by Trina Bates
“You keep all of that inside you?” Ebbin asks, his voice cracking and a sob escapes his lips.
I squeeze my eyes shut trying not to cry myself. “How, why… I don’t understand Bugs, why are you letting those things stay with you, hurt you like that? Aren’t we enough to save you from those things?” His bright eyes finally meet mine, and the anguish I find in them is torture.
“I don’t keep it with me. Not at the forefront of my mind. Those things, that pain?” I pause, trying to find the right words. “That’s something I carry, and always will but not with me in the way you think. They’re memories that I can’t ever forget and finding the right way to use whatever feelings they bring, that’s what makes me stronger. I don’t let them consume me. I use them to fuel me. Does that make sense?” I ask him, holding him tighter, hoping somehow, he sees the truth in my words and understands they’re always enough.
His eyes drop to the ground beneath us, and his hand comes up to grasp my arm that’s wrapped around his chest.
“I love you Bugs, don’t ever forget that. Anything you need from me, or them, you ask, and you take it, okay?” he says under his breath so only I can hear.
“Okay,” I whisper back, trying to hold in my tears.
I get up and pull Ebbin with me and wait for him to turn around so we can face everyone else. When we do, the looks on their faces cause me more distress. Love, sadness, dismay, and anguish are all etched into my lovers’ faces, along with the rest of my family.
“I’m so sorry you all felt that. I had no idea that could even happen. Maybe I can put up another barrier to shield you from my feelings when it happens again,” I say to them, but before I can finish, I’m surrounded by seven hard bodies and two giant Agathions. I giggle and try to touch each one of them and push out some of my love and warm feelings hoping it will ease some of their previous discomforts.
“We all love you so much little sister, we don’t want to ever feel those things again, so yes, please do find a way to shield us from that. If we are in the midst of battle, we will be in dire trouble from the way that put us all down,” Gor says, his voice muffled from being in this giant hug fest.
“I promise I will try. If you all back up, I can do it now,” I say trying to wiggle free.
Finally out of the clutches of the giant dog pile of people and animals, when did everyone shift back? I wonder to myself.
Taking another deep breath, I make myself a little dizzy doing it this time around, so I closed my eyes and tried to center myself and pull on the good feelings I have inside.
I can feel the love I hold for each of my guys, my Agathion and the other members of this little family that just seems to keep growing. I pull all that love and the memories of how each love started and will it to help me. I pull from the well I hold deep inside and imagine a barrier of shimmering light settling around my heart, asking it to only let the people I love, feel the love I have and not the negative. I feel something inside of my chest start to flutter, and I know the barrier is working. I can feel it’s fully in place, I thank whatever force of nature or otherwise has granted this to me, and I open my eyes with a grin on my face. I see everyone looking hesitantly at me, so I look at each person in the eyes and smile while shaking my head. I know it worked. I just know it.
“I can feel it. It will only let you feel the love I have for you. But the rest of what I feel, the malice, fury, and grief, it will still come out, hopefully affecting everyone else around us. Maybe give us the upper hand a little more,” I tell them all, hoping with everything I have in me that it does work.
“What about the rest love, will it still alert us to when you’re in danger? When you’re hurt? We need those things,” Merrick wonders, and I smile to him for thinking of such a thing.
“It will. I am only keeping the pain in my heart from you, not physical. And when I’m in danger, my mind is always open. You won’t ever miss a beat when it comes to that.” I kiss him swiftly on the cheek and smile into his arm when he hugs me tightly, his relief evident when he exhales his own calming breaths.
Merrick:
I feel like our story is just beginning. There are so many unknowns to the beautiful woman standing before me. There’s always something new she teaches us, shows us and understands. I can’t wait to see what she has to teach our daughter, and the other children we will come to have.
Watching her use her Hellfire was amazing, but watching her gorgeous red eyes swirl and her hair flutter about her when she was up close trying to make the barrier work, it has me hard. I can’t wait until all of this is over, and I'm able to have her laid before me once more, giving her all that I have. She already has my heart, that won't stop, but she can always use a little more of me, inside her.
“Love, is there anything you need us to do? I’m going to steel my blood for better protection against whatever kind of shit these fucks can do, I already talked to Gor about doing the same. I know that will give you a better peace of mind,” I tell her, looking into her eyes, trying to keep my own fear at this entire situation in check. If she sees even an ounce, I have a feeling it will break her. Especially knowing how she views me. The strongest willed and her rock when things like this are happening. I have to stay strong for her.
She smiles at me brightly, and shakes her head, “No, I don’t think so. Just stay with me?” she asks, looking at my chest instead of my eyes, her voice a mere whisper. I put my hand around the back of her neck and pull her closer to me, making her look me in the eyes.
“Don’t ever doubt I won’t be. I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe and with us, whatever you need, if I can, I will give it.” I say into her hair, loving the way she smells of Lavender right after she uses her magic. I inhale deep and rub small circles on the back of her neck, kiss her hair and release her, watching as she closes her eyes and inhales my own scent deeply.
