These were modern Fairies. Nothing like the stereotypes humans knew from years of ancient fairytales. The Fairies blended old and new in beautiful harmony—an old castle fitted with cutting-edge gadgets and modern designs. Even Aneira was not the normal idea of a Queen. Yes, she had long hair usually braided into extremely intricate designs or left hanging down her back, but she dressed sleek, sexy, and contemporary. Today she wore supple black leather pants, but I had also seen her in a backless, sheer dress, which would make any designer in Paris weep at its beauty.
Tables and chairs seemed to pop out of nowhere as servants quickly did her bidding and prepared the room for her pleasure. I had no idea what she was up to, but if she hadn’t locked us in the dungeon yet, we were here for a reason. The thought terrified me.
The guards moved the three of us deeper into the Great Hall. The name of the hall fit perfectly—great in length and height and grand in beauty. Windows filled an entire side of the room, overlooking the brilliant blue lake below and snowcapped mountains in the distance. Chandeliers hung along the middle, each draped with millions of raw silk strands. The room blazed with a bewitching glow. At each end of the room, a metal plate floated and held a brilliant fire, which flowed through the chamber, warming the large hall.
Aneira spun to face me, then she looked passed my shoulder. “Oh, good. Josh, my dear, you are here. Why don’t you retrieve our other guests? I am sure they would like to join our festivities.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Josh bow and retreat through the doors. The pain of his duplicity remained a raw, open wound across my heart. Deep, burning anger thundered through me. How could I be so stupid? How could I not see it? I didn’t trust most people, but once I considered someone a friend, I went blind. So many people told me my friends and family were my weakness, and Josh proved the theory to be true. After all the lies and deceit, how could I still continue to trust and believe in the ones dearest to me when so many broke off another chunk of my heart? I should have seen his betrayal coming. Deep down, maybe I had. Strangely, there was still a piece of my soul which rejected Josh deceiving me. He had been my friend, but he had turned on me, and I couldn’t seem to face it.
Servants carried trays of food, filling the space with the rich smells of bread and roasted meat. My stomach rumbled at the thought of protein. The Dark Dweller part of me preferred raw meat, but I was starving, and it felt like days since I had eaten. Eli fidgeted next to me, his tongue licking at his lips. Dark Dwellers were complicated and basic at the same time. Food and sex were their top primal needs, but nothing in the Fae world was simple. Eli was by far the most complex person I ever met.
A servant brought Aneira a bowl of water and a cloth. She snatched it and marched to Eli, her hips swaying. “We must get you cleaned up for the party, Elighan.” She dipped the rag into the water and reached to his face, wiping the dirt and blood off. It was strangely tender, except for a glint in her gaze as she unabashedly looked him over.
Eli hissed through his teeth as she touched an open wound.
“There are some bodily fluids from an imp in here.” She wet the fabric again. “Useless things, except when turned into a healing remedy.” She didn’t have high regard for sub-fae like imps, pixies, or brownies. They still ranked way above Daes, though.
The Queen’s hand moved down and opened Eli’s robe, displaying his physique. She rubbed at his chest, moving lower with every stroke. Eli’s muscles tightened, straining against his skin as he stepped back. Another warning growl burst from my mouth.
“It is so adorable. She thinks her little yap is scaring me.” Aneira looked over her shoulder at me. “What are you going to do to stop me, Ember? You think your pathetic growl of possession is going to prevent me from touching him here?” Her hand went to his crotch. Eli grabbed her wrist before her fingers could make contact, and he shoved it away. Aneira peeked through her lashes with a coy pout. “You can get rough with me later.”
Fire burned in my gut and boiled out. Glass bulbs broke along the wall, and fire scorched the stone, touching the ceiling. Energy crowded around her as my mind shoved her away from Eli. She staggered, dropping the bowl and cloth, before catching herself. A few servants close to her stumbled to the ground, not prepared for the energy I sent their way.
“Impressive. And to think you can will it through iron. What power you must hold when you are unleashed.” Her eyes glittered. “Put another set of irons on her. I feel she might get unruly soon, and I would hate to have to kill her before I get what I want.”
