by Jaime Marks
Connections
Mists of the Fae
Book 5
By
Jaime Marks
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, distributed, stored in, or introduced to any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, without the express permission of the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes only.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are fictitiously used. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. On a side note if you happen to be a Fae and think you have a claim that you have been portrayed in this book by all means feel free to contact me in writing so we can debate the semantics of your existence ;)
Certain content and scenes may not be suitable for readers under the age of 18.
This is an adult paranormal romance novel and recommended for an adult audience.
First Kindle Edition, July 2015
Text copyright © 2015 Jaime Marks
All rights reserved.
Mist of the Fae Series
Revelations
Secrets Past
Shades of Redemption
Protectors and Kings
Connections
Choices
Dynamics (coming November 1, 2015)
Dedication
To B. You’re my rock. Without you I wouldn’t be able to accomplish most of the things I have in recent years. Thank you for always taking care of me and pushing me towards my dreams.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Epilogue
Sneak Peak
About the Author
Chapter 1
Cymeryn stood in the first rays of the day’s morn. He glanced over the small group as they prepared to leave. Kato was helping Demytria with the form fitting leather armor that he had fashioned for her. Grifyn was stretching off to the side. Gavyn stood with young Trycen helping him sort through his travel pack. They were all trained and skilled warriors but it was the boy’s first mission out of the realm, his first real mission likely since his awakening had been forced and he was subsequently Redeemed. He glanced nervously at Cymeryn, not because he felt unprepared, but because he was still unsure of how much he should let his guard down around him. It was something he could not ignore.
Walking over to the boy he watched how his eyes widened, studying him carefully as he considered how to approach this. “Be at ease, Trycen. Are you comfortable undertaking this mission with me? I can sense your uncertainty. If it is going to be a distraction for you to serve at my side, son, you should reconsider. It is likely we will be facing some of your brothers as it is. Being unfocused like this in such a fight could cost you your life and that is something I am unwilling to do.”
The boy took a deep breath and then met him directly in the eye. “I won’t deny that it’s a little intimidating to be working so closely with you, my lord. You’re my Grandsire and we were all taught to fear you, but they are my brothers and some of our sisters might be at Bearringer’s. If Byryn can’t be here then I need to be. I’m solid, my Sup…my lord, I swear it.”
He clasped his shoulder ignoring the near slip and reminder of who he had been only a few short months ago. This day was about correcting such evil not reliving it. “I want you close to me, son. Your knowledge of your brothers will be invaluable and I am not about to lose you to the Brood.” He held his gaze trying to impress upon the boy his sincerity. “You are of my essence, Trycen.”
His eyes widened in surprise a moment but he merely nodded and Cymeryn could sense his resolve strengthening. He looked up to the top of the Palace steps where Byryn stood by the entrance. It was easy to see that his grand progeny was not happy he was remaining behind, but in truth even if Staryana was not so close to the awakening after what had occurred the previous eve, Cymeryn would have ordered him to remain at the Palace regardless.
Byryn was still carrying a heavy weight guilt on his shoulders and had yet to address it. It was clear after Cymeryn had accidently pulled him into his mind to face his issues over what he had been forced to inflict upon his sister that he would be a distraction to himself until he chose to do so. There was no mistaking the fact that the Brood wanted to reclaim him and even if the Brood was not so determined to gain vengeance on Byryn, the boy had severely wounded Alayne and was the very key to Staryana’s salvation. The Shade’s Darkest Priest wanted her more than anything and he was nothing if not vengeful. There was too much risk to the boy, especially when his mind was so clouded.
Cymeryn looked up to him, meeting his eyes and nodded. When he grudgingly nodded back, he signaled the others and they set out from the Palace silently. He wanted to be quick about this if possible. He had intentionally left without letting Reyana know. She would be irate when he returned, but in truth it was better than the stress she was putting herself through in her fear. She persisted in her attempts to dissuade him from this. With any luck the raid would be efficient and without issue.
They were hitting a group home where there were generally twenty or twenty-five unawakened on hand at any given time. Most if not all were typically female. He was hoping they would all come with them without issue. The world of the Shade was especially brutal on female young. They had no real future unless their sire took special interest in them upon their awakening and that was not necessarily a blessing. Generally they served simply as slaves.
He glanced back to Demytria. She had not been his progeny by blood and he had not awakened her, but he had always treated her as such. He had trained and sculpted Tatyna and Demytria into formidable Shade. Of course he had taken full advantage of their attributes, as any Shade would have, but they had not suffered in the same ways that other females suffered at the hands of their sires and owners. Cymeryn had never really understood the propensity of the Shade to view females as the weaker sex. He had seen them withstand extreme amounts of pain and still endure. Some of the best warriors in the Umbra were female. The life most female led in the Shade was an atrocity that needed to be corrected, one he had helped to create.
