Airily

by Shay Emms

  bottom. Deeper down still, what lived between the rocks.

  Airily rubbed her eyes and shook her head. No wonder the Crow Clan had stolen the torc. It was dangerous,

  wondrous, and the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen.

  Airily was half-tempted to keep it for herself but snorted at the thought. What could she even do with such a thing? It was ridiculous and must’ve been put in her mind by the torc

  itself.

  Airily shut her eyes against the torc’s influence and

  repeated the words Burn had told her. The language of the spell was hard to pronounce and Airily hoped it worked. Burn hadn’t mentioned what would happen if she misspoke.

  The torc’s movements were liquid; the silver flexed away from the smooth tree trunk, shrinking as it did so, from

  human-sized necklace to a bracelet Airily could slip onto her wrist.

  The torc hung from a twig near Airily, gleaming with

  allure and the faintest whiff of power. It was no wonder the awful cait sidhe wanted this thing so badly. She should keep it for herself; fly away and hide it from the sidhe, so she could stare at it forever.

  Airily clenched her fists, until the sting of her fingernails digging into her palms made her suck in a breath. The torc would save Poppa. That’s all she needed it for. She’d throw it in a trash bin if that would save him.

  Before she could think much more, Airily snatched the torc from the twig. She shoved it into a vest pocket and buttoned the flap shut, just as Burn had told her. She sighed with relief when the torc was out of sight, its influence

  fading.

  She turned to dive off the branch and paused. The room was empty. Airily darted up to get a better view and flew a circuit around the vault. No buffalo blanket, no bone flute, no golden coins: all the treasures were gone.

  The other items in the vault were illusions. Was it a test? Or a torc-defense mechanism? Airily touched the pocket where the torc now rested. Were all fairy items so tricky? Airily wished she knew. She’d learned more about her kind in one week than she’d learned in her whole life. It might be time to take Fluppence’s advice and do some reading. Her sister kept telling her how great books were.

  Airily landed in front of the vault door, scooped up her mushroom umbrella, and put it over her shoulder. Once camouflaged, she poked her head out the door.

  “Does the first password begin with the letter k?” Burn asked.

  “No,” the toad replied in a tired voice.

  “Does it start with the letter i?”

  “No.”

  Airily bit down on a snicker. Burn seemed to be working her way randomly through the entire alphabet.

  Burn looked past the toad and spotting Airily, gave a wink. “Does the password start with the letter m?”

  The toad drummed his webbed toes on the ground and groaned a long-exhausted sigh. “No.”

  Hugging the wall, Airily circled back to Burn.

  “Did you get it?” Burn murmured without a glance at

  Airily.

  “Got it,” Airily whispered back.

  “You know what?” Burn said.

  “What?” the toad replied.

  “I’m going to ask my mom for the passwords and come back,” she said.

  “You do that.” He hunkered down and glared at Burn through slit eyelids.

  “See ya!” Burn turned and started walking.

  “Don’t hurry back,” the toad called after Burn.

  Airily ran along beside her, legs working double-time to keep up with the crow’s long strides.

  Once they left the main cavern, Airily tossed aside her mushroom.

  “Burn?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Have you ever been in the vault?”

  Burn slowed to a more conversational pace. “No, why?”

  “No reason, really.” Airily thought of all the items in the vault designed to lure her, and maybe trap her inside. If Burn was telling Airily the truth, then she hadn't known the danger waiting inside.

  “Was there anything else in it?”

  “There’s an albino sapling in there.” She was reluctant to tell Burn about the torc’s power and hoped she wouldn’t ask. Airily touched the pocket the torc was stowed in. If she were tempted to keep the torc with all that was at stake, what would Burn do?

  They reached the clearing in the dense tree roots at the base of the stairs. The fairy ring of mushrooms edged the floor.

  Black Burn held out her hand and Airily took a step back afraid the crow was going to ask for the torc.

  “Ready to go?”

  Ashamed of her suspicion, Airily took Burn’s hand. “Will the stairs lead us back to the fire pit?”

