Magic Spawn Origins

Magic Spawn: Chapter 78

by Meredith Skye

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 The battle was over. Molan was dead.

The town was safe.

Anya took solace in this. At least some good had come out of the tragedy of the past hour. But she couldn't stop thinking about Haley, the pushy seventeen year-old who would now never be a reporter. It was hard to blot out the picture of Haley tackling the battle wight in the cave, and both of them falling to their deaths.

Haley had sacrificed herself to save Anya, on the same day she'd vowed to be Anya's sister. To gain a sister was wonderful, but to lose her in the same day left a horrible empty spot inside Anya.

She felt drained. Listless.

Still, at least Aldena, her foster mother, was safe ... along with Rian, who was currently focussed solely on getting his brother Kyran revived. Poor little Kyran, whom no one had ever understood.

No wonder.

Rian made his appeal to the Arlunni named Emmara, drawing her off to help revive the boy.

With all the excitement, no one had noticed Anya, hanging back by the crypt entrance, but she resolved to move forward. Now Aldena's eyes flickered to Anya as she drew closer.

Acknowledgment, no more—no visible relief that Anya was alive, no display of emotion over the safe return of her daughter. Anya felt a pang of jealousy. Any other mother would have run over and given her a hug. Did Aldena not consider her as a true daughter?

Anya quelled the fear. She had to control her feelings.

Now Harlan managed to get to his feet. Haley's father. He hobbled closer, still weak from his recovery from being a battle wight. His wife, Jenna, supported him. They caught sight of Anya and came towards her. She dreaded this. And there was nowhere to hide.

Their approach drew Ehina's attention, who also moved closer.

"What about Haley? Wasn't she with you?" demanded Harlan.

Anya went to speak but words failed her. Trembling, she cast her eyes down at the ground. Ehina came to her rescue.

"Haley's gone," said Ehina gently. "I'm afraid she fell, fighting a battle wight."

"She's dead?" Harlan and Jenna looked stunned.

"Yes," said Ehina. "I'm sorry."

Anya couldn't bear to meet the gaze of her friend's parents. No one blamed her. How could they? What could Anya have done to save Haley? She did everything she could. But somehow Anya felt responsible. She felt sure that if Haley hadn't been trying to protect her, somehow, she might have escaped alive.

Anya wanted to say something. Words of comfort. Words of praise for Haley and her bravery. But she couldn't find her voice. Instead, she turned away, feeling miserable. She turned her back on the scene and closed her eyes, trying to keep back the tears.

The Arlunni had succeeded in bringing Kyran back. Anya could tell by the excited talk and the relief in Rian's voice. Then she heard the low tones of voices while Rian and his brother talked.

Then, she sensed, rather than saw, Rian taking notice of her. She opened her eyes and turned to see him approaching her. Not him too. Didn't he know?

"Where is she? Where's Haley?" asked Rian.

At first, Anya couldn't say it. But then, because he had to be told, she pulled herself together. "She's dead."

"What?" he asked, in disbelief.

"Fighting a battle wight in the cave—she fell off a cliff. She ... didn't make it."

"Not Haley," he said, the pain showing in his face. He made no attempt to hide his grief.

"I'm sorry," she managed to say softly. She reached out and touched his arm, to comfort him. He shook her hand off with a scowl and walked off, brooding.

It felt like an inditement. Did he blame her? Did he know that it was because of Anya that Haley was dead? Or perhaps she would have died in any case, fighting that thing. They'd never know.

She cursed herself.

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