“Whoa, darlin’ . . . .” West said bringing my attention back on him. A strained smile twisted on his face. “It’s okay. I’ll be all right.” Dread gurgled in my stomach as I looked at him in pain. I couldn’t be reassured. Another small rumble came from my chest. West placed his hand over mine. “I'm thinkin’ Eli’s blood did more than just save your life.”
It finally hit me what everyone was freaking out about. My eyes and actions had become full Dark Dweller. Looking down, I took in a deep breath, trying to calm my instincts.
Shit! I recognized right then Eli was not someone I could easily walk away from. No matter what he did or didn’t do, he was a part of me. There wasn’t a piece of me that wasn’t intertwined with him now. Even my freaking DNA.
“Ember?” my mom’s voice broke me out of my thoughts.
“I’m okay, Mom.” I looked up at her.
“What the hell happened? What happened to your eyes? Who is he?” She pointed to West. I could tell she already sensed what he was but needed me to actually confirm it.
“This is West . . . and he’s a Dark Dweller.”
It took her a moment before motherly instinct took over. “Get away from him!”
“Mom . . . you don’t understand.”
“All I need to know is that he’s a Dark Dweller.” Her voice was severe. “Now get the hell away from him!”
“No,” I responded.
“No? Did you just tell me no?”
And I’m back to being five again.
I turned back to West, ignoring her rant.
“Mommy’s pissed darlin’ so you probably should listen to her. You guys need to get out of here.”
“I am not going without you.” My jaw set firmly.
A pained smile formed on his mouth. “I always knew I liked you, but you can’t help me. These spikes stop me from changing and the collar is spelled so it can’t be undone even with a key.” He took a jagged breath. “Go while you can.”
“West . . .” I reached up touching his cheek again. I heard Mom suck air angrily between her teeth.
Wait till she learns about my full connection to the Dark Dwellers. That'll be fun.
“Please, go.”
I bit down on my lip. I couldn’t help him, but it was hard to leave him. Against all odds, he was my family now. My blood made him so, and I protected my own. “I’ll be coming back for you. I will not leave you here.”
“Somehow I know you won’t. You are one of us now, aren’t you?” His eyebrow hitched up in curious amusement.
“Yes,” I nodded. “I am.” This was not something that would ever go away. I was part Dark Dweller and proud of it. More than I thought I’d ever be. Giving his hand a squeeze, I pulled back, and stood up.
“Until we meet again.” West leaned his head back against the wall, giving me one of his infamous grins.
“Until we meet again.” I winked and then I herded my mother down the dark corridor; Simmons and Cal on our tail.
“Think we got more trouble on our hands with this one than we planned on, Simmons,” Cal said from behind me.
“Why Calvin, for once I think you are right.”
TWENTY-NINE
“The only way we’re going to get through this castle and to their rooms undiscovered is if you guys go ahead of us. You can hide in the shadows and warn us if anybody is coming. This could get really dangerous,” I whispered to the pixies.
“When we were trying to find you, my lady, most were retiring.”
“Well, that’s a little good news.” I sighed. “Now go.”
Simmons saluted me. “Aye, my lady. Your wish is our command.”
“But why can’t the wish ever consist of me lying next to a rambling brook with a glass of juniper juice?” Cal grumbled, but took off after Simmons.
“You’ve been in the Otherworld for a short time and already have two pixies at your command?” Mom’s head wagged back and forth. “Impressive. Pixies are usually self-absorbed, isolated creatures. They rarely help others or even other pixies.” It was strange to hear my mom talk about the Otherworld. It was odd to associate her with this world; she had hid that life from me so well for so long.
A tiny figure zipped back into the room. “The soldiers guarding the dungeons are directly on the other side of this door and are snoring. Cal insists they are not pretending, but I recommend going forth with caution, my lady.” Simmons’ advice lingered in my ear.
“Thank you, Simmons. I will take it into advisement.” Gripping the knife tighter in my hand, I tiptoed through the door inching it open until I could pop my head through.
