by Jaime Marks
The boy looked shocked by Grifyn’s words, but his faced turned to resolve. He grasped Grifyn’s forearm with his own and he could feel the odd mixture of Dark and Light essences that flowed through Byryn. “You have my word that I will keep her safe. My life is yours, for however long it is.”
Grifyn nodded replying, “I do not want your life, Byryn. You’re not a possession. Your life is your own. I only want your loyalty.” Then he turned and walked out to the hall, misting to the front of the high school.
Chapter 11
Cymeryn stared at the horizon. It was an hour till sunfall. He reached out in frustration. Demytria, Crytos, and Trevyn took form and Syneous rose to stand beside them. Wisely they stood awaiting his orders in silence. His wrath was well known when his rage consumed him and he was quite close to that edge.
“Reyn is the incarnation of the Princess Reyana a Mythion. She is being hidden by my mine blooded twin and King Mythos a Mythion. Our best recourse to draw them out is her daughter, Syneous’ daughter, Staryana. Have you found the boy yet?” He turned to Trevyn impatiently.
“I have narrowed down the area, Supryn, but he is well masked. I am close, however.”
“You will take Syneous and continue to search for them. Be back here by sunfall. I will flood this city with Shadows and there will be no corner left for him to hide her.”
Trevyn nodded and he and Syneous misted out of the house. Syneous was coming into his new form nicely, though it was to be expected, he did have Cymeryn’s essence coursing through him. Still it had been tedious to teach him basic functions such as misting and sensing, but it was either make him useful or dispose of him. Given Cymeryn’s mood he was leaning toward the latter, but the Shade may provide some leverage yet.
He turned to the other two. “The Fae are vulnerable. I wounded Kato and the King is off his throne.”
Demytria smiled devilishly, “Did you use the Shadow Blade?”
He had to grin at her delight, walking over to her he grabbed her by her hair, drawing her body against his. “I did indeed, and he shall be yours when he turns. I can feel my essence in his veins as we speak.” He ran his nails down her throat and gripped her shirt, tearing it open as he bit her lip drawing her Dark blood. She gasped in pleasure as he sucked her lip into his mouth drinking in her Dark essence, tasting his own within her. He drew back meeting her eyes. “But never forget, Demytria, you are mine.” His hand ran over her breast, his nails digging into her. “Crytos, what does our little friend on the Council have to say?” He gashed open her breast with his nail and suckled her, grinding her nipple in his teeth as she moaned loudly.
“They are outraged, Cymeryn. They want Grifyn to claim the throne in Mythos’ stead.”
He glanced up to Crytos, who watched them with a devilish grin. He pulled back momentarily to speak, “Go to him, have him propose to have the Council usurp the power of the throne.” He tore the tight leather shorts from Demytria’s body pushing his body against her, walking her backward to the bed. He watched her turn and slink through the remnants of the essence from Syneous’ awakening. Seductively she rolled parting her legs to him as she played with the nipple he had gashed, spreading her essence over herself from her chest to her core. “It is sooner than I anticipated, but Mythos’ move played right into our hands. I will open the way. Gather the Shadows and be here by sunfall.” He walked around the side of the bed and reached down, grabbing her by the hair pulling her up to him as he took her mouth.
“Your will shall be done Supryn.” He felt the Shade mist away.
“And what task shall you grant me, my Supryn.” Demytria licked her lips as she watch him strip his clothing.
He took her to the bed by her throat as he slammed his sex deeply into her core, “You will call me lord.”
“Yes, my lord,” She moaned as he slammed into her.
He let their essences merge as he pounded in her body, holding her fast by her throat, choking her. His nails dug into her and he licked the essence that spilled over his fingers. “I will use you to sate my hunger.”
“I am yours, my lord.” She moaned as her back arched.
