by S. E. Myers
Shaking the sleep off she walked into a conversation that seemed intense. “There isn’t anything you can do Tristan,” said Tom. “You are like this forever. More powerful, stronger, this is why Fin wants you on his side and will not kill you. Ryleigh I’m worried about.”
“What about me?”
They turned around surprised to see her standing there; they were so involved that they didn’t even hear her approach them.
Her dad stuttered for a moment, “H-hey! We thought you were still sleeping!”
“Apparently,” Ryleigh said, sarcasm implied. “So, what do you mean then? I guess if you are worried about me, then I need to be worried about myself as well. Don’t you think?”
Tristan crossed the room. He grabbed Ryleigh by her arms and pulled her close, “Of course you should be worried. You are different than me. You are more whole. I am…” Pushing her back to look in her face, “I don’t know what I am. Can you feel another presence? You know… inside?”
“I can’t feel my mom and haven’t tried to feel my twin. I talk to it all the time but, I haven’t tried to be honest. I wanted to, but I was afraid. I didn’t want to know or feel that someone or…something else was inside of me. The thought of it just really creeped me out.”
Tom broke into the conversation, “Well, we can help. I mean, I can’t. I don’t know if I can connect with anyone else. It’s been a long time.”
“There’s only one way to find out,” Ryleigh announced.
28
The moment when all that didn’t matter disappeared
Tristan, Ryleigh and Tom gathered in the living room after putting the girls down. Tom reached out to one of his contacts that helped him and his wife escape seventeen years earlier to find someone to take the girls. They would leave first thing in the morning to a safe place. Hopefully far enough from this madness. Not one of the three would be privilege to their location, nor would they know who took the twins. An imp would fade them out of the house and to a new location. It was for the twins and their own protection.
The all held hands, eyes closed. Tom was nervous as he hadn’t connected with anyone but his wife in a very long time.
Ryleigh felt her father’s nervousness and squeezed his hands. Concentrating on their breaths, Tristan and Ryleigh connected first. They’d decided that Ryleigh would attempt to stream Chi to Tom first.
She sent a small energy pulse to her father. She looked at her father. He opened his eyes, feeling the electric sensation run up his arm. He concentrated on that feeling and tried pulling on it. He couldn’t do it.
Tristan tried next. He sent a pulse to Tom. Again, Tom couldn’t grab onto it or pull it. He dropped their hands.
“Well, I guess that’s that,” he said blandly. “To be honest, I’m okay with it.”
Ryleigh broke her connection with Tristan and embraced her dad. “I love you.”
“I love you too, honey,” Tom replied. He would have to learn how to live life, all over again, as a human.
“Tristan and I will try later – to see if there is someone, or something inside,” Ryleigh said.
Tristan nodded in agreement.
“Yeah, I’m sure you two will figure it out.” Tom left the living room and went into the spare room he would be staying in.
“I think he’ll be alright,” reassured Tristan.
“I’m sure you’re right,” said Ryleigh. But she wasn’t so sure.
***
Since the first time they connected, Ryleigh and Tristan didn’t have an opportunity to really talk about what happened, or them… Or even touch. Too much transpired and interrupted their opportunity. Ryleigh wasn’t even sure how she felt being connected to him, tethered to him. She did want it. Or something like it. From the time she was little she had always craved for someone to be at her side. Which more than likely stemmed from the fact she was supposed to be a twin.
So many times she talked to herself as if she was not herself. Wondering if she was completely crazy.
Prior to meeting Finar face to face, she needed to talk to Tristan. She needed to experience that connection. To feel inside that someone wanted and needed her. Just in case she would never feel it again and be sent spiraling headfirst into the nether. The thought of it bothered her immensely. She didn’t want to be cast into a pot of melted energy that spiraled around forever. The explanation of the nether wasn’t ever clear. To any of them.
