Demon Revelation: The Day of Fear

The Devil Away

A streak of silver light flashed past and knocked me off balance. I stumbled, blinked, and Devlin was gone. Standing alone in on the grass where he was I clucked around. Looking up, down, left and right before understanding he was gone. I was seriously considering getting my eyes checked. I freaked out in a big way; I had no doubt in my mind that Devlin was not who he said he was, And that he was up to something, a no good something. I didnt know what to do. Oh gods, what was I doing? I needed a sign I was going to be okay, and that I was making the right choices. Tomas would have risen by now and would be waiting for me. And here I was looking for a Disciple, who was not really a Disciple, who knew about said vampire in wardrobe, and knew I knew a fairy.

There you are, Rae.

Gah!

I jumped and landed at such an odd angle my right foot jack-knifed out painfully, and I fell. How many times was I going to land on my ass today? It was a damn good thing I didnt bruise easy.

A hand appeared in my line of sight. Unsure of what to do, I studied it intently before slowly lifting my head to look at the boy offering it to me.

Long ebony hair pulled into a ponytail, his ears were pointed at the tips and his gold eyes glowed. I had never seen anyone other than myself with such light hazel eyes before. His were striking and almond shaped, like mine. His face was all hard angles, smooth expanses of skin, and incredibly beautiful. Chest bare, his lower body was encased in leather plates intricately engraved with leaves. A sword, the length of my torso and latched to his back, triggered a shudder.

You have nothing to fear from me. The fairies voice was warm, friendly. My name is Conall. Breandan sent me.

Conall, I remembered the name. Breandan had said it before, I was sure of it. The fairy didnt make any other move and he seemed friendly, so I swallowed the yell Id had ready. With my eyes darting from the hand to his face, I clasped it. He yanked me up with more force than necessary, and stumbling over my own foot, I crashed into his chest. I flushed as he clamped a hand around my shoulders, set me away from him, and held on until my legs steadied.

You guys think its okay to just pop up out of thin air. It might be normal where you come from, but Im used to seeing people coming a good few seconds before theyre there. Placing a hand on my hip, I clutched the other over my poor, poor heart that may give out any day. You scared me, do you understand? I dont like it.

He bowed, arm coming across his torso to rest upon his chest. He moved with effortless grace and predatory bearing. A demon. He smiled at me. It wont happen again. Do not be alarmed, but I sense something, odd. His hands seemed to feel something out in the air in front of me, pushing at it thoughtfully. A crease appeared above his brows in the middle of his forehead. Its power pulls at my nature then resists contact.

It seemed wise to keep quiet. Maybe I also should have told him I didnt like ambiguous statements.

I filed the phrase away for later and instead took my cue from Conall. His face became grave, so my face became grave. The fairies jumped from one emotion to the other so swiftly it was hard to keep up naturally. I had decided to play monkey see, monkey do. He gazed at me silently for so long, I became uncomfortable. I dont think I would ever master the blink-less stare these demons seemed to be so good at.

You seem stressed, he said.

Conall, Ive had a hell of a day and you seem to be gearing up to let me in on big demon secrets, but Ive got to be honest with you, now is not a good time.

I backed away. I was halfway back to Bayou and it was full dark. I didnt feel any danger from Conall, but I was worried about what Tomas would do if he remained in my room much longer. What if he got hungry? I had to get him out of the Temple as soon as I could. I didnt know what the hell had happened to Devlin, but I was guessing the silver streak was Breandan. If Devlin got away from him he might tell the Clerics I had a vampire in my wardrobe. I had stuff to do, and surely whatever this fairy had to tell could wait a few hours.

This cannot wait. Breandan would show you himself, but he thought it was better in the long run if I am the one to show you. I must help you adjust to your true form and help you with your first conjuring, or it could end badly.

I frowned at him. Then I frowned over my shoulder where the silver streak had disappeared. That was Breandan then.

He nodded. You came close to being lost to us. Pausing, his eyes flicked to me then swiveled around the compound as the corners of his mouth pulled down. You must be careful who youre alone with.

He walked off prompting me to follow.

Uh, where are we going?

The fairy strolled along unconcerned but I glanced around, worried. There had been many strange occurrences connected to me, and I was becoming more noticeable. For someone used to living under the radar it was unsettling. I didnt want to draw any more attention to myself, but I couldnt just let him wander around the Temple.

I really do have something important to do, I added after a beat since he didnt answer. Breandan said he was going to come back, so I dont think itd be too big of a deal just waiting until later.

Hes dealing with Devlin, Conall said. Im to protect and guide you to the white witch and hell meet us as soon as he can.

