by Jaime Marks
“Marcus, listen to me,” Kato spoke through gritted teeth. “He is here for her. He will take her if he gets the chance. I understand your anger, but what is more important to you? His death, or her life?”
Kato’s words shook him and he forced himself to turn back to her. She needed him. She was frightened and lost in all this, but she was looking to him. He couldn’t save her before, but he could protect her now. For the savagery of her death his brother would die, but first he needed to save her and prevent it from happening again.
Relief was evident in Kato’s voice, but the urgency was still evident, “Go, get her out of here, my friend. If she awakens we will deal with the consequences as they come, but you must get her to safety. You are the only one she trusts. Can you not see, you are the only one she looks to?”
Marcus nodded, meeting his twin’s evil gaze before he turned and fought his way to her; shoving, dodging and driving through the Shadows and their claws. Grifyn fought ahead of him, helping to clear his way. He nodded to him as he held back a shadow giving him an opening. Marcus returned the gesture, as he dove from the Darkness rolling to his feet before her. He pulled her into an embrace, drawing some of her Light into himself, reaching within to stabilize her.
“Leaving so soon, Brother,” Cymeryn’s twisted voice echoed through the alley. “No matter, your time will come. And the lovely Reyn, how good to see you…again is it? You remind me so very much of another whose pleasure I enjoyed. No matter, we shall be getting very well acquainted upon the sunfall. That I can assure you, my love.”
Marcus gritted his teeth fighting back the rage, he needed to keep it together for her, he could not let the Darkness in him bleed into her.
Kato met his eyes, “GO!”
“Reyana, we have to go.” he said picking her up and drawing her into him.
“Am I dreaming?” She asked searching his eyes. He only smiled briefly as he ran, avoiding any shelter provided from the sun by the trees and buildings they passed. Shadows seemed to reach out at them from every sliver of Darkness they passed.
She tucked her head into his chest and he couldn’t help but sigh at her touch. What could he tell her? How could he comfort her fears when she had no knowledge of any of this?
“Where are we going?” She asked and he could almost feel her brow crease through his shirt. “I can’t go home can I? That man, thing, he’s going to come for me isn’t he?”
Marcus cringed at the very thought of Cymeryn getting his hands on Reyana. Glancing down at her, the glow had not dissipated. Her Light seeped into him, strengthening him. It felt like home to him, like all the pieces of his puzzle were finally in place. Her strength was unlike anything he had ever felt. To try to hide this from her would be foolish. He didn’t think he could alter her memories anymore. He grimaced at the thought of explaining all this too her, of explaining his twin, her death.
He lowered his head to her ear. “Do you trust me, Reyana?”
She looked up into his eyes a soft glow illuminating her gaze, Light swirling behind her eyes. “It may be crazy, but I do.”
“You are not crazy, my love, and this is real. There is much I need to tell you, but for now, I need you to trust that I’ll keep you safe. I promise I will keep the rest from you no longer, but we must first get some place safe”
She nodded, closing her eyes as tears began to run down her face. He stopped and set her down, wiping them away and pulling her to him. He knew taking such liberties with her at this moment was unsafe, but he couldn’t help it. She was here, in his arms, and he could not bear to let her cry. “Shhh, my love, it will be alright. I know you are confused and this must be very frightening to you,” He looked away. “I must be frightening to you, but--“
She cut him off, turning him back to her, “You could never frighten me. I might not understand it, but I know you’re a piece of me. I’ve always known. Nothing in my life, nothing aside from Star, has ever felt safe or right except you.” Her eyes shimmered with tears as she stared into his, “Please don’t leave me again,” She whispered.
“Never,” He choked trying to hold his own tears back. She looked so vulnerable standing there as she wrapped her arms around herself. “I’ve always been with you, even if you didn’t know it. Always, Reyana, I never left just remained hidden.” He leaned down, kissing her chastely. He knew he shouldn’t, but he couldn’t help himself. He pulled back afraid that she might smack him or take offense, but she pulled him to her returning the kiss. Her essence joining with his own, a Light he thought long extinguished in his soul surging forth to meet it. It didn’t matter what the future held, he knew he could never let her go. He would follow her, no matter where it led them.
