The Dark

by Cheyenne McCray

  “Jake,” Cassia grumbled for the hundredth time. “His name is Jake. Not ‘human.’”

  Alaia reached up and touched her collar. Jake raised his eyebrows. The collar unfolded into a gold-handled dagger with a glittering, jagged, silver blade. “This blade will slice through the bands the Shanai use to keep our people as pleasure slaves.”

  “And?” Jake said, inserting a good dose of skepticism in the word.

  “Patience, human,” she said with a deliberate look at Cassia, who clamped her mouth shut. Alaia put the handle of the dagger back up to her throat and it simply melded back into the shape of a collar with unusual runes that encircled her neck.

  She picked up a collar from the huge mound on the cavern floor and pressed her thumb firmly against the metal. It, too, unfolded into a dagger. “We have daggers,” Jake said. He winced as Cassia stomped on his foot, hard. Maybe he should shut his mouth.

  “Ah, but your daggers are worthless against a water funnel.” Alaia eyed him as she raised the weapon so that the light glinted off the blade. “With this blade, your warriors can kill a Stormcutter before the being takes human form.”

  Jake whistled. He sure hadn’t expected that. “No kidding?”

  By her frown and her narrowed gaze, the Mystwalker woman looked like she was starting to get irritated with him.

  Breacan remained at her side and appeared amused, as if enjoying the exchange.

  “Your people can wear the collars as we do.” Alaia trailed her fingers over her own collar. “This shall also leave their hands free to carry other weapons if needed.”

  She pressed her thumb against the hilt and it folded back into a smooth collar. “It adjusts to the neck size of the wearer. A simple, deliberate touch and it instantly forms a weapon again.” She demonstrated by touching it once more, and the collar smoothly formed a jagged dagger.

  “That’s incredible.” Cassia leaned down and chose a collar from the enormous pile.

  Jake grabbed one at the same time she did. They each touched their rune-engraved collar firmly. Both collars unfolded into daggers with thick, solid, hilts, with grips that wouldn’t slip out of a person’s or being’s hand easily. He ran his finger along the blade and winced as the edge sliced a shallow cut in his forefinger and blood beaded on his skin.

  “Niiice,” he said as he looked back at Alaia. “So with these we can eliminate the funnels before they take human shape.”

  Her gaze was direct as always as she gave a “Yes,” but by the inflection in her tone, she was likely thinking, “Isn’t that what I’ve been saying, moron?”

  “Impressive.” Jake chose to ignore her attitude and stared at the cache with a whole new respect.

  “However,” Alaia started. Yup, a catch. There was always a catch. “It takes time to create these weapons because we must mine the metal from our caves. We have not the number of people needed to make greater numbers.”

  Alaia gracefully swept her arm out over the enormous pile of collars. “We have made perhaps five hundred in addition to what we ourselves wear.”

  Jake stroked his jaw as he considered what she had to say. “Darkwolf’s supposedly gathering thousands of followers.”

  He frowned. “We’ve got three thousand, max, if we count the twenty-two hundred Marines and the Drow. Although if it’s daytime, the Drow are stuck below ground.”

  “We will continue our work,” she said. “But again, it takes us much time.”

  “This metal you use,” Jake gestured to the cavern walls and the thick gold veins, “the Drow and D’Danann think it may be strong enough to use to build a human weapon.”

  “Cassia sent word to our sentinels near the D’Danann village.” Alaia looked at Breacan, who handed her what looked like a roll of parchment. “I believe this will tell you all you need to know about our metal.”

  Jake unfurled the parchment and stared in amazement at a graphic of one of the gold bars. The drawing was surrounded by moving numbers and symbols. Bit by bit, he realized what the numbers meant.

  The figure beside the little flame—that had to be the metal’s melting point. And the tiny picture of the metal being bent—yes. Tensile strength. It was all he needed. He shifted his gaze to Alia.

  “Incredible.” His mind whirled ahead to putting the god-containment array into construction phase. He barely managed to remember a quick, “Thanks.”

  “May I see what it is you need the metal for?” Alaia asked.

