Delilah walked down the high catwalk, running her hand along the many tomes shelved up here at the highest level in the Archive Hall of Revue Palace. Despite her attentive eye and careful perusal, her heart was heavy.
We really aren’t getting anywhere here, are we?
On the catwalk immediately below her, Alice yelled and threw up her hands. “Seriously, we aren’t getting anywhere with this!”
“We gotta at least wait until Revue comes back,” Isabelle said, giggling slightly at Alice’s outburst. She was walking the same path as Alice, searching with her. “Then we’ll know for sure.”
“But there’s so much to search!” Alice said. “There are, like, a billion rooms we haven’t even tried looking in because they’re totally ruined, you know? Hey, Gramps! Gramps?” She leaned over the rail, looking around. “Where’d he go?”
“He’s out in the Lobby,” Maribelle called up from the ground level of Archive Hall. “He wanted to check something.”
“More like he probably wanted to get away from mind-numbing nonsense,” Alice said with a groan. She looked up at Delilah, and as Delilah smiled down at her, her expression changed. “Well, at least one of us is still hopeful.”
“Someone’s gotta be, right?” Delilah asked.
Alice smirked. “Yeah, okay.” She looked at Rabanastre, who walked a few paces in front of her, hulking shoulders slumped. “I know, you’re sick of searching, too.”
“He could help out the Felines,” Delilah said. “I… kind of feel bad about having them clean other rooms while we do this.”
“It’s good training,” Alice said.
“And Reginald likes cleaning, right?” Isabelle asked, grinning.
Delilah smiled. “He does,” she said. “Well? If it’s such good training, why not have Rabanastre join them? We don’t want him getting restless.”
“But it’s okay if I get restless?” Alice asked. All she got in response were smiles and laughter. She bumped fists with her Summon, nodding once. “Go help them clean, or whatever. Make sure you don’t get bored!” Rabanastre seemed to have a little more pep in his step as he leapt from the catwalk, landing softly on the floor hundreds of feet below, and dashing off to join the Feline cleaning crew.
“He’s a good bunny,” Isabelle said.
“He’s not a bunny,” Alice said, continuing on, perusing the shelves. “He’s a rabbit.”
“They’re the same thing, aren’t they?” Isabelle asked.
“You grew up in a library, surrounded by books, and you don’t know the difference between bunnies and rabbits?”
“There’s so much stuff to study!” Isabelle said. “It’s not like I can learn everything!”
“You’re, like, a billion years older than me, and I’m the only one between us who knows the difference?” Alice scoffed, eyeing Isabelle teasingly. “So much for all your extra experience.”
“But I’m not the one who actually has a bunny!” Isabelle said grumpily.
“He’s a rabbit!” Alice shot back, glaring.
“He’s Rabanastre,” Delilah said, climbing down a ladder to join the pair, laughing at them. “And he’s our very reliable friend and ally.”
“Dang straight,” Alice said, nodding.
“I really want a bunny now…” Isabelle said with a dreamy sigh.
“I told you — !” Alice started, but cut off when she saw Isabelle’s teasing glance, and the way the little girl was fighting not to burst out laughing. “Oh, for crying out loud.”
“She knows how to push your buttons,” Delilah said, giggling.
“The innocent look she’s got going is way too deceptive,” Alice said, rolling her eyes.
“Or she’s just learning from you,” Delilah said.
“If anything, she’s like Addie,” Alice said with a sigh. “I can’t get away from that brat even when I’m not with her.”
“You don’t like your sister?” Isabelle asked.
“She…” Alice started, then turned away, leaning on the railing. She let out a sigh, then chuckled softly. “She’s a real pain in the neck, you know?” Then she raised her eyebrows. “Hey, there’s the ol’ Gramps.”
“And with Revue, too!” Isabelle said, waving. Down below, Marcus had returned, with Revue striding gracefully alongside him.
“Come on down, you three,” Revue called up. Delilah, Alice, and Isabelle each chose a ladder and started down, Delilah letting out a sigh as Alice and Isabelle decided to race each other to see who could descend the fastest. Alice won by a landslide, bracing her feet against the outside of the ladder rather than using the rungs, sliding down instead of climbing. Isabelle tried to mimic the action, but after nearly falling from the ladder once she started climbing very carefully, abandoning the race almost immediately after she’d started.
