by Jaime Marks
The woman shifted nervously flipping through the sheets on her clipboard. She was human but she was used to dealing with Shade. Likely the woman was beat regularly for random issues. Cymeryn wished he was at liberty to be gentle with her, but he needed to keep up appearances if they were going to gain entry.
“I, I’m sorry but I don’t see your appointment listed and there are no girls slotted to leave today,” she stammered quickly, “but Master Wycelion is inside.”
He looked her over with forced disdain. “Fine. Then let me see what you have available at the moment and summon the boy. I will deal with that pathetic whelp now but I need something suitable to sate me in the meantime,” he snapped.
She nodded moving quicker than expected for her age, but then when you were likely concerned you might end up a Shade’s new play toy if you did not oblige you could surpass expectations. She opened the steel door, it was coated with Shadow and Cymeryn followed with Trycen just behind. The boy cleverly propped the door open so that the others could mist in without issue.
They came to the end of the hall and into a small living room area. A couple of girls were curled up on ratty old couches watching a television but they immediately shied away at the look of them. The woman rang a bell and the other girls came tentatively out of their doors. Cymeryn reached into her mind and Commanded her to run, leave this place, and not return. It would get her clear of the fighting and hopefully save her from her Master’s wrath once he found they had taken what he deemed his.
Wycelion appeared at the head of the hall and met Cymeryn’s eyes before looking to Trycen. The boy looked like he was about to run for a moment but instead reached out sensing Cymeryn.
“I did not expect to see you alive, Trycen,” he murmured softly before his voice hardened, “but you should not have come, it was a foolish choice.”
“It’s not foolish, Wycelion, it’s another way and I’ll gladly show it to you,” Trycen offered. “Let me save you brother, as you once saved me.”
The Shade scoffed his eyes remaining on Cymeryn. “There is no way out. Is that not what you taught us, Grandsire?”
“I was wrong, Wycelion. I will see that you get out of here alive and I can offer you a better life but you must make your choice now. I can feel Malykus approaching and we both know he will likely refuse this,” Cymeryn reasoned. “Make your choice before the battle begins.”
The boy was torn as he stood there staring at Cymeryn and his brother, the truth of what he offered difficult to ignore. One of the unawakened ran to him wrapping herself around him and he softened. It was a weakness Cymeryn knew well. He could easily see the love and concern in the boy’s eyes.
“What kind of life can you offer her here, Wycelion? Can you bear what she will endure? Because make no mistake, she will endure it if you both remain here. I can offer you a life where you can protect her, where none will ever harm her,” Cymeryn broached and he saw his brow crease. When he looked up unshed tears graced his eyes.
He looked to her. “Perylia, would you come with me, away from this place, this life? If I could offer you more than this, would you take it? If your life was your own, and your sire had no claim to you, would you want me at your side? Because I will see you out of here safely Perylia, either way, but I need to know if you would still choose me by your side.”
The girl leaned up and kissed him shaking her head. “I will not leave without you Wycelion, but I will follow you anywhere.”
He kissed her once more. “Go, gather the girls. Keep them out of harm’s way. I must help them so we can see you safely from here.”
“What of the two boys?” She requested hesitantly.
“I told you I do not want you near them,” he all but snarled. “I will deal with them once things are more settled. Now go and do as I say.”
He met Cymeryn’s eyes and drew his sword as she hurried from the room pulling some of the young girls with her. “I hope for all our sakes, Cymeryn, you did not come alone.”
It was confirmation enough that there would be others but it was as he expected.
Malykus took form directly in front of Cymeryn and met his blade head on. “Well, well, well…I was expecting my disgrace of a brother to fall into my web, but instead I caught our weak, traitorous Supryn.”
“Malykus, how are you boy?” Cymeryn replied nonchalantly as they exchanged blows. “Surely you do not believe you can actually best me? Shall we discuss your options?”
“You are a fool if you think for even a moment that I will buy into your dribble. I have spoken to the scouts we sent into your new world. I will not trade my power for the weakness you now represent,” he scoffed.
