Shadow Play_A Dark Fantasy Novel

by Jill Ramsower

  “How did the fight end?”

  “The Erlking, our leader, broke us apart but only after we had beaten each other to near death. I will never forgive him, and I will never forget.”

  “Why can’t you tell me stuff like that from the beginning? It would be so much easier to understand, to trust you.”

  His head cocked to the side and his arms crossed in front of his chest again. “Tell me, Rebecca, how did you get down here without my men stopping you or setting off our wards?” Instead of answering my question, he posed one of his own slowly and deliberately.

  I didn’t have a good answer for him, so I pressed my lips shut and held his gaze pleadingly.

  “Exactly. You've chosen to withhold information, just as much as I have.” He backed away again as the door opened and Michael, Liam and the man that had been with Liam on the stairs came to stand just outside the doorway, posture stiff and their faces hard.

  “I was told that the Fae can't lie, is that true?”

  “Why don't you ask your precious Ronan?”

  “Because I'm asking you!” I was so sick of this cat and mouse game, that without realizing, I had shouted at him.

  “Of course we can lie!” he yelled back, face contorted in disgust. “We can steal, cheat, rape—the possibilities are endless, and our long years make many of us depraved enough to enjoy it. But you can't seem to get enough of the depravity, regardless of how much I try to keep you out of it. There was nothing you could gain from knowing a portal was found and I have no duty to report to you, but that doesn’t seem to matter. I saved your ass and have tried to answer your questions without putting you in more danger than you're already in. I’ve warned you about Ronan, who obviously set up this little charade, but you’re right, I’m the bad guy here.” Walking toward the door while the others filtered inside he spoke, keeping his back to me. “Get her out of here.”

  Michael stripped the gun from my hand and the other two took hold of my arms. Everything Lochlan had said was true and I had nothing to say in my defense. They marched me up the stairs to the back door where I was unceremoniously tossed out, just barely staying on my feet.

  “I warned you about that curiosity of yours, too bad you didn’t listen.” Michael took his parting shot before the door slammed shut and I was left in the dark alley alone.

  Accepting defeat, I put my head down and stumbled to the main road in search of a cab ride home. Before I got far, I did a double take when my eyes fell on the man from the airport sitting on a bench across the street from the club. At first, I thought I had just imagined the resemblance with what was rapidly becoming an overactive imagination, suspecting monsters to pop out at every turn. But when my eyes landed on him for the second time, my heart flip flopped in my chest and I picked up my pace to a jog. I jumped in the first cab that I came upon and when I glanced back at the bench, he was gone.

  When I entered my quiet apartment, I didn’t turn on any lights and instead went straight upstairs to my bed where I curled up in the darkness. I needed allies in this dangerous Fae-filled world, but knowing who to trust was next to impossible.

  I had to question why Ronan had made such malicious accusations about Lochlan. Did Ronan just want me to himself or was this more about hurting Lochlan by turning me against him? Regardless, I was angry with Ronan and could no longer trust anything he said.

  Lochlan, however, had yet to do anything to cause me harm and I had taken his help and thrown it back in his face. Patience was never one of my virtues, and I had a sinking feeling that I had let my intense desire to solve the mystery overrule my good sense. I had to accept that I may have lost Lochlan’s help permanently.

  I wanted to try to repair the damage that I'd done, but also needed to give him time to calm down. I planned to stop by the Huntsman the next day to smooth over my transgressions. With that settled and my body drained of all its energy, I slipped into a deep, dreamless sleep.

  I woke Saturday morning still in my clothes from the night before. After forcing myself from bed, I showered and dressed for the day. As anxious as I was to go to the club and apologize, it was entirely too early. Instead I tried to lose myself in a book and pulled out one of my all-time favorites, Pride and Prejudice. Normally a grey sky and reading would make for a perfect Saturday, but I couldn't shake the embarrassment and frustration from my actions and it made it hard to enjoy anything.

  Waiting as long as I could, I made my way over to the club midafternoon and was relieved to find the main room empty. I knocked softly on the closed office door and received an exasperated command to come in. Lochlan was reclined in his desk chair and as I met his cold blue eyes, his chin lifted in acknowledgement.

  “I’m sorry, Lochlan, about doubting you and spying on you. Everything in my world has been flipped upside down and even though I want answers, it was wrong of me to jump to conclusions.”

  “You should never have been involved in any of this to begin with.” His hard voice was firm and didn't bode well for accepting my apology.

  “Please don’t force me away, I need your help, I need to be a part of this.”

  “You don’t need anything, don’t be absurd.”

  “Will you take me with you to the portal tonight?”

  “Jesus, you’re persistent,” he said in exasperation as he stood and walked to the bookcase along the wall, placing his hand on a shelf with his back to me. Almost under his breath he asked, “What am I going to do with you?”

  I could tell his question was rhetorical, but I responded anyway. “Do you really want me gone?” My hands clasped together in front of me and my traitorous eyes began to burn with unshed tears.

  He faced me, his features hard and he strode to me, his mouth colliding with mine. His strong hand on the back of my neck tilted my head up to give him better access to my mouth as his other hand reached behind my back and pressed my belly against his solid front. Taking advantage of my surprise, his tongue dove between my lips with a possessive thrust and my hands fisted in his shirt.

