Fern's Flight (Sisters of Hex: Fern Book 3) Page 4

  For a while we just look at each other. Before, back when things were simple, and we were two normal women, I know Dani would have drawn me into her arms and comforted me and I would have let her. It’s different now, and it isn’t because either of us have lost that ability to share in our pain, it’s because we know that this won’t be the last time a decision like this will need to be made and that no amount of comfort will ease it.

  “Those creatures are strong. Taking off their heads seems to be about the only way to kill them. It won’t be easy, Abanthe almost won…” My voice trails off as I recall Ether and my mother lying broken next to each other.

  “But he didn’t. You defeated him.”

  “I’m still not sure how I managed it…”

  “Rage is almost as powerful as love. I should know,” Dani responds.

  I open my mouth to ask the question that sits heavy on my lips, but she waves it away.

  “I’ll tell you about it when we defeat this bitch,” she says, ending that particular conversation for now. “Tell me what you need me to do.”

  “Queen Adrielle is building an army. Nostra is certain there will be more demons to follow, but I have an army of my own. Clan Vitae are willing to fight, they are done with being Queen Adrielle’s slaves. Accacia and her men are with us. Even the men of Clan Aequalis are searching for their missing clan daughter as we speak. Clover and the Fae are on our side and will assist as soon as they’ve dealt with the fae king.” I reach over and grasp Dani’s hand in mine. “We need to know, are you with us? Will Clan Spiritus join us in the war against Queen Adrielle and her demons?”

  Dani’s eyes narrow, her amber orbs glinting in the light.

  “Do you really need to ask? Clan Spiritus are with you. My pack will follow me to their deaths!”

  “Your pack?”

  “Yes, you’re not the only one to lead an army. We are with you. You can count on us.” Dani tips back her head and howls. The sound reverberates around the room, sending shivers down my spine, not only because I feel the power in that one call, but because I realise that I’ve heard every single word she’s said.

  Chapter Four

  “Dani and Clan Spiritus are with us,” I say, as Accacia and Lissandra come back into focus. Both are looking down at me with concern.

  “What is it? Why am I lying on the floor?” I roll my shoulders, feeling my wings folded beneath me. I must have pulled them back in whilst I was talking to Dani. It seems strange that I can be so detached from my body like that. To be so unaware of it.

  I attempt to sit up, but Lissandra shakes her head.

  “Don’t try and move suddenly. You need to come back to your body fully. You’ll feel a little heavy for a couple of minutes. Stay there for a bit. Forgive me, Fern, I need to speak with Nostra. I must tell him the good news, it will give him hope. It might help to change his mind about us.” She smiles apologetically and gets up.

  Her face is instantly replaced with Ether’s, who kneels down next to me. I feel the edge of his feather caress my hip as it curls over me in a semi-hug.

  “You were gone longer than any of us expected,” Ether says gently, his face looming over me. He cups my cheek in his palm. I feel the heat of his touch, the steady warmth as it sinks into my skin and I can’t help but react to it. I kiss his palm and he draws my bottom lip out with the pad of his thumb, a familiar display of affection between us now.

  “I shall leave you two alone for a moment. Good work, Fern. I knew you’d do it,” Accacia says, squeezing my hand briefly before moving out of my line of vision. The draft of cold air sweeping across my skin tells me she’s left the room.

  “Where are Mihr and Gabe?” I ask, struggling to sit up.

  Ether rests his hand on my shoulder, keeping me lying down. “They’ll be here momentarily. Nostra has taken sick…”

  “Will he be alright?” I ask, remembering what Lissandra told me about him refusing to Entwine with her.

  “He will be so long as he allows Lissa to help him. The man is being foolish.”

  “No more than you ever were,” I say, groaning. The pounding in my head is as bad as a migraine.

  Ether chuckles. “You’re not wrong there.”

  “How long was I out?”

  “An hour.”

  “An hour? I’m sorry. I’ve taken up so much precious time. Time we can’t afford to waste.”