A pickle of fear seized me all over. Witch? I said sharply. Witches are bad, and we are going to go visit one?

She is someone who will help you to understand what is happening.

Huh. Why didnt Breandan send someone else after Devlin? In my head I appended the sentence with, like you.

He heard the unspoken and slid a sly look my way. They both want something only you can give, and you can only give it to one of them. Devlin is as cunning as Breandan is frank. He needed to deal with it personally.

Im not on the market, nor is anything I own. I pressed a hand over my chest were my pendant lay. Now Conall had given me the heads up I would not be letting it out of my sight. Not that it had ever left my neck in the last eighteen years.

Being difficult wont help you in the long run. Stop trying to reason as a human would. You are not one and youre not built like one. Your body and mind can handle much more. Soon, you will learn this. You will learn there are rules that must be observed and respected.

I ground my teeth together. Youre making assumptions. I have respect, and I just know, no matter what anybody says I am not giving this necklace up.

I had decided the moment I met him Id be safe with him, but I was anxious of what was coming next. Feeling foolish, I tapped him lightly on the shoulder. He looked a question at me and I waved him closer. He leaned down from his lofty height to peer into my face quizzically. Ive figured out you guys can jump really high, but I cant. I cant jump over the Temple wall. Stepping away I shrugged to show nonchalance, but reddened. At a moment like this Tomas would have come in handy. He had jumped it in a single bound. We cant go out the gate either. I dont even want to think how I would explain you.

He gave me a warm smile and I immediately felt at ease, grinning back. Dont fret, he said. Itll take time for you to learn what you can and cannot do.

Without breaking stride he took my upper arm and jumped. We passed high over the wall then fell. Conalls feet hit the ground and I was left dangling from the floor at an awkward angle. He carefully set me down and continued walking. To my credit I didnt freak. Id done the stunt before, and I was practically a veteran.

The sun had begun to set and the sky was sapphire, contrasting beautifully with the green of the treetops. We reached the Wall and Conall stopped, to stare hard at the buzzing wires, red hot with electric current.

Youre doing what Breandan did last time? To the Wall, I mean. Babbling beside him I straightened my clothes. You somehow stop the current without tripping the klaxon. I think Ive done it before, by accident.

Could you be quiet for a moment?

Another blush crept up my neck. Okay, shutting up now.

Its done. In answer to your question, yes. Conall pointed to a small man sized hole now in the Wall, moved through it and disappeared into the trees.

Biting my lip, I climbed through and stumbled after him. As we moved I entwined my hands in the coarse grass swaying about my waist. Tugging a few clumps free of the earth, I ran my fingertips over the petals of a wild flower that tickled my palm. The thrumming of crickets and rustle of life in the undergrowth made me smile. The air, heavy with the scent of soil, felt alive as we basked.

Conall breathed in deeply. A satisfied smile danced on the edge of his mouth.

Do you know how drop your glamour?

No. I slid up my hood.

Standing legs apart, his hands came to rest on his narrow hips. You understand the physical of your nature?

I let the clumps of grass fall and wiped my hands on my jeans. Im fast. I heal.

Have you measured your strength?

Disconcerted, I rubbed my nose. I hadnt thought of what being a fairy really entailed. I knew that they were fierce and hard. They healed fast and were the most powerful of the demons. They had strong characters and were beautiful. They had buckets of pride and protected what they thought was theirs. They had magic. I was one of them. But what did it mean to be a fairy? Was there a pecking order like there was within the Sect and who protected, and guided them? Did they really live as nomads and in small families by choice? Or was it a result of the Rupture, like the Wall was.

I havent thought about it. I havent thought about much to be honest. Stuff keeps happening a tad fast.

If I was human, he snorted, and discovered I was much stronger, faster I would not be able to stop myself. He shrugged. My nature is proud.

I thought on it for a while. Its hard to believe all of this. You all seem so real. Conall gave me an odd look. Understand, in my world demons are odd not humans.

A complicated way of saying youre adjusting.

I stuck my tongue out at him and placing my legs a foot apart, bent my knees like I was to do some damage. Balling my hands into fists, I pushed thought to the back of my head to clear up some thinking space.

Im ready. Lets do this. The sooner I got this done, the sooner I could get back to Tomas.

You know youre fast? I bobbed my head. He grinned, a slash of white against the dark tan of his skin. When the spell broke how did you feel?

There was that buzz word again. Spell. Breandan had mentioned a spell breaking and something being painful. My heart picked up. Was this going to be painful? Is that the real reason why Breandan wanted this fairy to show me instead of him? I realized Conall was waiting for my answer.

