Dark Revelation

by S. E. Myers

  “You have to reach out and see which one connects with your energy, and unfortunately, it is not a pleasant process,” Vera instructed.

  “Tristan and Illeana didn’t tell me anything other than when I turned seventeen I was supposed to get an imp to help me channel my energy.”

  Vera nodded and agreed, “Yes, this is true. However, in order to find your imp, you have to channel energy through one. If the imp is yours, it will live. If not, it will die.”

  Ryleigh’s eyes opened in shock. “I have to what,” she half yelled.

  “This is the way it is done. If you have seen your form, then you are ready for an imp. Without one, you can do nothing with your energy. You can do nothing that you need to do to survive as you grow.” As Vera spoke, her imp, Jewel, popped into the room.

  Ryleigh knew this was something she had to do. She could feel it in her bones. “Okay. I’ll do it.”

  Vera started to explain to her what she needed to do to connect with her imp. Ryleigh would have to cycle her energy and then use it to reach out and touch each of the imps in the cage. Vera explained that she would know when the connection had been made.

  Ryleigh closed her eyes and tried to remember what she felt when she’d connected with Tristan and Illeana. She imagined invisible air flow passing over her skin and concentrated on feeling the energy ebb from inside rise to surface through her skin.

  She felt the rise of energy like heat, pulsing through her skin and she opened her eyes. She could see the faint glow from the energy permeating through the surface of her body, gently gliding over it in waves.

  “Now, the imps,” Vera instructed.

  Ryleigh walked toward the cage where the imps were. She could hear almost a small buzzing from inside each of their tiny little bodies. She could hear her own energy harmonious inside her, cascading waves over her body and around her like a shower. She closed her eyes and opened herself to hear the imp’s energy as Vera explained. She could tell there were six of them and as she listened for all of them simultaneously, she tried to tune into the one who matched her own energy rhythm. Vera had explained how to test each imp, she was supposed to reach to each imp and see if they could match the own beat of her Chi. As she concentrated harder, she could hear the pulsating energy from a few of the imps beating at different intervals so she dismissed them entirely and narrowed her focus. This left two imps. She didn’t want to kill any of the imps in the cage by trying to cycle energy through one that didn’t match her.

  She resolved her focus even more. Ever so subtly she began to a rhythm that matched her own. She could feel its glow, however faint. She took a breath and as she exhaled she allowed a small stream of energy to flow to the imp. As she did so, she said a silent prayer to herself that it would not harm the imp if this was not the one to connect with her.

  As her energy thread reached the imp, it pulled on it and the connection was solidified – immediately. Ryleigh felt a rush of power flow through her and opened her eyes to gaze into the eyes of her imp.

  Vera looked at Ryleigh curiously, “Is this the first imp that you touched?”

  “Yes, I guess I was lucky.”

  Ryleigh closed her eyes to break the energy connection, however, just when she was thinking to back it off, the flow of energy stopped. This wasn’t like when she took back her energy into herself. She could see her imp breathing heavy and it looked as if it were growing ever so slightly with each breath that it took.

  “Don’t worry,” Vera said “Your imp is okay. This is what they do. They convert the energy and store it for later. They tend to grow a little bigger when they are chewing on it.” Vera nodded at Siegfried. Siegfried opened the cage and the imp hopped out of the cage and walked over to Ryleigh’s side. “Now you must name it.”

  Ryleigh thought about this for a minute. She looked down at the imp and noticed that its skin was mottled grey and black. Much like her own when she saw her true form. Its eyes were small and beady with flecks of yellow. The batwing ears were veiny and almost transparent. “I’m not sure what to call it.” Ryleigh commented.

  “You must name it. It’s part of receiving your imp,” Vera said.

  Ryleigh took a minute and then asked, “Are you a girl or a boy?”

  The imp replied, “I am female, Mistress.”

  Ryleigh smiled, “Then your name is Nissa.”

  “Yes, my Mistress,” Nissa replied.

