My eyes must have brightened because he held up his hand.
“Be aware, there are numerous dangers. You cannot set it off from this side of the gate. Someone will need to cross through the vortex and set the explosives there. They’ll have only a short time to escape. So you see, if things go right, it’s not a problem. If things go wrong…”
I nodded, seeing what he meant. “If things go wrong, it’s a suicide mission. How long will it take you to make this? And I suppose I should first ask, are you willing to help us?”
At that, Heimdall laughed. “Oh, ye of the fiery crown. I will help you, yes. As to how long it will take me to make the explosive? One month. So you’d better pray your enemy doesn’t find the portal before then, because there’s no way of hurrying up the process.”
“Then I guess we don’t have to make our plan in a hurry.” And with that, the meeting ended and everyone gathered around Tam and me, and Elan and Jason, to wish us all the best.
ELAN WALKED ME back to my room. Tam had given Damh Varias instructions to call a special session of the Court so that we could announce our wedding plans. We didn’t even have a date, but he wanted people to get used to the idea.
“So, big day for both of us,” I finally said as we neared the door to my room. I wasn’t sure just how much she would want to talk, but I wanted to give her the option.
She paused, then asked, “May I come in?”
I invited her in. Patrice was there, sorting through my clothes, and I asked her to bring us tea. She curtseyed and left.
“So.” I motioned for Elan to take a seat at the table. “A baby?”
“Yeah. We were surprised, too. I thought the cycle drugs I was taking worked, but apparently, only with men from my own people.” She blushed. “I wouldn’t have chosen this route so early, but Jason and I talked about it and decided that we want to make a go of it. And we want to give this child a chance to grow up. I thought about the options and while, with a stranger I probably wouldn’t choose this route, Jason…” She paused.
By now, I knew just how reserved the Woodland Fae could be. “You love Jason.”
Elan blinked. “I suppose I do. And I think he loves me. We have similar backgrounds, even though he’s a hawk-shifter. Our people are much alike.” She paused for a moment, searching my face. “Fury, how do you feel about this? I know it may not have been his story to tell, but in a way it was. He told me about your mother. How he and she…”
I let out a long breath. “Let’s not play games, Elan. I consider you a good friend, and so is Jason, though I admit our friendship almost broke over that. I still believe he should have told me early on. I spent a long time crushing on him and I felt like a fool. But in the long run, it doesn’t matter. We never would have worked as a couple. Tam—Tam’s different from anybody I ever expected to fall in love with. We mesh in a way that I can’t explain. I knew him for most of my life and never once looked at him as a prospective lover. Husband. Partner. Whatever you choose to call it. But the first time he kissed me, it felt as natural as breathing. I fell into him, you might say. He surrounded me with his energy and I not only felt safe, but right at home.”
I stopped, frustrated. I felt like I was talking around the subject, trying to find the right words. “I love Tam in a way that I didn’t think I could love anybody. He has my heart.”
She brightened. “Then, you’re okay with Jason and me? And with me being pregnant?”
“I’m more than okay with it. I think you’ll be good for him. And maybe becoming a father will pull him out of that pit of angst he so regularly dives into. He gets into his head and forgets his heart at times. I think you and the baby may put a stop to that.” I smiled and reached out to take her hand. “You do realize that, because Jason brought me up and took care of me, we’ll be family. Maybe not by blood, but by spirit.”
The bright look blossomed to fill her face and I realized just how beautiful she was. The fair maiden with golden hair. She should be a princess in a fairytale. But instead, I was going to be the princess of the Fae Barrow. The world worked in strange and unusual ways.
“I like that.” She squeezed my hand. “I know that my people are reserved, but I just want to tell you that I appreciate your friendship, and I’m never going to take Jason away from you.” She bit her lip. “Do you think Shevron will approve?”
Shevron was Jason’s actual sister, and for the past six months she and her son Leonard had been living in Verdanya, Elan’s home city. Leonard was sixteen with anger management issues. Or rather, discipline issues. His father had been human, and the hawk-shifter blood hadn’t bred into him. He felt like he belonged nowhere—not among the Cast—the hawk-shifter clan—or among humans. It tore at his sense of identity, and he had been acting out. But we all were hoping that a year living and working with the Woodland Fae would straighten him out.
“I think she’ll be happy. I love Shevron. She was like a mother to me.”
“Good, because they’re coming to visit in a few days. We got word last night. We haven’t told them about the baby yet, but I’m hoping that she won’t be upset.” Elan paused. “I haven’t asked Jason about it, but what can I expect for my child among his people? Our people are insular, but I have the feeling that the hawk-shifters make us look like we have open arms.”
I sighed. This was a whole ‘nother ball of wax. “The Cast are a rigid people. I won’t pussyfoot around it. They weren’t thrilled when Jason took me in, to be honest. But because he didn’t attempt to bring me into the Cast, they didn’t say anything. I was Theosian and had my own path, so I never minded. But Leonard’s had a rough time. He was brought up to be part of the Cast, and yet he is no more hawk-shifter than I am. His father’s blood bred true. He feels lacking, constantly, and that’s where his behavior springs from. Jason and Shevron just don’t understand. He has all of the responsibilities of a Cast member, but none of the perks. And the other kids teased him horribly about it.”
