Maybe something good would finally come from her fae ancestry, even if the concept of her fae heritage bringing anything remotely positive to her life seemed unimaginable. The fae world had always been unattainable—a dark piece of history to dissect from a safe distance—and she’d been glad for it.
On silent feet, Lora crept to the kitchen where she waited for her father who always left early for work. She nervously clutched her pendant, moving it back and forth on the chain as she rehearsed in her mind the words she needed to say. She was looking forward to getting this over with, for the endless loop in her head to come to a stop.
Isaac stormed into the kitchen and immediately began shuffling around, throwing together a quick breakfast. He paused mid-movement as he spotted Lora sitting at the table.
“What are you doing up so early?” he said in a suspicious tone.
All her carefully planned words went out the window as she blurted, “I’m going to the diner to talk to Maja. I’ve decided I’m going to Liraen.” Isaac moved forward but Lora held up her hand. “You can’t change my mind. We both know it’s our best shot. I have to try and you have to let me.”
Saying the words out loud made it real. She was committing to going to the fae land; the last place in the universe she wanted to be. It was now also the only place that provided hope for her family. She took a deep breath, forcing herself not to panic.
Isaac glanced at a family picture hanging on the kitchen wall. He swallowed as if to control his rising emotions. “I shouldn’t have brought it up, Lora. Don’t do this just because you think you have to. I would never ask you to.” A sob got stuck in his throat as he sought out her eyes.
Lora noted the guilt he showed—and a more carefully hidden feeling of relief. It told her that she was doing the right thing. If her father, a medical professional, didn’t see another way out of this, then this really was their last hope.
“You don’t have to ask. I’m doing this because it needs to be done. You know it as much as I do.”
Isaac shook his head in defeat. He had to know that there was no changing Lora’s mind. She could be just as stubborn as her mother. However, she’d rather go on this mission with her dad’s blessing. At least one family member should hear her reasoning face-to-face.
“Promise me you’ll come right back if you sense any danger—any danger at all,” he insisted, his voice a mix of fear and guilt.
Lora nodded in quick agreement even though she wasn’t sure at all if this was a promise she could keep. Considering the history she had studied, it seemed unlikely her plan would go smoothly. Still, she put on a comforting smile, a picture of perfect calmness, and said, “I’ll be fine. I have a degree in history. This will be like a long overdue research trip.”
“Promise, Lora.” His brown-green eyes held her gaze.
She sighed as if he was overreacting. “Fine. I promise, I’ll be careful. I need one thing from you.” If she was taking the risk to cross, she wasn’t going empty-handed. “Mum’s blood sample.”
For a few moments neither of them said anything else, yet their eyes spoke volumes. Lora could tell Isaac was considering taking it all back. Telling Lora that this was a horrible idea. That it would break her mother’s heart and his too, should anything happen to Lora.
She silently screamed to let it be, to accept this was the only way. She tried to project her silent plea, radiating her desperation and need of support in this mission.
Her father broke their staring match, sighed, and turned to where he’d dropped his bag by the door. He fished out her mother’s blood sample and held it out to Lora.
“I hope a fae healer will be able to make use of it. This needs to be worth the risk.”
Lora took the half-full vial and observed the dark red blood that was once coursing through her mother’s veins. The sleek glass felt cold against her skin. It was hard to imagine that she was holding a sample of what could very well be the downfall of her family should she be unable to succeed.
“When are you leaving?” Isaac closed his bag again and tried to catch Lora’s gaze. “I want to go with you to the border.” Unspoken words hung in the air. She knew he wanted to be there in case anything happened to her. But if it did, even the best doctor wouldn’t be able to save her.
“I have to see if Maja can help me convince Marcel to show me the way first, so hopefully in the next few days. Whenever Marcel can take me.” The truth was, she had no idea when she would go, but it didn’t matter. She didn’t want him to witness what could potentially happen and she wasn’t going to say goodbye—that much she was sure of. She couldn’t risk anyone holding her back or possibly changing her mind. Turning her face away, Lora hid her expression, already feeling guilty for telling yet another lie.
* * *
“Let me get this straight,” Maja said as she adjusted her glasses. “You want me to ask my dad to help you get to the black market so you can cross the border in secret?”
“Correct,” Lora said, leaning back against the faded brown leather booth in her mum’s diner.
Maja shook her head in disbelief. Lora could only imagine what she was thinking. She’d basically asked her friend to help her with a suicide mission.
“You do know you’ve completely lost your mind, right?”
She might have lost it the second she’d heard about her mother’s infection, yet she had never felt more certain in her life. Which might mean that she, indeed, had lost the part of her that could make reasonable decisions. Lora’s gaze wandered around the familiar diner. She remembered sitting on the counter as a child, watching her mum set up the place. She was only ten years old when she’d watched her turn over the “Open” sign for the first time. Her mum’s face had been the epitome of happiness.
Before her mum had started her own business, she’d struggled quite a lot. As a child, Lora hadn’t been able to see it, but looking back she knew her mum had been afraid to leave Lora in the care of others for fear they would find out her true heritage. It had made it difficult for her mother to make ends meet. Protecting Lora had always been her mum’s priority. Now it was Lora’s turn to do the protecting.
Her skin heated as she wondered why she didn’t feel more scared. Maybe at some point she’d run out of fear. It was all too much, forcing denial to take over.
Pushing her emotions aside she said, “My mum is sick, Maja. There’s no other way to save her.”
