by Jaime Marks
He grinned devilishly as her blood ran black down her paling skin. He leaned up and took her into his mouth sucking as he drew upon her greedily and she began to rock against him.
He felt his twin reach out to her but she did not shift as she had before. He now owned her completely. Marcus was near. Cymeryn suspected he may even be within the safehold. He would follow her Gray essence right to her and how wonderful that would be. He would pace her, draw out her pleasure. How perfect that his twin would find her here as she gave herself freely to him. It would destroy Marcus to see the pleasure she took, the adoration and reverence in her eyes for Cymeryn as she crested over for him. Wouldn’t it be just delicious for them both to feed on his pain as the Darkness within consumed him?
Byryn made his way swiftly through the dungeon avoiding the traps he himself had lain and instructing the others. His instincts picked up on someone in the other corridor just beyond where the dungeons met.
“Byryn?” Kylion whispered in his ear, sensing it as well, but when he held up his hand the child silenced. They were not Brood but definitely of Cymeryn’s blood.
He motioned for everyone to hold position and slipped Kylion from his back handing him to Grifyn before triggering the passage and slipping inside. He had installed the passage two years ago realizing the blind spot as a potential risk. When he got to the entrance to the other corridor he slid the brick silently from the wall allowing him to peer inside. He saw Demytria pulling an unawakened hurriedly to the wall as she triggered the exit revealing him.
They both immediately jumped back and she swung out striking with her whip but he gripped it wrapping it around his arm despite the pain so that she couldn’t use it again as he drew his sword. Byryn fell back to the wall as a blade came at him from the side. It should have nailed him in the shoulder but another blade intercepted it.
“Kato, my friend, as much as it pleases me to see you if you do not withdraw your blade from my progeny I’ll be forced to kick your ass,” Grifyn smirked.
Kato chuckled as he withdrew his blade, “Grifyn, you are slacking my friend, you should have been here to save my ass an hour ago.” They clasped arms as Trina walked over.
Grifyn pulled her to him kissing her passionately before taking her face in his hands. “Are you alright, Trina, did they…” His voice broke.
“No love, no, only you.” Tears streamed down her face. “Aside from a few scrapes and bruising from my bindings I am fine. My wound from his blade is healing well.” He leaned his forehead against hers and some of the tension bled from him.
Byryn studied Demytria. She wasn’t the hardened ice queen he’d come to think of her as. In fact, she looked like she was about to fall to her knees and cry. He reached out his essence in curiosity and she turned to him in shock.
“You’re not Shade!”
“You’re Gray!”
Everyone except Grifyn turned to them as they spoke in unison. He slowly pulled back from Trina and she nodded to him. “Demytria?” His voice choked hesitantly as he spoke.
He turned and gathered her in his arms holding her tightly as the tears streamed down her face. “Byryn, Demytria is mine blooded sister.” He explained as he met Byryn’s eyes which must have shown his confusion. Demytria was Cymeryn’s progeny, if she were male she’d equal Trevyn in rank. In many ways she’d been an aunt and mentor of sorts over the years to him and his brothers.
“I would like you all to meet, Byryn, my son.” Grifyn spoke with strength as he smiled warmly to him.
Byryn had to swallow the lump that formed in his throat. He couldn’t speak as his chest filled with pride and he nodded to Kato, Demytria and Trina.
Kylion suddenly wrapped himself around his leg drawing his attention. The boy was trembling, “What’s wrong little one?”
He was about to reach down and pick the kid up when Trevyn’s essence filled the dank dungeon, his voice echoed around him dripping with rage as he emerged from the stairwell.
“I beg to differ, Grifyn, that is my son of mine own blood and I will gladly ensure that he never again forgets who owns him.” He drew his sword staring directly into Byryn’s eyes. “Lay down your sword and surrender to me boy or the wrath you suffer will be more than you can even imagine.”
“Byryn, hold to your orders, son.” Grifyn spoke drawing his sword as Mythos and Marcus came to his side. He shook himself to break the sudden fear that rocked through him. Trevyn had other things to worry about at the moment.
