Light in Torment: An Annora Park Novel: Book Three

Chapter Sixteen: Drowning in shallow water

First Helios bade Terrenel and Branuel to glamour themselves before they were very noticeable and he said no one would talk to us while we were seen in the presence of both Court Kings.  They had done so and it was miraculous; hiding their normally stunning features to almost bland.  Well not bland a Fairy could never be bland, but almost normal, except for the eyes and ears.
Helios took us a bit of a ways from his club and had us follow him through some tunnels.  Suddenly were in an open square market with vendors selling their wares left and right.  I could see the astonishment on both Terrenel and Branuel's faces and even I was more than a little impressed.
   "This is but one market in the in-between.  It's the largest.  But we a few more."  He notices me fingering an amethyst pendant and says, "Do you like it, ma cherie?"
   "Of course, but I didn't bring any money."
   "We'll take it," He says to the vendor who jumps at the sale and wraps the pendent up lovings and then hands it to me. 
   "It's beautiful," I murmur.  "But I feel like I don't deserve it."
   "There is not one more deserving than you, my sweet cherie, mon fleur."
   "He bought her a present..." I hear one of my men murmuring from behind me and then an answered, "I was presume so.  she seemed to like the present."
   "Because it was HER, numskulls." Now that was definitely Walker.  "She liked it because it was very her.  It you see something that reminds you of her or has some significance in you relationship sure buy it for her.  But she won't like of take anything else."
   I grinned because Walker was right.  I didn't love gifts and they often make me uncomfortable.  But something about that amethyst called to me and I'd really wanted it.
   "Your market it run decently," Branuel finally says to Helio.
   "Why thank you," He says dryly
   "They seem well fed and happy."
   "They are.  This is their home."
   "They are still citizens of the Light and Dark Fae Courts."
   Helios leans forward eye having gone bright red.  "You do not wish to start that argument, especially in the mood I'm in, Kind Branuel."
   "Maybe I do," Branuel steps closer to him and I wedge my way between them.
   "Remember this is an outting, NOT a reason to fight.  I will be very, very angry with anyone who fights."
   "Fine, but he started it,"
   "Oh I don't care who started it, I'll finish it, do you understand?"
   "Fine," Helios says stepping back.
   "Fine," Branuel does the same.
   "Come ma cherie let me show you the park."
   "You have a park?"
   "Absolutely."  We all follow Helios past a grove of trees until we reach ad grassy noll and and abundance of flowers.
   "How do you get it to grow here?"
   "Magic."
   "Just because we're the in-between doesn't mean we don't crave beautiful things once in awhile...." he looks at me intensely "...yearn for them."
Oh boy.
   Suddenly I hear a scream and and off and running, "This way, it came from over there, under the tree."  we clear the hill and when we reach the tree we see the dead body.
   I'm so furious I can't contain myself and my anger burst forth like a tangible thing.
   "Annora, baby girl,  you need to put your wings away.  You're flashing them to everyone, and I know you don't want to do that." Walker's soothing voice is tryin to get through my anger.  I feel myself pulled into his embrace and he rocks me back and forth.  "Put them away, put them away my sweet girl."
   I swallow, take a deep breath and feel my wings receding.  I catch Helios staring at me in wonder.
   "You have wings," He murmurs.
   "They're angel wings," I murmur back. 
   "Her heavenly host projection, she's come into her form."
   "They're beautiful."
   "Thank you but we need to concentrate on this body.  It cant have been here long." I LOVE fresh scenes, makes things so much easier.  You don't get mixed imprints or smudged images.  You get a clean look, and if you're lucky a clean Tread.
   "In our most peaceful pace, parents take their children here..." Helios's voice is full of hatred and loathing.  I don't blame him.  "I recognize her," Helios says, and my stomach flips and I chastise myself for feeling jealous over a poor dead girl.  "Amicile she worked at one of the bakeries that I get my bread from.  She also made exceptional meat pies."
   "Were you close to the victim I ask coldly." I hate doing this but it's part of police work.
   Helios looks truly puzzled.  "I've seen her a few times walking on the streets and making deliveries but no I wouldn't say that....oh my Goddess you suspect me? Me of killing her?"
   I try to lighten my expression but I'm still in police mode.  "No I don't personally think that you killed her, or any of the other girls.  But I have to clear you.  And thankfully we can since you were in meetings with me all morning and then took us all out.  You haven't left for any reason."
   Helios takes a few steps back a me and stares at me with an expression that has never been on his face before,  "So this is you as well."
   "I don't know what you mean, but I need to Tread the scene,"
   "Cold, dispassionate, with barriers so high that no one can scale them," he continues.
   I try not to flinch at that.  Because that was exactly what I'd been before I'd met my guys.  It was just me and Garrett and I'd totally friend zoned Garrett.  Nor did I share intimate details of my life with him.  All I knew was what mother told me. Friends are useless child of mine.  They will prove a distraction and in the end it might be you undoing.  I see much for you.  When the light comes be prepared to welcome him, he shall help with you loneliness after I'm gone, my sweet Annora.  I'm assuming now she meant Chamuel.  I wonder if dear old mom imagined I'd be involved with four men, and pursued by another.
   "I need to Tread this.  Please all of you step back." I lean over the dead body and inhale and then drop my barriers.  The shadows crawl and twist around me and try to wrap their way up my arms.  I prepared and fling them off.  I see the light but now, oh my God, I see a partially formed face.  He expertly cuts the skin and holds it lovingly.  Talk about disturbing.
   You're back, my love
   I'm going back into my body and I'm leaving you way behind me 
   You can't leave me, I' m always here for you...I wait....but I've had practice in waiting.
   Well then you' ll just have to wait forever, because I'm not coming to you, you sonofabitch.
   I feel the coldness take me over and my teeth begin to chatter and suddenly I'm ice cold.
   Watch you mouth around me, Annora,
   Or what? I quip back.  God my mouth and attitude was going to get me killed one of these days. Usually threats have an definite punishment if the person doesn't accept their demands.
   Death laughs long and hard, I'm death, that is enough of a threat for most, but not for my Annora girl.
   Don't call me that
   You close...You'll lose those saviors of yours, and then you'll have no one to anchor you.  When that tine comes, you will come to me, I may be a last recourse, but I shall be here waiting for you, my Queen.
   I'm not your queen.
  You will be.  But I'n afraid I must send you back to your body, your guards are like rabid animals.
   Stay out of mind!
   Never
And suddenly I'm jerked out of my conversation, shaky as hell and slightly wobbly on my feet.  I throw up blood and spit the excess blood out.  I take the napkins and handkerchiefs offered and wipe at my nose and my ears.  Even my eyes are dripping blood slowly.
   "Baby girl.  It's time you told us what is going on during these Treads that are making this happen.  It is not natural."
   I nod slowly.  I'm exhausted suddenly.  "Can we go back to your place and change first and maybe I can take a quick nap please."
   "But I need answer on..." Helios says desperately.
   Walker turns to him angrily, having swept me up in his arms bridal style.  "She's up to nothing in the condition she is in, your answers will have to wait.  Chamuel could you do the honors."
   "Wish pleasure." And we all disappear in front Helios's startled eyes.