Dark Fae

by Shannon Mayer

  The throne room was as I remembered it, minus the gaping pool of shark-infested water I’d had to swim across. There was a throne with tables beside it set up on a dais, and a side alcove that held the tools and instruments for a scribe. Dark, and full of unpleasant memories, it was not a place I would stay if I had a choice. It was funny to think that I’d seen it all before, yet hadn’t really seen it. My focus had been Ashling.

  “We have to find a way to get you close to Chaos,” Lir said. “I believe you can beat her, that you can end this destruction —but not if we can’t get her to engage you.”

  Bres walked over to the one table in the room and pulled a map out of a cubbyhole I didn’t even know was there. The two men started to discuss strategy and possibilities. They tried to draw me into the conversation, but I avoided it. My mind was wandering and, with it, my feet. Something drew me across the room and I followed the call of whatever it was.

  There, tossed in the corner was an obsidian carved box, the lid half hanging off its hinge. Kneeling, I reached out and gingerly lifted the box up. It was heavy, the weight of the stone making it sturdier than it looked at first. There were no carvings, no markings. Just a plain black box.

  That was the box we put her in. It held Chaos for so many years.

  I ran my finger over the lid. Cora, please don’t leave me now. I need you.

  I won’t leave you now, Quinn. This is the end game and I will stand with you.

  Tears trickled down my face. I think I can kill Chaos and save Ashling, but...I’m afraid.

  Fear is a tool, one that often tells us that what we are doing is the right path. The easy path is the one of least resistance, the one that is all light and goodness.

  I trusted my instincts, trusted that what I was going to do. The boys would forgive me. Rising, with the box in one hand, I went to the scribe’s desk. I sat down and looked over at Bres and Lir, they bowed their heads as they tried to find a way to get me to Chaos.

  What they didn’t know was that I already had a way. If I was brave enough to see it through.

  16

  Long into the next day, Bres, Lir and I discussed how we would get close to Chaos. I took part in the conversations, so they wouldn’t guess what I had in mind. If they knew what I was planning they would try to stop me—and I couldn’t have that. Ashling’s life depended on it.

  “I still say that we meet her head on in battle, hiding Quinn at the back,” Bres said. “We can move her forward as the battle progresses, rescue Luke and then both of us can flank her.”

  Lir shook his head. “It won’t work, Chaos knows that we have to get close and she will keep Luke by her side, using him as her shield.”

  It was growing late and I faked a yawn. “I need to sleep. I trust you two to decide the best course.”

  I kissed Bres goodnight, then hugged Lir. They went right back to their strategies. I watched them for a minute at the door, trying to take in everything they both were. Turning, I reached out for Cora.

  Steady, Quinn. You are doing the right thing. They will understand one day.

  As quietly as I could, I made my way back through the straightaway that had once been the Labyrinth. At the end of it, I slipped into the dark pool of water, feeling the cold settle into my bones. A head bobbed up beside me and my Aughisky stared at me.

  “Where are you going?” He asked.

  “For a swim,” I whispered.

  He snorted. “Hmm. Need a ride?”

  I smiled and nodded. “Thanks.”

  Slipping onto his back, my legs snapped to his sides once more. I clung to him, grateful for the physical company on this last portion of my journey. Any tears I cried were swept away on the current of the ocean as I said my goodbyes in my heart. I’d left letters behind, in the black box that had once been Chaos’ prison, but I still needed to let my heart grieve.

  Bres.

  Ashling.

  Luke.

  Darcy and the three Smiths. Don, Fianna, and even Gormley. Each one had played a vital part in bringing me to this point.

  Cora.

  I am here. I will be here when it is your time to pass, Quinn. I will not leave you to cross over alone.

  My heart clenched, then slowly the fear and pain faded. I’d made my decision. I knew that Ashling would be angry, but that was better than the alternative.

  Quicker than I had thought possible, we were breaking the surface and nearing the shallows. Slipping from the Aughisky’s back, I put my hand on his nose. “Thank you. I’m glad you didn’t go back to the Smiths, that you are able to be free.”

