The sky is littered with stars, each one a brilliant pinprick of light on a dark canvas. There isn't a cloud in sight.

It is nothing like the human realm.

I hear the sea and the sound of gulls from outside the window. I reach up, hoping to capture one of the stars. A light blue spark flickers in my fingertip. It dances precariously, casting a small glow before it goes out leaving me in darkness once more.

I get up from the small bed I'm sleeping on. It's more of a few blankets piled on top of each other and an old block of wood that is a flimsy excuse of a pillow. It's not something I am accustomed to since I am a creature of comfort, though I do not take it for granted.

The iron shackles around my wrists and ankles clank together as I drag them across the floor. 

There is a gentle breeze tonight, it blows softly through the window. My hair rustles, the bright blond strands are greasy with sweat and blood. I can feel my chest burn in pain as I struggle forward and my head throbs with a familiar headache. I cannot use an ounce of my power as long as I am shackled like a dog in a rusted cage.

I am alone here.

I put my hand out, ignoring the pain as I try to summon a flame once more.

"Maria," I rasp, my voice rough after days without water. "Darien. Find me. Please. I'm almost there."

A blue flame bursts into my view, bright as a comet as it dances around my hand. I laugh and I cry, allowing myself a bit of hope. I toss it towards the heavens before it fizzles out and everything goes dark once more.

—

I wake up slowly, my senses coming back to me one by one. I was dreaming but...the more I try to chase the memory, the faster it fades. I just have a vague memory of the sea and the stars.

When I open my eyes, Goodfellow sits in his armchair staring into the flames. The cottage smells of woodsmoke and I hear raindrops hitting the window.

He doesn't react to me, he just continues to stare and mutter things to his fix. I turn my back to him, staring out the window. I can see anything out there. I don't really want to look at him right now.

It's nearly dawn. I slept fitfully the whole night, tossing and turning. Gion slept on a small pin cushion after I accidentally knocked him off the pillow.

I lift my hand to my face, tracing the bright red burn just under my thumb. It stung even as I brushed my finger over it. Goodfellow assured me that it would stop hurting but you know what they say. Once bitten, twice shy. Although I have to admit, I had it coming. I shouldn't have been that gullible.

Oh well. What's done is done.

My only goal now was saving Darien from being executed. Goodfellow still hasn't told me the plan. All I know is that I play a major role.

Totally reassuring. No pressure. Just a walk in Faeland.

I get up. There's no use in sleeping. I'm too anxious to sleep.

Goodfellow sighs and gets up, his joints popping loudly. Even though he looked like he was in his late thirties, his age must be catching up to him.

"Do you have food, child?" He asked.

I reach down and pick up my backpack. "Gion told me that the other brownies had packed food for me." I ruffle through the contents, my fingers touching something paper-like. "Oh, how sweet. A peanut butter and honey sandwich."

He looked repulsed. "And how many of those do you carry?"

"Like...five?" I glance at Gion who is still sleeping. "Is that enough?"

Goodfellow rolls his eyes. "This is what you get for trusting a brownie, child." He plucked a sack from one of the cabinets and tossed it to me. "Follow Kion to the lake. Bathe and change into those clothes. We will eat on the way to Oakhall."

I feel the thrum of glamour wash over me. It feels like someone has thrown a wet cloth over me, it sticks uncomfortably to my skin but I don't fight back.

Kion unfurls his bright orange tail and stretches. He yawns as he does so, his teeth catching in the firelight.

I follow him out the door as he leads the way. We come to a small lake hidden away by the tree branches. Slivers of sunlight reach between the exposed canopy and beam down, making the surface of the lake shine an unnatural green. Kion lays down in front of a fallen stump, his eyes lazily scanning the woods. In front of him is the sack that contains my clothes.

"Um...do you mind?" I ask, holding the hem of my shirt.

He turns his golden gaze onto me. "Your pathetic human form does little to interest me," he said. He turned his head away, sniffing the air. "Bathe quickly, human. It best that we do not keep our master waiting."

'Our master.' I hated the sound of that.

I strip quickly and kick my pants away. The faster I get clean, the faster I can get to Darien.

I step into the water gingerly, hoping that nothing unusual is in there. It's warm as I sink into the lake, the water coming up to my neck. I can't see anything below the surface, only a hazy green peppered by sunlight.

By the time I'm done with the bath, I crawl back to shore where a set of clothes awaits me. Kion is napping in the sunlight.

I slip on the garments, hoping that no one saw my impromptu skinny dipping session. They're surprisingly comfortable. They slip over my skin like freshly woven wool. It's nothing more than a simple green dress and some long pants that look like I'm wearing a petticoat. There are slippers inside but I don't want to wear them.

My boots are where I discarded them, still worn and caked with mud.

Goodfellow had told me to bathe and get dressed, he didn't tell me how though. I think I'm starting to understand this whole glamour thing. I chuck the slippers aside and pull on my boots.

Kion gets up once I'm dressed. "That was quicker than I thought."

"I can go back in again if you want me to," I said as I braid my hair.

He huffs, flicking his tail in irritation. "Your insolence is unamusing."

"You sound like your master."

My distorted reflection stares back at me. My hair is in a near braid but a few strands fall out, curling messily around my ears and forehead. I looked tired. There are circles underneath my eyes and my nose is red from crying. I look wretched.

I wave my hand over the surface of the water, letting my face become a smear on the surface.

Kion is already ahead of me, trotting eagerly through the forest. I follow him, no longer feeling the glamour controlling me.

Goodfellow waits next to a large red colder mare. He bickers with Gion as he ties something onto the saddle. He tries to swat Gion away but he disappears into the saddle bag.

He catches a glimpse of me and makes a sound of approval. "You look less like a drowned rat."

"You must've been so popular with the ladies when you were younger," I said.

I pressed my hand to the mare's muzzle, petting it gently. She rumbled in approval when I scratched her behind the ears.

He gets up onto the mare, gripping the reins in one hand and holding out his other. "If that was sarcasm, I strongly suggest you relearn it. Now get on."

The glamour takes hold of me once more as I take his hand. Goodfellow more or less hauls me up by my arms like a ragdoll and deposits me behind him on the saddle. He doesn't wait for me to get settled as he spurs the mare forward. The ground underneath us and the forest around us blur as the mare picks up speed.

"I suggest you don't fall off, child." He says over the wind rushing past my ears. "I'd hate to lose my new servant before we get to Oakhall."