A Dark Faerie Tale Series Omnibus Edition (5 page)

Now what? Which way do I go?
She hated having to listen to the voices for an answer. At least she knew if she had to ask them anything, they’d answer her without fail. She just hoped it wasn’t an answer she didn’t want to hear.

Upstairs, follow the stairs to your right; take them now
, the voices commanded in unison
.

Shade turned toward her right; the hallway ended by a small banister near the wall. She could see another window frame at the end of it and light spilled through the streaked glass, illuminating the bottom of the staircase. Dust particles swam in the rays and danced all around.

Here we go,
thought Shade.
Please don’t let there be a crazy person up there!
She swiftly walked to the stairs and looked up; she heard nothing but the wind making the walls moan. Moving slowly over the loose floorboards, whose creaking was driving her mad with fear, she reached the landing just as she heard a crash. Her eyes widened and she fought the urge to fly right back down the stairs.

Something big is up there! It’s moving, too! I don’t want to meet that!
She couldn’t move from her spot and listened again, but nothing else banged around upstairs. Shade craned her neck so she could hear better
. It must have stopped
. After taking a breath, she continued up the stairs.

“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 strewn about on the desks, and old chairs were turned over, as if they had been thrown across the room.
Um, not pretty.
She looked around; whatever had been up here might still be lurking and hiding from her. It wouldn’t be too hard with all the 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, and smashed into one of the bookshelves, which lined the walls. She ducked under a desk, which was still standing upright, and tried to take cover from the flying debris.

What was that?
She tried to pace her rapid breathing for she felt like she was having a heart attack. What if she died and no one could ever find her? Her remains would be here in this desolate place for years,
if
ever discovered.

Shut up,
she told herself, shooing the morbid thoughts away.
Now, voices, come on, why am I here, to get killed? You better tell me soon, ’cause I am about to hightail it out of here!

Shade peeked above the desk to look around the room. A sonic boom knocked her onto her back, causing more debris to fly past 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 wouldn’t notice her in the mess.

“You can’t hurt me, Jack. I know all your tricks, and they’re pointless against my magic. You can’t best me with your powers; mine 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, Evie. You don’t have it in you; we’re banging our heads against the walls. I can have reinforcements arrive in a heartbeat. Give it up before I’m forced to make you.” This was a man’s voice, 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
. And the name is Vange now.” She spoke his name as though she was speaking of poison. “You’ve trespassed 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!

“
The mortal is of no concern to me. You should stop right now before I hurt you. The Queen wants you alive, but I’m sure that if you were wounded, she’d understand it was a matter of life and death. Or, you could just give the talisman back and we’ll call it even.” Jack sent another lightning rod, or what looked like a lightning rod, 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, narrowing his gaze as he watched her. 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 behind the desks and stealthily crept toward the woman. He paused periodically to listen and search 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 as her chest burned from hyperventilation. What could she do? They would see her if she bolted. She hung her head down, wishing to be small and invisible. She heard Jack curse as another crash shattered a window on the north end of the building. Shade jerked her head up in time to see Vange flash a smile 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,
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 while he groaned and cursed under his breath.

Shade stood and peered at Jack; he had yet to turn toward her. She decided to discretely sneak away when he suddenly caught her by the shoulder. She screamed, and quickly spun around and forced to face him. His eyes pierced hers as his hands gripped her upper arms. “Let me go!” She yelled as she wriggled around in his grip.

“Oh, quit it. Who are you? Why are you here?” Jack questioned as he stared at her with searing eyes. He squeezed on her arms just enough to make her cry out.

“I don’t know, I don’t know! Let me go!”

He sighed and released her as she pulled away, sending her crashing to the floor.

“Ow!” Shade grabbed her elbow, streaked with blood.

“You said ‘let me go.’” Jack turned and picked up some of his weapons from the floor. He took hold of the sheath hanging on his belt, putting his knife away before he began dusting off his clothes. He wore a tight black shirt with a leather belt tightened around his waist with multiple items strung onto it, including a sword.

His face was strong and well defined, portraying a radiance of youth. He appeared to be about twenty-five, but didn’t have a hint of stubble, making him not quite look like a teenager. Jack’s dark, black, wavy hair was long, gracing his neck, and his bangs covered some of his tanned face. His eyes had an ancient wisdom about them, making it obvious that he had seen too much for one lifetime.

He’s not bad looking though.
Shade stood up and brushed off her clothes as well. She peered up at him, wondering if she should try to run.

“Who are you? Who was—
what
was—that woman?” Shade’s voice shook as she spoke. “And how do you throw lightning like that? How can she fly?” Shade couldn’t hold back the torrent of questions.

