been intentionally baiting her, mostly because she could handle it. Casey wasn't one to like being coddled, so he gave her what she said she wanted. And she still got mad.

"Would it help if I said they're sluggish in bright light?" He formed a ball of it in his hand and used it to look around. While lanterns never survived in this place, the lard he'd left behind - congealed in puddles on the flood - was left alone. He lit it, and the flames emitted a glow.

The roots shivered and retracted.

"I don't think they liked that," she said.

"They don't, so while they're distracted, we get out."

"What about the bikes?" she asked.

"I'll handle the bikes. Watch." He turned to hers lying on the ground and, with his hands shining with light, grabbed a root and tied it around the frame.

"How's that help?"