Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Lia
‘ E verything’s almost ready,’ Isbeth murmurs from next to me, and my stomach does a flip.
I never thought I’d want to go back to the fold as much as I do in this moment. Gods, I’ve only been clear of it for a few hours, but the thought of the Trio going there without me ...well, without the Harbinger’s protection anyway, has made me realize just how much I care for Kal, Grey, and Dane. How could I have ever thought differently? The Harbinger, so easy to hear now, tells me it’ll be all right and that they’re capable and strong, that they’ll be back within hours.
I fumble for the closest hand, which happens to be Grey’s.
‘Do you really think you can make them believe that Varrik wants them to go?’ I ask him quietly. ‘Can we really save them?’
He nods. ‘Besides, Dane can always make them if need be.’
I give him a small smile, and my eyes widen as he turns to me and envelopes me in a tight hug, his mouth on mine for just a moment.
But he pulls away all too soon.
Kal is next; he drags me close and practically picks me up, squeezing me lightly. ‘We will come back,’ he promises. ‘And we’ll return with the Skilled. It’ll all go as planned. Don’t worry. We’ll find Jak and Ryon first. The faeling will be one of the first to come through. I’ll make sure of it. He’ll be safe.’
I nod as he lets me go. Now that I understand the Harbinger’s purpose as a protector, I can see why it wanted to make sure we saved as many of the Skilled as we could. This has to be done. They need to be brought here to be safe. The Harbinger pretends nonchalance, but I can feel how tense it is.
Dane, the last of the trio to say his farewell, doesn't grab me in a hug or invade my space. He instead takes my hand and presses a single kiss into my palm. He looks into my eyes.
‘Try not to worry,’ he whispers. ‘Soon, this will be finished. We can stay here if you want, or we can go to the Light Realm. The choice is yours.’ He looks momentarily uncertain. ‘I mean, if you want to be with us. We understand if you?—’
I put my hand to his lips to stay his words, words that make my belly coil tightly and nastily. ‘We’ve already spoken about this,’ I say. ‘Varrik and Fiana are to blame. Not you.’
He wants to argue, but Isbeth’s small huff from nearby stops him.
‘We’ll talk more tonight,’ he whispers. ‘After we return successful.’
‘Lia,’ Isbeth begins, ‘it’s time to open the Breach.’
My three fae males stand before me, and I take in a deep breath, half afraid the Harbinger won’t be able to perform at will, but the Breach opens almost instantly.
‘The first bridge back here will open in half an hour, close to where you come out now.’ I say. ‘Be ready.’
My three males move toward the Breach, and I watch with a heavy heart as they disappear into the tunnel, which closes behind them. I heave a breath. Isbeth turns toward me and puts her hand on my shoulder, giving me a commiserating look.
‘They'll be all right,’ she says quietly.
I give a small nod, hoping she’s right and they don’t underestimate the higher Skilled.
‘Come,’ she says. ‘I want to show you something.’
I walk with her from the camp and through the wards. She takes me along the village road, and I can’t help but notice how the fae have changed toward me. The news of what I am must have already traveled through the Underhill because all of its residents that we pass now look at me in barely restrained awe.
I glance at Isbeth. ‘I didn’t realize it would be like this,’ I murmur, gesturing to the males and females alike who openly watch me with a warmth I’m not used to. ‘I thought perhaps they wouldn't ... because I’m a human.’
She gives me a small smile. ‘I’m sorry that you’ve suffered so at Varrik’s hands and those of his people. And my apologies regarding how you were met earlier. You must remember that when our children and mothers were taken, humans in the Light Realm kept them locked away. They killed the mothers, and the faelings would have been killed as well had they not been found and brought back.’
‘Even though it was some of your own who betrayed you?’ I ask.
She smirks. ‘Some don't believe the details matter. They think that if not for the humans, nothing like that would have happened at all.’
‘Are no humans allowed here, then?’ I ask.
Isbeth winces. ‘I have tried countless times to change the law but, at the moment, only a select few are permitted to come here. I hardly need add that you will be included in that number, of course.’
We walk through the village and down toward the river I noticed from our apartments in the fortress. The landscape changes abruptly, becoming rocky, and the path meanders through a gorge with steep cliffs on either side.
We arrive at a waterfall.
‘Be careful’ it's slippery,’ the older fae female says over the roar of the water as she climbs some stone steps cut into the rockface. I follow and watch as she disappears behind the fall itself. I scramble up behind her, nowhere near as graceful, and find myself in a small, hidden cavern.
‘What is this place?’ I ask as she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.
‘A place of power.’ She lets out a chuckle. ‘And my cavern of solitude. When the stresses of my position become too much, I come here.’
