by Alexia Purdy
“Ow! Not so hard!”
“I have to if I’m gonna get these knots out. Why so tense?” He grinned as he eased up on his grip, massaging her muscles with a gentler pressure.
“I’m not, it’s just–I’m tired of rearranging all this heavy stuff. I hope we don’t have to hole-up in here very long. Who knows how long this war will last. I just don’t see how this will help at all.” Shade frowned as her eyes scanned the room.
“Well, I’m sure Jade knows that,” Soap reassured her. “You know you should give her more credit than you do. I’m sure that you are much more like strangers, now that her power is back. She has a lot to teach you. I would take the opportunity to learn more about her and her powers. It could only help you out more.” He let go of her legs as she swung them off the couch, scooting to sit next to him.
“I’m sure you are right Soap. I’ll try to ‘get to know her’ better, again.” She winked, grinning as she stood up and headed towards the kitchen. A knock at the door stopped her in her tracks. She glanced around at her mother, who sat at the kitchen table and Soap. They both gave her a shrug of their shoulders.
“I’ll get it,” Soap volunteered. Shade sucked her breath in as she stood behind the door, hoping it wasn’t anyone with bad intentions. Shaking the dreadful feeling away. She remembered that any Faery with bad intentions could not enter the barrier shield they had made.
“Um–hi, is Shade here?” A familiar voice rang through the doorway. Shade’s mouth dropped open as she let the door swing wider to stare upon her best friend Brisa.
“Brisa? What are you doing here? Why aren’t you at college?” Shade asked suspiciously.
Brisa’s eyebrows shot up as she too eyed her with surprise. “Uh, it’s Thanksgiving weekend, remember? I told you I would stop by the last time we spoke on the phone. Did you forget so fast? Um, did I come at a bad time?” She eyed the stacks of containers that lined the walls behind them.
Shade’s face flushed scarlet as she pulled her best friend into the house. “No, no, please come in. I’m just surprised to see you, that’s all. You know me, ever the forgetful one.” Shade smiled weakly as she closed the door behind them and gave her friend a tight hug.
“Okay, well. I brought over a pumpkin pie. I’m having dinner later at my parents, but thought I would stop by here first and catch up on stuff. How have you been? Looks like you’ve been busy.” Brisa stared at Soap intensely, unable to pull her gawking eyes away from the handsome Faery. “H–hi. I’m Brisa.” She held out a shaky hand towards him.
Soap grinned as he took her hand and kissed it, making her legs go weak. “Hello Brisa, I’m Rylan, but everyone calls me Soap.”
Shade rolled her eyes and pulled her friend away towards the couch. “So how’s college? Meet any cute boys there? Is it hard? Is there lots of homework?” Shade bit her lip to stop talking.
Brisa adjusted herself on the couch, stealing quick glances at Soap. “Oh, there are a few cute ones, but college guys are so serious. It’s hard to catch their notice cuz I don’t have multiple classes with most of them. Homework is ok. It keeps me busy.” She smiled at Shade, elated to see her friend.
“So, um, where’s Dylan?” Brisa whispered.
“He’s gone back to Faerie on a mission for his Queen.” Shade said bluntly, not wanting to tread any further on the subject.
“Oh,” Brisa wrung her hands together, feeling the tension in the air. “Look, I feel like I walked in at the wrong time, so I’ll probably get going. Call me when you have a minute. I got a ton to tell you.” Brisa stood up but Shade grabbed her hand.
“No, please stay. I’m sorry. There’s just a ton happening. I should have told you sooner,” Rubbing her head, she searched for the words she needed. “Come on, let’s get a drink or something.” Shade tugged at her friend and pulled her towards the kitchen.
Jade sat at the kitchen table, watching as Shade and Brisa made their way to the counter. Glancing outside for a minute, Shade saw Anna sitting on the picnic table lighting and relighting a candle with James watching her intently.
“Are they doing what I think they’re doing?” Brisa was also staring out the window, but with a dumbfounded look on her face. She quickly composed herself and turned towards Shade. “They have powers like you, don’t they?”
Shade nodded, not sure what else to say.
