Shadows of the Past

by Brandy L Rivers

  Fear flashed through Opal’s eyes, but she nodded. “Make me proud, baby.”

  Amethyst faced Hayden, looking up at him. Her smile faltered. He softened his expression as he tipped her head up with a finger and planted a gentle kiss on her lips.

  She beamed up at him and moved to the other bed. Everyone in the room shifted again, letting her have her space. Hayden stayed just out of reach of Amethyst so he was close if she fell again. Paavo and Mathis took positions beside him.

  Mathis whispered, “Just in case you try to interfere.”

  Hayden narrowed his eyes, but he knew they might have a point. There wasn’t much that could keep Hayden from going to her if he thought she was in trouble. Of course, the two sirens would have a much better idea of what trouble was.

  * * * *

  As Izackarus woke up, Darla was crying in the corner of her mind. She was appalled by the little things he made her body do.

  She was so pure and good, and it seemed to be further dragging him down. He thought of a way to rid himself of this body and land himself the air fae with extra powers.

  He searched the store room until he found what he needed. With what he knew of Dacia, he had an idea that he knew would work.

  * * * *

  Dacia stared down at her phone in disbelief. Darla was never her biggest fan, so she didn’t understand why she had a text from the woman.

  With a sigh, she pulled up the message.

  Hayden’s a mess. Amethyst just walked out on him. Maybe you can finally get what you want.

  She snorted. That wasn’t Darla. Besides, wasn’t she missing?

  Oh shit. She had a bad feeling. She ran to her car and climbed in to drive over to Hayden’s. Calling wasn’t an option. She didn’t think anyone would bother to pick up.

  She’d made a few strained friendships since the incident with Fallon, but after attacking Amethyst, she was right back on their shit lists.

  That honestly wasn’t her fault though. She still didn’t know what in the Abyss had happened or why.

  * * * *

  Preston could sense the presence of the Shadow Fae, but it kept moving closer only to move away again. It was there in the hospital. He was tempted to go chase it down, but he wouldn’t leave Amethyst. Not while this whole mess was still going on.

  It was too quiet in the room, all except for the mumbling moans from the woman still in the bed. From what he understood, she was supposed to be the perfect soccer mom.

  Not so perfect after all. She got a wild hair up her ass and slept with Izackarus in Carl’s corpse. Was that necrophilia? Maybe he should ask Erik. In fact, he was beginning to wonder if maybe he should have asked Erik about the corpse all along.

  He wasn’t sure what Erik could do, but he wondered if they had missed their chance to destroy the Shadow while it was in the body. Of course, it wasn’t likely that Erik would know. Fae magic was not something often studied by Council mages unless they worked directly with the Fae in Faerie. Erik had training, but he was a necromancer and not truly a mage. His magic lay in death and corpses.

  The Council shut down the pilot program that had trained Erik before he could become an Enforcer. Mages were always so damned superior.

  Why? Preston didn’t have a clue, but he was starting to believe that mages had the wrong idea in general. He had his share of prejudices, usually only applied when someone pissed him off. Never once had he stereotyped Amethyst or Opal. Fallon and Gabe? Never. He’d only made the mistake with Brody for a short time, and realized quickly that was a mistake. Hayden, unfortunately Preston had judged the arrogant bastard harshly. He’d been busting his ass to solve this case, and Preston had been less than forthcoming with the information.

  The corners of Amethyst’s mouth turned down as she watched Stacey writhing in her constraints.

  She took a deep breath and climbed onto the mattress, and then straddled the other woman’s lap as she leaned forward to take her head in both hands.

  Hayden inched forward and both Mathis and Paavo pulled him back. Preston couldn’t help a smirk. He understood where the sheriff was coming from. He’d already learned his lesson though, and knew that some things you had to do on your own.

  That’s where Amethyst was. She had finally let go of all of her insecurities, and realized she could do so much more than she ever believed. Now she was going to prove it to everyone.

  A light seeped from Amethyst in tiny rays radiating from her heart. They quickly spread to envelop her in a brilliant light that filled the room, blinding him.

