Betrayed

by Julia Crane

  The darkened sky cast long shadows on the ground as I hurried back. I hoped Michael returned soon. Who knew how long we had before the storms would hit. The thought of him being left out in the storm stopped me in my tracks. True, he’d told me he didn’t want me there, but things had changed. I needed to warn the humans that they were in danger. Maybe I could even convince them to return to the castle with us. It was worth a shot.

  Turning on my heels I rushed in the direction of the cave the tribe called home. The grounds were so barren. I tried to imagine what the woods looked like before magick had destroyed the lands.

  I barely made it two hundred feet before a dragon swooped down and landed beside me.

  With a smile I looked up. “I’ve been hoping you’d show up.”

  Blake shifted forms, from dragon to young man, once again butt naked. I averted my eyes as I conjured clothes on him. A pair of linen pants and button down white shirt with the sleeves rolled up made him appear much more civilized.

  He glanced down at his new attire with a raised brow. “Where are we going, on a date?”

  “You wish.” The smile left my face. “Where have you been and where is Michael’s brother?” I asked with a sour expression.

  A sly grin crossed his chiseled face. “Let’s just say he’s being contained and leave it at that.”

  My shoulders sagged. “I was hoping you got rid of him for good after what he did to Michael.”

  “I thought about it. But I knew Michael would want a chance to talk to him, hear his side of the story.”

  His words rang true, however a part of me wished Blake had let me turn him into dust. “Why did you come to me instead of Michael?”

  “I wanted to see how you were doing and I also wanted to find out if what you’d said to Michael’s brother was true. Have you really created hybrids with a human? I’ve heard rumors but I’ve never seen a hybrid myself.” His voice was quiet but intense.

  His question stirred up pain at the memory of the loss of lives. Their little faces flashed before me.

  I eyed him suspiciously. Was he looking for information or was he merely curious? Michael trusted him, so that should be good enough for me, but these days I was wary of everyone.

  I ignored his question. “There’s storms coming. I’m on my way to warn Michael and the others.”

  “I know. The animals have been scurrying to find safety.” He hesitated. “Is it going to be bad?”

  “Yes,” I said, without giving away anything else. Shifting gears I asked, “Have you heard any rumors? About the faeries?”

  He looked down at me, searching my eyes. “What do you mean? What sort of rumors?”

  “It’s a yes or no question.”

  He shrugged. “Haven’t heard anything, but I haven’t exactly been socializing, lately.”

  My expression relaxed as my unease faded.

  Well that was good, at least the talk wasn’t wide spread. At least not here, not yet.

  More at ease, I asked, “Do you think the humans will come back to the castle with us?”

  “You have a castle? Here?”

  “You really have been under a rock.”

  “In more ways than one. I live in a cavern.”

  I couldn’t help but smile. Everything about his demeanor was charming. “We started repairing Earth blatantly with magick.”

  “Interesting. That would explain the discord I’ve heard.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “In the caverns late at night you can hear the whispers of the dark. The beings are not happy. But worse than that they are afraid. And like most people, the dark lashes out in fear.”

  Great. “Can you understand what they are saying?”

  “No, it’s more of a feeling. It’s hard to explain.”

  I nodded, because that’s what I’d expected him to say.

  “Will you be okay where you are if the storms hit this area?”

  “Probably safer than you. I’m underground.”

  He had a point. Maybe if the humans wouldn’t be persuaded to return to the castle with us they might be willing to join Blake. Especially if he was in his human form. I kept my thoughts to myself. For all I knew Michael had been able to convince them.

  “Riddle me this, Princess. Why would someone like you be interested in a lowly human boy?” His stare burned into me.

  I frowned. “Michael is not lowly. He is wonderful, strong, and brave. Just because he is human does not make him any less worthy.”

  Blake chuckled. “Alrighty then, that’s good enough for me. Obviously you have feelings for him. I wanted to make sure you weren’t up to no good.”

  I gave him an incredulous look. “What kind of no good could I be up to?”

  His shoulder lifted. “Hard to say. I mean, maybe you’re just using him for his DNA, but if that were the case you’d be done with him already. It’s just weird, that’s all. I mean, you’re one of the most powerful creatures in all the realms and you choose a human boy to crush on. It’s not logical, that’s all.”

  His words struck me as true. I knew there was nothing logical about the way I felt about Michael. I also knew the feelings were real and I didn’t want to try to deny them.

  “Stranger things have happened.” I shrugged.

  “I guess. But if things don’t work out with him, I’m single, in case you were wondering.”

  My guard went up, and I shot him a withering glare. “That’s not very noble of you. Michael is your friend.”

  “Look around. It’s not exactly a hot bed for women. I’m just saying. If things don’t work out and you want to try something with a little more heat, you know where I am. You don’t happen to have a sister, do you?”

  My fist tightened. “You’re ridiculous. And we both know things can’t work out for me and Michael any more than it could for you and I. When the time comes I’ll have to be bound to another fae, it’s just the way things are. I don’t have the luxury of picking a mate. I have obligations.”

  “Does Michael realize this?”

