Page 108 of Shadows and Flames
Elián began to weave the tale, keeping the account simple, describing the injury and our narrow escape from the Folk Realm. I concluded with a description of Tomás’s symptoms, what I’d detected inside his body. Though we tried to keep it succinct, by the time we were able to tell her everything, my untouched tea had grown cold, and Fenix was back in the room, lingering in the corner.
Cera was palpating Tomás’s sides, examining the healed, discolored scar where he’d been bitten. She flicked her gaze to Fenix. “What interesting company you now keep, Mamba. And squaring yourself against the Jakshka with no knowledge and no plan? Why am I not surprised?” She sighed and continued her examination without noticing the stares from each of us.
“Jakshka?” The word was faintly familiar.
“You—the tree tricksters from the nursery books?ThoseJakshkas?” my cousin asked and finally reminding me of what I’d long forgotten. I had not spent as much time around children as she had, so my memories of the tales were from when myparents or she had read to me as a babe. About mischievous beings that lived in the trees or huts built into mounds in the ground.
“Of course. I’ve never come across one, but the stories did not appear from nothing.”
“Fucking Grimm,” Meline groused under her breath, even though the male’s information and guidance had been invaluable, if not a bit vague. “Whatever. Can you help him?”
We all turned to Cera, and I didn’t miss the hope in Tomás’s stare that he tried to temper.
“I will need time. And more priestesses. But I believe so.” Not a definitive ‘yes’, but it was a better prognosis than I had with my limited skills.
Compelled again, from one healer tothehealer, I saluted her, mumbling thanks along with Tomás who sniffled. Tears streaked down Elián’s cheeks, but he was unabashed in his emotionality.
“I will go to the Well. Bring Noruh and Marco here.”
Cera stood, this time encouraging Tomás to lay on his back so she could begin. While she did, she raised her hazel and gold eyes, looking between the two Shadows. “About that.”
Tomás bristled, refusing to settle onto his back, now. His chest began to move more quickly. “What?”
With gentle yet firm touch, she pushed Tom back onto his pillow and pried the crushed cloth in his fist. She opened it, examined the dark sputum, and refolded the cloth. “Much has changed since you disappeared, Mamba. More since you’ve been making your way back from the human lands.”
My own heart picked up, and Meline moved to loom over Cera. “What’s changed.”
The High Priestess sighed, situating the blankets around Tom’s waist, plumping his pillows. Stalling. “The Council.”
“The Council,” Meline choked. Two words we’d not spoken in years. When we left all of that behind. “What the fuck about it? Just say what you want to say,” Meline spat to hide her concern.
“Cal happened,” Cera sat back then faced Elián. Instead of leering, her mouth twisted in… discomfort. Something close to guilt. “I received word from Roalld tonight. Confirmation that he’s proceeded despite us voting him down. My visit today was my attempt at strategizing under the guise of pomp and circumstance.”
“In the name of Rhaea, speak plainly, Cobra.”
Cera drew a breath. “He’s gotten them. Conspired with enough Elders in their organization. The Shadows still stand, but they work for him, now.”
Chapter Forty
ELIÁN
The High Priestess’s words took a while to fully settle, for me to fully understand. In no time at all, she had revealed that she could heal my brother, something I’d prayed about to Rhaea and Zoko every single day.
And in the next breath, she made my world crash again.
“Wh—What does that mean, Nogón? What about Marco? Noruh? What’s going on?” All of my brother’s cocksure or grouchy disposition evaporated. Instead, the confused fear mirrored the terror and rage in my gut.
“Shit,” my queen cursed and came back toward me. I was frozen, trying to reason through this information, but however I tried to think about it, all outcomes were negative.
No communication from Noruh or Marco. For months.
Meline peeled her gloves off so quickly, they squeaked in protest. Cool abyss landed on my skin, where she cradled the sides of my neck. I felt her power creep onto my flesh, winding up to my jaw and down my shoulders. Caressing, and giving room for the heat churning within.
Touching the backs of her wrists, I let out some of my Flames, providing enough relief for me to think. Black and glowing orange twisted in thin tendrils around us, as I usedthe anchor my queen so readily extended to me. Her breaths encouraged my breaths, her power encouraging my power.
“Mother of all, thank you for this blessing,” Cera gasped. “You are one of the lost children of Zoko.”
Meline tilted her head toward the High Priestess without removing her eyes from mine. “Now is not the time, Cobra.” She swallowed. “We’ll figure it out, El. They’ll be all right.”
