The Faye's Keeper: Keepers of Light: Book Two

by Sarah Beth

  A dry chuckle escaped her lips as they followed Soryn out of the glade. She hadn’t seen a spirit, but she had seen the reflection of a ghost. Or she kept telling herself that he had to be a ghost. It was the only answer that made sense.

  ~~~

  Of course, Elazar’s home in the Forest would be halfway up one of the biggest trees.

  Abby and Wesley followed Soryn through the village, towards a grouping of trees. One of the trees held the room where they had changed and rested. The one standing sentry beside it, was Elazar’s home. She was still trying to catch her breath, her heart pounding, when they walked through a wooden arched door and into a large open room.

  The ceilings in this building was far taller than she expected, vaulting into the branches above their heads. Open air windows surrounded the space. Bark of the tree made up one wall, where a fountain flowed into a stone basin. Cool blues and pinks dominated the otherwise earth toned space, so similar to the colors in Abby’s room. A round table was set in the middle of the room, three place settings waiting. Glass goblets and silver utensils framed the white linen tablecloth. Four candles adorned the center of the table.

  Shuffling to her right caught her attention, pulling it away from the beautiful table setting. Lord Elazar looked just as he had the last time she saw him, although his clothing was more elegant. A long cloak of a steel blue color swayed as he walked. Long sleeves coming just to his fingertips, gold embroidered details throughout the fabric making it shimmer in the lamplight. When she met his face, his eyes shone with kindness. His lips pulled into a small, but genuine, smile.Coming to stop a few feet away from her, he bowed his head, resting his hand over his heart. “Dear Abigail, it is wonderful to see you well.”

  A dry chuckle beside her reminded Abby that Wesley was standing by her left shoulder. She turned her head to look at him, an eyebrow raised. Wesley raised his hands, “Sorry, but he can’t be that happy to see you or he never would’ve vanished without telling us.”

  “Wesley.” Her tone was sharp. She couldn’t believe he had just said that. Sure, they talked about it enough times together. But to say it out loud, and when they were standing in his home? Now she would have to apologize for her Mate’s behavior. Getting kicked out of the High Forest would not look good.

  Elazar chuckled. She expected to see annoyance on his face when she turned back to him, but it hadn’t changed at all. He inclined his head in Wesley’s direction, before meeting Abby’s eyes. “Don’t chastise him, child. He makes a very good point.”

  Wesley looked just as confused as she felt. He lowered his hands back to his sides, “I meant nothing by it. But we’ve been searching for you for weeks.”

  A solemn look came to Elazar’s face then. “Yes, I know. I am sorry I had to leave my home so abruptly.” He gestured to the table, “Please, why don’t we sit. I will answer all that I can.” As he walked to the table, he glanced over his shoulder, “I do hope my nephew was cordial and showed you around?”

  Although the shock was almost enough to trip over her own feet, Abby only glanced briefly at Wesley before turning to the table. Being the gentleman he was, Wesley pulled her chair out for her to sit. “Soryn was very sweet.”

  The raised brow she got in response from the Faye was enough to make her smile. Wesley laughed as he sat down beside her.

  Chapter Eight

  Abby

  After they had all eaten their fill, Abby asked the question that had been burning inside her for weeks. “Why did you leave without telling me?”

  The Faye sighed, setting his wine goblet down on the table. He looked at her with a sad expression, “I had no choice. I know that isn’t what you want to hear, but it’s the truth. After you left my home, I had to come here. I had to notify the High Council, and the Elders, of your existence.” His eyes glanced away from her for a moment before looking back. “As the topic of your birth is a sensitive one, I needed to share the news in person.”

  She leaned back in her chair, her brows pulling in confusion. “Because I was born illegally? Or is there more you’re not telling us?”

  He inclined his head briefly, one side of his mouth quirked up just a bit. “Under normal circumstances, I may have simply written a letter. But magic isn’t foolproof, I trust you’ve learned that already.” He eyed her for a moment before continuing. “I had to deliver the message in person, I couldn’t risk it falling into the wrong hands. I didn’t mean to stay away for so long. But once here it can be hard to get away.”

  Wesley leaned closer to the table, his hands clasped in front of him. His brows were pulled tightly together. “So what happens now? You’ve given them the message; we’re here. There’s an uprising happening out there and we need help to stop it.”

  A soft groan escaped Elazar’s mouth. “Yes, yes. I am aware of the vampire uprising. Believe it or not, young wolf, I have known for quite some time.”

  Shock cracked through the bond between her and Wesley. “What do you mean?”

  Taking a sip of his wine, Elazar didn’t answer right away. When he set the glass down, he sighed. “Because, a couple of years ago a dear friend came to me, speaking of such an uprising. I didn’t believe him them.”