In the dark she crept to Tristan’s room. Careful not to make any noise to disturb the twins, or her father. She opened his door gently, Mia was sleeping on the end of his bed and lifted his squirrely face and peered at her. “Mistress?” he questioned.
Ryleigh stepped into the room, “Could I have a moment?” she whispered to Mia. He cocked his head and looked hesitant to leave his master. “Go Mia, go to Nissa,” Tristan’s baritone ordered.
Tristan looked as if he had been awake for a while, although when she peered in the room it seemed as if he were sleeping. “I knew you would come,” Tristan acknowledged. “At least, before tomorrow.”
“Yes,” Ryleigh answered. “I-I,” she sighed. She tried to find the words to convey to him to let him know how she felt but there were none.
Tristan sat up cross-legged on his bed and patted the space before him. Ryleigh sat across from him. She was nervous and didn’t know what to expect exactly. Neither did Tristan. What he felt that he needed to do, came from instinct. Ryleigh was also led by that same instinct.
She reached out and placed her palm on his chest as they did before. Tristan did the same. Breathing in as the other breathed out. This time it was a little more intense. And a little faster as they had connected previously.
Looking deeply and intently into his eyes, she thought she felt a stirring within her. She could drown in his violet eyes and their liquid pools of lavender. Once the connection was made, Ryleigh placed her hands on her legs. She was nervous about what might happen or come next. The temperature in the room seemed to have risen.
Tristan caressed the back of Ryleigh’s neck. She allowed her head to fall into the palm of his hand feeling the warmth from inside. She could almost hear him. Knowing how he felt. This was what she wanted.
Tristan pulled her to him. They’d become a little more in tune with their energy cycling to prevent anything from exploding, however, when Tristan pressed his velvety soft lips into Ryleigh’s, her heart felt as if it were going to explode from her chest. His kiss was urgent and aggressive, as if he wanted to imprint his lips onto hers. Ryleigh felt the urgency herself. She wasn’t sure if she was ever going to have this again.
Tristan pulled away staring at her, “I don’t want to lose you.”
Tears began to well in her eyes, swallowing a lump that was being created in her throat, “I don’t want to lose you either, Tristan.”
“This connection, it’s more than just predetermined you know,” Tristan said almost whispering. “I really do care about you. I would have cared about you even if we didn’t have some stupid destiny planned for us genetically.”
“I know. I feel the same way. I’d dreamt about you so many times before,” she told him. “I know I’ve said it before, but, even though we are supposed to be matched for each other, I’ve always known it. Does that make sense?”
Tristan nodded, “I love you Ryleigh.”
Ryleigh’s heart caught in her throat and she began to sob.
Tristan pulled her close into his chest, a place that knew her best, “Why are you crying?” He smoothed her hair back from her face and kissed her tears away.
“I don’t want this to go away. I don’t want to lose this,” Ryleigh sobbed. “I finally have this, something I’ve searched for, and now tomorrow – it could be all gone.”
“Hey now,” he reassured. “You have been through so much already and come out on top. We are going to survive and when Fin is dead, we can move on and restart our lives.”
Ryleigh knew that Tristan was saying these words to reassure her. She
could feel him running through her with his energy untamed like wild horses on the savannah. She could feel the truth of the matter and that he was scared, just like her. He was scared he would never see her again.
He kissed her deeply. He wanted to pull all of her inside of him so he could protect her. Grabbing her into a fierce embrace they slept in each other’s arms. Sleeping a dreamless sleep. Unaware of what tomorrow would bring.
***
In the middle of the night, Ryleigh’s cellphone rang. It was Cyrus’s phone number.
“Hey there,” Ryleigh mumbled through sleepiness.
“Well, hey there yourself,” answered Finar cheerily. “Guess who I have?”
Ryleigh shot out of bed waking Tristan. “What’s wrong,” Tristan asked.
Ryleigh waved him off and answered, “What have you done?”