  There was a ragged scream that didn’t sound human, and unbelievably the light doubled in strength and calm flowed over him. There was a collective sigh as all the tension seemed to leave the room and everything went black as he floated away.

  Chapter 18

  Amethyst smiled to herself as she opened her eyes and looked down at Stacey. She was finally peaceful and sleeping soundly for the first time.

  Wow, I did it. Excitement filled her as she climbed off the bed and took a look around. She nearly panicked as she realized every last person in the room was sprawled out on the floor sleeping. Their chests all rose and fell quietly and someone even snored.

  Her hand flew to her mouth as she stared at them all.

  The door opened and Simons stepped inside with his two girls. They were 17 and 21, if she remembered correctly.

  Amethyst looked up at Simons with wide eyes. “Sorry,” she squeaked.

  His mouth fell open as he took in the scene. Then his expression brightened as his eyes landed on his wife. “She’s back,” he whispered with tear filled eyes.

  The two girls ran to the bed and took their mother’s hands. Amethyst turned back to the bed. Stacey opened her eyes and her gaze locked on Simons.

  “Oh, you really are back,” he murmured and moved to the bed to untie her and scoop her into his arms. “I missed you so much, cupcake.”

  His endearment was so adorable that Amethyst had to fight back a giggle.

  The door opened again, and Amethyst turned to give the family a little privacy.

  Dacia walked in with wide eyes and asked, “Do I even want to know what happened?”

  “I think when I pushed the rest of Izackarus from Stacey, I put everyone to sleep.” She shrugged, not sure what else to say.

  “Stacey’s all right?” Dacia’s brow scrunched up as she looked over to see the happy family. “I’m impressed. Just please tell me everyone else is okay?”

  She frowned and looked down at everyone. “I really do hope so. I am not sure what happened. I only knew what to do to bring my Mom back and Stacey. I’m not sure why everyone else went out like a light.”

  “Well, you are a nymph.” Dacia looked around again. “Maybe just tell them to wake up?”

  “Really? That’s your bright idea?” Amethyst shook her head.

  Dacia’s hand landed on her hips. “Just try it.”

  Amethyst sighed. “Everyone, wake up.”

  People started stretching and yawning, and Amethyst had to move out of the way as Hayden rolled over. He caught her ankle and stared up at her with an expression of pure awe.

  “Told you,” Dacia said triumphantly.

  Hayden rolled to his feet and wrapped his arms around Amethyst. He looked over to the bed and gruffly said, “Stacey, welcome back.”

  “We’ll be right outside,” Brody said quietly as he opened the door and slipped into the hall with Fallon.

  Gabriel sat on the bed next to Opal.

  Simons turned toward Amethyst with a warm smile. “I want you to meet my wife, Stacey.”

  Hayden let Amethyst go and took a step toward the door. “I’ll be right outside.”

  Amethyst nodded and moved over to the bed. “Hi. How are you feeling?”

  “I feel like myself for the first time in days.” Stacey’s eyes filled with tears as she turned to Simons. “Oh, God, I’m so sorry.”

  Right, Amethyst didn’t want to interfere. She slipped into the hall. E
veryone watched her.

  “Crap, don’t look at me like that,” she muttered.

  “Like what? Like we’re proud of you? Like you did the one thing none of us could have done?” Preston’s smiled was infectious. “I knew you had it in you.”

  * * * *

  Amethyst’s whole face lit up at Preston’s praise. Once again, Hayden had to wonder how deep their feelings for each other ran.

  He had a feeling that asking would only push her away, so he sucked it up and let it go. She was his. Their bond was new but strong, and he had no reason to doubt her.

  The doors into quarantine opened. Hayden and all three wolves looked up. He could scent Izackarus intertwined with Darla. Her mousy brown hair was ebony and her amber eyes were onyx black. Her skin even looked a few shades darker.

  “It’s him,” Clint said calmly.

  Darla’s hand came up and slashed a scalpel down her arm as Amethyst’s head snapped up.

  Amethyst took a step toward her and Hayden scooped her into his arms, lifting her off the ground as she twisted to go to the woman. “I can fix her. I can heal her,” she cried.

