“I don’t believe that. If you didn’t save her then it couldn’t have been a choice by you. It must have been the circumstances. All of you alpha males think that everything falls on your shoulders and you forget that you aren’t perfect.”
The side of his mouth lifted slightly as he watched the woman he now called mate defend him. If only she knew the “circumstances” as she called them. Would she think less of him? Would she refuse to trust him to protect her, to protect her daughter?
“There is rarely peace among the supernatural races.”
“You don’t say?” She snorted, sarcastically.
Cypher chuckled. “Is your daughter like you?”
Lilly smiled. “If you mean is she the coolest thing ever? Then no, she is even more amazing than me.”
Cypher smiled. “I can’t imagine that.”
“Don’t get off topic.” She narrowed her eyes at him.
“When there is peace,” he continued, “it is not long lasting and is tenuous at best. Something as simple as a perceived disrespectful word can break the truce. There had been peace for some time between my kind and the trolls that live in the mountains.”
“Trolls?” Lilly's eyebrows rose.
“Surely you realize there are more supernaturals than just the ones you know about, little one.”
Lilly shrugged. “Doesn’t mean it’s not still freakish.”
“Thea, that was my brother’s mate, was hell bent on uniting us and creating an alliance with the trolls. My brother warned her to stay out of the council business, but that only spurred her on. She sought out the leader of the trolls to try and speak with him, but it wasn’t the leader she met in the mountain that day.” Cypher paused and thought back to that day. He could still see Thea walking away from him after he had told her that as her King her forbid her to seek out the trolls. He had seen the defiance in her eyes and knew that she wouldn’t listen. If only he had followed her, if only he had told his brother sooner. He was drawn from the memories by a warm hand on his arm. He looked down at Lilly, her eyes full of understanding. It gave him the courage to continue.
“She came to me, imploring me to see reason, those were her words. I told her that she was not to go, but something in her eyes told me she would defy me. I had met with the leader of the trolls and I knew that he wouldn’t hurt her. He was actually an honorable male, but like any leader, he not only had loyal followers, but corrupt followers as well. I figured he would walk her back to their keep, all the while sporting a dubious smile, chuckling at her innocence. And, he would have, had it been him who had met her. But, when she went to the troll mountain, she was met by two of the trolls that spoke out against the peace between their races. They saw an opportunity to destroy that peace. She never had a chance. And, they succeeded in destroying the peace. The enmity between warlocks and trolls still exist to this day. I can’t even describe the things they did to her. I should have followed her. It was my job, as her King to protect her, even if it was from herself.”
Lilly shook her head. “It was your brother’s job, and even then, she had free will. Regardless of the outcome and how horrible, Thea made that choice. I don’t say that to be mean, but you cannot take responsibility for her choice.”
Cypher couldn’t believe that he didn’t see condemnation in her eyes, but instead saw understanding and empathy. He didn’t deserve it. Regardless of what Lilly said, she didn’t understand the responsibility he had for his race. He had failed to protect that which was most precious to his brother and he had known she would go. When he and his brother had found her body, he had lost it. His torment and pain were so tangible that Cypher felt it in his soul. As soon as the shock wore off he had turned on Cypher. He could hear the words reverberating in his mind, a broken record of endless truths.
“You are our King; you knew what she would do! You should have come to me! You should have warned me. This is your doing; her blood is on your hands.” His brother screamed at him. All Cypher had been able to do was bow his head in defeat. He fell to his knees in shame at the truth behind his brother’s words. He allowed his brother to beat him until his closest guards saved him from his brother’s wrath. He wanted to die, wanted his brother to kill him. It was what he deserved. The council locked his brother up until they felt he was no longer a threat. But, Cypher knew that if his brother were given the chance he would kill him. Time passed, years, decades, centuries, and still, there had been no word from him.
“Cypher.”
He realized that Lilly had been saying his name while he was remembering that horrible day. His vision refocused on her and he smiled at the determination in her face.
“It’s not your fault. Say it with me,” she coaxed.
Cypher shook his head. “I’m sorry love, but this time it is.”
Lilly could see that nothing she would say was going to change his mind. She knew when to back off. Now, was not the time, but the day would come when she would make him understand.
“So, what now?” she asked him.
Cypher looked over at Cyn. “Do you know how my brother could have gotten the drahiem in this realm?
Cyn frowned as she thought. “It’s actually quite a surprise to me that he was able to get them to cross through a veil. They are very suspicious animals.”
"Do you know anything about drahiem, like any weaknesses they might have?” Lilly asked.
The expression on Cyn’s face did not look promising. “There are very few things that can kill one and they aren’t the friendliest of beasts."
“You don’t say?” Lilly laughed, sardonically. Cyn continued as if Lilly hadn’t spoken.
“Your brother appears to have convinced them to serve him as guards. This is a mystery to me. Their skin is thicker than leather, nearly impenetrable. If that weren’t enough it reflects light so that a glare that blinds their opponents. It is like water being hit just right by the sun, it can be blinding. Their eyes have a clear sheath that slides into place when they are in battle, their tails are lined with deadly spikes and their mouths excrete a poison when it pierces flesh that causes paralysis.” Cyn explained, dryly as if she weren’t describing a near indestructible foe.
