4 Chapter 4

I pulled my hands out of Sorin's and furrowed my eyebrows.

     "What? Are you sure? Maybe you just didn't see it. Why would they take her body?" I whispered, afraid that if I spoke any louder, my voice would break.

     Sorin went back to the chaise and I closed my eyes, taking a calming breath.

     "I have some news of my own," I said once I was sure of my voice.

     I opened my eyes and he was already looking back at me.

     "Kaius took Darcio. He told me he was taking him to Cadoc. He knew who I was. That I'm alive. And he still took Darcio. He told me that my brother was leverage. However, Darcio is at the Shadow Court. And Kaius wants me to meet him there."

     "You want me to go with you," Sorin finished.

     I nodded my head. "I won't make you. But I didn't want to go in alone," I added.

     "I would never leave you to go alone. Nor would I abandon Darcio. You can teleport us to the Autumn Court and we can walk the rest of the way-"

     "No," I said quickly and firmly. "Not the Autumn Court."

     Sorin looked away and sighed. I knew I was being childish. His plan made sense. The Autumn Court was the quickest way to the Shadow Court. But I couldn't stomach being there. Not yet.

     "Then what do you suppose?" Sorin inquired.

     "I'm going to bring Kaius here."

     Sorin gave me a confused look as I rose to my feet and faced a shadowy corner. Unnatural shadows with as light as the room was.

     "You're the reason I keep feeling like I'm being watched. I know you've been listening. So why don't you show yourself?" I said calmly.

     At first nothing happened and I was beginning to feel stupid. I could feel Sorin's eyes on me.

     But then the shadows rippled and Kaius stepped out of them with his hands in his pockets.

     Sorin jumped to his feet, pushing me behind him.

     "I must admit, you're pretty smart, Nesrin. There is a reason I haven't teleported you myself. I did not want to look desperate. However, I must admit, I do need your help with something. I knew you wouldn't agree unless I had something that you would do anything to get back. I suppose I can take you to my court myself. We will talk more about it there."

     Kaius held out a tanned hand and I stepped forward. But Sorin gripped it first.

     "Don't touch her," he warned and grabbed my arm.

     In an instant, we were enveloped in shadows. They seemed to caress me gently, soothingly. As if trying to relax me. All the tension I felt since arriving in the Faerie Lands, eased. I could have sworn I seen a pair of silver eyes. But they were gone in an instant.

     We touched down on a polished, black adamant floor and Sorin released his death grip on my arm.

     I looked around in awe. The room we were in was huge, the walls were gone, except for one on the far side of the room where an amethyst door was set. Instead of walls, it was open sky, purple gossamer curtains were fluttering in the soft night breeze,the floor and ceiling were both made of that smooth, black stone, the roof held up by amethyst pillars. In the center of the room, sitting at the large table, were two other people.

     The girl had a long black braid, and piercing, emerald eyes. Her mouth was the same as Kaius', so was her nose. Perhaps his sister. She wore light, black armor and a wicked-looking sword.

     The man's hair was so pale, it was almost white, his eyes a deep brown. He wore armor similar to the girl.

     "Meet my general and sister, Esmeray, and my third in command, Killian," Kaius extended his hand to them. Neither of them moved. They just stared at me coldly.

     "Tell me what the hell I'm here for," I whirled on Kaius.

     He sat at the table and folded his hands atop it. "I realized you and I have a common enemy. I want Cadoc dead just as bad as you do," he began.

     I scoffed. "You are his favored son. Why would you want him dead?"

     Kaius leaned back and propped his feet up on the table. "I do not wish to share every detail with you. Just know I want him dead and you can help me."

     "By using my magic? How do I know this is not some sort of trap or scheme?" I narrowed my eyes at him and then at Esmeray and Killian. They were already glaring back at me.

     Kaius stared at me for a long moment, as if considering his answer before saying, "I am not your enemy, Nesrin. I hate Cadoc as much as you do for my own reasons. I've wanted to kill him for awhile now. Since before you were born. You want proof that I'm on your side? Thirty-seven years ago, Cadoc killed your family. I was sent to ensure you were all dead. I seen them kill that maid. The one glamoured to look like you. I'm the one that kept that glamour on her. And then I found Sarnai. She was alive-"

     My eyes burned but I wouldn't cry here. "You're a liar. She was dead. I looked for myself," I ground out.

     Kaius frowned. "Your mother put a temporary spell on her. To give the impression that she was dead. I took her with me. Cadoc didn't want her, said she was the weakest in the family. I helped raise her and she came with me to the Shadow Court to become my second in command."

     I felt as though my legs would give out.

     "No, you're lying to me."

     I heard the door open behind me and the sound of boots on the stone floor. She came to sit beside Esmeray, watching me closely.

     I covered my mouth to stop a sound from escaping my lips. Sorin grabbed my hand from beside me.

     Her hair was the color of dark chocolate, just like our mother. She shared the same mouth and chin and nose as us, the same gold eyes as our father.

     "Hello sister," she said to me.