Fae War

by R L Medina

  He glanced around. “No, Princess. I’ll be fine.” He nodded and turned his back to me.

  I bit my lip. I hated for him to be alone if he didn’t want to be, but I also wanted to make sure Mag was okay. Shrugging, I closed the door and turned away.

  Mag stood in the center of the room, looking lost and pitiful. I gathered her into my arms and held her tight. Her sorrow was different from Sacha’s. After sensing so many emotions from so many fae, it was funny how the same emotion differed from each one.

  The little brownie’s sadness was like a turbulent ocean, rising and falling in waves. I summoned my power to steel myself against the heaviness of her pain. My gut twisted.

  Poor Mag.

  Her family’s image flashed in my mind. Their large brown eyes and little faces. Mag sank into me, making me stumble back. I knelt and held her close to me.

  A knock on my door sounded.

  “Come in,” I called, expecting to see one of my aunts.

  I looked up to find Belle. My eyebrows rose in surprise. Wariness filled me. What did she want?

  Her eyes flitted to me and Mag, but her face remained emotionless. The perfect mask of indifference.

  I stroked Mag’s matted brown curls as she wept into my lap. My magic thrummed, ready to be released and ease her pain, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. It felt wrong not to let her grieve. Hot tears streaked my own face as the images replayed in my mind.

  The memories were so haunting and chilling. Something surreal I could never forget and that would stay with me forever.

  All the faces. Terrified, screaming faces. Gone in one instant.

  Blinking away the horrific images, I used my power to numb myself. I couldn’t handle my emotions on top of everyone else’s. I took a shaky breath and continued stroking Mag’s curls, the motion felt mechanical, but it seemed to soothe her.

  Her sobs subsided and her breathing deepened. She’d fallen asleep. I sighed. It was good for her to get rest. The days ahead would be bleak—for all of us.

  “Come, we have work to do.” Belle’s voice startled me out of my thoughts.

  She walked into my room, her boots thumping loudly on the stone floor. I winced and glanced at Mag. Thankfully, the little brownie slept through the noise.

  “Shh. I don’t want to wake her.”

  Belle glanced at Mag and back to me. “Let someone else watch her. We’ve wasted enough time.”

  I glared at her. “She just lost her family.”

  “And we’ll lose more if we don’t prepare.”

  “Princess, I’ll take her to her bed. I won’t wake her,” a Red Court fairy offered.

  My head snapped toward the door in surprise. When had she entered? I gave her a grateful smile and nodded. Belle watched as the fairy gently lifted her from my lap and cradled her in her translucent arms. Mag looked so small and vulnerable in her hold.

  I glanced at Belle, anger churning inside me at her blank face. Did she not have any emotions?

  A scary thought struck me. Was that what my fate would be if I continued to use my powers? Would I become just as cold and indifferent as she was?

  Her eyes shot to mine. I flushed, knowing she had probably read my mind. Without a word, she motioned me to follow her. I stood and paused taking a moment to collect my thoughts and emotions. Though she hadn’t said it, I knew what work she referred to.

  It was time to unleash our so-called secret weapon—our one final chance to save Feylin. I sucked in a breath.

  No pressure.

  “Are you coming?” Belle looked back at me.

  I squared my shoulders back and followed her down the hall. Were the others already waiting there? My hand trembled at the prospect of what we were about to do. The power I’d felt from the locked door had been enough to set me on edge and here we were about to face the creature trapped within. I shuddered.

  12

  Our footsteps echoed against the stone, the sound ominous and jarring. I blinked against the darkness and stuck close to Belle’s shadowy form. After being in Feylin for so long, I’d gotten used to navigating the dark corridors, but there was still something about the blackness that triggered my flight or fight instinct. Something that was still distinctly human.

  After I performed this task, would I lose that as well? Would there be any of my humanity left? I pushed away the morbid thoughts and steeled myself as we turned a corner. Coldness spread over my skin. The power I’d felt earlier, radiated with more force. It wasn’t like the magic I sensed from the other elves or even B’Zahir. This was something more powerful and darker. A magic that made me hyper aware of my human frailty.