  Glancing at Wesley, Abby didn’t know what to say. How was it possible that someone had known of this a few years previously? The pack didn’t even get wind of it until the last month. Wesley cleared his throat, his hand found hers under the table. “But you believe it now?”

  Elazar sighed. Tossing his hand in the air, he said, “Yes, I do. After the murders on the coast and in England, I am not surprised.”

  Abby startled, “England? What murders in England?”

  Tipping his head to one side, Elazar raised an eyebrow. “You hadn’t heard? Just a few days ago, ten young humans were found murdered in London. And another few in a town in Whales.”

  She turned to Wesley, watched his hair bounce as he shook his head. “We were traveling through the mountains by then. And we haven’t heard from Alex yet.”

  Humming, Elazar leaned back in his chair. “You’ve sent a message to him?”

  Abby nodded, “A few hours ago.”

  Nodding, Elazar sat upright again and gestured for a servant. “Then I suspect you should be hearing back from him soon.” A woman appeared by the side of the table, a simple blue dress covering her frame. Elazar leaned towards her, “Go to my guest’s room, see if a letter has been delivered. Bring it to us.” The woman bowed before scurrying out of the room. Turning back to the table, Elazar reached for his wineglass again. “I would not be surprised if a message is waiting. We shall soon see.” He gestured to the pastries that sat in the middle of the table, “We will revisit this conversation when your Alpha’s letter arrives, let us enjoy something sweet while we wait.”

  Taking the queue for a change in topic, Wesley asked Elazar about the buildings. Tuning them out, she looked out one of the many windows — she could see far into the treetops from her seat at the table. Other homes were visible through the canopy of leaves, the light from the fires and torches shining in the darkness. The sun had set while they ate their dinner. Lanterns lit up the trees on the pathways, starting from the ground and reaching the highest buildings. They looked like they were floating.

  As she was mesmerized by the lights flickering in the trees, Abby thought back to the afternoon walk and the moment in the Glade. She wanted to go back there, that was for certain. She hadn’t gotten a chance to ask Wesley since it happened, but she wondered if he had heard the water speak, too. It hadn’t spoken in words so much as emotions and feelings. It had startled her, causing her to reach for the power at her center. But then the water and her power had seemed to connect in some strange way that she didn’t understand. And then it had shown her the vision.

  “Elazar,” she turned back to the men at the table, both sets of eyes looking towards her. “I need you tell me something and I don’t want a lie this time.” The Faye nodded, a small smile pulling at his lips. Stealing h
er nerve, she clasped her hands tightly in her lap. “Who is my father?”

  Elazar regarded her for a moment, his finger tracing the edge of his wineglass. She felt like a fish in a tank, with someone staring in at her through the glass. Just when she thought he wasn’t going to answer, he sighed. “There’s no talking you around it this time, is there?”

  Straightening her spine, Abby glanced at Wesley. He smiled encouragingly, nodding his head ever so slightly. Turning back to Elazar, Abby shook her head. “No. I think I deserve to know.” Pausing, she glanced out the window closest to her before adding, “Soryn showed us the Glade today. Something happened when I touched the water.” The Faye across from her said nothing, simply raised his brows in a silent question. With a sigh, Abby met his eyes. “I think it showed me my father.”

  She could feel Wesley looking at her, but she didn’t dare to turn to him. She felt bad for not talking to him about it before telling Elazar. But they hadn’t been alone since the glade. There had been no time to tell him. She tried to send her apology through their bond, hoping that it would convey her feelings.

  Swishing his wine glass around, Elazar was silent again. With a sigh, he set his glass down and looked at her. She wasn’t prepared for the sadness in his eyes. “Your father was a dear friend. I am only sorry that he did not feel confident in confiding in me about your existence. After—.” He shook his head, waving the words away. “It doesn’t matter. The past cannot be changed. Only the future.”

  Abby sat still, silently begging for him to continue and yet afraid to open her mouth. Speaking at all may make him stop talking again. Her nerves were getting the better of her, she realized, as she was wringing her hands in her lap. A warm hand engulfed her fingers, holding them still. She looked to the right and met Wesley’s azure eyes. He held her gaze, a small smile pulling on his lips. It was then that she felt comfort and love flow through the bond, so strong that it threatened to overwhelm her. Taking a deep breath, Abby returned his smile. With Wesley’s hand still in her lap, Abby turned back to Elazar. “Please. I know you have more. Tell me.”

  His deep blue eyes regarded her. She could see him contemplating her request. He must have come to a conclusion, because he stood from the table and gestured to a sitting area off the main room. “Come, let us get more comfortable. I think this will take a while.”

