“Sorry, I don’t really like you seeing me like this, bawling like a baby.” Soap let out a haughty laugh as he sighed. Staring out into space, his eyes glazed into a far-off look. Shade stood up and held her hand out to him, breaking his trance.
“Come on, silly, I’m helping Mom find a place for all the crap you guys bought. Who knew you could fit all that into a minivan? Cans of food galore and oodles of water bottles everywhere! I can’t even see the TV from the couch. Let’s make it more livable.” She tugged on his arm and he jumped up to his feet. She gave him a wide grin before pulling him out of his room and toward the living room mess.
Chapter Twenty-Three
THE AFTERNOON FLEW by as they stacked the supplies of food, water and other necessities into organized piles. The living room looked cramped but cozy when they finished, and there was room for even more supplies if need be. Shade flopped onto the couch, exhausted from hauling the heavy boxes of cans and bottles around the room. She stretched her arms and legs to straighten out the kinks and cramps which rippled through them. It was definitely more fun doing weapons training than moving stuff around a room. Soap sank into the couch next to her and grabbed her legs, kneading her calf muscles until she screeched at him in pain.
“Ow! Not so hard!”
“I have to if I’m gonna get these knots out. Why so tense?” He grinned as he eased up on his grip, massaging her muscles with a lighter touch.
“I’m not, it’s just, I’m tired of rearranging all this heavy stuff. I hope we don’t have to hole-up in here very long. Who knows how long this war will last? I just don’t see how this will help at all.” Shade frowned as her eyes scanned the room.
“Well, I’m sure Jade knows that,” Soap reassured her. “You know, you should give her more credit than you do. I’m sure you’re much more like strangers now that her power is back. She has a lot to teach you. I would take the opportunity to learn more about her and her powers. It could only help you.” He let go of her legs as she swung them off the couch, scooting to sit next to him.
“I’m sure you’re right, Soap. I’ll try to ‘get to know her’ better again.” She winked, grinning as she stood up and headed toward the kitchen. A knock at the door, stopping her in her tracks. She glanced around at her mother, who sat at the kitchen table, and then back at Soap. They both gave her a shrug of their shoulders.
“I’ll get it,” Soap volunteered. Shade sucked her breath in as she stood behind the door, hoping it wasn’t anyone with bad intentions and trying to shake the dreadful feeling away. She remembered that any faery with bad intentions couldn’t enter the barrier shield they had made.
“Um, hi. Is Shade here?” a familiar voice rang through the doorway. Shade’s mouth dropped open as she let the door swing wider to stare upon her best friend, Brisa.
“Brisa? What are you doing here? Why aren’t you at college?” Shade asked suspiciously.
Brisa’s eyebrows shot up as she eyed her friend with surprise. “Uh, it’s Thanksgiving weekend, remember? I told you I would stop by the last time we spoke on the phone. Did you forget so fast? Um, did I come at a bad time?” She looked past Shade at the stacks of containers which lined the walls behind her.
Shade’s face flushed scarlet as she pulled her best friend into the house. “No, no, please come in. I’m just surprised to see you, that’s all. You know me, ever the forgetful one.” Shade smiled weakly as she closed the door behind them and gave her friend a tight hug.
“Okay, well. I brought over a pumpkin pie. I’m having dinner later at my parents but thought I would stop by here first and catch up on stuff. How have you been? Looks like you’ve been busy.” Brisa stared at Soap intensely, unable to pull her gawking eyes away from the handsome faery. “Hi. I’m Brisa.” She held a shaky hand out to him.
Soap grinned as he took her hand and kissed it, making her legs go weak. “Hello, Brisa. I’m Rylan, but everyone calls me Soap.”
Shade rolled her eyes and pulled her friend away to the couch. “So how’s college? Meet any cute boys there? Is it hard? Is there lots of homework?” Shade bit her lip to stop talking.
Brisa adjusted herself on the couch, stealing quick glances at Soap. “Oh, there are a few cute ones, but college guys are so serious. It’s hard to catch their notice ‘cause I don’t have multiple classes with most of them. Homework is okay. It keeps me busy.” She smiled at Shade, elated to see her friend.
