Jacob was sitting across from her shaking his head.
“Well, at least you’re making better choices on what you bring back to the village,” said Panu.
“What has she brought before?” Jacob asked.
The three were the only ones around the raging fire.
The old man crossed his arms and stared at Ree. “Yes, tell our guest all the creatures and items you’ve brought here, hm?”
She gave him a sheepish look. “Um, let’s see. There was the mermaid…”
“And I had to travel to the shore and explain that one,” Panu added. He gave her a pointed look.
Ree averted her gaze. “And the baby giant spider which was not poisonous, Panu. He could have stayed.”
Scoffing, the old man waved away her words.
“Once I brought home a baby werewolf but, in my defense, he was lost. Oh, I found a plant with four leaves and red trim. Everyone was allergic though. The drunk human’s horn, a soldier’s helmet. What else was there?” Pouting her lips, she turned to Panu.
“Is there anything you didn’t bring?” asked Sarah, stepping into the firelight.
“Sarah, how are you feeling?” Jacob shot her a smile.
Her thoughts from earlier surged forward. “Um…much better. I…I’m rested.”
“Good. Would you like to have a seat?”
She plopped down beside Ree and squeezed in as much as she could.
“Kerem’s a miracle worker, isn’t he?” Ree said. “There was an injured child at the other part of my village, so he had to leave before we celebrated our new guests.”
Sarah’s brows furrowed. “The other part?”
“There are many mountain plateaus in this area.” Panu lifted his cane and slowly waved it in a circle. “Where we are is the main village. Our smaller villages are hidden by the mist and lack of sun on days like this.”
“That’s amazing! So, the birds are your only way to get around?”
Both Ree and Panu bobbed their heads.
“Do the forest elves have anything like?” Jacob peered at each of them.
Ree looked at Panu.
The old man started, “I have been told centuries ago the forest elves had a special breed of horses. They’ve gone extinct since then.”
“Due to what exactly?” Jacob moved his seat, so he was sitting right beside the elder elf.
Panu gave him a side look to which Jacob returned a grin. He moved one seat down.
Satisfied, the old elf continued, “Stories like this will repeat throughout time. When other Lyricans heard of our cousin’s horses, they began to hunt the beasts down. They thought to breed them. But they didn’t know the horses were wild and died in captivity.”
Shaking his head, the old man sighed. “We’ve managed to keep our birds alive, thankfully. Skuntz may know more about the horses than me.”
Sarah’s ears perked up. “How much longer until they arrive? Have any of the scouts checked their distance?”
Panu chuckled. “I’m glad to see Ree can still keep a few secrets.”
Jacob glanced at Sarah, then crossed his arms. “What do you mean?”
Ree grinned. “No one arrives at our village. Everyone is taken here. We’ll pick them up in a week’s time.”
Sarah sighed.
Now, doesn’t this sound familiar.
Chapter 20
The morning air was cool against Sarah’s skin. Unlike yesterday, the sun was not tolerating the clouds’ disobedience. The sky had cleared and Sarah could see it beaming in the distance.
She was sitting with her chin perched on her knees, resting on the outskirts of the plateau. Though the sky elves had gotten used to her appearance the last few days, they still often twisted their necks into knots to catch a look at her.
She hated it. Even though she understood their curiosity, being the center of attention made her clam up.
“Maybe too many years of bullying,” she said.
Sarah examined the freckles on her skin. The small, red marks had always been an easy target for her peers. When Jacob had appeared in town was the only time the bullying had stalled. Whether everyone was too busy talking about him or if he had shielded her from their sneers, Sarah wasn’t certain. All she did know was that when Jacob walked beside her, she had felt better.
And no one had an ill word to say to her.
Then, he disappeared without explanation. Of course, Sarah knew what happened. That didn’t stop the rumors claiming she had done horrible things to him. When in truth, he was the one who had betrayed her. Yet she was the one who had to suffer the dirty looks and sharp tongues, the attacks…
Elaine’s vengeful face appeared in her mind. Her beautiful sky blue eyes had darkened as she straddled Sarah’s back, pressing her to the ground.
