We shared a laugh again and then sadness washed over me. I wanted to tell them about my trip, but I had promised Mother. I wanted to tell them I would miss them and that I would think of them every day. So I held up my doll toward them. It was easier to have the doll act out my feelings.
“No matter where we go or what happens, let’s be best friends forever. Promise?” I said.
My friends placed their dolls touching mine and said. “Promise.”
“We four are sisters for life,” I said.
“Sisters for life,” my friends repeated.
It was a simple act, but it meant a lot to me. The four of us had known each other since we were old enough to walk. Our families were close and often got together for parties.
Ikelia. Come now. We must hurry. Mother’s voice in my head again meant I wasn’t hearing things. She must want to leave now for our trip. Excitement coursed through me.
I rose and dusted dirt and petals off my dress. “I forgot to do something for my mama. I’ll see you later, okay?”
Before they could answer, I ran through the meadow with my doll tucked under my chin and my arms crossed over it protectively. Something wet splattered on my forehead, then my nose, and then a soft sheet of raindrops gently kissed my face all the way home.
“I’m here,” I announced and closed the door behind me, panting.
I stopped short and my blood ran cold. Lilith waited in my house. When she didn’t smile or greet me, icy chills slithered up my neck. She was pretty from afar, but up close she was stunning and she wore a small golden crown on her head. If I didn’t know better, I’d have thought she was a queen.
Lilith’s hair was up in a loose bun and she wore a fancy black dress with lace around the neck and sleeves. Her black cloak had an intricate design of swirls I had never seen on a cloak before.
Next to her lurked two tall men with pale but handsome faces. At first I thought they were her guards, but only one of them had a sword, and their relaxed stance suggested they didn’t care to be here.
Why were they here?
Mother and Father stood near the kitchen, out of view from the doorway. Though their posture was tense, I relaxed to see them until Mother stroked her braid and Father ran a hand down his beard.
“Ikelia.” Mother’s hands gripped my shoulders, my back pressed to her front. “This is Lady Lilith. The man with curly dark hair is Vince, and the other gentleman’s name is Drake. They’re here to ask us questions.”
Drake had blond hair and blue eyes. He was a good-looking man, but there was something evil about him. He made me want to close my eyes.
Slowly, I dropped my hand into the pockets to feel the tourmaline crystal. My heart hammered when it burned to touch. Oh, skies. Mother must know. Lilith or the men? Who was evil?
“Hello, little girl,” Lilith said coolly with her seductive voice.
I didn’t answer her. I didn’t want to talk to her.
“Where are your manners, Ikelia?” Mother lowered to whisper in my ear. “Please be nice.”
“Hello,” I said sweetly and curtsied.
“How lovely,” Lilith said with a biting tone and took off her black gloves.
“Would you like to have a seat?” Father asked, standing next to Mother.
“Yes, please do. I can make some tea.” Mother turned to head to the kitchen.
“Sybil.” Lilith’s voice held not a hint of warmth. “We’re not here to socialize.”
“Then why … are you here?” Mother gathered me in her arms again.
“You know why.” She narrowed her eyes and smirked. “We have a traitor and we must deal with this. Do you know who the traitor might be?”
“A traitor?” Mother said. “I don’t understand. It’s been very peaceful.”
“You’ll soon find out. The people are gathering at the temple. Get in my coach,” Lilith said and strutted out the door.
“We’ll follow you. We can take our own wagon,” Father said behind her.
Lilith whirled on Father. Her eyes went dark and cold. “That won’t be necessary. I insist you ride in my coach. It’s faster. Perhaps there would be more time if we hadn’t waited for the little one to come home, but we’re late.”
So it was my fault? But something told me she was lying. And I didn’t like it one bit that my parents seemed to be on edge.
Chapter Seven
Town Meeting
Ikelia
In Lilith’s fancy carriage, we sat on plush red cushions on carved wooden benches. I had to admit, her coach was much faster and fun to ride in than our wagon.
I parted black velvet curtains and stared at the mountains and the gray sky. The trickle of rain stopped, and I wondered if magic had anything to do with that. From the looks of the clouds hanging low and dark, it should be pouring.
The ride was a short distance, but it seemed to take forever to get to the meeting. When we arrived, a mass of people had gathered at the front of the temple with their children. Gasps and murmurs filled the air when they saw us with Lilith.
Kalani, Halina, and Sabina’s families were at front. I didn’t fear the crowd, but when I saw the worried expressions on my friends’ faces, my stomach turned a flip and dropped like a stone. They didn’t even wave at me.
Something wasn’t right. Why were we the last to be here? Why was my family escorted to the temple? Why didn’t we go inside?
Lilith stood on a small podium, looking tall and proud. “My sisters and families. I’ve asked you to come so that we may settle a crime and get rid of the traitors. As you know, our kind was slaughtered centuries ago by mortals. My whole family was wiped out because of ignorant men. They tortured and burned our grandparents and great-grandparents before them. The Elementum were almost extinct. And because of this, I vowed to protect you all, to keep you and your family safe. But in return I’ve asked you for only one thing. No mortal may live among us. There’s a mortal among you.”
Chatter rose from among us. Some sounded upset, and some worried.
Mother’s hold on my hand tightened and Father stepped in front of me. I slipped my fingers into Father’s and squeezed. He was a mortal. But according to my parents, nobody should know because Father wore a necklace my mother had given him. I couldn’t see it on him. Maybe he kept it hidden at all times so no one guessed its purpose.
Lilith raised a hand and the noises stopped. Then her eyes drifted to the far back of the crowd, to the front, and then to the left, and finally said, “Corella, bring your family to the front.”
“No. Why?” Corella said in urgency, shoving her children behind her. “We are good. We’ve done nothing wrong?”
Men in dark clothing, mixed in with the local crowd, pulled out their swords. Corella and her family didn’t resist and allowed the soldiers to escort them to the front.
“Please, Lady Lilith.” Corella dropped to her knees before Lilith’s podium, her hands clasped together. “Please. We keep the law. We are quiet and peaceful. We mean no harm.”
The husband encouraged the twins, a girl and a boy about five years old, to kneel along with their mother.
Lady Lilith raise her hands like during prayer. “I created the law to keep you safe. If I let you break it, then others will follow and we risk once again being hunted by mortals. I must set an example. For more than five years you have disobeyed me. Know that it’s because I let it be. Know that I knew of your treachery when it happened. For this lesson to make the most powerful impression, your loss must be great; therefore, I waited until I thought the time was right.”