by CK Dawn
But nothing else was moving outside, not one car, motorcycle, truck, or plane –nothing. According to her research, most higher-caste-fae liked the finer things in life, especially her world’s modern conveniences. So, it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility to think that the black muscle car had indeed been flying. Chloe had been devouring every bit of fae lore from ancient books and scrolls Bram had in his apartment while he’d been sleeping. She had learned some fae from the higher castes of both Courts had visited many times before, doing as they pleased for thousands of years.
Chloe thought she recognized most, if not all, of the fae as Light as soon as they stepped out of the car. There was an air of sophistication and arrogance to them, almost as if visiting Chloe’s world was beneath them somehow. They were all too beautiful not to have been higher castes at the very least, if not members of the ruling body of the Light Court itself. The sharp-featured, ethereal beauties looked like they had just stepped off the runway of a New York fashion show. And then, Chloe saw one who could only be described as royalty. She was perfection, too elegant not to be of royal blood. In comparison, the fae accompanying her looked to be her muscle, massive and deadly. Despite her waifish frame, the royal fae was a force to be reckoned with. Every eye fell upon her as she strode by, as though the power she wielded could snap them in half if they dared insult her by failing to acknowledge her presence.
The female royal kept her hand lightly upon the guard who had escorted her from the vehicle. She caressed him under the chin as a way of thanks as she exited. The long-haired beauty was dressed all in white, which matched her skin. Shimmering under the ashen sky, hers was the palest lavender-blonde hair Chloe had ever seen. She tossed her wavy locks behind her as she passed the bodyguards, exposing her long neck and pointed ears, adorned by ethereal scrolling jewelry at their tips. Wearing higher heels than were safe for mortals and lean white-leather pants, she demanded attention from her subjects and subordinates. And she got that attention. She moved like a bird of prey, stalking around the men who seemed mesmerized by the saunter of her hips. The golden pendant she wore had a diamond the size of a golf ball hanging between her pale breasts, and her blouse was made up of tiny white-down feathers.
Out of the car from the opposite side emerged a blond male just as pale, and beautiful, wearing a light ashen-green color that could easily have been mistaken for white if he hadn’t gone to stand beside his lavender-blonde twin. Chloe thought his skin and blond hair had an almost putrid green tint to them, but somehow, he was still beautiful. A glamour, she thought. He had no jewelry adorning the tips of his ears, and the only real color came from his gold necklace. His bore a giant emerald which matched the size and shape of his counterpart’s diamond.
Bram was right, Chloe thought. The fact the royal fae had arrived was proof. The Light had done this. They scorched the sky and were now taking a tour to survey their handiwork.
Just then, came a golden skinned goddess, stepping out of the car. A tall, raven-haired female dressed in sleek black and heels, slithered out of the car like a black mamba. Her blue-black hair flowed down her back, and the ornate jewelry on her pointed ears resembled a knight’s armor. The raven-hair was also a royal; Chloe was sure of it. But was she Light? As she walked, the men looked at her with a deep longing until the glare from the lavender-blonde had them looking down and checking out the sidewalk, intently, instead. The black-haired beauty turned, and Chloe could see her gold pendant held the blackest oval gem imaginable, like a dark hole leading into the depths of hell. But somehow, this royal fae was different from the other two. She seemed alone, incomplete somehow, even standing beside the others. She’s Dark Fae, Chloe thought. She was certain of it. So why is she with the Light?
Chloe noticed that the scabs were still on the streets, cowering in the heaviest shadows, afraid of the new arrivals. The three royals stood on the street for a minute, talking with some of the muscle before each of their faces turned and looked straight at Bram’s building. Shit!
Think, Chloe; think! You’ve probably got less than three minutes! The royals were there for Bram. Chloe was sure of it. She put the gold-and-ruby necklace around her neck and picked up the vial of silver shavings along with the silver dagger. Grabbing her backpack, she tossed some of her less important papers onto the floor along with one of the candles, letting wax spill everywhere as its flame went out. She threw her backpack, the vial of silver, and all the weapons she could carry into the cubby and left it open. Then, she went to a wall of iron, slid it away, and exposed the apartment’s entry. She knew those fae could open a human lock in seconds. The plan was to make it look like Bram had just fled in a hurry.
