Treachery

by E. A. Weston

  “Okay.” Taking two small metal bars I shove them between her skin and the stone, the fit is tight and I catch a silent wince. Placing the chisel on top of the stone between the bars I lift the hammer and give it a good whack. Aurelia screeches but quickly covers her mouth, nodding for me to continue. Lifting the hammer gain I hit the stone over and over, not making a single dent in it.

  “It’s not working,” I sigh.

  Tears streak down her face and some blood is rolling down her arm. Pulling out the metal bars I press the towel against her arm the best I can.

  “What is this?” Brokk bellows charging over to us. His hand automatically pushes me away from Aurelia, his protective duty taking over as he grabs her from the sofa to stand behind him.

  “Brokk, please,” Aurelia says.

  “What is this? You trust her so, without knowing her,” he replies to her but keeps his eyes on me.

  “She is my brothers mate Brokk,” Aurelia snaps.

  “You do not know of this Ari. Reagan is human maybe she knew your brother but how do we know that she is telling the truth? How can we trust her?” he asks.

  “You know what Brokk, I actually thought I could trust you. But now I’m beginning to doubt that. I’m not lying about Killian and if you want to leave here to try to go back to Avalon then go. You can explain to Avery how his true mate has been forced into a bond with Connor, then I will watch as he rips your heart out,” I fume at him, my words flowing like a torrent out of my mouth.

  Aurelia moves to stand in front of Brokk, blocking him from me. Her wrist is still bleeding and leaves a smear on his clothes. “Brokk I trust Reagan, and I believe her. My brother lives and so does my true mate and I promise you that I will return to Avalon to find them.”

  Chapter 24

  After a few hours, Brokk has finally calmed down and apologized to me. I know he is under stress and being in the human realm is not helping with it. My tools are secured in the bedroom, hidden with my money, just in case he decides that he wants to break them. Aurelia has been lounging on the sofa scrolling through photographs on Killian’s phone for about an hour. I can see how much she misses him and that makes me feel worse.

  Why didn’t we try to run away, to get to Tenebrosi instead of coming here? Maybe things would be different, and maybe my bond would be rebuilt and this utter emptiness would be gone. I can’t sit for too long anymore, the bones in my body hurt and if I’m honest I am beginning to worry about it. My clothes are falling off me, which adds to my annoyance.

  “Anyone hungry?” I ask.

  Aurelia lifts her head, blinking at me as if she is coming out of a daze. “Yes, I fear I have forgotten to eat yet again.”

  “Okay I can go to the store for you, I’ll get fruit, do you know what you like?” I ask.

  “Oh yes!” she says excitedly. “I remember father took us to one of those places,” she says waving her hands around. “They had the most delicious little square thing, it was flaky with white powder on top.” She beams.

  “Yeah, I’ve no idea what that is or where you were in the world,” I reply.

  “Oh,” she sighs.

  “I’ll look anyway, see what I can find. Back in a while and remember, stay inside.”

  “Yes, Reagan,” she smiles.

  I can’t help but smile back not only because she is nice but because she looks kind of funny in Killian’s sweats and a tank top. Brokk doesn’t give me any hint to what food he wants so I just leave the apartment. The sun is setting as I cruise through the town of Faircrest. As I pass club Granite, I remember that first night. The way the music reverberated in my chest and the way Killian’s presence made me feel. Only now I know it was because we are true mates, it’s not something I wanted to believe at first but now. Now it’s all I seem to think about.

  Pulling into the store, I park close to the door and grab a cart. It feels really weird to be back here, shopping. I grab all the food I remember liking, pizza, chips, pasta, and bread. Then I wander around the bakery looking for something that matches Aurelia’s description but I can’t find anything. Instead, I buy a cheesecake and a birthday cake, just because I can. On my way to the checkout, I spot the alcohol aisle, turning my cart I browse the selections. It’s been a while since I drank and that was only a sip but I think I need a little something. I’m not sure how long I walk up and down the aisle before I give up, I don’t drink so why am wanting to now?

