8

EIGHT

Ember

After dressing in our black body suits, I spin in front of a mirror, marveling at the intricacies of the spider silk and how it molds to my curves and muscles.The black suits Amara crafted for us are amazing for fast flying, sticking to the shadows, and remaining over all wraith like.

The boys are waiting for us at the main entrance when we emerge from the tunnel system.

“Amara, these suits are a little snug.” Traeger said with a grimace while adjusting his body suit.

Paisley ogles him and goes “I’m not complaining.” Traeger growls at Paisley while they practically eye fuck eachother.

“Shush, they’ll keep you safe and hidden. They have extreme flexibility with the silk string, so I don’t want to hear any complaining.”

All three brutish figures grounded out a complaint.

“Enough, you big oafs.” I said exasperated and impatient. “Let’s get these assignments settled and then be on our way. We will need to travel the perimeter of the city in order to enter on the south side of Virgo District. This is where Paisley will be stationed for any backup we may need. We’ll be using our communication spheres to talk when needed. Remember, keep the comms clean and clear please. No unnecessary chatter.”

“Traeger.” Brooks coughed into his hand.

Rolling my eyes, I continue on. “Comms should be orbiting your head at all times, unless you’ve been caught. At that point, release the orb to protect the others on our line and keep identities hidden.”

In unison, everyone flicked their communication orbs into existence which began orbiting our heads with a faint yellow glow.

“Now, for the quarters you’ll be assigned to, be sure to find the highest building for a sight of the shadows below. Brucie, you’re stationed in Aries. Amara, you’ll be in Gemini. Traeger will be monitoring Sagittarius. Brooks you’re going to be next to me in Libra, and I’ll be in the Virgo District. Got it?”

“Seems easy enough.” Brucie nodded at me with pride.

“Okay, if we’re all in agreement then let’s be on our way. The sun is setting and we should be expecting activity the second the shadows fall.”

Together, we traveled to the boulder covered cave entrance and left the tunnel system. Watching the ancient boulders close over the hole, Brucie approaches me.

“How are you doing with this whole mate thing?” He gestured to my eyes with a nod of his head.

“Oh you know, involuntarily walking through his memories and feeling overly affectionate for a tyrant’s son that I’ve never interacted with before. Generally exhausted.” I shrugged and laced as much sarcasm as I could muster into that statement.

He chuckled and patted me on the shoulder before flashing into his faerie form. We all joined him a moment later.

Flashes of red, green, pink and rainbow wings take off in the direction of Estrallume. The moon began to rise in the sky over the mountains and I could instantly feel its caress on my skin and wings. Everyone started glowing just a little more as their faerie forms absorbed magical charge from the moons.

The feeling is similar to being tickled by a feather, but also being wrapped in a warm blanket on a winter night.

After traveling for several miles, Estrallume slowly rose ahead the treetops. Here in the capital city, the constellation quarters are marked by towers glowing bright gold.  Each tower is adorned with its zodiac sign on top of clock towers at the center of the district. As we circle the city’s ornate gold and silver outer walls, I can see the Decay ravaging these lands.

There’s barely any greenery left this close to the city. This land has been tortured by the Decay longer than any other village. The ground and roots look as if they’re bleeding. covered in dried muck from the Decay rotting all life here. Those that live in the inner villages can only source food from the capital city or the outer villages which don’t have much to spare. So, basically they’re starving or paying outrageous tax for the capital city’s food.

It’s still so heart wrenching to see our lands this bare. This land is fragile and fragmented. I can feel the heart and soul of the dead grass, trees, and dirt pulsating at a slow beat. The land is holding on by the thinnest of life lines. The Ascension is doing everything they can to tie the unknown forces to the Decay, and find a solution before there’s no life left to salvage. No peace left to protect.

Sometimes, because I’m an earth and empathy faerie, I feel the pain and sorrow of the wilderness much more than others. It can feel isolating, but also motivating for our cause.

