Page 35 of A Tempest of Intrigue (Tempest of Shadows #4)

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Ellery

Farley glanced at the trees, and while the poltergeists didn’t really have distinct features, they had enough differences between them that they could be told apart, and some of their expressions could be recognized. Farley seemed ruminative as he pondered Ryker’s question.

“None of us were the best immortals while we were alive. We did many things we shouldn’t have, and I was a bitter man”—he waved a hand down the front of himself— “hence my blob status.”

Farley’s words confirmed my suspicion about poltergeists. Anything that didn’t belong in the Revenant Woods and died here became a spirit; there were ghosts and poltergeists.

The ghosts were see-through versions of their former selves. They merely floated through the woods, not interacting or acknowledging anyone or anything else.

The only time the ghosts had any interaction with anyone was when the poltergeists ripped off their heads and threw them at others. The poltergeists found this hilarious, and the ghosts simply rejoined themselves before moving on.

The poltergeists were different than the ghosts. They were angrier, able to interact with others, aware of their surroundings, and able to hold and move things.

After spending a lot of time in the woods and with the poltergeists, I’d come to believe they were the remnants of amsirah who were incensed when they died here.

And they weren’t just angry because they died; they were infuriated while alive too. That rage had manifested them into the beings they were today.

“I’d rather be a poltergeist than a ghost,” Farley continued. “They’re useless.”

As if to hammer this home, a couple of ghosts drifted into the clearing. They didn’t look our way, though they were close enough to hear the insult.

“So, then, why would you help us?” Ryker asked again.

“We were angry while we were alive, but a lot of that anger, and, for most of us, why we were in these woods was because of the nobles. Many of us lost everything because of them. When we died here, it was because we were hiding from those we blamed for the way our lives went, whether it was warranted or not. However, we would all like to see them fall.”

“So, you’d help us for revenge?”

“Mostly.”

“Understandable. What’s the rest of the reason?”

Farley’s red eyes shifted from Ryker to me. “ Her .”

I frowned as his red eyes burned into me. It took everything I had not to step away from him, but I sensed the poltergeist expected me to exude strength.

“We couldn’t believe it when we learned Tempest had a female lightning bearer. But when I heard it was Lery , something about it made sense. It fit with the wild child I’d watched run through these woods and the woman who’d stolen from those I hated most. I told the others about her and what I’d heard about your plans; when I did, they wanted to meet her.”

“So, the archery contest was to impress them or something?” I asked.

“Yes and no. We also wanted some entertainment and enjoyed watching you kick their asses.”

The other poltergeists bobbed up and down as they chortled in agreement.

“So, are you going to accept our help?” Farley asked.

Ryker, Tucker, and I looked at each other, but I couldn’t see any reason not to accept. They could prove useful, especially if Ivan sent soldiers into the woods in search of us. No one could kill the poltergeists, but they could attack.

Ryker must be thinking along the same lines. “We will.”

“Good. Some of us will return tomorrow; we’ll take you to the first encampment.”

“I probably won’t be here,” I told Farley. “I have to work at the manor.”

“That’s fine as long as Glory Boy is here.”

Ryker’s eyes narrowed on him. “Glory Boy?”

“Oh, I’m going to call you many things, Scourge. Get used to it. Even if you’re on our side, we don’t like aristocrats in these woods.”

When Ryker scowled at him, Farley shrugged before turning and floating away.

“Farley,” I called after him. He turned back to me. “Why did you end up in these woods?”

Farley turned back to me, and his strange mouth twisted into a mockery of a smile. “I made the mistake of falling for a noblewoman who broke my heart. I died in these woods, alone and at the teeth of a black dog. While that monster ate the heart she’d destroyed, I cursed her for everything she’d done to me. And now, here I am.”

I winced at his words, but he spoke again before I could say more. “Be careful of the aristocrats, Lery. They’re not to be trusted.”

He looked pointedly at Ryker before drifting away. When Ryker’s fingers brushed mine, I squeezed his hand.

I knew many in this encampment, and apparently throughout the forest, were anxious about Ryker’s role here and what he was doing with me, but I wasn’t. When I looked up at him and smiled, I saw the concern in his eyes.

“I don’t think you’ll destroy my heart,” I assured him.

“You don’t?”

“No. You know a good thing when you see it, and I’m the best. You’re too smart to ruin it.”

He chuckled as he hugged me against his chest.