Page 40 of Drawn in Blood
”Someone half Fae,” Odette replied quietly. “Not as common these days, and most of the time, they don’t even know what they are. But if they do know, they can get past the wards.”
”We’ve considered the possibility,” Lord Erevan replied, “but unfortunately, it’s hard to confirm. Faekin don’t live in Arcelia, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t figured out how to get past the wards on their own.”
“I don’t know what you expect me to do,” Ember mumbled. “I’m not even sixteen yet. I can’t change anything. I can’t bring them back.”
“We do not expect change from you three,” Lord Erevan replied, “but we’re hoping you can be the beginnings of a bridge. We will not be able to bring our children home until we stop blaming those who aren’t responsible and start looking for other possibilities.”
“I think Chief Thornsten is fairly set on placing all of the blame on you,” Killian huffed, as he crossed his arms tightly over his chest. “A few teenagers with a penchant for endangering themselves won’t change his mind.”
“Perhaps not,” Adalaena replied with a nod, “but planting the seed with someone he’ll listen to won’t hurt.”
Ember squinted her eyes as she watched the women tending to the glowing flowers and the children run through the moonlit gardens.
“It’s the middle of the night,” she mumbled. “What are they doing out in the middle of the night?”
“It’s the best time to harvest from the Flor de Luna.” Asteria smiled. “They’re incredibly valuable ingredients in lots of potions, worth a small fortune.”
“Can I go see them?” Ember asked before she could stop herself. There was something pulling her to them, almost like the tug she felt between Killian and Fen—something otherworldly and mildly unsettling.
“What, the flowers?” Fen asked, as he scrunched his nose.
“The city, Fenrir,” she huffed.
“Of course.” Asteria grinned as she grabbed Ember’s hand. “Come with me.”
Asteria led the teenagers through the temple and down the steps into the town once again. The energy filling the streets was palpable. Everyone had seemed to be asleep when they arrived, nestled in their homes, but now giggles filled the air as young Fae ran amuck, and parents sat on the front porches and milled about in the gardens like it was mid-day, not the middle of the night.
“Our sleep schedule differs a little from yours,” Asteria chimed in. “For those that live in town, most wake during the middle of the night to spend time together as a family outdoors when the weather permits. Shops aren’t open, but there’s something about a few hours in the midnight air that is good for the soul.”
Ember grinned as she watched a group of children ahead of them playing in the street, hitting a ball back and forth with little wooden sticks. A woman, who Ember assumed was their mother, carried out a tray of snacks and drinks on the porch and called them all over. They weren’t all that different from the Vala, not really.
Out of nowhere, a faint trail of glowing blue light appeared in front of Ember. Her heart leapt into her throat as the little blue wisps flew around the ground, creating a trail toward a small flower behind the wall of a beautiful garden.
“Everything alright, Starshine?” Killian asked, as he furrowed his brow.
Ember swallowed as she inched closer to the flower, the humming in her ear now growing louder. “Do you hear that,” she whispered, as she inched closer.
“Hear… what?” Fen asked, worry clouding his face.
“That buzzing,” Ember replied, pointing at her ear, “and those little wisps, you don’t see them?”
Killian and Fen looked between each other and shrugged, but Odette just smiled, cocking her head as if waiting for something.
“There’s nothing there, Starshine,” Killian said gently, as he put his hand on her arm. “It’s late. Maybe we should head back home.”
“No, not yet,” Ember replied, as she shook her head. “Give me just a second.” Without hesitating, she swung open the garden gate, following the wisps to the glowing flower.
“Em, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Fen whispered, but Ember ignored him. Before she even realized what she was doing, she was in the dirt on her knees reaching toward the flower. Her fingers made contact, and the world went black.
Chapter 12
Will o’ the Wisp
Waves rocked violently back and forth as the girl lay in the bottom of the boat, trying to protect her head from the falling water filling the bottom of the vessel. She paddled harder, following the light of a shooting star in the only direction she knew to go. Though the wind and waves were relentless, she sang a song she had become so familiar with.
Trí stoirmeagus farraige caillimid cé muid féin,
Ach amháin le fáil ag réalta tar éis titim.