Exactly as Simmons reported, the soldiers were sound asleep, their deep snores echoed off the stone walls. Mom and I crept past them. Room by room, hallway by hallway, this strategy played itself out. The castle was quiet and a minimal number of people were around, which was very helpful. My newly found Dark Dweller attributes helped. Being slinky and quiet seemed to come naturally to me now. I was also surprised how quiet Mom could skulk. It seemed part of her nature, too. Both of us easily kept to the shadows, undetected by the few we did run across. The real problem was getting past the guards who protected my friends' and Dad’s rooms. From my dreamwalk I had a general idea where they were. I sent Simmons out to case the outer windows of the castle.
“My lady! My lady!” Simmons came hurling down the hallway a few minutes later.
“Shhhh!” I held a finger to my lips.
“They—your friends—are in the last room down the hall on the left,” he whispered excitedly.
“Any guards?” Simmons had probably awakened the entire castle by now.
“Only one. The Queen obviously feels your friends are a very low threat.”
Drying my sweaty palm on my jeans, I re-clenched the knife I had been holding in a death grip. “Okay, here is the plan: We get my friends out first. Cal and Simmons can take them into the forest while Mom and I find Mark. Then we’ll all get the hell out of here.” My voice was strong and direct, but I knew how flimsy the plan was. They knew it, too, but they all nodded, too scared to think of all the things that could go wrong.
The guard near their room was also asleep, which seemed odd. I thought we had lucked out with the first guards being asleep, but this was beyond lucky. Glancing up at Cal, my brow furrowed.
“So, they had a little help going to sleep . . . . Indict me.” Cal crossed his arms.
“I think I owe you two kisses now.” My smile widened at Cal.
Six inches of pixie flushed red from head to toe. “What makes us drunk causes you big Fairies to sleep like babies.”
“Cal, I am so loving you right now.” He only turned redder.
We moved closer to the passed out guard. Recognition hit me as I stared at him. I couldn’t recall his name, but I knew it was the beautiful guard who had come into the room in my dreamwalk. I had respected how well he treated my friends. He did not seem to believe they were beneath him, as so many other Fay thought of humans. He reminded me of a younger Torin, proud and honorable, but who would go against the Queen if he believed she was wrong.
Cal flapped down to where the keys were hooked on the guard's belt. I clenched my teeth and held my breath as Cal slowly pulled the keys off. This could go so bad so quickly. The young man stirred, but his eyes remained shut. Cal flew to the door, twisting the key in the lock. With a click the lock turned over. We all froze and looked at the guard, waiting for him to awaken. I knew from here on we would have to be swift and methodical in our movements and choices. When I slipped into the room, my finger was already at my lips telling them not to react.
Kennedy was the first to see me. She jumped off the bed about to say something, but stopped when she saw me shake my head. Josh and Jared followed suit, standing quietly. When we were all in the room, I closed the door.
Kennedy was in my arms before I could even blink. “Em . . . I knew you’d come."
I pulled her close, hugging her tightly. “I don’t work without you guys
.” My heart realized how much I had missed her.
“Ryan and I feel the same. We don’t function without our spice.” She squeezed me then pulled back. That was when I noticed that Ryan hadn’t moved even an inch.
“What’s wrong with him?” I took in Ryan’s labored breathing and perspiring, white pale skin.
“We don’t know. He was fine but suddenly became really ill,” Kennedy responded.
I moved closer to him and my mom came to my side. She laid a maternal hand on his head. “He’s burning up.”
“What are you doing here, Ember?” Josh’s tone was tense.
“Josh . . .” I walked over and threw my arms around him. Stiffening under my grasp, he patted my back uncomfortably. Josh and I always had a touchy, relaxed relationship. It was clear he no longer felt comfortable around me.
“Em.” Jared took me in a bear hug. His arms felt like they bulked up a size since I saw him. “So good to see you.”
“You, too, J.” I stepped back, knowing I had to tell him something he would take badly. Blurting it out was the only way. “West is here.”
“What? West?” Jared reacted. “What do you mean West is here?”
