21. Kaiya
Who wanted to see me?
I desperately fought the urge to pull the covers back over my head and go to sleep. Surely I”d wake up and all this mess would have just been another bad dream …
But we didn”t have time for that.
Reluctantly, I took in the red sandstone walls, the silken fabric of the bedding, and the ornate carvings on the door, and groaned. Lying to myself was pointless. This mess was too real, too unexpected. Too painful to be a dream. Just thinking about the lies made my blood boil and sharp prickles burned the back of my eyes.
My gaze caught on my bag sitting beside the closet opposite me. Could I get away with leaving the village now and doing the mission alone?
No.
I might be stubborn, but I wasn”t stupid.
If the reports from Frexin were correct, I”d need both Jaiel and the support team”s help.
But I couldn”t go back to the almost-friendship we”d had on the ship. He”d lied to me for two years, and then said I should have expected it …
Something painful twisted in my chest, and I pushed it away, shaking my head.
Only the mission mattered. Somewhere on the Isle was a relic more dangerous than the one in Karemi. I needed to do whatever it took to locate and turn it in to Frexin.
Even if it meant shelving my anger toward the Fae prince for the time being.
Forcing a deep breath, I pushed back the covers and stood. Then I slipped a fresh shirt and pants on and twisted my hair into a simple bun.
The first step was getting some food to satisfy my rumbling belly and then meet whoever was waiting downstairs.
After that, I could find Jaiel and figure out just how far off track we were.
Taking one last look in the mirror, I took a slow, measured breath and walked out of the room.
Red stone walls extended down the hallways to my left and right, and carved stone stairs at the end led down to what I assumed was the lower floor. Hells! Even the ceiling was made of that same red stone. It was a stunning explosion of color and new architecture.
Curious, I strode down the hallway to the stairs, running my fingers along the rough walls as I walked.
They led to a landing with a small window. As I reached the landing, I froze.
Outside were enormous cliffs of red, yellow, and orange striated sandstone. Pillars had been carved into the cliffs, and rounded doors and windows were scattered across them like little eyes peeking out from the bright backdrop.
Holy hells! Was the entire village carved into stone?
”Ahh. I guess Liam didn”t tell you much about our home, did he?”
”No. Eli —” I caught myself. Not Eli. The Eli I knew was dead. ”— Liam didn”t.”
I turned to see Eli/Liam”s grandmother standing at the base of the stairs. She smiled up at me, dish cloth hanging from one hand.
”Your home is stunning,” I said, motioning to the stairs and the scene outside the window.
She shrugged. ”This place has been here since long before the Twisting — or The Fall, as you mainlanders call it. Perhaps you”ll be able to stay and look around? It”s a beautiful, if somewhat empty, stronghold of late.” She gestured deeper within the house. ”Plus, based on what I saw earlier … it might do Liam some good to have you around making his life hell.” She winked, and I fought the urge to run as those raging emotions surged inside me.
Throat tight, I grunted noncommittally.
Smiling, she gestured for me to follow. ”Come say hi while we finish lunch.” Then she disappeared around the corner.
I descended the final steps and rushed after her, trying not to be distracted by all the artwork and shelves of books adorning the walls.
What I wouldn”t give to read them all …
We passed through several more turns before finally emerging into a larger room. It was warmer than the rest of the house, and the familiar rich herby scents permeating the air made my mouth water.
A woman stood over a wooden table, slicing a loaf of fresh bread. Her black hair was coiled tightly in a bun atop her head. A slight man with a tightly spun mustache stood behind her, his hands resting on the woman”s hips, lips curved in a heart-achingly familiar smile.
My heart lurched.
”Mr. and Mrs. Harlsted?” The words were out before I could stop them, and the couple looked over at me.
Two long years had passed since we last spoke, and my eyes prickled as I stared at their familiar faces. They were older — grayer — but still the same.
Mrs. Harlsted”s smile dropped, and the knife she was holding clattered to the table as she rushed over. ”Kaiya — oh, my dear!”
I was wrapped in her warm hug before I had a chance to think.
”Kiddo, you”re awake!” Mr. Harlsted”s voice came from behind me, and then his arms were wrapped around me, as well. ”Mrs. Harlsted was growing worried when you weren”t waking up. And that nephew of ours — he”s been a mess. Although it”s hard to tell now that he”s gone all stone-faced. We told him you had to feel to grieve, but does he ever listen to us? Of course not. Hopefully, you can help him now that you”re back.”
Squished between the two of them, with the smell of fresh bread wafting, my heart melted.
Home.
Being right here felt more like home than anything I”d experienced in the past two years. Even my visits with Aunt Grace hadn”t felt so safe, so comfortable, after that night.
Finally, Mrs. Harlsted stepped back, wiping tears from her cheek, then mine.
I tried to speak — to step away, but I couldn”t move. My feet were frozen, and my heart threatened to beat out of my chest.
By the time things had settled down that night, the Harlsted”s little shop was cleared out and they were gone. Frexin was on a warpath, looking for anyone and everyone connected to the cult.
Because of me, Eli had gotten tangled up with them, so I had no doubt Frexin would have tracked him back to his aunt and uncle. It was smart for them to get away.
I couldn”t logically blame them for leaving.
But logic had little to do with my feelings. And that night, I”d lost everyone close to me, save for my aunt.
I”d cried for weeks … and they hadn”t been there.
”You left …” My voice was barely a whisper, just a hint at the maelstrom raging inside me. ”Why not leave a note letting me know you were okay? And if you knew about Eli — Liam —”
They”d even tried to set me up with him!
Betrayal twisted in my gut.
Mrs. Harlsted wiped her hands on her skirt, looking uncomfortable, then grabbed a piece of bread and passed it to me. ”I — we”re so sorry, Kaiya. We were working with the Rogues. So, when our covers were blown, and the Empire swooped in, we had to relocate. Cutting ties wasn”t what we”d have chosen, but it was how things needed to be — for everyone”s safety.”
I heard her words, but I couldn”t process them as the anger and hurt inside me grew stronger, threatening to break free.
I”d grown up with them, eaten bread inside their shop, spent hours learning about relics from Mr. Harlsted and his books. And yet I”d never really known them.
Was I just a mission to them, too?
Forsaken hells!
I tried to push down the feelings, but it was too late. A soft sob wrested itself from my chest. Then another one.
I stepped back. It was all too much. I just — I needed space.
Their concerned faces wavered in my vision.
I couldn”t look at those faces. I couldn”t be here where everyone could see.
I took another step away.
My chest burned. Fire flooded through my veins.
I had to get away.
Then I was running, my feet hitting the stone floor in a rhythmic pounding, their voices a distant rumble in the back of my mind.