Dark Revelation (22 page)

            “Or what,” Ryleigh asked, scared.

            “Do I even have to say it,” Finar rebuffed.

            “No,” said Ryleigh.  “I’ll be there.”

            “Good, good,” said Finar.  “And bring Tristan, too.”

            Finar hung up and Ryleigh turned to Tristan.

            “He has Cyrus.”

29
Preparations are a witch

            The morning came too quickly.  They all had a sleepless night.  Ryleigh woke her father after the conversation she had with Finar.  Her dad promised he would try to get s much help as possible. 

Tom had an announcement for them after they discovered the twins were gone.

“I’ve found us a witch.”

“What do you mean you found us a witch,” asked Ryleigh. 

“If we are going to go up against Finar, we might need one,” said Tom matter-of-factly.  “I’ve used the last of my savings to bribe her.”

The witch hated Halflings and Fae born.  In order to help, she had to be bribed handsomely to assist and was a just-in-case factor.  If they needed her, they would summon her.   The witch was more than content to be “Plan B”.  She wouldn’t return the bribe, even if she was never used.  Just being around them all was close enough for a death sentence. 

“Also, I am going to go with you both,” confirmed Tom.

“No, you’re not,” Ryleigh tried to enforce.

“Yes, I am,” said Tom.  “You two might need someone else there and although I can’t do much,” Tom pulled a .45 Colt from behind him.  “I can still use this.”

Ryleigh’s mouth dropped open and Tristan smiled broadly.

“But –“ Ryleigh began.

“’But’ nothing,” interrupted Tom.  “I am going and that’s that.”

Arguing Tom’s point was moot.  He was going to go and she would do her best to keep him safe. 

***

They were as prepared as they were going to be. 

They were on their own.  Tristan – the more than a Halfling, Ryleigh – the whole Fae, Tom – the contributor, and Katelyn – the solitary witch.  Finding Katelyn was a blessing and a curse.         

            Ryleigh and Tristan had been practicing their instant connection and using that to increase their power. 

On their own, Tom tried connecting with Ryleigh again and discovered he was able to connect to the part that Adrianne gifted her.  It was a small part and only worked if they really concentrated on it.  If needed, he would try to use that to his advantage.  It would take all of them to take Finar down.

            Nissa, no longer the baby she was only a few weeks ago, was ready too.  She had become one of the strongest imps because of Ryleigh.  Even Vee was impressed with her.

            Ryleigh went back over her list again with the group.

            Laughing Tom said, “You and your mother with those lists. Couldn’t go anywhere without ensuring that it was checked off multiple times.”

            Ryleigh rolled her eyes, “This could be life or death, so I am going to go over this for
my
sanity before we even think about stepping foot out of the door.”

            Tristan squeezed her around the waste, “I like it.  Keeps us organized.”

            “See, someone appreciates that over obsessiveness that I have.”

            The list was also keeping Ryleigh mentally in check.  Keeping her mind focused on the smaller tasks instead of the bigger one helped her not be so nervous.

            “So, Finar is expecting me.  He has Cyrus and his family, knowing he was my only best friend,” she choked up a little bit remembering the last conversation they’d had.

            They had video chatted the week prior.  Ryleigh was remiss with catching up with him but she felt that she needed to tell him how important he was in her life.

            “What’s going on with you?” Cyrus had asked her.

            “Nothing. Why.”

            “Because, you’re different.  You’re not how you were before.”

            Ryleigh didn’t want to offer an explanation.  He wasn’t even aware that her parents had never died in the accident, or anything about her heritage or what she even was.  She chalked it off as having to grow up more quickly.  She promised to log onto their game that weekend before they signed off.

            “Cy, you are my best friend.  I want you to know how much I care about you,” she reminded him.

            “I know,” he’d said before he logged off.

            That was enough for her that he knew how she felt.  Even after the incident at his house.  She never did offer him an explanation for that.  He thought that it was hormones and that he just wasn’t feeling well. 

            Now she had to save him.  And hopefully, Finar wouldn’t kill him to spite her. Her dad thought that Finar wanted her.  Wanted to absorb her, but the Elders had reassured her it was impossible.  They all knew about her now.  They knew who she was and they were afraid. 