  I hadn’t known that I wanted this assault, but his body against mine felt like coming home, and I was instantly swept up in the kiss. My skin ignited as he consumed me and I could feel my core desperately clench in need. Just as I started to lose myself in his arms, he slowly pulled back and I tried to catch my breath as he spoke in a low rumble.

  “It would seem that I don’t know what I want.” His eyes dropped briefly again to my lips, but instead of diving back in, he took a step back.

  “Don’t push me away. Take me with you tomorrow.”

  “Not happening.” His words were dismissive, but his voice was affected. He sat at his desk and opened his laptop to indicate the conversation was over.

  “Whatever you say goes, is that it? You’re not the authority you know, I could just follow you.”

  With amusement in his eyes and a smirk on his face he said, “I’d like to see you try.”

  My frustrations exploded, and I just barely refrained from stomping my foot on the ground and screaming. “You think you can just kiss me like that and then set me back on the shelf like some toy?” Without realizing, my voice raised to near shouting.

  Lochlan stalked around the desk to stand toe-to-toe with me before he spoke. “Just because I want to fuck you doesn’t mean I owe you anything.” He paused while my mind stumbled over his admission. “How about this, you tell me exactly what makes you think you are a part of this, and maybe I’ll consider taking you with me.”

  I could have sworn from the heat that blossomed across my face that flames had flickered across my cheeks. My frustrations at myself and my entire situation escalated to a boiling point and I couldn’t seem to hold myself back.

  “The Unseelie and even Shadow Fae are practically lining up at my door—don’t you think that’s enough?” I ground out, not sure what I could tell him to convince him to take me without giving up the secret of my necklace.

  “No, I don’t.” His calm, chiding tone grated on my alre
ady frayed nerves and I glared at him, rage growing in my chest.

  No one would cut me a break—offer me information without a price. There were lies and judgment and deception at every turn and I’d had enough. The room filled with an electric energy as I held his eyes. One by one in quick succession, the overhead lightbulbs sizzled out in the room but neither of us took our eyes from one another as we were cast in darkness.

  “Don’t play games with me, Lochlan.” I spoke with a fierceness I had not known I was capable of.

  Lochlan’s lips curved up in the corners in a feral smile and he raised his chin. “That's the girl I've been waiting to see. Be at the club tonight at 10 p.m. sharp.” He left the office without another word.

  His sudden concession and exit left me dumbfounded. I stood in the dark office staring blankly in wonder at what had just happened. For a brief moment, I considered about snooping through his desk, but the intense adrenaline rush had left me drained, and I figured if I wanted him to trust me enough to include me, I would make an attempt to trust him as well.

  I grabbed my purse and walked slowly to the stairs—with a power surge taking out the lights, I had no interest in possibly getting stuck in the elevator. As I rounded the stairs to the first floor I wondered if the body of the Fae man was still in the basement. I was willing to bet that had I gone down there, I wouldn’t have found a trace.

  15

  It was late afternoon when I exited the building and fumbled to put on my sunglasses. The skies had cleared for a change, and the sun cast gorgeous pinks and purples on the few remaining clouds as it set behind the horizon. Unfortunately, the view was marred by Ronan moving purposefully down the sidewalk toward me.

  “Rebecca, what were you doing here?”

  “Why? Worried I’ll find out you lied to me? Too late. I came to talk to Lochlan about the portal and the Fae he had captured. Ronan, you lied about all of it. Why would you do that?”

  “You've spoken with Lochlan and now you've taken his side and decided that everything I shared was all a lie?” His anger was evident but he reined it in and studied me imploringly. “Lochlan is extremely dangerous and he may have managed to wrap you around his finger but that doesn’t change what he’s done.” He cupped my cheeks. “Rebecca, you should be with me. I’ve tried so hard to show you where you belong, what else do I need to do?”

  His words unnerved me and I pulled my face back from his hands. “Be with you? This isn’t about me choosing sides, this is about stopping the Unseelie from getting on Earth and hurting people.” I stepped back and glanced away as he slowly lowered his hands to his sides. “I like you, Ronan, I don’t want to hurt you, but I can’t be the rope in your tug-of-war. It’s not helping anyone and we need to work together.”

  “I see. I’ll have to think about what I can do to bring us all together then.” Jaw clenched, he lifted his chin. “I’ll see you soon, Rebecca.” Before I could respond, he stalked into the building.

  What a cluster-fuck.

  I rubbed my face in exasperation and took a deep cleansing breath before I headed back home.

  Exhausted from playing James Bond the night before, I took a long nap before I met Lochlan that night. Feeling somewhat refreshed, although a bit on edge, I dressed in casual black clothing with no-nonsense sneakers and pulled my long hair in a ponytail. I was ready for a stakeout or to run for my life, whichever the night should bring.

  I was cautiously hopeful that all would go as planned and we would arrive in time to see the portal open. Before it closed, Lochlan would do whatever it was he did to identify the culprit. Even if he didn't capture the person, we would at least find out who was behind the portals. Fighting a war against an unknown enemy was infinitely harder so just knowing who we were up against would be significant progress.