“So, um, where’s Dylan?” Brisa whispered.
“He’s gone back to Faerie on a mission for his Queen,” Shade said bluntly, not wanting to tread any further on the subject.
“Oh.” Brisa wrung her hands together, feeling the tension in the air. “Look, I feel like I walked in at the wrong time, so I’ll probably get going. Call me when you have a minute. I’ve got a ton to tell you.” Brisa stood up but Shade grabbed her hand.
“No, please stay. I’m sorry. There’s just a lot happening. I should’ve told you sooner.” Rubbing her head, she searched for the words she needed. “Come on, let’s get a drink or something.” Shade tugged at her friend and pulled her toward the kitchen.
Jade sat at the kitchen table, watching as Shade and Brisa made their way to the counter. Glancing outside for a minute, Shade saw Anna sitting on the picnic table lighting and relighting a candle with James watching her intently.
“Are they doing what I think they’re doing?” Brisa was also staring out the window, but with a dumbfounded look on her face. She quickly composed herself and turned back to Shade. “They have powers like you, don’t they?”
Shade nodded, not sure what else to say.
“I see Anna is really into this fire wielding thing, huh Mom?” Shade shifted her weight and glanced at her mother, who was sipping her drink quietly and watching the exchange.
“Yes, she will be quite powerful, even being fully human. Our fire powers run deep and will be quite useful for her when they are in full bloom. I was afraid if I had any children, I would’ve start training them young for them to have any real use of their powers. I lost so much time, Shade. So much time,” Jade said as she rubbed her eyes, looking exhausted.
Shade was willing to bet the whole situation was taking its toll on her mother more than on her. Her mother’s hair was soft and freshly washed. It hung in thick locks over her shoulders. They looked almost black while wet, and the pieces which were drying curled into soft waves of dark tendrils. Shade smiled as she watched her mother, feeling happy she didn’t have to hide what she was from her anymore.
Turning to look outside along with Brisa, Shade took in the sinking sun over the horizon. Its honey-gold streaks shimmered through the forest canopy and over the treetops. She was glad the comfort of Faerie was near. The earth and trees called to her, and she itched to go for a run. She was feeling suffocated inside the protective dome. She stretched her neck and arms out as she continued watching the sun sink into the horizon. Brisa remained mesmerized by the fire-wielding display outside.
A flash of white caught her eye mid-stretch, and Shade bent over the sink to get a better look. She strained her eyes against the sun to make anything out. She could see Anna standing up. She was slightly away from the picnic table. James remained seated but had started yelling something to Anna which Shade couldn’t decipher through the window. Anna turned toward the edge of the shield, facing the darkening woods. Shade squinted but couldn’t see beyond her sister. A deep, twisting knot formed in her stomach as a feeling of dread swept through her, sending the hairs on the back of her neck prickling.
“Mom?” Shade’s voice quivered as she glanced back at her mother before shooting out the back door.
“What is it, Shade? Shade?” Her mother’s voice trailed behind her as the kitchen door slammed. Shade hopped over the steps and ran across the lawn. Brisa followed quickly behind her, curious to see what was going on. Anna was as still as a statue, staring at the forest beyond the shield. James was also frozen where he sat.
“Anna! Get inside now!” Sh
ade yelled at her, but Anna seemed to be hypnotized into a trance, as if she could not look away from the forest.
What’s out there? Why aren’t they moving? thought Shade. What the—Brisa?
Brisa’s hand was now outstretched and skimming the shield. She’d run straight to it. Shade felt the dread churn in her stomach as she screamed at her friend. Brisa’s fingers lit the shield up like a flare shooting out in ripples from where she had touched it. The flash took Brisa with it. Her body was sucked through the shield as though it was absorbing her. Shade screamed and reached for her but found her friend already gone, but not before she had noticed someone’s disembodied hand reaching through the shield toward Brisa and pulling her through.
“Brisa! Oh, no, no, no!” Shade stopped right before the shield. The boundaries of it flared lightly, rippling and fading where her friend had once stood. Shade’s chest was on fire as she tried to catch her breath after sprinting from the house. She barely heard the yelling behind her as Soap raced out of the house, and Jade beckoned to James from the porch.
