That’s good.
That’s...
Something gnawed at me. “How long ago did you see him? Was it recently?”
“Oh no.” The girl shook her head. “It’s midnight now, so it was a while ago. But he might’ve just gotten distracted visiting his favourite places and fallen asleep somewhere by accident.”
“Lanlan is probably right,” Auntie Mei agreed. “Xiao Lu was always disappearing as a boy. He was a terror at hide and seek. He’d always vanish into the Ran Feng caves.” She noticed my slight frown and added, “That means the Burning Phoenix caves. The mountain is riddled with waterways and pools. It was his favourite place as a child.”
If Lucien was burning from too many people—if he’d reached a level where he couldn’t cope...he’d go there. He’d seek out the coldest, quietest place possible.
My eyes met Whisper’s.
We had to go.
Had to find him—
“You arrived at noon and haven’t eaten since. You must be starving.” Auntie Mei pointed at Lanlan and the overladen tray. “I brought all his favourite dishes along with something for...his pet.”
“If there’s anything else you fancy, please just let me know.” Lanlan smiled before heading to the low dining table and depositing the trays. The flavours of ginger, garlic, and sesame hit my nose. Removing one of the covers, she placed a large bowl of chunky meat on the floor.
Whisper licked his lips, torn between guard duty and an empty stomach.
“I also noticed you arrived with no luggage.” Auntie Mei dragged my attention back to her, even though my racing heart drowned me in worry.
I needed to go.
I have to find him—
Auntie Mei waved the other girl forward. She held a tray piled high with clothes, jewellery, and crystal bottles. “I’ve brought a selection of toiletries. One of my close friends makes them with local ingredients. The jewellery is just a few things that have been gathering dust in the vault, and the clothes...” She shrugged sadly. “They’re the only thing we have until I go shopping in the village. They belonged to Xiao Lu’s mother but they’re still in good condition, even if they’re old.”
“Wait...” I drew myself up with a gasp. “You’re giving me Lucien’s mother’s clothes?”
Auntie Mei nodded. “I know it’s not ideal. But they’re clean and beautiful. If you can tolerate wearing them for a few days, I’ll arrange some modern things, but for now...” She winced as if she’d offended me. “This is all we have.”
My fingers strayed to my necklace, memories of my own mother coming far too fast to stop. I choked—
“Miss?” Auntie Mei stepped forward, wrenching to a stop as Whisper growled. “I’m sorry, I don’t know your name, but...are you alright?”
I nodded, rubbing my eyes and flatly refusing to have another attack so soon after the last one. “I’m fine. I’m fine. And...my name’s Rook.”
She smiled. “Lovely to meet you, Miss Rook.”
“Likewise.” I forced myself to be polite, even as impatience chewed me alive. Wherever Lucien was, I had to find him. Every minute that ticked past made me feel...strange.
Like part of me was fading, dying...
I stepped toward her. “I appreciate everything you’ve done, but I really need to find Lucien.”
She cocked her head a little. “You know...you say his name differently than the rest of us.”
“I do?”
Whisper grumbled and gave up guarding me in favour of stuffing his face. With a half-hearted hiss, he gave Auntie Mei fierce instructions not to get up to anything, then stalked toward the bowl of meat.
Auntie Mei shuddered as he wolfed down his dinner. “We say Luxin. Similar to how you say it...but not the same.”
Curiosity scratched me. “And that other name you call him? Xiao Lu?”