“I see Anna is really into this fire wielding thing, huh mom?” Shade shifted her weight and glanced at her mother, who was sipping her drink quietly and watching the exchange.
“Yes, she will be quite powerful. Even being fully human. Our fire powers run deep, and will be quite useful for her when they are in full bloom. I was afraid that if I had any children, I would have to start training them young for them to have any real use of their powers. I lost so much time Shade. So much time,” Jade said as she rubbed her eyes, looking exhausted.
Shade was willing to bet that the whole situation was taking its toll on her mother more than on her. Her mother’s hair was soft and freshly washed. It hung in dreads of locks over her shoulders. They looked almost black while wet, and the pieces that were drying curled into soft waves of dark tendrils. Shade smiled as she watched her mother, feeling happy that she did not have to hide what she was from her anymore.
Turning to look outside along with Brisa, Shade took in the sinking sun over the horizon. Its honey, gold, streaks shimmered through the forest canopy, and over the treetops. She was glad that the comfort of Faerie was near. The earth and trees called to her, and she itched to go for a run. She was feeling suffocated in this ‘dome’ shield. She stretched her neck and arms out as she continued watching the sun sink into the horizon. Brisa remained mesmerized by the fire wielding outside.
A flash of white caught her eye mid-stretch and Shade bent over the sink to get a better look. She strained her eyes against the sun to make anything out. She could see Anna standing up. She was slightly away from the picnic table. James remained seated, but had started yelling something to Anna that Shade couldn’t decipher through the window. Anna turned towards the edge of the shield, facing the darkening woods. Shade squinted but couldn’t see beyond her sister. A deep, twisting knot formed in her stomach as a feeling of dread swept through her, sending the hairs on the back of her neck prickling.
“Mom?” Shade’s voice quivered as she glanced back at her mother before shooting out the back door.
“What is it Shade? Shade?” Her mother’s voice trailed behind her as the kitchen door slammed. Shade hopped over the steps and ran across the lawn. Brisa followed quickly behind her, curious to see what was going on. Anna was still as a statue, staring at the forest beyond the shield. James was also frozen where he sat.
“Anna! Get inside now!” Shade yelled towards her, but Anna seemed to be hypnotized into a trance, as if she could not look away from the forest.
What’s out there? Why aren’t they moving? Thought Shade. What the– Brisa?
Brisa’s hand was now outstretched and skimming the shield. She ran straight to it. Shade felt the dread churn in her own stomach as she screamed towards her friend. Brisa’s fingers lit the shield up like a flare shooting out in ripples from where she had touched it. The flash took Brisa with it. Her body was sucked through the shield as if it was absorbing her. Shade screamed and reached for her but found her friend already gone, but not before she had noticed someone’s disembodied hand reaching through the shield towards Brisa, and pulling her through.
“Brisa! Oh, no, no, no!” Shade stopped right before the shield. The boundaries of it flared lightly, rippling and fading where her friend had once stood. Shade’s chest was on fire as she tried to catch her breath after sprinting from the house. She barely heard the yelling behind her as Soap raced out of the house, and Jade beckoned out to James from the porch.
Shade stared at the now stilled shield. The other side was dark with only slight flashes of metal betraying whoever stood on the other side.
“Shade, we meet again,” a deep
chilly voice flowed out to her from across the barrier. Shade scanned the dimming forest for the owner of it. She closed her eyes and pushed her senses across it, reaching the dark and penetrating it like caressing fingers flowing over the grasses and trees. The dark magic that cloaked the light ripped away with her magic like a blindfold that had been removed, revealing the massive dark army.
Hordes and hordes of Sluagh, Goblins, and Demons surrounded them. Their red-orange eyes stood out in the darkness of their toad-like, grayish, black skins, appearing like orbs of blood. Corb stood in the front of the awaiting dark soldiers with his white hair tied back, and his glistening eyes glowing like two moons in the night. One of his arms embraced the entranced Brisa as he held a sharp curved dagger that glinted over her throat. The metal shined like a mirror as he held it steadily. The handle was plain and exquisitely carved silver. Intricate and beautiful, but not as fancy as Shade would’ve thought a First Lieutenant of Queen Aveta would have.