  Before Jake could dig in his back pocket, Cassia withdrew the folded weapon schematics from her own back pocket. She glanced at Jake. “I took it from you to make sure it wasn’t ruined when your clothes were cleaned.”

  Cassia unfolded the paper. “This is a weapon that would be made from the humans’ greatest technology.” Cassia pointed to the parts of the weapon they needed the metal for. “However, the power they would manufacture would be too great for the materials that exist in the Earth Otherworld.”

  Breacan looked over Alaia’s shoulder as she studied the paper while Cassia held it. Alaia’s brow furrowed. “How odd. We have never seen anything like this.”

  Jake drew his Glock from his belt and held it in a safe position. “It’s more or less a gun like this, but larger.”

  Breacan and Alaia studied the Glock with narrowed gazes, “Interesting, but very strange,” Alaia said.

  “What we need to build is even stranger yet.” Jake holstered his gun.

  He explained how the weapon would confine Darkwolf so that Cassia could send him someplace where he couldn’t hurt anyone.

  “We don’t know what power he truly commands,” Cassia said as she told Alaia and Breacan how Darkwolf had absorbed the magic of two gods on top of being an extraordinary warlock in his own right. “But he’s dangerous and power hungry.”

  “Certainly not a welcome combination.” Alaia looked at the weapon schematic with a perplexed expression. “Do you know how much of our metal you will require?”

  “For now we’ll make a single laser-containment gun,” Jake said, “and see how the metal holds up. If it works, then we can look into making more of them.”

  He gestured to the paper Alaia still held. “Right now this is all theory that I need to put into play and tweak as needed.”

  “I have already spoken with the Council of free Mystwalkers.” Alaia returned the schematics to Jake, who still held the parchment she had given him. “We have agreed to give you what metal we can.”

  “It is much appreciated,” Cassia said with a slight bow from her shoulders, her features relaxing.

  Jake breathed a sigh of relief. “We don’t have a lot of time, though. We’ve got to leave now to get back before Darkwolf attacks again.”

  Alaia considered him for a moment. “I shall see what I can do.”

  “Thank you.” Jake hoped to hell they could get out of there and back to San Francisco ASAP.

  Jake saw Cassia clench the collar she’d been holding even tighter as she spoke. “Has the Council of free Mystwalkers made a determination as to sending a number of your people to aid us in our battle?”

  “We can send one hundred at best.” Alaia moved her head to glance at the pile of collars, the thin braid on each side of her face swinging a little with the movement. “There are not many free Mystwalkers, and the rest of our warriors must stay to guard our sanctuary.”

  “Thank you.” Cassia’s shoulders seemed less tense. “Your people will be valued beyond measure.”

  “I am certain we have an advantage that others of your Alliance do not.” Confidence was in Alaia’s tone as well as her posture. “Our powers grow when it storms, and our ability to fight will be even greater.”

  “Your one hundred are likely to equal five hundred of our other fighters.” Cassia held out her hands and clasped both of Alaia’s in hers. “The Mystwalkers are an important part of our Alliance now.”

  She released Alaia’s hands. “We would like one person to join our circle of leaders who represent each race at our
command center.”

  “As long as you have freshwater available,” Alaia said with no hesitation, “then I am able to stay with your people.” She glanced at the Mystwalker male. “Breacan will take my place while I am gone.”

  Breacan gave a deep nod to Alaia. “As you will,” he said.

  Alaia returned her gaze to Cassia. “When it comes time for battle, I am certain you have the means to bring my people to the San Francisco Otherworld.”

  Cassia nodded. “As a Guardian ascending, I have the power to do so myself.”

  Alaia looked surprised. “It is already time for your ascension?”

  “My ceremony was a few days ago.” Cassia cleared her throat, and didn’t look at Jake as her cheeks turned pink. “I will reach my position as a Guardian shortly.”

  “I cannot believe the years have passed so quickly.” Alaia shook her head.

  “Yes.” Cassia’s voice sounded hoarse before she changed the subject. “Jake and I must return to hold audience with the Great Guardian.”

