I Walked with Shadows (Sightless Book 1)
Page 16
Holly squeezed her eyes closed. She swallowed hard. “What do you need me to do?”
“Destroy their allies.”
“Who are their allies?”
The queen shifted, looking strangely uncomfortable. “I’m trying to find out. I should be able to see the mortal world better…but things are murky.”
“Then how can I destroy them?”
“The man you fought before…the dark elf…what did you see when you looked at him?”
“Sirus?” At the queen’s nod, Holly tried to recall. “I…don’t know. He was dark and terrifying. Powerful.”
“He was powerful,” The queen agreed and looked lost in thought. “Too powerful…I should be able to see clearer. Something darkens my vision.” The queen shifted her focus back to Holly. “Be patient, for now, and be ready. Always be ready. Stay with the Dark One.”
Holly jolted. There was an unexpected stab in her gut at the mention of Connor. “I…can’t. He’s gone.”
That got the queen’s attention. “What?”
“He’s gone.” Holly repeated numbly.
“That’s…not good.” The queen walked a few agitated steps. “You need each other.”
Holly’s chin drew back and she eyed the queen suspiciously. “What do you mean?”
“It’s just…a feeling I have.”
“Oh.” After a hesitation, Holly said softly. “I’ve felt that way before, but I must have been wrong.”
The queen shrugged. “Maybe I’m just feeling the remnants of your feelings through our connection. Fairies normally only bond with other fairies. Bonding with a human might have odd consequences.”
“Is that what this is? A bond?” Holly held up her hand again, eying the thin, faded lines of the fairy mark.
“Yes. It gives us a connection to each other. Through the bond I will also be able to send you some of my power when you need it.”
“Like when I have to kill the Unseelie Court’s allies.”
“Yes.” The queen drew close, her eyes intense. “The Unseelie are selfish above all else, Holly. They love power, beauty, and control. They’ll only ally themselves with the most powerful of creatures. You will face foes that are much stronger than you. You will most likely die.”
“Thanks. You might have thought of that before deciding to bond with an ordinary human girl.”
There was a flash of sharp, violent light. “I didn’t choose you lightly.” The queen glowed with a fiery aura. “I could have chosen anyone. I wanted you, Holly. It’s ordinary people who don’t want power, but find it in themselves nonetheless, that will win this war.”
Holly looked up at the queen. “I’ll try.”
“We both will.”
The cave was suffocating it was so dark.
Connor pushed through the blackness. If any but a Dark Elf came through here, they would have gotten lost and slowly suffocated. He didn’t get lost, though. He knew these caves intimately.
But where were the guards?
Why did the shadows remain eerily silent?
He turned down a winding tunnel.
As he broke free and entered the city within the mountain, his ears were met by complete and total silence.
The Den was completely lifeless. Not even the creatures of the mountains had moved in.
He walked the streets slowly, his entire body tense.
Gone.
They were all gone.
Epilogue 2
It was happening again.
Holly groaned and reached up, rubbing her tired eyes.
Her parents were outside with Nola and her husband, inspecting the fields.
Laney, who had been helping her cook, glanced over worriedly. “Is it the fairy?” She asked quietly, glancing at the open door.
Holly nodded.
She had told her parents, Nola, and Laney the truth of what had happened to her. Despite the golden flower permanently traced onto her right palm, the other three had chalked her story up to imagination, delusions, and whatever drugs the assassin had given her. No amount of talking had convinced them otherwise. Only Laney, to Holly’s surprise, had believed her.
Now, Laney dusted off her hands. “I’ll go out and make sure they don’t come back until you’re done.”
As she watched her friend leave, Holly felt grateful tears fill her eyes.
Fighting the tears, she methodically reached into her pocket and dropped the little rocks she’d collected into a circle around her.
“You look tired.” The red haired fairy observed.
“So do you,” Holly replied, forcing a smile.
The fairy smiled. She didn’t mock Holly as much as she used to and her smile now was friendly and sympathetic. “We must be rubbing off on each other.” Then she tilted her head. “He still hasn’t come back?”
Holly winced. “No,” She said shortly.
The fairy looked infinitely sad, her eyes welling with the tears that Holly refused to shed. “I hurt for you.” She said sadly.
“I’m sorry.”
The fairy drifted closer. “I’ve never bonded with a human before. It’s much more painful than I anticipated.”
“Sorry,” Holly repeated mechanically.
The little red haired queen just sighed. “I don’t regret it. It’s for everyone’s safety.”
“I know. You’ve told me before.” Holly felt bone weary and they both could hear it in her voice.
The queen shot her an annoyed glance. “I’ve also told you that if we fail the entire world will be at risk. The Unseelie Court is growing too strong. They have too many allies in your world.”
Holly straightened, ready to accept whatever task the fairy laid before her. “Have you uncovered another one of them?”
The queen of the Spring Court shook her head, looking frustrated. “My sight is clouded. I cannot see the mortal world like I should be able to. But I know someone who will help you.”
Great…just what she wanted, another companion. As if the last one hadn’t hurt her enough. Holly sat down hard on the floor. “Who is it?”
“His name is Eldirion.”
Acknowledgements
Without a doubt, the first and foremost people I need to thank are my Heavenly Father and my Savior. I cannot even begin to express my gratitude. As I struggled to write, time and time again, God took me by the hand, sent mortal angels into my life to inspire me, or simply gave me peace and hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. I’m so beyond grateful that in my weaknesses, Christ made me strong. As Isaiah puts so poetically, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” When I found myself living in such a way that no light was within me, my Savior reached out and put the light before me so that I could find my way back to Him.
Secondly, my parents. They are such a blessing in my life. They are patient, kind, and supportive. I know I’ve been far from perfect as a daughter. Let me say loud and clear how much I love you two. I would never have come as far as I have without you. You were crucial in shaping me into a better person.
Next, I would like to thank the rest of my family. Brian’s laugh is infectious and we’ll never play enough games together. Dan for offering me a place to stay when my life was in turmoil, for reaching out to me, and giving me some much needed advice. Mike for always making me laugh even when I wanted to cry and your sympathy over the horrors of dating. Kristi, your charity and love have touched my life and changed the lives of countless others.
In particular, thanks to Julie and Erin, who have loved and supported me despite my faults. This book was written during a time of struggle and hardship. Both of you helped me even though I was an often-times helpless mess. Thank you for listening to me complain, cry, and lament over silly circumstances that didn’t really matter, and thank you for taking the time to pre-read this book even though you both have busy lives. And Julie, thank you for correcting my then’s and than’s, and effects and affects…those al
ways get me!
About K.C.M.
I believe in having adventures every day, doing the things you love, and being the best person that you can be. I don’t like to hear I can’t do things. I love to dabble. Helping other people gives me good fuzzy feelings. Psych is my favorite T.V. show and I still miss it even though it’s been over for a while now. Fantasy writers are boss, but I also love me some mysteries, historical fiction, funny biographies, and generally whatever hits my fancy that day. Cats are better than dogs (sorry, you dog lovers). Horses are by far the best, though.
If you love the book, want to read more of my work, or just want to connect, you may contact me online via blog or email:
averageadventurers.blogspot.com
authorkcm13@gmail.com.
If you don’t love the book…well…sorry that you have poor taste
Just kidding, if you don’t love the book do whatever haters do.