  ~~~

  Sitting on a plush cushion, just like the one in her and Wesley’s room, Abby listened intently to the words that Elazar spoke.

  “Trust that your father was a good man, Abigail. It was his life’s work to help those that needed it. I suspect that was what caught his attention about your mother. In the beginning, anyway.” He shrugged elegantly, the arm resting on the couch behind his turning up. “But I know little of anything about your mother, as he did not talk about her to me. I can only speculate.” He paused, his eyes getting brighter for the briefest moment. “He was very powerful, his magical knowledge was vast. Something I am sure you have been able to guess yourself, already.”

  Abby nodded, thinking back to that night a couple of months ago. She had nearly killed herself with her own magic. Using so much of it at one time that her body almost gave out. Yes, she had guessed that her Faye heritage wasn’t weak.

  Nodding, Elazar looked at the fire between them. Although it was contained in a pit in the floor, it still made Abby feel like the whole place could catch fire at any moment. “He had been trying to convince the High Council and the Elders of an uprising happening, outside of the safety of our boundaries. No one would believe him — or they simply didn’t care, which is more likely.” He sighed, lines appearing on his forehead that hadn’t been there before. “I am guilty of secluding myself away, it’s how I prefer to live. Away from all the hustle and bustle and extravagance of the Faye.”

  Although Abby knew very well that Elazar liked to stay in his cabin in the mountains, alone, she found it strange after seeing The High Forest. He seemed so at home in the atmosphere. Like he belonged within it.

  “Your father tried to tell me, tried to convince me. But I didn’t listen.” Another shrug, sadness filling his eyes again. “It wasn’t until the last time he came to me, that I began to wonder if what he said was true. He seemed erratic, overly concerned, I thought. But again, I refused to leave my home for some vampire problem.” He looked away from her then, back at the flames between them. The light casting moving shadows across his face.

  Unable to help herself, she leaned away from the warmth of Wesley’s leg against hers and closer to the fire. “What happened to him?”

  The shadows continued to dance across his face, making the sorrow she found there even more prominent. “He went to Europe to look for more allies. I knew something must have happened to him, when a young woman with fire in her heart and lively green eyes came to my door.” He looked back at her then, sadness and remorse in the lines of his face.

  Although she had known deep down that it was likely her father may be dead, it still hurt more than she expected it to. She didn’t need to hear the words to know it was true. She could feel it in the air between her and Elazar. Could see it plain as day on his face. Her father was dead.

