Des'Tai: Book One

164: Faye

As Moira's mind cleared, she clutched at her heart which was practically beating as steady as a hummingbird's small wings. She couldn't hear anything but white noise and her vision became blurry. If what Luna had said was true, Moira had witnessed the shift with her very own eyes. Swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat, she took a small step backwards bumping into a passerby. Whipping out her cane and nearly smashing him into pieces, she found her weapon had been caught by the firm hand of an elf she knew well from the future.

"Whoa there little lady, what's got you all worked up?" Rune spoke calmly as he gazed into her eyes. She knew he was trying to read her background, figure out who she was without asking but he wouldn't be able to. Not with her still wearing her mother's pendant.

Moira hadn't seen such a healthy looking Rune in years. After her father had been killed, he'd taken to drinking and brawling. He was much scrawnier and unattractive in her future, but he had also been extremely helpful in guiding Eva and her bandwagon of murders away from Moira's whereabouts on numerous occasions.

Glancing towards Faye, whose attention was focused on Tyron's now bright red cheek, Moira began to feel dizzy and her stomach tightened into a knot. She couldn't tell if she wanted to pass out or throw up.

"Moira?" Faye's soft voice called out to her as Moira's knee's gave out from beneath her; Rune catching her and helping her land gracefully.

"Moira, what's wrong? Are you alright?" Faye was suddenly in front of her, wrapping her arms around Moira protectively.

"I...I think I need to lie down," Moira spoke quietly, holding back tears of confusion and worry.

"Let's get her inside," Rune explained as he easily lifted the young girl into his arms and headed towards the small apartment. "I'm feeling a little dizzy myself after witnessing that heated show," he joked. Rune had always been up for a laugh even in the darkest of times Moira recalled.

*****

Back at Fin Falls, using all of her essence as well as much of what her comrade's could muster, they'd finally been able to break through the mossy walls the female ghost had barred her with. She was furious as she tore through the wall and began screaming for those left standing to debrief her on what had happened while she'd been contained.

"Someone was here, but they're long since gone and we're unable to track them. That spirit was stronger than I've ever seen," a bright-haired elf who Eva couldn't remember the name of reported to her.

Rolling her eyes, she pushed passed him and began marching towards the conservatory where her own senses had been calling her to in the beginning.

"Why has no one searched the conservatory?" she shouted as grabbed the door handle and instantly had to release it. The handle was hot.

"Do you smell smoke?" the same crimson haired elf spoke again, coming up beside Eva as he lifted his face to breath in the air.

Eva's eyes became wide as she pushed the door open with what remaining essence she had left and found the entire room was ablaze. As her search party scattered, running and screaming from Fin Falls, Eva stood in front of the conservatory and watched as the fire burned whatever proof would've been found inside. The fire remained contained to only this room as she dropped to her knees in the doorway and watched the once green and lush plants wither away to ash.

"Oh, little blonde ekahua. You've found an alliance with one asha, but there are many more who won't protect you. I will find you and I will destroy you."