Unbound, page 17
But that was until Alannah.
Never before had he spent so much time dwelling on one person. She lived in his head. Most of the time she sneered at him in disgust. Sometimes he pictured her laughing as she had when her boundary protection had knocked him on his ass, and he wondered if he could see it again under different circumstances.
Why?
Even now, as the shapes pursued him, he thought of her. She was plain compared to the Fae. Powerless in comparison to those she stood up to. He wanted to peer inside of her and see what made her the way she was.
A pulsing under his feet made him stop. Feeling eerily similar to Alannah’s boundary protection, his body tensed in preparation. Nothing happened. Odhran the toe of his boot into the dirt. One pulse turned into multiple. Two beats. A pause. Two more beats. A heartbeat. Odhran looked up and noticed he stood in a perfect circle of trees. The trees varied from saplings to elder trees. The two largest trees sat side by side with their branches entwined. Flowering vines further tied the trees together forming intricate knots. He had never seen two trees bonded before.
Odhran turned in a circle to look at all of the trees. He stopped at the smallest sapling and took a step towards it.
“Give me one good reason why you’re here,” a voice boomed from outside the ring of trees. The shapes pressed close to the edge with ghastly yellow lights focusing on him. No. Not lights. Eyes. Sets of glowing eyes glared at him.
“I am not here to cause trouble,” Odhran answered.
“That remains to be seen,” the voice growled. A wolf—twice the size of a normal wolf—emerged from the trees. Black fur turned blue in the moonlight. Bright blue eyes tracked Odhran’s movements. “This place is not for you.” The wolf’s mouth didn’t move as it spoke and Odhran realized it wasn’t a wolf at all.
A shapeshifter. Interesting. He had never heard of a witch mastering the arcane art of shapeshifting. As it stood, only the oldest of the Fae could do such a thing. “What is this place?” Odhran asked.
“Can you not feel what is here?”
“Whatever it is, it feels alive.”
The wolf tilted his head.
Odhran took another step towards the young sapling. He reached out, ignoring the warning growl from the wolf, and grazed his fingertips against one of the branches. Save my daughter. Save my daughter. Save my—
Odhran withdrew his hand. “Who is buried here?”
“And why should I tell you? Hasn’t your family done enough?”
My family? “What has my family done?”
The wolf huffed. “They are the cause of this.” The wolf sank back into the trees. “You should leave, Prince of the Ruby Court, you have no business here.”
The eyes blinked out one by one, leaving him with only the light of the moon, but he still felt them prowling around the clearing. Waiting.
They are the cause of the this. What could his family—
Oh.
Clarity hit him like a burst of lightning. The heartbeat. The familiar feeling magic. This had to be the resting place of Alannah’s family. Nothing else made sense. But why? They had been exiled to the fringe, why would they be returned to Underhill after their death? What was the purpose of it? Was it part of the curse? And why was the shapeshifter guarding this place?
“I have questions,” he said out loud. “I want to understand.”
His request was met with silence.
Fine.
If the shapeshifter wouldn’t speak to him, Odhran would find someone who would. This was the first time in many years that he felt invested in something other than himself and his survival.
He needed answers.
Chapter 22
Alannah held the warm mug in her hands and took a deep breath. The steam filled her nose. The taste of orange blossoms lingered on her tongue. Eggs, sausage glazed with maple syrup, toast that had been dipped in custard and fried, hot cakes drizzled with butter and honey, and strawberries. A far better breakfast than Elliot’s bland breakfast bars. Where did it come from when they lived in the middle of a barren forest? Then again, she had access to all kinds of food and she couldn’t even go to a market.
Eletha sat across from her, sipping her own mug of tea while waiting for Elliot and Senna. Elliot showered in the other room, feeling better after Eletha’s antidote, and Senna had left early that morning. Alannah asked where, but Eletha’s vague answer gave nothing away. Mr. Pinkus didn’t stir when Alannah first woke up and he was still slept now. Alannah would feed him when he woke.
