by R L Medina
I frowned. “I think she knows you all are following me. I have to do this alone, guys.”
They stared at me, their emotions wavering around them. Worry and fear.
Irritation flared inside me. It was talking to an old witch. I could handle it. I’d handled far worse things.
Des thrust a sack out toward me. “Here. Offer her these gifts. Don’t tell her about the Raj’ani. Just make a deal for us to use her portal.”
I took the bag and peered inside. “What is it?”
“Baby’s breath enchanted with a real baby’s breath and eyes of a fortune teller,” Gena answered.
I snapped the bag shut, nausea rolling through me. Gross. When and how had they retrieved those items?
“You can do this, Renée.” Aunt Cindra smiled encouragingly.
Smiling back at her, I gave them all hugs and tied the bag closed. I walked away from them and waited for the invisible pull to return. It did, and it led me through back alleys and into a section of the city I’d never seen before.
The buildings were older and dirtier. The quietness and emptiness were eerie as I made my way to Baba Yaga. Whatever unseen force that was leading me, brought me to a stop outside a tall brick apartment building and up the stairs to the top.
I stood in front of a numberless door and shook off my nerves. Before I could knock, the door opened, and I was pulled in with a surprised squeal.
23
The apartment was neat and clean. Nothing like I’d expected. Apart from the strange smell of incense and another spice I couldn’t make out, there was nothing out of the ordinary.
It was a sleek, modern apartment with a starch white and blue-green color scheme. The kind of home featured all over Instagram and Pinterest boards with #HouseEnvy and #Minimalist.
And the woman in front of me was as nondescript as they came. Straight brown hair and sharp brown eyes that blinked behind a pair of retro looking glasses. She wasn’t short or tall, but medium built with a plain white tee and blue jeans. If it weren’t for the strange magic bouncing all over the room, I’d have thought I had the wrong address.
She smiled at me, revealing a row of perfect, white teeth.
Des’s words played in my mind. I fought the urge to shudder. Did she really eat children? The brightness of her home reminded me of the White Court. Everything was a little too clean.
“So. You’re a halfling.” Her voice was just as nondescript as her appearance.
I hated to admit, but it was the perfect disguise. There was nothing remarkable or memorable about her. In one sense physically, she reminded me of myself. We were the ones who would easily be swallowed in a crowd and whose personalities were drowned out by those with more forceful natures.
She blinked at me, still waiting for an answer.
“Um… yes,” I replied.
Her unnerving smile put me on edge. Try as I might, I couldn’t crack her mind or read her emotions and that worried me. Was she secretly planning my murder behind that toothy grin?
“And you want access to my portal?”
I nodded. “Yes. I—we have to get back.”
Her thin eyebrow arched. “We?”
My cheeks flushed. Was I supposed to tell her about the others? Would it ruin my chances if she knew she was helping a bunch of elves?
“Yeah. Me and my family.”
“Your elf family.”
I didn’t reply.
“And where is it you’re trying to get to, sweetie?” Her eyes drilled into me.
I shifted in the chair. The wood was hard and unyielding beneath me, making me wince. Baba’s smile never wavered. She was in no hurry and my slow responses had no effect on her.
Folding my hands together atop her table, I bought myself another minute to weigh my answer. Sweat gathered on the back of my neck and I felt as if I was interviewing for a position, I was completely unqualified for. Any minute and she’d discover how weak I was.
“Feylin.”
She blinked. I studied her face, searching for any kind of recognition or reaction. Had she even heard of the Inner World?
“And why is that you can’t go to the GRIMMS? Surely they can help you get home.”
My cheeks reddened. She had to know it was an illegal crossing. Only those working outside the law sought out her services, but she was supposed to help us no questions asked. At least that was the impression Gena had given us.
“Come, sweetie. You can tell Baba.” Her smile deepened.
“We have a dragon we need to return. If the GRIMMS found out…”
Her head cocked. “They would happily let you return a dragon. The sooner, the better. They don’t allow dragons in the Outer World.”
