by Jaime Marks
Reyn forced her eyes open meeting his. She trusted him, implicitly. She nodded. “Tell her I said she is my little pumpernickel. It was our safe phrase when she was young. She’ll know I sent you. Oh and call her Starshine,” She yawned. “You have to call her Starshine.”
He leaned down and kissed first her forehead and then lightly brushed her lips before he rose. “Rest my love.” He whispered.
Her last thought as she drifted off to sleep was that she was falling completely in love with this man, this Fae; which was not necessarily a good thing. She didn’t even know him and what about Sean?
Marcus emerged from the bedroom and closed the door softly. Alysse was gone which was just as well. The trauma she had caused in him by reveling the history Reyana had suffered was still swimming in his head. Were it possible he would kill Lazurys himself. He saw Mythos standing by the only window, stoically quiet. He was no doubt wrestling though his own strife over the burden his sister carried.
It was nothing he could worry about now, however; with Cymeryn involved he had become increasingly concerned for Star’s safety. Her Father was unawakened Shade, he could easily be awoken and used to obtain Reyana’s daughter. He hated the idea of leaving her side, but he was the only one who knew how to get in and out of the Sanctuary and he feared Star may be on borrow time. He only hoped he wasn’t too late.
“Mythos,” He watched the Fae turn to him. “I’m going to bring Star to the Sanctuary.”
Mythos raised a brow and then nodded. “I am honored you would trust me to guard her, my old friend. I know I am her brother and your King; but I also know how you feel about leaving her.”
Marcus nodded. “In truth, I wouldn’t if I thought there were another way. I’m the only one who can find the entryways easily and she must remain here.” He hesitated, “But if I have to leave her with another, I am glad that it is you.” In truth, Kato would have been his first choice, but Mythos was a close second and perhaps even the better choice. As King of the Fae he was more equipped to protect her and he was formidable with a blade.
Mythos nodded. “Do you think the young will come with you?”
“Yes. I know what to tell her. I can only hope her Father hasn’t gotten to her first.” Marcus slipped a sword in its sheath onto his back, fastening it. “I’ll be back before sunfall. I don’t want to risk another run in with Cymeryn.”
As Mythos nodded and turned back to the sentry position he had taken at the window, Marcus walked swiftly from cottage. He couldn’t move with the speed of wind in the Sanctuary, but he could move far faster than the average human and he knew these woods inside and out. He had spent a century learning the layout. He crossed the stone plank and then removed it, placing it back in its hiding place. He took off at a dead run making his way swiftly through the woods, heading back towards the east where he knew he would find the entrance to the human realm.
He always wondered how the portal existed so close to her home. One hundred years of preparation for her return, he mused. He wondered if this place was part of that preparation. He hadn’t been looking for reprieve when he found it. He had been looking for blood.
He had fought through what had felt like a thousand Shadows to find his brother waiting for him, as Shade. He tried to reason with him, reach him in some way, but they had battled as he taunted him about her beauty, her essence. He had matched Cymeryn blow for blow, their strength even. He had managed to wound his twin but only slightly and upon drawing his newly blackened blood, Cymeryn had misted away. When Marcus had made his way to their quarters, the sight of her had torn him apart. She had lain there in their mated bed upon a pool of blood, her body posed. Her robes had been lain opened, a hand poised upon her breast. The other placed at the core of her sex while her legs lay slightly parted her body arched. A blade had been left in her, thrust into her chest, blood smeared hand prints over her form. Her death, her loss alone, would have brought him to his knees; but to find her there in such a way. He had been sure Cymeryn had defiled her, killed her. That he had left her there posed to taunt him.
