by Jaime Marks
Grifyn watched Kato turn away from them. He looked up to the thrones, the three thrones. “Divines, you aren’t saying….”
“What?” Mythos demanded. “What precisely are you saying?”
Kato turned back to face them. “I was never sure who the Father was. I only have hearsay and speculations.”
“What is it you suspect, Kato? Something most assuredly came to your mind while that annoying sprite was here or she would not have admonished you in such a way.” The King’s patience was wearing thin.
“Mythos,” Grifyn interjected. “Perhaps in this matter, before we jump ahead of ourselves, we should hold and wait for them to explain it. Just knowing she is pregnant is information enough to serve our needs at the moment.”
“She is mine blooded sister, Grifyn. I have a right to know what has happened.” Mythos snapped.
A firm, yet delicate voice floated across the room drawing their attention. “Sometimes once you know things you can’t undo the knowledge. You might want to be choosey about what you ask.”
Grifyn looked up to see the human Steph standing there with Tryxia by her side. Although, human may be as relative to her as the unawakened. They were uncertain as of yet exactly how much Fae the girl held in her blood, but it was clear she was more than she seemed. He watched as she and the King held each other’s gaze both seeming confused and yet somehow unable to look away. Interesting.
Cymeryn walked beside his brother as they entered the fortress leaving three Shade dead in their wake. “The Kyndra are here,” he murmured.
“What does that mean?” Marcus questioned as he surveyed up and down the hall.
“It means that Lazurys will likely be making an appearance to appoint the new Supryn. They must know.” He froze grasping Marcus’ arm as a large shadow moved slowly across the hall to their right. “Ready yourself.”
The creature slowly rounded the corner. Its large hulking body covered in crusty, oozing pustules reeked of death. Long bulky arms dragged along the floor besides the clawed feet of its short, stocky legs. The thing was so large that it hunched over to accommodate its height and effectively sealed off the corridor, leaving no room for any to pass save itself. Black slimy hair stood out on end over its form. It reached up to wipe a thick trail of drool that dangled from the sharp jagged teeth that overtook the whole of its mouth with a clawed hand that was almost larger than both Marcus and Cymeryn combined.
“What in the realms is that thing, Cymeryn?”
“Troll.”
They backed away slowly, it had not seen them yet. Not that it mattered, the troll knew they were there, it had smelled them. Their sense of smell was fairly acute. The animal roared sending out minor vibrations almost like a bat’s sonar and turned right towards them.
“Its skin is leathery and thick. Under the chin, the eyes, the mouth, though I do not recommend it.” He grimaced calling forth his Light, allowing it to weave along the blade of his sword, the Sword of Night.
The creature swung its large claw at them causing them to dive in opposite directions to avoid its grasp. Marcus sliced into its arm as it drew back but it merely batted him aside. Cymeryn remained on guard studying the thing. He needed an opening.
The beast turned towards Marcus, its mouth opened wide. Cymeryn readied himself, inching closer. When the creature dove with its mouth for Marcus, Cymeryn surged forth and sunk his blade into the beast’s throat and pulled to the side with all his might as he flooded the thing with Light essence. It swatted him to the side with a paw, its razor sharp claw slicing his side. As it dove at him he saw Marcus strike its throat on the other side slitting it open as well. Large globs of its tar-like, black blood fell to the floor as the creature swayed holding its neck.
Cymeryn met Marcus’ eyes as the creature staggered. It slid to its knees and they moved as one, surging forth and each burying a blade in the beast’s eyes. When they withdrew Cymeryn grabbed him by the arm pulling him back as the troll’s large body crashed forward echoing through the halls.
Marcus breathed heavily as he approached, “Give me your hand brother, we need to heal.”
“Not yet, I would very much prefer to avoid the goblins that will come to feed from its remains.” He grabbed his brother by the arm for support and pulled him hurriedly down the corridor.
Mythos stared at this wisp of a girl. She was young, predominantly human, and yet there was something about her. He had noticed it when she faced off with Marcus. There was a fire, a spirit to her that one could not help but admire. She stood no more than five foot three, short curls gracing her head that fell longer towards her eyes. Her form was full but not unattractively so, she wore the curves quite well. It was her eyes though. Those brilliant topaz orbs shone so intensely and he was lost in them for a moment. He had to shake himself from his perusal of her form as he chided himself. She was no older than his niece, her friend for Divine’s sake.
He cleared his throat. “Steph is it?” She nodded not taking her eyes off him and there was something about that that pleased him. “Is Staryana alright?”
Shrugging helplessly she looked away. “I think so. She lit in this weird glow and said something about Marcus and Cymeryn? She’s asking for her Mother, but I can see that’s not possible at the moment so…”
Mythos looked down in frustration. “No, she is unavailable I am afraid.”
“There’s also a little boy looking for her and Byryn. He says they’re his parents?” He looked up and met her confused expression. He supposed it would be unusual to her as she knew Staryana had no young by birth and had even gone to school with Byryn just a few weeks ago. “I didn’t know if it was a good idea to let him see Star with how she is.”
