Chapter Six
Lyssa
“You look really tired why don’t you stay home today?” Lyssa’s dad said, sitting at the table.
“I can’t, I have test in math today.” Lyssa was surprised that he even suggested that she stayed home.
Her dad looked at her over his bent newspaper studying her.
“You definitely have your mother’s eyes. You know that?” he said suddenly.
Lyssa felt a lump form in her throat. “I do,” she replied meekly.
“Yes, they were beautiful like the color of a blue delphinium that just fully opened.” Lyssa smiled. At least she was in the same category as flowers now.
“I like delphiniums,” she said, twirling her fork across the syrup covered plate.
“You like the short mound growing tiny flowers?” He asked with his paper in front of his face.
“Yes,” Lyssa said, having no idea what they were.
“That’s funny, because delphiniums are tall plants with a row of bell shaped flowers on them.” His paper curled down, and his eyes twinkled.
“Well, I like them now.” Lyssa got up and took her plate to the sink as her dad smiled giving her an “uh huh”.
“Really, Lys, stay home today. Gwen thought it would be a good idea too.”
Lyssa didn’t reply, only tried to retain her tears. Why couldn’t every day be this way? Lyssa, for the first time in a long time, felt more important than plants, ads and working at his shop.
“Lys, are you O.K.?” His voice rang with a tinge of concern.
“Yes, just like you said, tired.” Lyssa composed herself, let her dad call the school and went back to bed.
The next thing she knew it was about three in the afternoon. She couldn’t believe she’d slept the whole day. She felt a little stiff, but finally rested from all the nightmares she had. They seem distant now, and barely remembered them. Everything seemed to be returning to normal. No more creatures, weird alien people, and no one trying to get her.
Sitting on the edge of her bed, she thought about Zoey. She didn’t tell her dad about the message on the answering machine and she wasn’t going to. If Zoey didn’t come, he’d be heart broken, and she didn’t want to let him down. If she showed up, things would be great and better yet—complete. And if Zoey didn’t show up, then her dad was none the wiser. Deep down Lyssa wished a hundred times that Zoey would come back, and tell them she was here to stay.
Lyssa fell back onto her bed holding her old teddy bear. She ran her finger over the broken pendant that looped around its neck. A small, silver disk that had been broken in half had the word Hope on it. It was her mother’s—one of the few tangible items that survived the fire.
Lyssa took it off the bear, and decided to wear it. It wasn’t anything really pretty or ornate, and the jagged edge made it look broken, but Lyssa didn’t care as she pressed it between her fingers until the word Hope made an imprint in her skin.
“I wish Zoey was here.” Just as she finished whispering her wish, the front door opened and then shut. Lyssa quickly sat up, and went to the edge of the stairwell.
“Zoey!” Lyssa bounced down the stairs hoping it was her.
Lyssa stopped halfway down the stairs realizing it was only her dad. Lyssa felt her heart drop to her knees—what was he thinking? Wishes don’t usually come true, and she was sure if they did, there would have been some sort of a delayed time.
“Hey Lys.” Her dad acknowledged her before going into his study.
Lyssa wanted it to be Zoey that would come through the door any minute. She continued down the stairs and into her dad’s study where he was putting a flower book back in its proper categorized place on one of the many shelves.
“How was your day?” Lyssa asked as she sat down on the velvety Victorian style couch that had curved legs lifting it slightly off the ground. Lyssa always liked sitting in it and felt like a princess in it when she was little.
“Wonderful.” He replied in an unbelievable upbeat tone complete with a smile.
“What happened?” Lyssa asked.
“I had this customer a few weeks ago buy a lot of flowers from me, and even hired me to landscape them for her. Well, now she doesn’t like the way they look, and she spent a lot of money. I went over today to fix it for her, and I think she likes it now. I’m hoping she is out of my hair.” He pulled his fingers through his hair as if he was physically removing her.
“What is she rich or something?” Lyssa asked lying back on the couch as if she was some Victorian woman posing for a painting.
“Her last name is Mourhill,” he said, pulling out another book and opening it.
“Mournhill?” Lyssa sat up and looked at him. “You mean Megan’s mom?”
He looked at her with confusion before returning to his book.
“Is that someone you go to school with?”
“Yeah, she’s in my class.”
“Well next time you see her, ask about her mom’s plants. See if she says anything about it,” he said, without looking at her.
Lyssa didn’t have plans on asking Meagan that, she’d have better luck asking the Devil how the weather is in Hell. Besides, Lyssa only saw Megan’s mom a couple of times, and they lived in the country in a big house surrounded by tall trees. Their house looked like a castle all stone and glass.
“What do you want for dinner tonight?” Her dad asked breaking her thoughts of Megan.
“I don’t know.”
“Well, we could order a pizza.” His voice had a tone of enticement in it.
Lyssa looked at her dad who sat wide eyed raising his eyebrows. She couldn’t help but to smile back at him agreeing to pizza which she didn’t have a problem with anyway.
Half pepperoni and cheese pizza sat on their table with only one piece of pepperoni left. Lyssa again thought about Zoey. If she was here she would’ve had at least two pieces of cheese pizza and made a salad to go with it.
Lyssa gazed out the window wishing she would catch a glimpse of her-red gold hair or smiling face as she came up to the door.
“You only ate one piece.” Her dad said as he crammed the last bit of crust into his mouth.
“I guess I wasn’t as hungry as I thought.”
“Well how about you go out and get the mail while I clean up for a change.” Lyssa smiled at him as she got up.
“You know what I wish,” Lyssa suddenly said, even at her own surprise.
“What?”
“I want things to be like this always.”
“You mean have me clean up after every meal?” he said with a small laugh.
“No.” Lyssa smiled at him. “Have things just as they are now.”
Lyssa went outside and down the walk to their mail box. She walked slowly thinking how she really did wish she could bottle up the evening she just had with her dad and reopen it later when things were—different. But she couldn’t do that, no matter how hard she wished.
Life with her dad was like being on a roller coaster. One day he seemed normal, caring, and involved in her life, and other times, distant and forgetful. She wondered if he had some sort of disease affecting him. Surly something like this had a name or even better—a cure.
Lyssa noticed though when he went to Sean’s and Gwen’s house, especially for the weekend, he would come back usually tired and then booming with energy the next day. She used to go when she was younger and never noticed anything.
Now, she began to wonder what was going on especially everything that has happened. But she didn’t want to overturn any stones that didn’t need turning over. Things were a normal happy and she could talk, tease and eat pizza with her dad. That was all she wanted.
“Dad, guess what you got. Three garden magazines, and one of them is on designing gardens for snooty, rich people,” Lyssa said teasingly as she came in the door to find her dad smearing something red all over the kitchen wall. She watched
him for a moment second guessing her vision as she let the magazines and two bills slip from her hand to the floor.
“Dad!” She yelled catching his attention. “What are you doing?” The spell of normalcy had been broken and Lyssa knew it.
Lyssa’s dad was whispering a chanting sound in a deep rhythm and painting with his finger intricate designs with what Lyssa saw was ketchup. He then turned and looked at her with depthless eyes that almost looked dead.
“What are you doing dad? Stop it!” She pleaded running her fingers through her hair.
“Lyssa we have to protect ourselves. The Drakes are coming.”
Lyssa wasted no time and called Gwen. She didn’t know what to do pacing the floor for a half an hour begging her dad to stop who paid no attention to her.
