Even though I’m in the safest house I know, by the hearth of the fire in the living room, sitting next to DaiSzek—all I can see is…
“It’s Uncle Niles,” I tell her at a loss for breath. “I don’t know where they are. It’s not here. But Uncle Niles was with them, and he’s the one in the most danger right now!”
My mom blinks, trying to process the weakness cracking into my voice. Her full lips part, and she tightens her grip around my wrists.
“Sapphire—she was scared for him, Mom. She was—I don’t know—concerned for herself, yes. But there was real panic and terror in her voice for Uncle Niles. We have to—we—”
“What did you see? Do not leave out a single detail.” That maternal look on her face changes, transitioning into something cold and professional.
I tell her everything. The scenery we’ve determined to be Vexamen. But the version before Aunt Ruth took over. My mother doesn’t write anything down. She doesn’t ask for details to be repeated. She watches as I retrace my steps in my head, logging every movement Uncle Niles made, every word Sapphire said.
It’s all carefully calculated behind her firm gaze.
“DaiSzek, stay with my son,” she commands.
He lifts his head in understanding, perking his ears up.
“What? Where are you going?” I ask.
“Keep looking for your sister. I’m getting the rest of the family involved. Now.”
50. Prophesy Be Damned
Skylenna
My heels split and crackas I sprint through the woods, into the shallow Emerald Oak River, over fallen trees, and onto the uneven road that leads to Marilynn’s hidden house.
Jumping onto the front porch, I pound my fists on their front door. I don’t care what time it is. I don’t care if they’re asleep. My mind pulses and goes up in flames. It’s more than the fear of my daughter being lost. It’s Niles being left behind too.
“Marilynn! Open the damn door!” I shriek.
My fists boom through the hum of crickets and early morning birds. I’m two seconds from breaking the door down as it flies open.
“Warrose,” I say out of breath.
He looms over me with a giant shadow that blots out the light coming from the living room behind him. I almost forgot they were staying with Marilynn and Niles a little longer to draw up new trade agreements.
“What’s wrong?” he asks in a raspy, tired yet alert voice.
Ruth appears at Warrose’s side, resting her wrists on the arms of her chair.
I look between them, trying not to let myself fall apart. “Where is Marilynn…”
“We had a lot of wine last night. She’s passed out,” Ruth answers with a yawn.
“Skylenna,” Warrose says, narrowing his eyes on me. “What is it?”
My hands clasp together, pressing against my mouth as I shake my head. I can’t decide which emotions want to be set free the most. Devastation, because I can feel it…I can feel death and doom and an everlasting ache hanging over us. The void gathers a layer of ice awaiting an apocalypse. Something is coming.
Or am I furious? If something happens to my daughter, I won’t forgive Marilynn for knowing and choosing to stay silent.
“Sapphire and Niklaus are missing.” I watch their backs straighten and faces fall. “Not here. They’re somewhere we can’t reach. Krimson believes they’ve moved through time and can’t find their way back to us.”
Warrose was seconds away from pushing past me to start looking for them. Until that last bit. He pauses in the doorway, glancing back at Ruth at a complete loss of words.
“They…timetraveled,” Ruth clarifies, staring up at me in thorough disbelief.
“They took—Niles with them,” I add. My blood runs cold at the full description Krimson gave me of what he saw.