The fact that Cymeryn had been tainted Fae when he took her and had not been turned till after had taken him off guard and the fact that she had taken her own life to avoid Lazurys’ wrath? He was able to reconcile none of it as Alysse had spoken. Thinking back on it now, however, it made far more sense. Her death of any kind may have destroyed him, he likely would have taken his own life rather than to live without her, but it would not turn him. He would die a thousand deaths before he defiled her memory in such a way. To think that she had died in such a way, that she had suffered at the hands of his brother, of all Fae or Shade, it had enraged him. His fear for what she had gone through, the anguish that had run through him, the hatred that had gripped his heart. In truth he had nearly killed Kato and Mythos when they had found him there, cradling her body to him. He hated them in that moment, hated himself. Cymeryn had never meant to destroy him, he had meant to turn him. In truth he had almost succeeded.
He shook himself from the memories of the past as he felt the draw of the entryway and saw its opening come into view. He couldn’t change those events, he could only prevent them from happening in the here and now. He had Reyana back, she was alive. She may not be his, but he would not allow any harm to come to her and the first step to ensuring her safety was to find Star.
Stepping through the entryway and into the wooded stretch that lie beyond Ashland Falls, he stretched out his senses. He needed to make Kato and Grifyn aware that Reyana and Mythos were secure while he was here. He could only imagine the panic that had laced the realms when the King had vanished, unable to be sensed. In truth, Reyana and Star were his primary concerns, but he knew every Guardian in the realms would be sent to search for the King if he did not resurface. The last thing they needed was random Fae somehow stumbling into the Sanctuary. From what he had learned from Alysse, any Fae could be Tainted and he couldn’t risk them being found.
Grifyn watched them as they entered the room of the hotel. Star held Byryn’s hand, wandering around staring at the walls as if she could see the glow of the Light that covered them. She pulled him along behind her but he didn’t appear to mind. He seemed rather content in truth, a grin quirked in the corner of his mouth as he watched her. He studied the boy wondering if it was wise to take this risk. He could have just commanded her to come with him. It was risky to manipulate the human mind if they were awake; however. It could have irreversible consequences that could never truly be foreseen. He could have made her sleep, but if Cymeryn had found them it would have left her vulnerable. Not that she could do much against the Supryn of the Umbra but at least she would be able to run while they tried to delay him, or kill him, whichever opportunity presented itself. He was not one for hate and vengeance, but that Shade continually seemed to harm those Grifyn cared about. He wouldn’t hesitate to end him if the chance were to occur.
Star stopped studying the room and turned to him. “What are you people?” Byryn met his eyes and then turned away.
“That is a very complicated question.” Grifyn sighed, “I think it would be best if we wait until your Mother is here before we get into all that.”
She squinted at him, “And when exactly is that going to be, hmm? We’re here, we’re safe. What exactly are we going to do now? Sit here and just wait until my Mother magically appears? What if she decides to go home?”
“She won’t. Marcus won’t allow that. He won’t risk her safety. We need to wait until one of them contact us.” He stated, hoping that it was as sound of a plan as he wanted it to be. The truth was he had no idea where they and the King were or if they would contact them until the awakening had passed which could be days, if they were even alive. He shook his head at the very idea. No, they had to be alive. There was nothing to suggest otherwise.
“Personally,” Star huffed, “I think your plan stinks.”
“Staryana,” Byryn interceded with a slightly commanding tone, “I know this isn’t an ideal
situation, but it is the safest at the moment. We need to make the best of it.”
“And how exactly are we going to do that?” She scowled.
He simply shrugged and smiled at her, “Order room service, pay per view.”
It was clear the boy had other things in mind but he was at least smart enough to refrain from speaking of them in front of Grifyn. He had no clue how Marcus or even Reyana was going to take this connection they had formed, but he knew Marcus would skin the kid alive if he tried to take advantage of her.
A phone rang out in the room. Byryn met Grifyn in the eyes, his sudden fear apparent on his face as he reached into his pocket. He looked very grim as he stared at the cell phone. “It’s my Father.”
Grifyn cringed. Trevyn was as ruthless a Shade as they came. “Do you want to answer it?”
Byryn shook his head. “If he’s calling, it’s because he knows I betrayed Cymeryn. It also means he can’t find me. Using a cell phone isn’t exactly his preferred method of communication.” The boy continued to stare at the phone.