“Lyssa! Thomas!” Gwen’s voice rang through the house like a life boat to Lyssa.
“Gwen! My dad, he’s in the kitchen!” Lyssa ran to Sean and Gwen who looked with great concern at her.
Sean skidded past Lyssa and into the kitchen as Gwen wrapped her arm around Lyssa.
“Gwen, my dad has gone crazy.” She couldn’t hold in her tears anymore and began to wail with sobs.
“No, he isn’t,” Gwen said cradling her face.
“Gwen he’s smearing ketchup on the walls telling me something is coming and we need to protect ourselves. That isn’t normal.”
Gwen held Lyssa and then peered into her eyes. Lyssa could hear low mummers in the kitchen and wondered what was going on. When she tried to go Gwen stopped her.
“Lyssa, listen to me.” Her voice caught Lyssa’s attention, and she stopped. “Everything will be alright. None of this happened and there are no Drakes coming. I will keep you safe and that is all you have to worry about.”
Lyssa’s mind was tuned into only one thing, and that was Gwen’s voice.
“Do you understand me, Lyssa?”
“Yes,” Lyssa replied, as her thoughts and concerns for her dad faded, no matter how she tried to cling to them.
Toby
Toby looked at the purplish hues under his eyes. He hardly slept since he gave a ride home to Lyssa two weeks ago. How could he have blacked out? He clearly remembered following Megan to the school’s basement and then he was suddenly in his truck with Lyssa beside him.
He could’ve told his parents, but he felt embarrassed and nothing had happened since. Surely by now he was O.K., but something still troubled him as he put on his satin black vampire cape. At least he did look the part now, pale skin with dark circles under his eyes.
Toby circled Megan’s house twice before stopping. She had been extra nice lately. He wondered why. She wasn’t as demanding and even acknowledged Lyssa a couple of times complimenting her on a shirt or jeans she was wearing. Toby thought she was only saying that to turn to her friends to make fun of Lyssa, but instead, she stood by her remark saying she really did like her jeans. Megan had changed suddenly to a nice person but to Toby, that niceness had a ring of suspicion behind it.
“We’ve better hurry or we’ll be late,” Megan said, putting on her seatbelt.
“You look delightful.” Megan leaned over and ran her gloved finger across his chin.
She then gave a playful laugh as Toby glanced at her. Her hair was fuller and wild looking, Toby thought it looked sexy. Even with what looked like a ton of make-up, Megan still looked beautiful. Her short black skirt barely covered her fishnet stocking covered legs. Toby could hardly stop looking—Megan was hot and he knew what they would be doing after the dance.
“Do you want to go to the lake after the dance?” Toby asked.
Megan smiled giving him a playful look. “You read my mind.”
The gym had been transformed into a haunted mansion complete with the effects of dry ice and fake cobwebs. Craig looked at Toby in his vampire costume and let out a chuckle.
“Had to dress up, huh?” Craig stood in his jeans and black T-shirt that said This Is My Costume.
Toby shrugged his shoulders and gave him a pitiful look of embarrassment. Most people had costumes on, but Craig knew how controlling Megan was.
“I guess it is Halloween,” Toby said trying to give an excuse and to not look like Megan’s little pet.
“Yeah, maybe when you were ten.” Craig started to anger Toby, but he knew Craig was right as he stood gazing at him with crossed arms.
Megan came up to Toby, wrapped her arm into his, and gave Craig a cold look with her squinted eyes.
Craig gave a fake scared look waving his hands in front of his face.
“Oh no, I’m scared.” Craig then laughed at Megan. He enjoyed tormenting her which was easily done.
“Whatever,” Megan said, not amused.
Megan took Toby by the hand, and joined her friends with Toby in tow like a dog on a leash. He heard them talk, but didn’t pay attention. Was he over what had happened? He could only hope so before it started to mess things up too much.
“Earth to Toby,” Megan said, in his ear. “I asked you if you could get us all a drink.”
Toby sucked in his breath. What was he a waiter now?
“Sure, be right back,” Toby said, as the squabbling girls giggled as he got up and left.
Weaving his way through the sea of dancing people, something caused him to stop and look over at the entrance.
Between the bobbing heads, Toby caught glances of her. Her hair was up letting a few strands hang down barely brushing her shoulders. He had never seen her look so pretty like one of the porcelain dolls in Megan’s bedroom. She stood looking uncomfortable, and just as she began to turn away to leave, Toby called her name. Lyssa stopped as Toby made his way through the crowd of people.
“Hey,” he said, with a smile. “Care to dance with a Vampire?”
“Won’t your Vampire girlfriend rip my head off just for fun?” Lyssa nodded behind Toby as she smiled at him.
“Not if I rip hers off first.” He showed his fake vampire teeth.
Lyssa laughed back at him. He liked it when she did that. Something about the sound of her voice, and the way she laughed he liked.
“So, did you come alone?” Toby asked peering down at her.
Lyssa looked around her and then shrugged her shoulders as she shook her head back and forth. “Of course.”
“You weren’t at school the other day. I was wondering if you were alright.” Toby asked.
“Yeah, just a little bug, that’s all.”
“You look really nice. Can I get you something to drink?” Toby asked pointing back at the punch bowl.
“No thanks.” Lyssa laughed again making Toby smile.
“It’s kind of loud in here, do you want to go outside were we can talk?” Toby asked peering around him to catch a glimpse of Megan.
“Sure.”
The thumping of the music filtered to the cool air outside. Toby led Lyssa to a gazebo surrounded by a small garden that the Greenhouse Methods class built a couple of years ago and was the perfect place to hide from Megan.
The soft light of the solar lights illuminated the area around them making the dew glisten like diamonds on the blades of grass. Toby looked at Lyssa who sat across from him.
“Cold?” Toby asked.
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Nervous?”
“Ye—” Lyssa stopped and smiled at Toby.
Toby smiled back and looked into Lyssa’s eyes. Their gazes interlocked. Something drew him to her. The thread like spiders silk grew tighter and closer to her. He couldn’t resist leaning over wanting to steal a kiss from her.
“We shouldn’t do this.” Lyssa whispered.
“Ssh.” Toby didn’t want to think of that right now, he wanted to see what it was like to kiss Lyssa Cleverthorn.
“What the hell?” Megan’s piercing voice broke the spell.
Toby stood up quickly like a soldier called t
o attention. Megan glared at them with crossed arms. She looked like an angered spider with dark eyes and stringy hair that wildly framed her pale face.
“I said what the hell?” Megan stepped closer with her eyes darting between Lyssa and Toby.
“It isn’t what you think.” Toby tried to come up with an excuse knowing it really didn’t look good.
“What were you doing? Discussing the flowers?” Megan began to tap her foot. “Look, I am going to make this simple. Either stop seeing this looser or I will make it worse on you,” she said poking Toby in the shoulder with each word she said.
Megan’s black eyes seemed to darken when Lyssa stepped out from behind Toby. Lyssa looked small and meek like a rabbit getting ready to run from a hungry lioness.
“As for you bitch, I suggest you run and stay out of my business. It doesn’t concern you and your kind.” Megan pushed Lyssa backwards.
Stunned, Lyssa fell to the ground as Megan smiled and then pounced on her. Toby tried to grab Megan by the arm to pull her off of Lyssa, who took a couple of smacks across the cheek.
