Treachery

by E. A. Weston

  “Yeah,” I shrug. “I like it. Keeps me busy,” I tell her. Taking up the polishing cloth I clean my fingerprints from the metal and stone. Claudia and Aurelia are watching intently as I string a thick metal looped chain through the ring and adhere a clasp at the end. Putting the necklace down on the cloth I smile at the intricate work I was able to create. The leaf looks like it is caressing the pink stone holding it gently in the cradle of the wire nest. Lifting it by the chain I hold it out to Aurelia. Her eyes widen as she reaches out to hold it.

  “For me?” she whispers.

  “Yeah,” I nod. “I hope you like it.”

  “Like it, Reagan, it’s beautiful, I…” she looks up at me covering her mouth. “I have never had something so beautiful gifted before,” she tells me.

  With a shrug, I smile “it’s not expensive by any means,” I quickly say just in case she thinks it’s worth something.

  “It is not the price that counts. I will cherish it forever,” she smiles at me. Claudia looks at the necklace with a bit of a wistful look in her eyes. Brokk joins us in the room and Aurelia launches into how I made her a beautiful necklace with my own two hands. Brokk takes it from her as I look around for my next piece. He smiles then tells me it is beautiful.

  “Thanks, Brokk,” I smile at him. I’m used to people watching me work and I don’t mind it, as long they don’t ask too many questions. Gathering the next few items they all sit back with their eyes glued to me. My hands work a little quicker this time now that they are used to the tools again. The nest as I like to call it, for this one is at an angle I’ve decided to do something different for this.

  The nest sits to the right of the stone, this one a little larger than the last because it’s a moonstone I am careful not to bang it too hard. I don’t want to leave marks on the white surface. Looking at my other accessories, I frown.

  “What is it?” Aurelia asks.

  “Oh,” I look up at her. “I just thought I had something,” I say trying to remember where my angel wings are. Standing, I run up to my room then, dig around in the closet finding a box full of different jewelry findings and accessories. Bringing it back down I place it on the table beside me. My fingers push around until I find a set of angel wings. Removing one I try to bend it so that it will help hold the stone in on one side but it won’t bend with my tools.

  In the kitchen, I use the pliers to hold it over the flame on the cooktop but it won’t bend for that either. I don’t have a blowtorch to heat it up that much, frowning I walk slowly back into the room.

  “I need to bend this,” I say more to myself than the three people watching me. Holding the wing, I twist it back and forth in my hand. Looking down at my palm I remember Nerida showed me how to make a flame. Taking a deep breath, I concentrate hard as I whisper the words she taught me. Nothing happens at first but I can feel my hand heat up, which never happened before. I say the words again a little louder this time. The blue flame appears and I grin, Nerida would be so happy for me. Using the flame, I move the wing slowly while concentrating on keeping the flame going. The wing passes through the flame a few times before I lose it.

  Bending the wing I give a triumphant, yes! My smile grows as I bend the cooling metal to the way I want it. Once I have joined it to the back of nest I look up to see three very shocked looking fairies.

  “What?” I ask.

  “You…you,” Aurelia tries to say pointing to my hands.

  “How did you do that?” Claudia whispers, her eyes are the biggest out of everyone.

  “Oh,” I wave my hand. “Nerida showed me but her flame was red,” I shrug.

  “You met other fairies?” Brokk asks curiously.

  “Yeah, I stayed with them. Nerida, Elvia, Fayette, and Tatiana,” I groan at the last name.

  “Elvia? Tatiana?” Aurelia gasps.

  “Do you know them?” I ask.

  She nods her head as tears spring to her eyes. “Elvia, she is my mother's cousin but she is more like a second mother to us and Tatiana, she was Killian’s…” her words die off at my raised eyebrow. “Friend,” she finishes with a cringe.

  “Yeah, friends,” I scowl. “She looked very friendly making out with him,” I say snappily, remembering the way she threw herself at him that first day. I bet that bubblegum haired fairy is all over him now.

  “So you met many more fairies?” Claudia says.

