Arcanum (Willowbrook #5)

1. Little Damsel

1

Little Damsel

Merin

M erin Dobson walked alongside Margareth through the quaint cobblestone streets of Creekguard, a charming little town not far from Willowbrook. He breathed in the crisp air, savoring the earthy scent that reminded him of the forests he loved so much. Even though this place wasn’t his true home, it still felt comfortingly familiar.

Margareth’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. “Remember, Merin, we’re here to help young Chrissy.”

Merin nodded, his expression turning serious. “Aye, I haven’t forgotten. It’s not an easy path, being a seer.” He spoke from experience - his own journey had been filled with confusion, isolation, and a constant sense of being different.

“Her parents are eager for our guidance,” Margareth continued. “They want to know how to best support Chrissy as she navigates her new abilities.”

“Well, that’s a pleasant surprise!” Merin laughed, but there was a hint of bitterness in his voice. “Wish I’d had supportive parents growing up. Would’ve made things a hell of a lot easier.”

Margareth gave him a sympathetic look. She knew his story all too well. “I know it wasn’t easy for you, Merin. But look at you now - you’re strong, capable, and ready to be there for Chrissy in a way no one was for you.”

“Damn straight,” Merin agreed, his crooked grin returning. “So, we’re heading to your cottage, right? Somewhere private where Chrissy can feel safe to open up?”

Margareth nodded. “Exactly. I’m hoping you can talk to her, share some of your own experiences. Let her know she’s not alone.”

Merin’s mind drifted to his own past. Growing up in the foster system, he’d never known the stability of a permanent home. The other kids had always thought him odd, with his fiery red hair and his tendency to drift off into daydreams that were actually glimpses of the future.

It wasn’t until he was a teenager that he started seeking out the solace of the forests. Among the towering pines and rustling leaves, he felt a sense of peace and belonging that had always eluded him among people.

“You’re thinking about your past, aren’t you?” Margareth asked softly, pulling him back to the present.

Merin sighed. “Hard not to, when I think about what this lass Chrissy must be going through. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”

“But she has something you didn’t,” Margareth reminded him. “She has parents who love her and want to understand. And she has you.”

A slow smile spread across Merin’s face. “That she does. Reckon between you and me, we can help her make sense of all this.”

Margareth looked at him, her eyes filled with understanding. “Merin, it’s moments like these that remind me how important our role is as the last known seers. We have a responsibility to guide the younger generation, to help them navigate this path that can be so isolating and confusing.”

Merin nodded, his expression turning thoughtful. “You’re right, as usual. It’s just… it brings back a lot of memories, you know? Memories of feeling lost and alone, of not having anyone to turn to who truly understood what I was going through.”

“I know,” Margareth said softly, placing a comforting hand on his arm. “But that’s why we’re here, isn’t it? To be the support we wish we’d had.”

Merin’s crooked grin returned. “Aye, that it is. And speaking of support, any news on Benjamin and Adrian’s little one? Last I heard, that magical bun in the oven was due to pop out any day now.”

Margareth chuckled at his choice of words. “The seed from the fae realm is expected to blossom soon, yes. Though I must admit, the intricacies of the magical process are a bit beyond my understanding.”

“You and me both,” Merin laughed. “I’m just hoping the kid inherits Benjamin’s sunny disposition and not Adrian’s grumpy old bear routine.”

* * *

As they approached Chrissy’s house, Merin suddenly felt a prickle of unease. His magic, always simmering just beneath the surface, began to react, sending warning signals that set his teeth on edge.

He exchanged a concerned glance with Margareth, seeing his own worry reflected in her eyes. Without a word, they quickened their pace, hurrying up the path to the front door.

Merin didn’t bother knocking. With a sense of urgency thrumming through his veins, he pushed the door open, calling out, “Chrissy? Chrissy, where are you?”

Margareth’s voice joined his, echoing through the seemingly empty rooms. “Chrissy? It’s Margareth and Merin. We’re here to help!”

But there was no response, only an eerie silence that sent chills down Merin’s spine. He closed his eyes for a moment, reaching out with his magical senses, trying to locate Chrissy’s aura.

And there it was - a faint, flickering light, like a candle flame buffeted by the wind. But something was wrong. The light was tinged with darkness, pulsing with a sickly, unnatural energy that made Merin’s stomach turn.

