Chapter 27: Blood lust

Tanner beat against the force field until his hands were bloody. He knew it was pointless but he couldn’t help it, he was frustrated and needed to take it out on something. He just wished he could place his anger at the right target. Unfortunately he had no clue who was to blame anymore; for all he knew his own mother could be in on it!
As he threw one final punch he fell forward as the force field dissipated. Getting to his feet he gazed around wearily but saw nothing to be alarmed about. Taking off at a run he headed towards Wynter’s house.
As he got closer he began shouting her name but no one answered him. Fear seized him and he moved faster. The back door had long claw marks gorged into it and it hung on by a single hinge.
Shifting it out of his way he went inside the house. The interior was totally demolished. “Wynter?” he called as he continued walking through the debris. All he heard was the mewing of the kitten.
Rounding a corner he saw that the front door was open; frowning at it he continued to make his way towards the stairs. Reaching the top he saw the same disarray that was on the main floor of the house. Nothing moved...
Muscles still tense he continued to search room by room. When he reached Wynter’s bedroom he paused. A shadow had passed underneath it. Silently he opened the door and was promptly hit on the head. “Ow!” he said as he held one hand over his forehead and glared at Shannon who had dropped the toilet plunger on the floor.
“Tanner” she exclaimed as she embraced him in a rib cracking hug. “Thank God! Where’s Wynter?” She looked up at him expectantly.
Tanner stepped back from her “She’s not here with you?” he demanded.
“No...I thought....Oh, God” she moaned and began fanning her face to keep the tears from falling. “They have her don’t they? I bet she went after Rayne...Oh God; they’re dead aren’t they? I knew it! I knew this fairy shit was dangerous! Why couldn’t they have just left us alone?”
“Shannon” began Tanner but she cut him off.
“We never did a thing to ‘em and here they is taking out some hundred year old grudge or whatever on us! Time to get over it! Really though! All dis killing and whatnot fer what; I asks you? It’s all so stupid! I want my friends back! I want everything to be like it was before...” she broke down and started to sob.
Tanner stared at her for a second and then turned away. He didn’t have time for this. If he followed Shannon’s broken thoughts correctly; both Wynter and her brother had gone into the woods. Which meant he was going to have to go rescue them “Damn it Wynter” he muttered under his breath as he headed towards the stairs.
“Wait! Wait for me!” called Shannon as she rushed to catch up with him.
Tanner kept going. “You can’t come with me Shannon. It’s too dangerous” he said not looking at her.
“But I don’t know what to do” she said it softly, almost a plea.
“Get out of here. Go to your house and keep something made of iron close to you” he instructed and walked out the front door.
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Rayne tried his best to creep quietly behind the burly fairy. Now that his eyes had adjusted to the darkness he saw that there were recesses in the walls on either side of the narrow walkway. Every now and then a feral like glow would appear from within the dark depths making Rayne wish that he could hasten his steps.
Suddenly the path widened into a large circular room which had several doorways leading off into different directions. The fairy stopped and Rayne almost walked into him. When he shifted Rayne saw a round stone bowl sitting upon a pedestal made of the same grey stone, lit by a single shaft of sunlight it made him think of the Indiana Jones movies. “Follow me” said the fey.
“Like I have a choice” muttered Rayne but did as he was told. He watched as the fairy approached the bowl and wanted to laugh. It just all seemed so ridiculous...like he was cast in some cheesy horror movie. The moment passed however when the fairy waved him over with a knife in one hand; blood seeping from the other into the cup. “I’m not drinking it” he stated while crossing his arms over his chest.
“Give me your left hand, palm up” instructed the fairy lowly.
“Why” asked Rayne despite the answer being obvious and his hand moving without his consent. “What is the point in this?” he asked as the metal bit into his flesh making him take a hissing breath inwards.
“Do you wish to die” demanded the fairy barely above a whisper. Rayne shook his head. “Then I strongly suggest that you shut that mouth of yours”. Forcing Rayne’s hand over the bowl he squeezed it hard and Rayne yelped.
The sound reverberated within the stone walls and was answered by a piercing shriek. “Now you’ve done it!” Picking up the bowl the fairy tossed it towards one of the doorways and jumped through it “Come on!” Without another word the fairy disappeared from sight; leaving a terrified Rayne to catch up.