“How long have you lived here?” Alannah asked, trying anything to break the silence.
“Forty years give or take.”
Alannah stared at the crow’s feet and laugh lines carved into Eletha’s face. She could believe forty years, but Eletha didn’t look older than that. Granted, no one in Underhill looked their true age. Alannah knew they all lived elongated lives. “Oh.”
“Is that really what you want to ask me, Alannah?” Eletha put down her cup and turned her full attention to Alannah.
Alannah set down her own cup. “You’re clairvoyant?”
“Yes.”
“Would you know of a person who has both Fae and witch blood then?”
Eletha sighed. “If that knowledge was meant to be known, I would know it. But as it stands now, I don’t. I suspect when it is revealed then I will know.”
“I don’t follow,” Alannah said, shaking her head.
“A person like that would be kept hidden, protected. If they could be seen by a clairvoyant then that’s all anyone would ever need to do to find one. Sometimes knowledge is locked away until the time for it to be revealed, and until then, it cannot be seen by anyone that is not meant to know.”
“Magic is so much more than my mother told me,” Alannah murmured.
Eletha nodded. “Sometimes magic is simple. Other times it is complex.” Eletha took a sip of her tea. “I’m surprised you didn’t ask me whether or not you would succeed.”
“Will I?”
“It is a possibility. As a clairvoyant I rarely see things in absolutes. I see possibilities. Choices. That’s what life, the future, is. As you make choices a future becomes more certain, but that doesn’t mean it won’t change.”
Alannah nodded. “Do you enjoy talking in riddles?”
Eletha grinned. “Most clairvoyants do.”
Alannah chuckled. “I hope I succeed. Not just for my sake—”
“But for Elliot’s.”
She nodded. “I hope his friends are alive and he can return to his home with them.”
“Hope is good, Alannah. It will take you far,” Eletha said.
A door opened and Elliot stepped out, rubbing his hair dry with a towel. He paused when he saw the table. “Damn that looks great,” he said, making a beeline for them.
“I’m glad you have an appetite,” Eletha said.
Elliot pulled out a chair and sat down. “Why?”
“If you didn’t, then I’d be worried I didn’t get all of the poison out.”
Elliot swallowed. “Well…I guess it’s a good thing I’m famished.” He flung the towel over his shoulder. “Alannah told me you’re the one who fixed me. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
The front door opened and Senna walked in. She kicked her boots off at the door. “Morning,” she said, crossing the room to kiss Eletha on the cheek. “Sorry if you were waiting long.”
“We weren’t,” Eletha reassured her. “Is the way clear?”
Senna nodded. “If we leave after breakfast, we can make it to the witches by early evening.”
“We will?” Alannah asked. Her stomach sank. It was nerve-wracking to think they were so close. The fear that they wouldn’t like her bubbled up. Or what if they didn’t know? She would have spent nearly half her time trying to get to them only to have nothing to show for it. And there was the fact that she used her powers and she no longer knew how much time she had left.
“It will be fine, Alannah. Don’t fret,” Eletha said.
“I hope they know something to help me. I’m running out of time.” It was one thing to think it, but once she said it out loud it really hit her how little time she had to left to complete her quest. She needed time to get there and then time to return, and she didn’t think she had enough.
“We’ll make it,” Elliot said. “I’m sure of it.”
“A lot of people are rooting for you, Alannah.” Senna picked up a fork. “Now let’s eat.”
Why? Why me?
As soon as they dished food on their plates, Mr. Pinkus came out of the bedroom yawning. He strutted across the room and jumped in a chair beside Alannah. She put a little bit of everything on his plate.
She was so used to quiet breakfasts, but she found that she liked the liveliness of a loud breakfast. Elliot and Mr. Pinkus traded jabs; Senna sometimes joined in to tease one or the other. Eletha remained observant and quieter than the others, but her witty insight inspired a few laughs. Alannah found herself watching Eletha and Senna together. They were constantly trading small affections. Words and small touches. Senna would often lean into Eletha as she spoke. And sometimes they would stare at each other as if they were having a conversation no one else could understand.
