Three lives, fragmented through time and space, unknowingly hold the key to the fate of their universe. Raven, a monster hunter bound to a cryptic contract, is torn between completing her deadly tasks and uncovering the truth about her past. She wal...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The village was unsettling in its beauty, lavish in unexpected intricacies—more than just the typical charm of fae architecture. The buildings weren't really buildings at all, but shapes grown directly from the trees, coaxed into existence by the Floragaldra fae with an affinity for plants so strong they commanded them to grow, twisting trunks and branches into homes. The result was mind-altering. Though I had stared endlessly at the structures yesterday, I was still in awe.
The homes resembled enormous bird nests perched high in the treetops, each one woven with branches and supported by thick, sturdy limbs. Intricate pathways connected the dwellings, some suspended by ropes or vines, while others wound through the trees like natural bridges. Every house appeared alive, responding to the touch of the Floragaldra's magic. Ladders made of woven reeds allowed access from one level to the next, while ropes and pulleys offered innovative ways to transport goods between homes.
Above, the dense canopy formed a natural ceiling, its neon-veined leaves clustered closely together, casting shimmering shadows across the forest floor. Glowing holes dotted the trunks and branches, emitting soft, ethereal light that illuminated the village in an iridescent glow.
As we approached the larger tree at the center of the village—a three-story structure twice as wide as the others—I noticed the fae here were different, more varied than I'd originally seen. The Floragaldra remained the most numerous, with their vibrant green hair, adorned with leaves and flowers, their skin dappled with green freckles, but they were not alone.
I spotted fae with skin like polished stone, the Earthbound, their bodies thick and muscular, carrying massive logs and rocks as though they weighed nothing. Their eyes gleamed like gems—deep emerald, onyx, and sapphire. Their fingers dug easily into the earth as they tended to the pathways and the tree roots that lined the village's edge.
Then there were the Skyborne, fae with massive feathered wings, mostly brown and gray, who soared between the treetop homes. Their dark hair reflected the deep hues of the forest canopy, and their eyes, sharp and calculating, reminded me of birds of prey. They swooped down gracefully, their wings rustling like leaves in the wind as they assisted the Floragaldra with repairs to the higher buildings, each one buzzing like an insect in a hive.
Amidst them, a few water fae shimmered, their pale blue skin rippling like liquid, their hair like flowing streams of silver and white. They were rare here, far from their rivers and lakes, but their magic was indispensable when it came to keeping the living wood and roots hydrated and healthy. They worked quietly, flowing between the other fae, their presence almost ghostly.
Still, despite the beauty and complexity of the village, something darker brewed beneath the surface. Every fae we passed gave me strange looks—some filled with revulsion, others with fear. There was no friendliness here, only an uneasy mixture of emotions directed toward me.
The irritation in me bubbled up, far too close to the surface. My talons lengthened, and I felt my fangs begin to sharpen. I forced myself to ignore the looks, but it was getting harder with each step. When a third fae, with bright emerald hair and ivy-like tattoos curling up her arms, gave me a glance filled with disgust, I couldn't stop myself. I snarled, baring my fangs at her. She yelped and darted away, her green hair flashing through the trees.
"They're angry that you destroyed their statue last night," the fledgling beside me said.
"I did what now?" I raised an eyebrow, barely able to remember anything about the previous night.
He pointed to a life-size wooden carving of a muscular winged fae, scantily clad and incredibly lifelike.
"They said you tried to breed with it."
"Well, hell," I muttered, scratching my head, sand still falling from my hair. "He's good-looking though. I'd do that guy."
"You tried. You broke him." A familiar voice rumbled from behind me.
The tall fae who had welcomed me the day before loomed over us. His white hair gleamed in the ethereal light, and he was easily taller than most of the other fae, save for the winged ones. His gaze held an unspoken question, but whatever anger he might have directed at me seemed secondary now. There was a different sort of tension brewing.
"Of course, it would take a fierce fae to satiate one such as yourself" He grinned stupidly at me.
"And are you fierce for a fae big man?" I said, biting back the wave of energy surging inside me.
I heard the faeling next to us complain and the tall fae laughed and put his giant hand on the faeling's shoulder, which annoyed him even more.
I think the white-haired muscle bod was about to explain when a sudden commotion drew our attention away from the flirting and the statue.
The large fae followed me to where the village folk were clumping together like clotted blood.
The crowd parted, making way for a sobbing mother cradling a young faeling. The child's small form was drenched, blood soaking her tattered clothes. The surrounding whispers fell silent as I approached.
For a moment, panic gripped me. Was this my doing? Had my demon side lashed out without my knowing? But no, the blood was fresh, and I hadn't been near water the day before. This was something else.
The large fae translated the mother's frantic words as she spoke. "Monsters in the lake," he said gravely. "They dragged her daughter down into the depths last night. She jumped in after her, burned them with light crystals, and managed to pull her free, and the creatures retreated. The two of them got out, but they fell asleep directly after. Like a spell. She woke this morning and her daughter is barely alive"
I knelt beside the girl, gently lifting the torn fabric to examine the wounds. Deep, six-fingered claw marks ran down her side, too deep for fae nails and too sharp for most water creatures.
"This wasn't just a monster," I muttered, shaking my head. "There's something else at play here."
I stood, addressing the tall fae. "Tell her to take the girl to the infirmary immediately. They need to start treatment for infection—physical and magical. Get some of those light crystals, too, as many as you can find, and put them around the village."
They stared at me, clearly unfamiliar with the concept, but I didn't care. "Go!" I barked, and the group scrambled into action.
Rummaging through my pack, I found my knives and attached them to my belt. "How far is the lake?" I asked.
The tall fae pointed just beyond the tree line. "Not far. Why?"
Before I could answer, the fledgling appeared at my side, his eyes wide with confusion. "You're supposed to go to the council," he protested.
I flashed him a grin, my blood thrumming with excitement. "Change of plans. I'm going fishing."
