dark faerie 06 - ever dead (19 page)

Authors: alexia purdy

How about that? A centuries old faery blushing for a puny human…err…wizard.

“Anyway,” Hank continued, hoping to change the subject. “With the war over, you guys won’t really need me hanging around so much.”

The war had in fact ended very quickly after the disappearance of Pironin. Shade and her army had actually noticed a drastic change starting at the time that Hank and the others had broken the Alliance Ring. The fierceness and bravery of the Kolograt army had disintegrated at the loss of their magic ectoplasmic booster.

By the time that Pironin had
actually
disappeared, Queen Shade’s forces already had the enemy army on the run…many of them dropping their weapons where they stood, allowing themselves to be willingly captured.

It was the dark magic that had held it all together. Pironin had left his people to wither without him.

But what of Pironin?

Hank felt the numbing anger start to invade his being at the mere thought of the man before pushing it back to his core and locking it away again. Pironin said he wasn’t done with Hank before he disappeared…and Hank certainly wasn’t done with him either. He wasn’t sure how he would get it done…but Pironin would pay for what he’d done to his family

“I think I’ll stay in law enforcement,” Hank added after a few moments. “It’s important work, and my powers
may
just come in handy sometimes in my job. It’s all I know, really, but I love it.”

Dulci gave him a sad smile. Hank suddenly felt the overpowering need to reach out and take her into his arms…to stay with her…to build a life together…

But he held back…unsure as to why or for how long, he knew he had other things in this life to accomplish before he even thought about being with Dulci…

If he ever
could
be with Dulci…

“Of course,” he added quickly as his mind broke away from his previous thoughts and his resolve kicked in, “I’m still sadly in need of further training.”

Dulci appeared before him, touching the side of his face tenderly with her hand. Her joy at being near him lit up her face, arresting his resolve.

Her ethereal beauty was intoxicating and he would never be able to get enough of it.

“You are always welcome here, Hank.”

Leaning forward, she kissed him on the lips, sending shockwaves of delicious energy through his body.

“
More
than welcome.”

***

Later on, the twin wizards were walking side by side as they followed Luci toward the old oaks and out of the forest.

“It’ll be kind of nice having you around more Howie…but I’m a little confused. Will you be needing a bedroom now…or your own bathroom?”

Howie stopped in his tracks, overcome with laughter.

“That’s hilarious,” he gasped when he got some control over his amusement.

Laying his hand on Hank’s shoulder, Howie looked him in the eye. “Part of me has
always
been with you, Hank, and that will
never
change.”

Starting once again toward the twin oaks, Howie continued.

“But you will not need to do anything special, because unless you need me, I will not be there any more than I ever have been.

It was Hank’s turn to stop in his tracks.

“But I thought…” He peered at his brother, confused.

Howie shook his head with a smile. “Hey little brother, I have my
own
life on the other side. I know you couldn’t know that, but it’s true! We have things we do every day, much as you do in
your
world!”

Setting off walking again, Hank mulled over what Howie had revealed.

“Well, I’ll be damned.” Hank shook his head…realizing that he still had so much to learn about his brother.

“I even have a girl that I’m wooing,” Howie added with a wink. “I think we’re soul mates from another time…but either way…she’s
hot
!”

Hank couldn’t help laughing at Howie’s expression as he went on to describe the girl. It wasn’t long before they reached the twin oaks.

“I’ll be leaving you for now little brother,” Howie grinned as he pulled Hank into a hug.

“Just remember, anytime you need me…I’ll be there with bells on!”

With that he disappeared from sight.

“Tell Nana I said hi,”
Howie added in a fading voice,
“And that I love her!”

Hank looked up from where the ghostly voice was coming from.

“I will,” he promised before joining the eagerly waiting Luci at the barrier. It was good to have her with him…a reminder of the normal side of his life. With all the commotion recently surrounding them, she kept him grounded in reality more than she’d ever know.

“You ready?” he asked the red dog as they prepared to cross over.

“
Ready and waiting,”
Luci replied happily, wagging her tail.
“I can’t wait to get home and get a nap!”

Nodding in agreement, Hank too felt an overwhelming exhaustion. Although most humans didn’t necessarily need to sleep when in Faerie, once crossing back over to the human world, the missed sleep would quickly catch back up to a person.

He wondered if half humans suffered the same effects. He still had to have a heart to heart talk with Queen Shade…maybe next time.

Right now, he just wanted to go home!

As they stepped out of the forest and headed toward home, Hank asked Luci what she thought of everything that had happened in the last few days.

Lucy was quiet for a long moment, seeming to mull over her answer before speaking.

“I think…”
she started as she turned to look back at Hank,
“That I hope that girl Howie is chasing knows what she is getting into!”

The End

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Acknowledgements

Alexia Purdy

I want to thank J.T. Lewis. You’re a slave driver! Thanks for pushing the limit.

I also want to thank the following people for always having my back and challenging me to do even better: Doris Orman, Emily Walker, Katie Salidas, and all my Indie Inked sisters who always help me get out of the dredges of life. Thank you!

About the Authors

Alexia Purdy

Alexia currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada–Sin City! She loves to spend every free moment writing or playing with her four rambunctious kids. Writing has always been her dream, and she has been writing ever since she can remember. She loves writing paranormal fantasy and poetry and devours books daily. Alexia also enjoys watching movies, dancing, singing loudly in the car and eating Italian food.

Connect with Alexia Purdy:

Alexia Purdy’s Blog

Alexia Purdy’s Website

Twitter
~ @AlexiaPurdy

Goodreads Author page

Alexia Purdy’s Facebook Fan Page

Ever Shade (A Dark Faerie Tale) Facebook Fan page

Reign of Blood Series Facebook Fan Page

Also by Alexia Purdy

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