Shade gave him a nod and reluctantly followed him back to his horse. Cringing as her hands touched the coarse black hair of the demon steed, she pulled herself up onto the saddle. The beast was unearthly, probably from a place so dark, it sucked the light and soul out of everything. Corb pulled himself up and sat behind her, bringing one arm snug around her waist and the other to the reins. His hands were encased in dark leather gloves as he pulled the reins and turned the demon steed around. The dark horse’s breath steamed in the cold night and seemed to not appreciate having her along for the ride at all.
The feeling’s mutual, thought Shade.
She felt Corb’s arm tighten more around her as they trotted into a gallop through the ranks of nightmarish soldiers, all sneering and growling at her. Shade wondered what they thought of being led by a Sidhe Faery like Corb.
Being so close to him made her stomach churn and her skin tingle. He radiated cold. He was the very essence of winter that made her soul feel lost. She swallowed down the sickness she felt from the evil emanating from the dark troops and wondered how any Queen of Faerie could condone such vile things as she tried to breathe through her mouth. The wretched smell of the army hit her like a freight train as the ranks split open to allow a path for them to gallop through. She hoped they would get through the horde soon, but she wasn’t too sure she would like what was on the other side.
As long as her family was still safe, Shade momentarily felt okay. She silently spoke to Dylan in her head, hoping somehow he would know how much trouble she was in. If anyone could help her, it was him. She prayed that somewhere out there, he would hear her plea and save her from the clutches of Aveta.
The terrain flew past them as they entered the forest. The rhythmic trotting of the steed’s hooves mimicked the racing of her heart as the night grew colder and more ominous.
Chapter Twenty-Four
DARREN’S ICY-COLD stare stabbed into her like ice picks. Narrowing his eyes, he watched her wiggle in the chains and panic at the sight of him. He was the last person she ever expected to run into again. His eyes seemed to dance in amusement as he watched the panic and fear rip through her. He seemed to enjoy it. The sadist in him relished her pain like a rare treat. He hadn’t spoken a word to her yet, but as Shade’s terror filled the room, he breathed it in and let it fill him with the purest of pleasures.
Her wrists ached and burned as the skin rubbed away with every movement she made in the shackles. Blood oozed from her wounds and dried along her arms and hands in streams. It was sticky and itched along her skin, making her feel even more agitated than Darren’s presence alone would have. She couldn’t get away. She was completely trapped and powerless. The chains bound her by some sort of curse. Something else had binded all her magic, leaving her utterly human. She wondered if he was here to torture her and desperately hoped not. His idea of torture would probably be very close to death or humiliation. She closed her eyes, wishing for his image to fade away, knowing it wouldn’t.
“Open your eyes, Shade, and look at me. You remember me, don’t you?” Darren’s breath felt hot against her cold cheeks as his hand lifted her chin roughly, bringing her face even with his. She blinked at him, her eyes revealing nothing. She wanted to hit him, kick him and damage him in some permanent way. Her hate throbbed through her body like a venomous poison which filled her up and made her vision blur with spiteful tears. She tried not to show it to him, though. He would enjoy it way too much and stand there, bask in it, and laugh at her helplessness. No, she wouldn’t let him take her firm resolve from her.
“You do remember me!” His haughty laugh made her wince. “I’ve often wondered what became of you since you left me to rot in the mirror shards at Teleen. I’ve fantasized about asking you how exactly you were able to do that. You aren’t as helpless as you look, half-breed. I would very much love to know what else you can do. Would you like to show me?” His fingers traced her cheekbone gently, but the feel of his touch made her sick and her stomach sour. She bit her lip to keep from spitting in his face.
“We’re going to have a lot of fun, Shade, I promise you that. I’m not allowed to kill, irrevocably hurt or maim you. Queen Aveta has forbidden it. She’s no fun. She needs you for whatever it is she needs you for. I don’t know what it is, but I don’t really care. There are other ways to enjoy our time together. So many ways.” Darren’s voice was but a whisper in her ear as his lips slightly touched her neck and face. Shade cringed, pulling aside and prayed he would go away. His touch was like the heat of a hot poker jammed into her side. He breathed her in deeply, hovering so close, she felt his long black hair, so much like his brother Dylan’s, brush against her face.