  “Yeah,” Burn said. “And if I do this right, only be a minute or two should have passed since we left.”

  “What do you mean if?” Airily asked.

  Burn cocked her head. “Well, I don’t come down here often. And the last time, my father did everything.”

  “We’ll get back, right?” Airily pressed.

  “Yes, but the question is when.” Burn sighed. “Stop

  worrying. When we jump into the ring, think about the time. Picture a clock face with the hands pointed to the time you want.”

  “Fine,” Airily said. But it wasn’t fine. She had to get back at a very certain time to exchange Poppa for the torc.

  “On three, we jump into the ring.” Burn held her hand out to Airily. “Remember to focus.”

  Frowning, Airily gauged the time. It had been around eleven-thirty when they’d arrived at Burn’s tree, so Airily pictured a clock face with the hands pointing to eleven and six.

  Burn counted, and as Airily jumped an image of Poppa flashed through her mind, jumbling with the clock.

  The glow of the mushrooms brightened. She landed on solid ground, and the mushroom’s light winked out. Airily blinked and found herself back on the staircase inside Burn’s tree.

  “Come on,” Airily said.

  “Go ahead,” Burn said.

  Airily spread her wings. There was no need to wait for Burn, who’d have to climb. Airily flew up the narrow shaft, angling this way and that, so she didn’t stub her wings. A few seconds later, she landed on the cold stone edge of the fire pit.

  “What took so long?”

  Airily gasped. Burn was there, sitting on an old ripped cushion. It bled dirty grey stuffing.

  “What? How?” Airily demanded.

  “The last of the magic I took from the gateway.” Burn shrugged nonchalantly, but her grin seemed very self-

  satisfied. “Faster than trudging up the stairs.”

  “Whatever,” Airily said, lip curling with annoyance “We have to get back.”

  “Right-oh!” Burn jumped from her seat and led Airily back through the maze of junk.

  Outside, the sun was in the same place as when she’d

  entered the crow’s home. Airily was relieved; she’d been afraid she’d messed up their exit when she lost the image of the clock face.

  “Looks like we’ve got plenty of time before tomorrow,” Burn said.

  A shadow fell over Airily and she ducked, ready to dive for a cover. Fearful of a hawk attack, the last thing she needed was to die just before she could save Poppa. Burn scooted toward the door, ready to take shelter.

  “I hate you so much!” screamed a hysterical voice Airily was all too familiar with.

  Witter knocked Airily to the twiggy bottom of the nest. She grunted, breath whooshing from her lungs. She lay helpless, as Witter swatted at her shoulders.

  “Do you know how worried I was?” he sobbed.

  “Ease up, Witter,” Burn said. “What’s wrong, kid?”

  Punches exhausted, Witter threw his arms around Airily and cried.

  “What’s happening?” Airily said. “How could you be this worried? You knew we were getting the torc.”

  “That was yesterday!”
/>   CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  “W

  hat do you mean, yesterday?” Burn

  demanded.

  “Josh came back yesterday afternoon around two o’clock. He said he waited hours for you, but that you must be stuck in Fairy Lands. Me and Fluppence waited up all night! Even Josh hung around the attic, 'til his dad made him go to bed. Today is the exchange!”

  Burn swore so viciously that Airily was surprised her feathers didn’t catch fire.

  “We have to get to the clearing,” Witter said and wiped his tears.

  Airily hugged him hard. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Me too, kid. I tried. I did,” Burn told Witter. “Anything can happen when you leave the gateway. Any loss of focus or stray thought can throw you off.”

  Airily jerked. “I thought of Poppa, just for a second. Is that why we’re here today?”

  “Probably,” Burn said. “Don’t sweat it, though. It’s too late for that. We better get going.”

  “Josh and Fluppence are already there,” Witter wiped his tears. “We set everything up this morning. Fluppence is

  hiding with one of the helicopter remotes and Josh is in the clearing. You have the torc, right?”

  “Yes,” Airily said.