The shriek grew louder. Glancing over his shoulder Rayne saw thousands of glowing eyes racing towards him and the sound of beating wings. “Holy Shit” he exclaimed and tried to move faster but his injured leg wouldn’t allow him to move swift enough.
Needle like teeth dug into his shoulder and he screamed. Claws ripped his shirt and the flesh of his back as he fought his way to the door. Blood was gushing from his wounds and he could feel something like a bunch of tongues lap at it. Bile raising to his throat his fingers brushed the stone arch and he knew that he only had moments before the creatures overwhelmed him....
A glowing arm reached out and grabbed his shirt front, pulling him through the arch and into safety. He stumbled onto a grassy knoll where the sun beat down upon them and birds chirped happily.
“What the fuck was that?” demanded Rayne as he swayed on his feet. The pain in his shoulder and his back was causing little dots to swirl before his eyes so that the fairy was blocked by them.
The fairy never got a chance to reply as a woman came rushing over to them. “Cayden! What has happened?” she asked as she took Rayne firmly by the arm and began to lead him away.
“Who are you?” he asked drunkenly, the dots were becoming larger and he could see less and less.
“Take him....”she said and that was the last thing Rayne heard before passing out.

Chapter 26: Sins of the father...

Wynter took a deep breath, then another. If she could keep breathing then maybe everything would be ok... Something pushed her from behind and she fell to her knees with a cry of surprise.
The wraiths stood like silent witnesses as more blows were landed against her; some making her head snap to the side while others were like brutal kicks to her ribs that sent her skittering across the forest floor. Wynter held her hands up in a pitiful attempt of defence even as she curled up in the fetal position. If she so much as whimpered they became more vicious, angry red scratches and welts were popping up brightly against her pale skin.
Then she felt a crushing weight upon her. Gasping for air she looked up and saw the Hag. She tried to buck her off but to no avail...Slowly she felt herself start to drift; detaching from her body...Every bit of her was screaming in protest.
“That’s enough” said a voice.
There was a hiss from the decrypted thing and then a whoosh as sweet oxygen filled her lungs. Panting Wynter struggled to her feet trying to see what foe she would face next.
“Has no one ever told you not to wander into these woods, child?” inquired the voice from the shadows.
“Many times” replied Wynter who was still trying to catch her breath.
“Yet you entered. Tell me something; are you stupid?” it asked.
“Apparently” said Wynter tilting her chin upwards.
“Arrogant too I see” it said “You really are the offspring of her aren’t you?”Wynter said nothing as she kept looking around for the source of the voice. All she could see were the wraiths. The voice continued “Your mother showed much the same attitude...You need to be taught to respect your superiors; though I would have thought the deaths of your parents would have been enough of a warning to your family.”
Wynter snorted “Superior? I don’t think you’re superior at all! In fact I think you’re a coward; having your lap dogs unleashed on my while you slink about in the shadows!” she laughed bitterly “You call us humans savages yet you killed my parents for entertainment...Yes, it’s very clear to me now how you are superior to me and my family” she punctuated every word with sarcasm.
There was a long pause. “What’s the matter? Have nothing to say? No witty come back? Who knew fairies could be silent?” said Wynter. She was so angry and so beyond caring about her own safety that she stopped thinking about what she was saying as her emotions over took her senses.
“I was merely waiting for your simpering to finish” said the voice which made Wynter laugh uncontrollably.
“Fuck this” said Wynter turning to go only to have her way barred by the Hag and a few other fairies she hadn’t noticed.
“I am not finished with you Wynter Woods” said the voice.
Wynter turned around on her heel “Gee what a surprise...Why don’t you come out from hiding? I know who you are.”
“Because it annoys you and that gives me pleasure. Because you have no idea where I actually am and that frightens you and just because I don’t want to” said the voice coming at her from every direction at once.
“Whatever” said Wynter “So why the delay in killing me then?”
“Is that a show of cleverness? How unexpected!” said the voice. “All in good time girl...Now where is Lorcan? I find it hard to believe that he would leave you to your own devices.”