“He’s locked in the dungeon, and I couldn’t get him out.” My hands reached out to Jared knowing his impulse would be to go to him. “We will come back for him. I swear to you, Jared, we will get him out.”
“How did he get here? I don’t understand…”
He was a smart kid, but denial was a strong seductress. Tilting my head, I said only one word. “Lorcan.”
He shook his head back and forth rebuffing my answer, then stopped. The certainty of it washed over him. “Fuck,” he swore. I could feel him holding back the scream he wanted to belt out. His hand took a swing at the wall. Blood poured instantly from his knuckles.
“Jared, stop!” Kennedy exclaimed, rushing to his side. She took his damaged hand tenderly into hers.
I sat down on Ryan’s bed. Sweat soaked his clothing and his cheeks flushed a bright red as fever ravaged him. Glimpses of consciousness flickered across his face. “Ryan, I have to get you out of here.” His eyes opened for a second before shutting again. “Please, I need you to sit up.”
“You won’t be taking him anywhere,” a voice spoke from behind me. The entire room swiveled around with a start. The guard we had snuck past now stood in the doorway.
“Castien, please . . . .” Kennedy stepped towards him, cautiously. The name finally connected with his familiar face.
“Ryan is too ill to move. You will kill him if you try to take him to Earth. Humans do not take passing through as easily as Fae do. If he was healthy, I would not object, but he is not. I will not allow you to remove him from the premises.” Castien’s tone held a protective note in it.
“What?” I couldn’t help from blurting it out. I felt confused. He wasn’t turning us in? He was not screaming down the hallway for the Queen or more guards?
“We can’t leave him behind,” Kennedy exclaimed.
“If you take him, he will die. If he stays, he will be a prisoner but will live. I will make sure of it.”
Looking around the room, Mom and I had the same dumbstruck expression on our faces. The others did not. This was not as much of a shock to them as it was to us. Looking down at Ryan and back to Castien, something clicked. “You like him,” I smiled.
“Ryan is special. I will keep him safe,” Castien replied, neither confirming nor denying. “Now, if you are going to sneak out the window, you better do it now. The wards will go off instantly, but I will try to delay them as much as I can.”
A small chuckle escaped my throat. This night could not get any stranger. Leaning down I kissed Ryan’s head. “I love you, Ry. I will be back for you, okay?” Ryan only mumbled something incoherently, sound asleep. Castien took this moment to exit the door so we didn’t have long.
“I’m going to jump down first. Ken, you jump next, then Josh. I’ll catch you guys.” Jared motioned Kennedy to move to the window, then looking at me. “When they’re down I’ll start for the woods. You’ll help get your mom down?” I nodded. Jared climbed onto the sill, pushing through the bars.
“Jared?” His head turned back around to look at me. “Keep them safe. Simmons and Cal will show you where to go. Follow them.”
“What are you doing Em?” Uneasiness filled his tone.
“Going after my Dad. I won’t leave Mark here.”
He watched me before he reluctantly nodded. The next instant he was gone, vaulting out the window. Several seconds later we heard a soft whistle. Kennedy crawled onto the ledge. Instead of jumping she sat there, shivering as she gazed down. I remembered she was scared of heights. “Ken, I love you, but if you don’t jump, I’ll push you.” She took a deep breath and then plunged into the darkness. Josh was next, but he also hesitated at the window.
“Josh, we don’t have much time. You have to jump now.” I moved to him.
“I-I don’t want to.”
With an agitated breath, “I am sorry if you are scared. I get it, but you have to go.” My hand pushed him to the window.
“I am not scared,” he yelled at me, anger flushing his face. I took a step back.
“Josh, honey, I am sorry to push you into this, but you are going to have to jump. Now,” my mom spoke, her voice sympathetic but firm. Josh grunted and with a heavy sigh climbed onto the window sill and leaped.
“Good work.” I bowed my head in appreciation.
“Simply takes a mother’s firm hand.” She smiled. “Now, you get your ass up there.”
“Did you not hear me? I am going after Mark.”
