Elusion (Facets of Feyrie Book 1)

by Zoe Parker

  Yet, have I not done the same thing at times with the woman in my arms?

  No, my instincts tell me. It is a different thing. Mostly.

  Now to find transportation. I can navigate portals to other worlds, not other places in those worlds. I must travel them just like any other creature when I am bound in physical form.

  Iza freed my power, it did not free me from a physical form. I am not sure anything will. It is something I will think on at another time.

  “It says here that we can take the city bus to the train station and ride from there. Do you have a specific place in mind or are we just guessing here?” I can tell by his tone that Jameson is getting far too comfortable in my company.

  “I will know when we are there.” I turn slightly away from him.

  A human man has been following us for a while since we left the jewelry store.

  I let my Magiks touch him.

  Human minds are so…shallow. Not their emotions but the ease they can be influenced or read. He has designs on robbing us. This I cannot allow. It will delay Jameson from doing what needs to be done.

  Shadows wrap around the criminal man who screams in the darkness encompassing him. Then he is gone. His memories, his experiences are now mine.

  This is better. Much better.

  For an instant, I stand there and assimilate the memories that will be useful and push the rest aside. I do not care that he lived with his mother and was secretly poisoning her cat. Or that he peeked through his neighbor’s blinds when she bathed.

  I do care about the knowledge of this world.

  The criminal human is a worthless human being but he is a good source of information.

  “We are going to a place called Pennsylvania.” That is as close as I can get using the information provided by my snack. Iza is a bad influence on me. That sounds like something she would say.

  ‘Alright, we wait here for the bus. Then take it to connect to…” Jameson’s voice drones on but I phase him out while staring down at Iza’s face.

  In the light of day, a way I have not seen her before, she looks so young. So young for someone whose soul is old. Her scars stand out more too but so does the essence of what she is. Also, I find her scars…appealing.

  Her skin is pale, dirty. Blood is caked and dried all over her. Matching the color of her hair.

  Perhaps the blood is why the humans were staring?

  I have yet to check and see the progress of the healing of her wounds. The ones on her face are already gone. It stands to reason that the others on her will be in the process of healing as well. At least on the outside.

  My gaze moves on.

  I can see the thick black strands woven in with her red ones. These I have not seen before on a mortal. Medusa Strands are something only an Eldest should have. It is a trait she inherited from her father. He too has the Medusa Strands.

  Hers is still sleeping, just like her Magiks.

  “Have you heard a word I’ve said?” Jameson tugs on my arm as he speaks. I allow him to live, this time.

  “Bus 45 to bus 67 depot, which will then take us to the train station. Is that sufficient?” Repeating it verbatim makes him frown at me. Is that not what I am expected to do?

  “I don’t understand you. Or her. Or any of this.” He runs a hand through his hair. “Fine. Our bus is coming. I’m so glad I’ve been here before.” Jameson grumbles as the lumbering machine pulls up to the curb. It stinks as do a large percentage of its occupants. I genuinely do not want to get on it.

  Nonetheless, I do.

  Jameson mumbles under his breath the entire trip. I disregard him. He does not realize I am invisible to everyone but him. He does not see how the humans move away from him. I touch a few of their minds and almost smile.

  They think him insane. The fact that this amuses me shows exactly how much Iza has corrupted me.

  Looking down at her face again, I find I do not mind that so much.

  Twenty-Seven

  Phobe

  It takes us several hours to get on the right train. They keep asking for identification called a license. Jameson works his little bits of Magiks to convince them he has some. I can kill things, put them to sleep. Terrify them. Eat them. I cannot persuade them to do things.

  It is very frustrating.

  He does manage to get us a suite. Letting my invisibility glamour drop, I put Iza on the bed and with the supplies they provide in the bathroom, start the process of cleaning her up.

  As I cut her clothes away, Jameson clears his throat nervously and leaves the room. I do not understand his hang up with her nudity. Mortals are born nude.

  After she is clean and smells of soap, I double-check her wounds. As I expected they are mostly healed. Her abilities are speeding up and its cause is our interactions. Our Magiks call to one another. Now with mine free, hers is waking up.

  On the bed, she lay limp, naked, vulnerable. One arm curls across her stomach under her breasts, the other is slung out hanging slightly off the bed. Her body is completely exposed to my gaze. I sit back away, from her taking in the entire view. Now I see Jameson’s hang up. Oh god, do I see.

  Hurriedly I wrap her in a blanket.

  I shall never wonder again why her nudity makes Jameson nervous.

  To sort myself out and get away from all the bullshit emotions entangled with her I stare out the window. Night has fallen so the trees we pass outside are now blanketed in the moonlight.

  It is rather surreal.

  I had no idea this world had beauty to it. I thought it was all machines and concrete and noise. It is a pleasant surprise. I like nature’s beauty.

  Finally, my control at an end, I go back to her. It is disarming to be drawn to a person against your will. Well, that is only a half-truth—not completely against my will. I cannot lie to myself about that.

  Part of me absolutely wants to be drawn to her.

  Another part does not.

