Chapter 43

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Ellery

My mother was not happy with me. For the first time in my life, she was so livid and disappointed in me that she couldn't look at me, let alone speak to me.

I didn't think I could take one more beating to my heart and keep going, but I was wrong. I didn't have any other options.

Feeling deflated, angry at myself, and more alone than ever, I somehow managed to wake up the next morning and drag myself into the day. No matter how horrible it was, at least one good thing had come from it… all my secrets and lies with her and Ryker were out.

I had nothing left to hide.

My mother really didn't like that Ryker knew everything I could do. I'd told her he wouldn't turn me in, and I believed it. I wasn't so sure she did.

She took the knowledge we would lose the manor better than I thought. I was pretty sure she'd already accepted that fate, maybe before she was taken to the palace… probably before I had.

She did not take learning I was the Hooded Robber well at all. The disappointment in her eyes left me deflated.

Scarlet's family wasn't exactly thrilled either, and I couldn't bring myself to look at Mr. Fletcher after we revealed everything to them. Scarlet and I would have preferred to keep the secret, but they had to know everything to stay safe… well, everything except my lightning-bearer status and ability to control the weathers.

I kept that from all of them, even Scarlet. I didn't feel good about it, and I trusted them, but the more amsirah who knew, the more likely it was my secret could get out.

Despite being completely exhausted and finally having her home, I didn't sleep well. I'd spent the night tossing and turning over my choices and my possible future outcomes.

Most of them ended in death.

It was pointless to worry about a future I couldn't foresee, but everything was changing so fast, and so much could go so wrong that it was impossible not to worry about it.

I'd suggested we go live in the woods now, where the duke couldn't find us, but my mother insisted on staying. She wasn't ready to leave but said she would when the time came.

I hoped we were safely away from here before it was too late. Judging the right time to leave was a tightrope walk; I was sure I'd fall off the thing.

Plus, there was Scarlet's family to be concerned about. They had been with us for years and had to know what was to come.

I couldn't tell them about Ryker's plans for me, at least not yet, but they had to understand we would lose the manor. They needed the opportunity and time to make plans for themselves.

I yearned to pour my heart out to Scarlet; she was my best friend, and there were never any secrets between us—minus the truth of my abilities. Even with that, she knew more about me than anyone else.

I had to keep those secrets to myself. I trusted her completely, but I'd prefer to keep her out of this for as long as possible.

When she learned everything, she'd be shocked and mad that I hadn't told her about it sooner. She'd move past that, though; she always got over her anger fast and would understand. For now, she was safer not knowing, and I would do everything I could to protect her.

My mother invited Scarlet's family over for breakfast, and we all sat around the table to discuss our options. In the end, they understood that if we somehow survived the king taking half our crop, it was still only a matter of time before we lost the manor.

I suspected the king and aristocrats would look to take other farms too. They'd already taken Tucker's from him.

The farmers in this land held some control over the amsirah in a very important way… they provided the food. Once the nobles held that control too, they would be the ultimate power.

In many ways, they already were since the curse, but that power wasn't absolute. The only reason they didn't take the farms now was because it wasn't as much fun.

This drawn-out torment was part of the game for the king and his minions. They wanted to see how far they could push and how much they could take before breaking the spirits of those feeding this realm.

Then, they would swoop in and pick up the pieces. I wouldn't be surprised if they forced the farmers to stay and work the land they once owned.

Scarlet's family decided to stay with us for as long as possible. There was nowhere else to go and little else they could do.

They were farmers; it was what they loved most. They couldn't become merchants or work the mines in Calsar….

Well, they could, but after spending their lives working outside, being deep in those shafts, with only darkness to surround them, and digging for jewels that would make the aristocrats and king wealthier, it wasn't a fate that would treat them kindly.

Scarlet would probably do well as an artisan, as she loved jewels and pretty things. She also enjoyed weaving flowers together to create striking crowns and wreaths, as well as sewing beautiful dresses.

Still, it took decades for someone to become talented enough to forge gems into jewelry. Often, the apprentices of those artisans weren't allowed to touch a jewel during their first ten years of service.

The nobles and king were very aware of every gem that emerged from those mines. If someone damaged one, there would be hell to pay.

Becoming an apprentice was also a coveted position, and the jewelers were very particular about who they allowed to fill it. Most of them carefully guarded their ability to create masterpieces as a secret they preferred not to share.

Many of them only bestowed their knowledge to their children and often only picked one child to teach. The other offspring were left to fend for themselves, usually in the mines.

I tried not to dwell on the bleak outcome facing us all, but it haunted me through the day and into the night. When I told my mother I was leaving to train with Ryker, she nodded while watching the sunset from the kitchen table.

It was the most she'd acknowledged me all day. Barely able to lift my feet off the floor, I trudged toward the front door but didn't open it.

Instead, I created a portal, walked through it, and emerged where I'd met Ryker last night. After closing the portal, I stood in the growing darkness, listening to the sounds of the forest as the birds settled in for the night, new creatures emerged to hunt, and a poltergeist wailed in the distance.

Despite the setting sun, the heat of the July day remained. Before leaving, I'd changed into a loose-fitting green shirt and lightweight brown pants that allowed the air to flow through them. The clothes were about as cool as I was going to get.

Ryker was already waiting for me as he leaned against a tree with his arms crossed over his chest and one leg crossed over the other. The growing shadows, half obscuring him, created a menacing air and caused his silver eyes to stand out more.

He didn't require the shadows to make him look intimidating; he had his large size and stony countenance for that. This man was the Scourge of the Ghouls, and I truly understood why, as he looked like he'd gladly kill anything that pissed him off… like me .

Tucker wasn't with him. I felt excited and depressed by this.

Before, I would have welcomed any time alone with Ryker. Though I'd irritated Tucker by following him through his portal, he had a much kinder attitude toward me.

Ryker didn't smile as he unfolded himself and stepped away from the tree. "We're going somewhere else."

"Where?" I demanded.

"Deeper into the woods. I don't want anyone to know about this, and this area has become more frequently traveled now that some of the amsirah are escaping into the forest."

I didn't protest as he opened another portal, and I followed him into it.