by Jaime Marks
“Not that I owe any an explanation, least of all you Crytos, I made a grievous error in my attempt to please the Dark Lord. He requested if it were possible that I turn Marcus and eliminate any threat of Reyn being reclaimed by the Light. I underestimated my twin’s strength of Light. Her Darkness was coursing through him and in truth he nearly gave into it. Unfortunately his Light prevailed and he was able to mask the room and prevent me from sensing the situations outside it. He masks himself well but I will not be so careless in my pursuit of him again.” Cymeryn met his stare head on with a devilish grin. “As for my little slave, I will not deny I enjoy the pleasures of her flesh, her hunger. Indeed I cannot wait to taste her again, she was delicious. You shall see when you taste her, Crytos. I’m sure you will find her quite insatiable as she is pressed between us writhing in our desire.”
“I look forward to it, Supryn.”
Forcing himself to retain his composure was difficult. He was tempted to skin Crytos alive for the desire that was evident on his face. He knew what sort of depravity he was prone to. Not that it mattered. Reyn was his and he would allow none other to touch her. None other save his twin, if he could be persuaded to follow her once Lazurys embedded her fully in Darkness. She needed them both to be whole. In a respect it was almost as if the three of them needed one another. There was a perfection, a completeness he had felt in that room that he had never experienced before. It was something he now craved to make a permanent reality.
“What intel have you acquired that may be of use to our task?” He requested needing to pull his mind from such thoughts lest he reveal himself.
“There is to be a Council meeting this eve. It is rumored the Lady Reyn will be in attendance as she now rules as Queen in the Realm of Gray. We have been unable to seek entry to her domain as of yet. We are not even sure where it came from or where it is located. Though its presence is now easily felt it is almost as if the entryways are masked in some way. This Council meeting may be our only opportunity.”
“They will be expecting that and well prepared. We have no leverage as before. Marcus will never allow her to be taken that way again and he is every bit as cunning and formidable as I am. Besides, she will not come willingly while there are witnesses. She sways but fears the judgment they will pass on her and my little vixen has always felt the pull and responsibility of her station. The only chance we have is if we can isolate her.” Cymeryn mused as he paced.
There was no way he could retrieve her from the Council but she would be very close to the lake. He knew the temptation she was feeling to call him to her, to reassure herself of his well-being. He could feel it. It was a temptation he could exploit.
“I may have a plan, but it will take some time. I had her Crytos, I had control of her and I can still feel her in my veins. There is a part of her that still reaches for me. If we are to obtain her this eve she will need to be lured out on her own. If I can reach her, convince her I am seeking Redemption she will come to me, but only if I am alone. The Queen used to have quite a propensity for losing her guards and I can easily overpower her. I know how to reach her and where I can lure her to ensure our privacy, but I will need time to sway her. Keep Syneous occupied, I do not need him reporting my actions to the favored Priest.” He paused. “Also have the Brood at the ready. I need to know all the locations of Byryn’s sisters. If this fails we will need to move quickly and that boy may yet prove to be of use.”
“As you wish, Supryn.” Crytos smirked with a pleased look. “It is good to have you back, Cymeryn.”
“It is good to be back old friend.”
Cymeryn misted to the Realm of Light taking form in their hidden place by the lake. He could only hope if he reached out to her she would come. She would likely not be swayed to leave but he needed to know if he could reach her. If there was a possibility of luring her through seduction he had to take the opportunity. He would employ more stringent methods if required but he would rather not cause her more pain than necessary. What she would endure at the hands of the Dark Lord was already ripping him to shreds, but it would be short lived. Once this was all over he would see to it he never caused her pain again. Well, no more than she desired he thought, considering her insatiable nature.
If he were honest, he needed to see for himself that Reyn was safe from Alayne. Something was off with her. Marcus had not reached out to him without reason. Sensing her mind was not enough. He wanted to see her, feel her, to know there was nothing being hidden from him and no harm had befallen her. Passing on this opportunity to reclaim her would be foolish, however. The longer this went on the closer she would come to Alayne’s reach.