“I’m sorry,” Star whispered. “That I got you into all this. If you’re in trouble because of me?”
He turned back to her. “I was already in it, Staryana. I always have been.” He reached up and touched her face but pulled back quickly glancing at Grifyn. “Don’t apologize. There was no other choice for me.”
“You talk like that’s it,” Her eyes narrowed, “Like you don’t have the ability to make your own choices. I don’t believe that Byryn. I don’t know your family, but just because your Father is wrapped up in something, doesn’t mean you have to be. You just need to choose to do things differently.”
Grifyn considered her words. Typically, the unawakened had no choice really. They lived their lives until the awakening and then they became what their parents had been, be it Fae or Shade, or they died. He had never heard of there ever being another way, but then he had never seen an unawakened Shade who could be enveloped in Light without suffering greatly. He had also never heard of the two species being able to share essences without great consequence, but here they both stood. If he considered it Star wasn’t really a surprise because her Mother had both Dark and Light in her. Perhaps it was because they were both unawakened. Did that mean the unawakened had a choice? Could an unawakened Shade be converted to Light before the awakening? They were in uncharted territory.
“I need to ask you both, how do you feel?” He spoke.
“I feel fine now.” Star quipped. “Earlier today I felt kind of sick, but whatever it was it seems to have passed now.”
“Sick how?” He leaned against the wall urging her to continue.
“Well, at first I was light-headed and I was really warm. It didn’t feel sick per se but just strange and achy. For a split second I could have sworn my arm was glowing, I thought I was seeing things, but looking at you I’m not so sure.” She paused waiting for his reaction but he only nodded. “Next thing I know I’m freezing and I felt really weak. I was really angry but I didn’t know at who or why. Then I started to feel waves of pain, my whole body felt like muscle spasms, but not that intense.” Her eyes shifted to Byryn. “It didn’t stop until you touched me.”
He nodded but looked back at Grifyn. “I don’t know how to describe how I feel. I know what you’re asking, but I don’t really know the answer. I’m not in any pain. I feel warm, no longer cold, but it feels oddly…..good.” He looked away with a frown. “I feel different but it isn’t something I can define.”
“What’s happening to us? Do you know?” Star asked.
“To be honest? In this case I really have no idea.” Grifyn mused. “I think your initial issues were due to the changes that are and were occurring in your parents, but it’s just a guess really.”
“What changes?” She asked him shrewdly. Her eyes narrowing as her lips pursed. “You know more than you’re telling me.”
Grifyn shook his head wishing he could tell her more, but unless he absolutely had to, he was unsure how much would be too much information. Byryn’s cell phone rang out again and he grimaced, placing it on the table he walked over to the window. A moment later it beeped.
“What does that mean?” Grifyn asked, he had no real idea how the piece of technology worked. Human devices were not something he had ever needed.
Star looked at him as if he had two heads but Byryn walked over and picked up the phone. “My Father left me a message.” He hit some buttons and Trevyn’s voice sounded from the cell.
“Hello, my son, are we avoiding our sire now? I had hoped Cymeryn’s conclusions were too soon presumed. No matter, I can understand the proclivities of youth. You want the girl. Human females can be so fun to play with, so fragile, so delicious. It is only natural you want to possess her, to claim her. Cymeryn has need for her for only a short time. If you come to your senses now, there is no need to forfeit your life to quelch your desire. The girl shall be gifted to you. Forever yours to sate your Dark desires. Think carefully boy, you know the repercussions, your time is not long for this world. Bear in mind if I have to kill you I will have to replace you…maybe I shall see what has enticed you so with the unawakened slut…”
Star stared at the phone in horror. Her mouth gaped as she slowly turned to look at Byryn, then Grifyn. He threw the phone across the room and it shattered to pieces. Running his hands roughly through his hair he groaned and paced in agitation.
Star reached for him, but he shied away. “I’m sorry.” She whispered.
“No, it’s alright, I’m just….” He hesitated meeting Grifyn’s eyes a moment, they swirled with Darkness. “I need to get control.” He resumed pacing looking pained.
