Search for the Extinct [Last of Elves book 2]

Fifteen: Ailill

Ailill

He knew that his sister didn’t like the captain, and she was acting coolly towards Aura as well. He couldn’t say that he blamed her. After all, they had intruded in their peaceful existence, and she hated change. He knew that well. Despite her misgivings, though, he knew that she wouldn’t say them out loud. Not until the unwelcome visitors were gone.

So it surprised him when she came out late one night, searching for him in the trees. He was with the beastkins, needing some time alone with his thoughts. The call that he’d been hearing was slowly getting stronger as the snows grew deeper. He wasn’t sure how long he would be able to stand it before he had to start moving again.

“Ali? Are you alright?”

He turned his head, spotting her silhouette in the pale winter moonlight. “I’m fine, Kura. What about you?”

She snorted, drawing closer to join him, watching the beastkins as they gambolled in the soft snow. “I want them gone, Ali. You know that. The man, especially. I don’t trust him.”

He smiled slightly. “I know you don’t. I think everyone does.”

“You trust him?”

“No,” he said absently. “I don’t either. But unless you find his horse again …” He trailed off, raising an eyebrow at her in silent question as she dissolved into quiet giggles. The captain’s gelding hadn’t returned yet, although the girl’s mare had, and accordingly, the captain had been rather put out.

“Do I have to?”

He relaxed, patting Hunaja as she came back briefly for a moment. “If you want him gone,” he answered. “He’s going to need a horse.”

“What about the girl? You don’t care if she stays?”

“No,” he said softly. “She’s no danger to us.”

Concerned, she put a hand on his arm, making him look at her questioningly. “Ali, do you want to return to the temple? I know you had …”

He shook his head, stopping her sentence. “Kura, I can’t. The call is stronger – getting stronger all the time. I can’t leave now.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

He glanced at her, mischief quirking his lips. “Find the captain’s horse, for a start,” he said dryly. “That will get one thing out of our hair.”

She grinned, punching him lightly on the arm. “He’s not that far away,” she admitted. “I’ll get him in the morning, and get us rid of the man. Happy?”

He nodded, moving his gaze to watch the beastkins, absently rubbing the scars on his right hand. She noticed.

“Does it hurt you, Ali?”

“What?” Confused for a moment, he glanced at her, and then down at his hands, finally realising what he was doing. “Oh. No. The cold makes them ache.”

She took his hands, gripping them hard, and he saw tears coming to her eyes. “Ali, I’m sorry,” she whispered. “It was …”

He shook his head, interrupting her flow of words. “No, little sister. Don’t be. It was my choice, and I hurt you.” Gently, he brushed the tears away, off her cheeks. “I am the one who is sorry. But it is in the past, and we shouldn’t worry about it now. The visitors are who we should be worrying about.”

“What are we going to do, then?

“He needs to go,” he murmured. “The girl must stay. She has to learn a few things before she returns to the humans.”