I shoved the covers aside and jumped out of the bed. A white silk gown similar to Myrtha’s flowed down my body in soft waves. The fabric glowed and sparkled like fireflies. Chained to my wrist was Mama’s gold cross, the only normal and familiar thing in this situation. A new sob tore out of me.
“I should wear black and mourn.”
The colour of my gown was a trivial thing compared to what had happened, but my papa deserved respect.
“You’re a wili, Irene. Mourning is for the living. I asked you if you wanted revenge before bringing you here, and you said yes.”
“I was angry, in pain, and dying!” My voice cracked with anger and horror for what Sean had done to me.
She rose. Compassion filled her aura with tea-rose pink. “I understand this is shocking, but think carefully. This is your second chance at life.” She gave me time to ponder her words before continuing. “You’ll need to work to develop your power. Wilis can use their minds to move objects.” She angled towards the pitcher; it rose and poured a glass of water on its own.
“My goodness.” I touched the pitcher and blinked. “Impressive.”
“With enough strength, we can use this power to kill. But you need energy first. Eat something and sleep. We’ll talk later when you’re stronger.” She squeezed my hand. “I understand how you feel, but you’ll be happy here. There are other wilis and other supernatural beings.”
“Like what?”
“Witches, werewolves. Not many of them, thank goodness. They’re loud and messy. And then there’s…” She sighed. “A wizard.”
My head spun.
“But never mind.” She waved a dismissive hand. “Rest for now. You need it.”
I sat on the edge of the bed, trying to calm myself. The food didn’t appeal to me, but I drank a cup of tea.
A vision of Papa smiling at me in our dining room flashed across my mind. He deserved to be avenged, but I wasn’t sure I was the right person to do that. And too many emotions crammed my heart.
After yet another long sleep, energy was back in my body.
Not a sound came from the other side of the door, and the portion of the garden visible from my window was empty. Tall oak trees, a large sycamore, and thick hedgerows formed an intricate pattern I wouldn’t mind exploring.
A lake sparkled behind the trees, so peaceful and stunning.
I pulled the door open and stepped outside. The corridor was wide enough to allow six people to walk side by side. Through the large diamond-paned windows, the moonlight shone off the marble floor that had been scrubbed to star-brightness. On both sides, the corridor stretched on, seemingly without end. The view was both haunting and beautiful.
“Look what we have here. Another one,” a deep voice said from behind me.
As I turned around, my elbow hit a tall, broad man with blond hair. I grimaced. He didn’t flinch though.
His eyes didn’t show any white. They were as glossy and black as obsidian. The pointed white tips of his canines appeared from underneath his upper lip, sharp and…inhuman.
“What’s your name?” He towered over me.
Terror seized me, and I screamed. Being immortal didn’t diminish my fear at all. My legs seemed to have turned into timber. He opened his mouth to show a row of sharp teeth. Also, he had no aura. Nothing.
I tripped on the hem of the skirt and fell backwards. Pain burst in my buttocks when I hit the floor hard.
The man leant over me and let out a vicious hiss that caused my skin to prickle. He recoiled as if I’d struck him, but I didn’t understand what I’d done to provoke such a reaction.
The tendons in his neck stood out in sharp relief, and his nostrils flared. Whatever I’d done, I’d angered him.
He came closer, and I crawled back, expecting to feel a punch or a kick.
There was a soft swish, and a gust of air blew past me before another massive figure stood in front of me.
“Leave her alone, Logan.” A dark-haired man had blocked my attacker. He had no aura either.
“She’s a wili.”
