Shade stared at her reflection. Her cheek had an angry red welt from his blows, and as the flames grew around her, she felt her panic rage. Soon she began to see his face again as it grew more serious. He appeared deep in thought, pondering her reflection.
“Maybe we can have some fun first. You’re not so ugly. What do you think about that, love? Don’t you find me appealing?” He pulled her head back, making her gasp, her scalp stinging with pain. His nose grazed her cheek and earlobe, making her cringe at his touch. “This’ll be fun, no?”
He will never touch me, never.
Shade attempted to pull her head away from his hot breath. He laughed again and let up on his hold so she could see their reflections again. “Do you like my mirror? I placed it here just for you, just so I could watch your every move. That’s my magic. It’s a special talent not a lot of Teleen possess, the gift of traveling through mirrors. I have the matching one in my room, so wherever I place this one, I can go, even into your locked chamber. What good did the locks do you now, Shade? No lock can keep me out; no door could close on me. It’ll be our little secret.” He laughed hard, his chest shaking behind her back.
He abruptly loosened his grip on her head for a moment, and Shade took advantage of his careless release. She shoved him back with her entire body weight, making him lose his balance for a moment, throwing him to the bed. She ran to the mirror and looked around for something to smash it. The dagger she’d left on the table gleamed as brightly as Darren’s fire. She laced her fingers around the hilt, squeezing it hard until her knuckles turned white. She swung her arm and shoved her strength into it, ramming the metal into the mirror. The crash echoed in the cave as it smashed into a thousand glittering shards.
“No! How did you know…what have you done?” Darren had just reached her and grabbed her free arm, yanking at Shade. His momentum came to a sudden stop as he was instantly pulled into the glass, along with a flash of lightning. The last glint of it blinded her and plunged the room into darkness.
Her eyes focused on the dim glow of the dagger as its light grew a bit stronger in the black room. She stared at the mirror shards, scattered and shimmering all over the room. They didn’t look unusual in any way. Just plain mirror pieces glittering across the floor like diamonds. She limped to the light on the nightstand, jabbing her bare feet on the glass. Blood trailed her steps in smudges and drips from cuts stinging her flesh. Her legs, weak and shaky, began to drag under her. She fell to the floor by the bed and slipped into the developing darkness. The glow of her dagger faded into the dark, and the whole world with it.
Chapter Eight
“SHADE, CAN YOU hear me? Shade? Braelynn! She’s rousing, not quite awake yet though. It’s ok, Shade. You’re going to be ok. You’re safe now. No one will hurt you. Can you hear me, Shade?”
The voice sounded familiar, safe, and gentle. Shade wondered if her mother had come. Maybe this was the hospital. Maybe she was dreaming, or worse, dead. She couldn’t open her eyes yet, but she could hear the commotion all around her. She tried to move, but her body did not respond.
“It’s all right. You’re still hurt, so don’t try to move too much. We’ve healed most of your wounds, but you should still move slowly. Your head is still healing.”
Shade opened her eyes a sliver. The room’s light was blinding and it stung her eyes. Blinking, she quickly reached up to cover them. A thousand prickling, sharp pains shot through her arm and down her side. She flinched and stopped moving, groaning as she sank back down onto the bed. Every movement resulted in pain screaming down her body. She felt like she’d been hit by a freight train.
“Shade, are you still feeling some pain?”
She managed a slight nod as she gasped for air.
“Take this liquid. It will make you feel better,” Braelynn’s soft voice echoed in her head. She felt the warm liquid touch her lips and slide into her mouth. It tasted sweet across her dry, parched tongue, like honey-sweetened tea. Letting it coat her mouth, she sighed with relief. A moment later, the sharp aches faded even more, making it easier to open her eyes to the dimly lit room. Somehow, it didn’t seem so bright anymore. They must have dimmed the lights when they realized she couldn’t see.
“What happened?” Her voice was a harsh whisper for her throat felt rough and dry like sandpaper. The room came into focus, and she noticed not only Braelynn but also Sary standing near her. She slowly sat up as Braelynn slipped a few pillows behind her, propping her up. She glanced down at her arms, studying a scatter of healing, scabby slash wounds. Her left hand also had stitches across the palm and was in a good state of healing. Holding it up to her face, she studied it more closely. Most of the wounds were in the mid-stage of healing as if she’d been hurt days ago and not hours.
