about your end, which is why it is very important you don’t offend them.”
Lucien threw another log on the fire. “Avoid the use of bells— faekin can’t stand them, and the sound will scare them off. Although Arcanea can tolerate their ringing, our patience only goes so far.”
I’d always thought the ringing of bells was unbearably annoying. Around me, people nodded in agreement.
“You have to be very wary that the faekin will not trick you,” Lucien said. “Now, fae can’t really trick other fae. But faekin can trick us, because although they share our blood, they are not quite Arcanea. They are wild beings, capable of using their magic for various purposes. They expect you to give something in return for a gift they offer. It is best, if they offer you something, to destroy the object, or politely refuse. I highly recommend you never take a gift from a faekin, as they always come with strings or magical contracts attached. However, if you do accept a gift, don’t thank them. They will believe you owe them something.”
Ethan had told me something similar last year. The fire danced within Lucien’s eyes as he dropped his voice and said, “But above all, you must never, ever give a faekin your true name.”
“What’s a true name?” Helena asked.
“All supernaturals have a true name, the name that is their soul,” Lucien instructed. “For centuries, fae would attempt to find out the true name of other magical races. If we were given them, or found out, we could use these true names to enslave the souls they were attached to, or even enslave their families, for centuries under a fae curse.”
“Is there a way to discover what your true name is?” Nicoli asked.
“To find out your true name, every supernatural must go through a very personal process of self-discovery,” Lucien said. “It is different for every race. Fae can achieve their true name by ascending through meditation to their chosen god or goddess, who will bestow upon you the name your soul is called by. Be very careful who you tell your true name to, as it can be used against you. When working with faekin, it is best to use a fake name.”
Lucien stood. “We will now summon the losbiety by leaving offerings. Everyone keep silent until they have made their appearance.”
Lucien rummaged through his bag. He placed bread, honey, and butter at the edge of the tree line. Nothing happened, at first. Minutes passed, and whispers broke out amongst the class as we waited for the faekin to appear.
Then spectral figures began to float out of the woodland. They were beautiful creatures— gossamer women made of the elements, autumn leaves, rocks, branches, wind and water. They hovered around the area and did a twirling dance, making crooning noises that sounded like the songs of sirens. Students observed them in interest as the faekin spun around us, stunning everyone with their gorgeous appearance.
An airy woman made of ice and snow floated to me, her dress coated with icicles, her hair rippling in the wind like frost across a windowpane. Her pitch-black eyes glittered as she set her gaze on mine.
She extended her cold fingers out to me. Her voice chilled me like the winter wind as she asked, And what is your name?
I knew better than that. By opening her palm, she was literally asking me to hand over my name. I didn’t know my true name yet, but I didn’t think my earthly one would be good to give out, either, so I said, “You can call me Jane.”
Jane, she purred. I believe this is yours, Jane.
She placed a small, smooth stone on the bench beside me. She was still trying to trick me. It was a simple stone, but putting it in my pocket would mean giving her authority over me. “I appreciate your kindness,” I said, taking care not to use the words thank you.
The faekin stared, then floated away. Once she was gone, I knelt to the ground and did my best to bury the rock in the frozen ground. No way was I taking that shit back to my dorm. I didn’t want me and my descendants trapped by some century-long bargain.
A faekin rose out of the flames, floating to Lucien with her head held high. She was composed completely of flame, her dress made of embers and ash. Lucien bowed to her, and the faekin inclined her head.
One of the faekin, the woman made of autumn leaves,