by Lisa Morgan
My tears fell freely as I thought about these people I hardly knew, willing to risk their lives. For me.
I sputtered, walking away from Michel without looking back. “I need to go check on Seatha.” I felt his eyes on me as I stumbled out of the library and headed toward the stairs to find the injured fairy, to check on my friend.
I jogged up the steps two at a time and made my way down the hallway toward the fairy’s room. With each step closer, the lump in my throat tightened, squeezing and threatening to rob my ability to breathe. I reached the closed door and lifted my fist to knock, but found myself stopping before I ever rapped on it. My legs shook beneath me, and try as I did to gain composure, I felt my body failing as I worried for the fairy that lay behind the door.
Unable to stay upright under the weight of my guilt, I fell to my knees, planting my hands on the floor in front of me. My hair hung around my shoulder as I worked desperately to control my breathing and stem the upcoming hyperventilation I felt brimming. I tried to take in deep, calming breaths, but they staggered and never seem to reach my lungs.
“Oh God,” I cried quietly. “What am I? What have I done?” Tears began to stream like a dam bursting, relentless and threatening to flood the world around me. I clenched them shut as hard as I could, trying to stop the salty river that ran from them. I wanted to curl up in a ball and die. That would help keep them safe, I thought to myself. No one would have to be hurt again.
“You’re going to kill us all if you don’t get control of yourself,” a voice spoke sternly. My eyes didn’t need to see who was making fun of me to know Luc stood a few feet away, ready to torment me further.
“I feel bad enough already,” I warned through my teeth, not trying to hide my aggravation and sorrow from him as I swiped at my cheeks. “And you should stay the hell out of people’s minds.”
“But how else would I pass the time?” he mocked back.
My eyes flew open at his ribbing, and I saw the flames on my hands again. Orange blazes, flickering toward the ceiling.
“I’m not burning,” I sniveled as I sat back on my knees, taking a closer look at the fire. I heard the sizzling when the remaining dampness evaporated under the flames, and the heated breeze that circled me was comforting
“But if you’re not careful, you’ll light The Trust and leave it in ash around you,” Luc responded.
“I can’t make it stop,” I cried, confused over my lack of control. Instinctively, I waved my hands up and down, trying to end the fire that was growing even as panic rose inside me. “I can’t make it stop!”
Luc took tentative steps, squatting down near me. “Breathe.”
“I …” I stammered. “I can’t. Seatha—”
“Is going to be fine,” Luc spoke softly. “At least she will be, as long as you don’t catch her room on fire. Now,” he encouraged gently, “Maggie, breathe.”
I looked into Luc’s eyes. He wasn’t being nasty or teasing me like he done earlier. He looked compassionate as he repeated his instructions to me, his words tender, soothing.
“Just. Breathe.”
The pressure and tightness in my chest began to ease, the weight beginning to be lifted off me. My tears slowed to a trickle as I took a deep breath, and then exhaled.
“Again,” Luc prodded. I followed his advice, stumbling over the exhale. “Slowly, Maggie,” he went on. “Keep looking at me.”
I kept my gaze trained on Luc, finding his instructions oddly calming as he repeated them. There was a gentle suckling sensation over my body, and I glanced to my hands. The flames were seeping back into me like rain in a desert, until finally, they were extinguished completely.
“I think I’m going to be sick,” I warned, but before Luc could get back, my lunch spilled onto the floor in front of us.
“That’s disgusting!” Luc exclaimed, leaping back to avoid having it hit. “These were my favorite pair of Diesel jeans, damn it!”
I stayed on my knees, feeling shamefaced and weak in front of the vampire. My eyes clenched tightly, I heard footsteps leaving my side and returning just as quickly. When I opened them to find the source of the footsteps, a white towel hung in front of my face. Embarrassed, I grabbed it and wiped my chin. I followed the towel upward with my gaze and found Luc holding the other end.
“Vampire,” Luc smiled back, “we tend to be rather fast.”