Lilly thought for a moment, going over the description that Cyn had just given them. Her brow furrowed as she considered it.
“Wait,” she said, stepping towards Cyn. “You said its skin is near impenetrable. That means that it isn’t impossible, it can be done.” Lilly’s eyes filled with a small amount of hope.
“Is there some sort of weapon that can get through their thick skin?” Cypher asked.
Cyn looked grim.
“Why do I think this is going to be some other impossible task that could most likely get us killed?” Lilly asked, wryly.
Lilly nearly laughed when the corners of Cyn’s mouth tipped up in an almost smile.
“There is one weapon that can kill them. It is an arrow made of a special metal that is only forged by…”
“The elves,” Cypher interrupted, ominously.
Cyn nodded. “The elves,” she agreed.
Lilly held up her hands as her eye brows rose. “Wait one second. Elves?” She shook her head and let out a frustrated breath. “I know now why my daughter and her friends are constantly using words like bloody hell, shut up, and mother of pearl.”
Cypher tilted his head to the side as he watched his mate.
Lilly looked over at him at laughed at his confused face.
She waved him off. “Don’t ask. Okay, so exactly how many supernatural species are there?”
Before Cypher could answer, they heard an all too familiar thundering sound above them. They each looked up just as one of the beasts they had been discussing flew overhead, its great wings beating the air around it.
Just when they thought they had not been noticed, the beast turned his head down and pierced them with its freaky eyes.
Cyn’s usual composure cracked for a brief moment as her eyes met Lilly’s.
?
??Did I mention that they have an excellent sense of smell?”
Lilly’s eyes widened. “Um, no, you sure as hell didn’t.”
Cypher grabbed her and smoothly lifted her into his arms, this time cradling her against his chest.
She groaned. “Here we go again.”
Cypher took off at a sprint, his speed increasing with every step. Lilly looked over his shoulder and saw that Cyn was right on his heels. Lilly looked up into the sky, attempting to block out the speed at which Cypher was moving, ignoring the trees blurring past them. She saw the huge draheim and cringed when a roar pierced the sky. How on earth can the people within a 50 mile radius not hear and see the beast, Lilly asked herself. When the beast made a nose dive for them she decided that it was a question that could wait for an answer, provided they lived through this.
Q
Mona stood on the hill, looking out over the Carpathian Mountains. She felt the disturbance in the air. The magic causing her skin to tingle and she had answered its call. She didn’t understand why Peri would conjure a storm, and she was sure it was Perizada based on the purity of the magic. Whatever it was Peri was up to, Mona had taken the wheel. She wouldn’t keep it up for long because she had other matters to deal with, but she felt like it was a good way to let them know that she had not forgotten their little group, wandering lost in the woods. She was surprised to see them out of the Transylvania Alps, but oh, she had definitely not forgotten them and knew just who she would have the demons dispose of first.
She stroked Octavian’s mane and felt his restlessness as he stomped his hooves on the withered grass.
“Ready for a run my old friend?” She asked the large, black steed.
Octavian replied with a snort. Mona continued to hold the storm with her mind as she climbed up onto the horse. She would make them suffer a little longer and before it was all said and done, she might just throw in for fun an ice storm.
She whispered a location to Octavian and with a smooth start he took off in a gallop. For such a large animal, his movements were graceful. Mona let her mind wander from the ride as she thought about her next move in the chess game she had created.
Octavian wasn’t any normal steed. The journey to her destination, which should have taken days, lasted only the afternoon. She climbed down and left Octavian to graze on his own. She let out a breath and finally released the unyielding storm she had stolen from Perizada’s power. She let out a slow breath and shook off her slight weakness that the storm had caused.
The forest around her had grown quiet and her eyes narrowed when her skin tingled with the realization that she was being watched.
“Come out, come out, wherever you are,” she sung into the air. She began to mutter a spell to reveal the unknown intruder when Ainsel the pixie king stepped from the shadows of the trees.
“What are you doing here Desdemona of the old coven?” His voice was tight with anger as he stared up at her.
Mona smiled at him as she took a seat on a rock across from him. She knew that it would make him more amiable if she didn’t appear so imposing.
“I’ve come to tell you that I’m in need of your services once again.”
The king laughed, and indignation filled his tone. “You think that I would help you, when you did not fulfill the first bargain we had? Are you mad?”
“Well, if you mean mad as in angry, then no. But, if you mean mad as in bat shit crazy, well frankly that’s pretty much a given.” Mona’s eyes gleamed with wickedness.
The king regarded her, taking in her behavior. He wouldn’t call it happy, for he could see that she could never be capable of true happiness. He decided that the closest conclusion that he could come up with was that she was giddy, like a child who had gotten into the cookie jar and not gotten caught.
Mona stared into the king’s eyes as she began to chant.
I call on the magic that attempts to leave this place,
You will answer my call to give aid to this race.