  “Don’t let your guard down. Not even for a minute. This creature is unlike anything you’ve ever seen.” Belle’s voice broke the silence.

  Her words did nothing to assure me. Panic spiked inside me at the thought of what would happen if I was unable to guard myself. Before the fear could take root, I shoved it away and steeled myself once more.

  You can do this. Don’t let it in.

  “You’ll have to build better defenses than that.” Belle sniffed.

  I glared at her, knowing she could see me in the dark even if I couldn’t see her.

  “Here.” Her sudden movement startled me.

  An image of a door popped into my mind followed by another and another. They locked in unison, the sound deafening though I knew it was all in my head. I gasped as she erected a wall around the doors.

  My cheeks flamed. Though I knew she was only trying to help, the fact that I needed her to help guard my mind made me burn. How could she think I was prepared for this? How could I control this creature if I couldn’t even protect myself?

  Swallowing my fear, I built my own defenses and pushed back her intrusion. She gave me a firm nod and continued walking. I followed her, summoning more power as we grew nearer.

  I would need my magic at full steam.

  “Are Mom and the others there?”

  “Your aunt is there.”

  My lips pursed. Did that mean Mom hadn’t been told about this? A part of me was happy she was out of the loop and couldn’t lock me up or something dramatic like pushing me through another portal, which I suspected was her back-up plan, but another part of me grew worried. She was my mom, and I wanted her there.

  She should be there.

  Without waiting for my response, Belle led the way through the open door. Power engulfed me. I staggered back with a gasp. The air was thick with this strange, raw magic. I summoned my own to quell the rising tide of panic inside me.

  Torches lit up the prison, casting an eerie glow on the rock and metal cells. All empty, except one. Aunt Maloret stood waiting for us at the far end in front of what I could only assume was the imprisoned creature.

  Though I was thankful for the dim light they’d provided, I wasn’t so sure I wanted to see this Raj’ani face to face. Its power alone was terrifying. The warnings of the dragon came back to me.

  “Control yourself.” Belle’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

  I flushed. “I am.”

  She shook her head. Anger burned inside me. I was doing the best I could. What more did the elf want from me?

  I sucked in a breath and used my magic to steel myself. I followed Belle closer to the cell and stopped right outside. Aunt Maloret grinned at me.

  My eyes shifted to the metal bars.

  I frowned. “But nothing is in there.” My voice bounced off the prison walls.

  Aunt Maloret met my eyes. “Watch.”

  With one wave, she summoned a shadow claw, opened the door, and quickly shoved a guard inside.

  The dwarf yelped as the shadow hand released him onto the cell floor and closed the door. He rose to his feet and ran for the bars. Fear filled the air around him. His eyes widened and his body shook.

  “There. There. It will be over soon,” Aunt Maloret cooed.

  I stumbled back as a feathery head appeared. It looked surprisingly harmless. One large blue eye
blinked from a long, thin beaked face. It wasn’t much taller than the dwarf, but its body was lean and looked slick and oily.

  It stood on two clawed legs, but in place of arms it had two webbed looking wings. I blinked at it. This was the dangerous ancient creature everyone was scared of? I scoffed. It looked like some kind of alien like bird or dinosaur.

  “What is it going to do?”

  Aunt Maloret smiled. “Watch.”

  I did.

  The Raj’ani cocked its feathery head and blinked at the dwarf. Fear washed over me.

  I bit my lip as the dwarf gripped the bars and whimpered. His pleading eyes met mine.

  “Is he going to be okay?” I glanced at Aunt Maloret and Belle.

  They stared at the poor fae. His scream rattled through me. My head snapped back in time to see the Raj’ani bite into his neck. The dwarf’s eyes bulged as he was dragged back.

  My stomach was sick. “What have you done?” I glared at Aunt Maloret.

  Anger stirred inside me at her cruelty. The dwarf’s fear and pain rushed through me. My head throbbed.

  “Watch.” Aunt Maloret nodded at the scene.

  I closed my eyes and shook my head. “No. You have to stop this.”

