Judged Page 14

  ‘That’s so romantic,’ I tell him and grin, but a blush creeps across my face. ‘It’s ridiculous.’

  ‘But it is the truth, so …’

  We smile at one another and it’s perfect, sitting this high up, far above the world, with the boy I’ve come to care so much about.

  ‘Why have you brought me here?’ I finally ask.

  ‘I wanted to talk to you –’ his smile widens and a hint of mischief creeps into his eyes – ‘without my cousin being present or the wolf listening in.’

  ‘Well, here I am, so go ahead.’

  ‘You first: I want to know what you’re doing. I want to know why you have these hollows in your cheeks. These dark circles beneath those eyes. Have you not been sleeping? Has the wolf not been taking care of you?’

  I take his hand and hold it captive in my lap, lacing our fingers together. He feels so vibrantly alive that I hope some of it rubs off on me.

  ‘I’ve been worried. I’ve not been eating very well, or sleeping. Mostly I’m worried about the goddess and the children who sustain her power. The girl, Tia – the smallest one of them – was sent back dead, Thorn. What is Brixi doing to the children?’

  ‘One of the children … are you sure? It was not a changeling? A poorly goblin child sent in her stead?’

  ‘No, it was Tia. There was no glamour. And I saw what Brixi did – he put her in a coracle in the Otherwhere and sent her off down the river. She arrived, dead, in the Frontier.’

  For a few seconds Thorn doesn’t move, lost in thought.

  ‘How did you see Brixi? What he did?’ He asks next.

  ‘I can see back in time. It only happens sometimes. I can see into the past, as if time is spooling backwards.’

  ‘Has this happened before?’

  ‘A few times, usually by accident.’

  ‘This is not a natural human ability.’ He frowns lightly. ‘You weren’t able to do this when we were together a year ago.’

  I twist my lips. ‘Oh, I know. The first time it happened I thought I was crazy. Trust me on that. It freaks me out every time it happens now and I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it. Especially because getting these visions makes me sick, too.’

  ‘You’ve been ill?’

  If I thought his gaze had been intense before, it wasn’t close to the way he’s staring at me now. It feels a little too close to being examined, as if I were some curiosity, and I don’t appreciate that at all.

  ‘Nothing serious, I promise. Headaches, a few nosebleeds.’

  ‘I can send a physician … ?’

  ‘I’m fine, Thorn, really. What can you tell me about the children? About Brixi and the goddess? Why did Tia die?’

  ‘I didn’t know she had died. I’m so sorry, Kit. Brixi is no longer here – in the palace. He’s moved the goddess to a new location, somewhere he told me she’ll be safer. And the children are with them, of course. He and the other Faceless removed them all after the attack we witnessed. It was too risky to keep them here.’

  ‘Will he be stealing another child to replace Tia?’ The question’s been preying on my mind for the longest time. Every time we have the TV or radio on, I keep an ear out – wondering if we’ll hear of another child being taken.

  ‘I’m not sure. The pipers have been used to abduct candidates for the goddess – but they have gone into seclusion since one of their own was brought back in disgrace. He’s to stand trial by the Unseelie Court and I doubt Brixi would risk using them again.’

  ‘So, he’s one child short to feed the goddess power.’ I rub my forehead. ‘That can’t be good, right?’

  ‘It depends on whether the others are strong enough to keep the goddess stable.’

  The way he says it makes me shudder. ‘She’s not stable, though, is she? Things are breaking down here and in the Frontier. There’s this really bad weather we’re experiencing across the whole world. And it’s because she’s either waking up, or dying, and it’s affecting the way she anchors the Veil.’

  ‘That is the conclusion I’ve come to as well.’

  I close my eyes and try to think past the tiredness I feel. ‘So what do we do?’

  ‘You do nothing. The goddess is dying and the Veil is tearing – and it’s up to me to come up with the solution.’

  ‘Maybe we need the change,’ I say. ‘Maybe it’s time for things to change drastically.’

