Chapter Five
Lyssa
Lyssa leaned against the door listening to Toby’s truck rumble away. She put her hands over her eyes rerunning their conversation through her head. Everything seemed to compound into a big ball of confusing emotions. Angry at her dad for not even calling or coming when she needed him, Toby’s sudden interest in her every move, and the events that happened in the forest.
Staring into the dark living room the images ran through her head like a movie trailer. The scaly creature, the blonde haired woman and her mark on her hand meant something. It wasn’t just an odd shaped freckle. Her thoughts were broken when she heard the loud, scared meow of her cat.
“Beyoncé!” Lyssa saw the outline of her cat emerge from the kitchen. “You must be starving.”
Lyssa went into the kitchen and flicked on the light. The answering machine on the wall blinked alerting of missed messages. Hitting the button, she then got out a can of cat food as the machine announced you have two new messages followed by a beep.
The first was her dad explaining an impromptu visit with Sean and Gwen. They were longtime friends of Lyssa and her dad. They lived about thirty miles away in the town of Cloaksville. Sean was an inventor of gardening things, and had sold his ideas to companies that make and distribute to major retail chains. Gwen was a clothing designer, retired now; operates an online company that makes specialty pieces.
The message from her dad was short, and his voice had no tinge of worry in it. He said they got the call from the hospital finally and they were headed straight home. Lyssa sighed, and before she could feel too bad, the next message almost made her stop breathing.
It was Zoey. Her voice sounded the same—like honey mixed with iron. Lyssa had to play the message again as she didn’t pay attention the first time, she only listened to the rhythm of her voice.
“Lyssa, I have something important to tell you. I know I can speak directly to you as your dad doesn’t mess with the answering machine.” There was a pause filled with a hint of regret. “I am sorry for leaving you so sudden, but there is something in my past I had to deal with. I will be coming soon. You have to be careful Lyssa, and I will be there to explain everything. I can’t do it now. Remember I lo…” The answering machine cut her words off.
Lyssa always liked Zoey’s voice, but it had a different element to it that she tried to disguise—fear. Lyssa’s thoughts flipped back to the Camp Westfield. There was no way that could have happened. Things like that don’t exist. It was her imagination and a bump to the head. Lyssa only came to her senses when her cat meowed in a demanding voice and headlights flickered through the living room casting shadows across the furniture.
She watched the long shadows run from the wall over the couch, armchair and just as they suddenly turned off she thought she caught the silhouette of a tall figure looming between the archway to the living room and kitchen. She let out a gasp as Beyoncé swatted the can from Lyssa’s hand with her sharp claw.
“You stupid cat!” Lyssa growled, feeling nauseated. Her imagination was getting the best of her.
The door burst open with Gwen’s voice calling her name. Lyssa wrapped her hand in a paper towel, and went into the living room.
“Lyssa!” Gwen said, with her topaz eyes filled with concern. “What happened? Are you alright? Why didn’t you call us instead of your dad’s cell phone? We would have come right away. Are you’re sure you’re alright?” Gwen ran her hand over Lyssa’s cheek.
“Take a breath dear,” Sean said, smiling at Lyssa. “She looks to be alright.”
“Lyssa,” her dad said, coming in.
He looked pale. Could he have worried himself sick over her? Lyssa felt a guilty pang of glee. She thought of saying something about Zoey’s message, but didn’t. He missed her too for a long time and she didn’t want to get his hopes up too soon, just in case she didn’t come.
“I’m sorry, I forgot all about picking you up,” His gentle eyes peered down at her. “I hope you can forgive me.” He put his hands on her shoulders and rubbed them. Lyssa felt the frustration she had earlier fade.
“It was nothing.” She wasn’t mad anymore after looking into his sorrowful eyes. “I just fell and hit my head. A boy at school found me, and that was all.” Lyssa tried to sum up the horrifying experience with a shrug of her shoulders. “It isn’t a big deal.”
“Not a big deal!” Gwen looked deeper into her eyes with concern. “It is a big deal. Anything could have happened!”
Anything did happen; more like the unimaginable. Lyssa looked away.
“What boy found you?” Sean asked sitting down on the couch with the assistance of his cane.
Sean was a rugged looking man with greying blonde hair, wrinkles that formed around his eyes when he smiled and a scar that ran delicately from his temple curving like a C that he got in a car accident a long time ago. He also never gained the use of his right leg and said he was lucky to have kept it.
