AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When my mother became pregnant with me, it gave her remnants of my Keeper abilities, Hence, the ability to see the dead. At the time, she had no clue what was happening or why she could see and communicate with Merrick. He and my mother became close, and he had taken it upon himself to watch after her, just like he’d done with me my entire life. On the day she killed Alasdair, Merrick was by her side so she wouldn’t be alone. And when she was taken to the Hereafter after the magical blast from killing Alasdair took her life, that was when Lailah informed her that she was pregnant. Luckily, my magic kept my mother’s soul tethered to her body in the Land of the Fae. I was destined to be born, so the land gave Lailah the power to bring my mother back to life. Out of all my thirty-one years, I’ve never seen my land grant anyone that kind of magic. My aunt Meliantha and Lia’s healing powers are the closest to it. They could heal people but not bring them back from the dead.
“And you won’t,” I said, feeling the guilt weigh down on my chest.
The Shadow fae was strong, stronger than I anticipated. He’d surprised me, but that wasn’t going to happen again. With a huff, Merrick faced me and I grabbed his hands. He wasn’t going to like my plan.
“I’m going after him, Merrick.”
I’d barely gotten my words out when he pulled his hands out of my grip and threw them up in the air in anger. “Like hell you are!” he exclaimed, pacing back and forth across the floor.
“And how are you going to stop me?” I fired back.
He stopped cold and glared at me for a few seconds before hanging his head. “You’re so damn stubborn, just like your mother. I should’ve known you’d follow in her footsteps.”
He’d told me many times how much it hurt him to see my mother go through everything she had to endure with the dark sorcerer, and there was nothing he could do to help her. This time was different.
“It’s not like I want to do this, Merrick. I’ve been having visions.”
Merrick lifted his head, his brows furrowed. “Like Lailah with her foresight?”
I nodded. “Yes. You were right when you said you could sense something wrong with me the other day. I didn’t want to say anything.”
“What have you been seeing?”
I shrugged. “They’re like movie clips in my head. All I see is the guy who came after me tonight. But that wasn’t the first time. He was watching me yesterday when I helped a Winter fae woman cross over to the Hereafter. I don’t know why he didn’t attack, but there is one thing I know for certain.” I took a deep breath. “In my visions, I can feel his need for revenge. He wants to come after us, after me.”
Merrick kept his stare on me. “And, of course, you’re the only one who can defeat him, right?”
That wasn’t true, but my parents had already faced this evil before. My mother lost her life because of it, but luckily, she was able to come back from it. I wasn’t about to risk her or anyone else’s life when I could do it alone.
“This is my fight, Merrick. The Shadow fae is afterme.” I took a slight pause. “And I’m going to make sure he regrets it.”
Merrick’s jaw tensed. “Going after him means you’ll have to go to the mortal realm, Ella. What happens if you get hurt and can’t get back? I won’t be able to follow you there.”
“Oh, sweet daughter. So many secrets.” My heart lurched at the sound of my mother’s voice. She appeared at my bedroom door; her lips pursed as she stared at me. “I can’t hear what Merrick’s saying, but I’m sure he’s trying to talk some sense into that thick skull of yours.”
Merrick went to stand by her, even though she couldn’t see him. “Trying and failing,” he grumbled.
My mother’s eyes dropped to my bloody neck. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I saw you walk out, and I could tell something was wrong.” She stepped toward me. “Are you going to tell me one of Alasdair’s sons did that to you tonight?” When I didn’t answer, her rage electrified the entire room. “I can’t believe this. One was inmycourt, and we didn’t even know.”
“Iknew,” I spoke up. “That’s whyIhave to fight him, not you. I can sense when he’s near.”
There was a wildness in her eyes when she cupped my cheeks. “If that’s the case, we’ll get our army together, and you can lead us to him. This is going to end, once and for all.”
I reached up and took her hands in mine. “No. This time it’s different; I can feel it. Whoever this Shadow fae is, he’s cunning and strong. I know I’m the one who must go to him.”
She looked away and closed her eyes. “Why do I have the feeling you’re going to fight me on this?”
“Because I’m your daughter.”
When she turned back to me, I could see the sadness in her crystal blue eyes. “My family tried to keep me from going after Alasdair all those years ago. It broke my heart to deceive them, especially your father when I left.”
“Exactly,” I replied. “I don’t want that weight on my chest. That’s why you have to let me go and do what I have to do.”
Merrick huffed and started to pace the room. “This is why you need a Guardian, Ella.”
“No, I don’t,” I hissed, glaring over at him.
My mother’s lips lifted. “What did Merrick say?”
