Don’t ever ask me to do this again!! She muttered under her breath as she reached the landing and peered down to her left. There was another hall, and it opened into a big room, that must have been the warehouse’s office area. There were cubicles and papers strewed everywhere on desks, with old chairs turned over, as if they were thrown across the room. Um, not pretty. She looked around, whatever had been up here might still be here, lurking and hiding from her. It wouldn’t be too hard with all this furniture upturned and scattered throughout the room.
Shade didn’t have to wait too long before she was diving for cover. A bolt of lightning shot across the room to her left, smashing into one of the bookshelves that lined the wall. She had ducked under a desk with the top still intact, covering her from the flying debris. What was that? She tried to pace her breathing. She was having a heart attack right there. What if she died and no one would ever find her? Her remains would be there for years in this desolate place. Shut up, she told herself. Now, voices, come on, why am I here, to get killed? You better tell me soon, cuz I am about to hightail it out of here!
She peaked above the desk to look around the room. A boom knocked her onto her back and debris flew all around her. The sound had come from a different direction than the lightning. Is there more than one person here, what the hell? She stayed down and prayed they didn’t notice her in this mess.
“You can’t hurt me Jack. I know all your tricks, and they are pointless against my magic. You can’t break through with your light and fire power; my magic will always endure against you.” The woman cackled with a spine tingling voice. She sounded like the Wicked Witch of the West.
“Give it up Vange, you don’t have it in you; we are banging our heads against the walls. I can have reinforcements arrive in a heartbeat, give it up before I am forced to make you.” This was a voice of a man and it echoed with strength in the large room.
Ok, this is getting complicated, thought Shade. I hope they don’t know I’m here.
“Not so fast, Jack,” she said his name like she was speaking of garbage. “You trespass on my domain. I didn’t know you liked hanging out with ordinary folk now. You might frighten one of them as you speak. You should return to the forest and mountains, you claim as your great domain. The cities are mine.” Another boom and crash shook the room.
Shade held her breath. Well, now I know she knows I’m here. Now he does too! Great!
“She is of no concern to me. You should stop right now before I hurt you. The queen wants you alive but I am sure that if you were wounded, she would understand that it was a matter of life and death. Or you could just give me the talisman back and we call it even.” Jack sent another lightning rod, or so that’s what it looked like, toward the left corner of the room and jumped from his spot. Shade peered over at him as he ran forward and ducked behind a large wooden beam. He glanced at her for a moment, now he knew just where she was.
What now? Shade turned and looked down the hall to the flight of stairs. If only I can get to the stairs, and get the hell out of dodge. She glanced back at the scene before her. Jack had hunched down to the level of the desks and crept towards the woman. He paused periodically to listen and look for her. The woman was hiding quite well behind an office divider, if she was still there.
Don’t run, the voices said.
What am I supposed to do, die? Shade’s heart raced and sweat beaded on her forehead and neck. She gulped and felt lightheaded. What could she do? They would see her if she bolted. She hung her head down wishing to be small and out of sight. She heard Jack curse as another crash smashed a window on the north end of the building. Shade jerked her head up in time to see Vange smiling at Jack.
“I’m truly sorry, Jack, but this isn’t your day. My queen will love this little artifact. Its powers will truly add to our array of weapons against your precious queen.” The woman then sprinted toward the shattered remains of windowpane and jumped, no, she flew out the window and disappeared.
“We will finish this some other time, Vange.” Jack stood at the windowsill and stared into the light of the day. The cool autumn breeze wafted in and stirred up the stale air inside. He shook his head, sighing and cursing under his breath.
Shade stood and peered at Jack; he had yet to turn to her. She turned to leave when he suddenly caught her by her shoulder. She screamed and she was quickly spun around and forced to face him. His eyes pierced hers as his hands gripped her upper arms. “Let me go!” She wriggled around in his grip.
“Oh quit it. Who are you? Why are you here?” Jack questioned relentlessly as he stared at her with searing eyes. His grip did not falter but squeezed just enough to make her cry out.