I hesitated. She wasn’t fooled. Instead, she watched me patiently like a spider who’d caught a fly in its web. I was stuck, and she knew it.
“Well… we’d rather not take the chance.” I flushed.
Her smile turned patronizing. “Of course.” She leaned back in her chair and picked invisible lint off her shirt.
Heat rushed through me as I waited for her answer. The apartment was silent, the only sound was my heart pounding in my ears. Incense burned from somewhere unseen and there was a strange sweet-spicy smell that I wasn’t sure came from her or the apartment.
“And what have you brought Baba?” Her question was innocent enough, but her eyes had darkened.
I swallowed my fear and cleared my throat. “Baby’s breath.” I reached into my bag and dug out the dried bouquet.
She smiled. “No.” Her eyes flicked to the white flowers. “Too easy.”
My chest tightened. “But it’s not just flowers… it contains real… baby breath.” I held the flower out to her.
Her lip curled. “I know. I can smell it.” She waved it away and leaned forward. “What else?”
I bit my lip and reached into the bag once more. Her eyes tracked my movement like a predator watching its prey.
“Eyes of a fortune teller.” I fought the urge to shudder as I pulled out the clear bag and held them out to her.
She shook her head. “No. Those are rarely reliable.”
Fear stirred inside me. She hadn’t accepted either gift. What could I do to persuade her to our cause? What would convince her?
Drumming her fingers on the table, she pursed her lips. “I don’t like to help elves. Self-important creatures that they are. But you…” She pointed a long, slender finger at me. “You are special. I can smell it.” She sniffed.
My stomach churned.
She smiled at my discomfort. “Here is the deal I will make with you. I will give you access to my portal in exchange for either a year of servitude or your most cherished childhood memory. Your pick.”
Chills crawled along my skin. Mom’s warning rang in my head. Don’t let her into your mind.
“I can’t stay here to serve you for a year. I have to get back to Feylin.”
She shrugged. “Then the memory it is.”
I hesitated. “I don’t… I don’t even know what my most cherished memory would be.”
Her eyes twinkled with amusement. “Of course, you do, Ren.”
Hearing my name on her lips made me reel back. How had she known? Had she already entered my mind? My blood turned to ice.
“You can give it to me yourself or I will take it.”
I blew out a breath and steeled myself. Giving one memory up to her wasn’t so bad, and if she let me retrieve it myself, then I wouldn’t be giving her access to my mind. It sounded safe enough, but could I trust her?
She adjusted her glasses and leaned back in her chair. “Well?”
“How did you know my name?”
“I make it a point to get to know my clients.”
Instead of elaborating, she fell silent and continued to watch me with a painfully patient look on her face. I summoned my power and steeled myself. My fear faded and, in its place, I felt a calmness and a numbness.
The witch’s eyebrow arched. “Mental magic?
That is rare.”
I ignored her smug smile and straightened in the chair. Intimidating as she was, I was confident I could keep her out of my mind.
She clucked her tongue. “So then, will I be retrieving your memory, or will you do the honors yourself, child?”
Bristling, I strengthened my walls and barrier. There was no way I was letting her poke around in my head.
“I will do it.”
Her eyes flashed. “Very good. Begin.”
My cheeks flushed. How was I supposed to ‘retrieve’ a memory for her? I bit my lip and tried to remember everything I’d been taught by Sacha, Des, Mom, and Belle. My training hadn’t exactly prepped me for much of anything besides mental barriers.
“Having trouble, dear?” She watched me.
“I… I don’t know how to do what you’re asking.”
She smiled. “No worries. I will show you.”
“Wait. Is there… I heard there is a way to lock away memories?”
Her head cocked. “Yes.”
I hesitated. Did I dare risk asking her for two favors? Would she require more from me?
“I need to store my memories somewhere safe. Just for a little while.”
She clapped her hands together in delight. “Yes! I have just the thing.”
