“She saved me, Mum,” Cassius repeated.
I offered a sideways smile as I moved over to where the fey were talking.
“Wait,” the female called. I turned and she slowed her approach. “Thank you for saving my son, but I meant what I said. Stay out of our caves.”
I managed a nod before turning away.
Hopefully I won’t need any more fur anyway, I thought as I tapped the invisible satchel at my side.
“Are you okay, Desmoree?” The older fey guard asked as I stumbled the last few steps on my approach. “We sent for a healer, but...”
“I’m fine. A healer? Is someone hurt?”
“Doesn’t look like it now, but at first, when the cloud of dust spewed out of the cave, we thought the whole thing had collapsed. What should we do?”
“Keep the guard in place. If they ask for help, do whatever you can, or send for me. No one goes in unless the yowies ask, got it?”
They both stood tall, tilted their head in acknowledgement, then headed back to their post at the entrance.
I made my way further form the caves. I needed to phase back so my wings could heal, but I couldn’t do it with all the opal dust in the air. Once I reached far enough away that the air held a crispness, I phased. Sure enough as soon as I did, the shield once clinging to me like a second skin, fell away. I was about to gasp a full breath of air when I looked down and saw my black shirt was covered in dust, my pants too. I couldn’t strip.
But you can change.
I reminded myself of when Ava swapped out her floral dress for the sparkly one. And I envisioned my favorite denim jeans and white tank from my wardrobe. My head began to swim and I quickly drew the images forward as I sent the dust covered pants and shirt away.
There was a brief moment of weightlessness as the clothes I wore disappeared, then I sucked in a full breath of fresh air as the weight of my clean clothes settled onto my skin.
Thank the fey my shield protected my skin and hair or I might have had to take a dip myself.
The satchel bounced against my leg and I reached for it eagerly. Fumbling through it I clutched at the fine hairs that swam inside.
I really should have put them in the pouch.
I thought as I collected each strand of Cassius’s fur. The pouch remained in the bag from before, so I pulled it free and started to add each strand I found to it. Cassius had given me quite a large amount. His fur was finer than an adult, but it should work to transfer the same.
Then what? What is to stop someone else from using the fur to take power? Sure, they have to give it to you willingly, but you have gotten some twice now, what is to say someone else couldn’t trick a yowie into giving up their fur?
I didn’t want to admit it, but discovering the benefits of the yowie fur properties could open every magical creature up to being drained completely. Traflier would have used it, had he known about the fur working that way. Seeing through him was their saving grace, even if it did land them in the swamplands.
What if Traflier found a way now?
“There has to be a way to deactivate it or something?” I wondered aloud as I dropped the last strand into the pouch and clutched it in my hand. “This will help the Tanzieth, but how can I help the yowies?”
“You can use your potion,” Maylea said, startling me.
“Where the hell did you come from?”
“Language, Desmoree,” she chastised as she sat beside me on the log. “I’m one of the nearest sages, the guards sent word of a cave in.”
“It’s fine. I mean they are fine. It was me, or my magic. I think. Wait, what do you mean use the potion?”
“Your potion to bind the power of the fey, it could be used to bind the yowie’s fur’s ability. Each strand of yowie fur is like a fine straw. The magic is on the inside of each strand. You use it to pass the magic from you to the other fey, but if the yowies take your potion, it would seal their fur to them, essentially making each strand solid.”
“But would they? I mean we have no idea if it will affect their magic, their power. I don’t know if they would even consider it, not after everything that’s happened, anyway.”
“Maybe after they see your deal is honored, you will be able to talk to the pack leaders, see what they think of it?”
“Okay, I guess we might need to make some more potion still.”
“We have been cooking for weeks now, soon we will have plenty, I just hope...” Maylea trailed off in thought.
“What is it?”
“There have been stirrings in the human realm. People are reporting seeing things that can only be described as monsters. We are not finding the demons fast enough, and the humans are now catching on that something isn’t right, that there might be more to the attacks and the sightings than the authorities let on.”
“But we have the scouts. The search teams are out there, the elves are helping too.”
“It isn’t enough.”
“Then I’ll join them. I’ll help fix this, after all it’s my fault they are out in the first place. I opened the gateway. I let them in.”
She nodded with a raised brow, like I finally caught on to what she had intended in the first place. “So, did you get them to give you any fur before the cave in?”
I bit my bottom lip. “No.”
It wasn’t a lie. Not really. Cassius gave me the fur after the cave in.
“Well, there is always next time.”
“Maybe.” I rested my head against her shoulder. “Any chance you have something in there to heal my wings?”
“What happened to your wings?”
“They were damaged in the caves. I need to get back, but you know how I feel about walking.”
A gust of air sent leaves dancing across my feet as Jax landed beside me, his brilliant blue wings billowing behind him. “I’m here to save the day.”
“A little dramatic don’t you think?” I laughed.
“What? You know I love to make an entrance. Almost as much as you like going off on your own.”
“Whatever.”
Jax’s smile fell. “What’s wrong? Did you get the fur?”
