Page 120 of Echoes of the Banshee

“You got this,” I whisper. I don’t know what the bracelet means exactly, but I know it’s tied to something she’s been battling since the moment we met.

And it doesn’t matter.

Whatever it is, whatever it costs, I’ll still be here. Even if all she ever needs from me is a steady hand. She breathes through it, her fingers curling slightly against mine.

Conversation eventually pulls her back in; however she doesn’t let go right away. I don’t move either, letting her take what she needs. When she’s ready, she gives my hand a small squeeze before letting go.

“Excuse me.” A young goblin approaches our table, his eyes locked on Thea. His hands are slightly trembling as he presents something. “I—I wanted to give you a token of my thanks.”

A quiet gasp escapes me. The goblins’ token is no small gesture; they’re a sacred tradition, a sign of deep respect and admiration. Each token is meant to be something they value most, something they believe the recipient would cherish and appreciate. And this… this is a huge deal. The goblin presents her with three options, two rings and a necklace. Each one costing thousands of dollars. They glint under the lights.

Thea’s face is pale and her eyes flick to Benson. He gives a small nod, a silent assurance that she has to accept it. There’s no alternative. No way out. Her fingers twitch, unsure. I can see it in her eyes: the panic, discomfort and guilt.

The refusal to believe she deserves this kind of honor.

The goblin watches, eagerly waiting, his gaze expectant. She can’t just reject him, it would be a grave insult, a mark of disrespect, not just to him, but to his entire clan. And yet, Thea sits there, struggling under the weight of it. Wanting to say no. Knowing she can’t. She thinks she’s unworthy. That’s the problem.

“Oh!” Thea blurts, her voice a little too loud as she scrambles for something to say. “That is an amazing pencil! Is that a Ticonderoga? Those are my favorites! How did you know that it would be what I treasure most?”

He looks confused, after a moment of hesitation his gaze softens. He pulls the pencil from his pocket and with that same gesture of reverence, he hands the pencil over to her.

“I will treasure it, Na Hearth.” She holds the pencil close to her chest, the correct response. The goblin watches her, his shoulders relaxing. I can see how difficult it had been for the goblin to part with his possessions, and she honored him by finding another path.

As word spreads, others follow suit. Soon there’s a line of goblins, each one eager to offer Thea a token of their thanks. A pencil tucked in their pocket. And each time Thea chooses the pencil. She treats each one with the same reverence and respect, as if each pencil she receives is a priceless jewel. Maybe there’s nothing more she could want than a dozen pencils.

Once the line is finished, I walk Thea to her dorm. Before she can stop me, I pull her into a bone-crushing hug. I feel her stiffen for a second, caught off guard, but then her body relaxes against mine.

“Whenever I think you couldn’t impress me more,” I whisper, my voice rougher than I intend. “You do.”

Her body is warm against mine, and for a moment, I let myself hold her, feeling her heart beat. She’s been so focused on hiding, on running from what she deserves, that she doesn’t see what I see: someone who’s worth everything. The kind of person who can take a room full of goblins and turn their respect into something beautiful.

I kiss the top of her head and pull back slightly, just enough to look her in the eyes.

“The way you see the world, it’s incredible. And I’m so lucky to get to see it with you.”

Reluctantly, I let her go. I hope she believes me, even just a little.

“And just so you know…” My voice drops lower. “I still meant what I said. About wanting to date you.” I give her a small, crooked smile. “No pressure. I just… don’t want you to think it was some one-time thing I forgot about.”

She looks at me for a minute, before stepping in. She puts her hands on either side of my face and turns it, so I don’t get any ideas. And then gets on her tiptoes to press a kiss to my cheek.

“I know.” Her voice is quiet. “But I can’t.”

“Yeah, you said you have someone. But, I don’t mind sharing, as long as you don’t.” I wink at her and she giggles. The tension breaking.

Thea

Goblin Drama and Accidental Voyeurism

Ahush falls over combat class as Zair, Mavrik and I walk in. All the witches turn to look at me. Some look angry, some amused. One in particular looks like he wants to kill me. I mean, I might’ve suggested his sandwich was missing the meat yesterday.

I shoot him a big, unapologetic smile. Ethan’s glare intensifies, the magic escaping him in his fury.

We’re doing circuits today, so when I need my water, I have to run clear across the gym and, naturally, it’s the exact moment that Coach steps out of the gym. Ethan storms over, his footsteps heavy on the floor. He grabs my arm, his fingers digging into my skin with possessiveness.

“What the hell?” he growls. The steady hum of activity falters, and just like that, every pair of eyes is on us, eager to watch the fallout.

Zair and Mavrik are across the room. That’s fine. I can handle this. Then something unexpected happens; students begin to move. At first, it’s subtle, a shift in posture, a few glances exchanged, but then I feel their presence behind me, stepping forward like a quiet wave of support.