  13

  Betrayal

  The next morning, Ryleigh didn’t run like she normally did, she didn’t feel the need to push herself in the normal capacity she usually would. She felt it curious, but remembered the conversation she had with the twins about energy consumption and dissipation. She had used a lot of it over the past few days and the storm that was usually waiting to break inside her was now a placid lake.

  Today, Vera was going to start training Ryleigh now that she had her imp. “I am disappointed that you haven’t been taught anything,” Vera commented as they walked to another part of the house that Ryleigh hadn’t ventured into before.

  “I am going to push you as far as I can today. You have to learn to concentrate and listen and hear your body. Each of us has the ability to channel that inside of us. We are able to project it outward in order to protect us.” Ryleigh looked at her aunt precariously. They’d entered into a dojo styled room lined with matts and assorted weapons. Some of the weapons looked medieval with spikes and chains.

  Vera saw her nieces eyes widen when they entered the room and laughed, “Don’t worry, you will not be learning hand-to-hand combat.”

  Ryleigh was relieved; she’d never been an outwardly violent person and couldn’t even think about swinging a weapon toward another human being. When her Aunt advised her the previous night that she was going to start learning how to manipulate her own energy and defend herself, she was prepared to start learning.

  “Why do I have to learn how to do this?” Ryleigh asked.

  “Because,” her Aunt started. “There may be those that could harm you.” Vera knew all too well the repercussions of others finding out about her. “Trust me, we aren’t safe. Not all the time. And now that you have been found, trouble may find us and we need to be prepared.”

  Over the next few hours, Vera had Ryleigh cycle energy over and over again through her imp, Nissa. Vera explained that it was important for Ryleigh to make an instantaneous connection with her imp. Ryleigh got the hang of it rather quickly and Vera was impressed. It took normal Halflings their entire lives to learn what Ryleigh was learning in a matter of hours.

  By the end of the practice, Ryleigh learned how to pull energy and create an aura shield surrounding her before Vera had the chance to throw, what Vera called, an energy bomb. The bomb bounced off of Ryleigh’s shield and exploded into the wall behind Vera.

  “Very, very good,” Vera explained clearly impressed. “I think that is enough practice for now. I would suggest that you go to the kitchen and have Siegfried make you something healthy to eat and take a nap.”

  Ryleigh was ready for food and a nap. At the mere thought of eating her stomach tightened protesting its emptiness.

  Ryleigh was also beginning to also think that Tristan had to have been wrong. Maybe his parents were acting weird because of what was going on? Maybe they were scared? She was meeting Tristan and Illeana later citing library study. She would be lying to her aunt but it was necessary.

  ***

  Vera made a mental note to call Fin and fill him in on Ryleigh’s progress. He would be pleased to know that she was everything that they hoped for. Ryleigh was beyond important to Finar. Vera wasn’t yet sure how much information she was going to relay. Over the phone she could force a non-truth, but in person, that was a feat she wasn’t sure she could manage. Vera had always been compelled to answer Finar truthfully and honestly.

  If she’d had a witch, that would make all the difference. Unfortunately, they no longer existed. This supernatural natural world they lived in was hard enough with
out having the right resources. She dialed the all too familiar number, “We need to talk. Face to face.” She hated having these discussion with Finar. He could be scary and violent. Her stomach wretched violently. How Adrianne ever dealt with him, she would never know.

  ***

  It wasn’t but an hour before he walked into her study carrying an air of arrogance about him. “Well?” he questioned his dark eyes glittering. Vera remembered how kind those brown eyes used to be.

  “She knows,” said Vera. She waited for Fin’s reaction. He was a slow boil but when he roiled he damn near exploded.

  Finar allowed Vera’s words to marinate his thoughts. Thinking they could keep her in the dark forever was futile and he knew she would find out…eventually. He paced back and forth dramatically. It was more for effect than anything. Finar knew it was only a matter of time before Ryleigh realized she was different, or, before someone else told her.

  “I am not surprised,” commented Fin in his haughty tone. “She is seventeen after all.”

  “It was Tristan and Illeana.”