  “This needed to happen, Fern. It took as long as it took. What matters now is that we have Clan Spiritus with us. The wolves are a powerful ally.”

  I nod my head, and instantly regret it as a sharp pain stabs between my eyes. I scrunch my eyes shut on the pain until I feel Ether rubbing his thumb in circling movements between my eyebrows. The muscles in my face relax as the headache eases with his touch.

  “Thanks,” I murmur half a minute later.

  “You’re welcome,” he says with a warm smile. “Want to try and sit up?”

  “Yes.”

  Ether slides his arm beneath my back and lifts me gently. I ignore the dark spots in front of my eyes, blinking them away rapidly.

  “We should really help Lissandra convince Nostra to Entwine with her,” I point out.

  Ether wipes away a loose strand of hair that’s fallen in front of my eyes and tucks it behind my ear.

  “It’s pointless, we’ve all tried. He’s not to be persuaded. At least not by us.”

  “Then we should leave, there’s so much we need to do. I’m not even sure where to begin. Do we start with combat training? What about weapons, we’ll need those against the demons, surely?”

  My words are cut off as Ether presses his finger against my lips, but it doesn’t stop the questions tumbling over one another in my head. It doesn’t shrink the mountain we need to climb, the lives we could lose and the death we can’t prevent. It doesn’t stop the images of my mother’s face appearing, her life ebbing away as Ether’s returns.

  “Stop. Breathe, Fern. You can do this. We can.”

  “I need to pull myself together. Goddamn it, I need to be strong…” I mutter.

  Ether leans over and presses a soft kiss against my mouth, successfully preventing my protests whilst his hand slides into my hair, the other resting against the small of my back.

  “Shh,” he murmurs, before his tongue slides into my mouth. The heat of his kiss sparks more than desire in me. It forces my wayward thoughts away. It makes me focus on this moment with this man, my equal. It makes me concentrate on our love. He deepens the kiss, the softness of his lips now more demanding. The usual fire that sparks between us erupts, sucking the oxygen from my doubts and igniting something else; courage.

  Eventually Ether pulls away, breathing heavily. He presses his forehead against mine and looks deep into my eyes.

  “Let’s build that army,” he says.

  I nod my head.

  “In half a moon cycle we shall return here with our people. I will send back a member of Clan Vitae periodically to check everything is okay,” Ether says to Accacia and her men.

  “There’s no need. Fern knows how to contact us now, and we her. If the demon army comes before we expect it, we shall call for you,” Accacia says.

  She strides over and pulls me into her arms giving me a hug, before stepping back.

  “Lissandra? Nostra?” I ask.

  “They’re busy. Lissa is working on some spells. She hopes they’ll work to fix Nostra,” Accacia says. I watch her lips move, still not able to hear her yet.

  “And if they don’t?”

  Accacia grins. “Then there’s always her other suggestion.”

  “What’s that?” Gabe asks, as he enters the room with Mihr. I catch their eye and beckon them both over to my side. Mihr stands behind me, his strong hands resting on my shoulders whilst Gabe stands by my side.

  “Strapping him to the bed and having her wicked way with him,” I say, laughing lightly.

  “My kind of fun,” Gabe retorts, sliding his hand beneath my wings and around my waist.

  “Kinky,” Mihr murmurs.

  Ether smirks. “You would know.”

  We all end up laughing, even Accacia and her men. It feels good to laugh. We are all strangers really, and yet a few hours in each other’s company has already brought us closer together. A common goal allowing history to be put aside for the time being. It appears that Rhain and Gabe have come to an agreement at least, if not friendship. That’s all Accacia and I can ask.

  Ezra raises his hand so that my attention is drawn to him.

  “So, Clan Spiritus is on our side?” he asks.

  “Yes, Dani is with us. Her pack is with us,” I confirm.

  Ezra shoots a look at Rhain and Devin.

  “I admit, I’m surprised. It’s one thing to persuade a wolf-shifter who’s lived on Earth oblivious to the ongoing war between our people, quite another to convince the whole clan to join us in this fight. We’ve been enemies with Clan Spiritus for a long time, and whilst Rhain, Devin and I are willing to fight alongside them, I’m not convinced the same will be true of them,” Ezra says, doubt clear in his gaze.

