The Elder Mother (Riftkeepers Book 4)

by Carrie Whitethorne

  I stopped, scolding myself for daring to look at her in that way, for allowing myself to feel for her. It was work. She was there to do a job and go home, wherever that was.

  I left her to sleep, going into my own room where I lay on my bed in the quiet dark. That was enough. We weren’t there to enjoy ourselves. Back to work in the morning.

  Eight

  Seren

  The room was too bright. The sound of the kettle boiling in the next room was far too loud. The taste in my mouth was…appalling. And everything hurt. My feet, my knees, even my head. I pulled the duvet back up and closed my eyes, remembering our evening. I had enjoyed myself. Elian was such good company and he was so kind, buying me dinner and showing me the city. He’d even leapt to my defence when that man had taken it upon himself to touch me.

  That was odd. Not the action. Of course he defended me; that was his job. The look in his eyes as he did, and how he instantly softened when he looked at me.

  My own response was equally puzzling. When his eyes met mine, I physically relaxed. I was The Mother’s conduit. I could wield the power to eliminate all life. I didn’t need anyone to defend me, yet I looked to him. Felt safe with him.

  The pain in my head wouldn’t stop. The steady throb of my pulse loud in my ears. I needed…I didn’t know what I needed. Dragging myself from the warm confines of my bed, I went into the bathroom. The harsh light hurt my eyes, so I turned it off and managed in the dark, changing into a comfortable pair of jogging pants and a loose t-shirt before climbing back into bed.

  I heard the door open quietly as Elian peeked in. “Seren?”

  “I am awake. And I am in pain,” I grumbled, pushing myself up to look at him.

  He chuckled and came inside holding up a mug of tea. “Yeah, I thought you would be. Drink this. I’ll bring you something for the headache.”

  I took the mug gratefully and cradled it in my hands as I waited for him to come back. As I took a sip, I noticed he’d sweetened it with honey. The effect wasn’t unpleasant. I frowned at the windows lining the side of the room. They allowed far too much light in and it was blinding. Elian was watching me from the doorway with a smirk on his face. “Too bright?”

  “Yes. What is this?”

  He crossed the room and sat cross-legged at the foot of the bed. “A hangover,” he explained, handing me two small white disks. “Take those. They’ll help. You’ll need to swallow them whole, so be careful.”

  He watched me as I followed his instructions and smiled when they remained in my body. “Thought you were going to be sick there for a moment. You’ll feel better in half an hour or so.”

  I nodded and offered a small smile as I sipped the hot, sweet tea. “Thank you for last night. I really enjoyed myself,” I said, lowering the mug. “I haven’t had so much fun in…well, you know.”

  “Yeah, we’ll have to do it again sometime. Back to work today, though. I’m going to have to go to Avalon to check in. Do you want to come with me?”

  I wasn’t entirely sure why he was asking. Surely, he was expected to report back about me? Didn’t inviting me to accompany him defeat the purpose?

  “The way I’m feeling, Elian, I’m probably better staying here. Thank you for offering,” I said, hoping not to offend.

  “Fair enough. It’s late morning, so if we have something to eat, I’ll head over there this afternoon and you can sleep this off, or have a soak, or…whatever,” he suggested, edging off the bed. “That okay with you?”

  I nodded as he walked around the bed to take my mug.

  “Have another hour. I’ll wake you for lunch,” he said kindly as I flopped back down onto the pillows.

  I hadn’t had the energy or the inclination to check his sincerity, but he seemed so genuinely concerned about my state of health, I couldn’t help but smile. I fell back to sleep thanking The Mother for sending me someone so thoughtful. He was precisely what I needed that week.

  Lunch was a simple soup. It was all I felt I could manage in my delicate state. Elian was very sympathetic, if not mildly entertained. Laid on the sofa, I watched him shrug into his jacket and asked, “Why does Taran want you to check in?”

  “No idea,” he shrugged. “I’m under orders to check in within the week. I’m going early to get it out of the way.”