His eyes snapped open, meeting Margareth’s worried gaze. “She’s here,” he said grimly. “But something’s not right. I can feel it.”

As they climbed the stairs to the second floor, Merin couldn’t shake the sense of foreboding that clung to him like a shroud. The air felt thick and heavy, like a storm about to break.

A soft, pained whimper, came from behind a closed door at the end of the hall. He exchanged a quick glance with Margareth before striding forward, his hand reaching for the doorknob.

The door swung open, revealing a sight that made Merin’s blood run cold. Chrissy was huddled in the corner of her bedroom, her knees drawn up to her chest, rocking back and forth. But it was her eyes that truly frightened him - they were pitch black, devoid of any light or recognition.

Chrissy’s parents, lying motionless on the floor nearby, their bodies bearing the unmistakable marks of a brutal attack. Blood pooled beneath them, staining the carpet a sickening crimson.

Merin fought back a wave of nausea, his mind reeling from the gruesome discovery. He’d seen his fair share of violence in his visions, but nothing could have prepared him for the reality of it, for the coppery scent of blood and the overwhelming sense of wrongness that permeated the room.

Beside him, Margareth drew in a sharp breath, her face pale but determined. She quickly assessed the situation, her keen eyes taking in every grim detail.

“We need to get Chrissy out of here,” she said, her voice low and urgent. “This is no place for a child, especially not after what she’s just witnessed.”

Merin nodded, swallowing hard against the lump in his throat. “Aye, you’re right. But where will we take her? She has no other family, and the authorities… they won’t understand what’s really happened here.”

Margareth’s expression turned thoughtful. “Adrian,” she said after a moment. “His manor is secluded, protected. It’s the safest place for her right now.”

Merin raised an eyebrow. “You sure about that? Adrian’s not exactly known for his nurturing nature.”

“He’ll understand the gravity of the situation,” Margareth replied, already reaching for her phone. “And more importantly, he has the resources to help us keep Chrissy hidden until we can figure out our next move.”

Merin turned his attention to Chrissy. The poor lass was shaking like a leaf, her eyes still those frightening pools of black.

Slowly, carefully, he approached her, kneeling down to her level. “Chrissy? Lass, it’s me, Merin. Do you remember me?”

For a moment, there was no response. But then, slowly, Chrissy’s head turned towards him, a flicker of recognition sparking in those dark depths.

“M-Merin?” she whispered, her voice small and broken. “What… what happened? My parents, they… they’re…”

Merin’s heart clenched at the raw pain in her voice. He reached out, gently taking her small hands in his larger, calloused ones.

“I know, lass. I know. And I’m so, so sorry. But you’re not alone, alright? Margareth and I, we’re here now. We’re going to take care of you.”

Chrissy’s lower lip trembled, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. “But why? Why did this happen? I don’t understand…”

Merin sighed, wishing he had the answers she so desperately needed. But he knew that to truly help Chrissy, he needed to understand what had happened, as painful as it might be for her to recount.

Gently, he asked, “Chrissy, I know this is hard, but can you tell me what happened? What did you see when you got home?”

Chrissy’s lower lip trembled, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. “I… I got home from school, and I found them like this. They were just lying there, so still, and there was so much blood…”

Her voice broke, a sob tearing from her throat. Merin squeezed her hands gently, offering what comfort he could. “I’m so sorry, Chrissy. I can’t even imagine how scary that must have been for you.”

Chrissy nodded, sniffling. “But… but that’s not all. Before I found them, I had a vision. It was so dark, so confusing, but I saw… I saw a man with a cane. He was standing over them, and he was laughing…”

Merin’s blood ran cold, a sickening realization dawning on him. A man with a cane. Riordan. If Riordan was involved in this, then Chrissy was in even more danger than he had realized. The man was ruthless, obsessed with power and control, and he would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.

“We won’t let anyone hurt you, not ever again.” Merin said confidently.

Chrissy stared at him, her dark eyes searching his. “But what about the man with the cane? What if he comes back?”

Merin met her gaze squarely, his own eyes blazing with a fierce protectiveness. “If he does, he’ll have to go through me first. I won’t let him lay a finger on you, Chrissy. I swear it on my life.”