Kato approached. “We have to get the young out of here, Trina and Demytria will guide them.”
“Kylion, you ok?” He nodded kneeling down to the boy. “I need you to lead the Fae and the others through the tunnels and wait for me. Now Kyl.” He urged wanting to get him away from their Father as quickly as possible.
He nodded but looked to the ground. “Promise. Promise you’ll come for me.”
“Always little one, now quickly, you need to go.”
“Hold Kylion or I swear to you I will tear the flesh from your bone.” Trevyn snarled.
He turned to look at Trevyn one last time and then reached up, his little hand shaking as he took Trina’s and headed into the passage.
“Byryn you will pay for your betrayal and I will keep you alive long enough to see me break that little brat who you turned from his own blood, his own race.” Trevyn spat as he headed for Byryn but Grifyn intercepted him. Their swords meeting in a loud clang.
“I believe Trevyn, that you and I have business first.” Grifyn interjected.
Byryn moved to a step forward as several other Guardians rushed forth to ensure the children made it safely despite the ensuing battles that were breaking out. Marcus rested his hand firmly on his shoulder. “Son, I can’t mist to her until we break the Shadow barrier.”
He nodded and hardened his resolve. He had to get them through so they could get to Reyana. So they could get to Staryana’s Mom. No one else would know how to trigger the passage.
“This way.” He cut through the groups of children following Kylion and Trina taking them back into the last cell and jumped up climbing the cell bars reaching around to find the release.
“Hard to get to.” Mythos murmured.
“It wasn’t meant to be opened from down here, the release is only a failsafe.” He grunted as his finger hit the release and the wall popped. He hopped down. “I didn’t want it being found in a siege.” He shrugged sheepishly, “Never really thought I would be the one leading the siege.”
“Thanks son, we’ll take it from here. Go with the others to the camp.” Marcus commanded as he moved to enter the stairwell.
Byryn hooked his arm. “I don’t think so. I told you I’m coming with you. I promised my…Staryana that you will come back.”
“Byryn, I will not make you leave, in fact your knowledge will be useful, but you must let Marcus go.” Mythos met his gaze.
“You’re not going with him either are you? What the hell Marcus, this wasn’t part of the plan and it’s stupid as hell.” Byryn snapped. “I know he’s your twin but he’s my Grandsire and trust me when I say there is no one, no one, as Dark or evil as Cymeryn. I’m not any dumber than you are. He doesn’t want you dead he wants to own you. He will use her to break you. If Trevyn knows you’re here, Cymeryn knows.”
Marcus turned to him taking him gently by the shoulders. “I know, Byryn. I have no choice.”
“There is always a choice, Marcus.” Byryn glared. “Grifyn taught me that. You taught me that.”
“He has turned her. It’s not cemented but she is Dark.” Marcus’ eyes squeezed shut as if he wished he could erase some image.
Mythos exhaled sharply, but Byryn just blinked. He didn’t have a clue what that would mean. They didn’t know if Marcus could redeem the Shade. If she was Shade what would happen to Staryana? Her essence had been intensely affected by the shifts in her parents’ essence.
“If I do not come alone, he will take her without hesitation to Lazurys. Mine blooded twin wish
es for me to bear witness to his victory.” Marcus turned away. “You cannot come with me. If I…If she can’t be saved, you will be needed to save Star. Cherish and protect her Byryn, she loves you.”
Byryn went to grab him as he entered the tunnel but Mythos caught him by the arm. “He must do this, Byryn. He has no choice. She is mine blood and I have no choice but to refrain.”
“Then what, we just wait?” He scoffed.
“No son,” Mythos drew his sword. “We clear the way for when he succeeds.”
Chapter 10
Marcus crested the Shadow barrier and reached out to her. He couldn’t reach her. He could feel her, but he could not reach her no matter how hard he tried. It doesn’t change anything, he thought. She is still alive, it is still her, she is still mine no matter how he has corrupted her. She is still there.
He called his essence, Light and Gray to his heart trying to prepare for what he was about to endure. He knew Cymeryn had her, that he had taken her. He just wasn’t sure what it would do to him to see it. For it to become real.
