The Seasonal Debt

he bridge that separated the Summer Court from the Under City. Behind me my people were already retreating into the safety of the green woods. They did not look back at me. They were too busy clutc

ed from my very bones. I could feel the steam rising off my shoulders as the rain touched my skin. I refused

ourt. They did not move. They did not blink. They stood with a terrifying stillness that reminded me of statues in a graveyard. Their eyes were fixed

y Elara." One of

ment and eyes that looked like dried blood. He did not move to

oice carried across the stone bridge. "If your Ki

my inner fire responding to my anger. The mist near my feet began to swirl and evapo

the rain. He did not use an umbrella. He did not seem to care that the water was soaking into his expensive wool coat. He moved with a l

Obsidian Spire. He was the man who ha

him. It was not just the weather. It was him. He was a void of heat and light. He stopped three feet away from me. His

that seemed to settle in my chest. "No. You are not

to see the fire in my eyes. I wanted him to know that he

am here to provide the heat your city lacks. I

his lips but it did not reach his eyes. He looked like

e. He did not touch me. He hovered his fingers just an inch from my cheek. I could feel the intense co

hispered. "It has been a long time s

ar. I did not wait for him to lead the way. I was done with the bridge. I was do

ake the trunk from m

my own weight

he door. The interior was lined in charcoal velvet. It smelled of leather and ozone. It felt

ed. It was replaced by black stone and iron. Huge skyscrapers reached up toward a sky that held no stars. Flickering blue neon

w. They were huddled in doorways and clutching thin coats around their bodies. They looked like they were freezing from the inside out. Wh

taring." S

as looking at a digital tablet. He did not look a

I kept my eyes on the window. "How do you brea

ked up. His silve

a. He said. "We breathe for survival. My people ar

o react. He was suddenly inches from my face. The temperature in

issed. "You think you have been sacri

a street corner. They were pale and thin. Their eyes were

one because your people hoarded the sun. I did not take you because I wan

elds of the Summer Court. I had never thought about what happened to the light af

for help." I said. "You di

d his legs. He looked out

las said. "I prefer a contra

bsidian and glass. It looked like a jagged needle piercing the dark heart of the city. This was the Obs

opened the doors. Silas stepped out and waited for me. He held

Silas said. "Try not to set anyt

stone beneath my boots sucking the heat from my body. I gathered my inner fire and pushed it

o promises Si

s on me. I knew this was just the beginning of the debt. I was a Summer Elemental in a land o