by Jaime Marks
“I shall not fail you, Lord Lazurys.” Cymeryn knelt once more.
“Take whatever forces you need, but do not fail. Any ground lost can be retaken, but we cannot lose her.” His voice echoed around the cavern as his form dissolved and he faded back into Darkness. “Remember, she cannot be brought to the realms until she is awakened. It is the only rule we must obey. Aside from that, reach whatever depths of evil you feel are required. I care not what condition she is in when she comes to me. I can fill her with my own essence, just bring her to me alive with Darkness still in her soul… ”
“Yes, my lord, it shall be done.”
Well, well, well, Cymeryn thought, as he felt Lord Lazurys’ presence fade from the cavern. He did not miss the opportunity afore him, any more than he discounted the repercussions of his failure. How interesting that fate would deign to bring him and his twin face to face once more. The fact that his brother had found another enraged him. How dare he after what he had done? Cymeryn wondered what would be more fun, turning the woman and turning his brother, bringing him to his side once more; taking the woman as his own, enraging his brother until he lost himself in Darkness anyway; or killing him, making his strength his own and then taking his place with the woman converting her in her ignorance. Decisions, decisions. Either way it seemed he had a new toy waiting for him, how he would relish in the taste of her as he brought her to the Dark.
He sent his senses out, reaching through the Darkness calling two of his most vicious Umbra to him. As Demytria and Crytos took form he smiled wickedly. Demytria had blood dripping from her hands and was pouting. A sure sign the kill had not sated her bloodlust and she was not pleased to be called from her chance to quench her desire. Crytos stood, his obsidian sword drawn, a wicked grin upon his lips and blood running from his chin. He liked to drink of his kills. Both were vicious warriors and both looked more than ready for a little fun.
“I have been tasked by Lord Lazurys to retrieve one he wants. We leave at nightfall. Be prepared, the Guardians protect her.” He stated meeting them both in the eye. They exchanged a look and grinned.
“Perhaps that is where Kato has been hiding then.” Demytria murmured playfully, “I would so love to get my nails into that Fae again. His essence is divine.”
“Perhaps, he always did follow my twin like some lost mutt.” Cymeryn scoffed. “My brother, it seems, has emerged from the mist.”
Crytos smiled slyly, “I will ready a rank of Shadows. This shall be fun indeed. I can’t wait to see you wipe the righteous smirk from your blooded twin’s face. ”
“Excellent, we reconvene at sunfall. In the meantime, I shall pay my new toy a visit, my brother will not be far. I do hope Marcus is happy to see me.” Cymeryan’s laughter echoed wickedly through the cave.
Kato stood at the foot of the bed where Sean was sleeping. He could sense what had Marcus so concerned. There was much hatred and anger in this man’s soul, and there was definitely something off, a shadow that remained just out of reach, though he could feel no direct link to the Darkness with his senses. That didn’t mean one didn’t exist, however, just that it was either not that strong, or that is was masked in some manner. Not that it mattered, any Fae of the forest would be able to tease out a connection to Darkness. Nothing grew where Light did not exist and as such they could sense where Light existed and where it did not. If Kato sent his energy through Sean he would be able to tell if there were a place within him owned by the Darkness; whether it be in his heart, or his mind.
He studied the human. He wasn’t overly handsome, but he wasn’t really attractive either. He probably stood about five foot ten, not a bad height for a human, and his physique was strong. Still he didn’t strike Kato as the type of mate that Reyana would have taken. He had been close to her before her death, she had been Light and radiance to any life she touched. Light and love embodied her existence. She would never tolerate someone to treat her in any ill manner, and if such an opening for Darkness ever showed itself she would go about healing it, whereas here in this man, it seemed to fester. It was difficult to reconcile the memory of her bound with a man so filled with hatred, but then, she was not as she had once been. Perhaps it was her darker half that was drawn to him, in which case they needed to know why. Exactly what type of risk did he pose to both Reyana and her young?
He sent his energy forth, green tendrils wrapping around the man and delving deep within him, winding their way through to his core. What he felt, chilled him to the bone, this man was not connected to the Darkness, he was of it. He was unawakened Shade, the Darkness ran through his blood. Kato delved into his mind teasing out any knowledge of his ancestry, but found little. His mother was part Cherokee, part German, and he never knew his father. He did not appear to know what he was, which was a blessing. If he had been aware, he could have been molding her this whole time. Guiding her towards the Darkness at every turn. Although his Shade tendencies were apparently beginning to manifest. It was very likely that as Reyn moved closer to her awakening that it spurred him on to his own. Her ever growing body of Light had to cause the soon to be Shade much pain. The Darkness in him would surge forth in an attempt to protect itself from the threat as Reyn’s essence inadvertently touched and entered him. Their bond through marriage would allow it to interact with him, but the two essences, Dark and Light, did not mix well. The result was usually illness and excruciating pain. If the infected was Fae they risked turning, but there had never been a case of the reverse being true. It was the reason the Shade were so deadly an enemy.
