by Lynn Landes
She grabs her bags and moves up to the porch. The interior of the cottage is as charming as the exterior. The oak hardwood floors gleam as though recently polished. The small living room is open to a kitchen with butcher-block counter tops and a sliding glass door, which opens to a lovely garden. Outside she sees a hammock swinging between two large trees and concrete patio with a table and two chairs. Ariana chooses the bedroom with a large four-poster bed and private bath. She drops her bags on the floor walking into the bathroom and is excited to find a claw foot tub!
“Oh, this is perfect!” she says aloud. She begins filling the tub, excited to be safe for the moment. Skipping into the bedroom, she drags out her bathroom bag and hurries to lock the doors. Ariana closes her eyes for a moment and releases the glamour spell. They are exhausting to hold and require too much energy. A quickly whispered spell detect movement outside the windows and doors of the home, giving her some much-needed security.
A few drops of lavender oil into the water and the room begins to fill with steam. Ariana walks to the mirror and looks into her eyes. Soon steam covers the mirror and allowing for the spell. Now she can see home. Whispered enchantment followed by the thought of her brother and suddenly she sees him smiling into the eyes of his new bride. They are ruling side by side as King and Queen of the Fae. Her death allowed them to find each other and freed him from his prison. Ariana was happy to do it, but the cost was great. She smiles as she lets the image go and begins removing her clothes.
Her body, once perfect and unscarred now bears the mark of the Khae-tri or Queens dagger. The Dark Fae came for her, hoping to steal her power. He did not know she had already set her plan into motion and when he plunged the dagger into her heart, she was ready for him. Her plan worked perfectly, but she did not expect the poison to spread so quickly.
Now standing in front of the mirror, she inspects the wound. It had almost healed, but the poison is growing stronger and faint black lines can still be seen around the scar and across her breasts. The wound is still sore, and she tires easily. Her magic is weak, she gifted the new queen most of her abilities. However, magic is available to all if they know how to use it. Determined not to think about her wound, she sinks into the tub with a sigh and decides not to get out until all her muscles stop hurting. Lifting her hand, she watches the water run down her pale skin and she wishes for a moment that she could go home.
Loneliness is the greatest burden that Ariana carries. As a twin there was never a moment when she didn’t have someone with her. Now it seems a hole that can’t be filled. Having never experienced solitude it doesn’t surprise her that it eats at her soul. She wants someone to share her life with. What kind of life does she have? She has nothing to offer anyone. The shadow has never stopped chasing her, he knows she still has power and he wants it. Going home isn’t and option he will follow her and she will not put her family in danger.
For now, she will keep running, and try not to think about her future. Ariana leans back and soaks. She sinks under the water holding her breath, and just before she surfaces, she sees a face. He has long blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and ears that signify her race. He stares at her as though shocked and reaches out as if to touch her! She bursts from the water coughing. She is stunned. He could see her! She snatches a towel and stands up to dry off. She twists the water out of her hair and shakes the curls loose, then wraps her body in a towel. The mist is thick in the room and she walks back to the mirror. This time, when she looks, she sees his face clearly. Scrying is usually done in a reflective surface, like water, but it can also be done in fire and steam. Ariana is a fire elemental, once the Fae Queen, she gave up her powers to save her brother from shadow. She was able to retain a few of her gifts and studied Wicca to strengthen them.
The man staring at her is powerful as all Fae are. Not sensing darkness around him, she steps forward and her mouth goes dry. He is beautiful but his eyes draw her in. Some say the eyes are the window to the soul, and she sees wisdom, strength and pain in his eyes. She reaches toward the mirror, only to jump back when he speaks.
“Tell me where you are!” he demands. Ariana tries to release his image but finds to her astonishment, he now holds the power.
“You are in danger. I can help you,” He urges her softer this time. The sound of wind chimes fills the air, and her heart stops. Ariana races for her clothes. She ignores him, drops her towel and pulls on her jeans and t-shirt. He starts to speak but she walks to the mirror and wipes the steam. She chuckles at the frustrated sound the Fae makes then doubles over in pain. Ariana presses a hand to her pounding heart and knows she is found.
