by Tara Maya, Elle Casey, J L Bryan, Anthea Sharp, Jenna Elizabeth Johnson, Alexia Purdy (epub)
Tears broke through the tension on her lids and slid warmly down her cheeks as she stuffed the phone back into the pack. Pulling her knees up to her chin, she nuzzled into them, hiding her face.
This will not last forever, and soon I’ll be home. She sniffled and pulled a soft washcloth from her pack, wiping her face and clearing her drippy nose, exhaling as she stuffed the cloth back into the pack. Jumping with a start, she realized Dylan had crouched down next to her and was now staring with his intense, steel-grey eyes. His face was alert and observing, as if waiting for some sort of word from her.
“What?” Her voice came out sharper than she’d meant it to, but she did not like him interrupting her melancholy memories.
“You’re in distress.”
She fought the urge to be a smart ass. “Really, you think so?” Shade snapped.
He smirked, settling down next to her, not waiting for an invitation. “Don’t get angry; I only meant to help. I am bound with blood to serve you, aren’t I? Well, if you’re in distress, I can feel it now, and I have to try to fix it. I’m compelled to. It’s part of the magic.” Avoiding her glare, he studied the dirt with increased interest.
Shade gawked at him. His face froze as he retreated into his own memories while his hand sifted through the fine sand. Then he became so still, she could not see him even breathing. She waved her hand in front of his face, and he jerked out of his trance, shifting his eyes back to her. “Are you all right?” She asked.
“What do you care?” He asked coldly.
Shade pulled her gaze away first and back to the ground, smearing her tears away with the back of her hand. His words stung and put an ache in her chest. “I just thought that maybe, um, well I…oh, never mind.” She pressed her lips together, shaking her head. It was useless to talk to Dylan; the walls he built around himself were too thick. She could almost feel them pressing up against her, palpable and frigid.
“Why don’t you just go away?” She hissed at him, irritated. She began scooting away when he grabbed the sleeve of her hoodie. Looking up, she expected an angry glare but found an ocean of pain floating behind his eyes.
His mouth tensed with unexpected emotions, making her consider the seriousness of the situation. “I would, but I can’t. Like a cord between us, it binds me to you. Where you go, I must then follow. If you go too far, I am compelled to search for you until I find you. If I try to run, I would freeze in my own steps and be made to turn back. I’m anything but free; I’m your slave. I intend to see this to its finality, and end it.” He snickered then and let her go. “Till death do us part, Shade.” He ripped off a bite of his jerky and chewed without looking back at her.
Shade didn’t try to leave again. A tight knot had formed in her stomach, making her want to throw up what little she’d eaten. Nothing about this seemed right. She could feel the ties pressing down on Dylan. She didn’t even like him and didn’t believe he liked her either, for that matter. It was like having to choose the kid that no one ever picks for your team in gym class. You didn’t want to do it, but you had to and it sucked.
“Alright, everyone, let’s get going again. We have to make it to the Emerald Forest of the River Lands before nightfall. That’s where we will stop for the night.” Ewan motioned the group to follow as everyone jumped to their feet. Packs were slung back on and weapons were put away.
Shade followed suit, watching as Dylan re-strapped his sword sheath over his thin armor. He stretched his arms and legs as he stood, displaying well defined muscles that rippled in his arms. His golden-brown tan meant he had seen some sun, unlike the pale Teleen in the caverns. She wondered if the Teleen guards were the only ones that spent any time outside the caverns. The Queen had been so chalky-pale, Shade doubted she ever ventured out.
She had unanswered questions about the Teleen and wondered whom she could ask for answers. Glancing at Dylan, she pondered asking him but quickly decided against it. Dylan would be her last resort.
She jogged up to Sary, falling into step beside her. Stephen moved to the side when he spotted her, giving her a curt nod as she passed. He and Sary were always glued to each other’s side. Shade flushed at the thought of them as lovers. Of the entire group, these two were the most inseparable.
