“Wherever suits you. I need to know it all, do I not?” When neither of us were forthcoming, she sighed and leaned to one side. “Perhaps at the beginning, then? How did you two happen upon one another in the first place? It’s not like droves of Nephilim are just wandering about the continent.”
He glanced at me and I nodded, indicating he could continue. “I discovered Phin when I visited Aymonroux with Seir. She was living in the church.”
“And why were you in Aymonroux, Phin?”
“My parents left me there, with the priest. For safekeeping.”
“Nephilim are rare but not generally threatened nor considered a threat. Not on their own. So, what is it you were being kept safe from?”
“Heaven.”
“What for?” Ophelia seemed moderately impatient with our short answers.
“There’s an illness. Me and other Nephilim are being sought out so we can help them repopulate.”
Tap growled, and Ophelia grimaced, clearly disgusted by the notion. “Indeed? Well. That explains a few things.” She frowned. “She’s staying with you at the crossroads now?”
“Yes.”
Her head bobbed, and she reached out with a grunt, splashing more whiskey directly into the teapot before pouring herself another cup. “It’s definitely a difficult place to find unless you already know how to get there. Seems a good place to hide, to me. Your hound didn’t stay?”
“Ramsey is hunting the angels who are trying to locate Phin.”
“Ah, well, good for her. May she be successful in her search.” She lifted her cup as though offering a toast, then threw the whole thing back in one gulp.
“She met us in the glade not long ago. Hopefully her quarry doesn’t evade her much longer,” Tap said.
Ophelia nodded solemnly. “And you’re keeping yourself occupied at the crossroads, Phin?”
“Yes, I’m organizing the deals library.”
Ophelia brightened. “That suits, yes, yes.” Her gaze narrowed. “Tell me then, what happened when the bell rang?”
“I have freezing episodes.” I explained it to her as I had to Greta, how my heart races and I lose control of my muscles. She grew more thoughtful the longer I spoke.
“In Aymonroux, the church bell was forged with both demon and angel blood,” Tap explained. “It seemed to trigger them, her own blood responding to the remnants in the bell. But they happen randomly also. Is there something similar in yours?”
Ophelia shook her head. “No, mine is just plain iron, I’ve had it since I was young. Watched it being forged myself. But there may be something about the tone that triggers them. The mind is a complicated place.” She reached out a hand. “May I seeyour necklace?” I slipped the chain over my head and placed the pendant in her palm. “Terra was wearing this each time I saw her.” She turned it over, then held it up to the light. “And her mother before her I’d imagine, though I never met her. When did she pass it along to you?”
“After I got sick once, when I was younger.” That was true, if intentionally vague about what had happened to make me unwell.
“Wise. Amethyst offers protection and healing. It’s also said to be helpful in boosting mental clarity.” She handed it back.
I blinked, understanding more clearly why my mother had given it to me when she had. “I didn’t know that.”
“Did anything improve once Rylan gave you the bracelet? Did the addition of more amethyst help at all?”
At Ophelia’s look, I held out my wrist so she could look at it as well. “Maybe. I’m not sure.”
“This one is spelled. Partial invisibility?”
“Yes, so she could go into the city without drawing any unwanted attention.”
The sorceress’s head bobbed. “I have to admit, the archmage does nice work. This is good protection, Phin. Keep it on whenever you leave the crossroads.”
“I will.”
Ophelia took another slice of bread and smeared it liberally with honey. She ate the entire thing before speaking again. “Now then, to the reason you came.” I tensed, already trying to organize my thoughts. “That awful tincture, who made it?”