  Leaving the store, I make my way home noticing that it’s a lot darker than when I set out. When I arrive back to the apartment, I find it in darkness and panic begins to fill my chest. Rushing through the garage and up the stairs to the door I open it cautiously, creeping inside. My heart is thundering as I walk slowly down the hall, there are no sounds and my mind is thinking the worst. Stopping at the door to the kitchen, I peek inside quickly. I catch two shadows by the window before I pull back to my hiding spot.

  “Reagan, is that you?” Aurelia’s voice calls out.

  With a heavy sigh, I close my eyes and lean against the wall, allowing my heart to slow down from its minor heart attack.

  “Yeah,” I sigh. “It’s me, why are you in the dark?” I ask.

  Aurelia doesn’t answer right away but I can hear her whispering in fairy to Brokk. Straightening, I move into the room flipping on the lamp as I go.

  “Oh,” she smiles at me. “That is how it works.”

  “I’m sorry, I forgot to show you,” I reply.

  “We can see perfectly at night,” Brokk says.

  With a nod toward him, I leave the room to get the groceries. After a few trips to the car, I unload everything turning on the oven for pizza.

  “I got you fruit but you can try anything you want. I also got some cakes,” I smile at Aurelia. “They are not what you asked for but hopefully, you’ll like them.”

  “Oh, I’m sure it will be okay,” she smiles, snooping through the last of the bags. Lifting my head, I notice Brokk is sitting on the edge of the sofa looking out of the window. He seems lost, his reflection shows me his face is stern but his eyes look marginally sad. Turning away from him I slice the pizza and take out some plates.

  “Would you like to try some?” I ask out loud.

  “Yes please,” Aurelia says.

  Brokk slowly walks over to us sniffing the air. I watch as he licks his lips while looking at the pizza. Placing a slice on the plate, I hand it over to him.

  “Careful it’s hot,” I warn them.

  I watch as they both bite into the goodness, they both moan in unison.

  “Good?” I ask.

  “Um-hum,” Ari nods as she takes another bite. Brokk just eats without a reply but from the amount in his mouth I will take it as a good sign. We each eat two slices and I am feeling a little better. Aurelia chooses the cheesecake and indulges in two slices of it. I can just about fit in a half but it feels way better to be this full than half starving and dizzy.

  Brokk clears his throat just as I lay down on the sofa. My eyes are heavy with sleep but I’m content to stay here for now.

  “Princess Aurelia and I have been talking,” he starts. “We have decided that while we are here in the human realm we, must keep up our training.”

  “Oh, okay.” I nod. “What about the magic, though?” I question.

  “We must train under the cover of darkness, it is the only way the princess can leave the building,” Brokk answers.

  “Yeah okay, it gets cold, though, at night.”

  “I fear that we cannot just sit here and wait, we must be prepared to fight when we return to Avalon because we will return,” he says a little angrier.

  “I understand that you miss your home Brokk, I’ve lived through it.” I sigh, running my hands through my hair. “But I’m sorry, I don’t know how to get back. Killian opened the air shimmer thing the last time.”

  “Please, Reagan, do not worry. I know that you only wanted to keep me safe,” Aurelia says. Reaching over she takes my hand in hers, the green stone blockin
g her magic wraps securely around her wrist. “I do not hold you responsible, you are my friend and my sister,” she whispers.

  “I want to go back as much as you do,” I tell them. “I have half my soul waiting for me in Avalon and I intend to get it back.”

  “Then we are in agreement, we shall train until the Goddess takes us home,” Brokk says.

  Earlier

  * * *

  We watch as Reagan leaves the home of my brother. Brokk and I are silent until we see the lights on the street outside. Brokk releases a sigh beside me but remains quiet.

  “What is it?” I ask.

  “How long do we have to stay here?” he asks, sounding annoyed.

  “I do not know Brokk.”

  “I fear this was a mistake, Princess. I cannot believe that you trusted her so soon and to come to the human realm with no way home.”

