Summer's Frost

Chapter 25

18 years ago

The rain pours relentlessly down, turning the ground into mud and wet cobblestone. The sunset two hours ago, which means we have two hours left. I watch the house patiently. The light continues to glow in the second-floor window, as it has for two hours. Liam watches the other two houses on the other side of the town. I could be waiting inside, where it's warmer and certainly dryer, but I prefer the solidity and fresh air to think. Despite the rain and a shut window, I can hear her cries, her struggle.

A new cry pierces the night over the sound of the downpour. I wait for another short while before I take a deep breath and knock on the front door. I hear footsteps coming down the stairs before the door cracks open. Charlotte sees who it is and opens the door wider. She gestures to the stairs with a solemn look. I offer a nod of appreciation before ascending.

"It's a boy," she mutters.

The first room on the right consists of three people: a young woman, the mother, and the infant. The infant's cries slowly fade in his mother's arms. He's been cleaned and swaddled. The mother, Sophia, whispers soothingly to him with tears in her eyes. I step in the room with Charlotte behind me.

Sophia's eyes find mine. She visibly tenses and holds her child tighter. "Do you swear this is necessary? To take my child from my arms moments after he's born?"

"I swear," I answer softly. "If I can't prevent the events to come, perhaps I can delay them and shift the future to our favor."

Sophia places a wavering kiss to her baby's forehead as Charlotte gently lifts him from her arms. He is transferred to my own arms. "I'm sorry," I say as I turn from the room.

 "Jamison. His name is Jamison," she cries after me.

One Hour Later

"It feels almost evil to take a babe from its mother's arms," Liam protests. He holds two infants under his cloak, one a girl the other a boy, both next to each other in a large basket stuffed with blankets. I hold Jamison under my own cloak.

"We can't turn back now," I sigh. I glance at him. "Are you having doubts?"

"Naturally," He scoffs. "I'm not changing my mind if that's what concerns you."

I sneak a look at the boy in my arms. He's so small, and fragile. "It isn't too far now."

"I'm nervous walking through these woods with two children in my arms."

Before long, we come upon the tree. I use my spare hand to hold Liam's arm and carefully use the back of my bare hand that holds Jamison to touch the symbol. In a flash, we're in another world. We stand in front of a small house with the lights on. It isn't raining here; the night is clear. Alice opens the door and hurriedly ushers us in. She has three cradles in the small living room, where we gently lay the babes down.

"Eddy, Liam. I'm glad you made it safely. Is any of them a girl?" She asks.

"One is," I confirm. "Isabella's and Will's child."

She nods. "I know where she can go. A couple, here in town. They chose a home birth for their baby in an inflatable pool with a midwife. The baby girl didn't make it; she was stillborn. This only happened an hour ago. If I hurry, I can alter their memories before the midwife leaves."

Liam furrows his brows. "You would make them believe their dead child lived? Trick them into raising this child as their own without them knowing any better?"

"Liam," I put a hand on his shoulder. "In this world, they don't believe in magic. It's different here. This is the only way." Liam shifts his attention to the children, making sure they're comfortable in their swaddles. I look at Alice. "Would it be believable?"

"The couple looks similar enough to Isabella and Will. If it were Sophia's child, it would be more difficult. I would have to give them the child later through adoption, make up a story."

"What kind of story?" Liam questions.

"I'd tell them my daughter died in childbirth. As the closest living relative, I got custody of the child, but I don't feel capable of taking care of the child so I'd feel comfortable giving them the child."

Liam glances between us. "How long have you two been planning this?"

"Liam, we have no other choice."

He sighs and rubs and hand over his face. "I know, I know. So what do we do now?"

A few minutes later, Alice takes the girl to the couple and leaves Liam and me.

"The girl... she had it. The symbol. I saw it before they covered her, but it's almost gone now. It was fading when I looked a few moments ago," Liam chatters nervously. I look up in surprise. I get up from my chair. I check Jamison first, but he's clear. The other boy, however, has a mark on his side. It's a symbol of a snowflake, a sun, and a ring of different leaves. "This boy must be far away from the girl, then. The closer they are, the faster the prophecy will come to pass."

The door opens as Alice returns. "What are we to do with the other two?"

"We must take this boy somewhere far from the girl. Another world, if we must. The prophecy will come to pass, but I wonder how long we can delay it."

"And what of our grandson?" Alice tries to hide the worry and anger in her voice. I run a gentle finger along Jamison's cheek. He makes a soft gurgle noise at the touch.

"I'll watch over him," I answer softly.

Alice shakes her head decisively. "If you plan on taking him back, you might as well've left him with his poor mother."

"I couldn't of. He needs guidance." I plead with Alice through my eyes. "He is a part of this, whether or not he wants to be. He has a part to play. He has the gift, I can feel it." I look back to the child. "If I were to leave him with his mother, they'd take him away to be a Scholar. I can't let him be brainwashed like that."

Alice's eyes are full of unsurity. "You'll protect him?"

"Until my dying breath."

Liam clears his throat. "Where should I take the other boy?"

I stay silent for a thoughtful moment. "His father... has elven blood." Liam nods in understanding. "You must watch over him. I do not know how you will fit in, but I'm sure you will find a way."

Liam gathers the child in his arms, holding the handle of a basket of baby supplies in the crook of his elbows. I wish him farewell, and he's gone. I turn to Alice, whose arms are tightly wrapped around herself.

"I'll see you again," I promise. She opens her arms to embrace me, still not saying a word. I hold her close, breathing her in.

"Promise me you'll protect him, Edric."

I smile at the use of my full name. "I promise."

Before I leave with Jamison, I give Alice a kiss goodbye. And I haven't seen her since.

Sorry for the shorter chapter, it's a flashback. The next chapter will be normal length:)