“I don’t know, I don’t know! Let me go!”
He sighed and let her go as she pulled away, sending her crashing to the floor.
“Ow!” She grabbed her elbow; it was streaked with blood after scraping it on debris.
“You said ‘let me go.’” Jack turned and picked up some of his weapons from the floor. He had taken hold of his sheathing that hung on his belt and put his knife away. He then began dusting his clothes. He wore a tight black shirt with a leather belt tightened around his waist, multiple items strung onto it, including a sword. His face was strong yet portrayed a radiance of youth and looked about twenty-five. He had no stubble but did not look like a teenager. His dark black wavy hair was short by his neck; but his bangs covered some of his olive face. His eyes gave away a look of someone who had ancient wisdom and gave way the fact that he had seen too much for one lifetime.
He’s not bad looking though. Shade stood up and dusted her clothes as well. She peered up at him, wondering if she should try to run.
“Who are you? Who was that or what was that woman? How do you throw lightning like that? How did she fly like that?” Shade couldn’t hold back the torrent of questions running out of her mouth.
He stared at her quietly. It seemed as if he were trying to decide whether or not to answer. His piercing grey eyes examined her, making Shade flush as she stuttered. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to hurt you, if that’s what you’re thinking. I’m Jack, and I can throw lightning because it’s what I’m made of.” He paused, watching her face go blank in disbelief.
What the…
“Okay then that explains you, I think, but what about her? What the heck, how did she fly like that?” She asked again. “What kind of a person makes the room explode in a sonic boom? What do you mean you’re made of lightning? Uh, that’s not possible.” Shade shook her head, squeezing her eyes closed, then, opening them and blinked nervously. This strange young man just stared at her and cracked a smile. He seemed amused just listening to her rant on and on.
“That was Evangeline. Vange is what everyone calls her; she’s an elemental fire witch, but not just any old witch, a hybrid offspring of a witch and a faery. She is a nasty fighter and she has taken something from my queen; I was sent to get it back.” Jack then started to walk towards the staircase, leaving Shade stunned in silence.
Okay, that was unexpected. She watched him leaving. Now what? What was the purpose of her being here then? Why did she have to witness all that for, The Voices?
Why oh why did I have to listen to the stupid voices! Why can’t they leave me alone! All they have ever done for me is get me into a lot of trouble.
“Wait! Why was I led to you? Stop! Don’t walk away from me, I need answers here! The Voices told me to come in here, and this is what I find? You have to tell me why. Why did they do that? What am I supposed to see or do here? Stop already!” She cried out again. She scurried to keep up with him; he was already at the front door studying the nailed-in boards and about to tear one down with his hands. His muscles rippled as he held one plank and pulled. It crashed to the floor as he went for another one. She grabbed his arm to get his attention but he spun around grabbing her wrist instead and squeezed it tight. Shade whimpered, surprised from the pain.
“Don’t touch me, I might inadvertently
electrify you.”
Her eyes widened as she stared at his hand squeezing her wrist. He let her go and sighed, his lips tight with discontent.
“I don’t know why you were brought here. You say you hear voices? Only oracles can hear voices, strange,” he said more to himself than to her. “Anyways, I am made of lightning and blue fire. I guess I have to show you because if you happen to touch me when I am not shielded enough with this glamour, I can hurt you, and it could be fatal.” He stared at her, with some concern in his eyes. He stepped back from her and seemed to shake a bit, as though dusting himself off; the air around him seemed to liquefy. His glamour melted away and the brightness of his skin illuminated the dark hallway.
Shade gasped, her eyes almost popping out of their sockets. He still looked like Jack but his skin glowed with a blue aura; Blue fire flickered all over him and electricity crackled along his entire body. Yet he did not burn. His eyes blinked at her, smiling at her awe.
No way!