  ‘No. Not like this.’ His gaze meets mine. ‘If the Veil between our worlds failed it would mean the end to your world and mine. Neither is ready to accept the consequences of that.’

  We sit in silence for a few moments longer. The air is warm and a soft breeze stirs his untidy blond hair. It’s grown so long. He’s tried pulling it back in a knot, but long strands have come loose and float around his face. I stare at him for a few seconds more but look away when he catches my thoughtful gaze.

  ‘Ask me. You’ve wanted to talk about my transformation since we spoke through the mirror. I’m here now. Ask me what you want to know.’

  ‘Am I that obvious?’

  ‘No, I just know you.’ His smile is teasing and I duck my head. ‘Come. Ask me. I’ll tell you anything.’

  I don’t hesitate at all. ‘Explain the dragon thing. Because when you changed – that was very unexpected.’

  ‘My mother kept a few truths about my birthright from me. It came as a surprise to me, too.’

  ‘Did it hurt?’

  He looks as if he’s considering, but then he shakes his head. ‘No, not at first. I wasn’t aware of the shift. There was just so much rage present, and fear. Fear that you would be hurt, mostly. I had to get you away from there and make sure you were safe. When I turned around and the wild Fae rushed me, my magic came screaming to the surface and it felt like I was on fire. And then I was.’

  ‘I was so frightened for you. I’m relieved you’re okay.’

  Then he’s kissing my hand as he says, ‘Me too.’ He notices the ring I always wear now and pulls back a little to look at it. ‘Where did you get this?’

  ‘Your mother. She gave me this. I thought it was yours.’

  ‘No, don’t take it off. My mother gave you this?’ He holds up his own right hand to show me the twin to my ring. ‘They are a pair.’

  ‘Strachan mentioned that too.’ I look at the two rings. Apart from the size difference, they do seem exactly alike.

  He returns to lacing our fingers together and his expression is thoughtful. ‘It is interesting that she gave this to you. I must ask her about it.’

  ‘Why’s that?’

  ‘The two rings are linked. They were made for her grandparents – and the legends say that the rings opened up a connection between them, so they would always know if the other was in danger. Apart, the rings could influence how others reacted to the wearer.’

  ‘I remember your ring trying to influence the way I treated you when I first met you.’ I stare at our linked fingers. ‘And now I almost do the same thing. I use it to calm people down, make them more amenable to talking to me when they’re upset. I’ve changed so much since that day, Thorn. I sometimes don’t even recognize myself.’

  ‘The magics in the rings aren’t huge, but the intent behind using them is important.’

  I think about this.

  ‘Is that why it feels as if you’re around all the time?’

  ‘You can sense me?’

  ‘It’s never invasive, it’s just this light pressure, and it’s a little comforting sometimes.’

  ‘Do you ever remove the ring?’

  ‘No. Most of the time I’m not even aware of it.’

  Thorn’s smile is a little tense and I resist the urge to comfort him as he looks so serious. ‘My mother never fails to surprise me. Giving you a family heirloom in this way is very unusual. Especially because you’re human. She would have known it would link us.’

  ‘I don’t think she’d have done it if she knew, Thorn. I think she gave me the ring to calm me down when you left. She was very …’
I search for a word to describe Dina’s devastated face as she told me about Thorn leaving her realm, about his training. ‘… “Distraught” doesn’t come near her reaction.’

  ‘You know she fought my father? She threatened him with a split household if he sent me away.’

  My eyes widen in shock and I shake my head. ‘No. She never said.’

  ‘She accused my father of caring more for his kingdom than his children – his family. She threatened to take their children and her Stormborn guard and return to her ancestral home. She was prepared to cut ties with him and with Alba.’

  ‘What did your father do?’

  ‘He pleaded, of course. He promised her whatever she wanted. He brought in the sages and they spoke to her of the prophecies. They went to great lengths to describe the role of the guardian, my training.’ He scowled. ‘It was very unpleasant.’

  ‘And she still gave in; she agreed to let you go.’

  ‘My father is the High King of Alba. He always has and he always will get what he wants.’