“You’re still pathetic, Darren. You’ll never live up to your brother’s shadow, will you? You should’ve stayed home in Teleen, where you belong. Buried in rock.” Shade’s own voice scared her. It bled of icy narcissism and sounded empty. It was almost as cold as his voice.
Darren jerked back to stare her in the eyes once again. His blue-grey eyes burned at her in the dim light of the cell. They were also the same color as Dylan’s, but the soul behind them couldn’t be more different. His mouth pressed down into a thin line, full of contempt at the mention of his brother.
“Dylan is nothing to me. We are no longer brothers, remember? He left me to rot in Teleen.” Darren turned to pace the stone floor, deep in thought and agitated.
Ah, a sore spot.
“How dare you speak of him, anyway?” Darren inquired, glaring at her. “He has abandoned you. You know what that entails, don’t you? He’s probably dead for betraying his bond to you. Where is he, Shade? Where is my brother, the hero, who should’ve saved his little maiden in distress?” His cackle echoed across the damp stone walls and filled her soul with dread as he lifted her hanging head back up to his face.
“Not here, is he? Dylan has failed you like he failed me. Did you think after what happened between us, I could ever again live in peace in my home at Teleen?” Darren’s head shook violently back and forth as he let her head drop once more. “No, I could not. Who wants a ‘murderer’ in their presence? No, I had to leave before they killed me themselves.” He sighed, staring off toward the walls as if watching a distant memory play out just for him.
“All because of you, Shade. It’s all your fault. You took all I had and stole it away from me with a tap of your hand.” His empty eyes hovered back to her, making her withdraw from him a bit. His eyes were much more frightening than before, when they had danced with just a bit of mischief. Now the emptiness inside him screamed of a terrible psychosis which was capable of anything. He was as unstable as a person—or a faery—could get. Shade didn’t want to find out exactly what he was capable of.
“Now, Shade, I get to pay back some of the pain you caused me,” Darren sneered as he pulled out a dagger. It was very sharp, thin and shined as he held it out for her to see. Its gold and jeweled hilt glinted in the dim torchlight, which lined the stone walls. He brought it up to her face, pressing its point into the middle of her cheek. Shade pulled away as far as the wall allow. She felt the sting of the sharpened edge pierce her skin as he dragged it down her cheek. She screamed as the cut burned.
“Shhh, shhh, Shade. We don’t want to wake the dead, do we? Just a cut here, a cut there. Nothing you will miss.” His evil laugh shook her as his closeness let her feel it vibrate through their bodies. She prayed he really didn’t take anything she would miss and squeezed her eyes shut, hoping to block him and the pain out.
“Look at me when I talk to you! You think you’re better than me, don’t you?” Darren slashed at her ribs, making her gasp and sputter as he held her face with his other hand, stifling her scream. “Well, you’re quite wrong there. I’m not a half-breed piss-on like you!” His cackle rang through her ears as her head began to swim from the pain.
Warm fluid dripped down her sides as the wound bled and poured down her leg. Her shirt was soaked in no time, making her wonder how deeply he’d cut he
r. She bit down on her tongue and waited for his next move. The blood loss and pain threatened to send her into unconsciousness as the room swam in her vision. She breathed in slowly and blinked hard to keep her eyes open.
Dylan, where are you? I need you, help me!
“That is enough, Darren. Queen Aveta needs you topside. I wouldn’t keep her waiting.” Corb’s deep, velvety voice rang through the doorway as he ducked in. He stood with his hands on his hips, staring Darren down as he spoke.
“What? I just got started! Is it urgent?” Darren’s whiny voice jolted her back to the room. Her eyes strained to focus on the two men.
“Everything is urgent with Queen Aveta. I suggest you do not keep her waiting.” Corb stepped forward as he came to stand in front of her. Darren huffed as he cleaned his blade with a dirty rag he’d grabbed from the cell floor and tossed it back. He bolted out of the room, muttering curses under his breath.
