Page 50 of Bound Paths
Picking up on her thoughts, Luc replied.“I think your compass will work once we’re in the same realm, but if not, I can guide you.”
As if sensing where her thoughts had turned, Arie landed on her shoulder.“I’m sure he’s fine.”
“He is,” she said with certainty. They were bound—if he were hurt, or worse, she would feel it.
She nodded and looked at Carter as he released the blade’s magic. “Again?” she asked.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Rose and Carter spent the next few hours testing the dagger’s ability to shield them both. It was more challenging than anticipated. The blade’s magic did not hide their voices, and two people moving together required coordination. Though Rose would travel with a veil cat and not the Vesten Point, practicing this way was even more difficult. It may have helped stop their voices from carrying but being able to signal directions between veil cat and fae made for slow movement.
Plus, the longer they were under the dagger’s protection, the more visible they became.
“If we’re going to use it this long, we’ll need to provide multiple offerings.” Rose shrugged as they let the magic fall from their latest test.
Carter nodded after shifting back to his fae form. “You’ll have to help with additional offerings when I’m in my veil cat form.”
Rose didn’t like that. She’d have to randomly poke his cat form with the blade to retrieve more blood. Conceptually, she knew it was still Carter in there, and he wouldn’t attack her, but she’d been taught a healthy respect for wild animals.
“At least we won’t be separating,” Carter offered. They briefly discussed if they could accomplish more by splitting up when they arrived. The blade allowed them some distance, but it was evident, with the multiple offerings required, that distance couldn’t last for long. And if the compass worked beyond the veil, it could only guide them to what one of them desired. Rose needed to find Luc, retrieve him, and try to understand Zrak’s place beyond the veil—in that order.
While there were infinite ways for it to go wrong, Rose held higher hopes for this trip than the last. They would at least have time to get their bearings and explore.
“You two ready to take a break?” Juliette asked, looking up from her seat at the Compass Points table. She’d started reading the books Aaron had brought them in earnest while Rose and Carter practiced. Aurora also sat with her, reading while watching Rose and Carter’s tests.
“I think we’re ready to try crossing.” Rose clapped her hands together. She was not looking forward to the trek back down the stairs in Osten house and the caves. But she’d do it all—as often as necessary—to find Luc and bring him back.
“I’d do the same for you; it’s just, this time, I’m a bit tied up.”
Rose had tried desperately not to focus on Luc’s situation beyond the veil. He knew she was coming for him, and he’d tell her more as she got closer. His words now bubbled so many questions to her mind.
“I’m fine,”he reinforced her thoughts.“I’ll tell you everything when you’re beyond the veil. Communicating will be easier when we’re in the same realm.”
She nodded to herself at his words, then turned to Juliette. “Can you take us back to the caverns?”
“I think there might be a faster way for you and Carter,” Arie said from where he lounged, in human form again, across the wingback chair.
“What?” Rose asked as all three of the Compass Points gazes narrowed on the Vesten god.
“That is if you don’t want to try talking to Zrak.” Arie shrugged. “I’d recommend crossing beyond the veil on Vesten property.”
“Arie, explain yourself,” Rose said, glancing at Carter, who looked equally bewildered. There was no way the Vesten Point knew there was a way to cross beyond the veil on his property. Rose spoke again when it was clear that Carter couldn’t find the words. “We don’t know of a place to cross at Vesten house.”
“Don’t look at me like that,” Arie said, pointing to himself. “I wouldn’t be able to cross there, but I believe the tree where my coin was buried will get you where you need to go if you have a veil cat to take you.”
Carter finally found his voice. “If it won’t work for you, how do you know it will work for us?”
“I’m a god,” Arie said simply.
Aurora rolled her eyes at his statement. “What Arie means to say is that the tree was planted due to the negotiation between Cassandra and us. She insisted on its location.”
Carter’s eyes went wide. “The Lady of the Veil chose the placement of the willow tree?”
Aurora nodded and continued. “It’s the only way we knew something had happened. She accused us of vast mismanagement of the continent and said it impacted her realm. She demanded something for our crimes against her.” Aurora had the good grace to look ashamed. “We were, of course, guilty of the mismanagement, but we were unaware of any crimes against her.” Aurora flipped through a few more pages in the journal. “As I said before Carter and Juliette arrived, I don’t think these journals offer the full perspective.”
Juliette and Aurora shared all they had read. They detailed what Rose had only skimmed and Aaron had only hinted at: thevillage’s desperation, use of blood magic, and a deal with the Lady of the Veil. The village healer’s journal spoke of another woman with Celeste regularly—Andie—though Andie didn’t appear to have a journal in the stack Aaron had provided.
“Our sins were generally those of negligence, not plotted destruction,” Arie added. “But Aurora’s right. Zrak was the one who talked to her and decided on the tree as recompense,” he said, clearing his throat.
