Page 25 of Death of a Mortal

I snapped out of my thoughts, and Nella listened with raptattention as I finished telling her about Cassius embracing Fadric like a son, but words failed me when I thought of her lifeless body. I couldn’t tell her I’d watched her die at our father’s and sister’s hands, and how badly it had broken me in those moments I believed it to be real.

“I always thought Fadric was slimy,” she said with a shrug.

I snorted. “No, you didn’t. You loved him. You thought he was perfect.”

Her smile turned to laughter, and I found myself laughing with her. Full belly laughing. We both stopped, doubled over, holding our stomachs, trying to contain ourselves. My heart felt lighter than it had since we made our escape from Aemilia and Briarstead.

“You’re a liar, but I love you,” I said as I nudged her shoulder with mine.

“Don’t worry about me, Naci. We’ve gotten this far together, and we’ll protect each other. I’ll always have your back.”

“I know, little lamb, but protecting you ismyjob.”

Before she could respond, a bird flew overhead, swooping low and slowing to keep pace with us. Moonlight reflected off its feathers as I watched it bob up and down and weave side to side. It was a crow, I assumed the same one that had helped us with the banshee’s task. My chest once again heated inexplicably. Right over my heart.

“I’ve been watching you.”

I halted and looked around frantically for the source of the voice.

“Naci? What is it?”

“You didn’t hear that? Someone said they’d been watching us.” I pulled her closer to me as I continued to search but found no one around. I looked back up and saw the crow circling low above us.

“Naci, I didn’t hear anything…”

“Well, of course she didn’t. I wasn’t talking toher.” The voice was drenched in sarcasm, and while it seemed eerie to hear a voice that wasn’t mine echo through my mind, it didn’t instill fear in me. It sounded almost familiar, I thought.

“Well, that is what they call us. Familiars.”

“Are…is thatyoutalking to me…in my head?” I said to the crow. “Can you hear my thoughts?” I thought the last part, without speaking aloud.

I cocked my head, studying the circling crow as it mirrored the same movement with its head. It had to be true. How, I wasn’t sure, but I knew this bird was talking to me. And for some reason, it didn’t seem strange, though it should have.

“Caught on faster than most,” it replied, almost playfully. “Then again, there is something odd about you.”

“Did you say…Familiars?” I asked.

Nella looked back and forth between the bird and me. She still didn’t seem to hear anyone but me. Maybe the bird was right. Perhaps I was odd.

“Excuse me, ‘the bird’ is a crow. And its name is Noxie. Me. I’m Noxie. The name just came to me when I saw you. After you got hit by lightning.”

“Wait, you’ve been following usthatlong?”

“Naci…?” Nella asked, as if concerned for my sanity. She probably was.

“This bird,Noxie, has been following us since we escaped Aemilia.”

“And it told you that?” she asked, her words laced with skepticism.

“I don’t appreciate the tone you used with my name. I’m quite fond of it actually. You know, you’re not making a great first impression, Ignacia.”

“Ugh, that’s not my name. It’s just Naci. And yes, Nella, he told me that, said he is a Familiar. By the way, what does that mean?You are a he, right?” I asked the last part in my head again. It came as naturally as breathing. I didn’t even have to try to communicate this way with him. Odd indeed.

“Yes, Ignacia, a he. Some of my kind are born with a nagging abilityto commune with a single fae and form a bond. If we choose the bond, our fates and magic intertwine. It’s become more and more rare these days.”

“I’ve only ever heard Familiars referenced in storybooks. I didn’t think they were real. And you’ve got the wrong girl anyway. I’m not fae. I don’t have any magic.”

“He thinks you’re fae? Naci, I think we should keep moving and get somewhere you can lie down. You’re not making any sense.”