The further we walked the darker it became. By the time we reached the end the only light was from the little fairy in front of me. Had it not been from her glow, I would have missed the turn at the end. The hallway opened into a large cavern lit by at least a thousand fireflies. There was no glowing tree, but the room was not lacking in vegetation. Multiple small bushes were spread throughout the cavern as well as an assortment of flowers much like the ones in the main cave. There was a small pond in the center of the room and a figure sitting at the edge.
“Miss Calista, I have brought Lilly to you,” Nina declared, with almost a nervous edge to her voice. The figure called Calista stood and turned to me. She was smaller than Serephina, but much larger than the Asrai. Her hair was long and white with corkscrew curls. Her face was delicate and smooth, yet fierce. Her eyes shone in bright blue and her lips were a naturally stained red. Her cheeks slightly pink and when she brushed her hair back from her shoulders her nude body was revealed. Her skin was pale, but smooth. Her wings were as large as her body and white as snow. She was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen, human or otherwise. I was secretly happy Shep had not been with me as a tiny knot of jealousy tied itself up inside my belly.
I made no attempt to approach her, just stood staring, unable to look away. The little fairy was buzzing by my ear. “Now you know why she doesn’t like men. Stop staring Lilly.”
I broke my eyes away from her, willing myself to look only at the ground. Yes, I could understand her fear of men. Even the strongest, most faithful man would be brought to his knees at the sight of her. I had to gather my strength and will my brain to look past her beauty before I could face her again. She .glided over to stand in front of me. “Hello Lilly, I have been waiting to meet you since before you were born.” Her voice was as lovely as she was, and her statement caught me off guard. “Since before I was born?” I asked. She simply giggled, motioning for me to follow her. She turned back to Nina. “Thank you Nina, I knew I could count on you. Would you mind leaving us alone for a bit?” She asked. “Of course, Miss Calista. I will come back for Lilly a little later.” And with that Nina flew out, clearly exercising great control to not gaze in admiration at Calista. I guessed she had had plenty of time to perfect this art of ignorance.
I turned back to Calista who was waiting for me to follow her. We found a spot near the edge of the pond and at her encouragement I sat and made myself comfortable. She broke our silence. “I suppose you are wondering about me?” I nodded my head confirming this. “Well, I am Calista the Fey. There are only four of my kind in existence. We all live here in Neveah, in different corners of the land. However you view it, we all possess the gift or the curse to see the future.” She stopped, scooping up some water between her delicate hands and filling her mouth with it. “I have seen many things that are to happen, but none as important as what you are destined to be.” She searched my face. I think she was watching my reactions to see just how much information I could take before my brain would spontaneously combust. I laughed at this and soothed her fears. “Don’t worry Miss Calista, you can tell me what I need to know. I have had to learn and accept a lot during my short time here in Neveah. I don’t think I have room left in me to be shocked. Please go on.” Looking at her was becoming easier. .
~Chapter Twenty~
The Fey sat unmoving, for what seemed like forever, before she finally spoke. “The information I need you to know may change your view on things, on people in your life. You must promise not to reveal what I tell you. Your safety and the safety of your husband rely on this. I am only telling you because I think you need to know the entire truth if you are to fulfill your destiny.” I was getting a little nervous. I couldn’t imagine what could possibly be worse than a madman kidnapping my mother, holding her hostage, and waiting for me to come to the rescue. I scooted a little, making myself comfortable, settling in for her story. “I am ready to hear all you have to say, and I vow to keep all the information to myself,” I stated. She shook her head, happy with my response. “I am sure you have heard yourself being called the chosen one right?”
“Yes.”
“Well, that is true. Jax has caused a terror Neveah has never seen before. The people of this land don’t know how to deal with it. Everything has always been peaceful here. You though, come from a different place. The Ordinaries have a knack for rooting out evil and eliminating it. That is why earth is in a constant state of imbalance. Many evil things migrate to earth, but the Ordinaries are always there waiting to exterminate them. I think it makes the Ordinaries rather extraordinary.” She paused again, allowing me to soak it all in.
