Weald Fae 02 - The Changeling

  Ozara lifted her slender, elegant arm and a pea-sized green sphere appeared at her fingertips. “As long as your treacherous lot has the boy, we shall have you.” With a nearly imperceptible flick of her finger, the sphere disappeared into Drevek’s chest despite his futile attempt to evade it. Muffling a scream, a wretched look filled his face. I had to remind myself that it wasn’t Mitch. Instinctively, I looked away as he slumped to the floor and writhed in pain. After a moment, though, his agony appeared to subside.

  I understood what she’d done. Forcing Aether into his body would prevent him from taking his natural form again.

  “If the boy dies, so do you. If you attempt to use the gift of Fire I will destroy you. If you cause any harm to this Steward or anything she cares about—even the dog—I will destroy you slowly. Now, do not resist, I will have your thoughts.”

  She crossed the floor with ferocious speed and grabbed both sides of his head. Drevek’s lips pulled back and his mouth hung open—he appeared unable to breathe. Again, I looked away.

  “Tell me what you know,” she whispered seductively into his ear.

  Drevek whimpered for a few minutes, staring helplessly into her eyes, and then his body went slack before crumpling on the floor when Ozara released him.

  She nodded. Sara grabbed his arm and they disappeared through the window. I sensed them move quickly back into the basement. Satisfied that Drevek was back in Mitch’s room, Ozara turned to me.

  “As I expected, he knows nothing more than he told you. He is a pitiable fool whose naiveté will cost him dearly,” she said.

  Billy just stared emotionlessly, providing no clues to what he was thinking.

  It was quiet in my room, except for the muffled sounds of laughter and music that seeped up from the party below. I flinched, pulled out of my daze, when Ozara sat next to me on the bed and put her hand on mine. The skin on her long fingers felt incredibly smooth and warm, utterly perfect and inhuman, like the digits of a marble statue wrapped in silk come to life. I could focus on nothing other than her blazing amber eyes, glowing preternaturally in the dim light of my room.

  “Will they do that to Mitch, put something in his body? He, Drevek I mean, said they’d do that—hurt Mitch two-fold if we hurt him.”

  “I am certain he believes that, child, but that is not the case. Drevek is young and foolish. Those responsible probably told him as much to secure his cooperation.”

  I began to prattle. “What am I supposed to do if we aren’t able to find Mitch? Give up being Steward? I will, I’ll do anything to get Mitch back, but do you really believe they’ll let him go?”

  In a calm, metered voice, she answered, “If it comes to that, you may have to give up your place to get him back. That, of course, is your decision. If we do not find him first, it is likely they will not exchange him until a new family is in place and your memories of us have been removed.”

  “Are they really that worried about me being a Maebown?”

  “I have not sensed another Aetherfae, nor heard rumors of one, but it appears they see you as a threat. That would only be compounded if you were a Maebown. But importantly, Maggie, being inclined to all four elements does not mean that you will become Maebown. Unless there is a Second Aetherfae, you will not. We must not foreclose any possibility at this point. There may be another reason they have targeted you.”

  “And what about Mitch, will he come back with his mind as scarred and damaged as my dad’s? He must be terrified.” My voice cracked, and I mopped up a few tears with the cuffs of my sweater.

  “Maggie, he was subdued using a soinneán—the vulgar human vernacular for that term is fairy blast. It is a method used to control humans, putting them in a living, semi-conscious state—a type of stasis if you will. A person under the influence of a soinneán is aware enough to eat and drink when compelled to, but utterly oblivious of his surroundings. It is similar to the brief moments of confusion you experience when waking suddenly from a deep sleep. Mitch will likely remember nothing of this when he is released from its grip. The soinneán causes no harm to the human mind, but the body will slowly waste away over time. I would say he has six months, perhaps as long as nine.”

  In the corner of my eye I noticed Billy studying her, still expressionless.

  Ozara’s explanation helped, albeit not much. It peeled away one layer of the guilt and concern that now enshrouded me. At least Mitch wouldn’t be aware of what was happening to him.