Standing up, I couldn’t resist a barb at him. “I bet that’s what you tell all the girls.” My comment apparently pleased Luc, and his smile grew even wider.
“Thanks,” I added, wadding the towel up. “For the towel … and the help.”
Luc bowed his head, and when he slowly lifted it, his gaze slid up my body. I knew I should feel uncomfortable, but the guy had just helped me prevent a five alarm house fire and watched me puke. I figured I’d let it slide this time.
Luc spoke, his tone kind as his palm rested against his chest, “Your power is linked to you emotionally, at least for now. Your hurt over Seatha’s injuries triggered it.”
“And my anger with you made it happen earlier,” I answered quietly, confident in my assumption.
Luc nodded, proving my theory correct. “As you become more aware and gain control, you will be able to call fire at will. It is truly a great asset.”
I scoffed, “An asset? I could combust at any time, and you find that an asset?”
“I do,” Luc answered. “Many in the past have tried to ensnare a Phoenix to use for their own devices.”
“What happened to them when they trapped one?” I asked, not sure if I really wanted an answer.
“Many never caught one. The few who did, though, suffered greatly for it and regretted it afterward.”
“Why?”
“The only creature more powerful than a Phoenix is the Angel,” Luc explained.
“More so than witches and vampires?”
“Very much so,” he admitted, taking another step closer to me. He cupped my chin in his hand, turning my face from side to side, studying me. I felt uneasy with his examination and took a step backward. Luc didn’t try to hold me there.
“You really are a prize, aren’t you, Margaret Henning?” Luc’s voice was barely above a whisper as he spoke. I kept my eyes on him, watching him squeeze his hand into a fist and press it against his chest once more before he lowered it behind his back.
“Do you know where Michel is?” I asked. I’d assumed he’d follow behind me, but he hadn’t.
Luc raised an eyebrow to my question, apparently surprised that I wasn’t aware of his brother’s whereabouts. “My brother has gone on an errand. He’s meeting with an old witch to try to gain understanding about how to help you harness your gifts.”
“Oh,” I remarked, disappointment in my voice. “I’m gonna go check on Seatha.”
“Of course,” Luc offered a bow. “I will see that your … mess is cleaned. My apologies for the earlier interruption with Michel. I will attempt to avoid it in the future.”
I nodded. “Thank you, Luc.” I knocked on Seatha’s door and when she quietly called for me to enter, I turned the knob, pausing when Luc spoke again.
“We aren’t so very different,” the vampire told me. I watched him glance over his shoulder to me as he continued walking. “Suffering is suffering, Maggie.”
Before I could ask what he meant, he was out of sight.
***
The scent of lilacs permeated the air, and the kiss of the flowery scent was relaxing. I found myself inhaling deeply to calm my nerves. The room was a whole different world beyond the doorway, one you wouldn’t expect to find within this or any manor. Vines grew up the walls from a floor carpeted with real grass, and they stretched to the ceiling before spreading around the walls. Small trees thrived with tiny forest creatures scampering in their branches. Walking closer to the female who was recuperating, I could hear the sounds of running water from behind a closed door.
“My bathroom,” Seatha offered, drawing my attention. Her bed loo
ked like a hammock, suspended between two sturdy looking trees. “I prefer spring water for my baths, it’s more refreshing.”
I stepped to her side and took her hand in mine. “Are you okay? What happened? I’m so sorry.”
“One question at a time,” the wounded fae whimpered with a smile.
I glanced around to find someplace to sit, fearful I would tip her hammock should I join her there. As if answering my thoughts, three grey rabbits walked forth on their hind legs, a stool in their hands. They carried the seat to me, setting it on the floor beside Seatha’s head. The smallest of the bunnies gestured for me to sit before hopping away with the others.
“You have rabbits? In your room?”
Seatha chuckled, grabbing her side as the laugh gave her pain. “Willow Fae. I knew a guy from there once and we, well …” She waggled her eyebrows to send me her unspoken message.
“I get it.” I smiled, lifting my hand. “No need to explain.”
I inhaled and went on, “What happened?”
