‘Where are the others?’ I ask, looking around and wondering if they’re still abed.
‘Jak went to the healer’s rooms early to make sure everything is stocked properly and Morgan was up at first light. He’s helping to build cottages along the way. They’ll meet us there.’
I give him a questioning look. ‘Meet us where?’
‘At the Council Hall. Where we went yesterday. You met Dane, remember?’
I nod though I don’t recall much of their conversation.
‘You’re to take me back this morning,’ I say. ‘Someone needs to speak to me?’
He nods. ‘Firstly, there’s nothing to be afraid of.’
My eyes narrow. I wasn’t afraid in the least. But I am now that he’s said it.
‘You…don’t think they’ll let me remain in the village?’ I can’t help but ask, my mind swirling in fear, spiraling downward in a panic I can’t control.
I can’t go back to the Dark.
My heart begins to beat quickly as I wonder where I can go if I’m not allowed to stay here.
I can’t go back to the Dark!
‘I don’t understand. This is the Light Realm. Humans are welcome here.’
I take in a deep breath, feeling a little dizzy suddenly and I grip the table hard.
‘Aren’t they?’
Gods, what if this isn’t the Light after all? What if thiswasall a trick? I suddenly feel cold and clammy. A bead of sweat rolls slowly down my spine and I feel as if I might lose what little I’ve already eaten.
No, this is the Light. It has to be. The humans I saw last night were clearly free. I could see it in their eyes. They couldn’t have pretended that.
‘Yes, humans are welcome here.’
I let out a breath I’d been holding, grasping onto his words, using them to allay my fears.
In front of me, Locke closes his eyes and rubs his temples. He looks like the weight of all the Circles are on his shoulders.
‘Explain,’ I order with a hiss, my hands shaking in my lap. ‘Why have you dressed me up? Why are you worried? You said I could stay here. What’s changed? Or were you lying to me? Again!’
He ignores my outburst, studies me for a moment, and gives me a small smile that puzzles me.
‘You’ll do so well here if they justlet you,’ he mutters almost to himself.
Then he straightens. ‘I am worried. I want you to know, Ineedyou to know that I didn’t tell you about this before we came here, not because I was trying to hide anything from you, but because I didn’t realize it would be a problem. We were in the Dark for months, you see? Before that, we spent little time here while we prepared for our mission. I had assumed that once I explained things to Dane, told him that you were the reason themission succeeded, that it would simply be a question of him allowing you to remain.’
He takes a deep breath. ‘But, after speaking with him and then Jak and Morgan last night, we think that things are more different in Halsford than we realized.’
‘What is it that’s different?’ I ask.
‘The laws governing those who come here from the Dark, for one thing. I’d assumed Dane could speak to youif it was even needed, but he says he isn’t permitted anymore, and it has to be done by an enforcer.’
I pick at the bread I took. ‘What’s an enforcer?’
‘An enforcer is always a fae born in the Underhill. They work toward the Underhill’s best interests from the shadows.’ He purses his lips. ‘They’re spies, Bryn, and one of them is always here when the Village Council convenes.’
‘Spies,’ I say softly, trying out the word. ‘Like you?’
