Fae

by C. J. Abedi

  “I will protect her.”

  “I know you will, my son. But you know the Seeker has another special skill that makes him vastly different.”

  I closed my eyes as the feeling of dread washed over me.

  “He is a shape shifter,” I whispered. “He can take any form if and when commanded by Alderon.”

  “Yes.”

  That’s what would make him so difficult to single out.

  Find.

  And destroy.

  “How will he arrive?” I asked, hoping Odin would have an answer.

  “That is yet to be known,” he responded, shaking his head. “The runes have been cast and coming into motion. I cannot see him. Yet.”

  I closed my eyes in despair. For I knew in whatever form the Seeker was to arrive, Caroline would be drawn to him. He would look into her eyes, and he would know. He would know who she was, and that’s all it would take. And then all he would have to do to set the plan in motion was to follow her until she bled, which for humans was a natural occurrence. Once he could confirm her Faerie scent, she would be taken away. And he would have followed all of the laws, and there would be no dispute. There was nothing Odin or I could do could prevent her from being discovered.

  “I questioned your methods before, but now I agree. Perhaps it is wise of you to continue keeping your distance.”

  “Keep my distance?!” I nearly shouted. “I need to be near her, to protect her even more now. He will find her whether I am near her or not. If I stand by her side, she’ll have a fighting chance.”

  “It’s too risky.”

  “I will not leave her alone!”

  My eyes lit up with a furious black fire.

  “Careful, Devilyn,” Odin said softly as he watched my body radiate with rage. I disregarded his words as I paced back and forth.

  “I’ve made a grave mistake!” I said in anger. My hand moved toward the mantle as I felt the energy course through it. An ancient urn exploded loudly.

  Odin was silent for a moment before he spoke.

  “You are correct. Going to the Elizabethan Gardens was too dangerous.”

  I spun around and glared at him.

  “The Gardens? That is not what I am talking about.”

  Odin raised a brow at my tone. I closed my eyes and tried to regain control.

  “I apologize.”

  I sat in the nearby chair and put my hands to my head.

  “What have you done?” he asked with growing concern as he rose from his chair to loom over me like an angry God.

  “I’ve pushed her away.”

  I saw the relief in Odin. I’m sure he thought I’d done something far more dangerous.

  “It is the best course, my son.” He drew in a long breath and placed his hand on the top of my head, just as he had done when I was a child. “The Seeker is powerful, yes, but his powers have boundaries. If you keep your distance, it may take him years to single her out. That will buy us the time that we need to protect her, perhaps even remove her from her current surroundings.”

  “Remove her?” I almost shouted as I looked up at him. “I will never remove her. The only chance she has is if she stays here and lives a normal life.”

  “Perhaps.”

  I rose quickly and made my way to the door. I needed some air.

  More importantly, I needed time to think. But Odin had other plans.

  “There’s more,” he said as he snapped his finger, and we both disappeared.

  Before I knew it we were standing at the entryway of the enormous hall of Valhalla.

  As usual I could not help but be overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the warriors’ domain. There was a bright light that illuminated the room and cast itself around the jovial Vikings as they drank wine, laughed with one another, and pulled maidens into their laps. This was their heaven. Their reward for staying true of heart and fighting great battles for Odin, for truth, and love.

  The music came to an abrupt stop.

  I looked out upon the men as they looked with awe at the entryway. Their Lord had arrived. In an instant the great warriors stood from wherever they were and bowed deeply to Odin, who now wore a long velvet, purple cape that flowed magically around him.

  “Rise, my sons,” he said as he lifted his hand. There was a twinkle in his eyes as he snapped his fingers again. “Let the festivities begin.”

  Instantly, beautiful women filled the halls. They wore colorful costumes and held candles as they danced ceremoniously around the men. And then a woman wearing a long cape and hood that covered her face moved through the dancers and began to sing. Her voice was incredible. The kind of sound that could give anyone, mortal or not, chills. As Odin had expected, the men were entranced. He took hold of my arm.

  “Come.”

  He pulled me through the hall, and the men paid us no attention as we made our way to a secret door. Odin pressed against a panel lightly and we entered a room. Chills travelled up my spine as we quickly moved down a narrow stairwell that was plunged in darkness. I followed Odin quietly as we went lower and lower, down the never-ending narrow stairs. The further we went, the harder it became to breathe.

  After what seemed like an eternity we finally reached the bottom. Odin led me through a narrow cavern. He motioned toward an orange glow at the end of the tunnel.

  “This way.”

  We made our way to the exit of the cave and came upon a giant river that was lit by a blood red moon. The river moved so dangerously fast that a mortal would never be able to see a thing that sat on the water. I adjusted my gaze and took a deeper look into the murky river, sensing that something dark loomed within the current.

  I watched as Viking ship after Viking ship moved past us with men at their helms looking out for the doom that awaited them. Their faces were filled with terror, for they knew that this was the wrong place to be when you passed. One man in particular wept openly at his fate. He looked to the shore and saw Odin. I knew he recognized the light that came from him. The man reached out with his hand pleading for mercy and Odin lifted his, silently speaking to him. After a moment the man looked down in shame.

