I shoot him a look then grab my bag and stalk out of the room. I scoop Jinx up and put her in a wicker carryall I bought in case I needed to ferry her to the vets or Gerry. She protests slightly until Rozen comes up behind me, then she starts to purr incessantly again.
I lock up the apartment and the office and leave a letter for Dave, explaining I’ll be away on business. After my last case, I’d paid out just over a year’s rent, so I wouldn’t have to worry if my cases dried up. Let’s hope I make it back before next September.
Rozen drives me to the hospital next, and as we exit the van, he grabs my arm and pulls me in close.
“What are you doing?” I ask through gritted teeth.
“One of your Guardians is across the road, if you kiss me now it will cement the belief that you’ve rejected the Lycan.”
“Not something I really want to do.” I try to pull away from him, but he just holds me tighter.
“Put your arms around me now, she is about to get out of the car and come over here. I will kill her if she gets in my way.”
I throw my arms around him quickly and almost turn to look to see who it is. His lips meet my own, slowly and deliberately, he skillfully moves to open me to him. As his lips slowly caress mine I try to distance myself from the action, so he doesn’t get a reaction again. It was bad enough I’d been semi-naked in bed with him earlier but kissing him is way too intimate.
It is very odd kissing your enemy. Yes, I had been kissed by Bryn, but at the time, I hadn’t known he was working with Rozen. Whilst I am being kissed, I feel nothing, like an out-of-body experience. I can feel it but can’t acknowledge what is happening.
I pull away first. “Has she gone?” I whisper.
Rozen looks over my shoulder and then pushes me away. “Yes.”
He is clearly just as appalled as I am that we had just kissed, even though the idea was his. From his reaction, I can say with all honesty I know he would never use the blood oath to make me perform for him sexually. Well, I at least really doubt it. Maybe, hope?
We make our way in to the hospital and I ask Rozen to wait for me in the small waiting room near Aylesbury’s room. I want to say goodbye alone.
I walk the short distance from the waiting room to the care unit where I know Aylesbury lies waiting. As I open the door, my brain doesn’t really register the bed is empty. I stand staring at the crumpled hospital sheets and the wires from the machines that now dangle aimlessly. A tube lies across the sheets with a drop of blood leaking onto the bedding.
I turn numb and walk out of the room, stopping the first person I can find. A porter.
“Where is James Aylesbury from room one-oh-one?” I ask, my voice shaky.
“Gone,” he tells me in a gruff voice.
“When?”
“Last night.”
I turn and run back to the room, shutting the door behind me, my heart thuds against my chest. I slide to the floor against the wall. I’m too late. He’s gone. The tears start to fall then.
I am sadness.
I am grief.
I am no longer whole.
I don’t know how long I sit here crying, at some point Rozen comes to get me. He simply grabs my arm and pulls me to my feet. He drags me along behind him and deposits me in the van.
Chapter Seven
At some point during the drive my tears abate. Rozen has got what he wanted, he’s taken away everything I hold dear. Aylesbury is dead, Jared has no memory of me, and Bastian is about to believe I have betrayed him in the worst possible way. I clench my fists, my nails digging into my palms.
No matter what happens, I will take Rozen down with me.
Wait. I don’t feel any pain, so the oath only works if I speak the words out loud. Maybe I can use that. I can at least form some sort of plan to turn this situation around.
Rozen drives us to an old airfield where we meet Roan. Roan lifts Jinx out the back of the van while Rozen carries my bag. Gentlemen assholes, who’d have thought it possible. We walk into the corrugated metal hanger. When we reach the back, we walk down three flights of steps and through a huge, heavy metal door. I stop walking as soon as I round the door. I can’t believe my eyes.
Right there, under an abandoned airfield, is a small tear in the Vale between worlds. Its glow is unmistakable, it shimmers like a thousand stars, and you can faintly see the outline of the world on the other side. The bastards are taking me to Faerie.
Roan steps through with Jinx before I can even protest at forcing my little baby into that evil world. I hate the Fae more than anything in the world. Even more than I hate the Demon in front of me. If it wasn’t for the damn Fae coming to our world and proving to everyone they were manipulative and conniving, I would have never been hated for something I have no control over. My race.
Rozen turns and motions for me to step through. I shoot him a look of pure disgust then step into the sparkling Vale. At first, your body zings like you’ve been doused in mint oil, then for a few seconds, you feel weightless before emerging through the other side. It is an odd experience, and one that some weird cult claimed cleansed your soul. Weirdos, if you ask me.
I look around and see Jinx is pitching a fit in the wicker case. I smile watching as Roan stands there, trying to placate her, knowing he’s the one that’s riling her up. I see we are in a basement of some kind in hell-only-knows-what part of Faerie.
Rozen emerges and heads up the wooden stairs. I follow him and find we are in a tavern, one I assume is in the middle of nowhere as it’s not brick-built like those in Vyr, but wooden. Wooden homes are favored by the more rural Fae. So, we are in a small village somewhere.
“Where are we?” I ask, reaching the top of the stairs.
“Gaul. Just outside of Vyr,” he answers with a quick glance at me before moving off to the bar.
