The Elder Blood Chronicles – Book Three(141)

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.

It was hard to suppress the laughter, but Emily did her best. Wisp was upset. Now was not the time to laugh, no matter how amusing her question was. She wasn’t sure the Fae would like her answer either. Actually, Wisp, he looked a good deal like you and your brother, only a bit paler and much less charismatic. My overall impression was a pretty boy Fae that was a complete *.

“Oh,” Wisp said in what Emily thought was dismay. “I, uh, I always heard he was a Shifter. At least in the stories, he is, but he looks Fae you say. I, uh, well I suppose there is nothing to be done about it, but I can’t say that I like the Harbinger of Death looking like me,” Wisp mumbled with a frown.

“Legacy is safe with Jala. I’ve spoken with her and everything is fine. I have no idea why he helped but apparently he did,” Jail announced as he reentered the room.

Wisp let out a sigh of relief and wiped the remainder of the tears from her eyes. “Well, that is the good news then. The bad news is, Emily is down for a while. These will have to be stitched until Jala returns unless we want to share the secret with Kendry or Wesley.”

Stitch the wounds. I will wait for Jala, Emily told them both through a mental link, and Jail nodded his agreement with her decision.