“Hi, Shade! Everything all right?” Sary’s sweet voice flowed from her cherry red lips. She was quite pretty, beautiful actually. It was no wonder she was royalty. Why she’d be out here in the middle of who knew where, getting all dirty, grimy and really sweaty, Shade would never know.
“Um, I was wondering about something.”
“What are you wondering about?”
“Why I didn’t get burned when Darren touched me. I wasn’t electrocuted or burned. Jack told me I would be. Darren wasn’t in glamour at all, and Jack and Soap said that if you touch a Teleen when they’re not glamoured, you could get electrocuted or burned. Darren did seem surprised that I hadn’t. He became frustrated when he realized that, but then I think he found it fascinating and intriguing.” She heard her voice quiver as a lump began forming in her throat. She could see everything so clearly in her mind, as if it was happening all over again.
Sary’s eyebrows furrowed as she thought about Shade’s question. “Oh, Shade, I know it’s hard for you to talk about that night. Honestly, I don’t know the answer. You might want to ask Jack about it. He might know of some instances or possible reasons why Darren could not harm you. Somehow I think one of your powers is some sort of protection from the fire and lightning of the Teleen fey. I find it quite interesting.”
Shade nodded and thanked Sary for her thoughts. Jack would be the one to ask about this. She’d meant to chat with him about the effects of Teleen powers on her for some time.
“Jack! Wait up!” They were on a hill, and the rocks stood jagged on the trail. She slowed her pace to maneuver around the razor edges of stone until she was right behind him.
“Hey there, what can I do for you?” Jack’s cheerful mood was infectious.
She matched his pace but could not walk beside him with the trail narrowing and twisting around the large, rough boulders. Keeping an eye on the shifting dirt underneath, she continued. “I’ve been meaning to ask you some things.”
“Go for it.” He pulled himself up a steep part of the trail and turned to help Shade over the hump.
“Thanks. I was wondering, when Darren attacked me, he let his glamour fall away as he touched me. Why didn’t I burn or get electrocuted like you said I would?”
Jack stopped cold and turned toward her. Horror flashed across his face, his eyes growing dark with shock. “What? Are you sure he let his glamour slide? No, it would have killed you. There’s no way you would’ve survived.” He narrowed his eyes at her, studying her face for something unknown to her. “Are you sure you’re remembering right? You don’t think that when you hit your head, you might’ve thought he let his shields down?”
Shade shook her head; there was no way she was remembering wrong. “No, I know what I saw. He let his glamour melt away as he held onto me, while he was on fire. His skin burned with bright blue flames that lit the entire room, flowing over his skin, like sparking electricity. I remember it as clearly as I see you now.”
“I know what you’re saying, Shade; I’m not doubting you, but it’s just that it’s not possible. I don’t know what to tell you. I’ve never heard of anyone, especially a Halfling, surviving a full-blown Teleen touch. That’s exactly why our race is dying.” He grunted, half sliding down a boulder.
“What do you mean?”
“Well,” He wiped the sweat on his brow, taking in a deep breath as he rested. “We…we can’t breed outside our own race. It would be fatal to get close enough to anyone other than a Teleen.” Jack pressed his lips into a thin, hard line as he started walking again. His face remained pensive.
“But Jack, isn’t Soap a Teleen halfling? You’re saying it’s not possible, but he’s evidence against that, isn’t he?” Shade hurried to keep up with Jack, for hi
s step had quickened.
Soap, who’d been walking ahead of them, paused and followed them with great interest.
“Soap is also part changeling. Changelings can ‘change’ into a Teleen if they want to. I think that’s one of only a few ways pairing outside our race could be possible. Changelings are all, but extinct, though. We don’t even know who his parents were. To find a changeling to mate with would be like hitting the lottery for a Teleen-born; it just doesn’t happen. The chances are so slim. Only those with fire affinities could ever pair with one of us. Wait, maybe.…” He stopped again and was really staring at her now. Shade stopped too, suddenly feeling the weight of his stare, like she was under a microscope. “You’re not a changeling, Shade. Are you?”
“No, well, not that I know of,” Shade stammered.