  “Dani is a remarkable person. She has a gift with both animals and humans alike. One that was apparent even before she became what she is now. I have faith in her and you should too,” I insist, confident in Dani’s ability to rule her pack. “I know her. I know her heart. She will fight for what is right.”

  “Then they should convene here the same time as you return. Will you make sure Dani is made aware?” Ezra says.

  “Absolutely,” I agree, then pause. “But how will they get here?”

  “Blake found a way through before. He will do so again. Clan Spiritus are the best trackers. Your friend now too. She will find you, find us,” Devin explains.

  “That’s true, Blake managed to find his way to Ever Vale, together they will find a way out again just like we did,” Rhain agrees, giving me a brilliant smile.

  Behind me Mihr squeezes my shoulders and mutters something along the lines of ‘flirty bastard’. A thought emerges from him, one where he’s punching Rhain. I hold in a muffled laugh and lift my hand placing it over his, reassuring him. He catches my fingers, an apology already following the violent image. I press a thought back, just one word.

  Soon.

  Mihr responds with a low moan, covering it quickly with a cough.

  “We will keep this place secure whilst we wait. Lissandra is working to help Nostra, and we are in constant contact with Clan Aequalis. As soon as they find their missing clan daughter, they will return,” Accacia says.

  “You’re certain of that?” Mihr asks her, stepping closer behind me. I feel the heat of his body seep into my feathers. I part my wings just enough so that I can feel the length of his body press against my back. We haven’t had time alone since our moment on the mountain, and barely had time to speak given all that’s gone on. I feel his very real need to connect with me like a deep ache in the pit of my stomach.

  “Honestly, I’m not certain at all, but Nostra believes they will, and I believe in Nostra,” she replies, drawing his attention back to her.

  “And I trust your judgment,” I say, a smile forming on my lips.

  “As I you,” Accacia responds, bringing the palm of her hand up and resting it on her chest.

  I copy the action and bow my head. It seems the right thing to do in the moment. She does the same and when we look up, catching each other’s gaze, a laugh escapes both our lips.

  “Looks like these men are rubbing off on us,” I say with a light laugh.

  It seems such a formal thing to do, so reserved, and nothing like how I’m used to behaving. Shaking hands is about as formal as I’ve ever been, otherwise I’m a hugger. Always have been.

  The door opens and Lissandra walks in.

  “You may have grown up on Earth and are used to the customs of such a world, but Ever Vale and the culture of your people runs through your veins. Now that you’ve returned, that part of you, suppressed for so long, is beginning to awaken,” she says.

  “I think you’re right,” I agree. “How is Nostra doing?”

  Lissandra sighs heavily, joining us in the centre of the room. “He’s weak, and stubborn as ever.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “You’ve no need to be,” she says, giving me a tight smile.

  I step forward, customs be damned and hug her. “Just remember the only magic you need to weave is the kind that comes from the heart. That’s the only spell which will work,” I whisper into her ear.

  She steps out of my hold and nods.

  “Thank you for reminding me. I won’t stop until he’s changed his mind.”

  We say our goodbyes with promises to return at the agreed time. Five minutes later, Ether, Gabe, Mihr and I have launched into the air. Beneath us our new friends and allies shrink like tiny shards of hope in the dark night.

  Chapter Five

  We arrive in the Shadowlands less than an hour later. The shadows within the mists seem to gather about us as we make our way through them.

  So many deaths.

  So many lives lost to Queen Adrielle’s rule.

  So much heartache and pain.

  And even though the experience is as horrific as the first time I walked through the Shadowlands, I now have a memory of my own wandering amongst the mists- the shadow of my mother’s death. This place is supposed to relieve the suffering of Clan Vitae. These shadows are the memories of their wrong doings shredded like snake skin amongst the mists. Yet the violence of death still smothers us all even when the memories aren’t touching our skin. Utero is so completely surrounded by the mists, I’d thought to protect Utero and our people within, right now I’m not so sure.

