Elgar and I secure the items in our packs, wrapping and cushioning them carefully for the long journey back. We camp for the night close to the mouth of the cave, the currents of fae magick emanating from the relics setting all of us on edge.
The trek back to the settlement is fraught with more Malefic confrontations than we had on the way there. They are drawn by the strong aura of magick surrounding us as we carry the relics. They are nothing we cannot handle with a group of our size and strength, but we are all weary from the long trek.
It is a relief to arrive back at the settlement several days later, though I am anxious to return to Ada. The journey took eight days in all, a long stretch for even seasoned hunters. Elgar and I rest and recuperate for the night before we begin our journey to Monstera Bluff. I call Niven the moment I enter the settlement. He has already arranged for the same witches to accompany us back to the Toronto portal safely. Niven does not want to leave anything to chance now that we have the relics. Ever since the fae mentioned that Malefic could be responsiblefor more Whispered Folk deaths than previously thought, he and the witches are on high alert for any threat.
Exactly as planned, the Toronto coven witches meet us and bring us uneventfully back to the portal. When Elgar and I step through the strange, soupy miasma, a large, welcoming crowd greets us on the other side. Ada jogs toward me immediately, wrapping her long, slender arms around my waist. She looks frailer than before. The stress of my absence may have accelerated the effects of the fae spell. Hopefully she will never have to worry about that again.
“Ada, my mate. It is such a relief to hold you again,” I murmur into her hair as I mold her to me. I was able to call her briefly to let her know I arrived that first day and then again yesterday when we returned from the cave. But those two brief days I spent at the settlement were such a blur of activity I barely had time to speak with her.
She reaches up, running a soft hand along my cheek and jaw. Her gaze seeks mine earnestly. “Moon and stars, I was so worried for you,” she quavers, tears filling her eyes. I lean my face down and tenderly press my lips to hers. Her face fits perfectly between my tusks with her delicate features.
Niven and a small group of unfamiliar witches are also here to meet us. When I finally survey the room, Elgar stands in a corner, still looking shaken from walking through the portal. I cannot blame him. It never gets easier.
“Ada, please come and meet Elgar,” I ask as I lead her to my brother, whose eyes blink rapidly, mayhap still trying to wrap his mind around the fundamentals of the portal. He has not often had reason to leave the settlement other than to hunt.
Ada holds out her hand to Elgar who grasps it immediately like a lifeline. “Ada, it is my honor to make your acquaintance. Please know that our clan forcing Norrell away from you will be the biggest regret of my life. What it did to him… and to you.I humbly ask for your forgiveness,” he says, unusually subdued and genuinely contrite.
Tears fall from Ada’s eyes as he speaks. She quickly dashes them away and draws closer to me. “Thank you, Elgar. I appreciate your apology. I’m glad to finally make your acquaintance too,” she replies with a watery smile.
Niven steps over to us, greeting me and introducing himself to Elgar. “I don’t even need to ask if you have the items. I can feel their foul magick already,” he shudders.
We gladly hand over the packs to him and his team. He introduces us to the unfamiliar witches. They are experts in magickal artifacts.
“Your clan knew what it was doing hiding these away. Mother Earth knows how they came to be in Northern Canada, but these do not belong in our realm,” one of them states to me and Elgar, his eyes wide as he holds the unwrapped Forged Ruby.
“What is the red one made of?” I ask, jerking my chin toward it.
The witch murmurs quiet words to himself as he turns it over in his hands. “Painite,” he answers eventually. “Probably the rarest gem in this realm. Its extreme rarity leads me to believe this substance originates in the fae realm. Mayhap it conducts their magick better than materials here.” After briefly inspecting the relics, the witches pack them away again.
We ride in a caravan of automobiles through the ward into Monstera Bluff. Ada drives me and Elgar. She tells me a little about the time I was away, that Walt and Acton moved in temporarily to keep an eye on her. Sunny, Thea, Clancy, Cara, and Ben came over a few times to do some chores and keep her company.
The automobiles pull into the parking area at Ada’s house. The witches, including Niven, will stay at the inn. They arrived last night right after I informed Niven we had returnedsuccessfully. This meeting at Ada’s will allow us time and privacy to form a plan to use the relics. Niven’s team, who were here previously, are waiting for us. The biggest surprise, though, is that Esmeralda Jurado waits with them.
“Dean Jurado?” I exclaim in confusion as I approach her. Her dark hair is streaked with silver and is cut a little shorter. Otherwise, she looks the same.
“Norrell! You didn’t think I’d miss the excitement of breaking a fae spell?” she jokes as she leans in for a hug. “But in all seriousness, I spoke with Niven last week and he asked if I wanted to come here and help when you returned.”
“I cannot believe it,” I sputter, still shocked. “I have not seen you since Ada and I left Sparklight Academy.”
“Well, some of my favorite former scholars are here to save the life of another one. I couldn’t miss out on that. I’m here for you, whatever you need,” she voices in earnest.
“It brings us great comfort,” I tell her honestly.
We go inside, where Walt and Acton are already setting up a table with catering in the large salon. They both envelop me in a giant hug. “Thank you for saving our golden-hearted girl,” Acton says tearfully.
“We are nearly there,” I assure him.
“Her spirit has already been restored seeing you safe and sound again.” His airy voice sounds unmistakably relieved.
A small crowd from Ada’s coven arrives several minutes later. When the entire group settles in, Niven calls for everyone’s attention.
He looks around the room. “We have both artifacts, one for life force and the other for magick. I am opening the discussion with our experts on how to use these artifacts to break or force out the fae spell cast on Ada.”
One of Ada’s coven members stands up immediately, interjecting before anyone else starts speaking. “I’m not theexpert you’re asking for, but the magick part may be easier. The entire coven has volunteered our magick for the artifact. As much as needed, for as long as needed.”
Ada’s expression brightens, and she mouths a “thank you” ’to the witch, who nods in return.
One of the relics experts looks pleased by this news. “A glut of magick should work well for this type of artifact. Drawing from strong sources similar in nature to hers will likely make the effect on Ada more potent. It will better absorb into her own magickal signature,” she remarks.