Grifyn nodded. “Thank you for letting us know, Steph. I’ll go see to him.”
She nodded. “So…do I know you?”
Grifyn, stumbled a moment. “I don’t believe so, unless you saw me at Staryana’s home.”
“No, not you.” Mythos looked up to meet her gaze having no doubt it was he to which she referred, those topaz eyes piercing straight into his soul.
“I do not believe there would be any way of that. I was not around for much of Staryana’s life before she came here.” His voice was a soft lilt so that it was shocking to him. He was surprised to feel how much he wanted to know her. On instinct alone his essence sought her out, wrapping her in its embrace. She seemed to welcome it and that was a gift he could not even understand. They stood there a few moments staring into one another’s eyes.
When she spoke her voice had lost some of its edge and its sweet tone echoed through his being. “I’ll go back and sit with Star until her Mom can be with her, but maybe someone should come and talk to her about it? I don’t know what to tell her.”
“I will come sit with her for a while and try to reassure her.” Mythos replied softly. He shook himself briefly when he saw Kato out of the corner of his eye. The Fae was studying him strangely as he glanced between he and the girl.
“Steph,” Kato turned to her. “If you do not mind I would like to sit with you a bit before you return to Star. I would like to get a better sense of your bloodlines if possible.”
She shrugged the edge he had previously heard in her voice had returned. “If you want. My parents all but abandoned me so I’m not exactly rushing to find out more about them.”
Mythos grimaced. He hated the idea that she had been left alone to find her way, not knowing who or what she was. He wanted to go to her, to embrace her and comfort her but that would be far from proper. Holding himself back he watched as Kato guided her from the throne room with Demytria by his side. Why did it feel as though her leaving his sight was some great loss?
Grifyn cleared his throat. “Are you…alright, your majesty?”
“Yes, Grifyn, I am fine. My anger has subsided some. Although I am tempted to skin my sister’s mate alive for not completing the Bonding Ritual as of yet.” He replied levelly as he turned to meet his friend’s eyes.
The Fae smiled momentarily. “That’s not what I was referring to. I have never seen you react to anyfae that way before.”
Had he been so obvious? He would need to rein himself in around that girl. “I was merely trying to puzzle her out. It is odd indeed that she is as perceptive as she is and yet knows not of her own existence.”
Grifyn gave him a knowing smile. “Of course, my lord. It’s unfortunate she has had to endure without such bonds. I’ll take my leave if you don’t mind. I know Trina is likely already with the boy, but I should see to my grandson.”
He nodded. “Of course, Grifyn. If they are in the Darker Realms there is naught that can be done for the moment. Unfortunately all we can do is wait to hear word from the twins…I’ll walk with you. I should sit with Staryana awhile.”
Perhaps he would stay with her until Steph returned. He wished to know more about the girl. She intrigued him in a way none other had and he found it difficult to ignore.
Chapter 3
Reyana lay still on the table where she was restrained trying to focus her energy. She focused it on her bindings. The one on her left arm loosened slightly. She pulled against it but she couldn’t quite pull free from it yet. The door burst open with a loud crack and the torches across the way lit.
A Dark energy rolled through her as a tall Shade wearing full body robing entered the dungeon. He held a staff in his hand that held a large onyx orb at its head. The black orbs of his eyes pierced through her as he approached. He stood before her taking in her body then reached out to pull the ruined gown to the side fully exposing her. His touch was ice as his hand ran over her skin. He massaged and pinched the nipples on each of her breasts then ran his hand over her stomach leaving it rest there a moment as he sensed her. His expression was blank. He couldn’t care less what she felt like, what she looked like. It was as if he were merely inspecting her.
He watched her face as his hand continued its cold exploration of her flesh and she forced herself to remain impassive as she stared at the ceiling not offering him so much as a glance. She felt his hand slip over her pelvis as he teased her delicate folds a moment and she locked herself within her mind. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. He forced his fingers into her, her body rejecting his touch. There was no moisture to ease the penetration, but she remained stoically staring at the ceiling.
He chuckled, “Your restraint is impressive, but there are salves to solve that issue.”
She felt something slick and warm spread over her causing her core to quiver and she closed her eyes. There was no way to fight it, he would do whatever he wanted with her, but she wouldn’t give him the pleasure of submitting or reacting. His hand worked her roughly, spreading the salve over her, in her. Two Shade came forth and held her legs firmly as the braces at her ankles were removed. The table broke away from under her at her waist and the Shade held her legs keeping her bottom half suspended in the air.
She could feel Byryn’s anger and frustration growing and she reached out to calm him. “Don’t give them the reaction they want, Byryn. Look away and close yourself off from it.” She felt him trying to center himself and withdrew her essence from him so he couldn’t sense what they were doing in that matter either.
“What a quandary you are Lady Reyn. You would be a formidable Shade. Tell me, did you take them within you together? Did they sate themselves on you as one? Yes, I believe they did. It will take much to break you indeed,” he mused. “Perhaps I should allow the Kyndra the satisfaction first? Let them put you through your paces and see how you endure before I bother to waste the effort. Tell me my lady, do you think you could handle twelve Shade sating themselves upon your flesh?”
