by Talia Jager
“Not in Targore. Our Earth magick doesn’t work here,” Kallan answered.
“Of course not,” I muttered. “Can we sneak by invisible?”
“They know we’re here and they’re surrounding us, so we can’t get by without them figuring out who we’re pushing through.”
One by one they appeared on all sides. Some of the goblins were green, others were brown. Other than being ugly, they weren’t scary looking. They were thin and scrawny, but could still take on someone our size. Especially with fifty of them. If I couldn’t use regular faery magick and couldn’t get by invisible, I had to think outside the box.
Your talent works here, right?
Yes.
Let’s use that.
I’ve never used it on that many at once.
I had already blocked him out and was focused on the goblins. Using Kallan’s mind control, I told them to attack each other. The goblins stopped moving toward us and turned on each other.
Run, Kallan said.
I jumped over the goblins and ran until I was out of breath. We all stopped and looked behind us. There was no sign of the goblins following us. “Sorry for taking over and using your power,” I said to Kallan.
“No apology necessary. If you ever need to do anything like that again, you go for it.”
Laughing, I said, “I will.”
That was kinda awesome, Kallan told me.
Kinda? Thought you didn’t like that word.
It’s growing on me.
We continued on. There were a lot of twists and turns in Targore. I was pretty certain I’d never be able to find my way out of there alone. Olwydd didn’t talk much. He stopped every so often, but I’m not sure what he did. Finally, we emerged from Targore and almost immediately entered another forest. The trees here were denser, which made it darker, but at least I wasn’t feeling drained anymore.
Olwydd stopped abruptly. “They’re in there.”
We all looked where he was facing. A dark gray unfriendly castle stood in front of us. It wasn’t big, but it wasn’t small either. The empty windows stared out at the landscape like dead eyes.
“Whose castle is this?” I questioned.
They all shook their heads. Kallan finally responded, “Nobody ever told me about another castle.”
“So what do we do?” I asked.
“Figure out what’s going on,” Kallan stated calmly.
Drake looked at Kallan. “Walk in the front door?”
“I don’t see guards.”
“Who did you track here?” I asked Olwydd.
“Two of the missing faeries left trails behind that I found, but now that we’re here, there is evidence of the other missing fey,” Olwydd explained.
“Are they still here?”
“I can’t tell for sure, but the feeling I get is stronger here, so I think so.”
Kallan took the lead. “Let’s go see what’s inside.”
I didn’t like that idea and toyed with pulling rank and saying no, but I didn’t think Kallan would like that very much, so I stayed quiet.
Silently we walked right through the large wooden door. My bare feet flinched at the coldness of the hard, marble floor. The massive room was barren of decoration. My heart raced dangerously as we crossed the room to the next door.
Drake opened the door and peeked in. Pushing it open all the way, he stood to the side of the door as we walked through into the long, dark hall.
I don’t like this, I told Kallan.
Me either.
I could hear voices ahead getting louder as we neared. I took deep breaths to calm my pounding heart. We pushed against the wall, hiding in the shadows, and slowly slid closer single file. Drake looked around the corner and then turned back to us. “Lichen is here.”
Who? I asked Kallan, not wanting to talk out loud for fear I’d lose my calm.
My missing second in command.
Oh… So this was where the missing faeries were and it didn’t look good at all. We crept closer to the entrance of a large room.
Kyro is also in there. Kallan’s lips mashed together. Traitor.
What now?
Now we get answers.
Before I could respond, Kallan stormed into the room with his dagger drawn. “What’s going on here?” he demanded.
Kyro and a female faery with bright blue and black wings and long dark hair spun around. “I wondered when you’d show up,” the woman said. Her voice was powerful and sassy.
“Who are you?” Kallan studied her.
She closed the space between us and stopped about three feet away. “I am Satine.” She waited as if expecting a response. “You don’t know who I am?”
“No. Should I?” Kallan retorted.
“I am your sister.”
Kallan’s face paled. “My what?”
“Half-sister actually. We share the same father. Or we did, until your pathetic girlfriend’s father killed him.” She narrowed her icy blue eyes at me and I felt very small and very much at fault—which I was not.
Kallan mashed his lips. “You’re Varwik’s daughter?”
“I am.”
“Why didn’t he ever speak of you?”
“I was the illegitimate child.” She sighed.
“Who is your mother?”
“Doesn’t matter. Being the oldest child of Varwik’s should have made me the leader in his death, but nobody knew about me. You were the special one. The male child. The firstborn, so everyone thought. You were going to take over and rule the dark the way Ealdun had envisioned. But you’re soft. She broke you.” She nodded over at me. “You’re trying to unite with the light faeries and that’s not acceptable. That cannot happen. Varwik would not be happy. Ealdun would not be happy. In fact, some of your fellow dark faeries aren’t happy about the union. You’re too…” She glared at me again. Her eyes held the same coldness as Varwik’s. The evil emanated from her. “…in love to see it. So when I asked if they wanted to be on my side, they were very eager.”