I shook my head. “And my wings could do with a little help.”
“We’ll figure out the fur later, your wings though, that I can help with.”
I frowned at him. “How can you help my wings?”
“I have been practicing what you did for your father, in smaller doses, of course.”
“Jax, no. You haven’t been taking energy, have you?”
“No, no, no. I have been giving it. Just giving. Here, let me show you.”
He knelt in front of me and took both my hands in his, then he leaned in close. When his forehead touched mine, a rush of warmth flowed through me. After a moment, he broke our connection. He looked a little tired, small dark circles had formed under his eyes, but I felt great.
“How did you do that?”
“I told you...”
“I know, but the potion is supposed to stop you giving any of your magic away, you shouldn’t be able to.”
He dropped his head, gaze flitting everywhere but at me.
“Jax, you didn’t take it, did you?”
“No. I thought, what is the harm if I wait? At least until you return it to the others, then I’ll take it. I swear.”
I shook my head, but couldn’t stay mad at him. If he had taken it, it would have been hours before my wings would be able to lift me.
“I will leave you two to it then, Desmoree, please be careful,” Maylea asked before making her way back towards the yowie caves.
“What are you being careful with now? Jax asked.
“The fight,” I replied.
“What fight is this now?”
“The demon fight in the human world.”
“Really, we are joining the demon hunters?” His eyes lit up and he bounced on his toes like a child waiting for dessert.
“You are seriously excited about this, aren’t you?”
“Des, I have my magic, and we get to join an elite team of hunters in the human realm using weapons made by elves. Hell yes, I’m excited.”
I shook my head then phased and lifted into the sky.
“Cheater!” he called after me. But I just flew faster, determined to beat him back to the house.
Ava was waiting for us when we arrived. Sitting on the ground in the hidden garden where Jax and I were married, she stared up at us as we descended, her rainbow curls moving slightly in the afternoon breeze.
“How did it go?” she asked as we phased back.
Jax shook his head, and I couldn’t meet her eye. I didn’t want to lie to them, but I didn’t know if the fur Cassius gave me would be enough for all the Tanzieth, and until I was sure, I wasn’t telling anyone.
I took Ava’s hand and helped her to stand. “It’s getting late, come on,” I said, leading her out of the garden and up to her room. “Time for you to get some rest. You have school tomorrow.”
“Come on, really, school? Don’t I learn enough from you, Maylea and grandpa?” she asked with a bored shake to her head.
“Yes, Ava, you have learned so much already, and you might look nearly grown but you need to learn how to use your magic.”
She huffed beside me as she took off her shoes at the end of her bed.
“Besides.” I collected the shoes from against the wall where she tossed them, and stood them neatly by her dresser stool. “You have a field trip tomorrow. Don’t you want to see how the firebirds are settling in?”
Her eyes lit up. “Really? But I thought the fey don’t enter the outer reaches.”
“Now they know the outer reaches are a plethora of possibilities for their potions and casts, the fey have abolished the ban on visiting. Though you still require permission, the flora and fauna there are part of the new curriculum.”
She scooted back and fed her feet under the covers.
“Now, get some rest,” I said as Jax kissed her head and tucked her covers in tight.
“We love you,” he whispered.
She grinned and we left her to rest as we went to wash off the afternoon.
“That cave in was nuts. Jax, do you think the fey mining did all of that?”
He shrugged. “Probably.”
“Well, great. Now we can add that to the list of the things we have to fix.”
“Des, we can’t fix all of the wrongs Traflier did.”
“I know.” I pouted. “But I can sure as hell try.”
“I love you, you know.”
“I know, and I love you too.”
“Wanna take a shower?”
“Jax, are you propositioning me?”
He grimaced and leaned in close. “No, you really smell, that yowie cave was repulsive. Doesn’t your shield stop smells?”
“I guess not” I laughed, then dashed ahead of him to our room.
“Cheater,” he called as he ran to catch up.
“Don’t worry, I won’t start without you,” I called back as I opened my secret hiding place in the floor and slipped the satchel inside. Jax barreled into the room and went straight for the bathroom door.
“Ha! Beat ya,” he said, hands on hips, chin raised.
I closed the hiding space, then slowly walked towards him, slid my hands around his waist, and pulled him in close. “You can always win, as long as you are waiting for me at the end.”
“Deal,” he whispered in my ear, and he leaned a little sideways to lock the door. I pushed against his hard chest, moving him backwards until he was against the shower wall. Reaching over, I turned on the water to let the steam filled the room. In a matter of moments we were undressing and I was in his arms under the hot water, letting the day wash away.
It was amazing how easy it was to forget all the worries when I was in his arms.
The moments of serenity never lasted long enough though. We dried off, dressed, and checked on Ava before making our way down to the study. Max was there frowning into a ledger of some kind.
“What’s up, Dad?”
He looked up at me but the frown remained fixed on his face. “You didn’t get it?”
I paused for a moment, realizing he meant the fur. “Ahh, not exactly, but let’s not tell the council, okay? We can talk to them after we go hunting.”