She opens her eyes and looks around. She clicks her fingers, and a myriad of candles light up the walls, creating an ambient glow. I can see now that the walls are covered with intricate patterns carved into the grey stone.
‘It’s a shrine devoted to Gaila the First, our patron, the goddess who gifted us this fold and created the Harbingers. There are others dotted around the Underhill that are more often visited, which is why I prefer this one. It’s not secret, but it is usually forgotten.’
‘Why show it to me?’
‘You have withstood much, my child. I can see the wounds you carry inside, the ones inflicted by Varrik.’ She hesitates. ‘Your babe ... he ordered it, didn’t he? That was how he thought to obtain another Harbinger.’
I wince. ‘Yes.’
‘He’s my brother, you know.’
My eyes widen. ‘Your brother?’
‘Aye.’ She lets out a breath. ‘He always was a cunt.’
I bark a laugh. ‘Aye, a real cunt, that one.’
She takes my hands. ‘It’s still very early. If you wish ... not to have the babe, it’s up to you. The males you’re with cannot gainsay you here. There are laws that protect our females, that will protect you as well.’
‘Thank you,’ I say, ‘but regardless of the way it happened, I’m glad of it. I ... always wanted ...’
Isbeth smiles. ‘I’m happy for you then.’
‘How many Harbingers were there?’ I ask, a bit anxious to change the subject.
Isbeth catches on and leaves it at that. She turns away and walks deeper into the cavern. ‘Ten, so the old writings say.’
‘And none of the others have ever...?’
‘Returned? No. But it is believed that when the Harbingers were no longer needed, they went voluntarily to a sacred place in the Dark Realms to ... die, I suppose. Varrik must have found the one you have there.’
‘Why the Dark Realms?’
Isbeth sits on one of the low seats by the wall. ‘Before the Underhill, the Light Realm and the Dark ones were home to the fae and the humans. They lived side by side with the Dark Realm races. The Harbingers weren't only to help the Fae. They were for the humans as well, for Gaila the First is the patron goddess of both. However, the fae began to be persecuted, and the Underhill was created as a safe haven for us. After that, the Harbingers decided that we were more in need of their protection, so they stayed here with us, taking on fae forms. When they were no longer needed, they went back to the Dark Realms to a sacred place that has been lost to us now.’
‘But Varrik found it.’
Isbeth nods. ‘It appears so. The Black Lake was meant to be the resting place of the best of us. He likely stumbled upon it, and he took from it to make his Skilled. He must have. There’s nowhere else he could have found such power.’
‘What if he’s not dead?’ I ask, giving voice to my biggest fear.
Isbeth’s eyes find mine. ‘Then we kill him.’
‘But he’s your brother,’ I argue.
She shakes her head. ‘He stopped being my brother the moment he betrayed us. Despite his purposes once being altruistic, his ideas have been twisted with time ... and his banishment, I suppose. He's not the brother I remember.’
‘He's changed himself with the Dark Realms,’ I mutter. ‘He might be too strong for any of us to kill ... if he wasn't crushed to death in the keep.’
‘You’re an intelligent girl,’ Isbeth states. ‘Do you really think he could have perished there?’
‘No,’ I whisper.
She gives me a pointed look. ‘Then remain on your guard, Harbinger. It is your purpose, after all. And what a taxing one it is. You may return here anytime you wish. Now, come. It’s almost time to open the second Breach and hopefully welcome some of my brethren to their new home.’
We leave the cave and go back up into the village. The walk doesn’t take long, but we pick up our pace to get back to the camp in time for the Harbinger to open the Breach again at the time we agreed.
I feel an odd sensation, a niggling feeling that I'm being watched, but I suppose I am being watched. The eyes of all the fae we encounter follow me. All of them seem curious about this creature from their lore.
‘Once you've opened the bridge,’ Isbeth says, drawing me from my thoughts, ‘duck into the nearest tent so they don't see you.’
I nod. ‘Is it time?’
‘Yes.’
As soon as we arrive in the designated area, the Harbinger rises, and I hear the whooshing noise as the bridge appears. I move quickly into the tent, hiding behind the flap so I can just see who's coming out. It's a few seconds before anyone comes through and I wait with bated breath.
Have the others been able to find Jak? Has he helped them? Have they been able to convince the Skilled to come willingly? Are my fae males safe?
I watch a female come through, holding the hand of Ryon. My relief takes me by surprise, and I double over with it. I watch as Isbeth herself steps forward and kneels down to speak to the faeling as another fae female begins to explain things to the increasingly alarmed-looking Skilled.
Behind her, two by two, they begin to enter the Underhill.
