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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