“Des,” Jax interjected. “I was thinking some more while I was getting dressed. When you do give it all back, maybe we don’t have to give out the potion. If we do, they won’t be able to use their magic to heal others.”
“No, they won’t, but they can’t do that now anyway. There will still be casts and potions and herbs that will help heal, it’s better this way. Trust me.”
My father eyed Jax and I cautiously. “Is this something the council should be aware of, the potion, that is?”
“The council knows about the potion, they just don’t know the extent of its binding abilities. But they will. Look, Dad, Jax and I are joining the hunt. We leave tomorrow.”
“That’s a little short notice, don’t you think?” he asked.
“Yes, but they need the help. I heard about the reports. Larger demons are being found, and the humans are becoming suspicious.”
He looked away.
“Dad, why didn’t you tell me?”
“Des, you felt bad enough for your part in this.”
“Yes, but I could have helped sooner.”
He stood and rounded the table, taking my hands in his, he finally met my eye. “I didn’t want you to go.”
“Dad, we will be okay.”
“You are strong, my daughter, but you’re not invincible. I almost lost you before. I don’t want...”
“Dad, we will be with the elves and the other fey. I promise, I’ll keep my shield up, and I’ll portal if I have to. I’m getting pretty good at it, you know?” I was lying. I still sucked at creating portals. It worked sometimes, but they were really hard to maintain and I only got the location right half of the time. When Ava was helping it worked great. But there was no way I was taking my daughter on a demon hunt.
“Dad, we will be okay.”
He pulled me in for a hug and reached an arm out to Jax. I twisted so my head was against his chest and I could hear his heart beating strong and steady. He smelled like orange and mint and fresh ink. Jax shook his outstretched hand and was pulled into the embrace.
“Umm, Dad?” I asked from somewhere buried in their chests. “I can’t breathe.”
“Sorry, Des,” he said, letting us go.
“Go, the both of you. Get some sleep. If you plan to join the hunt, you are going to need it.”
I kissed him on the forehead before taking Jax’s hand and leading him back to our room.
We laid on the bed beside one another, looking up at the intricate ceiling curls with our fingers interlaced between us. Our breathing, and the whispers of the wind outside, were the only sounds.
“Des?”
“Ah huh?”
“Do you think Ava is okay?”
I rolled onto my side to look at him, but he remained staring up at the ceiling. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, before you had the fur, but what if next time... ?”
“There won’t be a next time, Jax. We are going to join in the hunt for the demons, and we will find that misty bastard and send him back to hell.”
He rolled onto his side to face me, his eyes glossy as if a moment from spilling tears. “What if it wasn’t Traflier?”
“It had to be. I felt the dark power, Jax.”
“I know, I know, but Traflier stole power form many creatures, what if what you felt was that, the mix of magic?”
“What do you mean?”
“Ava has those veins on her back, the silver tips of her wings—”
“And?”
“I was talking to Max. We think she is absorbing magic, and I think before, she absorbed too much. I don’t think she knows how she is doing it. Maybe she can’t control it, and if she can’t, how long will it be b
efore you might need a strand of yowie fur again?”
“I can’t rely on having the yowie fur, Jax. Even if they give me enough to return the Tanzieth magic, once that’s done, we are going to seal the yowie fur so no one can use it to transfer magic ever again.”
“You can’t!” he screamed, sitting up and looking over at the door that led to our daughter’s room. “What if she needs it?”
I sat and ran my hand down the back of his hair. “We will figure it out.”
“How can you be sure?” He turned to me, the first tear escaping his eye and running down his cheek.
“I can’t, but what parent can?”
He laid back down and pulled me half onto him. The moment our lips touched, a fire ignited inside me.
I whispered, “Silentes,” and a cast fell over our room before I let the passion take over and time held no meaning.
As the sparkle of the sky grew brighter, we sat naked in the chairs on our balcony, wrapped together by a blanket, watching the Feydom awaken to a new day.
“Noiterns,” I whispered, lifting the cast from the room.
“I’m not taking the potion,” Jax said, his gaze never leaving the changing sky.
“I know.”
“And you aren’t mad?”
“I know you will take it when the time is right, but just promise me, you won’t suggest not taking to anyone else. We have to protect their magic.”
“I promise,” he whispered into my ear, his warm breath tickling my neck.
“Do we have time?” I breathed out as the hunger began to rise again.
A knock came at the door. “Mum, Dad, are you up?”
“I guess not,” I conceded, then phased so I could leave Jax with the blanket as I made my way to the dressing room to change.
“Just getting dressed, Ava, be down in a sec,” I called to her, then heard her footsteps soften as she probably headed for the kitchen.
Jax appeared, already at the closet door and fully dressed. “You ready yet?”
“How did you get dressed so quickly?”
“Magic,” he said, winking.
I phased back to my normal form, resulting in a smirk and raised brow from Jax.
“Settle down, we don’t have time for that, remember?” I pulled on some underwear before rummaging for my favorite jeans.
Destroying the Fallen Page 4
