Chapter Twenty
“I NEVER COULD stand living here. The iron in the pipes and pans appalled me. You’re lucky it never fazed you.” Evangeline stood leaning on the kitchen counter with her arms crossed. She looked slightly uncomfortable but tried to appear more at ease. She wasn’t used to being in this kind of situation. Being an Unseelie leader for so long, diplomacy was not in her vocabulary. Most things she just took by force. Now, observing her sister as she moved through the room made Vange wonder where her long-lost peace had gone.
“Here, drink this,” Jade said, handing her a cup. “It will help with the iron effects since you have no power to shield you.” The cup was full of some sort of concoction she had whipped up.
“It’s not poison, is it?” Vange gave her slight, nervous chuckle, attempting to cover up her reluctance.
Jade sighed. “No, it’s not poison. If you don’t believe me, you can just leave.” She slumped down at the kitchen table where Soap, Shade and a sleepy-looking Benton waited.
Vange glanced down at the swirling white fluid. The nausea from the iron in the house made her head swim and had brought her dangerously close to fainting. She had envied Jade’s human resistance to the iron toxicity that her own faery heritage had cursed her with. At least with a shield of glamour, Vange had endured it quite well as a child. Now it was like breathing in fumes of exhaust that penetrated down to her gut. No wonder we leave the cities to the mundane humans, thought Vange. She sighed and downed the potion with a quick swallow. The queasiness faded as the sweet liquid filled her stomach. It quieted the pain and dizziness so fast that Vange felt exhilarated to feel normal once again.
“Wow, it’s glamour without glamour! That’s amazing, Jade. You always did have the most powerful gift of the magical arts. I never thought I’d see you as a full-fledged Witch.” She grinned, tossing the empty cup into the sink. “Now, since I feel quite alright again, where do you want to start?” She felt giddy, almost drunk. “What was in that stuff? It’s good!”
Jade rolled her eyes. Shade pressed her lips tight to avoid doing the same. Only Soap let out a stifled chuckle but stopped and cleared his throat to shield it when Shade elbowed his ribs.
“I learned to make it as an apprentice to Gilarel. She was a gifted teacher of the magical arts and a powerful Witch. She taught me well. And I paid attention.” Jade tilted her head at her sister and motioned for her to sit in one of the empty chairs at the table. “Why did you come here, Vange?” Jade asked. “I’m not powerless against a memory charm like I once was, so you can forget about reinstating it. Why risk yourself to come here? You can’t have Shade, if that’s what it is. She’s under my protection, and you and I both know I can still match you. Even out of practice, I can still outwit you.” She waited, watching the blood drain from Vange’s face as the memories washed over both of them.
“I didn’t come here to fight, Sister. I wanted to warn you. My legions are at war right now with Prince Lotinar’s armies. If they break through, they will come here and take Shade. With or without me. Corb is in command. He is ruthless, and his heart is as black as pitch. He does not hesitate and will not be swayed against killing her or taking her back to Aveta. He is truly the Ice King.” She sucked in a breath and turned to Shade, eyeing the ampule of Santiran Water around her neck.
“Aveta wants that Water Magic, Shade. She wants you to wield it for her. She will stop at nothing to win this war. She’ll even break the wards between our worlds. No human will be safe, no place will be hidden. I’ve come to warn you, that’s all.” Vange turned her attention back to her sister. “You may think I’ve forgotten the past, but I live with it every day and keep it deep inside where not even Aveta can see. I don’t want you or any of my kin harmed.” She rubbed her eyes. Her once strong and confident mask melted away as her fatigue became apparent. Dark circles stood out starkly under her slightly reddened eyes.
Jade’s face was cold and hard. “We are safe here,” she said, “even from her. I will make the necessary arrangements to stay here for long periods of time. Promise me this, though: you will steer them away as best you can, without notice. Then I shall believe everything you say.” Shade was impressed with her mother’s calmness. This new Mom was a fierce warrior, something the memory charm seemed to have suppressed.
