by Carmen Caine
I knew who was behind it.
Jumping to my feet, I dashed forward, grabbing the door knob to wrench it open and as the white room plunged into darkness behind me, I fell through the doorway, straight into the Fae Command Center.
And straight into Rafael’s arms where he stood in the center of the room, surrounded by various glowing crystals. An expression of pure shock suffused his handsome face, and then shedding his controlled persona, he lifted me off my feet and wrapping me in his arms, whirled me around a few times before crushing me close to his chest.
“Where have you been, Sydney?” he choked, his voice cracking with emotion.
He was hugging me so hard it was kind of hard to talk. Smiling, I placed my hands on his broad chest and pushed back a little—just enough to breathe easier—and then promptly buried my nose into his chest. He smelled nice.
For a few long, blissful moments, I closed my eyes and simply enjoyed being there, listening to the steady beating of his heart beneath my ear. He didn’t seem inclined to talk, either. He waited, until with the greatest reluctance, I finally asked, “How long have I been gone?”
“Almost two days,” he murmured, his lips brushing the tip of my ear.
I blinked and straightened. “Two days?” I repeated as my jaw dropped open.
It dropped even further when my astonished gaze really focused on him. He wasn’t wearing any eyeliner. I’d never seen him without any makeup. Stubble dotted his firm jawline. His shirt was wrinkled.
The pain in his gray eyes ran deep as he said, “We couldn’t find you anywhere on Avalon or Earth. Not one sign. Not even a single ray of light. What happened? We thought you were … dead.”
Dead? “Al—” I began.
“I had Brock cover for you,” he replied, quickly heading off my concern about Al and Betty. “I had to find you, Sydney. I wasn’t going to give up.”
I smiled and burrowed my nose into his shoulder once again even as I wondered if Al had fallen for Brock’s version of Sydney this time. But I didn’t think about it long. Rafael was still talking.
“Ajax told us about Marquis,” he informed, sliding his hand down the length of my arm to thread his fingers through mine. “He said when he woke up, you were gone. I even asked Jerry what had happened. He …” He paused, his voice trailing away.
I searched Rafael’s face. “What did Jerry say?” I asked, curious.
He hesitated a moment, and then answered with a slightly mystified shrug, “He just said you were closer to where you were supposed to be.”
I frowned. It was a strange answer. But then, Jerry had most likely been asleep the entire time and he was a mouse, after all.
A movement from the corner of my eye caught my attention and I glanced over to see Raven standing close by, her cold gaze riveted upon my hand locked in Rafael’s. She lifted her eyes. The expression in them left no doubt that she wanted to claw me to death.
There were a few other Fae in the Command Center, but they were a bit distracted. Their attention was split between me and a particularly large glowing orange crystal near the stairs.
“Where were you?” Rafael asked again, pulling me a little closer as if to make sure I was really there.
I turned back to face him. Where had I been? Had I really been to the Second Dimension? I suppressed a shudder and laid my head against his shoulder. I could feel his muscles tighten beneath my cheek.
“I don’t know,” I finally admitted. “I just woke up in a white room and I couldn’t find a way out. I had the hand mirror …” My voice trailed away as I realized that it was gone. Somehow, I’d lost it.
“The mirror?” Rafael’s brows jerked upwards in surprise.
“I … guess I lost it,” I said, clearing my throat.
He was looking down at me with a half-smile on his lips. “You used the mirror to get back?” he asked. “You’re a dangerously quick study, little human.”
The Fae by the stairs—even Raven—looked suitably impressed, but I was too confused to enjoy it much. “I don’t get it,” I said with a frown.
But any explanation I might have gotten was lost as all of the crystals around us lit up like neon lights, and almost immediately, feather-masked Fae popped into view to ring us, all dressed in white robes. Each of them bore an intricate Celtic circle prominently emblazoned on their clothing, masks, and even hands.
There was no doubt who they were. They were the high-ranking members of the Inner Circle. The other Fae in the room—with the exception of Raven—confirmed it with gasps and three-fingered salutes and then immediately shifted away. But whether they left out of respect or fear, I couldn’t tell.
