Approaching Storm

by A. L. Kessler

"No, he wasn't." He stood. "Now, if you'd excuse me, I need to go gather my people and start moving the younger ones through, assuming you still want my help?"

  I did, but I also had to keep my word with Nokken. "I do, once you finish moving your younger members, meet me out in the pass and I'll discuss what the plans are."

  He smirked. "Do you think I'm dumb, May?"

  I shook my head.

  "I know exactly who is out there. Nokken, the judge of all. Did you tell him he could judge me?"

  I locked my jaw but nodded.

  "Then be open and honest with me. I'll meet you out there, and we'll let the boogie man of the fae decide my fate. But first, I must make sure all my people have finished the migration.t."

  I doubted him for a moment, but he bowed his head. "My word, May, and if not you can have your little demigod come drag me to it."

  A breeze rushed through the shop, and he disappeared. I leaned back in my chair and tapped the table. Zephyr handed me my shattered phone. "That went better than I expected."

  I nodded. "It really did." I stood and went to the table where Allie, Teal, and Delphi were sitting. "Any advice for me, seer?"

  Delphi shook her head. "The voices are quiet," she muttered. "Except for you guys, why are you always so talkative?" There was a joke in her voice.

  Zephyr raised a brow. "A seer? You guys have gathered quite the collection of creatures around here."

  "She's been here for years."

  Delphi nodded. "Sure have, Zephyr, son of Ananke, brother to Callister, the brothers of fate and storms. Never have I thought I'd see such a pair in this town."

  Zephyr stiffened beside me. "Normalcy isn't the type of town we're normally hanging out in."

  "Until now." Delphi turned to me. "Don't you have a murdering wind sprite to deal with?"

  I shoved the broken phone into my pocket. "Yeah, yeah, I guess so."

  Zephyr put his hand on the small of my back. "Let's go then."

  The world around us changed and shifted. We found ourselves by Nokken's swamp, the fae nowhere to be seen yet, but the breeze blowing by us and into the city told us that the wind sprites were on the move.

  My hair whipped around and I pulled a tie off my wrist and pulled it back. Zephyr's eyes scanned the area, and his body remained tense.

  "You weren't this on guard with Nokken before." I pointed out. "Are you suddenly worried he's going to judge your soul too?"

  Zephyr shook his head. "No, I sense Callister around, and I don't know what he's planning."

  I didn't either. "Let's just focus on the sprites for now. I don't think he'll try anything with Nokken so close."

  "You're right. He's waiting for us to screw up somehow. Drop our guard." He turned to the swamp as Van appeared at the edge.

  "You kept your word," I said.

  He looked at me over his shoulder. "I'm a creature of my word, May."

  The swamp started to ripple, and Nokken came up, some magic keeping him completely dry. He looked at the wind sprite and then to me. "This is the man who killed Maverick?"

  I nodded. "He confessed and everything. Revenge killing, for his daughter." That wasn't exactly how it worked out, but Nokken would be able to tell exactly what went down.

  The fae stepped onto the ground and walked around Van. "I saw the murders that the vampire was responsible for, each one left a mark on his soul. You…you only have one mark on your soul." Nokken glanced at me. "I was expecting the killer of Maverick to be just as evil. This man, he holds no other crime than avenging his daughter."

  I nodded. "I figured, but I wanted to keep my word."

  Nokken walked up to me and held his hand out. "You are a woman of honor, Amaya, never change."

  I shook his hand, and he pulled me towards him. "Beware the brothers though; their souls are not so clean." The words were barely a whisper, and I questioned if I had even heard it.

  He let go of my hand. "I'll see you around because since you have no humans left in your city, I'm assuming you're just going to take over the law enforcement."

  I hadn't really thought about it. "I guess we'll just see what happens."

  He nodded. "I guess so. Let me know if you need any help. I'd be happy to help control the population of Normalcy." He gave a little bow as he simply disappeared.

  "Not what you expected?" Van asked me when he turned to face me.