A cold shiver rand down Wynter’s spine but she also felt confusion mixed in with her foreboding. “Tanner? I don’t know...” Something slapped her face hard making her cry out. Lifting a hand to her already rapidly swelling cheek she repeated herself “I don’t know! He left before you attacked”
Another slap sent her reeling into a tree then to the ground. Head spinning she couldn’t make herself get up. She was having trouble focusing and the sound of the laughter was very distant...like she was underwater. Trying to shake it off she looked around her only to see the gleaming eyes of the Hag looking at her hungrily.
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“Why us?” demanded Rayne once he realized he could talk.
“What?” said Cayden in surprise as he wound along the dark corridor with ease.
“Why us? Why our family? What did we ever do to deserve this?” asked Rayne in anger as he struggled to keep up to the large fairy.
“Your family was given a gift from my people and instead of giving gratitude you wasted that gift...and betrayed us to the other humans. We were almost wiped out. It is time for the balance to be paid and it is you and your sisters who must do so” replied Cayden with a shrug of his massive shoulders.
“This debt is ours to pay? That hardly seems fair! We weren’t the ones who did it to you guys! And how do I even know that it was my family who screwed you guys over? And what do you mean by sisters? One’s dead...there’s only Wynter and I now...Are you saying Autumn is alive?”
“Now would be a good time for you to shut your mouth Rayne Woods” said Cayden as he paused in front of a pair of great wooden doors. “We must be quiet from here on out lest we disturb the sleepers...”
Rayne threw him a questioning look but as directed said nothing and followed him through the doorway.
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Chapter 25: A meeting of sorts

At some point Rayne had fallen asleep only to be rudely awoken when his chair was kicked out from under him. His whole body jolted and spasmed as if he were being electrocuted as his ass left the chairs seat. Eyes rolling in to the back of his head he could barley gasp for air as his body continued to shudder painfully.
“Get up” commanded a voice and Rayne felt himself jump to his feet even though his legs were wobbly and stiff. “Good boy! Now you can follow me as we are going to go for a little walk you and I” said the voice mockingly.
Rayne made certain to take note of everything as he walked along the bright corridor. The salty sweet taste of his own blood filled his mouth from where he bit his tongue and only helped to fuel his already enflamed temper. In front of him walked a fey that was probably twice his size but Rayne didn’t care; if given the chance he would kick his ass.
Every now and again Cayden would glance behind him to make sure that his prisoner was still there. His concern was not that Rayne might escape but rather that someone else might take it upon themselves to get rid of the mortal... “Hurry up” he commanded.
The anger in Rayne’s eyes amused Cayden. “This way” he instructed and opened a door that lead outside and into a private garden. They continued along the path and as they walked Cayden began to wonder about the wisdom of his mother’s plan.
After all, their previous attempts to eradicate Lorcan had failed. A feat which had earned Lorcan his begrudging respect; something he would never admit aloud if asked but it did make him leery of his half brother. “What do you think of Lorcan?” he found himself asking the mortal.
“Who?” asked Rayne in puzzlement.
Cayden sighed. He had forgotten that Lorcan went by a human name. “Ignore that question” he commanded gruffly. It was a stupid question to ask any ways; of course if Oisin had been with him there would be no end to the taunting...
He was well aware of what his mother and his younger brother thought of his intelligence...or the King for that matter. A battle of wits was one he would never take part in; but a battle of strength and endurance was one you could find him the victor. Unfortunately for him these skills were not held in the esteem of his people; in fact they were frowned upon. Though he was bright he was seen as little more than a savage for choosing to learn sword play over more intellectual pursuits.
All of that was about to change.
Once his mother’s plans were executed no one would dare to make jest of him. No longer would he be standing in his brother’s shadow! More importantly his father would see him for who he truly was.
He made one more look over his shoulder at the human before ducking into a hidden doorway.
* * *
Tanner stopped at the cliffs edge to gaze down at the beach below. The bay was mirror still and standing at its edge, where water met shore was his mother.
Her dark hair was twisted into several braids but wisps had escaped, teased out by a dead wind. She was dressed like a human, jeans and a pale blue sweater. If he hadn’t known her he would have mistaken her for a teenager from this height. As if she had sensed his thoughts she turned her face up to him and smiled.
She remained where she stood as he made his way down to her. As he got closer the similarity between her and a teenager faded to that of a woman in her thirties... a classic beauty with jade coloured eyes. “Aine” he greeted her with a bow of his head.