Uh I thought back to running away from the Clerics, their dogs chasing me down; believing I was about to be ripped to pieces by teeth. Scared.

His brows pulled together. Scared? Not a strong emotion, and certainly not strong enough to break a spell.

I was completely bricking myself.

I watched as he translated that into something he could understand. Better, he concluded and looked at me hard. Before the speed what was your state of mind?

I hopped from one foot to the other. Did you not hear me? I was terrified. I wanted nothing more than to be far, far away from an ugly painful death.

Precisely. Your state of mind is crucial when conjuring. Glamour is no different.

Ah, no incantations over a cauldron bubbling with chicken feet and grave dirt?

I had a flash of myself doing a tribal dance in front of an open flame with mud on my face, an animal fur slung about my naughty bits. and bones plaited into my hair. I muffled a snigger.

If you are a witch laying a spell to hide than yes, but not fairy glamour. It is done with little concentration. Eventually youll conjure and drop your glamour with ease. When we glamour ourselves we suppress our nature. This cloaks our ears and makes us less otherworldly by fixing our features to one state. A safeguard is created around our being. Once sight passes through it makes us look more human. We dislike when people are in our, he pursed his lips, the humans call it personal space unless they have a close connection to us.

I struggled to understand. So, the ears and the glowing still exist but we just can see it?

The glamour disrupts what the mind perceives to be true. If you cannot see, smell, touch or hear a thing why would you believe it is there?

I remembered the shield over Breandan, the pulsing around Devlin. As fairies we can sense glamour. I said and nodded.

I had definitely gotten it wrong. Devlin wasnt human at all. He was a fairy, a fairy hiding in plain sight at Temple. How he had managed such a thing was beyond me. To enroll you have to meet the Priests and take a vow to uphold Sect Doctrine.

I think Im there, but what do you mean about fixing ourselves in one state?

You notice how in fairy form we are severe one moment then jovial in another. I tilted my head to signal yes, and remembered Breandans crazy mood swings. This is because of the depth of our temperament. Suppressing the fairy nature helps us blend. The drawback is you are slower, weaker. Your senses are dampened as is control over magic. Our power comes from the Source of course, and it is vast and limitless. It is energy. Energy lives in all things, constantly evolving and blending into something new. Fairies have the strongest natural awareness of the forces surrounding us and can draw from the Source, manipulate its power for our needs. The majority of us think of it in broad strokes. It makes for easy focus and quick action.

Source? I grinned like a loon. You mean youre going to show me magic.

He nodded manically, feeding off my enthusiasm. The most simplistic way to conjure is to seek the power surrounding you, reach out to it and summon whilst channeling the energy. Watch me.

A pinball of light appeared overhead, bloating to become a small ball of fire. It was the coolest thing Id ever seen, cooler than seeing purple in the dark or bouncing over walls. Suddenly it was there, like it always had been my whole life. Like falling out a window as a child and not having a scratch on you. Like dropping a full cup of water and it landing right-side-up without spilling a drop. Like making a hole in the Wall without tripping the klaxon. My whole life the strange things that happened around me had been attributed to freaky good luck since I couldnt be a witch. None of it was under my voluntary control, and never did I really gain anything. But now it all lined up in perfect order. The power was in my reach and mine for the taking.

Something pulsed close by, a mini sun of colour and heat that seemed to be nowhere and everywhere. Instinctively I drew from its warmth. It was like turning the faucet of an unexpectedly high-pressured tap. The flow of energy flooded into me, and spilled over the lip of who I was. To save myself drowning or burning up I changed the feeling into a thing. Fire. A ball of flame exploded into existence, hurtling toward us. I watched the self made instrument of my rapidly advancing death in awe.

An urgent sound muttered from Conall cut over the oncoming hiss, and just before impact, the fireball imploded. It left nothing but a ringing in my ears, white spots across my vision and enough heat to singe a few strands of my hair.

Conalls ball of fire hovered mockingly above.

That was not as good as I thought itd be, I said faintly.

Conalls pupils were huge with shock and his pointed ears twitched. His face was stark white. He released the white-knuckled hold on my upper arms and eased himself away. Hed thrown himself at me and lurched into an odd crouch when the fireball was coming our way, ready to drag me out the way if needed.

Why do you perceive a giant ball of death coming toward you as a good thing?

I ignored him. You call the energy to you then you make it into what you want in your head?

In a basic way, yes. His voice returned to normal and the repressed panic in his eyes ebbed away. You must give yourself time to focus on what you want to achieve. The looked leveled my way was laced with warning. The greater the focus the more effective the spell. It comes packing a punch.

