Blood Beyond Darkness Page 21

  “Because this shit is serious,” Eli said as he continued to trek through the foliage. “A fairytale means something different to you than it does to us. It’s real and a bitch.”

  Thinking of Aneira and what she did to London and New York, I had to agree. The Fairy Queen is a ruthless bitch.

  When we got to the cave, Cal crawled into my hood, preparing for the entry. Creatures like wolpertingers, bats, and spiders looked at Cal as lunch.

  “So ... I figure I will be staying right here.” Lorcan motioned to a rock next to the cave.

  “It will be best.” I nodded.

  “Thank you, Lorcan. We’ll try not to be long.” Kennedy touched his arm gently.

  He looked at her hand, then away. “I am watching the moon. If it moves past the trees there, I am coming after you.”

  “I’ll watch it, too. We have to be extremely careful about the time we spend here,” Eli said as we stepped into the mouth of the cave, tapping at his temple. “Let me know if anything happens,” he added, referring to their link. Lorcan did not know I would also be able to hear him. “Or our warning call.”

  Lorcan watched Eli for a moment before he gave a nod. “I will.”

  “Warning call?” Kennedy asked Eli, as we entered the cave.

  “It’s a specific howl our dad taught us if he couldn’t reach us through our link.” Eli’s pupils enlarged as they adapted to the darkness around him. We started into the cavern leading us to our family and friends.

  We crawled out of the tunnel and moved into the protected parcel of land where the cabin sat. The sound of a waterfall thundered in the distance. It was afternoon here, but it still wasn’t light. The Dark Unseelie side of the Otherworld stayed in perpetual evening/night intervals. The mornings and afternoon looked more like dusk before the night enveloped you in blackness again. My missing powers had nothing to do with my preferences, but my Demon side still favored the darkness, while my Fay longed for the light.

  Simmons glided out of the door with Torin and Castien close behind. We had set off the wards, letting them know there were intruders. “It’s only me,” I yelled, waving my arms at the two men.

  “My lady?” Simmons darted to me.

  “You said you wouldn’t call me that in public,” Cal said dryly from under my hair.

  “Cal!” Simmons bee-lined for his friend, crashing into him. They both tumbled off my shoulder, almost hitting the ground before they caught air and flew into the sky, laughing and jabbering. I bet they had never been apart this long.

  “Ember?” I heard my mom’s voice come from behind them. “Ember’s here?”

  “Yeah, Mom. I came to celebrate my birthday with you.”

  She rammed Torin and Castien into the wall as she pushed past them, running to me. “It’s your birthday today?”

  “Yep.” I knew they were not on the same time as Earth and probably didn’t have much idea what day it was.

  She had me in her arms in a matter of seconds. “Oh, my baby girl. Happy birthday!” Then her body tensed in my arms. I knew exactly what made her react like she did. Or who caused it. Good thing Lorcan had stayed at the entrance of the cave, or she would be having a conniption fit in my arms. “Elighan.” She stepped back.

  “Lily.” Eli nodded.

  Before I could say anything, Ryan came out on the porch. “Kennedy?” His voice rang across the cool air. “Oh, my god. Kennedy!” Ryan rushed headlong down the steps.

  “Ryan!” Kennedy tore off for him. The two almost knocked each other over as they came together.

  “I-I can’t believe you are here.” Ryan’s hand petted the back of Kennedy’s head. “You’re safe.”

  Kennedy pulled away to look at him. “We made a pact in third grade we would be friends forever, and we’d always be there for each other no matter what. I took the promise seriously. There isn’t anything that would keep me from you.” Tears streamed down her face.

  “Except when kidnapped by Fae.” Ryan squeezed her arm.

  “Except that.” She laughed.

  “Teaches us not to read the fine print in our pact.” Ryan rolled his eyes back dramatically.

  My heart soared watching them together. Reunited. They had been best friends since kindergarten and had been through so much. I was glad we came for Kennedy.

  Ryan looked over Kennedy’s shoulder. “Hey.” He pointed at me. “Get your salty ass right here and join in our reunion. You’re a part of us.”