Everyone’s eyes were on Lyssa, and she felt her cheeks flush. “It was just some boy I hardly know. His name is Toby and he just came back to find his watch he’d lost and found me as well.”
“You were lucky, Lyssa,” Sean said. “It’s a good thing he can’t hang on to his time piece or things could’ve turned out worse.” Sean winked at her.
“Yeah, I guess so,” Lyssa said baffled.
“How did you get home then? Did Mr. Johnson give you a ride?” Gwen asked. “If he did I need to thank him as well.”
“No.” Lyssa cut in. “Toby gave me a ride home.” She let her words trail off.
“Toby seems to be your knight in shining armor,” Sean said with a chuckle. “Hang on to him Lyssa, there isn’t very many of them left.”
Lyssa smiled back wishing it was true.
“I’m really tired for some reason,” Lyssa’s dad said. “I think I’m going to go to bed.”
Lyssa watched her dad go upstairs like each step was a mountain.
“What is the matter with him? Is he sick?’ Lyssa asked only after she heard the door to the bathroom close.
Gwen’s face had a long look to it that she covered up with a smile.
“It’s alright dear. Don’t worry about anything,” Her hand gently caressed over the side of her cheek and then through her hair.
Lyssa’s head began to swim. She closed her eyes letting her thoughts scattered like the rolling leaves outside. Her body swayed side to side, in a gentle motion like caught between ocean waves until everything went blank. She was relaxed without a care in the world.
Suddenly her eyes popped open to darkness. She sat up gasping for air wondering where she was.
“Gwen!” She yelled out.
“It’s alright dear, you just fainted and everything is alright.” Gwen turned on the lamp beside the bed.
“Now go back to sleep. Sean and I are spending the night with you and if you need anything I will be downstairs.”
Lyssa laid back down letting her thoughts fade to a quiet, muffled darkness.
Eli
Eli slipped through the door easily. The girl was in the kitchen with a small furry creature. It looked similar to a Mog, but much smaller. The girl had a small, round metallic thing in her hand and the small Mog seemed to want it. Eli was surprised at the tameness of the creature. A hungry Mog would’ve had her right arm for dinner as well.
Eli gazed at the girl. For a short moment a familiar pang ran through him as he looked into her eyes. They seemed distant and troubled. She looked as though she could’ve cried. Eli knew he had to stop whatever this girl had on him. He was only after the Everspell.
Eli stood in front of her. He hoped her screams wouldn’t wake anyone else in the dwelling. Eli was fast though; she was a small Etherling he could throw over his shoulder and out the door in seconds flat. Her Mog was small too; he could kick it out of the way if he had to. He stepped even closer, re
aching forward ready to snatch her when bright lights pierced the room behind him. Eli froze, and for a split second, their eyes met.
She gasped stepping back startled. Eli withdrew and realized she had seen him through a glamor suit—impossible. She then scolded her Mog, evidently it was tired of waiting for dinner. The Mog ate quickly, and the girl wrapped her scratched hand in a white towel. Eli now receded to the corner watching her look around suspiciously.
The door opened, and in came three more Etherlings—great. A woman dressed in a neat skirt and jacket came to the girl with great concern. She called the girl Lyssa. Two men followed, one older with a cane, and the other younger looking though not as young as the girl. They were more likely relatives concerned over her wellbeing. Eli watched them.
How he longed for a family that cared for him. He was left at the age of seven to the world of Fae and never had anyone concerned for him that deeply except for Lil. He shuttered cursing at himself for losing control over his emotions in such a delicate situation. What was wrong with him that this mission was any different than the rest he’d been on? There was something, but he couldn’t place it and instead shrugged everything off and concentrated on getting the girl away from the rest of the Etherworlders.
The girl told them about being left in the woods, but didn’t tell about her encounter with him or Cinnia. Had that been erased from her memory? She didn’t seem bothered as much as the woman.
Lyssa continued to tell about how a boy named Toby came to her rescue. Eli didn’t know any Toby, more likely another Etherling. Their conversation ended with the younger looking man excusing himself. Lyssa asked with concern to the woman she called Gwen about the man. Gwen stepped in front of Lyssa, raised her hand running it along her face. Lyssa fell limp as the man with the cane caught her.
