Chapter 3

At noon, my stomach growled many times.

I opened the fridge—there were meal boxes, milk, fruit, and little cakes Aldric had bought.

Elves don't need human food.

But after my power was drained, my body became as hungry and thirsty as any human woman's.

I took out a meal box and put it in the microwave, pressing the red button.

Nothing. I pressed it a few more times—still no response.

I called Aldric.

"The 'heat food' button is broken."

"You don't need to heat it. Eat it cold."

"But the food is cold."

"Cold is fine."

I looked down at my hands.

Elven hands could touch spring water and bring life back to the dead.

Now they couldn't even press a button.

The food was a bit hard; I ate a couple of bites.

Then a kite drifted past the window—red, with a long tail trailing behind.

I set down my spoon and pressed against the glass.

The kite flew higher and higher, like a bird breaking free from its cage.

I followed it to the kitchen, then back to the living room.

But I forgot the fridge door was still open.

In the afternoon, the fridge made a few low groaning sounds.

I thought it was working, so I didn't check.

In the evening, I took out the milk.

The carton was bloated. I inserted the straw and took a sip—the sour taste hit me.

I spit it into the trash: "It's gone bad."

I called him.

It rang a long time before he answered.

"The milk is spoiled."

"How could it spoil?"

"It's all puffed up, and it tastes sour."

Lydia laughed on her end: "We've only been gone half a day, and she's already making up stories."

"I'm not making it up."

Aldric's voice dropped low:

"Elara, can you be a little more sensible? Lydia finally gets a chance to take the baby out for some fresh air, and you have to call right now?"

"I'm hungry."

"There's food in the fridge."

"It's cold."

"Then eat it cold."

I gripped the phone: "I'm scared."

The line was quiet for a few seconds.

I thought he would comfort me like he used to.

But he only said: "If you're scared, go to sleep."

"When are you coming back?"

"The day after tomorrow."

"When is the day after tomorrow?"

"I'll tell you when I get back."

"Can I come find you?"

His tone suddenly sharpened: "No."

"If you dare come out on your own, I'm really not coming back for you."

I hugged my knees and sat on the floor.

The fridge door in the kitchen was still open.

Its white light shone on the half-eaten meal box.

That night I had a dream.

I dreamed of the elven Dawnlight Forest.

The Spring of Life still flowed, and the wind-bells by the water were covered in white blossoms.

I stood at the spring's edge, my feet on the damp earth.

But when I looked down, the spring was dry.

Those white blossoms turned into the baby in Lydia's arms.

I woke with a start.

Still surrounded by darkness.