by Alison Pensy
The Amulet
(Custodian Novel #1)
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2009 by Alison Pensy
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the author.
Published by Laxsaro Publishing, Publishing on Smashwords / September 2009
ISBN:978-0-9825438-1-8
I would like to say a big thank you to the following people:
First and foremost to my soul mate, your unfailing love and support are beyond measure.
Andi and Mary Jo, who listened to my hare-brained ideas for stories, and still read the book.
To Marisa Wagner who edited this version for me. Thank you.
To all of my beta-readers, your feedback and support was invaluable.
Jen, your library of books helped tremendously. And last but not least to Jocelyn, who may just show me her wings one day.
CHAPTER ONE
This is no ordinary fairy-tale, but I shall start it just the same…
Once upon a time, eleven years ago to be precise, in a land, oh, just around the corner, lived a young girl called Faedra. Her mother and father doted on her, and at the tender age of just six years old, she considered herself to be the luckiest little girl alive. That was until her world, suddenly and without warning, came crashing down around her…
University Hospital, Norwich, England
Faedra sat in the cushioned hospital chair that was positioned in the hallway just outside the room her mother occupied. She could hear the voices inside the room behind the closed door. One of them she recognized. It was the voice of her father, sounding much more anxious than usual, talking with growing concern to whom she assumed was the doctor. The other voice sounded like it was trying to remain calm, but she could sense bewilderment was bubbling just below the surface.
Her father, Henry, had told her to sit for a moment while he talked to the doctor. She was trying hard to block out the voices by concentrating on her feet that were swinging nonchalantly below her, but try as she might, she could still hear every word they said.
“There must be something you can do?” Henry pleaded.
“I’m so terribly sorry, Mr. Bennett, but we have never seen anything like this before,” replied the doctor.
“Is there a cure?”
The doctor’s voice rang heavily with disappointment. “I wish I could tell you there was, but we have tried everything we know and her organs are still shutting down.”
“Well, try something else!” Henry raised his voice in frustration. “I can’t lose my wife, I just… can’t.” His voice cracked.
“Henry?” Faedra’s mother, Lillith whispered.
“I woke you sweetheart, I’m sorry. What do you need?”
“Don’t be angry with the doctors, Henry. It’s not their fault.”
“But there has to be something more they can do…” he broke off.
“Henry,” she paused. “I need to see Faedra.”
Faedra’s head snapped to attention at the mention of her name and her feet grew still. She wanted to jump off the chair and run to her mother’s side that instant, but knew that she should not have been listening to them in the first place. So she waited patiently until she was called. After what seemed like an eternity in Faedra’s undeveloped mind, the door clicked open and her father stood in front of her and forced a smile.
She looked up at her father and examined his features. The kind brown eyes that she loved so much looked back at her in agony. She could read the pain on his face even though she knew he was trying so very hard to hide it from her. At that moment she realized, with much sadness, that her mother was not going to be with them for very much longer.
Her father was tall, standing before her and he looked tired, exhausted, in fact. His dark blonde hair looked unkempt, and his usually clean-shaven profile was half covered in a dark fuzzy overgrowth. Henry hadn’t thought shaving was important since Lillith had fallen ill. He held out his hand for her.
“Mummy is asking for you, Princess.”
Faedra took hold of her father’s offered hand and slid herself down off the chair. His hand felt shaky, something she had not experienced whilst holding her daddy’s hand before. It was always so strong, so sure. A sinking feeling grew in Faedra’s stomach, and her heart started to quicken. She stuck closely to her father’s side as he walked her into her mother’s hospital room.
Lillith lay motionless in the big mechanical bed that was tilted up at the back enabling her to sit up. Faedra glanced at all the different kinds of monitors, wires, and tubes that were hooked up to her mother. She then focused on her mother’s face to try and escape the fear those things were instilling in her. As she reached the bed, Lillith held out her hand and Faedra took it as her father simultaneously dropped the hand he was holding.
“Faedra, my darling girl,” Lillith cooed. “Now you need to be strong for Mummy and Daddy, okay?”
“Okay, Mummy,” Faedra whispered.
“I have something for you,” she looked up at her husband. “Henry, could you please pass me that bag?” She pointed to a small gift bag sitting on the table across the room.
“Now, this is a very special gift and you must promise me that you will treasure it always,” she told Faedra as she handed her the bag.
Faedra’s little hands could not open the box inside the bag quick enough, but after a few moments, she had pulled the wrapper off and lifted the gift from its box with care. Her eyes grew wide with wonder as she stared at her present.
