Falling Ashes (25 page)

‘Keep practicing,’ Fae told me. ‘Your Power will grow much stronger whilst I am around.’

So I took Fae’s advice and practiced producing flames when she was nearby - she enjoyed watching me try, too. Often it would require a lot of effort to produce the tiniest of flames. Other times it was far too easy to lose control – those were the times I thought about Helena and the Realm. Fae was rather impressed with the strength of my Power, but I knew it was anger that fuelled the flames. Now, even the thought of Jack was enough to send me over the edge. I missed him so dearly, it was painful to think about. I didn’t reveal my heartache to Fae though, because I knew she would despise my dependency on a man.

But something did worry me. Perhaps it was Fae that fuelled my hatred, as I was growing increasingly vengeful with each passing day. Maybe being around such an angry person like Fae was not good for my emotions, whereas time spent around Jack usually calmed me. All I knew was I was becoming restless, and stressed. With each passing day, my hatred for the Realm increased by ten fold, and I knew it was only a matter of time before I lost control.

Chapter Nineteen

Three Letters

KENNETH REDDING

Kenneth hadn’t spoken as he’d left the lodge. He’d simply pecked his wife on the cheek and ruffled Helena’s hair before hauling a rucksack over his shoulder and exiting the room. Even Anya hadn’t said a thing, but she never did say much these days. Perhaps they’d exhausted all the combinations of words one might have in a conversation with their partner.

Kenneth walked into town. They were currently living at a lodge in Hew Town, a small village a few hours from Mortlock. It was quiet and safe here, perfect for Helena as loud noises, crowds of people, and animals tended to frighten her.

Kenneth headed straight for the Messenger Service shop, three envelopes clutched in his hand, each one addressed to a different household;
Scotland
,
Truscott
, and
Stalk
– the members of the Human Emancipation League. Each letter said the exact same thing:

It’s time.

The ashes will fall.

Meet Friday next at noon. You know where.

KR.

It had to be short and sweet, in case the letters were intercepted and read by the wrong person. If the correct recipients received these letters they would know what it meant.

Arriving at the messenger shop, Kenneth paid three gold pieces to have the letters sent to the correct homes.

Bran and Elise Stalk were closest to Kenneth, residing in Scyre, where Jack’s father lived.

Robert Scotland lived in Flamethroat Valley, so he was the closest to their ultimate destination.

Penny and Tom Truscott were the furthest away, residing in Halfhill, in the very north of England.

Hopefully they would be able to rendezvous at the meeting point within nine days as the letters stated. Kenneth thought it was a sufficient amount of time to get their affairs in order and organize transport.

Anya, of course, would not travel with Kenneth as she needed to look after Helena, and could not do so on the road. Such a long journey would be dangerous for a fragile girl.

The Messenger Shop assistant took the letters and promised they’d be delivered within twenty-four hours. Kenneth thanked the lady and began the walk back to the lodge, his first task completed, though he knew the difficult trials were still ahead of him.

It would take a week to walk to Concord City by himself. Kenneth didn’t have the money for a horse, nor was he lucky enough to have a flying monster like his daughter, Avalon. Nevertheless, he would gladly make the journey because it was for a good cause.

When Kenneth arrived back at the lodge, his wife was bathing Helena in a small tub in the corner of the room. As he entered, she did not bother to look up at him.

‘Did you do it?’ she asked after he’d closed the door, her focus on Helena.

‘Yes,’ he replied.

‘When will you leave?’ she asked, no hint of emotion in her voice.

‘Right away,’ he said.

‘And how long will you be gone for?’ Still, her tone suggested a complete lack of interest.

‘As long as it takes,’ he said.

‘Oh.’

‘I came to say goodbye,’ said Kenneth, walking to Anya’s side.

‘Goodbye, then,’ she said as she scrubbed under Helena’s arm. The child shied away from the sponge sulkily.

Kenneth waited for Anya to stand and perhaps give him a kiss goodbye, but he was not so lucky.

‘Aren’t … aren’t you going to say goodbye properly?’ he asked hesitantly.

Anya dropped the sponge into the soapy water before brushing the tendrils of hair away that fell into her eyes. Leaning against the side of the tub she turned to face Kenneth. He saw that her eyes were bloodshot and puffy, a sure sign that he was in trouble for something.

‘What do you want me to say, Ken?’ she asked, her voice level.

‘I just - you might not see me for, well … a while.’

‘Oh, yes, I know that perfectly well,’ she snapped, standing up quickly.

‘I’m confused. Have I done something wrong?’

‘Oh, no, Ken. You haven’t done
anything
.’ Her tone was sardonic.

‘They why are you talking that way?’

‘Figure it out,’ she said, her eyes narrowed and hands on hips.

A number of things ran through Kenneth’s head. Was it their anniversary? No. Was it Anya’s birthday? No … it was the wrong time of year.

He wasn’t sure what he could have forgotten, or done wrong. True, things hadn’t been the same between them since they’d returned home to Mortlock, but surely she wasn’t blaming
him
for that.

‘I don’t know what you want me to say,’ said Kenneth.

Anya folded her arms across her chest; it was if she expected him to read her mind.

‘Why are you the one that gets to go?’ Anya blurted. ‘Why do I have to stay here and look after Helena?’

Kenneth raised his eyebrows, rather shocked. There had been no question on which of them should proceed to Concord City.

‘Because … you’re her mother, and-’

‘
You’re
her father,’ said Anya, pointing a finger at his chest.