  Dacia phased into thin air and appeared beside Darla as she tried to hold her arm together.

  The inky substance that polluted Darla’s veins flowed around Dacia’s hands and up her arms but didn’t change her color.

  Darla’s color faded to a color paler than normal as her eyes went wide. She tried to scramble back but slipped in her own blood.

  Clint charged down the hall at Dacia.

  Tomahawk stepped through the door with his head down. He saw Darla on the ground and ran to her as Zack disappeared in Dacia’s body.

  “Put me down, Hayden. Now!” Amethyst demanded.

  “You can’t go over there. Izackarus can’t have you.”

  “Oh, don’t you dare tell me what to do. Put me down, or I swear I will make sure you do it, and you won’t like my method,” she snarled as she twisted in his arms.

  Her words sliced through him, and he knew that he would really lose her if tried to stop her, no matter what happened. He let go.

  Amethyst landed on her feet and she dashed over to where Darla lay half in Tomahawk’s lap in a pool of her own blood.

  Hayden leaned heavily against the wall, his hand on his gun in case Zack made an appearance while Amethyst attempted to do the impossible.

  * * * *

  “No, baby, no,” Tomahawk cried. “What happened?”

  Amethyst dropped to her knees as she wrapped her hand around Darla’s torn open arm and grabbed Tom’s hand.

  He glanced up at her with teary eyes and all of his agony washed over her.

  She stared back. “Trust me.”

  Tomahawk nodded.

  Amethyst closed her eyes and pulled on Tomahawk’s love as she channeled it into Darla’s arm. This time she kept the energy contained in the space just around them. She felt Darla’s skin mend under her hand and took a deep breath of relief.

  She wasn’t done yet, she could still feel traces of Izackarus trying to glean the pain and fear from around them. Amethyst pushed her light through Darla, chasing every last speck of shadow out of her.

  Once Darla was the only one in her skin, Amethyst pulled her light back inside and opened her eyes. Darla was panting and pale. Her arm was perfectly healed, but she was still in shock from the loss of blood and whatever Izackarus had forced her to do.

  Amethyst let go of Tomahawk’s hand to touch Darla’s face. When their gazes locked, she murmured, “Help is coming. Sleep”

  Darla’s eyes closed and she went lax in Tom’s lap.

  Tomahawk sniffled. “Her arm. You saved her. Slater told me she couldn’t… couldn’t be saved.” He wrapped his free arm around Amethyst and dragged her tight for a hug.

  She patted his back. “They didn’t know it could be done. I managed to get rid of the Shadows. She’ll be all right, but she’ll need blood. She’ll also need some help from Fallon.”

  “What about Fallon?” Tom asked.

  “Her wards will protect her.” Amethyst smiled at him. “You should stay with her.

  “Yeah, I’m happy to do that,” Fallon said from just behind Amethyst. When Amethyst turned around, Fallon squeezed her hand. “That was impressive. Brody and I will stay here. I’ve got Darla covered.”

  “Good, because I need to find Dacia. I know how to force Izackarus away for good. I just need a grumpy Earth Fae to trust me.” She shot a look back at Hayden, who stood there staring at her with wide eyes. “Will you help? And not tell me it’s too dangerous this time.”

  His eyes slammed shut as his chest heaved.

  Preston smacked him upside the head. “Trust me, Hayden. Tell her yes, and you better damn well mean it, asshole.”

  “Yes,” he whispered. His eyes opened and he stalked to her. He pulled her to her feet. “I’m sorry. I saw him take Dacia and all I could see was him trying to do the same to you. I panicked.”

  Humor danced through her eyes but she shook her head. “You don’t get to panic when we find her. You need to help ground me, because it’s going to be a different battle. If you can’t, then let me know and I’ll figure something else out, without you.”

  Preston took a deep breath and shoved Hayden. “You better be smart about this. Amethyst can do this. You saw what she just did.”

  Amethyst turned wide eyes to the mage as a smile flashed across her face. “Thank you.”

