Shadow Girl

by Kate Ristau

  “Good afternoon,” he said. “Lovely day for some traveling.”

  “Seamus, you have no idea.” Ciaran set Hennessy down on the bench, and Áine sat down beside her. Ciaran embraced the man warmly and turned to introduce him. “Áine, Keva, Hennessy, this is Seamus. He’s a spriggan—”

  “A tree guardian,” Seamus interjected. “A real guardian. Not like those other ones. Stupid Crossings.”

  “We ran into my father,” Ciaran told him. “You were right.”

  “I always am, but I don’t want to talk about him,” Seamus said.

  “Neither do I,” Ciaran said.

  Áine pointed at the two of them. “How do you guys know each other?”

  “I took the Pine Crossing over,” Ciaran said.

  “And he paid the tithe,” Seamus added.

  “And made a new friend,” Ciaran said. “Who loves Aunt Eri’s bread.”

  “Don’t we all, funny little man?” Hennessy said, rubbing her face. “I could really use some now.” Her head fell against Áine’s shoulder, and Áine stroked her hair softly. Hennessy was so cold. Her eyes slipped closed, and Áine pulled her closer, hoping sleep would help push away the shadows. Then she realized what Ciaran had said.

  “Why didn’t you take the Willow Crossing like me?”

  “The Queene’s Guard were everywhere. Eri couldn’t hold them back anymore. I barely got out of the house alive.”

  “Hether, Ciaran! Why didn’t you tell me that?” Áine asked. “You just said you ‘missed me.’ Cra, how do we even know if Aunt Eri is okay? Or Minka? Or Rashkeen?”

  Ciaran winced and refused to lift his eyes. “She told me to go—to help you. And she told me not to tell you what was happening. She said you would need to stay focused.”

  Áine wanted to scream, but she held herself in check. “Focus, focus! That’s all Eri ever wants. Oberon, maybe if she had just taken the time, taught me half of what you already know, we would be home by now.”

  “Áine, she tried,” Ciaran said. “There are reasons why she couldn’t—”

  “Yeah, yeah. I’m sure there are. But those reasons didn’t help her fight the Queene’s Guard...” She looked down at Hennessy’s pale face; she had passed out on Áine’s shoulder. “And those reasons aren’t helping Hennessy either.”

  A deep rumble shook the earth, and Áine jumped, nearly waking up Hennessy, but then she smiled as Keva laughed unexpectedly, her white hair flying in front of her face. Eyes twinkling, she twisted the lone dark strand of her hair in her fingers as she stared at the giant pine tree. She placed her hand on its trunk and lowered her head, appearing to listen.

  As she watched her sister, Áine felt a wave of relief crash over her. She was going to be okay. Aunt Eri could help her. After she explained herself, Eri could take care of the Guard, and she would know what to do about Hennessy. And they didn’t have to worry about the Guardians anymore. For just a moment, Áine believed that everything would be all right. She tried as hard she could to hold onto that feeling.

  Seamus growled low, but there was a mischievous smile on his face. “All the years I been with this tree, and the first person he speaks to is her, of course. Figures. That tree is strong, defiant. Whenever Creed’s Guardians come down this way, they disappear without a trace. I don’t have anything to do with it. Hey—if you still got any of those nasties on your tail, they’re not going to be coming up this way. Creed lost too many men here in the past. They’ll make their way down to the Willow or the Oak. They’ll be at least two days behind you.”

  “Hopefully, they’re all gone,” Áine said, absently running her fingers through Hennessy’s hair.

  Ciaran sighed. “But that still leaves us the Queene’s Guard. And my brother. Wherever he is.”

  Áine couldn’t imagine what Ciaran was feeling. Ciaran had thought Kian was dead. He had worshipped him—idolized him. To find out that he was okay, after all this time...Áine shook her head. There was a lot they needed to talk about. “We’ll find out soon enough. But we better get going now.”

  “Let me make the Crossing,” Seamus said. “I’ll return and tell you what I see. So you know it’s safe.”

  “You don’t need to do that,” Áine said, slipping out from underneath Hennessy and laying her head gently on the bench.

  “Oh, I could use a breath of fair air,” Seamus said. He turned and approached the tree, shutting down the argument. “And I won’t be gone too long.”

  Keva backed away from the tree as he approached. He made the Crossing sign in the air, spun around the tree, and then the world was full of brightness.