“This is my fault, though,” Star seemed exasperated. “If I hadn’t asked you for help…”
Suddenly he seized her in his arms kissing her fiercely. Grifyn reached for his dagger, but the girl melted in his arms and a soft glow wafted around them both as her arms entwined with his. He left them go a moment before he cleared his throat.
Byryn drew back slowly, resting his forehead to hers. “I’m sorry. I just…I’m sorry.” He went to pull away but she held him tighter. He reached up and pulled one of her coils of hair and released it watching it bounce. “I shouldn’t have done that. I can’t even explain why I did.”
“How old are you Byryn?” Grifyn asked.
“Eighteen.”
“Then it’s too soon.” Grifyn murmured.
His head shot up, “You don’t think that’s what this is do you?” The boy looked almost terrified.
“I don’t know. It could have something to do with the connection you share.” Grifyn scratched his head. “I’m not going to lie to you, this whole thing is unsettling, but I’ve chosen to trust in what I see in your heart rather than what I know from experience. Others may not be so willing to trust you, however.”
“My heart,” He muttered, pulling away to move to the couch. Star moved with him, Light still visibly flowing between them. “I never thought I had one of those.”
Star scoffed, “To be honest, I wouldn’t have thought so either going by how you acted at school.”
He gave her an apologetic shrug and turned back to Grifyn. “I won’t betray her. I know what the Shade are capable of. I know what they’ll do to her. Beyond that my Father may make promises and threats, but I know how he manipulates. Even if I were to hand her over I might not live through the repercussions for disgracing him as I have.”
Star gaped, “Would he really hurt you for helping me? He’s your father.”
He met her stare dead on. “Yes Star, he would, and you may not want to believe this or hear it, but your Father would hurt you too if he could find you. He’s not the man he might have been. You, yourself said how cruel he was to your Mother, that you were worried he might have hurt her. You need to trust those instincts.”
She looked horrified but resigned and simply nodded.
“I don’t expect your help or protection. I probably don’t deserve i
t for how I’ve lived this life. I only ask that no matter what happens to me you protect her.” Byryn held Grifyn’s eyes.
He nodded to the boy, “She will be protected of that I swear.”
“What about him?” Star asked, “Aren’t you going to protect him?”
Grifyn considered how he should answer that as a wave of familiar Light passed through him. “Marcus!” He jump away from the wall he was resting against as Ryo and Trina formed in front of him.
“What’s going on?” Star asked in concern.
“I may be able to locate your mother. I know where Marcus is. I have to reach him before Cymeryn does.” Grifyn explained as he checked his weapons. “He’ll know where you Mom is.”
Trina looked him over, he could tell she didn’t want him to go alone, but he needed her here. “I believe he is looking for Star. He seems to be headed toward the school.” She reported.
“Yes, I sensed the same. Stay here with the young. Guard them both.” He noticed Trina eyed the boy suspiciously. “The boy is….under my protection until I deem otherwise.” He nodded to Byryn who looked as surprised to hear the statement as the Fae. Claiming someone under your protection meant you claimed them as your own, took responsibilities for their actions. It was not a vow made lightly. “Guard them both with your lives.”
Trina nodded hesitantly, “Yes Grifyn, if that is your wish.”
She looked at him with her pale green eyes, her blond hair framing her face in delicate waves as the Light picked up the greens and golds in it. She was worried about him. He let his essence reach out to reassure her, taking comfort in her presence.
“I’m coming with you.” Star demanded.
He walked over and took her gently by the arms. “Star, I understand your desire to help and your concern. I do. But Cymeryn wants you so he can use you to get to your Mother. I give you my word I’ll return and that when I do I’ll take you to her.” She gritted her teeth but nodded.
“Byryn, I am trusting the love I can see you hold for her. Keep her here, protect her. I see good in you, son, but I also see conflict. You cannot help the circumstances you’re born into, but in your case, I do believe you have the choice to change them. You have already taken steps to do so.” He placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’m trusting you to remain here until I return.”