“Megan, stop it!” Toby yelled jerking Megan back. “She didn’t do anything.”
“You’re wrong. Both of you did, and just one more time…one more time and I won’t be nice.”
Megan straightened her cape and walked off leaving Toby alone in the cool mist that encased the schoolyard. Toby looked to where Lyssa was. She had run off. Toby felt torn, he should try to go and explain things to Megan and put their relationship to an end at the same time he needed to explain himself to Lyssa.
Pacing back and forth for a couple of seconds he stopped noticing something on the ground that glittered slightly in the dim light. It was a heeled shoe, burgundy in color with rhinestones covering it. Small in size he knew it was Lyssa’s. Not looking back, Toby took the shoe and got into his truck.
Lyssa
Lyssa took a short cut to get home sooner. All of the trick- or- treaters were in their homes gobbling up their goodies while Lyssa could walk home barefoot, unnoticed. She had lost one shoe and in haste, threw the other one to the ditch as she ran by. She hated high heels anyhow. Her feet were bare and wet from the dew covered grass. She felt stupid for letting Toby lead her on. What was she doing anyhow? He had a girlfriend, not a very good one in her opinion, but now, she was no better than Megan. Lyssa felt lower than a slug. She hated girls like Megan who take affections for granted and now she was just like her except Megan was pretty and could try on any guy she wanted.
Lyssa stopped, closed her eyes standing at the end of her sidewalk, and made a promise to herself. She would not look at Toby again and go on with her mundane life.
The house was dark, darker than usual. Her dad always left a light on. Maybe he forgot she thought, and pulled her key out to unlock the door when she noticed the door was cracked open. A pang of fear radiated through her and she began to tremble. Opening the door her hand went to the wall switch and she flicked it on.
“Dad,” Lyssa yelled with no reply.
Stepping in, she went into the living room wondering if he was just in his study and didn’t hear her.
“Dad,” she repeated in hopes of a reply.
From the darkness a small chuckle followed by a familiar face emerged from the darkness.
“Dad isn’t here, sorry there luv.” The blonde-haired woman that Lyssa thought was just a figment of her imagination stood before her.
“This can’t be happening. You’re not real.”
The woman smiled with an amused expression mixed with confusion. Her black suit nearly blended in with the darkness. Her movements were like a cat, smooth and silent with her eyes fixed on Lyssa.
“Why I am very much real no matter what you think and if you want to think that, it’s fine with me.” Her voice was cold, ridged and arrogant.
The woman’s smile turned to a slight scowl almost animal like as she tried to reach for Lyssa. Jumping back, Lyssa ran back towards the kitchen pushing a small table over trying to trip the woman. The woman jumped over the obstacle without hesitation. Lyssa made it to the kitchen where she stopped and grabbed a butcher knife from the array of knives from the block on the counter. Lyssa knew she couldn’t out run the girl for very long. She would have to protect herself.
The woman stopped at the opposite end of the table as Lyssa hardly believed that this was happening.
“Where’s my dad?” Lyssa pointed the knife at the woman who stood gazing back at her.
“You are no warrior, child, and shouldn’t use knives against ones who know how to use them,” she said, starting to walk around the table as Lyssa moved away from her until they were going around in a circle.
“What did you do with my dad?” Lyssa repeated.
The woman smiled. “Don’t worry, I found out he didn’t have anything I wanted but the Muses’ had a good use for him.”
“Muses?” Lyssa questioned.
“Yes, the Muses’—the greatest of the Faes’. You’re a lucky Etherling. They want you as well. To serve the Muses’ is the greatest thing a Fae could do, and especially an Etherling is a rare chance that will never happen again.”
“You’re crazy!” Lyssa yelled throwing the knife towards her and bolting for the back door.
Lyssa nearly ripped the hinges off bursting through it and running towards the road. She would go to Mr. Johnson’s house. He had a shotgun.
Lyssa heard the woman curse as she ran after her. Lyssa’s feet were numb and stung as she ran barefoot on t he gravel road, but she didn’t care, all she wanted was to get to Mr. Johnson’s house when suddenly, a flash of light exploded beside her.
Lyssa skidded to the ground, rocks scraping her skin. She knew she had to get up and run. Just as she tried to, something hard hit her in the back knocking the air from her lungs and burning her skin. She tried to scream as she fell forward.
“Stop Cinnia!” A male voice came from beside her.
Lyssa couldn’t move as she heard a struggle and yells behind her followed by more blasts of light when suddenly two beams of light filled her vision. It was a truck, and she knew more likely, Toby.
She then felt someone roll her over, and in the blinding light, she heard Toby’s voice.
“Lyssa.” Toby’s eyes were swelled with concern.
Before she could say anything, a blinding light surrounded them with sparks burning and hissing through the air. Just as quickly as everything had happened, darkness surrounded them again.
From the blackness came a single set of footsteps. Toby picked up Lyssa, and was headed towards his truck when someone stood in their way.
“Where do you think you are going Etherling boy?” The voice was familiar to Lyssa.
Lyssa looked at the dark-haired man with eyes like sparkling jewels.
“We meet again darling. I hope you remember me,” the man playfully said.
“Step aside, can’t you see she’s hurt,” Toby said, trying to step pass him.
“Not so fast there—what are you anyhow? A Vampire, I didn’t know they still existed.” The man tapped his chin looking at Toby, and then smiled. “Well, anyhow, that doesn’t matter. I will take it from here. No Etherling will cure her wounds and since you won’t remember any of this, I find your actions most heroic and I must say you look good doing it.”
Lyssa felt the man’s hands slide under her as he quickly waved his hand over Toby who fell to the ground. The action took only a second, and happened so quickly that Lyssa could hardly let out a scream.
“Oh, look his chivalrous actions just never stop.” He bent down propping Lyssa up with one arm and picking up the shoe she must have lost at the schoolyard. “Just like in Cinderella, he was bringing your shoe to you. But really Etherling you shouldn’t date vampires, they will just leave you anemic.”
“Toby,” Lyssa faintly said. “What did you do to him? Let me go.” She tried to struggle in his strong grip.
“Don’t worry, Prince Charming here will wake up none the wiser thinking he just had too much to drink, actually waaay too much to drink.”
The man turned smiling at Lyssa, and before she could say anything, blackness filled her eyes with the chuckle of the man’s voice echoing in her ears.
Eli
The rain was cold, steady and miserable. Eli held securely under his cloak the Everspell. Unfortunately, the portals lead him to Avalon just as it was designed to do by the Muses’ for him. Now the problem was to escape undetected and take the Everspell safely to the Isle of Stars.
Eli dressed in a traveling cloak with many pockets, and an oversized, concealing hood was perfect to blend in with the mass of Faes going here and there in their everyday travels. He flowed with the foot traffic making several turns along the paved pathways that were nestled between the tall silver buildings.
He could take a portal to the outskirts of town to the main Portway, but you had to have a pass and that meant your name and destination would be declared, he decided being on foot was better.
The clean, silver buildings of offices, theaters and museums surrounded by neat fenced gardens with tall trees gave way to a darker side of town where Eli would have a better chance at going undetected.
The buildings were made of old stones practically crumbling to the ground. Brothels, opium dens and other illegal activities of all unimaginable things went on here. A few Fae, usually poor, lived here hidden away from the prosperity of the rest of Avalon.