“Damnit! Not now.” She says feeling dizzy. Whenever the Dark Fae is near, she has the same symptoms. Shooting pains radiate from her wound and she gets dizzy, nauseas and weak. She pulls on the glamour spell and hurries to the front door. Before she opens it she spreads her senses out and finds the owner of the house waiting for her.
“Hello.” The woman says looking at Ariana. She is holding a welcome basket with fruit, crackers, and wine. “I just wanted to stop by and make sure you are settled. Did you find everything to your satisfaction?”
“It’s just lovely. Exactly what I was hoping for.” Ariana says accepting the gift.
“Wonderful, if you need anything the map into town is in the kitchen drawer and the phones all work. Perhaps we could have coffee one morning?” she asks Ariana.
“Of course, I would love that. Maybe in a few days, after I’m all settled in.” Ariana replies to her
“Perfect. I will let you go. If you need anything, please call.” Ariana watches her leave and sighs in relief.
Slowly closing the door, she presses a hand to her heart. She sets the basket on the wooden kitchen table and thinks. It usually never fails her. Afraid to go back to the bathroom but needing some answers she walks back. The steam is gone, and so is her visitor.
“That was weird, I’ve been alone too long.” She releases her glamour spell and picks out her long red curls. I cannot stay here now, she thinks. She quickly begins packing up her bathroom supplies. “So much for rest,” she sighs.
Ariana pulls off her damp clothes and lays them across the edge of the tub, and pulls on fresh jeans and a black t-shirt, followed by socks and boots. She braids her hair and tosses it over her shoulder. Where do I go now? She looks outside but does not sense the shadow close again. She knows better than to doubt her intuition. It is time to go, but how to buy some time so they do not follow her. As she closes the window blinds, she smiles and hurries to the bed. She places the jeans and t-shirt on the bed and chants a spell. They fill with a female shape, similar to hers. Covering the body with a blanket, she tries to think about the hair. What to do about the hair, then smiles. She hurries to the kitchen and finds an old string mop. Another whispered spell and the strings on the mop turn red, now she has hair. She tucks the mop into the covers and arranges it to look like her.
Now to leave a surprise so she can escape. She begins to chant, calling on the power of the one element she still has access to; fire. After she is done, she grabs her two bags and slips out of the back door into the dark night. The road to town is four miles long. She walks fast towards the original farmhouse and looks for a car. Ariana feels bad as she nears the new house. Stealing is a crime and it goes against everything she believes in, but survival is necessary. She will make sure they recover the vehicle later. When she sees the shiny red Honda accord, she smiles in relief. The sudden sting in her chest takes her by surprise and she falls to her knees. Dizzy and disoriented she waits once more for it to pass. They must be at the house now. “Hurry, now,” she urges herself and tries to breathe through the throbbing pain. Her head pounds and she feels feverish.
Ariana stumbles to her feet and makes it to the car. With a whisper the locks pop, she pushes her bags inside and climbs into the seat. She starts the car and backs it quietly down the drive with no lights. Once she reaches the main road, she will turn them on. She floors the
car and drives away from her momentary retreat.
Chapter 6
Reese is startled when he sees a vision of a Fae woman, under water. She is floating and her features are unclear, but he can see she has bright red hair. He senses her loneliness, pain, and frustration and he feels drawn to her. Stepping up to the black obsidian scrying bowl in the center of his room, he fills it with fresh water, and whispers a spell.
“Water flow, let me see what I need to know.” He gently touches the water with his fingertip and stirs it in a clockwise direction three times and watches intently as the female takes shape. He leans close to the water and sees an image he thought he would never see again.