Chloe cracked the front door open and gasped. She had to cover her mouth before she let out an uncontrollable scream. A body drenched in dried, crusted blood was lying across the hallway not two feet from her. There was scarcely any light coming from inside Bram’s apartment, but Chloe could tell the remains were human; dead for a while by the smell, too. The odor hit her like a freight train, and she couldn’t get the sickening taste of decay out of her mouth. The rot coated the fine hairs inside her nose and wouldn’t let go. There was no time to dwell on when and how he had died or how she hadn’t even known the death had happened. She had to hurry. Chloe left the apartment door open and went for Bram.
“Bram, wake up!” Her frantic hushed voice pleaded. She tried slapping his cheek. “Bram!” No response. She grabbed his arms and pulled with all her might. He was so heavy; he landed on the floor with a thud. She didn’t know if they were going to make it or not. Chloe had never been forced to drag two hundred pounds of beastly deadweight before, but Bram had saved her life, so, by God, she was saving his! She didn’t know what would happen if they were caught, but she wasn’t leaving him. “Please!” she whispered.
Finally, Chloe was able to pull Bram completely inside the cubby, shutting and latching the iron door as she heard high heels click up the steps.
“Such vile creatures,” a woman’s muffled voice said from the hallway. Chloe could picture the lavender-blonde’s annoyance at having to step over the body in the hallway.
Chloe focused on her breathing. Now was not the time to hyperventilate. A cold chill trickled down her spine as the door to Bram’s apartment was slung open.
“He couldn’t have gone far. Check the street, and this time, summon a tracker. Go!” Another female voice ordered the guards to do a sweep.
Chloe felt around in the dark, found the glass vial, and poured the silver shavings across the door’s threshold as three sets of footsteps entered the apartment.
“Dammit!” one of the females said, walking further into the now-empty apartment. Chloe could almost picture the lavender-blonde dressed in all white strutting like a peacock in front of the other royals in her high heels. It wasn’t a far stretch to presume she was in charge either. “Where would he have gone?” Chloe heard a dining room chair hit the floor. Her quick thinking and making it look like Bram had just fled was, apparently, working.
It sounded like someone picked one of her loose research papers up off the floor. “He’s not alone. He has that human female with him, the professor’s student, Chloe Etain.” Her name dripped from the male royal’s tongue as if it were the sweetest honey. “I can still smell her.”
Chloe froze as his heavy footsteps thudded around the apartment.
“Dear brother, how do you smell anything beyond that wretched heap out there?”
“The bouquet of death is but the sweetest smelling rose to me, dear sister.”
“Etain, you say? Ha! ‘An object of jealousy as her beauty and gentleness surpass all others’ how quaintly Irish of her... But is she pet, prey, or his partner?” the lavender-blonde asked as she paced the floor in front of the cubby.
Chloe swallowed hard and tried not to breathe. Instinctively, she clenched the pendant around her neck.
“Come. Night is near, and we don’t want the Dark Court to think we are laying claim to their
shiny new realm so soon. Do we, Famke?”
“No, mistress,” the other female dressed all in black answered.
Their realm! Chloe was screaming inside her head.
“Famke, that half-eaten food in the hallway is so uncivilized. Be a dear and let the castes know that they must dispose of their toys when they’re finished playing with them,” the lavender-blonde said.
“My apologies, mistress. Mortimer’s clever-albeit inept-tactic of unleashing a feral horde on an entire species has proven to be quite...untidy, to say the least. It’s a pity the nuance of war does not come so easily to some as it does others,” Famke provoked.
Her response seemed to please the lavender-blonde, as she sighed heavily.
“Unseelie swine. They should be groveling at our feet for this gift we’ve bestowed upon them,” Mortimer responded.
“Most do, Mortimer. Or is it this last defiant one who inflames your wrath so?” Famke asked in a defensive tone. Chloe could almost feel the evil glare the lavender-blonde and Mortimer must have given her.