‘Yes .. but I’m the man of the house, so the responsibility to fight for the family lies with-’

‘Oh, poppycock,’ Anya waved a hand dismissively. ‘We both know
I’m
the more powerful Mage.
I
should be the one trying to-’

Kenneth couldn’t help but laugh, which infuriated Anya further. ‘Now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Dear. If we’re talking about
control
over the fire then I think you’ll find that I am by far-’

‘
Control
?’ Anya shouted angrily.

‘Now, really. There’s no need to shout. You’re upsetting Helena.’

It was true. Still naked and in the tub, Helena’s eyes were beginning to water as she watched the two adults arguing. It reminded him so much of when she was, well … herself.

‘I’m not talking about control,’ Anya continued. ‘I’m talking about
raw
Power, Ken. Something which I have more of-’

Kenneth felt his manliness drop a few notches. ‘What does strength have to do with it? I’m the man of this family, so I’ll be the one to go!’ He too was shouting now.

‘I’d be more useful than you,’ said Anya. ‘I’m far more fit. How do you expect to run anywhere with a belly like that?’ She prodded Ken’s protruding stomach.

‘If anyone gets ahold of you, they’ll break you like a twig!’ Ken retorted. ‘No! No! I will not have it. You are to stay here and look after Helena whilst I protect my family!’

Anya’s cheeks puffed angrily, and she was about to yell a profanity back at Kenneth, when she was cut short.

‘Stop!’

Anya and Kenneth froze, wide-eyed and open mouthed. In unison, they turned their heads to stare at Helena whose arms were around her legs, knees pulled up to her chest. 

Helena’s jaw was set tight, and her gaze unwavering as she glared at her parents. For a moment, the couple saw a glimmer of their old daughter before it was wiped away. It was as if a veil passed over her face. Helena shied away from Anya and Kenneth, apparently ashamed of her outburst.

‘Did she-’ began Anya breathlessly.

‘She did,’ said Kenneth at once. ‘She spoke.’

Anya dropped to her knees and placed her hands on Helena’s shoulders, staring deep into her eyes. ‘Say it again, Sweetheart. I know you can.’ Even though Anya’s voice was calm and soothing, Helena still flinched as she spoke.

‘Don’t pressure her,’ said Kenneth. ‘She’ll talk when she’s ready.’

‘But you saw her face,’ said Anya, her voice becoming panicked. ‘She was herself … just for a moment. But then it went away as if something took over her mind.’

‘I know.’ Kenneth placed a hand on Anya’s shoulder. ‘But you can’t push her. Look, she’s frightened, and cold. Get her out of the tub, dry her off, and dress her.’

Reluctantly, Anya got Helena out of the tub, dried her off and put her into a nightdress. 

‘I just … I don’t know what to do anymore,’ said Anya a few minutes later as she tucked Helena into bed. The child curled into the fetal position and turned away from the couple.

Kenneth rubbed Anya’s back soothingly, their previous argument forgotten. Anya embraced Kenneth around the middle and squeezed tightly. He stroked her hair before giving her a kiss on the forehead.

‘Are you going now?’ she asked.

Kenneth nodded. ‘Very soon.’

‘Can’t it wait for … half an hour?’ she said, a smile playing her lips.

Kenneth couldn’t help but smile, too. ‘I suppose I can delay the journey for half an hour.’

Chapter Twenty

Casting a Shadow

AVALON REDDING

Shadow was surpassing the size of a Labrador in weight and height. I couldn’t remember Hawthorne growing at this speed, after all, Shadow was only a week old. It had taken Hawthorne almost two months to reach his full size.

At this rate, Shadow would surpass Hawthorne and Emilija within another week. Meanwhile, Willow and Rue still looked as small and young as ever. There growth had come to a standstill; I could pick them up with one hand and tuck them inside my overcoat. I didn’t know how to explain their varying growth pattern as I had nothing to compare it to. The only difference between Shadow and the other pups was gender.

Regardless of these unusual happenings, it occurred to me that I’d been living at the dirty, broken windmill for over a week. With Fae, it didn’t seem so bad, but the time for moving on was well overdue. I couldn’t stay in Belgium any longer, and since Finn was out of the picture I could travel back to England without looking over my shoulder everywhere I went.

I’d go home and find Jack. I could change my name, cut my hair … and vanish. Perhaps Jack and I could live on a farm together, like we’d discussed. Then we’d have lots of room for the Vulmessian pups.

I smiled at the thought of Jack’s face when he saw the pups for the first time. The scenario played out in my head as if it were really happening at that moment.

‘
What – how – when
?’ Jack spluttered in my mind's eye. He was absolutely flabbergasted. I watched as Jack played with the tiny Willow and Rue, an enormous Shadow watching close by.

‘Hawthorne and Emilija, Martinez’s Vulmessian,’ I explained to Jack.

Jack smiled at me. ‘
That cheeky devil
,’ he said, winking at Hawthorne. ‘
Can’t take you anywhere, can we, buddy
?’

I imagined myself embracing Jack tightly. I could almost feel his hand running through my hair, and the beat of his heart as I pressed my cheek to his chest.

‘I miss you,’ I told him.

‘
I miss you too
,’ he replied, hugging me tight.

‘Talking to yourself?’ A voice broke through my imagination, startling me. Fae had snuck up on me while I rested by the stream.

‘Oh … I guess so,’ I said, my cheeks reddening.

‘First sign of madness, you know?’ she said, sitting on the grass beside me.

‘Didn’t you hear? I live in a windmill with five monsters and a homicidal maniac. Can’t get any madder than that.’

Fae crossed her arms. ‘That’s not very fair. I saved you.’

‘And I am eternally grateful.’ I showed my sincerity with a smile. Fae smiled too, though reluctantly.

‘I get the feeling there’s something you’re not telling me,’ she said.

‘There’s a lot I haven’t told you, Fae.’