And he meant it, with every fiber of his being. Riordan may be a powerful fae but Merin won’t stop until they catch him. Now, the only thing that mattered was keeping Chrissy safe, no matter the cost.

Chrissy nodded slowly, some of the fear easing from her face. “Okay,” she whispered.

Those simple words hit Merin like a punch to the gut. Trust. It was such a fragile thing, so easily broken. And yet, in the midst of all this horror and heartbreak, Chrissy was choosing to place her trust in him.

It was a responsibility he did not take lightly, a sacred oath he silently vowed to uphold. He would be worthy of that trust, would move heaven and earth to keep Chrissy safe and guide her through the darkness ahead.

“I won’t let you down. I promise.” He said softly, his voice rough with emotion.

He squeezed her hands gently, trying to pour every ounce of comfort and reassurance he could into the simple gesture. Chrissy stared at him for a long moment, her dark eyes searching his, before she finally nodded, a tiny, tentative motion.

He stood up and gently pulling Chrissy to her feet. “We need to go now. I know it’s hard, but we need you to be brave for just a little while longer. Can you do that for me?”

Chrissy hesitated, her gaze drifting back to the still forms of her parents. Fresh tears welled up, but she blinked them back, a flicker of determination entering her eyes.

“I… I think so,” she whispered. “But… but what about my stuff? My clothes, my books…”

Margareth came in and stepped forward, laying a comforting hand on Chrissy’s shoulder. “Don’t you worry about that, sweetheart. Merin and I will pack a bag for you. You just focus on staying strong, alright?”

Chrissy nodded, leaning into Margareth’s touch like a flower seeking the sun. Merin felt a swell of affection for his old friend - she had such a way with children, a gentle strength that seemed to calm even the most troubled of souls.

As Margareth led Chrissy out of the room, murmuring soothing words all the while, Merin set about the task of gathering the girl’s belongings. He moved quickly, efficiently, trying not to dwell on the reason for this sudden upheaval.

But as he packed Chrissy’s favorite stuffed animal, a well-worn teddy bear with a missing eye, the reality of the situation hit him like a punch to the gut. This little girl’s life had just been shattered, her innocence ripped away in the most brutal of fashions.

And now, it was up to him and Margareth to pick up the pieces, to guide Chrissy through the darkness and into the light. It was a daunting prospect, a responsibility that weighed heavily on his shoulders.

“Ready?” Margareth asked softly, her free hand coming to rest on Merin’s arm.

Merin nodded, his heart heavy but resolute. He pulled out his phone, his fingers hovering over Adrian’s number for a moment before he dialed. The phone rang twice before Adrian’s voice, laced with surprise, came through.

“Merin? This is unexpected. Is everything alright?”

Merin glanced at Chrissy, who was still clutching Margareth’s hand, her eyes red-rimmed and distant. He turned away slightly, lowering his voice.

“Adrian, something terrible has happened. Chrissy’s parents… they’re gone. We need to move quickly. Can you arrange for someone to handle the situation? We can’t risk the human authorities getting involved.”

There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line, then a moment of stunned silence. “Gods, Merin. I… I’m so sorry. Of course, I’ll take care of it immediately. I have contacts who can handle this discreetly.”

“Thank you,” Merin breathed, relief evident in his voice. “We’re taking Chrissy back to the manor. She needs somewhere safe right now.”

“Absolutely,” Adrian replied, his voice now filled with determination. “I’ll make the necessary arrangements and meet you there as soon as I can. Take care of her, Merin. This poor child… she’ll need all of us now.”

The call ended, and Merin slipped the phone back into his pocket. He turned back to Margareth and Chrissy, forcing a reassuring smile onto his face despite the heaviness in his heart.

“Alright, it’s all set,” he said softly. “We’re going to take you somewhere safe, Chrissy. Somewhere you can rest.”

Chrissy looked up at him, her eyes wide and vulnerable. “What about… what about my parents?”

Merin knelt down in front of her, his chest tight with the weight of her grief. “We’re taking care of them, I promise. They’ll be treated with respect.”

He stood up, meeting Margareth’s gaze once more. The older woman nodded, a silent acknowledgment of the task ahead and the long road that lay before them all.

“Come on,” Merin said gently, reaching out to take Chrissy’s free hand. “Let’s go home.”