“Oh, don’t worry. I won’t kill your friend or his mother – yet. You need to come and visit me. Tomorrow. Six p.m. Via the portal at your aunt’s mansion.”
“Or what,” Ryleigh asked, scared.
“Do I even have to say it,” Finar rebuffed.
“No,” said Ryleigh. “I’ll be there.”
“Good, good,” said Finar. “And bring Tristan, too.”
Finar hung up and Ryleigh turned to Tristan.
“He has Cyrus.”
29
Preparations are a witch
The morning came too quickly. They all had a sleepless night. Ryleigh woke her father after the conversation she had with Finar. Her dad promised he would try to get s much help as possible.
Tom had an announcement for them after they discovered the twins were gone.
“I’ve found us a witch.”
“What do you mean you found us a witch,” asked Ryleigh.
“If we are going to go up against Finar, we might need one,” said Tom matter-of-factly. “I’ve used the last of my savings to bribe her.”
The witch hated Halflings and Fae born. In order to help, she had to be bribed handsomely to assist and was a just-in-case factor. If they needed her, they would summon her. The witch was more than content to be “Plan B”. She wouldn’t return the bribe, even if she was never used. Just being around them all was close enough for a death sentence.
“Also, I am going to go with you both,” confirmed Tom.
“No, you’re not,” Ryleigh tried to enforce.
“Yes, I am,” said Tom. “You two might need someone else there and although I can’t do much,” Tom pulled a .45 Colt from behind him. “I can still use this.”
Ryleigh’s mouth dropped open and Tristan smiled broadly.
“But –“ Ryleigh began.
“’But’ nothing,” interrupted Tom. “I am going and that’s that.”
Arguing Tom’s point was moot. He was going to go and she would do her best to keep him safe.
***
They were as prepared as they were going to be.
They were on their own. Tristan – the more than a Halfling, Ryleigh – the whole Fae, Tom – the contributor, and Katelyn – the solitary witch. Finding Katelyn was a blessing and a curse.
Ryleigh and Tristan had been practicing their instant connection and using that to increase their power.
On their own, Tom tried connecting with Ryleigh again and discovered he was able to connect to the part that Adrianne gifted her. It was a small part and only worked if they really concentrated on it. If needed, he would try to use that to his advantage. It would take all of them to take Finar down.
Nissa, no longer the baby she was only a few weeks ago, was ready too. She had become one of the strongest imps because of Ryleigh. Even Vee was impressed with her.
Ryleigh went back over her list again with the group.
Laughing Tom said, “You and your mother with those lists. Couldn’t go anywhere without ensuring that it was checked off multiple times.”
Ryleigh rolled her eyes, “This could be life or death, so I am going to go over this for my sanity before we even think about stepping foot out of the door.”
Tristan squeezed her around the waste, “I like it. Keeps us organized.”
“See, someone appreciates that over obsessiveness that I have.”
The list was also keeping Ryleigh mentally in check. Keeping her mind focused on the smaller tasks instead of the bigger one helped her not be so nervous.
“So, Finar is expecting me. He has Cyrus and his family, knowing he was my only best friend,” she choked up a little bit remembering the last conversation they’d had.
They had video chatted the week prior. Ryleigh was remiss with catching up with him but she felt that she needed to tell him how important he was in her life.
“What’s going on with you?” Cyrus had asked her.
“Nothing. Why.”
“Because, you’re different. You’re not how you were before.”
Ryleigh didn’t want to offer an explanation. He wasn’t even aware that her parents had never died in the accident, or anything about her heritage or what she even was. She chalked it off as having to grow up more quickly. She promised to log onto their game that weekend before they signed off.
“Cy, you are my best friend. I want you to know how much I care about you,” she reminded him.
“I know,” he’d said before he logged off.
That was enough for her that he knew how she felt. Even after the incident at his house. She never did offer him an explanation for that. He thought that it was hormones and that he just wasn’t feeling well.