You will gather at the veil and pull it wide,
You will not allow it to falter or to hide.
I call you, I gather you, to do my will,
I shape you and form you for the veil, be still.
No other can release you from my care,
It’s only my desire you’re allowed to bear.
Mona turned to the Pixie King, “Give me your hand.”
Ainsel regarded her warily.
“Oh, for goodness sake man, I’m not going to cut it off. The spell requires your blood, a sacrifice, like any good spell.”
He slowly lifted his hand to her and she snatched it. She reached into her cloak and pulled out a knife, and in one smooth motion ran it across is palm. Mona tipped his hand over and let the blood drip to the forest floor. The air around them grew thick with magic and Ainsel’s eyes widened briefly at the ripple he saw appear as if a seam had been cut into the universe. He hated to give her the satisfaction of seeing his relief, but he couldn’t help the wonder that he knew was painted on his face...
“There,” she said, smugly. “I have opened your veil permanently. I have upheld my end of the deal.”
The king wrestled inside with his anger, but also knew that if he did not help her she could destroy him and his race.
“What is it you need?” He finally asked.
She smiled triumphantly as she began to tell him. “The contact who is supposed to help me open the veil to the underworld has, so far, not delivered. I believe he might be planning to betray me. And, since you were so good at tracking down the dogs for me,” she shrugged nonchalantly. “I figured you could handle this with no problem.”
“Who is this contact?”
Again, Mona strived to look bored and indifferent as she picked inexistent lent from her clothes.
“Cypher,” she had barely gotten the word out when the Pixie King choked.
She looked up to see his eyes were saucers and his breathing had become shallow.
“Y-y-you, want me to capture the warlock king?” He stuttered out.
Mona nodded as she stood. Ainsel took a step back as he looked up at her, his mind still reeling over the information she had just dropped on him like a ton of bricks. His shoulders felt heavy with the weight of her request.
“He will never expect you,” she mounted her steed and looked down at the little king. “I don’t know how long it will be until he shows himself to me, but you need to have him in your sights and be ready to take him down if I need you to.”
Ainsel raised his hand to halt her. “How am I supposed to take the warlock king out exactly?”
Mona shrugged. “Be creative.” And, before he could respond she was galloping off into the forest, the trees swallowing up her retreat leaving nothing behind, but the slight disturbance of the foliage she passed.
Ainsel stood there in shock, unable to process what had just happened. Desdemona had opened the veil to their world, a veil that was unstable and had been closing and opening on its own. He knew it was just a matter of time before it closed for good. Mona had sought out his help with the wolves and in return, she was to keep their veil open. Originally, she had not kept up her end of the deal and he figured that she never would. But now, she needed him again. He didn’t trust her, not as far as he could throw her. He would carry out this task she had given him, and he would be watching over his shoulder for the inevitable knife that she would eventually plunge into his back.
Q
Alston, highest member of the Fae council stood at the opening of the veil from their realm to the human. Nissa, Gwen, and Dain were with him. The Great Luna told them that Mona had blocked Peri from crossing, but not that they couldn’t get through.
He held the moon stone in his hand and the weight of the responsibility that came with it settled over him like a heavy blanket. The packs had not been united in millennia. They were too volatile to bring together, and that was exactly what they were going to do. They were going to cross the veil into the human realm, a
nd call every pack the Great Luna had created. It would be the largest gathering of super natural beings in their history.
“Alston,” he heard his name spoken softly behind him from Gwen. He turned back to look at her.
“Shall we go?” She asked.
Alston let out a deep breath and as he stepped through the veil, his voice reverberated over each of them. “So be it.”
They stepped out of the Veil into cold, crisp air and a canopy of tall, ancient trees towered over them. Night had fallen in the human realm and where there should have been stars in the sky, only dark clouds could be seen. The ground crunched beneath their feet from the light frost that had accumulated and the leaves of the plants shimmered like diamonds from the frozen droplets.
Walking slowly, further away from the Veil, they each turned to face one another in a circle. Alston pulled the moon stone from his pocket where he had slipped it when they'd crossed the Veil. He looked down at the small, seemingly insignificant rock, and shook his head. This stone was about to change the course of history.
He looked up to the faces of his kin, their eyes filled with determination, but shadowed by doubt. He leaned down, laid the stone on the ground in the middle of their circle, and then joined them again.
“We must wait for the moon to reveal itself from the clouds. The Great Luna indicated this night would be a full moon.” His words seem to reverberate into the night and they each turned their faces up one by one.
The night grew silent and the air stilled. All of nature seemed to be holding its breath, waiting, and watching.
The four Fae watched the night sky as the clouds began to slowly part. Gradually, little by little, the moon began to shine through the opening. And, then it was there, full in all of its beauty. The clouds encircled it but it shone fully, as if it were looking down on them. Though no heat came from the moon, its light bathed them in a different kind of warmth and they knew it was from the Great Luna. The light from the moon hit the moon stone that lay on the ground and it began to glow, a soft white light at first, but quickly grew in brightness.