Shattered

by Melissa Lummis

  “Katie, please. Be careful how you answer these questions. We are not your enemy. We are trying to ascertain the truth.”

  “Ha! What do you know of the truth, Augustus? I know exactly how you got your position on the board, so don’t speak to me of truths.” Murmurs broke out and Katie closed her eyes. She put her head in her hands. Shocked by Katie’s words, Rachel curled a little tighter into herself. This isn’t happening.

  Augustus shuffled papers and patted his forehead with his handkerchief. “How is it that your best friend for over fifty years and a senior member of your coven could have avoided detection as Modore’s crony for years? No one but Theresa ever noticed anything out of the ordinary?” He paused, cleared his throat and glanced over at Eva who was boring holes through his skull with her eyes. “How is that possible?”

  Katie stared at Augustus for a long moment. In a quiet voice she answered, “I wish I knew.” Her face was a mixture of confusion and pain. “I don’t know the answer to that.” She folded her hands on the table in front of her. “You can’t possibly judge me any harsher,” her voice cracked, “than I have already judged myself.”

  “Katie,” Eva said with tenderness in her voice, “Do you need to rest?” She got up from the podium and walked to Katie’s side. “We can move to adjourn for the day. I know there still hasn’t been any word about Loti Dupree.”

  Katie’s head wobbled back and forth, her eyes downcast. “Let’s move forward.” She patted Eva’s hand. “That’s the only way through this—forward.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Surrounded by a bright, white light Loti fell lazily through nothing, spinning. She felt nothing. She saw nothing. She thought nothing for an unknown amount of time. Then, the first feeling crept in: she felt in-between.

  If moving were an option, she would have lifted her head to look around, but she was pretty sure she had no head to lift. No toes to wiggle, either. She willed her hands to clench, but nothing happened. Then, with no warning, she slammed into the ground and yelled; surprised by the jarring pain in her back.

  “Shit!” She had a voice box and lips to scream through, now.

  A black sky unfolded above her and a cold breeze made her hair stand on end. She pushed herself up and blinked, trying to make her eyes adjust to the darkness.

  “Welcome back, soul sister.”

  She recognized that voice. Loti twisted around to see the black man sitting in full lotus pose on the top of the mountain, his hands relaxed in dhyana mudra in his lap, the gesture of absolute balance and meditation. Although her limbs felt leaden, Loti swung her legs around and attempted an easy, seated position.

  She tried to lift her feet to rest high up on the opposite thigh in full Lotus pose, but her hips groaned their complaint. Her practice had been intermittent with all that had been troubling her and she felt stiff and awkward. She glanced around and wondered why it was so hard to see anything.

  “No moon.” Only the black man’s lips moved. “No stars.”

  He sat so still that Loti wondered if he was real.

  “As real as you, sister.” He opened his eyes and a mischievous grin split his face. “We are made of the same stuff, you know.”

  Like an infection, she caught his mirth and she couldn’t fight off her own grin. “And what stuff is that?” Resting her hands on her knees, she stretched her neck, lowering her right ear towards her right shoulder.

  The black man burst out laughing and Loti laughed with him. “Love and light, girlfriend. What else?”

  Loti pressed her left ear towards her left shoulder. “What else,” she agreed, inhaling a deep belly breath through her nose. She sat in silence, breathing in and out. Without the stars, the mountain was shrouded in a thick blackness. She saw the black man by his aura, not her physical eyes, and he had a bright, broad aura. She squinted out of habit, not that it helped her focus her other awareness, because she realized she had seen something disturbingly familiar. She swallowed.

  “You’re like me.” She shifted her torso forward and arched her back. Something cracked.

  The black man turned and grinned. “You need to get back to your practice.” Flipping onto his back, he steadily lifted his legs to the sky in shoulder stand, his spine rolling in a fluid line until it was straight.

  “What do you need?” His question was matter-of-fact, like he understood what she was there for.

  Loti brought the soles of her feet together and hinged forward at her hips. “Why am I here?” She rested her face on her bare feet and suddenly realized she was naked.

