Chapter
Two
"The stars above are silent, but their wisdom never sleeps."
Lunara
T he human realm.
This land both horrified and fascinated me. Such diversity and freedom, yet it still held just as much chaos as my own. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious about everything it held.
The transition from my own world to this one was disconcerting. My ears were still ringing from pulling myself through the portal. A headache was sure to develop because of this and I wasn’t looking forward to it.
All week long, I’d been searching my own fae lands for a specific relic, the Starfire Orb. It was an artifact that could bring healing to my fae brethren, even if they treated me like utter trash.
The elders believed I was the perfect individual to send to the human world to search for this relic, but if I had to guess, they were just trying to figure out a way to get rid of me. That didn’t explain where this unexpected pull came from, but as I stood amongst the trees, staring at the nearby cottage, I knew that whatever drew me here was within those four petite walls.
I could feel it.
As I stared at the quaint, little, ivy covered cottage, I noticed a hint of movement amidst the soft pale light glowing from inside and tried to make out a single distinct figure. Unfortunately, I sensed that whoever drew me here wasn’t alone.
Fearing I’d been driven here only to be ambushed, I pressed my body against a large tree trunk, keeping my eyes on that mystical building, waiting for a sign that I wasn’t in any real danger.
The woods were eerily quiet, only adding to my fears of being waylaid. It wasn’t because I was alone. Quite the contrary, actually. I’d spent a great deal of time alone. That’s just the nature of things when you’re a half-fae, half-human being. You spend your life wondering where you belong, or even if you’re wanted.
My past was riddled with fake friends and bad relationships that were all a product of my sullied blood. If my tainted DNA was what called to whoever was inside, then I would have rather returned to my hiding place among the fae realm.
With the frightening stillness of the forest, I could discern every sound inside the cabin, every footstep, every whisper, every frantic breath. One of the people inside had fear running through their veins so fast, I could taste the sour emotion on the tip of my tongue. Whether it was because they were planning their attack or because of the trouble I felt lurking in the forest, I wasn’t sure, but as long as more than one person remained inside, I’d bide my time, watching and waiting.
On tiptoes, I crept as quietly as I could between the towering trees, standing over me like angry skeletons as I moved closer to the house to look for a better vantage point. I was determined to find out who, exactly, waited for me.
But all the curtains were drawn. The only light in the building seemed to pour from one single source, making it harder to get a read on the outlines inside.
When soft, careful footsteps reached my half-pointed ears, I slipped even closer, keeping my eyes on the quaint front porch as the light filtered out from beyond the front door.
“I’ll walk you to your car,” I heard as a single eye peered through the opening.
As the door swung wider, two slender figures appeared, one with wild auburn curls framing her face while the other—a woman whose face seemed familiar—stepped outside. The porch light backlit her, hiding most of her features, but something tugged at my memory, something I just couldn’t shake.
While I couldn’t deny the first woman’s attractive features, it was that second woman with her striking green eyes and long, dark brown hair that held my attention as she turned to talk to her companion.
My feet yearned to move closer, to count every freckle on her face, to let my hands create a roadmap of the curves of her body, but I still didn’t understand the reason for my arrival here or whether or not I was safe. No amount of beauty would fool me into thinking that I was safe.
A van full of puppies would never work on me. Ice cream, maybe, but definitely not puppies.
As the auburn-haired woman got into her car and drove away, the lithe figure from my visions turned back for her cottage, her head looking in every direction as she bolted for the front door.
I scurried along the edge of the tree line, keeping us parallel to each other until the woman disappeared inside.
Using my powers, I pushed them beyond the front door, sensing the woman was finally alone. And while her fear continued to ratchet higher and higher, I determined she meant me no harm.
As I stood beneath the moonlight, contemplating my next move, a twig broke mere feet away. I turned to search for the cause of the noise just in time to spot a dark figure rushing beyond the tree line, sprinting across the front lawn of the cottage before disappearing on the other side.
The energy of the creature tasted thick and dark, like dried molasses in the winter, nearly choking me as I tried to will the taste away.
My own fear sent a shiver up my spine as I hurried to the back of the house, looking for a sign of movement beyond the door. If that creature meant to hurt either of us, I couldn’t continue to stand out here, exposed.
Trying to keep my anxiety at bay, I hurried to the building’s rear entrance, peering through the sheer curtains that blurred my view inside.
More footsteps alerted me to the presence of whatever was moving around in the darkness just beyond the cottage, causing me to frantically tap on the back door’s glass, desperate to get to safety.
Through those sheer curtains, I saw that beautiful frame slinking closer. She froze just a few feet from the door, wavering in place as I waited impatiently.
I counted to ten, waiting for her to call out or open the door or something, anything. But, when she stood unmoving, staring at the back door, I chose to knock again.
“Who’s there?” she cautiously asked, a tremble in her voice.
“My name is Lunara Starfall. I believe you summoned me here.” When the woman didn’t instantly open the door, I added, “Please let me inside. I—I don’t think it’s safe out here.”
Another excruciating second passed before the woman finally reached for the door, opening it just a crack before she poked her head out to look me over. “How do I know you aren’t going to hurt me?”
I sighed, feeling that uncomfortable chill creep up my spine, nearly causing me to push my way inside. “Please. There’s someone or…or something out here.” I looked over my shoulder, sensing its nearness.
Hesitation radiated from her as she looked beyond me, but made no move to grant me access to her home.
“Pretty please?” I batted my lashes for emphasis, hoping the flirtation would convince her to allow me to pass.
Her rich, green eyes scanned the landscape behind me before she eased the door open and let me in.
“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” I brushed past, feeling a spark traveling between us as I made my way into her home.
“What did you say your name was?” she asked once she’d closed the door and locked us safely inside. In her right hand, she clutched an athame, but instead of fear, I sensed a spark of attraction that matched my own.
“Lunara.” I extended my hand, arching a brow as I took in her features. “Lunara Starfall.”
The woman switched the athame to her other hand, then cautiously reached for mine, delicately shaking it as she said, “Elysia Thornheart.”
A ripple of energy coursed between us before I released her hand, letting mine fall to my side. “You called me here?” Was it a question or a declaration? I wasn’t sure, but when Elysia clutched her athame tighter, I knew the answer.
The unexpected pull that called to me intensified as I scanned the rustic furnishings, herbs, and potions. Was the Starfire Orb hidden somewhere inside this cabin? Or was I brought here because Elysia was the answer to finding that mystical artifact?
When she made no move to answer my question, I tried a different approach. “Look, my people are in trouble, and something tells me you can help.”
She eyed me curiously for a moment before she lowered the weapon and placed it on the kitchen counter. “I have my own troubles. Why should I help you?” Her gaze held so much weight to it that I could feel it clear to my soul.
“Because we’re not that different, you and I.” I moved closer, reaching for a tendril of her hair to sweep it over her shoulder. “I know you’ve had visions. Visions that weigh heavy on you.” I struggled with not reaching out to touch her again, wanting that connection between us bridged.
Elysia clenched her jaw. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I do.” I twined my fingers with hers. “I know, because I’ve had them, too.”