Kilara stood before three sarcophaguses, Corb a few feet away from her. “She’s gone. He took her,” Corb said.
Shade turned to see Kilara, whose paleness was replaced once more by her purple coloring, filling with rage and about to implode.
So the story was right. The three Ancients were in the same chamber to slumber. Arthas had already returned here to take Rowan from her sarcophagus. How naïve could they have been to not realize this sooner? Shade’s fear grew as she watched Kilara about to lose her wits.
“No!” The Ancient shoved the empty sarcophagus to the ground, where it shattered into thousands of stone shards. Shade stepped back as the Ancient screamed an inhuman screech. Shade covered her ears and fell to her knees, the pain of the noise feeling like drill bits making their way through her brain.
“Kilara! Stop!” Her voice was drowned out by the waves of maddening noise. Corb was the one to embrace Kilara and muffle the scream in his chest. She resisted, pounding his chest and kicking him with the ferocity of a feral cat, but she’d stopped her yelling. Shade collapsed to the floor, relieved as the pain slowly retreated, leaving her numb and worn.
“Shade….” Dylan scooped her up into his arms, glaring at the two Ancients. “Are you okay?” She nodded and focused on Kilara, who had finally calmed, her chest heaving as she let Corb continue to hold her in his embrace. Her eyes looked lost in the darkness of the chamber. Whatever was going on in there, Shade was sure she didn’t want to know. She’d let her magic return, for it no longer mattered if she kept herself hidden. Arthas had Rowan, and that was all that mattered.
“She’s gone. Arthas took….”
“I know.” Dylan’s jaw tensed as he helped her back to her feet. The room was a mess. Stone shards littered the floor, and the torches were all either blown out or hanging at odd angles after being shaken from their holders. Dust billowed around them, sending Shade coughing as she ran back up the stairs and into open air.
It was useless. She had to return to the Scren Palace, gather her forces and hit the Withering Palace in full force. Kilara was useless without her sister to control her. The Ancient was madder than a hatter, and her unbridled magic would destroy Faerie faster than even Aveta could. This was all going awry, with no plan, no actual leaders, to tell Shade what to do next. It was entirely up to her this time. She’d known it would end that way but had placed her bets on the wrong person.
“What happened?” Nautilus sprinted toward them, concern filling his surprised face.
Tears poured down Shade’s cheeks, the frustration of the last year tumbling about her, overwhelming her emotions. There was so much loss, so much still to lose, and she had put her trust in an insane immortal. Even Corb was more stable. It was no wonder Kilara had wanted to slumber. She must have known she was losing her grip on reality.
“Rowan’s gone. Arthas most likely has her,” Dylan answered, comforting Shade as her sobs filled the air.
“That can’t be good.”
“Hey.” Dylan stepped back to look down at Shade. Her misery was etched on her features, and she pulled him closer once more, hiding her face in his chest. His warmth was the only constant lately. It kept her grounded, and their bond felt comforting in this desolate place.
“She’s of no use to us. She’s insane.”
“Shh… I know. We’ll figure this out.” He hoped the Ancients were not listening in on them from below.
Shade pulled away, scanning his face for the hope she desperately needed. “We need Rowan. Or do you think she’s just as mad as the others? How do we survive this if they’re all crazy? They’ll destroy us faster than the Unseelie ever could.”
“I don’t know. I’m sure they just need to adjust to the world now. It’s been a long slumber. Give it some time.”
Sniffling, she wiped at her face and tried to look more pulled together as the immortals emerged from the hole. They looked unaffected by the tantrum Kilara had just thrown, as if it had never happened. But the blank determination masking their thoughts made them look more like animated statues upon the meadow than real-life beings. Shade slipped her fingers through Dylan’s as she faced them, waiting for their next move. Nautilus readied himself with his sword still in hand, just in case.