“Find anything?” Alice asked, looking up at Revue expectantly.
“In a manner of speaking,” Revue said. “The absence of what one seeks can be just as meaningful a find as what one hopes for.”
“So you found nothing,” Alice said with a dejected sigh.
Delilah came up with Isabelle and Maribelle, looking at the new arrivals for answers. “The missing pages are, more like than not, elsewhere,” Revue said. “It’s possible they reside in some hidden corner we have yet to uncover, some place we wouldn’t think to search, but… I have searched enough to guess not.”
Marcus smiled. “But I have an idea of where some answers are kept,” he said.
“The land of your people, right?” Alice asked. “Where is it, anyway?”
Marcus looked at Delilah, a twinkle in his eyes. “Oh, you may be quite familiar with it without even knowing. My ancient home lies in ruins… in Grimson Bay.”
Delilah’s eyes widened. “Grimson… we’re going back to Grimoire?”
“Indeed we are,” Marcus said.
“And one of us is going for the first time,” Maribelle said, smiling. “For all my travels, I’ve never been to the Human realm.”
“It’s kind of my first time, too!” Isabelle said, raising her hand. “I’ve only been inside the library and just right outside. I’ve never really seen the city before.”
“Back home, huh?” Alice asked, staring at the high ceiling. She caught Delilah looking at her and shook her head, shoving her hands in her pockets. Her white eyes flickered to black, and she smirked. “When are we going?”
“As soon as you’d like,” Marcus said. He looked at Maribelle. “Despite never going there, you aren’t surprised.”
“I had a feeling,” Maribelle said with a smirk. “And I’ve known about your past for quite some time, old friend.”
“Ah,” Marcus said, raising an eyebrow. He smiled. “Good, good.”
“You’re certainly adept at shirking your duties around here,” Revue said, eyeing Delilah and Alice with a scowl on her painted mask.
“We’ve accomplished quite a bit, actually,” Delilah said. “Reginald’s been leading the cleaning efforts.”
“Just ‘cause you don’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not happening, you know?” Alice asked, grinning.
Revue sighed dramatically, but her expression morphed to a smile. “I suppose I can give the two of you some leeway. After all, you’ve done quite a lot already. More than I’d hoped for, to be truthful. Go on, then. Be careful, and come back soon! It gets awfully quiet with you gone.”
“And you hate the quiet,” Delilah said. She smiled as Revue laughed knowingly.
Delilah and Alice recalled their Summons as they left the Palace. In the Library of Solitude, as they made their way to the station, Maribelle walked beside Delilah. “Your sister and brother left not long ago,” she said. “They went back to Grimoire, too. You’ll probably be able to see them.”
“Shana and Shias are home?” Delilah asked. That put an extra spring in her step as she hurried along to the station.
If I hurry, I’ll be able to see them!
I’m going back…
She paused, then, and looked back. The door to Revue Palace was still just barely visible.
…home.
Revue Palace… that’s my home, now.
So then…
…what’s Grimoire?
“Hey, you,” Alice said, poking Delilah in the side, earning a yelp and jump. “Don’t get all sulky when you’re about to see your family.”
“Right,” Delilah said. She turned away, walking ahead briskly.
Home…
They boarded a train together from the Library’s station, and zoomed off across the vast universe. Isabelle dozed, curling up in the seat with her head in Maribelle’s lap. Alice tried to mess with the sleeping princess a few times, but Maribelle was a particularly skillful protective big sister, and soon Alice gave up on her pranks. So she turned her attention to other subjects.
“Okay, so shoot straight with us, Gramps,” Alice said, eyeing Marcus. “You’re from Grimoire. But you’re not Human?”
“When I lived there, it wasn’t Grimoire,” Marcus said.
“What was your city called?” Delilah asked.
Marcus gazed out the window, a faraway look in his eyes. “Together, we’ll find the old Namestone. Then you’ll know.”
“You can’t just tell us?” Alice asked.
“It has… been a very long time since I was back there,” Marcus said. “I’ve been in Grimoire many times, but my old home… no.”
“Oh, I get it,” Alice said, grinning teasingly. “You forgot the name of your city!”
Marcus chuckled. “You have quite the imagination. No, I haven’t forgotten a single detail. But… the circumstances in which I left were… painful.”
