Page 41 of White Little Lies

“We are running out of time.”

“No one suspects a thing. We can still make this work.”

“Not with so many drawing from the well.”

The voices faded as they walked past.

I turned toward Sebastian. “Can you follow them?“

“Why?”

I rolled my eyes. “Because they sound super suspicious. They might be the ones who poisoned Aaliyah.“

“Fine.” He gave me a quick irritated look, then disappeared in a cloud of darkness. I wasn’t sure if his magic was increased here too, but as long as he was as good as he was on earth, he would be fine.

The rest of us, however—I looked at Crispin. “Let’s go. We still need to find Aaliyah.”

We crept toward the edge of the tunnel, but it was too narrow for us to see much of the surroundings beyond. “Can you scout ahead a little bit?” I asked Ringo. He was the size of a small animal, and there wereprobably plenty of those scurrying about in a realm of nymphs. In the darkness, he should be fine.

I knelt as he scurried down my arm, lowering him to the ground to scamper out of sight.

“Wow,” Crispin said softly. “And here I had assumed the little guy was completely useless.”

I glared at him. “That little guy has saved my life. Or at least saved me from being kidnapped.”

“How?”

I smirked. “Sharp teeth. He is also extremely handy for eavesdropping. And all he wants in return are various forms of potatoes.”

Ringo scampered back into sight and we both crouched in front of him for his report. He looked beyond excited to be helping out. “Lanterns in the direction of the dwellings. A few nymphs milling about the walkways, but if we stay in darkness, we can probably avoid them.”

“Perfect.“ I held my hand out for him, lifting him back to my shoulder.

“Turn right out of the entrance and walk close to the trees,” Ringo’s little voice chittered in my ear.

I led the way, peeking my head out before following with my body. I did as Ringo instructed, keeping my back pressed against the trees forming the tunnel. I could see what he was talking about now, and where the light was coming from. The residences were small and dome shaped, placed in large circles around walkways lit by torches. I could see a much larger domebeyond, and knew that’s where the well resided, according to Seraphina. There were some woods and rivers beyond that, but that was the extent of it. Nymphs usually resided in our own realm, but created pocket realms for safe dwellings. The realms always centered around the well, the source of their power and clan connection.

We crept along, keeping to the tree line. I knew Aaliyah’s room wasn’t in the first set of residences, but the one beyond, closer to the well.

I froze at the sound of a door opening, and a tall male nymph emerged from the nearest dwelling. He was close enough for me to watch his profile as his brow furrowed, then his head started to turn our way.

Crispin yanked me to the ground. I felt a flutter of his magic as the grass grew a little taller around us, completely concealing our hunched forms.

My heart thundered in my throat as we waited, then I heard the soft sound of footsteps walking away from us. I waited another minute before I let my breath whoosh out of me. “Nice going,” I whispered.

Crispin parted the grass enough to peer outward, then stood and offered me his hand.

I took it, even though he would know how much I was shaking. Ireallydidn’t want to do battle with nymphs just to get Aaliyah to safety.

Crispin stepped close, his eyes watching our surroundings. “Are you alright? You can go back to the tunnel if you need to. I can try finding heron my own.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and shook my head. “No. She doesn’t know who you are.”

“Fair point.” With the coast entirely clear, he looked at me. “I just don’t like seeing you afraid. You weren’t so fearful when we faced the fae.”

I managed a small smile. “I was working on pure adrenaline then. Somehow sneaking around is far more terrifying.”

He squeezed my hand. “Just follow my lead. The magic here flows through me easily. I can conceal us again if needed.”

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