  “Oh really,” Fin sneered. I am going to have to have a talk with their parents. Trouble. That is what they are.” Walking closer with each word until the last was blown onto Vera’s cheek with a whisper, “I… don’t… need… trouble.” Spinning on his heel he tossed his head back, ‘I have a contingency plan in action, however.”

  Vera was afraid of Fin’s “contingency” plans. The last time he had a plan, he damn near killed Ryleigh. She told him the car accident was a bad idea, but, Fin usually only listened to himself.

  “I did tell her I thought her father was alive,” Vera regretted the words leaving her lips as soon as they tumbled out. She wished she could have caught them and shoved them back down her throat.

  Fin erupted. His true form was one of the most frightening that Vera had ever seen. It seemed as if it took only one step to grab Vera by the arms and pull her close. His eyes glowed red and his skin was riddled with hues of green and blue scales. But his teeth. Saber tooth fangs that hung from his mouth like extended bone. The dark energy that resonated from within him smothered the room in a blanket of filth.

  Vera felt as if she were suffocating. She couldn’t shift into form. Fin was too strong for that. He pulled energy from her keeping her form at bay. Vera started shrinking into the floor whispering, “Stop! Please!” The words choked out slowly with hope he would acquiesce and back down.

  He pulled his energy back enough for Vera to pick herself up from the floor. She staggered and fell into her desk, dizzy from the amount Chi that Fin exerted. The sheer force of Finar’s complete form was enough to dampen the output of ten lesser Fae energy. His form was more demonic. Dark. Ominous. Dangerous.

  “If Tristan and Illeana will not stop meddling, then I will make sure they do. Ryleigh. Is. Mine.” Finar turned and walked out the room completely pulling his energy back inside him.

  As soon as he left Vera sat behind her desk with her head in her hands, “What have I done?”

  14

  The death of a twin

  Tristan and Illeana had just arrived home from running errands prior to meeting Ryleigh that evening. They decided they would cook dinner and wanted to pick up a couple things. Before opening the front door they could feel the air cackle with static. Something was more off than usual. Illeana reached out to turn the handle to the door and Tristan grabbed her hand. “No,” he said. “Let me.” Always the diligent “older” brother. Illeana smiled with her violet eyes. They had an unspoken communication.

  Tristan turned the handle and the door flew inward out of his hand. He braced his arms to protect Illeana from what danger could lurk inside.

  “Come in children,” he heard from the darkness. Tristan took a step forward ever hesitantly keeping Illeana behind him. Although they were stronger together, they still needed to be wary of danger.

  “Who’s there,” called Tristan.

  “Don’t you recognize your favorite uncle,” the snide voice replied. “Come in here, now.” Tristan and Illeana approached the living room. The smell of sulfur and sandalwood lingered throughout the house, a residual effect from Fading, or traveling from the Sanctum.

  Fin was sitting in one of the recliners. He was dressed in his normal debonair style. A relic from the 30’s. Finar chose not to update with the modern fashions, instead he preferred pin striped suits, walking canes, and top hats. His eyes narrowed as the twins entered the room. “I’ve heard that you can’t stay away from Vera’s ward.” Tristan moved to speak but Fin silenced him before he could utter the first sound, “Don’t. I don’t want to hear your excuses. You were warned. You’ve been warned after the first time you made contact with her. You. Are. Not. To. Talk. To. Her.” Fin emphasized each word with a point of his finger between Tristan and Illeana. “I’m afraid I am going to have to inflict some punishment.”

  “No!” protested Tristan. “She’s family! How can we not…” Tristan’s sentence was broken by a gloved hand clasped around his throat. Fin’s acrid breath was hot on his face and Tristan could see the Fae within Fin in his eyes. Tristan became scared for the first time.

  Finar grabbed Illeana by her mane of blonde hair, “I warned you both.” They all vanished into thin air leaving behind a slight wind that barely blew dust from the table.

  ***

  They reappeared in the Sanctum. The Sanctum was part of the Fae realm. It was what Fae called home after leaving the sight of humanity. A network of caverns filled with memories of the past and echoes of ancestral energy.