“All of your people died,” Delilah said softly. Marcus nodded. “I’m so sorry.”
“As am I,” Marcus said. “For failing to save them.”
“What happened to them?” Alice asked. “The Sons of Night?”
“The Sons of Night did not yet exist when my people fell,” Marcus said. “But… darkness. The living darkness, and the darkness in a few people’s hearts… that was enough to bring my city, and my people, to ruin.” He sighed. “I will tell you more, but not until we explore the city itself. It will be easier to explain then.”
The rest of their train ride went on mostly in silence. Alice, despite her best efforts (and pretending otherwise) dozed off several times. Delilah, for her part, was wide awake. She gazed out at the wheeling stars and other Locations, so many thoughts running through her mind.
After a time, she asked, without even realizing she’d asked it aloud at first, “Can I… go see my parents first?”
“Of course you can,” Marcus said with the smile he had that always put Delilah at ease. “Shana and Shias, too, if they’re still there. And I doubt they would have left again so soon.”
“Thanks,” Delilah said.
“And hey, I still haven’t met those twins, or your parents,” Alice said. “So it’s not like you get to go home alone.”
“Let’s all go,” Delilah said, smiling. “Marcus, you’ve been a friend of the family for so long. And I’m sure Shana would be so happy to see Maribelle and Isabelle again.”
“It’ll be good to have a short rest before continuing our searching,” Maribelle said. “I’d be delighted to meet your family.”
And so Delilah was able to step off the train onto Grimoire’s main street with a smile. A smile that she was going to see her family with so many friends in tow. A smile that she was back in the city she loved, in the snow she loved, during the season she loved.
But her smile faded fast.
“What’s wrong with the sky?” Alice asked, hands shoved in her pockets as she gazed skyward.
“The Endless Night,” Maribelle said. “There can’t be any other explanation.”
“It’s not even lunchtime,” Isabelle said, “but it looks like it’s almost bedtime.”
“Let’s go,” Delilah said, hurrying ahead. Her heart began to ease up on the dread, though, the farther she went. She saw people going about their usual schedules. Shops were open. The trolley was rolling. There were less people in the streets than usual, but it was late morning on a school day.
There was a faint sense of fear, and more curtains were closed than Delilah would normally expect. But overall…
Things aren’t as bad as the sky makes it seem. Or at least, people aren’t letting the sky get them down as much as I thought.
Which means, all things considered…
Grimoire is safe. For now.
Returning to Greyson Manor, Delilah hesitated at the door, but only for a moment. She thought about knocking, but then realized that was silly. She opened the door and stepped inside.
“I’m home!” she called out, surprised to hear quite a bit of chatter and noise. “And I brought guests, if that’s okay!”
“Delilah?” came Deirdre’s voice, and Delilah’s heart stuck in her throat. When her mother rounded the corner and wrapped her up in a hug, it took all she had not to cry, hugging her back.
How is it I never realize how much I miss you until I’m back?
When Deirdre let Delilah go, the entrance hall was full of people. There was Shana, Shias, Kathryn, Rae, Ben, and Annabelle, but also…
“Caleb!” Delilah cried, stunned at his presence. And with him were Chelsea and Addie, and Lorelei, Gwen, and Will.
“How’d you guys know we were coming?” Alice asked.
“We didn’t!” Addie said, gazing at her sister wide-eyed.
“But you put together a whole welcoming committee for us,” Alice said, smirking.
“Sorry to say, but the party isn’t for you guys,” Chelsea said, matching Alice’s smirk. “But you’re welcome to join the party, if you’d like.”
Delilah couldn’t help but notice that all three of her siblings were completely silent, staring at her. And she was slightly embarrassed, but smiled and stood tall at their stunned faces.
“Delilah?!?” Shana finally asked, taking a few steps forward, gaping at her. “It’s… it’s like… it’s really you, right?”
“It’s me,” Delilah said, laughing.
“Where’d all your hair go?” Caleb asked, adjusting his glasses. “You… like… you used to have so much!”
“It, um, felt like a good time for a change,” Delilah said, reaching up and adjusting her hair. She’d already started getting used to it.
“Don’t put her on the spot, you guys!” Kathryn said, hugging Shana from behind and grinning at Delilah. “She looks really great, doesn’t she?”
“You really do,” Shana said, nodding emphatically. Altair, in her arms, barked once, wagging his tail in agreement.