  “He knows,” Odin said to me as he finally looked over. It was the first time that I saw such sadness within his eyes. I knew that watching any soul move to the dark side of the afterlife was difficult for him.

  “Are you ready?”

  I nodded my head even though I had no idea what I should be ready for. I just knew that I could not wait to leave the Viking underworld. Odin lifted his hand toward the river, and I watched as large stones emerged from the water, creating a path for us to take over the wild current. I followed quickly. When we were on the other side, the rocks crashed back into the river.

  We moved toward a giant Yew tree that stood alone on the banks of the river. As we neared, the tree made a noise from within and an entrance formed. I looked over at Odin with a feeling of dread.

  “Who was banished here?”

  Odin didn’t answer as he stepped inside. My eyes took on the familiar glow. My hands started to throb as the energy began to move. I followed Odin. What greeted me inside was what every Fae feared from the moment they were created. I had to close my eyes and gain control over my racing heart. Odin had brought me to the place that both the light and dark Fae whispered about. Warned their children about. And prayed that they would never end up having to endure.

  The yew tree.

  The yew held the souls of banished Faeries. This was their prison for crimes committed against the race of Fae, humanity, or life. It was a small hollow room that was empty, with nothing but leaves on the ground and bark to stare at. A terrifying prospect.

  “Open your eyes, Devilyn,” Odin ordered.

  I did as told but still could not control the fear that came naturally with being in such a place.

  “Who?” I whispered.

  “Shhh,” Odin said as he closed his eyes, “Wait. He will come.”

&nb
sp; The dim light was suddenly gone, and we were cocooned in complete darkness. I could smell the wood from the tree. And then right before us, a blue light moved around the tree, encircling both Odin and I. I watched in awe.

  “How dare you bring this boy to me!” a voice that shook with fury roared around us.

  “Calm yourself,” Odin replied to him.

  “Calm myself?! I can smell his father all over him.”

  I took a step back. Almost stumbled actually. I knew who Odin had brought me to see. I felt a strong hand circle my throat and push me up against a wall, and the figure took shape in front of me.

  It was Arthur. Caroline’s grandfather.

  He was different than any Fae I had ever seen. His face was ragged and held a look of such hopelessness, that it would have brought me to my knees if he didn’t hold me up. And then there were his eyes. His eyes were bright with rage, fury directed toward me, the son of Alderon. But they were eyes that I recognized. I couldn’t seem to stop myself.

  “She has your eyes,” I gasped out suddenly. It took a moment, but his grip loosened.

  I continued on, “Caroline has your eyes.”

  I didn’t mean to hurt him, to devastate him any more than was possible, but it was inevitable. He dropped me to the ground, and I fell with a thud as he put his hands over his face and tried to hide the tears that flowed. Odin put a hand on his shoulder and tried to comfort him.

  “Arthur.”

  Arthur took a moment and regained control. He turned his back to us and suddenly there were three chairs and a small table. He sat down and motioned grandly at the furniture, “Courtesy of your father.”

  I knew he hated me. I did not blame him. I could not blame him. Looking at the grim surroundings made me hate my father even more.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry? You’re sorry?” Arthur laughed. But it was devoid of any joy. He turned toward Odin, “He’s sorry?”

  And then he looked directly at me, and I felt for a moment that I was looking into Caroline’s eyes. “If you’re so sorry, go and kill your father.”

  “Arthur—” Odin warned.

  “How?” I asked in shock. I looked from Odin to Arthur.

  I had never dreamed it was possible to destroy my father. I had never known that such a thing could be done. My father transcended the laws of the Fae, lived so far above that he was deemed untouchable. He was also beyond powerful; the darkness that he summoned had given him gifts and protection that had always seemed impenetrable. Until now.

  Arthur looked at Odin.

  “You mean he does not know?”

  “No!” Odin said furiously. “And that is not why we have come!”

  “How can I kill my father?”

  Odin looked at me with genuine anger, “Do not utter such words to me again boy! That is not an option. Will never be an option. Do you understand me?”

  I nodded my head, but I had no intention of keeping this promise. I looked over at Arthur who was watching me curiously. I knew he would help.

  “Then why have you brought me here?” I asked Odin.

  “To see what your father is capable of. To see it in person. To smell it. Know it. And never forget it.”

  “I already know—”

  “No! You do not know! If you think to do something rash in your attempt to protect Caroline—”

  “Caroline is in trouble?” Arthur asked, concern in his voice.

  “You know what is coming, Arthur,” Odin said to him. “You have always known the prophecy.”

  “But now the Seeker has come,” I explained to Arthur. He was on his feet in a second, a ball of light in the next. He moved around the tree at lightning speed, his voice screaming in rage.

  “I will protect her,” I assured him.

  The light still moved furiously around in spite of my words. I closed my eyes then and spoke to Arthur as only Fae could do.

  “I will do anything to protect her.”

  “Anything?” Arthur snarled at me.

  “Yes.”

  “Will you kill your father?”