Cymeryn let an ounce of his power flow to the surface and pushed him back. He could feel Crytos approaching as well as one other Shade. Two rather large unawakened males made an appearance and drew weapons on Wycelion and Trycen who now stood back to back waiting for their attack.
“If you attack I will kill you,” Trycen reasoned, “but I can offer you another way. Sense me and see the truth. You don’t have to live this life.”
“My Father would weep to see the weakness you have become, Cymeryn, for what? A whore and a brat that you could easily turn?” Malykus spat at his feet.
Cymeryn felt them drawing near and pushed the boy back causing him to lose his balance and land at his feet. “Choose, Malykus, I have no time for these games. If you will not leave this life you may yet see the end of it this day. Can you not tell I could have taken your life at any point?” He ground out forcing himself to refrain from the final blow.
“And therein lies your weakness, Cymeryn…You have not yet killed me.”
The Shade lunged swinging his sword wide but Cymeryn merely misted from his path. Crytos took form just behind where he had been. If Cymeryn had not misted one of the two of them would have indeed landed their blade in his gut. Instead they struck each other. It was easily read. A technique that Cymeryn had perfected and indeed taught to Crytos. He recovered easily from the strike which landed in his side, Malykus however had taken the blow in his throat and his black blood spewed heavily to the floor as he collapsed. He would likely not survive the blow. It had nearly severed his head.
“Do you really think, Crytos, that you can turn my own tutelage against me?” Cymeryn mused. “I am afraid you will have to do better than that, my friend.”
Grifyn took form at his side and Gavyn by the boys who now dealt with Michael in conjunction with the unawakened. The Shade sized him up.
“How could you betray us, Cymeryn? How could you forsake us?” He spat as they circled one another. “I was ever loyal to you! I defended you over all others as if you were my own sire! I gave you all I was and you desert us, leave us to the Priests!”
“Crytos, there is a better way than this. I have seen it,” Cymeryn reasoned. “I embody it. If you are ever loyal, than lay down your blade. I will not kill you unless you force my hand. I want you by my side.”
“Ha, my Supryn would never lay down his weapon. He would never show such a sign of weakness nor would he request it of those who followed him,” he bit out. “I will not relinquish the power and assets I possess for such weakness.”
He spun lunging forward as he slashed at Cymeryn’s head. He artfully dodged the strike but it was Grifyn who met his blade. “Hello Crytos, if you’ll not surrender than might I suggest we dance?” The Fae smirked as he countered the strike. It was clear from the rage and hatred that flowed easily from the Shade he would not be saved and there was no room in battle for the distraction when they knew there were likely more coming.
Cymeryn assessed the room as they exchanged blows. Michael was holding his own with Gavyn. The boy was a ball of rage and bitterness, so far from the timid unawakened he had been. He could feel the three Shade that were quick approaching and he let himself flow through the halls quickly checking the positions of the females in preparation to end this. When he took form once more it was off to the side as he watched the three
form around his previous position.
He took them in. Naryn, Vicyn and Rolynd stood at the ready approaching him. “You have but once chance before I end this to choose Redemption,” he offered. “I can lead you out of the Darkness, but I cannot force you and I will not suffer your attacks.”
He rose his voice as Demytria and Kato began to take form. “Last chance boys. Do you accept the choice you are being given? Would you trade this life for a better way, or will you die in the Darkness that consumes your hearts?”
He saw the two unawakened look to him, seeing who he was for the first time. They looked around and both dropped their weapons in surrender but the Shade continued to advance. “Termino,” he ordered.
He, Demytria and Kato surged forth as one meeting their blades, they were easy prey really. Clumsy and careless. Why they were chosen for this he had not a clue, they were considered expendable in the past. Either they were being allowed to win or their forces were stretched precariously thin. He saw Crytos land a lucky strike on Grifyn and immediately misted in the Shade’s path meeting his blade to protect the Fae. He pushed him back easily and dropped, kicking out his legs. It would not be enough to knock the Shade off balance but it would cause him to reposition and Cymeryn misted to the exact location burying his blade in his gut as he grabbed him by the throat.
