Fae frowned. ‘I suppose their mother and father are quite large too.’
But Shadow continued to outgrow Willow and Rue over the next three days. Whilst the two females remained small, Shadow was nearing the size of an average fox. I remembered how Hawthorne had grown at an alarming rate too. So why weren’t Willow and Rue growing at all?
I was glad that I had Fae for company. She was a little intense sometimes in her approach to situations, but I was growing used to her. Also, it seemed, was my Power. After a few days around the fiery redhead I was able to produce Fire once more – though not as Powerful as usual.
‘Keep practicing,’ Fae told me. ‘Your Power will grow much stronger whilst I am around.’
So I took Fae’s advice and practiced producing flames when she was nearby - she enjoyed watching me try, too. Often it would require a lot of effort to produce the tiniest of flames. Other times it was far too easy to lose control – those were the times I thought about Helena and the Realm. Fae was rather impressed with the strength of my Power, but I knew it was anger that fuelled the flames. Now, even the thought of Jack was enough to send me over the edge. I missed him so dearly, it was painful to think about. I didn’t reveal my heartache to Fae though, because I knew she would despise my dependency on a man.
But something did worry me. Perhaps it was Fae that fuelled my hatred, as I was growing increasingly vengeful with each passing day. Maybe being around such an angry person like Fae was not good for my emotions, whereas time spent around Jack usually calmed me. All I knew was I was becoming restless, and stressed. With each passing day, my hatred for the Realm increased by ten fold, and I knew it was only a matter of time before I lost control.
Chapter Nineteen
Three Letters
KENNETH REDDING
Kenneth hadn’t spoken as he’d left the lodge. He’d simply pecked his wife on the cheek and ruffled Helena’s hair before hauling a rucksack over his shoulder and exiting the room. Even Anya hadn’t said a thing, but she never did say much these days. Perhaps they’d exhausted all the combinations of words one might have in a conversation with their partner.
Kenneth walked into town. They were currently living at a lodge in Hew Town, a small village a few hours from Mortlock. It was quiet and safe here, perfect for Helena as loud noises, crowds of people, and animals tended to frighten her.
Kenneth headed straight for the Messenger Service shop, three envelopes clutched in his hand, each one addressed to a different household; Scotland, Truscott, and Stalk – the members of the Human Emancipation League. Each letter said the exact same thing:
It’s time.
The ashes will fall.
Meet Friday next at noon. You know where.
KR.
It had to be short and sweet, in case the letters were intercepted and read by the wrong person. If the correct recipients received these letters they would know what it meant.
Arriving at the messenger shop, Kenneth paid three gold pieces to have the letters sent to the correct homes.
Bran and Elise Stalk were closest to Kenneth, residing in Scyre, where Jack’s father lived.
Robert Scotland lived in Flamethroat Valley, so he was the closest to their ultimate destination.
Penny and Tom Truscott were the furthest away, residing in Halfhill, in the very north of England.
Hopefully they would be able to rendezvous at the meeting point within nine days as the letters stated. Kenneth thought it was a sufficient amount of time to get their affairs in order and organize transport.
Anya, of course, would not travel with Kenneth as she needed to look after Helena, and could not do so on the road. Such a long journey would be dangerous for a fragile girl.
The Messenger Shop assistant took the letters and promised they’d be delivered within twenty-four hours. Kenneth thanked the lady and began the walk back to the lodge, his first task completed, though he knew the difficult trials were still ahead of him.
It would take a week to walk to Concord City by himself. Kenneth didn’t have the money for a horse, nor was he lucky enough to have a flying monster like his daughter, Avalon. Nevertheless, he would gladly make the journey because it was for a good cause.
When Kenneth arrived back at the lodge, his wife was bathing Helena in a small tub in the corner of the room. As he entered, she did not bother to look up at him.
‘Did you do it?’ she asked after he’d closed the door, her focus on Helena.
‘Yes,’ he replied.
‘When will you leave?’ she asked, no hint of emotion in her voice.
‘Right away,’ he said.
‘And how long will you be gone for?’ Still, her tone suggested a complete lack of interest.
‘As long as it takes,’ he said.
‘Oh.’
‘I came to say goodbye,’ said Kenneth, walking to Anya’s side.
‘Goodbye, then,’ she said as she scrubbed under Helena’s arm. The child shied away from the sponge sulkily.