see the shadows of a city’s ruins. I started toward it, but Edan pulled me back. “Don’t venture off,” he said. “Not here.”
Edan shed his cloak, but I kept mine. Goose bumps crawled over my skin, my fingers stiffened, and the cold air seeped into my bones.
The isle was larger than it had looked from above. It became even quieter the deeper inland we ventured, until not even the birds breathed.
“Was it this quiet the last time you were here?” I asked.
“Yes.” He pointed to a tower off in the distance. “They say that the god of thieves leapt from the top of that tower to steal the stars. Of course, back then, they were much closer.”
“Did you go inside?”
Edan nodded. “It was the last rite before I took my oath. When enchanters are deemed ready, we journey to the Thief’s Tower. On the night the blood of stars falls from the sky, we drink from the well there.” He cupped his hands to show me. “If we survive, the blood stains our hands and binds the oath.” He held up the wrist with his cuff. “And we must serve the ages with magic…for better or for worse.”
“How many don’t survive?” I wondered aloud.
“The blood of stars is not meant to be drunk,” Edan said, by way of a reply. “And this isle is full of surprises.” His tone darkened. “You’re going to hear things…maybe even see things that are…are not of this world.”
I swallowed. “I understand.”
“Don’t listen to anyone but yourself no matter what you hear,” Edan said quietly. “They’re ghosts. They will call to you, say things that no one else could know to lure you close. Do not touch them.”
I nodded. He had already warned me. “What about demons?”
Edan clenched his jaw. “No two demons are the same—but demons have magic, whereas ghosts do not.”
“But there might not be any demons here, right?”
“I pray not.” He hesitated. “I told you I had a teacher who became a demon. He was bound to these isles.” Edan reached for my hand. “If he is still here, he would be more interested in me than you.”
“That doesn’t make me feel better.”
“I’m not trying to make you feel better,” Edan reminded me. “I’m trying to keep you alive.”
Hand in hand, we passed through the gate into the city. Crumbled buildings lined what must have once been a street. Broken signs in a language I couldn’t read hung from shattered windows. Everywhere, I saw smashed glass and fallen bricks, even cups and kettles outside what must have been a teahouse. There were no bones, no traces of life. All was still.
Then I began to hear the whispers.
YOU! Enchanter…You shouldn’t be here. Turn back. Now. NOW.
“Edan,” I said, gripping his hand sharply, “did you hear that?”
Edan’s body was taut as a bowstring. “Just walk on,” he said. “Ignore whatever you hear. They feed on fear.”
I walked faster.
Turn back, enchanter. Turn back now or stay forever.
Perhaps the girl will stay with us. She’d like it here. More than you did.
My heart beat faster. Edan squeezed my hand, and it helped. I gathered in a deep breath and concentrated on the tower ahead of us.
Against the darkening sky, the Thief’s Tower resembled a beacon, except there was no light, no hope at the top. Its stones were even and straight, like kernels on a withered cob of corn, untouched by the destruction around us.
One step after another, we walked steadily forward—until I could make out the statues crouched by its door. Statues of the god of thieves, I surmised. Sunlight piercing the mist touched his eyes, making them glow as if from within.
Maia. Maia, you’re here.
I froze. I would recognize that voice anywhere.
Maia, breakfast is ready. Won’t you come join us? Have a taste.
Against my will, I sniffed. The fragrant aroma of chicken porridge, with fried dough, wafted invisibly through the air. That smell was so taunting…so real.
I couldn’t move. My legs were leaden.
“What’s wrong?” Edan shook my hand, pulling me forward. “Don’t stop walking.”
I stumbled after him. “That was my mother’s voice.”
“It wasn’t. Remember what I told you.”
“It sounded so much like her.”
Edan shook me again. “It wasn’t her.” His voice was stern.
Maia! You’ve found us.
I felt the blood drain from my face. “Finlei,” I whispered.
I started to turn, but Edan grabbed my shoulders. “Don’t look back. Promise me, Maia. You need to ignore them.”
I stared at him blankly. “Do you hear them?” I whispered.