by Alexia Purdy
Evangeline
(A Dark Faerie Tale #0.5)
By
Alexia Purdy
Evangeline (A Dark Faerie Tale #0.5)
Copyright © August 2012 Alexia Purdy
All rights reserved
Published by
Lyrical Lit. Publishing
Cover Design by Alexia Purdy
Cover Photos: © elisanth ~ canstockphoto
© enrico01~ canstockphoto
This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this novel are fictitious and are products of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual events, or locales or persons, living or dead are entirely coincidental.
ALSO BY ALEXIA PURDY:
Novels:
Ever Shade (A Dark Faerie Tale #1)
Ever Fire (A Dark Faerie Tale #2)
Ever Winter (A Dark Faerie Tale #3)
Ever Wrath (A Dark Faerie Tale #4)
History of Fire (A Dark Faerie Tale #5)
Ever Dead (A Dark Faerie Tale #6)
Reign of Blood #1
Disarming (Reign of Blood #2)
Amplified (Reign of Blood #3)
Short Stories:
Evangeline (A Dark Faerie Tale 0.5)
The Cursed (A Dark Faerie Tale #3.5)
Elijah: The Miel Chronicles-
(A Reign of Blood Companion Story)
The Faery Hunt
Spinning Scars
Poetic Collections:
Whispers of Dreams
Five Fathoms
Anthology:
Beyond the Never
Faery Worlds
Faery Realms
Faery Tales
The XOXO Collection
For Rayven
Chapter One
THE SLOW BURN of fire never promises an end. But the end does come. The licking flames that consume all matter until it ceases to exist, extinguishing into tendrils of smoke and soot, Evangeline never tired of watching it. It was hypnotic, calming with the crackle and snap it produced−a snake dance to pull one in and perish with one embrace. This was what she was, and she knew it. The poisonous venom of death, disguised in warmth and light.
Evangeline and her sister, Jade, were unique. She’d never met any other fire elemental witches before. Yet, Evie, as her sister had called her since toddlerhood instead of fumbling with her long name, was just that much different. Her faery blood fed her elemental fire powers and amplified them in every way.
With these powers came the effects of life in a human city. Iron poisoning. It made her bones ache and her head spin. The nauseating stench of it swirled around the buildings, cars and the streets near her home. Every place. Even the house she’d grown up in was laced with the endless poison adrift in every breath. Jade wasn’t part faery, she was all human, even with her fire elemental magic, the iron did not bother her at all.
Evie didn’t really care, but she’d felt the twinge of envy curl into her mind, at times, right before she swiftly swatted it away. She loved her sister. They were two lights in the vast dark of the world.
“Is it helping?” Jade’s voice broke into her thoughts. Evie turned, gave her a weak smile before gazing back across the yard. The forest was calling her tonight. Its power whispered promises more like a lover would deep into her mind. It beckoned her from the confines of her childhood home. She wondered if Jade felt it too. Something told her, unfortunately, Jade’s full human heritage didn’t allow for this.
“Yes, it helps a lot. It takes the edge off, for sure.” Evie sighed. The headaches were bad lately. Her glamour magic, which kept the iron from affecting her, wavered when the headaches came. Only the power of the forest in the Land of Faerie nearby and her sister’s magical drinks, which were laced with whatever spells she had concocted and perfected to keep the iron sickness at bay, made it better. As she got older, it was getting harder to stave off. She rubbed her temples and pushed back her long black hair, wondering why that was.
“If mom were here, she’d know what to do about that.” Jade slumped into the creaky, old rocking chair, which sighed when she let it rock under her weight. Evie swayed in the porch swing, hoping the fresh air would calm the raging pain in her head.
“She might’ve, but I doubt it.” Grumbling the last part made her resent her faery heritage just a bit. Jade didn’t worry about iron sickness, she was just a year older than her but had a different father. Though he had not stuck around after their mother found out she was pregnant, neither had Evie’s supernatural father. It had made the three women thick as thieves. Their mother’s death had come suddenly and left Jade, barely eighteen, Evie’s guardian. Nothing could have prepared them for that. Nothing filled the void that their mother had left behind.
“Maybe we should go there then.”
Evie tilted her head up towards her sister. Jade’s chocolate eyes twinkled with the knowledge of a person older than their years. The color matched her own, even though they were different in many ways.
They had both excelled in fire manipulation and elemental witch magic which their mother had made sure to mentor them in. But, Jade had excelled in the fire magic and elemental powers of the world around her−far more than Evie ever could. The only thing that had saved Evie from being a miserable failure was the faery blood that amplified the elemental magic she possessed. Only by this miracle had she managed to fumble through the lessons enough to satisfy their drill sergeant of a mother. Jade was more powerful than her, even with mortal blood.
“Go where?” Evie replied. She didn’t want to hear the answer. She knew what was coming next. Though Evie wanted it more than anything else, the danger Jade could face joining her in Land of Faerie made her shove the desire so deep inside her and into the crevices of her deepest thoughts. No, she couldn’t take Jade into Faerie. It might eat her alive. Even though Evie was a faery, it’d already taking nips and bits of her already.
