Beyond the Fairy Gate

Chapter 3

Damien

"Prince Damien," The butler spoke as he walked through the large oak doors that lead to the extensive library. The lanky teen was sitting at one of the benches with his nose in a book. His long black hair flowed over his shoulder and pooled at the bench he was sitting on. He brushed the bright red streak from his right eye and behind his ear as he glanced up. Upon seeing the butler, he quickly set his book on the bench and stood. "Your scouts have returned," The butler spoke again before he abruptly turned and walked from the room, leaving Damien grinning from ear to ear before he dashed from the room.

Damion hit the doors to his room with much more force than he originally meant to, causing them to crash loudly into the walls. His scouts were sitting on the balcony railing. As his eyes passed between them, he felt his heart fall slightly at the fact that Jake wasn't among them. He tried to keep the disappointment off his face as the image of Jake flashed through his mind.

His scouts were dressed in their uniform of all black stretchy clothing clung to them like a second skin. They all had black hoods and masks covering their mouths and noses, so only their eyes were visible. He waited for a report. Wringing his hands together as each of them dropped down to the floor and looked at him.

"What of Jake?" the words finally burst from him.

"He has not returned yet," Nathan spoke up as he pulled his mask down under his chin. Worry crept up Damien's throat as the concern that he always felt for his favorite scout started to set in. However, despite the emotions, he kept his face set and voice even.

"Has there been any word from him?"

"None since we all left almost two months ago," Rebecca sputtered. Those words made the corners of his lips tip down slightly as his eyes fell from his scouts and onto the ground.

In truth, it wasn't unknown for Jake to go off and for no one to hear from him for lengths of time. He had no mate, so no way for anyone to contact him while he was out on duty. Whereas he understood this, it never stopped him from worry about his closest friend. Jake's performance is the reason why his parents had allowed a mate-less scout to stay on his team. Jake did fantastic work, and no one would ever argue with that.

"Well," Damien spoke, pushing his thoughts of Jake to the back of his mind. "What news do you have for me?" He tried to return to the joyous mood that he had been in just moments before but found it challenging.

"We have nothing to report in terms of finding your mate," Rebecca spoke with a sigh as she pulled her mask down. "However, even though I haven't heard from him," she pulled a piece of paper out of a hidden pocket and handed it to him. "He was investigating the human world," She spoke softly as he looked at the letter. It contained promising information. "He left this with me when he left because he would know that you'd worry."

"How did he cross over?" Damien spoke as his head shot up after quickly scanning the letter.

"We believe," Nathan spoke as he turned and looked out at the grass-covered planes, "He went into the forest and requested to use the fairy port." Nathan pointed into the deepest part of the forest. He knew the woods; it was only a day or so out from his kingdom on foot. Damien felt his stomach drop slightly. Whereas he had not been there himself, he knew that the fairy port was an expensive trip as well as a dangerous one. He shook his head.

"How much of this information is valid?" Damien's voice was even as he walked over to the balcony and stood looking out towards the wood.

"From the information that we have, we believe that he has a lead at least." Damien had to strain his ears as Angelica whispered in her soft voice even to hear the words.

"Well, a lead is better than anything that we've had thus far, and I'm getting bored locked up in this place anyways. Rebecca notify my parents that I will be leaving. Let's go see what we can find. I'm bored out of my mind sitting here at home alone." Damien turned as he spoke to see his scout's eyes were slightly wide.

"Right away," Rebecca spoke before she vanished with her movement skill. Damien turned to Nathan, who was grinning. Nathan clapped him on his shoulder.

"Are you at all happy that we finally have a lead?" Nathan asked, his eyes scrunching together. The thoughts of Jake were back in his mind. Suppose he was safe if there had been any problems if he had found anything. It was the not knowing that killed him every time.

"It would be easier if Jake had a mated pair. We could ask them for an update, but this entire situation seems to be troubling." Damien walked over and looked at the forest that took up most of the western region. Angelica walked up beside him and followed his eyes. There was a pause before Damien looked at her. She smiled.

"We spoke a little before we left. Jake told me that he thought he knew of the location you described. He said that he had searched there before, but he was going to try once more." Damien glanced sideways at Angelica; her eyes stayed focused on the forest with a slight smile on her lips.

"Either way, we'll either find him, and he'll have something, or at least I'll get an adventure." There was a long pause as Damien fell into thought. "We just have to figure out how to pay the toll to the gatekeepers." When Angelica didn't reply, Damien looked at her to find that she was facing him smiling.

"There will be no worry of that; I will be covering this expense for you, my prince." She used her movement skill and was gone. The corners of Damien's mouth curled upwards just slightly before he turned his attention towards Nathan. He, however, wasn't paying attention as he and Ryan were in deep conversation. After a little, they said their goodnights vanishing into the night with a whoosh of their clothing.