by Sarah Beth
“Do you want to talk about it?” She shook her head, although her cheek never left his palm. Brushing his thumb over the soft skin, he decided to change the subject. “Elazar and Lady Neirdre are concerned about the Faye problem.”
A small smile formed on her lips as she chuckled, “The ‘Faye problem’ huh?”
Shrugging a shoulder, he smiled back at her. “What? It was the best I could come up with on short notice.”
Shaking her head, she turned away from him briefly so his hand fell back to his lap, before looking back at him. “Well, regardless of what we call it, they should be concerned...especially with the High Council coming. We have to tell them.”
He hummed, looking out over the water like she had done just moments before. “I agree, but I think we have to be tactful about it. It could be a disaster to tell them we think a member of the Elders is betraying them.”
They fell silent for a while and listened to the sounds of the glade around them. Her knee felt warm under his palm and her mind was calming, her earlier emotions subsiding. They were still there, underneath the surface, but she had control over them again. Out of nowhere a sense of deep love bloomed from inside her, leaking over into his own mind. He looked at her with a raised brow.
She smiled, a slight blush growing on her cheeks, “We’ve been so busy, I forgot when I woke up this morning…” Reaching into her skirts, into a pocket that Wesley didn’t know was there, she pulled a dagger in a scabbard, the wooden hilt intricately carved. Her blush grew deeper as she looked at it, “Obviously you have perfectly good claws if you need them, but I saw it and thought of you so—.” She handed it to him, a small smile still on her lips, “Happy birthday, Wesley.”
Shock filled him, but he took the dagger gingerly. It was heavier than he had expected, and when he drew it from its scabbard, he was impressed with the craftsmanship. Looking back at Abby, he shook his head slowly, “I — I didn’t even think about it...my dates are all messed up...you didn’t have to.”
She chuckled, shrugging one shoulder. “I know, but you’ve done so much for me. Hell, you’ve followed me all the way to The High Forest and haven’t complained. Besides, your birth is something worth celebrating.”
At a loss for words, he inspected the blade more, twisting it in his hand and watching the sunlight reflect off it. He had been so focused on Abby, on the war brewing around them, that he had forgotten all about his birthday. If they had been at home, Alex would’ve cooked him all his favorite foods. Alex had always made a big deal about their birthdays, but Wesley had never understood why. They were all going to live hundreds of years, why did one day mean so much? But there, sitting in a magical glade with his Mate, he was overcome with homesickness, a feeling he couldn’t ever remember feeling before.
Slipping the dagger into its holster, he looked back at Abby and smiled. “Thank you.”
Her smile turned soft, her brows pulled together slightly, before she laid her hand on the dagger in his lap. Leaning in she brought her face close to his, “I miss them too.” A rush of air left his mouth right before her lips met his own.
For a time the only thing he could focus on was the feeling of her lips on his and her hand grasping his around the dagger. At some point he raised his other hand and pushed it into her hair, tugging at the braided pieces. The last few days had been so busy, so eventful, that he hadn’t realized how little time they had been spending alone. Sure, their suite was empty of visitors at night, but that was the only time they were ever there. After all of this was said and done, they were taking a vacation.
She chuckled against his lips; the vibration tickling. Leaning away, his hand still trapped in her hair, he laughed with her. She leaned her head against his and sighed, “A vacation sounds perfect.”
Their shared laughter filled the Glade. It took them awhile to get control over themselves enough to gather their things and walk out hand in hand.
~~~
They walked through the village as the sun was setting, casting orange light over the green landscape. Lanterns were lit, hanging between the houses and across the paths above their heads. High above in the trees, lights flickered into existence. Wesley wished they had more time to explore, to enjoy the world around them. But just as it had been when they arrived, time wasn’t on their side.
As they were about to take the path that would lead to their suite, thinking a night to themselves sounded perfect, Soryn came around the corner and stopped them. He bowed his head briefly before speaking, but even before he did, Wesley could tell by the set of his brows he wasn’t pleased. “Lord Elazar and Lady Neirdre wish to speak to you both. Immediately.”
Before looking at Abby, Wesley sighed. Of course, they did. There went a nice evening spent alone. Abby tugged at his hand, an apologetic smile on her face, before they followed Soryn back to Elazar’s home.
Entering the main living area, they found the two Faye seated by the fire, speaking in low voices. They stopped when Soryn opened the door, turning to look at them as they entered. Rising from his seat, Elazar gestured for Abby and Wesley to join them. “My apologies, I’m sure you two had other ideas for the evening, but there are important matters to discuss.”
Abby nodded as they sat down, her leg brushed against his. “We understand, it’s alright.”
Even though he knew she was right, and that they understood, he still felt frustrated. After everything from the last few days, all he wanted to do was seclude Abby and himself away from the world for a while. But that would be selfish and as much as he wanted to, he couldn’t hog Abby all to himself.
Neirdre leaned forward on her legs, folding her hands in front of her, “Have you heard anything new from your Alpha, Wesley? Any new information on this traitor would be helpful.”