“Have any fire magic?”
“No, sorry. I can’t change into anything, or start any kind of fire. I’d think I would know if I could.” Her voice cracked, leaving her suddenly unsure about anything. She was part faery, but she didn’t know what type of faery.
Me, a changeling? That’s highly doubtful, Shade thought. It was already unnerving to think she was anything more than human.
Jack shook his head before looking at her again. His friendly smile was beginning to light up his face once more. “Nah, I don’t think you’re a changeling, Shade. I know all this sounds really strange, and I wish I could help you more, but I’ve never come across something like this before. If I ever find out anything about it, you’ll be the first to know, okay?”
Shade nodded as he patted her back and turned to walk down another narrow and rocky hill. Shade sighed. She wasn’t sure if she knew anything more than she had before.
Chapter Eleven
SHADE SAT ON a large, smooth rock near her tent, proud that she had erected it all by herself. The cool breeze rippled the nylon violently, but it held. She’d staked it down well, just like her father had shown her. She’d had lots of practice staking down tents for herself and her sister. Every time they went camping, she was in charge of tent setup. Remembering how much she had loathed it made her chuckle. She thanked her lucky stars that her father had pounded the basics of camping and surviving in the wild into her, just in case. She doubted he had ever considered how useful the knowledge would be on a perilous faery journey.
Dinner was cooking atop a blazing fire. There was a fox roasting over it which Than had skinned, gutted and staked to a spit. It turned round and round over the flames, giving off a pleasant but smoky aroma. It looked like he’d done this many times before. The fox was a good size, nice and plump, and would feed them all. She wished she could take a shower, but that wasn’t going to happen out here. Once again, she was covered in dirt, and a film of her salty sweat stuck to her skin. She was sure it would never come off.
The air was cooling rapidly as the sun sank over the mountains. Shivering, she rubbed her arms to warm them. She’d traded her hoodie for a jacket but wished she had brought a thicker one. She felt somewhat unprepared for the cold nights, even after layering her clothes and wearing a thicker sweater. Unfortunately, the extra clothes were not working too well at guarding her from the cold.
Dylan plopped down next to her, disturbing her thoughts before draping a large, thick, fur-lined blanket over her shoulders. She jumped up, letting the blanket spill off her into a cascading heap. Dylan grabbed it just before it hit the ground.
“What are you doing?” Shade glared at him, her face flushed with anger. It wasn’t nice to intrude on her space, and she was through tolerating it.
He held his free hand up, smirking a little at the same time. “The polite thing to say is thank you. I’m not sure what humans are accustomed to, but when someone gives you a blanket to keep warm in the cold, our kind is grateful. But who am I to say so? I might be wrong to think that way,” he added sarcastically.
“You’re a prick, Dylan, you know that? I can see it’s in your blood, by the way. Just stay away from me. You and your brother can just go to hell!” Shade stood there staring at him, her breath steaming in the cool air as her words came out in a huff. The night pushed hard against the remnants of the day, making her feel suddenly over exposed. Dylan remained calm while he watched her. He lifted the blanket up to her once more. His smirk had smoothed out, and the former captain’s face fell flat and unreadable. His eyes did give away some feeling; there seemed to be a spark in them that showed he was amused by her reaction.
“Shade, just take the blanket, okay? It’s cold out,” he muttered. “I’m not really affected by the cold, but, being that you’re mortal….” He looked like he was working hard to suppress a smile. “Well, I packed for two. I knew you’d need help out here.” His smile returned as he continued. “Really, it’s a warm blanket. Think of it as a peace offering.” Standing up when she did not go to him, he moved closer until he was in her face, almost touching. He swung the blanket around and draped it over her shoulders. Shade stiffened but let him place the blanket on her, and she held onto it this time, unsure of what to do. He nodded, looking satisfied before turning to walk away.
