Shadows of the Redwood - By Gillian Summers Page 0,20

The evil little creature had not been easy to kill.

“Do you think that goblins, or other dark fae, are behind the disappearance of the Redwood Tree Shepherd?” Grandmother asked, her face crinkled into worry lines.

“No,” Kalix said firmly. “They were vanquished over a hundred and fifty years ago from this forest. The power of the trees prevents them from returning. They’re urban creatures now, living like rats in the sewers. We don’t use the Dread in the forest, but we may have to. Until now, Viran’s charm has kept out strangers. The loss of their shepherd has made the trees fearful.”

Sariela made an unhappy sound, then seemed to force herself to relax. She sipped her tea and kept her eyes on the table.

“I thought you won’t use the Dread because of the people who visit the parks,” Keelie said. “Or at least, that’s what I understood from Tavyn.”

“That’s what the elves would prefer to do. But the trees say differently.” Kalix frowned.

“Then what can we do?” Grandmother asked. “Keelie’s magic is part fae, and if you have blocked its use we may not be able to help find the missing tree shepherd.”

“Keelie can also use Earth magic, and the redwoods insist she can help. We listen to our trees.” Kalix’s look challenged her.

“It sounds like the trees are telling you what to do.” Grandmother sipped her tea and avoided his gaze.

The tree house shook in response. Dishes clattered to the ground.

Keelie leapt to her feet and grabbed Grandmother by the hand. “It’s an earthquake.” She started toward the door.

Sariela stopped her. “It’s just Bella,” she said soothingly. “She’s close by and she’s not happy with Keliatiel’s words.”

“This tree’s name is Bella?” It was an untreelike name.

“No, this tree is Wena. Bella Matera is one of the Ancients.”

Foglike tendrils drifted in through the window, and a cold dampness permeated the room. It was the kind of cold that seeped into your skin after walking in a winter rain. Keelie sensed a consciousness in the mist, as if a very old and wise being was here with them. Then the fog swirled clockwise, gold sparkles twinkling in streaks as the mist formed into the shape of a tree inside the room—a tree taller than Kalix and Norzan.

A face formed in the trunk, reminding Keelie of Alora, and then the tree spirit shrank into itself until it was the shape of a woman. Keelie wondered if she was dealing with the ghost spirit of the forest, but she didn’t feel like she did when she’d encountered the ghost forest in the Wildewood. The fog was glowing with the silver luminosity of a tall tree wraith. The tree’s eyes, green and very human looking, locked directly on Keelie.

A spirit walker. Her father had said that she might encounter one. Keelie felt a tingling in her mind as if someone was trying to read her thoughts, and she clamped down on the invading presence. A smile formed on the tree’s specter-like face.

“Good evening, everyone. Keliatiel, Norzan, and Keliel.” The tree gestured elegantly with one of her branch-like arms, fingers like long twigs bristling from the ends. “I am Bella Matera. I am the mother tree of this forest.”

Keelie looked around as Grandmother and Norzan bowed their heads. Kalix and Sariela followed their gesture, and Keelie knew that they had heard the spirit speak, too. These were powerful trees indeed, if nonshepherds could hear them. She wondered if humans could as well.

Keelie bowed as she regarded the mother tree. The term was a new one to her. She’d have to call Dad later and ask him about it.

“Wood Mother, we are honored to be in your company.” Grandmother’s voice rang through the cabin. She really got into the elf rituals. Keelie had studied elf ritual over the winter and had not been impressed. It seemed like a way to keep from having normal relationships.

Bella Matera smiled. “I was most anxious to meet you.” The tree’s gaze fell on Keelie again.

This was creepy. Keelie had seen trees walk and talk, and she had seen one, Alora, grow from a seedling to a mighty oak queen in just weeks, but she wasn’t quite sure what to make of Bella Matera. All forests were different. She just wished there was one rule book that all of the forests followed.

“We have been summoned to the Globe.” Bella Matera said this as if it was an invitation to Sunday dinner.

“You mean the Globe Theater on the festival grounds? Aren’t you afraid