“But in order to do that...”
Liza glanced up at me. “You’ll need to access the underworld.”
“Yes.”
“I’ve been thinking of the best way to do that,” Liza said. “And I think we just need one other person on board to make this work.”
“Silas absolutely won’t agree,” I said. “I hate to keep this quiet from him, but he would lock me in a cell before he let me visit the underworld, and I can’t let that happen. If I don’t go, I’m equally convinced we’ll all be dead anyway.”
“You’re right. I won’t tell.” Liza took a sip of her tea. “But that’s not who I’m talking about. I’m talking about Seer Goddard.”
“Seer Goddard?” I felt myself stutter over the words. “But—how?”
“He’s a dreamwalker. I think that’s the safest way to do this,” Liza said. “It will allow you to visit the underworld without physically going there. Between the two of us—me and the Seer—we should be able to allow your spirit passage to the underworld while keeping your body here. It’s still very dangerous, but it’s a lot less dangerous than sending you there as a whole person.”
“I had no idea.”
“I don’t assume he tells anyone,” Liza said. “I don’t know him well, but I saw him once, and I knew. Those of us who have been in touch with the spirits in a close way can recognize one another. Just like how I recognized you.”
“Okay. Well, I’m happy to speak with him, but I don’t know where he is. He said goodbye and left the island.”
“No he didn’t. He might have said goodbye, but he didn’t go anywhere.”
I didn’t need to ask Liza how she knew. If she knew, she had a good reason for it.
“Okay,” I said. “As soon as it’s light, we’ll go speak to him.”
“What will you tell Silas?”
I gave a heavy sigh. “I don’t know. But let me figure that out. I’ve asked you to do enough for me, I don’t want to make you lie for me too. You should say I forced you to help me and also to keep quiet. None of this is your fault.”
Liza frowned but she didn’t argue. As we finished the last of our tea, I heard footsteps in the kitchen. Silas pushed open the door. He was followed closely by Lily and Ranger X.
“Good morning,” Silas said in a low voice, his gaze curious as he took in my position squeezed up against Liza. “Everything okay?”
“Great,” I said with a tight smile. “We just couldn’t sleep. There’s hot water on the stove if anyone wants to join us in a cup of tea. Millie’s blend, it’s very relaxing.”
Lily set about preparing three more cups of tea while Silas and Ranger X took seats around the small kitchen.
“What do you think about continuing your work with Dr. Lewis today?” Ranger X looked at me. “He says he has three more prototypes ready.”
I hesitated, and when I spoke, it was so quiet Ranger X had to lean forward to hear me. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“No?” He frowned. “But the wards...”
“It’s not enough.” I cupped my hands around my tea. “I am sure that Dr. Lewis is a genius and could reach a solution eventually that would work to protect this island from spirits. But there’s not enough time to do it now. We’re in a time crunch, and testing three prototypes a day...” I shrugged. “I won’t say it’s a waste of time. Of course we could have a breakthrough. But I think while he works on the prototypes, my time is better spent elsewhere.”
“Like where?” Ranger X asked. “Have you another idea that we could help with? Just ask, Alessia, we’ll do anything we can to assist you.”
“I need to return to speak with Seer Goddard.” I figured I’d stay as close to the truth as possible. After all, my visit to the underworld was nothing but a wish. A hypothetical. He could deny me outright, or we could try and find there was actually no way to get there as many people had theorized.
“I thought he left,” Silas said. “He said goodbye.”
“I thought so too, but it turns out he’s still on the island,” I said. “I think he might be able to help me unlock more of my powers now that I’ve officially been crowned. Maybe another visit to The Glade or something similar.”
“I think that’s a solid idea.” Silas nodded. “I agree with Alessia that a mortal fix for Fae wards is not the solution we need.”
“I believe you,” Ranger X said directly to me. “We’ll go with that. I’ll let Dr. Lewis know to keep up the good work but until further notice, you’re indisposed to test.”
