Page 65 of The Spirit Key
“Why do you not think this is the proper course of action?”
He shrugged one big shoulder. “I am uncertain. I get the sense that the spirit is misleading us. To what end, I do not know.”
I frowned. “Could you not sense his sadness? Please, we must help him.”
Vano put an arm around me. “Very well. But promise me you will not do anything foolish.”
I gave him my word but had no idea what I would do come morning….
“Scott? Come back now.”
The voices beckoned me, and usually Tim’s deep rumble had me wanting nothing more than to go to him and ask him to help me. Now, though? The dream… vision… whatever I was having… had cracked open a door and allowed me a peek inside. I couldn’t walk away, because I had no way to be sure I would be able to get back.
I only hoped that Tim would forgive me as I slipped back into the other world.
Chapter Sixteen
MORNING BROKE,and I had not slept. All night I played Silvanus’s words in my mind. How horrible it must have been to die at the hand of a friend and then see that he married the woman you loved. I could not understand Vano’s hesitance at helping Silvanus. I had to admit my disappointment in him, wondering how uncaring and callous he was.
I got out of bed and dressed in the clothes my mother had made for me. While they weren’t like the things I’d seen other girls wearing, they had been made with love, and it was reflected in every stitch. I slipped on the necklace my father had made for me, with sterling silver crescent moons in opposing directions that meant freedom and emancipation. To me it seemed appropriate for the day that lay ahead.
When I left my room, my mother greeted me with a smile. “Good morning, Sofia.”
I kissed her on the cheek. “Good morning, Mama.”
“You’re up very early.” She put plates on the table for breakfast. “What could possibly get you up at the crack of dawn?”
“I’m meeting Vano this morning.”
She beamed a smile. “Your father and I are very pleased you’ve met someone like Vano. The two of you are good together.”
I wanted to say we weren’t together, especially after his refusal to help Silvanus, but something stopped me. I did care for Vano and sometimes thought of him as more than a friend. Perhaps after we helped Silvanus, he would see that it was the right thing to do, and he would come around to my way of thinking.
At least I hoped so.
When I stepped out of the wagon, Vano was already there waiting. I took the four steps to the ground, and he grinned and held out some jerky.
“My father made it, and if I know you, I’m certain you haven’t had breakfast.”
I scowled at him but took a piece of the meat. “Thank you.”
He kept pace with me as we walked toward town. My mind was awhirl with thoughts about how I would confront Patrin.
“We don’t have to do this, you know.”
And I did know, but if I was gifted by God, as so many claimed, with the ability to help, then that was what I must do.
“I think I have to. You don’t have to come with me. I can handle myself.”
“Of this I have no doubt, but as I told you when we first met, I feel as though it’s my duty to protect you. I am not sure why, but I will do as my heart tells me.”
My cheeks heated at his words. I would have asked about his feelings for me, but we reached the outskirts of the village. After speaking to a few people, it wasn’t hard to locate Patrin’s home. He knelt in the garden, pulling weeds, while a beautiful woman sat next to him, holding a baby. My anger at the realization Patrin had murdered his best friend and assumed his life burst forth and I stomped toward them.
“Sofia, don’t—”
But I wouldn’t listen. I stormed through the gate and up to Patrin. “Are you Patrin?”
He smiled at me. “I am. How can I help you?”