  “If I have to,” I said without hesitation, “but I don’t know how.”

  “If you are brave enough, come back without Odin, and I will tell you.”

  “Yes.”

  Suddenly Arthur was standing before me. Odin watched. I wondered if he had heard our conversation. I’m sure he had tried to listen in.

  “You do not deserve her.”

  It was jarring to hear those words out loud from Caroline’s only living relative. To face his fury and disgust and know that I completely deserved every ounce of it. It still felt as though I had been punched in the gut.

  “I know,” I acknowledged. “But I will keep her safe.”

  “May the druids haunt you for eternity if you do not Devilyn.”

  And then we were gone.

  Back in Odin’s study. Back in Roanoke. It took a moment for me to calm my nerves.

  “What did you say to him?”

  So Odin had not heard. I wondered why.

  “I cannot hear your thoughts within the prison of the Yew.”

  I looked at him, my face perfectly composed.

  “I promised I would protect her.”

  Odin watched me for a moment then nodded as if he accepted my words. I started to walk out of the room.

  “He’s wrong, you know.”

  I stopped.

  “You do deserve her,” Odin said softly. “You both deserve each other.”

  Chapter Eight

  “Your love should never be offered to the mouth of a stranger. Only to someone who has the valor and daring to cut pieces of their soul off with a knife, then weave them into a blanket to protect you.”

  —Hafiz

  C

  I took time that evening.

  I took time picking what I was going to wear, actually changing four times before finding the perfect outfit. I took time drying my hair and even borrowed mascara and lip-gloss from my mom, who had been unable to hide her joy over the fact that I was asking for makeup. She had even gone so far to ask if I was trying to impress someone special that evening.

  I had told her no. But only I knew that was a lie. I wasn’t dressing for myself. I was dressing for him. I wanted to look my best, be the most confident I’d ever been because I had something to prove to two people tonight.

  Myself and Devilyn Reilly.

  I was about to walk into a den of sharks. A den that I had successfully avoided for my high school career because I knew that I had no business being a part of it. Since I clearly hadn’t attracted much attention during the past few years, I was growing more and more concerned that what I had picked to wear from my tiny closet wouldn’t cut it tonight at the party.

  I moved over to the bed and touched the pair of dark blue skinny jeans. I shook my head in despair as I thought about my ridiculous predicament. I would think back on this day and laugh. I repeated the words over again in my head, I would think back on this day and laugh. Hysterically, I hoped. Unfortunately, I felt that by the time this day would actually be funny to me, I would be old and gray.

  I shifted through my closet, staring at my carefully folded sweaters and found a nice cowl neck gray sweater and threw it on my bed next to my jeans.

  “Alright,” I said with a deep sigh, satisfied with my selection.

  I changed into the outfit quickly. Time was flying by, and Teddy was bound to show up at any moment. The last thing I wanted to do was keep him waiting and have to suffer through his jokes about how long it took me to get ready for the party.

  As I put my black boots on, I heard the doorbell ring below and the sound of my mom’s voice greeting Teddy. I took one last look at myself in the mirror, grabbed my jacket and shut the door to my room.

  Teddy and my parents had gathered in our kitchen and their voices carried up the stairs. I quickly descended them and turned the corner to find t
hem sitting around our kitchen island. It was obvious from their huge grins that my parents were overly excited. It wasn’t like me to go out on a Saturday night, especially to a party. My mom was positively beaming. Had been since the moment I asked for lip gloss.

  Most parents would be nervous about their children attending an event like this. But mine were just the opposite. I guess they had always secretly hoped I would eventually step out of nerd-dom, and tonight’s party definitely was, in their eyes, a step in the right direction.

  “Oh honey, you look absolutely beautiful,” my mom gushed as I entered the kitchen.

  She actually clapped her hands together.

  “Let’s not get so overly dramatic,” I replied hesitantly as she came over to me and took my hands in hers. Were those tears in her eyes? She didn’t even cry when she found out I aced all my AP classes freshman year.

  “Mom…” I grumbled, unable to deal with her enthusiasm.

  “I can’t help it.”

  I looked over at Teddy and tried to change the topic. “You look good, Teddy.” I walked over and gave his shoulders a tight squeeze.

  He quickly rose from the bar stool he was sitting on and gave me a full look over.

  “Honestly, you look amazing,” he said as he scrutinized my face. “Are you wearing makeup?”

  “No,” I said too quickly. I tried my hardest not to blush.

  “Yes, you are.” It was like a kid brother pointing out the obvious.

  “Well, just a little, what’s the big deal?” I replied defensively.

  “That’s a surprise,” my father said stating the obvious.

  “Why is it a surprise?” I asked. “I always wear makeup when I’m going out on the weekends.” That was a lie; Teddy’s snort of laughter said as much.

  “Since when do you go out, dear?” he teased.

  “Since tonight.” I couldn’t keep the attitude out of my voice. “And don’t worry, I’ll try not to make a habit of it.”

  “Oh honey, don’t tease her. I honestly wish you would make a habit out of it, Caroline!” My mother laughed. “We just want you to have fun sometimes.”