More of a punch than the fire ball?

Yes, he said wary. We will leave further conjuring to another time. Agreed?

I gave a thumb up. Anything else I should know?

Our bodies are conductors. We can control as much energy as our body can withstand to channel, never more.

I cant get better?

You can become proficient so spells are more effective and you can access as much energy as possible but in terms of measurable power, no.

How do you know when youre at the limit?

Trial and error. His voice had gone flat and the warning his eyes told me in no uncertain terms should he catch me being silly Id be in major trouble.

Ill be careful, I promised.

The breeze, lightly scented with lavender and periwinkle, caressed my heated skin. I was distracted by a random thought. I plucked at my sleeve behind my back, and decided to just throw it out there.

Conall, youre a boy. I burrowed the toe of my boot into the undergrowth. Am I nice looking? For a fairy, I mean.

You are beautiful.

You have to say that because Breandan will hurt you if you upset me.

No, he said softly. I admit I take his wishes into consideration when I speak to you, but my thoughts and opinions remain my own. His eyes roamed my face.

You have never seen yourself without glamour. And I have.

I searched his face. I had never been slightly curious about my past. I figured if my family had been willing to give me up they werent worth my time. My necklace was my only connection to them, and it was the only connection I needed. At least, that was how I felt up until that morning. Learning I was a demon had changed a few things. Maybe I needed to re think the whole my family suck and I hate them thing.

You have?

When you were a baby.

It took a while for me to be able to speak. You knew me? I asked. I mean, you know me?

His face had clouded, voice lowered. Yes.

I get the feeling you dont want to talk about it.

Yes.

Okay then, I said slowly. It would do no good to push him. Besides, I was in no hurry to find out, and I was not sure if I was ready to hear what he might say. Another time then. So, this glamour thing, I need to focus on nothing but stripping it away, right?

The spell was broken the first time you tapped into your nature. Im sure of this. Breandan told me what happened this morning. The uncomfortable moment had passed, and his lips curved. I have never heard of a fairy fainting before.

I gaped at him in horror. He did not tell you that. I did not faint. I did not!

Of course. His voice was serious, but the smile was still there. Remove your glamour.

I just loved how he said it like I already knew how. No pressure or anything. Taking a deep breath I cleared my mind. Emptying my head of the confusion over Devlin took moments and was easy. Clearing out thoughts of Breandan was hard. Memories of his hands on my body, lips on my skin were electrifying. The eyes that turned me inside out, and the smiles that dazzled took considerably longer to purge. Confusingly, the thoughts of my vampire-boy were also hard to shake. Tomass face kept popping into view every time I managed to get the thoughts of Breandan under some kind of control.

Achieving oneness I relaxed into a trance, and for time unknown I simply, was. As my consciousness floated I noticed a pulsing deep within me. I strained to touch it. Each time I thought I had a hold it slipped through my fingers. I tried again, and again, and began to feel sad; the pulsing glow looked beautiful and special. I had drawn from the Source easy enough before, why was it causing me trouble now? I reached and wished it in my palm, pleading meekly. Nothing. Oh for gods sake! The glow zapped into me and overflowed from my body to spill my aura into the air. A feeling of bliss trilled inside me as layers of the lie tore one by one. My true self clawed its way out.

A drowning woman breaching the surface, gasping for air, my nature broke free of containment and ran riot through my body in a frenzied burst.

My first urge was to run to a presence far to the north. A siren song my entire being hummed with wanting. So strong was the call, I teetered on my toes and forcibly pulled myself back to straight. I became conscious to the why the presence felt familiar. Breandan. Unable to make it go away, I ignored the need and focused on everything else.

I moved, and my skin stung as if a layer had been stripped with a knife. There was a heavy pressure at the bottom of my spine, and something soft thumped hard at my back, pressing against my top. A larger, burning pain gripped my shoulders in a vice until my back arched. Stifled, my back was stifled. Stomach muscles clenching my whole body quivered under the pain centering between my shoulder blades. The fabric of my top gave way and I surged forward at the force of the thrust from behind me. The pain in my shoulders was gone, but the awareness of more was overwhelming. Craning my head to look round my body followed until I was doing a crazy spin.

Wings, I choked as the golden tips extended to flutter into my line of sight. I blinked at my own voice, a resonating sound of chinking crystals. That was me talking?

Conall was beside me, holding me up. Pull yourself together, he said.

I held onto the sound of his voice, held on to his stern command. If he had molly-cuddled me, Id have curled into a ball and cried. His matter of fact outlook kept me grounded. I tried to block out everything but that close to me. My body responded immediately and every sensation collapsed on itself.