Corb examined Shade up and down, assessing her injuries with a glance. He grasped her chin and lifted her head to stare into her eyes. Remembering that he was telepathic, she mustered all her strength as she sent words to him with her weakening mind.
Help me, Corb, please….
“I am truly sorry, little one, but I can’t. It does seem Darren gets a little too excited with his toys. I do apologize. I do not condone torture.” Corb ran his hand over her cheek as he held steadfastly onto her chin and held her head up. His icy fingers left a freezing trail over her cheek which turned into a fiery hot burn where he had touched her wound. Shade gasped as she pulled away, the chains clanking and rattling with her movements.
“No, please don’t hurt me!” Shade’s voice sounded small, and it cracked as she spoke.
“Hush, I’m not going to. This might burn a little, but if you are not healed, I’m afraid you will be of no use to anyone anymore.” He moved his hand to her side, reaching through the shredded fabric to run his cold hand over the warm, seeping wound on her ribs. The same ice-fire feeling flared up as she clenched her teeth together. She felt the burn knit the wound together until the pain subsided into a dull throb.
Shade looked up at Corb’s expressionless face, so full of nothing, but she knew better. His eyes gleamed like moonlight from the flickering torches.
“Why did you heal me? So I won’t die right away?” Shade let her head hang down, a slow cackle leaving her lips, feeling more alone than ever before. She wanted to cry the tears she’d held back with Darren. Her despair began choking her as she breathed.
“No. Like I said, I don’t condone torture. You are much more useful alive and well than weak or dead. I will have a word with Darren about that. But first….” Corb reached around her neck, unhinging the ampule of Santiran Water. “The Queen wants this Magic. You will wield it for her soon. I would do as she says if I was you, or your family and friends will not be as fortunate next time.” He pocketed the ampule and reached up. He tapped the chains, and they immediately unclasped, sending Shade crumbling to the ground. Corb caught her before she pummeled to the floor, helping her to a cot in the corner of the room. Laying her down, he covered her with a blanket.
“I will have some food brought. Do try to eat something.” With that, he turned, locking the cell door behind him.
Shade lay where he’d left her. The dull burning throb on her side still complained. She wished she had her powers back so she could heal faster. Now left powerless, she felt the sting of tears well up in her eyes. No one was coming. No one even knew where to find her. She let the warm tears spill down and dampen the pillow under her head. Letting the fatigue overtake her, she prayed for no dreams as she fell into a deep, dark sleep.
*****
THE TORTURE DID not end. Darren was sent again and again to pummel her with his brute force and cut her if she didn’t answer his questions satisfactorily. The days dragged on. Corb continued to visit her, healing her wounds with his icy touch in between Darren’s abuse, and bringing food and water. Corb never left her chained to the wall like Darren did, but always laid her gently in the cot which was now her bed.
Shade wondered what Corb’s motivations were. Maybe he was even crueler than Darren for healing her so that she could take another session of pain and suffering and still survive. After a while, she didn’t really care. She was relieved her virtue remained intact, guessing that even the most evil of the faeries didn’t condone forcing another person in that way. She was sure Darren was not opposed to it but had to abide by the Queen’s rules or risk her anger.
But no one came to rescue her. No one was going to come. Shade had resigned herself to it. The Queen’s dark army surrounded the place, and anyone trying to penetrate it was either suicidal or insane.
Shade had been brought before Aveta several times. Each time, the Queen would ask her sweetly to help her with the Water Magic, to use it to gain ground over the Seelie forces. The Queen’s beauty fascinated Shade, but she continued to refuse to help her each time, and each time always ended with Darren’s wrath and Aveta’s anger growing tenfold. Shade’s fascination was quickly replaced with hate. She found Aveta was nothing but a beautiful shell around a rock-hard, evil soul. There was nothing beautiful inside her at all.