We came upon the tear in the city’s wards just south of the Virgo District. There’s a secret tunnel entrance here that is hidden below a glimmer of a large Decayed spruce tree. As we approach the tree, we flash into our human forms. Brucie then produces a dagger and slices a line along his palm, turning it over and dripping his blood along the large, twining roots of the tree. The glimmer is wiped aside by Brucie’s blood offering, presenting us with a similar drop to the tunnels of Mystic Mountain.

Amara heals his hand before he bends down to crawl between the large roots and finds a hole that leads into the tunnel system of Estrallume. He leans over the edge of the opening, checking both directions and bellows, “All clear!”

I release a breath.

One by one, we all crawl into the roots and find the hole just below the base of the hollowed out tree. Dropping into the glimmer, we each glance up through the opening and nod farewell to Paisley.

“Stay safe and be alert. I’ll see you again, my angel,” Traeger says to his mate.

“Don’t worry, Trae. See you all soon.” She was always the more professional of the two. Paisley blew Traeger a kiss, then gave us all a nod and farewell.

Leaving her behind, we watched as the glimmer faded back into place and the entrance was covered. Paisley will stay waiting inside the tree roots until we get back. I lead the way towards the main system, where we can find separate tunnels that lead to our designated districts. The walls are dark, rusted and oozing with substances from years of misuse. From what we know, no one has access to these tunnels and they’ve been unused for nearly twenty years. The tunnels here are pungent with a smell of rot and Decay. The king prohibited all faeries from using this cave system, which has greatly affected trade for our city. No one really knows why the king does what he does.

Coming to a six-point fork in the cave, we each say goodbye and head to our posts.

Taking the furthest right tunnel, I walk along my path further toward Virgo District. I decided now’s a good time to check our communication signals. “Checking comms. Respond if you can hear me.”

“Hi Em!” Amara says cheerfully. Sometimes, I’m convinced she doesn’t have a care or worry in the world.

“Roger, Em.” Traeger says.

Brucie, Brooks and Paisley hum their confirmations.

“Alright, everyone stay safe. Please don’t forget your sleep potions. It’s important he can’t access your mind if you’re captured. Focus on the shadows, find a culprit and report if you need back up. Keep this line clean so there’s little distraction tonight and use code names from here on out please.”

“Clean, like your reputation after being mated to the prince?” Brooks says with so much righteousness. I could see the stupid smirk slapped on his face right now.

“BROOKS!” Amara yelled in my defense.

“It’s fine, he’s just mad he can’t have a slice of me.” I said equally as obnoxious.

“Oh, in your dreams, Em.” Brooks scoffed.

“I said clean lines. Enough, you dimwit.”

“How am I supposed to ignore her when she calls me names?” He exasperated through groans and whines.

“Love you, Dimwit.” I said deviously. He only grunted in response. He hates his code name.

With a smile warming my cheeks, I traveled further into the tunnels. There’s no running electricity down here since the tunnels were closed down, so my fae orbs are the only thing providing any kind of light. Its soft glow gave me minimal light. After zig zagging through the dark, musky walls a faint shimmer of moonlight floods the cave up ahead.

As I approach the drainage hole, I flash into my faerie form to quickly slide through the grate. The moonlight is gorgeous tonight. Twinkling through our once shimmering city, filling the streams with flecks of moon and starlight. It was a reminder of the beauty we could lose.

The buildings in the city are the color of the moon. It’s constructed of marble, concrete, spruce wood from the forests of the ancient days. The city has an overall celestial vibe to it with ornate walls that celebrate the constellations, stars, and phases of the moon.

The Decay hasn’t reached inside the city walls, so the trees here are blooming and flourishing with faerie magic. The flowers bloom and glow under the light of the night sky.

Out of the five districts we selected for observations tonight, Virgo is the only district to not get hit with a hideous crime yet. That’s why I’m stationed here. As one of the leader of The Ascension, I prefer to put myself in the face of danger than sacrifice a member of my family and team.