Eli always thought of this area as a wound to Avalon that never healed and it was here that the Muses’ had their fake generosity be known in a shelter for the Fae who lived in Duegar District. It was in the shelter that most of their illegal doings went on.
Eli didn’t look at any of the passing Faes, only kept to himself and avoided the occasional outbreak of a fight. It was only a couple of blocks away, and he would skid past the gated, wealthy community of Sidhe Hills to the openness of the Shimmerick woods to the portal that he hoped was still there after all these years.
Keeping his eyes forward and hood over his face, he walked past the all-to-sterile looking shelter that had a few Faes, mostly drunk, outside yelling at one another. On the other side was a tavern. Music blared from it along with screams and yells and laughter. Eli glanced over when suddenly a woman dressed in a long, blood-red cloak stepped out in front of him.
“Excuse me,” he mumbled, trying to step around her.
“Wait, you look like you need a date,” she said, stepping back in front of him.
“No, I don’t.” Eli again walked around her.
“I said, you need a date.” The dark-haired, icy blue-eyed girl quickly placed the tip of a dagger discreetly to his stomach.
Eli looked down at her. There wasn’t enough time to reach for his dagger to overtake her. She then motioned for him to go into the dark tavern.
Walking side by side, she pressed the pointed dagger into his side as she looked up at him and smiled.
“Don’t try anything and stay beside me unless you want to die.” She then looked forward, and both of them entered the blackened doorway of the tavern.
Inside wasn’t much better than the outside. Dirty diseased Faes littered the place. Eli didn’t make eye contact with too many of them as the girl led him past the long bar to a partitioned off area behind a tapestry curtain.
Once behind the curtain, the girl pushed him away putting her dagger away. She then sat on the small cot taking off her cape.
“I said, I didn’t want a date.” Eli wasn’t going to waste time being tricked, and began to turn when he was face to face with another Fae.
“Don’t worry, she isn’t that desperate yet,” he said, shoving Eli backwards.
“Let’s stick to the plan if we could please,” the girl said, now donning a belt with what looked like an array of weapons and a darker, long jacket that flared out behind her.
The girl pushed the cot out of the way and then with what looked like an etch she ran her fingers over the wood floor trying to find just the right area to start.
“That’s an etch. Are you two sentries?” Eli asked.
The blonde haired boy laughed slightly at Eli’s remark.
“Shut up or we won’t make it out alive. I do believe the Muses’ are after you,” the girl said, making her final line where the floor opened to a black hole.
“Quickly,” she looked at Eli before being swallowed by the black hole.
“You’re next,” the boy said, pushing him.
Eli landed with a thud as the boy who was very agile landed practically without a noise. The girl helped Eli up and quickly sealed the hole.
“I demand to know what’s going on.” Eli reached into his pocket for his orillion. Its light was cool making long sharp shadows of their faces.
“You know Lil?” The girl asked.
Eli’s mouth dropped open slightly. “Yes.”
“She is the one who sent us after you.”
Lyssa
Lyssa woke to softness all around her. Slowly, she opened her eyes and realized she wasn’t in her room. The bed was large and in front of her was a small wood dresser with a lavender colored puffy seat neatly pushed up to it. She could see only part of the bed reflecting in the mirror and knew she was at Gwen’s house. Lifting herself up she realized she was laying on her stomach dressed in an oversized night gown.
Sitting up she tried to remember what had happened. She was at the dance, Toby almost kissed her and a slap on the cheek from Megan was the price she paid. Lyssa ran her fingers through her hair. She wished she didn’t have a memory of that.
Slowly, she stood up feeling light headed, she steadied herself on a chair next to the bed. She then went into the bathroom that was attached to the bedroom.
Gwen’s and Sean’s house was beautiful, and filled with antique furniture. Lyssa liked coming here as a little girl. The gardens, all the rooms, and the beautiful staircase that was open with plush carpeting, opulent enough for a princess to make her grand entrance.
Lyssa looked at herself in the mirror she hardly recognized herself. Even her freckles looked pale. Dark circles under her eyes and her lips were chapped. How long had she been sleeping? She wondered what day it was. Running cool water over her face a vision flashed before her face. The woman at Camp Westfield was in her house, and her dad was missing.
She ran out the bedroom door calling Gwen’s name with no reply. Her feet ached as she ran down the flight of stairs to the entry way. Her voice was weak, and then she heard the clanking of dishes in the kitchen.
“Gwen!” She tried to yell in her dry, raspy voice. “Sean!”
Making her way to the arched kitchen passage way, she saw Gwen sitting at the table with the dark-haired man she had now two encounters with. Everyone looked at her as she stood supporting herself against the wall.
“Lyssa, you shouldn’t be up,” Gwen said, guiding her to a chair.
“Gwen, my dad he’s missing, the woman in the forest—she was real.” Lyssa’s thoughts became one giant mess. “She tried to get me. What is going on? Am I losing my mind?” Lyssa glanced at the dark-haired man who chuckled at her comment.
Gwen ran her hand over her hair. “Lyssa, there is a lot to explain.” Gently, she cradled Lyssa’s face in her hands. “Things were never to be this way.”
Sean was at the stove, just turning it off, and then grabbed a bowl of something steaming.
“Here, this will be good on your stomach and with what we have to tell you.”
Lyssa looked down at the lumpy oatmeal that greeted her with a puff of steam and took a spoonful. She didn’t realize how hungry she was.
“Etherlings do lack manners.” The dark haired man said in a snooty voice.
“Excuse me.” Lyssa went to scoop up another bite to find it all gone.
“Well, maybe not totally.” He gave her a half amused smile. <
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“What’s going on Gwen?” Lyssa turned her attention back to her. “My dad… he’s gone, there was a girl in my house—she attacked me.” Lyssa’s scattered memory slowly fused together into one confusing lump.
Gwen only shook her head.
“Gwen, my dad is missing! We have to call the police.” Lyssa felt adrenaline run through her as she stood up.
“The police here can’t help us.”
All eyes were on Lyssa. Silence filled the room.
“Why?” Lyssa’s voice trembled.
“Because who took your father, and attacked you, are not from this world. They are from a hidden world called Fae. It is where we are from as well, except we are in hiding and were to protect you.” Gwen’s eyes slowly filled with tears.
Lyssa had never seen Gwen cry before. She was always strong, never showing a shred of weakness. Lyssa felt her skin prickle and knees wobble. She sat down trying to say something looking at Gwen who dotted her eyes with a napkin. Her words jammed in her mouth leaving her lips to tremble.
“It’s true and it is where I am from too.” The dark haired man said leaning forward. “I almost forgot, we haven’t been properly introduced. My name is Deravon Silvervine and yes, it was me who saved you from Cinnia, the girl who tried to blast you into Faeland with one jolt, and from your vampire boyfriend.”
“You mean Toby?” Lyssa had forgotten about him. “Is he alright? Where is he?”
“Don’t worry he’s fine and went home. I watched him. Cute little guy. Too young for me though. I guess you do have pretty good taste for being only half Fae.”
Lyssa looked away from Deravon to Gwen in hopes of a better explanation.
“Your mother wanted you away from all of this after she escaped with your father. But they found her anyway and took my sister, you mother away from us.” Gwen buried her face, crying into her folded arms. Lyssa could only watch Gwen crumple into a sobbing mess.