“Hello my darling boy” she answered him in return. Then a frown marred her face. “There are so many lost souls here; can you not feel them?” Tanner shook his head; he knew to wait for his mother to get to the real reason of why she wanted him here. “There is a woman who wanders this shore; she looks for her lost husband and scares the locals with her sudden appearance...She refuses my help.”
“You can’t save everyone mother...” he said with a shrug.
Her eyes clouded over and she turned from him to begin walking. “Rathnait tells me that you have grown close to the Woods family...In particular to the one called Wynter.”
This time it was Tanner who frowned as he walked along side of her. “Yes, I have” he agreed “But surely you had something else to discuss with me other then my current lover?”
She stopped again. “Can you see her? Just there amongst the rocks...Her sadness is so smothering.”
Tanner glanced at the rocks where there was indeed a wraith standing in the mist of them. “Mother?” he prompted after a few moments had passed in silence.
She sighed deeply. “Do you know where you are?” she asked him while still watching the ghostly apparition.
“Is that a trick question?” he asked while running his hand through his hair in frustration.
She looked up at him sharply “This is no joke Tanner. Where you are...this land...It’s cursed.”
“I know a bit about the war...Wynter’s family; they’re supposed to be the guardians...” said Tanner.
“How did you...” she looked up at him in surprise and then understanding “Ah, you found it in the books. I had forgotten that I gave them to you” She lapsed into silence again.
Growing more confused and frustrated by the minute Tanner picked up a rock and tossed it into the water. The ripples were nearly gone when his mother began to speak.
“I have to be going”
“What? But you just got here!” exclaimed Tanner.
“I know” she said and lifted a hand to his cheek “So handsome...Take care. I will send word” that said she disappeared into thin air.
Holding his hand where he could still feel the warmth of her fingers Tanner let a string of curses fly.
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Chapter 24: When the west wind moves....

Rayne wanted to pace but he couldn’t move unless the fey bitch said he could. So instead he was stuck sitting on a plush chair facing a marble fireplace ...he could do nothing but stare at the fire as it burned. He had no idea how long he had been there...or even when he became aware of his surroundings. It was like he had blinked from the time he had been in Doucette’s Woods to where he was now...for all he knew it was.
At least he had no sound of a clock ticking away. That would have driven him insane... Instead he sat in silence as he tried to surmise his surroundings; anything to help him figure out a means of escape. He was indoors; the house or at least the room in which he was being held was on the large end of the scale. Everything he could see was upper class, a velvet chair with silk trimmings.... the rose marble veined with gold....crystal vases filled with roses...the scent of apple wood as it burned.
There was a slight whisper of air as a door was opened from behind him. “And how are we doing?” asked the fey woman as she came into his line of vision.
She had changed he noticed. Gone was the simple grey gown and in its place was a deep royal blue hue that made her amethyst coloured eyes stand out. She gave a slight frown and then clapped her hands in delight “I have forgotten! You cannot do anything without my permission!”
Rayne glared up at her as she patted him on the head and then wiped her hand off on a linen handkerchief. “Since I have your attention though I think it is time I explained why I have brought you here instead of disposing of you like I did your parents. Though it is a pity that we have no time for games; I have no doubt that you would prove to be amusing...” she let out a disappointed sigh before continuing “Are you comfortable? Good.” She sat across from him in another velvet chair and smoothed her dress out as she spoke.
“It is quite simple you see; I want to kill my step-son. The little bastard has wormed his way into my husband’s affections and as a result my two sons and the legitimate heirs to the crown have been all but forgotten...That is not satisfactory, not at all. From what I have been told your sister has been the object of Lorcan’s desires and he seems quite attached to her. It was her that I had originally wanted to capture but I have settled for you in her stead.” She leaned back and studied him as she rested her chin upon her clasped hands.
“In fact; now that I think on it, this may work to better my advantage. When she persuades Lorcan to help rescue you, I will be able to kill all of you at one time! Then there will be nothing in my way when I unleash my kin from their prison! No longer will we hide ourselves from the filth of humanity!” Her eyes became lit with the fevered light of insanity and if he could have Rayne would have shuddered. She got to her feet and stuck her nose an inch from his; “Your kind will be wiped out and we will rule once more!”