I stopped, realizing I had just painted Jason and Shevron in a pretty unflattering light. But it was also the truth, and I wasn’t going to lie to Elan.
“I think you should do your best to impart your lineage to your baby. Never make him—or her—feel like the mixed blood makes them lacking. That way, your child will always have a sense of lineage and self that Leonard is lacking. You see, his father ran off when he was born. Shevron only had the Cast to back her, and they did. Make no mistake about that. But Leonard has never been fully accepted, even though they pay lip service to him.”
As I finished, I sat back and took a long breath. Jason would probably be pissed I had said so much. He was a stickler for the rules of the Cast. But Elan had a right to know what kind of culture he came from. I was surprised she hadn’t asked him already.
She was silent for a moment as Patrice returned with the tea. After pouring for us, she exited the room again, giving us privacy.
“Thank you for telling me. I know it seems odd that Jason and I haven’t discussed this, but we only realized that I was pregnant last week. And we’ve both been in shock.” She propped her elbow on the table and leaned her chin on her hand.
“Are you going to get married?” I was beginning to get the feeling that Jason and Elan were in over their heads.
“I don’t know. I love Jason and I know he loves me, but…it’s such a big step.” She glanced over at me. “I envy you. I can hear the surety in your voice when you talk about Tam. You belong together and it’s obvious from watching you. But I don’t know if Jason and I are meant for the long run. We want to give it a try, but neither one of us has even mentioned marriage yet. And I don’t want to marry unless we’re sure.”
“That’s probably a good idea.” I thought for a moment, trying to figure out the best approach to what I was about to say. “Maybe your first decision should be how the child will be raised—as hawk-shifter or Fae. But I suppose that depends on whose lineage breeds through.”
Most
of those with intermixed heritages followed either the mother or the father. A few would have traits from both, but usually, one lineage dominated.
“Whatever the case, I’m grateful for your support. You set my mind at ease, at least about you and Jason. As to everything else, I’m just not sure.” Her voice trembled and I realized that the usually stalwart Elan was actually frightened.
I swept around the table and wrapped my arms around her shoulders. Her people might be reserved, but she needed a hug.
“It will be all right,” I whispered. “You’ll have a lovely child, and you and Jason will make wonderful parents.”
And that seemed to be just the thing Elan needed to hear.
Chapter 4
THREE DAYS LATER I was out in the woods, patrolling. While the guards officially kept watch, I wanted to keep an eye out for Aboms. The fact that one had made it up to us was unnerving enough. I had told Tam I was going out for a walk, but really I was scanning the area with my inner Trace, watching for any telltale blips. I had scoured the perimeter of the village, finding nothing beyond a few scattered rabbits and foxes, when I heard a commotion coming from the checkpoints. I hurried over. The guards, seeing me coming, bowed, then quickly returned to their posts.
“What’s going on?”
“Visitors coming through, milady. The scouts ahead sent word via a gravely bird.”
Gravely birds were somewhat intelligent, and they could talk with a limited vocabulary. They were highly useful if you could win them over to working for you.
“What kind of visitors?”
“We’re not sure. But they come on horseback and they’re flying a pennant.”
That didn’t sound too terribly bad. “Weapons?”
“Some, but that’s all I could get out of the damned bird.”
For the millionth time, I realized just how much I missed having a phone. The first few months of living out in the woods had been all about establishing the village, building homes, and figuring out routines. Now that we were somewhat settled, the lack of luxuries from civilization were beginning to make themselves felt.
“I’ll wait with you.” I searched my Trace, but no Aboms.
“Begging your pardon, milady, but the queen-to-be should not be out here in front where danger might befall her,” one of the guards said.
I let out a snort. “The queen-to-be fights Abominations and has taken more than one beating and kept going, boys. I think you need to realize that I’m not a fragile flower to be locked away in the Barrow. And Lord Tam already knows this.”
That quieted them down. Whatever they were thinking didn’t matter—only that they listened to me and didn’t try to stop me from doing what came naturally.
“As you wish, milady,” was the only thing the guard said.
Another ten minutes and we heard noises coming through the undergrowth. Then, a party of seven horses came clopping around the bend and I let out a cry.
“Shevron! Leonard!” I raced up to the party. I didn’t recognize the others traveling with them, but I would know Jason’s sister anywhere. She was as tall as Jason and far more pale. Her son was shorter, with warm, brown skin. Both slid off their horses the moment they saw me.
“Fury! I can’t believe you’re out here to meet us!” Shevron threw her arms around me, hugging me so tight I could barely breathe. Len piled on top.
After they let go, I stood back, looking them over. Shevron may not have gotten any color from the sun, but she was wearing a tunic and trousers, and looked stronger than I had ever seen her. There was a glint in her eye that hadn’t been there when we left them in Verdanya. As for Leonard, he was dressed in the same style, and a hunting knife hung at his side. He had a bow and a quiver of arrows over his shoulder, and the sullen look I remembered had been replaced with a brilliant smile.