Jade wrinkled her lips into a semi frown, knowing full well her sister was pretending to not know what she meant. “You know where, into the forest. You need it. It’s like a life force for you.” Jade paused as she glanced out across the expanse of trees and shrubs swaying with the push of the wind. The far off roar of the leaves vibrating with the air rumbled in her ears as she contemplated how it would go if they did venture in. Their mother had warned them of the dangers and malice that filled the Land of Faerie. They’d heeded her until now. Yet, Evie could no longer resist the call of the land anymore, and Jade had to help her. She was, after all, her only living relative.
Evie shrugged, trying to look apathetic.
“I dunno. Maybe.”
“You should accept it, it’s part of you. You need to be where you belong. Mom said….”
“I know what mom said.” Evie stood up abruptly and stormed into the house. She wasn’t angry at Jade, she wasn’t even angry at their mother anymore for dying. She didn’t know what she was angry about, but it ate at her like a cancer. She knew what she had to do, but she didn’t necessarily want to do it.
In the meantime, Evie would wait. Wait for the right moment to come to make a move. Then, and only then would she follow the pull to the endless lands of Faerie, where the magic was boundless and dangerous at best. She could feel the time approaching, whispering to her that the time was now. But, she’d wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow was a better choice.
Chapter Two
“OKAY, IT’S TIME,” Evie gave a little tap to her sister’s messed up head, which poked out from under the blanket. The early morning sun had barely risen and Jade’s stubborn moan filtered from underneath her comforter.
“Okay what?” Jade shoved the covers down and gave Evie a deadly look. “It’s the butt crack of dawn. What are you babbling about?”
“I think it’s time to go into Faerie.” Evie plopped down onto the bed with its swirled, multicolored sheets. She played with a loose string that hung from the corner of the soft, well-used, thread bare blanket. “I think I’m ready. As long as you are too, and we stay near each other, I think we’ll be fine.” She sighed, hoping her doubt didn’t leak into her voice.
Jade sat up, shoving her long medium-brown hair out of her puffy eyes. Rubbing them, she gave an extended yawn, stretching her arms to the sky. A moment later she gave her sister a weak smile, wondering how it was that today, Evie was ready. Yesterday her reluctance had been oh so obvious.
“Great! Let me wake up a bit and we can get going.” Jade rubbed her face again, feeling more out of it than anything else. “I need some coffee…”
“Done! I’ll get it going, you get ready. I’m all set to go.” Evie jumped up, her mood elevated with every passing minute as she rushed out of the room. Jade frowned, not particularly happy about anything quite yet.
Today was it. Evie knew it. She felt it vibrating through her bones like a thrill that hummed under her skin. Today. She didn’t know what it was going to show her or bring around the corner, but something about today was calling her in every way.
The smell of honeysuckle and grass clippings swam through the cracked kitchen window as she filled the coffee maker. Along with the ozone of the dawn, the scent was amazing. She adored the way the forest’s sounds and smells wafted around the place. It was the closest they could’ve lived without actually crossing the borders into Faerie. The invisible wards, which normally kept humans out, were but a few hundred feet away. Mom had known this. She’d loved this house for that. It’d served to torture Evie with the proximity of the magic that ebbed from it. She’d felt it in every cell her entire life. It was part of her in every way.
Evie had just finished dropping creamer and sugar into two mugs of coffee when Jade shuffled in. Her hair was dripping wet and hung in long snarled tangles as she pulled her brush through the mess. She was definitely more awake now as she plopped onto a chair at the kitchen table and inhaled the enticing aroma from the mug.
“Thanks! You always make it so yummy.” She took a swig, not caring that it was still steaming hot. The thing about being a fire elemental witch, burns were not a problem.
“Yeah, super strong. Just like you like it.” Evie took a swig of her own, loving the feel of the hot fluid coating her raspy throat.
“So, where do you want to start at? What’s the agenda?” Jade muttered from her cup, reaching for a muffin that Evie had laid out on a platter atop the table. She stuffed a bite into her mouth and watched her sister suspiciously. Evie couldn’t hide much from her. But that was fine. Nothing to really hide, at least not today.
“I want to go into the forest together. Then, let me go in further by myself. I want to feel the magic around me, see what I can sense.”
“You better scream loud then, if anything happens or you need me.” Jade frowned, not liking the idea of leaving her little sister alone to roam a dangerous forest of magic. “I’ll try not to lose my mind while you’re gone. But don’t take too long, I say, one hour, and then I’ll be hunting you down.” Jade waited, hoping for the answer she wanted.
“Sounds like a deal, sis,” Evie flashed a smile as they finished their breakfast and headed out into the cool early summer morning.
Chapter Three
THE SHIFT OF damp moss and dead mulch made the trek into the forest slightly unpleasant. It had sprinkled the night before, leaving a layer of moisture clinging to everything and the air hanging thick. The soil was almost muddy. The damp and sticky clumps gripped onto their shoes and shifted with their weight. Once their house had faded into the thick rows of trees behind them, they were alone, with only the calls of birds and small animals to accompany them.
Jade peered around, sniffing the air. The scent of pine and rotting foliage filled her nostrils. Not necessarily unpleasant, just stronger than it would’ve been without the rain.
