Queen of the Sylphs by L. J. McDonald Page A

wanting to hit her in that moment.
    A shadow fell over the kitchen window, and Justin heard a low growl. A quickly there, quickly vanished surge of hate flashed through him, the emotion of another, and he spun, his bladder nearly letting go. Swirling, ball lightning eyes glared in through the window.
    “I wasn’t going to hurt her,” he gasped, his hands raised as he backed away. He nearly tripped over one of Stria’s marbles again, but he regained his footing and kept retreating, reaching the doorway at last and running to his room.
    Stria watched her master’s son run out the door, taking his panic with him. She glanced next toward the window, where Blue’s swirling eye still regarded her.
    Thank you, she sent.
    You’re welcome.
    He moved away, continuing his rounds, and Stria slowly moved to collect her scattered marbles, checking them meticulously for damage. Cal would be home soon, but she wouldn’t tell him about this, not wanting to see him upset. She was glad, though, that Justin would never be her master.
    Devon wandered his small underground apartment, digging through his belongings and wondering what to take, what to leave behind, and if he was losing his mind for even considering the trip.
    Do you want to go? Airi asked, floating around his head and ruffling his hair.
    “Yes. No. I don’t know.” Devon turned and sat down on his bed, his hands dangling between his legs. “Oh, stars, why me?”
    Because you can do this? I think it would be fun. I’d like to feel the winds of a new place.
    He stared up at where he knew she floated. “You want to go?”
    Yes. Coming here was wonderful. Now we have a chance to make friends with another hive. That never happens back where I came from. I like it.
    Devon frowned. He appreciated her point of view, but he was terrified of leaving. More than just about anything, he hated change. Yes, he’d brought Airi here to a new place, but that hadn’t exactly been planned. He hadn’t actually had a chance to really stop and think until he was a full-fledged member of Solie’s hive. If he had been given a choice, he would have been too afraid to get out of bed that morning.
    Turning, he opened the top drawer of his nightstand and pulled out a wooden flute, an instrument nearly as small as a whistle. He felt Airi’s excitement, and he raised it to his lips to play.
    His fingers flashed. The music was sweet and high, filling the small room and causing his air sylph to dance happily above him. She loved this, was drawn to music as all air sylphs were, and though she’d have been his whether he had talent or not, Devon’s family had insisted he learn to play before his father transfered mastery. Devon had chosen the flute because it was portable and he could carry it anywhere, but playing the instrument calmed his mind as much as it made Airi happy. He never went a day without playing, and as his fingers danced over the holes, he felt his tensions ease.
    He didn’t really think as he played, but he knew suddenly that, whether he wanted to or not, he would go to Meridal. Leon had asked him, and Solie was in agreement, and he owed them both more than he could ever admit. He’d been just an air sylph master in Eferem, little better than a laborer. Airi hadn’t even had the right to speak. Now they both had their freedom. And more than just his debt, he wanted to help the others. Their position here was precarious if the kingdoms around them decided to join forces. With Meridal on their side, they were far more secure.
    Devon finished his song much more content with the world, even though he knew he’d be panicked again at some point—likely when the sheer distance he’d be traveling and the enormity of his task next occurred to him. For now, though, he and his sylph were at peace. That was all that mattered.
    A knock sounded at the front door, hurried and hard. Devon felt Airi’s sudden recognition and alarm just before the knob turned violently enough to break the