“Careful, Famke! Or I’ll have you kneeling before me,” Mortimer hissed.
“Am I to be a consolation token for your victory then?” Famke said, sarcastically. “Unlikely.”
“Know your place, or it will be your pretty little neck under my boot in their stead,” Mortimer spat.
“I know my place, Mortimer. Do you?” Famke chided.
Chloe could have sworn she heard the air swoosh, as if the lavender-blonde grabbed Mortimer’s hand before he could strike Famke. “Tsk, tsk, all things in due time,” the lavender-blonde purred, seeming to dismiss Famke’s display of disobedience. “Your frustrations are misplaced on our pet, brother. You’ll have what you truly desire soon enough.”
“Promises, promises, dear sister. Enough teasing, let us finish this. I grow bored,” Mortimer’s husky voice answered back. The sound of their voices began to recede as they made their way out of Bram’s apartment.
“Have you tired of my game and all its intricacies so soon, my love? No, I think not. Come; there’s more fun to be had.”
“As I recall, you didn’t come to my chambers last night. If that’s the fun to be had, I’m all yours, my sweet. Let us celebrate this victory properly.”
Yuck! Chloe felt like vomiting. She knew that most fae were very indiscriminate sexual beings, but to hear it reciprocated by brother and sister was just gross! As she tried to get the disturbing visual out of her head, she strained to hear their footsteps in the hallway. Chloe heard lyrical chanting in a language she didn’t recognize. The sound was beautiful. Chloe thought that must be what a siren’s song would sound like.
The voice belonged to Famke. She sang quietly, barely above a whisper. She remained inside the apartment while the others walked down the hallway. She ended her enchanting melody with English words that shocked Chloe. “May the Gods keep you safe.”
From the stairwell, a voice cut through the unexpected prayer. “Famke, come!”
Chloe bit her lip as she waited for the Dark Fae’s lingering footsteps to leave the apartment. She couldn’t help the tears that ran down her face as she finally heard the last footsteps fade down the hallway. It was all just a game to them. An entire planet and billions of people’s lives, were all just pawns in a twisted game of tug of war between the Light and the Dark.
Too afraid to leave the protection of the small dark cubby to see if any of the guards had stayed behind with a tracker, Chloe crawled into Bram’s lap, hugged his chest, and quietly cried. His slow deep breathing helped to calm her nerves. Exhaustion took her and she finally fell asleep.
Chloe woke with a kink in her neck and aches in muscles she didn’t even know she had.
“Good morning?” Bram asked from beneath her.
“Oh, shit!” she whispered checking the cubby door in the dark to ensure it was locked.
“It’s okay. Whoever it was, they’re gone. Nice touch, concealing us with the silver. And I assume I’m reading you as a royal member of the Dark Court because...you have a certain ruby and gold pendant on?”
“Mhm.” Her voice was quiet and reserved. She wasn’t sure about staying with Bram and the beast he could be hiding, but she didn’t like her chances without him either.
Bram’s hand went to her forehead without the slightest hint of bumbling in the dark. It was as though he could see perfectly fine in complete darkness. “Are you alright?” He touched her gently near the bandaged gash.
She shrugged. How well could she be with everything that was going on? Chloe felt lost and didn’t know what to do next. “Why didn’t you wake me?”
“Figured you needed the sleep.” His torso began rapidly vibrating as he chuckled quietly. “How did you get me in here, anyway?”
“It’s pitch black. Can you actually see in here?”
“You first.”
“Well, it wasn’t easy. Sorry for any bruises.” She started to untangle herself from his lap, but he stopped her.
“Yes, I can see in here. Just outlines of shapes mostly.” Chloe could feel him shrug. “A sparkle in the back of your eyes,” he teased.
Chloe rolled her eyes, wondering if Bram really could see in the dark.
Bram reached into the darkness and found her hands with ease. “Thank you, Chloe.”
His hands were warm, and she could feel her own pulse under his touch. “I…” she didn’t know what to say in response to his tender gesture of gratitude, but her first real fae encounter had left her shaken, and Bram was still one of them.