“You see, I am made of electricity and white-hot blue fire. One touch and I can zap you to high heaven.” He closed his eyes and like liquid pouring on him, his glamour reappeared on him like a drizzle of honey. He opened his eyes and drank in her face. Shock was what he saw.
Shade could hardly stand. She looked confused, stunned and in sheer disbelief. “How do you do that? What the, no can’t…how?” She leaned on the wall, her legs dangerously feeling like jell-o. No way could this be.
Jack straightened up and narrowed his eyes at her and the air was still shimmering around him. He pulled it tighter around him and solidified whatever it was that formed his glamour. The glow was all but gone. His skin lay smooth, tanned and flawless. Turning, he pulled the rest of the boards off the door and swung it open. It screeched on its hinges, letting the still, bright dusk illuminate the doorway. He stepped out onto the steps and turned to look at Shade. “I suggest that you come with me. I don’t know why your voices led you here, but the oracle where I live might be able to help you. You would have to follow me right now though; what do you say? Maybe she has the answers you seek.” He watched her slowly step outside.
She breathed in the cool autumn air and felt more orientated. She gazed up at him and nodded. This seemed like the only solution to her predicament, Might as well.
Jack began walking, and stopped before he reached the sidewalk. He turned toward Shade and paused with concern. “You cannot tell anyone what you see, where we go, nothing. Understand?”
She stared at him. “Of course.”
He nodded, proceeding onto the sidewalk and headed the opposite way from home.
Chapter Two
They walked for what seemed like forever, reaching the edge of the woods at the city’s end. Entering the quiet forest made Shade more aware of how alone she suddenly felt. Should she trust this stranger? Where were they going? She peeked over her shoulder as the city faded; engulfed by the shrubs and trees the farther they went. She shivered as the breeze caressed her and the forest came alive with leaves rustling and branches swaying. The day was fading and up above her, the sky swirled in colors of orange, pink and blue with the sunset. She suddenly felt panicked, she didn’t have a flashlight and the night was quickly approaching.
“Um, Jack?” Her voice seemed loud in the open air. He kept going.
“Yes, what’s up?” He pushed branches aside and avoided tripping on the thick roots gnarled across the forest floor.
“It will be dark soon, are we near yet? I don’t have a flashlight, do you? Maybe I should come back tomorrow, in the daytime?” She ducked under a low branch as the forest around them thickened, as if they were being swallowed.
“We are quite near. Don’t worry. The dusk is nothing to fear. Just don’t go near any little faeries you might see. They like to enthrall you, suck you into their charms, and they won’t release you.”
Her eyes widened, as she dug her heels into the dirt. “What did you say? Did you say ‘faeries’? Are you kidding? You don’t really believe in them, do you? They aren’t really real…” Her voice trailed off as she examined her surroundings more closely. What the heck is he talking about?
He chuckled. “I’m not joking, they really do exist. What do you think I am? I won’t trick you or charm you like the tiny demi-fey do. The farther you go in to these woods; the more and more you’ll see. It’s a whole new world out here, things you could never imagine. This is our territory, away from the cold iron cities, faeries can’t stand iron you know, and it’s our kryptonite.” He pulled his sword by the hilt that was tied to his back and began whacking at the thick vegetation that surrounded them.
Shade crept forward, more wary than before, Faeries aren’t that bad I guess, things could be worse. Could be a tiger, lion, or a snake! She hurried to keep up with Jack. She pulled her sweater tighter around her because the sun had gone down and the heat had faded. “Jack?”
“Yes, Shade?” A slight impatience tainted his voice now.
“It sounded like Vange knows you, like, more personally. Do you know her well?” Shade fumbled over a root sticking up from the dirt.
Jack pressed his lips together as his pace hesitated for a moment. He furrowed his brow as she waited.
“I did know her, personally I mean. That all has changed now. We were, well, lovers I guess. I loved her very much. We were to be married. Then the Lonares Court started raging war against the Guildrin Court of Faeries, where I reside. She changed then, switched sides, started using dark magic. I’m not sure what made her choose to change but she up and left one day and never returned. She became one of the Unseelie Lonares’ Queen’s top lieutenants.
