Page 76 of Synodic

My entire party stopped dead in their tracks, and stood still as statues. After a moment they shifted their eyes to one another skeptically.

Takoda was in front of me, his onyx eyes all I could see. “Feel what, star-touched?”

“It’s…” I looked around trying to pinpoint the source of the chill. “It’s coming from there.” I pointed to a long lightning-shaped crevice etched into the side of the bluff. The crack was pitch black, all sharp and jagged angles zigzagging back and forth like an impatient scribble of ink.

Icy pinpricks hooked onto my skin and tugged at me like fishing wire, pulling me to enter the slight opening.

I took a step toward it.

Takoda’s hand landed on my shoulder, stopping me. “We mustn’t tarry here.” His concerned gaze darted all around.

“But…”

“Whatever is calling to you has succumbed to a fate far worse than death. Do not seek this out. There is nothing that can be done.”

“Whatever it is, it needs my help.”

If I was the only one who could feel it, maybe it was asking the Alcreon Light for help. I wasn’t sure what I could do, but I couldn’t just leave without trying.

“You can’t seriously mean to go in there?” Demil asked incredulously, his face all hard planes of disbelief.

“I do.”

“We’ve been searching for you all night and morning, wondering if you were alive.” Demil’s voice was clipped and assertive. “I’m not letting you go in there now that we’ve found you.”

“I don’t think that is up to you.” I couldn’t believe I had to say that out loud. Who did he think he was? I was trying to keep calm but my composure was slipping. “Whatever is in there needs my help.”

Rowen’s hand was on my elbow with a gentle squeeze. “Let’s get back to the village, rest, and discuss this later with a clear head.”

I shot him the most injurious glare I could conjure. Some friend he was turning out to be.

I gazed at the other faces around me. They all seemed to be in agreement, I was outnumbered five to one.

“Fine.”

If whatever was calling out to me was dangerous, I didn’t want to subject the others to more horror and uncertainty. This was something I would have to do on my own. I could feel it. Tonight, when the village was asleep I would make my way back. There was nothing to discuss.

The setting sun finished warming our cheeks as its glow descended. We had been walking all day, and thankfully there were no other sightings of forest laiths to speak of. Their abnormal appearance on the bluffs still a mystery.

We weren’t even fully to the village before Sabra and Ven came bounding toward us. The majestic white beast charged, her tail wagging excitedly behind her, and she tackled me to the ground with her furry weight. She covered my face and arms in her wet licks and kisses, and Ven, not far behind, threw his spindly arms around me in a tight squeeze.

“When we heard you were missing, I wanted to send Sabra. She can sniff out anything, but it rained so hard there was no trace of your scent.” Ven’s innocent and pure heart beamed through his umber eyes.

Rowen had said in the cave that we’d be going home, and coming up on the village, seeing the earthy domes and my small greeting party, it truly felt like a place I could call home. The gaping hole in my heart from where my parents and Natalie had blasted through it filled marginally, relieving the ache just a bit.

“Come. It’s been a long few days for us all. You must eat and get some rest. And Rowen, I would like to take a look at your injury before you retire,” Takoda said, his long form motioning for Rowen to follow. “And Keira, Nepta will want to see you come first light.”

“Of course,” I nodded innocently. I should be back by then.

“Goodnight, Copeland,” Rowen said, shifting his gaze to me. “I will see you tomorrow.”

“I’ll be here,” I replied sweetly. I should be back by then. “Goodnight.”

I turned on my heel and made my way to Rowen’s dome without further conversation from anyone, playing it off like I was exhausted. But I wouldn’t be getting any rest. At least not tonight.

Inside Rowen’s home, I changed into the fresh pair of leggings and forest-green top neatly laid out for me. Someone was really on top of their game with my wardrobe. I would make it my mission to seek them out and personally thank them.

There was also a fresh spread of flatbreads, cheeses, and fruit that I dug into hungrily, washing it down with a mug of sweetened ale.

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