Instead, I focus on Maethrel. Up close, he’s almost beautiful in an ethereal way. The glow of his white hair, his pale eyes, the sharp cut of his jaw and cheek bones that are almost feminine. He has black piercings along his ear and a hoop through the skin between his nostrils.
We continue to sit in silence as he mixes liquids together in a cauldron in front of him.
Feeling antsy and impatient, I finally risk a glance at Daegan. He’s chewing on his bottom lip, his fingers playing with that piercing in his eyebrow, looking at the floor with intense concentration. I still haven’t had time to process what happened back in the forest, but I play it back in my mind now as I watch him. What I can recall, anyway. I have so, so many questions. He somehow made fire? He also… called me “Elle” while we were being attacked? I don’t think he’s even bothered to speak my full name out loud, let alone a nickname. What was that about?
I continue to study him, and I think how he would almost be beautiful, if it weren’t for his permanent scowl and horrible personality. His full lips, deep blue fiery eyes that always look tired, unimpressed, or angry, shaggy light brown hair that I’m now realizing always somehow looks good without him even trying, and his smooth skin that’s just a few shades lighter than the hair. All those things would be an irresistible combination for any girl, if it weren’t for his completely off-putting demeanor. He’s certainly not as pretty and charming as Adrian. There’s a ruggedness about him. And a rudeness.
He looks up, catches me staring, and holds my gaze with a flat expression.
I scowl and look away.
Clearing my throat, I address Maethrel. “What are you doing?”
He looks up at me finally and grins. He flicks a powder into his mixture with a dramatic flair, continuing to smile at me like a maniac through the smoke rising from it. He grabs my hand so fast I can’t even process it, then cuts my palm with a jagged blue stone and holds it over the smoking cauldron. I still get queasy with the image of blood or violence, but for some reason it’s not as bad when it’s my own.
Still, my mouth hangs open with shock as he drops my hand, and Daegan and Raef are both tense, ready to go on the offense again. Daegan has taken a few steps from the wall, but he’s stopped in the middle of the room now, his hand on his sword at his back.
“What was that?” Daegan demands in a gravelly tone.
“Relax, blue one. She’s fine.”
I glance at my hand, then shrug at Raef, who looks at me with concern. “I’m okay.” Why they’d care, I don’t know.
Maethrel sits back, and all our gazes shift back to him. His eyes become distant, and his voice takes on a slightly more eerie tone. I glance at my hands, nervously playing with them, because as he begins, I realize I’ve heard this before.
“Cut by one born from ember, the witch’s blood must flow once more.
The diadem of the elves shall be set upon flame’s brow,
and the blade that drank the dragon’s heart shall rise again.
Yet not till the four are gathered and kindled in the fire of their foe shall the sky be freed of its shroud.”
Halfway through the passage, I lift my eyes to Raef, then Daegan. They’re both locked in on Maethrel as he recites the lines. Daegan takes a few more small steps, his mouth hanging open just a fraction. It’s the most caught-off-guard I’ve ever seen him. I’d take satisfaction in the moment under different circumstances, but unfortunately my stomach is swirling with too many nerves.
By the end, Daegan’s expression is puzzled. They’re both stunned into silence. Finally, he snaps his mouth shut, shifting his gaze to me.
“You’ve heard this before,” he says calmly.
I nod. “It’s why we’re here,” I reply softly.
“You want to break the curse?” he asks, surprise and skepticism lacing every slow, uttered word.
I nod again.
“Why?” he presses, genuine curiosity painting his expression.
“I have my reasons,” I respond.
He tilts his head at me, the curious expression remaining. “And you trusted us to come? Knowing we’d likely find out your little secret?”
I don’t react for a moment. I’m still not completely sure I trust them. But with this, I do. I nod, then look away. We don’t have all day to talk about who trusts who, and what this means from here on out.
“You’ve come in hopes that I can help you locate the items,” Maethrel states.
“I already knew that passage. You didn’t have to be so dramatic about it,” I tell Maethrel. He grins.
“There are other purposes for why I did that. Now, tell me. What have you found so far.”
