I will go ahead, mistress. I’ll use my connection to her as a guide. Follow me.
My skin crawled as I lost sight of her, the sense of urgency to leave reminding me of Ophelia’s wards.
After another few minutes walking for what seemed like no gain in distance and no change on the horizon, I heard her bark.
“Ramsey?” I called, unsure what direction I’d heard her from.
Come, over this way.She walked ahead of us, still in a hurry.
Wary but trusting her, we followed the hound as she trotted at full speed a different direction than we’d been headed.
Tap stopped walking. “Look.”
I followed his gaze and saw what had drawn his attention. Smoke.
The closer we got to the column of smoke, the harder my heart pounded. Crude rooflines appeared, then walls. Doors. Nothing was fancy, everything clearly made from whatever could be found nearby, but all completely serviceable little cabins.
Ramsey barked several times and dashed away, leaving me and Tap staring at one another and my heart in my throat.
As we crested a hill we hadn’t seen and started down the other side, a whole settlement became visible. There were several homes, a well, lines for hanging laundry, and a rack over a big fire cooking some kind of meat.
Ramsey went from one little house to the next, barking and making as much noise as she possibly could.
Tap squeezed my hand, reminding me to breathe as one after another, people emerged from the little dwellings. I looked from one of them to the next, stunned at how many of them there were. Four women, and three men, arranged in couples aside from one of the women. The first couple was an auburn-haired woman and a large, sharp-featured man with long dark hair. The second, a petite woman with black hair, the man clutching her shoulders tall and willowy. The woman standing alone reminded me of Greta, if a bit older. They all looked cautious, confused.
All except one.
The tan woman with long dark hair exclaimed excitedly, gesturing for the others to greet the hellhound that was prancing around from one to the next, making enough noise to raise thedead. Next to her was a tall angel, one with long silver-blond hair and violet eyes, like mine.
“Saints, it’s all of them,” Tap breathed the words. “They’re really all here.”
I hiccupped a breath as the woman looked up, spotting us. And for the first time in years, I locked eyes with my parents.
I breathedin the soft scent of my mother’s hair, eyes closed as my tears dried. My father had his arms wrapped around us both, my body crushed between them.
It was everything I’d craved out of a hug for years.
My legs had moved of their own accord once the reality of my parents, standing within a short distance of me, had sunk in. Ramsey had joined our little reunion, the rest of the people around us smiling as they watched.
“I’m so happy to see you.” I exhaled into her shoulder, and she kissed my cheek soundly before pulling away.
“Come. Say hello. Friends, this is our daughter, Phin.” Everyone responded with a kind greeting, some a little wave. “And …” she looked to Tap.
“I’m Tap,” he said, dipping into a little bow. “I’m the demon of the crossroads. And I believe I know who you all are, but I’d love to meet you properly. I feel it’s important you all know straightaway that your children are safe. All of them. They’re grown, and thriving.” A collective murmur of relief went through them, hands squeezed and emotions already bubbling over in the form of tears.
I glanced around at everyone, finding familiar features in most of them. As Tap slowly went to them one by one and shook their hands, I walked beside him and nodded in greeting.As they introduced themselves, my heart clenched tighter and tighter. All of these people were parents Armaros and his co-conspirators had stashed away here, people separated from their families by their unforgivable madness.
“I’m Rowan,” She said. “Rowan Aurichal.” The woman standing by herself said, eagerly putting out her arm.
“I thought so. I’d recognize those features anywhere.” Tap smiled at her. “Magnus has been desperate to find you.” She choked out a light sob, tears filling her eyes. “Greta will be so happy to see that you’re alright.” She pumped Tap’s arm several more times and then quickly wrapped her arms around me, squeezing me tight.
“Thank you both.”
The woman with auburn hair took Tap’s hand. “I’m Selene. This is Kaspar.” She gestured to her husband, whose features were similar to Rowan’s. Stone kin lines ran quite strong, it seemed.
“Pleased to meet you.”
“We’ve been here the longest. I’m not even sure how many years now,” she lamented.