  “We had no choice Brokk,” I reply. My eyes scan the darkening street below for any signs of life but there is never any in this place.

  “Do you really believe that she can take us to your brother? That the prince still lives,” he asks.

  “Yes, I believe it. I have no doubt that she knows my brother and how to reach him. Do not tell me that you are afraid now?”

  “No,” he snaps. “I am not afraid of a simple human, princess. I just want to believe that she will get us back to Avalon and then we can find your brother.”

  “Yes, it has been too long since he and I have been together,” I reply.

  “Do you believe all that Connor has said? That your brother, our prince…”

  “Don’t,” I reply cutting off his words. “I do not know what to believe anymore,” I sigh.

  Turning I gather the device into my hand to look at the photographs again. I can see my brother staring back at me his face is still the same as I remember but slightly different. Running my finger over the picture I notice why he looks so different, he is smiling, a smile that I have never before seen on his face and all because of one human girl.

  “He looks happy,” Brokk comments.

  “Yes, more than I have ever seen before,” I whisper in regret as Connor’s words lance through my heart.

  “Fear not Ari,” Brokk says wrapping his arm around me. “We will return to Avalon to the prince and then we will see,” he sighs.

  “Yes, I suppose we will.”

  “What of my uncle?” he whispers.

  My heart aches again just thinking of Avery, “I do not know Brokk, you ask me many questions that I do not know the answers to, I am not a seer,” I reply.

  “I’m sorry,” he sighs pulling me closer. His lips press against my head for a brief moment. “We must continue our work even though we are stuck in this realm.”

  “Yes, I know.”

  “Why do you ache so?” he asks.

  “I like her,” I sigh. “I really like her.”

  “I know, I can tell,” he smiles against my hair. “We must keep on our path Aurelia it has what has kept us safe all these moons.”

  “I know,” I reply. “We will…but don’t you feel it?” I ask.

  “Yes, a little,” he replies.

  A little hum of magic runs through everything in this place, the trees in the green whisper but I cannot understand them. Even Reagan, there is magic surrounding her, I can feel it but it is nothing like anything I know, just like the trees.

  She is different and we need to find out why before she can return to Avalon with us, if, she can return.

  “Reagan is home,” Brokk says releasing me from his arms. We both turn back to the window and watch as she enters the home.

  Chapter 25

  I watch Brokk and Aurelia swing and swipe at each other. I have no idea how they can see each other in this darkness and at the speed they are moving. To me, they look like two shadows chasing each other but I know they are real because of the sound they are making. It reminds me of my time on the beach with Samiel when he thought me how to fight and defend myself, although it did no good when I was kidnapped by Connor’s guards. I wonder if Samiel ever returned to Tenebrosi, I hope he made it back and is still alive. If not it’s just another mark against Connor on my list of things I want him to pay for, not in the least killing Killian’s parents and taking his sister for his own pleasure.

  The night air is freezing and I pull the leather jacket tighter on my body. Even with all the layers, I am still cold to the bone. My eyes are heavy from the need of sleep but I don’t want to leave Brokk and Aurelia out here alone, especially at night. God knows what assholes could wander up here and find them. This side of town is not as bad as where Athena lives but it’s not as nice as my house. Speaking of, I should probably go check on it tomorrow and Mr. Brenner. I watch the shadows dance along the tree line, their movements, like a well-choreographed ballet. The trees sway gently above me lulling me into a lazy doze, their sound reminds me of Avalon for some reason.

  Closing my eyes, I settle my back against one of the trunks and I pull the hood of my hoodie around my face to hide from the night air. The peacefulness of being here envelops me like a warm hug, my body relaxes a little more and the tree keeps me warm and out of the slight breeze. I can faintly hear the clanging of metal as my mind drifts off to sleep. In my dream, I am chasing someone but I can’t see who it is, all I know, is that I need to get to them. I can hear my name being called but I ignore it in favor of chasing after this person. I can feel my lungs burn and feet ache from running so much but the urgency of the situation has me running again.