Eli pressed himself to the wall wondering who these two were, and then it was obvious. They were Fae. Glowing on the woman’s hand was a mark, and by the brightness of it, she was a superior Fae, one with great capabilities. Eli held his breath as Gwen scanned the room.
“Do you sense it?” Gwen asked gazing across the room.
“Yes, there has definitely been a Fae here,” the man said, holding the girl up. “Let’s get Lyssa upstairs, then we’ll investigate.”
“I think they are still here,” Gwen said, ignoring him. “It’s hard to tell. There are other magical implements being used here.” She was really good Eli thought, she sensed the magic of the glamour suit. “Whoever you are, leave. I have superior magic you don’t want to mess with.” Her voice was strong and filled with authority. “That is, unless you are up to a challenge.” She added with a smile.
“Gwen!” The man scolded.
“What, just giving my warning,” she said, with a casual shrug of her shoulders.
They took the compelled girl upstairs as Eli went out the front door. He hated to leave, but he had no choice at least for right now. Waiting them out was his only option to get Everspell.
Toby
Toby stood at his locker slowly getting his books out. He hasn’t seen Megan since at the theater. He wasn’t really concerned with her right now. All he could think about was Lyssa.
“I heard what you did this weekend.” Megan startled him causing him to nearly drop his books. “I guess you’re a hero saving some loser. Everyone is talking about you.” She stood with crossed arms.
“I realized I lost my watch when we went down to the caves and I went back to find it. That’s when I found Lyssa. She must’ve fallen or something and I took her to the hospital and that’s it.” He felt her inquisitive eyes barring down on him. “There is nothing more.” Toby said, firmly shutting his locker.
Megan gave him a long judgmental look as the whole episode ran through his head like a movie. He hoped she didn’t have any super powers that she could see it too. Megan then smiled at him.
“You know, since you are a hero and all, I forgive you for what you said at the movies.” She stepped closer and brushed her pink lips across his chin. “Whatever this is you have going on, stop it or I will make it hard on you.”
Megan stepped back, turned, walking away from him and then glanced over her shoulder giving him an icy smile.
Toby stood mesmerized by the whole conversation. Why didn’t he just end it with her? She was more likely cheating on him with some other guy and more likely cheating on that guy as well. He shook his head as he looked down the hallway when a single word nearly knocked him to his feet.
“Lyssa!” A voice beamed out.
Toby turned to see Lyssa surrounded by a sea of people asking a smothering amount of questions. She looked uncomfortable, and blushed as she answered them with a smile. The bell rang and everyone scattered. Toby lingered until they were alone.
Lyssa had her back to him getting her books from her locker. She shut it and turned towards him.
“Oh!” she said startled. “Toby, I didn’t know you were behind me.”
“No, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have scared you,” he said, thinking that was a stupid thing to say.
“No, I am the one who should be sorry. I was rude last night and I really appreciate everything you’ve done.”
Toby smiled. “Can I walk you to homeroom?”
“Sure, but I think we are late.”
“Not a problem.” Toby opened his binder pulling out two lifesaving late passes you earn as extra credit.
“Late passes, two of them,” Lyssa said amazed. “I guess you saved me again.”
Toby did feel like a hero. He valiantly saved Lyssa from either being never found or frozen to death, and now, a mark to her more than likely perfect attendance record. Being a hero was like standing on top of the world.
The morning passed to lunch where he ate with Craig, Megan and her entourage of friends. The whole Lyssa lost- in- the- woods, had downed a few notches in popularity and was replaced by a party going on this weekend. Toby could care less as he watched Lyssa eat by herself at a table that seemed a hundred miles away.
He glanced secretly at her. The windows behind her had a view of the vivid trees outside. The safe monotone greens gave way to the firry oranges, brilliant reds and charred browns. Toby felt each day was like one of those changing trees. His life wasn’t safe and simple in his wants or desires. Something had opened inside of him, a chasm waiting to be filled with a variation of colors that were not simple and expected. He looked one more time at Lyssa before the bell rang.
“You know the Halloween Dance is only a couple of weeks away, and I thought we could go as vampires.” Toby glanced at Megan with a blank look. He hadn’t listened to a single word that she said to him.
“Vampire, fine.” Toby put two and two together and hoped it equaled four. Megan smiled and then stood up.
“Come on I want to be spontaneous.” Megan grabbed hold of his hand and walked quickly down the hallway past the glassed encased office towards the janitor’s closet.
