Breaking Out

by Gayle Parness

  Those two species fed the ley lines every time they used their magic. Without them, there would be no magic for the witches and sorcerers who used spells or the shifters who transformed themselves into their animals. The virus of the werewolves might lose its potency and even the vampires might become human once more, the older ones turning to dust. Most of this was just guesswork because obviously, I didn’t have all the facts, but if the fae or demon races left for good, the supernatural world would pretty much fall apart.

  Life without magic would suck even worse than life as a reluctant, magic user.

  But the kelpie race might not be affected if the fae and demon races shut us out from their magic. Kelpies fed from the earth’s own magic, living in the deepest of places, absorbing the primal strength of our world’s beginnings. His was a prodigious magic I could not tap into.

  Amazing.

  There’d been no security to speak of, just a wolf on guard duty who’d been easy to suggest into sleep. I approached the stall slowly because even though he couldn’t see me or scent me, he could definitely still hear me. He’d been warned that I was coming but not how I’d look or not look when I got there. I didn’t want to spook him.

  I tapped him twice on the head as instructed by Ivy and whispered near his ear, using Fae. “Ivy says you can understand me. There’s a path out back that leads to the woods. As soon as you’re past the tree line, run. The path takes you directly to the sea. You’ll be safe.”

  He shook his large head, the way horses do, his golden mane tossed around. “Are you saying no?” He nodded. “If you’re worried about me, I’ll be fine.” His head swayed another negative. “No one can see me or smell me. They won’t know I’m here.” He shook his head, stamped his hoof a couple of times and bowed like those trick horses do. “You want me to ride you?” He nodded more enthusiastically. “Without a saddle?” Another nod. “I’ll fall off.” He snorted, nuzzling against my hand.

  And my mind opened to his words.

  “I will not let you fall, young prince. Trust me.”

  This horse/kelpie was a big guy, seventeen hands at least. I was definitely no shrimp – 6’7” like my birth father—and I wouldn’t die if I fell off, but it would be humiliating, for sure. I’d ridden a few horses in my time and they were skittish around me. Liam said they felt my demon magic, but I thought that was just fae BS.

  I looked up and up. Well, first time for everything. “I’ll try, but not till we’re on the path.”

  We walked right past the still snoring werewolf, the ease of what I’d done a shock. I hated to admit it, but Jay was right. I should have been experimenting with my magic all along.

  When I was seated, the kelpie spoke, “Young prince, you honor me as none before you have.”

  “Um, thanks. You honor me too.” I had no idea what was considered an acceptable response in their society, but a compliment couldn’t hurt. “You are a magnificent species.”

  “You have not seen us at our best. I will take you to my people where you will be treated with favor by all.”

  “No wait…” But it was too late. He galloped with a grace I couldn’t have imagined possible for such a large creature. The sea loomed ahead and suddenly I was in the water on the back of a different kind a creature, just as perfect, just as magical, but a hell of a lot harder to hang onto.

  “It is not necessary to cling to my back. You will stay seated because I will it to be so.”

  I had to switch to mind speech because now I was underwater. Holy crap. I was deep. “How am I breathing?”

  “You breathe because I allow it. Your temperature remains stable because I control it. When we arrive at court, you will be presented to the chieftain in perfect condition.”

  “Um…great, thanks, but I have friends that are expecting me.” Perfect condition, huh? Made me sound like an entrée.

  “The female and your friend will be waiting for you when we arrive.”

  “What?”

  “We are here, young prince.”

  And as soon as the words were spoken I was standing in a room a lot like my Uncle Isaiah’s enormous receiving room, only it was packed with a few people in human form and a lot of steeds, as Ivy called them. The steeds were mostly pale in color with matching manes in creamy whites and dark beiges. Large brown eyes took me in as their graceful tails flicked back and forth.

  I took a panicked look around, searching for Jay. He was standing by the wall to my right, holding Ivy’s hand, the two of them looking as shocked as I felt.

