“Why didn’t you tell me this would happen sooner?” I turn away from the window, focusing on Manx. “You could’ve told me in the library when you saw me.”
“I wasn’t sure if it would happen.”
“How did you know it would at all?”
“As I told you, I’ve studied the Cold Tether. Black veins are always a symptom.”
“You seem to know a lot,” I grumble.
“Years and years of studying, my boy.”
I look out the window again. I don’t know what I’m looking for, but I don’t feel safe in Whisper Grove anymore, despite the security rules.
“If it helps, the perimeters of Whisper Grove were canvassed. There was one Ripple Hills member hanging around the border,” Manx says, carrying a tray of tea to the table. He places the tray on the center of the table and disperses the teacups. I move away from the window and stand by the table while Manx pours tea into Willow’s cup first. She smiles and thanks him, and then he pours some for me.
“What was he doing there?” I ask.
“He wasn’t really doing anything. He had a fire going, and we told him to leave.”
“Well? Did he?”
“Yes. Without hesitation.”
Willow helps herself to a few cubes of sugar, plopping them into the hot liquid.
“However,” Manx says, sitting at the head of the table. “He did leave a message before he went.”
I slide my eyes to Manx’s, and he pushes a folded sheet of paper across the table to me. There’s blood on the paper, and I avoid a grimace as I pick it up and open it. When I read the message, I clench my jaw and crumple the paper in my hand.
“How long ago did he leave?” I ask.
“Two hours ago.”
“What does it say?” Willow inquires, eyeing me.
I control my breathing. No use in getting angry here, plus I don’t want to trigger any alarms with hostility. I walk toward the window, peering out, and the sun is spilling over the rooftops.
“Can you help us with the problem at hand?” I glance over my shoulder.
“You mean the black veins?” Manx stands, making his way toward a shelf and pulling down an amber vial. “I can.” Approaching, he offers me the vial, and I take it.
“What does it do?”
“It’ll slow the spread,” he says. “People have come to me with many infections and diseases, and I remember reading once that calla flora and green herbs help Tethers.” He turns his attention to Willow. “As for you, I can offer a protection morsel, so those nightmares you’ve had don’t happen again. Unfortunately, I only have one more, and it lasts for two days. That should be enough time for you to get back home, yes?”
“More than enough,” I tell him, popping the lid off the vial. I chug down the liquid, and the bitter taste swims around my mouth before I gulp it down. I gasp a breath as Manx returns to his shelf of elixirs and pulls down a small purple bottle. He pops something into his hand and carries it to Willow.
“Take it with your tea,” he says. “It’s quite disgusting.”
She accepts what he offers, and I step closer to see what it is. It’s a silvery chunk, looks like metal. She presses her lips, studying the chunk before asking, “Do you have a remedy for everything?”
“Almost,” he says, sliding the teacup on the saucer closer to her. “There’s one thing I’ll never have a remedy for though.”
“What’s that?” She pops the chunk into her mouth. Her nose scrunches as she chews, and she picks up the tea quickly, chugging down several hot gulps. I’m surprised she doesn’t burn her tongue.
“A broken heart.” Manx takes his seat again. “That’s the one thing all people must live with, no matter what world they’re from.” He raises a brow at her. “I’m sure you know a thing or two about that.”
She brings the teacup to her mouth and sips before asking, “Are you reading me?”
“I can read your energy and I can tell something has broken you before. A few things, actually.”
She says nothing to that. Just shifts her eyes down to the table.
“What do the black markings mean exactly?” I moce closer to the table. “And how do you know so much about it?”
I avoid looking at Willow because I can hear her thoughts, but right now those aren’t the priority. She’s thinking a name repeatedly but trying to bat it away. Warren. Gone. He’s gone. Probably won’t ever come back. The tea. Focus on the tea. It’s good. Could use some honey.
“They simply mean your Tether is becoming stronger,” Manx says, bringing my focus back. “I’ve studied the Cold Tether for centuries. The black veins always pop up when the Tethered form a bond.”
I cut my eyes to Willow as she locks on my face. Was a bond formed between us? If so, it can’t be that deep. Not enough to cause all of this—the nightmares, Mournwrath’s attack, the veins.
“I’ve always been fascinated by it,” Manx continues. “And your mother…ahh, she did say you’d be special.” He pauses, stroking his chin. I try not to let the mention of my mother get to me. “I would say it’s as simple as your Tether becoming stronger, but I’m afraid if you don’t get her home soon, something worse will happen to you, Caspian.”
I tip my chin. “Like what?”
“A fatality. Death, even.” He looks at Willow. “Are the nightmares scarier, Willow?”
“Yes. And in this one, it was Mournwrath. I’m sure of it. It was…choking me.”
Manx winces, as if he can imagine the pain. “The protection morsel should help. You’ll be able to sleep peacefully in the meantime. And once you return to your world, the nightmares should cease completely. As long as you don’t come back to Vakeeli, you’re safe. According to what I’ve studied, it’s when you’re in the same universe as Caspian that it’s easier for Mournwrath to latch on and attack.”
“Well, I appreciate your help, Manx. But we must go now.”
Manx tilts his head up at me. “You’re going to Ripple Hills?”
“I have to.”
“For what?” Willow asks.
I ignore her. “If I don’t go now, they’ll kill them.”
“That’s what they want you to think,” says Manx.
“No. It’s what I know. They’re getting bolder, Manx. Bold enough to kill monarch clan members if they have to. If I don’t go now, it’ll make me look like a joke.”
“I think you should get Willow home first. I can send a troop to retrieve your cousins.”
“No.” The word comes out louder than intended. “I have to go for them. I can’t waste any more time here.”
Manx releases a long breath, glancing at Willow. “Taking her with you is dangerous. You know how the people of Ripple Hills are.”
“She’ll be fine as long as she sticks with me. Once I get my cousins back, I’ll take her to Blackwater and send her home. I’ll be there long before the protection morsel wears off.”
