Facing the Fae [BOOK TWO]

Chapter 7

I haven't updated in a while, so I'm sorry for the wait.

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They all stopped at the door in a uniform group.

Rebecca was the one to knock on the wooden door—but her hand shook even as she did. Claustrophobia wasn't something she felt often, but with five Fae surrounding her, she did. All of this, once again, was crazy. But it had become her life. Like she'd heard before—she'd have to build a bridge and get over it. Accept her fate. Which she'd done. It didn't make this easier to comprehend.

Next to her, the woman continued to cry, whispering words so reverent it had to physically hurt. Who they were aimed at, Rebecca didn't know, but she had a sneaking suspicion it was her. Either that, or she was swearing at the Fae holding her. The latter didn't seem likely at all.

Inside the house, Rebecca could hear a commotion; the sound of scuffling feet and orders being shouted out. But no one was coming to the door.

Shifting nervously, she knocked on the wood again, catching the glimpse of an arm reaching out next to her. Like they thought she was going to topple over any second now. If Rebecca got the choice, it wasn't happening.

More sounds.

Again, no one came to the door.

"Do I knock again or...?" She didn't finish the sentence, unable to form the word. She didn't even know what she was asking. Or why.

She felt them all look at her. Then, one of them barked something in Faelk. The words sounded clipped; an unrefusable offer or more of a threat.

Rebecca only wished she was aware of what was being said—

"He's announcing your presence, Your Grace. If they refuse to open the door now, they'll face the consequences." The words were spoken by the Fae who spoke English fluently.

Rebecca didn't know what consequences meant, but she wasn't sure she wanted to know. "Oh," she said, at a loss.

There was more chaos inside the house.

This was making her nervous, despite the ridiculousness of the reaction. She was surrounded by those who'd jumped to defend her—and already had proven it. She was fine.

Rebecca jumped as the door opened, so suddenly it practically fell off its hinges. In the doorway, a woman stood. Her dark hair was in a tangled mess, her face blotchy as if she'd been crying. She pale so pale Rebecca feared she'd faint any second.

Instinctively, Rebecca stepped forward—

Only for the woman to step back, practically falling over her own feet. She stared at Rebecca with wide eyes, as if she was a ghost.

"Uh, hey..." She broke off, cringing. Slowly, she turned to the elderly woman, visible only if you stood outside where Rebecca was. "Uh..."

"Let me deal with this." The words were a quiet whisper from next to her.

Wordlessly, Rebecca stepped back, letting someone else take the lead of the situation. In the time it had taken for her to stutter like an idiot, it was all dealt with. The elderly woman was placed in the arms of what could only be her daughter. Tears were shed. Words were whispered.