by E Hall
“You have to summon it.” At last, Vespertine smiles.
Chapter 20
Ineke
I close my eyes and see the frozen tundra on the shores of the Sea of Dreams. I feel cold. I dig for warmth. A flame. But only come up with ice.
Vespertine says. “Have you seen the auroras in the north?”
“Of course,” Soren says.
I nod. “My laptop’s screensaver has a photo of it and when I was in the Sea of Dreams I think I saw them. I think.”
“Those bands of light are everywhere all the time only usually you can’t see them. Ribbons of energy connect us all. Fae have it, access it, use it, and create with it. Think of all the beauty in the world before—”
“Before the king shattered us all,” Soren says dismally, breaking my concentration.
I blink my eyes open.
“Not all,” Vespertine says with one finger lifted.
Vespertine clutches the red stone. The fire in front of us flickers and a bit of the flame hops into his hand before punctuating the dark space on the other side of the cave. He repeats the motion and two glowing orbs dot the air.
Vespertine says, “It’s common to think along a linear path. As though there are only two points and they,” he draws a line between the two balls of light, “connect like this. What if—?” He pauses and all of a sudden, many orbs float in the air around the cave. Beams of light jump between them, connecting them, interweaving, and creating circuitous connections. “What if life and death and everything in between and after is like this?” The light is alive, pulsing, vibrating, and shifting. “Wrap your head around this concept, and I’m certain you’ll see things differently...feel things differently, Kiki.”
Each of the beams of light returns to the ring of stones in front of us, and the fire blazes once more.
“Dreamweavers have an easier time tapping into this energy when they’re asleep because their intuition—the feeling part of them—is aware that there’s something they need to see, understand, know, or do. Kiki, I believe you can access your magic and maybe other fae gifts as well. In fact, you must.”
“No pressure or anything,” I mutter, thinking of the message and curse.
Vespertine puts a log on the fire. The flames form a curtain between him and us. Then all at once, a dark figure cloaked in shadow rises up. Fae cower at his feet. At his back, bodies burn in the ashpit. The people of Raven’s Landing writhe in pain as their skin turns black with ink. It’s ugly, devastating, and brutal.
I can’t bear to look at it another moment. I inhale deeply as I get to my feet with the urge to blow on the fire and put it out. I want to kill the vision, but my hands rise in front of me as if of their own will and a blast of icy white and blue electric magic shoots from my palms, freezing the flames. My chest rises and falls from the effort, and I lower back onto the bench. My mind is officially scrambled eggs and toast. How the heck did I do that?
Vespertine’s flinty eyes gaze upon me approvingly. “You must do what you know is right despite the outcome. Despite fear. Be strong, be courageous, be loyal, but most of all remember why you do it. Love? Freedom? Truth?”
“All of the above,” I whisper, still out of breath.
It’s nearly dawn by the time I fall asleep, obsessing over the strange, cold surge that escaped from me, extinguishing the fire. I try to find it again, but it also makes me nervous. What if I turned it on someone else by accident? What if I freeze Soren in his sleep? Then I recall what Vespertine said about Leith being fae and being averse to himself. No, I won’t fear it. I make a promise to myself to become familiar with my power, learn about it, and maybe even befriend it.
Early the next morning, I wake, gripping Soren’s hand and somehow feeling the density of his emotions as well as my own. I dreamed Soren’s dreams, slamming from tragedy to a warzone of devastation.
His eyes open and he gazes at me with a mixture of gentle affection and concern.
“Being afraid doesn’t need to stop us from doing what’s right,” I whisper.
“What if I do the wrong thing?”
“This desire for freedom for your people isn’t selfish. If it was and I thought you were a bad person, I’d freeze you in your sleep.” I wink at him, not entirely sure what this ability of mine is or means, but intrigued nonetheless.
I win a rare smile that quickly dissolves into the furrows of his remaining uncertainty. “Why did we come all this way to hear about balance and energy to find out Vespertine with his mage powers and infinite knowledge can’t do anything?”
I let out a long, contemplative breath, and a little zing flows through my arms and into my hands. “I think to remind us that we can.”
We spend the day in the cave as the storm rages on outside. Mr. Miyagi aka Vespertine instructs me in accessing and using my power while Soren practices his swordsmanship like a shadow boxer.
“Do you have another one of those?” I ask, pointing to the sword.
“A sword? Indeed. The ravens like shiny things and have gifted me with quite a collection.” Vespertine drifts to the back of the cave and Soren and I follow.
It seems as if the cavern goes on forever, but we stop at a little alcove.
“Ah, my armory. Let’s see.” Vespertine looks me over and passes me a sword with a hilt that glitters like a snowflake in the sun. “Yes, I think this is the one for you. Elven metal—the strongest around.”
It looks like it would weigh a ton, but is lighter than the swords we used to slay demons when I was training with the Police Force and before I was demoted to Peace Officer status. The finely crafted weapon practically hums in my hand and as I step into the broad part of the cave, swiping the air, I feel an electric jolt from within, connecting with the metal.
“That was specially made during the Wicked War for the battle fae.”
“If fae have magic, why do they need weapons?” I ask hardly able to make myself stay still. I feel ready for the fight, much like I did when in training back home.