“Megan, what are you doing? We’ll be late for History,” Toby said slightly trailing behind her.
“History, Shmistory. That’s the past. If we don’t do things like this, we are not young and stupid and alive.” Megan pulled Toby past the scrambling kids as lockers slammed shut and the hallway grew quiet with the impending sound of the late bell.
Megan was pressed close to him; he felt her breath and heart beat as rapidly as his. Looking into her eyes that were normally light blue, took on a darker cast that flickered with flames of mischief. She smiled at him running her finger over the tip of his ear and letting it glide down the side of his neck. He wanted to walk away so bad, but felt his feet were made of concrete. Tucked in the corner they waited to open the squeaky wooden door at the same time the bell blared above them.
Megan moved like the wind whisking down a flight of creaky wooden stairs. The rest of the school was modern looking compared to the ancient basement that stored fo
rgotten memorabilia, old desks, chairs and half rotten brooms and mops. It appeared the school never threw anything away. Instead, they put it down here and forgot about it.
“You want to make out here?” Toby asked reaching the bottom step.
“Well, we could have sex on Mr. Leed’s desk that would be very spontaneous.” Megan took Toby by the hand. “Come on.”
She guided him through a small passage between stacked chairs and leaning dust mops. She lifted up what Toby thought was an old stage curtain, heavy, black and full of dust. On the other side light filtered through a half circle window that he knew was facing the back parking lot where the teachers parked. Behind the old stage curtain was like entering another world.
Two racks of costumes hung from wire racks. Old stage props of cut out trees, stone walls and buildings leaned against the wall. On the floor was a rug with intricate designs.
“Isn’t this cool?” Megan asked plopping onto velvet chase that exploded with hundreds of dust particles.
“It’s spontaneous.” Toby felt like a bug caught in Megan’s web. He didn’t want to be here at the same time he did.
Megan smiled, sat up and unbuttoned her shirt letting it fall gracefully off her shoulders. She stood up and slid her arms under his and wrapped them around his waist. She pulled him close gazing into his eyes. Toby ran his hands over her back. He would normally undo her bra at this moment followed by more unbuttoning and pulling off, but something entered his mind that was soft and gentle like a summer breeze.
He could see Megan gazing at him with her eyes swirling with variegated colors of blues and greys. She smiled and laughed as words came like mumbled gibberish to his ears. He tried to ask what was going on, but his thoughts were not his own.
Suddenly, he felt something sting and burn on his forearm. He tried to pull away, but Megan wouldn’t let go. Seriousness filled her eyes that once looked playful had hardened to ice.
He realized he was lying on the ground and looked up at Megan. Her naked skin was covered with intricate interlocking lines that slithered like snakes in a pit.
She smiled as he struggled to get up. Suddenly, he felt something crawling over his right arm. The same black like ribbons curled around his arm. Taking his left hand, he frantically tried to remove whatever it was only to have Megan laugh at him.
“Don’t bother lover. You are my mate now not that little Fae girl.” Bending down she hissed extending a thin forked tongue towards him.
Toby only let out a yell in hopes someone would hear him before everything went black.
Lyssa
Lyssa was glad the day was over and she could go home and not be reminded of the Camp Westfield incident. Quietly, she put her books in her locker deciding she would take her Math book home and finish it. She shut her locker and turned to have Toby in front of her.
“Sorry, I scared you again,” Toby said as Lyssa let her heart fall back into her chest again.
“That’s alright, next time give me a little warning,” she said looking into his green eyes.
“Can I give you a ride home? It looks like it’s going to rain.”
Lyssa wanted nothing more than to say yes, but she hesitated, this was too good to be true.
“Won’t Megan be mad?” Lyssa asked trying to break the spell between them with a strong dose of reality.
“Yeah,” he shrugged his shoulders. “Probably,” Toby said, with a smile. “She’s nothing but a selfish, controlling bitch,”
Lyssa’s mouth dropped open as Toby smiled and slightly laughed at her reaction.
“Surprised I would say that?” Toby tilted his head to the side.
“Well, yeah,” she replied still astonished.
Lyssa shook her head and smiled not believing her ears.
“Come on,” he said, walking backwards away from her, thunder from the approaching storm echoed in the hallway. “I think it’s going to rain.”
Just like Sam, Lyssa bolted for Toby’s truck just as the rain poured down. She knew it was wrong, Toby had a girlfriend. Even though Megan wasn’t noted for her faithfulness, Lyssa was none the better, but looking into Toby’s emerald eyes and the smell of rain mixed with the pounding of her heart made it easier to fall into.