He withdrew from her and grabbed her by the hair, guiding her roughly to his sex and slammed it deep into her throat. She met his eyes as she sucked him in. He had broken her long ago. She would do anything he asked, let him take her anyway he wished without trying to rule him and she would never dare even think to deny him. He considered her as he thrust into her mouth over and over before pulling her off by her throat and forcing her over onto her stomach so he could take her from behind. She had been meek and timid, yet somehow still defiant when he had acquired her. He had relished in her as he broke her spirit and she finally relented, allowing him to feed her his essence. He had made her reach out so Kato knew she had given in to him, that he owned her. It was all strategic really. He knew it would weaken the Fae, the Praetor of the Guardians, but he had enjoyed it none the less.
His thoughts drifted to Reyn and he grabbed Demytria’s hair pounding deeply into her core. She was a poor substitute for the one he wanted to be in. She didn’t have half her strength or her will, but she would take the edge off until he could thrust into Reyn. He couldn’t wait to feel her core pulse around him as he made her beg. He would have her, and he would revel in her essence as he broke her underneath him. He saw her in his mind. He pictured her body under him as he threw his head back in a roar emptying himself into Demytria.
Marcus took form at the school but could not sense Star. What concerned him more was he could feel the remnants of Darkness that lingered in the parking lot. Was he too late? He felt Grifyn mist onto the grounds and went to him.
“Where’s Kato?” He asked in frustration.
Grifyn hesitated. “He was wounded in the battle with Cymeryn.”
Marcus stepped back involuntarily. It felt as though someone had run him through. He was shocked not just by the news but by the reaction he had. “Is he…”
“He lives, but he the blade was formed of Dark essence. He is in the infirmary. The Healers are trying to combat the infection. What of Mythos? Reyana?”
“They are both safe. I left her with Mythos so I could I come back to retrieve Star, but she’s not here.”
“She’s safe, but there were some ….developments we need to discuss.” He studied Grifyn noting his hesitation.
“Is she alright?”
“Yes, Sean has been awakened. He and Cymeryn tried to obtain her here.” Grifyn nodded to the school.
Marcus closed his eyes grateful they had not succeeded. “Thank you for protecting her.”
“Actually,” Grifyn paused, “It is Byryn you have to thank for her safety.”
“Byryn?” He raised a brow not recalling the name.
“She would not go with Cymeryn. He must have wanted to prevent a scene because he tasked the boy with bringing her to him.” Grifyn watched Marcus carefully as realization crept into him.
“Shade? Or unawakened?” Marcus glowered at the thought of Star being at the mercy of either.
“He is unawakened Marcus, but he is something more as well. He took her with him, but he betrayed Cymeryn. In fact he taught the girl how to reach out and find us. I don’t know how we would have found her if he hadn’t. She trusts him.” He hesitated again, “More than that she feels for him.”
A low growl percolated from Marcus’ throat. “He is Shade.”
“No, Marcus, he isn’t. From best I can tell, the girl was affected by the fluctuation of essence in her parents. Dark essence began to overwhelm her, presumably when her Father was awakened. Byryn sensed her, mistook her for unawakened Shade. They shared essence, Marcus. He inadvertently took some of her Light into him when he drew in her Dark essence.” Grifyn looked tense as he relayed the events. “I don’t know how, but neither of them is ill, quite the contrary, they are both stabilized and strengthen by it.”
Marcus gaped in part horrified. He had not considered that the awakenings of both her parents
would have affected Star so. They may well have lost the girl to Darkness if the boy had not intervened. The Darkness in her might have over powered the Light or worse, triggered the awakening killing her.
“There is Light in Byryn, Marcus. I have seen it. He protects her fiercely, to the point he tried to leave her with us, knowing what his fate would be when Cymeryn or his Father found him.”
“Who is his sire?”
Grifyn met his eyes briefly, his lips drawn in a thin line and his visage grim, “Trevyn.”
“Great Lucerna, and you trust him still? They may have sent him in an attempt to locate Reyana. It could all be a ploy to get close to her.” Marcus glared at Grifyn. “Is he with Star now?”
