Page 43 of Lost

“So, Oak, you’re not from this world?” Aphrodite said.

Oak’s head swiveled, owl-like, to peer at Aphrodite.“I do not know you, Prophetess.”

“Yet you call me Prophetess.”

The sprite nodded her head, causing her long, multicolored hair to shimmer around her with a sound like wind sloughing through autumn leaves.“Old Magick easily recognizes a Prophetess of Nyx. There was a time, long past, when we stood beside Nyx’s prophetesses, doing the Goddess’ bidding. Sadly, that time is no more, but we remember,”Oak said cryptically before she glanced at Darius.“I do not know you, either, Warrior.”Then her gaze found Stark.“You, I recognize. The Redbird Boy asked for sanctuary from you and your army—though your Mark was blue, not red.”

“Youarefrom the Other World!” Stark said. “You know Kevin Redbird there, right? But who’s the other Redbird woman?” Stark turned to me. “Could your sister have been Marked in the Other World without Kevin knowing about it?”

I started to open my mouth, but Oak’s voice interrupted.

“So many questions, but I have been offered no payment.”Oak turned her head and gazed somberly at the broken tree from which she’d materialized.“And I have been called forth through a place that has been tainted by Darkness and destruction.”

“I’m responsible for your call. I apologize. I do have questions to ask you, but I also have your payment.” I opened my hand, showing Oak the bloody wound that still wept there.

Oak sniffed delicately at my palm. She licked her bow-shaped lips—reminding me weirdly of how I look whenever it’s psaghetti madnessnight in the dining hall. But then she surprised me by turning her attention from my blood to meet my gaze.

“You offer an acceptable payment, but I would rather have something else.”

“What payment do you want?” I felt the urge to hold my breath as I waited for her response.

Oak turned her head to look over her shoulder at the ruined tree.“The payment I want for the information you seek is that you cleanse the abomination that happened here and restore this place to balance.”

I blinked in surprise, but said, “I can do that.”

Her head swiveled back to me and her voice turned rhythmic, like she was reciting a beautiful poem.

“I accept the payment of balance restored to this tree

High Priestess—you have promised this to me

I agree to give information to you

I agree to speak only that which is true

Ask then, Girl Redbird

But listen well, so that my words are truly heard

And if you renege on payment promised today

Know that there are other ways to pay and pay and pay…”

Oak didn’t toss blood into the air or make any other kind of dramatic flourish, but the instant she was done speaking the binding spell, the air around her shimmered like someone had blown glitter across the schoolyard. I tried not to think about the other ways Old Magick could make me pay and asked my first question.

“Do you know my brother, Kevin?”

“I do. He is much like you.”

“So, you’re from another world?”

“To the ancient fey all worlds are one. We pay little attention to the veils that separate them.”

“The other Redbird woman you mentioned. Can you tell me who she is?”

“Yes, Redbird Girl. She is a Wise Woman—one of your blood. She is exquisite. I did so enjoy her medicine bags. They were not powerful payment for our services, but they were tasty.”

“She’s talkin’ ’bout Grandma Redbird!” Stevie Rae said.