Page 95 of Woven Souls

It’s nothing compared to what I thought it would look like. It’s not made of stone or bricks like I would have assumed. This castle is made of gnarled trees, twisted together and growing on top of one another. It reaches high into the sky. Massive branches have been converted to balconies and windows are hollowed out of the trunk.

“Go, Jonah!” Viktor hisses. “Gawk later.”

It takes a great deal of effort, but I drag my eyes from the castle. We make it over without being seen. But now, we’re in the open. There aren’t any woods to hide in on this side. On the ground, Theo and Viktor fix their hoods.

“If we walk up the main street for as long as possible, we won’t draw too much suspicion,” Theo says, already moving towards the road. “Jonah, just stick close and keep your head down.”

“No one will say anything about two Ghosts walking around? Aren’t you supposed to be in the Third Realm?” I ask as my eyes continue to roam over what I can see of Everlast.

“No.”

I wait for more, but Theo doesn’t elaborate. I look at Viktor who sighs.

“There is a large ripple under the Brotherhood’s Temple. Because it’s so large, there are plenty of Ghosts who are stationed here to make sure any monsters that end up coming through are contained—”

Gunshots and small explosions draw our attention, even as we keep moving. Even way off in the distance, several miles from where we’ve entered, I can see the helmets of two Utikyie, towering higher than the trees. My heart flutters wildly for a moment before they both suddenly disappear. Willow… The sound of more gunfire travels across the land.

“Shit, what’s with the guns? You guys have swords.”

“The metal that forges our swords is enhanced with magic that makes killing monsters as easy as simply nicking them,” Viktor explains. “Think of it as poison permanently on our blades, specifically designed for the creatures in the other realm. The bullets don’t seem to take magic the way blades do. And we’d have to worry about carrying ammo or drawing too much attention to ourselves with gunfire. But the guards by the gate aren’t Ghosts. They keep out the rest of the world, and most things are slowed down, or killed, by bullets.”

At the sound of more gunfire, my pace slows as worry creeps into my heart.

“You think they’ll be okay?”

“Kwil won’t let anything happen to Willow,” Theo answers at once. “And we’ve seen Willow in action. Upset her enough, and she’ll just wipe everyone clear off the board.”

I snort as I quicken my pace to keep up with these two. “She won’t kill anyone, but I’m sure she’ll scare the hell out of them.”

“Which may be worse for her in the long run,” Theo mutters, more to himself than to us.

I open my mouth to ask why but shut it. Of course, the Fae would perceive her abilities as dangerous and monstrous. If she doesn’t kill them now, they’ll hunt her forever. And if they come for her, she’ll use her power to protect herself, which will only draw attention from covens and non-humans.Everyonewill be gunning for her.

“We’re really going to have to watch her back for the rest of her life, huh?” I frown at the thought. “We really fucked up her life by showing up like we did.”

Neither of them say anything as we approach the city. But they don’t have to. We all know the truth. While Willow brought us all a semblance of stability and joy, we’ve done the exact opposite for her.

My jaw clenches as resolve steadies the beat of my heart.

Somehow, some way, we’ll give her what she’s given us.

* * *

I findit easier than I thought not to gawk.

The shops, the smells, and the activity around us as the Fae go about their lives are incredible. The hustle and bustle remind me of any fun, trendy, upbeat place where the rich mingle with others like them. While typically I would marvel, get close to a shop, and maybe pickpocket a few things here and there, my solemn thoughts of Willow and what she and Kwil are doing right now keep me focused. I can’t hear the chaos anymore, but I know it’s still happening.

Down back streets and alleyways, I catch sight of armed guards trying to slip discreetly around the crowd on the main road. Their presence seems to garner more interest than ours because not a single person says anything to us as we walk by. I think it’s due to who I’m with that no one questions my presence in particular. At least, not directly. I can’t hide my face as well as the other two can, but I don’t make eye contact with anyone. I feel invisible.

Is this how spirits feel?

We are about a block away from the imposing castle when Theo slows and nudges his head towards a shop. Both Viktor and I turn to see what’s drawn his attention. I see it immediately.

Used as decorative stone for a fireplace chimney, stacked along the outer wall of a restaurant, are crushed up purple crystals.

“What in the—”

Theo bumps my shoulder to hush me. I clamp my mouth shut and frown. Just as we start to walk again, someone bumps into Viktor. He catches her before she falls backward. As he rights her, his body seems to lock up in surprise. I can’t see his face, but his shoulders stiffen so severely they rise up to his ears.

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