Page 37 of Song of the Dawn
“But the shadow creatures, what are they? Where do they come from?” I pressed, unable to keep the tremor out of my voice.
“We are in the foothills of the Lagoda mountains, where the veil is thin between worlds. Sometimes beings we can’t explain come across. Once I complete my work, my task, the barrier will be sealed, but until then I promise to protect this land. I am determined to succeed, to gain freedom and earn your love.”
I stared at him. Had he used that word? Had he said “love”? Since I was mute with shock, nothing else would come out as he sat beside me.
“There, now you know the truth. Let’s not talk of dark things anymore.”
Everything he’d told me should have been a deterrent. Two innocents had died, and shadow creatures haunted the inn. Dimly I was aware I should pack my bags and leave this place that threatened my sanity. He had explained, and perhaps it was the grief, the idea of love, fear, or a mixture of all that made me sit and stare.
Before me blazed a man like the sun god, and I knew if I stayed, if I said yes to this, there was no going back. But I wanted to experience the depth and breadth of love, the wild waves of feeling, and more than anything, I wanted to fall in love with him. He was so beautiful and so perfect. With the anguish behind his eyes, I wanted to do something, anything to see that crooked smile on his face again. Instead of standing, making my excuses, and leaving, I leaned in and brushed my lips against his.
Ezra
After the incident, I avoided Ginger as much as I could, knowing what she would say. Still, on the third day, she barged into my office and shut the door behind her. Her face was pinched, jaw clenched as she tucked her hair behind her ear—an action that seemed normal, but I, knowing her for so long, knew it was a nervous tic. Ginger was better when her hands were busy and she had something to do. Still, I didn’t wish for her to take out her rage on me.
“You’ve been avoiding me,” she declared.
I nodded in agreement. “I have because all we do is fight and I’m weary of arguing.”
She snorted at that and moved to the cupboard to pour herself a glass of wine. “It’s because I’m right, isn’t it? I warned you what might happen if we kept the mortal. Mila. And now you’re too fond of her to make her leave. Wine?”
“Yes.” I held out my hand for the second glass she poured.
“Bringing her here to play music. What were you thinking? You know the spirits awaken with music, especially the notes of the violin.”
“Her music is pure, raw, beautiful. She’s not skilled enough to awaken anything, and I enjoy it,” I snapped in her defense. When I’d first heard her play in Solynn, the rawness of it had entranced me. I’d felt that way once—young, fresh, pure—before magic marred every note. “Besides, this happened before with Endia. It was my playing that awoke the spirits, and my negligence of barring the tunnels. It is done.”
Ginger perched on the edge of the desk, staring at me. “For now, yes, but what happens when you must use the magic? It will start all over again, and you can’t save everyone.”
Swirling the wine in the glass, I sighed. “No, I can’t save everyone, but I can try. What I need is a break. I’ve tried, and it’s not working. With the harvest coming and the shift of the seasons, I should have a chance.”
“All Hallows’ Eve,” Ginger said, her tone ominous. “And if you fail?”
“Then it’s up to you.” I met her thoughtful gaze. “If I’m going to die, I want to live first, finish living at least. I want to love boldly, unashamedly, without the regrets of our former life.”
Ginger set down her glass and leaned over. “Did you ever consider what she wants?”
“Every day.”
If only Ginger knew how much I’d restrained myself. Leaning back, I closed my eyes, thinking of the taste of her lips, her bright spirit in contrast to my darkness. I’d already come so close to losing her even though I’d been careful to reveal who I was slowly, to get her used to one surprise before introducing the next. Now everything was fragile, and I’d had to encourage her to stay, alleviate her worries by telling her the truth. Half truths, at least, for if she knew what I had to do for the sorceress, she’d run, as she should.
Silence stretched between us, but it wasn’t as heavy. I sensed Ginger was giving me her blessing and her support even though she disagreed, and that made everything easier. I remembered when she’d entered my service, determined to do what no other woman would. Fight. At first, I’d denied her, but she was fierce, angry, hurt, and wouldn’t stop. I realized it was a way of dealing with her past, using anger as a shield and her sword as a way to get back at those who’d wronged her. She’d been the first loyalist, later followed by Moses and Marley. They were the three who’d survived after the sorceress came after us. Rachelle’s father had been an unfortunate casualty, and I owed it to him to protect his daughter, especially because of the trauma she’d endured. She’d rather forget than remember those who were lost, and although forgetting was easier, I didn’t want to lose my determination.
“How is everything else?” I asked finally, aware we were both sitting lost in thought.
Ginger shrugged. “As expected, the guests haven’t noticed what happened. We were lucky Lady Elodie kept to herself and they took me at my word concerning her departure. Rachelle is oblivious, as always. What are you going to do about Mila? Summer’s end in near, and I’m guessing you’re going to invite her to stay?”
“Yes. I assume you no longer need her help in the mornings?”
“I would prefer it if she left, but now I see that will not happen, and no, I don’t need her in the mornings. If you want her to stay without going mad, you need to make sure she doesn’t spend every single day here inside the inn. She already knows too much.”
“I told her about Endia,” I admitted.
Ginger’s fingers tightened around the wineglass. “What did you tell her?”
I repeated back the story, almost word for word.
“And she believed you? That the island is haunted with monsters?” Ginger’s laugh was brittle. “She’s smarter than you give her credit for, Ezra. One day, she will unravel all your secrets and you’ll be faced with telling her the truth.”
