I grab her hand right before we leave through the curtain, stalling us one moment that we can’t afford, but I need to take.
“I’m going to keep you safe,” I vow. “And I’m going to take you to the sirens to have their old god restore your magic and free you of this halfway mortal coil. Nothing will stop me—not a wolf king, or spirit, or fate itself. I swear this to you.”
Aurora squeezes my fingers and a surge of magic overtakes me, so much that the world briefly spins. Her brow relaxes and her head tilts slightly to the side. Her smile is one of relief.
“I believe you, Faelyn. You and Evander are the first mortals in a long time that I believed would look after me,” she says softly. “Thank you.”
“You have nothing to thank me for,” I say. “This is long overdue.”
“You have my gratitude anyway.”
I release her and adjust the pack on my shoulder, hoping that it doesn’t register as too suspicious to Farkolf. “Let’s go.”
We emerge into the central room and I try to set a leisurely pace. As though nothing is remotely out of the ordinary. Farkolf doesn’t take notice of us until we’re right at his side.
“Is everything all right?” I ask, curiously looking to the left and in the direction of the great cavern.
“Our king is handling it.”
“Oh, good.” I stop for a moment and clench my jaw to keep myself from asking about Evander. It’d be suspicious if I’m inquiring about him right before I go missing. “So there’s no danger?”
“You’re safe with me,” he says dutifully.
“Exceptional.” I turn to the right and start walking. Aurora follows. For a brief second, I don’t think he’s going to do or say anything at all. But Farkolf decides to be competent at the last second.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Farkolf rushes after us, squeezing around our right and stopping in front of me.
“To the grove.” I gesture ahead and furrow my brow. “Where else?”
“Are you supposed to be in the grove?” He steps in my way, again, as I try to pass.
I glare up at him.
Aurora answers before I can. “I am the spirit of the moon. Going to the grove to commune with my kin is essential. Especially before we perform any magic.”
“Oh, right.” He rubs the back of his neck. “Sorry, I’m not accustomed to this sort of thing. I’m usually relegated to menial tasks. But with Bardulf, well, gone…I thought it would be my chance to impress Conri. Maybe move up a bit in the pack.”
Farkolf steps to the side and I start walking again. He falls into place at my side, where Conri usually is. I look at him for the first time and realize just how young he is. He can’t be older than seventeen. The thick stubble on his chin disguises his youth at a glance. But the skin around his eyes is full. There are no sunken shadows. No lines that come with experience and time.
“I hope I’ve done all right by you both today. If I offended you just now, please let me know so I can properly make amends. I was probably a bit off-putting at first, wasn’t I? Just nerves. I know you’re probably more familiar with Evander, and Bardulf—though he’s a poor example, I suppose. Given, well, you know… I promise I’m not like him.” Farkolf had hardly said a word and now it seems he doesn’t know the meaning of silence.
I come to a stop on the start of the path just outside of the caves. Columns arch around us, supporting the rock above. Moss climbs them and flowers and grasses hang from the ledge. Aurora slows to a stop two steps after, looking at me with a curious stare.
“Faelyn?” she asks.
Don’t do this.I try and will myself to stop.It’s not your concern. He’s not your concern. He doesn’t matter so just keep focused on what does and get yourself out of here.
But he’s just a kid. An innocent bystander. And I am not Conri. I’m not heartless.
“Farkolf,” I say sternly. The shift in my tone has him startling to attention. “I’m going to tell you something. I’ll say it only once, and you only have a few seconds to make your choice.”
“Faelyn,” Aurora says more sternly, worry creeping around my name. I ignore it.Trust me, my heart wills her. Grandma always taught that I should trust my gut and use my powers to help this world.
Letting Farkolf get killed because of my plan helps nothing. I keep my eyes locked with his as I speak. My tone is as serious as the grave.
“If you make any motions to go back inside, I will summon a spirit and have the ground swallow you where you stand.”
“Wh—What?” he stammers, taking a step back from me.