  "I don't know what I was expecting. Like I told Nokken, I was simply fulfilling my word. It was him that helped break the case open and bring Hamish to justice as well."

  Van touched my cheek, and a strange chill went through me. When he removed his hand, the warmth returned to my cheek, but the ache of the bruise was gone. I touched my cheek expecting pain, but there was nothing. "As a thank you. Do you know when you'll need my aid?"

  I shook my head. "No."

  "Then I'll keep a couple sprites in the city so they can inform me." The wind seemed to wipe him away, leaving only Zephyr and me standing in the desert.

  "Something wrong?" he asked.

  "I didn't consider replacing the law enforcement in the city. The humans outside the city leave us alone, so they wouldn't notice if we were missing a sheriff and a deputy, but we are still a town and a society."

  "Well, you're not going anywhere any time soon, and you already take on some responsibilities of that position. Why not just do it?"

  I wasn't sure I wanted the responsibility. "It's just going to happen that way anyway, isn't it?"

  He nodded. "Yeah, probably. Now, come on, I promised you dinner after I helped with the murder." He winked at me. "Our first official date."

  "I feel like we're doing this backward." I laughed but held my hand out. "But okay, let's go have some steak."

  He took us back to town, right outside the steakhouse. We were about to walk in when Teal came running up to us. "Davina called, she's in trouble."

  "What kind of trouble?"

  "She said that there was a man there who was demanding that he talk to you. If you don't, come he's going to kill her."

  Zephyr and I looked at each other.

  And we both knew exactly who the man was. "Callister."

  Chapter Sixteen

  Let's not keep him waiting then." Zephyr took my hand and nodded to Teal. "Keep everyone away from Davina's house, regardless of what you hear or see."

  "No, if we think you need back up, we're going in there. This is May's life you're playing with. You don't just get to come in and tell us when we can or can't interfere," Teal growled. "We have wolves, vampires, sprites, everyone here is willing to help."

  He hesitated. I nodded. "Then stay clear unless you think that we can't handle it. I'd hate for you to get hurt. If I need, I'll call for Van first, and then you can come in as back up."

  She smirked. "You're the only human here. You're in more danger of being hurt."

  "I'm only partly human." I winked. I hoped that was enough to keep me alive because I had a feeling Callister was out to kill this time.

  Zephyr took my hand and transported us to Davina's house. Everything was quiet outside, but something strange touched my skin, raising goosebumps.

  "That's Callister's power." He took a deep breath. "He kept me from just popping in there."

  I wasn't aware that he could do that. My stomach churned, and I touched the sword at my side. "Can we kill him?"

  "We can certainly try." We walked up to the door and entered without bothering to knock.

  "Davina?"

  There was a squeal from further in the house, and we rushed to her. I came to a skidding halt as I found Davina on her knees, her hands behind her back with glowing blue chains. There was a gag in her mouth and tears streaking down her cheeks. My gaze moved lower to see a slice across her chest. Blood flowed freely, soaking her shirt.

  Callister stood behind her, holding a sword similar to mine. "Nice of you t
o join us, I was getting bored." He knelt down and put the knife to her throat. "If I knew Hades wouldn't come after me, I'd kill her because you made me wait." He met my gaze. "But you've always liked to make people wait." He stood up, dragging the blade over Davina's skin enough to draw a thin line of blood.

  "I don't know what you're talking about." I swallowed.

  He walked toward me, and I drew my blade. I heard the thunder crack outside, mimicking my fear. Zephyr stepped up to my side.

  Callister snorted. "Of course you wouldn't. I stripped your memories."

  "You bastard." Zephyr rushed toward him, a sword appearing in each hand.

  Callister blocked his strike and laughed. "I'm surprised you didn't put two and two together when we talked, brother. I told you she'd be coming back to me. Even after everything I did to her, she will be mine."

  Zephyr jumped back and shifted his stance into defense. "She can't leave here."

  "Oh, I don't know about that. Davina here can undo the magic that's holding Amaya here." He looked back at the witch. "Can't you?"

