“Because I’m nothing like her,” Lily replied, throwing up her hands like it was self-evident.
“Really?”
“Yes, really,” Lily said, offended. “How could you even think that about me?”
Rowan looked away, his hands planted on his hips. “This isn’t my decision, anyway. The sachem wants you trained.”
“And you don’t think I should be?”
“I think there are going to be a lot of people who are going to try to use you, whether I train you or not.”
He turned and started walking again, his brow furrowed in thought. Lily followed him cautiously. She knew not to push him to explain anymore.
“How is she? Your Samantha?” Rowan finally asked after a long silence.
“She’s sick, but still alive. I think, anyway.” Lily watched Rowan’s face. “You knew Samantha here?”
“Of course.” His voice sounded like it was coming from far away. “We were very close.”
“What happened to her?”
Rowan didn’t answer right away. “About a year ago, Lillian disappeared for three weeks.” He stopped again and swallowed hard. “Samantha said that Lillian was in front of us, inches away but beyond our reach. She said that Lillian was being destroyed from the inside out. We didn’t understand. Samantha decided that she had to go get Lillian on her own. She went to the pyre even though she knew she wasn’t a firewalker. It killed her.”
Lily moved closer to Rowan until their shoulders were nearly touching.
“What’s a firewalker?” she asked cautiously.
“It’s the final level of witchcraft. Very few attempt it. Most die.”
They continued along at a stroll, both of them slowed by the thought of losing Samantha.
“I’ve disappeared from my world just like Lillian did,” Lily whispered. “I have to go back, Rowan.”
He sighed and nodded. “I know.”
CHAPTER
7
The temperature started dropping even before the sun went down. Frost fell, lining the leaf litter underfoot with flaky, white ice. Even Lily felt chilled. Rowan stuffed his hands under his arms as they walked, trying to stay warm.
“Come here,” Lily said, putting her arm around his waist. Rowan startled at her touch, but when she didn’t let go, he wrapped an arm over her shoulder and hugged her to his chest. His whole body was trembling.
“We need shelter tonight,” he said through chattering teeth.
“How far are we from Salem?”
“Hours. I won’t make it,” he replied honestly. Lily started rubbing his arms with her hands, trying to chafe some warmth into him. She was really cold, something she couldn’t ever remember happening to her before, but Rowan was literally freezing to death.
“Can’t we build a fire?” she asked.
“Not out in the open. There are Woven tracks everywhere.” He paused before continuing. “But there is a cabin nearby.”
“What are we waiting for?” Lily asked enthusiastically.
“It was abandoned years ago when a Woven built her nest not far from it.” Rowan watched Lily’s face carefully. “The nest may be empty by now. And then again, it may not be. Are you sure you’re up to it?”
Lily felt him shaking in her arms and pushed down her own fear. “Let’s hurry.”