  “Yeah, there are about a hundred or so at the Tenebrosi camp,” I shrug. I don’t actually know how many are there because I wasn’t there long enough to meet most of them and many stayed away from me anyway. Once I loop the chain through and put the clasp on, I pass it to Claudia.

  “For me?” she smiles.

  “Yeah, well,” I say, shaking my wrist that still has the bracelet she made for me when we were sixteen. Claudia secures the chain around her heck with a big grin.

  “Forgive me Reagan but I do not wear jewelry,” Brokk says with a hint of laughter.

  “Really,” I tease with a smile. Standing up I just give him a big hug instead.

  “That’s better,” he whispers hugging me back. His body is firm and muscular yet his hold is gentle.

  “I’m glad you’re on my side,” I whisper to him before pulling away. Brokk tilts his head a little like he did earlier today.

  “Well I need food,” Claudia says. My stomach growls loudly at the mention of food so I follow her into the kitchen. I watch as she opens doors and lids, she moves like a tornado leaving a trail of debris in her wake but I just watch without comment. Her movements are almost jerky and I catch the slight tremor in her hand.

  “Claudia?”

  “Yes Reagan,” she answers without looking around.

  “What’s going on?” Moving around the counter, I stop beside her. She refuses to look at me so I nudge her shoulder. When she does, she looks like she is about to cry.

  “Hey, what’s going on Claudia, Why are you upset?”

  “It’s okay, just being silly,” she smiles at me.

  I want to believe her but part of me doesn’t and that kills me. I trust her implicitly but for some reason, her standoffish behavior has me doubting things. Aurelia and Brokk join us for dinner. Aurelia is smiling at me while fingering her new necklace.

  “Are you making more?” she asks.

  “Probably, why?”

  “I would like more, I will pay you,” she smiles enthusiastically.

  “You don’t have to, I don’t mind making stuff for my friends,” I reply.

  “May I make a request?” she asks.

  “Sure,” I nod eating my food. My back hurts even more than it did over the past few days. I guess leaning over the coffee table wasn’t the best idea. I wait for Aurelia to tell me her request but she has stopped talking and is busy looking at her hands.

  “I think it would be best if we spent tomorrow training,” Brokk announces.

  The three of us look at him before we all agree. We know that training will help keep our skills up, well maybe I’ll learn some more, but there’s no point expecting other people to protect me. It didn’t work back in Avalon when Connor’s men grabbed me away from Samiel. I know there were four of them and only one of him but I don’t want to be in that position again. After dinner, we all settle down to relax before a day of training.

  Waking up early is beginning to be torture. Brokk looks like he has had ten cups of coffee and is now bouncing off the walls while Aurelia looks as poised and put together as ever, I suppose being a princess makes you behave a certain way. Claudia and I both look like we partied all night and our asses are dragging.

  Climbing into Killian’s car, I yawn so big I could have swallowed my whole head. The ride over to the green by his apartment is quiet. Once we arrive, I walk up the steps to check on his place. The others all walk toward the green as I unlock the door letting myself inside. Walking through the apartment, I check the usual stuff, windows, doors, water. Nothing is broken or leaking, a good sign. In the bedroom, I lift his pillow to
my face hugging it close. Resting my head on it, I smile at the picture of us on his nightstand. The way he is smiling at me, with his eyes as well as his lips.

  Lifting the photo, I glide my finger over his face and lips. God, I miss those lips. I remember the day he took this, it was one of those times we were just hanging out here in the apartment. He used to grab his phone at random times then snap pictures of us. By the evidence on his phone, I wasn’t aware of half the times he actually photographed me. This picture, though, shows the viewer how much we love each other even if at the time I didn’t know it or refused to believe it. But the picture shows it, they way we are looking at each other and the way our smiles match.

  “I love you Killian and I miss you,” I say to his face. Replacing the picture, I finger his clothes again just so I can pretend that he is here with me. With a sigh, I put the pillow back on the bed before leaving and rejoining the others. Claudia is watching Brokk and Aurelia spar with some tree branches. When she sees me, she grins throwing a branch my way.

