|[ THE FAERI'S KEEPER ]|

Chapter 37: Soul Bridge

I woke to the sound of someone crowing in delight. I blinked blearily to find Brandon and Claude gone, and myself alone in the carriage. Weariness left me as I rose to my feet and clambered out of the carriage and into the morning light.

Claude ran towards me, dripping wet from head to toe.

"About time you took a bath." I said as he reached me. He rolled his eyes and grabbed my hand, pulling me towards the water.

"I've found the way!" he cried. We reached the water and he tried to pull me in. I tugged my hand out of his grip.

"What?" I asked, "Found the way to what?"

"The Soul Bridge!" Claude smiled, "I... I don't know what did it... but... you know how I said magic calls to magic?"

"Dimly, yes." I said as he moved further out into the water, "Why?"

"It wasn't the water calling to me!" Claude said swiftly, "it was her!" I stared at him as he began to swim towards the centre of the pool. "Esele! The falls aren't just healing waters. They're a doorway!"

"I thought we were looking for a bridge?" I asked, chewing my cheek, "Not a soul pond."

"It wouldn't have to be a literal bridge," Claude said patiently, "Just a gateway from our world to the next... it makes sense, doesn't it? To have the water that suspend life rest at the doorway to death?" I stared at him carefully, taking in his dripping hair, his shining eyes. I wondered just how sleep-deprived he still was.

"Where's Brandon?" I asked, glancing around. Perhaps he could help me make sense of Claude's ramblings.

"He went to find some food." Claude said, losing patience. He sighed and swam back to me. "Irene. Do you trust me?"

"I... I guess..." I said softly, "Why?"

"If you trust me... follow me." he grabbed my hand and led me into the water. I resisted at first. "Shouldn't we wait for Brandon to come back?" I asked, "He'll be worried if we're missing."

"He'll guess where we've gone." Claude reasoned, "Please. You said it yourself. We can't afford to wait." He gently pulled me forwards into deeper water. It clung to me, cool and velvety smooth. I could see Cedric, resting on the floor, the clear water barely distorting his features.

The water rose to our waists, over our chests, until we were treading water.

"Stay right behind me," Claude said firmly, "And whatever you see, ignore it."

"Claude..." I began, feeling uncertain. But he had already dived, moving through the water like a knife. I steeled my nerves – I had never really liked deep water. I took a breath... and dived after him.

Underneath the water it was completely different to how it had looked. The glow disappeared to be replaced by shadows, and as I looked at Cedric's body he had taken on a haunted look. I felt fear ripple through me. I felt a tap on my shoulder and flailed away, shocked, a bubble of air escaping my mouth.

Claude cast me an annoyed look, and I was concerned to see he also looked distorted. He grabbed my wrist and began to swim downwards, pulling me with him. I resisted the urge to fight and return to the surface. The deeper we swam the darker the water grew until all I could see was Claude's hand on mine and his pale shirt, a ghost in the inky water.

I felt my lungs burn for air and began to panic, glancing up at the fading light above. If I didn't turn back soon, I wouldn't have enough time to reach the surface. I tugged on Claude's grip and he paused, watching me. He seemed unworried.

I suppose if you have magic breathing underwater is no dilemma, I thought bitterly. He raised an eyebrow, wondering what I wanted. I motioned upwards, trying to tell him I had to breathe. He pointed down.