The Blight of Blackridge: A dark fantasy novel (Book of Payne Book 1) by R.P. Dunwater

Author:R.P. Dunwater [Dunwater, R.P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-12-21T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Saying Goodbye

I awoke the next morning with a start. Edmund nosed my hand and snuggled against my legs to comfort me, as he always did after a nightmare. The sun was already high in the sky, its bright light warming my bedroom to an uncomfortable degree. My dreams that night had been full of scenes similar to the ones Alma had shown me that terrifying afternoon in the cabin—violence, bloodshed, and pain. But there were no real answers or guidance found in them. It was becoming increasingly frustrating trying to piece the story together with only the smallest glimpses of the past.

I steeled myself before descending the stairs, knowing Mother was going to have something to say about yesterday’s excitement. She hurriedly approached from the drawing room as soon as my feet hit the stairs, her arms crossed tightly.

“Eleanor Payne, where have you been? I was worried sick about you! What time did you make it back—”

“I’m sorry.”

She quieted, sensing the sadness in my tone. “What happened?”

“Birdie got sick while we were at the tea house. I spent most of the night just sitting with her while the temple healer tried to figure out what to do.”

“How bad is it?” Mother’s expression changed to one of worry as I gravely shook my head.

“I’m going to head over there now and see if there’s been any change.”

“Let me get you some food to take with you. When was the last time you ate? You’re pale as the moon.”

My rumbling stomach kept me from arguing, and I accepted an apple and a scrap of bread before leaving. I hoped at least one of my spells had done the trick and that the Caldwells would happily announce that Birdie was on the mend as soon as I arrived.

When I reached the bakery, however, a short handwritten note displayed on the inside of the door immediately dashed that hope.

“Closed until further notice.”

My heart sank in my chest when I found the door locked tight. I turned to make my way down the alley and stopped short when I noticed Jacob on the opposite side of the street. He stood with his head hung and his hands buried in his pockets.

“You!” I growled, crossing the street toward him. “How dare you show your face here!”

Jacob straightened up as though noticing me for the first time and shot me a warning glare. “I came to see her.”

I slammed my hands into his chest, pushing with all of my might, and grew furious when he barely stumbled backward. “Well, are you happy now? Look at what you’ve done!” I pushed him a second time and a third time, growing more and more frustrated by my own physical limitations.

“It was supposed to be you!” he growled.

I took a step back and stared at him in disbelief, not expecting an admission. “What did you just say?”

Jacob fixed his shirt with a huff, his face growing red. “It was supposed to be you, you piece of filth. After you

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