“I promise I will,” Vange answered. “But I can’t hold them back forever. You do understand that, right? Corb will notice my diversion eventually. I’m afraid you might have to eventually leave and go into hiding. I’m sorry about this. I should’ve never let it get this far. The Unseelie Queen has grown far too strong, and even I can’t overtake her now. I never meant it to go this far.” Glistening tears welled up in her eyes, but they reluctantly didn’t spill down her cheeks.
Shade watched the emotion play across her aunt’s face. She suddenly wondered why Vange had joined Aveta’s ranks. She knew about Vange’s past with Jack, and the reasoning behind breaking such a happy union baffled her. Plus, if Vange was half human, too, why didn’t Aveta use her to wield the Santiran Water Magic?
“Vange?” Shade asked quietly.
The raven-haired faery faced Shade, straightening a bit as she pulled her hard exterior around herself once more. “Yes, Shade?”
“Why did you join Aveta? Why did you leave Jack to go work for her? And if you are also a halfling, why can’t you work the Water Magic for your Queen instead of me? I don’t get it.” Shade leaned forward, drilling her gaze into her aunt’s hardened face.
“Because I have hidden my human side for very specific reasons, namely all of you. And Jack? What do you mean I left Jack? How do you know about that…?” Vange’s stutter gave away her surprise as she backed into her chair, wincing at the mention of her former love’s name.
“He said you were engaged and that you suddenly up and left one day to join Aveta’s army. Why would you do that? Why leave your true love?” Shade gulped, hoping she hadn’t gotten on Vange’s dark side.
Vange stared back at her, horrified. Her lips contorted into a scowl. Realizing her slip, she let her face slide back into a blank canvas, but she could not hide the seething rage behind her dark eyes.
“I don’t think it is any of your business. I work for Aveta, and that is all,” She snapped at Shade as she stood up. Turning toward Jade, Vange calmed her voice but remained intensely serious. “Jade, I’ll be leaving you now. If I do not return soon, Corb will become suspicious.” She nodded her farewell and turned abruptly, leaving out the front door, and out of the protective dome.
Reaching the other side of the barrier, she collapsed down to her knees as the force of her powers returning to her took her breath away. Gasping, she turned back to the house, seeing her sister watching her from afar. Vange took in slow deep breaths as she regained her composure, returning the gaze before swiftly running away into the blackened forest of the night.
Chapter Twenty-One
SHADE WOKE AT first light. The events of the night rushed through her cloudy mind as she stretched and rubbed her face. She felt sedated, wanting to roll back into the warm, soft blankets of her bed. She sighed, feeling the anxiety of everything relentlessly tugging at her thoughts. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and her feet tapped the cool wooden floors. The morning chill sent a shudder through her as she rubbed her arms. It was starting to get colder, much more quickly than it usually did. Shade groaned. She hated winter more than anything. The warmer climate of summer suited her well. She wouldn’t mind the blazing heat all year long if it were up to her.
Standing, she shuffled to the bathroom next to her room in the hall, throwing some clothes into her arms on the way. After an exhilarating hot shower, she felt more awake and focused, ready to face any problems. Exiting the bathroom, she stared down the hall toward the room where Soap was staying for now. It was Dylan’s old room, but it was their only guest room. A sting of pain seared into her chest as the thought of him tore into her. She wanted to see his gleaming grey eyes and run her fingers t
hrough his soft, thick black hair. She wondered where he was and what he was doing. The weeks had turned into months, and each day she was away from him was harder than the last.
She sighed as she pulled her wet locks back into a pony-tale. At that moment, Soap came out of his room. His hair was ruffled just a bit, but he was still as handsome as ever. Shade envied the faery’s ability to look gorgeous, even at five-thirty in the morning.
“Hey beautiful, sleep well?” He scratched his head and ran his hands through his hair. He wore it loose while he slept, and she liked how it framed his shoulders in a satiny spill. His green eyes stared back at her, filled with adoration and love. She smiled back at him, feeling her face burn with his eyes dancing along her features.
“Yep, but I couldn’t sleep anymore. There’s just too much on my mind. Did you? Sleep good, I mean?” She cleared her throat, diverting her eyes down to the mirror on the far wall.