It was a figurine, standing about eight inches tall. A beautiful fairy was sitting atop a majestic black horse. The fairy had long, red hair and silver wings flecked with emerald green that stretched proudly out behind her. She was wearing a blue skirt from which tiny bells hung. The horse was black as midnight and regal in stature. It had a long thick mane and tail both adorned with silver stars.
“Oh, Mummy, she’s so pretty. What is her name?”
“Her name is Arianne. I know how much you love horses and you know how much I love fairies, so I thought this gift was perfect. It will always remind you of me. You’ll keep her safe for me, won’t you?”
“I promise, Mummy. I will look after her always.”
Lillith bent forward to kiss her daughter on the forehead. Tears welled up in her eyes. She looked up at her husband and mouthed for him to take Faedra away. At that moment, Henry knew he was losing his wife. He swallowed hard, biting back the tears that were searing behind his eyes as he took hold of his daughter’s hand once more.
“Mummy needs to sleep now, darling,” Lillith whispered, knowing it would be the last time she saw her daughter.
“Okay, Mummy. I love you.”
“I love you, too, darling. Forever and ever.”
Court of the Light Fae, The Land of Azran
The Guardian strode with purpose through the magnificent double oak doors that led him into the Great Hall of the king who reigned over the Light Fae in the Land of Azran. The sword that hung from his waist swung with grace from side to side with
the momentum of his footsteps. He ran a hand through his sleek blonde hair and looked around.
This hall never ceases to make me feel humble, he thought.
The ceiling towered many stories above him, held up on either side by imposing stone pillars. The pillars were intricately carved with the figures of various royalty and nobility that had ruled this land throughout the ages. Stained glass windows that stretched from half way up the walls to high above depicted many scenes of nature from several different realms, including The World of Men. The reason for those scenes was because the fae controlled nature. In fact, it was their responsibility to make sure that nature in all realms continued to thrive and to sustain the inhabitants within them.
His eyes were diverted to the floating chandeliers that lit the hall from above. The chandeliers followed the movements of whoever occupied the cavernous room, lighting the way for that person, or persons, wherever they should be within its walls. The candles flickering behind the crystals, created dancing sparkles along the walls and the floor.
The Guardian smiled at the fae magic of the light that showered him from above and then brought his focus back to the unpleasant task at hand. He stepped up his pace for the remainder of the way down the long stone floor leading up to the throne where the king was seated.
The king, usually so stoic in his demeanor, sat fidgeting with his robes as he waited impatiently for the Guardian to reach him. Coming to a halt at the foot of the steps upon which the thrones sat, the Guardian got down on one knee and bowed his head.
“Is it true?” the king questioned abruptly.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the Guardian replied, rising when the king requested he do so with a gesture of his hand. He watched as the king’s eyes filled with sadness.
“When?”
“Not more than one hour prior, Your Majesty.”
“And the amulet?”
“Lillith passed the amulet to Faedra before she died, Your Majesty.”
“The child is but six years of age,” the king stated with concern.
The Guardian could see the king’s face tense with worry and attempted to calm him.
“Sire, she is the next legitimate Custodian. Lillith hid it within the figurine of a fairy.”
“Did she, indeed?” the king smiled. “I did always admire her resourcefulness.”
“Yes, Sire.”
“Do you have any further information regarding why Lillith was on her way to see me when she was intercepted?”
The Guardian hung his head. He was assigned as Lillith’s guardian, but she had sent him on an errand. The next thing he knew, redcaps had attacked her on her way to the portal, and he had reached her too late.
“No, Your Majesty. Nothing new has presented itself thus far.”
“You know what you must do now.” It was more of a statement than a question.
The Guardian’s eyes shone with confusion as he looked at the king.
“But, Your Majesty, I have failed both you and Lillith.”
“Guardian, you are young. This was your first assignment in the World of Men. I paired you with Lillith because she had much to teach you, not the other way around. I have confidence that you have learned from this unfortunate turn of events and will not let it happen again. Make sure you do not fail little Faedra; she has much to learn. It will be a while before we have to cross that bridge. Her mother should have been the one to teach her. That task, young Guardian, now lies in your hands. Do not let me down.”
“No, Sire. Thank you, Sire.” He bowed his head and the king nodded his acknowledgment.
The Bennett Cottage, Spixworth, England
Faedra sat on the swing in the back garden, watching everyone coming and going from her vantage point. Friends and relatives she recognized, and others she didn’t. It seemed like an endless stream to her. They were all dressed in similar clothing. Everyone wore black, and they looked like flies buzzing in and out of her home.
It was the afternoon, and her father was holding a wake for everyone who had attended the funeral earlier that day. She had watched in tears as her mother was buried that very morning at the local village church. Then the procession made its way back to her house, where people had been milling about ever since. Some of them were crying. Others looked saddened. To Faedra, the whole thing seemed like a blur. She couldn’t quite understand why her mother wasn’t coming back. Her father had told her she’d gone up to heaven to be with the angels, but that didn’t make sense to her either. Why would Mummy rather be in heaven with the angels instead of here with the people she loved?
