Fynn strode purposefully through the forest, the unconscious Leila in his arms. He paid no attention to the three humans who trailed behind him, tripping over branches and roots in their effort to keep up. He was furious, the angriest he could ever remember being, not only at the three mortals whom he had trusted to protect Leila, but also at the spirits. They had stepped too far, assumed too much, and Leila was forced to once again be a pawn to their whims. They had no idea, could not possibly understand the danger the world faced. He alone shouldered that burden, and it was his to bear alone.
He stopped in a small grove, where the trees grew close together and competed for the soil and sunlight. To one side of the grove was a gathering of toadstools, small and red. They formed a loose circle, and it was in their midst that Fynn lay Leila. He smoothed the hair from her face and turned to his companions, who recoiled from the rage evident on his face.
“Well?” he said simply.
Clothis raised her head bravely and explained everything that had happened since Fynn had fallen ill on the boat. The Woodwalker’s expression softened slightly as she described how Leila had used herself to sustain him until they reached land, but grew dark again as Clothis told what had passed in Oponoe.
“But who taught her the spell?” Fynn demanded. “She could not have known on her own. Someone must have told her what to do, how to act.”
“That was me, lord.”
Fynn laughed as Ruella stepped from the shadows of the trees and bowed to Fynn.
“I thought I felt your presence,” Fynn remarked. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”
“More than you, lord,” Ruella replied. “I warned the girl of the price, said it would be dangerous, but she didn’t listen. Did you think she’s change her mind if she knew this would happen?”
Fynn considered the question. “I suppose not. She is a foolish girl.”
Ruella smiled, revealing a mouth of yellow and missing teeth. “I did as I was bid, lord. Same as you. Ain’t none of us who can see the whole game board yet.”
“What are they talking about?” Jakob whispered to Clothis.
The Dyrel shushed him. “Listen.”
Fynn turned to the three humans and sighed. “Leila’s surrendered her humanity to the spirits. She’s of their world, now.”
“No!” Jakob exclaimed, his voice full of passion. “She can’t be gone! There must be something we can do.”
The anger that had fuelled Fynn had gone, and his body sagged as he shook his head. “I have no power over the spirits.”
“But just now – “ Clothis objected.
“My power is from the Faerie Queen, and the faeries don’t rule the spirits any more than the elves do.”
“Is there a spirit ruler we can talk to?” Jakob asked.
Fynn smirked at the thought. “I doubt she would listen. There’s only one thing I can think of to save Leila, but if I’m wrong, we’ll lose her forever.”
“We’ve already lost her,” Jakob whispered.
Fynn nodded gravely. “Very well.”
He moved to the toadstool ring and gently lifted Leila into a sitting position, leaning her against his arm and leg as he knelt on one knee next to her. Her head lolled forward so her chin touched her collar, and her arms lay listlessly at her side. She resembled a corpse in a beautiful white gown.
Fynn raised one hand, palm forward, and placed it gently against Leila’s chest, muttering a few words under his breath. Slowly, he withdrew his hand and with it came a white sphere that separated itself from Leila’s body with some difficulty. It was very small, but pulsated with an intense light that made it resemble a tiny sun. Leila’s body gave a sigh and seemed to collapse even further as the sphere rested above Fynn’s palm.
“He didn’t,” Clothis breathed.
“Beware, young maids who walk at night. The Soulstealer cometh to dowse the light,” Will whispered.
Jakob put his hand on his sword and took a step towards Fynn when he felt Clothis’ hand firmly around his wrist, holding him back. He looked back at the Dyrel, and she saw tears shimmering in his eyes. She pulled him towards her, not releasing the grip she had on his arm, and raised a finger to her lips as she shook her head.
“Wait,” she said softly.
Fynn had taken the sphere of Leila’s soul and cupped it gently in his hands, as if it were the most precious jewel in existence. Carefully, he lifted it to his mouth and the light vanished between his lips. Without a moment’s hesitation, he bent forward and placed his lips gently on hers, breathing the life back into the cold body as he had done before. This time, however, the kiss would summon a wandering spirit back to its home, calling out into the darkness and rekindle the warmth within.
They remained motionless for some time, even after Leila’s skin regained its lost colour and her arms wrapped themselves around Fynn’s neck. Jakob turned away, staring into the dark forest and allowing the unshed tears their deserved freedom.
“She is mine!” a voice howled through the trees, cackling with laughter.
Fynn raised his head, and Leila blinked in astonishment at the voice that seemed to surround them like a tornado. Jakob turned around quickly, drawing his sword as he did so and looking for the threat.
“No!” Fynn called.
“The contract has been made,” the voice disagreed. “Her soul was taken by my servant and now belongs to me!”
Leila’s eyes widened in fear as she raised her hands to her face. She was slowly becoming transparent, vanishing faster with every moment.
“No, my Queen!” Fynn yelled. “You cannot! You do not understand!”
“I allowed one mortal to escape,” the Faerie Queen snapped. “I shall not allow another. You are beginning to displease me, Aefynnelldar.”
With a silent cry, Leila vanished, leaving Fynn kneeling alone. He bowed his head for a moment before rising to his feet.
“What just happened?” Jakob demanded. “Where’s Leila?”
“The Faerie Queen has her,” Fynn said sadly. “I saved her from one contract, only to place her in another.”
“Contract? What do you mean?” Clothis asked.
“I am the Faerie Queen’s servant,” Fynn told them. “I cannot disobey her again. I gather mortal souls for her. It is my duty, and I took Leila’s soul.”
“But you returned it!” Jakob exclaimed.
Fynn shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. I took her soul, so she belongs to my Queen. I am sorry. I had hoped she would not notice.”
“What can we do?” Clothis began to pace back and forth. “There must be a way to get the Faerie Queen to release Leila.”
Fynn looked pained. “You can try, but you must realize that I can’t disobey her. That’s why I couldn’t leave the forest.”
“But you did leave,” Clothis objected.
“She eventually allowed me to, but she was not pleased, and I was unable to leave again until I sensed the spirits causing trouble. I don’t have the strength to do it again.”
“How do we get to the Faerie Queen?” Jakob asked.
Ruella pointed to the toadstool circle. “If you aim to go with your soul in one piece, take the Road. But once you’re there, you’ll find no friends. The spirit world is a tricky place.”
“If you go,” Fynn said, “I will be your enemy.”
“What other
choice do we have?” Jakob sighed. “Wait, and see if Leila makes it out on her
own?”
Suddenly, Fynn raised his head
as if listening. “She summons me. Make your decision quickly. With the spirits
on her side, Leila is stronger in the spirit world than here. My Queen,
however, is not someone to be trifled with. Will you go, or will you stay?”