Keiran waited until she disappeared from his sight before he moved back down the stairs, fighting the urge to sprint to the beach. Once his bare feet wiggled into the cool sand, his eyes turned a brilliant white as he came into contact with his High Spirit brethren. Focused as he was on his mission, he neglected to check if anyone occupied the beach with him. Bright, glowing eyes upturned toward the sky, he seemed almost like he could just vanish into a spiritual form right then and there.
You are late.
"I apologize. I was... held up."
Keiran, do not get distracted. The High Spirits of Summer came to converse with us. They are aware of our predicament.
"I understand. Sarin found me. He knows they are becoming stronger and that we are weaker. I fear they will make an attempt to kill me soon."
Have you found a human who believes in us?
"I believe so. It is only one... The other humans here do not seem to want to understand."
You must hurry. The snow will fall upon us soon.
"How am I to know when the first snowfall is? This world has a range of winters."
We assume it is the minute you set foot in the snow, but we cannot be sure. We know that as each day passes, we grow weaker. You must feel it as well. Keiran knew he did. He felt weak and too warm. It caused him to turn the thermostat down in the book store even lower.
"I know... I am trying. These humans want nothing to do with our winter."
You must do everything within your power. Keep Sarin away from you and whatever human you have. This is the last conversation we will have until you return, or until we fade from the seasons.
"What? No! You cannot leave! I need your wisdom."
We are sorry, Keiran, but we cannot maintain contact each night with so little energy. We are doing what we can to keep winter moving, but it falls to you, High Prince, to keep us alive. Goodbye, Keiran Hir-Morana.
"No, please!" he cried, his voice sounding pained, the first sign of emotion he'd really shown since becoming a human.
But they were gone from his sight and the light in his eyes faded. Cold hands clenched into fists as Keiran glared at the sand beneath his feet. He knew they were all weakened, and he was getting the least of it due to his manifestation. He couldn't leave them to die. If they were going to fade, he was going with them. But he had it in him to make someone believe him. Still, it didn't stop the single tear from rolling down his cheek to freeze into a perfect drop. A shake of his head scattered the solidified drop. He had to make her believe.