“Thank you, Merrick. I couldn’t do this without you.” Her admissions soften my heart a bit and I smile at her as I pull the metal I have in my pocket into me, steeling my veins. Her audible gasp makes me smirk again. My skin turns a light blue and my veins change to silver before both our eyes. It never gets old, getting a rise out of people when I do this.
“I love seeing you like this. I really do. Makes me want to do naughty things, right here in front of everyone,” she says breathily.
My smirk grows and I take her neck in my hand once more, grabbing her forcefully to me and smashing my lips to her, loving the way she melds to me and accepts my request when she opens her mouth to me. Our kiss is fuel with our combined dread, our love and a little something I have a feeling she’s doing to me. I can’t help myself as I grind against her ironclad stomach and wish she was naked before me. I pull away and smirk when I see the naughty, playful grin she’s giving me.
“You’re a little sneak. I know what you’re trying to do. You might be getting better with your magics, but I know when you’re using it. Cheater,” I tell her, giving her a mock glare and walking swiftly away.
Smiling when I see her face fall and she gawks at me openly, she didn’t think I would break her spell so fast. That’s one thing she has wrong with us Fae. We can feel and sense when magic of any kind is being used on us.
“How… wait, how the hell did you do that?!” she yells at my back, making me bite my lips trying not to laugh at her.
“The Fae have some tricks of our own, little one,” is all I say to her while I walk up to a smirking Rhett and Rhydian. Ebbin’s shaking his head, smiling and I can’t help but pat him on the shoulder. He’ll learn someday too.
Mira:
Shaking myself out of the daze Merrick had just put me in, I walk back to our group shaking my head the entire two feet, glaring at Merrick’s back and then the others when I see they all wear amused smiles.
I flip them all off and make my way back over to Cynide, who, of course, is standing steadily and comfortingly by Vieruz.
-You’re going to have to help me come up with a way
to play some new tricks, I’m losing my touch.- I tell her, pouting and leaning my head against her neck.
-That is easy enough. He’s scared of rabbits and hates whip cream,- she tells me, taking me aback and laughing into her.
-Rabbits and whip cream? That’s got to be the strangest things I have ever hear a grown man being unable to tolerate.- I giggle to her as quietly as I can.
-I don’t know, Rhydian is scared of moths and refuses to drink milk.- She tells me matter of factly. I know she finds that combination more off putting since she loves to chase moths and drink milk, but it still makes me shake my head and bite my lips. I wonder what else she’s found out about my guys. I know we don’t have the time to discuss it so, I ask the rest of my group instead.
“What else have we been told that's lurking in the shadows of the castle?” I ask loud enough so my voice can carry over the group.
“Slurms, as Cynide calls them. They burrow from underground like worms of our world, when they sense the blood of anyone that’s not of this world, and latch onto you until their master can get there, if you aren't found they will drain you of your blood and start eating you,” Rhydian says, his voice raised so I can hear him clearly. I hide my face in Cynide’s mane and shiver at the thought of them.
“That’s really fucking gross. Anything else?” I ask, my voice muffled from still being entwined around Cynide.
-Just a few things, nothing we can’t handle.- This comes from Vieruz behind me. I swivel on my feet and give him a half glare and laugh when he snorts at me and shuffles his eight legs.
“Don’t you get no attitude with me big guy, I’ll sic Cynide on you. Whether you like it, or don’t isn’t up to me,” I tell him and watch as his already large eyes get bigger, and his mist comes out heavier. I stick my tongue out and turn back to Cynide and look at the ground pursing my lips when I see she wears the same look, but hers is filled with mortification where his seemed to be of lust. I pat her rump and walk away from her before I can say anything else to embarrass her further.
“What else, just give me everything,” I say with a huff, walking up and throwing my arms around Rhydian. He smiles seductively down to me and nuzzles my cheek with his scruff and I quickly yank my head to the side to get away, all the while smiling.
“Besides the Slurms, and Dark Walkers, the Hellhounds here are only loyal to Lucifer, unless they somehow find their true mate. Then there are the Minion Demons, small little fuckers with wings that like to tear off your head from the sky. Last but not least, the Hell-Beings they’re giants, the color of boiled blood and their skin is delicate, as fragile as an eggshell. They’re sensitive to touch, their eyes are triangular, the hairs on their bodies stand on end, and they have abnormally large hands and feet,” Rhett says, picking something out of his teeth, his eyes on the sky and a grimace on his face.
“That last one, that was uh, pretty descriptive,” I say with a shiver.
He shrugs his shoulders at me and winks. I glare back at him with a smile.
“Okay, so I know the Dark Walkers can only be killed by Hellfire, what about the rest of these...things?” I ask, looking to the bright eyes of Vieruz for answer.
-Anything that contains magic. They do not die. They are merely placed elsewhere after the King, Lucifer, tortures them for being weak.-
“Peachy,” I grind out. “So, is everyone good with this? Are we ready to shift and go kick some ass?” I ask with glee, my heart racing in anticipation.
“I think I’m ready,” Ebbin says looking to the others who all nod their heads in agreeance.
