Page 14 of Dryad’s Treasure

My memories of Hikaru’s antics weren’t nearly as fond as Henry’s. That didn’t stop the smile curving my lips. “That you did.”

“Might be able to get up to a little mischief with Grayson too.”

I wasn’t comfortable with the glee infusing those few words. I also wasn’t entirely comfortable with the butterflies inexplicably fluttering about in my stomach. I needed to remember that will-o’-the-wisps were not altruistic creatures. Then again, what creature was? Logically, I knew it wasn’t right to tarnish an entire species based on a handful of experiences. Everyone was different. Each species had specific characteristics that formed their core, but those traits varied in intensity between individuals.

“Have you been following Grayson?” I asked, curious if Henry could even keep up with the will-o’-the-wisp.

“It weren’t that difficult until recently.”

I turned, focusing my attention on my tiny bit of company. “What do you mean?”

Henry shrugged. “Just that Grayson hasn’t gone anywhere. Not until a few hours ago, when he took off after Hikaru’s tail. He just kind of sits and…I dunno, concentrates? Maybe? That’s what it looks like he’s doin’ to me. It don’t always look comfortable either.”

My stomach churned. I didn’t like the thought of Grayson being uncomfortable…not that I wanted to spend any time analyzing why that was. “What makes you say that?”

Henry tapped his forehead. “Gray gets all sweaty. His eyes pinch and his mouth is screwed up like he just tasted somethin’ foul. That blue flame he has licks up his hands and wrists, but usually doesn’t get much further. As a matter of fact, I’ve seen him clench his hands, snuffin’ out the fire and groanin’ like his head’s killin’ him. I’m just sayin’, that don’t look like a lot of fun to me.”

It didn’t sound like it to me either. Moreover, I’d seen will-o’-the-wisps work before and never seen one act that way. Was there something wrong with Grayson Delarue? Was he not up to the task? Then again, he’d found Hikaru’s tail which led me to believe that Grayson was truly capable.

Now I had a headache.

“You okay?” Henry asked.

“I’ll be fine,” I answered by rote. I’d stopped saying I was fine a few months ago. No one believed any of us were okay, but we all had this desperate hope that one day we would be.

Henry’s grunted reply indicated he knew exactly what I meant. “I’m gonna go check in on Gray,” Henry informed me as he slid down the side of my chair, a happy wheeee filling the air before he landed in a puff of dust. “That never gets old.” Henry chuckled as he scurried off, darting through a small crack in the corner of the room.

I stared at that space, zoning out, a barely there smile tilting my lips. Spending time with Henry was one of the few activities that could still make me smile.

Slipping out the door to my courtyard, I lifted my head to the sun, spread my arms and allowed my oak form to take over. My roots buried deep, diving down into my birth soil and finding the nourishment my body needed. My soul was a different matter, one I suspected required a totally different type of sustenance. Knowing it was needed was the easy part. The trick was finding it.

Seven

Grayson

My heart pounded, my blood racing through my veins. All I could hear was the rush of fluid zipping through me at an unhealthy rate. That had been a close call. Too close. I slammed my connection to my flame closed too abruptly, the experience jarring and disorienting. The harsh fall onto the floor didn’t help matters either.

Vision fuzzy, I blinked a few times, attempting to get my bearings. Relief flooded me when I realized I was still in my room. Wiggling my toes and fingers reassured me I’d reformed with all my parts intact.

Sweat clung to my body, coating me in its sour scent. That odor was made all the worse by the thread of fear echoing through it. I’d thought I could do this, but maybe I was wrong. Maybe the risk was too great. I’d been able to single out the song of Hikaru’s tail. Its wail had been mournfully powerful. Its need to be found had been so great it helped me push away the other songs vying for attention. Now that it had been found, I was left sorting through the songs begging for attention, each calling with greedy desperation.

I wasn’t certain if my aching body was due to being pulled in so many directions or the fall onto the floor. Most likely it was a combination of the two. Slowly shifting, I worked my hands under my chest, palms flat on the floor. I’d never willingly admit the draining effort it took to push myself up and flip myself over. Now in a sitting position, I leaned heavily against the side of my bed.

Breaths harsh and too rapid, I grasped the fabric over my still-hammering heart and closed my eyes. Legs sprawled out before me, I was alarmed my solidified body was still shaking, as if it wanted to fly apart again and seek out all the treasure calling to me. I wouldn’t go so far as to say this was a nightmare, but it was close.

“You don’t look so good.”

My eyes fluttered open to find Henry perched on my thigh. I hadn’t felt his weight when he climbed up my jean-clad leg. “Don’t feel so good either,” I managed.

Arms crossed, Henry’s eyes narrowed as he studied me. “What’s the deal?”

I chuckled, my leg shaking to the point Henry’s clawed toes had to dig in for traction. “Sorry,” I half-ass apologized.

“I’ve had worse. Now, spill the tea. What’s goin’ on with you? Why do you look like roadkill?”

“You see a lot of roadkill, do you?” House dwellers didn’t get out much. They stuck to the home they’d claimed and that was about it.

“Figure of speech, and you’re stallin’.”