  “But I didn’t sign any best friend contract.”

  “Your contract was signed in blood.” Ryan put his hands on his hips, tipping his head. “Now get your butt over here.”

  I ran to them. The three of us intertwined with arms and tears. It was already the best birthday I could ask for.

  “Now, get the smoking hot, happy meal over here so I can slyly squeeze his ass.” Ryan whispered in my ear. I burst out laughing and looked over my shoulder.

  Eli smirked, opening his arms. “All you have to do is ask, Ryan.”

  Ryan’s cheeks turned several shades past embarrassed.

  “He has exceptional hearing.” I winked at Ryan. “And a firm ass. I highly recommend feeling it at least once tonight.”

  Ryan let his chagrin roll off him. It never lasted long with him. He searched the porch where Castien stood. “Do you mind, honey?”

  Castien shook his head and waved his hand, giving him the go-ahead. Mark stood next to Castien smiling at all of us. I hoped it took him back to the many nights Ryan and Kennedy came to the house, and we bantered very much like this.

  Mark was my next hug victim. “It’s my birthday. Eli-ass for everyone,” I exclaimed as I headed for my dad.

  “Feeling like a piñata,” Eli mumbled.

  “Now you being a piñata is something I want to get in on.” Mom’s tone was less than humorous.

  “Me, too!” Cal raised his hand.

  I sighed, but kept my eyes on Mark. “Hi, Dad.” I threw my arms around him.

  “It’s good to see you.” He squeezed me tightly. “Happy birthday, Sunny D.”

  Torin had been standing there the whole time, his body filled with tension, and his eyes locked on Eli. “You brought him here?”

  I wanted to have a good night, but things needed to be dealt with before the fun could happen. “All right. Before we go on, we need to get something straight. ” I turned and faced my mother. “I know you believe Eli was there to harm us in the castle, but he wasn’t.”

  Mom’s contradiction already formed in her mouth.

  I held up my hand. “He came there to stop Lorcan. When you saw him in the hallway, he was on his way to try to prevent his brother from following through with Aneira’s plan.” I kept my voice strong as I looked at everyone. Then my eyes landed on Mom and Eli. “I think you two need to go hash out all the details because you are both in my life. You will have to learn to get along since I will not choose between you or be sandwiched in your feud. The rest of us will start getting drunk.” I turned and went in the cabin.

  Torin’s face contorted with a frown, and he hurried down the stairs. His arms swung stiffly at his sides as he disappeared into the forest.

  “Well, no birthday cake for him.” Cal swooped into the room.

  “Sir Torin has been through a lot,” Simmons contested. “You cannot deprive him of cake as well.” I snorted. To them, depriving anyone of either sugar or alcohol was a sin beyond measure. Cruel and unusual punishment.

  “I hope we have the ingredients to prepare a cake.” Mark headed into the kitchen. “It’s not like you can run to the store or get a box of cake mix around the corner.”

  “Do you have stores here?” I hadn’t even thought about how they were getting their food.

  Thara leaned against the counter. “Of course we do, but the closest town is about twenty miles away. And they don’t have boxed anything. Nothing is processed here like it is on Earth.”

  In some aspects, Fae were quite advanced, but in others, they were still in medi
eval times with their consumer markets. At least now they had refrigerators, lights, and other appliances which ran off solar power and magic. In a lot of ways, they were far better off without all the human devices. If the Queen didn’t murder humans, fast food would kill them for her.

  Kennedy, Ryan, and Castien came into the house, but Eli and my mother didn’t. I peered out the door and saw the two of them walking off. Good. They would never like each other, but I wanted them to at least know the other’s story and come to some kind of truce.

  Mark and Thara gathered everything they needed for a simple cake and dinner. I didn’t care if there was cake or any food. I only wanted to be with them.

  For the next hour Kennedy, Ryan, and I caught up, laughing and crying through our adventures and stories since we last saw each other. As he cooked, Mark would pipe up with his version every once in a while. I was diligent about keeping the chef’s cup full. Mark’s cheeks were pink, and he was in an especially joyful mood by the time dinner was ready.

