Page 15 of Tangled Power
The days wereat their longest, but they waited for the sun to set completely before Arie judged it was time to go. They left the comfort of Suden house, and Rose walked toward the property’s western edge. Arie remained in his bird form, sitting on her shoulder, telling her each direction seconds before she needed it.
Luc wasn’t with them, but she could feel his power as they walked the property. It trailed them like a secret guard, ready to launch into action should she require it. Rose let it follow them. Luc was likely protective in general over Suden property. His power trailing them was how she knew the moment they approached the edge of his domain. Its potency waned as they stepped toward the property line.
“Arie,” she whispered.
“Keep going, Rose.”
“Arie,” she tried again. “I’m Norden Point now. I can’t just let myself on to other Compass Point’s properties.”
“It wouldn’t be breaking and entering if it was somewhere you’re allowed to be.”
She shook her head, knowing she would regret this decision. As she stepped over the threshold from Suden to Vesten property, she gave a slight wave to Luc’s magic. It was silly, but she knew it wouldn’t follow them onto Vesten land.
A new feeling took over as she entered Carter’s property. Now that she knew, Rose wasn’t sure how she’d missed Arie’s connection to Vesten magic. The property felt like him. It smelled like the forest floor, trees, and grass. The scent she’d associated with Arie the first night she’d met him. Rose hadn’t witnessed Carter’s magic yet, but she was sure she’d find familiarity in it too.
“What are we doing here?” she asked, hoping he’d answer her this time.
“I want to give you what help I can. There’s something here that we need to collect so you can take it with you.”
Rose didn’t like the sound of that. “I am not breaking into Vesten house,” Rose said flatly. “That would be seen as an act of aggression.”
“Give me some credit. We’re going to the Burning Garden at the back of the property.”
Her shoulders sagged in relief, be it ever so slight. An uninvited walk in the garden was less concerning than letting themselves into the house. Her only question now was what they’d be leaving the garden with.
“We’ll want to stop by the shed to grab a shovel.”
She couldn’t stop her eye-roll.
Fires were still blazingin the Burning Garden as she let herself in. Arie flew next to her, landing on various benches and bushes as she moved. Her shoulder was now occupied by the shovel he’d made her grab.
The garden was a thing of beauty, one she had never seen up close, even as a child. Flames danced atop columns every few feet. Greenery ran wild, around and between them. The garden was rumored only to bloom flowers resembling fire—an homage to the Vesten’s element. Rose tracked the scene: the garden in full bloom, the reds, oranges, and even deep yellow flowers everywhere. It was a lovely tribute to Vesten magic.
“Over here, Rose,”Arie called to her from his perch under a large tree with a long drapery of leaves. She parted the wispy branches like a curtain and walked into a shaded area.
“What now?” she asked, searching the cove. Arie sat on a low branch.
“Start digging,”he said, gesturing with his wing to a spot next to the trunk.
Rose looked up as if to curse the gods but realized the one she wanted to curse was, in fact, right in front of her. “Are you going to help?” she asked.
Arie flapped his wings, affronted. “I am helping.”
“How?” she asked.“You could at least change shape into something with paws.”
Arie chuckled. “I’m here in more of a supervisory role.”
“This had better be worth it,” she growled as she hefted the shovel off her shoulder and started to dig.
“The real gift is spending time with me before I leave,”Arie chattered at her as she worked.
“You better hope that’s not all that’s here, or I might take a swing at you with this.” She waved the shovel at him. Her next scoop brought a solid clang as she hit something hard.
“Here we go,”Arie preened.
“What is it?” She bent down to unearth a small metal box. Flipping open the lid, she saw a gold coin on deep green pillowed cushioning. “I think we have enough coin for our journey,” Rose said sarcastically, picking up the piece of gold. It was surprisingly warm to the touch.
She was about to demand more information from Arie when she heard a rustling of branches on the edge of the garden. Her shoulders tensed as she searched the perimeter for an intruder or, worse, the Vesten Point, but saw nothing.