“Yeah, pretty good. You sure you’re okay?” He reached out and brushed the back of his hand down her cheek, sending a shudder through her.
“Yes, I’m fine. Just not liking the cold mornings.” She rubbed her arms, shaking his disarming touch away. She liked it well enough, but it took over her concentration to the point of distraction.
Soap took it for a shiver and embraced her, letting the radiating, luxurious heat fill her in the cold hallway. She almost pulled away but let his arms melt into her a she enjoyed the warmth that pushed the cold away. Shade sighed. She felt content to be hugged tightly. Closing her eyes, she pressed her cheek against his chest, feeling the calm thump of his heart under his shirt. She felt him kiss her forehead gently as she inhaled his woodsy-pine scent. She wondered if all the fey smelled faintly of a forest full of pine and honeysuckle. Dylan had the same scent, with a slight smoky tinge to it. She sighed, letting Soap squeeze her one more time before pulling back out of his warm embrace. He reluctantly loosened his grip and smiled at her. Grinning back, she felt a rush of scarlet rush to her face. His gleaming eyes made her swoon every time. She shook off the giddiness and turned toward the other end of the hall, toward the living room.
She could feel Soap, his eyes on her as she left and heard his soft steps pad off toward the bathroom. Once in the living room, she plopping herself down on the couch and finally caught her breath. Her heart was racing, and her mind was euphoric from Soap’s hug. There was surely something about him that she couldn’t pinpoint that made her swoon. He either radiated some type of love magic or she was just more attracted to him since he’d been around more. She didn’t know and still wasn’t sure what to think of it.
“Coffee?” Jade stood at the doorway to the kitchen observing her daughter with beady, dark eyes. She examined Shade’s pink cheeks as a slight grin played on the edges of her lips. Shade rolled her eyes disapprovingly at her mother and then nodded in response to her question. Jade set a cup of steaming coffee on the coffee table and sat in the armchair next to the couch. She sipped her own cup, slowly blowing the heat of the drink away.
“Having a good morning?” Jade inquired. Shade frowned and busied herself by sipping the hot beverage. She muttered an “uh-huh” back to her mother. She hated being spotted looking all giddy from Soap’s effects on her, let alone telling her mother anything about her dating life.
“I know I can trust you with a boy in the house, but I remind you that I will not tolerate any funny business. You know better than that already, and I expect nothing to change around here. All the rules are to be followed as usual.” Jade spoke softly, her voice low even though she could hear the shower on as Soap bumped around the bathroom. Shade sighed while nodding in agreement but feeling even more embarrassed from the mother-daughter talk than anything else.
The coffee warmed her insides almost as much as Soap’s embrace but left her feeling less euphoric. She finished her cup and tossed it into the sink while looking out the kitchen window. Shade spotted Benton in the backyard chatting with Anna. Anna was enthralled with his new abilities and was watching him light candles that she had lined up on the picnic table that they used for afternoon lunches in the spring and summer.
Shade scowled, wondering if it was their mother who had told Benton he could show off his magic to their siblings. James was also watching but sat hypnotized on the bench as the candles flickered on and off with every wave of Benton’s hand. They giggled and laughed, enjoying his little tricks in the cool morning. Shade didn’t think it was a good idea. Anna and James were young and very impressionable. Well, maybe James more than Anna. Anna was almost sixteen. James was just six.
Shade looked away and began rummaging through the cupboards for breakfast. She grabbed some cereal and milk from the fridge. As she ate, she wondered what her mother had in mind for them to do since the war was definitely going to come their way. She knew that they would be making a trip to gather supplies like water, food, batteries and other stuff. Faery War Survival 101 was now in session.
Yay, thought Shade, hope we live through this one.
Soap waltzed in just then and plopped down in front of her. A big toothy smile met her eyes. She laughed, finding it funny that he could always find a way to make her smile.
“What’s up?” Shade said, stuffing another spoonful of cereal into her mouth. She watched his face turn serious, concern bubbling beneath the emerald sea of his eyes. She stopped chewing. A slight panic welled up in her as she continued to stare at him. “Soap? What’s wrong?”