  She gave the tiniest nod and closed her eyes. The thunder crashed loud enough to shake the house. Everyone looked at me.

  "Seems that some of your abilities are coming back." He pointed his sword at me. "Come get me. I will ruin you, body, mind, and soul, and then force you to be my queen."

  Like hell. I rushed forward, and I felt as if the building storm outside was pushing me forward, making quicker, stronger.

  I sliced down, and he blocked, knocking my sword to the side. I snarled and reached out for his throat, my fingers aching. I tried to force the claws out that I knew I had.

  He grabbed my wrist and used it to throw me against the wall. I cried out as my body hit it and I fell to my knees.

  "You're weak, my dear. You have no real abilities, no claws, no memories, no life." He walked toward me.

  Zephyr took advantage and attacked from behind, but Callister turned around and threw his hand out. A sphere of wind shot from his hand and engulfed Zephyr freezing him in the air.

  I could see Zephyr trying to use his own ability to control the sphere, but it didn't seem to be working. I stood, trying to shake the pain off.

  Callister turned to me. "Did Zephyr tell you what I did to you? Have you remembered yet?"

  His voice from the dream played in my head. 'I. Will. Ruin. You.'

  I could feel the memory trying to push through, but I tightened my hand on the blade. I wouldn't let him use it against me.

  "I can see it in your face. You've remembered some of it." He sheathed his sword. "I stole you that night. I swore that I would ruin anything my brother loved because he turned away from our mother and me. He stole you from me. You were supposed to be mine."

  I pressed my lips together and focused my energy. Zephyr had told me that I could do the same thing with the wind that he did. I refused to rise to his bait. The storm calmed outside, but the wind picked up in the room, wiping my hair around.

  Callister paused in a step toward me. "You think you're a match for me?"

  "I know I'm not. Because you made a point to make me weak." I held my free hand out and demanded the sphere around Zephyr to come to me.

  To my surprise, it shot from Zephyr, and he fell to the ground. The sphere hit Callister, surrounding him, but it disappeared a moment later.

  Zephyr and Callister both looked equally surprised. I grinned because something felt right. I flicked my wrists, and long sharp claws appeared instead of the dull ache in my hands.

  "No. I locked those abilities away." He snarled and rushed toward me. Zephyr appeared behind him and slammed his sword into Callister's back.

  Callister laughed and stepped away, letting the blade slide out. "Your blade won't stop me." He met my gaze. "Did you know he told me to come to your house that night? That he wanted to talk about what was going on between us? He allowed me the access to take you."

  "You won't be able to turn me against him. Nice try."

  Callister was suddenly in front of me, his blade at my neck. "You think so? Did you know he was outside the door as I raped you, making you scream for him?"

  I froze under the blade. My claws disappeared as my mind tried to bring up what happened. I could remember hearing Zephyr's voice calling for me, but that was when I was against the wall…when my back was bleeding.

  "Ah, you didn't know that, you don't remember. He had the chance to save you, and he let me torture you under my blade." He laughed, and I met Zephyr's gaze over Callister's shoulder.

  There was that sorrow in his eyes again, and I knew Callister was telling the truth. Callister's blade slid from my neck and slammed into my chest.

  I cried out as the blood gathered in my mouth. Numbness went through me as I collapsed to the floor. The last thing I heard was Callister laughing and Zephyr calling to me. The world faded, and I saw Callister disappear from the room before darkness took my vision.

  I woke with a jump. My hands went to my chest only to find a rough pink scar where Callister's sword had gone through. I was in my own bed with Davina and Teal sitting on the edge.

  Davina had a bandage peeking up from under her shirt. The dark circles under her eyes told me she hadn't slept, the giant mug of coffee in Teal's hands told me she also hadn't slept. The one person missing was Zephyr. My heart ached, but then Callister's words came back to me. A sob bubbled up in my throat, but I pushed it down.

  "Oh god, she's awake." Teal jumped up and ran to my side. "How do you feel?"

