sedeara
Synopsis
A 10-year-old child with the ability to speak with animals is abducted by an evil sorceress, leaving her best friend behind to put together the pieces and find her again.
Excerpt
But as I crossed the clearing by the river, the lightning flashed. And in that moment of illumination, I saw Her for the first time.
I froze. Although I had only seen her for an instant, her image was burned into my eyes. So tall that she seemed of a height with the trees; a long gown as gray as the rain, a pointed, jeweled headdress. Blood-red lips, curled up in a smile.
Where are you going, my dear, in a storm such as this?
My fingers trembled so much that I dropped my offering upon the ground. I pressed my hands against my ears, but still I heard a soft chuckle emanating from her. That won't help, little one.
Her voice was inside my mind, in the place where only the voices of animals had ever been before. “Please,” I whispered, “please, no.”
I couldn't see Her now, but I felt that she was still there, felt it in the hair raised on the back of my neck, on the goosebumps that broke out like a rash all over my body.
Where's your little friend?
I turned then, and I ran. At least, I began to run. My head pounded as though there were a thunderstorm in there, too, and my feet stuck in the mud. A hand like ice close around my arm. I yelped, and She yanked me closer.
It won't do any good to run away. He doesn't want to help you anymore. He doesn't care.
My heart seemed to disintegrate inside me. A part of me felt sure it was true.
She turned me back toward the clearing. He's forgotten how special you are, Jessy. Now, Her voice was gentle, strangely lulling. But I know. I know.
I was suddenly overcome with weariness, with the desire to collapse into her arms, the way I used to collapse against Dellan when my own fear left me utterly exhausted. I know. It hasn't been easy for you.
I shook my head, tears springing to my eyes. She knew. She knew what I hadn't even been admitting to myself, that Dellan was pulling away, becoming distant. That his friends and what he was studying at the Place of Learning seemed to be so much more important than I was to him. That I was afraid he was leaving me behind.
Rest, Baby Jessy. Just rest.
I nodded, and closed my eyes.
