Page 150 of Mama Si's Paradise

“I’m F—” I stopped talking when Valentine’s warning popped into my head. “I’m Doll.”

“Doll. What a strange name,” the woman said. “And which Isle is your home, Doll? You don’t look like anything in particular, and I can’t tell the brand of your magic yet.”

I swallowed hard as I turned to her.

Shit, I should have given this whole thing a better thinking.If only I’d known beforehand that I’d be visiting the Aerie, I’d have prepared a name and a story and a plan.

“Blood Burrow,” I said, hoping she couldn’t tell that my voice was slightly shaking. “But I don’t really have much magic to speak of.”

“You’re not the only one. We’ve only had enough power for the Bazaar the past two years since one of our offerings was chosen at the ritual,” she said. She was talking about Rachel, one of Romin’s brides who’d been offered by the Aerie two years ago.

“I remember,” I said with a nod. “This language—what is it? I don’t understand these symbols.”

“It’s Faeish, the language of our ancestors, what most of Ennaris spoke back in the olden days,” Emerald said. “Do you mind if I speak freely, Doll?”

I turned to her again, a bit surprised. “Go ahead.”

She didn’t miss a beat. “You look lost.”

My lips opened as I struggled to find something to say. “I’m not. I’ve just lost my way back, that’s all.”

“We can always find ways. It’s important not to lose ourselves, though.Weare the most difficult to find,” she said, and her smile said she wassorryfor me. Like she knew me, knew all that I’d been through.

I shook my head. “You offered me guidance out there. I don’t have anything to pay you with, but if you could point me in the direction of some boats that lead out of here?—”

“Because you lost your way back—yes,” she cut me off.

“Exactly.”

Suddenly, I felt very warm in the library. Pulling the shawl down over my shoulders casually, I moved back toward the door again.

“That ring on your finger,” she then said, her eyes never leaving mine.

I pulledmy hands behind my back instantly. “What about my ring?”

“Keep it safe. Keep your hands fisted. Faeries are creatures of air,” she said. “And they also like to steal magical jewelry.”

Every hair on my body stood at attention. I forgot about the books completely.

“You know what, you’re probably busy so I’m just gonna let you get back to work. I’ll find my way around the Aerie—thank you!” And I turned for the door.

“Doll,” she said, and she sounded so much like Mama Si that I had no choice but to stop and turn to her again. “I offered you guidance. My offer still stands.”

Goddamn it, I didn’t want to stay here for a second longer. It felt like she already knew too much.

Except, if she told me where to find boats, I’d be out of here by sunset. For all I knew the Aerie was as vast as the Whispering Woods, and I wasn’t keen on spending hours walking around this place, trying to find a way to a goddamn boat.

“I don’t have anything to pay you with,” I reminded her. After all, this was a market. You give something to get something in return. Everything must be paid.

“Well, then you’re in luck because I’m in need of some help with my books downstairs.” And she pointed down at the hardwood floor. “Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you. Magic won’t work on you with that ring on your finger, anyway.”

“How do you know what this ring is?”

She laughed. “I know magic, Doll. Everyone here knows magic.” And she winked at me.

Of course, they did—they were all Enchanted. I was possibly the only human here, even if not a hundred percent anymore. There was magic rushing in my veins. I felt it, even if I hadn’t put it to a test yet, but I was still just me. Just Fall.

“I was told this is undetectable,” I reluctantly said, pulling down the sleeve of my shirt to hide the ring, even though I’dturned the amethyst toward my palm. Genevieve had sounded so sure that her ring couldn’t be detected.

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