“Why have one when you can have both? And if I’m not mistaken, your grandmother fought in the Wicked War. Gave her life for the freedom of the Frost Fae in the North Iron.”
I gaze at the blade and my thumb rubs a stone carved into the shape of a snowflake.
“Why don’t you two practice for a little while, see if you can connect your fae power to the sword,” Vespertine suggests.
Soren squares up as though accepting the challenge. A half cocky and half flirtatious smile plays on his lips.
Before Vespertine sweeps away, he says, “Oh, and Soren, keep it fair. No talons.”
His brow rumples and I make my first move...
Much later, both of us are sweaty and exhausted. But he’s a worthy opponent and a good sport, considering I almost blasted him with frosty magic several times.
Vespertine brings us tea and a spongy kind of cake that’s syrupy sweet.
“Is this brown bread?” I ask, hopeful.
“Too pale,” Soren says, eyeing Vespertine. “Not enough ginger or cinnamon.”
“No, it’s a kind of sweet cake common to the fae of the north.”
Soren doesn’t touch it. Instead, he says, “What were you saying about talons? Was that a joke?”
Vespertine’s eyes brighten. “You tell me.”
Seriously, this guy is infuriating, but there’s probably a reason for his peculiar approach. After all, I have the beginnings of access to my fae power and using it has gradually come easier to me all day. In fact, like the training officers when I was at the Magical Management Vocational Academy, Vespertine said I was very enthusiastic. Though this time, it seemed like a compliment rather than a criticism.
“I’m not sure I can tell you,” Soren says after a beat.
“When you’re ready you’ll be able to answer your own questions.”
I’m busy devouring my sweet cake and contemplating making a move on Soren’s since it sits untouched so I’m only half listening.
Vespertine gets my attention when he passes us each a silk cloth with something folded inside. “I don’t want you to have to stay any longer than is necessary, but there are more matters for us to address.”
I open the silk to reveal an etched brass compass. The inside is laid with crimson and pearl. There’s an indentation where each of the four cardinal directions should be marked.
“This compass serves four purposes. To take you where you’d like to go, to bring you to your heart’s greatest desire, to the location of the four missing stones in each of the pockets there,” he says, pointing to recesses where there should be markings for north, south, east, and west, “and to lead you to its owner.”
“Thanks,” I say, turning it over in my hands. The initials ANAV are etched on the back. I run my fingers over them.
“Count Nikolai Alexander Vladikoff,” Vespertine says.
I shake my head, not familiar with the name.
“Also known as the shadow caster, darkening the sun. Commander of the four terrible kings and leader of the demons who’re responsible for the thefts of the shadows from the fae.”
“He’s the owner of this compass?”
Vespertine nods.
“Wait. Will this lead us to the four kings with the crowns?”
“The false kings?” Soren adds.
Vespertine’s lips form a thin smile. “As clever as a raven. Yes, there are four kingdoms in this realm that were overthrown by four evil kings, all lead by Nikolai, the vampire I’d mentioned.”
“How do we stop them? If they’re immortal, how do we destroy them?” I say.
“With light.”
“Like a laser or something?” I ask.
Both Soren and Vespertine look confused. The latter says, “With magic.”
“What about Count Nikolai? Did he try to get the demon to stop from sending me the note?”
Vespertine shrugs.
“Then how to destroy him?” I ask.
“That’s where your sisters come in. Together, the four of you will overcome his darkness.”
“Why not just go to the source—the vampire—first?” Soren asks.
“He’s hidden. Remember, I said no one knows where he is. First, you need to find the four stones, insert them there and then it will lead you to the count.”
I open the top of the compass again and the needle lands on Soren. I clasp it shut with a little gasp that heats my cheeks.
“If you’ve had this all along why didn’t you use it sooner?”
“My power wouldn’t vanquish Nikolai.”
“What about other mages? Couldn’t you have roused the kings or something?”
“Only the original curse caster or those related to them can break this curse. How? I do not know.”
It takes me a minute to understand what he means. A sinking feeling drops into my stomach.
Before I can ask more questions, Vespertine passes Soren a parcel. “A gift for you.” He reveals a horn that is smooth on one end and white, fading to yellow-gold, and carved with intricate swirls and symbols on the other end.
“This is the Hero’s Horn. When the time comes it will bring all who you’ve befriended to your aid...and then some.” Vespertine claps him on the arm. “Trust yourself. Tell the truth. Remember love. Quest for freedom. The people are waiting and until we hear otherwise, the kings and battle arms are too.”
Soren’s expression remains blank as though in shock.
“Thank you,” I say to Vespertine.
I eye the mouth of the cave. It’s stopped snowing.
“You should set off.
I get to my feet, fortified by the cake and tea.
“Wait, there’s one more thing,” the mage says. “It would be faster for you to fly.” Apparently, I’m fae so clearly, the words are for me, but I’m not licensed to operate wings or any other form of transportation. I lived in New York. There was no need to have a car. Anyway, his eyes remain fixed on Soren.
“Do you have an airplane hiding back there?” I ask.
Soren gives me a funny look.
