Sacrifice

by Nicola Chadwick

  Bastian ties the horses up to a tree leaving them enough slack to reach the nearby puddle of water and the apples growing above their heads.

  When he’s finished securing them, he says, “Let’s go,” and heads straight into the dense undergrowth of the woodland. Aylesbury follows, with me bringing up the rear, wincing as I take each step.

  Ten minutes in and I’m really falling behind. So, I call out to them, “Will you wait up. Some of us can’t walk properly after that horrendous trip.”

  Aylesbury stops and turns around, grinning, while I glare at the back of Bastian’s head.

  “We’re here so quit moaning, wench,” Bastian grumbles as he reaches a giant boulder draped with an ivy-like vine.

  The boulder is taller than Bastian and very wide. When Bastian reaches to brush the vines away from the rock it reveals a smallish opening. Well small for Bastian and Aylesbury, it will be perfectly easy for me to slip through.

  Bastian motions for Aylesbury to climb through as I finally reach them. Still holding the vines away from the opening, Bastian inclines his head, so I enter through the gap. As I make my way through the hole I can see the shimmering glow just like a tear in the Vale. Its glow is slightly different to the one I passed through with Rozen and Roan. It shimmered green at its edges.

  I turn as Bastian comes through, dropping the vines back into place. The only light in the small cave is from the tear.

  “Once we are through the portal it’s going to get dark. Scarlet, if you hold on to me, I’ll guide you through,” Bastian says, positioning himself to walk through.

  “What about Aylesbury?” I ask.

  “I’ll be okay, Red. My senses are a lot better than yours. While I can’t see completely in the dark, I’ll be able to find my way easier than you will,” Aylesbury tells me as Bastian steps through.

  Aylesbury steps through, then I follow straight behind. I’m surprised there is no glow at all from the portal on this side, it is completely black. I can’t see a single thing and I can only hear the shuffling of Bastian and Aylesbury.

  An arm snakes around my waist pulling me flush to his chest.

  “It’s me,” Bastian rumbles. His breath tickling my ear as he speaks. “Hold on to my waist, and don’t let go.”

  The way he says that makes me wonder what nightmares are awaiting me in the dark.

  “Why, what happens if I let go?” I ask warily.

  “Nothing,” he says, not too convincingly.

  I slide around his side to hold onto his waist, slightly ecstatic to feel his rippling muscles under my fingers again.

  “Lead on, Fido,” I say to Bastian with a smile.

  He growls but starts moving, I stumble behind him, more from the fact that I can’t see than the floor being uneven.

  It’s not too long before we suddenly pop into existence in another forest, the light filters through the canopy and I turn to see the Vale shimmering behind me. Aylesbury steps out of the portal his face ashen.

  “Please tell me we don’t have to go back that way,” he begs Bastian.

  “I can’t do that,” Bastian replies.

  “Why, what did you see?” I ask, not wanting to go back in there myself without knowing what is in the dark.

  “Let’s just say that you don’t want to know what hides in the darkness in Faerie,” Aylesbury replies, backing away from the shimmering hole very quickly.

  “I really think you should tell me,” I say flatly to them both.

  “I’ll tell you after we’ve gone back through,” Bastian says with a grimace.

  Bastian starts walking, and both Aylesbury and I share a look before setting off to follow him.

  We’ve been walking for over an hour in a dense heat, I’m already wet through with sweat, and tired from the exertion, plus my thighs and ass still ache from the ride. I glance at Bastian and scowl in his direction as I note he only has a fine sheen of sweat and not the dripping wetness of mine.

  We reach the base of what looks like an extremely steep incline. I stop walking and gape at Bastian as he turns to see why I’ve stopped.

  “That’s it, you can take me back to Vyr. I’ve just decided I don’t need this Lykos,” I exclaim rather dramatically, throwing my hands up in the air as I speak.

  Bastian arches a brow at me, but Aylesbury laughs and says, “Really, Red, this is not that big a climb”

  “Says the guy barely sweating whilst I’m sweating to death just walking through the flat forest.”

