Page 5 of Wrath of the Fae

How… how could they do this?

Reid was here.

I know Cyrus was too.

Cyrus would have come to sense the powers of those in the village. Reid would have triggered them. The sparks I saw in the boy’s memories were from the theft of those powers. A new machine from Ivan Walker. One to take power away and store it before transferring it to another.

They don’t keep the rebellious alive. Once they have their power, why bother?

The only comfort in my heart is that there is still a sliver of hope. Several miles from here, our camp lies hidden in the ancient woods where most fear to tread. The few we have saved are there. Families. Fighters. Any who refuse to bend the knee to a monster and his demons.

As long as there are those willing to fight, there’s hope.

The hours pass. No survivors are found, and the dead are laid to rest.

If there’s one thing I know, it’s fighting to survive.

It’s revenge.

They will pay for this.

By the Goddess, I swear… they will burn.

two

Thewateriswarm,gentle and still.

I lie here, floating in its tranquillity as I stare at the stars above. The magical trickery of the ceilings in the bedrooms back at the palace of the caves in the human world does the real thing no justice at all. I thought the Fae sky was beautiful then. It was nothing compared to the real thing. The night sky in the Fae realm is alive. Stars twinkle in all sorts of colours. Flickers of pink and blue mix with silver and white. Some seem to dance like celestial streams slowly flowing above us in the heavens. A distant crescent moon watches over me.

I focus on those. I think of nothing but the stars, willing away the sights and smells of that ruined village and its inhabitants. We left a few hours ago and returned to camp. I couldn’t face the others. I needed quiet. I needed to be alone, so I came here.

They look at me like I’m some all-knowing, all-powerful being.

Like I’m their queen, and I know what to do. What to say or how to save them.

I’ve never known any of those things and don’t think I ever will.

These damn wings don’t help, either. They’re entirely different. Frightening. I see the fear on the faces of those who see them spread wide, so I try to keep them tucked in as much as possible. And if I get the strength, I make them fade.

A gentle breeze makes the leaves rustle in the trees surrounding this secluded bit of lake. Behind me is a large rock face covered in moss and vines, littered with flowers of deep purple. The other side is dense forest and long grass that stretch on for miles and miles. I continue to float and close my eyes for a moment.

A swell of grief, pain and anger consumes my heart in a violent claim. It hits me so hard I can’t breathe.

I know what comes next.

Violent flashes of the night I died slam into me.

I see myself on the floor of the arch room.

I’m facedown, my blood-soaked hand reaching out as I scream and scream.

Ivan is hacking off my wings. I stand as a spectator, watching the brutality of what he does to me. I see his evil grin as blood sprays his pale face as I’m held in place by an unseen force.

The version of me on the floor beneath the arch looks right at me. Begging me. Calling for me again and again.

I try to get to her.

I can’t.

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