“How long was I out of it?” Shade dreaded to hear the answer.
“You were attacked in your room about five days ago, Shade. You’ve been unconscious since then. You’ll be fine; your wounds are healing well. Braelynn was able to stop the bleeding inside your head, but it drained her so much, she was unable to heal all of your cuts completely. She was unable to wake you up, too, even though your head is fine now. It’s almost like you were under some sort of spell.”
Sary sat on the bed next to her. A sweet, concerned smile lit her face, crinkling her sparkling eyes as she patted Shade’s arm. Her hair lay draped around her neck in soft waves of crimson fire.
“It was Darren. He attacked me. He came out of the mirror in the room!” Shade swallowed back her panic, feeling the events of that night rushing back. “Where is he? He was really going to hurt me. He wants me dead!” Tears stung behind her eyes and for a moment, she wished to be back home with her mother. Her room seemed like a distant sanctuary in a forgotten dream. Sary hugged Shade tightly as her sobs overcame her.
“It’s all right, Shade. I don’t know how you did it, but somehow you trapped him in the mirror when you smashed it. He was incredibly angry and rendered quite harmless. He was released from the mirror prison by the Teleen warlock and placed into one of the cavern’s confinement cells, where he has been ever since. We’ve waited for you to awaken; The Queen is most upset and anxious to seal his fate,” Sary said with her eyes shining. They were lovely and burned like jewels on fire. She stood up and retrieved a cup from beside the bed and handed it to Shade, encouraging her to drink it. “Drink, Shade; you must be very thirsty. We gave you fluids similar to those in an IV in the human world, but nothing refreshes like real fluid drunken into your body.”
Shade nodded and gripped the cup. The cool water felt amazing going down her throat. She immediately felt better, not as upset and instantly more awake. She finished the drink and handed the cup back. She was really starting to like faery food and drinks.
Glancing around the room, she was relieved it wasn’t the same room she’d been attacked in. It was similar but lighter in color and had no mirrors. She didn’t think she could handle any more mirrors quite yet. Her backpack lay on a table by the door, and the sheets and blankets were all crisp and white. This was probably their version of a hospital room.
“What are they going to do to him?” Shade’s voice seemed small, her eyes staring down into the floor while she thought about her attacker. Shivers crept across her body as the memory resurfaced. He had stolen something with his brutality. She felt more vulnerable than ever and weak. How could anyone be cut out for this magical place? She’d have to start training right away if she was going to survive the rest of this journey. Two threats on her life in one day had been two she could have lived without. She had no idea what she'd gotten herself into and didn’t like how it made her feel. Darren had taught her a harsh and vicious lesson.
“That will be up to Queen Gretel. I hear they take offenses quite seriously among the Teleen. He’ll probably be expected to pay an equal price for your attack. Most attempted murders are punished harshly,” Braelynn explained. “Even death is considered an adequate punishment if he was planning to kill you. This
, I expect, is what he was out to do from the state of things in your room and the amount of injuries he caused you. He must pay for what he did to you, Shade.” She looked seriously at Shade from the wicker chair near the end of the bed. Shade suspected that she’d sat there a great deal during Shade’s period of unconsciousness.
“He said that he could travel through a matching pair of mirrors. He placed that mirror in my room to get to me. I even locked my door, but it didn’t matter.” Shade’s voice quivered as she recalled his dark words. “He said he was going to kill me, and that I tarnished the faery races. I didn’t do anything to him, and he hates me. Why?”
“That is the question, is it not, Shade?” Jack interrupted from the doorway. He took up most of the entrance with the bulk of his muscle-bound body. “During interrogations, he refused to speak of his reasons. He won’t even say if he had any accomplices.” He walked closer to the bed, his face weary and tired. “I have come to summon all of you—that is, if Shade can walk—to Darren’s trial. The Queen has gotten word that you have awoken and is anxious to proceed. We need you there for Queen Gretel to issue his sentence. How well are you, Shade? Can you come?” He exhaled, rubbing his eyes as if he hadn’t been sleeping well.