“Do you like my dagger?” Corb’s voice seemed fluid and smooth as it rippled across the barrier and floated into her ears. Shade sucked in a breath, wondering what to do next as he continued. “I’ve had it for over a thousand years. Made from the metals of our Ancients own mines. It’s infused with the powers of the core of the Earth. Stronger than anything ever made, and free of iron. So sharp, Brisa would die a quick painless death if I so sliced into her throat. It would cut it like butter.” The magic in his voice flowed over Shade like a sleeping draught. It was fogging up her concentration, and making her legs feel weak. She shook her head, willing the haze to go away, trying to clear her mind.
Feeling better, she continued to stare at the ancient Faery as he studied her intently. He seemed to find what she had done fascinating. A spark of life teased behind his dead eyes. Shade had a feeling that he was not much more than an animated body. Old and stale inside.
“I can feel your powers chastising mine. Quite amusing that my telepathic control does not work on you. I’m not surprised though. I’ve heard that you are quite unique.” Corb paused as he let his eyes wander away from her and scanned the area behind her. “Too bad your friends are no match for it.”
Shade pulled her eyes away from him to peek behind her. Gasping, she almost stumbled. Soap, Jade, Benton, Anna, and James stood frozen in their places with their eyes glazed over. Still as statues, they made no attempt to come forward or even acknowledge her when she yelled out to them. She turned back towards Corb. His face remaining as still as ever, like he never smiled or had any kind of feelings splay across his cold exterior. Shade gulped down her growing panic.
Shoot, shoot, shoot. What now? Shade was really missing her spirit guides right now. They would have helped immensely in this mess.
“Let her go Corb,” Shade’s voice wavered as she looked around at the army, searching for some way to get Brisa back without having to fight that many soldiers. The army was massive and ran the perimeter of the shield. They shifted on their feet, anxious for action and agitated with the wait. Ripples of their cackling voices swam around the encampment. Shade could feel sweat dripping down her temple as her fear bubbled up inside. She could not defeat them outside of the shield. She would have to trick Corb into coming into the dome himself to have any chance of saving her friend.
“I don’t think so Shade.” His eyes watched her, making her wonder what went through his mind. The ice-cold exterior was no help. His telepathy was a hindrance.
“What do you want?” Shade chewed on her lip, watching the sharp blade of the dagger pushing against Brisa’s tender skin. She didn’t move, entranced by Corb’s spell. Shade’s fear made her head spin. She didn’t even notice the tears streaming down her own face. Corb watched her as the tears poured. She didn’t wipe them away, trying not to tear her gaze away from him or the blade. He seemed almost robotic as his eyes passed over her face from one cheek to the other, watching the shiny tears roll down her face, fascinated in some strange way. Shade waited for his answer, desperately hoping it would be something other than what she thought he wanted.
“You, Shade. Just you.” He let go of Brisa, sheathing his blade on his belt. Taking her hand he came to stand before the shield, leading her behind him and scanning it with his cold shining eyes. “I admire the power it must have taken to create such a sanctuary,” Corb said. “Even from amateurs, it is well made.”
If it was well made, how did you get to Brisa? Shade furrowed her eyes, her anger slowly replacing her panic.
Hearing her thoughts Corb tilted his head to her, boring his eyes into hers. “It wasn’t easy Shade. I don’t really have to use my telepathic abilities too much in Faerie. Magic is more potent there. Humans are much easier to manipulate, telepathy being more of a human trait. Rare but still human. No spells are required. I do have to try harder to enchant the Changeling. He might be disabled for a bit longer than the others.” He waited, as if expecting her to do something. She turned to look at Soap. He was frozen but slightly shaking. He fought the telepathy, but could not break through its stronghold. Blood-tinged tears streamed down his face from the effort. Shade’s body shook with fear as she turned back towards Aveta’s evil guard.
When she didn’t move closer, Corb stepped back a bit and extended his hand towards her, almost caressing the barrier. “A trade. That is what I propose. Give me your hand. Come with me, and I let your beautiful human friend live. I will lead her into your sanctuary as you leave it.”