Kato glared down the alley at the Shade. Cymeryn has always been a formidable foe but the Dark power coursing through his being was a testament to the power he possessed. It emanated from him filling every inch of the alley in Darkness. He had to buy Marcus the time he needed to get away with Reyana. Shadows may be relegated to Dark corners while the sun brought Light to the world, but Shade were not. They were weakened by the Light, some even shied from it, but they could walk in it if they wished. He wondered in truth why Cymeryn had remained here instead of following them. Whatever the reason, Kato needed to find a way to capitalize on it, he thought as he cut down another Shadow and surveyed the alley. The Guardians were holding their own against the onslaught. For every Shadow cut down, however it seemed another took its place. They needed to fall back.
“Kato, my old friend, how fare thee?” Cymeryn smirked, “Some things do not change I see. Still chasing my brother’s shadow…..quite literally these days.”
“You…are no friend of mine, Cymeryn.” Kato slashed through another Shadow, dodging the next that took its place and thrusting into another. “It is true I always… admired Marcus, his honor and strength shown in all he did, whereas your weakness… and shame are evident …by the Darkness that embodies you now.”
The Shade laughed, “It is you who are weak Kato, lost in beliefs that your Light can protect you. I wonder how well my blooded twin will handle you blood before my blade as he ran.” He extended his arm, shadows swirling to form a long saber that pulsed with Darkness. “I do believe that it would be amusing to see how far my dearest brother can be pushed before he breaks.”
Cymeryn pointed the sword at Kato and swept his arm to the side. The shadow engaging Kato disappeared and a clearing formed around he and the Shade. They lunged at one another, meeting blade to blade in the center of the clearing; the energy in the air both Dark and Light swirling around them. “You will have to spill it first, Cymeryn.” Kato gritted.
They lunged and parried, thrusting and pivoting meeting each other move for move. Outwardly, they appeared to be evenly matched, but Kato knew the Shade merely toyed with him. They were running out of time, but he had to keep Cymeryn’s attention a little longer. He could feel Marcus and Reyana moving further away. He just needed a little more time.
Kato lunged forward swinging his blade swiftly slicing into Cymeryn’s side. The Shade seemed unfazed, misting a few feet away he caught some of the black ooze seeping from his wound with his hand and wiped it on his cheek and lips in the manner of war paint. He laughed, “Do not be so surprised Kato, pain feeds the Darkness, just ask Demytria….”
A growl escaped Kato as he lunged at Cymeryn, their blades meeting, the Shade leaning back as Kato pressed against it with all his might. “How dare you…”
“How dare I what? Whatever is it you have such issue with?” Cymeryn taunted as he sneered at him, “That I feed her my essence? That I turned her, Kato? Is it that I molded her to the Shade she has become? Or is your biggest issue that I fuck her? She tastes quite delicious, Kato. I must admit I can see why you were taken with her. She is indeed my favorite toy…”
Kato’s eyes blazed with rage as he growled. The Shade’s grin widened, “Ahhhh. There it is Kato, feel it coursing through you? The raw power of your hatred.” Cymeryn shift
ed his feet and began to press back, leaning his weight into his blade. “It is such a pity I despise you. You will make a formidable Shade.”
He pivoted, breaking the hold and lunged forward driving the blade into Kato’s stomach, driving him against the wall. Cymeryn laughed at the terror in Kato’s eyes as the Dark essence spilled into his veins. “Oh, do not worry Kato. I am not going to kill you, yet. I need you.” He leaned close to Fae’s ear, “I shall be seeing you soon, Praetor, after I sate my desire in the flesh of your mate.” He whispered. Ripping the blade from Kato’s body Cymeryn misted away, leaving the Fae doubled over on the ground in a growing pool of blood.
