Breaking Out

by Gayle Parness

  But my situation was different. I was also part demon and part cheetah shapeshifter, two species with very different loyalties. Shapeshifters governed via an elected council who brought issues before the community for a vote in a much more democratic way. I was raised in that world.

  Demons, who happened to be the sworn enemies of Faerie, didn’t have a democratic bone in their bodies. At this moment they were planning a war in our world to raze Faerie to the ground, all under the direction of my great grandmother, the Archdemon Naberia. She’d be facing off against Finvarra, Aedus, Liam, Caelen and the rest of the fae who’d watched over me my entire life, keeping me safe, training me for what was to come.

  According to The Prophecy, I’d be the one leading the fae into battle.

  And the shapeshifters, werewolves, vampires and humans who inhabited the human world? They’d be trapped in the middle of the carnage, unable to defend their territory or their families against a hoard of demons and an army of fae lords.

  To say I lived on the edge of disaster was an understatement.

  But I wasn’t about to give over my choices to someone else. I straightened. “I have not pledged fealty to you or your court.” Samson jumped off the bench and sat by my feet, maybe sensing that there’d been some kind of change.

  “This has not escaped my notice. You are the child of my full blood son. To whom would you pledge your fealty other than me?”

  “I’m as much a shifter as a fae.”

  “Is there a shapeshifter king? Would you perhaps hope to wear that crown yourself?”

  Despite the fact that I was facing one of the most dangerous creatures I’d ever met, I laughed. “Shapeshifters don’t need kings. We decide things in groups.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “That seems an inefficient way to rule.”

  “I guess so, but it works.”

  His expression had grown dark, dangerous. In my bones, I knew he wanted me to say more, some kind of assurance that I wouldn’t turn my growing powers against his people, that I would serve the Court of Faerie and not side with Naberia. I swallowed the tiny bit of spit left in my mouth and forced my body to relax.

  Knowing it may not be enough. I gave him what I could.

  Bowing deeply with my hand on my heart, I forced a smile and spoke to him in Fae, a language I was fluent in thanks to Farrell and Sinlae. The language was an ancient one, the wording archaic, yet clear.

  “Grandfather, I am honored that you have taken time away from pressing matters at court to answer my questions and offer advice. I understand why you desire that I swear allegiance to you, but at this time I cannot do more than offer you this truth. I will never betray you or the people of Faerie to your enemies, I will honor my parents’ pledge of friendship and support to the Cascade Sidhe and I will always honor and respect you as my grandsire.”

  I pulled the fae dagger from my belt and slashed the palm of my right hand. “I swear this to you with my blood, the blood of three lines: fae, shapeshifter and demon.” The now familiar sound of Samson’s furious digging immediately followed the soft thump of my blood hitting the dirt. But Fin made no move, only watching.

  I extended the dagger, hilt first, and waited. An oath of friendship would be a good start between us. We might not be official political allies, but it would tell his people and the world that we weren’t enemies either. I guess I kind of thought of myself as the ambassador of my own sovereign country: unique and unattached, so far, anyway. Diplomacy was tough and I had a long road ahead.

  But he didn’t use the knife to slash his own palm. Instead, Fin’s eyes darkened, his power brushing against my skin, healing my wound. He could still decide to destroy me. It would be the easiest way to ensure that my growing powers would never be a factor in the war he believed was coming. Instead he stepped forward, grasping the hilt of my dagger and bringing it to his nose. After a long sniff, he dipped a finger into the blood still pooled on the blade, lifting it to his mouth and tasting it. He swallowed and the air grew still, the world silent.

  Okay. I didn’t expect that. He was using blood magic. With my blood.

  We found ourselves somewhere between, where no one existed but Finvarra and me. Here my body could live without air or food because magic was the air I breathed, the food I ate. It sang silently in my veins, warming my skin with a peaceful hum, a world of glorious music, a symphony, a rave. It was every dream fulfilled, every wish granted, a world of perfect peace. When magic touched my shoulders, wings formed, allowing me a freedom a lonely young boy had dreamed of for many years. The only requirement was that I stay forever.

