The Sentinel's Forbidden Fae

CHAPTER 02

LIRAEL ♥

I could hardly recognize my homeland. The Crystal Spires used to be a beautiful land full of magic for the Fae.

But now…

The once-vibrant land was dying. Flowers that used to glow now hung dull and gray under a dark, poisoned sky.

I could barely walk. Every step sent fresh blood trickling from the raw cuts around my ankles where I'd been chained.

Sentinels moved through the streets, their blades flashing as they killed everyone I knew. The screams and cries of my people filled the air.

My mother’s arm was tight around my waist, helping me stay upright. My father walked in front with his sword raised, his eyes darting everywhere.

“There is no way out, Indira,” he said, his voice pained. “The Sentinels are everywhere.”

My mother’s face twisted with anguish. A single tear slipped down her cheek before she nodded.

“Then we will do what we must,” she whispered.

She turned to me. Even in the middle of all that chaos, she gave me a small smile.

“My daughter,” she said gently, “it seems this is our time to part.”

I shook my head. “What are you talking about? I’m strong enough. I can fight them. Let me use my powers—”

My father gave a slow, heavy shake of his head. “We cannot allow that, Lira. Your powers… they have brought you nothing but pain. We were never strong enough to protect you from them.”

“I’m fine!” I started, stepping forward even though my ankles burned. “I can help. If I don’t, they’ll kill you both—”

Before I could finish, their eyes began to glow with soft silver light. Their hands lifted, palms shining.

“What are you doing?” My voice cracked. “Mom? Dad?”

Behind me, the air tore open. A swirling vortex of light and wind appeared, pulling me towards it. They'd opened a portal.

“You’re sending me away?” I stumbled backward, but the pull was too strong. “Mom? Dad? No, no, no—don’t do this! Please! They’ll kill you both. Please!”

Tears poured down my mother’s face, but her voice stayed steady and full of love.

“You must live on, Lirael. You are the only one who can change what is coming. You are the key.” She reached out as if she could still touch me. “Never forget… we love you.”

The portal yanked me in.

“No— Mom! Mom!”

I woke with a sharp gasp, my heart hammering against my ribs as I clenched the sheets beneath me. There was no avoiding the truth, my parents were gone.

For a moment I wondered where I was. The room was warm, the bed soft, and the sharp smell of smoke filled the air.

If I wasn’t in the Crystal Spires anymore, where was I?

I looked down to see strips of cloth tied around both my ankles. Someone had stopped the bleeding. The fabric was already turning red in some spots.

Who did this? And why?

Panic rose in my chest. I did not know this place or the person who brought me here. I pushed the sheets off with shaking hands and swung my legs over the side of the bed.

The moment my feet touched the wooden floor, pain shot up my legs. I bit my lip hard to keep from crying out.

I had to get out.

I stood up on shaky legs. My knees trembled, but I forced myself to the door. The cold air hit me the second I stepped outside, sharp enough to sting my eyes.

Everywhere I looked was white. Thick snow covered the ground. Ice hung from the bare trees like sharp teeth.

Nothing moved. No animals. No trees. The whole place felt dead and empty.

My parents used to tell me stories about a place like this. The Wastelands; a land of condemned souls, filled with nothing but ice and bloodthirsty monsters. Is that where I am?

“Hello?” I called out. The only response I got was the whistle of the wind over the snow.

I didn’t know where I was going, but I kept walking anyway.

Pretty soon, a low growl rumbled from behind a cluster of rocks making me freeze.

A horrid beast stepped out slowly. Its body was twisted and hideous. Patches of black fur hung off its bones, and yellow pus dripped from open sores on its sides. Its head was too big for its body, with a long, jagged snout full of broken yellow teeth.

My heart pounded so loud I could hear it in my ears.

The beast growled again, and the sound vibrated through my chest.

I instantly turned and started to run back to the cottage. Pain exploded in my ankles with every step, but I did not stop. I limped, dragging my right leg behind me.

My foot caught on a hidden stone under the snow, dragging me to the ground. My hands sank into the freezing snow and my knees slammed against the ice.

I tried to push myself up but my legs would not hold me. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stand.

The sound of heavy footsteps came closer as the beast approached.

My eyes started to shine with silver light. I would use my power. I had to. Then, from behind me, a much louder and deeper growl tore through the air.

A second beast stood there — it was huge, almost like a wolf but twice the size of any I had ever seen. Its fur was thick and black as night. Its eyes glowed blood-red.

This monster wasn’t ugly. On the contrary, it was stunning.

The first ugly beast stopped at the sight of the creature behind me. With a vicious growl, it accepted defeat, running off with its tail behind its legs.

I stayed on the ground, breathing fast, as the large creature locked its red eyes on me. What now? Would this one try to kill me too?