I look around at all the Fae, drinking and eating. It all seems so normal until you know what they are really up to. A few of them are beginning to stare, and it doesn’t help I’m in my Human form.
Rozen comes back over to us. “I’ve secured us rooms for the night. We will remain here before travelling to Vyr tomorrow morning.”
He hands Roan two keys who then heads up a flight of stairs to the right of the bar. Rozen grabs my arm as I begin to follow, leaning in to speak directly into my ear.
“You will have your own room. You will not leave it unless I tell you otherwise. I expect you won’t cause any trouble, but just know, leaving the room to do anything will cause you pain. As you can tell from before, only I can ease the pain for you before the oath’s ready to release you. The severity of your disobedience is what determines the amount of pain you will be in, and for how long it lasts. If I’m not there to ease it, you could die from it. Understand?” I nod my head. “I will be by your room shortly to explain the task I need you for.”
I scowl back at him and he releases my arm. Basically, I’m not escaping then. I storm off in the direction Roan has headed and find him lingering at the top of the stairs. He hands me a key and points to the first room on his right.
I move past him and open the door. The room is fairly basic. Not really much different to what I had stayed in on my other journeys to Faerie. There is a bed situated under the window with a chair off to the right. At the foot of the bed is a screen, and behind it is an enchanted bath tub, already full and steaming.
The Fae magic is brilliant when it comes to the more rural areas, but the one thing they lack is indoor plumbing. There is probably a shared toilet somewhere in the tavern, but unfortunately for me, I get an enchanted chamber pot. I’m not really a fan of squatting over a what is basically a bowl.
Jinx’s basket is on top of the bed and I let her out to stretch her legs. She runs around like a maniac for a few minutes before settling in the bottom of the window to survey her surroundings.
Before I get the chance to settle down, Rozen walks in, and sits down on the chair.
“By all means, just walk in. I could have been nake
d, you know. Its common curtesy to knock.”
He just glares at me.
“Many thousands of years ago four gods came together and created four stones. The stones were called Elias, Necros, Elimos, and Moros. Each stone was imbued with the power of the god that created it. These stones have been lost over time. They are sometimes referred to as The God Stones, other times they are called The Fae Stones of Creation. They are relics that many a treasure hunter has coveted. No one has managed to find them. I want you to find one of them,” he states very bluntly.
“No offense, but how do you expect me to do that?” I say indignantly.
“You will find a way, you seem pretty adept at locating things you shouldn’t.”
“I need more information.” This task already seems impossible.
“Elias is the stone of life. Necros the stone of death. Elimos is the element stone, and Moros is the emotion stone. Whoever possesses these stones possesses the power they hold. Elias is the stone I want. With it, I can create a whole army to take over this land. If the Fae no longer rule here, then all Demonkind won’t be forced to live underground anymore.”
“You do realize if you just asked, maybe you could live together in harmony.” I state.
“If the Fae hadn’t killed our world in their quest for domination, we wouldn’t have a problem. No, we will take theirs, and then yours. It’s a matter of pride, a child like you cannot understand this war.” He narrows his eyes in disgust.
I understand it, I just don’t condone it. It has become a never-ending feud without an end in sight. The fighting has gone on for longer than the Human race can trace back their roots to the first man.
I sigh. “You do realize, I may never be able to find this stone. What happens to me if I don’t?”
“You die,” he states simply with no emotion.
“Fine, if you want this stone so badly, then you’ll have to get more information for me. There is no way you only know a small back story and nothing else.”
“You’re right, I do know more. I know the life stone, Elias, is suspected to still be in the hands of the God Lykonos, but no one knows where, or who, he is. I also know Queen Shae has Moros, the emotion stone. She wears it around her throat, and has done for thousands of years, apparently. It is why she’s such a cold, calculating bitch.
“Necros was said to have been stolen by a Human two hundred years ago and hasn’t been seen since. No one has seen Elimos since its creation. Most believe its creator buried it so deep in Faerie that it is now the very world we walk on.”
“If you expect me to do this, I’m going to need supplies and money.”
“Write me a list and I’ll make sure you have it all waiting for you when we arrive in Vyr tomorrow.”
“I don’t have a paper or pen,” I whine.
“Then go get some from downstairs,” he says, getting up and moving over to the door. “Leave the list with the bartender. You must return to your room within half an hour. Make sure you are ready to leave by first light.”
The door closes behind him with a bang.
Chapter Eight
I’m up well before first light and sit mulling over the past day, trying to think of how I can incorporate finding the stone with bringing Rozen down. After I had made my list of necessities I’d returned to my room and attempted to climb out of the window, testing my escape theory. I’d stupidly thought because I could think about leaving I could do it, as long as I didn’t speak the words.
I’d hung my leg out the open window and had been about to push myself through to the ledge below when the pain struck. The only problem had been, with my leg hooked over the window ledge, and the rest of my body writhing in pain on the bed, the oath had thought I was still trying to escape. I’d remained that way for a whole hour before finding the strength to work past the pain and remove my leg from the window opening. Then I remained on the floor for another hour, writhing in the pain of my defiance.