The weeks went by, and Shade lost count of just how many. She hardly ate, even with Corb pestering her. Her continued refusal to help them with the Water Magic made her think she would be discarded soon. Her thinning frame and sickly pallor probably assured them she wouldn’t last much longer. She knew her mother would’ve secured the family better this time. Corb wouldn’t let on if he was going to fulfill the threat of harming them or not. Either way, Shade’s silence was wearing everyone down.
One day, Shade woke to find Corb shaking her. She felt too weak to sit up at his request. He looked into her eyes, feeling her pulse and assessing her weakness. She watched him frown and leave the room for a moment, not bothering to lock the door behind him. She knew she was too weak to escape on her own now. Corb probably knew that, too. She lay there for what felt like an eternity, dozing on and off, before she felt Corb shaking her awake again.
“What is it?” Shade mumbled as his ice-cold fingers jolted her from her sleep.
“Drink this, Shade. You’re getting far too weak.” He helped her sit up, holding her as he shoved a cup of swirling, silver fluid toward her lips.
“What is it, Corb?”
“Just drink it!” She watched his face, expecting his features to match the urgency of his voice. When they didn’t, she did as he said and sipped down the liquid. It felt warm as it ran down her throat and into her belly. She finished it and handed the cup back.
“Can I sleep again now? I’m just really tired.” Shade rubbed her eyes, feeling all of the aches disappear from her thinning body. She looked back at Corb as she gathered her strength to sit up without his assistance.
“No, you have to come with me. Your kind needs sunlight. It will help you heal.” Corb pulled her up, letting her lean against him.
“What? Sunlight? I don’t think I need it, but that would be nice. It’s been weeks. If I had my powers, I could heal much better. Don’t get me wrong, you heal me just fine, but I feel withered without my own magic, Corb.” Shade stumbled as they walked into the hallway and up a flight of stairs. Corb held on firmly, never letting her fall or stumble.
“Corb, can I ask you something?” Shade asked, still feeling dizzy on the steep, winding stairs.
“Yes.” Corb’s voice was soft and velvety, filling her with a soothing feeling. Shade smiled.
“Wow, you can change your voice to make people feel different, huh? Dylan can do that too,” Shade said, her face growing serious as she wondered if Dylan was feeling all her pain. It had to be affecting him. The blood bind would’ve made him feel her distress. Oh, why doesn’t he come?
“Yes, I can. It is a rare but useful talent. We’re almost there. Watch your step.” He helped her up the last few steps, or rather dragged her up them. Her legs were failing, and she held onto Corb for dea
r life. The door at the top finally came into view, and he opened it easily while holding her up with one of his arms. She wondered why he was so determined to get her outside.
“Why do you help me? Did Aveta tell you to?” Shade gripped weakly at his embrace, awaiting his answers.
He put a finger to his lips, telling her to be quiet.
Shade squeezed her eyes shut as bright sunlight poured onto her like fire. Her eyes cramped as they adjusted to the light. Corb pulled her out into what looked like a large sitting area. The stones under her bare feet felt cold, and the cool breeze sweeping across the tower sent shivers through her. Corb draped a large fur over her and pulled her to the edge of a wall where he pulled the fur around both of them, holding her close. He didn’t feel icy cold, like usual. She let the thought drift from her mind, enjoying the view around her.
She could see her breath in the morning sun, and there was ice clinging to the sides of the large stone castle which housed Aveta’s legions. Shade looked around, taking in the rock buildings which lined a massive mountain. The entire castle was built on a mountain. It was dug into the gut of the mountain itself. Ice clung to the stone crevices and trailed in cracks down the rock. It was amazing.
Shade suddenly realized how warm she felt. She wondered what it was about Corb that seemed different today. He still looked blank and remained quiet beside her, even with his arm around her waist to hold her up. Something was off about him. He’d never seemed so warm and careful when she’d been near him.
“Corb? Why do you feel so warm? You’re usually as cold as ice, but I just realized you’re as warm as a nice bonfire. I didn’t know you could do that.” Shade turned to look at him and her eyes widened. Corb’s eyes flashed steel-grey at her, making her gasp. Her eyes widened in a startling realization. This was not Corb.