Page 136 of Owned By the Fae
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.