  The black man lowered his legs behind his head in plow pose. “I don’t know. You’re the one who came here. I thought you had a question.”

  Loti lifted up with care, using her exhale to draw her deep abdominal muscles in to support her spine. “Dayal sent me. He gave me the little orb and when I accepted the gift, I came here.”

  The black man wrapped his thick fingers around his feet as his spine unrolled to the ground, his legs snugged up against his torso. He bent in half and then released his feet so his straight legs floated down to join the rest of him. He shifted and flexed limbs and torso until he rested in savasana, corpse pose. His chest didn’t seem to be moving, and Loti wasn’t sure he was actually breathing.

  “You brought yourself here. You must have had a reason.” His voice was so soft Loti was surprised she heard his words.

  She stretched her legs out in front of her and leaned back on her arms. Her heart lurched with a strong pull.

  Loti.

  Wolf. She scrambled to her feet with a bone-deep shudder. She turned to the resting black man. “Why don’t I feel Wolf in the tubes?”

  The black man didn’t move, but his lips parted as if he was going to say something, but instead a ripping snore emerged. Loti snorted and laughter bubbled up. She knelt down next to him and shook his shoulder.

  “You’re snoring,” she whispered with an affectionate pat.

  “Nonsense,” he grumped in a loud voice and rolled over. Curling up into a ball, he huffed and grumbled and fell back asleep. Loti wished she had a blanket to cover him with and one materialized in her hands. It was exactly like the Mexican blankets at the yoga studio. She laughed in wonder and covered him up. He sighed, tucking his hands under his head and sank into the ground, literally. But before he disappeared from sight, he popped his head up, his eyes bright and focused.

  “Ah! I see.” He pushed up on one arm. “You still don’t remember, do you?”

  “What?”

  Loti. Where are you? Wolf’s thought conveyed his dissolving dread, and she was just as relieved to hear him and feel him. The world was a barren place when Wolf was missing from her awareness.

  I’m with the black man. From my dream— remember?

  Come back to me.

  Loti looked around. I don’t know how.

  How’d you get there?

  Dayal gave me something—an orb of light. It brought me here.

  There was a mental pause.

  “Loti.” She looked back down at the black man. “You couldn’t feel Wolf because you were in between, in the place where nothing exists. You have so much more to learn about yourself. You need to find the rings.”

  Wolf’s emotions and thoughts swirled in a confused vortex in her head and then drifted apart like the clouds after a summer storm. He gave you a symbol. The orb didn’t do it. It was you.

  Loti backed away from the black man, one hand pressed against a temple. “What are you saying?”

  Wolf’s thought vibrated with amusement. That’s Dayal. He doesn’t give straight answers. Just visualize whatever the orb did to take you there. Only feel yourself back with me.

  No, I was talking to the black man. Loti looked down but the black man was fast asleep, sinking bit by bit into the ground. He was almost gone, when he smiled as if on cue. She laughed out loud, in spite of her confusion and shook her head. Is that why she brought herself here?

  “Know thyself,” the black man
’s voice whispered in her ear as if he were behind her.

  She yipped and ran a few feet before stopping with a hand to her heart, panting. “I thought we took care of that already,” she yelled.

  Loti?

  “I’m coming, already. Give me a sec.”

  She blew out an exasperated breath, then closed her eyes. She pictured the orb in her cupped hands, felt its warmth as if it were actually growing with her intention until it enveloped her body. She felt Wolf, his arms around her, his vibrating willfulness, his cold control, his deep need. The light surrounding her winked out—taking her with it.

  * * *

  Wolf stood in the middle of a clearing in the Green Mountains of Vermont. He had followed a tentative pull there, although not entirely sure he was following Loti, because it was so faint, but it couldn’t be anyone else. He never bonded completely with anyone other than her, but he was suspicious because no one could be trusted and he knew something wasn’t right.

