Fae (32 page)

“Of course…”

Forever
, I thought.

Caroline's eyes widened for a moment as if she had heard the words in my head. Then she looked down.

“Devilyn?”

“Yes?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“How did you…” she stammered for a moment, “I mean, why did you come over?”

I tried to calm the racing of my heart before I answered her.

“Because I care.”

I drove through the rain-filled streets of Roanoke with a sudden excitement and sense of hope that I hadn't felt in a long time. Despite the many unanswered questions that faced me, there was one thing that I knew for sure.

Devilyn cared.

He told me in his words, and he showed me in his actions. I no longer had to question his feelings or even suppress my own. I knew that we were on the verge of entering unchartered territory, but I also knew now, more than ever, that I was in good hands.

I smiled in a way I hadn't in days. The glow lit up from within my core. It overtook me, moved through my heart, and made its way up to my lips. I shook away the moment of happiness and stared at the road ahead.

I pulled up to Teddy's house and honked the horn. He ran out and jumped into my car.

“Hey!”

“Thanks for joining me,” I told him with a smile.

“Nothing beats a trip to the grocery store,” Teddy said, gesturing to a massive shopping list. “My mom asked for a whole lot of stuff.”

“Great.”

Teddy looked over at me. “You seem happy.”

“Really?”

“Seriously. You've looked so down lately, but today you seem alive again. Like the old Caroline but different. Happy Caroline,” Teddy told me.

I laughed. “Thanks Teddy. I feel good. I haven't felt like this in a while.”

“Any particular reason?”

“No not really,” I replied untruthfully as I pulled into the parking lot. I went up and down the parking aisles until I finally found a spot. Teddy didn't ask any more questions as we both jumped out of the car and grabbed our own shopping carts.

“Race you inside!” Teddy yelled as he began running like a wild man toward the doors to the store.

I chased after him gleefully until my keys flew out of my hand, and I had to stop to pick them up. Teddy had already made his way to the doors, jumping up and down like a lunatic. As I reached down to get my keys a pair of old hands beat me to it.

I stood and faced the woman in shock.

I remembered her from my childhood. Her name was Brighid. She was an incredible psychic and had been around forever. She had predicted many things for the people around town. While a handful was petrified of her, the others were dying to have the answers to all the questions about their future. She was especially gifted because unlike most psychics, she had yet to be wrong with a prediction.

I had met her once when I was eleven years old. I'd been with my parents in a utility store back in town and was wandering the aisles alone. I don't think that I'd ever forget the experience of running into the older woman with the wild gray hair and electric blue eyes.

I remember that I had been playing with a small ball, bouncing it up and down the aisle, when I had lost control of it, and it began rolling away out of my control and down the long aisle. I chased after it, not once removing my eyes from its erratic manner, until it finally came to a halt at the tip of her black boots.

I looked up to find her staring down at me. I hadn't been afraid of her as everyone else was—only curious. She immediately bent down and picked up my ball, holding it out for me.

“We can't have you lose your shiny new toy,” she said with a smile. “Now can we?”

I slowly shook my head but continued staring up at her unusual face. She had only said a few words, but I was mesmerized. I had remembered so many accounts of her looks, and she was always described as being terribly unattractive and almost frightening.

But I had found her to be just the opposite.

She had smiled back and watched me carefully, her gaze steady on mine. “Here you go, dear,” she said as she handed it back to me.

“Thank you,” I barely managed to say as I slowly took the ball out of her hand.

“Look at the beautiful palm of your tiny hand,” she replied with a crackly voice as she slowly turned it over and stared down at the many lines. Her eyes immediately had taken on a faraway look. I let the ball drop and stared down at the small lines of my palm as she traced each one with the tip of her long nail.

“You have a great destiny.”

“Destiny? What do you mean?”

Brighid beamed.

“You are not who you think you are, Caroline Ellis. Now, don't forget your ball.”

I looked down to find my ball, and when I looked back up, she was gone.

She had simply vanished.

I had never forgotten that moment. Or her words. Maybe I had known the truth in them at that moment in my life. She was much older now, the many lines on her face told the tale of years past, and yet her bright blue eyes had not lost their luster. With eyes like those, she didn't need to speak at all, they told me everything.