Oh, I gasped and took another steadying breath.

Conall took out a knife, grabbed my shoulder and with a swift jerk cut a hole in my jeans. Slipping his fingertip through the hole, he pulled something through and springing free it thumped against the back of my thigh. I spun, and tried to catch the thick length of skin protruding from the base of my spine. Each extra vertebra was under my control right to the tip. I focused on the extra limb and it curled to hover by my waist. I clasped it and gasped. It was warm, soft and I stared dumbfounded at the hard, leaf like tip. It felt strong. The skin was the same colour as my flesh, but as it tapered the colour got lighter. Looking down at my tail, I noticed my nails had lengthened and thickened into talons. I bit my lip and sharp points of pain had me tasting my own blood. I ran my tongue over my teeth, less like teeth now and more like fangs. My bottom lip throbbed as it healed. Then I focused on the heavy weight behind me. The two limbs curved away from my body and looked like the wings of a dragonfly. Blood pumped through the veins and goose bumps appeared in the absence of sun. My wings twitched. How the wind feels through your hair, such it felt as a gust passed over and under my wings. The instinct came to me and they twitched again. They spread, out and out, until I saw the great length of them either side of me. They beat once, slowly, then again and again. Tremendous power trilled through me and I leant my strength into the limbs attached to my back. They beat once more and my heels lifted off the ground. Shocked, I stopped and dropped back down to the floor panting from the exertion.

I couldnt smile or cry or whimper.

And so I screamed.

Something stung my cheek and my scream cut off. Conall drew back his palm. but this time I caught his hand and held it. I didnt think it would be such a shock. Perhaps we should have done this differently. Breandan will be furious. Conall frowned. I want my hand back?

I let him go, and instead held my hand out in front of me, fisted. I felt my tail doing some odd twisting thing and found to hard to keep my balance. Once Id figured out how to hold it straight, I felt invincible. My wings curled behind me to rest snugly against my back and I rolled my shoulders. Flexing my toes in my boots, I wiggled my fingers as my tail curled round my legs. The tip occasionally brushed the floor.

You should know wings are not gifted to all our kind and are great honor. You cannot fly, but you can glide. The tail will help with your speed and balance. His head snapped to peer into the forest. Breandan is to the-

Northeast, I offered with certainty. It was weird because like a lens focusing, I could sense Breandan. I knew the direction he was in and how long it would take me to reach him. Taking a step away from where he was, my body resisted and fought to go the other way.

The fairy clapped his hands together beaming. Weve got time. What shall we do?

I felt amazing, like nothing could end me. Untouchable. I knew I was fast, I knew my senses kicked ass. How strong was I now? I glanced at the trees.

You asked if I had tested my strength

Conalls hands flew to his hips as his head rolled back. Ponytail swinging wildly his laughter boomed. You are delightful. You may throw me. His hand swept over the forest.

My jaw hit the floor. I cant throw you. I deliberately narrowed my eyes. Are you yanking my chain?

Such a pretty chain, but Im not yanking it. Yes, you can throw me. Ill not be harmed.

Really not worrying about you.

Squaring my shoulders I strutted over to him. I did ask for it. Placing my hands on his arms I tested my internal body function calculator. Well hey, I felt pretty damn strong. I peeked at Conalls face for courage and to check he wasnt making fun. He grinned down at me with all the confidence in the world.

Bending my knees, I gripped his arms tight and braced myself. Lift, twist and hurl. The action was so quick I barely saw my arms move. Conall shot over the trees like a black comet, and was lost to sight in seconds. Hands covering my mouth, I bounced on the spot in horror. My ears stretched back then I took off. I ghosted through the trees at speed with no fear of harm, franticly burning across the rugged terrain. Through the awning of leaves my eyes spotted him falling. As I drew closer he gracefully straightened out, soaring back to the earth pencil straight before curling his body into a summersault. In a move of power and grace his feet touched down on the forest floor with an ear splitting boom.

The ground shook; air rippled out and tossed fallen leaves. Conall was crouched, one fist and knee on the ground, in a dirt hole. The earth looked freshly tilled where it had been forced to make way for him. He sprung up laughing, and dusted himself off.

I slammed to a stop beside him, and for a moment my body screamed at me to keep going. I was closer to Breandan. If I kept running and I would be at his side. Focusing on the fairy in front of me, I rushed to apologize.

I didnt realize. Breathy with panic my tail thumped my shoulder repeatedly. Forgive me. Are you right?

My hands flittered around him and he caught one to kiss it.