  Finar still grasped Tristan by his neck and Illeana by her hair. Tristan and Illeana hadn’t faded before and were still recovering from the ill effects of it. Fading was harsh on the body the first time, insides felt as if they were twisting into each other as lungs failed to breathe. It was beyond pain.

  The twins couldn’t breathe and continued to gasp for air. The air was heavier and reeked of sandalwood and sulfur. It could take a few seconds to get used to and was a combination that only Fae could tolerate.

  Tristan’s eyes burned as he tried to regain his senses and reach for Illeana. He could hear her continuing to cough and gag.

  “Ah, ah, ah,” Fin remarked. “You two don’t get to touch.”

  Fin propelled Illeana forward into a cell carved into the cave wall behind them. He then threw Tristan into a matching cell a few yards away. Using his energy he locked the cell doors at the same time. “They are made of ash,” he said. “You cannot use your energy alone to open these doors. There is iron reinforced through the doors as well. You are staying here until I can figure out what to do with the pair of you.” With that Finar disappeared with a pop of air.

  Tristan coughed and yelled, “Illeana! Are you okay?”

  Muffled he heard her respond, “Yes, I’m fine.” He could then heard sobbing. Tristan turned and punched the wall of his cell. What am I going to do now?

  ***

  Illeana could hear Tristan cursing on the other side of the wall. It was muffled, but she could feel how frustrated and angry he was that this happened. She wasn’t sure why she was crying. The tears just continued to come and wash her face clean of the settled dust from the cavern. She was more angry with herself…and Tristan. They’d just had this conversation. The “What if?” scenarios. This was not what they were prepared for. They had completely underestimated Finar and his abilities.

  “Tristan,” she called out. “Tristan!”

  “Yeah,” she heard his voice stifling the anger and disappointment.

  “What are we going to do?”

  “I am not quite sure yet, but we’ll figure out something.”

  Illeana tried to draw on her inner Chi but she couldn’t. There was something dampening her energy. She couldn’t even call on her imp to help her out. She tried to stretch her mind out to feel around and see if there was anything, any hope, but she couldn’t even reach Tristan to connect with him.

  Illeana rested her hair on her knees.
Her mind tried to run through every possible scenario. She was scared. And afraid. Afraid that she and Tristan were going to die.

  ***

  Finar was ticked off. It took him a long while to calm down to think about what to do. The twins were lucky he didn’t snap their heads off. He did not want Ryleigh to learn anything about who she was or what she could do. He needed her ignorant.

  He’d faded into an upper level that contained a home office. It was where he spent most of his time lately. He wanted what lay inside of her and he couldn’t stand to think that she might be powerful enough to evade him. He’d already risked so much to come this far. He was one of the most powerful Fae that currently existed outside of the Inner Realm. The hidden realm that no human would ever see. Where his kind had been banished for centuries.

  The Sanctum. That one word was supposed to mean safety… sanctuary… but instead, became a prison. Families living in fear, their kind made to disappear. It was turned into a prison by those who feared the Fae. By those who feared what they could do.

  Finar was angry. It was going to be his turn to get back at those that caused their sequester. Ryleigh was the key to it. She held the power that he needed.

  “Mia, get in here,” Finar snapped.

  “Yes, master,” Mia replied as the imp appeared before him.

  “Take me to him.”

  The imp grabbed Finar’s hand and they faded out of the upper Sanctum.

  ***

  Finar appeared in a cell that was far below where Tristan and Illeana were being held. Each time he appeared before the man, the man grew more and more curious as to why he was not dead yet.

  “So Thomas, tell me about your daughter. What makes her so… special,” Finar approached Tom’s beaten and bruised body leaning down to whisper in his ear emphasizing the word “special”. He was going to get it out of him.

  Tom laid on the ground and shut his eyes. Finar looked toward Mia, “Bring her.”

  It only took a few seconds before Mia appeared with Tom’s wife, Adrianne. “You will tell me,” Finar sneered as he threw Adrianne on the ground at his feet. She was barely alive. Tom sat up to grab his wife but Finar kicked him in the chest. Tom muttered a painful grunt as he leaned over trying to recover from pain.