  He had crossed over.

  And Keva was smiling. She went back up to the tree and touched the same spot he had. “Home,” she whispered.

  Áine and Ciaran watched her for a moment, and then Ciaran started shifting back and forth on his feet. Finally, he broke the silence. “I’m sorry,” he said.

  “For what?”

  “For not telling you.”

  “You had your reasons,” Áine replied. “But, Hether, after all this time, I really wish you would have. We’re friends, Ciaran. And it’s so frustrating not knowing anything—not knowing who I’m supposed to trust. How can I believe anything you or Aunt Eri say now? How am I supposed to know you’re not lying?”

  Ciaran stared into her eyes. “You have to believe me, Áine. Everything I did, I did it for you. I never wanted anything bad to happen to you.”

  “Really, Ciaran? Lying about your past? Not telling me who Creed was, or...or what Aunt Eri is? All that was for me?”

  “Oberon, Áine! How can you be so blind? I’ve given up everything for you! From the first moment I saw you—”

  “Ciaran, I—”

  “Just let me say this.” Ciaran grabbed her hand, and then his words rushed out. “It is you, Áine. It was always you. From the moment I first saw you, the day Eri took me in—I loved you. I loved you more than anything. And when the dreams started—and the fire, and Ratrael—the only thing I wanted was to take care of you, to make sure no one ever hurt you again.” He squeezed her hand tightly, forced her to really look at him. “And I wanted you to love me in return. But I didn’t at the same time. I knew what had happened to everyone else I ever cared for. My mother, my brother—they were gone.

  “I thought that if I chose you, if I loved you—” Ciaran paused, struggling to find the words. “I might lose you too.”

  “You will never lose me, Ciaran. I will always be here for you. But I can’t give you what you want. Not right now. I thought maybe I could, but since I crossed, and with everything Hennessy’s been through—”

  He broke her gaze and pulled away from her. “Fine. I get it. We won’t. Let’s just get going.” He turned away from her quickly, but she grabbed his arm.

  “Please, don’t leave it like this. I just...I need more time. I don’t want to lose you, but I also don’t know what comes next. I can’t do this to Hennessy. She’s already so far gone. I don’t want to lose any more of her.” Áine looked over at Hennessy, at the shadows shifting around her with every breath.

  She released Ciaran’s arm, and he turned back toward her stiffly. He took a deep breath before he responded, and when he did, his voice was soft, but intense. “I’ll wait for you, Áine. You know I will. I’ve already waited so long. But one day you are going to have to make a choice—to decide what future you want. You can’t keep living with one foot in both worlds. If you choose me...I know everything’s not going to be perfect. But I will try as hard as I can to be everything you need. And I will always love you.” He looked over at the bench where Hennessy had passed out. “But you can’t have us both.”

  “I know,” Áine said. Her words felt hollow. How could she tell him even half of what she was feeling? He was her best friend, the only person she ever really cared for. And she just wanted to disappear into his arms, make everything go away, but she couldn’t—

  A blinding light suddenly enveloped them. When it disappear
ed, Seamus was standing in front of them with a smile on his face.

  “Everything good?” Ciaran asked.

  Seamus’ smile faded. “Yes. And no. I mean—it’s good to make the Crossing. And it was all clear on the other side. But, then again, it wasn’t clear at all.”

  “What do you mean?” Áine asked.

  “The Eta...I don’t know how to describe it...it’s like they’re weak. Dull. The Aetherlands—they seem a little darker.”

  “Darkness?” Áine said. “In the Aetherlands?”

  “Maybe it’s just because you were here?” Ciaran asked Seamus. “This place makes everything seem darker.”

  Seamus smiled faintly. “You’re probably right.”

  “I hope I am,” Ciaran said. “I hope these are the last shadows we ever see.”

  “Either way, it’s all clear. The Crossing is yours.”

  Áine heard a sigh and looked over to find Keva staring at them and smiling. When Áine caught her eye, Keva said, “I’m ready. Let’s go home.”

  Those simple words said so much. Home. They just needed to get home.

  Beneath her white hair, Keva was grinning. No shadows fell on her face. She shined from within. Áine crossed to the tree, pulling Keva into a deep hug.

  Keva held her tightly, and then whispered softly again, “Home?”

  “Home,” Áine agreed.

