War of Faeries

Chapter 10

In the end I decided to wait for nightfall before leaving the palace. It is the only way I could ensure I wouldn't be followed to Sebastian's layer. The road to the forest is surrounded by the forest, and it makes one nervous. All the uncertainty, the unknown lurking in the shadows. It drives some people mad, they over think all the noises, all the silence in some areas. The key to surviving a trip through the forest is by being somewhere in the middle. To notice and be wary of the noises, but not over complicate everything.

Or, be like me, and fear no one and nothing. I am the monster lurking in the shadows, I am the one that people need to be afraid of. My actions this morning proved that. So, when I arrive in town without one person lurking in the shadows of the forest it doesn't surprise me. It also doesn't surprise me when one of Sebastian's goons approaches me.

"Miss Midnight. Nice to see you in these parts again."

"Unfortunately, I don't feel the same way about you, Derrick."

"Too bad, Sebastian wants to talk to you."

"Why do you think I am here?"

"Come rub it in my face that you knew my brother was the one that followed you this morning."

"Well, I didn't know it was Ethan that was idiotic enough to shoot at me, but I should have seen that one. He was the only one without brains."

"Careful what you say about him, he was still my brother."

"One that Sebastian was going to kill anyway. He got off lucky compared to what Sebastian would have done to him."

"I guess being killed by lover boy is better than what Sebastian had in mind."

"New nickname for your favorite prince of the palace?" I ask, arching my eyebrow although I know he can't really tell.

"A new name for your favorite prince of the palace." He says emphasizing the word your.

"Interesting, I didn't realize I had a favorite prince." The wicked smile he gives me lights up his entire face.

"You didn't think you could be in the palace, and not have us find out about it? Or have us hanging around every corner watching you?"

"Since when was 'us' you and Sebastian?"

"You'll find a lot has changed since the last time that you were here."

He pushes open the door to the tavern Sebastian owns, and I have to catch the door before it slams into my face. Nice to see that somethings never change. The tavern is dimly lit like it always has to conceal our identities from the public. Not that anyone innocent comes into a place like this. Everyone here is either a thief, or assassin, or someone that has had a run in with the law.

I follow Derrick to the back, where Sebastian loves to sit. In the middle of the room where he can see everything but stay hidden among the shadows. I don't wait for an invitation at the table, I just take a seat, leaving Derrick standing there like the buffoon he is. Sebastian keeps his head lowered towards the table his hood concealing his face. I raise my eyebrow at him, already tired of his theatrics.

"My dear Valarie, how are you?"

"Why did you send Derrick after me?"

"To make sure you got here safely, of course." He looks up at me, his cold beady brown eyes, staring right into where my soul should be.

"Is that why you sent Ethan after me this morning?"

"I have my reasons." He says with a smirk.