“We left behind a baby, with Selene’s parents.” The man’s eyes were kind, his voice deep and rough. “Sofie.”
“I think she uses the name Calla, now,” Tap said kindly. He turned to the other couple. “Unless, of course, you’re Calla’s parents?”
They shook their heads and the woman said, “No, our daughter’s name is Hailon. I’m Wyn.”
“I’m Oren. Pleased to meet you.”
Tap shook both their hands and shifted back to my parents.
“Terra.” My mother beamed as she enthusiastically patted Tap’s hands between both of hers.
“Radueriel,” said my father, saving Tap from her grasp by reaching to shake.
“How did you get here?” My mother asked.
“It’s complicated,” Tap said. “But Ramsey certainly gets some credit.” The hound received several more pats in gratitude. “And Armaros, but his death is all I’m thankful for at this moment.” His mouth flattened.
“Dead, you say?” my father inquired.
“Yes.”
“What about that slimy stone kin councilman, Brookes? He’s the one who brought us all here,” Rowan asked.
“Him too. My brothers actually took care of him months ago. And several others thought to be involved before that.”
My father’s shoulders relaxed. “I’m disappointed to have missed such festivities, but good riddance.” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I’ll need to get to Heaven with expedience, to report what’s happened.”
Tap nodded. “There are several doorways available to you. Someone can escort you back to Vincara, to one more familiar.” My father inclined his head in thanks, glancing between Tap and I. He gave me a small, private smile that I immediately understood as approval. I never could keep anything from him for long.
“We can leave?” Hailon’s mother asked, the hope in her face almost painful.
“Yes. And we should, quickly. The portal is only open temporarily.”
There was a general rumbling and some hesitating, which I understood. Some of these people had been here for decades. This was their home.
“Will we ever be able to come back here after that?” Rowan asked. “I’m anxious to leave, of course, but there are things we’ve made here, things we’ve built. It wasn’t always easy but it has been our life for a very long time. To just up and leave it all behind makes me feel… odd.” Her husband comforted her.
“I’m happy to see if I can change the pathways to the portal so that it is accessible more often once we return,” Tap said. “But I can make no guarantees, I’m afraid. Purgatory is not usually under my purview.”
“I understand,” she said.
“Ramsey, would you mind going back through and alerting my brothers at d’Arcan that we will be arriving shortly with several guests? Collect everyone from the glade as well, if you please. And if you could also take the body? My brothers will have a place for it.”
She panted, a smile on her face.It would be my pleasure, Watchman. Shall I also take the head or would you like me to leave that for you?
“Take it please. Though, how will you do both?”
I’ll manage. I can change my size enough to accommodate most of him and fit the rest between my teeth.
I flinched at that visual, but said nothing. After a quick bump of her head for both my mother and I, Ramsey was gone.
“What’s happened that we can leave now?” my mother asked.
“There’s an eclipse,” Tap explained. “And unfortunately, the portal only works during such an event.”
“Alright then. There are many hands here.” Hailon’s dad took charge. “Load up the bedsheets with what you want to take right now. Between us we can surely carry the important things. The rest can wait until another day.”
There was a hasty conversation about dousing fires, which items were most precious and whether or not to take the food as everyone dispersed to their own cabins. I stayed with my parents while Tap went to help Greta’s mother, as she was the only one without a partner.