She is stunningly beautiful and dripping wet. Her hands tremble as she clutches the towel wrapped around her naked body. He watches as she bends over at the waist and shakes her wet hair out. When she rises, throwing her hair back, he sees the lavender eyes and he now knows who she is. The dead Queen! Her long red curls fall to her waist and she stares at him. When the shadows begin creeping in from the edges of the black bowl, he sees she is surrounded. Her eyes meet his and she reaches for him as if she could touch him. She steps closer to the mirror and that is when he notices the wound on her chest.
“Tell me where you are!” he demands. Ariana jumps and attempts to break the connection, but he refuses to let her go. “I can help you.” He implores, but she does not listen. When she jumps at a noise, he feels her fear and panic.
His brain goes blank when she drops the towel. Her body is beautiful, but she is terrified. She pulls on a t-shirt over her head and jerks her jeans on, then rushes to wipe the mirror. Just before she wipes the glass, he feels her pain and it astounds him. He knows if he does not find her, the shadows will.
A knock on the door, has him moving to block the scrying bowl. Nyssa walks in and smiles. “Reese, it was a good day today, the human was protected and the Dark Fae, punished. I feel like celebrating!” she says strutting across the room.
Reese watches her walk towards him, in her high heels and tight black dress. Nyssa is a beautiful woman, but not for him. Her hands run up his chest, and she sinks her painted red nails into his long blonde hair. “Let’s go dancing, Reese, just us.” Her perfect body is flush against his and she smiles her painted smile.
With a sigh, he unwraps her arms from his neck and pushes her away, gently. “I have some business to take care of Nyssa,” he says turning away from her. He picks up the scrying bowl and dumps the water. Carefully, he wipes the bowl dry and replaces it on the stand.
“Have you no feelings for me then? I had hoped to be more than friends, Reese,” she says pretending to pout.
“You are not for me, Nyssa. You deserve more than I can give you. We have talked about this.” He tells her determined to make her see.
“You are right! I do deserve better!” she turns in a huff and slams her way from his room.
Reese rubs his neck and sighs.
Chapter 7
Furious, Colin slams his fist through the wall! “How could you let them kill, Gallus? I needed the human’s magic!” He calms himself down and turns, “They will fade thinking the danger to this human is passed, then you will find her! Bring her to me.” He seizes the cloaked figure by its throat and lifts it from the ground. “No mistakes this time or it will be your essence I steal!”
The figure crumples to the floor, coughing and struggling to breathe it croaks out, “I had no choice, Colin!” She coughs, and glares up at him, “You should know something is up with Reese. I think he knows where Ariana is.”
An evil gleam appears in his black eyes, “Finally, with her essence, I will not need these disgusting humans.” He steps close to her and pulls her to her feet while he strokes her soft cheek. He presses his lips to the corner of her mouth. “I grow weary of these humans, they taste …” flicking his tongue out he licks her parted lip and pulls her close sucking her bottom lip into his hot mouth, “they taste, human, unlike you. You taste like heaven.” He growls as he bites her lip hard enough to draw blood. He eases back and laps at the blood on her mouth while she pushes her breast into his chest. She wears nothing under the cloak, just as he likes her, hot and ready for him. He slides his hands under the cloak grasping her firm white buttocks, squeezing hard. His black nails sink partially into her pale flesh, and she inhales savoring the pleasure and the pain.
“More…” she begs with lust flashing in her eyes. He can smell the scent of her desire and he grins pushing her to her knees.
“You will follow him, and report back to me! I will go after the human. No one escapes me!” She nods her head quickly and licks her lips in anticipation.
“I will not fail you, my King,” Nyssa says leering at him because she knows he loves it when she calls him that.
Chapter 8
Reese calls for Duncan, his most trusted friend. He chose to make his home in the mountains of New Zealand. The black mountain has caverns shaped by the will of the Shadow King. Some of the rooms are made of ice, some formed of fire. Any Fae that chose to stay in the human world were welcome to train with them after meeting with Reese. As a protector of humanity, he searches the Fae to see if they are shadow or light. His goal was to make the transition easier and perhaps save souls.