I am proud, he said bowed over my hand. You will be glorious. Im not heavy, but it was a good demonstration nonetheless. There has not been a female fairy with a talent in strength for such a long time. Conall sounded delighted. But then you will be talented in most things. He released my hand and tapped me on the nose.

I blinked at the playful gesture. It was easy, like throwing a ball. Gods, Im wicked strong.

I wait bated to see your castings.

My face crumpled. Magic was not something I suspected would come easily to me. Itll be a while before I can control calling on the Source, and getting it to do what I want rather than whatever stray thought is passing through my mind.

Aptitude will come quickly or not at all, such is the way of it.

You said Im strong for a female. Is there anything else I could try?

Youre eager. Conall shook a little dust off, an efficient brush of his shoulder with an eloquent hand. Every fairy is unique, and it will take time for you to learn your skills.

Im curious, what skills do you have?

He walked off into the trees. You ask many questions, he said matter of fact and jumped over a huge boulder roughly my height.

I eyed it, my healthy competitive nature goading me on. Sense caught up me and I walked around it. Conall waited patiently on the other side, and once he was visible continued walking.

I realized we had been travelling for an awful long time and that the forest had changed. It was sparser, and the trees swept down into a bowl shape with the land. The leaves had broadened and become darker, just as the trunks had become thinner and lighter. As the day drew to a close my eyes adjusted, and the world tinted to purple and blue again. My sensitive nose and ears picked up lingering trails, the snuffling of smaller mammals.

My senses stretched and I honed onto something, different. The being sensed me touch her mind and nudged me away. She was of the two natured, a canine shifter of some kind. Startled, I scrambled back into myself. It was a shock. I knew of course there would be other demons Outside, this was their territory. But still, I was shocked. I sought the comfort of the familiar.

Breandan, I murmured. I knew he was near but not in my line of sight or range of hearing.

Yes, he is close. Conall was beside me. Hed stopped walking as I skipped on. Hell meet us here. He motioned with his hand for me to continue walking.

I pushed a hand through my crazy hair and stepped forward. Entering the glade I saw a colossal building. Grey stone with marble statues adorned each corner and flanking the entrance. The slated roof was thatched, golden and half caved in. Trees and flowers sprouted on the ground inside, this I saw through the large glassless windows.

Witch. Conall called and pumped his hand cheerfully.

Hai, Rae? a sunny voice called across the clearing.

I gawped at the blonde, blue-eyed cherub standing in the building entrance. Her hair was plaited into a messy braid, and she wore a plain blue tunic, and soft brown boots. She looked like an upper dwell. She grinned at me like we were the best of friends, and waved me forward.

Skipping ahead, she yapped over her shoulder. Im Ana or the white witch if you want to be formal about it. She shot a sour look at Conall.

I followed after her, totally bewildered by her and my surroundings. The building was solemn, and as I walked through the bold entrance pillars - fairy mouths open in silent scream - I wondered of its significance.

What is this place? I asked.

A church. An old and secret place, Conall replied from behind me.

The plant life from outside spilled in through the windows, and ivy snaked its way up the walls, clinging to the grey stone in wild patches. Rows and rows of large stone steps circled the room. Seats? The building foundation was naturally steeped into the dirt, growing from the earth itself. My feet stepped springy, damp moss and crunchy thick grass mixed with flowered weeds.

I like your eyes, she declared. Your family always did have the most beautiful gold eyes. The witch-girl had an innocent, pixie like face and curly blonde hair. She waved her hands up and down my body critically. Youre meeting me in your true form. That is a good omen. Sometimes you come to me still disguised as human and what I have to say never goes down well.

As long as you dont tell me what to do, I said and gazed at the buckled roof, well get along just fine.

Ana smacked her forehead then clicked her fingers into points and nodded. Sorry, I get confused somewhat when I meet new people. It takes a while to fit them into the bigger picture. The Sight gives me glimpses of possible futures, and youre radiating images like a beacon whacked up to max. Itll be easier for me once Ive done a proper reading on you. The roads of your future will be clearer and we can- She spaced out, her eyes flickered at something unseen. Oooh, that is not good. Tell your blonde friend not to go outside on her own in the dark. In most futures it ends badly.

Huh? I croaked feeling a million miles behind.

Im trying to get a feel for where we are time wise, she enlightened. Her tiny palms flew up. Wait. Has that vampire bitten you yet? You should have met him by now. She frowned and looked inward. Im missing something.

My heart thumped. She could only be talking about Tomas. I was hyper aware of Conall standing alert beside me at the mention of a vampire. I twisted my hands into my jumper pockets. Uh, I dont know what you mean.