  “Now that you are beginning to calm down, and with my assurances that everything will be done to rescue your brother, I should talk with you about the original purpose of my visit. We need to discuss your future here.”

  My heart raced and my mouth grew dry as the intensity of my nerves ratcheted up several levels. There were no clues in her expression. She had a poker face, as Aunt May used to say.

  “Maggie, your actions are vexing. So much so, the Council debated more vigorously tonight than it has in nearly two thousand years. We have not reached a final decision.”

  I exhaled slowly and settled back into my duvet cover.

  “The Council has decided to place you ar tástáil—the Fae equivalent of probation. We considered your cleverness and courage on the island—very attractive qualities. We also considered the amount of power you can already channel—most impressive as well. Candidly, and most importantly, you are inclined to all four elements and, as I mentioned a moment ago, likely to become a Maebown if there is another Aetherfae. The significance of that is lost on none of us. However, you have deceived us on numerous occasions, and you attacked Faekind. Many on the Council find it disconcerting that you knew how to destroy Chalen, and were so close to doing so when I arrived. Some believe you to be a recalcitrant child, unsuited for the role of Steward.”

  Ozara stopped and looked at me, her hand still gently atop mine. There was more to it than simple deception or some predilection to harm Fae. Surely she knew that. Billy winced as I began to speak, but with Ozara in my room I was not going to let the opportunity pass. I carefully considered my words.

  “Ozara, I love it here and I respect the Fae—working with you, learning all of this, and spending time with Billy and Sara—it’s been the most amazing part of my life. But tonight, on that island…I, I was fighting to survive. Please understand, and I mean this with the utmost respect, I don’t have the luxury of immortality and I cannot take another form to conveniently avoid death. I have a finite amount of time in this life, a blink of an eye compared to you, and that's all. You’ll simply have to forgive that I was unwilling to allow Chalen to…to cut that short like he did with Kyle, my grandparents, and Aunt May.”

  I took a quick breath and calmed my nerves. Billy’s eyes were closed, but I pressed on.

  “Aunt May followed your rules and her reward was an agonizing death at Chalen’s hands while Seelie guards stood in the garden less than fifty feet away and allowed it to happen. Not once have I set out looking for trouble—not once have I woken up with some asinine desire to provoke the Fae. Trust me, I would have been happy to stay here in the cottage with my friends and family tonight, but the Unseelie didn’t give me that option. They would have killed all of us—surely you know that. I respect the rules, and I followed them—that is until the moment your kind didn’t. You’ll just have to forgive me for not being ready to die yet. Did you really expect me to do nothing? To die for some Fae rule at the hands of Fae who clearly care nothing about the rules?”

  Billy, wide-eyed, stared intently at Ozara, and he appeared to be on the verge of smirking. To my surprise, and relief, Ozara looked pleasantly amused. She squeezed my hand before letting go.

  “You are very much like your forbears, Pete and Lola in particular. The first thing you need to realize is that neither the deaths of your family members nor tonight’s events were perpetrated by the Unseelie Clan. Zarkus knows better than to cross me. It would mean war. This has been the work of a fringe group…rogues.”

  “Nonetheless, your point
s are valid and that is the only reason we are permitting you to stay. But should you break the rules again, I am afraid the Council will have no choice but to remove you.

  “You must learn to trust me, Maggie. Had you alerted me first, been open and candid, I could have intervened sooner and prevented tonight’s events. What is done is done, however, and I think it is best to move on. So I leave you with this charge, Steward of the Weald. Do not use your powers offensively—bring no more harm—and we shall revisit your role here one year from tonight. Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to begin searching for your brother before any more time elapses.”

  I wanted to ask a dozen questions because there was still so much I didn’t understand about the Fae, about changelings, and about the feud between the clans, but I decided not to press my luck. Though she was being pleasant, Ozara spoke with unmitigated authority and I knew she was unaccustomed to explaining herself, especially to a human. So I said goodbye.

  She blinked out, startling me, and moved through the ceiling and to the south. Billy was quiet and followed her movement longer than I could.

