Changelings: The Novelization (Book 1)

Chapter Four: "Redcaps"

Chapter Four

“Redcaps”

“You came back!” said the unbelieving Miranda against his shoulder as Gordi hugged her. She was surprised how attached she had grown to Gordi in the short time they had been wandering Hawthorne together. When she ran away from Axel, she had no fear of being alone – if she had discovered that Roxie was safe and happy in someone else’s care, she would have been quite content to continue her self-imposed exile. But emotion seemed to be bubbling to the surface, now that she was embracing Gordi.

Except she wasn’t.

“Of course, darling,” he whispered back.

“Huh?” Miranda pulled back to look at him.

He cleared his throat. “Sorry. Trying to sound more human.”

“Please don’t - you sound like Axel.”

“Mm. I would not wish that.” Damn, that was close. Too many missteps like that and his cover would be blown, much sooner than he wanted. He hated speaking like such a deadpan simpleton, but if it meant getting Miranda back, he would do it. He only had to play Gordi until they got close to where he had stationed Tanis, Etheline and Bindi, who were waiting to capture her. He was sure Miranda would not be happy to be tricked, but at this point he had no choice – the stability of his rule, and the dominance of the Salamanders, was at stake. Her ability to wield the scepter unfortunately made her a threat – he had to contain her at the very least, and convince her to use the scepter for their benefit. Not a difficult task - though the method he would have to use would not be ideal. 

He peeked behind Miranda, to see a cake wrapper caught on a breeze further back. “You have been following us?”

She nodded. “Darcy is the only one who can lead me to my sister. I wasn’t lying-“

“Shh, I know. I should not punish you for being a Fae. It is a gift, not a curse - your power will help us greatly.”

“That was a fast change of heart.”

“Yes, well... being alone with Darcy was more than I could bear.”

Miranda laughed. “Speaking of which, where is Darcy?”

“She told me where the camp was and took off. She did not want to go back there.”

“Ah. I can't say I blame her.”

“So, shall we?” he offered his arm for her to take. She blinked at him, quizzically. “Trying too hard again?” She nodded, with a smile that seemed one part amused and one part disturbed.

He bit his lip – another mistake. He sighed and tried to make it look like he was ‘relaxing’ into the frowning, slouching mode of Gordi. Miranda seemed satisfied with it – she relaxed and gave him a look that said ‘that’s better’ and followed him, trustingly. Miranda had no idea that she was now veering off the path to the mines where her sister was being held, and was headed into a trap.

Meanwhile, the real Gordi was bringing supplies back to Darcy, just like he did with Miranda. They had more food than they needed, but Gordi did not know how to open the cans and they were out of everything else. Darcy pretended to wake up when he arrived, even though she had been awake since sunrise. Even with the thick clouds overhead, she wasn’t used to this much light – during the night she found herself bothered by the moonlight that filtered through the grey curtain, preventing her from getting much sleep at all. Light in the Otherworld meant will-o-wisps, which meant that you were being watched – something to be avoided at all costs by a person in her profession. Darkness and shadows were protection – they allowed you to move unseen.