“Do you think Evangeline really cares what happens to you? Or us, for that matter? I don’t trust her. She gave me a real bad feeling last night. Didn’t you feel it, Shade?” He shook his head as he took a deep breath. “I don’t know. I think that she might set a trap for you. You must be very vigilant from now on. She could strike in any way possible.” His hands slid across the table to envelope hers. Her cereal lay mushy in her long-forgotten bowl. She stared down at their hands and thought about his words.
“Yeah. I don’t think I can trust her just yet,” Shade said. “She seemed genuine enough, but who knows? I just want my family safe. Whatever her agenda may be, I want to be ready.” Rinsing her bowl in the sink, she leaned on the counter and watched Soap as he poured himself a cup of coffee.
“When we go to the store today, I think it’s a good idea for you to stay here. I can go with Jade to get the supplies.” His eyes avoided her as he fetched the milk and sugar to stir into his drink.
“What? But I’m supposed to go with her today. Who decided this?”
“I did.” Jade walked in and stood before her, her face serious but her eyes betraying her exhaustion. “I agree with Soap, you need to stay here where it’s safe. We’ll get everything. You can watch your brothers and sister while we’re gone.”
“But…,” Shade stammered.
“No buts. I mean it, Shade. You stay put.” Jade nodded toward Soap, who chugged down the last of his coffee and followed her out of the kitchen. He glanced back, winking at Shade before disappearing around the corner.
Shade’s fury filled her inside as she bit her lip. Darn! This is so unfair! She stomped her foot but sighed, realizing how futile it all was. She knew they were right. She just couldn’t stand being cooped up in the house anymore, not after running around in Faerie and trekking across its vast lands. Staying indoors seemed to make her more restless than ever before. She headed out the back door to see what Benton was teaching her siblings. She might as well make sure he wasn’t corrupting their young minds.
“Shade! Guess what? I have fire powers, too!” Anna ran up to her wearing a gleaming smile that squeezed her eyes into small slits. Shade returned a grin, wondering what the heck Anna was talking about.
“What do you mean?” Shade stumbled as her sister grabbed her hand and yanked her forward toward the table. Benton gave her nod and a wicked smile. Shade gulped, hoping she wasn’t about to witness something she was going to wish she didn’t know.
“Benny? Tell her I can do it just like you can.”
“Do what, Anna?” Shade sat down on the bench, watching them intently as they glanced at each other.
“Can I?” Anna asked Benton. He nodded and continued to smile. Shade pressed her lips together as she squirmed in her seat.
“Okay, Shade, you have to see what I can do! Watch!” Anna held out her hand toward the unlit candles. She gave her flick of her wrist, and the candles danced to life, igniting in a slight flare before settling into the normal height of a burning wick.
“Did you see that?” Anna jumped and squealed in excitement. Benton looked pretty smug and proud, as though watching an apprentice achieve their first lesson. Shade stood up suddenly, wide-eyed and almost speechless.
“Wh-what was that? You can do it, too? She’s a Fire Witch, too?” Shade looked at her brother, who sat quiet and still as he watched her reaction.
“Yes, Shade. Anna can do it. She’s my sister, too, you know. We do share the same genes.” His smirk made Shade want to whack him on the head. She restrained herself as she willed her anger away.
“Okay, does Mom know this? Because if she doesn’t, all hell is gonna break loose.” Shade crossed her arms, feeling more ignored with every word as Anna and Benton shrugged their shoulders and turned back to what they were doing. “I mean it, guys. She needs to know right now. She’s gonna flip if she finds out some other way.”
Anna frowned, rolled her eyes at her sister and sighed. “I know that. I’m not a child anymore, in case you haven’t noticed. And yes, Mom knows. She knows everything now. I wouldn’t worry about that!” She flicked her hand again and the candles whooshed, expiring with tendrils of smoke floating away into the sky. Shade couldn’t help but feel a tad left out. Her siblings were full humans, even with their special powers, and she wasn’t.