A guardsman, already gloved, pulled out another set from a wooden box on the table.
“No-no-no.” I chanted, trying to back away. These cuffs were thicker and sturdier than any I had seen before. The blond-haired, blue-eyed Fay snapped the new shackles next to the other set. My knees hit the floor with a thud, pain filled my chest, and an intense groan came out of my mouth.
“My goodness, child. It’s like I am ripping your soul from your body.” Aneira rubbed at her temple.
I glowered at her. She knew exactly what she was doing. Before these new shackles were placed on me, my powers had been growing stronger, and it wouldn’t have been long before I tossed her through the large bay windows to the lake below.
“Get her up.” Aneira motioned for the guards to lift me. Several men had to hold my entire weight as I couldn’t get my legs to stop shaking long enough to stand.
Josh stepped into the chamber and dipped his head in respect. “Your majesty, I have returned with your guests.” He was now dressed as the First Knight. Fitted black leather pants covered his thin legs. The upper half of his body had changed from the boy I met at Silverwood, causing him to appear disproportionate. The black, long-sleeved shirt with the Queen’s insignia fit snug on his broadening shoulders and muscular arms. His mop of curly sandy-blond hair was slicked back away from his face.
She turned to him, clasping her hands. “Wonderful. Now we can eat. You all must be famished.”
Two people stood behind Josh. My lungs stopped pumping air as I took them in. I now knew what Aneira planned to do. Terror licked through me, like a hot flame.
Oh, please, no ...
TWO
“No!” I shouted as I pushed forward, taking my guards with me. They quickly yanked me back, stopping my pursuit, which would lead to all of us planting our faces on the floor.
“Ember?” Mark’s blue eyes widened as he took in my disheveled state. Relief and happiness filled his expression.
“Ember!” Ryan called out. Both of them took steps in my direction, but the guards grasped their arms and pulled them back.
I couldn’t take my gaze off them. My arms and heart ached to run and hug both men.
“Are you all right?” Mark could have a leg cut off but ask if you were okay.
My throat closed, and all I could do was nod.
Aneira stepped around me. “I love family reunions. Let us make it even more extraordinary. I am sure, Mr. Hill, you never thought you would get to see your dead wife again,” Aneira declared to Mark as she motioned to the guards holding the person concealed behind me.
Mark’s disbelief was tangible. Every emotion rolled over his face like a pinwheel. “Lily?” he whispered harshly.
“Yes. It’s me.” Mom trembled, tears filling her eyes.
“No ... this can’t be possible.” He shook his head like he was trying to clear his sight and mind of the obvious delusion.
Not too long ago, I had gone through the same thing. She had allegedly been murdered when I was twelve. Mark had seen the dead body as the coroner took it away. When you are sure something is true and then find out it isn’t, it’s hard to shift your mindset.
“Catch up, Mr. Hill. I do not have time for your tiny human brain to comprehend the truth. Your wife lied to you from the moment she met you, dragging you into a world you should have never been part of. She even let you love this thing,” pointing to me, “making you feel you were the father of a human girl.
In fact, she is not human in any way. She’s nothing but a Demon, a disgusting, filthy Dae.”
Mom rolled her shoulders back. “Don’t forget. She is also part Fay, Aneira, you uppity bitch.”
Aneira whipped around and struck my mother’s face. Automatically, both Mark and I moved toward her. We didn’t get far.
“You should learn to silence your mouth, Lily. It always got you into trouble. You were always impulsive and stupid. This time there is no getting out of the mess you created.” Aneira grabbed my mother’s head, jerking Lily to look at her. Then, like a curtain pulled closed, Aneira’s twisted features evened out, a forced smile returning to her mouth. “But I get ahead of myself. Everything in time, and right now I say we eat.” Aneira spun to Mark and Ryan. “Guests first.” The soldiers pushed Mark and Ryan to the table and forced them to sit.