Suddenly she tilted her head to the side and then said “Come in”. The change was instant; gone was the raving lunatic and in its place was the cold calculating fey Rayne despised.
There was another whoosh of air and a soft spoken voice requesting the Queens presence in the great hall. With a wave of her hand she dismissed the servant and turned her attention back to Rayne. “Well that was a pleasant little chat! No need to get up; you just stay right where you are until Cayden comes for you. Then you can do what he tells you.”
As she started to exit she paused and stared at him as if trying to decide whether to say something else ...Rayne stared back at those cold eyes and let every ounce of hatred he had for her show in his. She laughed at him and left.
* * *
The house was shaking. The whispers had turned into screams and Wynter was beyond pissed. Ignoring Shannon’s pleas she flung open the bathroom door and fought her way back down the stairs. Her kitten streaked past her and hid under the sofa while winds and unseen hands flung objects about the entire house.
Wynter wanted to scream and shout at them but she bit her tongue instead. Screaming would do her no good. She needed to do something else to get their attention...As she was thinking on just how to do that, the front door swung open and all went silent.
Pushing her hair off of her face she peered around suspiciously. The faint sound of Shannon’s crying was the only other sign of life within the house. Squaring her shoulders she went out onto the bridge. She was greeted by a bloody sunrise that stained every surface with its rosy radiance.
It was in this momentary reprise from the horror of the dark night that something drew her attention downwards to the swing where there sat a letter, propped against the back of the seat. It appeared to be glowing as the sun’s rays shone through it....
Scrawled in a very feminine hand it looked like it had come out of the Victorian era. Picking it up; she read it over twice. Putting it back where she had found it she made her way around the back of the property and into the woods.
Like the house, the forest was quiet. Not even a wind dared to rustle the leaves above her. A weight like a great stone sat in her stomach. She knew what she was doing was fool hardy; suicidal even but an invitation from the fey Queen was not one you could turn down...So she continued to go deeper, her head held high and her senses in overdrive.
The sun had shifted and little streams of its rays broke through the branches to create tiny spotlights on ferns and the decaying leaves that formed the forest floor. The air stirred and she felt something following her; she didn’t dare look back.
Something else caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. There amongst the birches to her right was the transparent form of Sarah Companion and behind her were several others including Mrs. Furlong...all of them were dressed in red. Turning her head to the left she saw another group and gasped. In the lead was Mark.
Suddenly chilled to the bone Wynter wanted to turn around and run back to the house. Pride wouldn’t let her of course, nor her need to save her brother and finish this once and for all. The silent parade marched onwards with her as the forerunner.
Death candles floated everywhere within the green darkness. So many that the sheer numbers of them turned Wynter’s stomach as she wondered how they could have been remained hidden for so long...Why no one had stumbled upon a body over the years...
A chorus of giggles had her jerking her head around searching for the source. “Come out and face me!” she demanded as her hands clenched into fists; but nothing came forth. “I’m not afraid! Do you hear me? I’m not afraid of you!”
“Liar” accused a harsh voice.
“We can smell your fear” exclaimed a trio in Wynter’s ear.
Wynter was speechless; never before had she felt so close to understanding the meaning of evil. She was surrounded by it. And she was all alone.....

* * *
It was when he felt the West wind move that Tanner realized that he was headed in the wrong direction. He came to a halt and called out to Rathnait for an explanation.
The little fey circled back to him and landed on a pine bough that was eye level with him. Annoyance flickered across its homely face as she spoke “We have no time for romantic notions! I am to take you to your mother without delay!”
“My mother is in hiding! I haven’t seen her in seven years! Why would she want to see me now?” he demanded.
“You will have to ask her that question yourself; as I don’t know why. I was merely sent to fetch you, so that is what I am doing....Or at least that it is what I am trying to do. Will you not come then?”
Tanner stood there unsure of what he should do.
“You can’t get to her now-you know that” stated Rathnait in a matter fact tone.
Tanner cast one look over his shoulder and then started walking forward again.
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Wynter's fav men

Chapter 23: Broken Promises.

“Where did he go?” demanded Rayne as he walked into the hallway where Wynter was still standing.
“Where do you think?” she answered and then grabbed her brothers arm as he made for the door. “No; no Ray! You can’t go!”
“Let me go Wyn!” he growled and jerked his arm free but she latched onto it again.
