“What?” Jail exclaimed, turning to look back at her in complete shock. “Wisp, tend to her wounds. I have to contact Jala. Apparently Seth might have done a good deed.”
Wait, Jail. What about Devony. Is she all right?” Emily called before the Mind mage had a chance to make it more than two steps toward the door. The child had been annoying to her at first, especially when the Blight instincts were at their height. Recently, however, she had begun to notice the qualities about Valor’s niece that endeared her to every person in Merro. Devony was quick witted and beautiful, even as a child. If the Nightblades had killed the girl, both Jala and Valor would be devastated.
“Devony was with the Knights all day yesterday, which is quite fortunate for us. The Nightblades only attacked here, and lucky for us all they managed to kill no one. Though I’m sure they thought they had finished Wisp and me. Silly bastards should know better than to believe anything when they are fighting a Mind mage,” Jail explained and then smiled. “I’m glad you asked about her, though, Emily. It shows you are truly one of us,” he added before turning once more toward the door.
“I’m sorry, Emily. I shouldn’t have thought that you, that you, well…” Wisp’s voice trailed off once more as she knelt beside Emily. Her small hands began to prod at the wounds checking each one.
“It’s OK, Wisp. Given the circumstances, what else would you think,” Emily assured her and nearly laughed at the shocked look on the Fae’s face. It wasn’t often that she spoke to anyone other than Jail or Jala through the mind links. Now did not seem the time to be picky about such things, though. She needed to reassure Wisp. Especially if she wanted to be healed.
“I’ve never actually seen Seth before. Really. I thought he was just a myth made up to frighten children. I’m not sure how I feel, knowing he is real. Was he as terrifying as the stories say?” Wisp spoke with hesitation, her words still interrupted by the occasional sniffle.
It was hard to suppress the laughter, but Emily did her best. Wisp was upset. Now was not the time to laugh, no matter how amusing her question was. She wasn’t sure the Fae would like her answer either. Actually, Wisp, he looked a good deal like you and your brother, only a bit paler and much less charismatic. My overall impression was a pretty boy Fae that was a complete asshole.
“Oh,” Wisp said in what Emily thought was dismay. “I, uh, I always heard he was a Shifter. At least in the stories, he is, but he looks Fae you say. I, uh, well I suppose there is nothing to be done about it, but I can’t say that I like the Harbinger of Death looking like me,” Wisp mumbled with a frown.
“Legacy is safe with Jala. I’ve spoken with her and everything is fine. I have no idea why he helped but apparently he did,” Jail announced as he reentered the room.
Wisp let out a sigh of relief and wiped the remainder of the tears from her eyes. “Well, that is the good news then. The bad news is, Emily is down for a while. These will have to be stitched until Jala returns unless we want to share the secret with Kendry or Wesley.”
Stitch the wounds. I will wait for Jala, Emily told them both through a mental link, and Jail nodded his agreement with her decision.
“Emily is a trump in our favor as long as she remains a secret among Jala’s friends. While I don’t know for sure that our healers would gossip, I don’t want to take the chance,” Jail said softly.
“Then we are all in agreement. Just one thing, Jail,” Wisp said with a faint smile.
“What’s that?” Jail asked as he sat down beside them.
“Do you know how to help her shift back to her other form?” Wisp asked.
“Uhh. No. You mean she doesn’t know how to do that herself?” Jail asked in confusion, his gaze going back to Emily.
“I’ve heard Shifters have to be taught by their elders how to change their forms,” Wisp said with a shrug.
“Is that true, Emily. Do you not know how to change back?” Jail asked, his gaze fully on her now.
Why would I want to? Why would anyone want to be a Blight, Jail? Emily asked as she rolled onto her side and stretched out, her muscles flexing under her new skin. It was both painful and wonderful at the same time. She could feel the raw power of this form. When she was healed she would be even more devastating to their enemies. The Bendazzi form was like a blessing from the Divine in her eyes. People feared the Bendazzi as well as respected them, but no one despised them simply for existing. Even she despised the Blights and she was one of them. Why would she ever want to change back? The thought itself was almost laughable. She had absolutely no intention of ever being a Blight again. On that she was certain.
Chapter 24
Kithvaryn
Pale blossoms floated down through the air before her. Turning slowly, Jala gazed up at the blossom covered trees around her and felt her burdens lifting. The sky above was a pale blue, dotted with the sort of clouds you could find all manner of shapes in. She used to love those sorts of clouds as a child. She could remember lying in thick grass, simply staring at the sky for hours while her imagination ran wild.
Jala closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. The scent of the flowers was nearly intoxicating. Slowly, her eyes opened once more, and she moved to the edge of the orchard to stare at the white walls of a city in the distance. Everything was so pristine, so absolutely beautiful it was surreal.
“I must have died in the night. That bitch slit my throat while I slept,” Jala murmured as she remembered Kithkara’s promise of death. This place was simply too perfect in all of its details to be just a dream.
“It’s a dream, not the afterlife. You know very well if you die you are bound for someplace darker than this,” It wasn’t truly a surprise to hear War’s voice. Still, it took her several moments to locate his perch in the upper limbs of one of the trees.