“You insisted I get it.” Eyden seemed to think for a moment. “To message someone named Maja?”
Lora hoped she hadn’t wasted any unnecessary data as she reached for the device and checked her most recent messages. Reading the short conversation, she bit her lip to hide the smile that was sneaking up on her. Even with everything going on, Maja was still Maja and if she was home, this would have been a purely fun exchange.
A sort of radio noise broke the silence hanging over the flat. Then someone said, “Hello. Eyden, you there?” The voice sounded familiar but it was a bit distorted. Lora followed Eyden’s movements as he picked up what looked to be a walkie-talkie from the kitchen table.
Lora wondered if it was a runia. She’d read about such devices. They worked in a similar way to walkie-talkies but were powered by spells. Besides traditional letters, it was the only form of communication the fae used. Lora had always thought it was rather stupid of the fae to not take advantage of human technology. Phones were more convenient than runias. But with the exception of a few who might buy spelled tech at the black market, the fae were too proud to admit humans held any sort of advantage. The fae had magic and in their minds, that put them above anyone else. But technology was much safer than magic.
Eyden pressed a button and spoke into the device. “I’m here. What’s the status?”
“He’ll be at River’s Point in about an hour,” the voice on the other end said.
“Got it. I’ll be there.”
“Great. See you tomorrow. And say hi to just Lora.”
Eyden looked at her briefly then said, “Bye, Ilario.” The noise cut out as he dropped the runia on the table.
Once again, there were several questions going off in her throbbing head. The loudest one screamed:What the hell is he planning?
Lora walked towards Eyden as she asked, “What was Ilario talking about? We’re going to get the herbs today, aren’t we?” She suspected she was going to hate his answer.
Eyden sighed. His face showed a twinge of regret, then it was replaced by indifference. “It’s already late afternoon, Lora. Ilario won’t be at his parents’ house until tomorrow and I have things to take care of.”
She stared at him quietly. Her emotions were building up, threatening to blow wide open.
“It will take time to get to the house and we should walk in daylight. Getting the herbs won’t be a one-day mission,” Eyden continued. Lora had stopped walking, remaining silent. “You’re suspiciously quiet.”
“You knew from the start that we wouldn’t be going today, didn’t you? You decided not to tell me,” she said, her voice oddly calm.
“I thought it might take us longer to get the crystal anyway.”
She held his gaze, projecting her anger through her eyes. “You thought wrong. There’s no time to waste, Eyden.”
“It’s one day. I have a life, Lora. Ilario has a life. Tomorrow will have to do. My way, remember?”
The restraint in her broke free so violently that Lora couldn’t process her feelings right away. “You know who else has a life?” she shouted. “My mum.” A tear slid down her cheek. “She has a life and every day brings her one step closer to her end if we don’t get that cure.”
Now Eyden was silent. He turned away as he quietly asked, “When did she get sick?”
“A few days ago.”
Eyden looked back at her. “Then she should have a few weeks, right? There’s time.”
Lora turned her face away as more tears escaped her. “Right. Why would I be worried? Of course,youwouldn’t understand.” She didn’t look at him as she grabbed her belongings and disappeared inside the bathroom.
* * *
When Lora emerged after taking a quick shower to wall in her emotions, she found a new reason to be mad. Eyden was about to leave, stepping to the front door.
Lora halted in her steps and called out, “What, no goodbye?”
Eyden looked over his shoulder and took her in. He could probably still read the resentment on her face. She wasn’t exactly trying to hide it.
He turned back to the door, not meeting her eyes. “I left you a note on the table. I figured you’d rather not talk to me now.” Eyden pushed down the door handle.
“You’re right,” she said. But he wasn’t leaving with no explanation again. In quick steps, she was next to him. She put a hand against the door, closing it shut again. “But if I’m stuck waiting for tomorrow, then at least tell me what you’re up to that’s so important. You owe me that much.”
“I don’t owe you anything.” Lora’s eyes must have been burning with fury. Eyden averted his gaze and added, “I gave you my word that I’d help you. And we’re leaving tomorrow morning, I can promise you that. But right now, I have to go.” He forced her hand back as he pulled the door open.