“Rayne, listen to me! I need you here! Ok? I need your help!” she spoke quickly afraid that she would lose his attention and he would dart out into the woods....Out of the corner of her eye she saw Shannon standing at the dining room doorway. “Tanner..he told me we had to stay away from those woods! He was scared! Do you hear me? There’s something huge going on and we need to stay in the house...”
But Rayne wasn’t listening to her. He easily slipped from her grasp and headed to the door again. Shannon rushed to block him but even with his limp he managed to evade her and was out before they could call out in distress. As they made to follow the door slamed shut and a manic laughter filled the air.
Shannon’s eyes widened in terror and she clawed and pounded on the door but it wouldn’t budge. Wynter meanwhile had ran to the back door but found it sealed shut as well. Glancing out the window she could see a long line of glowing lights in the trees .
Turning back she looked out every window and saw that they were surrounded by them. Grabbing the hysterical Shannnon she headed up the stairs. The laughter followed them. In every mirror she saw the same cruel face from her night in the downstairs bathroom...and then a chorus of a thousand voices whispered at them.
Heart pounding Wynter tried to think but it was impossible over the the voices and Shannon’s crying. Yanking her friend into the bathroom she shut the door and locked it.
“You were warned time and time again mortal!” it hissed “Now we are forced to take action and you have none to blame but yourself!”
“Fuck off you self ritcheous prick!” screamed Wynter and it kept laughign until she shattered the mirror with her porcelain toothbrush holder. Shannon cried out again as the glass fell and then began to sob uncontrollably. “Oh shut up!” commanded Wynter who had enough of everything.
“Fffucckk yyouu” said Shannon while sniffling and trying to wipe away her tears and then her mouth went into an exagerated o shape and she pointed to Wynters blouse. Looking down Wynter saw the unmistakable red stain growing larger.
“Shit” she said and sank down next to Shannon.
* * *
Rayne could see the back of Tanner’s head just in front of him. If his leg wasn’t being such a pain in the ass he would have caught up to him by now....
Concentrating too hard on keeping up with Tanner he never noticed how deep into the woods he was going until in the grey light of the dawn he saw the sillouette of the cave. Reaching the clearing he couldn’t find Tanner. It was if he had dissapeared. Turning around slowly in a circle he could spot nothing but trees.
When he turned back he saw her standing at the mouth of the cave. Her long blonde hair fell in loose waves down to the ground, tiny jewls sewn throughout it already sparkling in the dim light. Her dress was the same hue as the sky and her eyes glinted with malice.
“We meet again young Rayne” she said; her voice washing over him like a warm brook.
“You killed my parents!” he exclaimed and took a step forward but could go no further.
“Yes” she nodded. “I did.”
“Why?” he demanded.
She threw her head back and laughed. The silver tinkle of it made him feel ill; that laugh had haunted him in many a nightmare. “All in good time young Rayne. I have great plans for you”she assured him.
Rayne felt his insides turn to ice.
* * *
“Rathnait!” called Tanner for the umpteenth time. Pacing around the pool of water he cursed on his mothers servant. He felt anxious to get back to Wynter. There was something in the air; something foreboding... “RATHNAIT! Where the hell are you?”
Frustrated he picked up a stone and tossed it into the black water. The resounding splash resonated in the other wise quiet forest. He waited but there was still no sign of the little fairy. Then out of the corner of his eyes he saw a movement.
There just at the edge was the wraith he saw outside Wynters house. He trembled from the sight of its bloody tears.
“What do you want?” he asked and was surprised when it pointed towards the direction he had come. “You want me to go back?” Then he saw the lights bobing behind it. “SHIT!” he exclaimed and took off at a run.
He didn’t get far. It was like hitting an invisible wall. Thrown back onto his ass he shook his head and cursed his own stupidity. He should have known that they would attack...Now he was too late...
“This way” said a familiar voice.
“Rathnait?” he said and got to his feet.
“No, the Queen of England! Ofcourse it’s me! Now quit your gawking and get a move on!” said the surley fey as she flew out of sight.
Shaking his head Tanner persued.
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Chapter 22: Discussions and pizza.

“Are you sure dat we’re safe here?” asked Shannon as she picked at her pizza slice with a frown.
“For now” said Tanner with a nod.