“Rowan is being held prisoner in the Withering Palace with Arthas. I can feel her energy there; my magic is returning rapidly. They will know I’m awake now, just as I feel them. Just so, Arthas is now aware of our presence here. He knows and will prepare for our coming. We must decide on a plan to infiltrate the castle and get Rowan back. Shade, you will go there and submit as a prisoner.”
Shade’s eyes widened, and Dylan’s protests echoed in her ears.
“No, I’ll never go back there as a prisoner. Never again.”
How could Kilara suggest such a thing? Shade swore she’d never return to that venomous place, ever.
“There has to be another way.” Dylan’s face had turned red, his fury threatening to unleash across the meadow at the Ancient’s emotionless suggestion.
Kilara’s calm demeanor melted away faster than Shade thought possible. The anger flashed in her eyes, but was more controlled than before. “You will go, no more questions. Prepare what you must, but get in there and find Rowan. Once you’re there, give her this. It will help her focus her powers and link them to mine. That way, I can locate her more easily, bring her back and take the castle down with Aveta and Arthas inside it.”
“Whoa, wait, you’ll wait until Shade is out, right?”
Kilara paused, as if the thought had never crossed her mind. Tilting her head in thought, she smiled at this and refocused her honey brown eyes back on them. “Of course. I’ll delay it until you escape, too, Shade. Thirty minutes of a human’s hour is what you’ll have to get out after Rowan dons the necklace. By then I’ll have gotten Rowan. No longer than that before I release my wrath on the stones.” She held out an amethyst gem, dangling from a long silver chain. From where it had appeared, Shade had no idea, but she took it and nodded to the Ancient. “Make her wear it at all costs. Do not fail me.”
“I must return to the Scren Palace to direct my army toward the Withering Palace so they can back me up. I can’t go alone this time. They don’t know my brother, Benton. He can infiltrate their forces and hopefully get stationed as a prison guard. I will share the plan with him. He’s cunning, so I know he can do it. He’ll let me know where Rowan is once I’m there and help us escape.”
Kilara nodded, a warm smile overtaking the anger. It sent a strange shudder through Shade. This Kilara was nothing short of insane.
“Very well. I expect to see you at the Withering Palace within three days. Beyond a week, Arthas will overtake the land, take down the last of the wards and it will be too late for us.”
“Sounds like a plan. How do we get back?”
Kilara smiled. “I’m sure you’ll find a way, Shade. Being my only descendant, you’re quite resourceful.”
“Wait. Where are you going?”
Before she finished her question, Kilara and Corb were nowhere in sight.
“Damn you!” Shade huffed out in frustration, staring at the empty spot where they had once stood. She grabbed stones from the ground and hurled them into the meadow, grunting with the exertion of throwing them as fast and as far as possible. “Fucking Ancients!”
Dylan frowned. This had all been for nothing.
“Wait, Shade….”
“Yeah?” She looked up at him. Glistening tears of frustration wet her eyes, but they didn’t dare fall. “Wait for what, Dylan? The only thing Kilara has brought me is back to where I started. I go back there… I won’t survive it.”
“I know. It’s just… maybe we can still do this our way, even if they think we’re doing what they told us to.”
Shade laughed, seeing nothing but pure red in her vision. “Doesn’t sound any better than their plan.” She turned around and started walking hastily toward the boundary of the Wards.
“Wait, where ar
e you going?” Dylan glanced at Nautilus, who shrugged.
“Anywhere but this Godforsaken place. I need to breathe.”
Dylan took chase, with Nautilus not too far behind. “You’re headed toward the city.”
“Good.”
Dylan sighed in frustration, walking briskly to keep up with her. Whatever she was up to, he hoped she’d walk off her rage.
Finally catching up to her, he found her standing in front of the see-through barrier of the ward. Shade held her hands on her hips and studied the city, alive with people hurrying off to jobs and mundane things like errands.
She glanced at Nautilus, who was looking amused by the variety of sights. He obviously didn’t get out much.
“Nautilus?”
He turned, waiting expectantly for her to continue. “Yes, Shade?”
Why did he have to say her name like that? Like it was silk on his tongue, making her shiver with his pronunciation?
