Strange Attractors - Kim Falconer [43]
‘You’ve been very kind,’ Selene said. She put her hand on Shane’s shoulder briefly and smiled. ‘We’d like to help you, if we can.’
Shane’s neck prickled again and he rubbed the guitar strings with his cuff, nodding agreement and keeping his brow from creasing. ‘What do you need?’ he asked.
‘I need you to take Tamin.’
Selene tilted her head. ‘Pardon?’
‘I need you to take the lad.’
‘Take him where?’ Shane asked.
‘Take him with you. It’s no good for him here. He needs people his own age, opportunities, you know? Can you help?’
Shane was speechless. What parent would give up her child to strangers?
‘May?’ Selene frowned. ‘Is he your son?’
‘Oh, goodness no. He came like you, from the river. All things come here from the river. Everything’s in the chest. Who knows? Maybe even your map will be there.’
Shane cleared his throat. ‘He came from the river?’
‘That he did. Was standing naked and shivering just as you were, wasn’t he, Halo?’ She patted her thigh and the dog got up and stretched deep, his tail wagging in loops.
‘How long ago was that?’ Shane asked.
May ignored the question. ‘He’s been good company, as have you, but I’d appreciate it if you could all be on your way by morning. I’ve things to do.’
Shane looked around the small cabin. ‘Of course.’
‘The river chest?’ Selene said. ‘Would we be able to have a look at it? Not to take anything, but maybe we would find some clue to our whereabouts.’
‘Well, there’s a question no one’s asked before.’ She smiled. ‘Why not?’ She braced her arms and pushed herself out of her chair. ‘This way with you. It’s all up in the loft. Everything the river brings, I’ve kept it there.’ She led the way, the stairs creaking under her weight as they climbed.
CHAPTER 7
CORSANON & RIVERLANDS, GAELA
Rall smiled as she walked the halls of Temple Corsanon. It was wonderful—her cloak flowing out behind her, the sweet scent of lilac in her hair, the clip of new boots on the polished floorboards, and the grace of her familiar body—an exhilaration she hadn’t felt in years. Throwing off the glamour of the old hag was like diving into a crystal-clear pond. But it had been worth the discomfort, masquerading for so long. And now this was her chance—what she’d been waiting for. The time had finally come. She was back in the temple and only steps away from reaching her goal. Thank the goddess her stint in old Corsanon was over and she could get to where she belonged—to her true place, her heart’s desire.
Can you hear me? She sent the message cautiously, her mind shield tight.
There was no answer, but she knew her familiar was not far away. She would free him, any moment, and they would be off. She passed a few initiates who acknowledged her rank, the young women stopping to offer greetings. Around the next corner a priest in dark red robes paused, hoping to engage her, but she waved him off. It wouldn’t be questioned nor remembered. Not tonight. Not with Corsanon about to burn to the ground. Her smile deepened. Would the fires have started yet? If she knew An’ Lawrence at all, they would be raging by now.
She listened for the alarm bells but the only sounds she caught were the drums coming from the dance hall and waves of distant laughter, like chimes in a thunder storm. She paused, putting thought into the weather. In moments she’d conjured a breeze then reinforced it, encouraging it to grow. A strong northwesterly would spread the fires across the city before any witch could pray rain. She snapped her fingers and her ringlets were whisked back from her face, the draught racing to catch up with its own. She quickened her pace.
Corsanon was still silent and she knew there was just enough time to set the bird free. She chuckled. Set herself free, she meant. Kreshkali wasn’t the only witch who could be in two places at once, and Rall’s years of relentless glamouring in the filth and stench of lower Corsanon were about to pay off. Her training of the children was going to pay off as well. She had to keep the girl in line, though. That young witch brewed