“Drop it, Crytos, or I will finish this. I have no desire to kill you, but if you do not surrender now I will take your life,” he hissed in his ear but it was Michael’s blade the buried in his back.
“Release him!”
Cymeryn’s thoughts immediately flashed to Reyana. An image of her by the creak in the grove with her hand on her stomach held to his heart. He released Crytos immediately knowing he would not break his promise to her. He would make it to their Bonding. Misting right off the blade, which tore into him more in the process, he knew his wounds would be easily enough managed later. He just had to live to make it that far.
He formed a few feet away to see Grifyn dispatch Crytos as Kato surged forth to take on Michael. Demytria rushed to his side. “Cymeryn!”
“I am…fine,” he bit out. “Where do we stand?”
“You are hardly fine,” she spat applying pressure to his wound.
He tried to force himself to his feet but listed to the side and collapsed. “I need to know…if we are secure…Demytria,” he gritted out meeting her eyes in demand.
“Michael misted out when Crytos fell…He is severely wounded but alive. Wycelion and two unawakened males surrendered and there are eighteen females,” she reported as she attempted to stem the bleeding. “We need to get you to the Realm so Marcus can reach you.”
He breathed deeply to steady himself before he addressed her again. “I will be fine, Demytria. I promise, but I need you to take command.” He met her eyes as they widened. “You must keep it together and get the young out of here quickly. Michael knows he wounded me badly enough. He may return in force. We must move.”
She nodded her usual resolve slipping into place. “Kato!”
Her mate formed by her side. “See to the King while I manage this mess.”
Cymeryn watched as she went through the room disarming the boys, organizing the girls. She was clever and swift.
“It makes me uneasy how you are watching her, Cymeryn,” Kato gritted as he dressed his wounds.
“I apologize my friend, I was actually only evaluating her abilities. I meant no disrespect and believe me when I say that there is no connection of that sort between us now. She loves only you and I only Reyana.”
He grunted as he continued to work on his wounds. “You are bleeding out, Cymeryn. I can dress this but we need to move.”
He nodded with a smirk. “Wrap it as tight as you can manage, Kato, I will make it to the realm. I promised my mate I will not miss our Bonding and my brother will kick my ass if I disappoint her.”
Kato shook his head with a chuckle. “Of that I have no doubt. Evaluating her for what?”
He coughed as Kato pulled the dressing so tight he could barely breathe. “I need to appoint Heads of Securine in the realms. If you approve it, I was considering offering a position to your mate.”
Kato glanced him over as he worked. “That would be her decision, not mine.”
“True, my friend, but I sense your discomfort,” he groaned as the wrap was tied tightly. “I do not wish to add to it.”
He helped pull him to his feet, supporting his weight. “If you feel she is well suited for the position, and respect the boundaries that we have set forth, who am I to argue? I know well her strength. I will not deny that the idea of her working more closely with you will take time to adjust to, but it is not as if you two do not come in contact regularly as it is.”
“It is not…the same, Kato,” he struggled for air. “We will talk more…later.”
He nodded. “We are ready to progress, my lord.”
“Then let us…hurry,” Cymeryn breathed. He knew time was short.
Grifyn came over and took his other arm as they flanked the group. Demytria had organized them well. Trycen, Gavyn and Wycelion were guarding them. The boy had fallen right in line with their group, but then he was protecting his heart. The girl was close to his side and he reached out taking her hand on and off for reassurance. The two boys were managing a stretcher to which Crytos was bound towards the center of the group. The oldest girls held the smallest and Demytria urged them on quickly.
It was a smart organization of the little resources they had. Luckily the entryway was in the woods not far from here. They would be home soon enough.
