by Ariel Marie
“Colin.” She reaches out and hugs me with a death grip. I return the hug, squeezing her gently. I’ll hold her as long as she needs me to.
“I just remembered I have something to do. I’ll be back later,” Tillie says with tears in her eyes.
I nod to her as she slips out the room. I stand, gathering Lina in my arms and sit in the chair with her in my lap. We don’t say a word. We just sit there; I’m willing to offer any, and all the comfort and strength that she needs. She’s my mate and my wolf senses that she’s hurting right now. She nuzzles her face in the crook of my neck, her warm breath caressing my neck.
“I was fifteen when I decided I wanted to be a Guardian. Everyone in my family was against it at first, except Keegan and my father,” she begins. I sense she needs to talk and get things off her chest. I don’t say a word, I just let her speak.
“You see, the women in my family don’t become warriors. We are to be beautiful, intelligent, strong, have babies and rule the lands with their King. As the future heir to the kingdom after my father, Keegan was expected to be a Guardian, just like our father was and his father before him and so on. My grandfather, King Orist, wanted all of his children and their children to serve our kingdom in some way. This is a tradition that has been passed down in our family for a few millennia. My father’s two brothers Lorsan and Zandro are both Guardian Leaders in other parts of Faery. My father’s youngest brother, Taeral became a great scholar.
“Lorsan’s son, Keiran is a Guardian serving under his father. He is expected to lead after his father steps down. Two of Zandro’s sons, Rudel and Jonik are both training to be Guardians now and his other son Katar, is a great mathematics scholar. Taeral doesn’t have any kids. We haven’t seen or heard from him in years.
“When the family heard that I wanted to be a Guardian, they all laughed at me. Now, I love my family dearly, but they thought that with my size and being female, I would not be fit or strong enough to be a Guardian. They wanted me to follow in tradition of all of my female cousins, dating and being something like a scholar or even a healer. But Keegan and my father never had any doubts that I could be a Guardian. They believed in me one hundred percent.” She sniffles as she shifts.
“Before my mom died, I began learning how to fight. That is one thing that is taught to all members of the family. We must learn to defend ourselves. Being royalty meant that there could always be a threat against us. But, it wasn’t until my mom died that my mind was made up that I would be a Guardian. Keegan had just taken charge of the Aveshara Guardians when my mother was killed.
“He didn’t even blink when I told him I wanted to train to be a Guardian, nor did my father. For the next nine years, I worked my ass off training under Keegan and the Guardians. It was brutal and he didn’t cut me any slack. I loved every moment of it because we grew closer, and it strengthened the bond between Keegan and me. My dad would come to the training fields and watch. When I bested someone in fighting, his chest would be pushed out so far with pride, I’d swear it was going to burst.” She giggles softly at the memory.
“The day I was made a Guardian was the best moment of my life. I’ll never forget it. Keegan performed the ceremony and presented me as a Guardian to the assembly. I’ll never forget the look on his face as I took my oath. He was like a proud papa. I’ve never been more proud of myself to accomplish my dream. I became the first Waldmar female Guardian.”
She got up from my lap, I instantly miss her warmth and apricot smell. She walks to the window for a second before turning back to me.
“Even the King himself came to my Guardian ceremony. He even apologized for not believing in me. He told me he should have known that I would make it. I may be the smallest, but he knew I had a fierce heart and he was proud of me.” She sits back on my lap, brushing the hair out of my eyes. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking.”
My heart skips a beat, not knowing where she is going with this.
“Okay,” I drawl out.
“I know you’ve said over and over that you don’t do relationships and we are taking this one day at a time. But I want to tell you that I love you. Everything that has happened within the past few months has opened my eyes that you never know what is promised. I love you Colin MacKenzie. I cannot live without you and I want to be in your life any way that I can.” A few tears slide out of her eyes. I grab her face wiping her tears away and kissing her softly on her lips.
“Lina, before you left for Faery, I told you I wanted to talk with you. What I wanted to tell you is that I’m in love with you too. I can’t get you out of my mind; you are a part of me. My chest aches when you’re not around me, I need you. The moment I met you, I knew you were mine but I was too stubborn to admit it. My wolf knew right away that he wanted to claim you. A smart woman told me that when you find the one, you grab hold of her, and never let her go.”
She grabs my face and kisses me slowly pulling back to stare into my eyes with her pretty green ones.
“That’s a smart woman,” she says with a small smile.
“She is. You’re going to have to meet her soon. My mother is dying to meet you.”
“I would love to meet her too.” Her face becomes serious again. “We’re going to get Keegan back.” Her room telephone rings interrupting her. She walks over and answers it. She speaks softly into the phone then hangs up.
“There’s someone here that my grandmother wants me to meet with and you’re to come with me.”
* * *
~Lina~
On the phone Tillie said that my grandmother and father want Colin and I to meet them in my grandmother’s study. She said that this is an official meeting with someone of importance. She doesn’t know whom I am to meet with but feels that I should dress appropriately, which means, royal wear. What would I do without her?
