Page 100 of Seized to Sacrifice
He looked astonished as he took Eve’s hand and they all approached. To Elle’s shock, the three Brothers changed, their eyes becoming violet and their bodies bigger. They were wearing glamours like Nyx and Rye did.
They each dropped to a knee in front of her, and she gaped, looking in question at Eve who merely shrugged, clearly as confused as Elle.
‘Elle,’ the tallest one said. ‘My name is Drax, but Elle isn't your true name, is it?’
Elle shook her head, wondering how these fae could possibly know that.
‘It's Gaila,’ he said.
Her mouth fell open. ‘How …?’
All of them closed their eyes and bowed their heads in reverence.
‘Gaila,’ Drax breathed.
Elle looked around. The women present were glancing at each other in confusion. ‘Please,’ she murmured, uncomfortable with their display. ‘Stand up.’
They got to their feet but continued to watch Elle as if they couldn’t believe their eyes.
‘I don’t believe it,’ the third one said. ‘After the Underhill, so many of us gave up hope, but you’re here.’
She saw Vie looking exasperated. ‘She doesn’t know what you speak of.’
She drew Elle to the side. ‘The Underhill was the fae’s haven, the place they put their children to survive the dangers of the Dark Realms where most of their kind now reside. Nixus, the previous First Scholar, destroyed the three portals that led there, and stole the children. The fae have only lately seen them returned, but they haven’t yet found a new place for them to be safe.’
‘That's not quite true,’ Drax said. ‘There was a time when the Underhill was the fae home realm. Gaila the First created it for the fae as she created the Light Realm for the humans. She kept us all safe from the Dark Realms and the creatures that dwell there.’
‘I didn’t know that. Why did the fae leave the Underhill for the Dark Realms?’ Vie asked. ‘Why only keep the children there if it was such a safe place?’
‘Because the Underhill began to shrink,’ he said. ‘By the time the portals were destroyed, there was only one village left. By then, the fae were no longer welcome by the humans in the Light Realm, so to the Dark Realms they went.’ He looked at Gaila again. ‘Our people– your people– are dying,’ he said. ‘Few babes are born, and our number decrease with every passing day.’
He put a hand on Eve’s stomach and Elle realized the female was pregnant as well.
‘I'm sorry,’ Elle said. ‘I didn't know.’
‘But now you're here.’
The men looked to each other. ‘You’ve come to our rescue.’
Elle glanced at Vie and Eve, beginning to panic. The women were all looking at each other, and Vie’s eyes narrowed at her.
‘What exactly are you a god of?’ she asked slowly as if she hadn’t thought to ask before. ‘You aren’t like Bastian, are you?’
‘Well,’ Elle muttered, ‘I—’
‘She’s Gaila,’ Drax said impatiently. ‘The First. Don't you understand? She’s notagod, she’sthegod! The Light Realm, the humans, the fae. They’re all hers and she’s here to save us all.’
Suddenly feeling like the open mezzanine was somehow closing in on her, Elle muttered her apologies and practically ran to the steps, fleeing the Brothers as quickly as she could.
Her thoughts were in upheaval. Everything they’d said was true, but themsayingit aloud like that in front of everyone made it real and the pressure was mounting. The fate of her realm, of everyone in it, her brothers, the babe was all in her hands. She had to stop wasting time.
She got to the bottom of the steps. She couldn't take a breath!
Thorne appeared in front of her. ‘Elle? What’s wrong? Breathe,’ he said touching her chest. ‘Focus on my hand, on the rise and fall of your chest. Whatever it is, don't worry.’
‘But there's just so much … What if I can't—’
He drew her to him and held her tightly, moving his hand to her lower stomach. ‘We are with you. We will help you and we will not fail,’ he said with feeling.