With the power he now held, and what he now understood of the true capacity of the Darkness, he was going to set things right. There would always be Gray that held a propensity for the Darker aspects of life, but he now understood that Darkness did not necessarily mean evil. It meant Night. It meant the Light of the moon versus the Light of the sun; the nocturnal creatures of the world and the stars in the sky. It also meant death, but from death came rebirth. It could mean anger and pain and the Darker emotions, but those emotions did not need to corrupt, instead they could foster growth and strength. There was so much more to the Darkness than he had ever been taught as Shade. Ther
e was a purpose to it. He was beginning to understand that what he had always been taught was Darkness was really better termed evil and had no real place in life.
He had perpetuated that evil, had reveled in it. Now was his opportunity to help right the wrongs he had helped set in motion. It was not only something he needed to do to assuage his conscience, it was his duty as the Protector of Night.
Marcus stretched in the training ring in the courtyard as he watched Steph approach. She looked him over cautiously and appeared dressed and ready for training. It wasn’t really surprising. He had expected her to be prepared though she had expected to meet his twin this morn.
The future Queen and Cymeryn had struck up an easy friendship, likely born out of the connection he shared with Ceryn. The two had been inseparable in their youth. It was good from both his brother and Steph to have that shared comfort and support but she also needed to learn she could trust the rest of their family. Mythos could not always be there for the girl and she was of their blood. It was clear she did not feel comfortable with the idea of so easily accepting them but they cared for her and she needed them.
“Good morn, my lady. How was your eve?” He broached simply waiting to see what she would say and how she would react to his presence.
“It was fine,” she shrugged.
He studied her as he continued to work through his warm up. “We missed you at meal this morn.”
“Yeah I slept in.” She shrugged again.
“Oh?” He smirked at her easy dismissal, “I came to find you in your quarters and you weren’t there.”
Steph stammered a moment avoiding his gaze, “I uh…fell asleep in the sitting room last night while I was sketching.”
Marcus knew she was lying. He had gone into the sitting room to find her and stretched out his senses when she hadn’t been there either. She had been in Mythos’ bedchamber. He wasn’t about to call her on it, but he would have to discuss it with Mythos. The two of them sharing a room was risky. It was hard enough to remain chaste during the bonding, but to be so intimately close begged the lines to be crossed. He would have made Star move back to her own quarters by now if it wasn’t clear that she would be awakening any day.
“I spoke to Haylia before I came to meet you. You didn’t eat.” He met her gaze awaiting her reaction.
She was on edge, and seemed to be lost in her own thoughts. Marcus began to wonder if she would even bother to answer him but then she crossed her arms let out a breath before locking that intense stare of hers with his. “Look, I know I messed up missing breakfast and I’m sure by the way your acting that you know I wasn’t in the sitting room, but I really did sleep in. I couldn’t sleep last night and when I woke up I would’ve called for breakfast, but I don’t know what anything is called. I’m not just making excuses when I say my stomach is seriously sensitive in the morning. I’m sorry. I know I need to eat right if I’m going to train, but I seriously didn’t know what to do.”
He stopped a moment picking up his towel to wipe his hands. “Sit with me?”
Her eyes narrowed as she looked him over but she followed him over to the fence and sat beside him. He handed her a small pack and she looked at him in confusion. “Eat.”
Her brows rose as she opened the pack pulling out the water, fruits, and breads that he had had prepared for her. Crossing her legs she stared off into the distance as she ate, “Thanks, I’m actually pretty hungry.”
Marcus nodded as he watched her. “Next time ask, Steph. All you had to do was ask Aryn to summon me, or any of us for that matter, if you weren’t sure what to do.”
“Ok, I just knew from the way you guys were talking last night that pretty much everyone was busy this morning. I didn’t want to be a bother,” she admitted.
He misted to the other side of her chuckling when she jumped. “It only takes myself and Cymeryn a moment to come and assist you.”
She shook her head. “The two of you really need to stop doing that shit.”
He smirked a moment, but then decided it was better to approach the issue more seriously given her demeanor. “Sorry, but I was trying to make a point, Steph. I know you don’t want to be a bother, but really you aren’t. Especially when it’s something as important as your sustenance. Now, I won’t pressure you, but this is the second eve in a row that you have had trouble sleeping. I’m not going to pry, but if you need to talk, or there is something I can do to help, please know that you can come to me.”