So I dress quickly in my traditional royal wear that Tillie brought with her from Faery. My royal blue dress is floor length with long sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. Black high heels and a gold chain forehead headband complete my ensemble. I refuse to wear my small crown that denotes my Faery Princess status. That would be too formal. The amulet remains on my chest as I was directed; I still have yet to take it off.
Colin and I walk down to my grandmother’s study. We get there and the door opens before we can knock. Colin is holding my hand and I’m glad that he is. It feels as if he is lending me his strength. I know I have to be strong for Keegan’s sake, but I’m going crazy knowing that he is in the Underworld.
I’m not sure if I would have been able to walk through this large house without Colin’s strength. I’m so appreciative of him and for the support he gives. I am not in a smiling mood, worried about Keegan and he understands. He listened to me babble about becoming a Guardian and my relationship with my father and brother without complaint. His patience just blows my mind. My love for him grows even more as I learn more about him.
“Colin and Lina, please come in.” My grandmother answers the door, ushering us in.
She doesn’t look like she got any sleep last night. Her bags under her eyes gives mine a run for their money. At least I know I wasn’t the only one who couldn’t sleep. Keegan being taken to the Underworld has taken a toll on all of us. My father came right away as soon as we called him. Colin had to help me make that call because my emotions got the best of me and I couldn’t speak over the sobs that racked my body. He brought with him Tillie and a few other palace employees. Getting my brother back takes precedence over everything.
I still can’t believe that my Aunt Ilona would turn on us. I knew she could be a pain in the ass, and was teaching the dark arts for the Neophyte school, but I had no idea that she would go this far. For it to be over what Keegan and I stood to inherit from my grandmother, and her hatred for my mother, I would trade it all right now to get my brother back. Calista has stayed to herself in the house, since word got out that her mother has turned to dark magic. Ilona is now a fugitive witch. I’m not sure what to think of C
alista and if she was involved. My grandmother assured me she was looking into it.
We walk in the room and my father sweeps me up in a hug, kissing me on the forehead. He too, looks like he had a long night last night. He is also dressed in his traditional royal wear as the Prince of the Light Fae. He currently has all of the Guardians on standby. They all want to get in on rescuing Keegan and they are waiting until a plan is formulated. Faery is preparing to go to war to get its Prince back.
Two other people are in the room, a male in a long flowing golden robe, bald with tattoos covering his head. A dark haired female dressed in traditional monastery attire, accompanies the bald man. The power radiating from the man is impressive signifying his strength. They both stand as I turn from my father.
“May I introduce Arlina Waldmar, Princess of the Light Fae. Arlina, this is Epan Ubahn, High Druid Priest of Sogro and his companion, Yasmin Gakely, record keeper for the Order of the Forsaken.” They both bow to me as my grandmother makes the official introductions. I nod to them acknowledging their show of respect as I was raised to do but just cannot drum up a smile for them. I’m getting a bad feeling about the reason they are here.
“Please, if I may introduce Colin MacKenzie, Alpha of the Diamond Pack and he is also the head of the Legion.” Colin shakes both of their hands.
My grandmother directs everyone to have a seat at her table. Colin is to my left and my father is to my right at the table. The Druid Priest has a quizzical look on his face as he studies me.
“Lina, I called you, your father and Colin here because you need to hear why Epan and Yasmin are here. They came yesterday evening and we spoke, but you are going to want to hear what they have to say.” She nods to Epan.
“My dear, it has come to our attention, that Melomouzor is making his way back to the realm and needs you to bring him out of the Underworld. It is because of my utmost respect I have for both of your families, I am here. We cannot allow Melomouzor to come back. He will destroy this realm.”
“We have already concluded that,” Vamir says. Epan nods.
“Yes, of course. I know I am stating the obvious. I see you have Zelphire’s amulet. May I ask, how did you come by it?” His eyes are focused on the amulet before returning to mine.
“It called to me,” I explain.
“Was it in the possession of a female?” he asks and I nod my head yes.
“She has gone missing. We found it while going through her home looking for evidence related to her disappearance,” Colin explains.
“Ah, yes, Kaleema Arlo. She too is from Sogro. She was the keeper of the amulet for many years before she disappeared with it. But alas, it looks like it has found its rightful owner.” His smile does not reach his eyes as he stares at the amulet.
“Where is Sogro located?” Colin asks.
“We are from the area that used to be Eplor. Sogro is a mountainous area that protects the sacred portal to another realm.”
“Beta Catesius,” my father says. I look to him and he shrugs his shoulder.
“What realm is that?” Colin’s face is incredulous.
“Surely, you didn’t think this realm and Faery were the only realms out there. There are hundreds of realms that exist,” Epan says.
“No, of course not. I just have not heard of that one,” Colin explains.
“Yasmin has seen things. She is a Seer. Please explain your visions dear,” Azura says redirecting the conversation. Epan pats Yasmin on the hand.
“Your highness.” She is very soft spoken with a strong Sogroian accent. She doesn’t look to me; she continues to stare at the table.
“I have seen you in battle, I have seen you defeat many demons. I have seen you in many of my visions, those good and bad. From my visions, there is a message that I need to deliver to you.” She pauses, looking at me first then looking at everyone in the room. My grandmother nods at her to encourage her to keep going.
