Sacrifice

by Nicola Chadwick

  I roll my eyes at him, even though it is my own fault.

  Aylesbury resumes. “So, we started looking for you, no one knew where you were. When I received a letter from The Guild confirming my partnership in your business, I knew something wasn’t right. You’d have never signed anything over to me before. Of course, I didn’t know you thought I was dead,” Aylesbury adds, smiling, then continues. “Using my awesome Hunting skills, we followed you here. I wasn’t happy you were with Roan and that dickhead, Scar Face.”

  “His name’s Rozen,” I state. Then turn to Bastian. “Roan’s dead. You have a hand in that?”

  “Yes, I killed him. Does that bother you?” Bastian glares at me, I know he’s thinking that I’m going to kick off at him for killing Roan.

  “Nope,” I answer honestly. Bastian’s brow furrows. “I keep telling you, you don’t know me.”

  I motion at Aylesbury to carry on. “Adam has told us what he thinks you’re doing here and why. We’re here to take down that dickhead, Scar Face, for you.”

  I clap my hands over my ears. “Please don’t say any more. I don’t want something you say to trigger the thing that cannot be named,” I tell him, eyes cast down.

  Aylesbury pulls my hands back down.

  “Sometimes, Red, you really aren’t that brilliant a Hunter. Didn’t you pay attention when we had that seminar about blood oaths?” Aylesbury says, throwing his hands up in the air in exasperation.

  “Nope, I was asleep, because I’d been awake for about forty-eight hours straight. While it was mandatory, so was my sleep,” I reply.

  “Well here’s a crash course. A blood oath does not affect your thoughts or the actions and opinions of other people. It does stop you from specifically doing or saying certain things, as I’m sure you’ve found out. If you don’t comply with whatever the oath is for, you’ll feel agonizing pain, sometimes even death. One of the most common parts of a blood oath is that you can’t tell anyone about your oath, but you can say you’re under an oath. Which is a very odd loophole.

  “However, if you ingest the blood of another person, they essentially become a part of you for as long as their blood is in your system. This confuses the oath, and most spells, into thinking you are the same. So, you should be able to speak freely with us as long as you have our blood in your system. But if we ingest your blood, we become subject to your blood oath.”

  While Aylesbury stops for a breath Jared says, “So far, we’ve gathered this Rozen wants you to find these God Stones or the Fae Stones of Creation. I’m guessing one in particular. To exact his revenge against you for thwarting his previous plan for world domination, he expects you to sacrifice your life to help him, otherwise he will kill us all. Am I right?” Jared arches a brow at me in question.

  I nod, not quite trusting my voice.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “That means you can talk to us now,” Adam states.

  “I have so many questions right now, I don’t even know where to start,” I say plainly. “Firstly, Jared how in the hell have you not lost your memory of me?” I ask him.

  “I did at first. I was missing a huge gap in my memories, but I didn’t know it until people started asking me questions. Adam asked if you were okay, but I had no idea who you were. Then when Bastian and Aylesbury started their search for you, they came to find me and mentioned you again. It wasn’t long after that, I started checking the last few reports I made to The Guild. Your name was in a call out I went to that I have no recollection of. So, I offered to help them find you. I still didn’t know who you were though, until I delivered your invite to this party. Once I saw you, it all came flooding back,” Jared tells me, moving to hold my hand.

  I smile at him and Adam says, “Mind magic won’t work when the person you’re trying to keep away has bonds like they do with you. The Demon’s plan isn’t well thought out, and it’ll get him killed in the end.”

  “Is the oath broken now? Can I kill—?” I strain to get the last word out as my body begins to spasm in pain.

  Bastian quickly scoops me up holding me tightly against his chest while whispering words of encouragement until the pain subsides.

  “I’ll take that as a no,” I croak out when I can speak again.

  “The only way to truly end a blood oath is to kill the one that made you swear the oath,” Aylesbury states, knowing exactly where I was going with my train of thought. “I’m guessing by that reaction you won’t be able to do the killing. But he doesn’t know that we are onto him, so we can.”