“You are a Special Lilly, with your power to heal, but your knowledge of the Ordinaries makes you invaluable to us. The thought of someone being purely evil and the need to remove them is not so foreign to you. I understand you were kept rather sheltered, but I know you watched the news, movies. All showing you how demented a being can be, Ordinary or Special. Neveah has never seen this kind of evil. Even with the beastly, frightening creatures of the Dark Forest. We have always accepted one another for what we were. We naturally were able to coexist without war. Jax is trying to change that. He can be very convincing and charming when he needs to be.” I stopped her. “I am well aware of what Jax is doing. I have been told by many here in Neveah. Pardon me, but you’re not telling me anything I don’t know where Jax is concerned.”
“True, I am sorry if I am repeating things. I just need you to understand the kind of man you are facing.”
“Thank you, but I know how evil he is. Is this all you brought me here for?”
“No Lilly that is just the beginning. You and Shep have the ability to defeat him, if you stay together. Don’t ever be fooled into separating.”
“You mean like now?” I asked her.
She laughed. “No, not now. I am aware of the effect I have on men. It is said that once a man comes in physical contact with a Fey they will be forever in love. I avoid men at all costs.”
I was thankful for this. As much as I trusted Shep, I don’t think any man could resist her. It would be natural to want to reach out and touch her.
“I’m sorry Calista, but I still don’t understand what you are trying to tell me.”
She stood, pacing by the pond. Her face looked worried as she tried to decide the best way to tell me whatever was in her mind. “I can see things, the future, the past, and the present. I saw what happened to your mother. I saw you being born, growing up. Your grandmother used to come to me to see pictures of you through my mind. I told her what I saw for the future of Neveah. I saw Jax coming for your mother, skin walking as your father. I saw her fall for his lies. I saw you coming for her, young and naïve and ready for the fight of your life. I have always tried to stay out of people’s heads and futures, and I don’t go looking for the visions. You came to me though, before you were born. My visions of you have been constant since your conception. I have been trying to figure out why. I have an idea why now. I also now know that my visions are flawed.” She paused.
“Why do you think you have been following my life and why are you doubting your ability now?” I asked her, suddenly very intrigued.
“Well, I knew your mother when she was just a girl. She found this place when she was a teenager. She would leave for days at a time on explorations. Mostly she would travel with Jax or her brother, but this time she came alone. We met. We talked, and became friends. She was not threatened by me as most women are. I was thankful for her acceptance of me. She knew of my visions and at times would make herself visible to me when she was far away or unable to visit. I don’t know how she did it. I don’t even think she knew how, but we kept connected that way. She pushed herself to me when she was in the Dark Forest with Jax. I saw the whole thing transpire. I saw her flee. I heard her say goodbye to me. Through the years she showed me visions of you and your lives. I think she stayed connected with me in case anything was to happen to her. What I didn’t see was Shep. Oh I
saw you together for sure, but I didn’t see anything personal about him until the two of you were joined together back in Antiope. I now know more about your husband than even he knows.” She looked sad as she spoke.
“Go on Calista, please,” I asked quietly, sure I was going to be informed of Leah’s big secret.
“Have you noticed his mother behaving differently Lilly?”
“Yes, Shep and I have discussed it and wondered about it, but have yet to ask her. Why?”
“She wouldn’t tell you even if you did ask. Her shame runs deep. The truth will come out eventually, but I think you should know in advance Lilly so you know what to do when the truth is thrown in Shep’s face.”
“Has he ever told you about his father?”
“Of course, I know his father, we grew up together remember? His father is an Ordinary though.” I had no intention of telling this woman I knew Shep’s father was here, in Neveah. I didn’t feel that was my truth to tell.
“That’s where you’re wrong, his father is no Ordinary. In fact not only is he Special, he is the very thing you are fighting Lilly,” she finished, studying my reaction.