Lyssa felt her skin prickle. Gwen’s words kept echoing in her head and she wondered if she heard Gwen right. Lyssa’s mother was Gwen’s sister.
“That would make you my aunt…and uncle.” Lyssa plainly stated.
Gwen’s entire body quivered. “I am sorry Lyssa. I promised your mother that I would keep you from her past no matter what because I loved her very much.”
Lyssa looked away staring out the window. Everything around her seemed to dissolve. She loved Gwen and Sean, but felt a thorn had been stuck through her stomach. They couldn’t find a way to tell her that she was their niece during her sixteen years. And now her dad was missing.
“I know this is hard to understand right now, but please, understand Lyssa, we love you very much and we loved your mother so much to honor her wishes. We never intended for this to happen and thought it was something that never would.” Sean gently ran his hands over Gwen’s shoulders. “Come on Gwen.” Sean lifted her up. “Lyssa, we can explain things a little later, I am sorry.” He held onto Gwen who turned away from Lyssa.
“I am so sorry Lyssa.” She managed to say.
“It’s alright.” Lyssa was hurt, angered and felt betrayed, but she felt more for Gwen who Lyssa never knew could crumple before her.
Sean and Gwen left leaving Deravon and Lyssa alone. Lyssa picked up the plates and put them in the sink rinsing them off before loading the dishwasher. What was she doing? She just found out Gwen and Sean were her aunt and uncle and her mother was from a hidden, mythical world that she now had ties to. And she was doing the dishes, the only piece of normalcy that she could cling to.
Lyssa pushed the start button peering out the window letting her gaze stare through the wooded area behind the house as she listened to the whirl of the dishwasher. She closed her eyes listening to the sloshing water. What was going to happen next? How would they find her father and return to her unexciting life that she was comfortable in.
Lyssa then opened her eyes. She had almost forgotten about Deravon who sat quietly at the table. She felt him watching her, studying her every move.
“Look!” She blurted out catching him off guard. “Quit looking at me! I don’t know who exactly you are, but you are creeping me out!”
“You sound so much like your mother. You know she would have said exactly the same thing.” Deravon smiled like a sly looking cat.
Lyssa walked slowly over to Deravon and let her unblinking eyes stare into his.
“You knew her?”
“If I didn’t know her I wouldn’t have said that you sounded like her.” He stood up inches away from her face. “If you want to hear the tidbits I know about your past come with me, because I can tell you now, Gwen and Sean are only going to sugar coat it for you.”
Toby
Toby’s mind had been in a fog since the dance. He remembered almost kissing Lyssa when Megan showed up. After that, everything seemed hazy. He thought about telling his parents because there was no logical explanation to his memory loss. He hadn’t even been drinking that night; at least he didn’t think so.
At school he waited for Lyssa to show up so he could talk to her in hopes of recalling anything. The day went by with no Lyssa and nothing to fill in his blackened void piece of memory. Even Megan was gone that day. He didn’t feel like himself and with each minute going by, he began to worry about what really happened.
“Did you hear that they found another body? This time it was along Ambrosia Lane,” a voice said behind him nearly causing Toby to drop his books. “That’s all I know and it must be true, because cops have it blocked off.”
Goosebumps cascaded up and down his arms. A sudden concern for Lyssa filled him. What if it was her? He tried to remember what happened after she ran off. Like a black curtain shrouding his memory, stubborn to move, it wouldn’t let him know anymore. Frustrated he punched his fist into the locker beside him.
“Whoa,” Craig said behind him. “A little anger problem there?”
Toby felt embarrassed. He took a deep breath and turned to Craig.
“No, there’s just a lot going on right now,” Toby said, trying to sound normal.
“Well, there is a party this weekend. It’s going to be huge.”
“Sounds like everyone knows about it,” Toby said walking beside Craig. “Sounds like a party that might not be good to go to”
Craig stopped in the middle of the hallway. “What’s the matter with you?” The question stung Toby like a bee, and he drew in a deep breath wishing he had an answer.
“Aren’t all parties good? We won’t get caught. The cops right now are more concerned with the body they found last night.”
“Do they know anything about it?” Toby stopped turning to Craig. “Who was it?”
“Geeze, back up.” Craig took a step back. “I don’t know who it was. Some jogger or walker out by themselves. I don’t know. Look, all I know is that it’s a perfect time to have a little fun.”
“Fun if you want to risk being the next one,” Toby said, turning from him.
“They think it’s an animal attack, and we’ll have a fire. Animals don’t like fire.” Toby just looked at him. “Ah, come on. The only animal that’ll be there is party animals.”
“That’s really lame.” Toby replied going into the math room.
“So, you’re coming right?”
“You will probably come and get me anyhow.”
“Great.”
Toby knew it was more than likely a bad idea to go and he knew he had to lie to his parents that he would be going to the movies with Megan. Craig was persistent, and if anything should happen, he felt like he should be there for Craig, who had the mentality of an eight-year-old at times.
Toby sat in his seat, and looked over at Lyssa’s empty desk. He wondered what happened to her. Was she alright? Suddenly, he heard his name being called.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t hear the question.” Everyone began to look at him and laugh.
The teacher looked at him over his glasses. “I am calling role call and was just asking if you were here. Should I put here or not here?”
“Here,” Toby said, as his skin burned with embarrassment.
Toby drew in a deep breath thinking he had to get a grip on himself or he would be going crazy.
“Lyssa.” The teacher said. “Lyssa Cleverthorn.”
“She isn’t here today or the rest of the week. She’s visiting family.” Some girl who worked in the office promptly said. Toby let out a sigh of relief.
Lyssa was just visiting family and was safe. But something didn’t feel right. He looked over at her desk and in the pit of his stomach he felt something was wrong.
When Toby got home he sat in his room looking at his phone. He should call Megan and see if she was alright, but he wanted to call Lyssa first.
Placing the phone to his ear he let it ring until it went to her voice mail. He hung up. He then sent her a text just to call him. Toby wanted to explain himself, and hoped Lyssa would respond and wasn’t too mad at him. He then called Megan.
“Hello.” Her voice beamed on the other end.
“Megan?” Toby questioned the voice.
“Yes, it’s me.”
“I…I was just calling to see if you were alright.”
“Yes, I’m fine.” Her voice then became muffled. “It’s the one I was telling you about.” Someone was there with her and he wondered who it was.
“Look, if you’re busy I can call later.” Toby tried to get out of the awkward conversation.
“No!” Megan’s voice burst back on the phone. “I’m just visiting family right now, and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”
Megan was visiting family too. Toby was thoroughly confused about Megan and Lyssa both visiting family.
“Toby?” Megan’s voice broke the silence. “Are you still there?”
“Yeah, sorry,” Toby said trying to sound normal. Megan was always good at detecting the smallest amount of uncertainty, and he didn’t feel like getting into it with her right now.
“I really wanted to call and say that I should’ve told you about Lyssa.”
“You already told me that at the party after the dance.” Megan’s voice didn’t even have a tinge of venom in it. “Don’t you remember or did the make-up sex make you forget?” Megan’s remark was followed by a collaboration of giggles that faded after the sound of a door shutting.
“Look, I have got to go,” Megan said quietly. “I will be back for you at the end of the week. Love you.”