“I always knew I would see you again, Caroline Ellis,” she told me as she handed me my keys. “You certainly have a propensity for dropping things.”

“Thank you.”

“You're welcome.”

“I can't believe you remember my name.” I couldn't keep the surprise out of my voice.

“I would never forget you,” she replied with a smile.

“Thanks again. Sorry, but my friend is waiting for me,” I told her as I started to walk away. I could see Teddy curiously watching us from inside.

“Caroline Ellis.”

“Yes?”

She faced me looking so strong and yet so fragile.

“You have two small moles on your back. In between these sacred marks lies the story of your life. From childhood until the day your soul will leave this great earth. One is on your shoulder and the other on your lower back, and all of the answers lie in the vast area in between.”

The goosebumps that moved over my body came naturally. No one knew about my moles except for my mother.

“You are not who you think you are,” she continued.

“I know that now.” I couldn't prevent myself from blurting out the truth.

She shook her head at me and smiled.

“This is not about your parents, my child. This is about your essence.”

“I'm sorry?” I asked in confusion.

“He feeds your soul.”

My heart stopped.

“He feeds your life. He helps you breathe. He makes your heart beat. He is your true mate. You will not be able to live without him.”

Brighid looked at me and smiled.

“It is a blessing to come across such a love in one's life. Most of us search for eternity. And never find it.” She sounded almost sad as she said the last words.

“He has all of the answers, dear girl.”

“I don't understand.”

“You do.” Her smile was enigmatic. “Now have a lovely day, dear.”

She walked away before I even had a chance to ask her another question. I would have chased after her, but Teddy had moved his cart up to mine. He stared after Brighid.

“What did the crazy lady tell you?”

“She's not crazy.”

“Caroline, everyone knows she's not playing with a full deck.”

“Don't be ridiculous. She's harmless,” I replied defensively as I watched Brighid walk away. “She's just old.”

“Old doesn't mean harmless, Caroline.”

I turned to face Teddy, wanting more than anything to defend her, but when I looked up at the smirk on his face, I realized that I wouldn't make any headway and gave up.

“We have a lot of shopping to do,” I said instead. “Let's go.” I couldn't help but glance back to see if I could catch another glimpse of her, but she was nowhere to be seen.

I knew I was dreaming.

I was deep in the forest of the Light Fae surrounded by ancient trees. Tall, long, lush trees that shielded me from the outside world. I walked toward the circle of runes that emerged majestically from the ground.

“You came of your own free will this time,” Brighid said as she walked from behind one of the tall stones. She was dressed in a long black robe with her hair clipped back for a change and her expression solemn.

“You called for me, and I thought I shouldn't fight it as I always have,” I told her.

Her smile didn't reach her eyes.

“Come.”

I followed her into the circle where she reached out and took my hand. She whispered an ancient verse, and we were gone. In a blink of an eye I stood outside an enormous castle. It was magnificent. Surrounded by a magical mist and a beautiful blue moat.

It was fit for a king.

The drawbridge slowly lowered to the ground, and I began to walk across. I was in awe of the beauty that surrounded me. When I reached the other side I saw many familiar faces from Dana's court. They were somber.

All wearing black.

Waiting in silence for me. I moved up to them and made my way through the crowd as each of them stepped aside, slowly revealing whatever it was that they were shielding me from. I looked in the faces of every person I passed. I wondered what it was that they were keeping from me.

And then I saw it for myself.

Caroline.

My beloved.

My queen.

Caroline lay motionless on a bed of Lemurian crystals, lifted high out of the ground so that she was eye-level with all those who gazed upon her. Her magnificent hair cast around her like the perfect crown. She was dressed in a deep purple gown, the color of royalty, representing the house of Tuatha DéDanann. Her beautiful gray eyes were closed peacefully as if she was asleep.

But I knew better.

I fell to my knees before her. The pain that consumed me made me incapable of breathing. I tried. I tried to control the anguish, the sorrow, that consumed me, but it was so overwhelming that I could only throw my head back and scream. I stood up and lifted Caroline's lifeless body into my arms as the tears flowed freely down my face.