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,” he said. “I’m not going to hurt you, if that’s what you’re thinking.” If he had been a teenager, he would have rolled his eyes, Shade thought. “I’m Jack, by the way. I have the power to throw lightning, because it’s part of what I am.” He grinned, watching her face drop in disbelief. “She can’t really fly, it’s more like, float gracefully.”

What the…?

“Okay then…” she chuckled nervously, more scared than ever. “How’d she make the room explode in a sonic boom? What do you mean you’re made of lightning? That’s insane.” Shade shook her head, squeezed her eyes closed before blinking nervously. This strange, young man just stared at her, a wry smile upturning the corners of his mouth. He seemed amused by her rant.

“
That was Evangeline. Vange is what everyone calls her now, though I used to call her Evie.” He paused, looking lost in thought. “But, that was a long time ago. She’s an elemental fire witch, but not just any old witch. She’s a hybrid offspring of a witch and a faery. She’s a skilled fighter, and she has taken something from my Queen. I was sent to get it back.” Jack started to walk toward the staircase, leaving Shade stunned with her mouth hanging open in silence.

Okay, that was unexpected
. She watched him begin down the stairs.
Now what?
What was the purpose of her being here? Why did she have to witness all that?
Hello, voices?

Why, oh why, do I 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 I brought here? Stop! Don’t walk away from me…I need answers here!” Shade scrambled after the strange man, nearly tripping down the stairs. “The voices told me to come here and I want to know why. What am I supposed to see or do here? Stop already!” She cried out again.

Jack was already at the front door. He studied the nailed-in boards, and began tearing them down.
How did he get in?
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, grabbed her wrist instead and squeezed it tight. Shade whimpered, surprised by the pain.

“
Don’t touch me, I might inadvertently electrocute you.”

Her eyes widened as she stared at his hand tightening on 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. “Anyway, I’m made of lightning and blue fire. I guess I have to show you, because if you happen to touch me when I am not properly shielded with this glamour, I can hurt you, and it could be fatal.” Jack 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 liquefied as his glamour melted away and the brightness of his skin illuminated the dark hallway.

Shade gasped. He still looked like Jack, but his skin glowed with a blue aura. Blue fire flickered all over him. Electricity crackled along his entire body, yet he didn’t burn
.
His eyes blinked at her, smiling at her awe.

No way!

“You see, I’m made of electricity, like lightning, and white-hot blue fire. One touch and I can zap you to heaven.” He closed his eyes as the air, like liquid, poured over him. His glamour reappeared on him, like a drizzle of honey. Jack opened his eyes and studied the shocked expression on her face.

Shade could hardly stand. She was confused, stunned and in sheer disbelief. “How do you do that? What the… no… can’t…how?” She leaned on the wall, her legs felt dangerously limp.

Jack straightened up and narrowed his eyes at her; the air was still shimmering around him. He seemed to pull it in tighter around him, solidifying 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 fading light 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.

Shade breathed in the cool autumn air and felt more grounded. Gazing up at him, she nodded. This seemed like the only solution to her predicament.
Might as well.

Jack began walking and stopped before he reached the sidewalk. He waited for Shade with a look of concern. “You can’t tell anyone what you see or where we go. No one. Understand?”

She took in the seriousness of his face. “Of course,” she answered hesitantly.

He nodded, made his way onto the sidewalk and then headed off toward the forest.

Chapter Two

THEY WALKED FOR
so
long, it seemed like an eternity before they reached 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 behind them, engulfed by the shrubs and trees as they progressed deeper into the woods.

She shivered as the breeze caressed her skin. The forest came alive with animal calls, leaves rustled and branches swayed violently above them. The day was vanishing, the sunset swirled in colors of tangerine orange, pink and a smear of blue.

Shade suddenly felt panicked, realizing she didn’t have a flashlight and the night was quickly approaching. “Um, Jack?” Her voice seemed loud in the open air, but he kept going.

“Yes, what’s up?” Jack pushed branches aside and avoided tripping on the thick, gnarled roots crawling across the forest floor.

“It’ll be dark soon. Are we close yet? I don’t have a flashlight, do you? Maybe I should come back during the day tomorrow?” She ducked under a low branch as the forest around them thickened, swallowing them in its embrace.

“We’re 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. They enjoy torturing mortals.”

Her eyes widened as she dug her heels into the dirt. “What? Did you say ‘faeries’? Are you kidding me? You don’t really believe in them, do you? They aren’t really real….” Shade’s 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? The fey—faeries—like me come in many sizes. We exist in this world parallel to yours, hidden in plain sight. We’re magical beings, but most are bound to stay within the boundaries of the land of Faerie.” He offered, but found her face still full of confusion. “Don’t worry, I won’t trick you or charm you like the tiny demi-fey do. The farther you go into these woods, the more and more you’ll see.” Jack grunted as he pulled away some overgrown branches that stood in their way.