Shade stared at the now stilled shield. The other side was dark with only slight flashes of metal betraying whoever stood there.
“Shade, we meet again.” A deep, chilly voice flowed out to her from across the barrier. Shade scanned the dimming forest for its owner. She closed her eyes and pushed her senses across it, reaching the dark and penetrating it like caressing fingers flowing over the grasses and trees. The dark magic which cloaked the light ripped away with her magic like a blindfold which had been removed, revealing the massive, dark army.
Hordes and hordes of Sluagh, Goblins and Demons surrounded them. Their red-orange eyes stood out against the darkness of their toad-like, gray-black skin, appearing like orbs of blood. Corb stood in the front of the awaiting army with his white hair tied back and his eyes glowing like two moons in the night. One of his arms embraced the entranced Brisa as he held a sharp curved dagger which glinted over her throat. The metal shone like a mirror as he held it steadily. The handle was plain and exquisitely-carved silver, intricate and beautiful but not as fancy as Shade would’ve thought the first lieutenant of Queen Aveta would have.
“Do you like my dagger?” Corb’s voice seemed fluid and smooth as it rippled across the barrier and floated into her ears. Shade sucked in a breath, wondering what to do as he continued. “I’ve had it for over a thousand years. Made from the metals of our Ancients’ own mines. It’s infused with the powers of the core of the Earth. It’s stronger than anything ever made and free of iron. And it’s sharp. So sharp, Brisa would die a quick, painless death if I sliced into her throat ever so slightly. It would cut it like butter.” The magic in his voice flowed over Shade like a sleeping draught. It was fogging up her concentration and making her legs feel weak. She shook her head, willing the haze to go away, trying to clear her mind.
Feeling better, she continued to stare at the ancient faery as he studied her intently. He seemed to find what she had done fascinating. A spark of life teased behind his dead eyes. Shade had a feeling he wasn’t much more than an animated body, old and stale inside.
“I can feel your powers chastising mine. Quite amusing that my telepathic control does not work on you. I’m not surprised, though. I’ve heard you are quite unique.” Corb paused as he let his eyes wander away from her and scan the area behind her. “Too bad your friends are no match for it.”
Shade pulled her eyes away from him to peek behind her. Gasping, she almost stumbled. Soap, Jade, Benton, Anna and James stood frozen in place with their eyes glazed over. Still as statues, they made no attempt to come forward or even acknowledge her when she yelled out to them. She turned back toward Corb. His face remaining as still as ever, like he never smiled or had any kind of feelings splay across his cold exterior. Shade gulped down her growing panic.
Shoot, shoot, shoot. What now? She was really missing her spirit guides at that moment. They would’ve helped immensely in this mess.
“Let her go, Corb.” Her voice wavered as she looked around at the army, searching for some way to get Brisa back without having to fight that many soldiers. The army was massive and ran along the perimeter of the shield. They shifted on their feet, anxious for action and agitated with the wait. Ripples of their cackling voices swam around the encampment. Shade could feel sweat dripping down her temple as her fear bubbled up inside. She could not defeat them outside of the shield. She’d have to trick Corb into coming into the dome himself to have any chance of saving her friend.
“I don’t think so, Shade.” His eyes watched her, making her wonder what was going through his mind. The ice-cold exterior was no help. His telepathy was a hindrance.
“What do you want?” Shade chewed on her lip, watching the sharp blade of the dagger pushing against Brisa’s tender skin. She didn’t move, entranced by Corb’s spell. Shade’s fear made her head spin. She didn’t even notice the tears streaming down her own face. Corb watched her as the tears poured. She didn’t wipe at them, trying to not tear her gaze away from him or the blade. He seemed almost robotic as his eyes passed over her face from one cheek to the other, watching the shiny tears roll down her face, fascinated in some strange way. Shade waited for his answer, desperately hoping it would be something other than what she thought he wanted.