  “Why doesn’t he just come here if he wants to know what I’m up to?”

  “Because I haven’t extended the invitation. Don’t worry about it. They probably just want to know how you’re doing and if we’ve found anything yet,” he said. “He was concerned enough to send me to you, it makes sense for him to keep a regular check.”

  “That will have been Markus that was likely concerned, not Taran,” I informed him. “Did you see Markus? I do miss speaking with him.”

  “No. I haven’t seen him for a very long time,” he said uncomfortably. “Right, I should go. My lift will be downstairs. Please, Seren, don’t go out without me.”

  To my surprise, he leaned down and kissed my cheek before turning and leaving the apartment. I frowned in confusion as I heard the front door close quietly behind him.

  I lasted a whole twenty minutes on my own before I grew restless. The television was annoying, but when I turned it off, the silence was crushing. The place was too big on my own, and I had to admit that I was lonely.

  I marched for the door, trainers appearing on my feet as I grasped the handle, a light jacket covering my arms as I tugged it open. He wouldn’t know if I went for tea at the small café I’d noticed last night. It wasn’t far.

  I felt much better as I walked outside in the fresh air. I arrived at the café and took a table by the window, watching the passing traffic. I found myself thinking of the previous night again. Of our lovely meal, the ridiculous drinks. and how much fun I’d had dancing in the club. It was then that I again remembered Elian’s reaction to the man who had joined me on the dance floor. I’d thought it was him, and didn’t react when he touched me. I frowned, wondering at that. Why was I so comfortable with the idea? Why would I welcome his touch? Was it the effect of the alcohol? Why did he react in such a protective way toward the stranger? He appeared from nowhere and the man was clearly afraid of him. Why was I smiling at the memory?

  At that, I felt a small pang of guilt. Elian’s last words to me had been not to leave the apartment, not without him. Yet, here I was, away from the safety of his home. I should have gone with him to Avalon.

  The sound of the chair opposite me scraping the tiled floor drew my attention and I looked up. I almost dropped my cup as I flinched at the sound of his voice, but I recovered quickly. Schooling my features into what I hoped was nonchalance, I asked, “Are you stalking me, Kern?”

  He slid into the seat and cocked his head. “It pays to keep a watchful eye on my enemies, Seren,” he said smoothly. His dark eyes held mine for a moment before he ran a hand through his glossy black hair and sat back.

  “While I admire your confidence, it’s somewhat foolish of you to come here. What makes you think I won’t kill you?” I asked, placing my now empty cup on the saucer and pouring more from the teapot that sat between us.

  His rosy cheeks dimpled as he smiled. “There are too many humans here, Seren. You wouldn’t risk harming them. That is, after all, why you’re here. Your only purpose is to keep them safe. I was surprised to see you out enjoying yourself with your Druid last night.”

  My lips twitched. “So, you are stalking me. It’s good to know you are concerned with my whereabouts, Kern. However, when I do come for you, there is little that can save you.”

  He shook his head, mocking my threat. “There you go again, Seren. So hostile! Where’s your pet fox?”

  My confidence waned. I hoped he couldn’t see it. “What do you want?”

  “Freedom,” he answered with a shrug. “The Fae have held us captive and held humans in too high-esteem for long enough. Why? What makes them so special?”

  I opened my mouth to respond, but he held up a hand. “It’
s our time, Seren. We hold the power, you and I. Join me. Together we could rule this world. Not even they could stop us.”

  Bile rose in my throat. The very thought of him holding control over this world, of what he and those like him would do to the people of this realm. My people. I sat forward in my seat and hissed, “Captive? You have an entire realm to yourselves. You know nothing of captivity.”

  He laughed softly, looking around the room. “Indeed, we do, Seren. Have you been there? Have you witnessed the horrors? It’s so dark and dismal down there. Up here, well!” He held out his hands, palms open. “Here everything is so…colourful. So full of life.”