  It hurt to know that I might disappoint him. I broke the gaze, glancing at the ground. “I guess so. I’m just hoping I don’t have to step into the role of queen until long after his human life is over.”

  “That’s kinda cold.”

  I stiffened. “Not really. It’s reality. Humans don’t live very long. If I could spend his lifetime with him I’d do so happily, regardless of what everyone thinks.”

  “Humph. I guess I didn’t give you enough credit. And for the record I was just testing you, you’re not really my type.”

  I laughed. “Good, because I was just starting to like you and your comments brought your loyalty to Michael into question. I don’t like that.”

  Blake smiled, and his eyes sparkled. “Well, now we each know where the other stands.”

  In silence I regarded him, before speaking, “I guess so.”

  A drop of rain splattered onto my nose. Shivering, I glanced up and noticed the dark, threatening clouds. “We’ve gotta hurry.”

  We picked up our pace through the sparsely wooded area; at times it twisted along the steep hillside. “Is there anything you can do to stop the storms if they get too bad?”

  I gave him a sidelong glance. “Normally yes, but this time we’ll only interfere if our safety requires it. Mother Earth needs to release this energy. In a way it’s a healing of sorts for her.”

  Blake ran his hand through his hair as we continued up the narrow trail, forcing us to go single file. “Makes sense, I guess. But you must be worried if you want everyone out.”

  “I am worried. We all know how ferocious Mother Earth can be.” I’d noticed earlier there were no animals of any kind out. The birds, squirrels, and the rodents were nowhere to be seen. They were smart enough to get out of harm’s way. Hopefully the same could be said about the tribe.

  “Ain’t that the truth,” Blake agreed.

  When we turned down the pathway to the tribe, I breathed easier k
nowing we were close to Michael.

  Chapter Eight

  Raised voices caused us to slow our steps. Michael’s voice rang out as he tried to convince the humans that we wanted to help them not hurt them. He looked grim, resolute. “Why would they have healed the waters and planted gardens if they meant you harm?” he demanded. “Look around, this place is thriving for once. You have food, shelter, clean water. Your bodies are repairing themselves.”

  There was a murmuring amongst the people. It seemed like there were more than last time, and this surprised me. Clearly, they were still wary of magick. Not that I could blame them.

  When Blake cleared his throat, Michael glanced up, his face annoyed. I couldn’t tell if he was annoyed we were there or with the fact that the tribe wasn’t listening to him.

  Michael’s brow knitted in a frown. “They don’t want to leave. They claim that they’ll be fine if storms come. None of them are comfortable going to the castle where the creatures reside.”

  “What about going with him?” I pointed at Blake. “He has a place of safety.”

  One of the dragon’s brows rose. “Yeah, sure. I got room. If you want to come to my lair it’s fine with me.”

  He shifted into a dragon and the humans screamed.

  I guess I should have told him of my plans. He shifted back once again into a human, without clothes.

  Bitting my lip, I suppressed my giggle as the women’s eyes drifted over his muscular body, their eyes darting downward.

  Blake didn’t seem to mind. He knew he had nothing to be ashamed of. “You’re welcome to come with me but I’m not going to hide who or what I am. My place will be safe from the storms,” he said, his voice harder.

  Agitated voices filled the air. I noticed some of the women nodding like they thought it was a good idea, but the men were having nothing of it.

  Why did everything have to be so difficult? I could force them to go with magick but I knew Michael wouldn’t approve. Free will was very important to humans it seemed, but we were running out of time.

  “Fine, if you won’t come with us at least let me make you a shelter. How many are there?”

  One of the elder men stepped forward, apparently the new chief. “There are fifty-seven of us.”

  Interesting. “Okay, give me a few moments and I will build you a storm shelter. As soon as the storms arrive you must seek shelter, because they will be stronger than anything you’ve ever experienced.”

  The humans exchanged glances, mostly in disbelief. They would change their tune when Mother Nature let out her wrath, that much I was sure. As if to make her point, the sky lit up with lightning, followed by a loud clap of thunder.

  Making the bunker would be much harder without my mother and draining on my energy, but I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I just left them out here to die. Oh the irony, since I killed most of their tribe.

  The little boy that I’d healed last time walked over and was now standing beside me. “Can I go back with you?” he whispered.

  I was struck speechless for a moment. The first time I’d seen the boy he had so much hatred in him, and now he just looked like a scared young boy.

  “I don’t like it here.” His pleading eyes met my own.

  How could I say no to that? I reached out and stroked the boy’s hair, smoothing it down, and offered a warm smile. “Of course, you can come back with us. We have plenty of room. Do I need to speak to your parents?”

  He looked down at the ground. “They’re dead.”

  I closed my eyes before taking a deep breath. “I’m sorry. Do you want to help me with the shelter?”

  His blue eyes widened in surprise. “How can I help? Aren’t you going to use magick?”

  “Come on, I’ll show you.” We walked away from the group to a clearing.

  I picked up four stones. Holding them in my hands, I charged them with the energy that would be needed to alter the molecules. “Pick a spot over there and set down the rock, just one of them.”

