The Cuckoo's Eye

by Holly Campbell

  “We need to talk first. Why were you in the entrance chamber?”

  I glanced up at Rhydian who was peering down at me. The idea that had started to form in the back of my mind stirred again.

  “I wanted to go home. I wanted to see my family.”

  Lyr sat on the ledge beside me, reaching up for my restraints. His hand paused in mid-air.

  “This is your home Blair. We are your family.”

  “Yes I know…” He resumed his work and freed my hands. I rubbed my wrists, dried blood flaking off. “But… I grew up with them. I didn’t say goodbye… they probably think I’m dead. I just… I want to say goodbye. My grandma was sick when I left and I want to see her before she dies. I want to say sorry.”

  I looked at Lyr, hoping he would take pity and let me go. I thought I saw a pang of emotion in the depths of his eyes. I bit my lip and reached over, letting my hand lightly touch his.

  “Lyr, this is something I really want. I’m not asking to go back. I’m asking to say goodbye to it.”

  “Blair I’m sorry… it’s too dangerous”

  I raked my brain for something I could use to convince him. Only one thing came to mind and it was something I didn’t want to do.

  “Lyr I understand. But please… if you let me say goodbye, I will do whatever you want me to. I’ll… I’ll help you… whatever you need me to do, I will do without question.”

  I heard Rhydian inhale sharply above us and I dared not look at him. Instead I looked at Lyr, pleading with my eyes.

  “Would you swear?” There was a roughness to his voice that hadn’t been there before.

  “I swear that if you let me leave, when I come back I am yours.” I chose my words carefully. I remembered what Nan had always said about the fae. Making a deal with them was like making a deal with the devil. Words were their currency, they would use them to their advantage.

  Lyr considered. He was tempted, I could see that.

  “It’s still dangerous.”

  “Let Rhydian go with me. He can keep me safe.”

  Lyr looked up at Rhydian, who ducked back on his platform out of sight. Lyr narrowed his eyes and his fingers twitched, clenching into fists. He was weighing up his options, his dislike of Rhydian against his desire for me to aid him. I wanted to speak and assure him that Rhydian would behave himself but I had a feeling that would only make him more resistant against my proposed departure.

  After what felt like an age Lyr spoke.

  “Fine. But Rhydian, if you lay one finger on her…” He left the threat hanging in the air as he got back to his feet.

  Lyr took hold of my hand, helping me up. He placed a possessive arm around me and guided me out of the dungeon. I struggled to keep pace with him, his body radiating anger. I tried to keep my face blank. I didn’t want him to get any idea of what I had planned. He took me to a room that was near identical to the entrance chamber, with the exception of the mosaic on the floor. Instead of a triquetra, the tiles formed the shape of a tree. I looked up and I could see water rippling above my head. It was eerie, seeing the liquid suspended. Fish darted back and forth overhead. I could see sunlight, distorted but there, casting

  “Wait here,” Lyr told me. “Rhydian will join you momentarily. Remember your promise… and be safe.”

  I managed a smile and nodded. I wanted nothing more than to hit out at him, feeling hatred for how he intended to use me. He was a snake and if I let my guard down, he would strike. He only wanted me as long as I was useful.

  “I’ll see you soon,” I told him in the sweetest voice I could manage. It seemed to work. He smiled at me and leaned in, his lips brushing my cheek before he turned and left.

  I waited in the room, watching the water stir above me. I toyed nervously with my necklace. I hoped that this worked.

  Rhydian stepped inside. His eyes were darting around wildly and now I could see him fully, I noticed that his arms were badly cut up.

  “What happens now?” I asked, looking up.

  “We wait for the Glass to break… you know you’re going up there to die.”

  I gave him a shrug. Let him believe what he wanted. From above there came a low groan. I looked up.

  “Hold your breath,” Rhydian told me.

  I had enough time to gulp down air when the shimmering surface over us collapsed. There was no steady flow or slow pour. The water just fell. We were engulfed. The world tipped as we were swallowed up and tossed about, the lake’s playthings. I searched for light, for any sense of which way was up. I saw something in the distance and swam for it, kicking wildly. The force of the water had knocked most of the air from my lungs and my throat was already burning from the strain. I pushed myself, struggling through the pain.