“What is the message?” Colin asks. She finally looks to me, our eyes connect and her body jerks, she becomes catatonic in her chair, only the whites of her eyes show.
“He’s coming for her. The small black haired Fae is in danger. The enemy is near; no one is safe. She will face a new evil; strong and powerful she will need to be. She will lose a love, gain a love, bear love and sacrifice for love. The tiny one must be fierce.” Her voice has deepened as she spoke. Her eyes flicker and she comes out of the catatonic state and looks directly at me.
A shiver goes down my spine. I grab both Colin’s hand and my father’s hand for support. What the fuck does that mean?
Chapter Thirty-Four
~Melomouzor~
On this day, my inner beast is extremely pleased. My request for a souvenir from the human realm did not go unfulfilled. Oruzahl did not disappoint with whom he picked to bring to me. I couldn’t have asked for a better gift! My enhanced demons are doing extremely well. There were only a few that were killed and the ones that were injured in the first battle have already healed or almost healed according to Bazin who is still in the human realm.
Bazin has secured a place for the demons to hide out and gather until my return to the realm. According to Bazin and Oruzahl, the demons were no match for the wolves and Fae. Three more nights until Arlina will come to me. Thanks to Oruzahl, I now have a strong bargaining tool that will ensure the Princess will come to me. Keegan Waldmar, older brother to the delectable Fae Princess is currently in my dungeon.
Standing in front of the bars of the cell that holds the Fae Prince, a feeling of accomplishment washes over me. If we can take a strong Fae such as the Prince, we will be strong enough to conquer the human realm. Keegan is shackled to the wall with both arms stretched out just above his head with quarlineum shackles. The quarlineum is a precious metal that blocks all Fae powers. This cell that Keegan is in was built to house Faes, even the bars to the cell are made of quarlineum. This idea came to me centuries ago as I planned my return. Keegan leans against the wall, strung up, holding his head high, green eyes locked on me. The Fae Prince is too cocky. He needs to learn his place here in the Underworld. I will take great pleasure in breaking that confidence.
Keegan is bare-chested, barefoot and only left with his ripped cargo pants covering him. He is covered in filth, bruises and blood. Three large gashes run across his abdomen and one alongside his neck. If not for the quarlineum, he would have almost healed all the way by now. Even bruised and beaten, the Prince has an air of defiance to him. His eyes never leave me.
“Welcome to the Underworld, Prince.” I laugh as the Prince struggles against his restraints.
“Fuck you!” Keegan spits at me, missing by a few inches. My beast wants to come out and play.
“Oh, you will pay for that Prince.” I allow the beast to come to the surface slightly. I can feel my eyes burning red as the rage burns wanting to consume me. My glamour shimmers, revealing to the Prince my true self.
“Go fuck yourself!” Keegan screams.
I signal to the guard down the hall to bring my bag of toys. Opening the bag I reach in and bring out my fourteen-inch modified black cat-o-nines. Each lash is made of copper wires with silver blades on the tips. It’s been a long time since I’ve played with my toys. I flick my wrist, using my magic, to open the cell. A sinister smile crosses my face at the thought of getting to teach the Prince a lesson. No one disrespects me. The Prince is going to learn tonight, and I’m going to have fun teaching him.
* * *
~Colin~
The meeting is underway. Azura’s study would not have been large enough to house all the attendees, so we are meeting in the library of the Neophyte School. Azura had the room outfitted to accommodate a large audience. Dorian is present with four of his most trusted vampires and all of my Legion members are present. Vamir has all of the Guardians who are already in the human realm here, and Azura has her most trusted Witches that will assist. Even that Druid Priest is present. The only person that is missing is Lina.
Where are you
? I reach out to her through our telepathic link she created between us. She doesn’t respond.
“So what are we going to do with those demons that escaped? The humans were in an uproar last night!” Someone asks, bringing my attention back to the meeting.
“My witches and I worked through the night casting a large spell, removing those memories from the citizens of the town. Epan, the highest Druid Priest was gracious enough to assist us. It took a lot of energy to cast that type of spell. Most of the town will remember the ruckus as rowdy teenagers running through the streets,” Azura says.
“What we need to do is quickly find the demons and contain them,” Vamir says. Everyone in the room nods.
“We are working on that. There is a spell we could cast that would keep the demons in one area. It would be like placing a large bubble around the town. Humans will not even know it’s there and will be able to come and go from Langdale. Demons will not be able to leave the city limits. We are going to need help with this and I have put out a call for the Witches’ Council to convene. We plan to meet tomorrow night,” Azura responds.
“My vampires have tracked them down to the west side of town towards the National Forest. The trail went cold but we think that’s the general direction they are hiding in,” Dorian says. Nick is in the corner typing on one of his laptops. He looks up quickly at Dorian then goes back to typing.
“There are quite a few abandoned factories and an old abandoned car manufacturing plant on that side of town. We could start combing through there,” Nick says looking up from his computer.
“Those were the largest and strongest demons I have ever seen or heard of. Melomouzor must have kept our supers alive and found a way to accomplish his plan of enhancing his demons,” Christian says.
“Right, those fuckers would not go down!” Reed growls rotating his aching shoulder.