The Dark Priest was nothing if not devious. One had only to consider Syneous to see how cunning he could be. He had carefully placed his son using him to keep control of all situations. More and more Cymeryn was certain Staryana was sired at the Priest’s command allowing Reyn to be kept under tight reigns. He hated to think of what other purpose her Grandfather might have in mind for the young girl. It was deplorable the way that Shade treated his lineage.
It was also clear beyond doubt that Alayne fully intended his son to be awakened by Cymeryn. It would place him in line to become Supryn and create a direct link to him so that he could more closely monitor his actions. Cunning and clever indeed.
He needed to regain control of this situation before whatever plan Alayne had in place came to fruition. Had the consequences been less dire he would have seduced her slowly while his Darkness added to her own. He would have reveled in her, reacquainting himself with every inch of her flesh. There would be no time for that now. Once he delivered her to Lord Lazurys and she was gifted to him once more he would make a point to make time to see properly to her needs, and his own, but first, he would prevent this nightmare before it became reality.
Byryn stood in the doorway watching Staryana with Kylion. The boy adored her. It was clear by the love and devotion in his eyes every time he looked at her. She was reading to him on his bed and he was curled up with his head in her lap looking up watching her while she stroked his hair. He could hardly blame the boy, Byryn adored her as well.
She was the most beautiful creature he had ever met. Her curly hair was now almost to her shoulders but it was no longer mousy brown. It was becoming a deep mahogany. Her peachy skin was also a shade lighter than it had been when he had brought her to the Fae. The Darkness was strong in her, almost as strong as it had been in Byryn himself. Actually he was fairly certain it would even surpass the Dark power he’d held, but it didn’t make sense. Yes, her Mother was the Goddess Lunya incarnated as Fae, but if the power he sensed came from Reyana it would be more balanced, perhaps even Light. She held that sort of strength as well but it wasn’t what dominated her being. What he was sensing was Dark. Syneous hadn’t seemed to possess that kind of strength. There was something he was missing. Something he was afraid might put her in far more danger than she was in already simply for being Reyana’s young.
The only explanation for the Darkness he sensed would be a strong Shade Father, and an even stronger Grandfather. He couldn’t even fathom who could cause such strength in her, or his mind didn’t want to. Cymeryn would explain it except for the fact that he wasn’t technically her Grandsire because Syneous hadn’t been awakened when she was conceived.
Star didn’t know who her Grandfather was that Syneous had mentioned, she assumed it was Cymeryn but he doubted that. He had spoken to Kato after voicing his concerns to Marcus and no one had even remotely sensed that kind of strength in her Dad but…still. If his power had been in some way subdued that would account for it, but to hide it from a Fae of the Forest was an unheard of accomplishment. It wasn’t something that Cymeryn had the power to do or he would have had Reyana before they had chance to do anything about it. It was definitely something he would’ve exploited. Besides the Shade avoided progeny in most cases. As far as anyone knew Cymeryn had never sired any young of his own. At least he hoped not.
Marcus
appeared at the top of the hall and Byryn went to meet him. “I thought I might find you here. How are they?”
Byryn smiled, “They’re both good. You should see them together. She has such a way with him. Kylion doesn’t even listen to Grifyn half as well as he does Staryana and he’s still a bit afraid of him.”
“She’s a lot like her Mother in that way. She’s good at getting people to do as she wants.” Marcus smirked.
Byryn laughed, “Yeah, let’s just hope she doesn’t take up her Mother’s amusement at ditching her Personal Guard.”
“It has its advantages.” Marcus winked before sternly asserting, “Which you had best not consider taking advantage of prior to your bonding.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” He smiled devilishly raising his hands in supplication.
“Are you comfortable with the arrangements we made for the raids on the group home? I sent the report to that closet you’ve been using in the library. We really should grant you an official study with the positions you hold. It would make things easier rather than having you hop back and forth from the library to a storage room.”