  Keva slid out of Áine’s arms, walked over to the bench, and sat down beside Hennessy. She lifted up her head and began rubbing her cheeks. Áine watched as a bit of color and life crept into Hennessy’s face; her cheeks went from gray to pink, and she slowly opened her eyes.

  “It’s time,” Keva told her.

  Hennessy nodded her head slowly and methodically, and Keva reached up her hand to still her nodding. Hennessy nestled her face into Keva’s fingers then, for just a moment, and then Keva pulled her upright. Hennessy grimaced, but stayed erect, her head swaying lazily back and forth, her eyes unseeing.

  “She can stand, but it would probably be best if I carried her over the Threshold,” Ciaran said. “We have a long walk ahead of us.”

  “I think you’re right,” Áine agreed. “Hennessy?”

  Hennessy smiled at her then. A crooked smile, like she was trying to but couldn’t quite do it. Áine smiled weakly back at her, then took her limp hand and kissed it softly, feeling cold skin beneath her lips. The chill shocked her senses and forced her back to reality. “Are you ready?” Áine asked.

  “I’ve been dreaming of this since I was a kid. You better believe I’m ready.” She pushed her hair out of her face and smirked. “I just didn’t realize an obnoxious fairyboy would be carrying me across the threshold.”

  Ciaran lifted her up gently. “And I didn’t realize Shadows were so heavy,” he said. She elbowed him in the ribs, and he nearly dropped her. “Besides, everyone needs at least one obnoxious fairyboy.”

  Áine laughed at the two of them, feeling just a little lighter, then quieted down as she approached the giant pine tree. Its shimmering branches were mesmerizing—light spun through its needles and cascaded down its trunk. For a moment, Áine felt like she was back in the Aetherlands, starting the Willow Tree Crossing. But as she took Keva’s hand in hers, she realized this time would be different. This time, they were both going home.

  Keva squeezed her hand tightly. When Áine looked at her, she realized Keva wasn’t afraid. Small wonder. The Shadowlands had brought her nothing but pain. The Crossing offered her something different—a new chance at life. And even though Keva didn’t realize it, Áine knew the Aetherlands offered her something else too. As old as she was, she wouldn’t get any older. Once the fey turned twenty-five, they stayed that way forever. Which meant Keva wouldn’t die. They could make back the years that the Queene had stolen from them. Áine would have a sister, and Keva would have her life back.

  Ciaran nudged Áine’s arm. “You and Keva go first,” he said. “Then me and Hennessy.” He turned toward Keva. “Whatever you do, Keva, don’t let go of Áine.”

  Keva nodded her head and Áine squeezed her hand. “It can be frightening,” Áine said. “Painful. But this time should be easier for me. And I can help you through. Hennessy, Ciaran will show you the way.”

  Hennessy smiled weakly, shadows sliding around her fingers. Áine prayed she would make it through. She had to. There was nothing else they could do.

  Áine let go of Keva’s hand and hugged Hennessy and Ciaran fiercely. Then she raised her hand toward them in farewell.

  “Safe travels,” Ciaran said, raising his hand toward hers.

  “I’ll see you in the Aetherlands.”

  Holding Keva’s hand tightly, Áine made the sign of the Crossing. In a flash of white lightning, they were gone.

  The End

  About the Author

  Kate Ristau is an author and folklorist who writes young adult and middle grade fiction. Her novel Clockbreakers is available now, and her essays can be found at The Washington Post and Literary Mama. In her ideal world, magic and myth combine to create memorable stories with unforgettable characters. Until she finds that world, she'll live in a house in Oregon where she found a sword behind the water heater and fairies in the backyard. You can find her online at Kateristau.com or follow her on Twitter @kateristau and Facebook @ristawesome.

  Thank You

  Yes, you.

  I’m thanking you, my readers and my friends.

  You are out there making a difference – imagining a bigger and brighter world. A world where we stand up for what we believe in, support each other, raise our voices, and believe in the power of kindness.

  Thank you. Even in the middle of all this darkness, standing in the Shadowlands, you’re still holding up your light.

  I’m writing my words with your encouragement, in the shadow of your flames. I’m working on Shadow Girl Two – where Aine storms into the Aetherlands and Hennessey comes into her own power – with your support.

  Keep reading. The world needs your imagination, your creativity, your possibility.

  Shine on, my friends.

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