I watched as she stood and left the room. Drawers opened and clanged shut and something that sounded suspiciously like water sloshing echoed from behind the closed door. She reemerged holding a necklace out for me.
A tiny glass bottle hung from a leather string. It didn’t look harmful or magical. I held it in my hand and turned it over.
“How does it work?” My voice echoed loudly in the room.
She snatched the jewelry from my hand. “Not so fast, child. I am going to need extra payment. Upfront.”
Chills crawled along my skin. What would she ask of me now?
Her eyes studied me, making me nervous. I threw up a tighter shield around my mind. Pain shot through me, but I forced it away, not wanting her to see any weakness.
She smiled. “I am going to need your most cherished childhood memory… and a little bit of your magic.”
Dread stirred inside me. What did she mean by a ‘little’ and what did she plan to do with my power? I stared at her smug grin. I couldn’t get a read on her past what she wanted me to see and it was unnerving.
With a slender hand, she dangled the necklace in front of my face. “An easy price to pay for something so valuable.”
I frowned at her. “I don’t even know how to give you my magic. I didn’t even know that was possible.”
Her face turned serious. “Anything is possible with magic, silly girl. It’s true you can’t re-gift your powers, but I can bottle a little bit of it up for myself. Only those of us that have lived so long know this.”
I shuddered. It was a bad idea, but what choice did I have? The bottle could help me survive the next encounter with the Raj’ani. I’d be stupid not to agree to her deal.
“Okay. Fine. Deal.” I nodded at her.
Her eyes twinkled. “Excellent. First your memory. Then your magic.”
Ignoring the fear building inside me, I waited as she took her seat across from me once more and laid the necklace flat on the table. The glass sparkled in the sunlight streaming in from her window. I glanced outside and nearly bolted out of my chair. Fearless hovered outside her window.
She followed my gaze and smiled. “Ahh. Yes. Your dragon followed you here. And the others aren’t too far either. Even your queen.” She scoffed at the last word.
My eyes widened. The queen was there? Had she brought the Raj’ani? My heart pounded. We had planned on sneaking the creature out, but if Baba could sense the others, could she sense the creature too?
The witch cleared her throat. “If you’re wondering if I know what you and your family are up to, the answer is yes.” She waved a hand at my gaping mouth. “Please. Nothing gets past Baba. But lucky for you, I want nothing to do with the Raj’ani.”
I gasped.
She smiled. “Oh, yes I know all about those creatures. Take my word, it is much wiser to leave them alone. This one is particularly unhappy.”
Baba held out her hand. “Now, let’s get that memory, shall we?”
Before I could respond, she pulled me closer and laid her other hand on my forehead. Light exploded around me. I tried to jerk out of her grasp, but I couldn’t move.
Coldness filled me and there was nothing I could do as she rummaged through my mind. I summoned my magic, trying to push her out.
“Stop. I will release you when I finish.” Her voice echoed in my ears.
The light grew brighter, making me close my eyes for relief. I shivered as her cold fingers poked around my thoughts. It was more uncomfortable than it was painful, but regardless, I was ready for it to be over.
Images floated in my mind. Sacha and I kissing in the forest. My cheeks burned. I saw myself winning the first trial. More images popped up. My memories. Anger rushed through me as she pilfered through them like someone pawing through a clothes rack.
The visions left just as quickly as they had come, making me dizzy. I tried to reach out and stop the spinning, but I was too far.
I couldn’t stop her.
Memories swirled around me. Mom and I in the apartment making dinner. Me and my friend Sammy walking to school. Grimera in her human glamour teaching me how to care for her plants.
It was my whole life spread out in snapshots.
“There. That’s the one.” Baba Yaga’s voice snapped.
I twisted to see the one she had found. My chest tightened. It was Mom and I at Grimera’s cabin and it was my fifth birthday. A lump grew in my throat as I watched the scene unfold me. I remembered. It was the last birthday we had all been together before Mom moved us to the city. Before all the invisible stalkers had shown up.
