When she was physically close to me, it was easy to give her affection and put her needs before my own. I knew she would come to me first, that I would always have the comfort of her closeness.
Now I’m not sure of this, I find my feelings wavering.
Would teaming up with Wrath be so bad?
I look across the room and see him sitting easily on a chair, watching me. His smile is small, but very amused. His eyes glint with cold emotion as he waits for me to think through the offer.
Do I want to kill her, or have her?
All of us are stuck in the same paradox. Having her means killing her. Killing her means not having her. I’m not even sure what Wrath’s plan is, or what he would need me to do.
When I start to think of the terrible things Wrath is capable of and what will no doubt come to pass if he manages to implement his plans, I feel a sharp stab of doubt.
I hear Lucien’s voice in my mind. He accuses me of being just like Wrath. Of not caring about Ebony, only my needs.
I feel determination slip over me like cold water. Shocking and even more bracing. I stare Wrath down.
“No deal, Wrath.”
“Oh, you haven’t even asked what my plan is, or what I would want you to do.”
“It doesn’t matter. You’re not getting me on your side. I know you. I don’t want anything to do with you.”
Wrath leans forward, relaxed, and amused. He still hasn’t bothered to bind me, and it grates on me like the worst of insults.
“You could at least listen to the terms,” he grins, “isn’t that the best advice of any deal? To look at all the finer details before making your decision?”
He looks way too pleased with himself. Sure, he always looks like that, but I feel there is a joke here I’m not getting.
“I could never hurt Ebony. I love her.”
He laughs softly. “Oh, you love her, you could never hurt her. Yet you have been hurting her recently. Haven’t you?”
“How the hell do you know what’s going on! It’s more complicated than it looks!”
He shakes his head. “I really don’t think it is. You know what you have to do, if you love her. If you truly respect her.”
I stare him down silently. I know where this is going.
“If you truly loved her and wanted to please her, you would obey your promise. She killed herself. You watched her die. Do you have any idea, the strength it takes for a warrior to kill themselves?” He raises his eyebrows jokingly. I just scowl.
“Oh, yes. You had your own little tangle with a blade, didn’t you? Brave soul, hoping to be reborn with her. The universe granted your wish. Probably because your love was so true the great forces wanted to give you a chance to live up to that promise.”
“Shut up. Just shut up.” His voice is making me sick.
“You’re a guest in my house! You don’t get to tell me to shut up. I brought you here to talk, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”
He gets up, pacing slowly in front of me.
“So, you love Ebony. You’d do anything for her. Except what she asked you to do, and what you promised to do. Seems a little selfish there, doesn’t it, my brother? Sounds like your love is conditional. Based upon your own needs, not hers. I’m sorry, brother, but it doesn’t sound like you actually love her at all.”
He crouches down in front of me, making me pull back and smack my head on the wall.
“I’m going to give you one last chance to consider my deal. Maybe, you could hear me out before you refuse? Trust me, you’ll want to read the fine print on this, and if you go in without a contract, your needs may be… Let’s just say, you won’t get much say in what happens.”
He’s going to kill me. That’s all there is to it. I can’t help being scared. I have no defense, especially against him. All this build-up is just to tease me, he’s that kind of monster. If I agree or not, this is going to go badly for me.
So, I should stick to my values. At least I’ll carry my pure heart to the grave.
I sit up straight and eye him with the best glare I can manage from my position.
“No deal, Wrath. I’m not joining with you. I don’t care what you do to me. I won’t help you.”
“Interesting choice of words there, brother.” He stands up and walks across the room, smirking. “You won’t join with me. Fair enough. I hear you. But you may wish you had negotiated. You’re now beyond that point. Don’t forget, I gave you a choice.”
I shudder against the wall. I could get up and fight. I could run. I know, it’s useless.
If he could abduct me out of my own bed, there is nowhere I can hide.
“Just kill me then and get it over with!” I scream at him, my pent-up frustration finally breaking free. “I’d rather die than join with you! You won’t have my help! I will never let you harm Ebony!”
He chuckles, as he brings out a long, ancient syringe. It’s a frightening thing, thick and wicked, made out of tarnished, scrolled silver and crystal. The needle looks big enough for an elephant.
“Kill me, you coward. What the damn hell is that thing for?” I manage to stop myself from scurrying backwards. I’m literally at the wall, anyhow. Still, I’d like to maintain some dignity.
He chuckles again, perfectly at ease, completely confident. He looks at the ceiling while he has his triumphant laugh. Something about him is almost carefree.
When he looks back into my face, his expression is as fierce as his namesake.
“Why would I kill you, brother?” He hisses at me, face twisted with hate, “when you are so very useful to me?”
He grabs my arm, pulling it towards him. The liquid in the syringe glows milky white, chased with iridescent lights of green, blue and purple.
That’s when I realize what it is.
“Wormwood elixir!” Now I do struggle against the stone wall. There’s nowhere to go. “Please, Wrath, I’ll do anything—just kill me!”
His smile is as cold as moonlight on a blade.
“I gave you every chance, brother. Now you play by my rules.”