“Please, Lucerna, grace me with your Light that I may free her of his hold.” He whispered praying to a deity he had once forsaken.
He misted just outside the door checking for guards and patrols but there were none. All the fighting appeared to be at the other side of the compound. No interruptions. Cymeryn was either extremely arrogant, or he knew he had her and had no fear of Marcus being able to reach her. Knowing his twin it was likely both. Cymeryn had always been arrogant, but with good reason. He was an excellent strategist and read situations extremely well. It was why Marcus had placed him in command of the fronts. He had been made for the position. Knowing as he did now, he wished he had kept him closer.
Shoring up every defense he had, Marcus braced himself. He knew what Cymeryn had displayed for him when she had died; when she had taken her own life and he had been robbed of the chance to possess her. If he wanted him here, alone? Cymeryn had her this time, alive, and worse he had complete control of her. Marcus knew the scene he would have to endure would be set to break him. It would be worse than enduring her death had been. He just didn’t want to imagine it. He would make Cymeryn pay.
He filled his heart with Light and love for her and misted into the room.
Marcus felt his soul rip in two as he took her in. She faced him, a dagger in her hand, cuts, scrapes and bruises marring her delicate, now pale skin as wisps floated around her. Her naked form rocked as she worked herself on his twin’s sex. Cymeryn’s eyes met his from where she held him at her throat. He sucked and drank the black blood that trickled from her as he cradled her body from behind, his moving in rhythm with hers. One arm was snaked possessively around her waist, the other working the sensitive area at the top of her core. Her eyes were closed, soft moans and gasps of pleasure escaping her lips. She pulled Cymeryn’s hand from her waist guiding it to her breast and he massaged her roughly as he watched Marcus. The ecstasy clear on his twin’s face.
Marcus fell to his knees, his sword loose at his side, a moan of anguish escaping his lips. Her eyes opened and they met his own, but they were not her eyes. They were the same blackened orbs of his twin. Confusion seemed to cross her face a moment but then she reached for him, her body still riding Cymeryn’s. He felt the Dark essence he now wielded, her Dark essence rising within him. It called to him. She called to him. Pain coursed through Marcus’ chest as the essences within him warred for dominance. Slowly his resistance began to wane as he let his sword drop to the ground.
Cymeryn watched with pleasure as Marcus warred within himself. The pain his twin felt a pure ecstasy and vindication to him. He felt Reyn’s Darkness coursing through Marcus’ veins as it coursed through his own. He could feel her responding to him, but there was no Light between them, she merely fed on his pain and desire. It nearly brought him to his brink.
He wanted, Marcus, wanted his heart as black as his own. Reyn called to him, reached for him. He knew the truth of her heart, knew what she needed and if he allowed it, he would have them both. It would be so easy to turn his twin. He need only allow her take him and his brother would join them so easily. Marcus would be back at his side once more.
“Do you want him, love?” He bit at her ear as he spoke. “Do you want him within you? Both of us, within you?”
He felt that insatiable hunger spike as she moaned through the orgasm that waved through her body. Cymeryn chuckled, relishing in her as he worked her through the waves before regarding his twin. “She wants you still, Marcus. She reaches for you, give into it mine blooded twin. Come to her, let her take away your suffering. She can set you free.”
Marcus looked up to him, the anguish in him evident on his face. “I can’t. I, I can’t.” He shook his head.
“She needs you Marcus. I will not keep her from you if you join us, brother. The three of us can be as one.” Cymeryn kissed and caressed her taunting him. “I will not offer you this choice again. Come to us now, or lose her forever.”
Grifyn fought against Trevyn while Kato fought at his back with a young Shade. They had to keep the exit open for Marcus and Mythos. Trina and Demytria had gone to assist with the young though his sister had seemed reluctant to leave Kato’s side. He had tried to send Kato with her, but he insisted that he would stay and defend the Princess and his King.