  The way he speaks the last few words sends a shiver down my spine. Bastian takes that to mean I want to be put down, and he deposits me on the table, stepping away.

  “We won’t be able to tell you what we are planning, or when, in case he knows something is happening and tries to compel the information out of you. So, you will have to carry on his business until we can get you out,” Bastian tells me with an intense look in his eyes.

  “Why is it alright for you to discuss his demise in front of me?” I ask, shocking myself that I even got that sentence out.

  “As long as you’re not the one planning or doing the deed, you’re good to go,” Jared tells me.

  “Swift change of subject here, but why has your hair and eye color changed?” I ask Bastian, a little curious as to why he’s no longer the same.

  “When I come here this is what I look like. Another reason why I hate the Fae,” he grinds out, and starts pacing.

  I eye him pacing for a bit, because something feels off. I’m not sure what yet, but something is definitely not right.

  “Tell us what you know of these stones,” Aylesbury asks, interrupting my thoughts.

  I tell them all everything that happened to me with the queen after I left the catacombs. I explain about the stones, and the information the queen has given me. I also tell them about Bryn and Bronwyn but leave out the part about the queen’s real identity, and the new heir to the throne being Bryn and Bronwyn’s creepy love child. No one needs to know that, and I really don’t want to be skinned alive if the queen finds out I’ve tattled.

  “You’re not telling us something,” Bastian says, pinning me with a glare.

  “How do you know that?” I ask him, narrowing my eyes.

  “Your scent changed slightly during your story,” he says with a smug smile because he knows he’s right. I really wish he didn’t have a sense of smell that could detect near enough anything.

  “There are some things I have promised to keep secret. Just because we are mates does not mean I have to break confidences,” I say indignantly.

  He carries on glaring.

  “Don’t worry it’s nothing that affects me,” I tell him, silently adding, unless I tell someone.

  “Look, whether or not your plan happens in the next five minutes or the next five days, I need all the information I can get on the stones. If Jared is potentially one of these chosen ones that can wield The Stone of Death, then we need to know everything we can, just in case,” I tell them all, jumping down from the table. “The only problem I have is my only lead was meant to be at this party. He was meant to be the only Fae with white hair and tanned skin in attendance.”

  They all turn to look at Bastian.

  “Don’t look at me. I’ve never even heard of these things. I have enough on looking after the Pack,” he pauses, narrowing his eyes he asks me. “Who exactly are you looking for?”

  “Lykos,” I tell him. Looking at the blank expressions on everyone’s faces they hadn’t heard of him.

  “Fuck!” Bastian spits out. Turning my attention his way. “I know where to find him.”

  “Where? And how do you know?” Adam asks, beating me to the question.

  “That is none of your business, Fae,” Bastian says, squaring off with Adam.

  “Look, if you know where he is, you need to tell me,” I say, trying to wedge myself in between them both before fists start flying.

  “If we’re going there, we need to go
tomorrow at first light, it’ll take at least half a day to get there from here,” Bastian says, stepping away from Adam.

  “That’s me out then, I’m on assignment in the morning,” Jared tells me.

  “The only ones going will be Scarlet and Aylesbury,” Bastian says flatly.

  Jared walks over to me and grabs me, pulling me into another hug. “I’ve got to go now because I am actually meant to be working this event.”

  He says his goodbyes and heads out the door. Adam trails behind him and, without saying goodbye to the others, nods in my direction. I mouth thank you to him before he slips out the door closing it behind him.

  I turn back around to Aylesbury and fling my arms around his neck again, making him bend so he can envelop me in his arms. I press another kiss to his cheek.

  “I’m not sure I like all the kissing and hugging, wench,” Bastian grumbles from behind me. “I preferred it when you disliked him.”

  Pulling away from Aylesbury I turn to Bastian and say, “I still do dislike him.”

  “Really, Red, really,” Aylesbury taunts.