“Bram, they knew my name.” She shuddered. Until they had mentioned her scent, Chloe only had the suspicion she was being watched. Only before, she thought the eyes belonged to government officials trying to cover up the truth or merely the Dark Fae working alone. “Why are they after you, err...us?”
“Scabs wouldn’t be. And they definitely wouldn’t know your name.” His body tensed. “Son of a bitch. Let me guess...Avery, Mortimer, and Famke?” he asked, confident in his assumption, but there was anger in his voice.
Chloe nodded, forgetting they were still sitting in the dark. “Yes. Mortimer and Famke, but I never got their leader’s name.”
“Ha! Avery only wishes she was their leader. Vile bitch!” Bram tensed again. “Well, shit! I knew they’d find this place sooner or later, but I was counting on much much later.”
“You knew this might happen and we came here anyway? This wasn’t just scabs, Bram. This was the leaders of the Fae Courts!”
He let out what seemed to be an annoyed sigh. “Not many options on foot during the apocalypse when everything wants to eat the human you’re lugging around like a sack of potatoes. Wouldn’t you agree? My apartment was close and stocked with weapons and food, and I don’t think you…”
“I drank all your milk,” Chloe blurted out, trying to relieve the tension that had built up between them, while calming herself down as well.
“What?” Bram was caught off guard.
“It was in the freezer. The power’s out and I figured you left it in there for after the… Well, I don’t even know why or when you were going to wake up so...”
Bram chuckled. “Come on,” he said unlocking the iron door. “I think it’s time we compared notes, Ms. I-know-everything.”
Chloe remembered something as she returned the tiny silver shavings to their vial. “Professor Hadley’s journal!”
“What about it?” Bram asked in a dismissive tone from behind the research she had pulled from her backpack.
“We need it.” She closed the cap on the vial and put it near her backpack. She thought it important to keep it with them. Something as simple as tiny shavings of silver had probably just saved their lives. All the curious details of fae lore she’d learned, separating facts from fiction, had her hungry for more knowledge.
“I’m not sure what good it would do now. I thought we’d have more time before they –what did you call it? –scorched the sky.”
Chloe nodded.
“Hadley thought we could stop them before it happened, but now…”
“But now, what?”
“But now, it’s too late. The professor is dead, and his research for stopping the scorch died with him.”
Chloe went into theorizing mode. “Well, we can’t stop the scorch since it already occurred; that’s obvious. But what if we could end it? Is that something that’s even possible?”
“Maybe. I don’t know.” Bram shrugged. He didn’t seem eager to explore options that might bring the fight to his door.
“Well, do you have something better to do?”
“Lay low. Survive. Don’t get dead.”
Chloe shook her head and furrowed her brow. “That’s not enough for me. They’ve destroyed everything I know. I can’t just sit here with all this information and not do something.”
“I suppose you have something better in mind?” Bram looked at Chloe then.
She gave him a sinister smile and placed the vial of filings and the silver dagger in her backpack. “The last thing Professor Hadley was working on was a worst-case-scenario option and possible solution. A Hail Mary he called it, just in case all else failed.”
“He didn’t tell me that.” Bram seemed surprised Professor Hadley had kept it from him.
“I think he knew the events were progressing at a faster rate than he first predicted and that there wasn’t a way to stop them. He sent me out to do some field reconnaissance. Just some final minor calculations he said he needed. The last time I talked to him, he told me he had just finished logging in his journal and was on his way to meet me to get my final data once I was finished. He said he had found the key to it all. That’s when...well, you know the rest.” Chloe paused for a minute. It seemed surreal to say it all out loud, but she only had to listen to the howls of the scabs outside to know it was all true. “He never carried the journal on him. He was afraid it wasn’t safe. I guess he was right.” Chloe looked at her data in Bram’s hands. “You’re holding the last piece of data the professor said he needed in your hands right now. Possibly part of the key to ending the scorch that Hadley deciphered and wrote in his journal just before they killed him for it.”