Mythos paced in the opulence of the throne room. He looked over the marble tiled floor and the walls that held the woven tapestries proclaiming the Royal Lines. Golden flags draped down from the ceiling donning the proud coat of arms of his lineage. Gold columns lined the red velvet carpeting that ran from the double doors to the stairs that led up to the throne. They stretched to the lofty ceiling. The jewel encrusted friezes of their capitals proclaimed the unions of the Lines of Lucerna in lapis lazuli, sapphires, rubies and diamonds. The throne itself was made of gold with red velvet cushioning. The head of it encrusted in sunstone and diamonds.
He glowered up as the throne. He was frustrated with the laws and conventions that kept him here caged like some beast at a human zoo. As King he should be out there fighting for his people as his Father had, not chained herein as some pompous figure head.
When his Father had died at the fronts leaving him the throne, the Council in their infinite wisdom had convened. The ruler of the Fae had to be a direct lineage of the blood of Lucerna per the covenants. Only the Lines of Lucerna could rule and upon his Father’s death they comprised of only four; himself, Grifyn, Ceryn and Marcus. Marcus had been believed dead and Grifyn Ceryn and Mythos had all been Guardians fifty years ago when he had taken the throne. Fearing the Fae would one day be left without a ruler, the Council had written a decree forbidding the King of the Fae from fighting in the war until the required conditions were met. He had to either be mated to a female of appropriate lineage that carried his offspring, or he must have young of the appropriate age who could rule; either of which could rule in his stead upon his untimely death. They had hoped it would ensure the continuity of the bloodlines and secure the continuity of leadership.
As Mythos had yet to mate, and was unsure he even wanted too despite how the Council reminded him of his duty to the race, he was chained here by bureaucracy. It was infuriating. They questioned his ability to rule as the Umbra advanced through the realms gaining more territories day by day; yet they would not allow him to lead his own Fae. Never before had a King been rendered so impotent in the war. It was not a coincidence that the Umbra were gaining ground. As King of the Fae the ruler was granted more power and strength from the Light of Lucerna, taking him out of the battle took the Guardian’s best weapon out of the war.
What was worse was the fact that his sister had been reborn into this forsaken prophecy and was out there without him. He had petitioned the Council to allow him to personally oversee her safety and been denied. The fools. Did they not understand what was at stake? If Reyana was lost, the race may well die, even if they managed to turn back the Umbra. Mythos tired of playing by their rules, attempting to appease them and keep the peace. His Fae were dying. More lost their lives day by day on the fronts. How much longer did they expect him to sit idly by making decisions from his throne? No wonder there was turmoil amongst the Fae. He himself was in turmoil.
He had been monitoring the battle as best he could from a distance. It was not going well. He froze as he felt the sudden shift in the battle. Kato’s pain lanced through him in waves. Grifyn’s fear was a palpable bitterness in his throat. Trina was weakening under the constant influx of the enemy. Ryo was wounded. Marcus and Reyana were still out there with Cymeryn on their trail. His Guardians, his sister, needed help. It was more than he could take. To hell with the Council, what could they do to him anyway? Let the self-righteous fools try to replace him with Marcus or Grifyn, perhaps they would take to this life better than he, Mythos thought, and misted from the palace.
Chapter 6
Reyana stared into Marcus’ eyes. He loved her, she could feel it. He had always loved her. Images of the two of them flashed quickly through her mind. They were running through a meadow hand in hand surrounded by tall golden grass. He was twirling her as they danced in a palace ballroom where gold banners hung from the ceiling as spheres of golden Light floated around them and an older man sat upon a throne smiling at her. So many images flooded through her, she couldn’t keep up with the information her mind was processing. A sudden lancing pain surged throughout her being almost doubling her over as heat coursed throughout her body and the intensity of the glow illuminating her skin increased. She caught herself in his arms.
“Hold on, my love, I have to get you out of here.” Marcus lifted her, caressing her lightly. “The awakening is upon you, I don’t know if I can stop it. The essence in you is so strong but I will try to ease this for you.” She felt some of the energy flowing from her to him and she relaxed, allowing it to flow freely between them. “That’s it my love, let me bear some of the burden for you. Your human form cannot handle the intensity of it on its own. This wave seems to be passing. Better?”
