by Brenda Trim
I felt Sebastian’s anger over this before I heard his growl. Ignoring that, I focused on my goal of getting home. “Did you guys find Ben and Bailey?”
Bas shook his head at the same time his forehead furrowed. “Not yet. It hasn’t been more than thirty minutes since you left her house.”
“Thank God. Hey, if you came through the portal we can return now.” I started walking as if I knew where I was going. Argiess grabbed hold of my hand and pulled me to a stop. Sebastian folded his arms over his chest. It would have been nice to have two hot guys vying for my attention, but I was too anxious to really appreciate it fully. I yanked my hand free.
Sebastian’s mouth twitched at the edges, telling me he was fighting a grin. Anytime I managed to earn a smile from him was a miracle. He wasn’t one to show much mirth, let alone feel it. “No, Fi. We can’t get close right now. I cast an invisibility spell before I crossed. I got lucky and landed between some soldiers. Wood nymphs created a distraction across the clearing from me. It’s the only reason I managed to get out of the middle of that mess. Without their help I never would have reached you.”
My heart sank to my feet. “What are we going to do?”
“We need to get Vodor to move the soldiers away from that area,” Bas announced.
I bobbed my head. “Okay, but how? I don’t see a way to make that happen.”
Argiess ran a hand along the back of his neck. “It’ll have to be something big. In a location the King would never risk you getting a foothold.”
Sebastian was nodding his head in agreement. “Precisely what I was thinking. We need to go to Midshield and stage an attack.”
A huge smile spread over Argiess’s face. “Brilliant.”
My head swiveled back and forth between them. “Where’s Midshield?”
Sebastian smiled at me. “Where the King and Queen live.”
“What?!” I screeched.
Bas scooped me up and swung me around. “Don’t worry, Butterfly. We’ll never be seen. I know the tunnel system like the back of my hand.”
“Wonderful. What are we waiting for? Let’s go.” I shook my head as I wondered why I trusted him with my life. It was the height of insanity to head into the lion’s den like he was suggesting, but I wasn’t backing down now.
My best friend was counting on me and I refused to let her down.
Chapter 10
Wiping the sweat beading on my brow with the back of my hand, I want a hole to open up and swallow me whole. It was beyond embarrassing to be standing there panting like a dog while perspiring like a pig while two of the best-looking men I’d ever laid eyes on watched.
Movement in the city before us distracted me from my ridiculous plight. The three of us were standing in an alley close to the edge where the forest met the brick and stone of the buildings. And to my surprise it smelled like every alleyway I’d ever encountered on Earth.
For some reason I didn’t expect to find the cesspool of urine, decay and mold anywhere in Eidothea. The place had a dark edge to it, but it was clean and free of pollution.
In the distance three soldiers were dragging a dwarf from his house or his shop. I couldn’t tell what the symbol on the window meant. I thought it was something about jewelry but couldn’t be sure.
I gasped and rubbed my eyes. “I think my vision is getting better. Is that possible? Never mind, that was a dumb question. Of course, it isn’t. Shit only goes downhill with age.”
Sebastian closed the distance between us and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “You’re thinking in human terms. Remember what I said?”
I lifted one shoulder. There were things I couldn’t believe no matter how much I wanted to. “It doesn’t seem possible.”
“Set aside your fear of not regaining your youth. You’re perfect the way you are. But I do suspect you will see many differences in the months to come. Your magic was suppressed most of your life so it couldn’t inhibit your aging process. Now that you’re coming into your power you will find it halting. I’m just not sure how much can be reversed.” Bas took a step back, shattering the moment.
I took a deep breath and turned back to the hustle and bustle. “You’re right. I was surprised by being able to see the rune on the window behind those soldiers that were harassing the dwarf. We’re here in Midshield, where do we go now?”
Argiess stepped up beside Sebastian while scanning the area behind us. “We need to find our way into the tunnels. From there we will travel to the other side of the city where you can cast a spell to get the soldier’s attention.”
Bas shook his head. “The best option is to travel around to Steelgate where we enter the hidden areas. It’s the only way we can be sure they won’t be able to detect her.”
I cocked my head. “Not even if Vodor casts that seeking spell or whatever it was?”
Sebastian was in Argiess’s face in an instant. “You allowed her to be tagged by one of his spells?”
Argiess pushed Bas’s chest, but he didn’t move so much as a muscle. “I protected her and ensured she wasn’t detected. I also gave her a safe place to sleep last night.”
I got in between them. “This isn’t helping anything. We have shit to do so if you’re done measuring your dicks, I’d like to get to Steelgate and move our plan along.”
With a glower, Sebastian grabbed my hand and took off away from the city. I heard Argiess following us. The second we stepped into the forest, it felt like a weight lifted from my shoulders.
At first, I assumed it was me releasing the fear of being caught, but I realized it was so much more than that. There was a vampiric shadow over the city. One that sucked the life right out of you. It was that drain that had been weighing on me.
“Have you spoken to your parents since you returned?” Argiess’s voice startled me. We’d been walking in silence and I had been so wrapped up in trying to follow the threads of the magic.