  But we waited, Fin and I, gazing at each other, wings unfurled, yet silent so that we might hear.

  When the sounds and scents of reality smacked into me again, I stumbled backwards. Samson was beside me, and I clutched at his scruff to steady myself.

  Fin glanced at the dagger still clutched in his hand. I thought for a moment he might taste my blood again, a part of me wanting that more than anything. Would we return to that perfect place? Instead he wiped it on his sleeve and handed it back.

  My hands were shaking so badly, it took me two tries to slide it back into its sheath. Fin began to circle me. “Your blood spoke to us, young fae. Did you listen?”

  “I tried,” I answered truthfully.

  He nodded, satisfied. “Do you know what Fionna had in mind for you?”

  “Not really.”

  “She would have chained you in iron and drained you of blood, always leaving you with enough to keep you alive so that you might heal. Your mixed blood would have provided her with a magic she did not have access to.”

  My eyes were angry slits. “Are you considering the same thing? I wouldn’t go easily.”

  Whack. My head snapped back with enormous force and I was on the ground, the King of Faerie’s now booted foot on my neck. My uninjured eye was wide enough to see Mars without a telescope. “I have observed that your mouth is not often synchronized with your brain.”

  Speaking was difficult, but I managed to croak out, “I apologize.” He lifted the boot and I rubbed my neck and my cheekbone. I’d have a black eye and a bruise on my neck and should be happy he hadn’t thrown me against a tree. Fin had never given me reason to believe he’d imprison me or use me. I’d been a first class asshole suggesting it.

  “I will not form an alliance with a child. When you are ready, and I will determine when that is, you may spill your blood for me again. For now, do not allow any other creature a taste. If you do, you will end up as Fionna envisioned.”

  “I’ll be careful.”

  “Show me your hand.” I knew right away which hand he was interested in. He traced the scar. “What was your crime?”

  To lie or not to lie… Remembering the boot at my neck, I decided to spill. “I tried to control Isaiah with my mind. He gave me a taste of what it would be like if someone did it to me. I was younger then,” I added, tasting some blood in my mouth. I must have bitten my tongue when he hit me.

  “You are not so much older now.” He released my hand. “You could have healed the scar.”

  “I was angry and stupid. The scar reminds me of my—my mistake.”

  “Your hubris. Do not think of it in any other terms, Charles. It was my son’s undoing. I will not allow it to be yours.”

  That was the first time today he’d called me by my name. “Where is my…? Where is Kennet?”

  “He will never affect your life again, nor your mother’s life. I have made certain of this.”

  “But, he’s alive?”

  “The Balance does not tolerate well the loss of her children. I will protect my people at all costs, particularly from those fae who have warped their magic and abused the gifts they were given.” He lifted his head, turning toward the way we’d come.

  “Your friend searches for you. Go to him.” A firm hand landed on my shoulder stopping me as I began to turn away. “Despite your belief that you are not one of mine, you will contact me if you have
need.” He grinned, patting my sore cheek and hopping a line to Faerie.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  I pushed the red circle on my cell phone and lowered my body into my usual chair at the kitchen table. I’d eaten thousands of meals while seated in this chair, yet for some reason, today it felt odd to be sitting here.

  Sash slid into the chair next to mine. “How is he?” He spoke quietly, soothingly. Sash knew me so well.

  “Something’s up. Fin’s with Charlie. Neither one of them gave me any details.” I was shocked how calm I sounded. Perhaps my head didn’t think it was a big deal that Charlie had called Fin. But my gut…my gut was in a knot. Something was definitely wrong.

  “Why don’t you call Garrett?”