  She laughed. “Stop what? It’s already over.”

  Dread curled inside me. I opened my eyes and stared at the cell. The dwarf was gone. There was no trace left of him. Nausea rolled inside me as his cries still rang in my ears.

  “What happened to him?”

  “He was eaten,” Belle replied.

  Aunt Maloret grinned at me. “Sucked right in. Like a vacuum.”

  I stared at the creature. Its large blue eye met mine.

  All at once, I felt my shields snapping in two. I threw out my magic and secured the remaining ones before my mind was completely open.

  Shivers wracked my body. A voice screamed in my mind. Whatever this creature was, I wanted no part of it. I moved away from the cell.

  Come to me

  I shook my head. No. No freaking way. What do you want?

  To be free.

  I scoffed. Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen.

  Belle shook me hard. I gasped and faced her.

  Her eyes searched mine. “Did you let it into your mind?”

  I glanced back at the creature. It had disappeared into the back of its cell. Aunt Maloret and Belle watched me. I could feel their heavy gazes as I tried to clear my mind. It felt as if I’d just woken up from an interrupted dream and try as I might, I couldn’t remember any of it.

  “I… I don’t think so.”

  Aunt Maloret’s eyebrow rose. “Well, that’s reassuring.”

  Belle’s lips pursed. “You must take extra care.”

  My heart pounded. I stared into the empty cell, my mind racing. Had it really spoken to me? I looked at Belle, expecting her to reply to my thoughts but she was staring at the prison, unaware of my questions.

  I blinked in surprise. Maybe she couldn’t read my thoughts past her own barriers. That would be a nice change.

  Coldness filled me. I wrapped my arms around myself and sniffed. “So, can we leave now?”

  Belle sighed. “We will return later. I want you to practice building your defenses. I’ll train you myself.”

  I bit back a groan. “Fantastic.”

  With a final glance back, I followed them out of the prison and back into the hall. Their hushed voices echoed against the stone, but I was too lost in my own thoughts to pay attention to their conversation.

  Something felt off. Fear filled me as I pictured the creature. Had it gotten into my mind? Would it eat away at me and make me crazy? Mom could help. I would go to her. Though I knew she’d be furious, she would help.

  If she could.

  Dismissing that morbid thought, I caught up to the others. Mom stood in the main chamber as we entered. Fury was written on her face.

  I stopped short and gave her a guilty smile.

  Her eyes flashed to Belle’s. “What have you done?”

  Belle stiffened. “What has to be done. We must prepare your daughter for the fight to come.”

  Anger rolled off Mom. Though it wasn’t directed at me, it made me flinch all the same I’d never seen her so mad.

  “You had no right to do this!” Her voice echoed in the room.

  Aunt Maloret’s eyebrow arched as she edged away. “Now, Aubri. We all know this is necessary. I was there. Renée couldn’t have been safer.”

  Mom whipped toward her. “You should have told me. I should have been there.”

  “Then why weren’t you? This is your task as well.” Belle’s voice rose to match Mom’s.

  Behind her, I saw Aunt Cindra and Des enter the room. Their eyes flickered across our group. I licked my lips and tried to think of a way to diffuse the situation.

  “I’m fine, Mom. I’m okay.” I tried to appease her.

  But was I? Doubt filled me, but I didn’t want to bring it up in front of everyone.

  “Can we get some water? I need a drink.” I glanced at Mom.

  Her face softened. “Of course.”

  I walked past the others and led her back toward the throne room. My skin flushed, and an alarm sounded in my mind. Something was happening to me and I was pretty sure it had to do with the Raj’ani. My insides turned to ice.

  Was I losing my mind?

  “Can we go to my room?” I turned to Mom.

  Worry shone from her face. She nodded and let me backtrack toward the bedrooms. My heart raced as new worries surfaced. What if I’d ruined our chance to save Feylin? I glanced at Mom’s frown. She was trying to read my thoughts but couldn’t.

  My heart pounded. I didn’t have any barriers up. She should have been able to read me like an open book. Panic clawed at me.

