Secrets of the Great Oak

Chapter 31

The other end of the line rang as Jake waited for his call to be answered.

"Come on. Pick up. Pick up. Pick up," he mumbled to himself, drumming his finger nervously on the steering wheel. He barely paid any mind to the city passing by outside his window.

Finally, an answer.

"Hello?"

"Noah. I've been trying to get a hold of you for an hour! We need to talk about last night."

Silence.

"Look," Jake started, trying to break the tension, "I know it was weird. But, it was real. I talked to my mom today and she told me that she's been to Traverra too. That's where she met my dad. So, I'm half-fae."

Another silence.

"Noah? Can you hear me?"

"Yeah. Yes. Do... do you know what... what I am?"

"Not yet, but I'm going back. I'm going to talk to Saleh and we'll figure it out. Okay?"

Jake had never heard Noah sound so unsure, so scared. This wasn't easy to digest and there was no right way to go about getting answers here. So, Jake waited for Noah to respond.

"Can I come with you?" Noah spoke after another long moment of silence.

"I'm already out of town, on my way. I would, but if I turn around now, I'll be late. I'll bring you later this week."

"Alright, man. Look. I gotta go. Call me and tell me what you learn." Jake heard noises in the background. Probably Noah's bandmates calling for him. He didn't even get a chance to confirm or say goodbye before Noah hung up the phone.

Noah, at least, accepted that what happened last night was real. Even though it clearly terrified him. Not that Jake could blame him. He, himself, was terrified as well. That's why he needed to go back. Needed to find answers. Hopefully, Saleh found something helpful.

Jake's heart was aching the longer he went without telling Anna the truth. He kept convincing himself that it was better this way, that he was protecting her by keeping this a secret. For now. Eventually, he would tell her. He didn't plan on dragging this out longer than necessary. But, the look on her face this morning, the pain in her voice when she asked him not to pull away from her...

Maggie and the case were far from Jake's mind as he parked his car near the campsites and began his trek down the hiking trail to that clearing. He could feel the pull of it grow stronger as he neared. Like Traverra itself was beckoning to him.

At six o'clock on the dot, Jake stuck his arm through the opening in the Great Oak and landed swiftly on his feet in the magical wood of Traverra.

The first thing he saw upon opening his eyes was Saleh, sitting the same blanket she pulled out yesterday, smiling up at him.

"I like a male that's punctual," she said in a manner of greeting. Jake was pleased to see that she a few ancient-looking books surrounding her. She'd clearly been busy keeping up her end of the bargain. Good. "Come, sit, dear. We have much to discuss."

He followed her command and sat down on the blanket with her, pulling one of the ancient texts towards him. "So, what did you learn?" He didn't bother with pleasantries, he wanted to know the answers right that very moment.

"Let's start with you, shall we? Did you speak to your human mother?" She all but spat the word.

"I did. She said that my father had water magic." Jake looked down at his hands to see if the mention of it might summon the magic. Nothing. "His name was Laeroth. Have you heard of him?"