The Faerie Slayer
Chapter 24

I had no recollection of why my father would work with someone from the folk. This must be from the informant who revealed Aubrette as a Moiety Child to my father. It was strict statute that no werewolf was to ever strike a deal with a faerie.The letter confirmed that he knew about Aubrette Evergreen being disparate , I wondered what else he knew. I glanced at the initials engraved on the thick parchment. There was no one that could have come to mind bearing those initials, though I may not be as acquainted of my fathers comrades as I had thought. I wrapped the scroll back into a roll and tied the cloth strings into a small bow. I left the message on the floor, where the bird had dropped it and retrieved out of the room soundlessly.

Back upstairs, a sleeping Aubrette laid peacefully with no recollection of just how much her world had been flipped upside down. I knew I needed a plan, soon. The fairy dust I had left in fathers study would buy us some time, but not plenty. I could let father know that I was fighting off the faeries sent to retrieve the girl and it was a matter of time before I could get to Caleb. If Aubrette's death was as important to father as the letter had implied, he would want to substantiate further.

I reached for my chestnut duffel bag and retrieved my cellphone. I scrolled through my contacts until halting at one, Alexander Lupus of the Lupus Pack. Up in Alberta, Canada, a small werewolf reserve in the town of Nakoda was led by an old friend of mine who happened to owe me a favour. He could keep Aubrette with him, until I figured out what to do next. I sent him a text, briefly explaining the situation, ensuring to leave out the part where Aubrette is half faerie. It would do no good to anybody to reveal that piece of information. I made a clear indication that father must not know about any of this. As soon as I received the confirmation text back from Alexander, I broke into a vial of fresh salt and held it over the sleeping girl. It was time to wake her up. I still wasn't sure what I was going to say to her, but I could no longer differ.

I swatched a salt coated finger over her mouth and watched perturbedly as her eyes began to flutter.

There was a moment of silence where she gaped at me as if I was familiar to her. She remembers me.

She sat up abruptly and I took a few feet back, suddenly pondering on the many scenarios that this could look like.

Aubrette gazed around, her words panic-filled and breathless," where am I? Who are you?"

"I'm not going to hurt you," I began as an attempt to gain her reassurance," I want to help you."

She got to her feet faster then I had anticipated and dashed for the door. I was faster and wrapped a long arm around her torso, slinging her back onto the bed.

That was rough.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled," please don't try to run. Let me explain."

"Why did you bring me here? How did you-"

"My name is Kade Odin. I'm the son of Alcindor Odin. My father runs the Deadwood Creek tribe here. I'm here to help you-"

"Help me with what?" Her blue eyes were wide and it was evident that she was horrified. I wished there were a way for me to fast track her solace so she wouldn't feel this way. I suddenly realized how much harder this was going to be.

"Not what, who. You're Aubrette Evergreen-"

"No, I'm Aubrette Fawn, that was my biological parent's last name, I'm-"

"Adopted, I know," I mindlessly took a step closer," have you ever wondered about your real parents? Who they might be and what that might make you?"

"No, and I don't care. Did they send you here?"

"Aubrette, you don't live in the world that you think you live in."

She stared at me with sudden realization and screamed," are you a friend of Caleb's? Do you kill birds too?"

I had no idea what she was referring too. Instead I said," I can explain to you how you are different," Cliche, I self-mockingly thought," you are not like Ben or your adoptive parents-"

"How the hell do you know Ben?" A layer of defensiveness suddenly coated her anger. She was protective of her mortal friend.

"I have been watching you, for a few weeks now."

She peered at me through narrowed eyes as if suspiciously," I remember you. You were in Boerum Hill at La Belle, and again at The Snake Pit."

"That was me."

"Is this a joke?" Her eyes wandered past me and scanned the room," have you been following me?"

As if learning nothing from her previous attempt, Aubrette made a run for the exit once again. I let out a sigh of dismay. I darted for the door and with a thud, I met my back with the hard surface. Aubrette's halted mid-step and crashed against my chest. She raised her small fists to pound them against me. I suddenly wanted to chuckle, and would have had I not been so drained, because I felt nothing.

"Stop," I grasped ahold of her two hands and held them to her middle. Her eyes hogged puddles of tears. I had no clue whatsoever on how to comfort her without sparing her the news of her future if she stayed in Deadwood Creek. I suddenly asked myself again, why was I doing this?

"Listen to me," I began calmly," there are some people who are after you, they want to hurt you. That night when I found you with Jack-"

"How do you know Jack?"

"Jack was taking you to the river to-" I trailed off, not knowing how I could explain this to her," it doesn't matter. I'll explain everything later. My point is, had I not gotten to you in time, you would be dead."

"Why would Jack want me dead?"

"He was under instructions from someone you may or may not know, to kill you."

"How do you know all of this?"