  Grabbing it awkwardly I frown at her, “what’s this for?” my stupid question doesn’t get an answer instead she swings her branch at me. Jumping back I block the move and before I know it, we are swinging at each other. Claudia is moving faster than Samiel ever did and I find it hard to keep up with her. My eyes feel dizzy trying to glimpse her blur.

  “Hey, hey, slow down I can’t see you,” I complain.

  “Of course, you can, just concentrate and ignore what is around you,” her cryptic voice replies. Doing what she says, I try to block out the others and the trees from around me. I can only barely see her though and the giggle she lets out sounds like she just made music with her mouth. It reminds me of Killian and the way his voice sang to me. I don’t hear the same when Aurelia or Brokk speak to me, which I find a little strange.

  “Reagan,” Claudia snaps at me. Her branch is coming hard and fast at my head but I quickly jump to the left avoiding being knocked out.

  “What the hell?” I shout at her. “I’m revoking your BFF card.”

  “I think we need a break,” she says. “You must pay attention Reagan or you shall be killed in battle within seconds.”

  Claudia walks away from me and sits down by the trees, following I take a seat beside her. Resting my head back I look up at the sky.

  “Do you think we will make it back in time to even be in the battle?” I ask.

  “We must,” Brokk says. He sits on the other side of me resting his hands on his knees.

  “I agree,” Aurelia says. “I fear we must find a way to reopen the portal and get back to Avalon as soon as we can.”

  “What’s the rush?” I question because for the last few days she hasn’t said anything about it.

  “It is our home Reagan and we need to return.”

  Chapter 32

  The last few days our routine has been the same. Wake up at dawn, train all day, until the sun goes down. Return home for a shower, food, and bed. Today is no different except that today Brokk and I are sparring together. He fights like Samiel a little but Brokk refuses to hold back for me. He moves as fast as he can and it takes everything inside me not to vomit at the blur he sometimes becomes. We have been sitting in a circle today in the middle of the green for a while now and I’m wondering what they are all doing looking down and being silent.

  “Are you ready for the sword?” Brokk suddenly asks me.

  “What, no, no way,” shaking my head I inch a little away from him. The last time I used a sword I got my arm sliced and some crazy infection, then I was sent away. Rubbing at the small scar on my forearm I frown. “You move too fast Brokk and…I just,” sighing I get up to walk a little. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified of touching another sword. I know Aurelia can manage quite easily but she told me that both Killian and Avery had taught her how to use one. I wish he had have taken the time to teach me instead of leaving me alone.

  “What is it?” Brokk’s gentle voice comes from behind me. He wraps his arm around me gently.

  “Nothing,” I respond looking at my arm again. Brokk takes my arm to inspect the scar.

  “How did this happen?” he questions but not in a demanding way just as curious one.

  With a heavy sigh, I tell him “a sword. I was learning how to use one when I lost concentration and Fayette sliced my arm.”

  “Ah I see,” he says. “Do you wish to overcome your fear?” he asks.

  “Sure but I don’t know,” I answer feeling like a child. My body aches from all this training and I have headaches like never before.

  “I will slow my movements until you are ready,” he says taking me by the hand. We stop further away from the others and Brokk hands me his sword. With an audible gulp, I hold it with shaking hands.

  “Are you sure?” I ask him.

  “Of course, I am,” he smiles stepping behind me. Brokk stands close and lifts my hand in his. The sword is held tightly in my hand but he tells me to relax it a little. When I do, the sword wobbles. Brokk uses his body to push and pull me back and forth, I almost feel like I am in the movie Dirty Dancing or something. He continues to help me swing the sword while moving my body to his rhythm.

  “Now feel the sword like it is part of you,” he says stepping back. Swinging the sword, I practice the moves he just showed me, keeping my breathing even I swipe and slash. Brokk slowly moves in front of me holding a large branch like a sword. As I swing, he counters my move banging the branch against the sword. My initial reaction is to drop the sword and run but his eyes are glued to mine, daring me to strike back. With a deep breath, I strike back.