  Ryan and I set the table while Castien and Kennedy sat on the sofa trading stories about Ryan.

  “No, no, he does that when he gets mad.” Kennedy giggled.

  “Does what?” Ryan dropped the silverware on the table, looking at them.

  “Nothing.” Both Kennedy and Castien said in tandem, their eyes wide and innocent.

  “At least have the decency to talk behind my back,” he teased.

  “Then, how would you know what we thought of you,” I kidded as I set the plates around the table.

  “I already know you think I am funny, devastatingly handsome, and have impeccable taste in clothes.”

  I grinned. “I never said we told you the truth to your face.”

  “Ha, ha.” He mocked laughing and then tried to look serious.

  “Dinner’s ready. Where are Eli and Lily?” Mark grabbed the pot from the stove and placed it on the table.

  Eli and my mom still hadn’t returned. “I’ll go see if I can find them.”

  Cal and Simmons, who usually wanted to go with me, were already at their places, their empty drinking cups pounding on the table in revolt. “Fill de cup or we piss in de pot!” Okay, Cal led the chant, but Simmons hit his cup on the table along with him.

  “Better do as they ask, or we’ll have pixie pee in our stew.” I grabbed the door handle and headed into the dark. The late afternoon had turned black. Stars glinted overhead, but the moon cast enough light to allow me to see where I was going. My gut pulled me to Eli, and I knew he could feel me coming. Stepping into a clearing, I saw them standing there. Both had their arms folded over their chests and no smiles on their faces, but they were alive. A good sign.

  Eli’s head curved in my direction. “No, we haven’t killed each other.”

  “Yet.” My mom snorted. Humor. The situation seemed better than I hoped.

  “Dinner’s ready.” I stepped closer.

  “Okay.” Mom came to me, taking my hand in hers. “I’ll see you both inside.” She gave my hand a squeeze before heading away from us, back to the house.

  When she left, I rounded on Eli. “So?”

  He walked to me, widening his stance, and his hands came to my hips. “Your mother will never like me. She will always want better for you. But I think we have come to a ceasefire.”

  I nestled myself into him. “That’s all I can ask.” His lips came down on mine, sparking my body. When we broke apart, I asked: “How are you feeling? Has the curse started to affect you yet?”

  “I don’t know. I feel restless, but I don’t know if it’s the spell or because I am anxious about the time here.”

  “How do you feel being back in the Otherworld? You wanted it for so long. Is it strange to return?”

  “Yeah, it is odd to be here again.” He pressed his lips together in thought. “Part of me feels like I can finally relax, that I am home. But it’s not exactly what I remember. My memories built it up to something no longer fitting with who I am.” He rubbed his brow. “I’m also realizing there are things on Earth’s realm I would miss.”

  I nuzzled closer to him, kissing his lips gently. “Like peanut butter.”

  “Yep, I would definitely miss that.” He nipped at my bottom lip.

  “What else?”

  “My bike,” he mumbled between kisses. “And you on it. Both my girls between my legs.”

  “I’d miss your Harley, too. When we get back, we should give it a tribute.” With that sentence, ice filled my lungs. He would not be the one leaving Earth’s realm in the end. I would be sitting on a throne in the Light side without him.

  Oh, hell, no.

  “Your idea makes me want to start now. We can add the bike in later.” He shut down my thoughts as his kiss deepened, his mouth desperate against mine.

  “We. Have. To. Get. Back.” I got out in air breaks.

  “In a minute.” He nipped at my bottom lip. “I got you something.”

  Leaning away, I sputtered. “You got me something? Like a birthday present?”

  “Uhhh ... sure.” He kissed me again. Sarcasm thick in his tone.

  “Okay, what is my non-birthday present?”

  He pulled away from me and lifted his shirt.

  “I do appreciate the sentiment, but I can have that package any day.” I winked at him.

  “Damn, woman, have you already grown weary of my body?” He shook his head, grabbing at something stuffed in the waist of his pants. “As much as I think I’m a better gift, I got you this.” Unceremoniously, Eli plopped a sheathed blade in my hand.