"Because I also, am under the same instructions. You're a very popular girl, Aubrette Evergreen."

She took a step back, alerting me that I might have just said the wrong thing.

"I won't hurt you, but as long as you are here, you're not safe."

"Am I supposed to just believe everything you say?"

"For now I need you to trust me. The proof will come within time."

"Why should I trust you?" Her voice has gone soft enough to result an ache in my chest.

Good question. If only you could realize my true intent and it be enough, because I myself do not bear the answers to that matter.

Instead, I admitted,"I'm not sure."

The girl seemed taken aback by my response. She hesitated for a couple of seconds.

"Where do you want to take me?"

"Up in Canada, I have a friend from another tribe. They represent a town by the name of Nakoda. They'll take care of you, until we figure things out here."

She nodded, surprisingly pacifical.

"You have to stay here, for a little while," I continued," while I go back to your home and get your passport."

The girl snorted as if this was the last thing on earth that she would be doing," I'm coming with you."

"You can't, it's too dangerous."

"I have to talk with my parents, reassure them. I have to call Ben-"

"I'll grab your cellphone."

"You don't understand," she pressed," I haven't been separated from either my parents or Ben since I was just a year old. They'll want to hear it from me, in person."

As a reply to my silence, she continued with," or I'm not going anywhere with you."

Realizing she had lured me onto a cliff, I gave in to her ultimatum.

Abby's Pov

I was convinced that the strange boy in the dark green leather suit had lost his mind, alternatively if he were sane, this had to be a new scheme to kidnap and traffic high school girls. He led me down the stairs of his palace-of-a-home, fingers wrapped around my elbow as if fearful I was too fragile to not get myself hurt. I took my steps slowly, peering at my surroundings. The home was dark, dimly lit with pillar candles and moonlight. Ancient paintings accessorized the walls that never seemed to end, even when I tossed my head all of the way back, I could still hardly catch sight of the ceiling. It doesn't like like a crazy person would live here. Echoes of our steps were accompanied by my heavy breathing. I half expected a blood curdling hurl to emerge from the shadowy halls. The boy-Kade Odin- unbolted thick wooden doors to reveal the outside. The home was build on an acre of sloped adumbral land, gated with a metal fence that was not closed. I realized this area was a reserve. Beyond the grass were woods. I had never seen this part of town before and suddenly wondered how far I was from home. Kade shut the door and I couldn't help raising my hand to trace the scripture engraved into the lumber.

I pledge thy soul to the moon, tis thou that grants me life.

"What does that mean?" I mumbled but the boy did not seem to want to answer. Instead, he led me out and towards the forest. The walk was silent for most of the part. I tried to engage him to converse, asking questions in attempt to gain some clarity but his responses were futile. I found my eyes hankering to study the boy, or man. I wonder how old you are. He was built to say the least, tall enough to duck under high branches of trees and wide enough to have to shuffle in between them. On his right bicep began a tattoo resembling tribal art that covered most of his arm.

I remember that tattoo. I remembered trying to figure it out through blurry eyes that night at The Snake Pit while he attempted to stop my bleeding. He suddenly raised his hand to move strands of his unkempt brown hair and I peered away immediately before he caught me gazing. A strong breeze caused goosebumps to form on my exposed skin. I wasn't wearing very much, a sleeveless shirt and sleeping shorts. I wondered how he got me out of the house. He must have noticed my discomfort at the crispy wind because he turned to look at me.

"Are you cold?"

I nodded, without saying a word.

"I'm sorry," was his response.

"Why are you sorry? It's not your fault it's cold tonight."

"I had some shirts at home I could have lent you. I don't ever get cold, so I didn't think of it."

Who doesn't ever get cold? It's New York. At least, I hoped we were still in New York.

"How long until we are there?"

"I'd say fifteen minutes if we take my bike."

There was a clearing of trees that we'd walked into where a black motorcycle shun brighter then the moon.

"I've never been on a bike before," I mumbled, taking in the sight of the monstrous vehicle," and there's only one helmet."

He grabbed the thing with strong arms and nudged it at my chest," you can have mine."

I had never been the type of scare away from a challenge and this, getting onto a motorcycle with my kidnapper, was definitely one. I peered into his eyes and wondered why I still felt as I had the night at The Snake Pit. I felt like he couldn't hurt me. I felt as if I could trust him. There was an odd but comfortable air around him that made it easy for me to agree.

Almost too easy.

I grasped ahold of the helmet and struggled to put it on. When it was finally placed around my face, I could not buckle it for the life of me. I rolled my eyes when he chuckled.

"I'm glad I can amuse you."

"I don't mean to laugh."

"Oh? It was an accident then?" My fumbling fingers fought with the leather strap and the metal buckle.

"You're overthinking it," he reached out and I backed away," let me help."