Rafael stood where he was, appearing confident and in command, but under my fingers, I could feel his muscles tense.
After the mist cleared, one of the white-robed figures swept off her mask and stepped forward, her movements elegant like a dancer. It was Zelphie. Rafael’s mother.
Rafael eyed her curiously.
Zelphie pursed her lips, as if considering her words she finally announced in dulcet tones, “I’m here … to save you, Rafael. Look at you…” She stared at his disheveled state in some kind of horror. “You need help.”
Rafael raised an elegantly shaped brow.
Clearly, when a Fae didn’t dress up and put on makeup, it was a sign in Avalon that they needed an intervention of some kind. I have to admit, in spite of the situation, I thought it a little amusing, especially when the rest of the Inner Circle members merely nodded.
But my amusement didn’t last long.
One of the masked forms moved to join Zelphie and my throat constricted.
Instinct told me that it was Melody. Waving a graceful hand in front of her mask to make it disappear with a distinct pop, her blue eyes raked over me slowly—and with obvious distaste—before shifting to Rafael.
Rafael didn’t hesitate. “Where is Jareth?” he asked, his tone was barely civil.
For the briefest of moments, her eyes flashed, but her tone was benevolent in reply. “Safe, my dear mentee. You misunderstand so much, Rafael. I’ve only been trying to save you. I came back here. Now. To help you.”
If I wasn’t so scared of her, I would have rolled my eyes. Did she really think he’d believe that? After she’d ordered Jareth to kill him in the coffee shop?
Rafael’s face turned unreadable. “Then explain, Melody, what you’re saving me from,” he suggested politely.
Her eyes flicked in my direction and her ruby red lips curved in distaste. She and Raven apparently shared the same opinion of me. They weren’t my biggest fans.
But Melody didn’t come out and say it directly. Instead, she announced, “The time of purification has arrived. I have set it in motion, my dear Prince. It has begun. And I would not lose you to the destruction that is coming to Earth, Rafael. Come back to Avalon with me now, before it’s too late.”
Rafael lifted an alarmed brow. “What madness is this?”
Training his eyes over Melody’s head, his gaze focused to read her fate lines, and I guess what he saw there horrified him.
“What have you done, Melody?” he gasped. “Are you mad? How can you be so blinded by hatred?”
It was too much for Raven. Joining Melody, she spat, “You are the one who is blind, Rafael. Thanks to that human, you no longer think clearly.”
Her shrill tone made me wince and her furious gaze turned outright livid as Rafael anchored his arm firmly about my shoulders.
“You let jealousy color your judgment, Raven,” he told her in reply, but then with a frown shadowing his face, he turned back to Melody to urge, “Stop this, before it goes too far.”
Melody gave a disturbed maniacal laugh of the classic villain kind. And when I heard her next words, I felt like I was trapped in some kind of horror movie.
“Do not feel pity for them, Rafael,” she said, not even bothering to keep the contempt out of her voice. “Humans are vermin. But I have created a weapon, a weapon to free Avalon from
both Earth and the Second Dimension, free us from our chains. At long last, they will be destroyed. Come back with me to Avalon before it is too late!”
The masked Inner Circle members began to murmur uneasily at that. Zelphie appeared torn as she turned her white and silver mask in her hands.
Even Raven frowned. I hoped it meant that she was experiencing some form of doubt. But then she held her hands out to Rafael to press, “Just come back with us. At least until we can settle this—”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Rafael interrupted in clipped tones. “I will stay and die on Earth if it comes to that.”
Raven’s lips parted in an incredulous expression.
“Then I have truly lost you, Rafael,” Melody dropped her voice.
Her shoulders slumped as if she were overwhelmed with the sadness of it all. She was a terrible actress. Did she really think she could do what she pleased, toss around a few lies, and have everyone just magically forgive her?
