Ascending Light

Vines

There was nothing to do but wait. For what, they didn't know. None of them knew; not even the little rodent he'd seen flit across the floor with its odd head-wings propelling it around the castle with quiet ease, a ravet he thought idly. The bleak emptiness of their fate seemed to sigh around the tower in which they were held. The tiny slit of a window over looked the empty and decaying courtyard with its thorns and briars. Shimmer had withdrawn for the first day but they spent the second trying come up with a plan. Now they were just hungry and in desperate need of water.

The kids were mostly silent and didn't seemed interested in socializing. Crysen couldn't blame them. They were starving and cold and there was nothing any of them could do about it. It wasn't until night fell that there was the sound of a door opening underneath them and three sets of footsteps climbing the stairs. The younger fae huddled together in the farthest corner of their cell and whimpered. Crysen and Shimmer stood and approached the bars but careful to stay a few feet away just in case.

Then entered Zacesi, Cade, and another magi that Crysen didn't recognize who had a bald head with purple tattoos and eyes. Zacesi gave a smile as he looked them both over. "I'm so glad to have you back, my pets. I've missed you dearly." He smiled at Crysen. "I healed your little fever, you poor thing. You shouldn't overwork yourself like that." He looked over at Cade and then at Shimmer. "I'm sorry for using you poor dead lover, Shimmer. I know you've probably figured out by know that Cade was the one who brought you to me."

They had, and it had almost destroyed Shimmer to admit it.

The magi next to Zacesi snapped his fingers and Cade fell to the ground with a sickening thump. In another moment, there was nothing but I pile of ash where Cade's body had been.

"Necromancy," Shimmer hissed. He surged forward and gripped the bars of their cell. "Necromancy is a forbidden magic! You know the laws! How dare you defile his memory in such a foul manner!"

Zacesi chuckled. "It was just a little necromancy, nothing too heinous. I needed you back and he was always my back up plan in case you managed to escape anyways. Sadly, Shimmer, you only managed to escape that once with Crysen."

"Why couldn't you just leave us alone," Crysen asked. "Why are you even doing all this? You won't succeed in taking over Faylena."

Zacesi smiled. "Crysen, darling, you were growing too powerful and, Shimmer, you're already too powerful. I decided to bring you both home so that I could keep an eye on you. But don't worry, I won't bother you too much as long as you both behave." He grinned. "I have an enchanting little lover of my own now, so I won't ruin your fun."

Crysen felt his chest tighten. Zacesi had found someone else to torture while they had been roaming around free. The thought made him sick and he wondered what kind of torture the poor thing had to endure. He felt guilt wash through him. They should have come back to purge the evil here, but they choose to turn a blind eye instead. He would make it his mission to free that poor thing from Zacesi's madness.

Suddenly, there was shifting from the other cell and the oldest boy from earlier asked, "What have you done to my sister? Where is she?"

Zacesi's eyes widened and then he turned around with a look of amusement. "Well if it isn't little Skye. Hello there. I hadn't realized I placed them so close to your lot. Laurel is resting at the moment. I tired her out just before venturing over. She misses you dearly."

Skye spat at Zacesi, who sidestepped nonchalantly. "I'll see you dead if it's that last thing I do."

Zacesi chuckled. "I'm sorry you feel that way, Skye. I hate that we can't be friends." He looked over at Shimmer and Crysen. "Well, I'm afraid I must go, but I'll see you again soon, my dears." He turned and stalked out with his magi subordinate following along behind.