Page 16 of The Reaping Rose

“Emual noted the humans wore rings cast of a unique metal—a metal counterpart to obsidian stone. Where obsidian mutes magical effects for Fae, aeraliss does the same for humans. While wearing these rings, they were able to pass through the continent without dying.”

The fire crackles as Letia’s eyes snap to mine. “For how long?”

“There’s no limit noted.” I lean back in my chair, watching her process.

She pulls her lip between her teeth, considering what I’m saying. Her fingers twist over the open book.

“So you’re saying that with those aeraliss rings humans can survive on magical land.”

I nod. “They could survive anywhere in this realm.”

“We could leave Alyssium.” The hope in her voice burns my chest.

Because, by all accounts, yes, they could. But I no longer know if the rest of the realm is any better than this.

“Where do we find it?” Letia starts flipping through the pages. “The metal—aeraliss?”

“It was mined in the Mortal Realm. There’s no record of it here.” I frown. “But if we could find the rings the humans wore when they were first brought over, we might have a chance.”

Her shoulders deflate as she looks up at me. “That was centuries ago.”

“I know.”

“It’s a lead at least.”

“It is.” I just wish it were enough.

Letia sits back in her chair, glancing at the fire. We watch it in silence for a long moment. Flames lick the long-burnt stone, casting little warmth with the chill creeping beneath the door.

Even if we can find the rings, we won’t survive at sea trying to get back to the continent. Our only chance of leaving Alyssium is through a Gate, and I haven’t been able to get one to form in the months I’ve been trying.

“The rings must be somewhere,” Letia says, mulling it over. “In one of the old quarters, maybe? We could search all the homes.”

“The humans wouldn’t have them.” I frown. “The Guard collected the rings when they arrived to ensure the humans couldn’t leave the island. They might be in the Guard quarters though. Someone had to have known what happened to them.”

“That’s why you’re poring through these journals?”

I nod.

“Then let me help,” she decides, grabbing a book from the stack. “If it’s here, we’ll find it.”

A smile cracks when I’ve only seen her frown lately. But it’s interrupted as the door bursts open. Elorie and Greer rush inside, shoving it closed behind them. Mud cakes the bottoms of their boots, and their leathers are covered in thick black tar.

They’re a mess of blood and dirt as they slump against the door. They’re out of breath and…

Smiling?

Not just smiling. They’re laughing.

“What in the name of Sarrow happened to you two?”

Chapter 6

Elorie

Callum stands with his arms crossed, listening to our story with a frown on his face the entire time. When we’re done, he drags a hand through his dark hair and sighs.

“I fail to see how any of this is amusing.”