“
No! No! No!”
I shook her and pulled her high up against my chest as I placed kisses all over her beautiful face. Her cold face. I looked at them as I held her against my body. They had each moved up and were now circling me.

My court. My people.

The sea of faces had now become my enemies.

“Is this what you wanted? Is this the end?” I screamed at them in fury, “Does this justify everything?

Ella stepped forward. Her face filled with sorrow.

“Devilyn,” she pleaded with me. Through the fog, I could momentarily see and feel the depth of her sadness, as if she was feeling my pain. But all I could see was Caroline, my beloved wife. Gone. For this petty war between us?

I staggered back from her—from them all—and turned.

“Open your eyes,” Brighid whispered to me. “See yourself.”

And then I did.

Instantaneously.

I was facing a mirror holding Caroline. I was wearing an elaborate black cape with dark clothes underneath. And on my head, I wore a black crown with jagged ends and one of the largest black diamonds I had ever seen at the top.

And then I knew.

I was wearing the crown of the Dark Fae.

“Tis the old secret of the godsthat they come in low disguises.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson

The garden surrounding the stream was inviting, relaxing. As the water made its way over and through the rocks it created a soft, soothing sound, almost like a lullaby. A few had gathered in anticipation of the stallion's findings. But one waited most impatiently for the Kelpie to begin speaking. Alderon was not one to be crossed, and members of the Faerie court were growing silently concerned that the Kelpie had once again failed him.

The Kelpie appeared before them all, bowing majestically before Alderon.

“Master, I believe I have found her,” the white horse spoke in a quiet voice.

“You believe you have found her? Or you have found her? Which is it?” Alderon asked with a rising rage in his voice.

“I am quite confident she is the one,” the Kelpie looked up at Alderon and knew that if the outcome wasn't as he had commanded, his days on this earth were certainly numbered.

“She is quite enchanting, and he is most definitely taken by her.” The Kelpie lifted his head up into the air and took a deep breath.

Alderon was intrigued.

“Continue.”

“She is everything we imagined. Strong, cautious, and beautiful,” Patrick quickly told him, knowing that it was probably not wise to highlight her positive characteristics, as they would likely not be embraced or appreciated. “And it is because of these reasons that I have come to you today.”

“You dimwitted fool, have you fallen under her spell as well?!” Alderon screamed.

The horse immediately shifted to the male figure. He knelt down on the grass, slowly bowing his head before his master, begging him for forgiveness, and hiding his shame.

“No sire, she is not appealing to me. Not in the least bit,” Patrick replied, continuing cautiously. “She appears to be too protected. It is for that reason that I respectfully ask that you remove me from this mission, as I have come to realize that this job is not one that I feel I'm capable of completing to your satisfaction.”

“Do you mock me? You question my judgment!” Alderon was now screaming at the top of his lungs. His anger had erupted, causing the spectators to scatter as he suddenly reached down and grabbed the Kelpie by the throat.

“No sire, but as I said before, I understand the need for secrecy. I understand how important it is for you. And she does not trust me,” Patrick spouted out, barely able to breathe.

“And how do you know that?”

“I can see it in her eyes,” he said in fear. “She is a afraid of me.”

“This has never stopped you before.” There was no mistaking the menacing tone in Alderon's voice.

“No, it hasn't sire. But she is also well-guarded.”

“How do you know?” Alderon replied releasing his grip on the desperate man.

Patrick caught his breath. “I have been following her for quite some time now, and I have been watching him from afar. I realized who she was some time ago because he cannot hide his true feelings when he's around her. That is why there is no doubt in my mind that she is the one. She is the heir.”

Alderon smiled.

“She is so well-protected. I don't know how I am to make her bleed so that we can be sure.”

Alderon was quiet for a moment, carefully digesting all of the information he had just heard, well aware of the sorry fate of the Faerie that knelt before him. A fate that his son would soon face.

“Well then, I suppose we'll have to devise another plan,” Alderon finally said in a menacing tone as he brushed his hands against the top of the Kelpie's head. “You will take me to her, and then you will be free. But first there is someone I must see.”