“No, you are not. I will go after him. You need to get out of here! I need you safe.”
“I don’t care. I am not leaving without you or Mark!”
Cal flew through the window. “Uh . . . there is a slight problem with that. The wards must have sounded because the guards are aware of your escape and are heading this way. I’d get both of your asses out of the window now!” We could hear yells and commotion from down the hall. Getting closer. “GO!” Cal’s arms waved vigorously in my face.
Hesitating for one more moment before I hopped on the ledge and leaping into the rich blackness of the night. Flying through the air felt incredible, giving me a buzz of adrenaline. My senses distinguish the landscape around me targeting where to land. And being part Dark Dweller helped my body land on all fours soundlessly. My mom’s soft impact followed mine. The fact she was so weak and still tried to keep up with me reminded me of her strong character. Against popular belief, Fairies can’t actually fly. She could have hurt herself, but without complaint she followed me and did remarkably well.
“Oh, there you are, my lady.” Simmons circled my head. Pixies on the other hand were born to fly. Simmons just had a slight problem with the landing part. “I have been dutifully on lookout. The coast is clear.”
“Yes, but it won’t be for long.” And with that, a drum-like sound penetrated the night—the warning bell. Our window of opportunity was closing with each wailing clang coming from the castle.
“RUN!” I screamed.
Simmons waved us forward. “Follow us. We know a good door for your escape.” Cal was already taking off for the forest.
“Go-Go-Go!” I pushed everyone forward. Josh didn’t move. “Josh what are you doing?” The way he looked at me caused icy dread to fill me. I knew what he was going to do. “Josh, no!”
“I’m sorry, Ember.” He shook his head. “There is nothing for me back there. This is where I belong. I always have. I'm meant to be here.”
“No. You’re not. You are human, Josh. You have friends who care about you.” I could see in the distance soldiers beginning to swarm out from the castle like ants. “Josh, come on. This place is not like your video games. This is real. You can’t go back if you decide this isn’t fun anymore. I am your friend. I want you with me; I care about you. You have more than you think back there. Please . . . .” I held out my hand.
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His jaw was set with resolve as he backed away from me, then he turned and ran straight to the guards who were coming after us. He held up his hands in surrender. They quickly surrounded him, and he disappeared in the throng of uniforms. “Fuck!” I yelled. I didn’t want to give up on him but, somewhere deep inside, I knew I had already lost him, forever. There was nothing I could do now. I ran away from the threat heading my way.
The stars shone so radiantly I saw the outlines of my family merging into the forest. Following them, I came to the tree line and turned briefly to see if we were being pursued. We were not safe by any means, but the soldiers, who were occupied with capturing Josh, did not see where we went. I almost felt safe when movement in a castle window stopped me dead in my tracks. Mark stood a floor above where we had jumped. He couldn’t see me, but seeing him changed everything.
“MARK!” My plans to get him free were crumbling in front of me. I never planned on leaving him, but the situation had changed. Frozen in my spot, my heart wrenched in my chest. I could not leave him. But, how was I going to get to him now? With no thought, my body started back for the castle.
“Ember, no!” Jared grabbed me around my waist and stopped me. The army of men hearing my cry had begun to move in our general direction.
“I have to get Mark,” I screamed, fighting and struggling against his hold.
Jared swung me around to face him. Taking my shoulders, he shook me. “Ember, you can’t help any of them if you are captured. Mark will be okay. You know she will keep him alive. Do you understand me? You cannot help him now.”
I had heard it so many times now, but it didn’t get any easier. Leaving my loved ones behind didn’t sit well with any part of me.
“I know . . .” I admitted, although there was an unspoken “but” hanging in my sentence.
“No. You cannot hesitate. The best thing is to leave them. It is the only way we can eventually get them out. You think I want to leave them behind? Ryan or West? West is my family, but he would be the first to tell me to get my ass out of here.”
Jared had matured into a leader. He was not the same hyper kid I met only a few months back. He had grown into a man.
Fire In The Darkness (Darkness Series #2) Page 29