Byryn waved him off not commenting on the office issue. He did most of his thinking on his feet and was never there so there was no real need for one. Instead he addressed the raids. “Yeah, I’m glad you’re allowing me to include Trycen. He’s taking to his training well and he works well with the unawakened. He’s asked about attending the Academy once he finishes his general studies.”
Marcus smirked and shook his head at his avoidance but left him be on it. It was one of the reasons they tended to get along so well. Neither of them pushed formalities and they both understood each other.
“I had hoped that he would. He’s a good kid and his skills are impressive. With proper training he’ll make a fine Guardian.” Marcus glanced over his shoulder and he could feel the Fae’s energy reach out sensing the area. “…I wanted to talk to you before we left.”
“What’s up?” Byryn studied him curiously. These days he was never sure what to expect from the Fae.
Drawing out a long breath he met him in the eye and spoke bluntly. “I need to talk to Cymeryn. Until this morn he had been held captive but he has been freed. I feel him through our blooded connection and he has already reached out to Reyana once. I know he will likely attempt to reconnect with her this eve and I know where. I mean for us both to confront him. As you have the ability to sense his presence, I need you to refrain from informing the others if he makes an appearance. I am aware that I’m putting you in an awkward position by asking this of you, but I have my reasons. This has to occur.”
Byryn gaped at him, “Marcus, have you lost your mind? It was one thing to cover for you when you left the realm alone to reach out for him. I understood that and you were careful about it. This is something else entirely. What if he has an ambush lying in wait? Why would you risk her like this?”
Meeting his eyes with the confidence and sincerity that almost made him agree right there, Marcus clasped his shoulder. “Byryn…I need you to trust me. I would never put her at risk. I can call the rest of you to me in a moment’s notice. This is something I need to do, something that she needs. Besides, where we are meeting I doubt any would be able to follow whether they were Shade, Fae or Gray.”
Now that was interesting. “Cymeryn can enter the Sacred Groves.” It wasn’t a question but he nodded. What the hell did that mean?
“There is one in the Realm of Light that Reyana and he used often as young. Our connection was never strong enough before for me to access it, but all the Sanctuaries are open to me now.” Marcus offered waiting for his reaction.
He shook his head. “Are you going to tell me how that’s possible when none of us can even enter them?”
Marcus blew out a breath and looked around sensing the area again. He met his eyes reluctantly. “It is complicated to explain, but I will say that it is something that has always been true, and will be now as well. They have bonded in some way. I believe Cymeryn may be Gray whether he is Redeemed or not.”
Byryn cursed considering it. Ever since that faerie had rambled on about protectors he’d wondered if it had pertained to Cymeryn as well. Now Marcus was all but confirming it. It only brought more questions though and when it came to the connections with Cymeryn and Reyana, Marcus wasn’t exactly the most objective person.
Shaking his head he tried to reason it out. “I don’t know, Marcus. With everything you’ve told me, I’m worried you’re not thinking clearly about this. This is Cymeryn we’re talking about. He’s resourceful and cunning. He doesn’t need an army to take her.”
“I can find her anywhere now, Byryn. Even if he were to somehow take her he can’t hope to hide her from me.”
“You’re being arrogant, Marcus.” He chided. “I know my Grandsire and he’s already considered your connection and found some way around it.”
“I have a few tricks up my sleeve as well. You are forgetting, Byryn, Cymeryn is mine own twin. I know his mind as well as any and I swear to you I will not take any risk that is unwarranted.” Marcus insisted. “I have considered this thoroughly. If there were another way I’d take it but this is something that has to happen. I am asking that you support me in this and understand that I have my reasons.”
“This whole thing seems unwarranted.” Byryn grunted glancing down the hall to be sure Staryana didn’t come out looking for him.