I smile widely and thrust my wings from my back once more, watching the rest of team either change or sit atop the another for the short ride to Lucifer’s gates.
With the castle coming into view for a second time, we fly low to the ground, trying to figure out where our best place to drop in will be. We don’t want it too far from the main center building, the towers Cynide has assured us is not where the dungeons will be, or where my mother will be held. We don’t want the open courtyard, there’s too many variables as to what can happen.
-I think we should fly to the back, try and find a way in that’s less inconspicuous than the front door. Cynide, I know this place is impenetrable but is there anything that will help us with the way I just explained?- I ask her, trying to stay hidden behind one of the tower rooftops.
-There is. There is a door on each side of the great hall. They are guarded by the Dark Walkers, so you must be ready and the second to enter.-
I cut her off before she can go further.
-What do you mean second? Shouldn’t I be first?- I ask confused.
-No, I will go in first. The Dark Walkers gifts do not harm one such as myself. I will, Cynide, what did you call it?- Vieruz pauses waiting to hear her answer, tilting his head to the side. Nodding his head as best as a one such as him can.-Yes, bait, thank you. After that you, Mira, will have a clear advantage over what will be coming after me. That is when you strike.- He finishes.
-Are you sure they can’t harm you? That seems a little risky Vie.-
-Hmm, Vie, I like that. Yes, Miss Mira, I am sure. I have caused many… shall we say, uproars. Unlike your Cynide, I was able to be seen, interact and fight while awaiting my master. I made the most of my time, fun.- He says with a little too much joy in his deep tone, creeping me out to the fullest.
-Ooookay.- I draw out, saying it to everyone.
They’ve all heard the plan and are on board.
We fly back out and split into smaller groups, half taking the left, the other taking the right to try and hide as best we can. We land together, safely in the back of the great hall. Ebbin shifts into Caius, Rhydian is safely behind Kigiree. Gor and Merrick have seemingly turned more blue than before and are standing proudly next to one another. Torunn has her helm steadily on, with her wings proudly at her side while she grips her sword. Blue is standing with her fangs out and her eyes pitch black as she awaits my lead. Cynide shifts into her lynx form and Vie stays his large self. Rhett, standing further away from us all, has his familiar blue flames flowing over his body as he whispers words under his breath, readying his own magic. I pull my necklace of charms off once more and hand it to Merrick. His pants have a snap button on the side pockets and I know it will be safer there, than in my smaller ones.
I kiss hairy heads, soft lips and hug hard bodies before we storm the castle. I know this isn’t going to be easy.
“I love you all, so much. No matter what’s happened before, you have all stuck by me, and you’re here, not just for me but for the woman I didn’t even know existed. That means more to me than you know. I don’t want to be split up,” I say, looking at each of my family members pointedly. “If we are, I, Rhett or one of the Agathions will get you out. Gor, I know you can, but haven’t been trained. Think of what you want most, who or where you want to be and push with the will of everything inside you, and hopefully you will hit your target.” He nods his big head once, and we all see how his eyes shift to Torunn with all the care and love in the worlds. “When we go in, I want one of you standing side by side as much as possible with someone that can teleport. So if things do go wrong, you aren’t without help. I know that’s not always going to be possible since we will be fighting, but please, just do your best,” I say with angst, I know we all feel it radiating off of each other, but that’s the best plan of action I have. Cynide might know this castle, but she was just a mist being then. Who knows if there are traps laid out, walls that move? We know nothing.
“Vie, are you ready?” I ask him and return the nod when he gives it.
“Let’s go,” I grind out as I turn away from everyone, waiting for Vie to take the lead.
I pull every ounce of pain and revulsion I can muster and turn my head quickly when I remember what happened before with my emotions. Luckily, no one seems to feel anything. They stand at the ready, teeth bared, swords gripped tightly, hands out, eager to throw magic when needed. My family and friends,
all standing behind me as we take on this dire venture, all here to rescue a woman none of us but Torunn know. Rhett comes to my side and smiles, lighting himself up more in his bright blue flames, illuminating the darkness around us. It’s still strange to be around him but it’s right, this is where he should be, not because he needs to be watched, but because he’s mine. I don’t smile, still wary of him, but I nod my thanks and he clicks his tongue at me.
“They can only be seen in light, right? Well, here I am baby.” He grins widely, making me giggle at his goofy words. Having him at the forefront of it with me, it’s scary, but he’s right. That’s all there is to it. I need him.
“Throw that shit ahead of me so we can all see, but please, stay behind,” I grit out, trying to keep my emotions in check and my power at the ready. It’s a fine line I’m walking and much harder than anything I thought.
Mira:
When I open the hulking double doors to the back entrance of the great hall, all Hell, literally and figuratively, breaks loose.
Vieruz storms in, chuffing and swinging his large head back and forth while he stomps the ground with his four front legs. I can’t see what is attacking him, but his mane is pulled hard, making his large neck jerk to the side, his legs beneath him stumble, and he almost goes down. Gor, already having a deep bond, screams a battle cry seeing this and rushes to Vie. My rage increases and I scream to Rhett beside me, “Light the place up, you fucking wizard!”