  “That was short and sweet,” I said the moment he relaxed.

  “Lovely speech, Maggie, you must relish flirting with annihilation.”

  “Sorry, it needed to be said.”

  “You’re fortunate she likes you. I’ve seen her come unhinged at far less.”

  I considered what he said for only a moment. “Billy, do you think she’ll find Mitch?”

  He searched my face in an apparent effort to judge my emotional state. “I hope so.”

  “That isn’t an answer.”

  “You’re correct, but that’s the only one I have. Frankly, I like my chances a lot more. I’ve done this sort of thing before.” His expression turned sad for a moment. It reminded me of the look he got the day I met him at Turpentine Creek, when he realized he’d have to return to the Weald. Last summer during my training, I’d asked him about that, but he was always reticent. I decided not to push the issue tonight.

  “Honestly, I’m about to give up…let them have their way. I don’t think I can handle it anymore.” My voice was cracking and I couldn’t keep the panic at bay.

  “Maggie…Maggie, please…” he said in a hushed tone, his gray eyes locked onto mine. “Give us some time. If you are to become Maebown, giving up now might only make the situation worse in the long run. It may only seal your fate, your brother’s fate…all of humanity for that matter.”

  A sob shuddered through my body. “It’s Mitch, dammit! They’ve got him—he could die. How can you ask me to hold out? He’s my brother…this is my fault.”

  Again, as quietly and patiently as before, he pleaded with me, “No, this isn’t your fault. You can’t think that way, and deep down, I know you don’t believe that.”

  “Bull crap, Billy.”

  “No, it’s not bull. If you are the next Maebown, that means there is another Aetherfae, and that’s not your doing. If you are the next Maebown, that means you have a very important role in protecting not only your brother, but everyone you hold dear. Listen for a moment.”

  My body ached and an uncontrollable shudder ran its course from my chest to my fingers and toes, as if I was being electrocuted on a high voltage line. Crying uncontrollably, I slurred the words, “Listen to what?”

  “Them.” He pointed at the floor.

  He meant for me to listen to the music and the laughter coming from downstairs. At that moment, some of my courage came back. This was bigger than me, a lot bigger.

  With short bursts of breath wheezing in and out of my lungs, I looked up at him. “I…I know what you’re saying, but this isn’t my fight, and it isn’t me the rogue Unseelie are holding captive…it’s my brother.”

  “Maggie, calm down.”

  “No! How many of my family members are going to die because of some old Fae feud? How many are enough? Mitch? Will he be enough? What about my mom and dad? Are they expendable, too? We both know I’m going to die, don’t we?”

  His beautiful gray eyes, hooded and sad, were locked onto mine, but he let me continue.

  “The only question is: how long it will take?”

  Billy shook his head.

  My voice was stronger now that I’d actually said it aloud—that I was going to die. I nearly screamed, “No, don’t deny it! I can’t stand any more sugarcoating. This is going to take my life one way or another, and you know it.”

  Emotion filled Billy’s beautiful face. He was genuinely sad, but he nodded. “I don’t believe any of you are expendable, Maggie. I’d give my existence to preserve your life, even for only a day. You’re frustrating, and far too obstinate for your own good, but I cherish every moment I’ve spent with you.”

  Tears rolled down my face when he said it and my anger subsided.

  “You are the reason I fought my own kind two thousand years ago, you are the reason I haven’t joined the Unseelie, and you, Maggie, give me hope for the rest of your species.”

  “Really? I don’t even give myself hope.”

  Billy started laughing.

  “What?” I laughed with him, sniffling loudly and wiping my cheeks.

  “Most people who could do what you can do wouldn’t be so humble. Truth be known, absolutely none of my kind would be, and most of them aren’t half as capable as you.”

  The edges of my lips curled up and I found myself smiling.

  “That’s more like it.” He grinned at me.

  “And Mitch?”

  “I will make you a few promises, my dear. I promise that I’ll do everything within my power to get Mitch back, but I need you to give me some time. I believe he will be fine for a while—Ozara was telling you the truth. I also promise you that I will not let anything happen to you as long as there is…well…Naeshura in my veins.”