  “Glad to see you guys made it.” I sent to Jay.

  “Yeah. Ivy got some kind of message and the next thing I know I’m in the ocean riding this weird creature here. It took maybe one minute. I could breath and didn’t even get wet. It was awesome.”

  “You do know that weird creature was Ivy, right?”

  “No way.”

  “Yep.” When she saw the look on Jay’s face, she giggled.

  I patted my clothes, happy to find I was also dry, not too disheveled and hadn’t turned into a block of ice or been squished by the billions of tons of water over my head. We’d gone so deep even the see-through glow in the dark fish must have thought we were crazy.

  I did a quick internal inventory. My aura was strong, as were my shields, and my heart rate was normal. As I’d been trained, I reached for the lines, relieved to find them so easily. The magic was familiar and comforting even in this alien place and I was able to loosen my tense muscles and truly relax.

  That is until as a single unit, the entire group bowed to me. The steeds could only do that horsey bow, but the people were kneeling on one knee. To me—Charlie Curvier. This had to be the most bizarre moment of my life. I expected someone to jump out any second and yell “punked.”

  They waited, expecting me to respond in some way. Not knowing what else to do, I covered my heart with the palm of my hand and bowed back. It was the way the fae showed someone the greatest amount of respect.

  I straightened, but they remained bowing, I looked at Jay for help but all he could do was shrug. Ivy pointed toward a large archway, one that was wide enough for several horses to pass through without touching and as if on cue a haunting sound filled the grotto, and a procession of horses entered. The purest whites led the parade, followed by a pair of golden browns.

  A kelpie in human form dressed in a uniform had approached Ivy, whispering. “Child, do not dishonor us. Bow to the fae lord.”

  “No way. We’re friends, now.”

  I walked closer to Ivy. “I’ve given her permission not to bow.” She smirked at the male who’d criticized her. “Unless I feel it’s necessary.” She scowled, but smiled, when she figured out I was teasing.

  “And the large one?”

  “Jeez, Char.”

  “He is my second-in-command and…has a princely dispensation.”

  “Your second-in-command is not a fae lord?”

  “No. He’s a…a duke of the shapeshifter community, an ally of mine.”

  “I see.”

  Oh boy, I was digging myself into a hole with all the lies. I looked around the room, searching for the steed I’d rescued. “Where is…?

  “Here lord. I am the chieftain’s eldest son, Rylen.” He was now in human form, tall with coffee colored skin, hair the same gold as his mane and eyes the darkest shade of brown I’d ever seen. “I owe you my life, lord. As payment I will serve as your steed when you do battle against demonkind.”

  “Just a moment, son. Our people have not served the fae for centuries.” The chieftain had arrived in stocky human form looking annoyed. He was followed by a taller, broader male with an angry expression. This second guy looked like he could eat a whole bag of burgers and still be hungry. He walked past me without a second glance, moving directly to Ivy.

  “You were told to report.”

  “I tried, but the tides disrupted the signals.”

  “You have disobeyed me and will not be allowed to leave again.”

&n
bsp; Jay had taken a few steps forward, already on protective detail, but I put out my arm to stop him. We couldn’t bully our way into their private business, but I was pretty sure I could help Ivy out. I thought about how Fin or Isaiah would handle this, then stepped forward. “Who are you?”

  He had the snooty expression down, all right. “Lord Tellek. The chieftain’s advisor.” His voice was kind of high and squeaky for such a big dude.

  Isaiah had dealings with so many different species it used to make my head spin. He’d usually pretend to be friendly at first, then wait to see how the talk played out. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, lord. However Ivy stays with me. She is my personal assistant, an invaluable aide.” They seemed to speak in a more formal way, so I tried to match it.

  “You have used her?”

