Page 90 of Trapped to Tame
‘Imagine you're in a tunnel,’ he said, letting out a slow breath, ‘walking in the light. It guides your way. It comes from your body. It begins to get brighter and brighter as you move towards the door at the end. You can see more light piercing the keyhole. It's brighter than you, brighter than the sun. The key is in your hand. It’s metal. Heavy. Can you feel it?’
‘Yes.’
‘Put the key in the lock. Turn it and open the door. As you do, the bright light flows into you making you brighter still. You are full of magick, full of power. You need that to create your bridge.’
‘I can feel it,’ she breathed. ‘It’s all around me.’
‘That's it,’ he said. ‘Focus on it. You need to take us to the same Dark Realm that we went to before. Remember that great portal that we went through?’
She nodded
‘Do it now.’
She closed her eyes, her body tensing as she tried to find what she needed.
She opened them a moment later. ‘I thought I could do it,’ she said brokenly.
‘I found the power, but I can’t wield it.’
She looked him in the eye. ‘I’m sorry. Do it.’
Priest’s eyes sought his sister, speaking with some of the other children in the square. He turned them back on Eve, his gaze searching hers as he breathed out, putting his head to hers. He didn't say that he was sorry. He didn’t wait any longer. He couldn’t or he wouldn’t be able to do what was necessary. He only hoped that she could forgive himagain.
He put his hands around her throat and began to press. Whispering in her ear, he took on the Bull’s voice and felt her terror spike when she heard the timber she knew so well.
‘Get on your knees,’ he said, hating himself. ‘I’m going to let your friends watch next time we fight. I'm going to beat you and, when I’m finished with you, I’m going to tell Talik that I’m not going to fight for him again unless he lets all the men in the crowd come to your tiny room and fu—’
The sizzling in the air stopped his words and a bridge erupted into the room, large enough for all of them.
He saw his Brothers herding everyone through, and he kept a hold of Eve’s throat just hard enough that she stayed afraid, hoping she could hold it open for long enough to get everyone out of here.
She was locked in a memory that he had put her in, her body shaking, her lip trembling. He didn't know what she was thinking about now other than she must be trapped in a flashback. Tears flowed from her eyes and down her cheeks and only when the last of the young ones had gone through did Priest let go of her, drawing her through the portal she had made.
Drax and Fie were right behind them and they found themselves in a market, the same one that he and Eve had been in before. The larger portal there was open and the children, without any prompting, were already travelling through that one as well.
Priest swung Eve into his arms. He carried her through the larger tunnel and out the other side … straight into the vibrant and colorful main hall of the highest fae court.
The floor was in disarray, children running across the polished marble towards family members, others looking around hoping to see someone they knew. People were laughing and crying. The Council Five were trying to bring order, but no one was listening.
Fie drew himself up and walked towards the high dais where the Council members sat behind a long table of black wood. Three females. Two males. These five fae held the highest influence, one of them Lord Gerling, Eve’s father.
Priest didn't say a word to the others, but he held back hoping to the gods that her sire didn't get close enough to realize who she was. If he smelled her …
‘As usual, you make a grand entrance,’ the oldest, dourest councilor, Isbeth, said, causing some around them to titter. ‘But I suppose we can overlook it, considering who you’ve brought with you.’
To Priest’s shock, he saw Councilor Isbeth smile as she looked at two of the smallest children they’d brought with them who were currently being hugged by her daughters. They’d saved her grandchildren, he realized, filing it away. One never knew when a favor would be needed, and it was good to keep a mental ledger of such things.
‘We certainly had our doubts,’ Lord Gerling sneered at them, peering down as if they were the dirt on his shining boots, ‘but all the fae rejoice in your success. Wherever did you find them?’
The ease with which Fie stepped forward made Priest admit that his Brother was well suited to being their leader, certainly more than he’d have given him credit for. They knew it was Gerling who’d done this, but they had no proof and no idea why he’d turn against his own.
‘Nixus, the First Scholar of Kitore, had hidden them in a far corner of the Light Realm.’
‘Did you not bring the human to face the consequences of his actions?’ one of the other female councilors questioned, her beady eyes narrowing on them.
‘I’m afraid he was killed some weeks ago, Councilor,’ Fie answered smoothly.
‘We commend you,’ Isbeth said. ‘The payment promised shall be yours.’