It took me a moment to comprehend what she was implying. I thought back over the last few days and the way Leah had changed. It started with her sister. Had her sister known the truth and she feared she would tell us? What was she so afraid of? I remembered the look on Leah’s face when her sister mentioned Jax’s name. Then it hit me like a train. “Oh God, are you saying Jax Bane is Shep’s father?” She didn’t speak her answer. She didn’t have to. The look on her face spoke a thousand words.
I felt like I would be sick and I stood up, pacing now as well. “What the hell? How the hell does that happen?” She quickly began explaining how Leah had been an outcast in her family. “They all had the same ability as Kelsha, but Akayleah, she only had the power of camouflage. She fled her home at a young age, finding solace in the Dark Forest. She met Jax there when he began going to the forest to work on his own skill. Akayleah was a very beautiful girl and Jax was very charming. As much as he loved your mother he loved himself more and having women fawn over him made him that much stronger. It fed his ego. He turned on the charm for Akayleah and made her feel accepted. He knew her insecurities and played off them to gain her trust.
“He had lain with her just before he went to announce his engagement to your mother. Leah had been roaming the forest as she did frequently. That’s when she saw Jax and your mother. She saw what he did to your mother. She was sick knowing she was carrying a child made from the seed of Jax. She was fearful of him. She knew she could never let him get his hands on their child, so when the chance came for her to flee with your mother, she didn’t hesitate. She met Shep’s father, an Ordinary, soon after her arrival to the other side, fell in love and raised Shep with him, as his own. They were happy for many years. Her entire world is falling down around her. She was never vengeful or evil. She was young and made a mistake in trusting a man she didn’t really know. She has done her best with Shep and prayed he would never find out about Jax. She worries he may have carried too many of his father’s genes.”
“But Shep, he is not evil in the least. He is kind, gentle and loving,” I said, not hesitating to defend him.
“I know Lilly. Shep is nothing like Jax, he is his mother and his Ordinary father through and through. But Akayleah is worried about how he will react when he finds out the truth.” I was in shock, I had not seen this coming and wasn’t sure how to deal with it. “So who knows the truth?” I asked.
“Well, Akayleah, you, Serephina, myself and her sister.”
“Jax doesn’t know?”
“No, I don’t think he has connected it yet.”
“Well ok, this is not so bad then. As long as neither Jax nor Shep finds out then we should be okay right?”
“Lilly, her sister knows,” she said, her voice thick with regret.
“So?”
“Kelsha has long been Jax’s lover. I don’t think she would just tell him. She has her own agenda with Jax, and finding out Shep is his son would change the game for her.”
This was just getting crazier. “Okay, so who has Jax not seduced into stupidity? Who can I trust?”
“You can trust your husband, his mother, Serephina and me. I don’t know outside of that Lilly. You just have to be careful, and keep your wits about you.”
I was beginning to catch my breath again. My heart was returning to its normal rhythm. I was beginning to think through the fog. The situation could be handled. This didn’t have to be a big deal.
“Lilly! Lilly! Shep is coming, stop him before he sees me.” She ran behind a bush attempting to hide. I ran to the cavern opening and crashed into Shep. He grabbed me. His breathing was hard and uncontrolled. I pushed him gently out of the cavern, as much for myself as for Calista. I offered her thanks in my head in hopes it would reach her visions. Once I pushed him a safe distance from the opening into Calista’s home I stopped. The light was dim, only a few fireflies were buzzing around. There was enough light for me to see the look of terror on Shep’s face. “What’s the matter?” I asked trying to sound calm. “I don’t know what to say Lilly.” Tears started to flow as his body crumpled to the ground. I still thought we were too close to Calista for our own good and gently urged him to stand up and walk with me.
