The Dark Path We Follow
Chapter 10
If I was right about this I'd have to move quick. Leslie was half fey now thanks to that tattoo, and her power was drawn from Irial. She may or may not see me coming. But, that doesn't matter, I'll have to find where she's keeping everyone first.
The attack on Aislinn, whenever it maybe, will only be a distraction. I have to find out her main location before I could stop her. I moved through the city at a fast pace, checking every place for a trace of the stupid girl. The night came quicker then expected, I refused to sleep until this was over.
I sat on the bridge, looking out over the edge. The moon was high in the sky and cast milky glows over the river below me. I watched kelpie swim in circles beneath the light, trying to call to the humans that walked passed. If they succeeded then I could feed on the horrible emotions the people would suffer. It sickened me a bit… but, I have to survive some how. I couldn't get a lock on this Leslie girl and it was irritating me to no end. If someone wanted to hide from a faerie… where would they go…?
The last place anyone would look… She was at the summer court! Why didn't I see it before? Of course she would where there would be someone to protect her, and no court could get her, or try. The only problem for me was that, neither one of the summer monarchs trust me, and they defiantly wouldn't believe me.
Aislinn was soft hearted, she'd allow Leslie in, they were old friends after all. And Aislinn was defiantly in need of a friend since Seth disappeared, all Leslie would have to do was ask…
I gazed up at the summer king's loft from where I stood on the ground. The guards were standing all around, it seemed as if they hadn't noticed me yet, which was good. Only two summer girls were left in the little private park but, they soon skipped into the loft door.
I mildly wondered if I shouldn't confront Leslie at a monarchs' home, especially one she was friends with… and one who hated me so much. But, Seth was my only friend… He was the only thing holding me back from becoming stone again. He may very well be the only one who cared now. I needed him, He needed me to find him, and I wouldn't rest until he was safe in the summer queen's arms again.
Leslie had to die. If killing her got me killed… so be it. The guards' attention seemed to focus around my area now, they sensed me. I walked toward the loft casually, trying not to cause my death here and now. One of the guards at the door looked at me with golden eyes. "I need to see the Summer king" I spoke in a bored tone. His head shifted, in what I thought was a nod.
Then he turned and lead me up stairs, with vines wrapping around the wooden railing, bright flowers, colors with no names, bloomed every other step. When we reached the top step I finally got to see my enemy. Leslie… Her and the queen were on a couch talking and giggling…giggling! What a disingenuous child! The King wasn't in the room but, the guard cleared his throat, "My queen…"
Aislinn looked up, hatred filled her gaze when she saw me, "Why are you here?" Leslie moved closer to the queen… as if this innocent summer monarch could protect her from my devastating rage.
My indifferent tone returned, "please your highness, I assure you I'm here on decent intentions."
"And those are…?"
"I don't wish to share faerie information in front of…" I gestured toward the monstrous Leslie, "human company. It seems in bad taste"
I returned the dark haired girl's scowl with a wicked grin. "Fine." The queen spoke, rising to her feet like the sun itself. "I'll be right back" She led me to the King's study.
Keenan looked up from whatever he had been doing, "Aislinn, I… Zaria? What brings you to our… domain" He stood, the same way queen sunshine had.
"I won't be long. I just thought you should know what I figured out. Whether you want to believe me or not is all up to you" My eyes shifted between the two, they were glowing way too bright.
"What is it death bringer?" Aislinn put extra empathizes on death.
"Keep an open mind, I beg of you" I bowed my head, giving respect she didn't deserve. "Your dear Leslie has fey powers, the tattoo that linked her to Irial made sure of that. When Niall burned it from her flesh he didn't clean up the left over power flow."
I paused letting that sink in. "What are you getting at Zaria?" The king sounded unsure.
"She has been the one attacking the fey and kidnapping the ones closest to you, Aislinn" I looked at the queen but, didn't give her time to rebuttal. "Her actions have made it easier for you to accept her into your home without question. I'm not saying your are weak summer queen, just grieving for lost loved ones. However you are not the girl's target. She plans to kill Irial and Niall, using your protection to her advantage. They think she is after you, and will try to save you on the summer solstice. That's where she'll strike. Please think about what I've said before you turn me away"
They were both silent, their eyes met, then they both looked at me. "You honestly think that?" Keenan said in a serious tone, his gaze calculating.
"Yes" I felt a ripple run through my foggy flesh, embarrassment, It'd been a while since that feeling flowed through me.
"It's an interesting theory… but, you've no proof. If you find anything that can prove this, I will take action. For now, I have to tell you to leave my home. Do not come back unless you prove your accusations." He waved his hand, a dismissal.
I nodded, "I appreciate your time" I walked out and didn't even glance at the evil whore on the couch. I still sensed her gazed and that twisted smile that curved her soft lips. Ones that had shared the same men I'd fallen for but, would never have. Not the way she had them. They loved her. I was the second choice; always would be.
I found myself in the park outside of the Dark court domain. There was nowhere else for me to go… what was I thinking? Leaving the dark court was a stupid idea… Now I was totally alone. Shadow maidens danced and swirled around me, their blue flames lighting up the park with a vibrant glow. Niall was around somewhere… I had to go. But, as I turned shadows curled around my ankles slowly and I almost slammed into the very person I was hoping to avoid. "Niall" I muttered, dropping my gaze from his dark handsome features.
"I didn't expect you to be around for a while…" Neither of us moved. Although his shadows slithered up my calf, mingling with my skin.
"How did you know I was out here?" I was looking at the grass like it was the most fascinating organism ever.
He shifted on his feet, "ah… my shadows dragged me out here… I thought it was-"
He didn't have to finish the sentence, I knew exactly who he was hoping for it to be… "You thought I was Leslie…" He didn't answer, I took that as a yes and stepped away from him.
"Zaria…" I ignored him, he was probably going to say something that I didn't want to hear.
"Good night Dark king" I muttered.
Trying to hide the fact my throat was closing and my eyes burned with tears, I walked away quickly. He would not witness my weakness for him. I didn't get far before they spilled over my eyelids on onto my cheeks. He hadn't called after me… didn't care enough to realize how much he hurt me… I suppose I deserved it. Seeing how I was about to kill the person he loved.
Hello my pretties.
I'm baaaaack... Not that I really went anywhere...
I still haven't read the new book! I had to spend my money on other stuff...(FOOD)
But, whatev. I can deal.
I decided I want to be a poet, isn't that amazing?
--Memories Forever
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Chapter 11
"Did you tell her?" Irial asked as Niall return to his throne room.
"She ran off before I could…" The dark king sat down and release a sigh.
"If she goes after Leslie on her own she'll-"
"I know Irial. I can't control her now, we have to hope she still has sense in her head to think things through" After Zaria went solitary so did Bananach and many other faeries, not just dark court either. But the faeries were siding with Leslie, who had gain the fey's respect for all the blood shed and excitement. Zaria was strong but, could she keep her own against them all?