Fire Study. Maria Snyder V.

collapsed to my knees. The last thing I remembered before the world melted was a brown and green coil reaching for me.

      I woke, shivering. Chestnut’s concerned face peered at me. He waved a large leaf, fanning me with cool clean air. Exhaustion lined his brown eyes.

      “I guess that’s one necklace snake who’ll go away hungry,” Chestnut said.

      “What do you mean?” I asked, wincing at the sharp pain in my throat. When I tried to sit, I realized we were on a tree branch.

      Chestnut helped me. “If you died, I told the snake he could eat you.” He smiled.

      “I’m sorry to disappoint him.”

      “No matter. Perhaps we’ll have some extra Vermin to feed him.” His grin faded.

      I jerked as my memory returned. “The Fire Warper! My father! The others! What—”

      Chestnut raised his hand. “When the snake grabbed you and pulled you into the trees, he distracted the Warper long enough for Leif to break through the wall of heat. With Moon Man’s help, Leif was able to quench the link between the main fire and the Warper.” Chestnut glanced away. “The Warper disappeared.” He shuddered. “The remaining Vermin ran off, with Moon Man, Tauno and Marrok chasing after them.”