But Rafael pretty much ignored her. Keeping his eyes locked with Raven’s, he raised a hand. Jareth’s rune appeared between his long fingers. It was still glowing.
Raven turned her head to one side.
“You know where Jareth is,” Rafael said sternly. “Help me free him. All of us together can find and disarm Melody’s weapon. Even if you cannot care for Earth and the Second Dimension, Raven, do you really believe Avalon will be safe?”
I guess Melody figured all was lost with Rafael at that point. With a vehement curse, she waved her hand and disappeared. The rest of the Inner Circle members quickly followed, leaving only Zelphie and Raven behind.
Raven whirled upon me indignantly. “This is your fault,” she spat. “We’re losing control, just as before! Humans contaminated us then, just as now. You’re nothing more than walking viruses—”
I took an involuntary step back at her onslaught of words.
She advanced as if to follow, but Rafael caught her by the arm and swung her around.
“Enough, Raven!” he ordered, his voice carrying a threat. “Help me free Jareth and let’s put an end to Melody’s madness. Surely, you can see she is on the wrong path! You are better than this. You are not worthy of allowing petty jealousies to cloud your judgment.”
Looking at the viciousness in her eyes, I actually disagreed with him this time. But I didn’t feel compelled to point it out. Instead, I just zipped my mouth shut and vowed to keep my lips sealed so I wouldn’t make the volatile situation even worse.
“Don’t fight me, Raven,” Rafael continued grimly. “It’s time for you to leave Melody’s path and follow mine.”
It was obvious by the way her lips flattened into a stubborn line and her nostrils flared that her answer would be “No”. And it was.
“I can’t, Rafael,” she stated, tossing her head. She didn’t give him a chance to press further. She shifted away, leaving the smallest poof of mist followed by a whiff of perfume.
We stood there in silence, the three of us: Rafael, Zelphie, and I.
“Mother.” Rafael’s bow was distant and formal. “You know I believe the Queens rightfully rule Avalon. The time of our bloodline has passed. How can you be here? Dressed like this?” He waved his hand, drawing attention to her white robes and mask bearing the intricate Celtic circle, the symbol of the Inner Circle.
His mother gave an almost self-conscious laugh. It was an odd sound coming from someone who looked so sophisticated. “I know our relationship has always been … duty-based, Rafael,” she confessed. “But even so, how could I allow you to destroy yourself? Melody said … I could save you.”
The tension in the room was palpable. It lasted for what felt like an eternity until Rafael replied, “I do not need saving.”
Reaching out, Zelphie lightly placed a well-manicured hand on his arm. “Come home with me,” she murmured softly. “Let us leave this place.” Her eyes dropped to my face as she added, “And bring this one with you, if you must. We will find acceptance for her.”
I was pretty sure Zelphie didn’t like me very much either, but at least she didn’t outright detest me like Raven.
“No,” Rafael disagreed, shaking his head. “I will find Jareth and I will stop Melody’s weapon.”
There was another extended silence.
Finally, Zelphie whispered, “Then let me see how I may help you, my son.”
Surprising us both, she shimmered away in a cloud of mist that sparkled a little like it was sprinkled with pixie dust. I wondered at the difference but didn’t mention it. Too much was happening again. I wondered when it would ever end.
Rafael expelled a long breath, and then looked down at me tiredly.
I didn’t really want to hear the answer, but I felt compelled to ask anyway, “Is Melody really trying to destroy the Earth?”
I was right. I didn’t really want to hear what he said next.
“Yes,” he answered simply. “Her fate lines are clear now. The clearest they have ever been. She has built some kind of weapon that threatens the very existence of Earth as well as the Second Dimension.”
I felt the color drain out of my face.
“But there is more than one path in her destiny, Sydney,” he was quick to reassure, cupping my hands between his. “We must find Jareth. Somehow, he plays into this. And we must find him soon.”
“How?” I asked. “Where is he?”
“I need Raven’s assistance,” he replied, heaving a sigh.
It was depressing to hear. I didn’t think Raven was inclined to help, especially if I was in the picture. Everything seemed to be escalating. Had my Blue Thread escalated as well?