  Chapter Nine

  Alex

  Alex had hoped for a little time to adjust to being back in New York, but he should’ve known better than that. The moment their plane had touched down, everything had gone to the dogs. In the twelve hours it had taken Tori and himself to get there, five humans had been murdered. Add those to the dozen already chilling in morgues from London to Wales, and Alex could feel the headache coming on.

  “Alex?”

  Turning away from the window, Alex searched the room for Tori’s small voice. The warehouse where Ira had made base camp was expansive, but one couldn’t tell that from the enclosed room he found himself in. Desks and computers lined the perimeter walls, a few fold tables sat in one corner where food was regularly brought in to feed the pack of wolves. In the center of it all was a table bigger than two pool tables. Sitting proudly on top was a model city of New York. It was impressive, if Alex gave himself any time to think about it.

  “Alex? You okay?” Tori’s scent filled his space as she came up beside him, concern etched onto her face.

  He was proud of her. Ever since they landed and were surrounded by strange wolves she never flinched. She stood her ground when she needed to and gave in to authority when it was the better option. And yet here she was, worrying about him. Doing his best to pull a smile onto his lips, he nodded as he squeezed her shoulder. “I’m alright, don’t worry about me. I was just lost in thought.”

  She didn’t look convinced, but then a moment passed, and she nodded. Inclining her head towards the center table, she sighed. “Briggs says Ira will be here in a moment. He’s bringing news on the most recent murders.”

  As if the mention of his name summoned him, the elevator door dinged, revealing a disgruntled looking werewolf. Ira Abrams could be a friendly old teddy bear when the occasion called for it — Alex recalled a meeting with his great grand children — but that was not the man who entered the room. Fury and irritation came off the wolf in waves, almost causing Alex to clear his airway. Almost. Instead, he rested his hand on Tori’s shoulder as Ira stalked towards them with purposeful steps. “I would say it’s good to see you, old friend. But under the circumstances, I’ll refrain.”

  Stopping a few feet from their space, Ira’s face softened a fraction, his shoulders slouched ever so slightly. Alex doubted anyone caught it but him — he had been friends with Ira long enough to catch such things. “Alex, I agree. I wish our reunion was a happier one.” Ira held his gaze for a moment before they fell on Tori. Inclining his head, he rested his right hand on his chest and bowed his head. “You must be Tori. I hope my men have been treating you well.” The implication in Ira’s words were not missed.

  Tori, although standing stiffly beside him, bowed her own head in a show of respect to the old alpha. “It’s a pleasure, Alpha Abr
ams. Don’t worry about your wolves, they’ve been very kind.”

  “Call me Ira, please. Such formality makes me feel old.”

  Chuckling, Tori nodded. “Alright, I can do that.”

  A small smile pulled at the edges of Ira’s mouth, but it was gone again in an instant. “I wish we could entertain normal conversation for longer but —.”

  Alex waved a hand between them, breaking off the man’s words. “No, no. We have more pressing issues. When this is all over though.”

  “I believe I owe you a drink?”

  A deep laugh rumbled in Alex’s stomach as he patted Ira’s shoulder, steering them towards the model city. “Yes, you most certainly do.”

  ~~~

  The model city before them was impressive in itself, but the technology wired into was even more so. Little red lights illuminated the areas where murders had occurred within New York’s walls. Of course, that didn’t include the ones occurring elsewhere.

  “As you’ve already heard, we received word yesterday of murders in London and in a small town in Wales.” Ira raised a single brow before continuing, “It sounds like there have been more of these types of killings throughout Europe, but they don’t seem concerned about it. I’ve tried to reach O’Reily in London, but haven’t had any luck.”

  Alex grumbled under his breath, “No, of course they don’t. They never worry about anything that doesn’t involve their own people.” Packs worked differently in the United Kingdom and in the rest of Europe. They stuck to their boundaries like physical walls actually separated them and word traveled slow into other pack’s land. He would know after all, since he was a part of one of those packs for a long time. “We can worry about the Alpha’s lack of concern later. Have we found out anything useful closer to home?”