Page 55 of Dryad’s Treasure

“Or nature pixie,” Hikaru chimed in.

Holland nodded. “Agreed. One could also argue the case for social pixies. Although rarer, they do occasionally bond, although it isn’t typically to a house or land, but a person in particular.”

Hikaru said, “Like Vander and Parsnip.”

Holland appeared briefly irritated but, in the end, agreed. “Exactly like that annoying warlock and his one and only.”

“Stop complaining,” Hikaru accused. “You like Vander.”

Holland scoffed. “Never.”

Hikaru rolled his green-gold eyes. “Don’t listen to Niki. He has a very soft spot for Warlock Vander Kines.”

Waving his own personal one and only away, Holland said, “Regardless, the point stands. When a pixie bonds, whatever they’ve bonded to is beyond protected. There is not a force on Earth or in Fairy that can break that bond or get to their bonded without the pixie’s express permission. Experience tells us even a djinn has a difficult time.”

Gray’s curiosity sang inside me, loud and clear. “Why would that be necessary?” Gray waved a hand toward the wall and then made a broader sweep to indicate the compound as a whole. “Why split the power up? Why the buzzweeds and the…core?”

Instead of Holland, Hikaru answered, “Too much power.”

“Too much?” Gray asked. “In what way?”

This time, Holland took over the explanation reigns. “Most likely a singular object would not be able to contain that amount of magic. Huxley had to divide it up.” Holland appeared decidedly uneasy. “This is most unusual and very disturbing.”

I stared at the wall, unable to see what was on the other side, but through my connection with Gray, when Gray was in his wisp form, I could hear its song. The song didn’t affect me in the same way it did Gray. That’s what made me his anchor. Now that I understood what to listen for and how to block the other songs out, I could keep Gray safe when he was in his wisp form. Or at least I could keep him from being torn apart.

Still, why would Huxley do such a thing? What was to be gained if the pixie were… Realization slammed into me. “He murdered the pixie.” My legs felt like overdone spaghetti. “Gaia, he somehow managed to drain a pixie of their power.”

Another sad, slow nod from Holland. “I am afraid so.” Keir let loose a wounded wail. “I am sorry,” Holland offered, although I had no idea why he felt the need to apologize for something he’d had no part in.

“Who?” Keir’s simple request was but a whisper. “When?”

“I’m afraid I cannot say,” Holland answered. “I cannot tell from the buzzweeds themselves. The magic could have been separated and deposited days or centuries ago. The magic doesn’t fade. It is kept contained, safe, and ready to be called forth.”

“But called forth for what?” I couldn’t take my eyes off the wall. “Without a pixie to control it or bond to an area…what use is the magic? And why would Huxley need that anyway?”

Again, Keir made a noise that sounded more animalistic than humanoid. “Why would he need wyvern eggs or Hikaru’s magical tails?” Hikaru flinched, shrinking into Holland’s side. “Why would he need any of it?” Keir threw up his hands. He didn’t sound as defeated as before. Now he just sounded livid. “None of us know because none of us are as devious, deluded, or arrogant as him.”

I flinched, hating the vitriol in Keir’s tone. I’d known Keir for centuries. He’d always been such a steady and guiding presence. Bitterness didn’t suit him, and he wore the emotion like ill-fitting clothing.

Feeling my unease, Gray placed his hand on my forearm, applying the gentlest of pressures. My responsive wane smile was insufficient given the level of ease his mere presence gave me.

With a firm squeeze, Gray turned his attention to Holland and asked, “Shouldn’t we try and remove it? I’m not saying I want to, and I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t want any one of us going near it.” Gray shivered. “The buzzweeds’ songs sound like ants beneath my skin. This thing feels weightier, like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Still, it seems wrong to just leave it there. Can’t we slap one of your charms on it and move it out of the compound?”

Holland shook his head. “I do not believe the charms I created for the buzzweeds will affect this the same way. I doubt they will be enough and the risk of handling it without some type of dampening charm is too great. Now that I know the feel of the magic, I can hopefully work something out that will be sufficient. It is far trickier than I originally considered. Simply releasing this level of magic, undoing the container it is in, could be very deleterious.”

“You’ve already done so much,” Keir said. “I hate to ask, but do you have any idea when the charm will be completed?”

Instead of Holland, Hikaru answered, “Niki’s exhausted. He’s been working nonstop and needs food and rest. He’ll⁠—”

“I’m fine, Hikaru.”

Hikaru’s foot stomp didn’t indicate he believed Holland. “I will not have you deplete yourself like you did before. Do you hear me, Niki?” Hikaru poked a claw-tipped finger into Holland’s chest. “I will not have it!”

“Hikaru, everything will be⁠—”

“Don’t you dare tell me everything will be fine. It will not be fine if you wear yourself out. I know you, you big sap.”

Sap?