“Kiki, summon your wings.” Vespertine flashes me the same exasperated look I’ve given him during our stay.
“How?” I understand what he’s been doing—trying to get us to find the answers for ourselves. My karate sensei was like that too. I close my eyes, imagining the crystalline wings I saw when I discovered my mother and on other fae since arriving here.
I feel normal at first if not a little cold. I concentrate on what I imagine are the shifting ribbons of invisible energy all around me. Nothing.
I continue, even out my breathing, feel myself balanced on two feet, then lighter, visualizing myself lifting into the air with wings, and taking flight.
The cold along my shoulder blades turns into a prickling feeling like icy fingers on winter skin. It sharpens and then warmth floods me and I tilt backward, nearly toppling over.
Soren’s eyes are huge. Vespertine smiles for real this time.
I glance to my right and left, seeing the wingtips that are much like the crystals in snow. “Whoa. This is cool.” Like breathing or walking or riding a bike I take flight, floating at first and then zip around, doing loop-the-loops. My laughter and glee echo off the mountainside. “I’m flying,” I shout. What is this strange magic? I don’t know, but I like it.
“Don’t forget me, hotshot,” Soren says, emphasizing the word hot.
When I land lightly, I flick his collar. “I didn’t know you had a thing for fae.”
“Just you,” he says then wraps his arms around me and we disappear into the horizon.
Chapter 21
Soren
I’ve never quite felt the kind of thrill I do when flying, except maybe when I first saw Kiki...and when I kissed her on the cheek. I’d like to do that again. A lot.
When we’d reached our destination, I was overcome with a sense of homecoming even though I’d never visited the Morgorthian Mountains before. I felt free and like anything was possible—even a future with Kiki.
Vespertine was right, I’ve always felt like something was missing, something was off. But I chalked it up to everything I’d lost. The wild beating in my chest, the restlessness, the urge to take flight points to something else. Something I’m not sure that I’m ready for. But I feel the call, like birds in the sky that are just out of sight...and know that at some point I will have to answer.
I’ve already lost so much and losing the girl who’s so close right now terrifies me the most.
The ground looks impossibly far below as Kiki’s wings power us back toward the peninsula.
We consult the compass, only knowing which direction is south because it’s the opposite of where we’d left.
Kiki says, “Vespertine said those stones help aid and guide him and he indicated they each have different properties. In the dream I had, I saw a stone in the king’s crown.”
I nod. “It’s called the frost stone and is meant to destroy. They say it’s the only thing that can kill a raven shifter.”
“Do you suppose that’s the stone that goes in the compass, considering what he said about the shadow caster controlling the kings?”
“Could be. Four kings. Four directions.”
“Apparently, we have our work cut out for us.” She’s quiet, thinking or concentrating, I’m not sure.
Landsdowne glints far below. Kiki is fierce like the shield fae but also has a gentle kindness. A rare realness that I appreciate. She’s smart, talented, beautiful... I find myself gazing at her and tear my eyes away, filling my mind with other thoughts because getting closer has its risks.
“If you’re trying to come up with a plan of attack, we could brainstorm and strategize. Here’s an idea. Let’s break into the castle. Get to the king while he’s sleeping.” I’d mimic thrusting the air with a sword but don’t dare let go.
“Does he sleep?” Kiki asks.
“Good point. I have another one. We could go in disguised as guards.” I tell her about when
I was a short-lived member of the king’s retinue, intending to destroy him from within but couldn’t stomach the things he’d make us do. “I figured I’d do a better job helping people keep clear of him on the outside. I realize now it was a cowardly thing.”
I’m lost in her sugar and snow scent when she says, “We all do things we’re not proud of. I was training to be a Police Officer and would get carried away. Intent on stopping the demon crimes, I’d destroy, well, anything that stood in my path. Stores, trains, food carts.”
“Sounds familiar,” I say.
She snorts a laugh. “I guess we’d make quite a pair.” Her cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink.
“Ooh, we could pretend to be another king and queen from a distant land and raid the harbor, forcing Leith to surrender and come out of the castle.”
Kiki’s head tilts in curiosity. “Wait? He doesn’t leave the castle?”
“Never.”
“That’s strange.”
“I agree, but the king isn’t a regular person concerned with having his laundry done and getting the best brick of cheese at the market. He has the patrol do his dirty work and believe me, all his work is dirty.”
“If he rarely leaves the castle, how does he know who to throw into the ashpit? Whose shadows to steal…”
“Probably dreamweaving and the same way he hears my traitorous words. We could poison him, stab him, push him from a tower to crash on the rocks, or drown in the moat. Wait,” I say, stopping short. “Don’t think about any of this in case you dream it.”
“I don’t know if that’s how it works. Maybe I’ll dream up a better option.” However, where I expect her to smile, her lips remain a grim line.
I glance back on the dark clouds rolling over the mountains as though chasing us. “I need a plan and I need action. I want to know what I’m supposed to do.”
“I guess that leaves us with what we’re both good at. We fight.” I pause a beat. “I like the idea of us charging in, backed by a battalion of kings, battle arms, shield fae, and ravens.”
“I could use the horn.”
“I think that’s reserved for the all is lost moment.”