  We move together, circling and striking out. Brokk keeps his word and doesn’t move at warp speed but at regular human speed. We practice until my wrist aches and I have successfully dodged being killed by him a few times.

  “You are quite good with the sword,” he says when we finish.

  “I don’t think so but thanks” I reply dryly.

  Brokk laughs a little while sheathing his sword. “I do not lie, Reagan, you are more capable than you realize.”

  We walk back over to Aurelia and Claudia, both of them relaxing in the late sunlight. They smile when we arrive but don’t move off their backs in the grass.

  “Ugh, that looks inviting,” I sigh lying down beside them. My body almost sinks into the warm patch of earth. Now that winter is finally moving on the sun has some warmth in it.

  “I’m hungry,” Claudia says.

  “Me too,” I agree but neither of us moves. My eyes drift toward Killian’s apartment wondering if we should just stay there considering we are here every day but then again, I really don’t want anyone disturbing our memories. Brokk begins to round us up like sheep, herding us to the car. When we arrive home I do the only thing sane, tired people do and that’s call for a take out.

  After a shower, we eat our dinner slowly. Brokk and Aurelia are starting to like some of the food here. I actually think Brokk is hooked on milky lattes because he get’s one every day now. I like to tease him about there being no Starbucks in Avalon but he always smiles at me and shrugs his shoulders. To be honest, I am feeling a little antsy lately, I’m not sure why but everything seems to be suffocating me. The only time I actually feel okay is being out on the green practicing.

  Aurelia looks at me for a long time before speaking, “are you well Reagan?”

  “No,” I answer nibbling on my food. My hunger was ravenous before I sat down but now, the thoughts of eating is the furthest thing from my mind. “I’m just tired,” I explain with a small smile.

  “Me too,” she agrees.

  Wrapping up my leftovers I take some painkillers then say goodnight to everyone. Up in my room, I lie still trying to sleep but the soft murmur of their voices drift up to me. Images of Killian swarm my mind like a thousand crazy bees attacking all at once. I miss him. For some reason, I miss him more in the last few days than I have in a while. I almost feel a ghost of the ache that plagued me when I was kidnapp
ed. The pain in my chest was all consuming then and even though I’m hollow now, I’m still consumed with longing for him.

  My mind won’t allow me to relax at all. Once everyone else goes to bed, I toss and turn for a while before getting up again. Making a warm cup of milk I take it out on the back porch with a blanket. Wrapping the blanket around my shoulders, I crawl up onto the swing and watch the full moon hang low over the earth. Sipping my warm milk I remember when mom and I used to sit out here and she would tell me that story, the one Killian had told me about when we went camping.

  Thinking about it now I wonder how my mom knew of such a story about fairies and love. The picture of us at the castle springs to mind. I don’t remember being there but I was and I know my parents didn’t have Photoshop. So why did we go and more to the point how the heck did we get there considering the drama that Killian and Aurelia had to go through to even open the portal, so many questions and no answers to any of them.

  “Reminds me of home.”

  Startled, I wipe the spilled milk from my chin as I turn to see Aurelia standing in the doorway. Her eyes are on the moon and she has a wistful look on her face.

  “Didn’t anyone ever tell you that sneaking up on people could get you shot,” I say.

  “Oh, forgive me I didn’t mean to startle you,” she says. “May I,” she asks pointing to the seat beside me.

  “Sure,” I reply moving the blanket from my shoulders to give her some. I was nice and comfortable. Aurelia sits beside me and we rock in silence.

  “I wish had one of these growing up,” she says running her hand along the edge of the seat.

  “A swing?”

  “Yes,” she nods.

  “Why would want a swing when you have wings?” I ask because I know I sure as heck would not be chillin’ in a swing, I’d be off flying all over the place.

  With a smile she looks at me “flying is fun but so is relaxing. Flying can actually make you tired especially if your brother is faster than you.”

  “Yeah, did you and Killian fly much as kids or baby fairies, or whatever you’re called?”