Page 13 of Stolen By Shadow Beasts

I didn’t have a clue.

“So, when you guys make those sounds to each other, are you talking?”

No answer.

“I think itissome kind of language, but I don’t understand what it could be or why you wouldn’t know English. Here, all supernaturals speak English in order to be able to blend in with the humans. But, I guess, you guys don’t really have that problem, do you? With the whole barely any clothes thing and the lack of showers, I bet you don’t exactly mingle with humanity much. Still, it’s strange you’re just hiding out here in these woods. I know this territory is protected, and that part of it owned by the Royal Fae Academy while part of it a nature reserve, but even out here I imagine you have to come across the occasional supernatural or human.” I frown, that thought lingering. “Which means it’s probably safe to say we might run into someone else eventually.Humm, but I guess no one really knew you guys existed until the battle with the fae, so maybe youhavebeen able to hide out here undisturbed by people of any kind.”

Is that even possible?Hell, that actually makes the most sense. Which, of course, gets me thinking for a little while before I focus back on what we’re doing.

The terrain was much less treacherous for me when I was being carried. I definitely stumble more than I’m proud of now, but the shadow beasts are always close, catching me and releasing me before I can fall on my ass. Even though I feel clumsy and awkward, I prefer being on my own two feet. While walking on my own, the scent of plants, of earth, and of life comfort and soothe something deep in my soul. Something I never expected.

I breathe in deep, filling my lungs with the perfumed air. It’s almost as if I’m surrounded by a beautiful world untouched by mankind and supernaturals alike. I think I’d almost like it here.

If I wasn’t, you know, a prisoner and all.

We eventually stop. This area of the woods looks like any other, but Daddy cups his hands and makes a strange sound, like a bird I’m sure I’ve never heard before. Then, the guys nod to each other and move forward slowly, while looking all around. Tiny kneels down and gestures forward. I stare at him in confusion, and he lifts a brow, before sliding through the moss beneath the huge tree.

They end up leading me to an underground cave I would’ve never seen if not for them. But now that I know it’s there--camouflaged in that moss between a thousand-year-old oak and a lush hill--it’s something I won’t likely forget.

The cave is dark and dank until Tiny manages to light a torch that’s secured to the wall. The flames dance, spreading light to chase away the dark shadows. The walls are smooth and clay-like, and the air chills me, cooler and damper than outside. It’s an underground kind of dampness and I shiver, but I don’t try to leave. I wait because I don’t know why they’ve brought me here, and I know damn well if I try to run for it now, I’ll be caught quickly, and any kind of trust we’ve built will be gone.

I’m not willing to risk that. I sure as hell plan to run away, but I can wait. If there’s one thing I’m known for, it’s my patience. My fathers told me that over and over again every time they visited my mom when I was young. They’d hug me tightly, lavish me with gifts, and tell me I was the gentlest, most patient child they’d ever met.

Which always confused me. Every time my stepfather beat the shit out of me, he said it was because I was a bad kid. So, was I awesome or bad? I never really knew.

I still don’t.

A shiver rolls through me again, and I wrap my arms around myself. My teeth start chattering, and I try to push away the image of my stepfather’s face. I have enough going on right now. The last thing I need to do is think about the only monster I’ve ever been soul-deep terrified of.

Trying my best to ignore my dark thoughts, I take it all in. I look left and right, but it just seems to be like any other cave. Until I see light above and the temperature of the cave gets noticeably warmer. Our group moves a little faster, weaving around the path until we come out into a huge room.

My jaw drops open. There are at least a dozen shadow beasts prowling throughout the cave. In the center of the mountainous cavern, a waterfall tumbles down into a big pool where two shadow beasts are bathing naked. Steam rises up from the water and seems to hover in the room, warming an otherwise cold place.

I feel my cheeks heat and look away. My gaze catches with Tiny’s dark eyes, and I avoid his gaze.Did he see me staring at the naked men?Another shadow beast is weaving a basket near a huge fire. Two others are sharpening their blades, speaking to each other in low voices.

Suddenly, two shadow beasts separate from the walls beside us. Daddy speaks to them in a low voice, using the same strange language I don’t understand. The two new shadow beasts keep staring at me, and they don’t look happy, but they eventually hug Daddy, Fluffy, and Tiny.

Within minutes, at least two dozen shadow beasts have surrounded the three I know. There’s a lot of talking in their strange language, and a lot of gesturing with hands. My guys are hugged a bunch, and there's a general sense of celebration. But every time anyone looks in my direction, they don’t seem as welcoming. I can’t tell if they’re curious about me, annoyed, or angry. Either way, it isn’t a good response.

Do they think I want to be here?

“Nice to meet you too,” I grumble.

None of them react. They just continue staring at me with those gazes filled with unhappy emotions. In fact, if I try, I can feel the unhappy emotions coming off of them. I close my eyes and sense resentment, exhaustion, and anger. Then, I open my eyes and glare right back at them.

“I hope one day you get that stick out of your asses,” I grumble.

And then it hits me: the three who had taken me were prisoners of the light fae. Do these shadow beasts think I was involved with keeping their friends prisoner? That would be…bad.Reallybad. We can’t even understand each other well enough for me to explain that I had nothing to do with what happened to them.

Is that why they took me?The thought makes my stomach turn, so I push it away.

Most light fae are good at seeming happy and relaxed all the time. From a young age, we practice keeping smiles on our faces and meditating. It’s looked down upon for us to get angry, jealous, or any other of the darker emotions connected with the dark fae.

I practiced more than most other light fae so I could cover up my mom’s secret and seem normal, but it was never a natural thing to me. Sarcasm and anger came more easily. It wasn’t until Rayne that I realized that maybe I had to show one face to the world, but it was okay if I wasn’t that person deep down.

Now though, it feels like there’s no reason to pretend to be anything except myself, and it’s…oddly nice.

Daddy weaves through the crowd and grabs my arm, hauling me through the huge cavern. Little crystals glow on all the walls, illuminating a light that has the same softness as moonlight. It’s almost delicate, but somehow gives almost as much light as the huge fire in the center of the room.

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