Lyssa pushed back her slightly damp hair as Toby started the ignition.
“Thanks for giving me a ride home.” The rain began to pound on the windshield as Lyssa smiled at Toby.
“No problem,” Toby said and put the truck into gear.
“Did Mr. Leed talk to you yet? He was pretty mad,” Lyssa said as they turned the corner going in the opposite direction of her house. She sat up wondering where Toby planned on going.
Toby burrowed his eyes shaking his head. “Why would he be mad?”
“Well, you weren’t in class,” Lyssa said slowly. “I don’t mean to not be grateful, but where are you going?”
They went past Wild Bill’s gas station headed out of town—fast.
“I was in class, I remember.” he said as his body tensed.
Lyssa didn’t know what to do as they sped off down the road with the rain pouring down.
“Toby, I think you need to at least slow down and turn around would be nice.” Lyssa switched between glancing at Toby and the road.
He didn’t reply, and peered forward dangerously passing cars when she noticed something curl around Toby’s wrist. It slithered like a snake only it had no definite shape, like it was a shadow. She glanced away, and looked again as another tentacle curled around his neck brushing his cheek. Lyssa couldn’t help but scream. Suddenly, her palm burned with excitement. It was happening again, her mark, as she referred to it too, was illuminated. Lyssa reached for the black slithering snake surprised that she physically held it. It squirmed frantically in her clenched hand like she had just grabbed a handful of earthworms.
“Oh my God!” Lyssa screamed, and rolled down the window as she watched the flailing tentacle try to reach back for Toby.
Frantically, she threw it out the window, and it exploded into a puff of curling smoke through the pounding rain. She was relieved there was no one behind them.
Lyssa looked over at Toby who suddenly fell limp. Quickly, she grabbed the wheel and positioned herself on Toby’s lap kicking his foot off the accelerator and slammed the brakes on. The truck stopped. Lyssa looked in the rear view mirror, and moved the truck to the side of the road. She got off of Toby as he came to. She sat back catching her breath, heart pounding, and trembling wondering what had just happened.
“Lyssa,” Toby asked confused. “What…what just happened?”
She gazed at him. He had no memory of what just happened. She couldn’t tell him that there were these snakes-like things crawling all over you and I threw them out the window as you passed out when I got on your lap and drove us to safety.
“A dog ran out in front of us,” Lyssa said, calmly as she could. “Do you feel O.K.?”
“Yeah, I think.”
“What are you doing in my truck?” Toby asked.
“You were giving me a ride home.”
He had no memory of even asking her? Lyssa felt her insides churn.
“Oh, I’m headed the wrong way,” Toby said, dumbfounded.
“Why don’t you let me drive?” Lyssa suggested. “It was a big dog that jumped out in front of us.”
Toby shook his head, and then smiled at Lyssa.
“That’s embarrassing, but I think I would rather be embarrassed than get in an accident.”
Lyssa got behind the wheel and drove to her house. She could hardly keep herself from trembling, and looked secretly at her palm. It wasn’t glowing. It looked normal or at least as normal goes these days.
Lyssa glanced over at Toby to see if there were any more “snakes” crawling on him. He tilted his head back, and closed his eyes. She shivered at the way they felt in her hand, like leeches trying to suck blood off a host. Lyssa shu
ddered.
It wasn’t until she removed whatever it was she removed that he came to his senses. She could only think of all the fairy tales she use to read when she was little about evil spells and curses. Could whatever happened in the forest have affected Toby as well? She couldn’t let this go, no matter how bazar everything appeared.
“Thanks for the ride,” Lyssa said.
Toby slid over to the driver’s seat smiling at her. “I’m the one who should thank you or we might have hit a dog,” Toby replied with a sense of uneasiness masked in humor.
Lyssa nodded her head. “See you tomorrow,” she said, with a wave.
Lyssa went up to the front door, opened it and then ran up to her room shutting her door behind her.
“This can’t be happening.” She ran her fingers through her hair.
“Lyssa.” Gwen’s voice came from the other side of her door. “Is that you dear?”
“Yeah, I just got home.” Lyssa opened the door.
“What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t coming until this weekend.” Lyssa asked as Gwen stepped in with a large dress bag.
