Page 41 of Drawn in Blood
Snámh i dtreo an chladaigh i bhfad i gcéin,
óir níl aon áit caillte againn níos mó.
Trí fear tareis fás agus foraoisí cosc,
Sin an ait a bhfaighidh tú na daoine óga, goidte agus i bhfolach.
Thar na gcnoc is na gcloch liath,
Sin an ait a rachaidh sibh go léir isteach sa chraic.
The woodfrom the boat let out a deafening crash, and water rushed in, pulling the vessel and its occupant under the waves and into the inky water. The girl thrashed in the water, clawing her way to the surface, grasping desperately for something to grab onto to pull herself up. Saltwater burned her lungs, but still, she fought. Suddenly, she was hurled onto a sandy beach, desperately coughing up the water that had tried to take her life. She laid her head on the sand, lips chapped and lungs heavy, and continued to sing.
Trí stoirmeagus farraige caillimid cé muid féin,
Ach amháin le fáil ag réalta tar éis titim.
Ember gaspedas her eyes opened, and she quickly realized she was lying on her back in the grass, stars dancing above her, and Maia leaning on her chest. Everything began to rapidly come back to her as she moved the draic off her ribs, and she was suddenly aware of the hand gripping hers, fear pulsating through his fingertips like their veins were connected.
“Starshine, are you alright?” Killian asked through a furrowed brow. His breathing was steady, but Ember could feel his grip tighten, like if he were to let go, she might slip away again.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” she replied, pushing herself up with her free hand as Killian helped her into a sitting position.
“Well, I’m bloody happy someone is because I’m sure not,” Fen replied, wiping sweat off his brow. “Honestly, Em, don’t ever do that again.”
“You fainted after you touched that flower,” Killian replied, pointing at the Flor de Lune that swayed gently in the breeze. “You barely touched it and then you just collapsed.”
“You saw the wisps, didn’t you?” Odette asked, sitting cross legged in front of Ember with a smile that looked far too happy for their current situation.
Asteria shot her a shocked glance as she scrunched her brow.
“The what?” Ember asked, rubbing the back of her head.
“The wisps,” Asteria replied, eyes lingering on Odette for a moment. She twisted her fingers in the air in front of her, and a picture appeared before her, like something you would see on the tv or a computer screen. Ember sucked in a breath as she saw the picture that floated in front of her, the small blue wisps of light that glowed around the runes at the gate and then again on the path before she collapsed.
“What are those,” Killian asked, still gripping Ember’s hand tightly. Her fingers started to ache, but she couldn’t bring herself to pull away.
“We’ve always just called them wisps, or Will o’ the Wisp,” Asteria replied. “They’re small traces of ancient magic not visible to the naked eye. Some Fae can see them, but only through years of very intense training. I only know of a handful that can, and it took them longer than I’ve been alive to learn.”
Ember swallowed dryly and took a shuddering breath. “So, why can I see them,” she whispered.
“Now that,” Asteria replied, waving away the image from the air, and glancing back at Odette briefly, “I’m not sure. There are legends about beings that can see traces of ancient magic, beings that are something… different.”
“Like a Wildling,” Ember whispered, eyes closed as she gripped Killian’s hand like it was a life preserver. Fen’s hand gripped her shoulder, and she was certain she might pass out again if it wasn’t for the boys. She barely registered that Odette didn’t so much as raise her brow at the name or balk at the events that were unfolding.
That was something she would unpack later.
“I’ve heard that name be used before,” Asteria smirked, plucking a blade of grass from in front of her to twirl through her fingers, “but only whispers. I’m afraid that’s all I know.”
Ember nodded as she took a shaky breath. It seemed no matter what she did, her life would always be more questions than answers. There would always be a secret to unravel, always a shadow playing out the corner of her eye.
“I think it’s time we get you home,” Killian interjected. “Seems to be enough adventure for one night.”
“Thank you for coming,” Asteria said, as they stood, gratitude filling her voice as she smiled. “It meant the world to my parents to feel like at least some Vala are on our side. It is beautiful here, but it can be lonely when you feel like a whole island is waiting for your kingdom to fall.”
Ember swallowed dryly, and Odette gave a small nod beside her, like she understood what it meant to feel like she was heard, like maybe this night had shifted something forever inside of her too.
“We’re always happy to help.” Ember smiled as she brushed off her pants, patting Maia on the snout as she nuzzled into her arm. “I’m sorry there isn’t more we can do.”
