Hana remained quiet as they walked down the hall, though her small hand clung tightly to Dawn’s. She had to let go of the lass’s hand when they reached the stairs. She gestured she would go down first, then Hana was to follow. The lass nodded, understanding.
Dawn’s worry was for naught, the little lass racing past her before they reached the last step and hurrying to the cell.
“Fia! Fia! I am here,” Hana called out.
“Hana, you should not be here,” Fia said, stepping out of the shadows and going to the metal bars the lass gripped while keeping Evie tucked tight in the pit of her arm.
“I had to see you. I had to,” Hana said, her shaky voice betraying her tears.
Dawn never expected to hear what the little lass said next.
“You cannot go with the legendary warrior… he takes you to fight evil.”
CHAPTER 27
Hana turned to Dawn, tears running down her cheeks. “I beg you, my lady, please help her.”
Dawn grabbed the small bench and sat it by the cell, then managed to lower herself down on it and gently eased Hana into her arms. The little lass turned and buried her face against her chest and Dawn held her as she cried.
“She will die. She will die,” Hana sobbed.
“Nay, Hana, you see it wrong, and Lady Dawn will take you to an old, very wise woman who will teach you how to understand your skill,” Fia said, fighting back the tears in her eyes.
Old Mary, Dawn thought. Had the woman that had been like a mum to her known she would cross paths with this wee lass who shared the skills she had? She had warned Cree that Dawn had to accompany him on this journey. Old Mary had claimed that Dawn was necessary to solving the mystery, and she had been right. The lass appeared to her and if she hadn’t, the children would never have been found.
“You will very much like the old woman, Hana,” Fia encouraged. “And you and Trent will find happiness, peace, and love at Lord Cree’s clan.”
Hana sniffled back her tears and stepped out of Dawn’s arms to return to the bars and place her small hands over Fia’s. “I fear I will never see you again.”
“You will see me again,” Fia assured her.
Dawn looked questionably at Fia. Something in the way she had assured Hana made her wonder just how Hana would see Fia again.
“You do not have to be afraid anymore, Hana,” Fia said. “The old woman will provide you with all you need to learn and understand your special gift.”
Hana shook her head. “It is a curse. It is evil.” Her tears started falling again. “I am evil. I saw the men raid our village before they arrived and warned my da. He claimed it was nonsense and I should not say such things. My mum believed me and hid me in the woods with Evie and told me to always believe in what I saw, but to hold my tongue until I knew the time was right to speak. I could not save them. I am evil.”
“Nay, you are not evil, Hana, but your mum was wise in telling you to hold your tongue until the time was right to speak. You knew the time was right when you met Trent, then again when you met me, and when you saw Lady Dawn. It is safe for you now and your mum saw that, and it is why she warned you. Never, ever feel that you are evil. You will find a mum and da where Lady Dawn and Lord Cree take you, and all will be good.” Fia looked to Dawn. “There is a couple who have much love to give. They will be good parents to Hana and Trent.”
Dawn furrowed her brow wondering how she would find them.
Fia smiled softly understanding Dawn. “Hana will know.”
“DAWN! DAWN! Are you down there?”
Hana ran back into Dawn’s arms. She smiled down at the little lass to let her know there was nothing to fear. Leave it to her husband to call out to her when he knew she could not speak. She truly did love the man.
Beast barked, responding for Dawn and heavy, rushed footfalls were heard on the stairs.
“What are you doing down here?” Cree demanded and annoyance flared in his eyes when he saw Hana. “She should not be down here.”
Surprisingly, Hana spoke up. “I had to say goodbye to Fia and thank her for saving me.”
Dawn sent her husband a look that he was familiar with. It meant she would tell him all that had been said later.
Hana took the napkin from Dawn and returned to the cell to hand it to Fia. “I am so happy that I met you.”
“And I am grateful to have met you, Hana.” Fia gave the lass’s hand a gentle squeeze and whispered, “You will know what to do.”