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Soon, Grace’s graduation party turned into a strategy meeting. She didn’t look bothered about it though. I suspected she was too wrapped up in the balcony kiss she’d shared with Rebecca. Come to think of it, my sister looked a little flushed, and I didn’t fail to notice the furtive glances they shared.
My parents, Rita and the others were still strategizing when I decided to slip away. I needed some time to think and mentally prepare for what I was about to do. If all went according to plan this would be the greatest achievement of my life. Even if I managed to live to the grand old age of five hundred I doubted I’d embark on such an endeavour again.
Planning to walk home, I made my way down the driveaway when the door opened and my dad followed me out.
“Where are you going?” he called.
“Home. I’m tired,” I replied, pulling my hood up because it was starting to drizzle. Dad traversed the driveway before coming to stand in front of me.
His expression was stern as he surveyed me from his great height. “For all your talk of journeying to Oreylia, you didn’t say much about your two friends.” He lifted an eyebrow in question.
“Vasilios and Sven? What’s to say?” I didn’t correct him on the friend part. Friendship didn’t exactly describe what was between me and Vas but I wasn’t about to discuss that with my father.
“They’re still wanted by the Guard. If Sergeant Davis knew they’d returned to this dimension he’d have all his officers out searching for them.”
Nerves made my throat wobble. “Are you going to tell him?”
Dad stared at me for a long moment and I grew self-conscious because he was a wise man and he often saw a lot more than he let on. “No,” he answered finally. “If what you’ve said is to be believed then they’ve already suffered enough.”
I nodded, relief rushing through me. “Thank you.”
“They won’t be able to remain here, though. They won’t be able to live in this forest community you envision building.”
I swallowed and stared at the ground. “I know that.” I fell silent, then glanced up. My dad was still looking at me, scrutinizing me.
“What is it?” he asked.
I rubbed my chin, wondering how he was going take what I was about to ask of him. “What if the Hawthorn Council decided to pardon them? Or rule that they might serve their time by helping build in the forest instead of wasting away in the Prison of Thorns? Wouldn’t it be better for them to pay for their crimes by doing something good in the world?”
Again, he eyed me. I worried he might be trying to find the best way to tell me no, but then he said, “I’ll put it to the council. Likely they’ll reject the proposal but for you, Darya, I’ll try.”
At this I went up on my tiptoes, threw my arms around his shoulders and pulled him into another hug. After a few moments Dad drew away to gaze down at me. “Come back to the party. It’s far too early to go home,” he said and I smiled. He was right. Depending on how things went in Oreylia, this might be my last chance to enjoy my family’s company. The last time we were in a room all together.
The days that followed were full of planning. Ren agreed he would come with me again. I told him he didn’t have to take the risk, not now that he was caring for Demi, but he argued that he felt obligated to go. He wanted to save other children like her, give them the chance at a better life.
Vas and I continued to meet in the forest. We walked and made plans, deciding where might be best to start building. With the help of my father and the vampires he convinced to volunteer, houses would be constructed much faster than if they were built by humans.
“I asked my dad about pardoning you and Sven,” I said one afternoon as we traversed the woods. Pale light shone through the trees while a squirrel scurried by our feet.
Vas’ eyebrows jumped. “And what did he say?”
“He’s going to put it to the Hawthorn Council. They’ll vote, so a majority will have to say yes. It’s a long shot but it’s something to be hopeful about.”
“Indeed,” Vas replied, his hands clasped behind his back as he walked, a thoughtful expression on his face.
“Of course there may be some stipulations. You might have to contribute a certain amount of labour to building houses for the miners as a form of community service.”
He turned his head and held my gaze. “I would happily work my fingers to the bone for a hundred years if it meant staying here with you.”
“Vas,” I whispered, my cheeks heating at his proclamation.
