Discovering Fae
The Search Begins

The flight to Malokia was pretty easy and took us over some pretty scenery that I was sure didn’t exist on Earth. Pink leaves on white trees, blue flowers in fields of deep, rich reds, rivers that were clear enough to see all the way to the bed, even from above.

Mal carried me and I had a bag of supplies on my back. Dad carried the other two bags and there was a com-wisp on each of us. We were as prepared as we could be and ready to replace my missing guardian.

Before we left, everyone made it perfectly clear that I was not to be out of sight of at least Mal, which had me rolling my eyes and Mal’s anxiety spiking. Now, he was making my stomach roll with his nerves, and we had just landed outside of the town where the last information had come from.

“That’s a dark and foreboding looking forest,” I said as we walked closer to the trees after Dad handed Mal his bag of supplies. “Gives me the creeps. Please tell me there are no giant spiders or creepy bats in there.”

“Arachians are cave dwellers and prefer the cooler weather of the northeast,” Dad commented. “Bats, on the other hand...”

“Lovely,” I muttered.

I felt Mal’s anger and took his hand, giving it a squeeze as we got closer to the treeline. Once we were in a fair distance, it was quite a bit creepier than it looked. It was dark, the sunlight being mostly blocked by the thick canopy above us, and the plants and trees grew so close together that it was difficult to walk through. Add to it the sounds of things moving around and the fact that it was too shady to see anything very clearly, I can honestly say I was not a fan.

Mal gave my hand another quick squeeze and I looked at him. He was smirking and tilted his head, making me look at Dad. I frowned. I saw plants moving as he passed them and could feel he was just in front of us, but I couldn’t really see him.

“Dark fairy,” Mal said, feeling my confusion. “They’re in their element in darkness.”

“It’s why we’re so good at covert operations,” Dad agreed. “Low light and shadows feel as much a home as our houses do.”

“And now it’s hitting me that you really were an assassin before,” I shuddered.

“That was a long time ago,” Dad said. “I wasn’t too fond of the work, but it was all I was ever taught. I could barely even read when I met Mary. You’re a lot like she was back then. More world wise and less sheltered, but still very much alike.”

“She sure is different now, huh?” I said as Mal helped me over a fallen tree.

“We’re older, Fae. The difference between then and now is a long time and a war,” he said. “Countless battles and skirmishes, having seen more pain and suffering than a lifetime could count for, and bringing an entire world back in line for peace... It changes you. Makes you stronger, harder, but also wiser.”

“Why do I feel so... broken?” I asked quietly.

Dad paused, waiting for me to catch up and Mal took over the lead, feeling that I needed my dad right now.

“You feel that way because you are,” he said softly, like I was a delicate egg about to break. “I was trained to withstand that kind of thing from the moment I could walk. You didn’t. Even still, I was broken, too. I was half mad with the nightmares and memories that never seemed to give me a moment of rest. I didn’t have someone to help me through them, either. Not for a long time.”

“It goes away, right? The helplessness?” I asked him.

“Fae,” Dad said, pulling on my elbow so I stopped and turned to him. “I still have nightmares and my experience was nearly fifty years ago. It’s not as often as it once was, but they still come and, when they do, that feeling they bring, the one you feel now, it comes back. Recovering from that kind of thing isn’t something that you do and walk away from. It’s an everyday fight. Those demons? They never die. You just get better at controlling them.”

“Will I?” I asked. “I’m not so sure.”

“When was the last time you had a nightmare?” Mal asked from a little distance ahead. “It’s been quiet nights since you came back. Something happened there that helped.”

“See? It might not seem like a lot, but that is a huge deal, Fae,” Dad said, and I could make out a smile on his face. Not that I could see it much but being closer helped. “The rest will follow, I promise.”

I gave him a small nod and he gave me a tight hug.

“He’ll never let you suffer again,” he said softly to me. “The Bond between you is stronger than it should be. As it settles, it will be stronger still. Trust in your bond, Fae.”

“I thought you don’t like him,” I smirked as I pulled away.

“I’m not a fan of how he looks at my little girl,” he narrowed his eyes. “But I guess I can’t really say much. It’s not easy replaceing your child has grown up when you missed it all.”

“We’ll have from here forward, Dad,” I said with a wry smile. “Just try not to make it so obvious that you’re plotting something. Mal gets nervous around you already as it is.”

“I’ll try, but I make no promises,” he said.

-----

Grim

They were here. Almost all of them. It didn’t matter, though. As long as he was here, and he wouldn’t risk going anywhere he couldn’t keep a watch on her. He had to, to keep her head filled with lies. She was too smart to not see them for what they were if she had a moment without them in her ear. Liars and traitors, each of them.

It was a little strange, though. There were more than I expected. Where did the other two come from? It didn’t matter, really. They meant nothing to me. Just her. And him.

He, I would kill. I needed to, to keep her safe. To protect her. I wouldn’t be able to get her back if he was still alive. She was so twisted up in his lies, I knew she would fight me if he lived. So, I would save her the pain of guilt when she finally saw. He had to die.

It had been such a long time, I almost didn’t think she would remember me, but that was foolish. Of course, she would. She loved me too much to ever forget me.

I looked at the servant on her knees in front of me. She was bloody and bruises were coming in darker every second that ticked by. But not a sound of pain came from her. Just like the real one, the one she looked like.

I laid down on the bed and closed my eyes. The day when I no longer needed cheap imitations was near. Soon, it would be real. All of the planning would be worth it.

“Come,” I said, and the servant stood slowly, obviously hurting. I frowned but allowed it.

She laid on the other side of me and I closed my eyes, reaching for her. She smelled wrong and I growled in frustration. She smelled of fear and it made my anger worse. I reached up and grabbed her neck, squeezing.

“Your fear turns my stomach,” I growled and threw her across the room.

There was a sickening crack and a cry of pain that made me see red. She was almost perfect before she did that. Why would she do that? Now, I had to kill her. Such a waste.

*By the time I was done, nothing in the room was free of blood. My own blood was still boiling, though. I needed another release. Anything to calm myself down. I needed to have a clear head if I was going to save her.*

I opened the door and the guard outside flinched at my appearance.

“Bring another,” I snapped, and he paled before rushing to do as I ordered.

Maybe training another to be a replacement will help. If not, I can always kill her, too.

“Sir,” the guard said, returning with another woman, this one was struggling. Good. I liked it when they fought. “There’s word. They’re in Malokia. But they’ve split up.”

“Where is he?” I growled.

“The Malokian Woods,” came the answer and I smiled.

I grabbed the new servant and dragged her inside. I wouldn’t need a new replacement. She wouldn’t like it if there was another in her place when I brought her back. No, this one would just die. I would have the real thing soon enough.

“Get the army together. We’ll move as soon as they leave the woods,” I said and slammed the door. “Now, let’s begin.”