  “I make the same promises, Maggie.” Sara’s voice rang in my head.

  “Eavesdropping?”

  “But of course. You expected anything less?” She asked from down in Mitch’s room.

  “No, I guess not.”

  “Well, feign being sick again because Candace is headed to your room.”

  Billy blinked out just as Candace opened the door. She came over and sat next to me on the bed, wrapping her pale arms around her tiny waist.

  “Mags, you awake?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you doing any better?”

  “I feel a little better.” It was an honest answer, but for reasons she couldn’t comprehend.

  “Well, good. I hope you don’t mind, girl, but I’m going to stay up here. The party sucks without you.”

  I lay there and tried to fall asleep as she ran her fingers through my hair. I knew Billy was right: I had to do this for everyone. I trusted him, but I also had to get Mitch back.

  THREE

  AFTERSHOCKS

  Sara and Billy took turns guarding Drevek for the next two weeks. I avoided him and, to his credit, he did the same with me. Almost immediately, Mom and Dad noticed a difference in Mitch’s behavior and appearance. The changeling not only had a horrendous attitude, constantly whining and far more demanding than Mitch ever was, it was also growing ill. The only time I was tempted to intervene was when he refused to eat. On a few occasions I considered forcing him in the hopes that Mitch’s captors would do the same.

  Our search wasn’t going well. Billy began looking in a grid and quickly determined that Mitch wasn’t stashed in any of the caves on the Weald, not that any of us expected to find him that close by. Billy expanded his search to nearby farms. He thought it likely that Mitch was held captive by humans, because it would be far too easy to track Fae. That was a problem, as there were twenty-six thousand people in Carroll County and to the west, nearly half a million in Benton and Washington counties. Mitch could be with any of them. We needed more time.

  Just before I left the Weald on the first day of the spring semester, Ozara informed me that the Seelie hadn’t had any better luck than Billy, but s
he promised they’d keep trying. Mom and Dad left in the morning to take Drevek to the hospital. He’d thrown a temper tantrum when they mentioned it, but Sara was there to silently coerce him.

  With Billy out searching the Ozarks, and Sara keeping an eye trained on Drevek, I’d had more time to myself in the last two weeks than since I arrived a year ago. Worried about Mitch, heartsick over Gavin, who I hadn’t seen in six months, I was ready to see my friends and let them distract me for a while.

  Candace met me at the front doors of Eureka Springs High. We had talked by phone and texted continuously over the break, but I hadn’t seen her or anyone else since the party. She was nearly back to normal, with one big exception: a new disdain for unnecessary attention. She’d quit the cheerleading squad, dropped out of every club and departed from every committee, save one. Irritatingly, she was still chair of the prom committee. It was irritating because it meant that I had to be on the committee myself, and that would require me to attend meetings with the rest of the committee—meetings ad nauseam I was sure.

  Casting it in a positive light, I told myself all day the prom committee would be a needed and healthy diversion. I repeated that to myself until school was over and we met for the first time in the semester. Candace, Rachel, Becky, Rhonda, and Ronnie, the only guy on the committee, debated themes, colors, and every other speck of minutiae associated with the event. They managed only to agree on where to have the next meeting: the Crescent Hotel, the proposed location of this year’s prom. I still hadn’t been to the Crescent, but I did remember all Aunt May’s ghost stories and other tidbits of its checkered past she had told me from time to time.

  The impending prom created another issue I didn’t want to deal with: the dilemma of who I would go with. Using the techniques Gavin had unintentionally taught me, I’d already sidestepped two invitations from seniors, but I knew it was only a matter of time before Doug asked.

  His advances were becoming bolder and more aggressive. Clearly, the situation was building to a head and I didn’t know how to handle it. Not only was I completely obsessed with finding my brother—a personal quest no one else could know about—but I was still inexorably committed to Gavin, wherever he was. Each time I closed my eyes, I saw his face. I spent hours in my bedroom clutching the gold necklace he’d given me last Christmas.