Page 24 of Ties of Shadow

As I trimmed, watered, and repotted small saplings, the blood rushing in my ears slowed its throbbing rhythm as the surrounding sounds caressed me, warm and familiar—birds chirped, insects buzzed, leaves clattered. When I closed my eyes, I was almost back in the forest, below the castle, away from the barren battleground. The Shade’s solarium was a world of its own.

A woman muttered something behind me, and I whirled to see who approached. But the room was empty.

“…climbing all the way along, just—Klay, no, not there.”

There were only racerbristles. There was no one there. I was losing my mind.

The woman’s voice spoke again. “You’re a dear. Over here, please.”

A young voice whined, “ButMoooooom.”

A bush shook and rustled. Stepping closer, I pulled the branch away with a trembling hand. A black and white spotted creature was digging at the base, and three miniature creatures scuttled between the stalks. They froze, their black shiny eyes fixing on mine.

A baby lifted a single paw. “Mom, should we run?”

“Don’t move. Let’s see if it goes away,” the mother’s voice cautioned.

I frowned. Their mouths didn’t move. Our stare down continued.

A baby’s tail twitched; this one’s voice was higher. “I have an itch!”

“Freeze, Lolo.”

I cleared my throat. “Um. Hello.”

Terrified, the three babies squeaked and rushed to hide under their mother. She bared her teeth and lifted a black-and-white tail, turning her rump toward me.

“Hold together, dears. I shall spray her, and then we shall run.”

Wait, spray? I took a step back. “I mean you no harm. I’m…” What am I doing talking to more animals? “I’m Aelia. The Shade brought me here.”

“She smells nice.”The high voice…said. But the sound didn’t come through my ears.

“She has white hair like us.”

“Do you think she’s a skunk too?”

A sharp chirp.“She’s a human,”the mother scolded.

Skunks. Okay. I shook my head. “I’m sorry. I’m not a skunk.” Six tiny eyes peeked from under the mother. One teetered out and bumbled toward me. He squinted an eye. We studied each other for a moment before I leaned forward. “Hi.”

“Hi.”

Frowning, I crouched. The mouth of the skunk definitely did not move as it spoke.

“How is it I can hear you?”

The baby turned back to its mother, who answered,“The Shade understands us. Why shouldn’t you?”

Huh. Perhaps the magic of the manor?

“If you would excuse us, we’re already up too late,” the mother continued. “We need to finish up our work and get to bed. If you’d like, you can trim that side for the spent blossoms.”Her nose twitched.“Come, Lolo, Klay, Jarlz. Go snuggle in.”

“Yes, Mama.”Two trundled after her.

Jarlz, the one closest to me, stayed a moment longer and bared his tiny teeth. “I’ll be watching you.”

I bowed seriously but couldn’t prevent a smile as he rushed after his mother. Perhaps the Shade was evil, the manor frightening, and the magic unusual, but these little babies were joy in a black-and-white package.

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