“Let me see you home,” Rafael was saying in a half whisper. “Even though I hesitate to have you gone from my sight again. The Protectors are clearly compromised. Perhaps it would be safer to hide you away and let Brock remain as your decoy.”
Grateful for the distraction from my thoughts, I asked, “And what about Al? He’ll get suspicious soon, if he isn’t already.” That, and the fact that I didn’t like keeping Al in the dark, prompted the suggestion. I didn’t like lying to him.
Rafael gave a rueful smile. “I don’t relish the thought of telling him that I lost you for two days,” he acknowledged with a soft laugh. “I know he isn’t your father, but somehow I think he will be as unhappy with that news as if he were.”
That made me smile. A little. Al was like a father to me, the closest I’d ever had.
“I’ll tell him then.” Rafael sighed, reading my face, and then added with a light, teasing note, “I am relieved you are safe, Sydney, but I am not certain I will be once I speak with Al.”
My smile widened a little, but the distraction ended then and my thoughts of the evening returned. Meeting his clear gray eyes, I asked, “How did I really get back, Rafael? If I was really in the Second Dimension … how did I get back?”
His expression grew serious as he considered me thoughtfully. “There are reasons the Fae fear the human ability to dream,” he finally answered, absently running his thumb over the top of my hand. “Dreams are powerful. Humans create nebulous concepts and turn them into realities on Earth.”
I frowned a little. “The Fae create things, too, don’t they? Look at all that mirror technology.”
Rafael shook his head. “Our society has largely cloned such things from others. And the only unique creations we gave birth to were shaped by those with human blood in their ancestry. It has caused fear in our society. And fear causes many to fall back to what they know rather than rise to tame the unknown.”
Dreams. I guess dreams were powerful. They gave us a purpose, something to strive for. Recalling the dream he’d shared with me, I said, “But you dream. And you’re a Pureblood, right?”
“I have no explanation for it,” he said as a small smile played about his lips. “It must be because I fell in love with you.”
My heart skipped a beat. I wondered if I would ever get used to hearing words like that. I hoped I didn’t, because I l
iked the way my heart responded. It would be sad if he said such things and I felt nothing in response.
“The mirror could only have brought you by harnessing your power of human thought, the power of your dreams,” he said in a soft reflective voice. “Power is light and mirrors magnify light. It was enough to bring you back from … wherever it was that you were.”
The power of human thought. It was a lot to think about, and I was fast approaching the end of my ability to deal with any new information that day. I had a hard time wrapping my head around it. In the end, I could only conclude that my wish from the heart to see Rafael had actually created a door to help me reach him.
The hair stood on the back of my neck.
If that was true, then Humans really were powerful. And if we really stuck to our dreams, what could we actually achieve?
Gradually, I became aware of Rafael’s hand cupping my cheek as his soft humorous voice asked, “Where have you gone, Sydney?”
“Human thought,” I mused aloud, smiling a little into his hand.
His eyes questioned me, inviting me to share my thoughts, but I couldn’t. My thoughts were still forming. After all, I never thought of myself as powerful. My mom was too busy letting life toss her around as it pleased, responding to things as more of a victim than anything else. In fact, I’d never really met too many people who actually tried to control their own destinies. Maybe Betty. Probably Al. Certainly, Samantha.
Samantha. Now she was an interesting case. Even the Mesmers seemed afraid of her. And somehow, their unbeatable power had been rendered useless the moment she’d walked into her coffee shop. Maybe she just was responsible for it all. But how? Could humans really be that powerful?
I became aware of Rafael still watching me, and I blushed a little.
He just laughed. Leaning forward, he kissed my forehead and giving me that wry smile again, asked, “Shall we stay here and talk or shall I face my destiny with Al now?”
I knew he had to go. I knew that he had to find Jareth and stop Melody. And while I didn’t know what to do yet, I did know I wanted to see Al. I wanted nothing more than to hear his booming voice.