  “I don’t want to bother him. The meeting probably just ended and they’ll be eating dinner.” Garrett was at Aaron’s house in the Greenway Pack Territory. He’d been invited to a Western Pack Council meeting along with three other vampires who oversaw territory in southern California, Oregon and Washington State. Garrett had inherited his territory from his psycho maker, Eleanor, and it covered most of Northern California.

  “Jackie…”

  “I know, I know.” Garrett would never make me feel like I was bothering him.

  “He’d want to know.” Sasha had known Garrett for over a hundred years and had become Garrett’s second in command a few weeks after Garrett had destroyed Eleanor and taken over her nest. He was right. Garrett would want me to call him.

  “Do you think I should try to find Charlie? On my own? He might need some help.”

  “No.” He placed his hand over mine. “Charlie is an asshole for leaving the way he did, and I’m going to wring his neck when he gets back, but no. Now that he’s gone, you have to give him his space.”

  “But…”

  “He’ll find his way or he’ll come home. He and Jay won’t do anything too stupid. The fact that he called Fin is a good sign. He’s smart, your boy, he knows when to ask for help.”

  “Five minutes ago you wanted to ream him out.”

  “Because he hadn’t called, not because he’s a bad kid or a stupid kid.”

  “Better tell Sinlae. She’s been worried too.”

  “Sure. We all worry about him.” He squeezed my palm. “I’ll go find her.”

  I was relieved when he left, not because I didn’t like hanging out with Sash, but because I wasn’t in the mood to talk.

  I’d pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I wasn’t going to be seeing Charlie around for a while, but the house still felt like a black hole. Empty nest syndrome they called it. More like chunk missing from heart, syndrome.

  A section of the kitchen shimmered and Finvarra appeared. I’d never been happier to see him.

  “Little mother, how are you?”

  “What’s wrong? Is Charlie hurt?”

  Fin draped himself over a chair, conjuring up a large cup of honey wine. “As long as you overlook the black eye I gave him, he is in perfect health.”

  “You hit him?”

  “He deserved it.”

  “What did he do?” I asked.

  “Nothing you need concern yourself with.”

  “I’m also pretty good at doling out black eyes.” I fisted my hands and scowled to let him know I meant business, but instead of getting angry, he laughed at me. Looks like I wasn’t getting any info from the King of Faerie, at least not today. “I’m sick of asking questions and hearing a bunch of non answers. Charlie won’t talk. You won’t talk. Maybe I should call Kyle. See if he can get some info out of Jay.”

  “Jay is a loyal friend who will not divulge Charlie’s secrets.”

  I straightened up, resigned to my fate. “Can I get you something to eat?” I found I wanted Fin to stick around. After a phone call from Charlie, I tended to get depressed. Maybe having someone with me would help.

  Fin waved his hand and a platter of breads, meats and cheeses appeared along with another filled with ripe fruits. “You look thin.” Fin said, his expression concerned. “Please share my meal.” I nodded a thank you and dug in. I was suddenly starving, a part of my mind wondering if this powerful fae could control even my appetite. But the food tasted so good, bringing a comfortable warmth to my belly, that I decided I couldn’t yell at him for being kind, even if he was withholding information.

  We ate, chatting about what was going on at the Faerie Court as if we were discussing the last high school PTA meeting. But it was like that with Fin. When he was off duty, he seemed to fit in anywhere.

  After a glass of honey wine I felt brave enough to ask, “What happened to Kennet and Fionna?”

  His eyebrows rose at my audacity, but no one had a better right to the answer than I did. “They will never be in a position to bring harm to your family again.” I opened my mouth to respond, but he raised his hand. “I will not speak of them again tonight.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “You need never feel that way. They did you great harm.” I nodded and continued to pick at my food. “Your son tried to make a blood alliance with me. He sees himself as my equal.”

  I finished chewing a delicious morsel of cheese and freshly baked bread, swallowing before I answered so I wouldn’t choke. It also gave me time to think up an appropriate answer. “He’s certainly unique. I don’t think he knows where he fits in.”

