‘Calder and Voss seem able to get the Council Five to agree to almost anything under the guise of saving the Underhill from Fiana,’ Dane answers. ‘Until the threat is gone, it will continue thus, and we have no hope of stripping their power back.’
‘One wonders if Fiana being captured is even in Calder’s best interests,’ I mutter.
‘Indeed, but I would advise you not utter such accusations aloud outside this room,’ Dane advises.
‘Gods, what a mess.’ I rub my temples.
'When will Voss come for Bryn?' I ask, my eyes alighting on Dane as I get angry all over again. ‘And whyVoss? It should have been Avendel.You told meit would be Avendel. Bryn didn't look right after she came out of that room with him yesterday.'
Lia's eyes find me sharply. 'Did she say something?'
I shake my head. 'No, but she seemed… I don't know. Something wasn't quite right.’
‘You could always just ask her, Locke,’ she says gently.
I scoff in her general direction. As if Bryn would talk to me.
'Let me know when the bird returns,’ I say instead. ‘And if you can give me any warning of when Voss is going to come for Bryn, I'd appreciate it. I think she would as well.'
Lia nods, and Dane escorts me out. As I leave, he puts a hand on my shoulder.
'How are things with Jak and Morgan?' He raises a brow. 'And Bryn?'
'We haven't done the ritual, if that's what you mean,' I say stiffly.
‘It’s not. Although, I don't need to tell you that it will need to be done, at least partly, before Voss’ training begins.'
'I know,' I say. 'It's just… I tricked her, Dane. And I used my conjures for ill. I don't know how to fix what I’ve done. Jak and Morgan hate me. So does she. With good reason.’
He gives me a commiserating look. 'They'll come around,' he says unhelpfully, giving me a pat on the shoulder. 'Just try not to work anymore conjures on them, eh?'
I give him a weary look. ‘Indeed.'
I turn away with a shake of my head and hear him chuckle as I go back down the thoroughfare.
Most of the village is still quiet, though there’s smoke coming from the baker’s chimney and I can hear voices in the adjacent warehouse.
The Trading Post is also open already, and I see Bryn and Morgan standing under the overhang, speaking to a couple of the village women. I don't stop, but I notice some of Tavish's men glaring at Bryn and my friend, and I decide to keep an extra close watch over my human, especially as Tavish’s traders the only ones able to go in and out of Halsford now, while the rest who live here are unknowing prisoners.
There’s so much that I didn’t anticipate when I decided to bring Bryn to the Light. I assumed she’d be welcomed when I told the council of her bravery, and that she’d saved the mission.
But things are much more difficult for her now, despite her unshakable joy that she’s here. I didn’t want that. She’s been through enough. She deserves a life in the Light, one that’s a part of Halsford…where the naysayers can meet her and get to know her, see that she’s good and kind, that she’s much like they are.
As I pass the apothecary, an idea strikes me, and I go inside.
There are crystals and orbs hanging from the ceiling, and many jars and vases, some glass, some earthenware. There’s a lingering scent of sweet spice in the air as well as sage and lavender. I knock on the door that leads to the adjacent room where the healer on duty plies his or her trade.
Jak opens the door. When he sees it's me, his mouth sets into a grim line.
‘What do you want?’
I step inside without being asked, and he’s forced to move back to accommodate me.
'I'm sorry,' I blurt.
'I know you're sorry,' he snarls back just as quickly. 'But no amount of sorrys can put right what you've done.'
'I know that,' I say, turning my head up to the ceiling and closing my eyes. 'What I did was wrong. If I could go back, I would have found another way. One that didn’t involve Bryn at all.’