  “But, I understand a few things differently now,” I say. I don’t elaborate I realized just what my life would be without my constant companion and brother by my side.

  “Where are you staying?” I ask them both.

  “The Black Hall. Jinx is there too. We figured you didn’t want her being used as collateral, so we took her where she’d be safe,” Bastian replies. At least I didn’t have to worry about Jinx roaming the streets of Faerie or getting captured and killed by Rozen anymore.

  I walk over to the door. “I’m out of here. I’ll meet you at The Black Hall first thing in the morning.”

  “Kiss the Fae again, and I’ll end him,” Bastian says as I pause at the door.

  I walk out the door without saying goodbye. How did he know?

  Chapter Twenty

  I wake up in the morning refreshed and happy for the first time in a while. I no longer feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. I know that, no matter the outcome, my friends will be safe and, hopefully, I won’t be stuck here with this homicidal maniac much longer.

  I dress in black trousers, a pale green shirt, and some combat boots. This ensemble has never failed me in the past. Not knowing where I am headed, I dress as I used to whilst out Hunting for The Guild.

  I walk downstairs and find Rozen in the kitchen frying bacon. It still freaks me out that this psycho is more house broken then I am. I have come to rely on Dave’s fantastic pizza far too much in recent years.

  I pull a few rashers from the tray and place them between two slices of bread. Even though I never ate meat before, I think I’ll give it a go again. Lately, every time I smell the stuff, my stomach does a happy dance. When I bite into the sandwich, I moan from the sheer taste explosion in my mouth. Which reminds me, I have yet to thank Bastian for this change. Bastard!

  “Report,” Rozen barks at me, interrupting my second moan of food pleasure.

  “Hell, give a girl a chance to eat first,” I say to him.

  “Now!” he shouts.

  “Fine,” I say, rolling my eyes. “The lead I had didn’t pan out, the presumed owner of the stone wasn’t there. I did manage to find another contact who will be taking me to the person today. I may be gone a couple of days though as it’s not anywhere near,” I state, because I don’t want him following me if I’m gone longer than he expects.

  “Who exactly are you searching for?” he asks.

  I squirm under his scrutiny not really wanting to tell him. “Lykos,” I tell him. Reluctantly.

  He throws his head back and laughs. “You think a mythical God has the stone. You better not be wasting my time.”

  “I wouldn’t be chasing down this lead if I thought this person didn’t exist,” I say, with as much vehemence as I can muster.

  After two bacon sandwiches I make my way to The Black Hall. As I walk up to it, the sun rises and hits the Obsidian in a way that causes it to look like its burning from the inside out. It is magnificent.

  When I reach the door, someone is already standing holding it open. I ignore the person completely when I see Bastian standing in the adjoining room with a few of his Lycans lounging about. I walk straight over to him and punch him in the gut with all the effort I can. He bends over slightly, but more from the fact that he isn’t expecting it.

  “What the bloody hell was that for?” he says, grabbing my wrist before I swing in again.

  “Do you know what I got from our mating bond? Your carnivorous nature, you ass! I’m a Nymph. It is literally unnatural for us to consume flesh. I am not happy right now.” Although I could eat bacon again, it is almost as good as pizza. Not telling him that though. “And what do you get from me, eyes that turn black, kind of not the same thing.”

  “She’s probably just pissed that she can’t see in the dark,” Aylesbury says as he strolls in.

  Yeah, I kind of am, I’d have liked superhuman strength too.

  “Don’t even make me start on you right now, Aylesbury,” I say, turning to see him and realize everyone else in the room has dropped to one knee, holding a fist across their chests with their heads bent over. What the hell?

  “Why are they doing that, Bastian?” I ask, backing away and in to Bastian.

  His arms come around me, holding me firmly to his body. I feel his breath against my ear as he speaks. “They are bowing to their queen. We may not be fully mated yet, but they know you’re mine.”

  “Make them stop,” I say, trying to extricate myself from his arms.

  “No, I like it, you need to tell them to rise.” I can hear the smug male satisfaction in his voice.