  “Good. Now, come on,” Witter said in a commanding tone Airily had never heard from him. He launched into the air and sped away. She’d never seen him fly so fast either.

  Burn spread her wings. “I guess we’re leaving.”

  Airily grunted. “I guess so.”

  “Hang back a little. I need to tell you the commands to get the torc back to regular size and the binding chant.”

  “And the binding will make the sidhe unable to cast magic right? Otherwise, what's the point of all this?” Airily wished they had more information

  “That's what's supposed to happen. I don't know for sure. I can only tell you the words, and we'll hope it works.”

  Airily let out a frustrated sound halfway between a grunt and a sigh. “Tell me,” she said.

  “When we're in the air,” Burn said.

  They took off. Airily flew beside Burn. Their swift pace wasn’t enough to catch up with Witter, who’d already disappeared. Airily had no idea the little cry baby could fly so fast.

  Josh waved as Airily and Burn flew into the clearing.

  “Thank goodness you’re here!” His eyes were bloodshot, looking as though he hadn’t slept at all.

  “I’m sorry!” Airily circled him. “I’m so sorry.” Relief washed over her, soothing her raw-edged nerves. She was grateful for Josh’s help and faith.

  Josh held out his finger as a perch for Airily. “I told Witter and Fluppence the story of Rip Van Winkle when you didn’t come back yesterday. Big mistake.”

  “Did he cry?” Airily asked as she landed.

  “Oh my god! So much crying.” Josh rolled his eyes.

  Airily laughed despite herself, picturing Josh trying to console the inconsolable. He grinned at her amusement, but then his smile slipped away like a sinking stone.

  He held Airily up to eye level. All humor gone, he said, “I’m really glad you’re back. And not just because I didn’t want to face the cait sidhe without the torc.”

  “I…” Airily stalled. She was going to say she was glad to be back too, but he deserved something more. Josh had been a loyal friend almost since they met. She could even forgive the terrarium now, if only because he hadn’t known better. In the hands of any other human, she would’ve been on display in a zoo or pickled in a specimen jar by now. Instead, he’d defended her and her family, babysat Witter, and come to an armed confrontation with a foe that could destroy them all. “I’m glad you stayed with Witter and Fluppence,” Airily said. “I would’ve been back sooner but messed up at the

  border. It’s all my fault.”

  “It’s okay,” Josh said. “I knew you’d come back. You and Burn.”

  Airily looked over Josh’s weapons. He’d made a

  bandolier by buckling two belts together. Hanging from the straps were two spray bottles of gross brown repellant potion and an extra iron tool shaped like a shovel. The other two fire pokers were holstered in the belt loops of his shorts.

  “I’m lucky I met a human like you,” Airily said. “I’m sorry you got dragged into this, but I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather have with me.”

  Josh gave a shy grin and looked at the ground. “Thanks, Airily,” he said. “Meeting you guys and Burn and Owlby is the coolest thing that’s ever happened to me. Danger or not, I wouldn’t change anything.”

  “Good,” Airily said. “Because you come in awfully handy.”

  “I don’t know what you guys did without me.” Josh puffed up and flexed his skinny biceps, but as he did, an oppressive fog of fear and anxiety quickly smothered their surroundings. All the forest sounds vanished. They both shuddered; what little humor they’d dredged up, died.

  Airily shivered and flew to Josh’s shoulder. He seized a fire poker in one hand and gripped a spray bottle in the other. The woods on the far side of the clearing darkened; the

  shadows beneath the trees grew thick and heavy.

  “He’s here,” Josh whispered.

  Airily’s nails dug into Josh’s T-shirt. She glanced around the clearing; an unseen Witter, Fluppence, and Burn waited with more weapons. At least, she hoped so. Burn could probably shake off the pall of horror the cait sidhe brought with him, but could Fluppence? Witter?

  The gathered shadows flowed from beneath the trees, swirling over the ground until they coalesced in front of

  Airily and Josh.