The rest of the Kyndra entered the room and formed a circle around her to join the two that already held her legs as he worked her core. She could feel them; their desire surging forth, their deprave inclinations. They would ravage her, leaving her body broken. The two who held her legs began running their hands along her thighs and two more came forth and held her arms down as her bindings were released. They lifted her from the table as if she weighed nothing. Her arms were restrained behind her back and she felt two mouths take her breasts, gnawing roughly at her as Alayne’s hand released her core. Another mouth took its place as she struggled to hold her reactions.
Her body was lowered to the floor, but their mouths never left her body. Her head was suddenly ripped back so hard she thought her neck might snap and fingers were forced into her mouth yanking it open wide. A hard length forced its way through the opening as her nose was pinched shut forcing her to strain to breath.
She panicked. Fear and pain lanced through her. Suddenly she felt them. Their essences surged forth through her, merging with her own, strengthening her. A powerful Light erupted from her throwing them off of her body as it pulsed through the room. The strength of its power wrapping protectively around her. She opened her eyes to see the Shade writhing on the floor, only Alayne remained standing. Glancing to Byryn she noticed his eyes remained on the ceiling but a smile lined his lips.
Reyana stood slowly, allowing their essence to hold her, protect her. It comforted her and caressed her washing away the feel of what had been done to her only moments ago. Holding her head high as she met Alayne’s furious stare head on she knew it was time to fight. Her mates had somehow managed to unlock her strength. She didn’t know if she could defeat Alayne, but she could hold him off.
Their voices were one in her mind. “Hold on love, we are here. We are coming for you.”
Marcus and Cymeryn broke the stare they were locked in and released each other’s hands, drawing their weapons once more. They were both violently angry. They had felt her, felt what was happening to her. Reacting instinctually they had sent their essence pulsing through her in a powerful wave both strengthening her and throwing any Darkness from her body.
“Every one of them dies. Every single one.” Cymeryn spat, biting back his rage.
“Agreed,” Marcus snarled. “Hurry, it won’t keep her safe from them for long. There are too many and she does not yet know how to harness her true strength.”
“This way, I know where they are.” Cymeryn motioned. “Our essence merging with her own should allow her the power she needs to fight, but that in itself is dangerous. They know of the young.”
Marcus nodded as three Shade stepped into their path. He rushed forth meeting the blade of the first. They exchanged blows but the Shade couldn’t hope to overcome the rage that pulsed through him. He knocked him back and drove the blade of his sword into his chest and shocked the fire of the sun through it, watching as he flopped under its force, screaming in pain.
He withdrew it to see Cymeryn had already killed one of the others. They both locked onto the third. He hesitated a moment but rushed Cymeryn. His twin pivoted out of the way and they struck as one. Marcus burying his blade in the Shade’s gut as Cymeryn sliced through his back. They ripped the blades from him allowing him to fall at their feet and continued down the corridor.
“How many more Cymeryn?”
“There are five aside from the twelve Kyndra. Syneous and Crytos are not amongst them, but I sense them.”
Three squat figures about half their size slinked from the Shadows that writhed through the end of the hall. They were thin but corded with muscle and their dark red skin shimmered as if it were wet when the torch light hit it. Their long arms hung down to their knees clutching clubs and daggers in their clawed hands as they stalked closer. They had toothy snarls, pointy hooked noses and pointed ears. Slithering tongues slipping out between their teeth, sliding across their lips.
“Do not underestimate them.” Cymeryn cautioned backing up slowly.
Out of nowhere they leaped through the air at them. Two landed on his chest knocking him off balance causing him to fall back. Their mouths snapped at him as he blocked them. He knocked one of them off, hitting the other over the head with the hilt of his sword. The other came back at him raising a club over its head a
nd Marcus rolled to the side just as it crashed down to the floor.
He rolled over top of the one restraining it against the floor as it snapped as him. The other came back at him with its club but Cymeryn ripped it back from behind. The little beast was strong for its size, thrashing under his weight as it snapped at him. Finally he got enough room to skewer the little bastard with his blade, holding it there until it stopped writhing.
He looked up to see Cymeryn standing over the other two, dead on the floor. “I despise goblins,” his brother groaned.
Marcus slowly rose, “You lived in this realm for a hundred years?” He quipped in disbelief.
“It tends to hone one’s skill.” Cymeryn shrugged as he approached clasping Marcus by the hand their essence flowing between them healing their scrapes and bruises before flowing freely to Reyana.
“Come, there’s not much time.” Marcus pressed forward as he released him.
Cymeryn nodded taking the lead, the pale Light of their essence lighting their way as they pushed deeper into the fortress.
Alayne studied her as she stood before him. Her head held high as her essence surged forth, wrapping around her. The burst that had erupted from her had temporarily stunned the Kyndra, but they were slowly coming to. He smirked. They would make her pay for the pain she had inflicted upon them.
“You would have been better served to leave them to their devices, my lady. They will be far more savage in their rage.” His eyes ran over her form. “They will have that delicate body of yours in pieces before your chosen mates so much as breach this room.”