            Remembering their faces, hidden from her view so she could never know who they were, she shuddered. 

            “You are the first of your kind in a long time,” one said to her in a southern accent. 

            “Where there is one, there will be more,” said another who sounded as if she were from New York.

            They knew the danger of Finar but were powerless to stop him.  That is why they didn’t lock her up.  She knew that.  It ticked her off to no end that they would use her.  She was afraid that once Finar was locked up or destroyed, that they would put her away too. 

            Finar had free run of the Sanctum and was recruiting a large following.  Ryleigh was afraid that this small rag tag crew would not be enough.  But with the witch, they should be okay.  With Nissa and Vee, they could summon large quantities of Chi to help. 

            To think, just a few months ago she was oblivious to all of this, and now… Now her life changed forever. 

30

The final battle

            Reaching the wreckage of Vera’s mansion was disheartening to Ryleigh.  Remembering that this was her home for a time.  Remembering how Vera died.  She wanted Finar to pay for that. 

Tristan could feel the rumble with her and placed a hand on hers wrapping his fingers and sending a small pulse of warmth up her arm, “It will be okay. We’re almost there,” Tristan said squeezing Ryleigh’s arm. 

She was prepared.  She was pissed.  She was ready.  Nissa popped besides her, “Mistress, Fin is there.  He has others with him.”

            Tristan grimaced at the sound of his name.  Ryleigh nodded, “I am sure he knows we are coming.  He has to know.”

            Tristan pulled up outside the house.  Ryleigh took a deep breath.  She knew they were stronger than anyone that Finar could have recruited, but together they would need to confront Fin.  He wasn’t just half Fae.  He was something else and he scared the crap out of Ryleigh. 

Her imp alighted on her shoulder, “Mistress, don’t worry I will be here.”  Ryleigh knew she would be there.  Vee was in the back of the car asleep.  Tristan even wondered how he could sleep at a time like this, but he also knew that he was preparing. 

“We need to stick together,” Tristan reminded Ryleigh.  “No matter what happens, we can’t do it alone.  Otherwise we are dead, and they are stronger.” 

            Ryleigh nodded, “I know.”

            “They have your friend Cyrus and I know that.  But no matter what Ry, don’t let him goad you.”  Tristan knew that Finar would probably use Cyrus to draw Ryleigh out. 

            This was going to be difficult.  He wasn’t even sure if they were going to live. They approached the house slowly, cautious.  They were going through the front door.  Tristan grabbed Ryleigh’s hand and squeezed reassuring her that he was there.

            The plan was for Ryleigh and Tristan to enter the mansion first.  Tom would come later.  He was parked a half a mile away.  Ryleigh had her cellphone in her pocket and  on speaker so Tom would be able to hear everything going on.  Vee and Nissa would get Cyrus and his mother out of the Sanctum as quickly and quietly as possible.

            Taking a deep breath Ryleigh reached for the handle and opened the door.  Tristan and Ryleigh entered hesitantly looking around.   Knowing the floor plan was a huge advantage for the pair.  They went to the study to access the hidden room containing the portal below the house, where Fin would be waiting for them.  It seemed too easy. 

            It was too quiet in the house, even the normal creaks and moans seemed to have ceased.  The air crackled with intensity. 

            Ryleigh pressed the button underneath the desk and the panel that she found before swung open from the wall.  Tristan and Ryleigh headed down the stairs to the portal that would take them to the Sanctum.  Their imps with Finar.  Hoping the cellphone would work where they were going. 

            Although they were going willingly now.  Tristan and she had a plan. 

***

The Sanctum seemed darker this time around.  “We need to stick together,” Tom reminded them.  “Where did he say he would be?” he asked Ryleigh.

            Ryleigh looked at his phone. “He said to meet him where my mother died.”

            There was only one way in and one way out into that part of the Sanctum.  “I remember how to get there,” said Tristan.

            Ryleigh nodded, “Yeah, I think I do too.”

