Mirella doesn’t do anything to stop us as we walk away from the plaza, beyond the circles. Two groups of illusions that look like us walk away in different directions, and I realize it’s Lidiane’s work, quite smart. We’ll have to walk until we find another faerie circle or a river with nymphs, one discreet enough for us not to be spotted.
Most of the lower fae are gone, but a few are still escaping, some of them walking or running, some of them flying, some of them transcending through the circles. It’s good to see their magic back.
They could be an incredible army—but they deserve freedom, deserve respite. I hope they find places to hide, and wish I could give them shelter somewhere.
Unfortunately, right now, I barely have shelter for myself, and I’m wondering where to take Ziven, and more specifically,my brother—the same brother from whom I ran away half of my life.
“Where to?” Ferer whispers beside me, almost as if guessing my thoughts.
“Not the castle, I suppose.” I glance back and take a look at Renel, walking at a distance from us as if uncertain if he should follow.
“If there are bloodpuppets, you should—” Ferer pauses.
“Get to a magic-blocking hideout. I know. I’m thinking of Ziven and my brother.”
Ferer glances back. “I could take them to my house or Nelsin’s.”
And yet Mirella just attacked them. Renel, specifically, could be a target.
I consider the island house. Am I going to ruin my best hideout? The one Astra calls home? And it’s too far south, when I need to get to the Shadow Lands by morning. But it would be a good place for Renel to hide. Astra comes to mind, and I think she wouldn’t want me to abandon my own brother.
“The river hideout. Can you take Renel and Ziven there when you transcend?”
He raises an eyebrow. “Are you sure about it?”
“No.”
The truth is I don’t know what to do. All I know is that I want to get Astra out of the Shadow Lands, and I’d rather not worry about anyone else while I’m doing that. But I don’t want my brother out of my sight, so it makes sense to bring him to my current dwelling. On the other hand, if he betrays me, I’ll lose the house Astra loves so much—but I’ll know I’ve done the right thing, and so will she.
I have to make a decision, and say, “The island house is large enough to fit everyone.” Somehow, my whisper carries all the confidence I lack.
“I’ll take them there,” Ferer replies.
And then all I think about is Astra.
Astra, Astra, Astra. And yet I have to wait until morning.
No.
I hear her voice, somewhat muffled, as if speaking under water.
Marlak, I need you.
My heart somersaults. No, no. How am I going to reach her in the Shadow Lands?
And yet it’s not the Shadow Lands I see through our bond, but an island on a northern river. An island where we camped once. I can get there, if the Nymphs agree to take me.
“I’ll meet you all soon,” I say, then take off running.
Steps sound beside me. “Marlak, where are you going?” It’s Lidiane.
I narrow my eyes and slow my pace, but don’t bother stopping. “Oh, we share information now? I wasn’t aware.”
“Is it Astra?” she asks, still breathless, running.
“Yes, but she’s not in the Shadow Lands.”
“Where is she?”