The phone clicked with Toby still holding it to his ear. Toby was on an amusement ride that seemed to never end. He must have gone back to the dance and a party with Megan. He still had no memory of it.
Toby hung up the phone. He had to do something because just sitting here wasn’t getting him anywhere. Maybe a ride would help clear or jog his memory.
Getting into his truck, he drove around the block and then went straight for a while. He mindlessly drove along until he reached Peach Orchard Lane. Lyssa’s street. He looked down the shadowed lane and then turned on his right turn signal stirring a cloud of dust behind him.
Eli
Told to keep quiet, Eli listened even though he didn’t like to be told what to do especially by some young inexperienced Fae. The tunnel was fairly straight and uncluttered. They were not in some drainage tile, but more like an escape tunnel.
The tunnel opened up to darkness. Eli couldn’t see anything, but smelled the moist air and the sound of frogs croaking in the distance.
“Watch your step and stay close to the edge,” the girl said as the boy followed behind Eli.
“Where are we?’ Eli’s questioned got answered by a face full of water and mud, then a jolt backwards with the boy’s hand grasping his shirt collar.
“What are you trying to do? Get us found?” He scolded Eli like a child.
Eli, even in the darkness, glared at him. “If you would give me a little warning or at least tell me where we are going maybe mishaps like this wouldn’t happen.”
“Stay close to the edge and shut up. The more talking you do the more likely we’ll be discovered until we reach the edge of Shimmerick Forest. Is that enough information for you?” The girl hissed through the darkness.
“Yes,” Eli replied, squeezing the water from his cape as he felt for the book that was to his relief, still secure in his pocket.
The marshy ground was damp with the smell of stagnate water that gradually sloped upward to a barren scrub area. Eli saw the tall, glass buildings standing like sculptured icicles in the distance. He always thought Avalon took on another persona at night. Its magic came to life like a fairy world the Etherlings made it to be where flowers grow perfectly in an eternal summer that would never see the greyness of winter.
It was evenings like this he and Lil would go on walks hand in hand. Eli had never let anyone in his life like her and would have never bought the ring to seal their love if he knew what was to happen.
“Where’s Lil at anyhow?” Eli blurted out.
“Quiet.” The girl whispered over her shoulder.
The forests edge was more like a wall of thick needled trees. It towered over the landscape like a looming shadow of fear, enchantment, and to Eli a good hiding spot.
Following a small trickling stream for what seemed like hours, they stopped in front of a small clearing with a tiny cabin that didn’t look much bigger than an outhouse. Huddling together, the girl opened the door and went in followed by Eli and then the boy. Inside was just as dark if not darker than outside.
Suddenly, a burst of light penetrated from the dirt floor with a large head popping out of it. Eli scrambled for his dagger pushing the girl out of his way. With all of his agility and strength, he lunged towards the shadowy figure just as a large hand caught his swinging arm.
“Don’t!” The girl screamed. “He is one of us!”
Eli froze looking at the extremely large Fae. He released the iron grip he had on Eli’s wrist and grinned. The light radiating from the hole he stood in that illuminated the small cabin.
“Don’t worry Lizzi, he didn’t even scratch me.” His laugh echoed like a drum inside of Eli.
Eli gazed at only half of the large Fae before him. His face was round and even the features were rounded, not like the angled ones of a normal Fae. His rosy cheeks looked like they could pop if a pin pricked them. Eli knew by his size and appearance, he was no Fae, but a Giant.
“Hurry, all of you, or we’ll have to seal this entrance as well.” The Giant slowly descended taking the light with him.
Lizzi, now Eli knew at least one of their names, let him go first into the tunnel barely large enough for the Giant to pass through.
They walked in silence following the lantern that hung from the Giant’s thick fingers. The only noise in the tunnel was that of the Giant’s footsteps. Faes are naturally much lighter making hardly, if any, noise at all. For what seemed like miles that they had gone, Eli wondered where they were going. He almost stopped and demanded more of an explanation, Eli wasn’t sure of any of this, but it was too late to turn back now.
The dirt and timber-lined tunnel finally ended with a small staircase of several rock steps that opened to a clearing. The air was fresh and moist with tiny droplets of moisture that collected on Eli’s face and hair.
“Good to be home again?” The Giant asked stretching his enormous body from the confinement of the tunnel.
“Yes,” Lizzi replied.
“Where are we?” Eli asked.
“Arrinia,” a voice replied from the darkness. “Or actually close to it.”
Eli turned towards it. Was he dreaming or was she in his presence? A million emotions ran through him. He wanted to scream at her for letting him get caught, scream at her for not contacting him and kiss her so hard and long to cure the wound she had made when she left.
“Lil?” Eli asked second guessing his eyesight.
“Yes.” Her thin pink lips curled upward.
Lil was just how he remembered her. Her long red gold hair framing a perfectly oval face with creamy skin dotted with small freckles and green eyes wild like uncut gems.
“Only, I go by the name of Zoey now.” She stepped closer to him. “I had to change my name when I went into hiding.”
Eli felt everything dissolve around him. The only thing that existed to him right now was her.
“Zoey.” Eli repeated her name. “That is an Etherling name, isn’t it?”
Zoey laughed at him. “Yes, but it is just a name.” Her eyes met with his, mingling together in unspoken words. “We can’t stay here.”
“Where are we to go then?” Eli’s words were trance like.
Chuckling broke Zoey’s spell, and Eli remembered where he was, and what he was trying to do. He stepped away from Zoey, but not taking his eyes from her.
“I don’t know where you want to go, but I am going in there to get something to eat,” the boy Fae said, motioning with his thumb behind him. “Elijah, what Giant recipe did you make tonight?” He asked as he walked away.
“I’m sorry,” Zoey started to say.
“No, it isn’t your fault, it was me,” Eli started to say as Zoey gave him a confused look.
“I was going to say sorry for not introducing everyone and giving you a better explanation. I am glad you came here so willingly to help with the Rebels.”
“Rebels?” Eli shook his head. “And I didn’t come here willingly, unless having a dagger stuck in your side and commanded by children is your definition of willingness.”
Zoey looked at him for a moment that way when she was going to tell him something important and then try to get him to do the dirty work. It was the same look that seemed to reach into his very soul and touch it. He wasn’t going to let it happen again. Last time he went to prison while Zoey ran free.
“No, I’m not doing anything, and I don’t have anything to offer. Last time I was involved in one of your schemes it cost me too much.” Eli turned away as the others had left, their voices trailing off in the distance.
“I know, and I didn’t mean for that to happen.” She gently touched him on the arm. Eli jerked away.
“Don’t Lil or Zoey—whatever you want to call yourself.” Eli turned to her. “I am not helping you or anyone associated with you. I am acting on my own and leaving before I get involved into something I wished I didn’t.”
Zoey stood motionless as Eli turned from her. With one foot in front of the other, he walked away from her. Zoey was like a sweet poison to him. He wanted her badly, but knew she would only destroy him if he stayed. Eli never looked back walking farther and farther away until he saw the entrance to the tunnel.
Closing his eyes for only a second, Eli suddenly ran into something hard knocking him to the ground.
“If Zoey wishes for you to stay, then you will.” Elijah the Giant grasped Eli by the collar holding him at his eye level.
“Put me down you mutated Fae!” Eli growled with his feet dangling in midair.
“You leave me no choice.” The Giant let out a yell through his clenched teeth thrusting his head backward and looked Eli in the eye.
