Men, or what had once been fey men, launched from the trees. Their black wings splaying and whooshing like sails in a breeze. Their long hair resting down their bare chests and backs and along their unclad arms. Only worn pants covered their legs. Dark brown fur rested along their cheekbones and across their brows. Circling their sides and wrapping their hips.
The mark of demonkind. He recognized.
“Brother.” Clawdus, the closest to a friend Disseus had once known, landed nearest him. “Welcome!”
Disseus hadn’t seen him since they were children. Only beginning to emerge into manhood.
He was opening his arms in greeting. A wide grinning spreading the face that was now so much different from the one he’d known as a child.
“I’m not here for you.” Disseus dismissed.
“Well. That’s a shame.” He tilted his head. His hair, once as bluish white as Disseus’ was now singed a coarse brown. “Because we’re here for you.”
“I’ve no quar
Disseus’ body unraveled like a piece of fabric covering a beast. Falling away and peeling apart, to release the bigger thing. His neck jutted out until it dropped back onto the ground with a thump. His back stretching and wings unfurling to expose the charcoal coloring. Which was trimmed in silver along every wing, his brows, and the spines running up his snout. His body covering in the charcoal skin which was sleek but thick and armored. He fell forward, landing on his palms which were quickly turning to claws. Everyone had stopped moving. Watching mesmerized as his body changed. The other Harbingers were confused. This isn’t how they change. Disseus knew the extent of their conversion was sprouting the wings along their backs and their highly increased speed and strength. But Disseus was quite another matter. His scalp still had a span of the same bluish silver hair. It started between his ears and ran in a mane, up his neck, to sto
Every Harbinger knew the ancient myth. A song once sang by the elders. Of both the First Water Fey and the Harbinger kind, alike. It told of one born from demon blood and harbinger fey that would emerge as the strongest among them. One to lead them all. One that would demand utter obedience and destroy them. It was sang that this Dark Harbinger would irrevocably change the ways of First Water Fey and Harbingers. Clawdus and the injured fey next to him, looked from Disseus monopolizing the air to Nierwae who stood with trees bowing in toward him. So tall that he bent them. And the words of that song echoed in their minds. As did Clawdus’ words. ‘Who do we fear most?’ His meaning was clear. The harbingers were going to have to choose who they’d continue to attack. More were getting injured. Raining from the sky in crumpled heaps. Seeming to have little effect on the densely armored skin of the airborne Dar
“No!” Nierwae roared. Making birds scatter and creatures stir in the underbrush. Those which had been too afraid to move before, now ran in terror. Nierwae could see what was happening. He saw the slow turning on the Harbingers faces. The brightening of their eyes, the lightening of their hair. They made their choices. Abandoning the darkness that had been feeding on them. Aborting the decision that had pulled them down. Bringing them so close to true evil. Disseus knew. Somehow…They were choosing to save themselves. Even after all the cruelty they’d known amongst the fey. Nierwae emanated ugly energy even as he breathed. His rage was truly something to be reckoned with. “No!” He growled in a sound that was more like a rockfall than an actual word. “I liberated you! I set you free. I gave you mates. I brought you from the world where you were hated. I treated you as my own!” “You made us your slaves.” Clawdus
He drew a long breath and began carrying her. He found one of the dead harbingers and stole his pants. Collecting Nim again and aiming back in the direction of the cabin. It was going to take a long while on foot if he couldn’t find where Nim had originally tied up her horse. He whistled a few times and heard a responding huff and prancing. He veered that direction and was very grateful to see the mount coming into view from between a couple large trees. She concealed it well. He looked down at the beautiful woman in his arms. Her dark lashes rested against her cheek. One arm dangling stiffly from her side. “You’ll be okay, Sweetheart.” He lifted her enough to press his forehead to hers, reassuringly. “Rest. I have you.” Somewhere in Nim’s numbed subconscious she heard the soothing words. Felt the reassuring push of something flat to her face. Feeling so familiar, that she knew instantly what it was.
“Forever Knights.” Sebastian said quietly. As if he feared anyone in the distance might hear sacred words. Disseus jerked to a stop. His head rolling to one than the other. “You were hunting them.” That is what Forever Knights do, at least as the legends say. Disseus had heard many whispers in the assassin guilds he visited while looking for work. “Or perhap followin’ them ta see what they was up to.” RedBayne rumbled. “Depending on how many it were.” “It was a lot. And we fought them for you.” Disseus nodded to Nim. “Now if you don’t mind.” “Did some get away?” Sebastian hurried a few steps to ask urgently. Of course they did! We couldn’t kill them all. “A few.” Disseus muttered dryly. A muscle in his jaw ticking. “Mmm.” Mardichi’s disapproval tightened his mouth. “If you wanted them all rounded up, perhaps you should’ve travelled faster.” He felt indignant tension rise from bo
Disseus put Nim on the bed and it was several hours later before she woke again. He was sitting next to her. Studying her face intently. “What?” “Well, what do we do now?” He was still thinking about everything the Forever Knights had told him earlier. “Find them.” She lifted the blanket to inspect herself. “I’ve a need to see my children, to tell them. I feel better than I have in much time.” “Your wound is healed.” “That’s not all I’m talking about.” She gave him a long look. Making her meaning clear. “Bernus will come, you know.” She added, with a sigh. “I know. We’ll be ready.” She climbed out of bed. He gave her his extra tunic and britches. She climbed into them. Lifting the pants which then dropped and pooled around her knees. She lifted them again. Once more they dropped. She gave him an annoyed look which soon had him laughing. He knelt before her to tug l
“You may find that easier said than done.” Disseus told Teverius. Finding the man’s arrogance irritating. He is fast. But Disseus was unafraid. Though he was gathering that the man posed no threat, he still didn’t like him. “Nevertheless, I’d rather not.” Teverius murmured. “It would be wise for you to go underground.” “As you already said.” Disseus said acidly. “However,” Teverius emphasized. “If you choose not to, and are ever in need of help. You can find me in the Dread Hideout.” He’s offering to help us? That’s why he came here? “In the Netherlands?” Nim clarified. Just as puzzled as Disseus was. The man had exuded a threatening presence when he’d first arrived. Both of them had assumed he’d come to fight. “Far within.” Teverius confirmed. “Where?” Disseus asked. Curiosity getting the better of him. No one knew where the elven hideout in the Netherlands was. Somewhere in Dread Hideout,
“I missed you, Son.” Nim confessed to her lumbering offspring. Drawing back from him to give him a loving study. Still holding his arms as she looked at him like any proud mama assessing her child. Styx towered over her. Looking at her with heart wrenching affection that belied the terrifying look of him. “And I, you.” “I was worried when the wound took you.” He confessed. “I feared I might lose you again.” “Never.” She shook her head. Forcing a strong smile as she banished thoughts of old pain. She smiled softly as she asked. “Have you seen your sister?” “No. Not yet.” She likely doesn’t know yet that he’s free. Disseus guessed word hadn’t reached her yet. Disseus dismounted the prancing horse, to join them. Leading the mare as he walked. “Thank you.” Disseus mentioned to Styx. Nodding to Lon and Almora who were now sitting up. Blinking blearily. “For looking after them.” If he hadn’t, and we were anyone e