Her mind was reeling so that she could scarcely process this information. “Please,” she replied, “inform the First of this. I... I need a moment...”
“I'm very sorry,” offered one of the Elders. “I know you cared for him deeply.” He patted Minx on the arm and then began gathering the ropes. The others, having completed their work, began shuffling off, bound for Heilo Lake.
Minx was still thunderstruck, unable to understand what was happening. It wasn't supposed to be like this. He was supposed to survive—to stay with me when the ritual was over. But then... I don't think he's dead. I can still sense him, somehow. How is it possible? Where has he gone?
Gazing tearfully into the distance for signs of her love, she heard a voice calling out to her from afar. “Thank you.”
It was the lake.
Sure that Heilo Lake could give her the answers she sought, she flew at once into a fiery inquisition. What happened to Kaleb? she demanded. Is he all right? Is he alive? I don't understand what's happening here. He was standing beside me one moment, and then he faded into thin air in the next. Please, tell me what's happened. The Elders don't know, either...
Heilo Lake was not in the habit of giving easy answers, and this time was no different. “Thank you. The taint remains, but has been slowed. The barrier now stands, and will protect these lands for some time.”
The lake is still tainted... Minx looked up into the sky. Will it ever be able to recover while Torrent is still out there? And what about Kaleb? Is he really still here in some way, or am I losing my mind?
Once more, the lake remained silent.
Mau sidled up to her, leaning her head against Minx's thigh. I'm sorry, Minx. Kaleb was wonderful—a real hero. I wish things had worked out differently, but he did a great thing for all of us.
The Elders had disappeared into the woods, leaving only the two of them standing beneath Winterlimb. Minx felt a weight in the air, as of someone lingering close-by, but her eyes could find no source for this mysterious presence. She dropped down onto the ground, teeth grit. I don't get it. It wasn't supposed to be like this, Mau. He was supposed to stay—to live! Where has he gone? I think I can still feel him... It's like he's standing right next to me! And yet...
The Faelyr nestled up against her, purring. You're still in shock, Minx. You cared about him deeply. It's perfectly natural for you to feel this way. We should get you home, where you can rest. It's been a very long day. I wish he was still here, too, but I don't see anyone with us. It's just your imagination, I'm afraid...
She refused to believe it. This presence, this weight in the air, felt too real to her. It can't be my imagination. It feels genuine.
While the two of them dwelt in the grass, somber, Minx's eyes tracked movement nearby.
The Fae huntress looked to old Winterlimb, discovering a vague stirring in the shadows. The weight in the air that she'd been picking up on suddenly increased, and the darkness itself seemed to gradually coalesce into something material. She blinked the tears from her eyes and watched as a tremendous form soundlessly emerged from the very fabric of the night. It began as a four-legged beast with jet-black wings and a crown of horns; a thing whose aura inspired sheer terror. Soon, the silent silhouette began to change shape again, and this time it adopted something of the humanoid—two arms, two legs, a head and torso. It wasn't until this change had been completed that the figure finally stepped out into the moonlight, and when he did, her lungs were robbed of air.
“Hey, Minx,” said the figure.
She bolted to her feet, dizzy, and stared wide-eyed at this specter. It was Kaleb. At least, by all appearances, it was Kaleb. It looked like him, sounded like him, possessed his same soothing aura. “Is it...” She palmed at her eyes in disbelief. “Is it really...?”
Mau was similarly stunned, her fur standing and her claws bared in fear. What? That can't really be him, right?
There was only one way to be sure, and without a second thought, Minx launched herself toward him. She rushed into his waiting arms, nearly knocking him to the ground, and took his face in her hands. She scoured his handsome countenance for signs of alienage—for some sign that this was a trick or hallucination. The eyes looking back at her were the real thing, though—glistened with a yellowish fire, just as they always had. She then pressed her lips to his, and the intensity of his kiss yanked her heart from the throes of panic. She knew these lips.
I was right... Minx drew away from him slightly, studying his features once more. He really was here the whole time—we really do have a connection. She ran her hands through his hair and felt his strong fingers sweep the tears from her cheeks. “It's really you, isn't it? But how?”
He chuckled. “I don't imagine there's anyone out there who could give us a perfect answer to that. After all, a living subject has never been used in this ritual. And then there's you.” He held her close. “When you interfered, something happened. Both of us became subject to the ritual. It felt like we became two sides of the same coin, in a way.”
“I could feel you here with me,” began Minx, “even after you disappeared. It's hard to explain... It's almost like my connection with Mau. I can tell when you're near—and it pains me when you're far away. I should be scared... weirded out... but it feels right to me. I feel like this is the way things are supposed to be—that you and I are supposed to