  “You can always take your clothes off, I’m sure no one will mind,” he says back with a grin.

  Bastian growls a warning at Aylesbury.

  “You’re just saying that to piss him off, aren’t you?” I ask Aylesbury with a grin as I rest against a tree.

  Bastian growls again and Aylesbury turns away still smirking. Bastian turns to me and says, “You have two choices, wench. You can either carry on walking, or I can toss you over my shoulder and carry you up, either way, you are going up there.”

  The thought of being carried up the giant incline on Bastian’s muscled shoulders makes something flip in my stomach. Not wanting to give in to that feeling I stifle the sarcastic response and say, “Well then, what are we waiting for.” I smile and set off walking.

  Eventually the steep incline evens out, but the forest grows denser. Muscles I don’t even know I have are aching, and my trousers are starting to chafe from the sweat that’s now soaking them.

  “That’s it, I’m done, I need a rest,” I state. Staring Bastian down, daring him to argue with me.

  “Then it’s lucky we’ve reached our destination,” Bastian says, parting what I thought was a tall bush but is actually a veil of creeping vines.

  As I step through the vines, the bright light of the sun that is no longer filtered through the tree top canopy, blinds my eyes. I blink a few times and my eyes adjust to the shining rays of light. There is a wondrous pool of shimmery blue water that is rippling softly in the current of a small waterfall. The waterfall is pouring onto its surface from a series of boulders making their way up a cliffside. The pool is surrounded by more big rocks and interspersed with exotic looking plants and flowers I’ve never laid eyes on before. Flower petals float on the pool’s surface in a variety of colors. It is so pretty and serene.

  At the top of the cliff stands a house so out of odds with the Fae environment, yet I can’t imagine a more perfect place for it. It is a structure of glass and steel, all gleaming in the sunlight. If it wasn’t for the Fae flora and fauna I’d think we’d popped back across the Vale to LA.

  Both Aylesbury and I are standing staring with our mouths open until Bastian whistles. I tear my gaze away and see he’s moved to the left-hand edge of the cliff, and as I move closer to him I can see a staircase carved out of the rock, leading up to the house of glass above.

  We climb the stairs and reach a magnificent wooden doorway, as Bastian knocks on the door I look down at my now sweaty attire. I’m not sure I’m quite dressed to meet a God, if that’s what he is.

  I look up as the door opens, and we are greeted by a very good-looking man with white hair and silver eyes.

  I turn to gape at Bastian as he says, “Hello, Father.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  I scowl at Bastian’s back as he follows his dad into a sitting room. I’m too mad to take in much of my surroundings but I do notice this house is a lot more Human than Fae. It has leather sofas and an oak coffee table perched in front of a panoramic view of the land. The back wall is lined with books and the other wall has a massive fireplace.

  Once we are all inside. Lykos turns to Bastian and says, “Why would you possibly leave your mate half bonded?” His voice is just as arrogant and rumbly as Bastian’s but not quite as deep.

  “I don’t see you in fifty years and that’s all you’ve got to say?” Bastian growls at him.

  “I could always comment on the fact that you’ve found your Omega,” Lykos growls back.

  From the way t
hey are both acting with each other they are definitely related. Having grown up with Humans, rather than Immortals, it is my first time seeing a family that looked to be the same age. At a guess, Lykos looks to only be a few years older than Bastian. It is a little bit disturbing.

  “What’s an Omega?” Bastian asks, backing off from his father a little bit.

  Lykos points at Aylesbury, who’s still lingering in the doorway. “That, is an Omega.”

  Aylesbury looks taken back and Bastian just arches a brow.

  “I think some explanations are in order,” I say to no one in particular. “And we should start with you,” I say to Bastian. “Do you want to explain to me why you haven’t told me you’re some kind of demigod? Exactly how old are you?” I ask, moving to get in his space.

  Bastian shoots an annoyed look at his father, like it’s his fault he’s getting my wrath. “I’m around a hundred and fifty-two, give or take a few years. And, yes, I am some sort of demigod. No one knows that though, other than Raven, and now you two.”