“I have considered those possibilities, Marcus, very carefully. I sensed him. He his terrified for his life, but resigned to his fate. In his mind by virtue of his betrayal his life is forfeit. He cares for only one thing and that is her safety.” Grifyn stared him down. “She wouldn’t come with us. She doesn’t know who or what we are and Cymeryn had already tried to manipulate her. I had little to offer that could calm her fears. He convinced her to come with us, but she wouldn’t leave him, so yes, he is with her. I know you are reluctant to believe this, but I think the boy may be able to be turned. I found them both enveloped in Light, Marcus, and he was completely unharmed. I have seen her unintentionally push the Light into him as she panicked and he welcomed it. Each time they share essence, the Light in him grows. He is confused by it and frightened of his fate, but he does not turn from it or her. There is good in the boy. He cannot help who sired him; he did not ask for the Darkness in his blood. He is only young Marcus. He shouldn’t be condemned for the circumstances of his birth.”
Marcus took it all in and thought back to the information Alysse had given them. “The Tainted,” He murmured.
“Tainted?” Grifyn looked confused.
“We saw Alysse. She told us how Lazurys tainted some of the Fae who fell in battle, feeding them small amounts of Dark essence slowly. He did not turn them but the essence corrupted them to his will and then he sent them back to walk amongst the Fae. There was not enough Darkness to stand out and no one thought to go looking for it so they were able to remain hidden in the Realm until he was ready to strike.” Marcus informed Grifyn.
“So they took on the characteristics and qualities of the Darkness without becoming Shade.” Grifyn mused. “It’s possible that we may have stumbled onto the reverse affect. Neither of them is awakened. They may share essence, but it is in small weak amounts. It doesn’t appear to affect Star, but then she had to have already possessed both Dark and Light essence because of Reyana and Sean. Her being would have the ability to balance it. Byryn on the other hand having only ever known Darkness would begin to take on characteristics of the Light.”
“Perhaps,” Marcus considered.
“Marcus, I know you are loathe to trust him, but he is not the only being that I have encountered with a mixture of Dark and Light within them.”
“I know, Star and Reyana both possess Dark and Light.”
“And so do you, my friend.” Grifyn nodded. “When we came to guard Reyana, I was apprehensive. We had thought when you didn’t return you had turned, overtaken with your rage. You never emerged as Shade however and we knew the Dark Lord would not dismiss your talents. You were stronger than Cymeryn and he exploited his strengths openly. The only other explanation was you were dead, either by your own hand or your brother's. You made it very clear you didn’t want us there to interfere with Reyana.” He met Marcus with apologetic eyes, “After what had happened with Cymeryn I couldn’t help but question so I sensed you. I felt the Dark and Light in you. I even made Kato sense you out and determine if you could be trusted with her. In time I saw the love you had for her and understood that while the loss of her had wounded you in a way you could not overcome, the love you had for her was what ruled you. I do hope you can forgive me, my friend.”
Marcus was taken aback, though he was not angry. In fact he was rather impressed. It was the same he had done when they came to him and a move he admired. It proved that Grifyn would not have acted rashly in regards to Byryn. Perhaps he could trust the Fae more than he thought. “You have that much faith in the boy?”
“I do. I have granted him my protection.” Grifyn paused as Marcus raised his brow, “I’m not asking you to take my word for it Marcus, all I am asking is that you sense him, feel him out. That you give him the chance you have been given before you rush ahead and kill him.”
Marcus chuckled, “Do you know me so well?”
Grifyn smirked, “Well enough my friend. We should go, it is only a half hour to sunfall. I fear if we do not get Star somewhere safely by then it will be too late. Cymeryn has control of over three quarters of the territories. His dominance here is great.”
“We will take them to the Sanctuary with Reyana.” Marcus nodded.
“They?” Grifyn grinned.
Marcus gave him a shrewd look, “If I deem him to be as you say. I will follow your lead.”
