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“Arlo!”
The cry of my name was the last thing I heard before I was dragged into the cold depths of the lake.
I threw my eyes wide to see bubbles stream before them, disorientating me. My lungs burned as I held onto the pathetic, final breath I had managed before I was taken under.
I kicked out in vain. It did not dissuade what had me. I had often thought of the creatures that lurked in deep waters but never thought I’d ever set foot in such a place.
Oh how life changed so quickly.
I clawed at the lake as though it would save me, eyes stinging as the harsh, bitter water infiltrated them.Then I saw them.People. Figures of silver and white so stark against the dark waters that I gasped at the sight of them. I realised suddenly that my gasp had expelled the little air I had left. My weakening hands reached for the bubbles as though I could take them in my fingers and draw them back to my lips.
A fool you are.
The opaque bodies drifted around me. I followed one, the figure of a small child, a girl whose body was not full but wispy and see-through like morning fog.She drifted beneath me until I saw what had a hold of me.
It was another figure of white shadows. Its hand gripped my ankle, anchoring me through the water with terrifying strength. It glowered, judging eyes cutting straight through me with unmeasurable intent.
Suddenly it was not a lake I drowned within, but a swell of ghostly figures. Each of them reached for me with hard, strong grips and helped guide me down into the pits of my death.
My eyes grew heavy as the swelling pain in my chest faded. Suddenly I did not care for air to fill my lungs with breath and life. It was peaceful, surrounded by the dead as they held me and greeted me, taking me home as if I was one of them.
FAENIR
I refused to look down at Arlo, to study the way his limp body was curled up in my arms, or how his cheek was squashed against the sodden material of my shirt. I didn’t need to look to know he was there because Ifelthim.
Arlo’s hard press against me was so entirely intoxicating that I could not focus on anything but keeping one foot before the other.
Myrinn waited at the entrance to Haxton, fingernails chewed between teeth as she waited to hear the verdict of Arlo’s stupidity. She likely expected him to be dead, drowned by the ruthless shades who dwelled within Styx.
I had not yet dealt with the fact that Myrinn had arrived at Haxton without invitation as though she was above it. Charon would face my wrath for bringing her upon his boat once Arlo was awake; I would take out this feeling on them both.
Arlo would have been dead if I had got to him any later. The glow of life that haloed around his body was the beacon I needed to find him within the waters. Even now it still shone as bright as any star.
I felt rage as though it was a new emotion, furious at myself for being so distracted and letting him get into this predicament. I had convinced myself that Arlo was indestructible because he could withstand my touch. But he was not, tonight proved that.
“He is breathing,” I confirmed as I swept past Myrinn.
Myrinn instantly relaxed, pulling her hands from her pale lips and loosing a breath. “Have you not warned him of the dangers that lurk here?”
I paused before replying, trying to focus on her rather than the fluttering of Arlo’s heartbeat as it echoed across my chest. I had felt my own before, strong and proud; others would dwindle beneath my touch.
Not Arlo.But why?
“He has not been susceptible to conversation.”
Myrinn stepped aside to allow me to pass into the manor without slowing a step. “Can you blame the boy? Stealing a mate is certainly the opposite of what the custom is. If we are to keep our relationship with the humans strong, we should not make ourselves seem anything remotely like a threat.”
“I care little for what they think of me. Nor did Claria when she sent me to Tithe with the sole purpose of me killing a human for her own enjoyment.”
“And yet you proved her wrong,” Myrinn replied, pacing behind me on quick feet. “I understand your years of seclusion has affected your ability to think of anyone but yourself; however, your actions have shattered your perfectly crafted cage and left you open to the same rules as the rest of us. Think, Faenir. Keeping your Chosen alive is the first step of claiming your fate.”
“His name,” the growl slipped out of me without control, “is Arlo. And you truly believe I care for what others wish to see me do with this life?”
The patter of her feet ceased. I almost stopped and turned around, an apology dusted across my taut lips. Instead, I kept my focus on the hallway before me. “If you have come all this way to Haxton to remind me of the repercussions then perhaps it can wait until I deal with this.”
Myrinn replied sharply, “Then I will prepare supper.”
“That will not be required. You will not be staying long enough to break bread, cousin.”