The fairy’s face grew serious. “Liam asked me to deliver a message to the king in Celine, which I did. I’d planned to stay the night, but he urged me to change my plans so that I may bring the return message immediately.
“I was within a mile of The Trust when I felt the cold chills from behind me. Four revenants appeared. They wanted information about you, but I didn’t give them any, Maggie,” she reassured, tension rising in her voice. “I swear, I didn’t tell them anything!”
I patted Seatha’s hand. “I know you didn’t.” Though seeing her like this made me wish she’d told them anything they’d wanted to spare herself.
The fairy, seemingly eased with my assurances, continued, “Those bastards ripped at my wings, using those bony fingers of theirs to try and make me talk. I drew my blade and was able to strike down two of them and get away. If I’d had guards with me, I swear, I would have killed them all.”
I hadn’t imagined I’d see Seatha like this. Hatred replaced the fun-loving demeanor, the karaoke singing, teased hair, free spirit I knew. Her irises were almost red, glowering at the unfought battle she wished she’d had.
“Are you gonna be okay?” I asked sheepishly.
“Me?” Seatha replied, her expression changing back to the one I was familiar with and waving my question off. “I’ll be fine. Liam arrived, and the revenants still alive tucked tail and ran away. Your grandfather called for the elvish healer before we made it back here.”
“I don’t …” I looked away from her and shook my head. “I was in the library. I didn’t even hear you come in. I would have …” What would I have done?
“Liam brought me in through the garage. There’s a tunnel that leads into the back of the house.” Seatha squeezed my hand and finished softly, “And I know you would have.”
We sat quietly for a few minutes. My conscience hung heavy with guilt. I now believed everything I’d learned since seeing my father at the hospital, but part of me had wanted to think it all tales, some sort of elaborate dream brought on by bad Chinese food or something. Seeing Seatha’s injuries forced open my eyes and forever washed away any doubts I had.
Her face was bruised and swollen, her left eye completely shut and puffy. Both her arms were wrapped in gauze, spots stained pink with blood that had partially seeped through the dressings, but the worst was her wings, her beautiful wings. I could see one of them, held together now with stitches. The other wing was gone—completely gone.
Watching me take in the brutality, Seatha squeezed my hand. “It looks worse than it is,” she tried to comfort. “The missing wing will grow back, and rather quickly from what the healer said. It wasn’t torn off completely, and as long as the base remained and was treated with the elvish magicks, it should be good as new in a day, two at the most.”
It didn’t escape my notice that the missing wing was the one that had been scarred by the king’s order. I hoped the new wing would be free from the defect.
“Maggie? I’m sorry,” Seatha apologized sadly.
“You’re sorry?” I asked, my tears on the brink of falling free. I used the breathing Luc had taught me, worried I would start a forest fire in the fairy’s room.
“This isn’t your fault,” I choked out, standing from the stool and dropping my hand from hers. “This is because of me.”
“This is so much bigger than you,” Seatha explained, soothingly. I felt guiltier as she tried to make me feel better. “The entirety of both our worlds rides on what’s to come. If you think the revenants will stop at control over only The Realm, you’re mistaken. They want, they crave, power. If they can gain The Realm and all of those in it, they will move to do the same to the humans.”
“I can’t do this.” I looked back to her. “I can’t watch my friends get hurt because these things want me.”
“You can do this,” Seatha told me, sitting herself upright with a great deal of difficulty. “Maggie, don’t you understand? You don’t have a choice, none of us do.”
“There’s always a choice. Even if it’s the harder one, the one where you say good-bye to everything and turn your back and run,” I told her.
“Maggie, all of us are here for you. You’re the only hope our world has. Please don’t turn from us now, not when we’ve only just found you.”
Her plea stirred me, bringing a new realization along with it. Everything she’d said, despite my best efforts to tuck it away in the recesses of my mind and try to forget the words were ever spoken, was true.