Chapter 2
Marcus jumped up abruptly as a sharp pain rolled through him, his hand going immediately to his back. Cymeryn. Reaching out through their link he found him badly wounded. So badly that he couldn’t even block the pain. Reyana’s panic assaulted him a moment later. He sent her every bit of reassurance and love he could fake his way through.
“Marcus?” Steph asked the concern written on her face.
He had just finished showing her how to reach out to him using her essence. “You did well, Steph, but you will need to practice it awhile.”
“Thanks.” She nodded. “I’ll do that. I plan on trying to meditate a little each day as well.”
“Good,” he replied nodding as he rubbed his back and tried to reason out his options. He reached out to Byryn and scanned the area awaiting the boy’s approach. “It will help you to gain focus and even assist in your mastery of the positions. You did quite well today by the way.”
“Marcus, are you alright?” She studied him with that discerning gaze that was so much like Mythos’ own when he knew there was something you were hiding.
“I’m fine, Steph, but there is something I need to attend to.” He bowed to her seeing Byryn approaching.
She returned the gesture as she looked him over. “Can I help?”
“No, I’m sorry Steph, I think it’s best if you remain here,” he hesitated. “Actually, yes you can help me. The Queen is rather upset and she’s not supposed to be enduring such strain. Will you go find Star and see if the two of you can distract her?”
“Yeah, I can do that,” she nodded watching him closely. “Is he alright?”
He looked her over. She had that odd golden glaze to her eyes again. There was no point in denying it. The girl was far too perceptive. “He will be, Steph.”
Byryn came directly to him and the moment he was within reach he grabbed him and misted to the entryway. They took form just as Demytria and the first of the female young were entering.
“Marcus, thank Lucerna. Your brother…”
“Where is he, Demytria?” He interjected.
“Kato and Grifyn are all but carrying him, they should be through in a moment,” she replied turning to oversee the remainder of those who came through.
Marcus paced impatiently feeling his brother grow weaker by the moment. He watched as a young Shade came through and embraced Byryn before introducing him to one
of the female young. Another of Byryn’s brothers, Marcus surmised by the kinship between them. A stretcher was brought through carrying Crytos and a sudden cold blast of anger wafted off of Byryn. He pulled away from his brother and interceded stepping in the stretcher’s path.
“Byryn?” The one boy scoffed. “I would never have believed it.”
“Watch your tone with me, Kyle. We both know who the stronger of the two of us is, or even the three. What are your intentions here?” He demanded sizing them both up as if he would like nothing more than to destroy them.
Trycen and Wycelion flanked him but hung back allowing him to manage the boys. It was an interesting dynamic, how his brothers seemed to defer dominance to him and yet still so strongly respected him. It flowed easily off of them.
He was about to intervene but Cymeryn stepped through in between Grifyn and Kato, barely conscious. Marcus misted directly to him taking him in his arms as he lowered him to the ground. “Give me your hands brother, now!” He demanded as Cymeryn complied. Immediately the glow of their essence emerged between them, albeit slowly.
It was weak, too weak for Marcus’ liking, but every moment they were joined it strengthened and he could feel his wounds slowly sealing up. Marcus sighed in relief as his twin’s heartbeat began to stabilize. After a few moments he realized that everything had halted awaiting their commands. He looked over his shoulder trying to assess where things stood.
“Demytria, see the females to their quarters in the annex please. A patrol should be here momentarily to assist you. Gavyn and Trycen, I need you to ensure our guest is properly detained. I will take it by his wounds and bindings that he did not come willingly. Grifyn, assist your son in the issue he is addressing.” He breathed deeply managing the flow of their essences trying to center it around his brother’s wound. “What the hell happened, Kato?”
“The Shade Michael misted into your brother’s battle with Crytos and landed a debilitating blow when Cymeryn took him down. The boy likely would have finished him, but Cymeryn misted straight off the blade. It caused a great amount of damage to the wound, but it also saved his life. I have never seen anything like it,” Kato explained as the respect shone on his face.