“Byryn, there is an unknown threat to Reyana. Cymeryn submitted to torture for the sole purpose of protecting her from it. This is the only chance I may have to uncover it.” Marcus reasoned. “I know there is something off, something we have missed and Cymeryn is the only one who knows what it is. I know he is not to be trusted but there are reasons that I know, I know, Byryn that he will tell me. He may want her, but I know he will not hurt her despite his nature.”
He cursed trying to see a way around this as he glanced down the hall thinking back to the mystery of the growing Dark power he felt from Staryana. “This is a bad idea on so many levels…but you’re right. There’s something we’re missing and we need to figure it the hell out.” He breathed deeply not really believing he was trying to find a way to make this work. “If Cymeryn really is still in love with her, if she somehow did reach him when she was with him, he’ll put her safety first but his idea of how it should be done will be twisted. If there is anyone with him Marcus, and I mean anyone, you need to get her the hell out of there. He won’t reveal it. He can’t risk showing how he really feels for her. It would be viewed as a weakness. Worse, it would reveal her as his weakness to be exploited and could get them both killed.”
He watched Marcus carefully as he considered the situation, hating the idea of them going alone. They needed to confront Cymeryn, to uncover what this threat was but just as Cymeryn wouldn’t speak in front of the Shade he would never reveal himself to the Fae either. The only hope they had of getting the information from him would be if Marcus and Reyana met his twin alone. He suspected it would also be the key to what he was sensing in Staryana. He didn’t like it, but he could understand Marcus’ reasoning.
Marcus gave him the time he needed as he turned weighing out his feelings. He knew what the Praetor had been hiding, not that he’d ever call him on it. It wasn’t his place. There were more reasons for this meeting than he would admit. The Queen was at risk of splitting in two, plunging back into a chaotic coma that would trap her in her subconscious and could ultimately kill her. Byryn could sense Marcus had placed blocks in Reyana’s mind to protect her from the information that would send her over the edge, but they wouldn’t hold much longer. The question was did Cymeryn already know and would he protect her or use it against her?
“Here’s the deal, Marcus. I’ll keep my mouth shut and give you the time you need, but I have conditions.” Byryn turned back meeting him dead in the eye. “I want to know the second you confront him. I want to know whether or not he’s alone and I’ll buy you an hour if he is, but that’s it
. After that I’m coming for you and I’m bringing Grifyn and Kato with me.”
Marcus rubbed his chin considering it and nodded, “Fair enough.”
“Oh, I’m not done.” Byryn snipped crossing his arms, “and this is nonnegotiable.”
“What is it?”
“When this is done I get an all access pass. I know your hiding something and I might even know what it is. I can sense Darkness better than anyone else in this realm, especially when it’s related to Cymeryn. Trevyn was the most strongly connected progeny he had and I was his favored son. I may have renounced my lines but I can still sense them all easily. Just because I keep my mouth shut and respect your privacy doesn’t mean I haven’t felt it. I don’t like this at all but I understand the need for it, in more ways than you think. When this is done, I want to know everything. I’ll keep your secrets. I’ll continue to protect Reyana and Staryana, but I need to know the truth.
“We made a pact in those woods to rely on each other for their safety. I trust you enough Marcus, to let you know there are issues, to come to you with my concerns. I would even go so far as to call you my friend, and it’s not something that comes easily for me. I probably understand your reluctance more than anyone here. All I’m asking is that you trust me enough to do the same. You need to talk to someone and judging by the confrontation we almost walked in on this morning I know you aren’t talking to Kato or Grifyn.”
Marcus studied him with a slight grin. “As usual you are quite perceptive and it is not surprising, but it isn’t that I don’t trust you, Byryn. Believe me, if I didn’t you wouldn’t hold the positions you do and I certainly wouldn’t give you such free reign with Star, regardless of who claimed you as their own. My motivations have been solely driven by Reyana’s best interests. I realize how insane it sounds, but I need to talk to Cymeryn to ensure I can protect her, in all ways. Once I speak to him, I will tell you everything. You have my word. I already tell you more than any aside from Reyana.”