Page 39 of Whispers of the Water

Plus, it would be nice to see her again, especially after all the stuff that happened today with Rune and Myra.

“I’m ready,” I answered as I checked the time. It was nearly ten, and the rooms next door were quiet. I hoped that meant I could make a discreet exit. The last thing I needed right now was another run-in with someone.

“Okay,” Dallas said. “Me and a few others scouted the area on the far side of the lake, outside of their estate and away from any public eyes. It’s a pretty far walk for you, but it’s all clear and perfect for training.”

“Give me a few to get out of the house. I’ll be there soon.”

After hanging up with her, I changed into leggings and a sweatshirt, noting how difficult it was to pull on the tight leggings with clawed fingers. I had to pull my tail out of the waistband of the pants, which made the furry extremity feel constricted. I had to give Avana credit, though. Her illusion was solid, though it probably had less than an hour left before it faded.

As I got ready, I was surprisingly calm for someone who was about to be sneaking around. It was when I finally stepped out into the dark hallway that my nerves got the best of me. The manor was huge, and if not for the twins’ tour, I’d most definitely have gotten lost trying to navigate the halls.

I hugged all the corners as I waited and listened for the sound of anyone roaming about. Though, if caught, I could always explain that I was on my way to the kitchen for a drink.

Tension curled around my shoulders by the time I made it down the flights of stairs and to the back door. I crept outside and made sure to hug the house as I looked up at all the windows. There wasn’t a single light on in any of the windows out back, and my heart danced with hope that luck was on my side. It seemed everyone was settled in bed after the long day.

Myra had an expansive backyard with a massive lake sat a short walk from the back door. It would be around the water’s edge and through the dense trees that Dallas waited for me, hidden beneath the blanket of nightfall. Not knowing how far she was from the house, I started the long trek in search of her.

When I was shrouded under the canopy of trees and safely hidden from view of the house, I pulled out my phone.

“Gumm—”

“Not Gummy Worm,” I laughed. “I’m in the woods along the lake’s edge. Where are you?”

“I’m glad you asked. Here’s your first lesson. Find me.”

I stopped walking, my brow furrowed in confusion. Turning to scan the endless dark trees and silent water, I mumbled, “Find you? This lake is massive. How am I supposed to find you with absolutely no direction?”

I could practically hear the smile in her voice as she answered, “You have thirty minutes. Find me, or you fail and I’m leaving.”

Without another word, she hung up. Baffled and utterly lost as to how I was supposed to locate her among the acres of wilderness, I started walking again. It became very clear very quickly that my efforts were futile. I’d gotten so turned around and confused that I didn’t even know where I was, let alone where Dallas was, and I’d spent so much time searching in vain that even my Fox Fae illusion fizzled away.

Glancing at my phone, I saw I only had a handful of minutes left. Groaning, I picked up a rock and chucked it at the water. The stone cracked against the dark waves before sinking to the bottom of the lake. I didn’t understand what Dallas wanted. We were supposed to be working on honing my abilities and learning how to control them. How was playing hide and seek going to do that?

Sighing, I knelt by the water’s edge and skimmed my hand across the surface. The tension in my shoulders immediately seeped away. The frustration cleared from my mind, and with the loss of the negative voice came a new one. A soft hum. A whisper.

Bria.

Use me.

Here.

Call out.

My attention was now focused solely on the lapping water at my feet.

Is this how I find Dallas? The water will show me?

With nothing to lose, I stood up straight and took a deep breath. Closing my eyes, I tuned out the gentle wind whistling through the trees, the faint flutter of leaves falling to the ground, and the crickets hard at work. Soon, all I could hear was the nearly silent slap of the water against the rock and dirt at my feet. The heaving of the water began to mix with the voices in the waves. Honing in on those sounds, I felt the buzz of the connection.

“Where’s Dallas?” I mumbled to the water.

When I opened my eyes, three drops of water, no bigger than my thumb nail, hovered in front of me. Surprised, I jumped back with a gasp. This triggered the water at my feet to lurch forward as though to shield me from whatever startled me.

The lake water started to rise up from the ground in front of me, so I quickly shook my head. “No, no. I’m fine. Go–Go back to how you were.”

The water did as it was told, and it went back to wading calmly in its place. Turning my attention back to the three drops of water, which were still suspended in front of me, I asked, “Can you help me find Dallas?”

The drops bounced.

---