Page 15 of The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon
“So.”Shepushed down the thoughts of his mouth and how it would feel on her neck. “Whatexactly did you need my help with?Idon’t know much aboutMr.McCoy.”Ellanarrowed her gaze. “Ifyou are going to try something,Iam not afraid to throw myself from this carriage.”Shereached for the door.Thanesmiled that stupid smile.Theone that made her want to kiss that stupid mouth of his.
“You are safe.Youshould be thanking me.Lilliantold me a certain widow’s son planned on stopping by tonight.”
Ella groaned, sitting back on the bench. “Weepy-EyeAlbert?”
“I’m not sure if that was his name,”Thanesaid, reaching under the bench and pulling out a small basket. “Youdo not like thisAlbert?”Hepulled a silver flask and two silver cups out of the basket. “Brandy?”
It wasn’tElla’sfavorite drink, but after the day she had, a little drink wouldn’t hurt. “Please, and no,Idon’t likeAlbert.Thereis something about him… almost as if…”Ellaturned back to the window.Fieldsof grain and corn replaced the dirty brown houses ofRiverton.Shehad never told anyone about the light.
“As if he sold his soul?”Thanehanded her the cup.
“Yes.Howdid you know?”
“I know his type.MenlikeAlberthave been making deals with my father for years.Theyalways want what they cannot have and are willing to sell their soul for it.”
Right, that was why he said that.Notbecause he, too, could see some glow. “AndMr.McCoy, is he likeAlbert?”Ellatook a sip of the brandy.
“No.Hewanted to make a deal to save his sons from a life of hardship.”Thaneturned to the window. “Andhe has.”
“What does your father do that he can change people’s lives so easily?”Thebrandy tasted sweet on her tongue.Itwent down far easier than normal.
“Why so many questions?”Thaneheld up the flask. “Morebrandy?”
Ella allowed him to fill the cup.Itwas small.Twowouldn’t have an ill effect on her. “Ican’t remember anything about my parents.Ionly ask in hopes it will loosen something in my memories.I’msorry ifI’mprying.”
Thane sat back. “No, it’s fine.Thereisn’t much to say about my father.Youreally don’t remember anything?”
“No.SometimesIhave…”Ellastopped herself from saying more.Shehad never told anyone about the odd dreams or the faceless man.Shehadn’t even toldSissyabout places in her dreams that were so familiar and yet so foreign.Placesthat she longed to go back to.Aman she missed.
“You what?”Thaneasked.
She had the sudden urge to confess things she didn’t understand.Totell him about all the moments he had missed.Thehardship her time away had caused.Awayfrom what?Thankfully, the carriage stopped and the footman opened the door, and she saved herself from that humiliation. “We’rehere,”Ellasaid, swallowing the rest of the brandy.
“Yes, perfect timing.”
Ella allowedThaneto help her from the carriage.Mr.McCoy’slarge stone manor stood dark.Noservants or stable boys welcomed them. “Washe expecting you?”
“Yes,”Thanesaid, tugging on a jacket with silver threads.Itseemed to move on its own, almost as if it were made of smoke.
She must have drunk more than she thought.Itwas just a jacket.Thesun was just slipping behind the mountains.Theday’s warmth disappeared, fading into the bruised night sky.Ailithcalled this the magic hour.Thetime between the day’s last dance and before the creatures of the night took to the dance floor.Thiswas the time when the space between the mortals and the gods was the thinnest.Thetime when the things that hid in the dark would snatch children who dawdled, and when the gods would listen to maidens who made silly wishes on the first star of the night.Itwas also the time thatEllahad been found.
Most people feared this time of day.ButEllaloved it.Itwas when she felt the most like herself.Aself she barely knew.Butsomething felt different about tonight.Hermind and heart slowed.Herbreath sounded loud in her ears.Theworld around her looked different.Brighter.Harsh.Shesaw the shadows creeping out from under rocks and behind trees.
Her limbs were heavy and her head light as the part of her she had lost woke.Itstretched and yawned, shook off a year’s worth of darkness.Shestood ready to do what was being asked of her.Whatwas being asked of her?
Silly girl, you made a bargain.Youhave two left to collect.Ellasmiled to herself.Right.Twoleft.Thevoice that filled her head sounded like her, yet different.Colder.
“It’s time.”
Ella jumped at how closeThanewas.Hisbreath was warm on her cheek.Shefollowed him.Theshadows hissed and cowered from him.Thisisn’t right,Ella.Wakeup,a voice screamed at her.Ella’svoice.Butshe wasn'tElla.Shewas someone else.Thaneopened the door for her.
Do you remember what to do, dove?
His voice filled her head without speaking a word.Shenodded, never feeling surer of anything in her life.Thevoice still screamed forEllato stop as they stepped into the dark halls of the manor.Thefurniture had been covered, as if the occupants had left for a long vacation.Thehouse was empty of life, except for one.Mr.McCoysat with his back to them.
“I thought you weren’t coming.Ihoped you weren’t.Isent my wife and children away.Ididn’t want them to witness this.Idon’t want it to look as ifItook my own life.Please.”
Mr.McCoypicked up a glass that sat on the table next to him.Thefire was dying, and the scotch bottle was empty.Thetime had come.
