“Deravon…you were there the night of the dance…at Lyssa’s house.” Toby suddenly remembered the Fae and Lyssa talking about him at Sean and Gwen’s house.
“So you’re Lyssa’s knight in shining armor that I finaly get to properly meet. I recall the night Cinnia attacked Lyssa and you almost rescued her and even brought her shoe to her. I thought that was very charming. That shows that you’re thoughtful.”
Suddenly Lizzi screamed out followed by what sounded like someone violently throwing up. Toby jumped from the wall towards the door when Deravon stopped him.
“No, Lizzi requested you out here.” Deravon stood beside him and smiled.
“Is she alright?” Toby asked.
“She’s fine. You are a concerned little hero aren’t you?” Deravon asked with amusement. “Scrying the way Lizzi does takes a lot out of you.”
The door flew open, nearly taking the hinges with it.
Elijah stepped out as Toby tried to see past him. He could only see Lizzi crumpled into a ball on the floor as Zoey tried to sit her up and wipe her face off.
“The little bastard has her in the caves and hopefully we aren’t too late.”
Toby was hustled down the hallway along with Eli, Deravon, Merlin, Wes and Elijah. He wasn’t sure what was going on as they went into another room filled with many black suits hanging in neat rows and several swords hanging on the wall. The door shut behind them.
“Zoey will be joining you outside. And you, the Etherling will be going too. Lizzi said you are needed as well,” Merlin said as they changed into the black suits that glittered and in the dim light made them almost invisible.
“Here slip into this because you are coming with us and,” Deravon pointed up at the wall of swords. “If you can’t tell we are in a weapon’s assembly room, so pick your weapon.”
Toby slipped on the suit that he had worn before and wasn’t surprised when it cinched down on him until it was snug.
“Here you go little Etherling. This is a palm scepter. All you do it flick it out, and ta da! You have a blade ready for slicing and dicing,” Deravon said, tossing the small disk to him.
Toby caught it and flicked it out and then back retracting and expelling the blade. Toby hoped he wouldn’t have to use it.
“You’re a natural.” Deravon smiled and went out the door.
In the cover of darkness they went through the forest silently. Toby wanted to talk to Zoey as his heart pounded thinking about Lyssa. Elijah, Wes and Zoey led the way followed by Eli and then Deravon who stayed beside him. Their footsteps were as silent as a whisper and even Deravon’s giddy personality faded and became as serious as the night surrounding them.
Their eyes continually scanned the forest until they reached a deep ravine that opened to crescent black void that was a cave opening. Everything was quiet.
Elijah stood behind a giant tree pulling something round, black, and that dangled from a string beside him. Zoey and Eli hunched together along with Wes behind a rock at first then they split down either side of the ravine. Deravon had Toby stand behind a tree, and instructed him to expel his blade just in case and then took refuge by a neighboring tree. Toby would peek out every so often and watched Eli and Zoey with Wes behind her creep up to the opening like spiders that could hardly be seen.
The darkness swallowed them. Everything was shrouded in an eerie silence. His palms became sweaty as he tightened his grip on the scepter and stared at the blackened void. Toby heard his heartbeat in the stillness, and wondered if anyone else could. He watched the Faes encircle the area like wolves surrounding their prey.
Toby stood perfectly still wondering if Lyssa was alright when suddenly something large with bat like wings shot out of the cave and through the branches of the trees. Limbs snapped and fell to the ground as Deravon and Eli scattered through the timber. They followed the fallen limbs through the darkness. Toby looked back at the cave, he didn’t see Lyssa as he stood frozen watching and listening to the swooping of wings overhead. Toby looked up at the twisted, needle laden branches when something dark and fluid drifted in front of him and landed with a thud.
Toby stood dumbfounded with his blade held out in front of him like some kid who was trick-or-treating with a fake plastic sword and now stood in front of a real monster. The tall creature stood still and slowly folded his wings behind him before stepping closer to Toby.
Toby stepped back slightly, and raised his sword. He swung at the creature not sure exactly how to use the scepter. The creature laughed at him, and then Toby took another swing and by accident, he sliced the creature’s right shoulder. It yelled out in a human-like voice. Toby lowered his blade as the rest of them joined him. Elijah came up behind the creature and brought him to the ground.
“Stop!” Lyssa’s voice screamed out. “Stop! He wasn’t going to hurt me!”
Lyssa nearly out of breath, stood in front of Elijah who pulled the winged creature upright without any resistance.
“Are you sure?” Zoey asked with her arm squeezing Lyssa closer to her.
“The Etherling is delirious and probably frightened to death. She is just a little thing,” Wes suddenly said from behind them.
Toby saw Lyssa glare at Wes. “I am not delirious. If you would have listened to me instead of swinging your sword you would have found out different.”
Wes shrugged his shoulders. “I guess you are the expert on Drakes now—some Etherling....”
“Shut it up, Wes.” Elijah’s voice boomed. Wes didn’t meet Elijah’s stern glance and with a flick of his wrist retracted his blade.
“He wasn’t hurting me. Dane was taking me to meet with you.” Lyssa looked at the now human like and very tall man who looked only a little older than Toby.
Everyone exchanged quick uncertain glances.
“It is true.” Dane voice was mild despite his appearance before. “My mother, Elsa, spoke with your seer, Merlin, I believe.”
“Yes, she did.” Elijah let go of Dane’s scruff and stood in front of him. “We should take this elsewhere.” Elijah’s eyes through the darkness were fixed on Dane. “Understand, I don’t trust Drakes very well, so your cooperation is vital.”
Dane didn’t reply, only nodded his head as Elijah tied a silver rope binding his hands. He didn’t seem bothered by this and stood facing Lyssa. She didn’t take her eyes from him and Toby realized that she didn’t even know he was there.
“The ropes are fire proof for Drakes, so don’t try anything.” Elijah warned.
Elijah went first followed by Eli, Wes and Deravon. Zoey still clung onto Lyssa as Toby followed behind them.
“Lyssa,” Toby said as quietly as he could, trying to get her attention. “Lyssa.” He repeated a little louder.
Lyssa turned with Zoey by her side.
“Toby,” Lyssa said with surprise. “You’re here.”
Her eyes met his as she smiled at him.
“Come on,” Zoey said. “We can take this reunion back home.”
Zoey pulled Lyssa close to her with one arm and held her scepter in the other. Through the darkness Lyssa glanced back at him as he walked behind them in the stillness.