  Jake blew out his breath in a hard rush as he looked at Cassia. “Do you think it’s possible that your people, the Light Elves, will help, too?”

  Her brows dipped as if she was deep in thought. “I’m not certain. I will need to speak with my mothe—the Great Guardian.”

  “Seems like we have a lot to talk with her about.” Jake’s voice softened as he glanced down at Cassia and saw her expression of concern.

  “Yes,” she said quietly. “I suppose we do.”

  23

  “Sonofabitch.” Jake rubbed his forehead as he opened his eyes, and Cassia winced. She’d known he wouldn’t be happy once Breacan woke him, and by the look on Jake’s face she was dead on.

  He glared in the direction Breacan had vanished. “A few minutes. My fist in his face. That’s all I wanted.”

  Cassia rolled her eyes as she gripped her Mystwalker collar. Men. “Breacan had to knock you out and carry you again. You’re too noisy, Jake, and you know it. They can’t take any chances. We’re talking about the end of their way of life. The possibility of being captured and turned into slaves again. Would you wish for that?”

  “No.” Jake grumbled a little more, but got to his feet and scooped up his own collar, which had been beside him.

  He took a good look at their surroundings. They were at the same pond where Cassia and Jake first met up with the Mystwalkers, before being taken to their sanctuary. He hooked the collar to his belt, leaving his hands free.

  When Jake’s gaze returned to Cassia, his expression softened. “Sure you’re all right?”

  Cassia stared up at him, wanting him more than she’d wanted anything in her entire life. But she couldn’t have him. She forced herself to nod.

  “Bull.” Jake pulled her into his embrace.

  At first she resisted. They couldn’t do this. No intimacy of any kind. But as she breathed in his clean, musky scent, she couldn’t help but lean into him and let him hold her.

  “Did you enjoy last night?” Jake asked, his chin resting on the top of her head.

  She drew back a bit so she could meet his gaze. “If I had enjoyed that any more than I did, you probably wouldn’t be standing here with me.”

  A smile tipped the corner of his mouth. “A guy could take that a couple of ways.”

  “You know exactly how I meant it.” She rested her head against his chest, wanting the comforting warmth and solidness of his body.

  This was not fair, not being allowed to have Jake. But then, was it fair for the Great Guardian to continue carrying her burden for eons longer?

  She let out a deep sigh. “It was the most amazing experience of my entire life—except for the fact you’re lucky to be alive.”

  He caught a lock of her hair and twirled it around his finger as she raised her head to look at him.

  His expression turned serious. “How do you think this conversation is going to go with your mother?”

  Cassia sighed and placed her palms on his chest. He felt so perfect beneath her hands, and she could feel his heart beating. “Depends on how much you piss her off.”

  Jake grimaced and tugged on her hair. “First meeting not so hot?”

  “Ice-cold.” She shook her head and rubbed her fingers over his pecs. “She’s used to complete and absolute respect. She’s earned it.”

  “Has she?” Jake said, and Cassia frowned. He let out a frustrated huff and released her lock of hair. “I’m sorry. Yeah, she’s been around longer than dirt. Yeah, she’s a know-it-all—I mean, knows everything. Yeah, she tries to help—in her annoying, cryptic way.”

  “Jake,” She raised her brows, “you are talking about my mother.”

  Jake’s frown vanished and he gave her a grin like a little boy trying to get out of trouble. “Haven’t you heard that sons-in-law aren’t always crazy about their mothers-in-law?”

  The thought of marrying Jake sent warmth through her, and she almost laughed as she tried to imagine the Great Guardian as a mother-in-law to a human.

  Then the dream-vision came back to her and she remembered the Guardian saying she was going to give Jake two choices.

  A small well of hope rose within Cassia. What would they be? And would his choice allow her to be with Jake? Forever?

  But then, she was immortal, and he would die one day. She would watch him age as she remained youthful.

  The thought of Jake passing on to Summerland made her heart ache, and tears stung the backs of her eyes.

  Live in the now, Cassia. Take everything a day at a time.

  She wasn’t so sure she could do that.

