Page 81 of Drawn in Blood
“Granda’?” she repeated, squeezing Theo’s hand tightly in hers.
“Aye,” Aoife nodded with a smile, “Ulrik is your grandfather.”
Ember’s head spun as she thought back to her first year at Heksheim, to her conversation with Professor Bjorn.
“Helvig was the family name of the original children of Odin”—he cleared his throat—“allegedly.”
Ember sucked in a quiet breath and silently slid forward in her seat, hanging on to every word he said.
“The Helvigs were a powerful family,” he continued. “Very powerful. They controlled most of the lives of the First Families.Some say Odin himself told them about Ellesmere Island and gave them the coordinates to get here, along with the wards and repelling charms placed around the island to keep undesirables out.”
“If the Helvigs were the ones who decided to settle Ellesmere,” Fen asked, as he scrunched his face, “why didn’t they make it here with the rest of the families?”
“Now that is the question, isn’t it?” The professor smirked. “Their values didn’t quite align with the rest of the families, even Freyr, who had some questionable beliefs. They believed that the Vala were the only ones worthy of magic. Clann Helvig believed that they were superior. Their beliefs became dangerous. Some say their ship went down a few hundred miles off the coast and were lost at sea. Others say they never even made it onto their ships.”
“And what do you say?” Killian asked through narrowed eyes, lounging in his chair as he sipped his tea, as if this was normal, everyday conversation.
Professor Bjorn let out a gruff laugh and leaned back in his chair, folding his hands over his tweed vest. “There are stories that say the family successfully made it to the island, and instead of settling on the south end here with the rest of the families, they went to the north.”
“But that’s past the Dark Forest,” Fen whispered. “No one goes past the forest.”
“Aye,” Professor Bjorn nodded. “That would make it the perfect hiding place, wouldn’t it?”
“We’re o-on the north end of the island,” she stuttered, “aren’t we?”
Helvig smiled. “You catch on quick.” He adjusted the sleeve of his coat, picking off an invisible piece of lint.
Ember’s head continued to spin, puzzle pieces slowly falling into place.
Rowan had talked about a Father. Ember originally thought it was her father she was with, until she had run into Rowan’s mother in Sigurvik and learned that both her father and brother were dead. Could this be who she was talking about? And if that was the case, then that meant Rowan was…
The front door creaked open, quickly slamming shut, and the light pitter patter of footsteps sounded across the tile floor. Helvig turned around, a smile breaking out across his face.
“Ah, yes, perfect timing,” he said, as he greeted the guest. “Ember, I have a surprise for you.”
Ember’s heart thudded in her throat as she furrowed her brow. She didn’t enjoy surprises on a good day, but especially not like this.
“Ember,” he continued, “I think you’ll remember?—"
Ember’s stomach leapt into her throat, her heart beating rapidly as their eyes met.
“Rowan?”
Chapter 25
Home Sweet Home
Ember didn’t even give herself time to think or form a coherent thought. She just fired the first hex that came to mind, directly at Rowan’s chest. Rowan’s eyes widened as she ducked, caught off guard, but luckily, Helvig had thrown up a shield, blocking the attack and sending it directly back at Ember. She landed with a thud on the ground, knocking the air out of her lungs.
“Ember!” Aoife hissed. “Honestly, what has gotten into you today?”
“You’re supposed to be dead,” Ember gaped at Rowan, ignoring her mother entirely.
“You would like that, wouldn’t you?” Rowan replied. “Three against one in a rundown house, and then you and that bloody Merrow just left me to die at the edge of the Dark Forest? Might as well have just fed me to the Cu Sidhe yourself.” There was fire in her voice, but none in her eyes. They were empty and longing for something Ember couldn’t quite place. It almost made her feel bad for the girl.
Almost.
“You used me,” Ember whispered. “You used me and just left. I thought we were friends.”