            They didn’t want to fade there, that would make it too easy.  Instead, they wanted to scope out and see what was happening.  Ryleigh wanted to feel the Sanctum.  It used to be a place for their kind to come and be reenergized.  It was beautiful. Her dad had explained that the Sanctum was another world filled with different creatures and amazement. 

            The Sanctum was just that, sanctuary.  There seemed to even be a slight breeze that caressed the senses.  Ryleigh felt energized just coming here.  She could even feel Tristan relax next to her. 

            Although the air smelled unique, it was a place that she could see herself coming back to.  If Finar were abolished.  Destroyed.  Killed.  Punished for all that he has done. 

            Ryleigh could feel the anger welling inside of her. 

            They approached the room Adrianne died.  With each step, Ryleigh could feel the apprehension gaining strength within her.

            Tristan grabbed Ryleigh’s hand, “It’s okay.”            

***

            When they entered the room, Finar was waiting for them with a few of his ‘closest’ friends.  It seemed as if he gained a following.

            “Why, thank you for joining me,” Finar said motioning to two men guarding the entrance.  They grabbed Tristan and Ryleigh from behind restraining them.

            “Wait!  We are here as you asked,” Ryleigh said sternly. 

            “Yes, yes.  You’re here.  I’m here.  We’re all here,” Finar said snidely, pointing to each of them and rolling his eyes.  “It’s time we get on with it, don’t you think?”

Tom rushed into the room behind him, Katelyn trailing not far. 

Pointing his .45 at Finar he commanded, “Let them go!”

Finar started laughing.  A deep laugh that echoed throughout the chamber.  “Are you kidding me,” he said.  “Do you honestly think that will keep me from doing you harm?”

Tom fired a shot at Finar.  In one quick flash, Finar captured the bullet in an energy ball.  Glinting mischievously, he threw it, killing Katelyn instantly.

Tristan flashed into form and attempted to launch a counter attack.  Finar deflected the cannons Tristan threw.  

Tristan escaped his captor and started running toward the back of the room to gain momentum. This gave time for Finar to create a larger mass.  Vee appeared next to Tristan as Finar launched his energy web, trapping them both.  The mass collided with their bodies flinging them toward the large pillars rendering them both unconscious.

Finar grabbed Tom by the throat.  “You were very stupid,” he remarked.

Ryleigh could see her father starting to lose consciousness.  “Dad!”

            “Didn’t I warn you Ryleigh,” the words fell from Finar’s lips, poisonous.  You and Tristan.  No one else. 

            With Katelyn dead, Tristan unconscious, and her father incapacitated, Ryleigh didn’t know what to do.

            “Yes,” she whispered.  “I’ll do what you want.”

            Finar smiled crookedly, evilly, his eyes glinting with satisfaction.  “Good.  If you don’t want to lose your friend, you will listen to me.  Come here.”  Finar threw her father into the rubble next to Tristan.

            Ryleigh winced.  Screaming, “No!” She ran at Finar attempting to punch him.  He knocked her into the ground face first. 

He motioned to one of the guards to grab her.    

            “Sit,” he commanded, pointing at the chair in the center of the room.

            Ryleigh closed her eyes, silently praying for whatever was going to happen to happen quickly.

            “Sit!”

            Ryleigh sat down in the chair.  A man and woman appeared on either side of her from the shadows tying her to the chairs arms. 

            “What are you going to do to me,” Ryleigh questioned.

            “I am going to take your energy into me,” Finar said matter-of-factly.

            “So, you’re going to kill me.”

            “Yes,” Finar replied.  “I guess I am.”

            Ryleigh took a deep breath attempting to stop her heart from beating outside its chest.  She knew the only way to save everyone was to sacrifice herself.  She’d known when they began this treacherous mission.

            Licking her lips she asked, “Will it hurt?”

            Finar approached Ryleigh and caressed her head.  “Yes, it will hurt.  Would you like something to numb the pain?”

            “No.  No I don’t want anything.”  She was determined to go out with a bang, regardless how much pain it threatened.

            “You are a brave one, aren’t you?”  Finar laughed and motioned to the witch he’d summoned in.  “Are you ready,” he asked her.