by Jaime Marks
She bit her tongue and nodded, deciding that pissing him off right now would only serve to get someone killed. He ushered her ahead of the others. They moved in silence into a passageway that opened in the back of Felycia’s closet and descended down a long flight of steps. It was steep and she almost tripped a few times but John had a firm grasp on her arm. It was unsettling how he would smile at her every time he stopped her from falling. It was almost like he thought that he was escorting her willingly instead of kidnapping her.
His touch was getting to her. She felt like she was going to be sick but she needed to stay in control. If she could just focus she might be able to find something in her mind that would allow her to see a way out of this. There had to be something she could use hidden in all these damned memories.
The passage levelled off then opened into a storage room of some type. There were two more men standing there that she didn’t recognize but one looked a lot like Byryn, a brother maybe? They held j between them. He was cuffed and looked like he’d been roughed up.
His eyes narrowed when he saw her but he remained quietly watching the passageway. He looked tense and frustrated. When Star stepped into the room he cursed and snapped his attention back to John.
“You don’t have to do this, John. You know better than anyone how ruthless my Grandfather is. Sooner or later you’re going to attract his attention, especially making the deals you’ve made. I promise you, the things he does to you will break you,” Kyle tried reasoning.
John chuckled but there was a bitter rage that growled through his voice and, if Steph wasn’t losing her mind, she almost sensed pain from him. “Always a fucking coward, Kyle. You had your chance to tell me what the hell was happening so that I could reason some way out of this clusterfuck but instead you lied to me and hid the fact that she was your sister all this fucking time. After every fucking thing I’ve done to save your ass you let me come in here blind. If I were you I’d be more concerned with what your Alayne’s gonna do to you now that you betrayed him for his greatest fucking enemy, you dumb fuck. I don’t know if I can even save your ass this time. If you were smart you’d let me get you out of here, turn over your sister, and find some way to fix this shit because right about now, you’re facing a death sentence.” He ushered her over to the middle of a room and triggered something that opened a doorway in the floor revealing another passage and ushered her down the steps.
“He won’t let you have her, John. He won’t even give her to the Brood. Maybe before, but everyone knows who she is now. Alayne is the one who ordered her entire line wiped out. Do you honestly think he’s gonna let her go?” Kyle argued still trying to get through to him. “He’ll probably fucking torture you for hiding the fact that you were grooming a Fae to begin with.”
“Then I guess since you won’t see reason I’ll just have to use both you and your sister as bargaining chips, won’t I? He’ll be grateful as hell that I returned his blood to him, especially his bride.” John shrugged refusing to face Kyle, “Besides, I have no intention on bringing up her lines. Worst case scenario he assists in turning her, or forces my awakening so I can and then I claim her.”
Kyle shook his head. “You’re an arrogant ass, John. You think you’ve got this all worked out but you’re wrong. He was here. He already knows. They gave you the option to escape this life and you’re throwing it away for a girl who doesn’t even want you to go back and face a deathtrap. If you really fucking cared about her you’d leave her here where she’s fucking safe.”
Steph met his eyes a moment seeing a Kyle she’d never seen before. She wondered how much of it was driven by self-preservation and how much was actually the real Kyle.
He turned from her focusing in on his sister. “Star, are you alright?”
She nodded but didn’t say anything just looked him over with a mixture of confusion and concern. Apparently she had no idea how to feel about him either.
When they exited into the woods below the plateau John pushed her back against the cliff wall. “I will fix this, sweets. You have to trust me and you can’t tell Alayne who you are. Do you understand me?” John spoke quietly in her ear. “If you play your cards right I may even make sure you get to see your Father, but you need to let me handle this. I know what I’m doing.”
That caught her attention and her head snapped up staring at him. “What did you say?”
He smiled wickedly and brushed the hair out of her eyes. “You heard me. I’m not all bad, baby. If you come with me I’ll take care of you like I always have. I’ll get you out of the bullshit that coming here put you in and I will reunite you with Ceryn. I didn’t know your lines before or I would have brought you to see him sooner. I just need you to work with me.”
She was in shock. Her father was alive? What the hell did he mean he would reunite them? If Ceryn was Shade wouldn’t Cymeryn have known? She couldn’t focus on that now. She needed to find a way to get them all out of this mess and then she could work with Cymeryn and Mythos to figure out what happened to her Father. She could use this though. She could gain John’s trust and he might let his guard down…although after last time that would take some doing.
She let the tears that wanted to flow roll down her cheeks. “Is he alive? Really John, don’t fuck with me about this.”
John nodded caressing her cheek. “He is and I can prove it to you. I wouldn’t lie about this, sweets. I know what your Father means to you, even if you don’t realize it yet. That’s why when I went through your apartment after you disappeared and found your birth certificate, the original one, I knew I had to get to you. I knew if Alayne got hold of you and found out who you were you’d be in trouble. When Syneous put this task out there and I found out they were going after you too I made sure I was the one in charge so that I could protect you. I always knew you were Fae. You used to burn me by accident all the time but it was clear you had no idea. Everything I’ve done has been for you, Steph. I need you to trust me. I only came here to save your ass.”