Was this was romantic relationships were like? Was this something she would want? How would she know? Her eyes strayed to Elliot, who was currently shoving hotcakes in his mouth. A bead of syrup dripped down his chin. Alannah snorted.
He looked up at her. “What?” he mumbled, his mouth full.
She tapped her chin. “You have a little something there.”
Elliot wiped his chin with his hand, stared down at the bead of syrup, and shrugged. “They’re good.”
He won’t stay. Don’t even think about it.
That’s right. If she succeeded, he would leave. There would be no reason for him to stay if he could safely do so. And if his friends were alive, then there was no way he would let them leave without him. They wouldn’t even be able to remain friends.
Why does that make me sad?
She finished her breakfast in silence. Knowing that even if she succeeded, she would more than likely be alone again didn’t sit well with her. She wasn’t sure if she would have the courage to venture back into Underhill again let alone the human realm. Would she go back to her life? Would she be happy that way? She doubted it. But would she have the courage to change it?
Elliot helped Senna clear the table after breakfast. That meant they would be leaving soon. Alannah’s insides twisted itself into knots. She appreciated everyone’s reassurance, but it wasn’t helping as much as she would like. Her mind raced to the worst possible outcomes causing her hands to shake as she packed her bag again.
Crisp morning air made her shiver and she shoved her hands into the pockets of her sweater. With a wave goodbye to Eletha, they embarked through the wood once more. The last stretch before they entered the witch’s territory. Alannah wondered what the witches would be like and what she could learn in the short amount of time she had. Was she expected? Or an unwelcome surprise?
As her nervousness mounted, so did her excitement. They twined together and made her jittery. She found herself even outpacing Elliot and Mr. Pinkus. And when they stopped for lunch—sandwiches with smoked ham and cheese, and apples—Alannah was the first one to finish.
Conversation was sparse in those hours. Alannah didn’t have the fortitude to follow along. Not when her mind was so loud.
The end of the forest came faster than Alannah expected. Evening sun filtered through the gaps, and as she grew closer, she saw homes and smoke and fire. The witches. Her heart jumped and then sank down into her belly. She froze right at the edge.
Senna stopped beside her. “Are you ready?”
“No,” Alannah whispered, turning to look at Senna.
“I would be surprised if you were, but it will be okay. The village is right there.”
“Aren’t you coming with us?” Elliot asked.
Senna shook her head. “My job was to bring you to the witches, and you’re here. There’s nothing more for me to do.”
“What do I do? Do I just go there and tell them?” Alannah asked.
“There’s no need.” Senna pointed. “You’re expected.”
Alannah followed Senna’s hand. A group of people gathered at the edge of the village. Old. Young. Children. They crowded around each other. None of them looked surprised to see her. They looked welcoming.
A middle-aged woman with bouncy coppery curls broke away from the crowd, coming closer, but also stopping a few hundred feet from the edge of the woods. She stood close enough for Alannah to see the diadem made of braided twigs and violets that encircling her head and disappearing into the curls. Eyes as green as emeralds drew Alannah in. Her dress matched her eyes. She raised her hand—the flared sleeve falling back—and held it out to Alannah.
“Alannah Tiernan. Daughter of Aoife, daughter of Maeve.” She smiled. “Welcome home.”
The words washed over Alannah, making her feel warm despite the Autumn chill. Never before had someone welcomed her home. Tears gathered at the corner of her eyes and she blinked rapidly to keep them at bay. She did not want cry and made a fool of herself right now.
“You know who I am?” Alannah asked, wincing at the crack in her voice.
The woman nodded. “We heard the rumors when you first entered. And then we felt you.”
“Felt me?”
“The magic in Witches End. We knew it could be no one else.”
“But how did you know my mother’s name and my grandmother’s?”
The woman held up her hand. “You have many questions and I will answer all I can while you’re with us.” She gestured for Alannah to follow. “Come with me.”
