Shadows of the Redwood - By Gillian Summers Page 0,68

“Elf. You are strong.” Bloodroot’s eyes turned black, glowing like onyx with flashes of green fir.

“Thanks for waiting for me, you two.” Risa’s whine warbled in from the walkway outside. “If that had been Keelie, you would’ve waited for her.” She came in, but stopped suddenly when she noticed Tavyn’s changed appearance. “I have a salve for that.”

Tavyn-Bloodroot’s lecherous gaze fell upon Risa. “I’ve been observing you.” He walked over to her and kissed her hand like they did in the old movies. He lifted his head and studied Risa like an artist. “You are a beauty.”

She seemed confused, yet flattered. She let him hold her hand a moment longer, then withdrew it from his grasp.

Keelie noticed that Tavyn’s nails were green. There was a lot of chlorophyll pumping through his body. Just a little made her sick. How was Tavyn staying alive? He must be drinking giant pots of coffee, the surefire cure for chlorophyll poisoning.

Tavyn-Bloodroot bowed to Risa, then to Keelie. “Until our next meeting, Lady Keliel. I hope you will expand your mind and consider all that I’ve said.”

“I don’t think I’ll change my mind,” she said, but she extended her hand to him and held his gaze as they shook.

He walked out the door, and moments later, Keelie felt a strong wave of green energy. Tavyn’s body was traveling the sap with Bloodroot on board, and Wena’s trunk vibrated as the Ancient’s spirit rode her sap.

Kalix bowed to his guests. “I must bid you good night. My lady wife is unwell, and I must see that she rests.” Kalix extended a hand toward Sariela, and she stood. She pushed past him and exited, leaving him to follow.

Keelie bowed her head to acknowledge his courtesy, because Grandmother’s mind was apparently somewhere else. Keelie was getting really worried.

Risa glided over to Sean and leaned against him, her hand on his shoulder. “I’m so glad you’re here. That was strange, even for them.” Risa seemed to mean Keelie and her grandmother.

“Dad needs to know about this,” Keelie said.

Grandmother shrugged. “Yes, I suppose he does. I’ll talk to him tomorrow. I’m tired, and I need to be rested for rehearsal in the morning. I’d forgotten how much fun it is to recite Will’s words. He was such a wonderful poet.”

It bothered Keelie that Grandmother was putting the play ahead of the trees.

“You knew William Shakespeare?” Risa seemed in awe of Lady Keliatiel.

“Yes, I did.” She smoothed a few strands of gray hair back from her forehead. “If you will excuse me, I must retire so I’ll be ready for tomorrow. Lord Sean, you may see yourself out.”

Sean moved away from Risa, who frowned when he did, and walked over to Keelie’s side. He took her hand. “I’ll be right outside if you need me.”

“That’s really not necessary, Sean,” Grandmother said. “We are quite safe.”

“Maybe not, but I’ll feel better.” Sean kissed Keelie on the forehead.

“It’s going to be cold out there,” Keelie said. “I hate for you to spend a miserable night because of us.” Actually, she felt safer with him close by.

“I’m happy to help.” Sean turned to Risa. “Good night, Risa,” he said coolly. She glared at him. He saluted Knot. “Good night, Knot.” The cat blinked cordially.

Sean stepped outside. Despite the danger, Keelie wanted to follow him and snag another kiss. It was wonderful being this close to him, but she was worried. What if she did age faster than him? Would he eventually go to Risa? Of course, if that happened, she’d be beyond caring. She had to live for today.

“Keelie, you and I must speak tomorrow,” Grandmother said. “You’ll find me at the Globe.”

Well, good. Maybe they’d be able to discuss the strange situation here. Missing and injured tree shepherds, trees with delusions of world domination—what more could they have to discuss?

Grandmother glided to bed. She wasn’t simply tired, Keelie knew. There was more going on, and after what happened to Norzan, Keelie thought she was right to be worried. She needed to talk to Dad. He needed to know about Tavyn-Bloodroot.

Risa went to bed, but Keelie stayed up, wondering if Laurie was spending the night somewhere else and if she should be worried. Laurie was with Scott, and it wasn’t as if they were wandering around in the forest, even though they both had rose quartz charms.

She fixed herself a cup of tea, then went out to the bridge, dangling her feet over the edge and watching the fog-shrouded forest floor below. Nothing moved,