Arabesque: A Wings Companion

Chapter Seventeen

"We have a vast library here at the Academy, of course," Yeardley intoned in the low, gravelly voice that always made him sound older than Tamani knew him to actually be. "But this is only where we keep the texts having to do with biology and chemistry—those directly applicable to our work. I'm not certain that's the sort of research you need."

"Perhaps a potion that would allow a faerie to be submersed for long stretches of time in salt water?" Laurel suggested. "It's possible they come out of the water only to snatch their victims, then they retreat to a more plant-friendly environment."

"Salt water can be a plant-friendly environment, of course," Yeardley said. "We keep half a dozen large aquariums here."

"Ocean flora," Laurel said softly, and Tamani could almost see a list of potential ingredients racing through her mind. "Sea grasses, kelp, thousands of species of algae."

"But not faeries," Tamani said stubbornly. The idea of submerging oneself in salt water was so counter-intuitive as to simply not be a realistic possibility.

"Still," Laurel said, "salt water plants could potentially be used to protect a faerie against the salt. Like a ... vaccine," Laurel said, and Tamani knew she was remembering Klea's work inoculating trolls against Fall faerie magic.

A wrinkle appeared on Yeardley's brow, but he didn't question Laurel's comparison or speak the renegade's name. "It's a start. I can certainly work with Laurel here, but might I suggest you also consult the library at the Manor? You'll find all the historical texts there."

Tamani considered this. History? Could there be records of a faerie species like what he'd seen come out of the ocean? "You ... think they once lived in Avalon?"

"I think nothing," Yeardley said. "I'm as mystified as you. But I believe that researching as many hypotheses as possible is in our best interest. Besides, if I remember correctly, you're already well-known at the Manor."

Tamani nodded but didn't speak. The Manor, the fae stronghold built to hide the gate to Avalon in Scotland, was where Shar had taken him to learn how to pass as human. He hadn't been back since Shar died and, even now, it was those memories that made him reticent.

But he cleared his throat, forcing his melancholy away. "That's a very good idea, Yeardley, thank you." He turned to Laurel. "Potion research first? Then we can go to the Manor together."

Laurel pursed her lips and peered silently up at him for several long seconds before speaking. He loved that about her; how she considered every word she said. Before speaking. But today that considering look made him uneasy. "It would be more efficient if we split up and focused on our own tasks."

Going to Scotland alone—being half a world away from Laurel and their sprout. With the magic of the gate it would be little more than a stroll down a path, but he could hardly bear the thought of being separated from her again so soon.

As always, Laurel knew him so well it was as if she could read his thoughts. "I know you want to stand at my back and protect me," she said, softly enough that Yeardley could hear them, but certainly no one else milling around the Academy foyer. "But the best way to protect both me and our seedling is to neutralize this threat as soon as possible." She stroked his arm, softening her words. "I vote for haste."

He gritted his teeth, but she was right. The impulse to remain near wasn't actually helping either of them. He nodded, even though he hated it. "Alright," he said, "you two work here." He grinned, trying to disperse some of the tension. "Looks like I'm walking to Scotland."