  I am not only shocked about this revelation, but that Raven has lied to me about her parents.

  “How is my little Raven Bird, I do miss her?” Lykos asks Bastian, his voice softening as he sits down on one of the sofas.

  “She’s not even your child, and yet you always act like she is. If you miss her as much as you say you do, you would check in on her once in a while,” Bastian says to him. Then sighs. “In fact, she’s actually fully recovered now, thanks to Scarlet.”

  So, she hadn’t lied then, she did have a different father.

  He swings his eyes my way, smiles, and then says, “So, why hasn’t he claimed you fully yet.”

  “He’ll be lucky to claim me at all after this,” I say with a smile at Bastian. He narrows his eyes telling me otherwise. “Now, what’s this Omega thing you think Aylesbury is?” I ask Lykos.

  Aylesbury moves to sit next to me. “Yes, do tell,” he says, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

  “You’re the balance to Bastian’s power. For every true Alpha, there is always an Omega. You were created specifically as the only person with enough strength to bring Bastian down,” he answers, like it explains things.

  “How was I created?” Aylesbury asks. “Also, what does this Omega thing entail?”

  “My magic created you, in a way. Don’t worry, you didn’t just pop into existence. You were born, but it was my magic that put the spark of your life in your mother’s womb. You are a Lycan, but you are stronger than any Lycan in existence. Unfortunately, you won’t ever be able to shift because of the balance, otherwise, you’d be as powerful as Bastian. You’re there to make sure Bastian’s power is always kept in check. You’ll never be Alpha, and I doubt you’d ever want to be, but you are literally the only person in both worlds strong enough to bring him down. You’re the opposite sides of a coin, symbolic brothers,” Lykos finishes.

  “Please tell me you’re not my actual father?” Aylesbury says, seeming to take the rest of the news in his stride.

  “I wasn’t the seed that created you, in fact, I have no idea who your parents are. My magic would have sought out the spark of life that was most suitable at the time and made sure that he became the Omega.”

  “Wow,” I comment, riveted at the drama unfolding that, for once, didn’t directly involve me. It also explained why Aylesbury had miraculously recovered from wounds that would kill a normal Lycan, and why he could easily beat Bastian at hand-to-hand combat.

  Aylesbury stands up and walks back out through the door, while his face doesn’t betray his feelings, I know he’s mad. The only reason I can tell is because I rarely see it happen and, sometimes, it can be a thing to behold.

  I start to stand, but Lykos stops me. “Leave him a minute while he works through it all, he won’t appreciate the company right now.”

  “How would you know?” I say with contempt.

  “It is how I made him, have you ever known him to be anything but calm and collected? Even when he fights, he never lets the anger get the better of him,” Lykos replies.

  I hate it, but he is right. He is always cool in a fight and is way too laid back the rest of the time. He rarely lets go of his control.

  “You do realize, if you don’t claim her soon, it’ll drive you both mad,” Lykos says to Bastian, changing the subject.

  “Yes, we do know that. I’m not the one who’s stopping that from happening,” Bastian says with a glance at me.

  “Don’t even get me started,” I tell him.

  “I’m going to fetch Aylesbury, then we can get my questions answered,” I tell them both, getting up and moving to the door. “While I’m gone, explain everything, I’d rather not be here when you do, just in case,” I tell Bastian, looking back over my shoulder.

  As I step outside, I see Aylesbury moving back over to the house. I meet him halfway.

  “You okay?” I ask.

  “I wasn’t even bothered I didn’t have a family before, because I had you. But knowing I do have one, and his magic messed with me, makes me wonder if that was why I was abandoned. This is all a little bit weird. I’m not sure what I should think about it. It does explain why I can kick Bastian’s ass so effectively though,” he says with a chuckle.

  He pushes me back towards the door making it clear he’s now okay.

  Once we’re all sat again, I ask Lykos, “Your name keeps cropping up as the owner of one of the stones. I need to know as much as I can about them if my brother is one of these chosen.”

