I yawned widely, raising my arms above my head in an equally exaggerated stretch as I contemplated his assistance the night before. “Nix, how did you know about the basin last night? Have you lived here before? With a recent Midnight Sovereign? Before Kaylin?”
Abruptly, Nix stopped stretching. “Yes. But it’s been a long time since anyone on this island wanted me around or didn’t banish me from the cottage out of fear or ignorance.”
“How long?” I asked.
“Three centuries,” he replied.
My eyes bulged.A long time.That was an understatement. “Why didn’t they want you around?”
“No sense for magic. No sense for duty. Dying young. Many reasons…none pleasant.”
“Can you tell me more about the island?” I leaned forward eagerly.
Nix’s expression was serious. “That depends. Do you plan on surviving? Or did you already forget what Edwin said? That someone is trying to kill you too.” He jumped off the bed,heading for the door. “Nix! Wait!” I called after him. “I just wanted to say I’m glad I found you. Even if no one else has welcomed you for a long time. I’m happy that you’re here with me.” He paused in the doorway for a moment longer but didn’t speak again, his long black tail disappearing out of sight.
Groaning, I rubbed my temples—it was early in the day to feel a headache coming on, but Nix’s words pushed Edwin’s betrayal back to the forefront of my mind. Since lighting the lampposts, I had already taken in a talking cat, been visited by Kaylin’s family, and agreed to rescue an imprisoned phoenix. Is this how it would be from now on? Maybe there was such a thing astoomany visitors.
Three weeks. Just three weeks to prepare for the dinner party in Kothia. My headache deepened at the thought. Deciding a run would help me sort things out, I dressed, pulled my hair into a long braid, and headed outside.
After running a full loop around the island, I found myself approaching the stone pathway back up to the cottage, relishing the fresh air and my newly cleared head. I decided to forgo any extra strength training, even though I’d tied a rope to the largest oak tree on the property for that purpose, after failing to complete the obstacle course in Sivell. It had taken about an hour for me to jog around the entire perimeter of the island, and I was spent. As I slowed my pace to a walk, returning home from my run, Nix streaked down the path toward me.
Was he that excited to greet me?
Before reaching me, however, he launched himself straight into the air, batting at a bird overhead, claws extended.Maybe I should have fed him before my run.He missed the bird at first jump. I took a closer look at Nix’s intended prey.
Wait…it wasn’t just any bird. It was a raven.
Nix crouched down low and wriggled his rear end, preparing to jump again.
I took off down the path, yelling as I ran. “STOP!”
He timed his second jump flawlessly. Cat and bird tangled in a mess of fur and feathers.
The next moment, the bird shifted into a man, now lying prone on the pathway, Nix sitting on his chest. I caught up to them as Corvin adjusted his pose, flexing his arms behind his head and using them as a cushion, staring up at the small black cat who attacked him.
“Corvin! I am so, so sorry! I don’t know what to say!”
Nix turned to look at me. “Is Bird Boy with you?”
“Are you going to be rude toward all of my guests?” I asked irritably, voice full of rebuke.
I looked down at Corvin. “Are you hurt?”
“Just my pride.” He smiled up at me from the ground. “You have a new…guard cat?”
“That’s Nix,” I said apologetically. “And don’t worry—he won’t attack you again.”
Nix flashed his teeth at Corvin as if to say,don’t count on it.
“Hello, Nix,” he greeted good-naturedly. “Do you mind letting me up?”
Nix took his time to comply, lazily jumping off his chest when he was good and ready, tail high.
My heart caught in my throat as Corvin sat up and then rose to a standing position. He didn’t lift himself up the rest of the way—he flew.Great wings, covered in raven feathers, materialized at his back. Wings I had dreamed about. They were a beautiful midnight black, but with a glossy, iridescent sheen to them, which added a touch of blue, purple, and green to their coloration when the light caught them just right. As soon as he was vertical again, they disappeared.
“How are things going?” he asked.
“Actually, a lot has happened since I saw you last. I made my first midnight bargain.”