Alannah stepped out from the edge and then stopped. “My friends—”
“Will not be harmed here. They are safe. As are you.”
Senna clapped Alannah on the shoulder and gave her a small nudge. “Safe travels, Alannah.”
“Thank you,” Alannah mumbled, watching her walk back into the forest. It was a shame Senna would not be joining them. But perhaps they would meet again on the way back. She turned her gaze to Elliot. He nodded and gestured for her to follow the woman into the village. They came this far. No use in getting cold feet now.
“I am Riona Carnahan,” the woman introduced herself as they began walking. “I am the priestess here.”
“Does that make you the leader?” Elliot asked.
“In some respects. I lead our rituals and host our celebrations. I am often an ear to listen, a hand to guide, and a shoulder to lean on. I settle small matters. For serious matters, I hold council with our elders.”
The crowd grew closer and closer. So many people. Alannah swallowed, urging her stomach to settle. Her steps slowed. “How many people live here?” she asked.
“Thirteen families. Very large ones,” Riona said. Noticing Alannah’s discomfort, she waved the crowd away. “You will all get to meet her, but we have preparations to finish.” The crowd began to disperse, albeit begrudgingly, until only two remained.
“Preparations?” Elliot asked.
“Samhain is tomorrow. There is much to prepare. Mostly food.” Riona eyes flitted to her. “Perhaps you will stay for the day and celebrate with us.”
Alannah should say no. She had a time limit. A job to complete as quickly as she could. But who knew if she would get a chance like this again? She had only ever celebrated with her mother and grandmother. To celebrate with many people was a dream.
“Sounds like fun,” Elliot said.
“Indeed. It is only a night,” Mr. Pinkus added.
Her heart nearly burst in her chest. “I’d love to.”
Riona smiled. “I’m glad.” She stopped in front of the two women that had stayed. “These are my daughters. This is Niamh,” –she gestured to the shortest of the two, a woman with pale skin and freckles that covered her face and neck until they disappeared into her dark brown blouse. Her eyes were the same color as Riona’s and her coppery hair was pulled back into a braid— “and my youngest, Makenna.”
Alannah nearly started when she saw Makenna. Hair a vibrant red—like fire—piled on top of her head in a bun and secured with a leather cord. That didn’t keep hair from falling and hanging around her face and neck. Her hair wasn’t as curly as her mother’s. More wavy than curly. And her eyes… Alannah could scarcely believe it. One green eye, brighter than her mother’s, and one purple eye, just like Alannah.
Makenna stared at Alannah with as much scrutiny. If Alannah had doubted this was her family’s birthplace, she didn’t now. Was it only the two of them? Were there others? Based on Makenna’s surprise, she wasn’t sure if there were.
“Makenna, stop staring,” Riona hissed.
Makenna pulled back a little and frowned. “Well met, Alannah,” she greeted, tilting her head in Alannah’s direction.
“Thank you,” Alannah murmured.
“Will you be staying with us?” Niamh asked.
“Of course,” Riona answered. “Follow me. We’ll show you where you’ll be staying.”
From far away, Alannah could only see the backs of the houses. Most of them were the same. Stone and wood. Gray and brown. Moss growing up some portions of the houses. Vines on others. Windows of all shapes, round, square, even a few crescents. Sloping wooden roofs and chimneys with smoke billowing from the top. Some houses were single story, but most were multiple stories.
Riona led them between two houses. Alannah wasn’t sure what she expected. Something quaint and small. But the moment they emerged from between the two houses, she saw how big the village was. The houses sat in a loose circle, some close and some far, but they all faced the center of the village. A giant fire—the one she had seen from the forest—burned in the center, surrounded by long tables and benches. She guessed the setup was for the celebration tomorrow.
Despite its seemingly small size, the village was vibrant. Delicious smells came from every home. Doors and windows were flung open wide and welcoming to everyone. People moved in and out of houses, talking and carrying things, and when they saw her, they acknowledged her, smiling at her with such open expressions. It scared her a little. Made her wonder if it was genuine.