  I broke the surface with a gasp, hungrily sucking down oxygen. I was in the lake, not far from shore of the island. My limbs felt heavy and tired but I struggled over, dragging myself out onto the bank. I lay in the grass, staring up at the sky, panting. A few moments later, Rhydian surfaced and clambered out beside me. He slicked his hair back, scowling.

  “I hate that… whoever came up with that bloody exit should be shot.” He let out an aggravated huff and stared up at the sky. “We should probably get moving. Witches do better in the moonlight, it’d be a good idea to get your goodbyes done before the sun goes down.”

  “Nope.”

  “What?” he asked, propping himself up on his elbows.

  “We’re not here for that. I’m not going to be a pawn in their games. I’m not going to marry Lyr and I’m definitely not going to sit around waiting for that psycho to set her pets on me.”

  “So what are you going to do? Run?”

  “No. I’m going to do what the rest of my family didn’t. I’m going to fight.”

  Rhydian sat up, staring at me in horror.

  “That’s suicide.”

  “I don’t care. It’s better than doing nothing. And either way I’m going to die. If I run, they’ll chase me. If I stay below I don’t have much of a life either. I’d rather go out on my own terms.”

  “But… you know hardly anything about our world. Just having power doesn’t mean you can use it. I mean this witch has slaughtered incredibly powerful fae, what chance do you have?”

  I rolled my eyes and sat up.

  “Thank you for your optimism Rhydian. You know you don’t have to stay. I just wanted to make sure that you weren’t stuck down there.”

  “Oh… thank you… but I’m not going to leave you to die. I’ll stay with you, like I should have with Cliona.” His hand found mine and squeezed. “What are we going to do?”

  “We wait for it to get dark. We should probably find somewhere to dry off before we freeze.”

  Rhydian got to his feet and looked around. He nodded in the direction of the small cabin that was tucked away on one side of the island. I got up and the two of us made our way over.

  The inside of the cabin was minimal but there was a narrow bed, a small wood stove and an old blanket. Rhydian got the fire going while I tugged off my wet clothes and wrapped the blanket around my body. I curled up on the bed and rested my head against the wall. Rhydian undressed and hung our clothes over the stove to dry. I lifted the blanket and made space for him so that he could stay warm as well. He put an arm around me, holding me close. I closed my eyes, my body responding to everything that had happened by shutting down.

  “You know… I really did like you Blair. That was real,” Rhydian said, voice so quiet I wasn’t sure he’d even spoken at all.

  I didn’t reply, just shifted under the blanket so my cheek pressed lightly against his shoulder. He toyed with my hair, fiddling with one of the damp strands.

  “I missed my little fire cracker. You didn’t suit being blonde.”

  The comment didn’t make sense but I was too tired to care. I lay in Rhydian’s arms and let myself drift off.

  *****

  Rhydian shook me awake. I blinked and sat up, momentarily disorientated. Through the wi
ndow I could make out the darkened sky and the moon shining down. The fire had burned down to embers, casting the cabin in a pale glow.

  “Clothes are dry,” Rhydian told me, already dressed. His voice was steady but I could hear the fear inside. “You don’t have to do this Blair. We could leave.”

  “No, I can’t.” I stumbled to my feet, my legs uncooperative. I shrugged off the blanket and pulled on my dress. I attached my thigh sheath and double checked the knife, relieved it hadn’t fallen out when we’d been submerged by the lake. I pushed my hair out of my face, noting that it had once again returned to flame red, and adjusted my necklace.

  “Right. I’m ready. Can you row me to shore?”

  “Of course.”

  We left the safety of the cabin reluctantly and Rhydian retrieved the small rowboat. Seeing it reminded me of how happy I’d been last time we used it and I couldn’t help but wish I could go back. Neither of us spoke as we climbed in and made the journey across the water. Below the surface I could see seals swimming after us. I took it as a positive sign, a sign that at least some of the fae knew what I was doing for them.

  Rhydian slowed as we neared the shore, trying to draw out the inevitable.

  “Rhydian, trust me,” I told him. “I have a plan.”