  So she chose to ignore his statement. “Come on.” She glanced at the sky. Unlike the City of the Light Elves, in the Fae woods rain wasn’t unusual, and the promise of a thunderstorm charged the air. “We need to get back.”

  Cassia almost smiled at the way leaves, twigs, and branches cracked under his shoes as they walked the distance toward the meeting place where the Guardian would be waiting.

  She glanced at a Dryad watching them from inside the wood of a tree, while at the same time they passed a group of Faeries hurrying to gather dandelion nectar before the storm hit.

  Cassia knew that, as a human with not an ounce of magic in him, Jake didn’t notice all of the Fae. Gnarled, knee-high Brownies peeked around tree trunks, looking at Jake’s shoes as if wanting to devour them. She had to glare at the Brownies and flick a few sparks of magic at them to get the buggers to back off.

  Pixies, with wings that looked too small to carry their chubby bodies, flew overhead, mischievous expressions on their round faces as they whispered to one another. No doubt trying to form a plan to tease the human.

  When Jake wasn’t looking, Cassia raised her finger and sent a stream of gold magic that zapped one of the Pixies in the butt. They scowled at her and looked up at the sky as fat rain droplets started to splatter through the tree branches and plopped on their heads. They scooted away after darting scowls at Cassia, who just smiled.

  She loved the smell of rain and an oncoming storm. In the clean, crisp air of her Otherworld it was even better than in the Earth Otherworld.

  The thought of thunderstorms in San Francisco made her frown. Darkwolf with his Stormcutters and Blades, bringing with them the smells of laundry gone sour.

  Jake took her free hand and she allowed it. She clenched the collar in her other fist and let thoughts of Darkwolf’s storms fall away, and concentrated on the now. Living in the now. It felt so right being with him. Everything felt right—

  Except what had happened last night.

  Except for her foreordained future.

  Except for Otherworlds counting on her.

  Except for her vision of her mother.

  Cassia sobered, her moment of happiness vanishing, and she swallowed. “I need to tell you something.”

  “Hmmm?” Jake glanced down at her with his devastatingly sexy smile.

  “It’s about what happened. What we did together.” She sucked i
n a lungful of air and let it out. “My mother came to me in a vision while I was unconscious.”

  Jake immediately tensed, and she felt it through their joined hands. He squeezed her fingers tighter as he asked, “What did she say?”

  Bigger droplets of water splattered on Cassia’s hair, and one hit her nose, scattering some water on her eyelids. She could have put up a shield to surround and protect them from the storm, but she had a feeling Jake leaned on the edge of having had too much magic, and she wanted some normalcy between them.

  “She’s never looked so angry, Jake.” Cassia’s heart took a serious nosedive to land in her stomach. “The Great Guardian is serene. Perfection. Not an angry being ready to throttle her offspring.”

  Jake stayed silent, and she couldn’t read his expression when she looked up at him.

  “She told me what we did was wrong, that I could have killed both of us with my growing power.” Cassia squeezed Jake’s hand. “If you had entered me, it would have meant certain death for you.”

  She glanced down at her feet before looking at him again. “And not by her hand. By my magic.”

  Jake looked straight ahead. Bless it, why didn’t he answer? Rain came down harder, seeping through Cassia’s hair to her skull, chilling her.

  She tugged at his hand, drawing him to a halt. “Say something.”

  He studied her for a moment before he replied, “She sounds like a mother who thinks she knows what’s best for her daughter.” He leaned in close and said in a low, deep voice, “But Mommy doesn’t always know what’s best, no matter how powerful she is.”

  “You don’t get it.” Cassia took her hand from his. “She is all powerful. If we push this, she could end your life.” Tears stung at her eyes. “Please don’t make her angry. I want her to see how worthy you are.”

  Jake’s expression clouded. “So I’m unworthy? Because I’m a human male? Because I’m not pureblood Elvin stock?”

  A tear rolled down Cassia’s cheek, joining the raindrops steadily hitting her face, and she hoped he didn’t know she was crying. “You know I don’t feel that way.”