But I didn’t get a chance to explain, even if I could’ve found the words.
Wading through the masses, Lore waved a hand in the air, yelling for Soren’s attention.
He turned to her. We wove through a mix of crying, angry rants, and, scariest of all, the people who stood totally silent, like they were too numb to react anymore. I could relate.
“We’re going to get you home.” Lore stroked the back of a young woman as we approached, soothing her.
Soren stepped in, kneeling down next to them. He glanced at Lore, who nodded. “You were taken by the fae,” he told the woman, “held captive for an unknown amount of time, but we’ve written a contract here that will set you free. If you want to live, you need to sign it and then never make another deal again. Do you understand?”
She nodded, sniffing a bit but calming enough to accept the pen from Lore and sign where he pointed.
He stood and let Lore shuffle her toward the kitchen. I overheard her telling the woman that she’d find her a place to sleep until it was time to leave.
Soren had already moved on to an older couple who stood clutching each other next to Gwen.
“Please take over,” Gwen muttered to him, looking frustrated.
The two gave Soren wide-eyed stares full of visible terror, but he gave them a gentle smile as he repeated the same thing he’d told the girl.
As he got them to sign and then moved on to a third person that Julian had lined up, I realized he’d said this many, many times before.
One by one, the light slowly returned to their eyes.
Memories surfaced at the same time, though, which seemed generally upsetting to most of them. Gwen was the organizer, keeping things moving, while Lore calmed them, Peregrin fed them, and Julian surprisingly cheered some of them up—especially the young ones. He’d gathered them up in a corner, telling them stories to distract them from reality.
The cozy flames in the fireplace, soft furniture, and warm cinnamon apple slices from Peregrin definitely went a long way in soothing their distress.
I should find a way to help, but I felt like my butt was glued to the nearest chair I’d fallen into. Though I kept an eye out for Mom, I didn’t really expect to be that lucky anymore.
Soren hadn’t lied. He really was saving all of them.
I’d kind of known for a while now, but seeing it with my own eyes was different.
He’s one of the good ones.
AS SOREN MOVED on tothe next person, I licked my lips and stood. “Can I help?”
