Page 198 of Crimson Promises
I slipped the dagger into my boot.
A willowy brunette walked into the room. Her hair was tied in a top knot on her head, a loose tendril framing her face. Her expression was soft, warm, and welcoming. Looking at her, you would never know the hardship she faced whenever she left this pathetic box we called home.
Her wings were tucked in tightly, her feathers dragging against the floor. She liked to ‘hang loose’ at home. Mostly, I think she used to do it to bug me.
I almost dropped to my knees at the sight of her. It had been so long.
“Bennett, honey, don’t just stand there. I never have a day off. We should do something fun today, just you and me. My brilliant special boy.”
My lips puckered together at the old endearment.
“How about we go to the Summit of Song? You always love it there?”
I remained still. I was probably in shock. For years, I tried to block the memory of her out of my mind. It was too painful to relive. But gods, did I miss her. The scene of honeysuckle and lemon circled around me.
“Honey, what’s wrong? You’re so quiet.” She approached me slowly. Her hand cupped my cheek, and I couldn’t help but close my eyes and lean into the gesture of tenderness and love.
I knew it wasn’t real, but for just a minute, I allowed myself to pretend that she was with me. That I could protect her from the fate she was doomed to endure.
I would give anything to go back to the box.
Overwhelming despair threatened to drown me, but a singular thought anchored me: Aurora. I couldn't–wouldn't–let this creature keep me from her. I opened my eyes and kissed my mom briefly on the forehead. It was as much of a goodbye as I could allow myself. As much as it pained me, I threw up a mind shield. With a roar, I forced myself free of the shadows' grip, using my magic to dispel the construct the creature had created to trap me. The fae looked momentarily surprised, its gaze assessing. I took advantage of the pause, sending a blast of my remaining concentrated energy toward the fae.
The creature deflected the brunt of the attack, but it staggered back, disoriented. Seizing my chance, I sprinted toward it, dagger ready. We clashed, each trying to overpower the other. The fae had the advantage against my waning powers. But I was a trained soldier, pure unleashed fighting power was my specialty.
With a strategic parry, I disarmed the creature, sending its vine-wrapped weapon flying. But the fae wasn't done. With a hiss, it summoned an intense whirlpool of shadows, trying to drag me into an abyss of darkness.
I could feel the pull, the relentless tug toward nothingness. Could hear whispers from the abyss, voices that beckoned, promising peace, release from pain. But I clung to this realm and all I still had to accomplish here.
Summoning every ounce of my strength, I forced myilliciumdagger into the ground. A surge of light erupted, dispelling the darkness around me. The enraged fae came at me with renewed vigor, and I lured it toward one of the maze's walls. I waited for it to lunge and then I sidestepped, letting its momentum send it crashing into the thick hedges. The Nightshade Fae shrieked as the maze's vines entangled it, holding it captive.
Breathing heavily, I took a moment to collect myself and grabbed my discarded bag. The fae glared at me, fury evident in its eyes. But its struggle against the maze's vines was futile. Knowing I’d bought myself some time, I turned away, leaving the creature behind.
There was a loud crack, and the Nightshade Fae evaporated into the air, only a whisp of smoke remaining. I moved on as quickly and quietly as possible.
Left, right, then left again. I hit two dead ends and had to backtrack. Forcing myself to stop, I tried to form a map of the turns I’d taken so far. I had to be close to the center, at least.
Aurora’s yells filled the air.
In panic, I dashed up the trail, seeking a gap in the hedgerow. When none appeared, I tried summoning. It wasn't effective; I was tapped out. Think, think, think. I pulled theilliciumdagger. Perhaps I could use it as a conduit for my magic. If it could cut through demons, maybe it, combined with my magic, would have an amplified effect on the enchanted hedges.
I mentally chantedignisover and over again. A blast of warmth exuded from the dagger's tip.
I shouldn't have been able to do that.The spell came out half-witted and only seemed to char not burn through the hedge.Not ideal, but it would have to do. Pushing a leg forward, I kicked against the dense brush to enlarge the passage.
Looking to my left, I saw Aurora jerking and twitching on the ground. A dark figure loomed over her.
"Get away from her," I shouted. Before I could charge the thing, it faded into a shadow and camouflaged amongst the foliage.
"Are you alright?" I said, reaching for Aurora's elbow.
“Yeah," Aurora panted. "Whatever that was crept up behind me...I turned around, ready to defend myself, but it had me incapacitated before I even stood a chance."
She stood up. Her body was already healing itself. She trembled, looking in the direction her attacker had fled.
“We should go,” I brought my hand to her shoulder. After seeing her like that, I needed to touch her and make sure she was alright.
“Yeah,” she muttered. We proceeded up the dark path without speaking.
