Alexander was in my treehouse a second later. He frowned, “Cass?” I wiped tears from my eyes, “Just go, please. I need space right now.” Alexander questioned, “What hurt your feelings? You are sad, almost devastated. No, it’s devastated.” I cried, “LEAVE ME ALONE!” He stepped back surprised because I didn’t snap at him like that ever.
He came over and held me in his arms while I cried. These were the plans Cayden mentioned yesterday? He had a date? Why didn’t he cancel it for me? Did he really like whoever his date was with? Was he being nice saying he wanted me when really he wanted someone else? EJ called her hot. Was I not pretty enough?
I pulled away from Alexander. He whispered, “Cass, talk to me.” His eyes were blazing gold. I shook my head, “I’m just frazzled right now. I need some time to collect myself.” Alexander frowned, “I’ll kick someone's ass into a bloody mess for doing this to you.”
I didn’t want him to fight Cayden. I shook my head, “I just want to be alone.” Alexander sighed, “Ok, but if I feel more things like this I’m coming back.” I nodded whispering, “Ok.” I cried my eyes out after he left while Rain whimpered because it hurt.
My mate was on a date. Not just a date, a hot date. Why did she have to be hot? I wiped my tears and asked myself out loud, “What would Aiylee do?” I knew the answer immediately. She’d go on a date herself. That’s what Aiylee would do.
At that moment, my phone rang. I sighed seeing who it was. An Earth Fairy I’d met when I was fourteen was calling. I answered, “Hello, Gystepi.” Gystepi sounded excited, “Hello Duchess Cassie, I was hoping this time would be my moment. Would you like to go on a date with me?” His timing couldn’t have been more apt.
I answered, “As a matter of fact, I would. What time?” Gystepi was surprised, “Wow, you said yes. Can you be ready in an hour?” I answered, “Of course.” I hung up and popped to my room. I took a quick shower then snapped on some light makeup. I threw my hair into a high ponytail and snapped it curled. Iput on some skin tight jeans and a green short sleeve tight v cut top. I wasn’t going to try too hard because I didn’t really care.
Rain was quiet. I asked, “Are you ok?” Rain whispered, “I don’t know.” I apologized, “I’m sorry but I can’t sit home and think about his hot date. I can’t do it.” Rain whispered, “We could call Jase and go hang out with him. I like him as a friend.” I sighed, “I already said yes, but I wish I had thought of that first.” If I wasn't so upset, I would have. Jason was a good friend.
I truly didn’t want to lead Gystepi on, but Fairies weren’t like humans. This didn’t mean much and I wasn’t going to kiss him. Hell, I probably wouldn’t even hold his hand. Rain was right. Jason would’ve been the better choice. He knew me, and he’d just watch a movie without asking what was wrong.
I smelled my mom in the hallway before she knocked on my door. I linked her, “Come in.” She came in and looked me over. She smiled, “You look nice, Cass. Your sorrow does not match your outfit.” I sighed, “I have a date.”
My mom frowned, “If you don’t want to go on said date you don’t have to fucking go. I’ll kick some boys’ ass if he’s pressuring you into a date. Then I’ll tell your dad and said boy would die. I’d just shrug and say oops.” I laughed, “That’s so you, mom. No, I just need to get out of the house.”
My mom asked, “Are you ok?” I admitted, “No, but I don’t want to talk about it.” My mom hugged me, “You know you can tell me about anything.” I nodded, “Yes, I just need to process it, then I swear we will talk. I just need to get out of the house.”
My mom backed off, “Ok. Who is your date with?” I shrugged, “A Fairy I met when I stayed in Faerie for a month.” My mom’s lips twitched. I laughed, “You don’t like it.” She acknowledged, “I really fucking don’t, but you are smart and old enough to make your own choices. Don’t let your guard down, not even for one second. Promise me.” I put my hand on her reassuringly, “I promise I won’t let my guard down.” She kissed my forehead, “You look beautiful.”
Gystepi texted me to meet him at a pond in Faerie. I snorted, “He’s not even coming to get me. He probably doesn't want to see dad or any of my brothers.” My mom rolled her eyes, “Then he is both somewhat smart and cowardly. I fucking hate this guy. A real man would come face your dad and brothers to take you on a date.”
I told her, “It’s not a love connection mom.” My mom hugged me whispering, “Be safe, Cassie.” I smiled and pulled out a dagger from my shoe. I told her, “I’m always prepared mom.” She kissed my forehead, “Good girl.” I knew it scared her I was going, but I couldn’t stay here.