“You look totally awesome!” Caleb said. “Not just the hair, like… the whole outfit! You’ve totally changed!”
“A… lot’s happened,” Delilah said, laughing.
“You ain’t kidding,” Alice said.
“It shows,” Shias said, nodding. “But just like the rest of us… you look like you’re so much better because of it.”
Delilah swelled with pride at that assessment. “Yeah,” she said softly, smiling. “Yeah, we are.”
“You look different, too!” Addie said, pacing circles around Alice, sizing her up from every angle. “What’s with all the color? And the skirt? You always used to dress like a —”
“If you say ‘boy’ I swear I’ll punch you,” Alice said, looking at Addie as if daring her to say it.
“Like a boring office worker!” Addie said. “But now you look like, like, like… like a something! Something way cool!”
“Your vocabulary never ceases to amaze,” Alice said, rolling her eyes.
“You look so grown up,” Deirdre said, smiling at Delilah. “I can’t wait to hear about all of your adventures.”
“I hope we have time for it,” Delilah said, still stunned by the size of the group. “So, wait, what’s the party? Why is everyone here?”
“Dad’s coming back in a few hours, so we can finally throw a party!” Shana said, grinning. She stepped aside, and Shias with her, both of them gesturing, along with everyone else, to Caleb and Chelsea. A moment later, Addie realized the cue and hurried to her place between the couple.
Delilah stared. And before Chelsea held up her hand to show off her ring, she’d figured it out.
Oh.
Oh… you guys really…
And then she was laughing, causing everyone to look at her, but no matter how embarrassing that was, she couldn’t stop laughing. If anything, it only made her laugh more.
“What gives?” Alice asked, Delilah’s laughter starting to rub off a bit on her.
“It’s just…” Delilah said, shaking her head. Finally, she just rushed forward, hugging Caleb, Addie, and Chelsea all at once. “I’m so happy for you.”
“And we’re so happy,” Addie said, earning laughs from them all.
When Delilah pulled away, a sudden flicker of red dashed past her. It was Isabelle, her apple-red hair streaming behind her as she leapt high into Caleb’s arms, hugging him tight and pulling Chelsea into it, too.
“Congratulations!” the little Princess cried, laughing with joy. “I’m so excited for you!”
“Thanks, little one,” Caleb said, grinning from ear to ear.
The party steadily moved into the living room, where two extra couches had been moved in to provide ample seating space for everyone. The fireplace crackled cozily, but amidst the warmth of the party and celebrations, Delilah couldn’t help but ask about the state of things.
“Seriously, what’s up with the sky?” Alice added to Delilah’s own questions. “We leave for a bit and the whole city goes to crap?”
“The whole city didn’t go to crap!” Addie said. “Just the sky!”
Deirdre and Lorelei took over the explanation, and the festivities calmed down to allow Delilah, Alice, Marcus, Isabelle, and Maribelle to listen. Even though he listened, Marcus sat on the floor, and Altair soon came to join him. Not much later, Will’s Summon, the firrin Trevain, joined them, the bunny-eared squirrel and Altair playing with the ring-shaped bells on Marcus’ staff. Trevain soon became fascinated by the tassels on Marcus’ hooded coat, and clambered up the man’s shoulder to toy around with them. When they swung down, Altair tossed them back up, and soon the pair were batting the tassels back and forth between them.
Delilah enjoyed the sight, but she made sure not to get distracted from the proper explanations happening. Marcus smiled and clearly enjoyed the Summons’ attention, but he was paying attention, too, so Delilah had no excuse if she missed out on something.
The Endless Night… its power is felt here. I’ve been so isolated, going from place to place with strange skies or no skies at all. At the Library of Solitude, we could see the stars going out, but that feels so distant, so small.
“Kaohlad’s dead, huh?” Alice asked. She was sitting, rather begrudgingly, next to Addie, but now she smiled at her rather tenderly. “You’re free.”
“Yeah,” Addie said, staring at the floor.
“Perk up,” Alice said, nudging Addie. “It’s a good thing, you know?”
“Yeah, I know,” Addie said. “It just… feels really weird.”
