Fae

by C. J. Abedi

  Wow. My parents wanted me to have fun. I guess I was more of a nerd then I originally thought. I quickly realized that this conversation could only go from bad to worse.

  I tugged at Teddy’s arm, so that we could get out of there. The quicker we left, the quicker we would get home. This evening was already turning into a night of inquisition. He took the hint and shook my dad’s hand as I gave my mom a quick hug goodbye.

  The evening air was brisk and slightly cooler than the other nights had been that week. But the chill felt good. I knew that my face would be turning many shades of red tonight, so anything to cool the heat would be welcomed.

  I skipped down the stairs leading to my house and headed out to Teddy’s car.

  “You really do look great,” Teddy said with an admiring smile.

  “Thanks, maybe Tatiana has a cousin,” I laughed.

  “She doesn’t have a cousin, but she does have a brother,” he joked.

  “Yes, she does have a brother,” I replied suddenly reminded of him.

  I opened the car door and sat on the leather seat and shook away any thoughts of the dark-haired stranger. I would see him tonight. I would have to pretend that I couldn’t care less about who he dated or what he did with his free time. I suddenly wished that I had taken more drama classes.

  “Here we go,” Teddy said as he put the keys in the ignition.

  “Here we go,” I repeated and gave him a forced smile.

  Jordana lived a couple of miles away from me in Ballast Point, an upscale neighborhood of Roanoke Island, which faced the waterfront. Owners of houses on this part of the island generally had large boats that they would keep docked right outside of their home. The neighborhood was all rather new, and the elegant homes very spacious and beautiful. I admired the manicured lawns of the streets as we drove up to her house.

  The party was in full swing when we arrived. The music could be heard all the way down the street. Teddy parked his car a few doors down from Jordana’s parents’ home.

  I looked out the window to see a crowd of people on the street, on the driveway and around the stairs leading up to the traditional home. I took in a deep breath and opened the car door.

  Everyone outside was staring at us as we made our way through the group of onlookers, making every attempt to smile. Teddy stood tall and proud, and for the first time I realized that he fit in perfectly. His attitude was definitely far different than our classmates, but he had an air of confidence that I had never seen until tonight. Or perhaps never taken the time to properly notice.

  He nodded and gave a high-five to people that I spent many of my formidable years with, but who now looked at me like I was a complete stranger. My smile almost faltered as I sensed my confidence starting to crumble. What was wrong with me? I took a deep breath in and willed myself to be strong when I heard a familiar voice call out my name.

  “Caroline? Is that you?” Brian Baker asked out loud in a state of shock. His look of disbelief was almost comical. I couldn’t look that different from how I did in school, could I?

  “Hey Brian,” I managed.

  “Wow, you look hot,” he said.

  “Thanks,” I couldn’t keep the shock out of my voice. I was still reeling from the fact that he actually knew my name.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked. I couldn’t help but smile. At least he was being honest.

  “Jordana invited me.”

  “I figured that much. I’m just surprised you came,” he said with a smile as he turned to Teddy. “Hey man. How’s it going?”

  “Great,” Teddy replied as he looked around at the large crowd. “Looks like she invited the whole state.”

  “You know Jordana,” Brian replied, rolling his eyes.

  Actually we don’t, I silently thought. Neither Teddy nor I had really ever had much interaction with Jordana or her friends since elementary school, actually since second grade when there were no cliques or groups, or even popular or unpopular kids. When we’re all just the same, equals and friends.

  “Well, it’s nice of her to include everyone,” I offered graciously.

  “There are some people she shouldn’t be including,” Brian bitterly said as he took a sip of whatever was in his plastic red cup. I thought I smelled beer.

  “Who’s that?” Teddy innocently asked.

  “Devilyn Reilly.”

  Oh boy. I looked at Teddy and shook my head.

  “I gotcha man, I gotcha,” Teddy said as he pushed me along. “We’re just going to head inside and grab a drink.”

  “Catch you later,” he replied as he lifted his drink up in the air. He winked at me before I turned away, giving me the confidence I needed to face anyone.

  I followed Teddy up into the house, and the second we walked through the front door I knew I didn’t belong. The world was so foreign to me. Girls in short skirts, flirting shamelessly with the boys. Beer cans and plastic red cups in people’s hands. I am so out of my element, I thought as I scanned the crowd. I guess this is what high school is all about. I stared at a couple that was making out on the dance floor.

  I didn’t belong. And I wanted to go home.

  Teddy took a hold of my hand, as if sensing that I might bolt for the door, and looked down at me and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.

  “You’re okay.”

  I nodded at him, and then he slowly guided me through the various groups of familiar faces as I tried to maintain my composure. It felt like we were deep within the ocean, swimming idly, as a group of sharks circled us just waiting to attack. I knew that Teddy was searching for Tatiana and was anxious to find her. Although the sooner he did, the sooner I would be left to fend for myself. I knew three was a crowd.

  “Oh my gosh Caroline, I almost didn’t recognize you!” Erika Davis called out.

