Page 71 of A Legacy of the Light

My question makes him pause. “You’re welcome to research it. We’ve been over this library a thousand times in the last one hundred and fifty years searching for a way to stop them. We’ve not found anything yet.”

“I understand, I just need to do something. If the Dorche make it to my world, humans don’t stand a chance, and they will take over.”

He looks at me over his glasses, the gaze making me feel as if he’s scrutinizing my soul.

“Then you should research what you can. I’ll send some books to you that you can start with. It’s been a while since I checked them, and a fresh pair of eyes may be just what we need.”

This is why I like Finneus so much. He seems to understand why I’m asking how I can help.

“Thank you. Please let me know if there’s anything else I can do.”

“I will, Elsie. Your books are still in the same place.”

With that, I go to the desk that I have claimed as my own and find a new stack of books waiting for me.

The next few hours pass me by in a daze. I carefully read through the books Finneus sends to me, to make sure I don’t miss anything that might be important. They mention attack after attack but the details on the Dorche are minimal. Nothing about how their powers work or why they continue to terrorize the citizens of Elfayne.

By the time I’m ready to have some dinner, I’m no further along in my understanding on the Dorche, and my frustration is mounting.

How am I supposed to help find a way to defeat them when someone like Finneus has been looking for so long and hasn’t been able to find anything? A sense of helplessness washes over me and I slump back into my chair, heaving out a sigh.

Normally I wouldn’t give up so easily, but this seems like an impossible task. Perhaps it’s because I have cared for very little since the accident, and slipping into not caring has become my default.

I know Granny would search every last corner of this realm until she found an answer. That’s just who she was as a person. Mom had a more laid-back attitude, which often drove Granny mad. They were opposites in that sense.

I pause as my mind snags on my family. It’s been three days since I woke up here the day after my birthday. That means today is Mom’s birthday. She would have been fifty-two.

A riot of emotions run through me. The first is guilt that I only remembered her birthday now. Normally Grandpa and I would go to her grave and lay down fresh flowers. I hope Rach goes with him today. He always finds it hard. No parent should have to bury their child, and seeing him hold it together for my sake prods at the wounds in my chest with a rusty knife.

I rise from my seat and walk slowly through the library, trying to hold the tears at bay. While my grief hasn’t felt as heavy in Elfayne, my heart will never be whole again.

“All done for the evening?” Finneus asks without looking up when I round into the entrance.

When I don’t reply, he lifts his eyes to mine. Seeing the look on my face, he rushes over to me and puts a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Elsie, dear, what’s wrong?”

“It’s my Mom’s birthday today. I forgot,” I whisper, not trusting my voice to speak louder.

“I’m sure she will understand,” he says, trying to comfort me.

He doesn’t know she’s not here anymore.

“She died eighteen months ago.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Elsie. What happened if you don’t mind me asking?”

“She was killed in a car accident,” I say.

“How tragic. That must have been a shock for you and your family?”

I nod, unable to say anything else.

“Can I escort you to your room?” Finneus asks me softly.

“No, thank you. I’m going to go back and get into bed.”

“Goodnight then. I assume I shall see you at the ball?”

“Yes. See you there.”