Chelsea’s owl took note of the two Summons playing with Marcus’ coat, and glided over to land on the floor, watching them with wide, curious eyes. After a moment, Altair stepped back, pointing to the owl, and then the tassel. Trevain’s bushy tail swished back and forth as he watched the owl expectantly. After a moment, the owl Summon stretched out a wing and batted the tassel up to Trevain. The firrin caught the tassel in his front paws, excitedly tossing it down, and now the game had three players.
A sudden explosive sound high above made some in the room leap to their feet in alarm, but Deirdre, Caleb, Shana, Shias, and Delilah all just smiled. They knew where the sound came from, and when a door opened higher up, they all stood, excitedly awaiting the new arrivals.
“After a lengthy, strenuous training arc,” came Callum’s voice, “the wandering hero returns, better than ever!” He came into view on the second floor balcony by the stairs, grinning down at the gathering in the living room. But at the sight of so many people, his eyes went wide. “Wait, whoa, I didn’t know you guys were throwing me a party! This is too much!”
“It’s not for you, darling,” Deirdre said, laughing as she rolled her eyes.
“Dad, what the heck happened to you?” Caleb asked.
The question was a good one, considering that Callum’s blonde, curly hair was sticking up in many places, and cobalt-blue sparks of electricity were zipping around his head and across his body. His eyes gleamed the same color, crackling with their own electricity.
“Oh, that,” Callum said, laughing. “Don’t worry, I can turn it off. But check it out! I finally learned how to control it!” He held up his hand, gloved with his Talisman, and a spinning ball of blue electricity formed, crackling with power.
“Since when could you do stuff like that?” Shana asked, gazing wide-eyed.
“Oh, it’s a long story,” Callum said, laughing as he dismissed the ball. “Basically, I’m an Elemental Mage, but I had too much trouble controlling my Element — Electricity — back in the day, so I gave up on it.” He looked away, hesitating. “I, ah… kind of almost died because of it.”
“But he realized he needed to harness his power, rather than run from it,” said Oscar, coming into view alongside his son. “Fear was getting him nowhere.”
“You don’t have to tell them I was afraid of it,” Callum said, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. “But hey, sorry, the party’s not for me, so what’s it for? What’d I miss?” The lightning crackling around his body vanished, and he came down the stairs, followed by Oscar. Halfway down, though, he stopped, looking at Caleb. Caleb stared back at him with a smirk. For a long time, father stared at son, his eyes slowly widening.
“My…” Callum started, his voice soft and shocked, “… son.” He leapt the banister, skipping the rest of the stairs, and raced to Caleb, pulling him into a tight embrace. “You’re alive. And you’re back.”
“Yeah, Dad,” Caleb said, smiling as he hugged Callum back.
“Welcome home,” Callum said, burying his face in Caleb’s shoulder. “Welcome home.”
“It’s good to be back,” Caleb said, laughing.
“That’s not all, though,” Deirdre said, placing her hands on Chelsea’s shoulders, nudging her forward. But Shana suddenly leapt between them and the embracing father and son.
“Hold on!” she said. “That’s gonna get him way too worked up to notice other stuff, so don’t you think he should see someone else first?” At Deirdre and Chelsea’s questioning looks, Shana grinned and rushed over to Delilah, pushing her towards Callum. “Come on, come on, he’s gotta see your new look!”
“It’s not that big of a deal…” Delilah said, but only out of embarrassment. She couldn’t forget how excited she’d been at seeing her new look in the mirror. And though it was embarrassing to get flooded with attention and praise… a part of her was really glad for it.
“Holy cow!” Callum cried, staring at Delilah. “My baby girl! You look… so grown up! I…” He paused, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t really know how to feel about this.”
“She looks totally awesome, doesn’t she?” Shana asked.
“Yeah,” Callum said, grinning. “Yeah, she does.” And he pulled Delilah into a hug. “Welcome home.”
Home…
“Thanks, Dad,” Delilah said, smiling as she hugged him back.
“And now we can get to the main event,” Shana said. She turned Callum’s attention to Chelsea and Deirdre, then stepped aside, excitedly watching for his reaction. Showing uncommon timidity, Chelsea slowly held up her hand, displaying her new ring.
Callum’s jaw dropped. He looked from Chelsea to Caleb, back to Chelsea, then back to Caleb. Then he stepped forward, pulling Caleb and Chelsea both into a hug.
“Congratulations,” he said, his voice taut with emotion.
“Thanks, Dad,” Caleb said, laughing.