“Remember when you said we should check Chicago out one day?”
“Yes.”
His eyes twinkled with excitement. “Well, today is that day.”
A train roared past the aboveground rails, which grew louder as they crossed over. The men followed close behind Shade up to one of the ‘L’ train platforms. After tossing pebbles enchanted as money at the ticket terminal to pay for the fare, they barely made it past the sliding doors into the train car and dropped into seats as it pulled away. Already encased in glamour to hide their weapons and other-worldly appearances, the three comrades peered out the windows and watched the high rises and office buildings rush by.
Somehow, it felt like home to Shade. The rancid smell of exhaust, diesel and random hot dog stands filled her nostrils, and her mouth watered for less-than-healthy food. She decided it was time to take a break from the near-vegan diet Faerie had to offer.
Dylan leaned closer to Shade, but she wasn’t talking to anyone yet. “There are easier ways to get around, you know. Remember the summoning orb? Do you still have it?”
She didn’t respond, but instead, slipped her pack off her shoulders, gave the sore muscles a quick rub, and then opened the mouth of the pack. She thought of the orb, and it appeared from the inky blackness of the pack and found its way to her palm.
“Yes, I have it. Why would we need it now? Besides, Camulus betrayed us, and I need to walk in a real human city for a bit. So done with Faerie right now.”
“Understood. Just so it’s clear, Camulus was following orders. When we’re done in the city, it would be a good time to find out who our real friends are.”
She nodded. Gulping back her anger, she replaced her pack on her shoulders and shoved the small blue orb into the pocket of her jeans. “Okay, but just give me a bit, all right? I need to step away from all this.” She waved her hand in the air to nothing in particular.
Nautilus was grinning ear to ear, his head plastered to the window as if seeing the most amazing sights he’d ever laid his eyes on. At least he was Teleen, and the iron metals of the city wouldn’t affect him like it would other faeries.
She leaned against the glass, too, letting the drum of the train lull her into a deep calm. She needed to recharge her human side, and this was the perfect place to do it.
Chapter Seven
The Guildrin Court
“QUEEN SHADE HAS requested reinforcements in two days at the borders of the Unseelie Realm.” Jack stood before Queen Zinara, who drummed her fingers on the throne. Her long black hair streamed down her back and over her shoulders, more like a cape than anything else. The land’s magic was drumming beneath her fingers, and she had felt the tilt in power weeks ago when Rowan was taken. Afraid the next few days would see their last stand at the Withering Palace, she felt more uncertain of things than ever before.
“Is Kilara with her?”
Jack shook his head. “No, Your Majesty. She was, but they parted ways three days ago after discovering Rowan had been taken. I haven’t heard any further word from them.” Jack stood very still, contemplating the message he’d received earlier from Ilarial. The platinum-haired oracle had brought him the news, filled with urgency and dread. It had been great to hear Shade had won the Southern Realm crown back and pushed back a legion of Unseelie, but the real threat was still ahead. Arthas was working with Aveta rapidly to bring the wards of Faerie down. It was only a matter of time before the last of them would be down, and the borders between the human and the faery world would become completely nonexistent.
If Shade failed to contain Arthas and Aveta, all would be lost.
Such a burden for someone so young. Jack felt the hairs on his neck prickle at the thought. The young girl he’d met and brought into Faerie himself was no longer the same naïve girl. She was a force to be reckoned with, the way she was actively taking down the faeries who opposed her. His frown quickly morphed into a smile at that thought, and he straightened. If anyone could accomplish the downfall of the Unseelie, it would be Shade.
“Very well. Gather the warriors and assemble as she requested along the Unseelie borders. We have to be ready for when she has Arthas and Aveta on their knees.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Jack?”
He peeked up and waited for the Queen to continue.
“Keep Shade safe. She’s our last hope. Only she can defeat these Ancients, and I don’t trust them. The land doesn’t feel in balance with the forces of magic. Be careful.”
He nodded. “I swear it.”