“Dylan, wait,” Shade choked out. Her voice was tight in her throat. She turned to look at him as he stopped in his tracks. He didn’t turn around but paused, waiting. “I… I’m sorry, Dylan. I feel like you don’t like me, but you don’t even know me. Maybe that reminds me of Darren a bit, and that freaks me out. You two are pretty similar, but I know you aren’t like him. I know that… I can feel it. I….” She sighed, frustrated with her stumbling tongue. “Thanks for the blanket. I do appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome, Shade,” he answered with a little more warmth than he had ever shown before.
She glanced around and noticed the others working on their own tents. Jack had one, and so did Ewan. Sary and Braelynn looked like they were sharing, and so were Stephen and Than. Shade thought that maybe some of the group were probably pairing up because they didn’t have enough tents. Soap had his own tent, and unless they were sharing, it was unclear where Dylan was going to sleep.
“Don’t you have a tent, Dylan?”
“I do, but I find it really confining. Besides, I have to stay by you, and there isn’t enough room for another tent here. The ground is my bed tonight.” He tilted his head slightly, one eye watching her intently.
“Why do you have to camp by me? Do you really have to?”
“No,” he stated simply.
“Then why are you hovering? I feel like you’re suffocating me.”
“No, I wouldn’t ever do that. I’d never hurt you!” He had whirled back around, his face now serious and his eyes wide. He’d taken her words at face value.
“Whoa, I don’t mean literally! It’s like an expression.” Relieved as he relaxed, she sighed. “Look, you don’t have to be stuck to me like glue. I’m not an invalid, and you’re not my bodyguard. Get this straight: I do like my space.” She’d lost her patience with him and headed off, with the blanket still wrapped around her, toward the smoking carcass that was dinner.
*****
DINNER HAD BEEN satisfying. The fox had tasted amazing, or maybe it was just because Shade had been starving. It had been such a long hike that day, her muscles ached and burned intensely. She had never felt so hungry before, and now, so tired. Sitting on a fallen log by the main campfire, she watched the flames lick the twigs and branches smoldering with soot. Ashes littered the ground around the fire as it flickered and crackled. The heat felt comforting, forcing the chill of the evening away.
It felt cozy in the blanket Dylan had provided, making her feel just a tad bit guilty for snapping at him, especially since his gift had turned out to be so useful. Okay, I’ll try to be nicer to Dylan. This isn’t his fault. She hadn’t meant to snap at Dylan, but everything was really overwhelming her. She’d been attacked twice in less than a week. It was hard enough for her to keep up with everyone in the group physically; her lack of appreciation for outdoor activities didn’t help. Taking a deep breat
h, she knew these were the least of her problems.
Dad… isn’t my real dad, she thought sadly. It was difficult to accept. She wasn’t glad he was dead, but she was relieved he would never have to know this. How would she deal with it? To make matters worse, she was bound to Dylan, sharing some kind of mutant blood bind connecting her to him, and to Darren in some weird sadistic way, too. Dylan’s blood is Darren’s blood…. She cringed at the thought.
Her life was not turning out quite as she had planned. She was supposed to be in high school, cramming for finals and graduating in three weeks. This was not supposed to happen, and she missed Brisa so much. Who else could tell so many jokes, especially around a warm campfire on a freezing night? She wished Brisa had somehow been pulled into this mess, so at least Shade would not be alone right now. Even with her new friends surrounding her and their happy chatter floating about the fire, she felt the loneliness creep in again.
Sary walked over and sat next to her on the log. She winked at Shade and then settled her gaze on the fire. The silence between them was thick; Shade could sense she was aching to ask her something. She wondered what it could possibly be. Sary was quiet for the most part, unless she was with Stephen. Shade had seen how she stared dreamily into his eyes whenever they were talking. His face was a mirror of hers; their devotion radiated around them like some protective, blissful bubble. Shade couldn’t help but feel a little envious of their bond.
Shaking the thoughts away, she scolded herself. She wasn’t the type to get jealous. She was actually quite happy being the responsible older sister in a single parent home of four kids. It gave her tons of freedom to do whatever she wanted to, and she felt like she was the other adult in the house. She had no time for boys; they just mucked things up, anyway.