Duncan arrives in a flash and Reese smiles. To the average eye, Duncan is a massive mountain of muscle. He stands at six foot five and weighs over two hundred fifty pounds. It is deceiving; for Duncan’s elemental gift is air. Speed, wind and air are his power and he wields them expertly.
He wears his hair, long and wavy to his shoulders. His blue eyes flash as he bows to his King. Reese saved him from despair. After losing his son to the shadows, Duncan lost his mind. He followed his son through the Vale, hoping to save him from the darkness, but he was too late. He could not return, and his wife had died years before his son. He started drinking, fighting, and stealing, whatever it took to survive. Reese remembers the night he met him.
He stumbled drunk out of a bar, stopping at the sound of a scream. Three men had surrounded a small female form on the ground. Reese watched from the shadows, deciding if he should help. He started to step in but stopped when the giant flashed from man to man. In a blink, Duncan had knocked them all unconscious.
Samantha’s visions had led her to him, but she did not know that she was the one who would need saving. As he lifted Sam into his arms, she smiled into his blue eyes and touched his cheek. “I have been looking for you.”
Before Reese can move, shadows of dark Fae begin creeping in from the darkness.
“Hold on, love,” Duncan says as he clutches her to his chest.
Sam whispers, “There are four, and a light watches from behind. They will attack two from the front, and two from the left. Throw me to the right!”
Duncan looks into her hazel eyes and finds they have gone white with her vision. He listens to her, throwing the small female to the right and fights. He has no weapon except his gifts, but that is all he needs. He draws on the element of wind and pushes a car into the two Dark Fae coming from the left. They may be shadows, but they still feel pain. Just before the other two evil Fae reach him, he lifts them into the air with a gust of wind and shoots them fifty yards away. With a laugh, he turns and his smile fades. Reese is holding Samantha.
“Tell me who you are? How is it that you still have your gifts?” Reese had demanded of Duncan.
“First, release her,” Duncan tells him with a light of fury in his eyes.
“Duncan,” Samantha calls softly from Reese’s arms, “he is the Shadow King.” Her soft voice stirs his heart. Duncan has found his mate and he is preparing to fight for her.
Reese smiles, because he has seen that look before. The Fae have only one mate. He slowly lowers Samantha’s feet to the ground. “She is fine. We need to go, more are coming.”
Samantha takes a step towards Duncan only to smile in joy when he snatches her into his arms away from the other male.
“There is no we! I am
through with the Fae and their Vale!” Duncan yells at him.
Samantha looks at Reese saying, “I have seen what you do, Shadow King. I know where to find you. Duncan, he is right, we need to go!” She shows him the image of her home in his mind, he smiles into her green eyes, and they are gone.
“What’s wrong?” Duncan asks, shaking Reese from his memory. The King is nervous. Duncan only came to him after Samantha convinced him that it was safe. The alliance they have built has been forged through time. As a friend he knows what he asks is too much, but it must be done.
“I have some private business to attend to. I would ask that you go to the Vale and warn the King and Queen of the new threat for me.” Reese watches Duncan closely. He knows he has not been back since his son’s death.
“I know what I ask of you, Duncan, and I would not ask if I had another choice,” he assures him.
“It is time. Samantha warned me of this. I will take her with me, Reese.” Duncan replies looking away.
“The new Queen of the Fae, Caderyn was once human, Duncan. She saved our King and freed me from my enchantment. You can trust her. I would be wary, though. All is not well within the Vale. There are those who do not like that a human was given this honor,” Reese remarks watching Duncan.
“Will you take Nyssa with you?” Duncan asks.
“Not this time. I have to do this alone.” Grasping his hand in a warriors handshake Reese smiles.
“Do not worry. I will explain when I return. God speed brother,” Reese says.
After Duncan leaves, Reese returns to the bowl. Once again, he dips into the water. This time, he chants a spell and spins the water backwards.