“Trying to get rid of me already? And I even made you a one of a kind dress for your Halloween dance.” Gwen hung the hanger on a hook beside the closet and unzipped it like she was opening a Christmas present. “I couldn’t wait to show you. That is why I came unannounced.”
“I didn’t mean for it to sound like that. I just wasn’t expecting anyone home.”
“I know, so I thought I would surprise you.” Gwen peeled back the black plastic and took out the most beautiful dress Lyssa had ever seen.
“That’s beautiful!” Lyssa gazed at the shifting colors of burgundies to plums.
“Well don’t just look at it. Try it on,” Gwen said, handing it over to her.
Lyssa went into the bathroom and slipped on the spaghetti strap, shimmering dress that had a high waist and flared out just above her knees. She couldn’t help but to twirl in it feeling the smooth material against her skin. The color was almost magical in the way it changed depending on how she moved and it accented her light skin and reddish hair beautifully. Even without makeup she thought she looked pretty or at least prettier.
“Well,” Gwen prompted.
Lyssa opened the door and went into her room twirling around once. Gwen stepped over to see if there were any places that need altering.
“It’s beautiful, Gwen, thank you.” Lyssa looked in her door mirror.
“I am glad you like it, and the most important thing that will complement it is shoes.” Gwen pulled out a box that had heeled dyed to match satin shoes.
“You guessed my shoe size right,” Lyssa said, taking small steps in her heeled shoes.
“I cheated and looked at a pair in your closet.” Gwen shrugged her shoulders. “I’m not that good at guessing.”
“You should’ve just asked.” Lyssa turned towards Gwen.
“I wanted to surprise you.”
Lyssa turned back around fidgeting with her dress.
“Gwen,” Lyssa took a deep breath. “Do you ever have strange things happen to you?”
Lyssa tried to sound casual even though just the thought of the snakes crawling on Toby and the way they felt in her hand made her shiver. She turned and looked at Gwen as she gave Lyssa a look of concern mixed with curiosity.
“What do you mean, like Deja vu?” Gwen straightened and gazed at Lyssa.
“No, I don’t know, things you can’t explain.” Lyssa began to wish she didn’t ask.
“Like what?” Gwen prodded.
“Like things you think you see and then they aren’t there.”
“Like a hallucination.” Gwen’s voice rang with relief to the awkward discussion. “You know you are still recovering from the bump on your head, so it could be caused by that. If things keep happening make sure you let me know.” Gwen stood up came over to Lyssa and cradled her head in her hands. “No matter how insignificant it seems, call me.”
Lyssa shook her head in agreement as Gwen looked down at her watch.
“I have to be going.”
“Thanks for the dress. It’s really beautiful.” Lyssa smiled at Gwen with her hand on the knob.
“You’re welcome. And remember, anything happens call me day or night.”
Gwen left and Lyssa took off her dress, hung it on a hanger and then looked at it. She debated about going to the dance. Now she guessed she was going since Gwen went to the trouble of making the most beautiful dress she’d ever seen.
Lyssa plopped on her bed, and gazed blankly at the ceiling. She closed her eyes, and tried to forget about the ride in Toby’s truck, the shadowy figure in the kitchen last night and everything that happened at Camp Westfield. Things like that just can’t happen, but the odds were against her now and Lyssa was beginning to doubt her own sanity.
Eli
Waiting patiently in the cover of the thicket, Eli waited for the suspicious Fae woman to leave. His goal was only to get the Everspell. He had been watching the house for a couple of days waiting for his chance to get the girl alone and finally it had come.
“Stalking now are we?” Deravon said behind Eli.
Eli glared up at Deravon in protest. He didn’t care if Deravon was there or not, even though he preferred him not there. He had been useful to Eli, but he worked alone and only concentrated on his plan.
Eli would go into the dwelling, extract the Everspell, leave her with no memory of it, and take it back to Isle of Stars. There it would be safe and no one would be able to get it, not even the Muses’.
Eli knew the Everspell was raw magic, neither good nor bad. It was simple. Once guided, the magic turned to however the one controlling it molded it, and stopping evil magic was like trying to swim in quicksand. No Fae or Etherling, for that matter, should have it. Its power once tasted, would overtake them and no one was strong enough to harness the magic.
“So what’s your plan? I know you have one.” Deravon continued to prod.
“None of your business, quiet.” Eli slowly crept from the thicket.