He turned to leave the throne room. Inside, a knot of dread twisted in his stomach. Taking a deep breath, he rounded the corner and nearly ran into Ilarial.
“Pardon me, Ilarial. I’m truly sorry. I was lost in my thoughts.”
She smiled, giving him a curt nod, her eyes twinkling. “I feel the tension in your soul. These are dark times we live in.” She reached out to touch his temple briefly, and he let her. It was something to get used to, how much an oracle needs to come in contact with the ones around them. Jack wasn’t bothered much by it at all, but there were some who still were. “There, a little better?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“You’ve been called to the upcoming battle with the Unseelie?”
“Unfortunately, yes. I fear for Shade, she’s at the pinnacle of it all. Do you think she can finish it?”
Her eyes went pensive, and Jack could feel the stir of her magic in the air. She was the purest soul in the kingdom of Guildrin, full of natural magic, focused and strong.
“I have strong faith that she will. She’s been through so much already, yet there is so much more to come. She’s the one, I know it.”
Jack nodded, feeling more assured but still apprehensive as he straightened. “Thank you. I feel a lot better to hear those words from you. You’ve never steered us wrong.”
“Nothing is for certain, but Faerie favors her. I’m not sure why, but she’s blessed and will come through for us. Even if it costs her everything. Even her life.”
Jack scratched his head and studied the flickering torches as they passed. He made his way toward the armory of the underground palace. “I know she won’t let us down. I just hope everyone else doesn’t let her down either. She’s been betrayed and put through a wringer. It can’t be easy. She’s the youngest queen in the history of Faerie. I fear for her life every day.”
Ilarial’s cool hand on his arm brought his attention back to the oracle. “Just believe, Jack. She needs your sturdy support now more than ever. Your direction and experience will get the army in place to give her what she needs. Don’t underestimate her.”
“I won’t. Thank you Ilarial.”
The oracle continued to watch him, extreme concern floating in her gaze. “Jack, can I ask you about Evangeline?”
He halted in his steps but refused to look at Ilarial, his jaw tensing. “I’ve not spoken of her in a long time. What do you want to know?”
“I sense a shift in her stance with Aveta and Arthas. When you were together, she was a
good friend of mine, too. She may be the leader of the Unseelie Army for now, but I want you to speak with her. Get her alone somehow. She doesn’t want Shade harmed. She sacrificed contact with her only family to keep them safe, and her uncertainty grows as time goes on. If you could persuade her to change sides again, she could help us in so many ways.
Jack struggled to keep his frustration hidden, but he knew Ilarial was well aware of the broken heart he still held inside from losing Vange all those years ago.
“Is it that necessary? Things between us were badly severed. Besides, how do you know she feels conflicted?”
“I understand, Jack. But do try. She was like a sister to me, and I showed her a lot of magic back in those days, linking us forever. That’s how I know she’s having doubts. You never know what may come from your kind words to her. She’s at a critical time in her life, and I know if you speak to her, you—and only you—can bring her back from the Unseelie’s grip. The time is now.”
He nodded, still unconvinced, but not willing to go against Ilarial’s wishes. She was an oracle for a reason, and not listening to her could spell tragedy. “Very well, Ilarial. I hope I don’t regret this.”
“Thank you, Jack. You won’t.”
Chapter Eight
The Iron City
“WHAT’S IN THESE things anyway?” asked Nautilus with a mouthful of Chicago hot dog. He spoke with his mouth full and opened wide. Several patrons of the small coffee shop were eyeing him with disgust. “It’s delicious! We don’t have these in Faerie.” He took a generous swig of his soda pop and smacked his lips with satisfaction. “This bubbly drink feels funny in my mouth.” He let out a loud burp before laughing and patting his belly.
Disgruntled patrons moved away from their table, cursing under their breaths.
“Slow down, will you? You’re scaring off the locals,” Dylan grumbled and finished off his deluxe turkey sub sandwich. He was more schooled on the ‘real’ world than Nautilus was and knew to chew with mouth closed.