Page 3 of Taken By Shadows

It was well known that the fae possessed magic, even if villages as rural as Shadowfall never saw it. Magic, even in the most basic forms of lighting fae orbs or simple self-healing, was born within fae—most fae. I had been magically barren my entire life. Lyne and Ellen had taken great pains to remind me of the sacrifice they made in taking me in. Taking in the outsider. Perhaps they’d thought it would be worth it if I’d had magic they could use. It might have granted them status in this small pocket of the Four Corners. Maybe it would have given me a place here.

My mind wandered as the grey eyes of everyone around me offered sharp glances as they passed. They used to cut me, but now I was numb to their scathing looks.

“Gen!”

I turned to find Bray, his broad form was cloaked in a similar wolf pelt to my own. He was so much taller than he had been just a few summers ago. At least six feet, he towered over me. He had filled out into a mass of strong shoulders and a square, blocky jaw, but the dimple at his cheek and his chestnut curls, now cut close to his head, always made me think of the boy I grew up with.

Most of my childhood summer evenings had been spent with him. And my winter ones. Bray was there when I felt lonely. I wasn’t sure he helped fill that hole inside of my chest. But it was a distraction from it.

As Bray approached, I tugged the sleeve of my leathers down over my scar on instinct. He knew about it, of course. I just didn’t like being reminded of yet another part of me that was different. The white curving shape of the cool flesh had been a part of me for as long as I could remember. I think everyone expected a fae to heal instantly. Even if I had no magic, it was like they expected a parlour trick from me.

Bray bundled me into a giant hug as he approached. The display of affection always managed to make me feel uneasy. Not because I didn’t want to feel that close to someone, but because I did.

“People are watching.” I pushed Bray’s burly form from me and glanced as disapproving looks landed on us, muttering under their breath.

“Forget them, Gen. I’ll take them on. All of them.” He grinned at me, his dimple poking into his cheek.

I wobbled, nausea swirling in my stomach.

Tell him. Tell him now.

“The lambs will be coming soon.” He pulled me towards fields where the flock was pastured. “The ewes are fatter than my father on solstice!”

“Bray!” I scolded him but laughed despite myself.

But the thought of telling him I was leaving echoed through me.

With Bray’s pull, I lost my sense of urgency. Like a pebble into a pond, my plans vanished beneath the surface.

We sat atop a slab of stone in the pale rays of the low sun, idly for hours watching the puffs of sheep waddle by, their shaggy coats ready to be shorn once the frost cleared the hills. It would be weeks, maybe months, before spring really touched these parts. Would I come back after the frost left?

Beside me, Bray plucked at sharp spears of grass that poked through the patches of snow as we sat in near silence. His back was hunched, his jaw hardened.

“Everything all right?” My hand landed on his forearm, and his eyes dropped to follow the touch.

His warm eyes were wide as he glanced between where my hand was and my face etched with gentle concern. His mouth opened but closed again before anything came out.

A wave of something in me had me pulling my hand back.

Blades of grass tumbled from him as he stood, and he offered me his hand. Bray pulled me to him in the same movement until we were tangled closely.

Heat bubbled under my skin, making me fidget.

“No one can see us.” Bray smiled.

I had to tell him.

He let go when I pushed back, and I hesitated.

Maybe I didn’t have to tell him.

Leesha could tell him when I was gone.

Yes, that would be better.

Easier.

I had slept my last night in my cramped bed. The medicine of leaving this place clogged my throat until it felt choked. But things could only get better if I left.