  “I’ll start at the beginning. Storm, Erina, Tera, and Lykonos, my father, were all originals. They were amongst many of the race now referred to as Gods. They were the origin race of both this world and yours. When it became clear their time was drawing near, and their race was dwindling, the four came together to create the stones. None of them wanted their power to pass on to the ether, but at the same time, their children had their own power and couldn’t take any more into them.

  “Each imbued a stone with their power, but also made sure its true potential could only be used by a chosen one of their own bloodline. Each stone was named after the power it wielded. Storm created Elimos, The Element Stone. Erina created the Moros, the Emotion Stone, as you’re aware, the current Seelie queen is a direct descendant of this line. Lykonos created The Stone of Life, Elias. And, finally, Tera created The Stone of Death, Necros. If the Fae queen is to be believed, and your father is a direct descendant of Tera, then either you, or your brother, could be the chosen one of your line.”

  “Why would the queen seem to think it was Jared then, and not me?” I ask him.

  “She probably believes it will only work with the one that has the most Fae blood, which is logical. She doesn’t take into account that Nymphs are direct descendants of the Gods that lived in your own world.”

  I already knew that Nymphs, Nyads, and Dryads were basically Nature deities. It is why we are so rare. Like the Gods, they have faded away with time.

  “So, tell me where Elias is?” I ask him, unconcerned at the moment that I could also potentially be chosen.

  “I’d also like to know if he knows where the other stones are,” Aylesbury asks.

  “Well, I don’t want to know, Aylesbury. Especially if Jared, or even me, could potentially wield The Stone of Death. That’s just asking for trouble,” I tell him, then turn my attention back to Lykos as he begins to speak.

  “Elimos is said to have been buried in Faerie when it was originally created, the stone itself is now the heart of this world. That could purely be rumor though. Necros hasn’t been seen, as far as I’m aware. Which leads me to believe it’s been passed down along Tera’s line. As for the stone you’re looking for, it was passed to me by my father.”

  “So, you still have it then,” I ask, enthusiastically. I might be able to give it to Rozen, but then what would he do with me once I’d completed this task for him?

  “I do, yes, and it’s yours to give to the Demon. Luckily, it’s completely ine
rt, otherwise I wouldn’t give it up. It has a spark left within, the small bit of life that anchored the magic to the stone. He won’t be able to wield it or create anything with it because I already used it to create the Lycans.”

  He stares at me, waiting for a reaction, I stare straight back until he continues.

  “I see you’re not shocked by this revelation. I was the stone’s chosen. With it, I melded my Fae power of transformation to a group of Humans who bargained with me to help them defeat a mutual enemy.”

  Lykos gets up and moves out the room. So, I turn to Bastian and Aylesbury and say, “Well, while I can give Rozen the stone and, thankfully, he can’t use it, where is that going to leave me?”

  They both exchange a look, I interpret it to mean that they have something in hand.

  Lykos walks back in and tosses a small stone at me, I catch it and then open my hand. I stare down at a beautiful opal. The stone itself is like milky glass, but when it hits the light a rainbow of color flashes along its surface. I roll its smooth surface in my hands, watching as each color catches the light.

  “This is it?” I ask.

  He nods.

  “But it’s an opal,” I say, passing it off to Bastian to look at.

  “Very observant, aren’t you,” Lykos says sarcastically. “What did you think was used? As far as I’m aware, Necros is a black diamond, Elimos a piece of agate, and Moros a green garnet.”

  “Now you have your answers, I need to speak to the Omega. He needs to be aware of exactly what he is, and what he is to do.” He motions for Aylesbury to follow him, leaving me and Bastian alone.

  I turn and narrow my eyes at Bastian. “Why didn’t you tell me you were part God? You do realize you’re just proving my point about not knowing each other.”

  “Technically, I’m exactly what you’ve been told. I’m The Beast Master. Alpha and

  King of the Lycans. I’ve never lied to you,” he says, standing up.

  “Technically, isn’t going to cut it now we are mated!”