Where was Jacob then?
Sarah dug her nails into her palm.
“How’s that fair?” She huffed, scooting away from the sun and shaking her head.
She closed her eyes tight. They were burning.
“No time for crying, Sarah. We’ve done enough of that.”
Sarah fanned her face before rubbing her palms against her knees. She stretched in front of the morning sun, then stood to start making her way back to the guest house.
Steadily, the village was coming alive but the strolls she saw were nothing compared to the afternoon rush.
Sarah’s walk slowed some as she approached their temporary home. The door stood ajar.
Had she forgotten to close it?
Glancing up, she checked to see if any of the windows were open.
Each one was shut.
The hair stood up on the back of her neck. Letting inklings of her energy move ahead of her, Sarah knew two living creatures were in the house. One of the two was Jacob. The other…
She stilled and drew her magic tightly inside. If she could sense them, they might be able to sense her, as well.
Sarah easily moved between the frame and door before stepping into the shadows. The first floor of the house was like a living room. Rising up, there were small ledges all around meant for sleeping.
She had slept on the first level. Jacob was three above her.
Peering upward, Sarah searched for a physical sign of the unwanted house guest. If she climbed the ladders, she’d be noticed.
Sarah kneeled down in the dark corner and waited.
It didn’t take long.
“You must return, Jacob.”
“I refuse.”
Sarah’s ears perked up. Was it another angel?
“And I am telling you, you must,” the intruder warned. “Your family sent me here to bring you back.”
He scoffed. “Then they’re going to be disappointed.”
“You’re acting like a child. What good will staying here do you? Who do you think you’re fooling, trouncing around with these unelected?”
Sarah caught a breath in her throat. The house, the atmosphere…it felt heavy, like it was bearing down on her shoulders.
“At least they’re not punishing me for a crime I did not commit,” Jacob shouted. “At least they’re not cowering in a corner of Lyrica waiting for the war to end!”
The intruder groaned. “If you hadn’t lied…”
“And if they hadn’t ordered me to kill a child. All the blame isn’t on me, Michael.”
“That was only a test, you fool. One you failed.”
The wooden panels above creaked as one of the two shifted.
“How can you be so certain?” Jacob asked. “Our people have done worse things.”
“Because I have faith!”
“I’m done speaking with you,” Jacob spat. “Test or not, I would have done the same. You can tell them that.”
There was a moment of silence. The tension scratched at Sarah’s skin.
“Goodbye, Jacob. Until you come to your senses.”
The atmosphere lightened. Sarah took in a long breath, releasing it steadily to remain hidden. Her palms had become cla
mmy while she toed the edge of anger and sympathy.
Was he really being punished for not killing a baby?
Jacob was exhaling deep breaths above her. She imagined the compressed frustration building in his chest for twelve years, steadily transforming into a ball of wire that prodded him.
A daily reminder of the horrible crime he had failed to commit.
Sarah turned her hands into fists. She had not been the only one suffering, after all.
She jolted to her feet and began making her way up the ladders.
Jacob head appeared over the ledge. “Sarah?” His eyes grew wide. “How long have you been there?”
“Long enough, Jake.” She reached the fourth level and started toward him.
“Sarah, I-I can explain,” he stuttered. “I didn’t call Michael here. He—”
His words were muffled by her grip. Sarah had wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I’m so sorry, Jake.”
His body loosened. The arms which had been at his sides wrapped around her, too. He relaxed his head between her shoulder blades.
Feelings of security spread over Sarah and she hoped she was radiating the same.
“I didn’t want you to hear that.”
She shook her head. “No, I’m glad I did. Now…everything makes more sense.” Sarah stepped away from him, taking hold of his forearm. “I-I’m sorry I doubted you before.”