Now she had to save him. And hopefully, Finar wouldn’t kill him to spite her. Her dad thought that Finar wanted her. Wanted to absorb her, but the Elders had reassured her it was impossible. They all knew about her now. They knew who she was and they were afraid.
Remembering their faces, hidden from her view so she could never know who they were, she shuddered.
“You are the first of your kind in a long time,” one said to her in a southern accent.
“Where there is one, there will be more,” said another who sounded as if she were from New York.
They knew the danger of Finar but were powerless to stop him. That is why they didn’t lock her up. She knew that. It ticked her off to no end that they would use her. She was afraid that once Finar was locked up or destroyed, that they would put her away too.
Finar had free run of the Sanctum and was recruiting a large following. Ryleigh was afraid that this small rag tag crew would not be enough. But with the witch, they should be okay. With Nissa and Vee, they could summon large quantities of Chi to help.
To think, just a few months ago she was oblivious to all of this, and now… Now her life changed forever.
30
The final battle
Reaching the wreckage of Vera’s mansion was disheartening to Ryleigh. Remembering that this was her home for a time. Remembering how Vera died. She wanted Finar to pay for that.
Tristan could feel the rumble with her and placed a hand on hers wrapping his fingers and sending a small pulse of warmth up her arm, “It will be okay. We’re almost there,” Tristan said squeezing Ryleigh’s arm.
She was prepared. She was pissed. She was ready. Nissa popped besides her, “Mistress, Fin is there. He has others with him.”
Tristan grimaced at the sound of his name. Ryleigh nodded, “I am sure he knows we are coming. He has to know.”
Tristan pulled up outside the house. Ryleigh took a deep breath. She knew they were stronger than anyone that Finar could have recruited, but together they would need to confront Fin. He wasn’t just half Fae. He was something else and he scared the crap out of Ryleigh.
Her imp alighted on her shoulder, “Mistress, don’t worry I will be here.” Ryleigh knew she would be there. Vee was in the back of the car asleep. Tristan even wondered how he could sleep at a time like this, but he also knew that he was preparing.
“We need to stick together,” Tristan reminded Ryleigh. “No matter what happens, we can’t do it alone. Otherw
ise we are dead, and they are stronger.”
Ryleigh nodded, “I know.”
“They have your friend Cyrus and I know that. But no matter what Ry, don’t let him goad you.” Tristan knew that Finar would probably use Cyrus to draw Ryleigh out.
This was going to be difficult. He wasn’t even sure if they were going to live. They approached the house slowly, cautious. They were going through the front door. Tristan grabbed Ryleigh’s hand and squeezed reassuring her that he was there.
The plan was for Ryleigh and Tristan to enter the mansion first. Tom would come later. He was parked a half a mile away. Ryleigh had her cellphone in her pocket and on speaker so Tom would be able to hear everything going on. Vee and Nissa would get Cyrus and his mother out of the Sanctum as quickly and quietly as possible.
Taking a deep breath Ryleigh reached for the handle and opened the door. Tristan and Ryleigh entered hesitantly looking around. Knowing the floor plan was a huge advantage for the pair. They went to the study to access the hidden room containing the portal below the house, where Fin would be waiting for them. It seemed too easy.
It was too quiet in the house, even the normal creaks and moans seemed to have ceased. The air crackled with intensity.
Ryleigh pressed the button underneath the desk and the panel that she found before swung open from the wall. Tristan and Ryleigh headed down the stairs to the portal that would take them to the Sanctum. Their imps with Finar. Hoping the cellphone would work where they were going.
Although they were going willingly now. Tristan and she had a plan.
***
The Sanctum seemed darker this time around. “We need to stick together,” Tom reminded them. “Where did he say he would be?” he asked Ryleigh.
Ryleigh looked at his phone. “He said to meet him where my mother died.”
There was only one way in and one way out into that part of the Sanctum. “I remember how to get there,” said Tristan.
Ryleigh nodded, “Yeah, I think I do too.”