He plunges the needle into my arm and empties the syringe into my veins. It starts to burn immediately.
Humans utilized wormwood to make absinthe. Called ‘the green fairy’ it’s said to have magical properties that open one’s soul to the world of magic and spirits.
When used on a magical creature, in its purest, distilled form, it destroys the personal barriers. It leaves the victim completely defenseless against any kind of attack. Enough of it will kill.
As I shudder on the floor, gagging on my own tongue, I know Wrath doesn’t need it to kill me.
He reaches forward, gripping my temples. He pulls our faces together, so all I can see are his pupils. My eyes dilate, and I can’t see anything. Wrath’s eyes expand in my vision. There is nothing but the two of us in the universe.
“That’s it, brother. Just relax. Let me in. Then we can share one body. You and me, together, just like old times. Closer than flesh. Just you and me… And Ebony.”
I try to moan and put in one last, desperate struggle.
But he’s too strong. I can feel him digging his hooks into my soul. He’s taking over.
Wrath is possessing me, mind, body, and soul.
29
Darius
Leader of the Order of Unitas
Our chamber is dark. We meet in the ancient spaces; we live by our own law. When we meet, it is with complete secrecy. Some of us work deep undercover, and if we come together, we must ensure the liaison does not implicate anyone.
The order of Unitas is spread across the world and into the magical realms. We have many tasks, and our work is never done. All of us understand the relentlessness of evil that there is no winning in this war. Only vigilance, constant, and complete commitment.
“I thank you for coming.” I look around the long table, barely lit by a few candelabra. Most wear dark cloaks with heavy cowls, some wear glamour. It doesn’t matter, I know them all. We have ass
embled despite the risk for one reason.
Ebony Black.
In this reincarnation, she is the greatest threat to the eternal balance. The evil queen stirs more each day, and nothing has been done to stop the tide of Ebony’s growth. With each day that passes, Rhiannon gains greater hold on this world.
“My people, we have assembled for the purpose of discussing our greatest threat. Ebony White and the evil queen who hooks her soul.”
Nods run around the table. Everyone is on edge.
“I thought there was a sacred pact.” One of the old men spits in disgust. “The warriors of light—even Snow herself—gave their sacrifice to ensure this situation could not occur. Why does Ebony Black still live?”
“It seems the soul that has been reborn has a greater thirst for life than the one she left behind.” One of the women glares across the table. “A not uncommon problem, when deals require reincarnation.”
“Did we not put our own plan in motion?” Someone down the table snaps. “We risked a great deal to call that archangel down here. We could have been exposed. What happened to him?”
I sigh and look at the table, wringing my fingers together.
“Not all of you are aware that Arrius failed in his mission.”
A few shocked gasps fly around the table.
“How is this possible?”
“An archangel, truly?”
“What is she? Did she do this?”
“Did she defeat him?”
“No wonder the evil queen seeks to overtake her! Such power!”
“Now, now.” I try to quiet them. “It is true, Ebony defeated the archangel. What we cannot know for certain is if Arrius still had the full support of the heavenly host. He revealed himself to be misguided, selfish, ambitious.”
“How do you know all this, Darius?” One of the younger members asks. “You speak as if you were there.”
“In a sense, I was.” I’m not about to reveal my connection to the demi fey. “I have ears and eyes everywhere. How do you think I always plan our missions so carefully?”
“Not this one!” Someone yells from the end of the table. “What do you mean, the angel was misguided?”
I look down the table, not able to discern the speaker.
“He had his own motives involving Ebony’s magic. I say misguided because he truly believed he could take her magic, pull off some deal with the queen. In a way, it was a good thing Ebony killed him. He was high on his own arrogance. He would have taken her to the queen and sealed our doom. Most likely, his own, as well.”
“So, what does this mean? Where does it take us next?” One of the women asks urgently. I nod to her.
“It doesn’t change our mission. Ebony must die. We need to find a way to infiltrate her ranks and get close. We must be careful. We can’t afford any more failures. She is growing in power every day. Ebony is losing faith in the powers of good and losing her trust in those that love her. This is a steady slope towards the evil queens’ web. We must do something, and we must do it soon. For this, I asked you to gather. Please, give me your ideas.”
Voices murmur around the table. I don’t rush them. I know they will have to gossip a little before they start throwing out ideas. It will take even longer to hammer out a plan.
We could be here all night.
Someone screams, and I look up in alarm. Someone has walked through the huge doors. Someone not invited, not of the order. Looks ranging between fear and amazement flicker towards the stranger. Everyone is terrified we are about to be found out.
It would mean disaster for plans all over the globe if we were to be recognized.
The cloaked figure walks up and down the table quietly, making people shrink away. Under the great hood, I can see the stranger nodding as the stranger strides around the room.
Coming to a stop at the end of the table, a strong voice rumbles through the room. It is resonant and powerful and quite sexless.
“Do not fear, great order of Unitas. I’m not here to unmask you. I only come to offer my service.”