“It’s a whole new world out here, with things you could never imagine. This is our territory, away from the iron cities.” He continued to wrestle with an unrelenting vine, turning red and impatient with the vegetation. Was it fighting with him? Shade thought it odd that it appeared almost alive, trying to ensnarl him. “Faeries can’t stand iron, you know; it’s our kryptonite.” He pulled his sword by the hilt tied to his back and began hacking at the thick vegetation that surrounded them.

Shade crept forward, more wary and spooked than before.
Faeries aren’t that bad. I guess things could be worse. Could be tigers and lions and bears, oh my!
She hurried to keep up with Jack, pulling her sweater tighter around herself. The sun had gone down, and the heat had receded with it. “Jack?”

“Yes?” A slight impatience now tainted his voice.

“It sounds like Vange knows you… intimately. 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. Intimately, I mean. That’s all changed now. We
were
, well, lovers. Engaged once.” He swung his sword harder, making the branches fly easily out of their way. “I loved her very much. Then the Unseelie Court started raging war against the Seelie Courts of Faeries, especially the one I reside at. 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 evil Queen Aveta’s top lieutenants.

“She’s been stealing magical artifacts from our clan. They’re probably trying to beef up their armory of weapons and magic against us.” Jack stopped, breathing in slowly as the memories washed over him, morphing his face into a still mask.

“So you were in love, and she just left? Just like that?”

“Yes. It was a long time ago, and I’d rather not talk about it anymore.”

Shade frowned, scanning the darkening woods. Jack seemed nice enough, and she didn’t want to get on his last nerve, especially not when the woods appeared to be dangerously alive.

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 kneeled down, putting away his sword and pulling out a flask, taking a swig.

While Shade looked around and up into the tree, something swatted her calf and she jumped. She scrambled 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’s, and a snarled smile emerged from its lips.

Lips? Flies don’t have lips.

She narrowed her eyes at the creature; it had a soft golden glow to its skin and looked like a tiny elf with white cottony hair and long pointy fingers. It also had a malicious smile painted across its face. “Um, hi, how are you? I’m….” Shade didn’t get a chance to finish her words before the wind flew out of her as her arm was jerked back.

“Stop!” Jack snapped, still holding onto her wrist. “Don’t speak to them! The demi-fey aren’t very merciful or nice. They like to play games and mind tricks which can kill you. There’s almost no way to snap out of their enchantments; they can make you dance until 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. Shade rubbed her arm, pushing her steamy anger away.

“Endora, philis montie!”
He touched one of the tree knots, causing the earth to quiver and move near the roots. They vibrated alive, snaked and moved as they parted, like tentacles. An opening with stone steps revealed itself at the base of the tree. Eventually, the rumbling ceased and the ground remained open.

Shade had to close her mouth, which was hanging open like a flycatcher. She’d never seen anything like this in her life.

“Follow me and stay close. Humans are not usually welcomed here.” Jack stepped down into the darkness, holding onto the small roots sticking out of the crumbly walls, like parts of a banister. Shade followed reluctantly, but silently wished she had never gotten out of bed that morning. As she descended deeper into the void, the grass and trees disappeared from sight.

When they had almost reached the bottom of the staircase, a loud rumble shook the ground, sending dirt trickling down. Her arms instinctively flew up over her head, waiting for a cave-in that never did come. She looked up when the noise died away. The hole in the forest floor had closed above them.

Shade now stood in what appeared to be a hallway made of dirt with smooth stones all around them. Roots dangled from above, and the only light came from lamps hanging on the walls. One by one, each magically flared up. The lamps gave off an eerie flickering glow of dim light.

Jack dusted his shoulders and shook off the dirt. He started walking down the hall. Shade had no choice but to follow while attempting to breathe in and out slowly and deeply, easing her anxiety. The floor was flagstone, nestled into the moist, soft dirt. It was cool in the dark tunnel, but it wasn’t uncomfortable; there was no trace of wind to chill her.

There were many tunnels branching off from the main one. Shade stayed close to Jack, afraid to lose him in the dizzying maze. Dangling roots gripped her hair, like fingers catching her long strands and pulling hard as if they were alive. She used one hand to cover her head 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 they would soon get to wherever it was they were going.

There was a soft glowing light up ahead, growing brighter as they inched closer to it. She could hear voices echoing in waves 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 were unlike anything she’d ever seen. Their faces glared at her, an intruder from the world above; somehow, she had a feeling that they didn’t see too many strangers down there.