Shade looked at him, feeling almost petrified at the thought that more fey may be out to get her. Trying to shake off the feeling, she nodded. She was feeling a lot better now with the potion they had given her. She shifted her legs out to the side of the bed and felt the cool stone under her scabbed feet. She paused, wondering if her legs would hold. She stood up slowly and found her legs sturdy and strong. Her smile stretched across her face. That medicine is good stuff; I’m going to have to stock up on some for my whole clumsy family!
She straightened, flattened the mess of her hair as best she could, and accepted Sary’s support as the warrior princess jumped to offer a hand. Shade smiled at her, grateful for her encouragement. Sary returned it tentatively, and nodded in understanding as she slipped her arm under Shade’s. Braelynn placed two soft leather slippers in front of Shade’s feet. The leather was so smooth it was almost like silk against her skin. She shuffled forward and headed toward the door.
Jack took her free side, letting her hold his arm for support. They walked slowly down the hall to the great chamber, which glowed bright as daylight once more. For the first time, Shade peeked up at the roof and noticed how much it looked like a bluish-white sky at mid-noon. They were deep underground, and the sky stood there as natural as it was outside. She still couldn’t make out the source.
Looking around them, she saw that everyone, including all of the Teleen clan, were there waiting for them. The room was crammed full of faery people, like on the night of their welcome feast. She wondered what had been going on the days she’d been unconscious. How much time had been wasted of their journey, all because of what had happened to her due to Darren’s treachery?
Her friends ushered her up some steps and Queen Gretel stood up from her throne as they approached. She glided toward Shade, stepping down slowly and bowing her head at her. Shade followed along, noticing how Sary and the others reciprocated the bow. Queen Gretel, who now wore human glamour that shielded her fire, reached out and held Shade’s hands. Her pale, blue-tinged skin looked odd for a human, but sufficed enough to glamour her. She smiled warmly but spoke quickly and seriously. “Dear Shade, I am most pleased at your quick recovery. I apologize for my guard’s indiscretion and most unfortunate actions. Please, come with me.” She pulled Shade further up the steps to sit at a chair placed next to the massive stone throne. Shade complied, sitting down and turning toward the queen as she addressed the crowd standing before them.
“My people, Shade was attacked, here in our own great cavernous dwelling. Our home has been the scene of bloodshed and pain. This is not allowed among the Teleen, and such brutality will come with a dear price. Accused for such crimes against our guest is Darren, one of our own Teleen guards. He stands now for his punishment.”
Shade sat up straighter and sucked her breath in at the mention of the perpetrator. She’d been feeling much better. That is, until she spied Darren approaching. The crowd opened for a double line of guards who were escorting Darren through the room and toward the throne. His head was hanging down with his long, dark hair disheveled and riddled with tangles. He looked like he had not rested in days, and his wrists were bound with strips of thick leather. Each arm was held firmly by a guard. Captain Dylan stood in front of them and bowed before the queen.
“My queen, Darren has confessed to his crime. What price shall our queen make him pay for his violations?” Dylan appeared strong and commanding, in full Teleen guard attire but without his helmet. He remained bowed and awaited her answer. Darren and his escorts mimicked his movements, though Darren appeared to be shoved into submission.
“Please stand, Captain Dylan, guards.” Queen Gretel motioned. “I have come to the conclusion that only one punishment will suffice for such a deliberate and violent attack.” She looked up and scanned the crowd. The silence was heavy and hung in the room like thick smog. Shade was sweating, and her heart raced with nauseating anxiety as she waited. She just wanted to have Darren gone, away from her sight, or to run from him as fast as she could. His presence was like a bad nightmare come to life, a suffocating presence.
“Darren must now pay tribute to Shade. A blood debt created demands payment. Only blood from death will be appropriate for such a crime.” Gasps rippled through the mass and whispers ignited like flames through the shocked crowd. There were even heads shaking while others began to holler out protests.
“My decision stands. As your Queen, my judgment is final. Silence!” The crowd hushed as quickly as it had erupted.
