Beauty (A Faery Story 3)

“We can handle it,” Lach’s words tripped over Shim’s.

Julian cursed. “Then you’ve felt it?”

Shim turned on his brother. “What are you talking about?”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s not real. It’s just every now and then I feel a little out of control. But I’m fine. I haven’t run out raping women.”

Julian shook his head. “It will be different when you stand in front of her, and I’ll be shocked if it doesn’t transfer to Shim. When she’s so close you can smell her and hear the blood in her veins, it will be different. I will pray to Danu for you, cos, and I will hope that Gillian’s around. She might be the only one who can explain to your wife what’s happening.”

Julian stalked away, his anger evident in his every step.

Simon Roan cleared his throat as he walked up. “Your Highnesses?”

“Please, it’s just Shim and Lach. No titles.” Shim tried to give Lach a minute to compose himself.

“That would be for the best,” the vampire said. “We have only a few moments left. I want to explain exactly what is going to happen. We’re working with the fact that Torin can’t keep the Planeswalkers out.”

Planeswalker demons were a type of being who came from a plane they called Hell. Shim had heard there were many demons, but only the Planeswalkers were commonly seen. If lore had it right, the other demons preferred their own plane and had a special affinity for the Earth plane. Planeswalker demons gathered energy from walking the various planes of existence. They knew where each door was and how to access it. They tended to keep very exact regimens, entering and leaving doors at the same times of the week or month. A smart man, and Simon Roan had proved himself to be very smart, could use the fact that no amount of magic could close the door to a Planeswalker, and for that brief moment when the door was open, there were cracks in the veil that kept the worlds apart. It was almost as though the walls of the planes, or dimensions as some called them, were separated by sheets, and when the sheet was opened in one place, it pulled taut or loose in others, leaving cracks.

Cracks a Fae could slip through.

“How long will we have?” Shim asked, looking around at the small team that had been assembled. It consisted of Simon Roan, his first in command a vampire named Harry, two other soldiers named Gabriel and John, Dante, Kaja, and Duffy. Nine in all when he counted himself and Lach. They would have to move very fast.

“A minute, perhaps a minute and a half.” Simon grimaced. “I don’t suppose I need to tell you what can happen if the veil closes on a person. It’s not too late to back out. I’ve retrieved bondmates before. I have a whole system set up.”

Shim’s whole being rebelled at the idea. She was right there on the other side of some invisible veil. He couldn’t leave it to anyone else. Shim could actually feel his brother’s will. Now that they were standing on the other side, the door between them right there, the bond they’d formed with Bronwyn all those years ago was stronger than ever.

“No. We can’t wait. If you choose to leave us behind, we’ll find another way.”

Lach leaned in. “And then we’ll find you.”

Simon Roan actually smiled at the threat. “There it is then.” He sobered, his voice going low. “And I respect the hell out of you for the choices you’ve made regarding the princess.”

Shim couldn’t help the bitter laugh that rumbled from his throat. “That’s a change. Most people look at us like we’re insane when they find out we’ve never taken a woman.”

Roan shook his head, some unnamed emotion choking his speech. “Don’t let them tell you that. A man’s worth isn’t in how many women he’s had. It’s in how he loves the right one. You couldn’t take another woman. You love this one. I respect you both for that, and I vow with my whole being to see you to your mate. I can only pray one day I find someone to love so much.”

Shim felt a deep connection to the vampire. It must be hard on him. He’d been promised so much as a royal. He’d been promised wealth and power and a long, long life with his consort, and all had been taken from him.

“We will follow you, Roan,” Lach said, respect back in his tone. “Just tell us what to do. We’ve never been to Tir na nÓg.”

Simon walked to the spot where he’d set his pack and tablet. “We’ll enter here. We’re going to line up as quickly as possible when the time comes. As soon as you’re through, reach back and pull in the person behind you. We’re going to be met by some allies on the other side. This part of the veil leads directly onto a ranch of sorts. It’s run by two brothers who raise and train horses. They keep my packs and tools and vehicles hidden. I’ve already sent word and they have everything ready for us. We’ll need to stay with them until darkness falls, and we can travel under the veil of night.”

“Lieutenant.” Harry’s sharp yell came just before the tablet began beeping. “We have thirty seconds before the crack forms.”

Simon grabbed his backpack, giving Julian a jaunty salute. “Lodge, I hope to see you on the field of battle in a week.”

Julian flashed a wicked smile. “I’ll be there. No matter what the Council says, a whole lot of vampires will be there. Try not to die, Dellacourt.”

Dante grinned, grabbing his wife’s hand. “My Kaj won’t let me die.”

Kaja shook her head. “I will not. It took me too long to train this husband. I do not wish to go through it again.”

Dante growled a little and captured her mouth with a soft kiss.

“I’ll go in first, followed by Harry. The rest of you follow as quickly as you can.” Roan’s fangs were out, a sure sign that his adrenaline was up. His eyes moved, searching for something in the air in front of him. “There you are, gorgeous.”

Gabe brought some kind of light and flashed it where Roan pointed. Sure enough, the light shimmered a few inches above the beach. It was odd, like the way the horizon seemed to shimmer in the distance on a very hot day, but this was close and small.