Corb paused again, his blank face and quick movements made her want to slap some personality into him. Shade stopped biting her bottom lip that was now sore and reddened from her nervous chewing. She let her shoulders drop, feeling defeated. This wasn’t a good deal either way it went, and she knew that it wouldn’t go her way.
“What if you don’t let her go? What guarantee do you give me Corb?” She narrowed her gaze back into his still eyes. She swore she saw the corners of his lips turn up ever so slightly.
“You are quite clever young one. So wise beyond your few years. Many forget so soon how to bind a Fey to their word but you, you are not so careless.” He snickered, showing just a little sliver of emotion in his hardened exterior shell. “Very well Shade. I swear to you that as you cross over the shield to me, I will let your friend return to your home unharmed. I bind myself to this oath, as Faerie itself binds me. Now, if you please,” he nodded and re-extended his arm towards her, beckoning her to cross.
Their eyes never left each other’s. He seemed patient, or maybe centuries of living made you that way. She wondered why he had not withered yet. Was there a strong mind under there? Was it insane? She hoped it was the not the latter. He was the oldest Faery she had ever laid eyes on. Her curiosity was only bypassed by her fear as she took another deep breath, closing the gap between them. Her hand reached out across the tingle of energy that separated them, finally letting his hand clasp over hers as he pulled her out and simultaneously pushed Brisa back into the dome.
On the other side, Shade felt the cold autumn breeze roll around her, sending shivers up her arms and down her spine. She hugged herself, realizing she didn’t have her travel pack, coat or anything. She glanced back at her family and Soap. All still frozen where they stood. Even Brisa, who was just inside the shield, was unmoving.
“Wait, I’m cold. I don’t have anything to cover myself; it’s getting really cold. I…” Corb stopped and placed a finger to her lips, shushing her. Shade froze, feeling suddenly even colder, if that was possible.
“Enough. I almost forgot about your human taint. Can’t you warm yourself Fire-Witch?” Corb snickered at her.
“Yes, but I’ve never done it for extended periods of time. I…”
“Here, take this and be quiet,” Corb pulled a fur cloak out of a pack on the back of his dark demon-like horse, and shoved it into her arms. “Put it on now, we’re leaving.” He waited as she unraveled it and swung it over her shoulders, tying it at the neck. She was instantly warmer, but her fear made her entire body continue to
shake. She glanced back to her family again and stopped.
“Wait! Aren’t you going to unfreeze them? Release them. Please, you can’t just leave them like that!” Shade stepped towards the dome but Corb grabbed her in blur of speed.
“Stop right there. You will not be returning. They will resume their lives as soon as we leave. We are not risking them using their magic on us before that. Now get up on the horse, my patience is wearing thin.” Corb’s voice slid out in a deeper tone, almost growling at her. She turned and looked at him, but his blank face betrayed nothing. She wondered if he really had any patience to wear thin, but she did not want to find out.
Shade gave him a nod and reluctantly followed him back to his horse. Cringing as her hands touched the coarse black hair of the demon steed, she pulled herself up onto the saddle. The beast was unearthly. Probably from a place so dark it sucked the light and soul out of everything. Corb pulled himself up and sat behind her, bringing one arm snug around her waist and the other to the reins. His hands were encased in dark leather gloves as he pulled the reins and turned the demon steed around. The dark horse’s breath steamed in the cold night and seemed to not appreciate having her along for the ride at all.
The feeling’s mutual, thought Shade.
She felt Corb’s arm tighten more around her as they trotted into a gallop through the ranks of nightmarish soldiers. All sneering and growling at her. Shade wondered what they thought of being led by a Sidhe Faery like Corb.
Being so close to him made her stomach churn and her skin tingle. He radiated cold. He was the very essence of winter that made her soul feel lost. She swallowed down the sickness she felt from the evil emanating from the dark troops. She wondered how any Queen of Faerie could condone such vile things as she tried to breathe through her mouth. The retched smell of the army hit her like a freight train as the ranks split open to allow a path for them to gallop through. She hoped they would get through the horde soon, but she wasn’t too sure she would like what was on the other side.