  ‘Somehow I don’t think your mother would have let you go without a big fight.’

  ‘My mother is a general first and foremost, Kit, even before she is a queen and a mother. She has seen battle and she will act when she think it’s in her best interest.’

  His fingers cup my face and he presses a soft, chaste kiss to my mouth.

  ‘My cousin is calling you. I think you should go.’

  I swallow against a suddenly dry throat and slowly the dream fractures around me. Then he’s gone and I’m lying sprawled on the couch. Dante’s clicking his fingers in my face, trying to wake me up.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  I shove Dante, hard, and he takes a step back. ‘That is the deepest sleep I’ve ever seen,’ he says.

  ‘Ouch,’ I say eloquently and gingerly touch my head, which feels thick and heavy with sleep. I let him pull me up into a sitting position.

  ‘Have some water.’ Aiden passes me a bottle, the small halo visible on the label. He bought a stock of holy water for me to drink, calling it my juju-juice. ‘You stink of magic,’ he says conversationally. ‘And of Thorn. The whole house reeks.’

  Dante looks between us. ‘What are you talking about?’

  ‘I’ve noticed that when Thorn’s been piggybacking on Kit’s dreams and she wakes up, she smells like him. I could smell him the day you guys used the mirror too. It clung to you too, but at least you didn’t carry his scent as much as Kit did. However, I don’t suppose you’ve been snogging him in your dreams.’ Aiden’s watching me with an expression that tells me he’s more than a little concerned. His words are teasing but he looks worried. ‘Welcome back to the real world, Blackhart.’

  ‘I hate you,’ I mutter and stand up, stretching my aching back. ‘What time is it? Why did you let me fall asleep?’

  ‘It’s after 3 a.m. We couldn’t get you to wake up at all. Dante even suggested trying love’s one true kiss but I explained it wouldn’t work, because you’ve already met your Prince Charming.’

  ‘Why are you even talking?’ I mutter, pushing past him. ‘Just keep quiet. Or I’ll shove you off the nearest tall building when we get to one.’

  My limbs feel like lead as I try to navigate the furniture, but one of the boys grips me gently before I can fall and land on my face.

  ‘She’s just started bleeding,’ Aiden tells Dante as if I’m not even there – and I’m not really. I can’t seem to escape the clutches of my deep sleep. I sag in Aiden’s grip and watch, fascinated, as two drops of red blood splash from my nose onto my Converse. I lean forward to stare at the widening circles of blood and feel myself drawn towards the depth of colour, towards the scent of iron and blood. It’s with great difficulty that I lift my head.

  ‘Kit, no. No passing out. Come on. This isn’t you.’ Aiden is staring at me, his expression very serious. I try to pat his shoulder reassuringly, trying to indicate that I’m fine, but I miss it completely.

  I let Aiden lead me back to the sofa and I sit down with a sigh and close my eyes. Someone passes me a wad of tissues and an icepack and I go through the whole ritual of pinching my nose, and waiting it out until my nose stops bleeding. I don’t have to open my eyes to feel them watching me.

  ‘What?’ I mutter, my tone defensive. ‘I’m fine. Just tired.’

  Aiden is the one to speak. ‘You’re seeing the doctor in the morning. These nosebleeds aren’t normal …’

  ‘I’m not registered with your GP,’ I point out, gingerly moving the icepack away from my face and dabbing at my nose.

  ‘Dr Forster won’t care.’ Aiden throws me a look. ‘He’s my family’s GP.’

  ‘Is he a vet?’ I can’t help but snark. ‘Do werewolves even have GPs?’

  Dante looks horrified but Aiden just shrugs. ‘Mature. A dog joke.’

  ‘You won’t get an appointment that soon,’ I point out, pleased that I could still think even if it feels as if my brain is turning to mush.

  ‘Who says anything about seeing him at his surgery?’ Aiden thumbs a speed dial number on his mobile and goes into the kitchen to make the call.

  ‘How’re you feeling?’ Dante’s voice is a bit too quiet for my liking when he speaks.