  Full of life? He would destroy it all. Create life of his own using these people as unwilling vessels to incubate his spawn. They were of no more significance to him than livestock were to humans. I felt the change. I felt The Mother move in me and fought to keep the power contained. He knew it. He had the sense to look somewhat perturbed. I struggled to speak as I fought to contain the magical response to his presence that flooded my body. “You’re disgusting,” I choked. “You belong in the misery and darkness of your realm, Kern. I’m coming for you. I’ll put you back there.”

  Kern sensed that I was losing the battle, but my threat worked. He clearly didn’t dare test my unwillingness to harm the helpless humans around us. “I look forward to it. Perhaps we could pick up where we left off all those years ago? You’re not in the same state as you were then,” he drawled, winking at me and rising from the table. “I’ll see you soon.”

  With a cocky smile, he looked me over and vanished.

  I released a tight, relieved breath and picked up my cup with trembling hands. I felt sick. It had been foolish of me to go alone, I realised, cradling the cup of now tepid tea. I wanted to go home. I laughed to myself. I had no home. I had a dead tree and no way back to it. I’d gone there alone because I was alone. I had no family, no friends, only my purpose on this earth. One task to perform and I’d failed for the second time in two days.

  A small voice whispered somewhere in my mind. I was not alone. I wasn’t alone last time. I’d had Markus to aid me. This time, I had Elian. And Elian was something more. He wasn’t just helping me with my task, he was helping me to live.

  Elian was my friend in all of this. Someone who wanted to keep me safe, not because of what I was, but because of who I could be, given the chance. He’d cared for me all morning, asked me to keep myself safe, and the second his back was turned, I’d left the warded safety of his home. The home he’d offered me.

  I left money on the table and headed back to the apartment.

  It was only when I was halfway there that I remembered that Kern had followed me. Did that mean he knew where Elian lived?

  He can’t have. He would have come for me there, had he known. No, he wouldn’t, I realised; the building was warded. He could never find me there.

  Unless I led him there. My heart sank. Elian’s home wouldn’t be safe if I returned. I was stuck out here alone. I had nowhere to go.

  I crossed the road and sat on a bench, wondering what I should do when a young woman sat beside me.

  “You’re safe to go home, Seren.”

  I flinched away at the sound of my name. “Who are you?”

  “I’m a friend of Elian’s. I’ve been watching over the building while he’s been out. The demon didn’t emerge from the café and is nowhere near the apartment. You’re safe to go back.”

  I didn’t know whether to feel relieved or annoyed. Yes, I wanted to return to the safety of Elian’s home, but he was having me watched? “How long have you been following me?”

  The Druid huffed a short laugh. “I’m here while he’s away. I’ll go home when he returns. I will have to tell him you left, though. I’m sorry. He’s trying to keep you safe.”

  I nodded solemnly.

  “I can walk you back,” she offered kindly as I rose from the bench.

  “No, thank you. I need to clear my head.”

  I followed the busy road until I was opposite his building and stood looking up at the top floor.

  I wondered if he would be there. If he would be angry with me for leaving. The thought of upsetting him tugged at my stomach, making me feel unwell. I crossed the road and made my way to the front doors. I’d remembered the security number and let myself in, making sure the door was locked behind me before walking up the staircase to his floor. I used magic to open the front door and sighed with relief as it clicked shut behind me.

  I remembered my first impression of the tiny hallway, how unwelcoming it had felt. That was not the case now. I passed through the living area and straight into my room, into the bathroom, and locked the door. I could soak in a hot bath until Elian came home, as I should have done, rather than going out looking for trouble.

  I thought over everything Kern had said. His offer. The sight of him was repulsive enough, but to work with him? To take The Mother’s power and use it to meet his ends? Never. Angry tears fell before I’d realised they were brimming. Not just at Kern, but for what he had done and for what he hoped to do. I was angry at myself. For my failures. For betraying Elian’s trust.

  I wasn’t sure how long I’d been in, but the water had lost most of its heat before I decided to get out. I felt much better for it, for allowing myself to become angry. Oddly, even the crying felt good. I had made sense of everything. I knew what I would say to Elian when he returned; how I planned to apologise for my behaviour.