“You, Shade. Just you.” He let go of Brisa, sheathing his blade on his belt. Taking her hand, he came to stand before the shield, leading her behind him and scanning it with his cold, shining eyes. “I admire the power it must have taken to create such a sanctuary,” Corb said. “Even for amateurs, it is well made.”
If it was well made, how did you get to Brisa? Shade furrowed her eyes, her anger slowly replacing her panic.
Hearing her thoughts, Corb tilted his head to her, boring his eyes into hers. “It wasn’t easy, Shade. I don’t really have to use my telepathic abilities too much in Faerie. Magic is more potent there. Humans are much easier to manipulate, telepathy being more of a human trait. Rare, but still human. No spells are required. I do have to try harder to enchant the Changeling. He might be disabled for a bit longer than the others.” He waited, as if expecting her to do something. She turned to look at Soap. He was frozen but shaking slightly. Shade could see he was fighting the telepathy, but could not break through its stronghold. Blood-tinged tears streamed down his face from the effort. Shade’s body shook with fear as she turned back toward Aveta’s evil guard.
When she didn’t move closer, Corb stepped back a bit and extended his hand to her, almost caressing the barrier. “A trade. That is what I propose. Give me your hand. Come with me, and I let your beautiful human friend live. I will lead her into your sanctuary as you leave it.”
Corb paused again. His blank face and quick movements made her want to slap some personality into him. Shade stopped biting her bottom lip which was now sore and reddened from her nervous chewing. She let her shoulders drop, feeling defeated. This wasn’t a good deal either way it went, and she knew it wouldn’t go her way.
“What if you don’t let her go? What guarantee do you give me, Corb?” She narrowed her gaze back into his still eyes. She swore she saw the corners of his lips turn up ever so slightly.
“You are quite clever, young one. So wise beyond your few years. Many forget so soon how to bind fey to their word but you… you are not so careless.” He snickered, showing just a little sliver of emotion in his hardened exterior shell. “Very well, Shade. I swear to you as you cross over the shield to me, I will let your friend return to your home unharmed. I bind myself to this oath, as Faerie itself binds me. Now, if you please.” He nodded and re-extended his arm toward her, beckoning for her to cross.
Their eyes never left each other’s. He seemed patient, or maybe centuries of living made him that way. She wondered why he hadn’t withered yet. Was there a strong mind under there? Was it insane? She hoped it was the not the latter. He was the oldest faery she’d ever laid eyes on. Her curiosity was only bypassed by her fear as she took another deep brea
th, closing the gap between them. Her hand reached out across the tingle of energy which separated them, finally letting his hand clasp over hers as he pulled her out and simultaneously pushed Brisa back into the dome.
On the other side, Shade felt the cold autumn breeze roll around her, sending shivers up her arms and down her spine. She hugged herself, realizing she didn’t have her travel pack, coat or anything. She glanced back at her family and Soap. All were still frozen where they stood. Even Brisa, who was just inside the shield, was unmoving.
“Wait, I’m cold. I don’t have anything to cover myself. It’s getting really cold. I….” Corb stopped and placed a finger to her lips, shushing her. Shade froze, feeling suddenly even colder, if that was possible.
“Enough. I almost forgot about your human taint. Can’t you warm yourself, Fire Witch?” Corb snickered at her.
“Yes, but I’ve never done it for extended periods of time. I….”
“Here, take this and be quiet.” Corb pulled a fur cloak out of a pack on the back of his dark, demon-like horse and shoved it into her arms. “Put it on now, we’re leaving.” He waited as she unraveled it and swung it over her shoulders, tying it at the neck. She was instantly warmer, but her fear made her entire body continue to shake. She glanced back to her family again and stopped.
“Wait! Aren’t you going to unfreeze them? Release them. Please, you can’t just leave them like that!” Shade stepped toward the dome but Corb grabbed her in a blur of speed.
“Stop right there. You will not be returning. They will resume their lives as soon as we leave. We are not risking them using their magic on us before then. Now get up on the horse. My patience is wearing thin.” Corb’s voice slid out in a deeper tone, almost growling at her. She turned and looked at him, but his blank face betrayed nothing. She wondered if he really had any patience to wear thin, but she didn’t want to find out.