  I stared at the supple leather before sliding the six-inch knife from its cover. The blade curved slightly and was designed with delicate and beautifully woven patterns and motifs. My fingers couldn’t help reach out and touch the etchings. It hummed under my hand, coming to life. Pictures flashed too quickly through my mind, but power and pride filled my chest. Instantly, I felt the connection. It was made for me. It claimed me as I claimed it.

  Air sucked through my lips. “It’s beautiful.”

  “It’s goblin-made with the finest Fae metal.” Eli kept his eyes on the weapon. “It will fit perfectly in your boot.”

  My head wrenched up to look into his face. Some girls might hate getting a dagger for a present, but I loved it. He had made it especially for me. I dove into him, my arms wrapping around his neck. “Thank you.”

  “I knew you were the kind of girl who would prefer something able to gut a Fae rather than getting flowers.”

  My grin widened. “You know it.” I pulled his mouth to mine, showing him my appreciation.

  “I say, since I gave it to you, there should be some unwritten promise you can’t use it on me, no matter how much you want to.”

  “Oh, I never make those types of promises.” My mouth returned to his; our kisses deepened.

  “Lasssss? Purtty waddy,” Cal’s voice slurred from the forest. “Mr. Marky saed no mourn mead till ewe comb my back.”

  I leaned my forehead against Eli’s with a chuckle.

  “I am gonna kill that little flying Barbie,” Eli growled.

  “Come on. There’s alcohol and cake.” I tugged on his hand as I slipped my new present into my boot. It fit exactly like he said.

  “Only way to deal with your family.”

  “If you’re not going to be nice, I will demand we play pin the tail on the ass.”

  Halfway through dinner, the door opened and Torin came through. He grabbed the empty chair and sat down. “Happy birthday, Ember.” He nodded at me.

  “Thank you,” I replied, a little stunned at Torin’s greeting. Thara beamed at him as she filled his plate. I wanted to tell him I was glad he returned, and it wasn’t the same without him here, but I kept silent. His being here was a big step for him. Eli sat far on the other side, but they were at the same table together, sharing a meal. It meant so much. Happiness ballooned in my heart as I looked around the table at all the faces so dear to me. Laughter and stories overflowed the room. Every one of th
ese people belonged to my family. With every new person who became part of my world, my fortified heart opened wider to receive them.

  Later when the cake was brought out, Cal plunked down on my head, pretending to be a birthday hat. The more I tried to get him off, the more he threatened to poop on my head, so I gave in. But I drew the line at people singing. Those not born on Earth were familiar with the annoying tune, but the Fae world did not have the same birthday song as humans. For which I was grateful.

  Restless energy bobbed Eli’s knee relentlessly against mine, and he stirred in his seat. He wasn’t usually fidgety.

  I glanced over at him questioningly. The curse?

  He answered me with a shift nod. The spell was causing him to be uncomfortable. It was time to go. We had already been away longer than we should have, but I found it hard to leave. Today was the first time I had a birthday with all the people I loved, and sadly I knew it would probably be the last. The night was amazing, but a war sat on the other side of it—coiled and waiting, like a snake.

  “We have to return,” Eli whispered in my ear. I nodded, the smile falling from my face. “You have another gift waiting for you in your room later, if it makes you feel better.” He nuzzled my neck, placing my hand high on his thigh.

  “Eh.” I shrugged, playing indifference.

  “You know that is only going to cause me to be more determined.”

  My eyes widened. “Really? I would never have thought you could so easily be manipulated.”

  “So full of crap.”

  I winked.

  Cal poked his finger into my head. “Sorry, everyone. They do this a lot. Please continue on as if they are not here because they certainly aren’t aware of us and how awkward they can make a room.” My response was to flick him off. He tumbled into the air. “You are so going to get pooped on later.”

  “Try it pixie, and I will tell Sinnie you were the one who unmade every bed and hid all the sheets in the house so you could see her.”

  His eyes turned the size of saucers. “You wouldn’t.”

  “Oh, I would. And she was pissed. I remember her threatening to disembowel the culprit if she ever found out who it was.”