Whilst I sit waiting for Rozen to come for me, I shift into my Fae form, my dark red hair spilling down my back, and my soulless pale grey eyes creeping me out every time I catch a glance of my reflection. Roan comes for me as soon as the light starts to break through the window, I refuse to move until Rozen comes for me himself. I’m not about to risk that amount of pain again, it was extremely draining.
Rozen has hired an enchanted cart, unfortunately, the Fae responsible for the enchantment isn’t great as it takes the cart a whole hour to slowly meander its way in to Vyr.
Once the cart gives up at the border of Vyr, we make our way on foot to Rozen’s base of operations, or his house as he is referring to it. That sounds too normal to me, so I’m sticking with base of operations. We walk down the cobbled streets, past the ancient stone buildings that either shimmer or glow. The beauty of the place sucks you in, but I am no longer the foolish girl that first came here. After all, beauty is only skin deep.
We reach what can only be described as a Fae town house. Its pearlescent façade like that of a New York brownstone. The pale colored steps lead up to a rich colored purple door. Rozen opens it and walks in, with me following, and Roan bringing up the rear.
As soon as I step foot inside, I burst out laughing. Rozen raises a brow at me while Roan just frowns.
“What?” Roan asks, when the hysterics seem to calm down.
“It’s just so normal,” I state.
Rozen scowls and stalks off while I stare at the house that is like something out of a magazine selling the perfect family home. I expected weapons and torture equipment, even an array of Demon memorabilia. It is far too domestic for Scar Face.
“I bought it this way,” Rozen growls from somewhere.
He marches in and grabs my arm, propelling me through a room and up two flights of stairs. He opens a door and shoves me in, following behind.
“This will be your room until I decide I have no more use for you. You can come and go as you please, but you will report every step of your investigation to me. Don’t forget, you will always return to me, if the oath thinks you’re gone too long it’ll start to tell you when you need to return. If I feel you need motivation, I will kill Jared and then work my way down the list I have of everyone you remotely care for. If I don’t see results, you die. Understand?” he grinds out.
I nod my head not trusting words. Rozen releases my arm and I have the strangest urge to beg him to not let go. The minute his hand leaves my arm, I feel restless.
I shudder involuntarily.
He presses a key into my hand then storms out. I turn to take in the room. It’s not much different to the perfect show home downstairs. The wooden-framed bed is covered with a white blanket, and the only other furniture is a night stand and set of drawers, which perfectly match the bed. A door leads off to a private bathroom. It’s small, but the perfect size for one person.
There are two paper bags on the bed filled with the various things I’d asked for. Just basic things like paper and pens, money for bribes. The sooner I get started on this, the quicker I can hopefully get myself out of this situation. Unfortunately, I really have to go back to basics with this investigation. There are no computers here which means no interweb, which means a lot of legwork, and a visit to the Fae archives.
I’d broken into the Fae archives many times over the last few years, but that was when I was working for The Guild and had a reason for being in The Guild building which housed them. The last time I attempted it, I waltzed right through the entrance using my Guild ID badge. Then, once in, I waited until the guard on duty slipped out to relieve herself, jumped straight over the barrier, and through the door to the archives, then started rooting for the files I wanted.
It sounds easy, but to get to the entrance of the archives, you have to get past nine ID checkpoints, and there is no way to fake those IDs. I’d also been doused in essence of the chroman flower which tricked most detection spells into thinking you weren’t there. I hadn’t accounted for the crystal balls they had hanging every
where capturing my image though, I was a lot more reckless then.
Many people have tried to get into the archives. With no access to The Guild, I would have to find someone willing to help me get in.
I grab a backpack, fill it with some protein bars, a notebook, a knife, and plenty of Fae gold marks. I fasten on a hip sheath then release Jinx from her carrier and open the bedroom window for her, I know she’ll come back to me, but I can’t risk leaving her alone with Rozen. She is another tool he can use against me. She climbs straight through the window and executes a number of jumps until she reaches the ground. I just hope she realizes the danger she is in if she lingers around this building.
I race out of the room, shutting the door firmly behind me and call for Neria. Once her hilt is in my hand I sheath her at my hip. As I reach the bottom of the stairs, Roan blocks my path to the door.
“Where are you going?” he demands.
“Somewhere you aren’t, traitor,” I say, smiling.
I shove past him and reach for the door, but a hand clamps on my shoulder.
“Answer him!” Rozen demands.
I shrug off his hand and spin around. “I am trying to complete the task you claimed you need me to complete, unless I’m mistaken, and I misheard the entire conversation we had yesterday.” A dull pain starts to bloom in my head. Obviously, that isn’t a proper answer. I sigh and continue, “I’m going to find someone with access to the research I need.” Satisfied, Rozen motions to the door, so I turn and stalk out.
I make my way to the center of Vyr. Vyr mirrors Port Vale in some ways. The Guild building is an exact replica, right down to its location in the city and the layout inside. The one difference with Vyr is the Fae criminals situate themselves close to The Guild building, flaunting their activities, whereas in Port Vale, our criminals stay as far away from The Guild building as they can get. In Faerie, the better the criminal, the closer you are to those that can capture you.
Sacrifice Page 5