  I turned to face the popular cheerleader that had sat in my art class all semester and nodded. I guess the fact that I was wearing makeup was coming as a shock to not only my parents but to the entire student body of Manteo High.

  “Hey Erika, how are you?”

  “No, I mean I honestly didn’t recognize you,” she repeated, ignoring my question. “Until I saw Teddy and then knew the girl following close behind would have to be you.”

  “Yep, it’s me.” I didn’t know whether to feel insulted or ecstatic. I concluded that I must certainly look like a troll at school.

  “You should wear makeup more often,” she said with finality as she turned and continued her conversation with her girlfriends who nodded in agreement.

  “I’ll take it into consideration,” I replied.

  “Let’s grab a drink and go outside,” Teddy said, sensing my rising unease.

  “Have you seen Tatiana yet?” I asked trying to change the subject.

  “Nope, but there’s her brother. So I’m sure she’s here.”

  My heart dropped.

  D

  I couldn’t stop staring.

  A quick look around told me that I was not alone. She had every breathing male in the room stealing looks at her. She radiated beauty. It glowed from within. Despite her quiet confidence, I could tell that she was uncomfortable in her surroundings. We had that much in common. I knew that like me, the last place on earth either of us would ever want to be was at a high school party.

  I wished I could leave the silly girl who stood next to me and grab Caroline’s hand and take her away from this madness. I would run away with her. I would take her around the world, watch with wonder as she experienced a new city, a new culture. I’d see the earth through her eyes. I’d watch the innocent wonder. I’d revel in the purity of her humanity. We’d be a normal couple. We’d have a normal life. With normal problems.

  I could do it.

  I could make anything happen.

  I was to be a King after all.

  And then I saw a flash of Arthur’s face. The look of a man who’d loved, lost, and could never return. I could not l
et that happen. But I could not stay away from her. I knew that the closer I was, the better I could protect her.

  But I had to be cautious.

  Every move I made from this day forward had to be calculated. I couldn’t afford to make a single mistake. I had to undo my past actions and get her to trust me so that she would feel comfortable spending time with me. Until the great danger of the Seeker passed.

  And then what? And then nothing.

  And then, I will walk away.

  I began thinking about how I had spent my day. Plotting, planning, investigating. I had woken early that morning and set out into the forest surrounding Jordana’s home, waiting for any indication that the Seeker had arrived. I went to the sea and stared out upon it. I went to the gardens and listened, and Brighid had met me there.

  As I stood with my eyes closed, head up to the heavens and palms out, which was the best way to hear our enemies, ensuring that every part of my body was one with the nature surrounding me. I began to listen intently, and then she appeared.

  She had jarred me out of my reverie.

  At first I thought it was the Kelpie, and I had instantly turned and hit her with light out of my eyes. Luckily she had been prepared and had guarded herself against the attack.

  “My God! Brighid!”

  She laughed gleefully.

  “You can’t fool me.”

  We stood facing each other. “Thank God for that.”

  Brighid looked me over. “He is not here.”

  “I know.”

  “But he is coming,” she told me.

  “Where will he be?”

  “I cannot tell.”

  “You cannot tell or you cannot tell me?” I asked curiously, unable to keep the anger out.

  “Both,” Brighid said solemnly. “There are rules that come with our gifts, Devilyn, rules we all must follow. But nevertheless even I don’t know everything.”

  “Why have you come?”

  “To give you this.” A small white orb appeared in her palms, and she walked over to give it to me.

  “What is it?”

  “It is yours.”

  “I don’t understand,” I told her.

  “It is your mother’s light.”

  I felt like she had punched me in the stomach.

  “She doesn’t need this right now. And you do. Take it. She gave it to me for this day. She wanted you to have it.”

  I closed my eyes against the pain of her words.

  “Wanted? Is she gone?”

  Brighid smiled gently at me and looked up at the sky.

  “She is everywhere.”

  I still could not bring myself to take what she was offering. “Let your anger go, Devilyn. Let the hurt go. She loved you. She sacrificed for you. Take her last gift. It will help you protect Caroline.”

  I didn’t hesitate.

  I cupped my hands and held them out as Brighid placed the orb into my palm. The force of the energy lifted me into the air as the orb dissolved with speed and coursed through my veins. I felt a resurgence of power and energy. I knew my eyes were brighter than they’d ever been as I felt even stronger. I looked down and Brighid was gone. I saw how the light seemed to immerge from my fingertips and I played with the electrical current that moved in and out.

  “Thank you,” I whispered and then I disappeared to continue my search for the Seeker.

  My greatest concern was the water surrounding the community, for I knew the Kelpie loved and lived in water. I was almost certain that he would swim up to shore and make his way onto the town. Or would he think that was too obvious? It was maddening. For I had no way to be sure of anything.

  The questions played like a broken record over and over in my head. What form would he arrive in? Would he be able to spot her? Where could I take her to escape his clutches? How would I be able to stop what I might not be able to recognize? I had to be careful because my nerves were making me mad.

  An hour before the party hit full swing, I set out again into the forest. Hoping and praying that Alderon would reveal something. I desperately wanted anything to give me an advantage.