“I can’t blame you,” he replied, moving away and taking a seat. “I lied to you in the past. Your suspicions were justified. I don’t believe I could have taken the stone from you but the thought was still there.”
Sarah moved beside him. “And you didn’t. Even when things started looking bad.”
Jacob gave her a small smile. He still had morning hair and his dark strands were askew. As soon as Sarah caught his gaze, Jacob turned away. He stared at the wall, elbows on knees while his thumb picked against his index finger.
“Do you want to know why they asked me?”
Her stomach turned into knots, and she took in a silent inhale. “Yes” was on the tip of her tongue, yet fear tightened her stomach. The desire to know why he had lied to her battled with her apprehension. What horrible story was behind his reasoning?
The knots grew tighter. She nodded.
Jacob stopped fidgeting with his fingers. He stretched his legs out and ran his hands over his trousers. Finally, he sat straight again, eyes facing the wall.
“In my family, I’m the eldest son. I have a sister who is several years my senior but my father believes in the old ways. I’m supposed to be her…superior.”
He cast a quick glance at Sarah.
Though no one in her town abided this courtesy, Sarah knew what it was like on the receiving end of another’s judgment. So, she stretched out her lips, giving Jacob all the encouragement she could muster.
Internally, she was bristling. Men always seemed to want to control things.
Jacob leaned back and folded his hands over his stomach.
“My sister Hannah, she didn’t agree with our parents’ teachings.” Shaking his head, he chuckled. “That’s not describing it well. My sister completely rejected their teachings. She wouldn’t listen to me. She left our realm without permission and…and then she met a human…man.”
Sarah’s spine became rigid. The knots in her stomach were replaced with butterflies.
He continued, “They, um, she became pregnant. When our parents discovered it, they were livid. When she told them it was a half-breed—”
“Don’t use that word,” Sarah snapped.
“What?”
“Half-breed.” Kwe’s young face flashed across her memory. “It’s rude. They don’t need to be labeled something different than we are.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know,” he replied with a slight shrug. “Honestly, that’s the term we’re taught. Good to know it’s not acceptable here.”
She gave a hard nod. That was one less person who’d hurt Bo or Kwe.
“When they discovered the child was…part human, they were no longer livid. They were dangerous. Interacting with other Lyricans in that way was not permissible. All angel-born must be only of angel blood. That’s the rule. Even now it sound ridiculous, doesn’t it?”
Sarah squeezed his shoulder. “You took the words right out of my mouth.”
Jacob sighed, his chest deflating with the act.
“My family was embarrassed but not enough to break the law. They reported her. By then, my sister had already fled. She never returned home.”
For a moment, Jacob’s face pinched together. The veins protruded in his neck and the skin over his jaw stretched. He closed his eyes, then cleared his throat.
“Anyway, she never returned home. We still had the baby to worry about. Because my sister was gone and she was my responsibility, I was tasked with finding the child. And disposing of it. Except, except, when I did, I couldn’t.” He turned his gaze downward. “I saw him. He looked so much like Hannah. He even had my nose, I think. Then I saw how his father admired him. How could I take that away from someone?”
“You can’t, Jacob. Because you’re not a monster. If that’s why you fell, better to be fallen than with them!”
He smiled, his gaze narrowing. “You’re so good, Sarah.”
“And you are, too. Thank you for telling me what happened.”
“I did promise,” he replied. “Besides, through all of it I got the chance to meet you. I still need to get rid of something though.”
Moving under his shirt, Jacob revealed a long, golden necklace with a small circular ball at the end. He ripped it from his neck, then crushed it under his boot.
“Every angel has one,” he replied to Sarah’s confused look.”We use it to communicate and stay close. It’s how Michael found me but—”
He stood up. “I’m ready to move on. Completely.”
Sarah wrapped him in another hug.
Wild laughter could be heard outside, followed by birds cawing.
