Page 91 of Lightlark
The trees stopped suddenly, revealing an ancient building, all arches and columns. The windows had long been blown out; the stairs had partially fallen away. Silver roots and vines swept inside, curling around the pillars, in and out of the entrance, around its base, then back into the woods, like the forest was desperately trying to keep the structure from floating away.
Oro took the stairs two at a time, careful to avoid steps that had long since crumbled into powder. Isla followed and once inside saw just how much the forest had taken over. The ceiling was high and vaulted, split into shards—and covered in leaves. Trees had grown up the sides of the interior columns, and brambles swept across the walls. Smaller plants had budded between the stones of the floor, some sporting flowers, others sprouting silver berries that resembled bells, thick thorns between them. They were much smaller than the ones that had pierced her, but even looking at them made her stomach turn.
Oro took one of those thorns and pricked his palm with it. The drop of blood that formed dripped onto the floor.
And a woman stepped out of the wall. She wore a simple dress that floated around her, just like her hair, both suspended as if she was underwater. Her body was silver and slightly transparent.
A specter.
Thiswas the ancient creature? A ghost?
“My king ... you have returned for me,” she purred, her voice like wind chimes.
The temperature had suddenly dropped. When Isla breathed out through her mouth in shock, a cloud puffed from her lips.
The specter turned sharply to face her. Her smile deepened. “And you brought me a gift.”
“Not a gift,” Oro said. “But yes, what you asked for.”
Isla took a step back. “Asked for?” she said, tripping on a vine. She barely caught herself before falling.
Was this his new plan? Was he going to trade her for the heart?
The specter approached quickly, hair moving like a whip behind her head. “Ah, yes ... exactly as I requested. How were you able to find her on such short notice? I’ve never seen a face quite like that.” She frowned. “The clothes do not flatter her, but I see the hint of a nice figure there ...”
Isla pulled her new dagger from her waist and brandished it. “Don’t take another ... float,” she said, looking down and not seeing any feet.
The specter’s head fell back at a gruesome angle as she laughed. “That metal would just go through me, girl.” She squinted milky eyes at Isla and said, “Now knot that shirt. I want to examine the body I will be wearing.”
“Wearing?” Isla whipped around to face Oro, who seemed content to watch.
He sighed. “It’s just for a few seconds.”
The specter pouted. “I had hoped you had changed your mind about that.”
Isla was a moment away from plunging the blade into Oro’s side. “You have one second to explain before I run from this place screaming and never speak to you again,” she said through her teeth. He conveniently hadn’t mentionedthison the walk over.
His expression was bored. “The specter’s price for helping us is being allowed to walk in a body for a few moments.”
Her hand tightened on the knife’s hilt. “Why not yours?”
“I offered. But she requested ... something specific.”
The specter was suddenly at her side. “The most beautiful girl on the island, that’s what I requested.” She reached out a silvery finger, making to touch Isla’s cheek. “And you’reperfect.”
“Absolutely not,” Isla said, stepping back. “How do I know she won’t stay in there? That you’re not in love with her and just want a body for her to inhabit for eternity?”
Oro gave her a look, just as the specter turned to regard him in a way that told Isla that was exactly what she was hoping for.
“Well?” Isla demanded.
“Do you trust me?”
“No! You didn’t even tell me about this until you summoned her!” But that wasn’t completely true. She did trust him, at least a little, after all they had already been through.
Anger burned down through her chest.Thiswas the deal he had made with the ancient creature?
Oro sighed. “What will it take?”