Elijah’s forehead met his with a thud followed by a ringing that ran through Eli before his thoughts faded to nothingness.
Lyssa
Rays of sunlight pierced through the early morning clouds. Deravon’s movements were light and quick. Lyssa watched him walk in front of her down a garden path that led to a fire pit area. The air was crisp with a gentle breeze that sent a chill through her thin nightgown.
Deravon stopped, and looked back at her with his eyes that nearly matched the cool blue autumn sky. A golden shower of maple leaves fell behind him like a curtain. The wooded area was secluded and now suddenly to Lyssa, it took on an enchanted feel.
“I am going to have to make this quick.” Deravon’s eyes darted around gazing through the gold and orange trees. “First of all, Lyssa, I want to ask you if you trust me.”
Daravon’s eyes were steadily gazing into hers. Lyssa looked up at him. She hardly knew him, and wasn’t sure if she should trust him. He did save her from Cinnia, and knew Zoey. Something about him, in his voice and his eyes, held a sincere quality to it.
“I trust you,” Lyssa finally replied.
Deravon smiled pulling her closer. “Did Zoey tell you anything at all?”
“Nothing about any of this.” Lyssa waved her hand through the air.
“I didn’t think she would.” Deravon drew in a deep breath. “Lyssa you are in danger here. When I rescued you from Cinnia, I wasn’t planning on Sean and Gwen showing up. I had no choice but to comply with them. I was on my way to the Fae world when they showed up.” Deavon rolled his eyes quickly. “Anyhow, I had to move to plan B.”
A twig snapping under the weight of a footstep stopped their conversation. Deravon studied the landscape with his darting, blue eyes. Lyssa didn’t care who heard, she hungered for more information.
“What is plan “B”?” Lyssa asked.
Deravon only shoved her behind him pulling something out from under his heavy silver studded cape. “Someone is here and coming closer.”
“Lyssa! Deravon!” Sean’s voice echoed through the golden wood.
“Over here!” Lyssa replied with a scowl look from Deravon. Realizing too late that what he had to say didn’t involve Sean, Lyssa bit her lip.
“Ah, there you guys are. What are you doing down here anyhow?”
“After Gwen went upstairs, Lyssa was upset and ran out here. I followed her and was just about to bring her back.”
“Lyssa you shouldn’t have come out here. Not only is it cold, but there are dangers that you’re not aware of.”
Lyssa was guided by Sean with Deravon behind. She felt his stare on her sending shivers down her spine. She didn’t know why Deravon lied to Sean. Lyssa wasn’t sure if Deravon was as sincere as the way he sounded. Sean and Gwen she had known all her life and trust was never a question until now. Everything seemed to shift like unstable ground ready to shake at any moment.
Sean shut the back door behind him and locked it. They followed him into the living room where he had a tray of tea and pastries waiting for them. Lyssa felt like pins were pricking her skin. She wanted to know what was going on and she wanted to know now.
“Sean, tell me what is going on,” Lyssa said sitting across the living room from him. “You and Gwen are my family besides my dad… you are all that I have. It would’ve been nice to know.” Lyssa let her words ring with a dash of anger.
“I know and believe me, Gwen wanted to so many times, but it was not your mother’s wishes and besides, would you love us any more if you did? And we would still care about you the same.”
Lyssa drew in a deep breath as she curled her legs under the long nightgown.
“We are asking a lot of you to understand why we did what we did and for now believe in us as you always have.”
Lyssa gazed as Sean for a moment. He looked strong and gentle as he always had. Their secret stung Lyssa even though she understood their intentions. She couldn’t get over that—it simply wasn’t fair.
“I understand,” Lyssa finally said with a smile from Sean.
Sean then turned his attention to Deravon.
“First of all, Deravon.” His voice had an unfamiliar coldness to it. “Are you with the Rebels?”
Deravon sat straight in his chair. His eyes sparkled in the flickering light that danced through the leaves of the trees and to the living room floor. He smiled not disturbed by Sean’s comment.
“Even in exile you know about the Rebels?” Deravon shifted in his chair.
“Don’t answer a question with a question.” Sean’s eyes never blinked or left Deravon. “I would let you go, but now
that you know about Lyssa, you can’t. I don’t know your purpose here and I am not concerned with it right now.” Sean leaned forward slightly, his eyes studying Deravon. “But, I can tell you are not hostile. I am not totally sure of your intentions yet.”
“You can Sehr.” Deravon smiled.
“What?” Lyssa chimed in. Deravon and Sean looked at her the same time.
“Lyssa, it’s hard to explain.” Sean ran his fingers through his hair. “You see your mother...”
“Your mother was a good Fae. She was strong, beautiful and courageous.” Gwen voice echoed behind Lyssa. “She loved you so much she gave her life for you.”
Gwen’s eyes were focused solely on Lyssa. Her eyes were like a kaleidoscope of topaz drawing Lyssa in and dissolving everything around her.
“Your mother actually saved your father. She was a patrolling sentry that is kind of like a police officer. Thomas your father was held captive with many other Etherlings by some Fae who kidnapped them from the Etherworld for her own amusement.” Gwen stepped closer until she was sitting beside her. “Kearlyn had a big heart, sometimes too big. They say love is rarely at first sight, but they never say never at first sight. I had never seen such a love before, and before I knew it, I was trying to help her. Your father had no family or any relations, and Kearlyn had her heart broken so many times, it was just good to see her smile and laugh again. Just as the process to make Thomas a citizen of Fae, things drastically changed. The council that had justly ruled for years was dissolving. A new power was rising. Behind it were the Muse brothers.” Gwen’s voice rang with coldness when she spoke their name.
“Kearlyn had associations with the Muses’. She was once the girlfriend of the oldest brother, Orzan. His charm was poisonous. It draws you in and then tries to kill you. He still wanted Kearlyn and to save Thomas, Kearlyn agreed to live with Orzan. We decided to flee our world and come here.” Gwen sat back slightly. “You see Lyssa, we are the heirs of Livianna the last of the winged Fae. She ruled the Faes for a long time, nurturing every living thing. Her eyes had no hate and embraced all the races that resided in her lands. She had true peace, until her time came to pass. She left her wisdom for her ancestors to follow making her law live forever. Only it died, and we would have too if we didn’t escape here. Sean and I came here first. We desperately tried to get Kearlyn here. She barely escaped the Muses’, and when she did, she had you in her arms. Thomas was already living with us, and we thought we had the perfect family, until the fire claimed her.” Gwen’s eyes dropped, gazing blankly at the floor. “The Muses’ could have let her go, but they didn’t.”
Gwen, even though her makeup, looked pale and weathered. “They want revenge Lyssa. That is why they took your father. The Muses’ are spiteful, hateful Faes that love nothing more than to use us as game pieces.”
Lyssa didn’t know what to ask or say. Gwen gazed out the window watching the swaying trees and flickering light that danced on the ground like twinkling stars. She looked distant, lost and weary. She wanted to ask hundreds of questions. Everything Lyssa thought that was safe and predictable had suddenly shifted into the unimaginable.
“What about my father? The Muses’ have him. How are we going to get him back?” Lyssa turned to Sean who sat looking calmly at her.
“Lyssa, I don’t want you to worry. We still have connections and have already started trying to get him back.” Sean gave an encouraging smile.