Beside me, tension radiated from Bas in hot waves. “No. I haven’t.”
I tilted my head and looked up at him. “Where are your parents? How long has it been since you’ve spoken to them?”
He squeezed my fingers then let my hand go. I hadn’t meant to offend him and was about to ask more but decided to keep my mouth closed. The fastest way to get someone to open up was to remain silent. Often times they answered your questions just to end an awkward silence.
Sebastian kicked a rock that went sailing through the forest. “My family lives in the Underground of Steelgate and I haven’t spoken to them in nearly seventy years.”
“Can I point out that it’s been far longer here given the difference in how time moves here,” Argiess interjected.
Bas growled low in his throat. The sound was terrifying and made me think of him ripping the dragon to shreds. There was more to this story than I was aware, but I wasn’t going to push Bas for more until he was ready.
“Sounds like you’re going to get to see and talk to them now. Is there anything you want to warn me about before I get tossed in the deep end?” I stooped to pick a bright purple flower from the ground after asking him to avoid the desire to make eye contact with him.
I was surprised at how silky soft the stem and petals were when I broke it from the plant. When I held it below my nose and inhaled deeply, I noted the sweet scent had some spicy notes as well.
“My father is angry that I left the realm. My brother hates me, and I’m not sure about my mom or sister,” Sebastian admitted.
I twirled the flower between my fingertips trying not to get sucked into fixing Bas’s family problems. It was one of my weaknesses. I always jumped into situations where I wasn’t necessarily wanted. I wouldn’t say a thing when we arrived, but I couldn’t leave it entirely alone.
“Family rarely understands the reasons we make the decisions we do, even when it’s not their job. And worst yet, they don’t bother taking the time to find out. I don’t know what happened between you and them, but know their feelings come from a place of love, rega
rdless of how misplaced it is. The least you can do for them is to acknowledge that. The fact that you are able to see them, and you have a second chance to make things right between you guys is a huge blessing. Believe me when they’re no longer there to talk to you your history weighs heavily on you.” My heart ached for Bas as I tried to get him to see things from a different perspective. I only hoped he didn’t think I was being too pushy. Tim always thought I lectured him when I was impassioned about something like this.
Sebastian turned his head and the look in his eyes was filled with emotions that went far beyond his grouchy demeanor. My spine tingled with awareness as his gaze lingered. “Are you hungry?” I wasn’t surprised that he didn’t respond to my diatribe. He would have to work through it on his own.
Going with his shift in topic, I wondered if his question held a hidden meaning. My mind certainly thought so. And to my surprise my body was completely on board with stripping the sexy Fae naked and having my way with him. The large dragon tromping along with us put a damper on the moment and made it easy to yank my mind out of the gutter.
“I’m okay for now. I’m not so sure about the food here. I had a salad this morning that was delicious, but the food Argiess and Danalise gave me last night was awful.”
“She didn’t care for the dewberries or the fried orc,” Argiess interjected. “And, she wouldn’t try any of the other fruit.”
Sebastian chuckled. “I can see why you didn’t like the fruit, but orc is kinda like chicken. If it’s under or over cooked, you won’t like it. With the right seasonings you won’t be able to tell the difference. We’ll eat at the pub Underground. It has the best stew.”
Argiess made a noise in the back of his mouth. “If you’re done making a date, we’re here.”
Bas glared at the dragon then turned to a large boulder and shifted it to the side. A dark opening was revealed that made my pulse jump. Vibrant energy along with too many scents to identify greeted me as we crossed the threshold. Argiess replaced the boulder, taking most of the light as he did.
It took several seconds for my eyes to adjust. When they did, I saw we were in a hall. Noise came from the opposite end where I could see the tunnel opened up. I followed next to Bas as we headed down the slope to the main part of the cavern.
Within seconds we were standing in an arch leading to a bustling city. I wouldn’t have imagined it even existed. The feel down here was so different than on the surface. There was nothing suffocating me. And I could feel the various energies surrounding me. It was invigorating.
We were in the middle of a large cave, complete with stalactites coming from the ceiling. It seemed as if they’d removed the stalagmites so they could build their city. There was a mass of two- and three-story buildings in front of us. And there were hundreds of Fae bustling about.
The lighting was provided by massive torches along the stone streets. I could see passages branching off in a half a dozen places around the massive area. Seriously, it was easily more than three football fields combined.
What struck me first was the fact that the negative energy from the surface didn’t touch me at all here. It was as if there was a shield all around the Underground. The second was the harmony I sensed in the atmosphere. They lived in relative peace with one another.
“The potion is wearing off. We don’t have time for dinner, unless you want her to be discovered,” Argiess announced.
“Shit.” My hands started shaking and my stomach twisted into knots. “We need to hurry.”
Sebastian shook his head while he started walking to our left. “I’ll find my mom. She will have something to shield your identity until we can get to the portal.”
“Is that wise? I don’t want to risk being stuck here any longer. Violet needs us. Ben and Bailey need us.”
Bas grabbed my hand when I stopped walking. I was left with the choice of being dragged by him or moving, so I started walking as well. “You will be discovered the second we step foot in Midshield. We need her help.”