  I don’t know who or why, but I’m after them so hard. I know they have answers for me, I can feel it. If only I could just grab…reaching out I try to pull at their clothes but I miss and I’m alone again. Every part of me hurts and anger swirls around me. I can feel the heat of it rising from my body.

  “Reagan, wake up!”

  Brokk’s voice startles me from my strange dream. Looking around I notice the sun has begun to rise. Rubbing my face to get my bearings I climb to my feet.

  “Are you well?” he asks looking concerned.

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” I smile. “Just a weird dream.”

  “Indeed,” he nods as he turns away. We walk back to the apartment in silence and I have to admit I miss the Brokk from Avalon, the cheeky fairy with the twinkle in his eye. Once inside I turn on the coffee pot and listen to the water as it runs in the shower.

  “How was training?” I ask.

  “Good, it is nice to train again,” Brokk says.

  “Yeah, I was just starting to like it too,” I smile as flex my bicep.

  “You trained?” he asks.

  “Yeah, for a little while, until Connor’s fairies came,” I shrug.

  Brokk nods in understanding before returning to stare out of the window.

  “Aren’t you going to sleep?” I ask. “You can take the bed for a few hours.”

  “No, I am not tired and I need to protect the princess,” he replies.

  “The princess can protect herself or did you not notice?” Aurelia says from the doorway.

  “Still,” Brokk says not turning from the window.

  “Guys,” I sigh. Both Brokk and Aurelia eat fruit with bread for breakfast while I gorge myself on pancakes and coffee. I swear I am never more hungry than in the mornings.

  “I was thinking last night,” I begin. “I have to go to my house to check on it and my neighbor.”

  “Do you not dwell here?” Connor asks.

  “Yes but this is Killian’s apartment. I have to go to my home it’s been empty for a long time.”

  “And what is it you need to do?” he asks.

  “Check on it, make sure no one has tried to break in or damage it,” I explain.

  “We must remain locked up here again?” he huffs.

  “No, you can come with me but you’ll have to hide in the car.”

  “An adventure,” Aurelia smiles at me.

  “Not quite but if you say so,” I sigh.

  After breakfast, we
climb into Killian’s car and I’m thankful for the blacked out windows. Aurelia’s wings are very noticeable. When we arrive at my house, I can’t see Mr. Brenner on his porch so hopefully this will be easy enough to get them inside. Brokk has glamoured himself but Aurelia’s magic doesn’t work.

  “I’ll open the door first then I’ll come back for you.” I say climbing out of the car. On my way up the steps, I look over at Mr. Brenner’s house noticing a newspaper on the doormat. Opening the door, I silence the alarm, grateful that it is still working, turning I wave for Brokk and Aurelia to come inside. Walking through to the kitchen I open the windows to allow some air through, although now that I think about it, the house feels cleaner than it should.

  Walking back to the door I find both Brokk and Aurelia on the ground and Aurelia’s wings on full display.

  “What the hell!” I cry running down the steps. Grabbing the leather jacket, I throw it back over her shoulders. “What are you doing?” I ask, panicked. “Get inside.”

  Shoving both of them up the stairs I push them through the door, slamming it behind me. With a quick look out of the window, I don’t see anyone else outside.

  “What the hell were you doing on the ground?” I ask them.

  Brokk glares at me while Aurelia places a gentle hand on his arm. “Reagan, we could not enter your home,” she tells me.

  “Why?”

  “Why?” she repeats looking confused. “Because you have strong magic here,” she tells me.

  “I don’t have magic,” I tell her shaking my head.

  “Then explain how we feel magic everywhere in this realm and it is everywhere you are,” Brokk says.

  “I don’t know,” I shrug. “Maybe Killian did something.”

  “No, this is not my brother’s magic. I can tell,” Aurelia says. “I fear that I am beginning to doubt you,” she gives me a sad look.

  “Listen, I don’t know why there’s magic here okay. All I know is that Killian has ben here a few times and maybe he did something and maybe because you haven’t seen your brother in a long time that you don’t know if his magic is the same anymore.”