“I sense one of you has eaten Fae food.” Aneira glided to Ryan, brushing his cheek with her knuckles. “You will be a great servant in my home, or maybe a jester. Your round, chubby body already humors me.” She then moved behind Mark. “But you. You will be fun.”
Mom looked wildly back and forth between the Queen and Mark, understanding dawning on her. “Aneira, please don’t do this.”
“Do you not want your husband to finally be truly a part of our world, Lily? If you do not, then you should have let him be. Left the human to his own kind.”
Mom’s jaw tightened, as though fighting back the words she really wanted to say to Aneira.
“Your taste in liking these humans doesn’t surprise me, with your upbringing. Though I thought your time here in the castle would have instilled some refinement in you.” Aneira turned her attention back to the guests at the table. “Now, eat, boys.”
Mark sat straight, his face defiant. “No.”
Aneira’s hands gripped the chair before her head fell back, letting out a hearty laugh. “Your bold disobedience is amusing, Mr. Hill. I think you know by now my asking was only to be well-mannered.” She leaned across his chair and rubbed his arm, her tone growing sharp. “Eat.”
Mark’s eyes glazed over and picked up a piece of bread, placing it on his tongue.
“No!” I bellowed, fighting against the hands holding me back. Mom struggled next to me; a cry erupted from her chest.
Mark robotically chewed and swallowed. My legs went limp. All we had worked for to get him out disappeared with one bite. Now, like Ryan, he could never leave the Otherworld realm.
Aneira’s smile lit up the room and then twisted with vengeance. “Now it is time for dessert and fireworks.”
Aneira strode across the chamber to a wall covered with antique mirrors. They were set across from the bay of windows and reflected the green mountainous landscape and deep blue lake. The images in the glass transformed the wall into a work of art.
She beckoned her men to draw me forward. My boots dragged across the wood floor as they brought me to her. Trepidation fluttered in my lungs. My anxiety amplified with every step. Even double cuffed I could feel my abilities pushing up, rolling around my chest like a dust cloud.
“I suppose I should wait for the fireworks until after dessert, but I cannot risk keeping you submissive and controlling your powers.” It was a struggle for me to keep my head up, but I latched on to her every nuance. “You were right in thinking I might not be able to handle a blood exchange with you. Fae are not meant to mix with other species. Nevertheless, your very existence shatters this theory. Daes have power no ordinary Fae should have. How does something like you have greater powers than a Queen?”
The Queen was formidable, but there were a lot of Fae who were equal to her if not more powerful. Her real power existed in her ability to control others through glamour and fear. If you didn’t submit, she would have her soldiers kill you. Simple and effective. There were many dictators on Earth who had followed the same strategy. And exactly like them, she wanted total control, and I threatened it all.
“My spies have found another way of procuring your powers without transferring blood. And you know who I have to thank for it?” She twisted to face me. “You. I’ve discovered your magic can transfer abilities.”
“What? What are you talking about?” I coerced the words out of my mouth.
“I would rather show you.” She nodded, and someone stepped around me, advancing to the Queen. A jolt of terror clenched my heart.
Asim.
Asim was an amplifier. Whatever he touched would heighten to levels able to kill you. He had contributed to my destruction of Seattle and had helped Aneira level other cities afterward. He was a huge reason thousands died at my hand in Seattle. The ghosts of the dead haunted my soul.
I could not let him touch me. Dread sucked at my lungs, shriveling them down to hollow raisin skins. My shoulders yanked and struggled against the hands which held me. Blood pumped loudly in my ears.
“Your majesty.” Asim bowed. He was a beautiful boy with dark, flawless skin and chocolate brown hair and eyes.
“Asim, you remember what we discussed. I desire it powerful, but we do not want to demolish the castle.”
“Yes, your majesty.” He bowed again and again, appearing terribly anxious. She did not need to glamour him. Asim’s reverence of the Queen was her control over him.
“Two fingers should do it.”
What did she plan to do? With one touch from Asim, I would demolish this room and everyone in it.
Asim stepped toward me, his hand outstretched.
