“How convenient for you,” Bren says dryly.
“I have my own home planet,” Eldaren says, his tone terse. “I don’t need this one. It’s dying and has no material worth to us. What other motives could I possibly have?”
I frown and cross my arms. “You make it sound like a terrible place.” I enter the conversation, pretending I wasn’t barfing minutes ago.
“Compared to my home, it is a terrible place. You humans have done an awful job taking care of it. I’ve mentioned that before.”
“That’s one thing we can agree on,” Bren says with a smirk. “The fae were doing an excellent job cultivating the wilds, but humans had to spread their mark and stink everywhere, like the aggressive beasts they are.”
A growl rumbles in my throat before I remember I don’t want to prove his point and force myself to be quiet.
“You’re fae,” Eldaren says. It’s not a question.
“That’s not important right now,” Bren says, scowling. “Let’s stay on task.”
Eldaren peers at him. “Very well,” he says. “If Sophia can access the Root of Eema, I believe she will have a stronger connection to the Earth’s spirit. But she is not fae.”
“No, she is not,” Bren says, “but as a gaia, she has a closer connection to the fae than other humans.”
Sophia watches them. She is far calmer than I would have expected her to be after nearly getting ripped apart by a vampire, or whatever the heck it was. “How do I access the Root of Eema?” she asks. “She’s never mentioned it to me before.”
“You have to enter the fae realm,” Bren says. The humor from his youthful face is gone, replaced by anxiousness. “It’s not a safe journey. And before that, you have to appeal your case to the fae themselves, to even get permission to go there.” His gaze flickers to Eldaren. “They won’t take kindly to an outsider.”
“Let me handle it,” Eldaren says grimly. “I am sure I can come to some sort of agreement with them.”
“I’m sure.” Bren’s smile is wry. If he’s fae, it would appear that his kind has the advantage over the elves in that they’re fluent in sarcasm.
Eldaren better watch out.
“You once told me if I went to live with you,” Sophia says, “that I could never return to the mortal realm. I always thought you were joking. But you actually meant the fae realm, didn’t you?”
“Yes.” Bren nods. “But there are ways to get you back here. If you’d like.”
“Is time different there?” Sophia shivers.
Bren shrugs. “Sometimes. Time does have a way of working differently there. It’s a risk you’ll have to take if you decide to go through with this.”
“It’s worth the risk,” Eldaren says firmly.
“Of course for you, it is,” Bren scoffs. “You’re an elf. Time is already slow for you. You may be a spoiled prince who’s used to getting your way, but this has to be Sophia’s choice. She’s a mortal, and carries the greatest risk, here.”
“I will do whatever I can to help the Earth,” Sophia says. Her expression has turned eager. “I will enter the fae realm.”
Bren eyes her, and I don’t miss the sadness in his eyes before it’s quickly masked. “Very well. I will do what I can to appeal to the fae. I will touch base with you guys when I’ve made progress or fail to do so.”
Then he’s gone, slipping away like a wraith.
“I . . .” Sophia hesitates. “I didn’t know he could enter other dimensions.”
“He’s a fae,” I reply.
Sophia shakes her head. “He’s a Lost Child.”
I blink. That title stirs a memory, but it slips away before I can examine it.
Eldaren steps to me. “Are you all right?” he asks.
I nod wordlessly.
But I’m not all right.
Bren is gone, and with him, the answers I have about my past. Will I be able to enter the fae realm with Eldaren? Or will I be left behind? And who am I? What am I? Do I have a bigger story to tell than I previously thought? Or was he just manipulating me?
I don’t know, but I need to know.
I have to find out who I am and what I can do to help humanity.
The Adventure Continues in
Book 5
About the Author
Kara Jaynes is a fantasy and children's book author. She loves rainy days, long walks, and fairy tales. She's been writing since she was very young and has more stories in her head than she could possibly write.
You can go to her website, www.karajaynes.com, to stay up to date on new releases.
Earth Roars
Kara Jaynes
Earth Roars by Kara Jaynes
Copyright Kara Jaynes 2021.
All Rights Reserved.
Cover Designer: GermanCreative
No portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the copyright holder.