“Look at you two. You both look good.” I motioned to their companions. “Introduce us?”
Shevron motioned to two of the riders—a woman and man who looked a lot alike. “Fury, meet Idyn and Var. They’re cousins to Elan and Laren, and twins like them. And our guards, Ket, Traves, and Vilma. This is Fury, Hecate’s Theosian.”
All five of the Woodland Fae nodded, touching their hats.
I motioned to the guards behind me. “Farnes and Zed.”
Zed stepped forward. “Please, allow me, milady.” He turned to Shevron. “The Lady Fury is no longer simply your friend. She is queen-to-be, betrothed of Lord Tam of UnderBarrow.”
I blushed, but realized that the guards were just doing their duty. It was their responsibility to make certain I was treated appropriately.
Shevron gasped as her companions dropped to one knee.
“You’re getting married?”
“Yeah, that’s the long and short of it. Tam asked me to marry him a few days ago, and I said yes. Come now, though, let’s get back to UnderBarrow. There are so many things we need to tell you.” I glanced at Idyn and Var. “Stand, please. I’m so glad to meet you. Elan and Laren are good friends. I’m sure they’ll be thrilled to see you.”
“Thank you, milady Fury,” Idyn—the woman—said. “We have much to discuss as well. There are dark tidings from the east. If you and Lord Tam will grant us an audience as soon as possible, it would be safest.”
And on that note, we returned to the village.
UNDERBARROW PROPER WAS a thriving community, and Willow Wood was also thriving. We had about four hundred people living in the village now, most of whom were refugees from Seattle. A few had moved here from Eleveanor—a small Fae village to the south—but mostly, the people we had taken in were humans and Supes who had fled the city when the tsunami came through. We had very little trouble, and anybody who decided to cause havoc was exiled.
The permanent houses were mostly log cabins, or built of stone from the rubble of past cities found in the woodland, and numerous temporary shelters had been erected as we struggled to make sure everybody would have a sturdy lodging come winter.
We had established several viable wells throughout the town and were on the edge of Reflection Lake, which offered plentiful fish for the taking as well as reeds for basket weaving, and other resources. While our raiding parties had brought in massive amounts of goods that would serve well for years to come—pots and pans, plastic tubs with lids, furniture and canned foods, books and supplies—we all knew there would come a day when the relics from our recent past would give way to those we could create ourselves. So we rationed out what we found, and everyone in the village was required to learn a useful skill that could carry through to the future. Even the children, besides their book learning, were being taught how to hunt and garden and build and sew.
As we rode into the village, Shevron’s eyes widened.
“You’ve built a world already, Fury.”
“Not personally, but yes, we’ve worked hard to establish Willow Wood. UnderBarrow is off limits to anyone not of the Court, at least to live in. So we needed to create a viable town for those who found their way to us. So much has happened in the past six months that I don’t even know where to begin.”
“Fury, are you still chasing Abominations?” Shevron’s voice dropped and she slipped off her horse, leading him by the reins.
“Yes. Why? I haven’t found many out here, but earlier this week I took down one in a zombie vehicle.”
“Because Verdanya is being overrun by them. We can destroy their bodies, but they jump hosts. Until they get someone like you down there, the city has closed its gates and the magicians are using force fields to prevent anybody entering who isn’t vetted first.” She shook her head. “There have been at least two or three a week that try to break through.”
“That’s not good. I wish…I wonder.” It occurred to me that perhaps there was some way I could train others to hunt them. It would take a special type of person—someone who had a way of seeing the Aboms’ soul-holes, but maybe it was a viable thought. “I’ll talk to Hecate and se
e what we can do. I can’t take care of all of them myself, but maybe we can figure out something.”
“I think Idyn and Var are here to ask for help. I’m not sure what else—they don’t keep me informed, but I know that’s become one of Verdanya’s chief concerns right now.” She slipped one arm around my waist. “I’ve missed you, and Jason. How are things going?”
I bit my lip. I didn’t think that she knew about the fight I had with Jason. “In the times Jason’s contacted you since you’ve been in Verdanya, did he tell you that I found out about him and my mother?”
The puzzled look on her face told me that he had not. In fact, I was taken by surprise when she said, “What about Jason and your mother?”
I tilted my head, trying to read into the question. Did she really not know, or was she just being careful not to say the wrong thing?
“About Jason and my mother’s affair. You knew, right? That he slept with my mother for a while before I was born?”
“Oh, hell.” She blanched. “I had no clue. Nor did our parents. They would have beat his backside for that. Oh, Fury. I can’t imagine how you must have felt.” Shevron had known that I carried a torch for Jason. She had been my shoulder more than once when I waxed mournful over the fact that he was engaged.
“I didn’t take it very well, that’s for sure. But it’s done and over with. And it cured me of any remaining doubt that Jason’s just my friend.” I bit my tongue as I was about to add, “Especially now because of the baby.” But that wasn’t my news to tell.
“So you and Tam are engaged?” Shevron wisely shifted the subject. Hawk-shifters were pretty good about picking up on touchy subjects.
“And I’m thrilled. Leonard seems a lot happier. Has it been rough, living in Verdanya?”
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