“Your side?”
“I’m taking over. I’m going to be leader of the dark faeries. We can do this the easy way: You just hand over the kingdom and go play house with your girlfriend, I’ll leave you alone. Or we can do this the hard way and fight, but I’ll win and you’ll look like a weak, foolish boy.” She flipped her hair behind her.
Kallan clenched the fist that wasn’t holding the dagger and by the look on his face, he was ready to explode. I had never seen him look so angry. “Just who do you think you are? Some love child that my father never spoke about? Certainly if he thought you were all that, I would have heard of you. But that wasn’t the case. Your name was never mentioned because you weren’t important. I am the only son. You are nothing. Leave the faery realm and I’ll let you live.”
“Let me live? How nice of you, dear brother, but I think it’ll be you begging for mercy soon.” She studied me for a moment. “I can see why Varwik wanted you. I can feel the energy radiating from you. You’re the one I really want, especially since my brother seems to be uninterested. Join my side, Oleander. You can rule the realm.”
“She already does,” Kallan said with an annoyed tone.
“You don’t have anything I want,” I told her.
“Silly girl. Just like Varwik, I’m not above threatening the lives of those you love. Kallan. Azura. Even those in the human world. I heard you have parents, a best friend, and even an old boyfriend. Are you sure they’re safe?”
In a low growl, I responded, “Stay away from my family and friends.”
Satine laughed. “Are you sure you want to risk them? Or would you rather just join my side? I can promise their safety if you do.”
I was somewhere between being boiling mad and scared stif
f. I had no doubt she would harm whoever she had to in order to get what she wanted.
Rylie. You can’t. You can’t sacrifice the realm. Not even for me.
I knew he was right, but I didn’t like it. “I will never join you.”
“You won’t have a choice.” She waved her hand. “Guards.”
Guards? She had guards? A few faery men came from another room toward us. I remembered what Azura told me about being a faery. I closed my eyes and “felt” around for the talents in the room. I couldn’t get a read on what the dark faery talents were. Remembering that Drake’s talent was immobilization, I locked on to it. Opening my eyes, I stared at the dark faery guards coming at us and paralyzed them.
Kallan pushed me to the door and said, “Run.” He didn’t have to tell me twice. I wasn’t sure how long they’d stay paralyzed. I assumed it was only until either Drake or I were out of the area.
As we burst from the room, I heard Satine yell, “Bring the Aurorian to me alive. I don’t care about the rest!”
We ran through the forest invisible until my chest was about to explode. I stopped and leaned over, putting my hands on my knees and tried to catch my breath. “Can we stop?”
“I think so.” We dropped our invisibility.
Drake paced back and forth, his eyes keeping watch, while Olwydd climbed a tree and scanned the area.
I sat on the ground and concentrated on slowing my breathing. After a few minutes, I asked, “What are we going to do?”
“I don’t know.” His eyes darted back and forth.
“Did you ever suspect?”
“No. Varwik never mentioned being in love before my mother. Maybe it was a fling? Or maybe someone seduced him? I’m not sure if he even knew she was pregnant. I guess I’ll never know.”
His eyes were filled with confusion and sadness. I reached up and softly brushed his cheek with the back of my hand.
“We’ll figure it out,” I told him.
“I’m going to have to focus on this.”
“I know.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’m going to be here with you.”
“What about school?”
I looked around the beautiful forest. Looked at the flowers blooming, the tops of the trees swaying in the wind, the piskies fluttering up high. “I belong here,” I told him, trying not to smile too hard. “This is home. I should be here with you and my mother and we’ll figure it out together.”
Our lips pressed together again, this time more intense.
He pulled away, but left our foreheads pressed together. “What about your parents, Ry?”
“My mom will understand. My dad…not so much.” I sighed. I didn’t know what Dad would do, but I couldn’t deny it anymore. I wanted to stay here with Kallan.
“What will you tell them?”
“I don’t know, but I want to be with you, so please let me be.”
He smiled and nodded his head. I got my answer when his lips met mine. “I want you by my side forever.”
“Then I will be.”
“Promise?” He raised his eyebrows.
“I promise.”
“Guys? Hey guys!” Drake called.
“What?” Kallan asked, irritated.
“They’re here.”
Drake hardly got the words out before a small faery army materialized. Invisibility was great for a sneak attack. There were at least ten guards surrounding us. Some of them looked familiar. Kallan sent Drake a look and Drake nodded.
What’s going on, Kallan? How do we fight them?
Just stay back, Rylie.
Kallan and Drake drew their swords. About four of the soldiers did the same. The others had bows and arrows or clubs. An arrow whizzed by from above and one of the guards fell. The guards aimed where Olwydd was and let their arrows fly at him, but he used his invisibility and disappeared.