The revenants wouldn’t just stop at The Realm. They’d go after the human world, too. They already had strongholds across that world, living just under the surface, hiding their true selves. If they had the power to take humans, enslave them or whatever was in their grand design, I was certain they wouldn’t stop until they were supreme.
I thought of Stephanie, pictured her family living under the revenant’s rule. I could see the despair on their faces. I could envision Steph crying, on her knees and begging to know why this was happening to them, why the world had gone mad.
A resolution woke in me, a steel determination that stiffened my spine.
No. I wouldn’t let those savages corrupt the worlds that I was now a part of. If these things were as powerful as I’d been told, the human race wouldn’t stand a chance against them. At least the creatures of The Realm had experience fighting them. They knew what we were up against, knew the potential outcome even as human kind was blissfully ignorant to what was really around them. The beings in the Realm knew exactly what Ossa and his merry band of monsters were capable of.
“I’m going to need to learn how to control this power I apparently have,” I informed her, causing a smile to cross her face. “Better that than bursting out in flames whenever I get angry or worried.”
“You had fire?” Seatha gawked, not trying to hide the amazement in her words. I nodded. “That’s incredible! I wish I’d seen it! I’ve never seen an actual Phoenix burning.”
“Well then,” I smiled, wanting to cheer my injured friend, “prepare to be dazzled.” I shot my hands to my sides, palms up.
Nothing.
I threw my hands forward, willing flames to show up. Still nothing … No smoke, no fire.
Seatha chuckled as I wiggled my hands, trying to get them to activate as they’d done before. She teased in kind, “Maybe you need to say something for it to work? Like what the Human Torch does?”
I pursed my lips, frustrated. “It just happened …”
“What were you doing?”
“The first time, Luc had thrown me across the room when Michel was trying to teach me to fight.” The fairy’s eyebrows lifted as I spoke. “Then, before I came in to see you, I’d been upset. Luc found me in the hallway outside your door. I had flames then, too.”
Seatha laughed hard, putting her hand back on her side. She wiggled her eyebrows like her old self and through her chuckles said, “Sounds to me like a vampire has you hot under the collar.”
Twenty
I stayed with Seatha for several hours, finally giving up on trying to ignite myself. I couldn’t hide the disappointment in my failure, but Seatha had taken it in stride, reminding me I’d only just found out about having it. We spent the time talking about recent movies and music. I gleaned from our discussions that, much to my disbelief, the fairy was a country music fan, which I’d never have guessed, especially following her glam-rock karaoke performance. She also had a major shoe fetish. When she prodded me to look in her closet, I was attacked by a landslide of assorted sneakers and heels. The Elvish healer had returned, thinking Seatha was suffering with pain, when in truth we’d been roaring with laughter.
The Realm physician urged Seatha to rest, saying the more she did, the faster her wing would regenerate. He made a grimace at the fairy when she threatened to “toadstool” him. I wasn’t sure exactly what that meant, but I was fairly positive it wouldn’t be good.
I carefully hugged her good-bye and promised to sneak back after eating and possibly sparring with Michel. I had a renewed anxiousness to learn all I possibly could before I had to face the revenants in battle.
“And what a delightfully sinful teacher,” Seatha teased back at me. I gave her the one finger salute before the elf chased me from the room, muttering something sounding an awful lot like uncouth human types.
The mess outside the wounded fairy’s room had been cleaned up, but I doubted that Luc had been the actual person to do it. I found myself smiling as I pictured the vampire with a mop and pail.
I jogged down the stairs and made my way to the kitchen, directed by the grumbling of my stomach to find something to eat. Opening the fridge, I pawed through the assorted cold cuts and leftover containers. I sniffed a few of the plastic boxes, looking to avoid the chocolate scented ones, before going back to my original plan of making a sandwich.
I grabbed the wrapped turkey and provolone while juggling jars of mayonnaise and mustard. I reached for the veggie drawer, electing the pre-sliced tomatoes and shredded lettuce, and teetered with my arms full to the butcher block center island. After mastering the meat and filling my plate as high as I could with cheese puffs, I put my fixings away and carried my dinner to the table in the dining room.