She watched, almost hypnotically, as a well-meaning relative wandered over to where she was sitting on her swing. It was a warm summer’s day and the sun shone in a cloudless blue sky. Birds were taking a bath in the little birdbath her mother had lovingly erected at some point in the past. She stared at the birds for a moment remembering all the times she had sat with her mother and watched as they splashed around in the water. Her mother loved the birds. In fact, her mother loved all of nature and had passed that love down to Faedra.
“Hi, Faedra,” Uncle Leo announced as he approached the swing.
She turned her attention to him for a moment. Uncle Leo was her father’s brother and her favorite uncle. He didn’t look that dissimilar from her father, especially, as they were both wearing a black suit that day, although he was a couple of years younger. He also had kind eyes, a warm hazel-brown, and tousled dark blonde hair. He was not quite as tall as her father, but about the same build. He kneeled down in front of her and took hold of her hands.
“Hey, Uncle Leo,” she said quietly.
“What are you doing out here all by yourself?”
“I’m watching the birds in Mummy’s birdbath, see,” she pointed towards the birds still splashing water over their backs with their wings. “They love Mummy’s birdbath. Mummy and I used to sit and watch the birds for ages.” Her voice cracked as the truth was starting to sink in that she would never again sit with her mother to watch the birds.
“She’s not ever coming back, is she?”
“No, darling, I’m afraid she’s not.”
Big fat tears started to escape from Faedra’s eyes and rolled down her cheeks to splash on her dress.
“Why not? Why does she want to be in heaven with the angels? Doesn’t Mummy know we love her more?”
Leo wrapped his arms around his little niece, using all his self-control to fight the tears that were welling up in his eyes, also. He had loved Lillith like his very own sister and was desperately sad to have lost her, too, but even more so, to see the pain that his brother and niece were now suffering at their loss.
“It’s not fair, Uncle Leo,” Faedra cried. “I want her back.”
“I know, sweetheart. We all do, but we have to be strong now.”
Leo held onto his sobbing niece, smoothing her hair with his hand.
I would never have imagined in a million years how hard this moment would be, he thought.
He had no words to take Faedra’s pain away. Nothing he could say would comfort the little girl he loved so much, so he just held her for several minutes and let her sob into his shoulder.
“Leo,” Henry called from the back door, “I need your help in here for a moment.”
“I’ll be there in a minute, Henry,” Leo called back.
Leo pulled back from Faedra, gently loosening her grip, and looked into the reddened, tear soaked eyes of his little niece.
“Your daddy needs me, Faedra, I’ll be back in just a minute, okay?”
“Okay,” she sniffed. “Uncle Leo?”
“Yes.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too, darling.”
Leo planted a kiss on her forehead and straightened himself up. Faedra watched as he turned and headed towards the house before she returned her attention to the birdbath once again. A moment passed, and the birdbath became blurry behind the tears that began to well up in her eyes and roll down her cheeks.
She wasn’t sure at this point if she would ever be able to stop them. Something cold and wet touching her hand distracted her. It made her jump and she pulled her hand away sharply. She wiped the tears from her eyes with the heel of her hands so she could see with more clarity what she had just felt.
When Faedra looked down, two molten amber eyes greeted her. This time their owner was not human. In fact, they belonged to a big white dog that was sitting in front of her. She looked around perplexed to see if she could see to whom the dog belonged. There was no one around, other than the people in the house, and she doubted that any of them would have brought a dog to a funeral.
Her home was a very old English country cottage located in the heart of Norfolk. You had to drive down a tiny country lane and then onto an even narrower long, dirt driveway to get to it. It wasn’t the type of place you went without a purpose. Fields on three sides and a thick stand of trees at the back with a little stream meandering its way through it, surrounded the cottage. No wonder her mother loved it here. You couldn’t be much closer to nature if you tried. Maybe the dog had come from the woods at the back, she was certain she hadn’t seen him coming from any other direction, not that she had been paying that much attention.
“Hey, boy,” she said, stroking the dog on the top of its head. “Where did you come from?”
The dog whimpered and laid his head on her knee, not once taking his eyes from hers. She was overcome by an overwhelming sense of comfort as she stared into its soft amber eyes. It was almost as if he could sense that she was in pain and wanted very much to take that pain away from her. Even as the thought entered her mind, the dog sat upright again and licked the tears from her face. She responded by throwing her arms around him and burying her face in his soft white fur. She wasn’t quite sure how long she’d been hugging the dog until she heard a familiar voice.