  I didn’t pay any attention to the couple of gasps I heard behind me. “Her clever mind, nothing else.” I drew myself up to my full height, which was taller than anyone else in the room—except the steeds. Tellek had to bend his neck way out of joint to look me in the eye. “I’m affronted that you’d think me capable of what you imply. She’s a child.” Ivy began to protest, but Jay pulled her closer and whispered something in her ear. I turned to Chieftain Marea.

  “I ask the chieftain, in front of everyone in attendance, that Ivy be allowed to return to Los Angeles to help me with my work there.” There was no way in hell I was leaving her here with this bozo.

  Tellek took two steps closer. “You are but a child yourself. What experience do you have? Why should we follow you into battle or trust you not to get us killed?” He spoke loudly, a few of the crowd moving in his direction as if in support. “The fae are not what they were.”

  And this would be the exact time Isaiah would take charge of the meeting.

  “Wish me luck,” I sent to Jay, after explaining some of what had been said.

  “Keep the blood to a minimum,” he teased.

  I’d learned that fae and demons could create whatever they needed and what I needed at the moment was a symbol of what I could do. Nothing violent or frightening, just something that said, I’m so much more than what you see before you.

  I pulled on the lines and twisted them in my mind, taking hold of a nearby chair and molding it into a fancy throne like Isaiah had in his receiving room, placing it on a platform above the others. When I was done, I sat. The room was silent for a few heartbeats, then most of the humans began chattering at once. Some looked pretty freaked out, others were excited at the small example of my power.

  “Quiet.” The chieftain shouted above the noise. When the room settled down he crooked his finger, indicating that one of his servants should bring over another chair. I fashioned it into a throne, the same dimensions but decorated in shining shells with molded waves and tides rippling across the arms and legs. I was in his court, after all, and was hoping he’d see me as an ally and not an enemy. I was not above using bribery.

  The chieftain sat, looking extremely pleased with the gift.

  “Told ya. You should’ve started practicing years ago.”

  “I might turn you into a totem pole when we get back to land.”

  “I’d make an awesome totem pole.”

  Rylen stepped forward. “Father, Lord Tellek. The young fae prince risked his life to save mine. He had no reason to do such a thing, yet he did. If Ivy—Ivonne—can be helpful to him in his work, then she should make herself useful.”

  “That female has one use only.” Tellek sneered.

  The chieftain held up his hand. “Tellek. We will speak later. Perhaps Ivonne has value we do not understand. She will return with this fae to the city. If she can wipe out her family’s debt through service to the young prince, then so be it.”

  “She cannot. Their debt is owed to me.”

  “I will decide what is best.”

  Tellek bowed his head in submission, but I could see the lie in his aura. “Yes, lord.”

  “Leave us. Everyone. Not you, Rylen.

  A table and more chairs were brought over for Ivy, Jay and Rylen. Then platters of fruit, breads and seaweed rolls filled with fish and other greens. Jay started popping those in his mouth so fast half the platter was gone in a few heartbeats.

  “Slow down. Leave some for the chieftain.”

  “My metabolism speeded up during the trip. I need to eat or I might lose control. You better eat too.”

  Jay was great at judging his physical state, so I always took that kind of advice seriously. I loaded up my plate.

  The chieftain leaned forward. “May I ask a few questions?” I nodded. “Do you represent your people? Can you speak for them?’

  Good question. Who were my people anyway? Sitting here in the court of another species did I represent the fae, demon or shifter races? Why did I have to choose sides?

  It was best to be honest. “What do you know about me?”

  “We have all heard the prophecy. You will lead the fae army against the demonic forces. There is a second prophecy, one which I never believed to be true, that states you will destroy us and your fae allies.

  “My grandfather, Finvarra, now rules the fae.”

  “He has returned?”

  “Yes. His daughter, Fionna, was killing her own people by draining away their power. He decided it was time for him to step up to the plate.”

  “Step up…?”

  “Um, resume the throne.”

  “This is wonderful news for my people. Finvarra will remember us.”