“That’s really hard to do, John,” she admitted truthfully. He didn’t need to know she had no intention of trying. There was a time when she would’ve melted to know he cared so much but with him everything ended in pain. She knew better than to fall for the same games he always played.
“I know baby, but if you want to get to your Dad I’m the only one who can make it happen for you. I know exactly where he is and I can take you to him. I’ll do what I need to do to keep you safe and happy, but if we can’t get past Alayne, both of us will be in a hell of a lot of danger.”
He kissed her gently and she allowed it biting back on the vomit that crawled up her throat. It was too close and she couldn’t take it. She broke the kiss and turned from him.
“Well at least I know you aren’t just trying to play me this time,” he chuckled.
“I can’t change how I feel for him, John. I won’t be with you, but if you promise to take me to my Father I’ll come with you and I won’t fight you,” she offered letting her determination and anger show in her voice. She figured if things went really wrong and they couldn’t get out of this at least she’d have a backup plan.
“There’s my, sweets. I always did like that fire,” he smirked kissing her cheek. “I don’t expect you to come around overnight. All I’m asking for right now is your cooperation. I know I can bring you around in time. I mean it though, Steph, come with me, work with me and give me that chance. I’ll take you to your Dad. I’m not saying I won’t expect anything from you, but it’s not like you won’t enjoy it and I promise I won’t let anyone else touch you.” She cringed visibly as he trailed his finger down her body and he laughed in amusement. “Do we have a deal?”
Swallowing the puke in her mouth, she forced herself to nod. She was showing John what she knew he would expect from her. She’d always been standoffish and liked being in control but she had always submitted to him in the end. She showed him that now, letting him see the weakness he’d always been able to exploi
t. She knew he was buying it when he kissed her more forcefully pressing his body against hers as he lowered his gun.
“Don’t try anything, sweets. I’m serious. I will hurt you if I have to and I won’t think twice about hurting any of them. I know how much it will mean to you to find your Dad so I’m gonna trust you but the cuffs stay on for now. Prove to me that I can trust you, earn it, and I’ll remove them.” He stared at her expectantly and she nodded. “Stay close to me. If you try to take off or attack anyone I swear I’ll take my anger out on one of your friends and I can think of a few ways that I can make it just as painful for you as it is them.”
“I know, John, so just shut it ok?” She snapped but then quickly bit back on her temper as his eyes narrowed. “I’m sorry. I’ll stop. I’m just...I’m still pissed off at you and this entire situation isn’t really helping.”
He chuckled, “You wouldn’t be you without your edge. I don’t want you to lose it.” He kissed her possessively holding her tight so that she couldn’t pull away. “Let’s go.”
John released her arm allowing her to walk beside him without restriction. She really hoped she had bought Star enough time to reach out and talk to Byryn. She was sitting next to Kyle against a nearby tree and Felycia lay unconscious at their feet. There was blood caked in her hair and on the grass around her head. They’d hit her really hard. She hoped she’d be alright until help got there.
When she met her eyes Star raised a brow but Steph couldn’t do or say anything without attracting John’s attention. Hopefully she’d understood what she was doing, if not there was nothing she could do about it until they were out of this mess. Right now she had to play along with what John wanted. If she made the wrong move he’d hurt them and she needed her freedom so she could fight when the time came. Her main goal was to see to Kylion who Luke still held at gunpoint.
Chapter 3
Byryn laughed as Marcus and Cymeryn bickered about options for the Head of the Securine of Light position. They might be a lot alike but they were both pigheaded and liked to get under each other’s skin on occasion. Nothing major, just nitpicky, brotherly crap. It was comical really especially with Reyana sitting between them trying to strategically avoid getting drawn into the conversation. Everyone else added opinions at random commenting on different points but she pointedly avoided it talking to Mythos about the Bonding Ritual while they both smiled knowingly at their mate.
Suddenly he could feel Staryana blocking him. He withdrew from the conversation trying to get a sense of things. Why would she block him? Maybe she was talking to Felycia about something that she felt was private and didn’t want him to ease drop. He kind of hoped so. He had nothing to hide from Staryana and Felycia needed a friend. It was a relief when he realized that she was her helping her get ready. Having them connect soothed him in a way.
“What about you, Byryn? Do you have any questions about tomorrow?” Mythos requested.
“Hmmm?” He mused distractedly.
“Do you understand what to expect in your Bonding tomorrow?” The King prompted with an amused look.
They were all becoming accustomed to the way he phased out when he checked in on Star or she with him. Marcus and Cymeryn found it an unnecessary distraction, however, and said they would work with him to be able to better control it. They claimed there was no reason the two of them couldn’t master it as they had with Reyana. It was still weird to him that they thought he had the same power and ability they shared.
“It’ll be the same as how Grifyn and Trina’s was, right?” He shrugged, “We’ve pretty much been over it all already.”
“Well yes, except…” Mythos glanced around the room and everyone grew quiet a moment. “We need to work in the coronations.”
“What coronations?” Byryn asked raising a brow. “What are you talking about?”
Cymeryn chuckled, “You really can be thick when you want to be, Byryn. I can only assume it is selective since you have proven to be more than intelligent.”