  I dried myself down, pulled my hair into a knot at the top of my head, and dressed in clean joggers and t-shirt. Flicking off the bathroom light, I heard the patio door in my bedroom slam shut. I looked up to see Elian. I smiled, relieved to see him.

  My smile faded as he stalked across the room towards me.

  Nine

  Elian

  I wasn’t sure which I was most surprised by: my own urge to kiss her goodbye, or her acceptance of the gesture. I hurried out of the apartment, turning down the stairs.

  He was waiting at the bottom, grinning up at me. “El, how’ve you been?”

  “Not bad, yourself?” I asked, shaking his outstretched hand.

  “The usual. Humans running riot, the council grumbling about them,” he said, running a hand through his unruly curls. “To top it, we have an Un-Seelie lunatic in the mix. Fun and games.” He glanced up the stairs, obviously to see if Seren was nearby. He looked somewhat disappointed not to be getting a glimpse. Turning to the door, he added, “Charlotte gave Art a going over, though. Prick tried to kill her. Should have seen his face when she caught the bloody dagger!”

  I chuckled and followed him out. “She sounds like she fits right in with your lot. How did Cal react?”

  He snorted. “Beat the shit out of him. She wouldn’t let him take his head, though.”

  “You’re joking! What’s Taran said?”

  “Nothing. She’s having a hard-enough time of it. Nobody wants to make it more difficult than it already is. I’m concentrating on keeping on her good side.”

  “Dagda MacAidh, cowed by a human girl,” I mocked, shaking my head.

  “You haven’t met my girlfriend. Charlotte’s nothing compared to that one,” he chuckled as he gripped my shoulder, taking us to Avalon.

  “What’s she like, then?” he asked as we made our way to Taran’s study.

  “She’s nice.”

  Nudging me with an elbow, he laughed. “Nice? Don’t give me that shit. What’s she like?”

  “Quiet, shy, guarded. I haven’t spent that much time with her, to be honest.”

  “Right. Suits you then. Not one for conversation either, are you?” he grumbled. “What colour are her eyes?”

  “Green,” I said, all too quickly. Dagda barked a laugh and opened the study door. I shook my head.

  “Green, eh? Just gave yourself away, mate” he said quietly, shoving me through the door. “Father, Elian.”

  I mumbled an insult at Dagda as Taran glanced up from his desk. Dagda sniggered an
d closed the door behind me.

  “Elian, thank you for coming. How is Seren progressing?” the king asked, leaving his work and moving around his desk to greet me.

  “Well, I think,” I answered, shaking his hand. “She’s settling down and managed to track the demon down two nights previous. There was an exchange and the demon left.”

  Taran frowned and gestured to a comfortable looking armchair. “She didn’t kill it?”

  I sat and watched him turn away to pour two glasses of whisky before answering. “No, their exchange was purely verbal. It was odd. She appeared to know him.”

  I knew she knew him. There was no other explanation for the way she reacted.

  Taran remained quiet for a few moments, handing me a glass, and taking a seat in the matching armchair opposite. I took a brief sniff of the single malt, drank, and waited. I wanted to hear him say it.

  Eventually, he spoke. “That is interesting. I know that many of the demons loose at the time of her death returned to the underworld rather than meet the sword, but the chances of this being the very same that killed the poor girl…”

  “But it could be?” I pressed. I wanted an answer.

  “Have you asked her?”

  “No,” I said with a shrug. “She isn’t really one for conversation and I haven’t taken it upon myself to pry.”

  That was a lie to Dagda and now a lie to Taran. I wasn’t sure how long I could keep it up.

  Taran eyed me over the rim of his glass and asked, “Where did you find the demon?”

  “Near the warehouses, by the river,” I explained. “We were looking there as the area is frequented by prostitutes. We thought they were easy prey and it was as good a place as any to begin our search.” I scratched my head, and added, “What’s most annoying is, I visit the area monthly with the charity and have never picked up on any demon presence.”