  “He will,” I agreed. Finvarra never seemed to forget anything. Sometimes it was annoying.

  “You are pureblood fae?”

  “Not even close. My birth father was one hundred percent fae lord, but my mother, Jacqueline, is a cheetah shapeshifter, a healer with a good amount of demon blood. I’m part of Naberia’s line as well as Finvarra’s.”

  “This is an impressive bloodline.”

  “Each race wants me on their side, but I won’t be used by any species.” I let that info sink in for a moment. “If a war is coming, I’ll have to take a stand, but until then, I’m going to hope for peace.”

  “Why? War is glorious. You are young and do not know the rush of battle, the freedom that comes when one throws away fear and faces death.”

  “It’s not glorious to the innocents who get caught in the middle. Your people are protected, hidden away from the world, but what will happen to the shifters, the humans, the wolves and the vampires when battles are fought on the beaches and plains of my world? When fae and demon warriors meet in our realm, thousands will be slaughtered.”

  “Why is this your concern?”

  “If you can ask this question, we have no more to say to each other.” I stood, intending to look for Jay and Ivy.

  “Wait. Is it because of your shifter friend, the duke? Or your mother, the cheetah shifter?”

  “I have friends in every race. And they all have a right to live their lives.”

  “Not every race, young prince.”

  I pulled on the lines, wrapping Jay, Ivy and myself in a protective shield. We might be under trillions of tons of water, but I could get us out of here in an instant. “Is that a threat?”

  “An observation. There are hundreds of unseelie races you know nothing of: races who will also be affected by the war. Some crave it, as we do, others fear it. Some are powerful enough to manipulate its outcome.”

  “I’ve met more unseelie than you might imagine.” We ate and chatted for a while, the Chieftain and Rylen watching me, asking general questions about my world. Ivy asked if she could see her family and the Chieftain agreed, suggesting she take Jay along.

  “Rylen will accompany them. They will be perfectly safe.” The truth. The chieftain didn’t have the ability to lie like the wolves did. Maybe because it was more in his nature to be honest.

  After they’d left, I asked, “Why is there unrest between the demons and the unseelie?”

  “You have seen many fae and demons, yes?” I nodded. “Th
ey are beauty and grace, equal in power, each simply opposite sides of the same tide.” He asked for a refill on the wine, the servant pouring then bowing after the glass was filled. I stuck with tea. “As you see, we are not like either race.”

  The horsemen in human form were stocky and shorter, their features less even, more rugged. Some, like Tellek would be considered obese in my world, although his horse form was probably magnificent.

  “You may be different in this form, but in the others…”

  “The fae and demon races stay in human form at all times, unless there is war. Only those of our royal line are able to shift to this human form and that is also considered a weakness.”

  “Ivy?”

  “Her family is also of the royal house, although they are disgraced.”

  “Why disgraced?”

  “Her father mated to a human female. Ivonne was the product of that mating.”

  “Her mother…?”

  “Died immediately after the birth. Her father fell into financial ruin and borrowed credits from Lord Tellek. Now Ivy serves him.”

  Cold claws raked my spine. My intuition told me there’d been nothing natural about the female’s death. “The mother was killed?”

  “No. A complication.” A lie. Good thing he didn’t know I could recognize the difference.

  “What do you know of the murdered wolves?”

  He hadn’t expected that question. “Are you accusing someone in my court?”

  “I have pictures of the wounds on their bodies. They weren’t made with wolf claws, teeth or any blade I know of. Jay’s interned with his dad, a forensics expert. He agrees.”

  “May I see the pictures?”

  “Of course.” I passed over my phone.

  “In our sea form our teeth are designed to rip and tear, but this looks more like the work of an extremely large chela. It is neat and precise. Chela of this type are similar to garden clippers. Do you see how the skin is bruised and the flesh is not ripped but cut cleanly?”

  “Is there a creature in the sea with chela large enough?”

  “There were, but now they are extinct.”