51. Chapter Fifty-One
Chapter Fifty-One
Effie
Dwellin’s door creaks softly behind me as I pull it shut. The road is illuminated by the glow of the full moon. Howls of nearby shifters pierce the night as they worship their moon goddess Hekate. I wait patiently for Astrid, searching the sky for a shooting star I can make a wish on. My search pays off when a bright white streak arcs across the sky and I close my eyes.
I wish to meet my mate.
“Are you ready to go?” Astrid startles me, her black hair bluer in the moonlight.
“Yeah, I’ve been waiting for you.” I offer an arm to her and we start down the moss path that leads to the forest. Nonna has been around for as long as I can remember. Before Myrr was hidden, people from all over would come to her for her remedies. She can ease the itchiest rash, cure illnesses that otherwise were thought to be incurable, and some rumors even say she can speak to the animals around her.
We follow the road for a way, the chill of night seeping into my bones. I cut off onto a dirt path, the earthy smell of mud and fresh rain permeating the air as the path slowly devolves to mud. My boots squelch in the muck as the trees become spindlier. Their roots are like stilts holding them out of the water. Bugs begin to buzz loudly in the air, cicada’s sing their nightly song adding to the quiet harmony of a swamp at night. Vines and moss hang from the trees casting shadows along with the leaves. A small cottage stands on a dock surrounded by the waterways of the swamp. The thatch roof comes to a single peak. Moss hangs from the wooden sides of the structure, and a lone round window to the right of the door peers out at us. I sigh at the familiar sight. It has been a long time since I have journeyed to this cabin, and I cannot wait to see Nonna again.
“Why doesn’t she live in a tree?” Astrid studies the small home.
“She did once, but her tree’s heart grew old, and it gave out. After Cherry died, she refused to accept another.” I tuck in the ends of my T-shirt into my high waisted jeans before I start brushing any kind of fuzz or debris from my pants. I want to look my best; it’s been years since she has seen me. “Let’s go see if she’s awake yet.”
The boards of the porch creek under my weight, and I swallow, my throat suddenly dry. I haven’t seen my grandmother in years, not since our argument about the arranged marriage. Butterflies flutter up my throat as it constricts, and I have to steel my nerves before I rapt my knuckles against the age worn door. I wait a few moments before easing the door open. She never minded in the past when I would let myself in. The creak echoes into the pitch dark of the cottage.
“Nonna?” I call, my voice drifting into the silent hut. Ash’s breath is warm on my neck as she follows a little too close behind me.
“I don’t think anyone is here, maybe we should come back when it’s daylight , ” Astrid whispers as she tries to pull me back outside. I shake her off, and step fully into the home. With a snap of my fingers, a black fire illuminates the room in a blue-ish tint.
“She’s always here.” Concern laces through my voice as I take in the disheveled state of things. The bookshelf that lines the back of the room is empty, a pile of books littering the floor in front of it. Like someone dumped them off the shelves. Books of herbology, botany, alchemy, and so much more that Nonna has collected over the thousands of years she has been alive.
The small twin-sized bed that is usually shoved in the back-left corner, is now flipped upside down in the center of the room. Glass litters the kitchen like she was caught doing dishes and broken potion bottles litter the floor. It’s the first defense she always goes for. They can’t kill me if they’re a mouse, is how she always explained it. My heart constricts at the thought. Someone must have come for her if she was using her potions. The dining table is flipped on its side, the chairs strewn about. There in the right corner of the room is a shadow that seems to be too dark to be a shadow. I kneel holding out my hand. Large white teeth missing lips accompanied by large round nostrils make up its rodent-like face. Nonna wouldn’t have ever gone anywhere without Beau. Concern laces through me that Nonna may not have escaped her attackers. The creature towers over me on four legs with a body of sleek black fur, and a tail of bones swishes behind him. Small ears stick from his head that twitch as I coo. I have to calm him down to his normal form.
“Oh Beau, it’s okay, sweet boy. The bad guys are gone.” Talons scrape along the ground as he takes a couple of steps, closing the space between him and me. I reach up, placing my palm against his nose, and he shrinks. Instantly becoming a circular bundle of black fur with large tearful eyes that immediately begins to squabble like he’s trying to talk to me.
“ Shhhhh, it’s okay, I’m here. Why is this place such a mess?” I ask, continuing to baby-talk to the ball of fluff.
“Effie, what is that creature?” Astrid’s voice startles me, I forgot she was even here with me in my worry.
“This is Beau, he’s a shu’kerchin. He’s bonded to Nonna. He doesn’t usually leave her side. Something bad must’ve happened. We need to get him to Popop.” I cradle Beau like a baby before turning back to the door. I don’t bother to close it as I walk back down the muck covered ground. I search the surroundings for any sign of a clue as to where they could have gone, or where Nonna could have been taken. But any footprints in the mud are long gone, covered by rain or other animals. I can’t help the worry that grips me. I know Nonna is a spirited old lady, she can take care of herself. But I don’t think she should have to when she’s surrounded by family who would gladly help. My thoughts hurry me on, adding speed to my stride as Astrid struggles to keep up.
“Visiting hours will start up again in the morning,” a guard calls as we approach the entrance of the royal courtyard.
“The Crone is missing, it is imperative that we see the King,” I say urgently. The guard holds his flashlight up, shining it in my face as recognition flits across his features.
“Princess Effie, of course, of course, please this way,” he says, passing off his flashlight to another guard telling him not to let anyone else enter the castle grounds before rushing us through the castle’s never-ending halls and into Popop’s private study. The echoey vastness of the castle halls diminishes to a cozy air as we step into a room lined with bookshelves. Each leather-bound edition is immaculately clean and dusted. Beau is warm, tucked into my arms as I pace the front of the handcrafted desk. The deep royal purple rug is emblazoned with a ring of mushrooms; the crest of the city.
The King’s cloudy eyes have dark circles sagging beneath them and a steaming mug is clutched between his hands, the smell of coffee wafting from it. He walks carefully to his chair, setting the cup down before he takes his seat.
“What’s the emergency, granddaughter?” Concern laces through his tone.
“Nonna, she’s gone,” Effie says, revealing the shaken Beau in her arms. “Her house is a mess and I found Beau hiding in the corner in his monster form.” The words rush out of my mouth as the panic in my chest rises threatening to overtake me into hysterics. Who would want to take her? Was it demons? Have the wards gone down? Myrr is supposed to be safe. This brings that very thing into question, the entire reason we shrouded this territory in wards. Not just to keep our cities hidden, but also safe. The questions run through my head as I begin to teeter on the verge of overwhelm. King Ephraim stands and walks around his desk. He embraces me in one movement, his warm familiar cinnamon scent engulfing me.
“We’ll find her,” he whispers into my hair before turning to his butler. “Bring me the commander, every guard will aid in the search. We will have the city searched by daylight.”