Chapter Thirty-Six
Avari
‘How was your search?’ I asked Miriam when we landed in front of our estate. The poor girl looked tired, or maybe that was Michael’s effect on her.
Looking into the distance, her gaze appeared ever further away. Finally, her eye twitched as she exhaled sharply. ‘It’s making me question everything I know.’
‘In what way?’ I asked and followed her unnervingly silent footsteps as she neared the porch.
We turned the corner before she stopped, going utterly still. ‘When you get to my age, you start to assume you’ve got everything—and everyone—figured out. You realise everyone has a purpose and fills preapproved roles. The only question is whether they’ve been assigned by Gods or biology.’
The unexpected depth caught me off guard. She was acting a little stranger than usual. ‘Are you saying you no longer think that?’
‘I’m saying perhaps there are people that can live rule and role-free without feeling out of place.’ She played with her long braid, pretending to focus on stray hairs while her mind obviously drifted away. ‘It’s fascinating.’
I felt lost. ‘Do you feel like you have a role you need to fill?’
Her breath hitched. ‘Don’t you?’
The intense red of her eyes seemed to come to life with intrigue. She awaited my answer like my perspective would help her.
‘No,’ I eventually said. ‘Not really. I don’t think the universe plans that far ahead. Not when it comes to me.’
Something warm and startled stirred in her gaze at once. ‘Why?’
‘Well, I nearly died so many times, I guess they stopped trying to assign me a role. It’d just be a waste,’ I chuckled nervously when she remained serious.
She went still, like a breathtaking sculpture, something never meant for this realm. ‘Huh. What an odd thing to say. What role would you like to fulfil in your life?’
Gods, did I ever consider that? Miriam waited patiently while my mind scrambled for an answer. ‘I don’t know. I spent most of my time just trying to survive.’
‘I understand.’ A faint heaviness settled into her features. ‘You are young anyway; I am certain you will find your purpose soon. Is there anything that’s of particular interest to you?’
‘There are some things I like, but I don’t really have time—’
‘What are they?’ She insisted, while taking a seat on the sofa and patting the spot next to her. ‘Indulge me.’
Nothing came to mind at first. I glanced around at the darkening sky, the potted fruit trees lining the porch, and the nearby mushroom patch, artistic if not obscene.
‘Books, obviously.’ I smiled when it finally dawned on me. ‘And animals.’
A warm gust of wind stirred the wind chimes beside us, and the gentle melody seemed to soothe her as she sighed.
‘Gods, you’re just like Alec, aren’t you? Let me guess… Is a shelter part of your plan?’ she giggled, and I found myself enjoying the fact that she’d finally loosened up. The seriousness from earlier had been uncanny.
My lips curved before I could stop them. ‘An aquatic store.’
Something about my admission amused her. ‘A what now?’
‘A fish store. Tropical and saltwater,’ I said, pulling out my phone and looking up the kinds that I hoped to get over the years.
‘I mean… I like their colours. Never knew fish could be so vibrant. And everyone’s got their thing, right? Would you want your store on the Isles or somewhere else?’
Good question. ‘I honestly didn’t give it much thought. I haven’t even explored the Isles yet. Do you see your library as your purpose?’
‘No, but I enjoy it anyway.’ She remained vague. ‘There are always units for rent on the main strip where my library is, by the way, if you ever want to set up your shop here.’
I considered it. Spending my days surrounded by fish without having to deal with Ortensians was a dream come true. ‘Maybe one day.’
‘Why don’t you put an aquarium in the living room if you enjoy them so much?’ Miriam doubled down, and I couldn’t help but smile at her persistence.
I envisioned a hundred-gallon aquarium on the side wall, just where the little liquor area was currently. ‘You think Alec and father would be okay with that?’
‘Are you kidding? Alec will probably make shadow fish for you whenever they kick it. And dad isn't concerned with stuff like that.’
Shadow fish did sound exciting… not that I wanted any of them to die.
‘I’ll think about it,’ I said, my mind circling back to the murder, the mysterious dagger, the crystal and the unpromising search. Thinking about my desires in times like this felt selfish. ‘Do you think we’ll ever actually find the Crones?’
Miriam's face dropped once again. She ran a finger over her lip as if she were weighing what to say.
It looked as though she had something to hide, but I didn’t want to pry. None of the people in my life shared their secrets until they were ready.
A muscle ticked in her cheek before her frown deepened more than I’d ever seen.
‘Are we even sure they’re still where they said they were?’ She breathed out, weary. ‘I mean the directions date back hundreds of years. It’s not outside the scope of possibilities that they chose to move, is it?’
Okay… Harsh but honest. I preferred it. ‘So you’re sceptical?’
‘I… I’m still going to help you look for them; you’re not alone, Ava,’ she said, reassuringly tapping my thigh. ‘Just… It's a very difficult task and situation. The whole blood witch aspect is so… don’t get your hopes up too much, okay?’
‘I think I’m getting a little sceptical myself, even though I don’t like to admit it,’ I said, and she squeezed my hand before letting go.
‘Why is that?’ she asked.
‘Because I don’t want to fail.’
Miriam paused. ‘Ava, do you think you’re the first person to search for them? I’m pretty sure thousands before you failed to find them. And whether you do or not, you’ve put in the effort and that’s what counts.’
The pretty words meant nothing. ‘Not during a war. Not if the blood witches try to gain the upper hand again.’
‘It is a real concern.’ Miriam cringed. ‘But why do you feel personally responsible for what happens? Whether the war erupts or even if we perish, that is not on you!’
‘The instructions they left chose me.’
‘You know witchcraft better than anyone; we don’t know why the box opened for you.’ The tightness in Miriam's shoulders kept spreading. ‘Just… let’s just keep searching for them and hope for the best.’
Hope for the best?
‘So… How was your search?’ The moment I asked, she looked away. ‘I noticed the atmosphere was a bit tense.’
She blinked slowly, her eyes looking everywhere but not into mine. ‘I’m fighting hard not to succumb to my thirst for vengeance.’
‘Oh… oh. For what? And I’m guessing it involves Michael?’
‘Do you think I will cause you much trouble if I murder your mate’s little brother?’ The deepening scowl on her face could give me nightmares.
‘I presume so, Miriam. Please refrain from killing Michael. What did he do now?’
‘Do you realise how difficult it is to raise my blood pressure? I mean, I am the most stoic person I know. I thrive in peace and predictability.’ She swallowed hard, gesturing erratically.
‘And then this bloody idiot comes along, convinced he knows what’s best for me.
And he doesn’t even know me. How delusional is he? ’
‘Okay.’ I had to tread carefully. ‘There is a lot to unpack here. What exactly are you talking about?’
‘It doesn’t even matter. Not really. Not this, anyway.’ Miriam sighed deeply and tore herself from the sofa. ‘Let’s head home; it’s getting cold.’
Though she walked ahead of me, she vanished into the shadows just before we reached the door. I hoped she wasn’t on her way to hurt Michael. Sure, he was annoying, but he wasn’t that bad.
The estate was surprisingly quiet. Peaceful.
I walked in and stepped on a crimson envelope with black writing addressed to Princess W & A. My head spun. Nobody knew Willow lived here.
When a slut and prude begin to rule, I wonder where we all end up.
One sentence.
Enough to know who sent it.
Enough to make an impossible situation worse.