  The cait sidhe in his human guise, rose out of the

  shadows, shedding darkness like water. His pointed ears twitched. The metal studs on his biker jacket glinted in the sunlight. He flexed his taloned hands, clad in fingerless leather gloves.

  “Well, aren’t you a brave pair.” He sneered, lip curling above sharp fangs.

  Airily didn’t feel brave at the moment, but she stood taller on Josh’s shoulder.

  “Where’s Poppa?” Airily asked. The cait sidhe’s clawed hands were empty.

  “Did you bring the torc?” His slit pupils narrowed on

  Airily.

  “Yes,” Airily said, surprised at how steady her voice sounded.

  “Show it to me,” the sidhe called.

  “Poppa first.” Josh widened his stance; he raised the fire iron a fraction.

  “You doubt my promise, boy?” the sidhe hissed.

  “You might have the power to break it,” Josh said.

  “All fae live and die by their promises. No exceptions.” He pointed a blade-tipped finger at Airily. “Not even those pathetic little things are immune.”

  “Then you shouldn’t mind showing us her dad.”

  The cait sidhe cocked his head. His mouth split into a nasty grin. The towering cat fae held out his hand and a black pool of shadow formed on the ground. The surface broke as the bent wires of a birdcage rose out of the darkness. Poppa lay unmoving at the bottom of the cage. His eyes were shut tight.

  “What’s wrong with him?” Airily shouted.

  The cat snorted, pointed ears flattening against his bald head. “Nothing. He’s asleep.” The sidhe gestured with his other hand, and Airily sensed a twinge of magic in the air. “There, he’ll wake up in an hour or two. Now show me the torc.” The sidhe glared hungrily at Airily as if deciding how tasty she’d be.

  Slowly, Airily reached for her vest pocket. She didn’t trust the cait sidhe. He could’ve put any sort of spell on Poppa. How convenient that Poppa wouldn’t wake for hours! By then, the cat fae would be long gone—returned to the Fair Lands where no one could get it.

  There was no other choice. She set her fears aside and pulled the torc from her pocket. Gleaming silver-blue in the sunlit clearing, the torc’s magic tingled and pulsed up her

  fingertips even outside of the vault.

  The cloud of a
nxiety in the clearing broke. The cait sidhe’s fear-induced mist dissipated in the torc’s presence.

  “Whoa,” Josh whispered, looking at the torc in Airily’s hand.

  “Isn’t that something,” the sidhe purred.

  “It looks small, but it’s the torc,” Airily said.

  “I know very well what it is.” The sidhe’s eyes locked on the artifact.

  “Hand us the cage,” Josh said.

  “Remind me of our promise, boy.”

  Josh touched his face, fingering the bandages on his cheek.

  “We bring the torc and Poppa remains alive,” Josh said.

  A toothy, predatory smile stretched the cait sidhe’s

  human face too wide. “Then we are done.”

  “What–”

  The cat leaped at them, shadows trailing like smoke.

  Airily flew up, clutching the torc, and Josh threw himself to the ground. A thin whip of shadow shot from the sidhe’s leather glove and coiled around Airily. Her body chilled, and the torc convulsed in her hand as if trying to flee.

  Airily pumped her wings as hard as she could, but the shadow’s grip didn’t loosen. She looked down at the triumphant cait sidhe as sweat broke out on her forehead.

  Josh sprang from the grass, swinging the fire poker in a wide arc.

  The sidhe caught the movement and raised his other arm to absorb Josh’s blow. As the iron made contact, the sidhe hissed, and the shadowy tether around Airily dissolved. Out of the sidhe’s grasp, Airily shot forward and banked steeply to avoid hitting a tree.

  “Now!” Airily shouted to her unseen siblings and Burn. “Attack now!” She hoped they hadn’t fled in terror.

  Airily shoved the torc back into her pocket and wheeled around. She couldn’t leave Josh and Poppa.

  The cait sidhe gripped Josh by the shoulders, claws

  tearing his T-shirt. Josh had dropped the fire poker in the grass. He punched at the sidhe’s arm. Smiling madly, the fae raised his hand, fingers hooked to slash.