  This place feels different. Restless.

  “Do you feel that?” Ether asks, concern drawing him closer to my side. His wing spreads out behind me, protecting me from contact with them. A few shadows float towards us and my skin covers with prickles of warning.

  “I do, something isn’t right. They weren’t like this when we left.”

  “No. I’ve never seen them quite so… purposeful,” Ether replies as more approach us. He looks at Mihr who glances back at us, his eyes darting about the place. He’s on high alert.

  “Come, we need to move,” Mihr says, picking up his pace.

  Gabe falls in step beside me. He doesn’t say a word, but I feel his concern through our connection, the fear threading between us.

  “Gabe, tell me what’s happening,” I say.

  “I’m not certain, but in all the years we’ve passed through the mists they’ve never been like this. There’s only one person who’d have reason and power to stir up the Shadowlands…” he says.

  “You mean…?”

  He looks at my grimly, stepping closer to my side. “Yes, Queen Adrielle.”

  Ahead of us, Mihr is suddenly prevented from moving further by a group of a dozen or more shadows. They seem to surround him purposefully, closing in on him.

  “Mihr!” I shout.

  I know logically they can’t hurt him, not physically at least, but the memories they hold are far from pleasant to experience. Mihr holds enough pain, he doesn’t need any more.

  I move towards him, wanting to pull him out of their way, but Ether holds me back.

  “No, don’t, he knows what to do. He’ll get out of it.”

  Mihr reaches out a hand and cuts through the shadow nearest to him with the intention of stepping through the gap. It evaporates the moment it touches his bare skin, but before he’s even able to move another step, the other shadows lurch forward, dispersing the moment they touch his skin. I watch as the expression on Mihr’s face changes from annoyance to shock, to bone breaking fear and heartache as all twelve descend at once.

  “Mihr!” Ether and I shout.

  The scream that loosens from his mouth is one of extreme pain and anguish.

  It scares me.

  “What in Life’s name?” Ether says as we run towards him.

  Behind us Gabe curses.

  I reach Mihr first and he stumbles into my arms, just as another shadow closes in on us. It grazes against my arm and a violent memory explodes in my thoughts. A memory that isn’t my own even though it feels as though it is…

  “Please, not my daughter. She’s only a child,” the woman begs, her hands curling into the material of my top.

  “I’m sorry. I have no choice. None of us do.”

  “You do have a choice. You can refuse. If you do that then my daughter will be saved.”

  “No, she won’t. Another Angel of Death will take my place, worse one of Clan Lux. You must let her go. Let me do it. It’s kinder this way. I will make it quick, I promise.”

  “Please, take me instead… take me,” she cries whilst two Dark Knights drag her back. Her wails ring in my ears as I approach her daughter. She’s no more than fifteen and one of the children of the flatlands. She doesn’t belong to any clan. Destined to work as a member of staff in Queen Adrielle’s castle, now destined to die all because Queen Adrielle cannot bear love to blossom. Especially not between a wolf-shifter child and a human slave.

  I approach her, kneeling down. She looks at me defiantly.

  “I will still love him. Even after death, I will still love him. Not you, not Queen Adrielle can take that away.”

  “I don’t want to take your love away, child. I have no choice. If I don’t do this more will die. Your whole family, your friends, your neighbours. Your boyfriend too.”

  “She will never catch him.”

  “She already has,” I say gently.

  The girl’s face crumples. Her courage waning now she knows her love has been captured.

  “Is she going to kill him?” she asks.

  “No. He’s too valuable. A wolf-shifter child is rarer than a child born to members of Clan Lux. But she will torture him, and she will make it worse if you make this difficult.”

  “I hate her! I hate you!”

  “No more than I hate myself, child.”

  Her shoulders slump, and her head drops forward. Her whole body is trembling violently. I can still hear her mother’s screams echo over the open courtyard. In the distance a wolf howls and her head snaps up. She looks defiant, ready to take the consequences of her love.