Shaking his head, he shrugged a shoulder, “Nothing since the first letter early this afternoon. And from what he said then, it didn’t appear like they had any distinguishable proof.”
Elazar and Neirdre shared a glance before she sighed, “That’s what I was afraid of.” She looked back at him and then Abby before another sigh left her lips, “Without proof of who this traitor may be, bringing this news to the Council could prove disastrous.”
Shifting beside him, Abby nodded. “We know that, but we can’t say anything at all. They have to know.”
Elazar inclined his head across from her, “I agree.”
Before Wesley could say anything, Soryn appeared by the arm of the couch. “Is the Council here?”
Abby and Wesley both looked at Soryn, before looking back at the two Elders across from them. They remained silent for a moment before Elazar broke it, “Two of the members arrived this evening. They said that the remaining four will be arriving by tomorrow night.”
The three youngest inhabitants of the room shared glances. Abby set her hand on Wesley’s knee and squeezed. This was what they had been waiting for, what they had been wasting valuable time for. The High Council was finally coming and now they had to find proof of a Faye traitor before that happened. That didn’t give them much time.
Shifting in her seat again, he could feel Abby’s nerves spark inside his veins. They shared a glance before she cleared her throat. “There’s something I need to tell you. You aren’t going to like it.”
Elazar and Neirdre looked at each other before turning back to Abby. Elazar sighed, a small smile appearing on his face. “Child, I don’t think there have been many things over the last few days that we have wanted to hear. Please, tell us what is on your mind.”
Setting his hand on her knee, trying to bolster her confidence with his own, Abby took a deep breath before telling them of her vision in the Glade. Although he had seen it in his own head, had felt her raw emotions as they flooded his senses, hearing the story brought it all back. He couldn’t imagine how he would’ve felt if he had seen his own mother or father like that. If he had seen a vision of when Alex had had no other choice but to kill his best friend.
When she finish
ed, the image of her father’s head rolling on the pavement still palpable in the air, she paused. Drawing a shaky breath, Wesley was amazed to see unshed tears in her eyes. Her emotions spiked harshly, like a roller coaster dropping, but she still held herself together. How was his Mate so strong?
“I saw who did it, who ordered the vampires to kill him.”
Silence filled the room, the tension could’ve been cut with his new dagger. Squeezing her knee, he sent as much love and pride through their bond as he could muster. It barely made a dent in her anguish, but she still managed a small smile in his direction.
“Who is it? Who did the Lady show you?” Soryn’s voice was loud in the stillness. Wesley could smell the Faye’s apprehension in the air.
Taking one last calming breath, Abby looked across the fire at Elazar when she spoke. “I know what I saw. My father, or the Lady of the Glade, whoever it was that showed me that vision — they wouldn’t show me a lie.” Wesley could feel his Mate steeling her nerves and squashing her emotions as she paused. When she spoke again, Wesley knew he would never forget the feeling inside the room.
“It was Haryk. He ordered my father’s death.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Alex
Over the following days, Alex and the New York City wolves tried to find more proof of Faye involvement. After all, they needed more proof than Alex’s nose. But they had found nothing. No other hide outs; no more symbols on alley walls; nothing. As his eyes studied the model city before him, he could feel his irritation growing higher and higher. Wesley and Abby needed more proof, and he was the only one who could get it to them. If they didn’t find something to prove to the High Council of the Faye that one of their own was aiding the vampire uprising, the Council may refuse them any aid — aid they desperately needed. There had to be something.
His phone vibrating in his pocket broke him out of his thoughts. “Warren, it’s good to hear your voice.”
“I’d say the same, but you aren’t going to like why I’m calling.” The wolf’s voice was gruff on the other side of the phone. Warren always had a deep voice, but Alex had known him long enough to catch subtle differences.
His stomach sank. “What’s happened? Is everyone alright?”
“Everyone’s fine. Claire is a little shaken up, but she’s staying here at the house now, so don’t worry.” Warren paused for a moment before sighing. “Vampires broke into Claire’s house last night. Fortunately, she was out with Ephram when it happened, but the place was turned upside down. They were looking for something.”
The idea of vampires breaking into Claire’s house — one of his own who was under his protection — made his blood boil. His wolf growled underneath his skin, ready to burst forth and protect what was theirs. But he was thousands of miles away, he couldn’t do anything. His hand gripped the edge of the table so hard he heard the wood creak. “Was anything taken?”
“Not of hers.”
Alex didn’t like the way Warren said that. “What was taken, Warren?”
“The room Abby had been using was torn to pieces. We couldn’t determine if they took anything or not, but it’s likely that they took something with Abby’s scent on it.”
They were looking for Abigail. If they could utilize her power, they’d be unstoppable.
“I already wrote to Wesley, to let him know that we think someone is trying to track Abby down. Hopefully she’s safe in the High Forest.”
Thinking of the overwhelming smell of Faye in that vampire hideout, Alex wasn’t so sure she was safe anywhere near the Faye. Gods, he wanted them back by his side so he could keep an eye on them himself. “Why do I get the impression that you have more to tell me?”