I keep the Breach open as long as I possibly can. The number of travelers begins to dwindle, and the last to come through must say so to Isbeth because she nods toward me. I close the Breach, sitting down hard on the ground abruptly.
‘Are you all right?’ I ask the Harbinger as I feel its fatigue settling through me.
‘Just not used to it ,’ it says. ‘Let me rest for now. I’ll still be able to open it again when it’s time.’
I look out of the tent, staying out of sight. There are probably a hundred and fifty to two hundred Skilled. They’re milling around, looking at their surroundings with wide eyes, but they seem mostly calm. The guards are close by, but none have weapons so as not to incite a panic. The five Council members and a few others are explaining where they are, and that they’re safe. Others are handing out information about the Underhill and the fae society that none of them knew existed until moments ago.
I notice that none of the Underhill residents mention Varrik unless specifically asked. If they are, they’re intentionally vague, as many of the Skilled still regard Varrik as something close to a god.
A few openly weep. Others look shocked, nodding absently as Isbeth and the rest of the Council show them around and allocate tents for the night. There are tables of refreshments, but no one partakes. They look at the food and drink with open suspicion until the guards and the Council eat and drink in front of them.
I notice that there are no keep guards here yet. Tristian and Meryl, the last two of Varrik’s elites, are also absent.
A few minutes later, Isbeth ducks into my tent. She frowns in concern when she sees me on the ground.
‘Are you well?’ she asks.
I nod. ‘It’s just a bit taxing for the Harbinger to keep the Breach open for so long.’
She gives me a smile and squeezes my hand. ‘Will it be rested enough to open the Breach again in a few minutes? The rest should come through then, I’ve been told.’
I nod. ‘It will be ready.’
Only once more and all of the fae of the fold will be safe. The Harbinger is as relieved as I am.
‘ They'll be safe ,’ it echoes. ‘ They'll all be safe now. ’
I realize how worried it’s been, not just for me, but for those it once swore to protect.
‘The sun is beginning to set here,’ I murmur as I glance at the horizon, ‘and the times seem to be the same in the fold as they are here. How much time do we have? Is the Dark Realms close?’
‘I didn’t want to worry you,’ it answers. ‘But don’t delay. Open the Breach now.’
Kal
I search the rubble of the keep in my incorporeal form, gratified on so many levels that most of it has been destroyed. Lia’s room has half slid into the moat, and it is with difficulty that I even get to it. I realize as I walk through it how lucky we were to escape. If not for the Harbinger’s ability to open the Breach, we would have been crushed by the ceiling.
Seeing the remnants of the place where she was kept for all those weeks, tortured and tormented, treated like nothing ... yes, I’m glad it's gone. In what’s left of the room itself, I look around, finding blood but not much else. Fiana's body is nowhere to be found, so I can only assume that she got through the Breach. But I can't unearth any evidence of Varrik either, and I grit my teeth.
I pick my way through the rubble, annoyed that I haven’t found a definitive answer to any of my questions. I was hoping for a body or two. I wanted to see with my own eyes that Varrik and Fiana are dead.
I hear a noise behind me, and I turn, half hoping it's Varrik himself so I can slit his throat here and now without him being any the wiser. But it's Tristian, one of the last of his surviving elites. He's picking through the rocks as well, muttering to himself inaudibly. I keep silent, staying invisible so he can't see me, and I watch him.
He meanders through the room and over the half-broken threshold to get into the corridor outside that now balances almost precariously as the earth beneath it has subsided. I can hear rocks moving, and I know the building doesn’t have long before the rest of it collapses. I only hope it doesn't come down around my ears.
I follow the elite as he goes to the other side of the keep, where some of the rooms are still largely intact.
‘Did you find anything?’ A female voice asks, and I see it's the other one.
Meryl.
‘No,’ he answers. ‘I can't find hide nor hair of Varrik nor Fiana. The Harbinger is gone as well.’
She snarls. ‘What happened here?’
Tristian shakes his head. ‘Whatever it was, it was quick. Gods, we were only in the village. What did you find on this side?’
‘Vern and Rikoth’s bodies, their bones broken almost beyond recognition. I knew them by their clothes.’
Tristian frowns. ‘Was it the Harbinger? Did she get free?’
‘I don't know,’ Meryl blusters, ‘but we'll make her pay!’
I roll my eyes. I don't need any more of my female’s enemies finding her. I’d best stop them before they try to leave the fold.
I sneak close to Tristian, and when I’m just a step away, I silently throw my knife into Meryl’s back. Her body hasn’t hit the floor before I slit his throat. Neither has time to do anything at all. It's quick, almost anticlimactic. But I don't need them trailing after us. By the time all this is finished, I don't want Lia to still be looking over her shoulder, and that means taking down anyone who could be a threat to us.