  He chuckled. “Until they come and find us. This isn’t the first time they’ve let us ‘escape.’”

  With a splash and a quick flip, the water horse disappeared under the waves and I was left alone treading water in the pre-dawn light. Swimming to shore, I went over my plan once more.

  There was still one part that might not work, one vital part. But I had no other option.

  As I stood in the shallows I pulled Carnwennan from the scabbard and spun it in my hand so that the blue gem faced outwards, then I slid the sword back into the sheath with care.

  The world around me fuzzed as if I were looking through a gauzy curtain. I started to walk, keeping my steps deep enough that I didn’t make any splash that would give me away.

  Quinn, I did what I did, so that the prophecy would be fulfilled. That is why your mother went along with bedding both Lir and Balor. She knew that you would need to be strong, so very strong, to face the evil that would rise.

  I thought about that a moment. But, if she’d married Wil, and had children with him, there would have been no need for us to be strong. Balor wouldn’t have searched out Chaos to save Ashling. None of this would have happened.

  No, you don’t know that, she said, though I heard the doubt in her voice.

  I backed off, not wanting to fight with her. It doesn’t really matter now. We must deal with this as it is. I’m not angry at you, Cora, just confused.

  She was silent after that, but I could feel her there. She didn’t withdraw, and that was all that I truly wanted: someone to stand with me in these last hours.

  The Tuatha camp was visible from a distance, but the guards did nothing as I approached. They couldn’t see me. I placed one hand on the hilt of Carnwennan, the bone warming under my fingertips.

  With great care, doing my best not to make a single splash, I made my way onto the beach. My next concern was my footprints. Checking first one way then the other, I hurried up the sand, then pulled on the ocean, using the water to wash away the prints.

  Good, that will buy you more time.

  I wondered why Cora hadn’t tried to talk me out of this. Of course, all along she’d been encouraging me to follow my instincts, to do what I felt was best, even when it meant jumping out of a helicopter. That memory hit me and I paused. I wanted to savor each moment of my life as best I could, now that it was near the end.

  Working my way through the camp, I searched for Luke and Chaos. There was no doubt in my mind that Lir was right, that she would keep Luke close as a bargaining chip, as a way to control me.

  In no time, the sun had fully risen. It was hot, more so than any other summer I could remember.

  It is Chaos’ doing. She is slowly cooking the world, for nothing more than the sake of wreaking havoc.

  Sweat dripped down my face as I worked methodically through the camp, checking every tent for signs of Luke, hoping that maybe, maybe I’d luck out.

  What I didn’t expect to find was Darcy.

  She was slumped in the corner of a small tent, sobbing. Her fingers clutched the silver ring I’d given her.

  “Oh Wil, I’m not a good woman, not anymore.” Her fingers brushed against the polished metal as she spoke. “My babies are going to pay the price for my cowardice. If only I’d been as strong as them, if I’d fought back maybe things would have been different.” Her words echoed my earlier ones and I felt Cora retreat from the truth.
/>
  No, don’t leave me! I said. I took one last look at my mother and stepped away from the tent, almost stumbling over Nuadha.

  He brushed past me, the dark spot in his eye clearly visible. Pausing, he glared at my mother’s tent. “Oracle, stop your sniveling, at least one of your daughters is worth the time you spent in a man’s bed.”

  My fingers clenched and I fought not to take a swing at him. It would do me no favors to break my cover now. But I knew that where Nuadha went, Chaos would be near. As he left my mother’s tent, I followed close on his heels.

  He strode through the camp, barking orders, slapping people out of his way. At least I didn’t have to worry about tripping over anyone else. Most people gave him wide berth, avoiding his reach.

  At the edge of the camp, he halted and stared out across the beach. What had once been the Fomorii army now lay a mixture of humans and Fomorii as I’d known them.

  You truly gave them the choice? Cora asked.

  Yes. I didn’t want to steal what some felt was their heritage.

  Nuadha yelled out. “My lady, I’d have a word with you.”

  This was it. My heart picked up speed, and my palms grew sweaty.