  “I do trust you. I just… I’m scared for you.”

  He sighed but rowed the boat to the edge and moored us. I climbed out and took a deep breath, turning to face the forest.

  “Will you hold my hand?”

  “Of course.”

  We linked our fingers and walked towards the trees. As we stepped beneath the branches on the outskirts I felt something wash over me, a warmth and I could almost imagine my ancestors walking beside me. I kept on until we were completely surrounded by trees and then I stopped. Glancing back once to confirm the route back to the lake, I took a moment to steady my nerves.

  “I’m here.” My voice wavered and I took a deep breath before continuing. “I’m Blair Cleary, I’m the last descendant of the line of Liadan. I’m here, I’m not running, and I’m not hiding. Come and get me.”

  My words echoed around me and disappeared into the depths of the trees. I stood there nervously, waiting for something to happen. Nothing changed. The wind kept blowing. The moon shone down on us. Above, clouds gathered and rain began to fall, pattering on the leaves.

  Then I heard it. A low baying in the distance. Rhydian stiffened beside me and his hand tightened on mine. The barking grew louder and a hunched shape stepped into view. It was far away but I knew that it was my dog. He loped steadily towards us, barking angrily. I gave Rhydian’s hand a final squeeze before releasing it.

  When I’d come up with my idea, trapped on my ledge in the dungeon, it had seemed so simple. I never believed that the dog would hurt me, not really. But with him baring down on me, hackles raised and teeth exposed, I felt the first stirring of doubt in the pit of my stomach.

  The dog drew near and his body tensed. He sprung, vaulting forward. His body connected with mine, the impact knocking me to the ground. The animal snarled and snapped, drool dripping from his jaws and onto my face. His eyes were wild and insane, possessing a look I had seen only one before. I screamed and brought my arms up to cover my face but made no move to defend myself. I saw Rhydian move towards us, intending to help.

  “No!” I yelled to him.

  I looped my arms around the dog’s neck, trying to limit his movement and pressed my face into his neck. He growled, thrashing wildly in an attempt to get free.

  “Don’t do this,” I told him, refusing to let go. “Don’t do this. You know me.”

  My words meant nothing. The dog lunged for my throat. I brought my arm down and pushed my wrist into his mouth. His teeth pierced my skin. Blood ran down my arms and dripped onto my face. I cried out in pain, tears spilling down my cheeks.

  “Please… see me… I don’t want to hurt you…”

  The mixture of blood and tears combined on my cheeks and flowed onto the dirt beside me. The trees seemed to still. The rain slowed. I saw the scene not as I was, but rather as if I was observing from nearby. I saw Rhydian watching in horror, stepping forward despite my warnings. I saw the dog, my blood staining his muzzle. Below, half hidden in the thick of his fur was the collar I’d made him. He had to remember me… he had to…

  I snapped back to reality. The dog released my arm and reared back, readying himself for another attack. Rhydian jumped forward and seized hold of him from behind, pulling him away from me.

  “Don’t hurt him!” I yelled. “Rhydian, don’t hurt him!”

  Rhydian’s eyes met mine, more gold than I had ever seen them. I saw the anger, his desire to kill the creature that had brought so much pain to his life.

  My arms flew out in front, reaching for them, and a cry ripped out of me. The air rippled and an invisible wave tore across the forest. Rhydian and the dog were tossed backwards, bodies colliding with trees. They crumpled to the ground. Unconscious or dead I didn’t know.

  I got to my feet, legs shaking and made my way over to them. I checked the dog’s pulse and then Rhydian’s. Both alive. Good. That hadn’t gone how I had hoped it would. I’d been so sure that the dog would recognise me. I was sure he wasn’t the beast that fae thought he was.

  Maybe I was wrong.

  “You are an incredible nuisance… why would you hurt such a defenceless creature?”

  The voice startled me. I whirled around but saw nobody. When I turned back, she was there, stood beside the dog. The woman was blonde and pale, her face drawn. There was a ring of faded bruises across her throat. She looked genuinely sad to see the dog hurt, looking down on him.

  “My sweet Faolan…” she murmured, stroking his soft fur.