Argiess was cursing behind us while Sebastian continued into the middle of the city. The buildings weren’t very tall, but there were a lot of them. Some had shops on the lower level and homes on the top while others were homes on both levels. And they all blended together.
He stopped outside one of the residential buildings and stood there looking up at the façade. The door opened and a woman stepped outside. “Bastian?”
Sebastian’s gaze lowered and his lips thinned. A pained look crossed his face before he tried to smooth it out. “Mother. How are you?”
Two men joined her before she could respond. “What are you doing here?”
“Father. Teagan.” Teagan had to be his brother. He looked like their father where Bas looked more like his mother.
Argiess stepped forward. “Kelvhan, Eliyen. Good to see you again. We’re here to get Fiona home. She’s the hybrid that injured Thelvienne. The King is hunting her, and she needs to return to her realm.”
I swallowed as their gazes shifted to me. “I imagine the last thing you want to do is help me, but I have to return and stop whatever is killing Fae in my town. Well, after I rescue my best friend’s children. I plan on returning to help overthrow Vodor after Earth is stabilized.”
Eliyen, Bas’s mom, hurried down the steps and wrapped her arms around her son. “I’ve missed you.” He hugged her back and held her tightly.
When his mom let him go, she remained close to them. “Now, tell me what your plan is.”
Sebastian quickly told them what their next steps were while I clasped my necklace and worried it between my fingers. His parents shared a glance before his father joined them. Teagan remained on the porch of their house.
“You aren’t heading into Midshield. We will handle that step. You need to go straight to the portal. The opening will be brief, so you will have to act fast,” Zelvhan, his father informed them.
I pursed my lips. “How are we going to do that?”
The look his father shot my way bordered on disgust. “We’re the leaders of the Underground because we have more power than most.”
“Stop it, Zel. She doesn’t understand our world. I am going to replicate your power Fiona and deploy it like a bomb in the middle of Midshield while you and my son race to the portal.”
I gaped at Eliyen. “You can do that?”
Her head bobbed up and down. “I can.”
“But you won’t be able to cast a spell to hide Fiona, as well,” Sebastian interjected. He rubbed the back of his neck and lowered his head for several seconds. “It’s the best solution and will get us there hours faster.”
Eliyen extended her hands. “Then let’s get started.”
I smiled at her and clasped her hands. The second we touched, my skin tingled, and my heart started racing. The electrical current I associated with magic raced over me. Something in my chest unfurled and opened to meet the power surrounding me. Blue light enclosed the two of us for several seconds before she released me and took a step back.
“Will you come back with her?” Kelvhan directed his question to Sebastian who seemed to be in pain.
He gave his father a clipped nod before twining his fingers with mine. “I won’t let her return on her own. We need to leave.”
His mother hugged him one more time. He didn’t let go of me, so I was close enough to hear her shuddering breaths. I wasn’t surprised to see her face shining with tears when they parted.
“Tell Chasianna I said hi and I will see her when we return.” Sebastian inclined his head in his father and brother’s direction, but they remained silent.
Argiess was in motion before we were. I had assumed he was returning home, but Bas moved to follow him, proving I was wrong. We hurried through the Underground and traveled through a different passage than the one we entered.
Sebastian paused at the stone blocking our exit. I took a moment to see if I could sense the negative energy and was surprised when I couldn’t pick up the slightest tendr
il. Whatever seal they had down there it was airtight.
“We have to move fast as soon as I open the door,” Bas told her.
“How do we know when to go?” Right as I asked that dirt sprinkled from the ceiling onto our heads. Was that from a mass exodus of soldiers above us?
I never got a chance to ask that as Argiess shoved the stone aside and Bas was running through the doorway into the forest. He still had hold of my hand and was pulling me with him. I yanked my hand free and managed to extricate myself without falling.
Argiess was beside me a second later. The pounding of hooves could be heard nearby as we ran. I couldn’t tell where anything was. We could be headed right for the guards for all I knew. I trusted Argiess and Sebastian to get us to safety or I would have stopped moving long enough to get my bearings.
Movement near the trees caught my eye and I noticed wood nymphs joining us along with brownies and other creatures as we ran. It was unreal to be running in the Fae realm alongside so many different beings.
I could see the clearing up ahead but couldn’t tell if soldiers were still there. Sebastian barreled right through the tree line and into the open. I continued running until I saw him fighting with several guards. I stopped so suddenly that Argiess ran into my back and knocked me down.
He tripped over my prone body and joined me on the ground. I pushed my upper body up, but before I was able to get to my feet a foot connected with the side of my head. I went flying to the left as pain exploded inside my skull.
I tried to fire off a spell to combat the soldiers coming at me, but nothing happened. The power I’d felt buzzing through my veins seemed to go dormant. Now?! You choose now to go on the fritz? As my mind raced and my breaths turned choppy, I scolded myself.
Keep it together Shakleton. Mind over magic. Slowing my breaths, I reminded myself I was the most powerful witch in Cottlehill Wilds. Nothing and no one were going to take that from me. The tingling started up in my fingers and spread from there. A smile spread across my face.