  He hurried off, and as he was walking one way I went the opposite until we were catty-cornered to each other. “Go a little farther.”

  Without complaining he did as told. “That’s good. Place the first stone there, and then walk all the way to the right until I tell you to stop.” Eventually we had a large square sectioned off.

  Motioning with my hand, I said, “Come back over here.”

  He ran across the opening.

  Taking a deep breath, I sank to my knees. Conjuring the energy of the earth along with my own, I closed my eyes and imagined the ground opening below us, and walls jutting out of the ground. It took longer than I expected but eventually I’d made a nice little shelter with enough beds to hold everyone, minus the young boy. “What’s your name?”

  “Seth.” There was a hesitance to his voice. I couldn’t blame him for fearing me.

  “Seth, I like it. Okay, we’ll need to hurry back to the castle.” I glanced up. “We don’t have much time. Making the shelter put more strain on the planet. Which means she’ll have to let off steam sooner rather than later.”

  He looked confused but nodded solemnly. “I just have to grab something.”

  I watched as he ran back into their little cavern. When he returned he was carrying a worn piece of cloth.

  “What’s that?” I asked, curious.

  He slung it over his shoulder. “What’s left of my mom’s shirt.”

  My heart sank. Poor kid. The worst part was, I was probably the one that killed her when they refused to co-operate.

  I didn’t have any words that would comfort him, so instead I just reached for his hand and sent him a wave of peace and forgiveness. Maybe in time he’d learn to forgive me.

  He let out a breath as if a big weight had been removed from his shoulders. “Are we ready? What’s the castle like?”

  My lips turned up. “It’s pretty cool. And if there is something you’d like that we don’t have we’ll make it happen.”

  His eyes widened. “With magick?”

  I nodded. “Or with our own two hands, it depends.”

  Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Blake watching us. I lifted my hand to wave good-bye, but he strode toward us. “I’m coming with you.”

  “I’m sure Michael would like that. Where is he anyway?”

  “He’s helping the tribe move their belongings down into the shelter. Do you think it will hold?”

  Our eyes locked. “Yeah, I do. The question you should be asking is do you think they’ll take heed to the warning? That I’m not so sure about, but it’s also not our problem.”

  Just then Michael climbed out of the ground. “That’s some shelter you built. I still don’t get how you can do that so quickly.” He shook his head.

  I held my fingers up and wiggled them in the air. I wasn’t about to tell him that I was nearly drained of all my energy and would be of no use if my magick was needed now. We had to get back home so my mother could replenish my reserves. “It’s just manipulation of energy, that’s all. We need to hurry, I sense Mother Nature is waiting for our safety and then the storms will be unleashed.”

  A grave expression came over their faces. Without looking back and with haste we made our way back to the castle. Blake carried the little boy on his shoulders so he wouldn’t slow us down.

  When he saw the castle and the grounds Blake let out a low whistle. “You don’t mess around, do you? Damn, I’d forgotten how much I missed the other realms.”

  His words stopped me in my tracks. Surprisingly, I realized I didn’t miss my realm much at all. Sure, I kinda missed my friends, but this was way more important. My life back home seemed so frivolous now.

  Chapter Nine

  The air was thick with tension as soon as we entered the castle. Now what was going on?

  I searched out my mother and crossed the room to be by her side, leaving the boys on their own.

  As soon as I reached her side the room began to shake. Eyes wide, I met my mother’s glance.
She sighed and shook her head as if she didn’t have time for nonsense.

  A dark mist appeared and then a face. It was my mother’s most trusted ally, the Captain of the Guards. Instantly, she became alert. The voices around us went silent. Everyone in the room was mesmerized by the sight before them.

  “My Queen, you must return home at once. There is an uprising.”

  I inhaled sharply. Then it hit me like a brick to the head. I glanced around and realized what was missing. There were no fae in the room—they’d returned to the realm to spread the world of my mother’s change of plans, practicing magick in the open. I’m sure what really caused a stir was her declaration that she would open our realm to the other creatures if Earth imploded. I wished I could have said I was surprised but I wasn’t. It also crossed my mind that they were not happy about the offspring. Even though the fae knew this was an option, had they somehow found out we’d pulled it off? Were the halflings at risk?

  “I’ll return immediately.”

  The mist vanished. No one spoke.

  My mother kept her words dispassionate. But I could sense the anger and pain within her. “Please continue with the plans as stated. My daughter will be in charge along with Demitrious.”

  My head snapped in his direction. Why did my mother trust this demon so much?

  “If you have any questions or concerns, my daughter can reach me telepathically. I would like to say I’ll return quickly but I have no idea how long this will take. I trust Mother Earth will be restored in your hands, and I’m sorry for my departure. If there were any other way, I would stay. Brace yourself for the storms because they are coming.”

  There were a few murmurs but no one argued. They all understood what was at stake. Even Mother Earth herself would agree that the queen could not risk her realm. I tried to shake off the negative thoughts coursing through my mind. There was no use worrying until Mother faced what was at hand. I had complete trust in her powers and the love of her people.