I narrow my eyes, trying to see under the dark of the hood. If the stranger knows us, then they will know that we don’t trust easily. Coming into a secret meeting with confidence like this could get someone lynched.
Except all of us, even the most powerful, sit silent, eyes locked on to the stranger. No one moves.
A hand comes out from under the robe, plucking an apple from a nearby platter. There are grapes and berries and peaches, yet the stranger picks an apple with focused attention.
“Mind if I sit down? Enjoy the food? You guys don’t skimp on your meetings, do you?”
Instead of taking a chair, the stranger sits on the table, stretching themselves out like a cat. Raising the apple up, the other hand grasps the edge of the hood and yanks it off.
The eyes work the room like lasers, following the looks of recognition as they bloom on the nearby faces. Finally, those look at me with a grin and take a crisp bite of the bright red apple.
Voices bubble up as the order dissolves into gossip again. I really expected better from my people. Sometimes, we don’t gather like this for years. Catching up is to be expected. If they like petty gossip that much, there’s always the internet.
“May I ask, why should we believe you? This is very unexpected,” I manage to say.
The stranger chuckles, taking another bite of the apple and chewing slowly.
“It really doesn’t matter, old man. I’m here. I’m the answer to all your problems. I heard you discussing your plan to infiltrate, to get close. Ebony’s on high alert now, Darius. You’ll never get close.”
“Eavesdropping?”
“I couldn’t help but to hear. I was on my way in, not cowering behind the door jamb.”
I want to stand up and scream. I want to know how the stranger knew to come here. Too much is wrong about this.
“What about all your friends? Helping us would betray all of them. Do you expect us to believe you can do that? It would be awfully cold, don’t you agree?”
Another shrug. Another slow, lazy bite of the apple. “You ask too many questions, old man. Do you want my help or not?”
The people at the table look like they are at a tennis match, swiveling their eyes back and forth between us.
“We can’t just trust you. Surely you understand that,” I say.
“Oh, I do.” The stranger sits up straight on the table, crossed legged, placing the half-eaten apple back on the table. “Let’s just say, I have a stake in this. Priorities have changed. My personal motivations are not your concern. You need help. I’m offering it. Do you really need anything more than that?”
“It sounds like you want our help, not the other way around,” I say and bring myself up to my full height, glaring down the table.
The intruder gives a shrug and jumps down from the table.
“No big deal. I was just trying to give you guys a break. If you don’t want my help, then...” The stranger turns and heads towards the door.
“No, wait!” One of our older members stands up. “Don’t go. You’re right. We do need you.”
I’d scowl at her, but she’s absolutely right. I was about to call the intruder back, myself.
With an air of delight at being welcomed back to the table, the visitor picks up the apple again and takes a massive bite. Then the visitor sits down on the table, crossing their ankles, quite unbothered by fine layer of dust left from the boots.
I know I’m scowling again. I shouldn’t have expected manners from this one.
“Ebony’s death is how we all get what we want.” The visitor gestures to the whole table, with a sweep of the apple. “Trust me, old order of Unitas. I’ve got this covered. We can help each other.”
I know, this is a terrible idea. But we have no choice. Looking coldly down the table into the smug eyes of the newcomer, I nod my head.
The visitor smiles in absolute triumph and finishes the apple. I feel like I walked into a trap, and th
e only door just snapped shut behind me.
30
Ebony
The struggle through the woods seems to take years.
I finally get Leo up. As he comes to and his pupils are dilated, but he seems to be back into his own mind. He doesn’t stop looking at me with shock, but at least it is better than fear.
Then, the labor of walking.
With one arm around Leo’s waist, the other holding his arm across my shoulders, I struggle under his weight. Each step is too heavy. I can barely hold myself up. I’m determined not to drop Leo. I can’t let him fall.
As I struggle through a few steps, I look up. We have come only a short way from the clearing, and it feels like I’ve already been walking all night.
I try to summon a bit of that power and strength that always rescues me when I need it most. Nothing happens. If anything, I feel more tired.
I don’t know if it only comes when my life is in danger, or if I scared it away by questioning the dark forces.
I hoist Leo up next to me again. His head lolls on my shoulder, eyes flickering.
“Leo. Leo, please help me.”
He moans against my shoulder. I struggle forward another few steps then we both crash to the ground as I take a misstep.
I sit and pant for a few minutes. I’m at my limit. I can’t go on by myself.
There’s no one I can call for help.
The little fey scurry around, their keen eyes glinting in the dark. I’ll be damned if I ask them for help. Knowing them, it’s exactly what they are waiting for.
I look down at Leo, and he seems to have a bit more color in his cheeks. His breath still rattles, but he is taking deeper breaths.
Maybe, he’s healing. It wouldn’t surprise me if his residual magic had put a bit of distance between him and his near-fatal wounds.
I scowl at him in frustration. I need his help. I need to get him home. He’s a soldier, isn’t he? He can get his shit together, just for one walk.
As I stand up and lean over him, a sharp coldness comes upon me. I don’t know myself. It’s as if my current mind has been taken over by someone else—by the battle-hardened soul of the old me.
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