Born Of Nothing

19

I had unknowingly leaned toward her in my examination of the rune. When she dropped her hair and turned back around, our faces were mere inches apart. Her eyes widened, and the movement of her lips parting drew my eyes down to her mouth. After a momentary lapse of thought, I quickly withdrew, pulling myself back into my chair and clearing my throat. “I had no idea such a pocket of people existed. You are almost a hybrid—humanity and Fae magic combined.” She smiled shyly and pulled her knees back into her chest, hugging her legs to her. “I don’t know about that. I’ve heard what the Fae can do; our powers don’t compare.” “During my years in the Shadow Lands, I learned some rune magic; however, most of what I acquired was dark spell magic that is too dangerous to toy with when not absolutely necessary. You said the queen taught her handmaids their knowledge of magic—have you any idea where the form of rune magic was originally derived?” Again, she looked at me with uncertainty before her features set in determination. “I don’t know where the magic comes from, just that it was taught to my ancestors, the druids, by the Fae.” “Druids? How is it that people in hiding were given a name?” “The name was given before they went into hiding. Those who had learned magic used their knowledge to help their villages—if a well went dry, everyone knew that the local druid would be able to find the best place to dig a new one. They became revered in their communities, often considered spiritual leaders, and the term ‘druid’ evolved for such a person. For the most part they were of benefit to the people they served and continued to help even after they went into hiding from the Hunt. A few of the power-hungry druids fell into using blood magic, and rumors began to spread that the druids condoned human sacrifices. There are always trouble makers in every group, and that small sect’s clamor for more power tainted our image. Because of that, the druids, who had already been secretive, withdrew even further until it appeared that they had faded from existence entirely. Up until now, we’ve led private lives and regard secrecy above all else.” She finished with hint of a frown, uncertainty clouding her gaze. “And now?” Her piercing eyes lifted to mine. “Everything’s changing. There’s discord among the elders—some want things to stay as they have been, while others want us to remain a secret to the human population but ally with the Fae. Yet others want us to out our abilities completely. Those individuals see us as a chosen people, better than other humans.” “What about you? What do you see as the proper direction for your people?” I pushed softly, surprisingly curious on her stance. The deep green of her eyes darkened as sadness ghosted over her features. “I don’t have a particular need to remain secretive, but I think revealing ourselves to the human population would forever change life as we know it on Earth. I’m not sure there’s any way to predict the myriad of ways life would be affected by the widespread knowledge of the existence of magic. Maybe I’m just a coward, afraid of what I don’t know, but my gut tells me a reveal like that would be catastrophic. I don’t think we should hide from the Fae, but I’m not sure telling humanity about Fae magic would benefit anyone. Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter what I think. I’m not an elder, and I doubt anything I say would have any impact, even if I did try to speak up.” This was not the first time she had considered the subject. In fact, I would be willing to bet that a great deal of thought had gone into her situation. How surreal it was to speak with a woman who looked so remarkably similar to Hilde, but who was so starkly different at the same time. Hilde was brash and bold. She was confident and vivacious in a way that was infectious to all those around her. I had not known Cat long, but from what I had learned, she possessed a rare degree of maturity for someone so young in years. She was methodical and observant, demonstrating an understated strength behind both her words and actions. What caught me off guard the most was how refreshing I found her perspective and demeanor. Perhaps the feeling was simply the product of the many lifetimes I had led without companionship. Perhaps it was her physical resemblance to Hilde that endeared her to me; and perhaps the draw was just my practical nature seeing her as a means to an end. I needed to try to recharge my magic so that I would know one way or another whether it was forever gone. I was not entirely sure where Cat fit into the picture, but the growing urge inside me insisted that our paths had crossed for a reason, and I did not like it one bit. “Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked hesitantly as she knotted her hair upon her head. There was no way I was going to tell her where my thoughts had taken me. “Your hair, what is it that you have used to tie it up?” I asked instead, hoping the question had explained my unintended staring. “Oh! That’s a hair tie, or rubber band. They’re specially made to hold hair. Would you like some?” She asked, already beginning to dig through her bag. “I would appreciate that. I did not bring any leather straps with me, and I do not have the proper tools to trim my hair.” She looked at me hesitantly from under her thick lashes. “Would you like your hair trimmed?” I had not put much thought into my hair. It had been a trivial matter relative to all the other changes in my life, but once she had mentioned it, I realized that it was refreshing to get rid of my beard and might be equally as pleasant to shed the long layers of hair as well. “Actually, I think I would.” “I could take you to get it done, or if you prefer, I can do it. My mom and I cut each other’s hair—it saves a load of money. Next time I come, I could bring the scissors.” Her eyes flitted around the room, and color flooded her freckled cheeks. An errant thought had me wondering what other ways I might be able to induce that lovely flush. I forced the image from my deviant mind, repositioning myself to a more comfortable position in my seat. “If you are able, that should suffice.” I must have been harboring some self-hatred to punish myself in such a way. Those delicate fingers touching me freely, without having the right to touch back, was going to be torture. Looking at those full rosy lips and the trail of freckles disappearing beneath her blouse, I could not have said no if I had wanted to.