They misted to the hotel.
Reyana woke up slowly, stretching in a bed she knew instantly was not her own. The smell of him was all around her, but she didn’t feel him. Sitting up slowly she looked around the room. It was as plain as the rest of the cottage. There were no windows in the room and there weren’t any lamps but it was as bright inside as it was outside in the cave when they came in. The entire room had the same light gray, misty color to it as well. There was a closet across the way and a small dresser with three drawers stood next to it, but nothing was on it. There were only two things on the walls. The first was a large curved sword, the tip formed into a bladed hook. It was forged of gold and had odd glyphs etched into the blade. The other was a golden sash tied to a lock of hair, she stared at it thinking it was odd how it almost matched the auburn, tones of her own, but it was lighter and had golden highlights in it. The bed was the only other thing in the room and the only real luxury she had seen in the entire cottage. It took up three quarters of the room and she could easily fit four of herself in it. Then again, Marcus was so large he probably took up three quarters of it by himself.
She picked up the single pillow from behind her and brought it to her nose inhaling his scent. It always reminded her of a hot summer day, well sex and a hot summer day. She sighed. She had to stop getting lost in him. She was a married woman for chrissakes. She needed to take a step back and figure this all out, it wasn’t fair to Sean. Yeah, like Sean had been fair to her lately. She thought back to this morning. The thing was she had known for a while that her marriage was all but over, and her heart seemed to be telling her it was time to move on. Oh hell, who was she kidding sitting here trying to reason all this out like it were some normal situation.
When she had left the house this morning, whether she wanted to admit it or not, she had left any semblance of normal behind. She had no idea what to tell Sean or even if she would ever see him again. She wasn’t even fucking human. She didn’t understand what all that meant but she knew he couldn’t be a part of her world, or Star’s.
She thought of her daughter. How the hell was she going to explain all this to her? She barely believed it, like Star was gonna have an easier time of it. She would be leaving her friends and everything she had worked for behind. She had been so psyched about planning trips to visit different colleges over the summer so she could start deciding where to apply to even though she had another two whole years to decide. Did the Fae even go to college? Did they need to?
The door opened a crack and Mythos peered in. “I hope I did not disturb you. I was just checking to be sure you were alright.”
“No I woke up a bit ago. I was just thinking.” She looked him over wondering again who he was to her.
“Would you like some privacy? I understand it is a lot to process.” He asked softly, measuring her with kind eyes as if he were trying to see into her mind to determine how she was taking it all. Oh crap they could
n’t do that could they? At this point, she didn’t want to know if they could.
She looked around the empty room, “I wouldn’t mind some company.” She said quietly.
He walked over and sat on the end of the bed facing her. “How are you holding up?”
“Huh, I don’t know. I never really thought I was anything special. Then today I find out I’m a princess, a Fae and some kind of goddess all rolled into one. Not to mention a potentially deadly weapon and the savior of the Fae. Not exactly something that carries normal emotions.”
He chuckled softly, “You always were a bit humble. You never really felt you were anything special and hated being treated like royalty, though given your station it was unavoidable. I used to get quite the laugh out of watching you try to dissuade the servants from their chores or arguing with your Guardian that you didn’t need to be protected outside Palace grounds.”
She gave him a curious look, “Who are you to me? Or who were you rather?”
He sighed before giving her a small smile, “Well I guess Alysse pretty much answered the worst parts. I cannot see the harm in telling you the minor details.” He paused as if pondering something. “I am your brother, Reyana.”
Her eyes popped slightly. “My brother, so then you’re, Prince Mythos.”
A minor bit of pride seemed to flare in his chest. “Actually, I am the King of the Fae now.”
“Wow, so I should be bowing and calling you majesty or something.”
He laughed loudly a moment, “Perhaps if you were anyone else. You may simply call me Mythos or if you wish, brother.” He took her hand tentatively as if her were afraid she would pull away from him.
