Page 100 of The Demon's Delight
“Thank you,” I said, unsure what else could be said.
“This doctor…” Vassago frowned, dropping the notebook he was looking at like it had burned him. “He’s dead?”
“Yes.” I envisioned Seir’s sword piercing Dr. Lang’s body.
“Good.”
“If you don’t mind, could I do some of my own testing on the samples?” Greta asked. “I wouldn’t need all of what’s here, just a little tiny bit. I want to see if I get the same results they did, if I can figure out what they thought they were collecting.” Vassago patted her knee in a loving way. I could tell she was genuinely curious, but unlike them her intentions were not self-motivated.
“Of course.”
“Thank you.” She smiled and started picking up one vial at a time from the strongbox. Her hand stilled as she flipped over my mother’s letter. Her eyes met mine.
“I was actually hoping you could help with that too.”
Greta nodded and took out the letter, straightening the worn creases as she scanned the paper with her eyes. Her mouth tightened the further she read, and dread curled in my gut when she glanced at me several times before reading it again.
“It’s… Shall I just read it to you? We can go somewhere private, if you like.”
My pulse sounded too loud in my ears. “Is it bad? Or overly personal?”
Greta shook her head. “No, not bad. Not even personal aside from you being the subject of it. There’s no great revelations that I can tell, either. I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright. I don’t mind.”
She glanced around, Vassago’s hand resting on her back in a gesture of support. Rylan dipped his chin at me encouragingly, a gentle lift to his lips. I’d always been independent. I’d never needed anyone else, not even Aunt Sal. But in that moment, I wanted Seir next to me more than anything in the world.
My darling Hailon,
I hope one day you can forgive us for having to make such an impossible choice. Your life is infinitely more valuable than either of ours, and we cannot selfishly continue to risk the worst by keeping you with us, as much as it kills us both to send you away. Sal has promised to care for you, and I know she’ll keep that promise. I know it will be difficult to see it, especially by the time you’re able to read this letter, but we love you more than anything else in this world. We’ll be back as soon as we can. Do not try to find us. Keep the little horse with you, it will always provide peace.
Greta looked up.“It’s signed with a sigil and a mark that meanssnowin fae. No names.”
I nodded, slowly digesting what she’d read. “That last part, it’s clever wording.”
“Oh?” Rylan asked.
“Yes, this necklace was hidden inside of the horse.” I reached into my pack and produced the two broken halves.
Vassago took them from me, both he and his brother curiously looking the little figure over.
“Why would they leave me a letter encoded in fae? I understand it would be meaningless to most if found, but there’s nothing in there that had to be so secret.”
Greta shook her head, empathy in her eyes. “I’m not sure, I’m sorry.”
I reached up and touched the necklace, the hum still present, but not enough to be irritating. To break the heavy silence, Lovette and Imogen helped me explain what we’d discovered with the necklace and dagger, that each was some kind of amplifier for one of the powers.
“Ophelia thought perhaps they needed to be recalibrated to Hailon specifically,” Lovette offered.
“Sounds logical.” Rylan nodded.
“I have some work to do with the dagger; the grip is not well suited,” Imogen said softly.
“And if you take off the necklace?” Vassago leaned forward, long white hair nearly brushing his thighs.
I glanced around nervously, every eye on me. The delicious fruit tart I’d eaten knotted in my stomach.
“Only for a moment,” Rylan encouraged.