Maybe if you never meet him you wont end up at Orchard. Thats a relief. I did a reading on Breandan, and he ends up there in chains. He gets distracted because the vampire wants you. She frowned. No wait, I think its a humans fault. Damn, I cant see. Anyway, things get out of control. You know how vampires are once theyve had your blood. Bottom line is in this future you all died. Sometimes you save him but not the vampire. Or you save the vampire and the human but not Breandan. I cant see what the difference is between one future and the other. My advice is to avoid Orchard if you can.

Say-so, I said. Not that Id ever had any plans to be in the company of Tomas for much longer or ever visit this Orchard place. Yknow what, Im going to be honest and say I have no idea what to do with anything you just said. Ive seen and done unreal stuff today. Sensing its queue my tail whiplashed out behind me. Nothing is simple anymore and everything frightens me. And you. Your supposed to be a witch and evil by default. You arent what I expected.

Old woman with a hunch back, raspy cackle and a pimple on her nose? She asked in a bored voice. Cauldron and a cave? I nodded guiltily. Damn. Stereotyping is a bitch. Yes, witches are bad, but Im the exception to the rule. She stepped toward me and I stepped back, wary. She extended her hand and I eyed it warily. Lets get this done. Sorry to disappoint, but I dont peer into your palm and trace lines. Hold my hand, I wont bite.

Taking a deep breath, I reached out and clasped the undersized hand in mine. Anas pupils dilated into coin-sized black holes, swallowing the whites of her eyes. The skin on my fingers started to tingle.

Incredible, she breathed.

Her body became motionless, and her eyes hooded. They flickered rapidly trying to watch a million things at once. My hand grew hot and she gripped me tighter. I flinched to pull away, but she held on, astonishingly strong. She shrieked, a loud, short sound of pain and denial. A pulse of energy shot down my arm, and my hand was wrenched from hers. We staggered back in shock of the connection being broken, and I curled in on myself, blowing on my heated palm.

Ana face was clouded with indecision. Oh Rae, what have you done, she whispered.

Conall had a big question in his voice, What have you seen?

Ana said nothing, but watched me absorbedly. Could you give us some space?

He hesitated, but then nodded. Releasing me he blurred into a sprint and rocketed out of sight. Again, it seemed demons were not big on goodbyes. After a few seconds deep silence, I fidgeted at how intense Ana had become. My eyes darted to and from her gaze that never wavered from its mark.

Rae, you have many futures but two are clear. You stand at a precipice and Im telling you, for your own sake you need to step back.

I dont know what you mean. I made a helpless gesture.

The vampire, I see him in your future. He hails the end of people you care about and those you have not yet met. Hear me. Ana stepped forward, hand outstretched and face anguished. You must stop what youre doing. Turn away from that future. Plain enough for you?

Understanding came to me then, and a name slipped through my parted lips. Tomas.

She paled to gray. I warned Breandan he would seek you out. I thought he was deflected. Theyve been hunting him for nearly a month now. She swallowed, her unsteady breathing plainly revealing her angst. You must stay away from him. He is bad news, she said. You have no idea what he is capable of. If he gets a hold on you we will be lost.

You dont have to worry. I tired to sound calm and reassuring because she was freaking out. Her face was all red and her hands waved about in the air frantically. Hes okay. He just wants to talk. Ill hear him out and then hell go.

You dont really believe that, do you? That a vampire has risked his life to come and tell you something then run away into the night and leave you be?

I flushed. It did sound improbable that Tomas would want to tell me something then leave, but what else could he want?

You have to tell me whats going on.

Ana did not answer. Instead she drew herself up and was glaring at me again.

There was a decision I did not understand, but now I see. A sound of frustration gurgled in the back of her throat. I will not look further down that road, it is a disaster. If you keep this secret about Maeve for much longer, itll be the beginning of the end. Breandan may seem cold at times, but he needs to be able to trust you. It is my purpose to reveal what counts, but if I tell him Maeve may be If I tell him everything falls apart. I said and did nothing. I stood and stared at nothing, because once again I hadnt a clue what was going on. Ana cocked her head. He hasnt explained anything to you, has he?

We only met this morning and hes been busy hunting Tomas.

Who Im hiding in my wardrobe, I added silently. Realizing Id rallied to Breandans defense, I pressed my lips together.

Exasperated, a hand flew to her hips, and she tutted. Lochlann, Breandans older brother is the leader of a group of fairies who have broken away from Devlins rule, and therefore the Tribe. Rebels.

My mouth flapped open. What? I spluttered. Fairies have Tribes?