  ‘Eh, I’ve been better. Sorry about the bleeding. I think you got some on you.’

  Dante looks down at his grey T-shirt and shrugs. ‘I’ve had worse.’

  I try not to focus on how he’s treating me, as if I’m something fragile.

  ‘Why haven’t you been to see someone about the nosebleeds before now? What are you really scared about?’

  I’m surprised by his astute question but wonder if he’s using his ability to sense my feelings. ‘No, that’s rude,’ I mutter. ‘Stop reading me.’

  ‘You’re deflecting now.’ Dante sits closer, his eyes dark. ‘I try never to read you, but I don’t need to do that to see you’re scared, but you’re doing your best to hide it.’

  The air’s taken on a tint of his magic now and isn’t that just the best smell in the world? Blood and magic is a lethal combo and I seem to have become very susceptible to it of late. I let the silence stretch out too long and Dante leans closer.

  ‘Come on, Kit. What are you worried about?’

  This isn’t something I’ve even wanted to think about, never mind share with someone else. And yet Dante’s possibly the one guy who’d understand this, so I decide to put it out there.

  ‘My magic,’ I whisper. ‘I’m human, Dante. I shouldn’t have magic. If I go and see a doctor they’ll do tests and they’ll know …’

  ‘Know what?’

  ‘Know that I’m not normal. That I’m a …’ The word sticks in my throat and I shake my head. I can’t say it. I fight the tears back and blink up at him.

  He frowns but catches on quickly. ‘You’re not a freak, Kit.’

  The word reverberates through me and I gasp, feeling as if I’ve been punched. Hearing the word from someone else makes it real, makes me ache, but I press on because I have to try to explain myself to him. ‘What I can do isn’t normal. Humans don’t have magic.’

  ‘How do you know?’

  My mouth opens and I stare at him. ‘What?’

  ‘Maybe humanity had magic thousands of years ago. And maybe, when the world split into the Otherwhere and here, mankind lost that ability. What if a spark of magic still lingers within some, like you? From what you’ve told me, about when your power manifested …’ His voice trails off and he watches me carefully, choosing his words with deliberate care. ‘It had not been a good time. You faced your grandmother’s killers with a knife in your hand and your uncle by your side. You’d just found out what being a Blackhart really meant and what your family did for a living. Something in you reacted to that. You found a well of strength within yourself that few people need to tap into. And I sense you dug deep – because you’re not half-hearted about anything. And maybe, that’s all it is. You accessed your strength and found that your power turned out to b
e magic.’

  I brush the tears from my eyes and stare at him. ‘You’re ridiculous,’ I manage in a whisper, my throat tight. ‘You make it sound like the worst promo for a superhero movie ever.’

  He gives me a hug and I take a ragged breath, closing my eyes against the tears.

  ‘Anytime, Blackhart.’

  ‘I don’t want to see a doctor,’ I say, and even to my ears I sound like a petulant three-year-old. ‘This isn’t something a doctor can help me with, anyway.’

  ‘Tough, because you’ve got an appointment in an hour.’

  Aiden re-emerges, his voice seeming harsh, but I know how little patience he has with introspection. And I’ve seen that look on his face before – Shaun wears it a lot when dealing with Aiden himself – a look that says he’s about three thousand per cent done with Aiden.

  ‘Dr Forster is expecting you and, even if I have to tie you up, I’m taking you to see him.’ He crosses his arms across his chest. ‘Doc Forster is a good guy, Kit. He has strong ties to the supernatural community and he’ll be able to tell us what’s going on, okay?’

  ‘Okay, fine, we’ll go. But if he does anything weird I’m out of there.’

  ‘Weird like how?’ Aiden asks me, trying and failing to hide a look a triumph. ‘He’s not going to see if a radioactive spider will bite you, Kit.’

  ‘I’ll punch his lights out first,’ I say, and I mean it. I stand up and touch Dante’s shoulder for a brief second, trying to convey my thanks when I don’t really have the words. He flushes slightly and I know that, like me, he’s a little overwhelmed by our conversation that felt very much like Real Talk.