“Humans stopped believing in us long ago,” she says, matter-of-fact. “Without belief, we’ve grown weaker. Each generation loses a little more. We’re fading. Soon, there won’t be anything left of us.”
I open my mouth, then close it again. “But surely you can’t…fade away?”
Maelíosa’s gaze hardens. “It’s calledAithreach Decline. A fae illness caused by disconnection from your world. Physical symptoms first, then fatigue, frailty, and loss of the glow in our skin. Then comes the rest, infertility, memory loss, madness.”
Niall’s voice is quieter now. “It’s not a kind way to go.”
“Isolation was supposed to protect us from the Ironlands,” Maelíosa continues, her voice sharp as a knife, “but it’s killing us. Slowly. And yet, what else can we do? Come out to humans who’d sooner put us in cages than try to understand? You’re a creative people, I’ll give you that, but not particularly gentle when faced with things you fear.”
I flinch. She’s not wrong. But still. “You think hiding is better? Pretending the world doesn’t exist?”
“We tried,” Niall says, his voice heavy. “It didn’t end well.”
My mouth is running ahead of my brain, fueled by sheer disbelief. “So what, you’re telling me is that you’re fading out of existence because we—what? Don’t clap hard enough like inPeter Pan?”
Niall chuckles, though there’s no humour in it. “Not quite. But close enough.”
Maelíosa sighs, brushing her hair back from her face. “It’s not only about belief. It’s a connection. Our magic is tied to yours, whether you like it or not. Without humans, we lose our anchor to this realm. And without us…” She trails off, her eyes darkening. “Let’s just say there are creatures on our side of the Veil you don’t want crossing over.”
“And yet you protect us,” I say, my voice quieter now.
Maelíosa gives me a tired smile. “Because that’s what we do. Even when it costs us everything.”
My mind races. My half-sister. My parents. The bond with Niall I didn’t choose. How the hell doIfit into this mess?
“I have to go,” Maelíosa says suddenly.“Go n-éirí leat,”she murmurs something in Irish that sounds both like a blessing and a warning. Then she’s gone. The mirror stills, returning to an ordinary pane of glass.
I stare at it, trying to make sense of what happened. “Your sister speaks Irish.”
“Aye,” Niall says, as if this explains anything. “We brought the language here. It spread throughout Ireland.”
“Of course you did,” I mutter, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “You’re welcome for all the Guinness ads, by the way.”
His lips twitch, but he doesn’t rise to the bait. “You have to understand. What you write…it matters. It could draw attention we can’t afford.”
“And you waited until now to tell me this because?” My tone is too clipped, but I’m too overwhelmed to care.
“Because I didn’t think it mattered.” He steps closer, his voice softening. “Not until I met you. You made me care, Shadow Witch. For the first time in longer than I can remember.”
My breath catches. I hate myself a little for it. “I need space. Time to think.”
He doesn’t argue, but his eyes stay on me. “Don’t take too much time, love.”
“Stop calling me that,” I snap because it’s easier than admitting how much it hurts. “I can’t do this right now.”
-I need your help. We need your help.-He nudges me with his mind.
-Get out of my head!-I scream at him mentally.
He nods, stepping back. “Whatever you decide, know this, our worlds are tied together. If one falls, the other won’t be far behind.”
A raven lands with a heavythunkon the tree branch outside the window. Its beady eyes lock onto mine through the glass, and I swear it leans forward like it’s trying to figure out how many secrets I’m carrying and whether they’d make a good snack. It hasn’t blinked once. It doesn’t feel like Liora. Her feathers are midnight black but hold an almost iridescent blue-purple quality.
-Ravens are usually Crimson Court business. But if it’s watching you that closely, I’d say it’s personal.-Niall gently touches me with his mind this time.
Everything feels connected. I don’t know what scares me more, the decisions I’ll have to make or the fact that I’m starting to think I belong in this madness.
* * *
To be continued…