She nodded but seemed to grow more distant. When she was done eating he rose. “If you are still up for some training this morn I can show you the first four positions of the first Luxyndi Forms.”
Steph turned to him in surprise. “I thought I was training with Cymeryn?”
“You are, but as he isn’t always available we discussed your training at length. If you’re comfortable, I’ll work with you when Cymeryn’s detained. The only condition is you must eat in the morn, Steph. If you won’t eat, you won’t train. It’s not safe nor is it healthy.” He crossed his arms as he spoke watching her. She was oddly distracted and he had no idea what to do to help her. It was obvious something had her pretty upset but she didn’t seem to feel like discussing it.
“Yeah, I’m cool with that. Like I said I really didn’t skip breakfast this morning on purpose. I promise I’ll keep up with meals. I just need to get better at the schedules around here.” She glanced around a moment and then sighed. “Look Marcus, I’m really not comfortable talking about my dreams and the crap that keeps me up at night, but if you’re up for training me this morning, I could really use the distraction. I can’t shake this odd feeling that my past is about to catch up with my present. Which is ridiculous really seeing as how I’m here and not going back home.”
He studied her with concern. “I will gladly train you, and I won’t push you, Steph, but if there is something or someone…”
“It’s nothing, Marcus,” she interjected a little too quickly. “I probably shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Actually, from what I understand, your instincts are rather well honed. They are there to protect you. So if there is something you are sensing, I would prefer to know even if you think it’s ridiculous.”
She met his gaze nervously. “I, well…Let’s just say there are some people from school that I would really rather not run into again. I used to see them every day so it shouldn’t bother me so much considering they aren’t even here.”
He could sense a fear in her that she was keeping tightly restrained. There was something she didn’t want them to know, something from her past that haunted her and she was very afraid this morn that it was about to catch up with her. “I’ll to teach you how to reach myself and Cymeryn after we are done here. That way if there is ever anything, and I mean anything, that makes you feel uneasy or that you might be in danger you can call us to you in an instant.”
She offered him a rueful smile, “Thanks.”
“Now come, let’s get you warmed up and start working through these positions,” he offered guiding her over to the training area knowing it would ease her strain.
He couldn’t imagine that she would run into anyfae here that she had known in her old life, but there was always the possibility that she had encountered other unawakened unknowingly. He didn’t want to upset her, but if she was feeling like there might be something coming, it was better to be vigilant than not; especially being they were bringing in more unawakened today.
Cymeryn stood in the mist between realms scanning the area. “I sense twenty-two Shade essences, I would guess most are unawakened but two are fairly strong and likely full Shade.”
“They are my brothers,” Trycen nodded. “I can sense them, which means they have more on standby. One is Wycelion, you may be able to get him to hear reason. I can try to talk to him, but in all honesty he’d be more likely to listen to Byryn, or maybe even you, Cymeryn.”
He nodded. “And the other?”
He grimaced. “Malykus.”
“Wonderful,” Cymeryn groaned. “Grifyn, Gavyn you should prepared to take on Malykus. He is ruthless and cunning. I doubt he will be swayed. Try to reason with the Shade but do not give him much leeway. He has a personal issue with Byryn. He was the former Commander of the Brood and Byryn slayed his second during the challenge. Byryn made the Shade look like a fool when he seized control and I would rather not offer him an avenue to seek his vengeance.” They nodded.
Weighing their options he turned with a smile, “Demytria, do you remember the raid where you suggested we bait our prey with the decoy? The one in the Citrine sector?”
She grinned devilishly. “Indeed. We had to obtain the female but it was a trap, so we laid a trap within a trap.”
“Precisely.” He looked around the area sensing the layout. There were no Shade in close range so they would be misting in. “I and Trycen will go in first. Grifyn and Gavyn will act as back up. I want you and Kato to monitor but wait. They will assume it is just the four of us. My best guess is they will send in Crytos and Michael in the least. Once the reinforcements have been called you two will mist in and we will have to make quick work of it before they call more. If things get out of hand I will take out the most dangerous threats so be sure if they accept the offer of Redemption they are out of the line of fire. I will not risk losing any of you to discern which is which.”
They all nodded and he met Trycen’s eyes. When the boy nodded they misted into the run down building. The front hall looked like a waiting room of sorts with its scuffed wooden benches and the desk that sat near a heavy locked door. A single older woman looked up at them over glasses.
“Do you have an appointment?” She asked cautiously as she glanced nervously around the room.
“I do. I was to meet Wycelion about his master’s offering,” Cymeryn offered with an impatient tone. “Do tell the boy to hurry I do not have all day.”