He could understand the reasoning. He didn’t know how Kato had been able to break the hold of Darkness on Demytria or to get through to her conscience, but he could bet that wound that Reyana had inflicted on her had helped the process along. He had seen her strike. She had forced a pulse Gray essence through her staff at that precise moment. It wouldn’t have done the job alone, but it may have broken some barriers, opened the door to her redemption so to speak. Still, Demytria was not fully redeemed. It was obvious to see she still held the Darkness within her and she would remain vulnerable until Reyana could complete the process her. If she herself could be redeemed.
Trevyn lunged at him, their swords clanking loudly. “I will defeat you and regain my son, Grifyn. He was born to Darkness, lived it every day of his life. A leopard cannot change its spots.”
Grifyn sent a wave of Gray out of his sword catching the Shade off guard. It was not as strong as the pure Light but it weakened him somewhat. “How sad,” Grifyn grunted as he parried, “that you do not even know your own blood, Trevyn. Had you paid attention, beyond the purpose of using him as a tool perhaps, you would have seen what I see.”
“You see the lie he shows you Fae. When the Darkness reclaims him, and it will, I will use him to get to that lovely mate of yours.” Trevyn taunted as he dodged Grifyn, “I can find her still, my essence is within her. She is so divine. Such a shame I did not have time to show her the true joys of her flesh.”
“You are forgetting the most simple of things, Trevyn.” Grifyn grunted as he dodged seeing the opening.
“Oh I haven’t forgotten you, Grifyn. I simply wish to make you watch both of their destructions and repay the betrayal of your sister before I break you.” The Shade spat.
“No Trevyn, you forget,” Grifyn spun around him thrusting his blade backwards piercing him through the back as he pumped his essence through it. When he felt him hit his knees he ripped the sword out of him and spun gripping him by the hair, his blade at his throat. “That I swore to you, you would die for laying your hands on my mate.”
Trevyn coughed, his black blood spewed from his lips. “You will not do it Fae. You do not have it in you to kill for vengeance. It goes against your moral sensibilities.”
He leaned close to Trevyn’s ear. “Oh, but I’m not Fae. I am Gray, and I assure you, this is one kill I know will not haunt my conscience. You will never harm any young, any female again.”
Grifyn released the Shade’s hair and as he stood, swung his blade in an arch slicing clean through Trevyn’s neck. He watched the Shade’s head tumble to the ground as his body fell forward.
When he looked up, the two young Shade that had
been engaging Kato had backed away and misted from the cells. Kato looked to him and nodded.
“Are you alright my friend?”
Grifyn nodded. “It had to be done. For every child, every young; for every woman, every Fae he has ever harmed. It had to be done. He never would have stopped pursuing Byryn, or Kylion and Demytria for that matter.”
“Did you truly take him as your own, Grifyn? Are you certain?” Kato asked seemingly amused. “I thought you were the one who did not wish to settle down.”
Grifyn chuckled as he shrugged, “A good friend once told me, sometimes fate just finds you and you have to see it through.”
“Indeed.” Kato sighed as he looked to the ceiling. “Let us hope that fate is kind to Marcus. I fear we will lose them both again this day.”
Reyn stared at the male. He sent an echo through her, some memory she couldn’t hold. He looked so much like Cymeryn but so different. His pain was delicious, but it confused her. He ached for her but he wouldn’t come to her. Cymeryn called him brother, twin. She didn’t understand.
She wanted to taste him, no she wanted to comfort him. She wanted to relieve his pain, no she needed to feel him. Confusion waved over her as Cymeryn continued to work her. It didn’t matter how he came or why, she just needed him. She needed them both.
Reyn reached to him again, “Please….”
Her whisper was a plaintive ache that crested through her. She didn’t know why but she couldn’t lose him. She needed him to come to her. He met her eyes, holding her gaze. It looked like he was being torn apart inside and she knew she could save him, heal his pain.
“Use your essence Reyn, pull him to you.” Cymeryn whispered in her ear, his voice a seductive lilt. “He needs you.”
She reached out to him letting her essence flow through him, pleading with him to come to her. “Please, please come to me.”
He all but crawled to the foot of the bed in front of her and she reached out and touched his face. He turned into it almost nuzzling her hand then kissing it. His eyes raked over her but he didn’t touch her.
