Page 31 of Solivagant

He took it, thumb smoothing up my hand for far too long before he released it. “Hank.”

“And who is this?” I asked, turning to the infant.

“Josiah.”

“Hello, Josiah.” I smiled. “Aren’t you just delicious?” My eyes flicked back to Hank. His remained on my cleavage. “Mind if I hold him?”

“Hmm?” He stared for a moment longer before his gaze finally met mine. “Sure.”

“So much noise for such a little thing.” I scooped the baby up in my arms. His soul was strong. It would need to be.

I’d normally swap the souls out, taking one for myself and replacing it. But Khorli’s human was far too damaged on his own. His soul was unlikely to survive if returned to a mortal body, and even if it did, he would be… unstable.

It was better to leave the child with both. Khorli’s true sight would still recognize the damaged one. And he’d be… functional. Probably.

It was as good a plan as any. “Look at me, Hank.”

He did.

“You will not leave Hollow Creek. You will remain here with your family. Forever. You will ensure your children remain here forever.” The spell sank into his mind before he realized it was cast. “Sleep.”

His body slumped against the bench.

“Your turn, dear.” I turned my attention back to the child in my arms. The damaged soul slipped in easily enough. The baby cried louder. Not from pain, probably, but the feeling of something foreign taking up residence in his tiny body. “When you’re big and strong, you’re going to find your way into the forest. You’re going to remember.”

I hadn’t done much spell work on babies. I couldn’t be sure it would work, hence the spell on the father as backup.

“Sleep,” I whispered, offering him a touch of assistance as the cries slowed and then stopped.

The father wouldn’t sleep for long. I placed the child back in the stroller and dusted off my dress from the dirty park bench.

Jacob was still pulling off pieces of the structure, completely oblivious to me.

My end of this deal was fulfilled. The soul in a mortal body once more. What happened from here, and the fate of my grandson, rested entirely on Josiah.

III

JOSIAH

15

JOSIAH

In a small town like Hollow Creek, it didn’t take long for people to notice when someone went missing. Was a lack of better things to be doing rather than genuine concern, mostly. People liked to gossip.

I’d always tried my best not to give them anything worth yapping about. But even keeping to myself seemed to be a point of interest. That, and Tash.

Neither of us ever really fit in. Her more than me. We kept to ourselves. It made some suspicious, others curious, and all of them together too nosy. None as much as my father.

“It’s suspicious, if you ask me,” said the old man. “Dale knows them woods better than anyone. He’s an excellent hunter, Jo. I reckon one of the best. Ain’t no way he’s got lost.”

“You think everything’s suspicious, Dad.” I sighed, taking another sip of beer.

“Still, reckon we need to put the word out as much as possible. Printed off these posters and me and Maggie are putting ’em up all around town. Gonna put one up in your window.”

I nodded, only because I knew he weren’t asking for permission, and he’d be doing it regardless. I also knew no one would even see it. I didn’t let customers into my workshop often.

“You already know what I think about it.”