  The door opens and I step away from Iza right before Jameson sees me hovering over her. I have already shown him enough weakness concerning the blasted woman.

  “We have a long night ahead of us. If it’s alright I’d like to go to sleep now.” As he speaks I watch him pace back and forth in the two feet of space between the doorframe.

  “What did you do?” I have him by the shirt and against the wall within a second.

  Face red, he frowns.

  “Well, there was this woman… and given the way she was dressed I thought perhaps, ahem, she was a working woman.” Working woman? Does he mean prostitute? “Needless to say, her husband did not take my offer well.”

  “Jameson.” I get out through grit teeth.

  “Her husband may or may not be on his way right now to kick my ass.” My grip on him releases and he slides down the wall. A human is not a concern. Jameson’s behavior is.

  A red-faced, human male opens our door, takes one look at me, pales, and quietly shuts the door. I am assuming that was the husband.

  “Stop doing stupid shit. Think with something other than your dick.” I tell Jameson annoyed with the intrusion in general. If his foolishness leads danger to us I will kill him. He needs to understand this.

  “Hey, you kidnapped me, remember? I don’t have to—” With my hand around his throat, I lift him off the ground, he shuts up. Not just because he is lacking oxygen.

  “If not for me you would, right now, be suffering a fate worse than death. Who do you think they would turn the blame on, foolish mortal?” Is he so determined to return to the Schoth? Arick had been planning to imprison him over a simple mistake.

  “Well, then.” he chokes out. I release him to drop to the floor. Knees buckling, he falls onto his back where he remains. “I’ll just sleep down here. Good night.” Turning away from him I dismiss him completely from my mind.

  I do not need sleep but it does not stop me from sitting next to Iza on the bed. Watching out the window as we pass by the still trees. Once she is settled there are things that need
to be done.

  She isn’t going to like them.

  Twenty-Eight

  Phobe

  After departing the train, and catching a series of cabs, we are making definitive progress traveling. Jameson, however, has done nothing but complain because he had a restless night on the floor.

  His dick’s fault. And his snoring.

  Eventually, I kicked him to stop the annoying noise echoing in the small room. Iza snores but it does not sound like something trapped and dying in her throat. Hers are little squeaky ones.

  My sense of otherness tingles. We are close. I can feel them. Others. All around us. We have found the Dragon community here. Carefully, I pull my powers inwards—layering them around me—I do not want to be noticed, especially because of my history with them.

  I killed their White King, after all. Many, many years ago.

  “A bookstore? Why are we at a bookstore?” Jameson reminds me of a child at times with his questions and constant complaining.

  “Nika, the Dragon of Healing is here at this Penned in Ink establishment.” I can feel her in there. Without waiting for Jameson, I walk inside. As soon as I breach the wards I see her come out from a door behind the counter.

  “What matter of guest are you?” Her words are cautious, as they should be.

  “Iza needs your help.” At the mention of Iza’s name, the woman’s face bleaches white. She rushes out from behind the counter coming straight for us.

  I take a step back prepared to grab her if necessary. I did not expect Nika to stop a couple of feet from me and wring her hands.

  “Is it really her? How bad is she hurt? What do I need? Who are you?” Nika speaks so quickly that it takes me a moment to sort out what she is saying. I can smell her anxiety.

  “Yes, it is really her,” I tell her. “She needs healing, Magikal fire caused her injuries.” It is the only reason I came here.

  Although Iza’s wounds on the outside healed, the ones on the inside are not healing fast enough. Light Magiks and Iza do not mix well.

  “You didn’t answer who you are.”

  “Oh, he’s the former Beast of Arick the Magistrate,” Jameson says offhandedly as he strolls in the door. I am starting to believe that he is a complete idiot.

  “Oh, my.” She says wringing her hands again.

  “We need to go.” Now. I am sick of waiting for everyone to do simple things. My patience is at an end.

  “I have a cottage—”

  “No. We go somewhere neutral. Until she is stronger.” I will not take her to a place that will be heavily warded, potentially trapping her inside.

  “Okay then. There is an abandoned house just outside of town.”

  “That is acceptable. Jameson go to a store and buy the proper supplies.” At the look on his face, I continue. “Or I can just eat you and go get them myself?” Nika hands him a piece of paper she jotted directions on and he practically runs out of the door.

  If Iza were awake she would laugh. I have jokes, too. Not that that is a joke. I really will eat him.

  We stand there in silence, waiting on Jameson, Nika staring at me awkwardly the entire time. It is a relief when Jameson enters. After Jameson’s return Nika starts locking up doors.

  “Let me just close things up.” I wait while she hurries through the little shop. Looking around me, I find that it is not displeasing to the eyes.

  Books are everywhere. Stacks of them against the walls, crammed into the shelves. Although it all appears to be neat regardless of the appearance of the mess.

  “Alright, I’m ready. Are we taking my car?” I follow her out of the shop and wait for her to lock it up before answering with a nod.

  We drive for several minutes while she glances in the rear-view mirror at me, every three seconds. I decided to ride in the back seat with Iza on my lap. I did not expect Nika to gawk at me the entire time.