Ana yawned, rubbed at her ear. There is only one Tribe, the Tribe, ruled over by the fairy High Lord, Devlin. Lochlann is a lord too, from one of the older families. After disagreeing with Devlin about Her eyes flicked back to me, and she dropped the ends of her sentence. He took his family and a few others with him. Then he left a month ago, and didnt say why or where he was going. He just left us. Her shoulders jerked once. Some panicked and started to lose faith. A few even went back to Devlin.

Shaking my head, I caught up, and frowned. Breandan took his place?

She went pink and scowled at the floor. He was as confused as the rest of us. Lochlann is not weak or fickle. He had a reason for leaving, but its hard to keep faith in such times as these. Breandan and Maeve had their own private battle as to what should be done to lead the others until he returned. But neither of them said anything directly to Lochlanns followers to soothe them. Once, when it was really bad, I touched Breandan trying to get his attention, and I saw his future. She sighed and rubbed her head. Before I thought it through I blurted it all out. Naturally the rebels turned to him to lead.

What did you see?

Breandan standing over Devlin, victorious with a fairy-girl stood beside him. I saw alternates of course, but when the fairy was gone Breandan failed and died. Lochlann comes back to his brothers body and turns his back on us.

Of course I was going to ask, So, whos the fairy-girl?

Seriously? I have to answer that question?

Pressing a hand to my throat, I searched for the invisible fingers crushing it. How did you know where to find me?

I saw you and Breandan running hand in hand behind the Wall. You wore the green blazer with the Sect sigil. Oh, the fact you are training to be a Cleric went down a treat with the rebels, by the way. She sighed. Damn that boy, Id kick his ass if I didnt owe him. He played such a dangerous game.

I sunk to my knees amongst the leaves and settled down onto my bum, legs flopping weakly in front of me. My hands burrowed into the dry dirt either side of me, and fisted beneath the surface.

What game? How is any of this a game?

Wrong choice of words. She waved her hands in apology. Breandan sought you out, no matter how much he may try to deny it. The moment I told him what I saw, he wanted to see you, but its screwed things up. I always saw you bumping into each other and your love growing. I told him to stay away, that the time for your meeting would happen naturally. Then I found out he was spying on you for the last month. She smiled. This morning when you saw him, by the slope before you fell, he didnt help you up because I called him away. You were not supposed to meet like that. But when you got lost the future changed again, and in pops the vampires chance. She grimaced and looked down at her hands. But I guess, its my own fault for blurting out the truth.

A few things are starting to make sense, I said, and breathless, lifted a finger to signal time out.

I thought of how Breandan reacted toward me the first time wed met. Hed been horrified at who I was, annoyed at me, and yet so persistent. Always coming back no matter how many times I told him to back off, so sure that I had to listen and trust him. My wings curled around me, and my tail flicked about behind me disturbing stone and insect. It was daunting to hear someone you had just met and were beginning to feel something for had known you, and what you would become a long time before you knew they existed.

And Devlin? How did he find out? I doubt Breandan would have proclaimed my existence to the Tribe. I remembered the reluctance in his expression when he held me for the first time. And I remembered his words, the white witch was right and now Ill never hear the end of it. And as much as you tell me he wanted me meet me; I have a hard time believing it.

Ana pulled her top up and I recoiled. The skin across her stomach was a ghastly sight of lumpy flesh and pink scars. The Tribe caught me and I was not strong enough to hold my tongue. Pulling the top back down a tear rolled down her cheek. Scrubbing it away she looked disgusted at herself for showing weakness. Breandan saved me, and carried me to Conall for healing. But the cuts were done with magic, and Devlins consort, Wasp, she spat the name, is a tricky bitch with a special gift for knife work.

I yanked my hair a few times, the feeling of helplessness threatening to overwhelm me. Only youve foretold this showdown between Breandan, Devlin and me?

There has been no one with such a strong gift of Sight in a long time. Im good and my gift has yet to improve but trust me, Im never wrong.

You cant see things, say, fifty years from now?

Thats not how it works. I dont see visions, I see future possibilities, she explained wiggling her fingers and nose. I look at you or touch you and in my head I see you taking different actions, making decisions and the future steps you take altering because of them. Like ghost images moving on top of what I see. Its hard for me to attach time to it or remember it all. It doesnt help I have a memory like a sieve. I judge time by appearance and significant events. Anas creased face broke into a playful grin. Sounds mental.

I hate to admit it, but youre one of the sanest people Ive met today.

Im the most awesome person youve met.

There was a question that pressed on my mind. I didnt want to seem self-absorbed, but the more I ignored it the louder intuition chimed it meant something, something big and scary.