was closed for the day.
I made my way into the back room and stopped short. It looked like Christmas had exploded in here. There was garland, dripping with pine cones and berries, draped along the bookcases. A large wreath hung over the fireplace and a tree stood in the corner, decked out in glittering candles with bird ornaments that were so realistic they could’ve been alive.
“Rabbit said you had a thing for Christmas. Asked if I’d put up a tree for you before she left,” Hawk said from the couch.
“It’s beautiful.”
“She left you something. It’s under the tree.”
I walked to the tree and saw a small box underneath it. I pulled the lid off and found a letter and a pouch. I didn’t even care what she gave me. I wanted to read her words.
Dear Tippi,
I want to thank you for giving me your knowledge and lending me your home. You gave me a chance at a full life, and I will never be able to repay you for that. I’ve never had a sister, but I had parents. When I lost them, I thought I’d never have family again, but you gave that back to me as well. Just know I’ll always be there for you the way you were there for me.
Love,
Rabbit
I folded the note back up and tucked it into my pocket for safekeeping before opening the pouch.
There, hanging from a gold chain very much like the one my mother had given me, was an almost identical necklace. This one didn’t have a coal pendant, but a warm stone that reminded me of an opal, but warmer somehow.
I walked to the couch, letting the stone dangle from my fingers.
“You can’t buy that. She must’ve made that with the last of her magic,” Hawk said, watching me.
This was why she’d gotten weaker. I never should’ve told her about exchanging gifts. I wrapped my hand around the gem, holding it close to me, the gift bittersweet. I would’ve rather had her here for another few weeks.
“Don’t feel bad. You gave her a new life, one in which she’ll be able to live until she’s old and grey. She never would’ve had that if not for you.”
I nodded, hoping he was right.
I looked up, and he was staring at me in a way that made my insides warm.
“Well, thanks for doing this.”
He nodded, still staring at me.
Then he stood abruptly. “I’ll be back tomorrow to start on the spell,” he said, then left out the back door without a last glance.
36
We were standing in the middle of the forest, and I felt like I was about to freeze to death. The fifth wind was cutting right through my jacket and I would’ve sworn we were out here because he was mad at me for something.
“Why do we need to be out here?” I tucked my hands under my arms because my gloves, jacket, and hat weren’t cutting it. Sometimes I wondered if Xest was actually in Antarctica, but they didn’t like to fess up. That didn’t sound as cool as east of East and north of North, or whatever bullshit they said. I was probably in some stupid no-man’s land that had been rejected by sane people.
“You can’t do this part in the office or town. It’s too strong if you screw it up.”
For someone who seemed to think I was the answer to all his problems, he didn’t hesitate to let me know all of my shortcomings.
“Maybe if you were a better teacher I’d be further along,” I shot back. I didn’t know what his issue was, but he definitely had a problem with me right now.
He ignored my jab, handing me a sheet of paper. I took it begrudgingly, angry about having to remove one hand from under my arm.
“Can you read it?” he asked. “Don’t try aloud until I tell you.”
I looked at the sheet of gibberish. The letters looked familiar, but not the words. “I don’t know how to pronounce any of this.”
“Point to the ones you think you can’t manage and then try with the rest.”
I pointed, or tried to, as my finger shivered over the first word that was so crazy looking that I wouldn’t know where to begin.
He shrugged out of his jacket and slung it over my shoulders. It was like all his warmth had come with it.
“You’re going to freeze out here,” I said.
“I’ll be fine. I run hot. Now point to the word again.”
I did, all too aware of his