“Thank you,” Chelsea echoed.
“Now,” Deirdre said, beaming, “the party can properly begin.”
Greyson Manor was a whirlwind of activity. Delilah let her Felines out, despite there being so many people, because, even though she wasn’t fully sure of its place in her life… for the moment…
It’s home.
And she was never more comfortable than when she was at Greyson Manor. Alice took that as her cue and Summoned Rabanastre. He and Felix were immediately nearly glued to each other.
They’ve become such good friends. And rivals, in a way.
So it was no surprise when the pair of them headed upstairs to Greyson Manor’s training hall to spar. Out came Rae’s hulking Summon, Brutus, and Nekoma and Redmond became fast friends with him.
Initially, Deirdre and Kathryn were teamed up in the kitchen preparing snacks and drinks, but Reginald strolled in and booted them out. “He’s a bossy butler,” Kathryn said. Despite that, she was laughing. Reginald took over drinks and snacks, periodically coming out of the kitchen, perfectly balancing a tray on his paw as he navigated the chaos, serving tea and cookies to everyone.
“Well, it lets me have more time with my wife,” Callum said, eagerly pulling Deirdre into a hug.
“You’re back for real now, right?” Deirdre asked, kissing him.
“I’m all yours,” Callum replied, earning a beautiful smile from Deirdre.
“Hey, where’d Shias go?” Shana asked, looking around. “Altair, recon!” Altair abandoned his play session with Marcus, Trevain, and Chelsea’s owl, darting up the stairs and vanishing into the upper floors. A few seconds later he was barking, and Shana let out a groan, rushing up the stairs. Delilah could hear her before she saw her, saying, “I know you’re not gregarious, but that doesn’t mean you can skip out on your brother’s engagement party for more training!” She appeared at the stairs, dragging Shias after her, and Felix and Rabanastre followed after, herded along by Altair. “You guys, too! I can’t leave you up there, you’ll just encourage Shias.”
“I’ve already congratulated them multiple times,” Shias said, but it was a weak complaint. Delilah laughed.
He never can argue with Shana.
Altair seemed very proud of his work as he rejoined Marcus, who was often on his back, rolling around and actively playing with the three smallest Summons.
Reginald came to Delilah on the couch, holding out a tray with a steaming cup of tea and a plate with several cookies. The aroma of vanilla and lilac wafted to Delilah’s nose, and she grinned. “Thank you, Reginald,” she said, graciously accepting the treats. Reginald bowed, ever the elegant butler-Feline, and strolled back to the kitchen.
“I should have my Summon spend some time with him,” Chelsea said, plopping down on the couch beside Delilah. “He could use a few lessons in manners.”
Delilah giggled at that, sipping her tea daintily.
Perfect. But of course, he knows my favorite.
“You’ve been through a lot, huh?” Chelsea asked, smiling down at Delilah. “Sorry, our big celebration kind of took over… everything. You haven’t had a chance to talk about your adventure.”
“I know,” Delilah said, “but it’s okay.”
“You can talk to me about it, if you want,” Chelsea said.
Delilah hesitated, but only for a moment. And then she started talking, covering her entire adventure since leaving Grimoire, realizing she hadn’t seen any of her family in all that time. From one Bastion to the next, finally reaching the Drowned Palace, and covering the entire Night’s Revue and her team’s victory, she and Alice becoming Paladins, trying to clean up the Palace while also participating in the Daybreak Council… there was so much to cover. But she delighted in talking about it, especially as she went on longer and longer without distractions or interruptions. There was so much happening here, but Chelsea listened to her without looking away.
Delilah left out the Key of the World for now, casting a glance Shana’s way.
One of the Keys… it’s got to be in Dreamworld somewhere. I’ll need to talk to her a lot about that.
“So,” Chelsea said, an air of pride in her smile, “you found where you belong.”
Delilah blinked in surprise, then smiled, nodding. “Yeah,” she said softly. “I did.”
“I’m happy for you,” Chelsea said. “But you know, even now that you’re a Paladin and everything, if you ever need anything, I’ll be there for you.”
Once again Delilah paused in surprise, but then she smiled again.
After everything…
I shouldn’t be surprised at all.
“I know you will,” Delilah said. “Thank you.”