Warren chuckled, but there was no humor in his voice. “You know me too well, old man. Claire’s house wasn’t the only place broken into.” He paused, for dramatic effect most likely. Kyle was wearing off on him. “Elazar’s cabin was busted into, too.”
That was not good. Neither man needed to voice the fact that vampires alone couldn’t have broken into an Elder’s home. Elazar would have spells and protections set up for when he wasn’t there. Any unwelcome visitors would never have been able to get in. That only meant one thing. Whoever went there must have known and thought they’d still be able to break in. Only someone with powerful magic would be stupid enough to try something like that.
“We found something outside that I think might be helpful.”
Alex growled low in his throat, “Warren, quit stalling. I am in no mood.” He forced his hand to release the death grip on the table, before he really did break it.
“There was a piece of fabric caught on the vines outside of the cabin. It’s Faye-made.”
And there it was, the proof that Alex and others had been searching so hard for. If they could prove that it didn’t belong to Elazar, and if they could figure out who it belonged to, then Abby and Wesley would have a fighting chance when they spoke to the High Council. “Keep that fabric under lock and key. I don’t want it magically disappearing on us. Did you tell Wesley about it in your letter?”
“No, I wanted to confer with you first. We weren’t sure what to do with it. We need to get it to Wesley and Abby somehow, right?”
Alex hummed, his eyes scanning the nearly empty room around him. Even with all the resources that Ira’s pack had, they didn’t have any way to get a piece of fabric to the High Forest. They would need a powerful witch, and the only one they knew was where they needed the fabric to be. “I’ll send a letter to Wesley right away. Maybe they can figure out a way to get it there. Keep me posted.” He didn’t say to keep the others safe, he didn’t have to. He knew Warren would rather die than let anything happen to members of their family.
Hanging up the phone, Alex headed for a table where they kept papers for his correspondences with Wesley. Writing a quick but detailed letter, Alex sealed it before heading for the door. He didn’t understand the magic, didn’t understand how he could use the method, but all he knew was that if he hung the letter in a tree, it would disappear. Faye magic never ceased to surprise him.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Abby
Sitting in their suite, Abby groaned before falling backwards onto the bed, her lilac gown draping across the sheets in waves. Things had just gotten a lot more complicated. Not like they hadn’t been complicated before, but now it seemed like there was so much more stacked against them. The High Council was there, finally, and now they needed to find proof of Haryk’s betrayal. She groaned again as she wracked a hand down her face, dislodging the circlet in her hair.
Hands were at her feet, untying her sandals. She lifted her head and met Wesley’s eyes, a small smile growing on her lips. He returned the smile before focusing on undoing the many loops that went up her calves. “You’re too stressed.”
She snorted and let her head fall back to the bed. That was the understatement of the year. After revealing the traitor amongst them, the room had slid into an icy silence. It wasn’t until Elazar had broken it that she felt like she could breathe again. Wesley was to send word to Alex immediately. Maybe the pack could find something to link Haryk to the murder. Neidre and Soryn had left quickly after, to make their own preparations to prepare for the disaster that was eminent. Then, Elazar had sent Abby and Wesley back to their room to rest. They would need it, he said.
But now, laying on the comfy bed, Abby was both utterly exhausted and too wound up to sleep. “How are we going to find proof stuck here in The High Forest?”
Wesley was silent for a moment as he took off the first sandal and started on the other. “I’m not sure, but we’ll manage. I just gave the messenger a letter for Alex, so hopefully we’ll hear back by morning.”
Humming a response, Abby relaxed further into the bed and closed her eyes. She wondered if she could just fall asleep in the dress. The wrinkles could likely be taken out by magic the next day.
The other sandal joined the first on the floor and then there was a dip
in the bed beside her. Opening her eyes, she smiled at Wesley’s head laying on the bed beside hers. Laying this close, she could see stubble growing on his chin and she wondered if he had shaved that morning. His eyes were closed, allowing her to study his face without embarrassment — not that she would have been embarrassed, anyway. There were lines on his forehead, even though his face was relaxed. There had been too many questions and too much stress in the last few months. She wanted to wipe the lines off his face.
Instead of lifting her hand, she relaxed her mind further and sighed when their consciousness’ mingled in the space between them. Swirling around their heads as if their minds were made of streams of flowing energy. After a moment, a small smile grew on his lips and she felt it inside herself too, causing her own lips to quirk up in the corners. It was still strange to have their minds so easily linked and yet it also felt like the most natural thing to her. Like breathing or the knowledge that her heart was beating inside her chest. His consciousness wrapped around her own like a stream of water over a rock, encasing her in warmth and emotion. It was raw and clear and utterly perfect.
She wasn’t sure how long they had been laying there like that, but then Wesley let out a low chuckle and opened his eyes. The streams of consciousness swirling around them faded back. Not gone, just sitting further below the surface. He looked into her eyes and she couldn’t help but look right into his, feeling like an entire galaxy was trapped in those blue orbs. Brushing his lips against her forehead, he sat up and ran a hand down his face. “I think we need to go to bed, or we may just end up laying like this all night.”