  Someone had laid magical wards in this clearing and he was careful not to disturb them. He could feel them more than see them, but they were like laser trip lines all over the blossoming meadow. While he always had a sixth sense about magic, he knew his ability was stronger due to the growing bond with Loti. It was as if they were merging their energy. She could heal like a vampire and was getting stronger and faster, while he could tolerate the sunlight and see energy. Not as well as she could, but he could sense it.

  In the night air, the orange weed and Richardson’s sedge bobbed quietly. Without warning, a soundless explosion of light blinded him as Loti manifested in his arms. Wolf crushed her to him and she felt the mine mine mine of his heart and mind. He cupped her head in his hands and planted hard and frantic kisses on her face and lips. She tucked her elbows close to her side and slid her hands up his chest and over his shoulders. His wide hands stroked her back down to her backside and it dawned on her she was still naked.

  Between hard kisses she managed, “I need some clothes.”

  Wolf grinned into her mouth. “No. You don’t.” His hands caressed her sides, ran up her ribs and then to her breasts.

  “I am so sorry to interrupt this happy reunion.”

  Wolf clutched Loti to him as they both searched for the source of the tinkling voice. A tall, slender fae stood in the middle of the upland clearing, glowing as if touched by moonlight, but there was no moon tonight. No stars out, either. Thick clouds blanked the meadow in darkness.

  White hair spilled down the fairy’s body, only half concealing her nakedness and her shimmering skin. “I’m so glad you found your way here. I was hoping the spider webs did the trick.”

  “Spider webs?” Loti twisted in the tight clasp of Wolf’s arms. “The ones on the trail I ran through days ago?”

  Wolf held her too tight and she squirmed in protest. He released his grip, marginally, but held her in the circle of his arms. She understood. He wasn’t letting go of her for a while.

  “Yes, my dear. I was looking for a way to bring you here.” The fae stepped closer and Wolf hissed. She stopped, a petulant frown on her pouty lips. “I truly mean you no harm.”

  “The hell with you. What the fuck do you want with Loti?” Wolf growled his threat.

  The fae looked suddenly uncertain. “I don’t understand your hostility. I only meant to bring you here so that we could share some information and Aeval would like to ask a favor of you.”

  Wolf growled low in his chest. “Aeval doesn’t ask for anything. She takes.” He crushed Loti tighter to him and she huffed in exasperation

  “Okay, let’s calm down.” She stroked Wolf’s forearm with her free hand. “It’s okay, Wolf.” She turned to the pointy-eared fae. Huh. 100% pure fae. “Aeval? Who is she?”

  Wolf’s face was knapped in angry angles. He flicked his eyes at her face and the edges softened a smidge. “The queen of this fae colony.” He nuzzled Loti’s temple. “She can talk from there.” His black eyes roiled at the fae. “What’s your name?”

  “Asparas.” Her smile flushed her aura sweetly and Loti relaxed.

  “It’s okay, Wolf. She’s telling the truth. She’s not dangerous.” She petted Wolf’s bicep, but he wouldn’t relax his grip. A dingy distress wafted through her and her belly clenched in empathy. Not being able to feel him the way they were used to had frightened her, too.

  Loti’s head swam and she closed her eyes. Wolf shifted to pick her up and cradle her close. “She’s exhausted. We need food and clothes for her.”

  “How did the spiders’ webs bring me here?” Loti’s voice quavered. She was losing consciousness.

  Asparas lifted a tentative hand, wary of Wolf’s incisor’s that had clicked down with the gesture. “I can help,” she breathed.

  “No.” Wolf bared his fangs. “I know the price of fae gifts.”

  Asparas’ face faltered, then she stood straight. “Fine.” Her demeanor hardened and she clipped her words, her eyes scanning him up and down. “You can fly?”

  Wolf huffed out his nose. “Of course.” She nodded in a business-like manner before unfurling a glittering pair of green, gossamer wings twice as long as she was tall. It was a breath-taking sight and the way she carried herself said she knew it. “Then follow me.”

