From the Ashes (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #3)(118)

Did I hurt her? Emily asked with growing concern. Wisp had never been afraid of her before, and it had never bothered the Fae that she was a Blight. Wisp had always been just as trusting as Sovann and it hurt to see her back away now. There was a time when Wisp and the others should have feared her, but Jail had helped her work past that. With his and Madren’s help, she was becoming one of them. Until now. If she had destroyed that trust last night she might never earn it again.

“You clawed her a bit, but nothing life threatening. You mostly just scared her. I will admit you scared me too. You were in some kind of frenzy when we found you and you had no enemies left to vent your rage on. I regret that some of the damage you have is from me, but I had to stop you before you left the house,” Jail explained in a calmer voice. The fear was slowly fading from him, but she could still see hints of caution in his movements as he knelt beside her. “Obviously, we can’t get a healer to see to you, Emily. None of them even realize you exist and we can’t let word of a Blight living in the city spread through the commons. It would raise panic. We will have to tend your wounds ourselves.”

“I’m not tending anything on her until she explains where Legacy is. If she hurt him, Jail, I will kill her myself,” Wisp broke in, her voice cracking as she spoke and tears quickly filling her eyes. “There was so much blood in there Jail, what if she…” her voice trailed off into choked sobs.

I didn’t, Jail. I didn’t hurt him. I swear it. I was trying to protect him, but I failed. Emily fairly screamed the words in his mind. Desperately she looked between the two of them shaking her head. I didn’t, Jail. I swear it by all of the Divine and my mother’s soul. I wouldn’t have hurt Legacy.”

“Then where is he, Emily? We found no trace of him in the room, but it is as Wisp says. The entire room is destroyed and drenched in blood. You were eating someone when we found you. I’m inclined to give you the benefit of the doubt, but I’m afraid Wisp is not.” Jail kept his tone calm as he leaned back on his heels and met her eyes. She could see his doubt clearly now, too. Part of him was wondering exactly how much of a monster she truly was.

I don’t think you will believe me, Emily spoke the words softly in his mind, her hopes falling as she recounted her meeting with Seth. How could she possibly expect either of them to believe that a damned bird had abducted the child? Swallowing heavily she lowered her head back down to rest on her paws. The elation of her new form was completely gone now, replaced by sorrow.

“Try me Emily. You would be amazed at the things I believe,” Jail pressed, his dark eyes searching her. “Your mind is a jumble right now. I’ve been trying to scan it all morning. Just tell me please.”

Do you remember all of the damned birds outside yesterday, Jail? Emily asked softly, and when he nodded, she continued. I was on the roof watching them when I heard Legacy cry. It was early evening and the birds should have been shutting up by then, but they weren’t. I went into his room to check on him and grew worried when Wisp didn’t answer his cries. One of the birds landed in the windowsill not long after me and when my back was turned…”

“It turned into a man. Seth,” Jail broke in, his tone going cold. Slowly he rose to his feet and turned to look at Wisp. “Seth took him. This has to be revenge from Death. He is her lackey.”

He said he was taking Legacy to Jala, Emily added quickly as she watched fear turning to anger on her friend’s faces.

“What?” Jail exclaimed, turning to look back at her in complete shock. “Wisp, tend to her wounds. I have to contact Jala. Apparently Seth might have done a good deed.”


Wait, Jail. What about Devony. Is she all right?” Emily called before the Mind mage had a chance to make it more than two steps toward the door. The child had been annoying to her at first, especially when the Blight instincts were at their height. Recently, however, she had begun to notice the qualities about Valor’s niece that endeared her to every person in Merro. Devony was quick witted and beautiful, even as a child. If the Nightblades had killed the girl, both Jala and Valor would be devastated.

“Devony was with the Knights all day yesterday, which is quite fortunate for us. The Nightblades only attacked here, and lucky for us all they managed to kill no one. Though I’m sure they thought they had finished Wisp and me. Silly bastards should know better than to believe anything when they are fighting a Mind mage,” Jail explained and then smiled. “I’m glad you asked about her, though, Emily. It shows you are truly one of us,” he added before turning once more toward the door.

“I’m sorry, Emily. I shouldn’t have thought that you, that you, well…” Wisp’s voice trailed off once more as she knelt beside Emily. Her small hands began to prod at the wounds checking each one.

“It’s OK, Wisp. Given the circumstances, what else would you think,” Emily assured her and nearly laughed at the shocked look on the Fae’s face. It wasn’t often that she spoke to anyone other than Jail or Jala through the mind links. Now did not seem the time to be picky about such things, though. She needed to reassure Wisp. Especially if she wanted to be healed.

“I’ve never actually seen Seth before. Really. I thought he was just a myth made up to frighten children. I’m not sure how I feel, knowing he is real. Was he as terrifying as the stories say?” Wisp spoke with hesitation, her words still interrupted by the occasional sniffle.