“Yes. Each of them has a unique sound when activated. Even while sleeping, I can hear activity from there and respond if needed.”
“Mmm. I noticed they all look different; I guess it makes sense they sound different as well.” Her brows pinched together as she chewed. “Can’t you make it so they don’t work while you sleep? You did something like that when we went to the glade.”
“Yes. I did it just now, in fact.”
“So why not every night?”
I shook my head and reached for an apple slice, my body responding to her calm, muscles relaxing and heartbeat slowing. “It limits use of the doorways too much.”
“So why aren’t there more locations they can be watched from? Like in the glade?”
“That would put the full burden of watching them on someone else. It’smyjob.”
She frowned. “That’s too much for one person though. You’ll get sick. Nobody can function on no sleep. Have you ever asked for help? Told someone it’s simply too much?”
“I have help now. Seir and Coltor can assist. Occasionally, Seir calls in a favor, and the majority are monitored from Hell. Merry has taken over the familiar bonds, and you’re here for the deals. It’s infinitely better than it was. But I’ve done it this way always. For centuries.” I bit back the lie that almost slipped out, the one where I told her I was fine. I knew I wasn’t. I was better, but I had been slowly breaking for a very long time, and it would take a while for me to be fully back to myself.
“But it’s still too much. And it sounds like you’re doing things the old way just because. Maybe there are more efficient methods you could employ. You know, if you asked some questions?”
“You sound like my brothers.” I couldn’t stop the smile that tugged at the corners of my mouth.
“I can’t help it if they’re right.” She huffed. As she reached for a teacup, her eyes widened in alarm, and her body stiffened.
“Phin?”
“Wings.” She panted the word just before they slowly slid out, flexed, then retracted. “That one was better.” Her upper body trembled. “Didn’t hurt as much.”
“That’s good,” I said, remembering the items in my pocket. “Here.” I dropped her jewelry into her hand and set the mirrorand elixir vials on the tray next to the cups. “I thought maybe these would help.”
“Thank you.” She looped the necklace over her head and fastened the bracelet around her wrist. She picked up the little vials and inspected them both, the shimmer catching the light.
“Greta said the blue for healing, the light green for the other things, and if you needed anything, to reach out. I’m sorry, I wish I would have remembered earlier. Would it help to speak with her? I know you did earlier, but perhaps whatever this is changes things?”
“Yes. I think I should.”
I activated the mirror, and Vassago’s face popped up.
“Miss me so soon, Tap?” he teased.
“Hardly. I’ve seen your face more in the last few weeks than in the last several decades, brother.”
Vago snorted. “And what a treat that must be for you, you’re welcome. What can I do for you, brother?”
“Phin would like to speak with Greta, if she has a moment?”
Vago’s playful expression dropped into concern. “Of course. I hope everything is alright.”
I looked at Phin, who was taking in the device with wide eyes. “Not really. Phin is experiencing some odd symptoms.”
“Odd how?” Greta’s face joined Vassago’s in the glass. She pulled a pair of protective spectacles up off her eyes, resting them on the top of her head as she looked between us.
I hesitated again, but Phin nodded that I should continue. “She’s been feverish. Her wings broke through and retracted many times over the last couple of hours. They are unresponsive to her control.”
“Mm. Phin?”
“Yes?” Phin, who had been allowing me to guide the conversation thus far, clutched a pillow to her chest.
“I don’t know how long it will take me to make a new batch. Not long, once we can find some of the difficult-to-locate ingredients, but that has to happen first.”