Eli found the door unlocked and silently went inside with the feeling of Deravon’s eyes on him. The glamour suit’s magic had run out and was useless now. He would have to depend on his cunningness to get the Everspell.
The house was dark and he hoped the girl was asleep, that would make it much easier. Eli knew the girl’s room must be upstairs as that is where the Fae woman and man took her after they compelled her.
He reached the stairs and slowly began his ascend up the darkened staircase. He reached the top only to have a low growl and a hiss greet him. Small, silver disks reflected back at him. It was the girls small Mog.
“Go away, you mutated Mog.” Eli pushed the animal away with his foot.
The Mog scampered off with a hiss. Eli crept forward towards an open door with a dim light filtering through it. Reaching it, he opened it enough to pass through to the girl’s room.
Eli stopped and saw the girl peacefully sleeping on her side. Her reddish hair cascaded over the pillow. For a split second, he felt something intertwine between them.
Looking at his glowing mark, and then back at the girl who slept soundly, he knew only one chance stood between him and the Everspell. He couldn’t take any more chances, and what he was to do could hurt the girl. Hesitating only a moment before he bent beside the girl’s bed, he could see her mark glow as brightly as his.
Gently he lifted her hand, held it close to his until their marks locked. The pull was magnificent, like nothing Eli had felt before. The joining of marks was only used on criminals as a lie detector and even then wasn’t very credible. Eli had never used it for personal information as even with words, thoughts can still be distorted.
After the initial thrust of their interlocking marks, everything stood in a still whiteness. Eli heard the girl’s heartbeat; feel the warmth of her skin and gentleness of her bre
athing. He still hadn’t connected with her thoughts yet and slightly hesitated to do because something felt too familiar with her, something that was close to him.
Closing his eyes he pushed forward. Unfamiliar faces flashed before him followed by a yearning that consumed the girl. He didn’t press into that feeling thinking that would lead to a dead end. He had to stay focused. Suddenly, he stopped as if someone had grabbed his arm almost disconnecting their joining marks.
“Who are you? What do you want? Is this a dream?” The girl’s voice echoed in his head.
Eli didn’t answer right away as something like this had never happened before. Usually the one who initiated the joining was in control.
“I don’t want to hurt you.” He tried to reassure her. “I just want the Everspell.”
The girl didn’t answer, and tried to pull away. Eli pulled her close, forcing the girl to open up to him. Scenes of different people flashed again before him. They meant nothing to him as he began to feel frustrated.
“Where is it?” Eli yelled to her.
“I don’t have it!”
He pushed harder than he ever had, going deeper into her feelings. She was a lonely girl and yearned for something she could never have. Eli could have fallen into her emotions, but his mission was not that.
What would the Everspell be? Would it be bright and obvious to him? Then flashes of a familiar face smiled back at him. The gold-red hair and green eyes that twinkled at him, were unmistakable. It was the face of the Fae who had stolen his heart. It was Lil, and she had been with the girl. How he wanted to interrogate her, but it was just her image, nothing more.
“Where are you hiding it Ehterling?” Eli demanded as the last dissolving image faded, and he stood face to face with the girl.
She tried to turn away and pulled at her hand. Eli grabbed hold of her wrist drawing her closer.
“Give it to me!” Eli glared at her. “I know you have connections.”
“Let me go!” The girl cried.
Eli knew by either oath or spell, the girl wasn’t going to give up the Everspell. He then reached deeper into her thoughts than he had ever done. It was hard to stay on course, but he didn’t let his emotions stray.
He heard the girl scream and beg him to stop. He paid no attention to her as he floated through the girl’s thoughts like a hummingbird through a field of flowers. Then it was clear to him, she kept all of her secrets in one place, locked under a key. Etherlings always documented everything in books and by doing so made it easy for anyone to read them. But they didn’t have magic to give to their words for protection and a good thing, or this would’ve been harder. Eli gave a small smile. He had outwitted Lil this time.
The Everspell was in a book that she kept in her nightstand. Eli read her thoughts like he was reading a map. He had the information he wanted and looking one last time at the girl he pulled his mark from hers.
He could had been gentle, but he had a mission to worry about not some Etherling. With his emotions still tangled with hers, he rubbed his mark looking at the girl. She looked peaceful only her sheets were knotted around her. Shaking the remaining feelings off, he pulled open her nightstand drawer and found the Everspell.
People of Fae Page 8