“A story for another time, perhaps.” He rose from his chair. “It is getting late. So, my question is: why are you really here? As nice as this has been, I do not believe you came here for a chat.”
Aloisia stood, setting the bead back on the table. “You said the wisps could not face the Forgotten Gods.”
“I did.”
“Yet earlier this evening I saw a group of wisps surround one of them, expelling it.”
“That is interesting. There was only one?”
“Yes.”
“I have never seen them move alone. Even when one would come to collect the offering I left, there would be others waiting between the trees.”
“Hmm.” Aloisia’s brows pulled together in confusion.
“I do not know. I can only say what I have observed. Whilst my people have their folklore, there are none alive who have encountered these creatures. Until now.”
“True enough.”
“Was it in the town?”
She nodded.
“Very worrying. They have not been here since they headed south last night.”
“Maybe one was left behind?”
“Perhaps it was. Or it returned alone. Who can know?” Inari leant back against the table.
Aloisia chewed her lip. It was not the answer she’d wanted. In fact, it could not really be considered an answer at all. It brought forth more questions, as usual.
“I wish I could just know more.” She sighed. “None of it makes sense.”
“Apologies if I have not helped.” As Inari moved away from the table, his shirt collar shifted, giving a glimpse of the tattoos beneath.
“That marking…”
Inari held his arms out to either side. “Which one?”
Aloisia reached out, pushing the collar of his shirt to one side, revealing the hawk over his heart. “This one. What does it mean?”
“The hawk is said to represent a sign from a higher realm, insight into the future, a higher purpose. They are messengers, often bringing warning of a change to your path. It signifies something to be altered, a crossroads whereby once you choose your way there is no going back.”
She traced the lines of it. “What did the seer say it meant for you?”
“Prophecies are not so specific. Futures change at the turn of a pin. Whatever has been marked on my body has a thousand meanings, depending upon interpretation. Same as the runes.”
Aloisia’s fingers lingered on the hawk tattoo, trying to commit it to memory. Inari’s heart pulsed beneath her touch. “When Brighde, my sister-in-law, died, markings appeared on her skin. Apparently, she also has a hawk over her heart.” She glanced up at him, trying to gauge his reaction.
“What a strange coincidence.” His expression was stone, his hazel eyes betraying nothing. Inari stood so close, his breath stirred her hair as he spoke.
“Strange indeed.”
“I also have an apology to give,” he said. “I did not know about your brother.”
Aloisia stepped back, withdrawing her hand, needing to put space between them, to pull her walls back up. “I was too harsh. You didn’t know, and it was unfair of me. But, if it is any consolation, you were right.”
“Of course I was. That was never in any doubt.” He smirked.
