Breandan made a small noise, but remained still. The smile slid of Devlin's face and his eyes narrowed.
"Breandan," I began wearily. "What-"
He placed a finger in my lips. "Rae, go back to the Temple now."
I blinked up at him. "But, why can't I stay? I want to go with you." I spoke with his fingers on my lips.
"I'm taking Devlin to the Grove."
I breathed out slowly. "Okay, why can't I come to? After all I'm a fairy too. I should know where this place is." I lifted my chin defiantly. "I want to see it."
Breandan risked turning his back on Devlin to grab me by the shoulders, lift me up and set me on my feet. I could feel my face morphing to a sulky expression. He looked me in the eye. "I want to you be introduced to the people with no distractions. Not tainted by his association. Do you understand?"
After a pause I nodded. I could see his point. I would be a great point of interest if I turned up looking like hell with Breandan dragging Devlin behind him. It was frustrating, because it felt like he was keeping me in the shadows. But there was no logical reason for him to do that, so it was just me, silly Rae overacting.
"I'll go back," I mumbled into my shoulder and half turned. "Watch yourself with him, okay?"
Breandan gave me a little shove. "Walk back and I will run. I'll be with you before you can miss me."
Devlin grinned at me. What was so funny? Did he know something I did not?
I shivered, and started off at a slow walk. I was not afraid in the blue and purple forest surrounding me. It was peaceful. As I wandered back, I slid my glamour back on, and tugged at the gaping hole at my back where my tee shirt had given way for my wings. The world became darker and it felt like I was draped under a heavy curtain. My limbs dragged, and my hearing, sense of smell became muted. How had I functioned like this for eighteen years? Finally alone, I took a moment to think on everything that had happened to me. The day seemed endless, and I hoped there were no more surprises in store. I didn't know how much more I could take. I was dying to pee, so I squatted behind a tree and relived my self, humming low in my throat.
Back on the compound, I was reaching for Bayou's door when a heavy hand landed on my shoulder. The hand was warm, human warm, and it spun me around and pressed me back into the door.
"Lord Cleric," I protested and pushed forward, but he held firm.
I was stronger than him of course, but I let him pin me to the door as the Lady Cleric from that morning came out of the shadows. I dipped my head in a show of respect but my mind was racing. This was not good. It was the middle of the night, I was not asleep in bed like the other Disciples, and I looked like I had been to hell and back.
"Hai, Disciple," the Lady Cleric said in a nasal drawl.
She had a slight accent and upward tilt to her eyes. She was a small thing, tiny hands and feet obscured by mittens and clunky black boots. Her mousey brown hair hung straight, severely parted in the centre and cut blunt at the ends, and over her eyebrows in a fringe. She was not attractive, or ugly either she just looked mean.
"Hai, Lady Cleric," I replied.
I didn't know her name, so I simply said the honorific keeping my eyes downcast and my voice small and quiet at an attempt at meekness, whilst I scrambled around my head to get my story straight. This treatment of me was against the rules. This told me two things. One, that they suspected me to be the girl in the forest that morning. Two, they had already tried the official route and had probably been told to take a hike by the Priests. Oh gods. Or they were acting with Sect approval and their orders where to take care of me quietly.
And I'd handed myself to them on a platter.
"Looks like you're doing some hard thinking there," Tu said. "Why so nervous, Rae?"
I looked my teacher in the eye, and could not hide the flash of hate in my glare. He faltered and the pressure on my shoulder eased. I used it to slide away and stand up straight. I felt the wind blow past and sent a chill up my exposed spine. How would I explain my ripped top? I lifted my chin and looked between them.
"Is there something I can help you with? I'm tired after my run, and I would like to sleep."
They shot looks at each other. "Do you often run in the middle of the night?" The Lady Cleric looked me up and down. "Looking sodisheveled?"