  "I told you she was going to be fine." Davina sighed. "Zephyr left you a note." She handed me an envelope. "Now that you're awake, I'm going home. When you're ready to talk, come on over." Her voice was void of any emotion. She walked out of the room.

  I sighed and looked down at the envelope in my hand.

  "Are you going to open it? What happened?" Teal asked, keeping her voice low.

  I wasn't sure if I wanted to open it. "He left me."

  "Um, girl…"

  I shook my head. "I don't want to get into it right now. I'm tired. I'm sore."

  She hesitated for a moment. "I'll be out in the kitchen if you need me."

  She left, and I closed my eyes. My body ached from the short fight. I wasn't even sure how long I'd been out, but at least the stab wound had healed. I had been convinced that it was a fatal blow.

  The envelope in my hand started to slip from my fingers as I dozed. I opened my eyes and stared at it. I remembered the look on Zephyr's face when Callister told me the truth. I remembered the feeling of betrayal that went through me, and my heart ached. Why would Zephyr stand by while Callister tortured me? While Callister…bile rose in my throat and my stomach lurched.

  I debated on crumpling the envelope up, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I knew deep down that I loved him even if I couldn't remember him or our past together. There had to be an explanation for why he didn't help me.

  I hoped.

  I slid my finger under the flap of the envelope, breaking the seal. I pulled the folded piece of paper out and read the handwritten note.

  My poulaki,

  I have chosen to give you space, but I'm not far. I told you that I wouldn't leave until I found out how to bring you home. I meant it.

  All my love,

  Zephyr

  I sat there staring at the letter. He wasn't far. He hadn't left. My heart soared as I jumped out of bed, wincing at the aches and pains. I threw on clean clothes and went to leave the house. I expected him to be at the soda shop or the little bed and breakfast, but I heard his voice in the kitchen.

  "I'm glad she's awake. I don't know how my brother's words impacted her, but I saw her face. I saw the pain and betrayal etched into her gaze, the way her eyes clouded over." His voice sounded so small, almost weak.

  Teal sighed. "Suck it up and apologize to her."

  "I don't thin
k an apology is going to fix what happened."

  "No, apologize for how she found out. Stop being a chicken shit and talk to her. May's an adult, talk to her like one."

  I walked in and met his gaze. "Teal's right."

  "You're up and walking. How do you feel?" He nearly jumped out of his chair to help me sit.

  "Fine, I'm fine, I'm just sore." I sighed and rubbed my eyes. "I don't know how to go on from here. Where's Callister?"

  "He disappeared. I think because he thought he killed you." We sat down at the table, and I looked at Teal.

  She offered me a smile before standing up. "I have a blog to get to. You two play nice now." She practically ran to the door.

  Zephyr took my hand and rubbed his thumbs over my knuckles. "I don't know where to go from here I either. Amaya…May. I'm sorry, I should have told you when I found out."

  "When did you find out?" I didn't look at him. I studied the grain of the table. If I looked at him, I was going to cry. I was going to break down and melt into his arms.

  "When I went to talk to him. He…he described it to me in detail." He swallowed. "I…I couldn't bring myself to tell you. Honestly, when I went to his house, it was because of a rumor that said you were there. When I was screaming and yelling for you, I had no idea that you were actually in there and…" He shook his head. "I'm sorry."

  I turned to him and stopped the head shaking with a hand. "You didn't know."

  "But had I told you, he wouldn't have distracted you." He put his hand on my chest right over the scar. "You shouldn't have been able to survive this."

  I sighed. "Then how did I live?"

  "Davina."

  "She didn't seem too happy when she left." I put my hand back on the table, and he wrapped his fingers around mine. I welcomed the warmth of his skin on mine. Part of me felt that I should have been mad at him. He made a vital mistake that could have killed me and yet, here we sat together.

  "She was up all night with you. Let her get some sleep, and then we'll go talk to her."

  "She said she wouldn't talk to me with you around." I pointed out and started to stand to get some coffee.