Both Sarah and Jacob slanted their brows. They climbed down to the lowest floor of the house and headed outside. The elves were staring into the sky, pointing as two of their birds flew toward the village.
But that wasn’t why they were laughing.
When Sarah caught sight of Skuntz and Klara hanging from the birds’ talons, she nearly doubled over. Battle axe pressed to her chest, Klara looked as if she were praying while Skuntz clung to the bird’s leg.
The sky elves roared with joy. And Sarah couldn’t blame them
A forest elf and a dwarf hanging from two giants birds wasn’t something one saw everyday.
Skuntz was angry. It had been nearly a week yet the grimace had not left his face.
Sarah mashed her mouth shut and held in her giggles.
The sight of Skuntz hanging from a bird’s talons, zooming toward the earth, still made her chuckle. He and Klara didn’t find their surprise capture as comical. The dwarf couldn’t walk in a straight line the entire day after they arrived.
Jacob nudged Sarah as they sat in the guesthouse and ate breakfast. Ree and Kerem had joined them.
“Who do you think’s going to get sick first when we leave this afternoon? Klara or Skuntz?”
Sarah smirked. “Skuntz. Klara’s a bit tougher.”
“Hm. It’s no fun if we agree.”
“Fine. Klara, then.”
“And what does the winner get?” He raised his brows, staring at her.
Sarah tilted her head to the side. “A slice of the other’s sweet bread?”
“Deal.”
They shook each other’s hands, falling into a bout of chuckles. Sarah tossed her head back, catching sight of Skuntz.
He was watching them.
She gulped and pulled her hand away. Narrowing her eyes, she said, “May the loser have the sweetest bread.”
“Why can’t there be a land bridge to Esmer?” Klara asked. She tapped her foot and swirled her spoon around the bowl’s edge. “I hate
traveling by water…or air, now that I’ve experienced it.”
“Flying is the quickest way,” said Jacob, biting into an apple—a rare treat for so far north, according to Ree.
She pointed her spoon at him. “Perhaps, but I still don’t like the idea of dangling from a bird. Again.”
Ree tore into her slice of bread, glancing between Klara and Skuntz. She sighed, settling into her cushion. “I wish we didn’t have to fly, either,” she said. “The birds hate Esmer. Their wings always get coated in ice.”
Klara raised her brows. “How cold does it get there?”
“Cold enough that we haven’t explored the island,” Kerem replied. “We’ve only landed. The birds always start acting strangely, then their wings chill, and we never get very far.”
“But now we’ve got the chance,” Ree said with a grin. “They can tell us about the island, once they’ve returned.”
“Esmer is small but it’s not that small, Ree.” Kerem shook his head. “They’d need more than one day to explore it all.”
She frowned. “I’ll get my feet on that island one day.”
He patted her head. “Not while Panu is the village head. Maybe not even after. I’m certain once he passes on, he won’t stop giving you his advice.”
“Nagging.” She scoffed.
Jacob propped his chin up in his hand. “He and Sarah have a lot in common.”
Chewing on her bread, Sarah glared at him, narrowing her eyes. Everyone chuckled, their sides shaking from the effect. Except Skuntz.
Sighing, he placed both hands on his knees and rose to his feet. He looked around the room, making sure to meet everyone’s eyes.
“We need to make up for lost time. By bird is our best option. Jacob?”
He turned to the angel, who had became as still as a statue.
Skuntz’s gaze traveled up his wings. “You should put those away before we reach Esmer. I’m sure you don’t want them falling off.”
Barely giving anyone a chance to grab their next breath, Skuntz had already walked to the door and closed it behind him. Because he didn’t slam it, there was no echoing or resounding tremor. Yet the humor in the room had dissipated.
The monstrous rock edged upward, then curved down at its tip. Shorter pieces of shaped stone surrounding it eventually spread out into trees. From the trees there were pebbles and from the pebbles a sandy beach.
The Pariah Child- Sarafina's Return Page 19