I slunk back into the Fay behind me but moaned with the need to reach back out for Asim. Recalling the devastation I had caused was not my only worry. I couldn’t deny the exhilaration I felt at the amount of magic he had pumped through me. The necessity and desire to take in more and more till there was nothing left of me brought equal parts euphoria and devastation. I had killed, destroyed, and hurt people. And, sadly, I had desired it because of the elation I received from the power. Sadly, like a junkie I still craved those feelings, the high. Would it be something I would always fight? I had heard the stories of Daes who had destroyed themselves because they couldn’t fight the consuming need for more. Magic had killed them. The longing in me remained strong. If I wasn’t careful, it would envelop me, killing me and everyone around me.
With every step Asim took, I leaned back further into my captor. When Asim reached my side, the guard let me drop to the floor, the weight of the irons taking me down. With his thick gloves still on, he stooped and unlocked my cuffs.
An instant. That was all the time I had to react after the iron dropped from my arms. My mind was not centered on anything except Aneira.
My magic slammed her back into the mirrors at the same time the room exploded with fire balls. Each flame broke through the glass encasing them and reached for anything in their grasp. Energy blasted from me, fear and anger stirring the flames higher. Aneira’s body stayed locked against the wall, unable to move out of my force. My vision was directed on her, but I felt objects moving across the room behind me.
“You think you can control me.” My voice came out cold and foreign. I felt the shift. I knew my eyes were black, the Demon in me taking charge. All emotion exited, leaving only a need for more power and the desire to control and destroy. It felt amazing to let go of all my fears and worries. It was liberating to not feel or care anymore.
From behind I heard someone call my name. I could not decipher if it were male or female, not that I cared. The only thing I wanted was to kill the thing in front of me. Aneira shouted at her men to seize me, but no one touched me as I moved forward. A chair zipped past my head, colliding with the wall. It splintered into pieces, crumbling to the floor.
“It is me you should fear, Aneira.” My mouth moved, but the words did not feel like mine. Somewhere inside a voice begged me to stop before I lost all control. I shoved the tiny, insignificant part of me down deeper. People getting hurt no longer mattered to me.
Another wave of magic rolled out, and the floating fireplace against the far wal
l rose and burst into a burning rage. A pained scream tore through the room, pulling my focus off Aneira. My gaze snapped onto the person causing the disturbance.
A man laid on the ground, his arm and part of his face singed black. His skin crinkled, melting from the heat of the flame which hit him.
The Demon in me dissolved instantly, emotion filling the space like the sun. My stomach rolled around in bile, ready to be sick.
“Mark!” My legs took steps toward him.
“Grab her,” Aneira’s voice rung out. Dozens of fingers wrapped around my shoulders and arms, dragging me back.
“Let me go,” I wailed. Mark was my only thought now.
I was not the only one fighting to get to Mark. Mom cried out for him, desperately wanting to reach him. Soldiers kneeled around Mark, sitting him up. His face twisted in pain. I did this. I hurt him. Whenever I used my power, I only ended up hurting innocent people or those I loved.
Aneira grabbed my face and pointed it straight into hers. “He will be fine. Having Fae food will help him heal. Although, he will always carry the scars of what you did.” She gripped my face tighter. “This event only demonstrates you are not capable of handling your powers. For the safety of those around you, I will take them off your hands.” Her fingers pulled away from my face, her nails leaving trails down my jaw.
“Now, Asim.” Aneira motioned to the boy and stepped out of the way.
Asim placed his two fingers on my arm. Once again my senses tore from me. But it seemed different. Extreme. Probably like going from pot to heroine. The sensation earlier was minuscule compared to this high. I lost most of my sight and hearing, everything blurring into a faraway landscape. I was on a different plane, looking down. Magic boiled out, exuding from my pores. Nothing but absolute power and strength pitched through my core. Giddiness rocked my chest as the bliss took hold. All my sadness and fear lifted, unburdening my heavy soul and letting me fully breathe for the first time in months. No guilt, shame, or regret—only power and strength.
Blood Beyond Darkness Page 2