  “It’s true. If he won’t, I’ll do what I can. Your brother and Mathis will. Hell, I’ll get Fallon to come with us if you think she’s better suited.”

  “Amethyst,” Hayden said gruffly. “I’ll do my best. You are my everything. You can’t expect me not to worry.”

  Brody shook his head and walked past him and into the room. Hayden watched as he took a deep breath.

  “Shit,” he muttered. “I won’t panic, and if I do, Preston can knock some sense into me.”

  Preston walked away with his hands in fists. Once again, she didn’t know what to say.

  “We’re coming too.” Paavo said, and Mathis nodded.

  Amethyst looked up at Hayden. “Do you have any idea where she… he may have gone?”

  “There are a few places we can check, but Dacia is an Air Fae, she could have gone anywhere.”

  Preston turned back to her. “I’ll be able to find them if they’re close.” His resolve chilled her. The love he’d just discovered was still there, but his hope was gone. That crushed her.

  “Then let’s go.” Amethyst forced a smile and turned on her heel to avoid Preston and Hayden for just a moment.

  * * * *

  Preston’s phone chimed and he saw a message from Jamie. He swallowed hard and opened it.

  Hey, hon. I know you’re busy. Do me one favor and stay right next to Amethyst until this is over. Please. Jess is worried.

  He typed out. Will do. I’ll be home as soon as I can.

  Robert caught up with Preston and they all climbed into the elevator. “You’re coming?” Preston asked.

  Robert nodded. “Only seems right. I started on this case with you. I want to see it to the end.”

  “We have to find her first,” Amethyst said sadly.

  Robert nodded. “We will.”

  Amethyst smiled over at Robert. “By the way, thank you. I never said that.”

  He turned his gaze to her, his brow wrinkled. “I’m sorry, but what for?”

  “I know that you whisked Preston to my rescue when the Council took me. So, thank you.” She shrugged. “I know I was pretty snotty with you forever ago.” The sadness in her eyes hit Preston like a truck when she met his eyes briefly. “I’m sorry I never gave you a chance. I always assumed you would be like most mages.”

  Robert chuckled. “I can’t say I blame you. I’ve seen what some of the mages have said to you.” He nudged her shoulder. “We’re not all judgmental snobs.”

  She grinned a little, and as always that brightened Preston’s mood. As long as he cou
ld protect Amethyst, he would. If Jess was worried about her, he was too. He just wasn’t sure what he could do to help though.

  Chapter 19

  “Here,” Preston said. “Fuck, this is her house, isn’t it?”

  Hayden nodded, his hands gripping the wheel tight as he drove past the driveway to circle the block slowly. “Here’s what we’ll do. Robert can translocate to her location. Clint and I can go in the front door. Mathis and Paavo can go through the back. Preston, you stay with Amethyst. We’ll flush Dacia out, and we’ll be right back to you.”

  Amethyst crossed her arms over her chest. “Why don’t we have Robert take you and I directly to her so she can’t float away?”

  “Because Izackarus will bolt. He’ll want you alone or with fewer of us,” Hayden explained.

  “My being outside with Preston makes me a target.”

  Preston interrupted. “That’s the point. They’ll flush him out, and right to you. If he doesn’t leave, then Robert will come back and get you.”

  “Fine. I don’t agree, I hate this plan, but fine.” Amethyst sighed and fell back in her seat.

  “Don’t worry, it’s a solid plan,” Paavo told her.

  Mathis added, “It honestly is.”

  Clint spoke up, “We aren’t going to let anything happen to you, gem. We want this bastard gone just as much as you do. And as much as Dacia can be a bitch, she doesn’t deserve to die over it.”

  Amethyst said, “That wasn’t her who attacked me. I mean, it was, but Izackarus borrowed her body, so she didn’t have control.”

  “Trust me,” Hayden groaned, “she is a bitch on her own, but it doesn’t warrant having a Shadow destroy her.”

  “Let’s just get this out of the way,” Amethyst muttered.

  * * * *

  Izackarus fazed into Dacia’s house. He smiled as he took a look around. She lived in a nice home with modern furniture. The place was open and airy.