“River.” She paused. “You remind me of her.”
“Who?” My heart stilled.
“The last visitor. Her name was…” The flames spit. “I can’t remember.”
“Helpful.” I eased back into the cushions, nostrils twitching at the hint of mildew.
Smoke plumed. “What? It was over a decade ago!”
“Are you getting fiery with me?” Biting back a smile, I laid my head back and closed my eyes.
“You know, there’s a bed through those double doors.”
“I figured.” My lids shot open. “Are there any other entrances I should know about? Or exits, for that matter. Secret ones, perhaps?”
“There’s the window. I’ve heard it opens. Can you fly?”
“No.” Shoulders caving, I settled into the cushions, letting my breaths slow.
“Not much use to you, then. Although, I’ve seen the skyline in the mirror. When the sun hits the mountains at certain times of day, like right now, it looks like they’re on fire. Alpenglow, they call it. There’s really nothing quite like it. Maybe you could check it out, you know, on your way to the bedroom?”
“I’m too tired to move.” I was too tired to open my eyes again. Almost too tired to talk.
“Are you at least going to close the curtains?”
“No.”
“Okay, well… good night.”
“Good night, Eldi.”
Chapter 18
Thunder cracked. The tide bellowed back, the force of it shaking my bones. Back flush against the weatherworn wall, I hid beneath the lighthouse’s tower, blending with the shadows.
A cry rang out, so close it could have been next to me, but it somehow felt lifetimes away. The sky rippled, the air splitting apart like a piece of torn fabric, as things not of this world—things with horns and fangs and murder in their eyes—poured out.
The temperature plummeted, the cold snaking up my spine. A dark cloud of those beasts swarmed the countryside, devouring everything, everyone in its path, leaving a trail of skeletons behind.
A snarl tickled my ear. I turned. A demon, lurking in the darkness with dripping, open, jowls…
My eyes thrust themselves open. I clutched at the air, sitting up in one sharp gasp.
Insistent knocking echoed from the entry, jolting me from the nightmare into reality. The elves. The castle.
“Your Grace?” Helga’s words were muffled behind the heavy door. “Are you decent?”
“Uh, yes.” The door creaked open. “No!” I stumbled to my feet. “Give me five minutes!”
I glanced at the hearth, the fire nothing but glowing embers. Shit! Was Eldi okay?
Grabbing an iron pole, I poked at the burnt logs and piled another one on. My heart sank. Did I kill her?!
“Ow!” A raspy voice ignited with the flames.
The tool slipped from my grip. “Sorry, Eldi! I thought you were a goner.”
“You can’t put me out that easily,” she mumbled. “Where are you running off to?”