  I made my way into the Fae forest, and it took only moments before I found him easily, dining in abundance and laughing with the enchanting Katya. I stood in cloaked darkness before the bountiful spread, listening intently to their discussion.

  “I should have married your mother,” he charmingly said to Katya. “She was a great beauty.” Alderon looked at the end of the table where I stood. “Instead I made the grave mistake of finding solace in the arms of that lying whore Tara.”

  My eyes narrowed, and I couldn’t help the anger I felt at the mere mention of my mother. Was he taunting me?

  “We would have had beautiful children.” He smiled over at her. “You’d be my daughter.”

  “I would have liked that,” Katya said loyally.

  Alderon reached out and grabbed her hand. “As would I. Instead I am left with Devilyn. A child that hates me. That denies his birthright. And defies me at every end.” Alderon wore the look of a father scorned. Katya fell for his make-believe sorrow, but I knew better.

  “He will realize the error of his ways, Alderon,” Katya tried to soothe him. “He is your son, after all.”

  “He is my son, but his mother was of the light. We must always remember he is the only Fae to ever be both. Dark and Light. The battle that wages inside him must be ferocious.”

  I was startled by my father’s words. It almost sounded as if he felt sorry for me.

  “But he will ultimately choose us. He will choose the dark,” Katya told him.

  Alderon lifted his fork and smiled, “Imagine waking up every day, every single day, of your existence and being alone. Yes, he lives with Odin and his sister but he battles what lives within his soul. Dark. Light. Dark. My son must live with this madness at all times.”

  I immediately looked away feeling like I had been slapped by his words.

  “What will he choose? What will he be? The call must be strong and only one side can win.”

  “He is the chosen one,” Katya told him. “He will pick our kingdom.”

  “No matter what he decides, I fear it will be too late, my dear. I don’t know if I can forgive him anymore. There are laws.”

  “But he is your son.”

  “There is no room for forgiveness, even for my son. And there is a price he will pay.” Lightning crackled in the sky. So be it. It was an omen.

  I thought of Arthur. Of his prison. There would be no other way.

  “What are your plans? You have kept us in the dark. There are many who grow worried,” Katya told him.

  “The wheels of my plans are already put into motion,” he said with a smile as he reached across the table and grabbed a shiny apple. “My dear son will soon learn a valuable lesson.”

  “And what is that?”

  “If something is taken away, then it was never meant to be yours.” I watched as he took a bite out of the apple and smiled.

  I wanted to tear him to shreds. He would know I was listening, and he knew how to play this game too well. I left quickly trying to escape his laughter. In my haste and anger, I failed to notice the maidens that had followed me before I disappeared into the forest of the Dark Fae.

  The Valkyries.

  There were two that greeted me when I appeared back into the human world. They were dressed as always, like Amazon warrior princesses. Their hair held high, worn that way so that they would never be left at a disadvantage during battle. They wore short metallic warrior skirts, so that they could move quickly if need be. Their arms were bare, except for the serpent cuffs they wore, the eyes made of bright lapis stone designed to look into the heart of any man.

  They pointed their spears at me, yet the smiles they wore ruined the effect.

  “Has Odin not taught you well, Devilyn?” Kristianna asked curiously.

  I looked down, pretending I was humbled, an
d before they knew it, I pulled both their spears from their hands and held them, pointing one at each princess.

  “Indeed he has,” Artemis said as she clapped.

  I knew the game was on as the women began to circle me.

  “Let’s dance,” Kristianna said. I moved the spears around quickly, knowing they were looking for a battle, even if it was one in jest.

  The women pulled their swords from the sheaths in their backs and attacked. I moved quickly as Odin had taught me, blocking each thrust of their sword with the spears I had pulled from them. When the spears broke and I was left with nothing, I ran. And they easily followed, their laughter chasing me through the forest. I moved easily through the trees, jumping over and dodging branches.

  This was my element.

  But the women were fast and caught up with me quickly. They circled me again, their swords held high as they watched me curiously.

  “This is not fair, Artemis. He has no weapon. Perhaps we should give him one.”

  “I don’t need one.” I told them as I used my energy and pulled her sword from her hands. She replaced her sword quickly with a dagger she kept strapped to her leg and the two pounced again.

  Whether luck was on my side or if I was fueled by mother’s energy, I beat the women at their sword play in record time. The bowed to me and clapped.

  “Fabulous,” Kristianna replied.

  “Odin will be pleased.”

  I threw the sword into the ground a few feet away from where they stood.

  “Battle never pleases my father.”

  “But being a warrior does,” Artemis replied softly. “You have a Queen to protect.”

  They were right.

  And now, as I looked at Caroline I knew that Odin was wrong. I had played the game incorrectly. For the moves I made in this game of chess exposed my Queen. From now on, I had to keep her close.

  Jordana began tugging at my hand, and I was forced to look down.

  “This is the best night of my life,” she giggled happily. “Tonight we are the host and hostess of this party. You and I are practically Mr. and Mrs. Reilly.”

  I tried not to roll my eyes. This charade had to stop. I looked over at Caroline who still had not seen me.