I wrapped my arm around his waist, holding him up with all my strength. No words, only storms of tears. Once we reached what I considered a safe distance I stopped, taking him in my arms. I was worried but knew I had to calm him before he would speak again. A few moments went by of him crying and holding me tight. I broke the silence between the sobs. “Shep, hunny, talk to me. What happened? Is someone hurt? Are you hurt?” He backed away, slightly, so he could see my face.
“There was a man, standing with my mother near the edge of the water, by the glowing tree. I stood watching. I was frozen there. I don’t know why I couldn’t approach them Lilly.” I was trying to be calm. One of us had to be. “Who was it Shep? Did you recognize him?” He raised his head, looking in my eyes. His face was covered in tear stains and worry. “He looked like the man in the pictures my mother showed me. Like the pictures of Jax. He took her Lilly, one second they were at the edge of the pond, apparently arguing, the next second they were gone.”
I actually vomited this time. I stood hunched over, trying to find my bearings. How the hell had this happened? Did he know about Shep? Why did he take Leah? The thoughts were circling my brain. My stomach was turning, causing me to vomit in the corner again. Shep was leaning against the wall for balance. He didn’t move to help me. He was just as freaked out as I was. I finally calmed enough to keep from puking again and stood to face him.
“Well, looks like we are on the hunt for two women Shep. We will find her and my mother then we will all get the hell out of this fucking place.” He looked at me, shocked by my choice of words and a tiny smile formed at the corners of his mouth. “Yeah, Lill, let’s get this done so we can get out of this fucking place.” He repeated grabbing me and holding me close.
~Chapter Twenty One~
Shep and I had no intention of staying the night in that cave. We had been wasting enough time as it was. I was taking charge and would be making no more stops in random places to rally people. I would send Serephina to do that. She was not happy about splitting up, called me crazy in fact. I didn’t care. Jax obviously had eyes and ears all over Neveah. It would be safer for Shep and I to go alone. Stay clear of villages. Focus on making it to Jax’s compound and getting our mothers back. The little elf tried to argue with me but finally relented. She knew this was an argument she would not win. He had gotten too close this time. I suggested she not travel alone though, maybe travel with an Alphyn, something to protect her. She had insisted she would be fine. Jax had no use for her and wouldn’t bother trying to track her down.
We gathered our things, which wasn’t much and the Asrai packed some fruits in our packs for us. Serephina would st
ay the night and map out a plan. Apparently elves were big on plans. I had been given too much information in the last few hours to sit around and plan anything. Action was required. We were ready to leave when I stopped. “I’ll be right back.” I dropped my pack running through the cave.
I made it back to Calista’s hide out in under a minute, unsure how I remembered the way, but thankful I made it so quickly. I rushed in calling her name. “Calista. It’s me Lilly.”
“Are you alone Lilly?”
I giggled a little. “Of course, didn’t you see me coming anyway?”
“No, my head has been cluttered with visions of your mother. She is planning to escape, but I can’t see the details.”
Calista’s vision just confirmed my decision to leave that night. We had to get to my mother.
“Shep and I are leaving now. Jax was here and he took Shep’s mom. We can’t go about this as cautiously as we had hoped. Serephina will go to the people and ask them to stand behind us should a war ensue, but I wanted to say goodbye and thank you.”
“Thank me for what?”
“Thank you for telling me the truth, for giving my grandparents the chance to see my mother and me over the years, and for being her friend.” There was a tear in her eye as I spoke.
“Thank you Lilly for being brave enough to find my friend. When you find her, you hug her for me please. I’ll be watching. Goodbye Lilly and good luck.” She turned away I think to keep me from seeing her cry. I was glad for that because I could feel the tears rushing in my own eyes. I had only known this woman a few hours but felt oddly close to her. She was a portal into the life of my mother before she was my mother. She trusted me, giving me valuable information that might be the difference between life and death for all of us. I turned and ran back to the main room. I had only been gone a few minutes but I found Shep there, pacing. “Lilly, oh thank God you’re okay.”
Neveah Box Series (Neveah Box Set Book 5) Page 16