Page 38 of Elora and the Crow

“What do you want with him?” she asked.

“That’s none of your business,” Jonah said.

Her upper lip curled, but she raised her hand when the man to her left started toward Jonah. “Be still, Dairem.”

She glanced at the man to her right, who nodded and disappeared out a side door. They stood in thick silence for nearly two minutes before he returned.

Relief swept through Jonah when his brother followed the fae into the room. “Caleb.”

He hurried toward him, pulling him into his embrace for a rough hug. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Caleb said.

He wore his umber-coloured hair in a natural afro style now, rather than braids, and the facial acne that had plagued him for most of his life had disappeared, but otherwise, he looked the same. His usual outfit of a favourite band t-shirt with ragged jeans was gone, replaced by an open-collared white shirt and jeans that looked brand new. Multiple beaded bracelets around both wrists were a pop of colour against his brown skin.

He studied Jonah, and his dark brown eyes held a coolness that sent tendrils of worry slithering down Jonah’s spine.

“What are you doing here?” Caleb asked.

“I’m here to take you home,” Jonah said.

Caleb’s laugh held a tinge of bitterness. “Why? So you can disappear on me again for a few years?”

“I’m sorry,” Jonah said. “I didn’t want -”

“Save it,” Caleb held up his hand, cutting off his words. “I’m not leaving with you. This is my home now.”

Jonah gripped his shoulders. “Buddy, no, it isn’t. You’re under a fae’s spell, that’s all.”

“No, I’m not,” Caleb said.

“You are, and as soon as you leave this place and are away from their influence, you’ll realize that -”

“I’m not!” Caleb tore away from his grip. “Christ, Jonah, I am not a child, okay? Stop treating me like one.”

“I’m not.” Jonah tried to keep his tone even, tried to keep the annoyance starting to bubble under his skin from being evident. “But the fae are not your friends or your… your family. They stole you because of your music. They don’t care about you, Caleb.”

“Oh, and you do? You’ve been gone three fucking years, Jonah. Not a single phone call or text or fucking postcard. Just dropped off the face of the earth, and now you’re back expecting me to welcome you with open arms.”

Jonah stared at him in shock. His fun-loving, easygoing brother had disappeared, replaced by the cold and angry stranger in front of him.

“A witch’s spell had me trapped,” Jonah said. “I couldn’t contact you because I -”

“Just stop, okay? I don’t want to hear your excuses anymore. We both know that even if you could have contacted me, you wouldn’t have.”

“That isn’t true,” Jonah said. “You’re my brother, and I love you, Caleb.”

Caleb scoffed. “You bring out the brother thing only when it’s convenient for you.”

“I don’t,” Jonah snapped. “Look, I get that you’re confused, and the fae have filled your head with lies and garbage, but it’s me, Caleb. Jonah. I maybe haven’t been the best brother, but I’m trying and I -”

“No, you’re not! You don’t try, Jonah!” Caleb shouted. “For the first time since Dad died, I have someone in my life who truly loves me, listens to me, respects me and doesn’t just keep me around for the times when she’s feeling lonely or bored.”

“She?” Jonah said.

Caleb gave him a defiant look. “Her name is Nimera, and we’re in love.”

“You’re in love with a fucking fae?” Jonah glanced at the fae in the room. They were watching in silence, but the smug looks on their faces made him want to punch something.

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