The last time I’d felt ‘normal.’
Before I could watch the rest of it, it was gone. My heart leapt into my throat. A hollowness filled me. I gasped as one by one the memories were swept away. I reached for them, trying to pull them back, but they were too fast.
Light exploded around me and pain speared through me. It felt as if I was being torn into two. I screamed, the sound ringing in my ears. I threw my arms up over my face and turned away.
I opened my eyes and blinked at Baba Yaga My breath came out short and fast, but the pain had subsided.
She held out the glass bottle necklace to me. I took it and held it in front of my eyes. It was no longer empty. In the middle, colors swirled. My memories.
A gasp escaped me. They were gone. I could remember arriving in Feylin and everything I’d endured in the courts, but my past before that was hidden. Every time I tried to recall them, my vision blurred, and thoughts jumbled together.
Baba Yaga smiled. “They will be safe in there. And your magic… will be safe in here.” She held up a wooden stick.
My nose scrunched. “A stick?”
Her eyes narrowed. “It’s a wand.” She huffed. “Even old witches like me need a conduit. Not like you extraordinaires with your innate magic.”
I stared at her. What was she talking about?
She waved a hand at me in dismissal. “Never mind. Now our deal is done. Get out.”
“Wait. The portal.” I frowned.
Her smile widened. “Bring your family.”
24
It didn’t take long to round up everyone. They hadn’t been too far from the apartment. Fearless was too big to fit in the door though and had to hover outside. Worry filled me. How were we going to get him through the portal? Was it a portable portal? I snorted at myself. Then a new thought occurred to me. I didn’t sense the creature anywhere.
“Where is the Raj’ani?” I asked.
“The queen is bringing him,” Aunt Cindra answered. Her chin lifted as she glanced around at the apartment.
Baba Yaga stood behind us, her dark eyes shifting across our group. Mag stuck by Sacha�
��s side, her eyes widened when they landed on the old witch. The wand with my magic had disappeared, but I couldn’t fight the ill feeling rolling through my gut. Would it let her control my power? Did it mean she had access now to mind control?
I didn’t dare tell the others what I’d done and surprisingly, amazingly, they didn’t ask. Even Mom held her questions in, though I knew she wanted to know everything. They were as shocked as I was to learn that she already knew about the Raj’ani and knew who we were.
Baba Yaga stared at Des. “You’re the elf that wanted to lock away his memories.”
Everyone turned to him. He shifted on his feet, eyes narrowing. He didn’t like being called out. Instead of answering, he shrugged a shoulder.
The witch smiled. “Sorry I couldn’t help you out. Why don’t you ask Ren to do it? With her power she could easily wipe out a few years of memory for you.”
Mom whipped toward me, worry on her face.
“I no longer need your service nor hers,” Des retorted.
Aunt Cindra looked at him, but he ignored her. Their emotions hung heavy in the air and I had to use my magic to rebuild a barrier against them.
“I see. Now where is your queen?” Baba smirked.
“I’m sure she is on her way. The dragon sent her the signal,” Aunt Cindra replied.
“Where’s the portal?” Des interrupted.
Baba’s smirk faded. “All will reveal itself with time, elf.”
I threw a nervous glance at Mom. It was clear that Baba Yaga was getting irritated, and she didn’t like us to begin with. Everyone fell silent. The apartment felt crowded as everyone milled around.
“How do we know you’re not trying to trick us?” Aunt Cindra pursed her lips.
The witch pushed her glasses up higher on the bridge of her nose. “Don’t trust me?”
Tension filled the air as they faced off. I shook my head. Why did my family have to cause so much drama wherever they went? My eyes drifted toward Sacha and Mag. I smiled as they shared curious stares at the kitchen. I knew we needed to get back to Feylin, but I couldn’t help but wish that we had more time. There was still so much I wanted to show them. Like what that metal square thing was on the counter. Wait… what was that metal thing? I knew I’d seen them before, but I couldn’t place my finger on it.
