Page 73 of Oleander
“My words are true. I cannot lie,” Raphael saysagain.
Why does he feel the need to keep pointing that out? We get it.
“I’m sure you can find photos somewhere on campus. Maybe hidden away in the basement. Photos from before they decided to write us off and out of history. Not all of us are evil, you know.Just like your father wasn’t,” Rafael spews, his resentment building.
“Wasn’t?” I ask, swallowing past the lump in my throat and ignoring his nasty attitude.
“I’m sorry to be the one to tell you, but after eighty years of hiding, he decided to surface in the Mortal Realm to risk everything for the chance to find happiness and love. The rogue Blood Fae who weren’t banned to the forest or the Underworld found him and assassinated him. I’m sorry,” he repeats, and I surprisingly feel a tinge of sadness for the man I never met who was probably misunderstood by everyone. But it doesn’t last long. And if all of this is true, I still don’t understand one thing. . .
“Why don’t I have Blood magic then?”
“Your grandmother wasn’t a Blood Fae. She had Air magic.”
“Wow.” I don’t have any words. My mind is blown. He doesn’t even know that’s my power. “Is she still alive?”
Please let me have a fairy grandmother. Please let me have a fairy grandmother.
“That, I do not know. Not all news makes its way to the Underworld. Now uphold your end of the bargain and unchain me for good. I’ve told you everything I know. Allow me to be on my way.”
“I don’t know, Skyler,” Ander says quietly so only I can hear him. “Something doesn’t feel right.” Doubt laces his tone and has me questioning my next move.
“It’s fine, Ander. Tell the roots to let him go.”
“I will not hurt you. I swear it to the goddess,” Rafael insists. His blood-red eyes twinkle in the moonlight, and an overwhelming stench of rotten eggs emanates from him as if it’s infused into his very being.
I slowly approach him, everything in me urging me not to do this, but I’ve always kept my word. And he gave me more answers about where I come from than anyone ever has. I makemy choice, lifting the chain as Ander whispers soft words into the air, telling the plants to let him go.
Rafael is nearly free when a distressed shout echoes through the trees.
“Skyler, no!” The voice is soft and musical, yet worried, and I immediately know who it is.
Onyx.
But how?
The distraction is my undoing, and Rafael peels the rest of the roots away himself, lunging for me. He pulls a blade from his boot and holds it to my neck, spinning us so my back is to his front.
He’s using me as a shield.
“You,” he sneers, speaking to Ander. “Open the portal again.Now.I have a few friends who would like to join me.” He cackles, his rancid breath tickling my neck and making me want to yack.
“No!” I shout. “Don’t do it, Ander.” The terror in his eyes has me worried that he’ll cave.
“I’ll kill him! Right now. In front of you!” Rafael presses the dagger harder against my throat, piercing the skin and causing me to wince. A slow trickle of blood seeps out, trailing down my neck. My chest heaves while I desperately try to stay as still as possible.
Ander whimpers under the pressure of his decision, and I feel so fucking helpless at this moment.
Onyx and Birch step out from behind two trees, finally revealing themselves. With swords drawn, they continue to advance, and Rafael stiffens, pressing the blade further into my skin.
I hiss out, unable to stop the pained noise from escaping my lips.
Fuck. It hurts.
But the hellhounds are gone, and there’s no reason for Ander to open such a dangerous portaleveragain.
“We can’t risk the realm!” I tell him earnestly when I see him start to waver. “Think about your kingdom.Your people.”
At this moment, I realize I’m crazy enough to die for him.
