A Shattered Song ✔️

Chapter Twelve: Revelations

CHAPTER TWELVE: Revelations

Ivy was unlike any faerie Evelyn had met so far.

She had the mind of an adult, the body of a child, and- most shockingly- she used human slang like it was natural to her.

For example, now. "We're gonna get you outta here, Evelyn." She said passionately, waving her bracelet-covered wrists in the air for the millionth time. (She also had beaded human jewelry. Evelyn shouldn't have been surprised.). "That's why I'm here. Then I got captured, but that's okay, because they put me with you!" She moved as if to hug her, but Evelyn pulled away. Ivy's face fell.

"Oh? And how are we supposed to get out?" Evelyn demanded. "Are we going to just waltz through the door?"
She couldn't allow herself hope. Hope was foolish. Hope was deadly.

Nor could she allow herself to trust Ivy, as clear as her intentions seemed. She knew next to nothing about the faerie. And Ivy seemed reluctant to share.

"Well...no." Ivy admitted. "I'm still working on that part."

Evelyn rolled her eyes.

"But!" She chirped. "We are getting out of here! Just you wait, little one. We're going to save you."

"Save me." Evelyn scoffed. "You can't even save yourself."

Ivy's eyes flashed. "Careful." She warned.

Evelyn stiffened. "Careful...what?"

"Careful with what you say, when you're in way over your head and you have zero information. Information is power, here, in this game of lies and truths." Ivy leapt lightly off the bed, which she had taken over the minute she arrived- after she stopped screaming, that is. "For example, I know your name is Evelyn Vivian Anderson. I know you are human. I know you lost your best friend to the monster who calls herself a ruler for my people. I know you like cheese and pepperoni on your pizza, but sausage makes you gag. I know your cousin resides within these walls, barely remembering anything about you." Ivy smiled angelically. "Now, let's review what you know about me. You know my name is Ivy. And you know I must have done something to anger the Lady Briar."

Chills that had nothing to do with the temperature pricked Evelyn's arms.

Ivy pretended to think. "Oh...and you know...wait, that's it. So, human child, you have nothing to use against me."

Evelyn only stared.

"So, like I said. Be careful." Ivy spun in a circle. "Of, not me...but them. Speaking of," Ivy cocked her head. "We have a visitor."

It took another thirty seconds for Evelyn to catch what Ivy, with her superior hearing, had heard much earlier. A lone pair of footsteps, with an irregular beat- perhaps whomever they belonged to was running or skipping. 

Then, a knock on the door.

A smirk danced on the edges of Ivy's lips. "Come in, Melody!" She called out.

Evelyn stiffened.

The door swung open, and the dark-haired girl poked her head in. Ivy had not been wrong. "Hello." Melody greeted, noticeably only looking at Ivy. "Do I know you?"

"Not currently." Ivy responded, adopting the riddle-like speech Evelyn had noticed the rest of the Fae practicing whenever they did deign use a human language. "But soon, I should like to think."

"Yes, soon." Melody agreed, but curiosity lingered in her eyes. Then she unwillingly dragged her gaze to Evelyn. Her tone was ice cold as she said, "Lady Briar wants you."

Evelyn froze. She choked out, "What for?"

"A test of some such." Melody waved a hand airily. "Of what kind, I know not."

A test.

The test.

Kayleigh screaming.

Her, a girl of ash and fire.

Falling, falling, falling.

Not realizing what she was doing, Evelyn jerked away, her mouth falling open in horror. Melody only watched indifferently, if a bit puzzled. It was Ivy who moved to grab Evelyn's shoulder before she fell, digging into her skin with long, sharp nails, hissing, "Shhhhhh, you can last a little bit longer. You have to."

"Evie, come." Melody sang.

"No."

"Evelyn." Melody said sternly. "Don't be mean and disobedient."

"Disobedient?" Evelyn exclaimed. "Disobedient? That's what you're worried about?" Ivy shot her a warning look, but Evelyn ignored it. "You kidnapped me! Have you forgotten? Or was that just one little inconsequential detail you overlooked to keep up the façade that is your perfect lives?"

Unruffled, and still not meeting her eyes, Melody said, "One life for the entirety of our species. It was the obvious choice."

"The obvious choice!" Evelyn exploded. "The obvious choice! Well, I'll bet it wouldn't be so obvious if it was your life, would it, dearest, sweetest best friend. I'll bet it wasn't so obvious to Kay- Kay- to..." She broke off, her throat tightening with suppressed tears.

What had happened to blocking it all up? Stopping it like a cork?

She'd been so determined...

"It would still be a simple equation." Melody said evenly. "Now, are you coming?"

"No!" She spat.

"It is not a choice."

"Of course it's not." Evelyn backed away. "Well, I-"

"Evelyn," Ivy placed a hand on her shoulder and shoved her forward again. "Go."

And so, afraid of the inevitable and not wanting to be forced, Evelyn went.