Evie was delighted. The place reeked of magic. Life vibrated from the limbs of trees and the small saplings swayed in the slight breezes that caressed their leaves. The earth and sky harmonized, sending waves of intense calm through her. She was in her element again. The only place she didn’t feel sickly or different. She let the tendrils of power seduce her, enjoying every second.
Jade could feel it too, prickling along her skin like static electricity. It wasn’t as potent as Evie’s senses, but she could feel it nonetheless. Her elemental magic was by no means weak−she could match Evie easily with her own spells and fire wielding. Faery magic was more amplified than hers, though. It reeked from everything in Faerie. The land was enchanted, alive and breathing just as she was. It was both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.
“Where do you want me to wait?” Her voice sounded quiet in the density of nature. She didn’t quite feel at ease yet, though her magic was also earthly bound. Hers was human-born. Evie’s were supernatural.
“Here is fine,” her sister’s voice was smooth and filled with excitement. Evie’s eyes were wide, her vision filled with the extraordinary things around her. Small demi-fey flew past, and paused slightly in their flights to observe her momentarily before zipping away, finding nothing special. Just another fey girl wandering the forest. They lingered on the human a bit more though, their eyes stared hungrily for seconds longer. But Jade knew better. She gave then no attention and sent them off in their unacknowledged spite.
“Okay, remember; scream loudly. I’ll be right there in a flash.” Jade placed her hand on her sister’s shoulder, ensuring she was heard. “Don’t go too far, and don’t talk to anyone.” Her eyes gleamed her warning as Evie turned toward her.
“I know, I promise. Not too far.”
Jade nodded as her hand slipped off her sister. Evie made her way deeper into the foliage and shrubs, letting the forest swallow her up in no time. The woods claimed her, happy to take one of their own. Jade felt alone in the desolation of Faerie. It was no different than a regular forest. Except for that tingle of magic that crawled across her like ants swarming. She found a fallen log with moss growing to one side of its bark situated in a small incline on the forest floor. Sitting down, she sighed.
Patience. She needs to do this. I must be patient and just sit and wait. I can sit still for a bit. One hour, that’s all. What could go wrong?
She swallowed down the parched knot forming in her throat. So much could go wrong. This was the Land of Faerie after all, where nothing is what is seems, and nothing is impossible.
~~~~~
Nothing could compare to it. Nothing would ever be enough to replace the feeling this place gave her. Evie had already decided this. Only a few minutes in, she just knew. No other strip of earth would ever make her feel this way. No human city, no land anywhere but here. This was home. She could feel it to her inner core. Smiling, she let it flow over her as she watched the creatures of Faerie slowly creep out of their places and curiously watch her. They would acknowledge her with a narrowing of eyes or a curious glance, and then be on their way. The trees would sway in her direction, almost wanting to envelope her in a welcoming hug.
Welcome home, they whispered. Welcome home.
A crack echoed nearby, breaking her solace with a jerk. Evie turned to study her surroundings, waiting for whomever or whatever disturbed the land to show themselves. Even the birds had quieted their songs, silenced with caution, awaiting the intrusion on their solace.
Evie wondered if she should scream. No, she would wait, she could handle it. She just knew she could, no matter what or who it could be. Listening, she attempted to narrow in further onto the noise. None came, but she felt eyes on her, studying her with an intensity so strong, she could actually feel their eyes almost burning into her.
“I know you’re there,” she called out. The forest didn’t answer. Even the sway of branches had stilled as she waited. Slowly sucking in some air, she glanced around again and caught sight of him. A man. Dark hair and blue eyes watched her with a curious interest and a slight smile hovered on his lips.
“Who’re you?”
He tilted his head, amused by her words. His smile grew, curled up and flashed the ivory white teeth underneath. His magic called to her, like fire for fire. It made her breath catch as she felt it across the air. He was a faery, but his power matched hers somehow, leaving her completely enthralled.
“I’m Jack. Who’re you?”
Chapter Four
JADE FELT A presence. It was unworldly and felt like a rush of earth and water tumbling around her. She stiffened. The hairs rose on her neck as she turned around, flicking her eyes about the forest but finding nothing.
“Evie?” she whispered. The trees didn’t reply. They danced in a sway, rippling like a tide as the wind rode the branches. Jade couldn’t help but feel that someone was watching her. Shivering, she ran her hands over her arms and backed into a tree, hoping it was all in her head.
“Evie? If that’s you, it’s not funny!” Nothing but space and a haunting whoosh of breezes greeted her. She sighed. It was probably just her imagination. Feeling paranoid was not uncommon for her. When you’re different from your peers to the point you can manipulate others and the elements, she could trust no one. No one but her own flesh and blood.
Jade settled against the tree and scolded herself for being so jumpy. The feeling ceased and the calming sounds of the woods resumed their songs. She didn’t blame Evie one bit for loving it out here. Nature was an entity unto itself and its power was intoxicating. Jade was sure that whatever pleasure she derived from the earth itself was amplified a thousand fold for those bound to Faerie. It reeked of magic and power. It was like a surge tingling across her skin, vibrating and teasing.