Lyssa leaned back on the couch. “I am worried Sean.”
“I know everything is hard to believe especially since this came out of the blue for you.” Sean leaned forward, his eyes unblinking, and extending his hand to her knee. “Trust me, Lyssa, as you did when you were a little girl. We will get your father back.”
Lyssa felt somehow comforted by his words. She believed him without any doubts in her mind. Sean’s promise was good enough without any question.
Laying her head down on the soft pillow, her eyes settled on Deravon in front of her. He smiled slightly at her with his jewel-like eyes sparkling at her with daringness. Holding a white mug in front of him, he took a small sip before setting it on the coffee table. His eyes never left her. Taking several spoons of sugar he vigorously stirred his tea.
“Do you need any more sugar there, Deravon?” Sean asked taking notice.
“No, I do believe there is enough to go with your story.”
Sean gave him a confused look, but Lyssa knew what Deravon meant. What she was just told was only half there and possibly twisted. Lyssa looked at Deravon, who looked amused by the whole thing. Lyssa felt sick.
Gwen and Sean would never lie to her. She had known them forever. But was that enough to believe in what they were saying? Especially after finding out they kept their true identity from her.
Lyssa closed her eyes wishing everything was normal when she woke up, but she knew it wouldn’t.
Toby
The sky looked like a blaze of oranges and reds behind Lyssa’s house that sat quietly in the approaching darkness. Toby didn’t get out of his truck, only looked at the house wishing Lyssa was home. He felt bad for the other night at the dance. He had never felt this way for a girl before. Why suddenly had he now?
Toby drew in a deep breath letting it out slowly as he rested his head on the steering wheel. He couldn’t get Lyssa out of his thoughts. Something felt wedged inside of him, like a splinter he had to get out. Lyssa wasn’t visiting family, Toby could sense it. Why he could, he didn’t know.
“Toby.” A woman’s voice broke his thoughts.
Toby looked up to see a figure move quickly from the sidewalk towards his truck. She looked familiar to him as she came closer. Though faint shadows concealed her features, he saw her red gold hair flowing around her smiling face.
“Zoey?” Toby rolled down his window.
“Yes, you remember me.” She smiled warmly at him standing beside his window. “What are you doing here?” She asked with a tilt of her head.
“I, umm…” Toby couldn’t say why he was there because he really didn’t know either. “I was just dropping off Lyssa’s homework. She is visiting family you know.”
Zoey’s smile suddenly dropped, and for a split second, a look of concern took the place of her smile.
“How are you leaving homework to Lyssa? Do you have a key to get in?” Zoey had an almost hard look to her.
“I, uh,” Toby stuttered, and tried to think of an explanation. “They have someone watching the house, and I was hoping they would be here so I could get in and leave an assignment that she didn’t get.” He thought that was a solid excuse.
“Who’s watching the house?”
Toby looked at the house then back at Zoey. “I believe Mr. Johnson is.”
Zoey stared at him crossing her arms in a judging way. “You aren’t here to drop off homework. You are here to see if she was home. Like me you have no idea where she is at and I can tell you, she isn’t visiting family,” Zoey said taking a step closer.
Toby opened his mouth, but no words came out. How Zoey figured his true intentions out, he didn’t know. “You’re right. I don’t have any homework for her and I really have no idea where she is at except that I was told she is visiting family.”
“But it doesn’t feel right does it?” Zoey whispered.
“No.” Toby replied feeling like he was going crazy.
“Toby, you are going to think I’m crazy, but if you want Lyssa to be alright you have to do as I ask.”
Toby looked at her. She looked on the brink of desperation. “What do you want me to do?”
Zoey smiled as she got into his truck and directed him to the highway which led to the interstate. Toby drove numbly down the now darkened road; his headlights pierced the darkness like a knife as he wondered where they were going. He should turn around, go home, and forget about all of this. But something kept pressing in him to keep
going. He didn’t want to listen to it anymore.
Slamming on the brakes, he stopped in the middle of the highway with horn-blaring cars going around him and cursing at his reckless action.
“Tell me now what the hell is going on! I think I have a right to know!”
Zoey looked at him with soft eyes.
“You’re right, but first pull over to the side of the road.”
Toby moved out of traffic waiting for Zoey to speak.
“First of all, I’m sure you’ve noticed some strong feelings for Lyssa and maybe a little premonition as to when she is in danger,” Zoey said as headlights flashed by them.
Toby thought of everything from the Camp Westfield to the Halloween dance. “Yes.”
“It is easy to explain, but hard for you to understand. You’re going to think I am crazy as well, but that is far from the truth.” Zoey paused gazing at him for a moment. “It was a spell that I put on you and I am not from this world but from a hidden world called Fae. Your world, the Etherworld, was sealed from Fae a long time ago because of the Etherlings or Human’s misuse of magical implements. I saved a piece of that raw magic called Everspell to keep it out of evil’s hands, and in desperation, I hid it inside of Lyssa. Lyssa is a Fae as well, and I had no choice but to use you as her protector while I was away. She likes you Toby.” Zoey paused for only a moment. “That is why I chose you for the spell to protect her. I know you had visions when she was in danger and saved her. Even before Lyssa had a crush on you, by the way don’t tell her I told you, I could see something in you that had been buried for generations.”
Toby ran his fingers through his hair. What Zoey said was insane, but what his gut told him was another story. Everything she said made sense. A wave of relief swept over him, but for only a moment. At least what he experienced had an explanation, but it was an extraordinary one at that.
He peered out the windshield with both hands on the steering wheel. The oncoming headlights filled his vision one after another. He knew he should go back to Briarwood, drop Zoey off and return to his normal life. Placing his hands on the gear shift he started to put it into gear when Zoey quickly placed her hand on his.
“I know deep down you believe me, but your mind is telling you different, and it should, but this is real Toby and if you let me I will prove it to you.” Toby’s eyes met with hers. “For Lyssa’s sake if nothing else.”
A pang of concern for her ran through him. He knew he couldn’t bear not knowing what had happened to her and if he was the cause of her getting hurt, Toby would never forgive himself.
“Fine, show me,” he said gazing at Zoey.
She smiled slightly and motioned for his arm. He wondered what she was doing and then prompted again. Slowly he pulled it out and faced her.
“No your right one.” Toby gave her his other arm.
“What are you doing?” Toby was uncertain what Zoey was doing.
“Trust me.” Zoey looked up at him with her steady eyes.
Rolling up the sleeve she examined his skin rubbing it with thumbs. Toby always thought Zoey looked delicate, but her grip said otherwise. She dug in with her thumbs moving his skin and flesh in circular motions as if trying to reach his bone. He should pull away and tell her she is crazy, until he felt something inside of him squirming to get out. Toby flinched as she gave a hard press.
“Sorry.” She looked up at him for only a moment.
Suddenly, he felt something pull from his flesh kind of like a long hair stuck on the back of your tongue and when you finally pull it out, it makes you gag. Too surprised to even say anything, he watched Zoey pull something black and slimy from his arm. She held it up pinching it between her fingers. It looked like a fat leech.
“It seems you have infestation of someone else’s spells.”
“Infestation?” Toby said, suddenly feeling light head and nauseated.
“Toby, are you alright.” Zoey looked concern.
“Yes, fine.” Toby replied as he felt his head hit the steering wheel.
People of Fae Page 9