  “So how did you two happen upon each other?” she asks.

  I meet her eyes in the mirror and hold them. Nervously she looks away. The silence stretches. Something I am thankful for. I am not good at conversing. Jameson is even being quiet, which is abnormal for him.

  When we pull up to the house I am out of the car before they get their doors open. I want to make sure there are no surprises inside. I cannot feel anything but some things can hide from me.

  Very few. And never for long.

  There is no one in the house, except for insects and vermin. Walking through the house I cannot help but notice the smells, vomit, urine, other bodily fluids. Old blood everywhere. Most of the windows are broken too with stained curtains hanging from them. The walls are covered in curse words and foul pictures.

  Garbage covers large portions of the floor. A dump, but we have slept in worse.

  Searching upstairs, I find a halfway decent mattress—it stinks less than the others—I will wait to lay her upon it until a barrier between it and her skin is found.

  Jameson is breathing heavy when he enters the room carrying several bags.

  “Did you get a blanket?” Leaning against the door frame he nods at my question and while still wheezing plods over to the bed to spread out the blanket.

  I lay her down on it and step back while he covers her up. “Clothing?” He nods again and hands me one of the white plastic bags. Inside is a big shirt and short pants that I know will be too big on her.

  “I had no idea what size to get her.” I catch myself right before I roll my eyes.

  I really need to stop letting Iza influence me.

  Pulling both blankets off her, one from the train and the new one, I hurriedly dress her. Her skin is paler than it was on the train.

  “Oh god, those wounds. Here, move, let me get to her.” Nika shoves me over, I let her. She is doing what I want her to do, after all.

  For the moment.

  It takes Nika several hours to heal Iza. Jameson is sleeping in the corner, the cell device he bought still clasped in his hand. He fell asleep playing a game where he shoots bubbles. I found myself curious enough to watch it for a few minutes.

  It looked like something a child would play. I must admit that it is something I might want to play as well.

  Nika stands and stretches interrupting my reverie.

  “I have done all I can do for now. There’s more that needs to be done but she won’t die. I owe her mother and once I rest I will pay the debt. I will sleep here tonight. I just need to run home to fetch a few things.” Nika informs me and then stands there shifting from foot to food.

  I look at her but say nothing.

  She sighs and leaves the room. A few seconds later I hear her vehicle start and drive away. With a quick glance at Jameson to make sure he is still asleep I quietly cross the room to Iza’s bed. Carefully, I crawl in beside of her and pull her to my chest. The tension I have been walking around with all day releases me at last.

  No one needs to know.

  Twenty-Nine

  Phobe

  When Jameson wakes I am already up and staring out of the broken panes of the window next to the bed. Everything around us is quiet. I have been careful to keep watch for unwanted visitors.

  Nika kept her word and returned shortly after she left. I did not leave the bed when she came to check on Iza, I went invisible. Moving away from her was not an option for me. I was…comfortable.

  Nika has no ill intent towards Iza at all. In fact, she would die for her. I can trust her to protect Iza. Jameson, though, is a coward—he will run before fighting, leaving her helpless and alone.

  “I’m starving. The Google god says there is a grocery store close to here. Can I go get some real food, please?” Jameson asks climbing stiffly to his feet. “Plus, I want to get some camping supplies, since I’m going to be spending so much time sleeping on floors.”

  “You should go with him—” Nika says looking at me expectantly.

  “Phobe.” I provide the answer to her unasked question.

  “—it will give me some time with her. Th
ere are things she and I need to discuss.” she finishes.

  My shadows touch her and she shivers. Her intentions are innocent. She plans to return Iza’s memories. I do not like the idea of leaving Iza with her but I know she will be safe in Nika’s cares. As safe as Nika can make her.

  After a moment of contemplating her, I nod.

  “Oh, thank you. We have to walk, and I’m afraid I don’t know how to drive a car.” Jameson chatters as he walks from the room. I go to follow but pause in front of Nika.

  “If anything happens to her in your care, there is nothing in existence that can stop me from finding you.” Nika may have good intentions but I have seen good intentions turn to shit too many times in my life.

  When she nods, I walk out of the door.

  Thirty

  Iza

  Firm but gentle hands pull me from the numbing darkness. The return of awareness brings the pain with it. A thick, suffocating blanket of pain. I want to go back down into the pitch black that keeps me unfeeling and oblivious.

  It was my happy place.

  I struggle against the force holding me back from dark comfort, but those same strong hands pull me closer to wakefulness. After a few minutes of fruitless struggle, I give up. There isn’t any point in hurting myself when it’s so futile.

  ‘Wake up, Iza.’ The familiar masculine voice whispers through my head, giving me surprising relief.

  I know that voice. Phobe.

  My pain has lessened as well. It’s almost as if he took some of it away. A hand drifts over my hair and then it’s gone, and I suddenly feel alone.

  Wait, what?

  My eyes fly open, and I look around me in the dark.

  “Hello?” I call, then again, several more times. When no answer comes I realize that I’m not going to get one. Carefully I sit up, mindful of my body’s protests. And the uncomfortable fact that I got to pee.