He left the trembling Kelpie, who would soon face certain death, and appeared again in his private chambers. He moved quickly toward a large chest. The massive lock unclicked on its own, recognizing its master, and lifted before Alderon. He reached inside and pulled out the lock of hair that the Kelpie had stolen for him weeks earlier. A beautiful lock of long blond hair that belonged to his youngest daughter, Tatiana.

Alderon took a deep breath and began to recite words of
magik
. As he whispered the words, the air around him began to mist into a fog.

“Tatiana, my child,” he began, sounding like a loving father. “My daughter. My only daughter. Do you hear me now? It is I, your father.”

The mist around Alderon began to move again, like a whisper.

“Tell me you hear me,” Alderon said again.

And suddenly Tatiana's face took shape in the mist as she stared at Alderon. The shock of hearing her father was all over her face. Alderon smiled and reached out, even though he wasn't reaching toward her physical body.

“You came, my child. Yes, it is true. What your heart has always known. I am your father,” Alderon said in a soothing voice. “Your mother was a Dark
Fae
. You are not made of Light as Odin has told you but only Dark. You are my child. My only daughter. My only pure child.”

Tatiana's face was filled with shock.

“He has betrayed and deceived you, your Odin. He has lied to you all these years and has belittled everything you are. Everything you stand for. Denied you your right to be by my side. The only place that is truly your home. How could such a God do this to you?”

Tears streamed down Tatiana's face.

“I called for you now because we are in grave danger. I loved you so much that I didn't want to upset your life before. I thought you were happy with your existence. I didn't want to cause you any more unnecessary pain. But now, I have no choice. My court, your court, we are all facing possible death because of your dear brother. He has placed all of us in peril. Our race. Our very existence. It will all end, my dear Tatiana, if we let him. We cannot let that happen,” Alderon lovingly spoke to the lock of her hair.

“You are a princess. My princess. This kingdom is as much yours as it is his. And he is behaving so very carelessly and foolishly with it all.”

Tatiana's face suddenly changed, and the look of anger that appeared could not be mistaken.

“And all for the sake of one human girl. I beg you, don't let him get away with this,” Alderon said convincingly.

“Help us, dear child. You are the only one who can save our people.”

I woke up in the morning and for the first time in a long while felt good about the future. Part of it had to do with the fact that Famous was lying sprawled on my chest staring down at me with a funny smile.

“What is it”? I asked him as he wagged his tail. Slowly petting his furry body, I knew what he wanted. A walk. And truth be told, I really felt like I could use one, too.

“Let's go. Let's go out for a walk,” I said to him as he wagged his tail even harder and started to bark at me. I couldn't help but laugh as I put on my jogging pants, and he pulled on the edges with his teeth. He was so excited that he wanted me to hurry it up.

“Okay! Okay!” I dressed quickly and pulled my hair back in a ponytail, and then the two of us ran down the stairs together. He was barking happily as he bounced after me. I knew my parents had already left for work, so I grabbed the house key, put his harness on, and we were off.

It was a beautiful day. We'd had a few days of rain, but today the weather had warmed quite a bit as the sun kept peeking out from behind the clouds. It definitely wasn't tank top weather, but it was nice nonetheless.

Famous was happy to bounce along the sidewalk and bark at every car, bird, insect, or squirrel he saw. It always made me laugh, but I was happy with his joy because it confirmed his innocence and made me appreciate how beautiful life was, all through the eyes of this little creature.

I looked behind as he sniffed around the ground and saw three runners approaching us, not far from where we stood. All of them wore similar black jumpsuits and seemed to run in perfect sync. Even though it was a little eerie, there was something beautiful about the way they moved in perfect unison.

I continued staring at them in awe, as Famous played in the grass around me. Little did I know that just moments later, every aspect of my life would change.

As the runners grew closer and closer to us, I unconsciously loosened the grip on his leash.

That was all it took.

As Famous felt the freedom from my grip, he began moving forward faster, so much so that had quickly lost the leash entirely. It's funny how in life the things that happen to you that are the most monumental, and potentially devastating, always seem to go by in slow motion.

In his exuberance, Famous kept sniffing along the grass until he was at the edge of the sidewalk and then finally in the street. Finally free.