I go to the main hall and find that it's almost completely undamaged, bar some loose bricks and a hole in the ceiling.
I find what Meryl was talking about. Vern and Rikoth are very much dead; probably killed by Varrik once he realized they were betraying him. Their bones are twisted and gnarled. Crushed.
I go to Rikoth’s corpse first, and I rummage around in the pouch on his belt. I find the purple amulet that, in hindsight, I’ve decided might be useful outside the fold.
I pocket it and then frown. Perhaps Vern has one as well.
I search him and find his around his neck. I take that one, too. Just in case; never know when a little magickal bauble might be useful.
I begin making my way back to the main Gate on the hill where the Harbinger’s Breach naturally opened.
Dane and Grey are there with Jak, getting the Skilled to leave the fold. I see the sun is beginning to set. We don't have much time.
I see a couple of guards looking confused, and I grin, letting myself be visible.
‘You,’ I announce to both of them.
They stand to attention when they see I’m one of the elites.
‘Varrik is coming back for us,’ I say. ‘You and all the other guards are to meet him at the edge of the forest. Tell any other guards you see.’
They both bow at me and I stifle another smile as I leave the keep. With any luck, all those who hurt our female will meet where I said in a little while.
I go back down to the village and see the last of the Skilled putting together the bags of their meager possessions. They look stricken and scared, but fortunately, no one has really questioned the story of where they’re going and why.
Of course, the fae lord would want his Skilled to come with him to this new land because this fold is failing. Everyone knows that. It's been getting smaller and smaller. Heads nodded sagely. Bags were packed hastily.
I’d anticipated more problems, more resistance, but except for one or two naysayers who were dispatched quickly and quietly, everyone has done what they're told ... like sheep.
I make my way up to the main gate where the Harbinger’s Breaches have been opening. I suppose it’s no coincidence that the bridges form here. It must be where the current is strongest, which is why the ring was put here in the first place. It stands to reason that any portal would open close to it.
I see Dane directing fae. When he sees me, he steps away, allowing Jak to take over.
‘What did you find?’ he asks quietly.
‘Not a fucking thing, but I got rid of the last two elites. We don't need them following us to wherever we’re going after this is done.’
He nods. ‘Agreed.’
‘Have you sent anyone over to the forest?’ I ask.
He gives me a malicious grin. ‘One or two,’ he replies.
‘Did they question it?’’
‘Of course not. I’m an elite. They do as they’re told.’
‘Good,’ I murmur.
Dane calls Grey over. ‘We'll do a final sweep of the village. Make sure no one's been left behind. The second Breach should open very soon.’
He calls Jak over and tells him the same. ‘I'll make sure they all go through,’ he says. ‘Although, I've been counting the numbers, and there's a good twenty from the keep who are unaccounted for.’
‘If they’re there, we’ll find them,’ I promise falsely, turning away.
Jak is a healer. I can't tell him the truth.
Grey, Dane, and I walk through the village quickly, calling out for anyone as we go into houses and make sure no one is left.
‘What do we believe happened to Varrik and Fiana?’ Dane asks. ‘Did you find anything at all?’
‘A bit of blood,’ I say, ‘but no bodies. We have to assume that they both got to the Light Realm. We need to be vigilant in case they should try to get into the Underhill from there. Varrik’s office was mostly gone. I couldn’t even get into it to see if the map was still there. One of them could easily have it, and if they do, they’ll use it to find the Gate that leads there.’
Grey nods. ‘We’ll let the Council know. There are guards on the other side of the gate between the Underhill and the Light Realm, but they can post more if need be. They’ll be able to keep an eye out and make sure no undesirables enter the Underhill.’
‘Good,’ I murmur.
‘How many did you send to the forest?’ he asks.
I shrug. ‘I don't care,’ I say. ‘None of them are coming with us.’
I look at the setting sun. ‘It's time to leave.’
We go back to the Gate as one and find that the Bridge is already open. The last few stragglers are leaving the fold. I take one last look around at it and snort. Fuck this place. I'm glad that it'll be destroyed.
Grey looks back at the forest. We can't see the ones we sent there, and they can't see us either.
‘Having second thoughts?’ I ask.
He sniffs. ‘No. I just would have liked to kill them one by one.’
‘As would I,’ I say, clapping him on the shoulder. ‘But we don't have the time, and I'd rather get back to our female.’
He nods, and we follow Dane through the Breach, the last of us leaving the fold ... Well, the ones who are going to be leaving alive anyway.