  A part of my insisted that the Fae were not my problem and that I shouldn't put myself in danger if it wasn't necessary. I didn't have a good answer for why I was intensely compelled to learn as much as I could about what was going on.

  I had been one of those children who searched through her parents' closet to find presents before Christmas. I’ve been known to read the summary of a movie before I watch it so I know if the hero dies at the end. Not only is patience not a quality I possess, but once I become focused on a subject, I have the single-minded tenacity of a Pitbull on steroids. Once I got it in my head that I needed to know what was going on, there was no stopping me.

  Similar to our first encounter, Lochlan was leaning against his car when I arrived at the Huntsman building. This time he was in jeans and a black long-sleeve henley that clung to his broad frame. His black biker boots said ‘leave me the fuck alone’ and together with his blond hair and blue eyes, he was the vision of an avenging angel.

  “Get in, you’re late.”

  “It’s five minutes.”

  “Don’t waste my time. Do it again and I leave your ass behind,” he said as we slid into the car—he may have let me come with him but he was clearly still pissed at me.

  “What about the others? Are they meeting us there?”

  “No, it’s just us tonight.”

  My mouth dropped open incredulously. “Are you kidding? Because that’s not funny.”

  “I’m not kidding. I don’t expect this to be a problem—the ritual won’t be performed until midnight and I should be able to prevent any Unseelie from coming through.” He spoke matter-of-factly as if it were self-explanatory.

  “How do you know they won’t perform the ritual until midnight?”

  “Fae magic is closely linked to nature—the moon cycles, the seasons, the elements—in both Faery and here on Earth. Two nights ago was a solstice-like event in Faery when the last portal was opened and tonight is the new moon here, which will be at its highest point in the sky just after midnight. These events tend to make our magic stronger and timing can be essential when trying to use great amounts of magic.”

  While he spoke, my eyes roamed over his masculine features. I told myself that I was only looking his way because it was polite to look at someone when they spoke, but deep down I knew the real reason. He was a gorgeous specimen and as cliché as it was, I was drawn to him like a moth to the flame, and that proverbial fire was going to burn me one of these days.

  The remainder of the trip I kept quiet, anticipating what would happen when the portal opened. I realized too late that I should have brought some kind of weapon with me, not that I had one anyway.

  In Texas, guns were relatively commonplace. While my parents didn't own any guns, I had been to a gun range on occasion with my high school boyfriend, so I wasn't totally uncomfortable with them. I wasn't sure that it would be effective against the Fae, but Lochlan had been carrying one, so I figured they served some purpose.

  We pulled into an industrial park lined with warehouses and commercial buildings. He took the car down a row of rentable garage shops, some with signage advertising their business and others were vacant. Lochlan parked next to Rupert’s Auto Repairs among several other parked vehicles and exited the car. I followed suit, having no idea where we were going or what I should be doing. He led me down the row of shops and stopped in front of the long-abandoned auto garage at the end.

  Brown paper covered the inside of the glass door to block the view inside, but the thick grime on the glass would likely have done the job admirably. One of the larger locations, its storefront was twice the size of the shops we had walked past. Lochlan put his hand on the door handle and I could see the knob catch as if it had been locked but then clicked open—strikingly similar to my experience opening the back door of the Huntsman building. I was guessing he had used magic to unlock the door and I would have to file that away as a possible necklace power. I realized that I was going to have to make a list of these powers and see if I could try to use them on command and chided myself for not having tried to do so already.

  “Whoever’s in Faery opening portals will need someone here to set up the spell requirements on this
end. We’ll go in and wait for that individual to arrive and only once the portal has been opened will I attempt to trace its source.” His eyes were hard and he spoke softly. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Take the keys to the car, if anything goes wrong or I need to go through the portal, once it's safe, go to the club and get help.”

  I wanted to tease him about driving his fancy car when he handed over the keys, but I was too anxious to joke. The night air was freezing and the clear, moonless sky was dark and endless.

  We silently walked a few feet into the room and assessed our surroundings. The space had at one time held four garage bays and still contained large lift equipment throughout the middle of the space. It was nearly pitch black in the room, yet I was still able to make out stacks of tires and equipment nearby.

  As Lochlan started to step forward, I threw up my arm in front of his chest and he instantly froze. In the corners of the room, totally shrouded in darkness, I could feel the presence of at least a dozen creatures. I wasn’t sure how I knew, it was as if the dark had whispered to me. Almost as if I was a part of that darkness and knew its secrets as if they were my own.

  Just as I started to tell Lochlan to run, his body jerked back as two arrows lodged themselves in his chest. He managed to stay on his feet and maneuvered himself in front of me while throwing his arm up to cast a magical light above us.

  We were almost instantly surrounded by what looked like gaunt old men, larger than the draug had been somewhat similar. Bearing fangs and claws, they had wicked eyes and wore rags on their bodies with tattered red beanies on their heads. I watched in horror as one of them threw a stack of tires out of his way as if they had been made of Styrofoam. Several monsters swept in from behind, blocking our exit.