This was unsettling at best. If they were not already aware, it was only a matter of time before the Darkness realized that one of their own was with Reyana, and that could be very dangerous. He needed to talk to Mythos, they had to move her now, before the awakening took her. If they waited, she could be awakened to Dark by her husband and there would be nothing any of them could do about it. It was almost impossible to turn a Shade to Light. It could be done, if they were not born full Shade, but the window was very small. It could only be done if they were still fresh from their awakening, before their body of Darkness was fully formed and there had to be a strong attachment to the Light to begin with. He was unsure she would still have that having grown through a human existence. Humanity tended to lose their light as they aged. If this were true of Reyana and if she were awakened Dark, there would be no hope, for anyone.
Kato misted through the realms and reformed just outside the training facility at the Guardian Compound. He could feel Mythos inside. He braced himself, the King had not been pleased as of late. Things in the war were worsening and there was a general unrest within the Fae as the Umbra had never gained so much ground. On top of all that, the situation with Reyana had weighed heavily on Mythos. This news would not be taken well.
He stepped through the door to see Mythos working through the ancient forms of Luxyndi in which all Guardians were trained. He waited to be addressed not wanting to disturb the King from his meditation. His large body moved gracefully through the movements. He was an intimidating Fae. He easily stood at seven feet in height with thick muscles roping his body. His fair skin coursing with energy of the sun. Light golden brown hair sweeping passed his shoulders with gold highlights reflecting the light from overhead and the glow emitting from the King of the Fae. His presence commanded attention, and his strength was capable of crushing any who failed to obey. Kato wondered who was foolish enough to stir unrest in the Kingdoms. He deplored even addressing the King with bad news, and he considered the Fae his friend. To be the source of strife in his Kingdom?
“You may approach Kato.” Mythos spoke as he finished the form he had been working through and grabbed a towel to wipe his brow. “How is my sister? I assume you bring news.”
“She grows strong, my lord. I saw her break through a Command last eve, I fear time is short,” Kato replied approaching across the mats that lined the center’s floors. He knelt in reverence before his King.
“Do get up Kato
, the bond you and I share goes far deeper than the formalities of my crown.” The King motioned, concern cresting his brow. “I can easily have arraignments in order for her. It is not Reyana herself we are struggling to ready for, it is her human daughter. The love between them is strong, as it should be, but she cannot exist here as human, it goes against the covenants. Reyana will not return without her young and she will be too vulnerable outside the Realm of the Fae even once her body of Light has fully formed. Alysse is working quickly to make what concessions and arraignments can be achieved.”
Kato wondered how he knew how close Reyana and Star were, but he knew better than to ask. He thought carefully over his words, trying to deign how to impart the issue without causing much strain, but there was no easy way to tell the King his sister was in danger of being lost to Darkness. “My lord, there is a complication Marcus alerted me to, he allowed me to investigate the issue personally.”
“Did he? It is good that he trusted you. He has been gone too long from the Light. I have hope that with Reyana coming home, he might follow.” Mythos sighed and lowered himself to on to a bench. “I fear he is vulnerable to turning if he stays rogue.” He paused and studied him, “Spit it out, Kato, your apprehension is a palpable twinge in the air. What is wrong?”
“Her husband my lord, the human Sean. He is not human. He is unawakened Shade.”
The King’s eyes narrowed as they shot to Kato. “Does he know?”
“No, that is the only reason it has gone undetected. His human form is still dominant and there is no direct link to the Darkness though it festers within him.” Kato hesitated, “But he seems to be showing signs, based on Marcus’ observations. His Shade tendencies are coming to fore. It will not be long till they sense his existence and seek him out.”
“I can assume he has not laid a hand on her. Marcus would destroy the man.” Mythos raised a questioning eyebrow, the disgust and ire apparent in his voice.
“Indeed, my lord, it is obvious he fights the urge to do so now.” He paused gathering his thoughts. “I recommend we move Reyana and her daughter. It is too much of a risk to chance that Sean may be discovered and used to awaken her to Dark. Also," he hesitated. “Also, I fear if Marcus were to find out that Sean is Shade he will…” Kato trailed off trying to find the proper wording.
“Worry not Kato, the thought occurred to me as well. He cannot take the man’s life in his current state, he is still human. Unless he were to inflict bodily harm on an innocent he is protected by the ancient decrees of the covenants which bind us as the Guardians of Humanity. Marcus would turn.” Mythos stood and paced. “If he turns we may well lose her regardless. There is a connection there. The love they once shared still exists between them and though she does not know that in truth he exists, she has bonded to him.”
Kato raised a brow studying the King. How would he know that the connection still existed, unless?
“Yes Kato, I have been to see her. I may be King, now and forbidden from the fronts, but I am not chained to my throne. She is still my sister and Marcus was once my friend as well. I have watched them both these last few years. I had thought them both lost to me. I held Reyana’s empty shell in my arms and when he did not return, to be truth, I had feared he had been overwhelmed by the rage and grief in his heart. That he had turned. It is why I did not initially seek him out, but when he did not emerge within the Shade? I knew Alayne would use his power if he had Marcus in his fold, the only other explanation was he had gone after them to avenge her and fallen.”
