Shadows of the Redwood - By Gillian Summers Page 0,14

a map. “Follow the road until you feel where to turn.”

Grandmother frowned. “We’ll feel where to turn? Don’t you use the Dread to keep the humans away?”

“We only use the Dread near our village. Out here, we use a charm that Viran created, which holds a hint of Dread. Elves can feel where to turn, whereas humans think the same spot is somewhere they don’t want to go. They feel an aversion, a sense of avoidance. Ours is a gentle magic. It doesn’t give nightmares.”

“That may be part of your problem.” Grandmother pursed her lips as if keeping back other words. “Has this magic worked for you?”

The elf leaned in close to the window, his arms perched on the inch of rolled-down glass. “Milady, it’s not my place to talk about our policies, but since we’re part of the National Park System, we work within the human world. When you arrive in the village, there will be those who will be able to explain our philosophy and our way of life in more detail.”

The elf looked past Grandmother and smiled brightly at Keelie. He seemed young. “It’s our pleasure to have you here, Lady Keliel.” His gaze widened as he looked at her. “Your eyes—the dark fae magic.”

“Yeah, it made these gold circles around my pupils. It hasn’t faded yet.” Keelie liked him, but she hoped he wouldn’t go on and on about dark magic. She’d taken a frightening risk to save Ariel, but it had been worth it. The hawk was flying free and had even met a potential mate, and she had learned that the fae magic could be used for good … although it was risky and hard to control. She smiled back at him. “I look forward to my time here.”

“I’m Tavyn.”

Knot reached over with his right paw and sank his claws into her thigh through her jeans.

Gritting her teeth, she removed his claws. “Will you stop it? What’s wrong with you?”

Tavyn looked awed. “Ah, the infamous Knot. We’ve heard tales about him and his perilous rescue at the Caudex in the Dread Forest.”

Purring echoed impossibly in the truck’s cab. Knot wrapped his tail around his legs in a self-satisfied manner.

“Perilous rescue? You mean audacious testimony.” Knot had stood before the Council and defended her Uncle Dariel, speaking in front of everyone. She glared at the cat. “He doesn’t talk often, but when he does, he can’t seem to stop.” She moved her legs quickly to ensure Knot wouldn’t shred them.

Grandmother shook her head and touched a crystal to shift into gear. “Thank you, Tavyn. We’ll find our way through the forest.”

“Yes, milady.” Tavyn leaned over and waved. “I’ll see you in the village, Lady Keliel.”

“Just call me Keelie.”

Knot’s purring ceased and he was about to sink his claws back into her leg, but Keelie was ready for him. She grabbed his paw. He lifted his big orange head and looked at her with dilated eyes. His ears flattened against his skull. Keelie knew that look. She dropped his paw. “No more. I only have one box of bandage strips with me.”

Knot kneaded the upholstery on the truck seat.

Keelie had learned from Zabrina that even though Knot was a fairy, even the fae thought he was unusual. Keelie thought it was a nice way of saying weird. As if picking up on her thoughts, Knot’s purr grew louder.

“Whatever.” Keelie scooted closer to the door.

The truck reached a crossroads, little more than two deer trails crossing, and Grandmother turned right. Keelie suddenly felt a tingled warning to not go down this road. “Stop!”

Grandmother stomped on the brake. “What’s the matter?”

“This feels bad to me. We should go left.”

The older woman sighed. “Look deeper, Keelie.”

Keelie lowered her defenses a bit and immediately realized that she was feeling the human-deflecting charm. “Oops.”

Grandmother accelerated and turned to the right. “I don’t see how they keep humans out. One of my recommendations will be to use the Dread, full blast.”

“Still, I think it would be creepy to live out here.” Keelie grabbed the truck’s door frame to keep from getting jostled.

“The old trees definitely have a presence, and the elves have learned to live with their power. Look at that tree. Look at the circumference of its trunk.” Grandmother sighed. “I remember when this land was covered with trees, before the logging. Even in the Dread Forest, we could hear their death cries. Now, to see so few of the Ancient Ones left breaks my heart. I really wish there was