‘Now, she has been stealing magical artifacts from our clan; probably trying to beef up their armory of weapons and magic against us.” He stopped, breathing in slowly as the memories washed over him.
“So you were in love and she just left, just like that?”
“Yes, I’d rather not talk about it anymore.”
Shade sighed, scanning the darkening woods. Jack seemed nice enough and she did not want to get on his last nerve, especially not when the woods looked to be so ominous.
Jack came to a sudden stop in front of an enormous oak tree; it looked ancient, like it had lived longer than anything else in the world. He reached towards it, mumbling something under his breath. With his outstretched fingers he touched numerous knots on the tree’s thick trunk. At first, nothing happened.
Shade looked around and up into the tree, something swatted her calf and she jumped. She then began scrambling around to get a better look at the forest floor. Fluttering near her was what appeared to be a small fly. Its wings batted like a hummingbird and had a snarled smile from on its lips. Lips? Flies don’t have lips. She narrowed her eyes at the creature; it had a soft golden glow to its skin, like a small tiny elf, with white cottony hair and long pointy fingers. Its face filled with a malicious smile painted across it.
“Um, hi, how are you? I’m…” She didn’t get a chance to finish her words for the wind flew out of her as her arm was jerked back. Jack gripped her wrist hard and furious.
”Stop, don’t speak to them! The demi-fey are not very merciful or nice. They like to play games and mind tricks that can kill you. There is almost no way to snap out of their enchantments; they can make you dance till your feet are bloody stumps! Weren’t you listening? And never eat or take anything they give you, you understand? You will belong to them forever!” Jack let go of her arm and angrily turned back to the tree.
“Endora, philis montie!”He touched the tree knot again and then the earth began to move near the roots. They vibrated alive, snaking, moving, and parting like tentacles. An opening with steps widened at the tree’s base, and they were all made of stone. The vibrations ceased and the ground remained open. Shade had to close her mouth, which was hanging open like a flycatcher. She had never seen anything like this in her life.
“Follow me and stay close. Humans are usually not welcomed here.” Jack stepped do
wn into the darkness, holding onto small roots sticking out of the crumbly walls like parts of a banister. Shade followed reluctantly, silently wishing she never got out of bed this morning, descending into the void as the grass and trees disappeared from sight.
When they had almost reached the bottom of the staircase, she heard a loud rumble and felt shaking as dirt trickled down onto her from above. Her arms instinctively flew up over her head waiting for a cave-in that did not come. She looked up when the noise died away. The hole in the forest floor had closed above them.
She now stood in what appeared to be a hallway made of dirt and there were smooth stones all around them. Roots dangled from above and the only light came from lamps hanging on the walls. Slowly, in even intervals each one magically flared up. The lamps gave off an eerie flickering glow as Shade held her breath in the dim light.
Jack dusted his shoulders and shook the dirt off. He started walking down the hall and Shade had no choice but to follow, while attempting to breathe in and out slowly and deeply. The floor was flagstone, nestled in the soft moist dirt. It was cool in the dark tunnel, but not uncomfortable; there was no wind to chill her down here.
There were many tunnels branching off from the main one. She stayed close to Jack, afraid to lose him in the dim maze. Dangling roots gripped her hair, like fingers catching her strands and pulling hard as if they were alive. She used one hand to cover her hair, to keep it from catching the snarled roots. Her other hand was stretched out to help her balance against the cool smooth dirt walls. She hoped that wherever they ended up, that they would be there soon.
There was soft glowing light up ahead, growing brighter as they inched closer to it. Voices could be heard, echoing in spurts down the hall. The hall abruptly ended and opened into a large round room. Shade began to realize that the voices were coming from the many bodies fluttering around in the room. Most looked human from what she saw, but others, she wasn’t sure what they were. Their faces glared at her, an intruder from a world above; somehow, she had a feeling that they did not see too many strangers down here.