Chapter 29: Auburn

“Brigit,” a soft name spoken with a voice so deep it rumbles my mind like I was sitting on a laundry machine. Abhartach mumbles something else that I do not hear after. “My Danann is a bit different,” Elana says. “I know you don’t trust me and for good reason, I did try to kill you but only because I had no choice. I thought Carol would help but she has not contacted me in weeks, I do not have that kind of time.”

“What are you talking about?” I inquire. “We had a deal that she could continue playing hero, playing pretend and shit. I would look for a way to cut the Danann link. I don’t know why she wants that information but she stole a scroll that I had acquired,” she complained pacing about. I am lost, is that why she was crying? I doubt that would make her cry. There is more to this than she is letting on. “You are a bit of a baby aren’t you?” I comment dryly which makes her glare. “Excuse me?” she takes offence. “You are excused. Who cries over a stolen scroll, one taken weeks ago at that?” She walks closer and her lime green eyes and blood-red hair are very distinct. I spot erratically placed freckles dotted all over under her eyes but above her nose. They are cute. She is tall but most of the height is due to heels, if she were not wearing them then she would be about as tall as me. Which still disturbs me, I am just barely one hundred and seventy centimetres. I still have a hard time believing she is the person I fought with last time. Brigit has pyrokinetic abilities, not shadow abilities. Something funny is going on here.

She pokes my chest with visible fury, “You don’t know anything!” I push her hand aside. “Enlighten me. I would love to know more right about now,” I say. She squints her eyes and starts, “She betrayed me, she ambushed me and now my brother wants nothing more than to end her and her musketeers. She is a problem but I am not one for unnecessary conflict. She was like a sister to me, known her for years. Even after she lied to us, stole and attacked us-“ Her fists clench and I can tell there is a deep-seated grudge in her. Brother? That must have been the one I fought, which means she has been hiding the entire time while the brother was the one on the move. More pieces of the puzzle. Shadow wouldn’t give us information then attack us unless Carol betrayed him and lied to all of us. The fog clears slightly but most of everything is still concealed. What does Carol want?

“I am sorry,” I say hushedly and gently rub her shoulder. “There is a lot I do not know, I was taking out my frustration on you. I have my issues with her,” I try not to say more than needed. She gives me an empathetic expression. “What help did you need from me?” I shift back to business. “I need that scroll back soon. I do not have much time. If we do not get that scroll back we will die,” She answers with worry laced on her tone. “Elaborate,” I add. “When a Danann links with a host, the host gains power, knowledge. In rare cases, some hosts become almost as powerful as the Danann at their prime however there’s a price. The hosts die, the soul of a Danann is simply too much for a human body to handle and the only way to keep the body alive is to either cut the link or surrender the body to the Danann and the host soul passes on, in other words-death.”

What the fuck, I am going to die. ‘Why didn’t you tell me that I was a ticking time bomb?! Would have liked a warning,” I panic in my head. “You won’t die, our link is different. There was no reason to inform you of something that would not occur,” Abhartach answers dryly. “How can I be sure, am I just supposed to take your word for it?” I retort. “Yes because I gain nothing if you die, I will be back in that basement with no one to find me and I do not know if my next host will be as compatible as you.” Damn him, I say under my breath.

“Wait a minute,” Elana says as she steps closer. Her eyes glimmer a bright red, brighter than what they were and emit a faint luminous light. “Your body is fine, you are not dying. Strange, for some reason, your body seems to be turning more and more into a Danann’s. Your hair has a white patch by the side and your physiology seems to be above the average for your age. Most strange. You are getting stronger." I wince. “Personal space, dude,” I say with her hands probing my face and she lets go. “I’m sorry, I have just never seen this before.”

‘Brigit could examine things with her eyes, she could see the hidden. Injuries, concealed weapons and so much more. It is her, After so long. I wonder if she can see me.’ Abhartach the softie finally comes out now eh? Jeez.

“Alright, a truce for now. I will try to get back that scroll for you. I think Max has it which is good.” Elana pauses briefly before agreeing, “Fine but I will go with you.” I shake my head slowly. “I don’t know if that is a good idea. I think we should keep this hidden. That way we can catch Carol off guard. She might panic and attack us if she spots you even if the chances of that are low. Meet here tomorrow at midnight.”

I take off quieter than an owl stalking its prey and blend with the shadows. I think it is time I tell Kelly everything. Shit is getting complicated and if carol turns out to be an enemy then she might be psychotic and if she is psychotic, she could do anything, even hurt Kelly. My window flies open and I swoop in effortlessly. The lights turn on and I see Kelly sitting on my study chair with her hands crossed. “Care to explain what you were still doing out at one a.m in the morning? I thought we made it clear that there would be none of that anymore.”