After slipping through the drainage grate, I scurry to the nearest alleyway and flash back into my human form. Sticking to the shadows like we’ve practiced, I trek north towards the tower I’ll be monitoring from.

The clock tower.

Rushing to gain a higher advantage, crossing the stone paths, I make it to the base of the tower. From the top of the tower, the Virgo constellations glow a bright gold and silver. The marble carved walls have stars and moons orbiting the structure.

Since it’s night time and I can charge under the rays of the moon, I decide to shift and fly to the top of the tower. I aim my body above the roof of the building and shift back into human form. The virgo constellation twinkles and twirls above my head, marking the center of the district.

I have a perfect view of the streets from here. Keeping my eyes wide open and my breathing slow, I strive to pinpoint abnormal movement, breezes, and flashes of magic along the ground. Scanning the streets counterclockwise, I begin counting. I guess now’s as good a time as any to check in with the team.

“I made it to the top of Virgo, status update from all lines?”

“I’m almost to the grate of Aries, the trip took unexpected turns through the tunnels today. There was some debris from the ceiling caving in some areas.” Brucie reported over the communications orb.

“Glad you’re good. I just got to the top of Libra as well.” Brooks confirmed. I heard from Traeger next, and then the girls confirmed they were stationed and scanning as well.

With everyone in their places, there shouldn’t be much to worry about when it comes to being discovered. I trust everyone to stick to the shadows, and request backup if needed. Plus, we’re trained in combat and evasion. Being careful and keeping The Ascension on the downlow as much as possible has been key to our survival.

Two hours have passed since I started my search, and nothing out of the ordinary has come to light in the Virgo district. Thoughts of finely sculpted biceps, strong shoulders and back muscles invade my senses. Strong brutish hands that would feel so good wrapped around my thighs, spreading me wide for a feast only he could indulge in.

His fire. Even his fire was sexy. How can that be possible?

“Ughhhhh!” I exhaled a long, deep breath and continued my scans of the District below me. I shot a glare at the sky. “Moons save me or better yet, take it back!”

A sharp wind bustled through me, twisting me with its force and chilling my body to the bone. I guess I probably shouldn’t yell at the moons above.

Something silver flashes in the western edge of the District. All thoughts of princes evaded me as my heart rate started to quicken. Within seconds, I flashed and flew down the tower, landing swiftly on my feet. Contemplating calling this in, I took off running in the direction of what I assume was a throwing dagger or sweeping sword. I decided I won’t notify the others to abandon their posts unless I can be certain this is hostile. Leaving my communications orb on and ready, I cross through alleyways, flying over buildings, doing whatever I can to stay within the shadows.

Emerging into one of the western neighborhoods, I’m almost to the edge of the district when I hear a shrill scream to my right. It came from a small cottage next to a bakery just a few houses down. There’s two floors to this cottage. The bottom has a shop sign over it reading Briellen’s Baked Goods. I assume the top of the cottage must be their apartment. Going with that instinct, I get ready to leave the shadows of this alleyway when two massive hands grab my shoulders and whirl me around. I instinctively disintegrate my communications orb.

I take recon of my surroundings.

A muscular body pinning me to his front. A bold and rather egotistical smirk greets me when I lift my eyes to my captors. With the hilt of his sword, he smashes it over my temple and I instantly see stars. I fall to my knees and brace my hands on the floor, swaying between nausea and passing out.

My captors kneel down to join me. “Well, what is something this pretty doing sneaking around in the night?” He tilted his head in that unnatural predatory way. The prick has the audacity to caress my chin and raise my eyes to meet his again.

I tried and desperately failed to keep my breathing calm, bring my vision back to me. Fear pulsed through me so quickly, worrying that I didn’t call for backup when I should have. No one knows I’m captured yet.

Thunk.

I’m alone. That was the last thing I remember before I passed out on the cold stone to the sounds of belts being loosened.