Ice & Storm

Irina

I sat in the middle of the Amazon rainforest watching as the green of the forest turned white as frost covered the trees. My frost. I myself sat in a perfect iced circle, cross-legged in my jeans and pale pink tunic. Icicles as sharp as blades formed in the tree. A warning to any fae who dared approach me. I was not in the mood for company.

A girl I had known since she was a baby was in danger, in the fairy lands. And the queen of the forest refused to send help because it would be seen as an act of war. This was one of the main reasons I stayed away from all the politics of the supernatural world. It was more trouble than it was worth.

I heard the telltale sound of footsteps trodding on my circle of ice and raised my eyes a curse ready for whatever fae had decided to interrupt my solitude. The curse died in my head as I spotted the dark haired girl in front of me.

My mouth curled. “Katherine?” I said with a raised eyebrow. “What are you doing here? The last I heard you were a teenage runaway.” I said. Katherine slipped her backpack off with a smirk.

“You heard correct.” Katherine said.

“I came at the behest of Davenna.” Katherine said sitting across from me her hands folded in her lap.

I frowned. “I saw Davenna already. I know that she plans on going to save Zira from her fate. A foolhardy move from a soft spoken girl.” I said looking at Katherine.

“What would reason could she have had to send you to me?” I asked pointedly.

“From what I heard from the Queen she was meant to search out Discord not you. How is it she located you when no one from Marcus’s bevy of witches were unable to do so?” I said.

Katherine smiled, in a relaxed way. “You and I both know that Marcus’s best people are now with Davenna.” She said with a smile.

“How she located me is her business. Davenna asked me as a favor to come here to you. She wanted you to know that she was safe.” Katherine said.

My lips thinned. “What exactly did she say?” I asked softly.

Davenna since she was three has always been playing intricate games with me, Marcus and Hunter. She loved playing us against each other. “Davenna asked me to come here and let you know that she has a way into the Fairy Lands and a way back.” Katherine said hesitating with the way she said a way back making my eyes narrow in concern.

“You seem unsure about her way back.” I pointed out.

Katherine sighed looking away. “Isn’t there some way to let Hunter and Marcus know where she is? Maybe they can go there and help out?” Katherine said.

I shook my head. “Marcus and other witches and Warlocks like him have been banned from the Fairy Lands for centuries.” I said.

Katherine looked at me intrigued. “How does that even happen?” She asked curiously.

“Not important. Although, if you help me there’s a way we can monitor what’s going on in the Fairy Lands and if need be, use the talisman you probably gave Davenna to get a lock on them and pull them out.” I said, smiling when Katherine looked shifty.

“How did you know that I gave Davenna a talisman?” Katherine asked.

“I’ve known you both since you were three. I love you both, but you aren’t exactly subtle.” I pointed out.

“Fine. I’ll help you with whatever it is you’re talking about.” Katherine said, biting her lip.

I smiled, putting my hands out palms faced upwards and called most of the ice back to my hands. “You don’t think she’ll be able to come back.” I asked.

“I don’t much think of the way she is thinking of coming back, she is relying on Zira’s powers.” Katherine pressed. “She doesn’t even know if she’ll be able to save Zira, much less what condition Zira might be in. What if they’re too late? What if for whatever reason Zira can’t help?” Katherine said.

“Maybe I should’ve gone with them.” She said worriedly. I smiled softly putting my hands out, letting Katherine slide hers in mine. “Your heart is so kind. As kind as your mother’s Evangeline.” I said tightening my grip on her hands as she made to let go.

“Davenna is much more observant than anyone would’ve given her credit for. She saw my face, when the Queen made me swear that I would not warn Hunter or Marcus. I can’t warn them.” I said.

Katherine looked at me. “Oh.” She said with a small smile. “Think about it. She asked you to come to me. The one of many witches that was there when your mother ran.” I said. “How would she know?” Katherine asked. “Like I said, observant.” I said, as I squeezed her hands and gave her a sweet smile.

“Your mother was very beautiful, and just as kind as you are. When she loved, she loved recklessly and with her whole heart. Your father was a good man. And he did love you even before you were meant to be. He had the gift of prophecy. He used to dream about his strong stormy daughter. But he saw that people were coming for you. He swore to your mother that he would always protect the both of you. It was the leader of the coven that came to your mother with the news of your mother’s death.” I said. Katherine glanced away from me her throat working. “She didn’t take it well?” Katherine asked quietly.

“She became paranoid.” I said remembering those days. “Eva became insanely worried over Gerrault’s prophecy. She got quiet, secretive, and then one day she was just gone.” I said. “She didn’t pack or even tell anyone. She just left. Not much was ever known of her journey. I was the one that found her. I was honor bound to her coven. You’d already been born when I found her. Evangeline was weak and I was afraid for your safety.” I said hoping Katherine would understand how sorry I was.

“I was sent a letter.” Katherine said questions clouding her voice. “She sent two. I helped her. One dated sixteen years from that date. And another immediate to the leader of the coven.” I said. “Thaddeus Shale. He is what remains of the former blood coven. You know what happened to the rest.” I said. “I heard the stories.” Katherine said, she shook her head.

“According to the Romanians he is the one with the amulet of the coven of nine.” Katherine said. “That amulet is mine. The only inheritance I will ever have of my mother.” Katherine said. She looked around, glancing at the circle of ice I had made in my anger.

“Ice powers are similar to the powers of the storm.” She said thoughtfully. Her hands tightened in mine. “How do we help Davenna?”

I smiled. “Like I said. Your heart is very much like your mother’s.”