  A green flag was raised, and Nuadha started out across the sand, me close on his heels. As we passed the first line of Fomorii I realized that Gormley was there and she was looking straight at me. My blood chilled. Bres had said that the old Fomorii had strange abilities, but who knew one of them would be to see through the power of Carnwennan?

  With a slow wink, she turned her back on me, not raising the alarm. Nuadha halted in front of a row of huge Fomorii guards. They slowly peeled away, revealing Chaos sitting on a throne studded with jewels and draped in fur, as if the heat didn’t bother her one bit. She was wearing a body suit of leather that was studded with small metal spikes along the arms and legs. Her hair had been shorn close to her head, bangs left to hang over her eyes. Luke sat beside her, chains stretching from his neck and hands to the base of the throne. Other than being tied up, he didn’t look as if he’d been hurt.

  “What news have you of my . . . sister,” Chaos asked, her black eyes staring right past me.

  Nuadha bowed at the waist. “She has gone to ground, or to water, it would seem. Other than that, we do not know.”

  She leaned forward, pulling Luke close by his neck chain. “And what of you, pretty boy? Hmm? Where do you think your precious beloved has gone with that handsome Fomorii warrior?”

  Luke didn’t answer. He just stared past her. She slapped him hard, drawing blood. I flinched, but he didn’t. “Answer me or I will cut out your tongue, and see if I can make it speak that way.”

  The silence stretched and just when I thought he would call her bluff, he spoke. “I have no idea where they might have gone. I wasn’t privy to the plans. I was just told to stay here.” His voice didn’t give her one ounce of inflection, though his eyes looked pained as he stared up into her face. Maybe she hit harder than it looked.

  “Hmm. I see,” she murmured, running her fingers over his face. “You are quite lovely. Perhaps I will keep you as the first of my harem.”

  His jaw tightened, as did mine. My hand inched towards Carnwennan, but I had to wait. I couldn’t face Nuadha and Chaos. It had to be just me and her.

  She flicked her hand at Nuadha. “Go, you are boring me.” Nuadha saluted, and I stepped aside as he turned on his heel and strode away. Now, it was a matter of cutting Chaos out of the middle of all the Fomorii.

  With everything I had, I tried to speak to Luke mind-to-mind. I’m here.

  Luke’s eyes widened, and then he started to cough, covering his shock well.

  Try to get her away from the rest. Charm her.

  He blinked several times. But he said nothing back to me, only gave a slight nod.

  “Lady,” he reached up and put his hand on her knee. “May I speak with you in private, away from all these ears? There is something I’d like to discuss. About Ashling.”

  I could feel the dose of Charm he used even fifteen feet away. Chaos leaned into him, her hand stroking along his face. “Do you know how the gods caught me the first time?”

  Oh, I had a bad feeling about this. Draw back, Luke. This was a bad idea.

  Too late.

  Her hand whipped around his throat and she started to squeeze. “They used a pretty boy to Charmed me into the trap. Very clever. I do so love a handsome man on my arm.”

  She tossed him backwards and his body slammed into the ground, jerking against the chains as they pulled tight. “My apologies,” he coughed. “I didn’t know. It’s just… Ashling has been on my mind since I first met the two sisters, and I’ve dreamed of her most nights.”

  Chaos leaned forward. “Truly?” I tensed, wanting to know the answer, too. Is that what Ashling had meant when she’d mentioned falling in love with someone? With Luke?

  He nodded, rubbing at his throat. They shared a long gaze, one that neither seemed willing to break.

  “Hmm. Well. We shall see.” She snapped her fingers and the Fomorii fell back, making a ring around the throne.

  I had to push thoughts of Luke and Ashling back in order to focus. It was now or never.

  With a single swift move, I pulled Carnwennan from the scabbard, a burst of light shattering the shadow veil that I was hiding behind.

  “Chaos, I have a deal for you. The sword that would be your death...for Luke’s freedom.”

  17

  The Fomorii lurched forward, but stopped as Chaos raised her hand. “Wait, I believe the stupid twit means it.”