The party progressed, with tea and snacks turning into a more substantial meal. There were simply too many people, and too many energetic children in the mix, to have everyone sit at a table and eat properly, but the standing and running and goofing off subsided slightly, with everyone finding seats on couches and plush armchairs, or even on the floor, like Marcus, as they ate and chatted and played games. Delilah found herself next to Gwen, and it took her several minutes to work up the courage to broach a topic she’d been concerned about.
“I, um…” Delilah started sheepishly, “I was wondering… would you be able to make me some new clothes similar to these? Different colors, slightly different styles, we can talk more details later, but… um… I’m really sorry about trading out the clothes you gave me.”
Gwen laughed, her golden eyes shining. “Don’t apologize at all!” she said. “I gave you those clothes so long ago, and I’m glad they served you well for so long. Clothes are meant to be worn, and fashion changes, stylistic changes, they’re meant to happen, and should be encouraged and enjoyed. I’d be more than happy to make you new outfits.”
Delilah breathed a sigh of relief. She’d never had clothes custom-made for her until her group’s stop at Gwen’s house during the search for the Library of Solitude, and she’d treasured that single outfit dearly. Trading it out had been a difficult decision.
“This is just perfect,” Chelsea said as the group started on dessert, and the liveliness died down to a more subdued, happy gathering.
“It’s almost perfect,” Shana said. When every eye went to her, she hesitated. “It’s just… Fae should be here.”
A heavy silence descended upon the room, sustained for several moments. Then Callum stood, holding up his glass.
“To Fae,” he said.
Caleb was the next on his feet, raising his glass. “To Fae,” he echoed.
One by one, everyone rose, raising a glass in a toast to the one Greyson missing. Delilah was the last to her feet, her heart a swirl of complicated emotions.
Fae’s on her own journey, too. She has been since…
Pretty much since the rest of us started ours.
And I…
The last thing she remembered about Fae were the words she’d said to Shana in this very living room, shortly before Shana had gone to visit Fae at her dorm room.
And I still haven’t seen her in all this time.
I was…
I was too harsh, back then. If I could see Fae now… there’s no way I’d say she’s not my sister.
Of course she is.
And…
I really wish she was here.
Delilah let out a long, heavy sigh. She hadn’t seen Fae at all, and had barely heard anything else about her, in all this time. And yet her harsh feelings about her oldest sister had softened despite nothing new happening to change them.
I just… I’m not angry at her anymore. And I don’t even know why.
She thought she probably should be happy about that. But not knowing why she’d changed her mind occupied her thoughts. If only…
A sudden, frantic pounding on the front door shook Delilah out of her thoughts. Everyone jumped, staring at the door. Nearly everyone was frozen in place, but Caleb almost immediately went for the door, racing out to the entrance hall and pulling it open.
His gasp, and following silence, drew everyone to the entrance hall. Before they even reached it, the voice of Madeline Crowley could be heard, taut with frantic emotion.
“Please, don’t crowd her!” Madeline cried. “She needs a bed, somewhere to lie down.”
Deirdre and Callum were next to the entrance hall, followed closely by Shana. Shias and Delilah took up the rear, and Chelsea came, too, while everyone else kept more of a distance.
Entering Greyson Manor was Madeline Crowley, cradling an unconscious Fae in her arms. Delilah stared, stunned at the appearance of her sister. Fae’s skin was pale, her breathing shallow. Her clothes were dirty, sweaty, and torn, and there were bruises and tiny puncture wounds on her arms.
“What…” Callum started, staring.
“Please!” Madeline said. “Where can I lay her down?”
“H-her room is clean, her bed’s made up,” Deirdre said, her voice shallow. “Caleb… can you… show her the way?”
“We should all go,” Callum said.
“Please, don’t crowd her,” came a gravelly, sage-like voice. Close behind Madeline was…
Delilah stared. He wasn’t a Human. Or a Summon. He was…
“Tortoise?” Callum asked, staring in shock.
“Dragon, actually,” the tortoise-Dragon said. “Though I understand the confusion. Please. Fae is… in no immediate danger. She needs space, and rest. Let Madeline and the others look after her. I have much to explain of her condition. If you would please sit down and remain calm.”
Caleb led Madeline up the stairs, and she was followed by a small boy and six other young women, but Delilah was too taken aback to look closely at anyone but…
Fae.
What…
What happened to you?