Page 80 of The Black Witch

She’s afraid of me. Just as Lukas said she’d be.

“I need a bed,” I demand, nervously seizing on my advantage, pointing to the bed behind me. Ariel scuttles over to it and hurriedly retrieves her things, taking out her aggression on her belongings, throwing them viciously on the bed next to Wynter’s, muttering to herself darkly the whole time.

She turns to glower at me. “You can keep me from hurting you, Gardnerian,” she vows, “but you can’t keep me fromhatingyou!”

“The feeling’s mutual!” I snipe back.

I strip the bed of Ariel’s sheets, disgusted by the idea of sleeping on anything that’s touched an Icaral’s skin, and toss them forcefully in her direction. Then I retrieve my things from the downstairs closet and set them by my new bed. I fish out my pen set and some rolled-up parchment, then plop down at my desk and set my writing implements out before me.

I don’t feel powerful, even though Lukas says I am. I feel small and scared and intimidated. And I can feel the Icaral demons watching me.

My eyes stinging hot with tears, I begin to write.

Dear Aunt Vyvian,

Please let me move to different lodging. I know you’re trying to do what you feel is best for me, and I’m thankful for your good intentions, but the Icarals are frightening and dangerous—more than I think you could have ever imagined.

I agree to be courted by Lukas Grey with the intention of fasting to him. I never closed the door to that possibility. I know that is not exactly what you want, but please, Aunt Vyvian, please don’t leave me here with these horrible creatures. I beg of you.

Your Faithful Niece,

Elloren

I dry the ink, fold the parchment and seal it with wax, then snuff out the lamp.

* * *

That night, after I cry myself to sleep, I dream that I’m far away from the North Tower. In my dream, I’m strong and fierce and feared by everyone around me.

My name is Mage Carnissa Gardner.

I’m locking a large metal cage in the bottom of a dark dungeon, a ring of black keys heavy in my hand. The only light comes from some dim Elfin lumenstone hanging on the walls at intervals, casting a swampy, greenish glow over the scene.

In the cage are Icarals: Ariel, Wynter and the Icarals from Valgard. Iris from the kitchen is there, too, and Bleddyn Arterra.

I hear a sharp snap as the internal metal hooks engage each other. I’m just about to turn away, relieved they’re all safely locked up in prison, when I hear a child cry. I squint at the far corner of the cage. Little Fern and the Valgard Selkie are cowering on the floor. The Selkie looks up at me, her ocean eyes full of sadness.

I motion for her to approach and put the key back in the lock. “You two can come out,” I tell them, fiddling with the key, having a hard time with it.

The Selkie doesn’t move. She remains there on the ground, her arms around the sobbing child. “It’s too late,” she says mournfully, “you’ve already locked it.”

I break out in a cold sweat, the other creatures in the cage having disappeared, only the Selkie and Urisk child remaining. “It can’t be too late,” I insist, straining with the key.

But the lock won’t give.

It’s a mistake. It’s all a mistake.I hear a noise behind me and turn.

A Watcher, perched on an outcropping of stone, white wings glowing in the green light. Its avian eyes full of sorrow.

I turn back to the Selkie and the child. “It’s not too late,” I insist. “I’m going to get you out.”

For the rest of the night I struggle with the lock, but try as I may, it refuses to give.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The Gardnerian

I’m awakened the next morning by a knock at the door.

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