  “Quinn, no! You can’t do this!” Luke yelled, lunging as if he’d get between me and Chaos, the chains again pulling tight, stopping him.

  She didn’t step towards me. “Lay it on the ground and back away, and I will let your man go.”

  I didn’t hesitate; I just laid Carnwennan down, and backed off a good ten feet.

  She waved her hand. “Further.”

  I hope you’re right about Carnwennan, Cora said. So did I.

  Another ten feet and Chaos seemed satisfied. “Well.” Leaning towards Luke, she grabbed his face and kissed him with a deep, thorough kiss. “I suppose I’ll never get my chance with you. Too bad, even the girl liked you.”

  No doubt she meant Ashling.

  With a flick of her wrist, the chains fell from Luke. He made as if to come to me.

  “No, Luke, this isn’t for you. You can’t save me from this. It’s my choice.”

  He was shaking, anger and frustration written all over his face.

  Chaos laughed. “Listen to her, or I will throw you back in chains.”

  And then I did something I’d never done before —I lied to him. I’ll be all right. Go get Bres and Lir; they are waiting for you in the Labyrinth. They know what the plan is. I knew he would believe me; I’d never given him a reason not to. His jaw was tight, but he left, running down the beach and diving into the water. It wouldn’t give me much time.

  “Now, I suppose it’s just you and me, Chosen one,” Chaos said, strolling towards Carnwennan. She didn’t bend to pick it up, but flipped it up with her foot, catching the handle as the sword turned.

  A few swipes through the air, then she threw the sword backwards. “I cannot use a sword like that, not when I have my own. I think that I should like to share my story with you, before I kill you. Do you mind?” She lifted Ashling’s perfectly arched brow at me, the jerky, marionette that she had been when she’d first taken over my sister’s body was nowhere evident.

  “Actually, I’d rather we just got to it,” I said. This was not part of my plan. I knew I only had so much time before the cavalry showed up.

  “Well, I’m feeling rather in a mood today.” A crowd was starting to gather, Fomorii and Tuatha alike. Out the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Darcy, her hands over her mouth. She may have had the mark, but she was still seeing her daughters face off in what was going to be a battle to the death.

  Chaos strolle
d around me, circling me, within a foot of my reach.

  My jaw twitched. There was no time. I had to do it now. I Called Carnwennan to my hand, felt the smooth bone against my skin and swung towards Chaos. “I don’t care about your story, but let me tell you mine.”

  A sword appeared in her hand, the same black sword I’d seen from my vision. The power that had caused the black tendrils to destroy the Fomorii made up her sword, the black smoke solidifying instantly into a razor sharp blade. I had no doubt that one scratch from it would end my life. As we engaged, her eyes were wide with fury. “Kill her!” She screamed.

  “No,” Gormley shouted, holding her hand to stay the Fomorii. “We will not fight your battle.” But not all listened.

  The Fomorii ranks split, fighting one another. The Tuatha in the crowd swept into the battle, uncertainty obvious on their faces. Who did they fight?

  Chaos and I we were at the center of it, our blades flashing bright and dark, as we slashed at one another.

  “My sister was the only person I had, and she was stolen from me,” I said as our blades locked. We wrestled for control and I ended up shoving her backwards. Not a graceful, skilled move, but it worked.

  Pressing my advantage, I leapt towards her, a wicked downward thrust from Carnwennan skidding off the edge of her sword. That was not a move I knew.

  Carnwennan has a mind of its own and knows how to fight. Let it guide you.

  “I tried to save her, but failed.” Tears prickled at the edge of my eyes. “But I won’t fail this time.”

  Chaos’ eyes widened, then narrowed. “You cannot save your sister.”

  “Watch me.”

  I spun in a half circle, Carnwennan whistling through the air. Chaos tried to avoid the blow but I shifted my balance at the last second, turning the slash into a thrust that took her through the stomach. The move left me wide open.

  The world around us disappeared. Chaos screamed, rage turning her face into a twisted mask. The black sword arced through the air, slicing deep into my side. Like a bomb going off, pain exploded through me.