Page 108 of Woven Souls

“And I’ll keep returning them,” she snaps. “I’m not leaving here without the others. How much further?” Willow’s voice strains as her attention wavers. For a moment, the world around us grows eerily dark, and a cold blast hits me from the right. I suppress a shiver as she gains control of the Veil again.

“The temple is just a few more blocks.” I could find it with my eyes closed. Besides the old castle, the temple is the central building in Everlast. Every Fae would be able to walk these streets blindfolded and still be able to find the building with no problem.

“When we get there, I’ll have to drop our cover,” she warns. “Do you know where they could be holding the others?”

While the temple looks simple from the outside, the underground labyrinth goes on for miles. It’s where they hold training for new Ghosts, house the Ghosts who work on this side, and where the hospital is located. And deep down below, they have a ripple contained where Ghosts take their first step into the Third Realm after initiation is completed.

“There are rooms they use to interrogate people. We can probably start there.”

Interrogate is the nicer way to put it. I wasn’t joking when I told Willow they will most likely torture us if we’re caught.

“We’renot going to search for them,” Willow corrects quickly. “I have a feeling if we go in, we won’t be coming back out.”

I glance over my shoulder at her. Willow’s eyes are trained directly ahead of us, but I have a feeling she isn’t reallyseeinganything. Her eyes are glowing so bright I can’t see the whites of them anymore. Her skin is pulsating with a dim green glow, and the energy around her almost seems to give off a subtle glitter.

“You have a plan?”

She gives me a tight smile. “A plan? No, that requires way too much brain power. Hope? Yeah, I got a lot of that.”

As we round another turn, the temple comes into view.

The white stone building is situated higher than most of the others in Everlast. The massive statues of five faceless Ghosts with their swords in front of them loom over us. Their shadows darken the path to the fifty-seven stone steps that lead up to the building from any which way. I remember counting each step every day as initiation into the Brotherhood grew closer and closer. The exterior of the temple reminds me of the human buildings in ancient Athens, with tall stone pillars, intricate carvings along the top depicting the Fae history, and a flat stone roof.

At the top of the stairs, lining the entrance to the temple, are dozens of Ghosts armed with bows and arrows rather than our typical swords. Knowing the power they dip the tips of those arrows in, I stiffen. Slowing to a stop, I put myself between Willow and danger. Even with her floating a few inches off the ground, I’m able to block her body from their line of sight.

Between two archers, two Elders step forward. Their dark blue robes hang heavily on their fragile frames. One has stark white hair, whiter than even Viktor’s, plaited down the middle of his head, while the other has his mouse brown hair with gray streaks loose, hanging in thin strands over his shoulders. I don’t recognize either Elder, but with twelve that oversee the Brotherhood, that’s not surprising. I’d only seen the same three during training and when they sent us off into the Third Realm. Both men stare down at us with their hands clasped behind their backs.

“I’m going to let the Veil go,” Willow warns.

I nod but don’t let go of her hand or take my eyes away from the threat ahead of us.

Color gradually returns, and the air grows warm around us. I can see it the minute the Elders catch sight of us. It’s then I realize my hood has blown back. They can see my face clearly. I brace myself for their condemnation. I expect it.

What I don’t expect are their smiles, or the way the archers suddenly lower their weapons.

“Ah, you must be Willow Harvest,” the Elder with white hair says. “My name is Elder Corathien, and this is Elder Matthews. Welcome to Everlast.”

I stiffen as both men bow.

“Um… Is this how they treat everyone who comes into Everlast?” Willow whispers behind me.

I don’t answer her. I watch as both Elders straighten. I peel my eyes off them to scan the exterior of the temple for any signs of a trap. My ears strain to catch any sounds from nearby buildings for a gathering sneak attack.

“Kwil of Fowlmor, welcome home,” Elder Matthews states.

I don’t miss the way his eyes narrow or the flare of his nostrils. There’s no doubt in my mind I’m about as welcome back here as the plague.

“We expected your arrival days ago when we sent our men to retrieve you,” Elder Corathien continues. “Apparently, there was some… miscommunication.”

“Miscommunication?” Willow repeats. I squeeze her hand in warning, but I can already tell by the tone of her voice there’s no stopping her. “Oh no, honey, I don’t think there was. Now, let’s drop the pleasantries and get straight to why I’m here. Give me my three guys, who you have, and then we’ll be out of your hair. Okay?”

“Of course, we’ll take you straight to them. Why don’t you join us?” he replies with a smile that could almost be considered warm.

The hairs on the back of my neck rise. “Willow, we’re not going up there.”

“Bring them out to us!” Willow calls up. “And quickly. The Utikyie are coming. I think we’d all really appreciate them not getting any closer.”

“We’ll give up your friends…ifyou come with us. We have so much to discuss,” Elder Matthews calls down.

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