Lux gets free

Even breathing takes effort for Lux as Minn works away at her web-woven bonds. She doesn’t want to think about what she’s swallowed and choked on to feel this bad. Cold sweat covers her skin. She’s riding a wave of adrenaline with nowhere yet to go.

It seems to take so long, Minn straining with every bit of strength. Lux is sure that a mite will wake, will find them, and it’ll be all over. Or the spider, descending on a web strand to strike… But, by some miracle, there’s no movement. Lux feels her heartbeat pick up, escape suddenly a real possibility. So close, gods, please—

Her hand pulls free. The webs unpicked. Lux stifles a cry of reckless joy. With her free hand she twists and reaches to help Minn with the other. Two hands free now, then the feet…

Free, again. And unseen this time. Lux gives herself one moment to wipe a hand over her eyes, to clear her vision just a little, and grabs Minn close to her, clutching the fairy lance in her other hand. In ****, rasping words she weaves an invisibility spell.

It’s a weak one – won’t last long. But the magic takes hold. Minn, held in her hand, also fades. Lux drags herself semi-upright, fighting the urge to try and cover up her naked body. If anyone can see her, if the mites can pierce her spell – as she knows many fey can – she’s already done for.

There is the edge of the camp. One mite stands guard, leaning on a little spear. The spiders and centipedes have crawled away to some dark corner, and the rest of the gang sleeps off the pleasure they’ve **** from Lux’s helpless body. The urge to kill every last one of them is drowned out by the need to get away, as far and as fast as she can.

Not far to go – and further than she can imagine ever making it. She takes a few faltering paces forward.

The guard-mite stirs. Lux freezes to the spot, the little lance clutched tight in her hand. She holds her breath as he looks straight at her – and straight through her. He yawns, and turns back, no sign that he spotted anything out of the ordinary.

Her every movement is slow, hesitant. Her heart pounds; her chest is on fire as she forces herself not to cough or breathe loudly. But – step after step after agonising step – she makes her way past the sentry, leaving him none the wiser. Briefly he appears to sniff the air, but, nothing.

Only once Lux is a bit of distance away does she break into a run – well, an ungainly scramble. Sheer frantic urgency pushing her exhausted body. At the edge of the trees, she all but throws herself down and crawls behind cover, coughing and gasping as she refills her grateful lungs.

It takes her a few moments to realise her hand, flung against herself to keep her bouncing tits under control, has also been squeezing Minn into her bosom. She lifts the little sprite away, to a small groan of disappointment.

Panic still stabs at her stomach. She feels so weak, aching from head to toe. How long before the mites notice something’s wrong? Can she outpace even their stubby stride like this—?

A twig snaps. Glass clinks on glass. Lux’s heart leaps into her mouth. Someone’s coming already…