  Something was wrong.

  I hurried the rest of the way and flung my door open.

  Mom followed me in and shut the door behind her. Her brow creased. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

  I opened my mouth to tell her everything, but my words caught in my throat.

  No. Oh no. This is not good.

  Clearing my throat, I tried to concentrate on the words again, but no sound came out.

  Mom’s worry grew. “Renée? What is it? What happened?”

  From the corner of my eye, I saw Mag lying in her bed, still sound asleep. Mom’s eyes followed mine and confusion flashed on her face.

  “I… I don’t know. I just have this… feeling,” I bit out the words.

  Mom frowned. “What kind of feeling?”

  “Worried. I’m just worried.”

  No. That’s not it! Tell her!

  Mom nodded in understanding and hugged me. “I know, darling. Things are terrifying right now. It’s a lot to take on. For all of us. But I promise, I will keep you safe.” She hesitated. “Even if it means us leaving Feylin forever.”

  Her words didn’t come as a surprise, but they rattled me still the same.

  I shook my head. “We can’t just leave them. Not like this.”

  She sighed and stroked my hair. “Your safety is the most important to me. I know I’ve done a poor job of that lately, but I promise you, I will do everything in my power to keep you safe.”

  Love shone in her eyes as she stared at me. My heart warmed. “I know, Mom.”

  A calmness fell over me and for a moment I forgot what I had come to tell her. The memory of the Raj’ani dulled as if it had been a dream. Had it really talked to me?

  I bit my lip and watched as Mom moved toward the table and filled a glass with water for me. She brought it to me and smiled.

  Thanking her, I took it and sipped the cool liquid. My heart pounded and in the back of my mind something screamed at me. But I couldn’t make out the words.

  She brushed a strand of hair from my face. “Are you okay, Renée?”

  I frowned and nodded. I was, wasn’t I? I didn’t know why, but I couldn’t shake the sliver of panic creeping in.

  “I just nee
d some time, I think. To rest.”

  “Yes. Get your rest. I will wake you for lunch.” She led me to the bed.

  Worry spread through me, but I waved it away. What was wrong with me? Why was I freaking out?

  I let her tuck me in and kiss my forehead. The sheets were cool and soft against my flushed skin. I watched Mom leave, feeling just as panicked as before. My heart pounded in my ears. Sweat coated me and a chill set in.

  Calm down. Everything is okay.

  I summoned my magic and let its warmth wash over me. My breathing settled and my thoughts cleared. Muffled sounds came from the other side of the room. I sat up and glanced at Mag. The little brownie’s back was to me and I couldn’t tell if she’d woken up or not. I waited to see if she needed me. Had she eaten yet? Guilt filled me at the question. Mag deserved much better care than I was giving her.

  My chest tightened as the images in the Red Court flashed in my mind. Shuddering, I waved them away not wanting to remember. Belle’s words rang in my head.

  To control the Raj’ani, I’d need to give up my memories, but did that mean all of them? What would happen if I lost every piece of my past? What would I become?

  When Mag stilled, I sank back into the bed and sighed. My eyelids grew heavy with sleep. Memories both good and bad clashed together in my mind, sending my emotions into overdrive. I was vaguely aware of the whimpers and sobs coming from my mouth as sleep overtook me and there in the corner of my mind, a warning rang out.

  Something is wrong. Something is wrong.

  13

  Midday sun streamed in from my open window. I blinked as I sat up. Mag was gone. Hopefully to get herself some food. My stomach rumbled at the thought of eating. I’d barely eaten my breakfast and apparently, I’d slept through lunch. I threw off the covers and slid to the floor. Stretching my arms above my head, I groaned at the stiffness of my muscles.

  Chills crawled over me. I glanced around, trying to figure out where the coldness had come from. Frowning, I rubbed my arms to warm myself up.

  The room was quiet, which wasn’t unusual, but as I moved toward the door, I still couldn’t hear anything. Where was everyone?

  I opened the door and peeked out at the empty hall. Shrugging off the strange feeling I had, I left my room and made my way down.