‘We all thought it to be so, sire,” Kato reflected. “The way he was when he left the palace, I reached out but I could not sense him; could not find his Light. I tried to follow but the trail ran cold. No one was more surprised than I that he lived.”
The King nodded. “To find they both lived after all this time, nothing could have kept me away. I realize Marcus would not welcome my presence, but I have kept an eye on him from afar. I know of the hatred and anger he harbors, but the love in his heart for her, it is strong. And though it confuses her reality she returns his affections. Despite the vows and boundaries that are between them they are bound even still. If we lose either of them we may well lose all three of them. Reyana, Marcus, and Staryana.”
“Staryana, my lord?”
“Did you not know?” Mythos smiled, “The child’s birth name, my niece, she is Staryana. Reyana may not know who or what she is, but somewhere inside of her, Kato, there is a part that still remembers.”
Mythos paused in reflection as two Fae took form aside of them. He nodded to them both before he continued. “Unfortunately, the rules are drawn quite clearly. Regardless of the danger, she cannot leave the human realm until she is awakened. Trina and Ryo will go with you. They will embed themselves into her life and assist you as you see fit. Start looking to set up a place in the human realm where she will be safe and hidden in case we have to move her, even if they must move often. Do not be mistaken, though, until her memories start to form and she begins to understand on her own, she may not welcome your assistance.”
“Yes, my lord.” They all replied.
“And Kato,” Mythos paused thoughtfully. “I want them both back. Tell him the truth, we cannot risk any breech in the trust between you, but find a way to do so without risking him to the Darkness. I would come with you if things here were not so….tedious.”
Kato bowed. He only hoped the Lucerna would grant him the wisdom and strength to save them all. He turned to Trina and Ryo, “Find Grifyn and begin working on setting up a place where we might shield the Princess and her human young from detection. I have to confer with Marcus, I will call you through the mist when I am ready to discuss how best to proceed.”
“Yes sir,” they both replied misting away.
“I share your fears, my friend,” Mythos walked over resting his palm on Kato’s shoulder. “I will consult Alysse and see if there is anything more we might do. If I bring her here now, though, we may lose her by our own actions. It is a very fine line we walk.”
“I know, I just fear losing either of them. In truth I was shocked that Marcus trusted me today. He fears trusting anyone since Cymeryn turned.”
“Hmmm,” Mythos stared into the distance lost in memory a moment, “Indeed he fooled us all. No one suspected that he had turned. If we had, perhaps Reyana may not have been lost.”
Kato nodded, “No one ever thought Shadows would have found entry into the Palace, least of all through one of our own.”
“The Dark Lord and Alayne are too smart not to capitalize on the animosity between Cymeryn and Marcus. They know, as I do, that Marcus is vulnerable. Lazurys feeds off the anger and hatred. It is a wonder that he has resisted Lazurys so long. Keep an eye out, I suspect it will not be long before Marcus’ twin is tasked to intercede. I need not tell you Kato that bringing him back into the fold would be our best option to protect Marcus, especially if Cymeryn gets involved in all this.”
“He will not leave her side my lord, and while today was a step towards dissuading his distrust, it will take time. I fear the only thing that can bring our friend home, is his love of her. When the Princess returns home, I believe he will follow, despite his intentions.”
“Still, involve him in the preparations and such, as much as you are able. Remind him of who he is; that he is not alone in this. Cymeryn is relentless and ruthless and his connection to Marcus is strong. The bond of the blooded twin is something legend to be unbreakable per Alysse. Our friend will need all the help he can get if he is to face his brother again.” Mythos sighed. “I fear the odds are stacking against us all.”
Kato cringed, the last thing they needed to deal with were the Shade, especially Cymeryn. In truth if not for him the Fae would have defeated the Shade long ago. Mythos was likely right, however, with time running short Lazurys’ best move would be use the strongest of his resources to turn Reyana and Cymeryn would never pass up this opportunity. It would give him the chance he had waited for all these
years. The only question was, would he try to turn Marcus, or just destroy him.
Chapter 4
Reyn rolled up her mat feeling far more relaxed after her yoga session. Having stretched out, the aches in her muscles had dulled some. The sessions always left her feeling more connected, to everything. It was as if she could reach out and feel everything and everyone around her. For a moment she thought she felt him, but almost as though he had sensed her awareness his energy was gone as quickly as she noticed it. She shook her head, she really needed to stop acting as if he were real.
“Hey Reyn,” Shelly smiled walking over. “I wanted to see how you’re doing. You haven’t called in a while.”
Shelly taught the yoga classes here at the studio. They had gone to school together. Once upon a time they’d even been friends. Reyn didn’t like to let people get too close anymore though. She only made polite conversation with people here at the center and she never met anyone outside the classes anymore. She just couldn’t handle the way people looked at her after a while, when they realized how sick she really was and started to wonder why the doctors couldn’t find a cause. She didn’t need the pity any more than she needed the judgments. “Yeah, things have just been busy lately, you know how it is Shell.”
“True,” Shelly replied hesitantly, studying her with a knowing eye. “I’m having a barbeque this weekend. You should bring Star. Get away for a while and have some fun.”
