The voice from my nightmares made their company known, and it gave me a sense of comfort that they kept their word. They didn't leave me like my parents. Here they were in the pit of darkness, the place they always remained, waiting for my acceptance.
If I accepted this stranger's help, it would only make sense to accept the darkness as well. I had nothing else to lose other than life.
Even that wasn't sacred to me anymore.
He who offers safety knows the pain we've endured. Let him aid us. Unite us with those in shackled solitude. We will rise and watch all those who brought us pain fall. Trust in this new opportunity. Believe and you will outshine what was placed upon you.
Their words pushed through me, radiating like the heat that began to spread.
"Good." The voice was tender with a speck of pride; admiration I've been craving to receive from those who should have loved me.
When the darkness came for me, I wasn't frightened. No more nightmares would plague me.
Instead, I dreamed of the future I'd fight to proclaim...which started with this new chance at life.
Friend Or Foe And Wrong Territory
"I'm not a savior, so stop lecturing me like one."
The harsh bark of someone's voice made me stir slightly. My body tingled in a way that was hard to describe. It felt stiff in some parts, restricted in others. I expected to feel the wave of pain that should have assaulted me, but so far, I'd yet to experience discomfort other than stiffness.
"She's a Nephilim. Yes, I know I shouldn't be around these parts, but fuck it. She needed my help. What? Should I abandon her like those sick bastards called her parents? You realize dark fae, especially those of Nephilim descent, don't have some sort of pack or community like they used to."
The man's voice seemed close and held a young sound to it. He didn't sound as dangerous with his deep voice from before I'd fallen unconscious.
My eyes were still closed, my breathing slow to act as though I were still in the realms of sleep. I wasn't sure if I trusted this man or not, but alas, I was alive.
That should count, right?
"She lost her wings."
Those words stung hard, like pins and needles being stabbed into my skin. The reminder was uncalled for, but it was my new reality. I'd have to accept that I wasn't a Nephilim anymore.
Without our wings, what are we? Dark Fae? A forsaken fae? A useless, wingless angel?
So many combinations of what I now was, but nothing really fit to make me feel a pinch of validation. No sense of acceptance in a world that only saw me as a liability versus an individual worthy of validation.
"There may be a way, but that requires going to that territory we shouldn't." The long pause was followed with a gasp. "Wait, what? When did that happen? But...he's royalty. What the hell is going on with these parents? You're going? Then, can I come? Ya...ya. She'd have to come as well. I get that. She's young, Klaus. Like ten? Maybe younger. She has no ID on her or anything, not like I'm surprised due to their circumstances, but still."
There was another long pause.
"She may not be up for it but let me try and see. When she's awake and she’s eaten we can make our way. Time is of the essence if they're going to punish someone over not knowing what grounds to walk upon. This is all fucking stupid."
He let out a huff and muttered, "My life was a decision I made. It wasn't one robbed from me after being attacked and ripped from what differentiates me from the rest of the supernatural world. If we get there on time, she can have a chance, but let's see if she'll even understand what's at stake here. You realize if we do this, we can face imprisonment."
The laughter on the other side was loud enough for my ears to pick up.
"You're not even the slightest bit worried. I swear you're fucking crazy...ugh. Demigod crazy, that's what. I'm not insane like you. Don't lump us together. Whatever. I'll call you back a bit later and if we're going forward with this, you better make sure I get a comfortable bed in my jail cell or fuck it."
Another round of loud laughter followed, which ended midway.
"Yup. I'm friends with a psychopath. Demigod psychopath."
He continued muttering away before I heard the clinks of pots. Quiet humming soon followed; the tune was rather melodic as things were shuffled around. I didn't mind the noises, my body growing more relaxed by the second.
Drifting in and out of sleep, I woke to the aroma of something divine. The scent was like tomatoes but with some sort of herbs. It reminded me of when I was really small, during the festivities of our people where we'd enjoy feasts of various foods from cultures of the human lands with a few special dishes from our own supernatural races.
The aroma grew, reminding me of how much I missed that life. I expected it to be some sort of dream or a memory, but the scent only grew, until something tapped lightly on my cheek.
"Are you alive?"
The voice was extremely close, leaving me to tense up like an automatic response. He soon followed with, "Fuck...my bad. Uh...don't be afraid. Just open your eyes first so you can see me."
I was a little apprehensive at first, but the scent of whatever food was nearby made my stomach growl so loudly, it could have been a mini wolf summoning the moon.
The tiny snicker was followed with, "I don't bite. Open your eyes and let's see if we can get some food in ya. Aren't you hungry?"
Very hungry.
I couldn't remember when our last full meal was. We'd been living off of snack food, berries, and plants for the majority of our two- year chase. Killing animals wasn't something my parents liked resorting to, but if we found a slain bunny or deer left by their prey, we'd take advantage of the gift.
Deciding to face my fears, I slowly fought to open my heavy eyelids. It was difficult, my lids probably shut with a build-up of sand dust. I wondered how long I'd been sleeping for.
When my eyes finally lifted at a snail’s pace, I was happy to see the dimmed surroundings instead of bright lights. It didn't give much of a reference as to where we were or what time it was, but at least my eyes could adjust.
When the blurring faded, a ceiling of plank woods reflected back at me. It was high enough to know I was in some type of shelter, but it looked to be made by hand rather than magically created like what Father would resort to during the winter months of our hunt.
Deciding to turn my head to where the drifting aroma was coming from, I forced my head to inch slightly to the left side. It was extremely difficult, the reminder of my stiff circumstances only adding to my discomfort, but that was quickly dismissed when my eyes landed on the boy next to where I'd been resting.
There stood a tall male. He looked like a teenager, skinny but with muscles on his arms and chest. His skin was tanned while his short hair was like the color of the ocean. The mixture of teal blue, green, navy blue, and black was highlighted by silver highlights that almost gave off an ivory white.
His eyes were forest green with bits of black and his lips were smooth and soft pink. The expression on his face showed a sense of maturity and those very orbs that looked like ocean floors held a sense of emotionless wonder.
A cold surface that was difficult to crack through to the emotions within his core.