  She stole into the air in a whir of green. Wolf contemplated heading south for a second as Loti’s head lolled against his neck and her arms went limp, but he decided she needed sustenance as soon as possible, maybe even his blood. Besides, he suspected that the New England fae had gone to a lot of trouble for no small reason and he wanted to know why. He looked over his shoulder, as if he thought someone were watching, then lifted by sheer will into the air and after the glittering fae. The fae weren’t likely to just let them leave anyway.

  * * *

  Asparas made a delicate landing beside a round, cord-wood house. It was two stories tall and massive. Wolf stiffened as a pack of Malamutes bounded around the circular house. They howled their greetings like conversational Wookies, smiling and wagging their plume-like tails.

  They surrounded Wolf and the passed out Loti, bumping against him, but not one of them jumped up. He growled under his breath, and like one being they all sat back on their haunches, whined and pressed their ears back to their heads. Wolf nodded and stalked towards the doorway.

  “This way, Mr. Arrighi.” Asparas held the thick, wooden door open. He stepped into a foyer full of cord wood. Wolf’s eyes darted around, but no one else was in the entryway. The inner door opened and a smiling male fae gestured grandly into the round house. Wolf gave him a distrusting glance before striding into the room. With his arms full of Loti, it was hard for him to take a defensive stance, but he managed one.

  “We mean you no harm, vampire.”

  Wolf turned to the female voice. An elegant fae tinged in turquoise blue lounged in a Papasan chair by a round fireplace stroking the head of another Malamute. There was only a low fire as most of the chill had left the mountains this time of year and summer wasn’t far away. He assumed it must be Aeval. While he had never met her, he had heard plenty about her.

  “Then why this way? Why couldn’t you have sent an invitation?” Distracted by Loti’s fading energy, Wolf had to force himself to focus on the fae queen. Fae rubbed him the wrong way and while he had solid reasons, he also knew it went deeper, somehow.

  Aeval shifted forward, a look of concern claiming her delicate features. “You need to feed her, vampire. She’s weak.” She gestured to one of several male attendants hovering nearby. “Take them to a private place to recuperate, please.” Her voice may have tinkled, but there was no misunderstanding: it was a command. “And bring them food and beverage.”

  “No fae wine,” Wolf snapped.

  Aeval wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Why are vampires so rude?” She waved a dismissive hand, “I’ll never get used to your kind.”

  “That’s not what I’ve heard.” Wolf sneered.

  Aeval regarded him with a subtle smirk. “And what have you
heard?”

  “That you prefer your hearts served cold.”

  Aeval narrowed her eyes, like she was trying to see right through him. “Yours is not so cold, now.” She blinked and started, her eyes filling with a wonder like she was seeing him for the first time, and then she regained her regal composure. “At least the physical one.” She waved a hand and turned her attention back to the brown-eyed dog, ignoring them.

  Wolf followed a red-haired fae out another door and back into the black night. They walked up a short hill to the front of a small adobe-style cabin. He recognized it immediately as straw-bale, the same type of construction as their new house back at the Marksville Ashram. His chest clenched at a sudden, desperate desire to go home, now. Yet Wolf was not a desperate soul.

  Wild flowers and tall grass bobbed in the breeze on the roof, the corners of the building round. The fae opened the door and Wolf stepped into a gentle space. The walls curved on the inside like they did on the outside, and the floor was painted concrete, but it was warm under his feet. Alcoves had been carved into the wall and natural pieces of slate were built into it as shelving.

  Against his better judgment, he relaxed. He was wasting his energy being on such high guard—energy he needed to take care of Loti. He lowered the unconscious Loti to the large futon bed that dominated the far wall.

  Someone knocked on the door and the fae opened it. Two more males entered with trays of food and cloth.

  “Aeval thought the lady would appreciate some clothing when she awakes.”

  Wolf grunted and the fae set the trays on a low wooden shelf that spanned the entire length of the short wall, a wide picture window above it. A blue-haired fae tugged plain, cotton curtains closed. He smiled at Wolf who scowled back. His smile flickered, but he held onto it as he nodded, and then fled the cottage.