  “Unique indeed. I tasted his blood.”

  Good thing I’d already swallowed. “You what?”

  “It is like nothing I have ever tasted before. Its magic took us between.”

  I’d been between. It was glorious—and addictive. “A lot of dangerous people will want him if they find out what his blood can do.”

  “This is true.” He noticed me pushing the plate away. “Don’t despair, Jacqueline. He is your son. I see none of Kennet’s rot. Every young male feels anger and frustration, but he is never cruel nor often impulsive.”

  This time I laughed. “If he’s not impulsive he’s not like me, thank goodness.” I shook my head and met Fin’s gaze.

  His lips had curled up at the corners, his entire focus suddenly directed at me, as if I’d become much more interesting. In that instant I understood how so many females had wanted him to father their children. Finvarra was much more than his incredible magic or his exalted position.

  Those dark eyes and full lips were an invitation few unattached females would walk away from. Like his son Caelen and his grandson Aedus, he was devastatingly handsome, but his appeal went much farther. Finvarra was perceptive when he chose to be, intuitive. With one glance I understood that Fin knew what a female wanted, what she needed, what she dreamed of, and I had no doubts he could deliver on every score.

  I cleared my throat, but my mouth had become a dune in the Sahara. “It’s a good thing I’m mated to a guy who plans ahead,” I blurted out, my nerves showing.

  He remained cool, calm and collected. “Spontaneity can lead to great pleasure.” His seductive voice traveled down my spine and lodged itself in my belly.

  Holy hells, was the King of Faerie flirting with me? Should I be afraid? Would he force…? But I pulled the plug fast on that thought. As scary as I’d seen him, I knew to my bones I was safe alone with him. In fact he was doing an amazing job at taking my mind off of Charlie—the scoundrel.

  “I believe you have a touch of the charlatan in your blood, King Finvarra.”

  “You are a delightful creature, my lady Jacqueline, and I enjoy your company very much. How does that make me a fraud?”

  “You pretended to flirt, all to get my mind off of Charlie.”

  “Did it work?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then half of me will admit to that being my plan.”

  “And the other half?”

  “Will bow gracefully and admit defeat. Garrett is a fortunate male.” He was grinning from ear to ear, amused by the game.

  “Your kids are nothing like you, are they?”

  “If you are referring to my penchant for mis
chief, I would have to agree that none of my sons follow in my footsteps. Jorrenn and Dinestri have lighthearted spirits, and there is hope for some of my grandchildren.”

  “That’s true.” Kellaine loved a good laugh, and Brina was full of mischief. “Charlie’s on the serious side. Sometimes I wish he laughed more.”

  “Your son will laugh more as he gains confidence.” He took a moment to clear the plates away with magic, leaving the kitchen spotless. “I think it is possible that the healer in him, the healer he inherited from you, is what gives the mixture of races stability. I cannot imagine he would have survived without it.

  “He almost didn’t. He was ill all the time when he was young. It wasn’t until he was four that he seemed to get truly healthy.”

  Imagine what a powerful healer will accomplish with his powerful fae and demon magic?”

  “But I’m afraid for him. He’s in constant danger.”

  Fin took my hand. “He is, but he can handle more than he imagines.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  I kept my hood up so Jay wouldn’t see my eye right away. “You weren’t here a minute ago. I looked.” Jay complained. He was growling, pacing back and forth. In bear form he’d be showing fangs.

  “I’m sorry. Fin showed up and he took me to some other place where we could talk in private. He said it wasn’t Faerie, but it was looking that way to me.”

  “What did he say about this Ammon dude?”

  “Not much. He told me the guy wasn’t using his real name and that I should keep away from him.”

  “Duh.”

  “Yeah, he didn’t look happy about me being contacted. He wanted me to swear allegiance to him as my King, but I’m not gonna be bullied into taking sides.”

  “Seventeen and you’ve already got a bad track record with powerful supes.” Jay said, smiling.