They all laughed but Marcus just met him levelly in the eyes. “Byryn, we discussed this earlier. You are now considered to be the Prince of Balance through your union to Staryana. Your Bonding tomorrow eve cements that status. As she has now been awakened she will be crowned Princess and you will take your place beside her as Prince.”
Byryn cringed slightly, “Is that really necessary, though? To be crowned?”
They all laughed. He was glad they found it funny but really he didn’t see the point. There was no way the Fae would ever follow his rule. He wasn’t worthy of the crown and he sure as hell didn’t have the power to wield like Reyana and the Kings.
“Son, you command the Personal Guard, serve as Liaison of Redemption, and you hold position on the Council. For all points and purposes you have all the duties you would have as a Prince anyway,” his Dad offered. “Why is this so much more intimidating? Nothing is really changing.”
“I don’t know,” he sighed scratching his brow. Really it was something he couldn’t explain, a sense of things to come that just felt overwhelming whenever they brought it all up. “I guess I never really thought about it until today. I mean, I should have. I knew Staryana was the Princess but I just never considered that I would need to be crowned. You’re all alive and ruling the Kingdom.” He motioned to the twins and Reyana. “I knew if that changed I might have to step up someday but I didn’t really see that happening so I never thought about it beyond that.”
“Yes, well we live in dangerous times, Byryn,” Cymeryn offered. “It is important for the changes that we are making that the throne is secured by the Sacred Borne. It gives our subjects a sense of security.”
Mythos nodded. “It will allow for further stability and contingencies if anyfae is injured or falls ill. Especially with Reyana being pregnant they will need such reassurances. We are not planning to announce that she is carrying twins but we are not hiding it either. If questions arise they will be answered. Carrying twins places her at risk.”
Byryn sighed, “I know and I’m not trying to make a big deal of it. It’s fine really. It just caught me a little off guard.”
The conversation continued but he didn’t hear it. Staryana was suddenly forcefully taking his attention and he could feel her panic.
“Byryn we’re in trouble.”
“Calm down, Staryana I’ll come right to you.”
“No don’t! John and five other unawakened are here and they’re holding a gun on Kylion. If anyone just shows up or if we fight back they’ll kill him.”
“I’ll kill that son of a bitch this time, I swear. I’m sick of his shit.”
“Fine, but what do you need to know because Steph is distracting John. I don’t know how much time I have and I can’t let them realize I’m talking to you.”
“Ok baby, listen, I’m going to try to see through your eyes. It might feel weird but that way you can keep control of your mind. We’ll get you out of there, I promise. If I can’t see through you I’ll ask you questions and you just yes or no, ok?”
“Alright but I’m scared. I…I shifted Byryn and I don’t want to turn.”
He cursed under his breath and closed his eyes reaching through their connection. It was fuzzy but he could see John holding Steph against the wall. She was nodding to something he said and then he kissed her. He’d pay for that shit, no doubt. If he didn’t kill him Mythos sure the hell would.
Staryana glanced around and he cringed when he saw Kyle was right beside her but he could almost hear him trying to reassure her that he would keep her safe until Byryn got there. He could only hope he was being sincere but judging by the black eye and busted lip he was sporting he wasn’t working with John. She looked down to her feet where Felycia lay unconscious and bound, there was blood pooled around her head but at least she appeared to be breathing. His rage rushed forth. It was becoming harder and harder to keep himself in control. Finally she looked around which gave him their position and allowed him to see Kylion. God he was
so scared. His eyes snapped open and he realized he had the attention of everyone in the room.
“What is it, Byryn?” Cymeryn demanded. “I can feel your rage and fear.”
He took a breath to steady himself. “Get Devyn. John has Kylion at gunpoint. He’s in the woods with five unawakened and they have Staryana, Steph, Felycia and Kyle. If we mist in directly they’ll kill my son.”
Byryn pushed back all his emotion as he stood allowing the numb calm he used to thrive in before he came to this world to take hold. He had to shut down his emotions. He had to stay in control if he was going to save them.
Marcus appeared with Devyn by his side. When he met his eyes he looked almost as enraged as Mythos. He had definitely bonded with his sister. “We need a plan, a damn good one, and we need to be quick because the last thing we need is them making it out of the realm. The moment their essence reemerges on Earth we’ll have a hell of a lot bigger problems to deal with than a few unawakened.”
His Dad stood beside him considering things. “Trina, I know how upset you are but I need you to go see to the guards here, in Kyle’s room, and in the dungeon. Find them and see if there are any injuries. I am assuming they used the passages for the most part or we would have known before they made it out of the castle.” He took his Mom in his arms a moment kissing her. “We will bring all of them back safely, I swear.” She left quickly leaving them to sort out this mess.
“They cannot mist here, am I correct?” Devyn requested.
“No, they’re unawakened and only we can; myself, Cymeryn and Marcus…well and Star but she won’t as long as Kylion’s in danger,” Byryn responded.
“How many can you mist at once?” He demanded.
“We can carry two each,” Marcus offered, “but Byryn has not mastered misting in this realm yet. He really shouldn’t transport others until he does. It is harder than misting elsewhere.”