I linked Tory and Gia, “I have a date in Faerie.” Tory groaned, “With a Fairy?” Gia retorted, “Of course with a Fairy.” Tory replied, “But not with the one that made her smile that dopey earlier. Did dopey smile guy already fuck up?” Rain whimpered. Gia asked, “Cass?” I told them, “I can’t talk about it. After my date bring ice cream and alcohol.” Tory agreed, “On that.”
I popped near the meeting spot for my date, then walked to the lake. Gystepi smiled when he saw me, “Hello, Duchess.” This was awkward already. I told him, “Just Cassie is fine.” He was nervous, but I brushed that off. Gystepi had been asking me out since I was fourteen.
Rain linked, “Something is off.” I trusted her so I instantly went on alert. We skipped rocks for a while but it was an uncomfortable silence. That put me on higher alert. This also wasn’t doing a good job of distracting me. I kept thinking about Cayden’s lips on his hot date’s lips. I’d find out who she was, and she’d be in my tournament too. After I kicked Cayden’s ass. He could’ve warned me. Especially since my brothers knew. Did he think they wouldn’t mention it? Did he not think I deserved to know?
I turned to grab a rock when I heard a pop near me and nearly fell over because I knew that scent. It was my little sister. Angela screamed, “CASSIE, LOOK OUT!” I quickly turned around. I didn’t hear anything fired at me, but I felt Gystepi was closer to me than he had been.
I went down onto my knee and knocked his feet out from under him. He had a syringe in his hand. I quickly put my knee on his back and pinned his arms behind his back. I yelled, “Angela, go home!” She shook her head, “He’s not alone, Cass!”
I cursed, “FUCK YOU GYSTEPI! Who are you with?” Gystepi snorted, “The Ring. We finally got you.” I grabbed the syringe and plunged it into his neck. He gasped then started writhing in pain. I poppedto Angela. I told her, “Get out of here and go get Uncle Aiden or Alexander, mom, dad, EJ, any of them or all.” I stopped talking when I heard a shot fired.
I tackled Angela but felt an injection hit me. Iron. FUCK! Rain growled, “No silver or wolfsbane though.” I looked Angela over making sure she was fine. I told her, “Conjure me my swords and you stay behind this boulder if you won’t leave.” She conjured my swords.
She whispered, “I won’t leave you, big sister. We stick together.” I ordered, “Stay hidden back here. They don’t know you are here, and we need to make sure it stays that way.” She frowned, “They could've seen me.” I snorted, “They would be taunting me if they did.”
Tory linked, “WHY IS YOUR FAMILY DOWN?! ARE YOU OK?” Gia linked, “Girl, you better be fine.” I replied, “Fighting. Fine is a relative term.” They both growled which fueled my will to fight. I stepped out with my swords.
I tried linking, “EJ. Alexander. Dad. Mom.” I got nothing back. What the fuck?! They were using Earth magic to prevent linking? I’d JUST talked to my girl. I tried again thinking maybe it was just family. “Tory. Gia.” Nothing came back. So, they’d linked me a second before everything was set up. Naturally.
These Ring members were such assholes. At least I wore jeans. I had that going for me. A pop sounded beside me. Before they could try anything, I ran him through my sword. I winked at him as I pulled it out. He dropped to the ground and chaos ensued.
I cut at a vine wrapping around my foot then used my other sword to cut down another Fairy. I looked around quickly noting there were thirty of them. It hit me that I knew exactly how to get help. Alexander. He just needed to push my pain down instead of throwing the strength he was at me. Then he would come.
I focused, tugging on my bonds. I was concentrating and missed that someone behind me threw a tree at me. It hit me in the head. I spoke in Latin to Angela so they wouldn’t know I was talking to her. Blood poured down my face, “Fratres nosotros nos trahere (Pull our brothers to us).” They’d be able to find us faster this way.
I’d taken one more Fairy down when I heard a pop but I wasn’t worried I knew who it was. Alexander. He yelled, “WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?!” Then he was beside me with blazing gold eyes. EJ popped in next followed by Mom and Dad. My dad roared and shifted.
Alexander conjured his broadsword, and he was off like we’d shot him out of a rocket. My mom yelled, “I DON’T THINK SO YOU FUCKHEADS! STAY!” Uncle Aiden popped into the fray. I fought with EJ by my side. He frowned and linked me, “Why are you guarding this spot?” Ok, so I could link people next to me. Cool.