“My Queen,” a voice interjected. The Teleen queen turned to look upon Captain Dylan, now kneeling before her, head bowed and stiff. “May I speak, Your Majesty?”
“Rise and speak, Captain Dylan. Your Queen has acknowledged you. Darren being your only brother, I am sure you have much to say.” She held her hand out as if to summon him to rise. Dylan rose slowly and stared back at the petite woman. His face was a well of stillness, eyes empty and blank with no feelings escaping from their pits.
“I beg thee to please reconsider. I ask you, my dear Queen, to spare the life of my only brother, Darren. I carry an oath to our long deceased mother to care for him in her absence. Please, consider an alternative price.” Dylan bowed his head again and did not look back up. He seemed to be acknowledging the Queen’s dominance over him and over all the people that called the caverns their home.
Shade blinked as she glanced between him, the Queen and Darren. Brother? So that’s why there was a resemblance. Darren is Dylan’s brother! Of course, she thought, putting it all together.
Dylan seemed genuinely concerned, but his face remained hard. He did not seem like the snickering captain of the guard she’d met her first day at the Teleen caverns. He stood still and humbled before the Queen. She wondered if he was holding his breath while he waited for her answer. Why he would defend such a rotten man, even if he were his own flesh and blood was beyond her.
“Dylan, my faithful captain, you have served me well for so many years. I’m afraid only a fair blood trade would suffice. Knowing your mother’s wishes for you and your brother, I will consider this in my decision.” She tilted her head and watched him, studying his stoic demeanor as if reading his innermost desires. “What if I amend my judgment, let’s say, for an equal payment? Would you trade your life in your brother’s place, then? I will only amend the death price if you trade your blood and services for your brother’s life.”
Captain Dylan looked up at that remark. His eyes widened in surprise and seemed utterly tortured. He studied the Queen in confusion. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but what sort of blood price trade do you mean?”
The Queen smiled, glancing at Shade before speaking again. “I require that you say yes before I explain. Will you trade your life for your brother’s? I pr
omise this will not mean a death sentence on your part if you do so. Your brother will be freed, but only if you agree to the terms in full.”
Dylan stared intensely at the Queen for what seemed like an eternity. Letting his eyes drop to the floor, he let out a defeated sigh. Shade watched him gulp and think hard on the Queen’s words. He nodded to himself, blinking back up toward her. He visibly straightened, regaining composure once more. “Yes, My Queen. In place of my brother, I will assume punishment for crimes he has incurred, short of death.” He dropped his gaze again, hiding his face as it flushed with a scarlet heat. He was probably not too happy about having to learn his fate after he swore to trade places with Darren.
In eager anticipation, Shade glanced between him and the Queen.
“Well then, Dylan, I am glad to hear that an honorable man such as yourself would assume a lesser man’s punishment. He’s undeserving of such a thing, even if he is your brother. So, in consideration of your own innocence, I hereby proclaim that your blood payment will be a blood bind to Shade. You are to protect, follow and serve her until the blood price is paid in full. Release from it will only come when the land of Faerie deems it fulfilled. Any failure to do these things will revoke the trade, and the original judgment on Darren of death will stand.”
Shade shook her head, shocked at what the Queen had just done. “No, please, Your Majesty, I don’t need a servant or a guard. I have an entourage already. My friends will guard me. He didn’t do anything! I can’t do this. Please release him! It was Darren who did it.” She looked up at the Queen and knew immediately that protesting wasn’t going to do any good.
“Shade, he cannot reject this punishment; to do so is to bestow death upon his brother. You must accept this, or you condemn Darren to death. Only time will tell when Dylan will be deemed worthy to be released from the blood bond. For now, please come here and give me your hand.” The Queen’s still face gave nothing away. Defeat hung in Shade’s shoulders as she complied, giving her left hand to the petite woman. “I must bind you to make this trade complete. It is the way of the Teleen. Dylan will serve you faithfully, protect you and keep you safe. He cannot betray you or cause you any harm, for if he does, he will break his oath, and death will consume his brother immediately. Don’t be afraid. Come.” She slipped her hand into Shade’s, giving it a reassuring squeeze.