Page 4

I had been watching her all morning. From the shadows at the forest's edge, I could see Alice working. She was different from the other humans I had observed over the years. More aware of her surroundings. She knew I was there.

When she spoke to the empty air, acknowledging my presence, there was no fear in her voice. And the lack of fear, when it was all I had ever known, did something to me. I should have left then, disappeared back into the deep woods where I belonged. But I could not make myself move.

When the storm clouds began gathering, I felt the first stirrings of unease.

I knew the power of these sudden spring storms, and how quickly they could turn deadly.

When Alice looked toward the stream, panic seized me.

The water was already running high from yesterday's rain. If she tried to cross...

I started forward before I could think better of it, crashing through the underbrush toward the stream bank. But Alice was already trying to cross.

"No," I breathed, watching her jump.

I burst from the forest without thinking, rushing into the stream. The water was shockingly cold as I waded in, but I barely felt it. I could see her beneath the surface, her dark hair flowing with the current. Her clothes were snagged on something that held her under.

I reached her in three long strides. Gripping her around the waist, I hauled her up out of the water, her slight form nearly weightless. I jerked her pant leg free from where it was caught on the streambed. Then I turned and waded back to shore, carrying Alice against my chest.

But she was not breathing.

I laid her on the wet grass, rain pelting down on both of us. Her lips were blue, her face white as chalk. Panic clawed at me, but I shoved it down. I had seen the village healer do this once, years ago, when a child nearly drowned in the mill pond.

I tilted Alice's head back and pressed my hands to her chest, pushing hard and fast like I remembered. Water dribbled from her lips, but she still was not breathing. I tried again, harder this time, and suddenly water gushed from her mouth.

She coughed violently, her whole body shaking as she fought to get the water out of her lungs. Relief hit me like a punch when I heard those harsh, gasping sounds. She was breathing again. But before I could feel truly safe, she went limp again.

The storm was getting worse. Both of us were soaked and Alice was shivering. I could not leave her here. I carefully scooped her into my arms and hurried into the forest.

The journey to my cottage felt like it took hours. I took the most sheltered paths, trying to shield her from the worst of the rain. By the time I reached my door, she was shaking violently.

Inside, I laid her on my bed and immediately started building up the fire, my hands trembling as I fed wood to the flames.

She was so cold, too cold. I grabbed every blanket I owned, every fur and warm covering, yanking them from their places and piling them around her.

Still not enough. I pulled my winter coat from the hook by the door, anything that might trap warmth.

Her lips were still too blue. Was she breathing? I leaned close, relief flooding through me when I felt the faint whisper of air from her nose. But her skin was like ice to the touch.

I should get her out of those wet clothes, but no. That was not proper. Instead, I tucked the covers higher around her neck, trying to keep the warmth in. She looked so small in my bed, swallowed by all the furs like she might just disappear.

Was this enough? Should I do more? I crouched beside the bed, watching for any sign of improvement, any hint of color returning to her pale face.

As I knelt beside the bed, watching the slow rise and fall of her breathing, the magnitude of what I had done settled over me.

I had broken my most sacred rule. I had revealed myself to a human.

Everything I had built, every precaution I had taken to remain hidden, had been cast aside in a moment of desperate action.

I shakily rose to my feet to change into dry clothes, hanging the others near the fire to dry.

I pulled my only chair to the side of the bed and dropped into it to begin my vigil.

Whatever came next, whatever consequences my choice might bring, I had to believe saving her life was worth it.

Even if it meant the end of the only life I had ever known.