Page 10 of Light and Shadow
Maybe it should bother me to have him hear some of what’s in my head, but I find it comforting. Yet another thing about the last two weeks to confirm I’ve lost all good sense. “What will happen when we get to the island? Explain to me again why we couldn’t fly there?”
He pulls a very long knife out of his pack. It’s in a leather sheath, but even so, it’s quite menacing. His sword is in the trunk under a blanket. “You said no weapons on a plane. We need weapons.”
I suppose he knows what he’s doing, but weapons are not my thing. I save the worms that crawl up on the concrete when it rains. “And you’re certain I’m the right woman for this job? Because I’ve never wielded a weapon or harmed another living thing in my life.”
His smile could melt any woman’s heart—and other parts, too. “I’m sure.”
“Two days of driving it is then.” I head for Route 95 North with a full tank of gas and no idea what I’m getting myself into. “How do we get you across the border into Canada without any identification?”
“It won’t be a problem.” He taps the side of his head as if that should mean something to me.
It does fill me with joy and makes me chuckle, so that’s something.
Aaran’s gaze is intense as he looks from window to window.
“Will someone try to keep us from reaching Newfoundland? Why are you suddenly on guard?” I force my hands to relax on the wheel.
“I don’t know for sure, but we’re on the move now and that will cause a ripple in what the witch queen sees. If she’s looking, and I think she is.”
“You think, or you know, Aaran?” My knuckles get white again, even though I have no idea what the witch queen is or what she can do. Not really.
“I feel…unsettled.” His admission makes my stomach tighten.
I asked, and he promised never to lie to me. Be careful what you wish for, Gram always used to say. I have to deepen my breathing as my pulse speeds. “Maybe it was stupid of me, but I didn’t think we’d be in danger until we went to your world.”
“You couldn’t have known. I should have told you more about my world and the witch queen’s reign, but you were working so hard to get things arranged for your mother, it never seemed like the right time.” The muscle in his jaw ticks.
“Tell me now.” The highway is slow with traffic. Might as well spend the time wisely.
“Are you sure you want such distraction while you drive?” He clearly doesn’t want to tell me.
I give him a quick look that I hope conveys I’m not falling for any crap. “I’m not weak. I don’t know how to fight, but I’m strong in a lot of ways, and I can run fast.” There is no good reason for me making a case for myself.
Keeping my eyes on the road, I feel him watching me.
“You’re more than strong enough, Harper. You don’t even know your full strength yet and have endured more than mostcould handle. I’m not doubting your abilities. I’ll never do that.” He lets out a long breath. “The witch queen was born in the same province as my family. Her name is Venora Braddish, though she’s long been known as the witch queen. She was a very good student of magic.”
“Does everyone learn magic in Domhan?” I picture every book and movie about wizards I’ve ever seen. It conjures up the image of Aaran in a pointed hat with black robes and a wand, which I have to banish from my mind.
There’s a long pause and I can’t look because I’m trying to weave into another lane. There are emergency lights ahead on the right.
Aaran says, “Magic is in all elves, and humans too, though most of you never notice your gifts. Elves learn to control it. Venora was gifted with strong magic and the ability to wield it better than most. My father told me that when she was sixteen suns, she started toying with black magic, and when she mastered many spells, she left school and disappeared. At that time, a few villagers went missing as well. They were never found.”
“Never? What do you think happened to them?” The notion of never being found to be mourned by loved ones breaks my heart.
Aaran’s voice drops out of his strong storytelling baritone, and he whispers, “I think they were the first of her shadow army.”
We pass the three-car fender bender that caused traffic to slow and finally get up to speed. Fear is something I’m familiar with. I feared losing my mother because I know what it feels like to lose a parent. I’ve never experienced my own life being in danger until the day I met Aaran. Even though he wasn’t going to hurt me, I thought it was the end. That adrenaline roars through me again. “Shadow army?”
Hesitating, he lets out a sigh. “I wish I could tell you this was nothing to worry about, but I can’t. Venora turns elves and other creatures into shadow demons. They are remnants of their former selves, with only the obscurity of where the light once lived. She enslaves them with the promise of release and rest.”
“That’s horrible.” Part of me thinks this is all made up, and I wish I could believe that part.
“There are far worse words to describe the witch queen, Harper. If I could spare you this journey, I would.”
“Who are the other two women?” The notion that I’m not alone in this gives me some assurance. I hope, whoever they are, they’re braver and stronger than me.
“I don’t know.” He clutches his backpack, then relaxes and puts it on the floor between his legs.
