“Well, we did kill a few of Daigh’s fae over the gateway.” I pointed to one of the burned patches. “That’s the scar of a fire witch.”
“That’s not what I meant.” She swept her arm around, indicating the rolling hills of the landscape. “All of this used tobe a living, breathing, thriving forest. Herds of deer came to this very spot to drink from a crystal clear pool. But along came the humans with their fires and axes and blades of iron, and now the forest lives on only as a shade of what once was, haunting the earth from which it was so unfairly torn. And why, so they could erect monstrosities like that?” She jabbed a finger at a tall metal tower on the horizon. “What in Oberon’s name isthat?”
“A mobile phone tower. I don’t know what that is. Corbin said they were a monument to a god named Samsung, who fought a deity of apples.” I shrugged. “I can’t remember, actually. Corbin is rather boring.”
“I want to go back,” Liah repeated, her eyes burning into mine. “Now that I’ve seen this, I cannot support you.”
Great.
Now I felt like total shit. I was trying to save my friend. How was I supposed to know that fae could see the ghosts of long-dead forests? That wasn’t exactly something Daigh confided in me. “I can’t do that right now. But if you can just lay low here in the wood, I’ll find a way for us both to get what we want.”
“That’s not true and you know it. You’re going to try and destroy the fae,allof them. That’s why you brought me here, isn’t it? Because you knew I was going to die with the rest of them and you felt guilty. But I’m pleased you did because now I see that the world needs the fae more than ever. I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure that in the great battle that’s coming, the tree spirits and the embers of the true earth have their part to play.”
Liah stormed off toward the woods, her twin braids swinging behind her.
Phew. Okay then.
I’d forgotten how intense Liah used to be, which was ridiculous because it was the defining characteristic of our friendship. I’d do something and she’d lecture me for hoursabout how stupid it was. I suspected she and Corbin would get along.
I circled the sidhe, calling up my spirit magic and using it to reveal the wards. They were still in place, although much weakened. I estimated the wards would hold only for another day, and we were no closer to figuring out how to create permanent wards. And now Liah was ready to join forces with Daigh to “save” the world from humans.
We were fucked.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
MAEVE
Jane didn’t say another word on the drive back to Briarwood. As soon as we got inside, the phone rang. It was Sheryl. I talked to her while Jane got Connor out of his gown.
“I’m so sorry about what happened today, dearie. I know the village is full of frightful gossips, but I never expected that palaver. But don’t you fret – I’ve had a chat with the vicar over in Crooks Worthy. He says they might have an opening, but Jane would have to meet him today. I can swing by and pick her up?”
“Sure, that sounds perfect. Thank you so much.”
“It’s my pleasure. Jane’s had a tough start in life. If she wants to set Connor on the right track, I’m here to support her.“ Sheryl paused. “It might help her case with the vicar, dearie, if you?—”
“—didn’t come with her? I get it. Thanks, Sheryl.”
After seeing what Sheryl had done to help Jane, even against her own congregation, I felt as though I could trust her alone with Jane. And besides, I had something I had to do, and I needed some privacy or I might back out.
On the way home, in between fuming over what that crowd had done and worrying about Connor’s safety, I had a bit of a realisation. My parents lived and died by their code of ethicsand morals, inspired by their faith but not beholden to it. They decided for themselves what constituted Christian deeds. Because of them, I got to have a normal childhood and to know love and understanding. We didn’t always get along, but I always knew that whatever I did they would support me.
The numbness I’d felt when they first died had broken open, and I missed them so much it hurt – a deep pain in my chest that never faded. Maybe it never would. I wondered what they would say if I went to them with the truth – that I was born of a witch and a fae and that my powers were activated and strengthened through premarital sex. I imagined my dad’s hand on my knee, calm and reassuring. I rubbed the spot where his fingers would’ve touched, blinking back tears.
Why did they have to feel so close to me when they were so far away?
Coming to Briarwood was a choice born of desperation and grief. Now I had another choice ahead of me. I was ready to follow my parents’ example. I would not choose the easy thing, the known thing. I would follow my heart and my own code, even if it meant doing something completely and utterlyinsane.
My heart pounded against my chest as I waved at Jane. She waved back, then returned to fitting Connor’s car seat into Sheryl’s car. I watched until they drove away. My breath hitched.
It was now or never.
“I want to see everyone in the library in five minutes,” I yelled down the hall.
“I’m in the loo,” Flynn yelled back.
“Well, hurry up. I’ve got something to tell you all,” I called back. “Trust me, you want to hear this.”
Corbin, of course, was already in the library, his head bent over the same book Blake had been poring over last night. I thought about telling him what Blake had told me but decidedagainst it. I didn’t want this to turn into another discussion about the fae.