And running.

He hadn't made much noise, so it took me a while to snap out of the trance-like state I was in. When I finally realized what had happened, that he was gone and running, I began screaming out his name.

First in anger, mostly at myself.

And then in fear.

But as all tragedies, my cries were too late. A car swerved around the corner, literally appearing out of nowhere, and hit my precious baby, making him fly like a bird through the air.

To say in words what I felt would be to diminish the love I felt for this animal. He was my life. A part of my heart. The one true thing I had. The scream that tore out of my body came from the very depths of my soul.

“No!!!”

I ran toward his limp body.

“Help!!!” I continued screaming at anyone who would listen. I turned around in despair and locked eyes with one of the joggers. He didn't ask me if I needed help. He didn't even stop. He just looked at me, and as he ran by, he even seemed to have cracked a small smile. At first I thought that my imagination must have been playing games with me.

Who would smile at this?

What kind of monster would find joy in an animal's suffering? To see his innocent and lifeless body. All of it was unbearable.

My Famous.

The tears began streaming down my face as I reached down and picked him up and cradled his disfigured body in my arms. I told him over and over again that I loved him. Gone was the smiling baby of the morning and all that was left was a limp barely breathing dog.

“Oh Famous. No!
Please, no
. Somebody! Somebody please help me!” I don't know who I screamed at. In a blur people started running toward me as I cradled my baby in my arms.

I was dying with him. I knew it. This small animal had been my only life support, and he was about to be taken from me.

God! No!

I bolted up in bed.

Caroline.

Something didn't feel right. I felt sudden alarm, sensing that she was in trouble. In deep and utter pain.

I could feel it within my body. I closed my eyes and shuddered at the sense of fear that washed over me. I felt as if she was dying. Something was very wrong.

I moved to the side of the bed, letting my legs hang down as I took in a deep breath and closed my eyes. My mind was instantly silent. I called upon my skills. The dark
magik
. It was the only power that would help me see through anything, it was like my very own crystal ball.

“Show me Caroline,” I commanded. “Tell me where you are.”

A sudden flash went through my mind. And instantly, I saw her. Running. Screaming for help. Crying hysterically.

My heart stopped. I had to take a moment, breathe deeply again, so I could see through my instant anguish and rage over her suffering. I wouldn't be able to find her otherwise. I focused again, and I saw another flash.

There she was. Climbing out of a stranger's car and holding a limp Famous in her arms. She was beyond grief. Tears streamed down her face as she openly wept in anguish.

“How?” I asked out loud.

And then the whispers began. The
magik
began to work in earnest, and I saw Famous running. I saw the dark car speed up in the direction of the small animal. I saw the point of impact. And I saw the joggers.

One.

By.

One.

And then I saw her, and my mouth went dry.

Tatiana.

My dear sister.

But a sister no more.

I immediately rose and began to dress, and as I did I silently vowed I would kill her for causing Caroline such sorrow. She would weep in pain for every tear that Caroline shed. She would feel the depths of true sorrow. She would feel the depth of my
wrath
.

But there was time for that. Now I had to console Caroline.

“Take me to her,” I commanded and was instantaneously transported into the entrance of the veterinary office in Roanoke. I ran through the doors and up to the front desk.

“Caroline. I'm here to see Caroline Ellis.”

The older nurse looked at me sadly.

“You're her boyfriend?”

“Yes.”

“She's going to need you. I will take you to her.”

I knew that Famous was not going to make it through this accident. And I wanted to be with Caroline through it all. The nurse took me to the door, and I paused just before I opened it. Once I entered I stopped breathing.

Caroline was sobbing on Famous's body. Clenching him as she shook convulsively. The dog was barely breathing as the vet prepared a syringe to put him down. Caroline was so immersed in grief that she didn't even hear me enter.

“Do you know how much I love you? Do you know what you mean to me? How much joy and happiness you've given me?”

I was accustomed to loss. To life and death. But my eyes began to burn with tears as I heard her desperate voice. I watched Famous struggle to look at her; I knew he was in supreme pain. I could feel it, but he wanted, even at this moment, to ease her soul. This was the depth of his love for her.