  “I didn’t want to hurt him. I care about him.”

  The woman lifted her head and looked at me, smiling a small strange smile.

  “I suppose you do. And he cared greatly about you. He sat by that lake for days waiting for you to come back. No wonder he went mad.”

  I felt a stab of guilt but at the same time I knew. I’d seen the look on his face, in his eyes. I hadn’t done that.

  “You did this, not me. You made him a monster.”

  “He broke my heart.”

  The woman prowled forward. There was an unnatural quality to her movement, a stiffness to her limbs and a look on her face like each action required significant effort.

  “You’re braver than the others. But that won’t save you.”

  “I didn’t think it would.”

  I tracked her movements, watching as she circled. She seemed more curious than anything, in no hurry to kill me.

  “Can I ask you something? Before I die?” I asked.

  “Go ahead,” she replied with a chuckle.

  “What do you get out of this arrangement? I understand why you cursed him but… what did the queen give you to slaughter my family?”

  “You’re smarter than the others as well. Is your plan to offer me the same and save yourself that way?”

  “No. I am well aware my ‘power’ doesn’t measure up to hers. I’m only really good at two things. I’m simply curious.”

  “Life. Fairies have so much. I only want a small amount…” Her hand touched the mark on her throat. “Enough to be alive again. I don’t want the powers of your kind, although I have to say that has been a pleasant side effect.”

  “Huh. I hope she delivers her side of the promise,” I said with a shrug.

  She had circled back and was stood near to the unconscious bodies. The rain had begun to turn the ground to mulch and the trees into an indistinct blur. Now or never.

  I ran. I sprinted in the direction of the lake, my feet slipping a little on the mud. I managed to keep my balance, careening forward as fast as I could. I was only good at two things and magic wasn’t one of them. But I was a hell of a runner.

  I glanced back over my shoulder. I needed her to pursue me. She wouldn’t be able to catch up, I knew that. I had t
o get her out of the forest. I had hoped that being surrounded by the trees left by my dead family would imbue me with some kind of strength, like it had when I’d been in the Otherworld. When that hadn’t worked, I had to switch to plan B.

  Something darted out from the undergrowth, snagging my ankles and sending me crashing to the ground. Pain shot through my back but I forced myself back up. She could use all the tricks she had but I had to get her out to the lake.

  I kept moving forward. Wind whipped around me and I was seized by a force, tossing me like a ragdoll. I groaned, dazed and tried to get to my feet but the force knocked me back down.

  The witch approached me slowly, stepping into my field of vision. My hand fumbled at the ground, trying to push myself forward.

  “Nice try. A good attempt.”

  I seized the dagger from my thigh and tossed it as hard as I could at the witch. It struck her in the shoulder and she recoiled, more from shock than pain. The pressure holding me down alleviated just enough for me to get back up and continue running.

  “Enough games!” The witch appeared in front of me. She slashed at the air, her fingers clawing and I felt a tearing pain across my cheek. Her eyes had changed to a pitiless black and her face looked more like a corpse than a human. She pulled the knife from her shoulder and darted forward, moving at surprising speed. Her arm raised, ready to slit my throat.

  A ball of reddish fur collided with the witch, barrelling into her and knocking her down. There was a yelp but I couldn’t afford to stop. Blood was streaming down my face from the cuts, nearly blinding me and the ground had turned to sludge, dragging me down.

  Every part of my body ached but the trees were thinning and I could see the valley ahead.

  Let me get there, let me make it.

  I neared the edge of the lake, my hand fumbling at my neck as I went. Something grabbed hold of my hair, jerking me backwards. The witch’s face loomed down at me. Whatever humanity she had possessed had been stripped away. Her flesh was mottled and putrid, hanging off in strips. The bruising on her neck had turned black and I could see the bones jutting out beneath the skin.

  I gave a hard tug at the necklace, the chain snapping. In one swift motion, I brought it up and seized the witch’s hand, looping the broken necklace around both our wrists. The moment the metal made contact with her skin, she let out a terrible howl and tried to pull back. I wanted to cry out in relief but there was no time. I took a deep breath and threw myself backwards into the lake, dragging the witch with me into the murky water.