I sighed and I let him help me, and felt the heat of his skin on mine. I tried to keep my eyes fixated at my feet but I couldn't maintain it for long. I finally caved and looked up at him, his dark focused eyes, perfectly outlined rose coloured lips complimented by tan skin. He smelled like grass and leather. Somehow, I couldn't expect anything else. His beauty took my breath away. I could not help thinking that I don't think that I have ever met someone quite so perfect.

I hadn't realized that he'd been staring back at me until I realized that his gaze wasn't studious or curious. He seemed confused. I broke eye contact first and stepped away, clearing my throat that had dried.

"Is there something on my face?" I asked in hopes of shedding some clarity as to why he'd been looking at me that way.

He just shook his head and said," are you ready?"

He got onto the motorcycle first and turned it on. It roared through the trees like the loudest thing I have ever heard. It was almost obnoxious how much nose it made.

I climbed right behind him, determined to place as much space between us as I could but it was not possible. My chest pressed against his hard back and when the bike jolted forward I felt my arms wrap around his shoulders out of fear.

We flew through the clearing where a pathway with just enough width for his bike to freely move existed. It wasn't so scary after a few minutes. It was quite refreshing, to be moving so fast out in the open air. The only thing that made the experiment uncomfortable was how cold I was. I was freezing. I held tight to the back of his shoulders and pressed myself into the warmth of his leather. I'd hoped that he would not mention this later on. I also wondered how he could see, because from my perspective, it was almost pitch black out.

It was around ten minutes later when he halted the bike and asked me to get off. He mirrored my actions.

"We aren't there yet," I said, ripping the helmet off of my head after successfully unbuckling it.

"We'll wake the entire neighbour hood if we got any closer," he explained," we'll walk from here."

I nodded, and replayed the plan over in my head. The idea had come to me back in his bedroom. I was going to play along with whatever this was, but as soon as we get to my house, I was going to call for help. My parents should be home and surely they'd hear me scream once we were close enough.

Mindlessly, I began to think about what would happen to him. Maybe he would go to prison, or maybe he'd manage to escape. The thought of him being arrested and sent off to jail made my chest unexpectedly heavy. When he spoke, he sounded genuine, his intent was clear in his gaze that he believed he was truly helping me.

'Have you ever wondered about your real parents? Who they might be and what that might make you?'

This boy could bear answers to unsolved mysteries that remained afloat at the back of my mind regarding my birth parents. If that was the case, why wouldn't he just tell me? Where were they and why hadn't they tried contacting me themselves?

Maybe they are in Canada, and he's just collecting me for them. Maybe he really is a friend of Caleb's and this is all one big scheme from my birth parents.

I was beginning to recognize the strip of trees ahead. We were meters away from my home, and my chest was now thudding.

Kade had stopped walking and turned to face me," there's a car in your driveway, your parents must be home."

I nodded, suddenly anxious.

Do it now. Scream.

But I couldn't bring myself to do it, instead, I hoped that the right moment would soon present itself.

This wasn't going to be as easy as I had envisioned.

"I'm going to carry you on my shoulders," he began," and together, we'll sneak into your room using the tree-"

"What?" He had definitely lost his mind,"no, I'm going to walk in and get my stuff. I'll be right back."

I attempted a step forward but his grasp on my arm was brisk.

"I don't believe you," his eyes had gone dark, but still somehow glowed like lanterns.

"Let go of me," I shuffled out of his hold," I told you, I have to be there to reassure them in person."

"Then I'm coming with you."

"Are you crazy? How do you think they'll react to their 18 year old daughter running off with some boy that they've never seen before?"

He was now silent. I did not know the boy very much but I could bet that his thoughts were battling each other, torn between the choice to trust me or not. He peered up at my window, eyes widening just the slightest. His fingers moved to trace a ring on his index that enclosed something white.

"What's wrong?" I was muddled. Something had changed within the moment but I could not distinguish what.

His eyes met mine for the first time in minutes.

"Go inside, talk to your parents but stay downstairs."

I should have been relieved but I remained puzzled. What just happened?

I chose not to dwell. Instead, I nodded my head and with fumbling feet, stumbled through the last strip of trees and onto my front porch. I raised my fist to knock but the door was practically sprung off it's hinges before my action was complete. The familiar faces of my mother and father immediately conferred me serenity.

"Where were you?" my mothers worried eyes met mine first,"your phone was ringing, it woke us up. It was Ben."

Ben called me?

Snowball was now at my feet, fluttering his tail in delight at my arrival. I bent to pet him.

"Why aren't you dressed?" My father continued," you left your cellphone upstairs, you never leave without it."

"I'm alright, I promise. I was just out with a friend," I shut the door behind me and realized that to them, I had only been gone an hour or two.

"What were you doing this early?"

"You're going to catch a cold dressed like that, Abby," mom went into the kitchen and began to heat some milk," go text Ben that you're alright before the poor boy has a stroke."

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