Shade felt naked under the scrutiny of the dozens of eyes that were scanning her as though she were a freak. She stumbled behind Jack, who seemed oblivious to the commotion around them. He finally stopped when a large troll stepped in front of them, blocking the path.

“Out of the way, Renny, I must see Ilarial immediately,” Jack yelled up to the gruesome beast. “I have some strange news about Vange for her, and I brought someone who needs to see her.” The troll narrowed his eyes and cast his glowing, yellow eyes over Shade. She felt herself shrinking under his glare; he was monstrous, and one of the scariest things she’d ever seen.

“Can’t do that Jack. No strangers allowed without prior approval; you know that. We have to be sure she isn’t a spy; the forest is crawling with them. They could only be so lucky to have you waltz one right into the center of our residence. I have to tie her up now.” The troll pushed past Jack and reached for her. His large hands were hideous and reminded her of moldy green cheese. They looked burly, and if he got a hold of her, she didn’t know how she would break free, even if she tried.

“Jack?” She stepped back as he came closer. “I’m not a spy! Don’t touch me!
Jack?
” She peered around for him as the troll’s fingers grabbed her arm and squeezed, digging hard into her flesh. The next second, the troll was on the floor staring at the ceiling, blinking in disbelief. Jack had his sword at the troll’s throat and his foot pressed down onto his massive chest.

“I told you, Renny, we must see the oracle Ilarial. I vouch for this girl. She’s no spy. Now stay out of my way, or the next time this blade will slice your throat all the way through.”

Jack pushed off and looked at Shade. She trembled as she let out the breath that had caught in her chest. He motioned for her to follow him and sheathed his sword. She nodded and stepped past the troll, who glared at her with his burning yellow eyes. Turning away, she scurried behind Jack as he continued walking down another corridor off the main room. She didn’t let her gaze deviate from the room until it was out of sight. Shivering, she hugged her arms around herself even though the room wasn’t cold. She was afraid, more than she was willing to admit.

“I apologize for the security around here; we’ve had a lot of break-ins, and Queen Zinara is not pleased. You must understand if I suspected you were a spy, you wouldn’t be standing here with me at all.”

Shade nodded, feeling most unwelcomed.

“Ah, here we are!” Jack stopped at the end of the hall and tapped on a wooden door. It had deep woodland carvings that curved and twisted throughout the ancient wood, smoothed over by time and use.

“Come,” a female voice commanded. Shade hoped she’d be friendlier than the bunch they’d already encountered.

Jack heaved the door open and let Shade go in first, closing it softly behind them. She studied the room; it glittered in the dim candlelight shining from the center of a round wooden table near the floor. There were also several large pillows tossed about the room for seating.

From behind the table, a platinum-haired woman stared at her. She smiled and lifted her arms, motioning for them to sit. Her gown flowed around her like liquid ice, white and sheer. Her hair glistened in the light, and her eyes were like grey shining pearls. The oracle’s eyes brought out the smoothness of her face. Her dark pink lips smiled, and nothing about her seemed old. She looked like an angel without wings, ethereal. Shade tried not to stare, hoping she hadn’t been rude. She settled onto a large blue pillow.

Shade let her eyes wander the small space, noticing several objects on the table before them. There were stones of different colors and markings scattered on the wood. Placed among the stones were some small, bleached animal bones.

“Please, take my hand.” Reaching out from her long, white robe, Ilarial brought her slender pale hand toward Shade. Shade took the hand, finding it soft and surprisingly warm.

“Um, hello, I’m Shade, Jack brought me here because I….”

“I know who you are and why you’re here, Shade,” Ilarial interrupted. “I’ve been waiting for you a long time. I was hoping that you might run into someone like Jack a little sooner, but this will do. I’m Ilarial, Lady Oracle of the faery tribe of Guildrin.” Her smile made Shade feel warm and suddenly very calm. The woman was full of magic, and it radiated toward her like a warm fire on an icy night.

“I know you’re confused, but I’ve known of your existence for some time. You say you can hear what you call ‘voices’ in your head from time to time?” the Oracle asked kindly.

Shade nodded. She was in awe of Ilarial but couldn’t shake the strangeness of the room’s atmosphere. Was she under a spell? Being in Ilarial’s presence was like being drugged or sedated; it filled her with a sweet and fuzzy feeling.

Ilarial smiled deeply and crow’s feet appeared around her eyes, revealing wisdom and age. Even so, Shade found it impossible to tell just how old she was. Her long hair draped around her shoulders and down her back like a thick, rippled curtain, shining in the dim candlelight.