The swords clanged as they came together. Satine’s guards were fast, but Kallan was faster. Drake came very close to getting a sword in the chest. My promise to Sierra sprang to my mind. How was I supposed to keep Drake safe?
Kallan’s knuckles were white as he gripped the sword. He stabbed one of the guards in the stomach and then turned around and got another in the chest. He was good. I wished I could fight like him. Drake moved quickly when an arrow flew his way. He pushed his sword into the shoulder of the guard near him.
I tried using Drake’s talent again, but it wasn’t working. I couldn’t paralyze anyone or anything. It didn’t look like Drake could either.
Why don’t our talents work?
They must have someone who can block our talents.
“Drake! Watch out!” I yelled as a guard came at him with his club. Drake moved, but the club still met his arm and he staggered.
I shrieked when hands grabbed me from behind. A blade was pressed at my throat. Kallan spun around. His face was a mixture of anger and fear. He raised his sword. “Let her go.”
The dagger pressed harder against my skin and I could feel something warm running down my neck.
You okay? Kallan asked.
Yes.
Elbow him and duck to the right.
I took a breath and elbowed the guard behind me as hard as I could.
“Oof,” the guard groaned.
Before I had a chance to duck, he pushed me to the ground. My head smashed on a rock.
“Rylie!” Kallan called out and rushed to my side.
No, Kallan. Fight them.
Before he could get back on his feet two guards snatched Kallan, dragging him away and pounding on him with their fists. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw two others coming toward me. Drake grabbed me first and literally threw me over his shoulder and sprinted through the trees.
“Kallan!” I screamed out. “Drake! Put me down! Drake!” I pounded on his back.
Rylie. I’ll be okay. You need to get out of here.
No! I won’t leave you.
You have to. I’ll fight them, Rylie, but I can’t do that if I have to protect you too. Get to safety. I’ll be there soon.
Kallan…
Please, Rylie.
Defeated, I responded, Okay.
I love you, Ry.
I love you too.
We turned a corner and Drake shouted out and fell to his knee, dropping me on the ground with a thump.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
Drake clutched his leg where an arrow was sticking out of it. Without another thought, he yanked the arrow out. He was on his feet within seconds yelling, “Go!”
I pushed myself up and began to sprint farther into the forest, but two large guards stepped into the path blocking our way. I skidded to a stop, falling on the ground again and twisting my foot in the process. I bit my lip, determined not to yell out or cry. Drake positioned himself between them and me and pulled out a dagger.
I tried again to use Drake’s paralyzing ability without success. One of the two guards must be the blocker. I had to take him down. I was useless without being able to access others talents. Drake charged at the guards with his dagger and traded feints, thrusts, and parries with them.
The guards were fast and Drake tripped and fell to the ground. The faery with the light yellow wings looked at me. Quickly I willed myself invisible and tried to run. Some kind of pressure knocked me to my knees. I looked up into the eyes of the faery coming at me—I must be visible again. He grabbed me by my shirt and threw me near Drake.
I looked around for a way out. We couldn’t get past the guards in front of us, and the guards behind us would be here soon. There was nowhere we could run. I felt the cold dirt beneath my hands. Maybe I could use my faery powers?
Kallan? I need help. We’re c
ornered. I can’t use Drake’s talent. What can I do?
Call on the earth.
I pushed my hands firmly to the ground and closed my eyes. I wasn’t sure if I needed to say something or envision it or what. I never had to say anything before. I willed the earth to help. Envisioned trapping the guards somehow so we could escape.
“Rylie! Hurry. We have to go.” Drake put his hand on my shoulder.
I opened my eyes and found the branches and vines from a nearby tree had wrapped around the two guards. Well, look at that. It worked.
“Rylie, c’mon, we’ve got to go.”
Sobs overtook my body. “I…I can’t leave him.” I tried to reach Kallan in my head. Kallan?
It took a second, but he responded. Get out of here, Rylie.
Drake seized my hand and yanked hard. “Start walking or I’ll pick you up again,” he threatened.
Reluctantly, I scurried to my feet and went with him. “We can’t just leave Kallan.”
“I have no intention of leaving him there, but we need help, and those other guards aren’t far behind.”
I knew he was right, but it broke my heart leaving Kallan behind. My ankle throbbed with every step I took, but I forced myself on, knowing Drake’s leg was hurting way worse than my throbbing ankle.
“Light faery land is too far. We’re hurt.”
“I’ve got you,” Drake said through the pain in his voice. “You must hurry, mo Bhanríon.” He placed his hand on my back.
“Mo Bhanríon? What does that mean?”
“My queen.”
“Oh c’mon, Drake. We’re buddies, right? You’re gonna go get all formal on me?”
There was a hint of a smile on his otherwise pained face. “Our destination is not much further.”
My aching body sure hoped he was right. Drake led me through bushes where no path could be found. He kept looking behind us, his brow furrowed, and sweat trickling down his face.