She nodded in confusion. “I, I think I’m ok now.” Glancing around she realized they were out in the open. Anyone could see them, anything. She was about to suggest they leave when she felt a strong dark presence, before she could speak a searing pain hit her side and she fell to the ground. Icy tendrils lanced through her paralyzing her in pain. Something Dark, angry was growing stronger, attempting to overcome the Light within her. The intensity of both bodies of energy swelled, and she writhed on the ground feeling as though she might explode. She couldn’t breathe from the pressure it was creating.
Marcus felt Cymeryn form through the mist. He appeared directly in front of them, an orb of Dark essence swirling in his hand. He lunged trying to dodge the hit he knew was coming, trying to at least take the brunt of it and shield her, but it was too late. The orb hit them both in the side and he fell, both of them dropping to the ground. Marcus gritting through the pain as the Darkness pulsed in him, crawling to Reyana as she writhed on the ground. Dark and Light energy swirled and pulsed around her aura. She was emitting both her golden glow and wisps of Shadow. Rage flooded him as he turned to face his twin.
“Feel the power within her, brother.” Cymeryn smiled smugly. “She is not even fully Dark yet and I can taste her essence from here. She is beautiful. She is Reyana, your mate is she not? I had wondered what female could ever replace her in your heart. I suppose the answer is none.”
Marcus struggled against the pain pulling her into his arms, shielding her as best he could in case his brother decided to hit her with another blast. He tried to comfort her doing the only thing he could to relieve her, pulling some of the energy into his being, both Dark and Light.
“Feels good, does it not Marcus, that power rushing through your essence, pulsing in your veins. You want her, you crave her completely, but tell me blooded twin of mine? Will you follow her always, even into Darkest night? Surely you can see it, feel it. The Dark essence flows strongly through her veins, as it does through yours. You are bound, my brother.”
Rage and anger surged through him, but as he looked at Reyana, he could not deny the truth in Cymeryn’s words. The more he allowed the Darkness to take hold in him the more wisps of Shadows swirled around her, the more he felt evil seeping into her being. Could he stop this? Did he have enough Light within him to save her? If he did not, they would both be lost.
Cymeryn’s, breath felt like an icy chill on his neck as he leaned to his ear. “Let me awaken her brother, awaken you both, let it take you. You have been lost so long. The Dark Lord calls to you, you have only to let go. She has been gifted to me by Lord Lazurys, Marcus, but I will give her to you
. You will own her forever more if you just let the Darkness take you and stand once more by my side.” An icy palm clamped onto his shoulder, more of Cymeryn’s Darkness began to flow through him. Marcus felt weak, so weak, doubt flooding him to the point he almost gave in.
He looked at her lying there helpless, he loved her and he was losing her again. Light and Darkness were choking the life out of her. He loved her. Light and Darkness. Light! Love! Hope flared through him as he reached into her allowing their essence to unite.
“That’s it my brother, let your essence flow through her as mine flows through you.” Cymeryn urged smugly. He thought he won. He knew how much Darkness was flooding them both, but he discounted how much Light remained in her. Flowing through their connection he reached into her mind praying to the deity he had forsaken that through it, he could reach her heart.
Reyana felt the pain ease ever so slightly. She could feel him, it was as if they were merging, becoming one, but she couldn’t reach him. A dark cloud surrounded her being. Darkness was flooding in everywhere, a frigid chill holding her in its grasp, choking her. Fear and confusion shook her to her core, immobilizing her, she didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t pull the Light and warmth to her, she couldn’t even find it. Anger at her own weakness suffocated her. Rage flowed through her veins as she realized she was dying and couldn’t take her vengeance on those who had caused it. Out of nowhere images began to flow around her.
She saw herself in the hospital, holding Star the day she was born. “She’s beautiful, Reyn, just beautiful. You did wonderful.” The nurse reassured her. “What are you going to call her?”
“Staryana.” She had answered a tear rolling down her cheek as her little angel wrapped her tiny little fingers around her adult sized thumb. “She will always be my little Star.” It was the first time she had ever truly known what love was.