  “Get up then, and don’t do it again. That shit’s ridiculous,” I say, stalking out of the room as they all rise. Both Aylesbury and Bastian’s laughter follows me.

  When I reach the grand staircase, I see Jinx running down the stairs. When she reaches the bottom, she winds her way around my legs until I bend over and pick her up. I sit on the bottom step with her purring in my arms for a few moments until Bastian and Aylesbury join us.

  Before I can open my mouth to ask what the plan is, a tiger strolls in through the open door and transforms instantly into a woman. I watch as she walks past us up the stairs, then I turn to Bastian.

  “Random question. What happens to your clothes when you change forms? I seriously don’t understand why they don’t just shred and fall to pieces.”

  He eyes me with amusement then replies. “It’s one of the great mysteries of the world.”

  I roll my eyes, he obviously has no idea either then.

  “So where are we headed?” I ask Bastian.

  “I can’t tell you where it is, I can only show you. Where we are going is sort of cloaked from existence. It’s called Grundy Nook,” Bastian says.

  “How do you know where this God lives?” I ask, putting Jinx down.

  He just ignores me and pulls me out of the door, Aylesbury following closely behind.

  Bastian walks around The Black Hall to a stable. I take one look at the first horse and say, “Nope, not happening.”

  Aylesbury pushes me forward from behind.

  “We either travel by horse, which will take an hour, or by foot which could take a hell of a lot longer,” Bastian says as he opens a door and brings out the hugest horse I’ve ever seen.

  “I can’t ride.” I try using another excuse.

  “You’ll ride with me then.” Bastian gives me a look that says if I argue with him he’ll kill me. I’ve seen that look too many times before.

  “What’s the problem, Red, you scared?” Aylesbury mocks, guiding out another equally gigantic beast.

  “Where do I start, Aylesbury? No, I’m not scared, but have you seen the size of those things. How would I even mount something that big?”

  I’m not scared, I’m terrified of them. They could easily trample me. I saw one once do that in a fit of rage. It threw its rider and then squish went the rider�
��s head. It wasn’t a pretty sight, and it totally put me off for life.

  Bastian looks at Aylesbury and mouths ‘She’s scared.’

  “I saw that,” I say, watching them both mount. “Why are they so big? Surely that’s not natural.”

  “They’re Demon bred,” Bastian says as he moves his horse to stand near me.

  “Great, I’m pretty sure that means they’re even more unpredictable,” I say, crossing my arms in front of me as Bastian reaches down for my hand.

  “It’s either this, or I shift into a horse and you ride me,” Bastian says, smirking.

  “That’s just weird,” I reply, moving closer so he can bend down and lift me up into the saddle.

  He deposits me in front of him and secures me to him with one of his giant arms.

  “Why am I sat in front, shouldn’t I be on the back?” I ask, panicking slightly. I can’t hide behind his back this way.

  “If you’re in front of me, I can make sure you don’t fall off,” Bastian drawls as he sets off at an alarming speed.

  Aylesbury quickly catches us up and begins riding with us side by side through the Fae streets.

  “How do you know how to ride? I’m pretty sure you’ve never even been near a horse in your life,” I shout over to Aylesbury.

  “I’m Lycan, so I’m at one with the beasts,” he says, grinning from ear to ear, like that’s an explanation.

  “You’re not that at one with the beasts, you can’t even shift,” I mutter under my breath.

  Bastian laughs as Aylesbury shouts, “I can hear you.”

  After an extremely long and painful ride, about an hour or so, we dismount at the edge of a very overgrown wood. Bastian gets down off the horrible beast and then pulls me down. The minute my legs connect with the floor my thigh muscles protest. How anyone can ride these beasts on a regular basis is beyond me. I’ll be sore for days.

  Aylesbury jumps down and strides over to me.

  “You’re unnatural you are,” I say to him, completely deadpan. I mean, I know he’s a Lycan now, but he’s never ridden before and he is walking normally. He’s a freak of nature.