“Well, that’s reassuring” stated Shannon sarcastically.
“I need a beer” said Rayne getting to his feet and limping into the kitchen.
“He should never have taken the stairs today” said Wynter as she watched him disappear out of the room.
“Why are we staying here?” asked Shannon her eyes locked on Wynter.
“Can you think of somewhere else we can go?” Wynter countered and Shannon pouted but said nothing more.
“So you’re telling me that all of the wards I have placed are useless?” asked Wynter, picking up the conversation where it had been before Shannon interrupted.
“Yes” said Tanner simply “Iron hurts us...as you know; it can even kill us but in order for it to work it needs to come in direct contact with our skin. The kitten is cute but it only works against pixies...So, yeah there is very little you can do to keep us out if we want to get in...” he trailed off as the weight of his words sunk in.
“So what you’re saying is that we’re fucked?” asked Rayne bluntly as he took a pull from his beer.
“In a manner of speaking; yes” agreed Tanner. “However I think that there is something else that is keeping them away-for the moment anyways” he didn’t elaborate any further as Shannon interrupted him again.
“Something else? And why are they attacking us? I mean none us did a ting to them!” she said angerly.
“Well the condensed version is that your ancestors were somehow involved with the fey...a betrayal occured and a kind of war broke out. In the end, what turned out to be a few rogue fairies were responsible and taken care of. Your family were left in charge of keeping those fey imprisioned...”explained Tanner, his gaze steady on Wynter as she reached for the pizza box and took a slice from inside it.
“...and now they’re free” finished Wynter as she mopped up the grease from her slice of pizza with a paper towel.
“ Yes” said Tanner with a nod of his head.
“Exactly how many are a ‘few’” asked Rayne cocking his head to the side.
“The exact number is not known...according to the records it would be at least seven....” replied Tanner.
“Seven?” Shannon shireked while grabbing Rayne’s hand at the same time. “I thought it was just one that was doing the killing...”
Nobody said anything for a few minutes.
“You’re so called records are wrong...fairies killed my parents twenty years ago and people have been dissapearing for years now...They must have escaped long before Neil fell in that cave” said Rayne, lifting his chin as if expecting Tanner to challenge him.
Tanner frowned at him. “You are certain?” Rayne raised his eyebrows at him and Tanner sighed while leaning back in the chair. “Well...that changes every thing....I have to go and check somethign out. You guys stay here and I’ll be back as soon as I can”.
“No” said Rayne getting to his feet at the same time as Tanner and Wynter. “No more of the secrecy. Tell us what’s going on!”
“I don’t know!” exclaimed Tanner in frustration “What you’ve told me ..it shouldn’t be possible! I have to go into the West Lands and find out what I can...and none of you and I mean none of you can go with me!”
“Dat’s fine with me!” said Shannon but no one was paying any attention to her.
“Wait a minute!” demanded Wynter but Rayne drowned her out.
“I’m going! This is my town and it was my parents who were killed, I deserve to know who’s responsible!”
The shouting match between the threesome came to a grinding halt when Shannon let out a blood curdling scream. With a shaking hand she pointed to the mirror “A face! I saw a face in the mirror!”
“Sure it weren’t your own?” asked Rayne and got a slap on the chest for it.
“Yes! It looked...evil” she shivered and buried her face into Raynes shoulder. “I want to leave here” she all but sobbed.
Wynter recalled the face she had seen in the bathroom mirror and barely supressed her own shiver. Crossing her arms over her chest she glanced up at Tanner who was staring at her. He jerked his head towards the hallway and she nodded in silent understanding. They left together while Rayne was comforting Shannon.
“What is it?” asked Tanner the moment they were alone.
“I’ve seen that face before...Or at least I think I have...” said Wynter.
“When? What did it look like?” he demanded.
Wynter relayed the story to him and then proceeded to explain her parents dissapearance and what she had seen through Rayne all those years ago. When she finished she saw that Tanners jaw was set in a rigid line and that he had gone pale. “What is it?” she asked and reached out ot him but he backed away from her.
“Cover all the mirrors...I’ll be back as soon as I can. Stay out of those woods; do you hear me? No matter what stay away from them! Promise me!”
Startled by his sudden fervour Wynter nodded her head “I promise” she said and watched as he darted out of the door and into the darkness.
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