A Ribbon Strand: Raised Hackura

Over a Cliff Pt. 1

Haley is 17 years old

            I was sitting in Lexi’s room with Emmaline and Miley when we heard Heath and their dad arguing. Heath had been out of sorts since he’d returned home a month ago. No one could figure out why. Lexi sighed, “God, I wish Allie and her family would come home. She could calm him down. She’s the only one who can talk to him when he gets like this now.” I shrugged, “Her family will come home in a few weeks.” Lexi snorted, “We just need Allie to turn eighteen. Then all our problems will be solves.” Emmaline frowned then her eyes widened. No one caught it but me. I closed my eyes. I had asked Emmaline if Heath and Allie were strings. She said not exactly. Now looking at her, I knew what happened. Allie was Heath's string now. Which meant Heath had been rejected. I sighed. Lexi turned to me, “Can you talk to him Hales. You’re the next best thing to Allie. He won’t snap at you like he does us.” I nodded, “I’ll go talk to him when they are done talking.” We all cringed when we heard a door slam. I heard Lexi’s dad say to her mom, “What the HELL has gotten into that boy?” Lexi’s mom sighed, “I just don’t know James.” Lexi sighed, “They fight all the time now. He won’t talk to me about what’s bothering him, but he doesn’t get mad at me like he does them.” I said, “I’ll go talk to him now.” Emmaline nodded to me. I winked at her.

            I popped to Heath. He was already in their gym. I closed my eyes, “point ticytoky simy mil grace (make them leave this place until such time as he has grace).” Almost immediately everyone got up and left. I waited for twenty minutes until Heath said, “I know you are here. You might as well come down here Haley.” I popped down into the ring. I smiled, “Wanna fight me? I’m better than a dummy. Plus, I hit back.” Heath was breathing hard, “I can’t hit you and you know it.” I said, “I’m sorry.” Heath frowned, “Because I can’t hit you?” I said, “No, because there’s some stupid b***h out there who doesn’t know what she just lost when she lost you.” Heath was taken aback. He frowned, “How do you know?” I said, “We will get to that.” I reached out my hand for his. He sighed and took my hand. I spoke, “ferrum Cumque nobiscum veneris (Blade, come with us).” Blade stepped forward and put his hand on my shoulder. Heath raised an eyebrow, “We are leaving the shroud?” I nodded. I popped us to a lake. Blade faded back. Heath said, “Her name was Dani. She’s my aunt’s best friend's daughter.” I said, “Dani…. I know that name…. she’s human…. right?” Heath said, “She knew how to reject me just fine for a human. She hangs around plenty of my cousins. They know about us.” I snorted, “Why would she want to reject you?” Heath said, “She has a boyfriend.” I hissed, “Stupid bitch.” Heath frowned. I threw a rock, “What? She is. You were perfect for her, and when she realizes that…. it will be too late.” Heath sighed, “It just hurts Hales.” I said, “Which is why we are here.” Heath frowned, “Why?” Then we saw Allie’s family on the other side of the lake. He stiffened. Tears filled his eyes, “It’s her.” I said, “Yes, Allie is your second chance string. She’s always liked you, and you’ve always liked her. Now, in a year and half she’ll know it’s you as you know it’s her.” 

            Heath wiped his eyes. He said, “This does make the rejection feel better.” I said, “Dani will never find a love like you and Allie will have. She threw away the other half of her soul, and her path in life. You’ll be happy with your people and Allie.” He smiled, “Thank you, Hales. You have no idea what this means to me.” I nodded, “I’ve got your back, Heath Scott.” He watched Allie. I was curious about how it felt when your string didn’t know they were yours yet, “How is the pull to her different than if she was eighteen?” Heath said, “If she was eighteen, I couldn’t stop myself from going to her. Now I just know it’s her. She’s the one. I will feel drawn to be around her more.” We were quiet for several moments. He said, “So Emmaline knows I was rejected.” I nodded, “Only I noticed the change in her demeanor. She’s gotten very good at not saying anything when she recognizes someone’s mate. She can even do it by a name she knows now. Lexi mentioned she hoped Allie would be home soon, so you’d calm down. Emmaline tensed. I’d asked before if you guys were strings. Emmaline said you were something, but not strings just yet. Now she knows what second chance mates feel like to her.” Heath nodded, “It will be easier to explain to everyone now that I know what is waiting for me. Allie is perfect.” I said, “I understand. I’m sorry it happened to you Heath. Dani didn’t deserve you.” He nodded, then whispered, “Is it sad that I still want her to be happy?” I said, “You can wish for that. Meanwhile, I’ll sit here hoping she’s miserable and misses you every second of every day.” Heath smiled, “You’re going to make someone very happy someday, Haley Cambridge.” I raised an eyebrow, “One day.” I sighed internally. Eric and I still talked every day, and the longing to meet him had only grown stronger.

            Heath studied me then said, “You know who it is! You know who your mate is!” I paled, “Shut up!” Heath said, “I say this with love, Haley Cambridge, but what the hell are you doing here with me instead of being with him.” I said, “I promised not to pop in and meet him until Bjourn introduced us.” Heath frowned, “Why would you do that?” I said, “Because I didn’t know he was my mate at the time.” Heath frowned, “Well...who would you want to...HOLY s**t! NO f*****g WAY!” I said, “SHH! They will hear us!” He looked back over at Allie and her family. He shook his head, “We are too far away. It’s Alpha Eric Conners, right?” I nodded. He laughed, “Damn...power couple alert. He’ll be good for you, and his reputation will make others back off. Plus, you’ll still be close to Lexi and I.” I said, “I’d only be a pop away if he was further. I’d always come help you guys if you needed it. You know that.” Heath said, “I’d like for the four of you to remain close….so I can keep an eye on all of you. It’s become a habit of mine. I don’t know if I can break it.” His phone rang. I saw Dani’s name on the read out. I said, “Does she call often?” Heath said, “Every damn day.” I frowned, “Why?” Heath shrugged, “I didn’t care. I just answered. It tore me apart inside honestly. I just needed to hear her voice.” He sent it to voicemail as he watched Allie laughing with her sister at her brothers. Eventually he spoke, “Dani didn’t want me. Or my life. Now, I’ll focus on Allie and the life we will have. I’m taking over the shroud in a few weeks.” I smiled, “I know.” Heath said, “I’ll build a house for Allie and me. Then when her string ceremony comes up…. I’ll sweep her off her feet.” 

            I smiled, “There’s the Heath Scott we all know and love.” Heath sighed, “Do you know who Lexi’s mate is?” I said, “I don’t. I think Emmaline does, but Lexi doesn’t want to know.” Heath laughed, “My sister, the closet romantic, wants to see how the universe brings them together.” I snorted, “You can’t be romantic in a closet Heath.” Heath smiled, “You are quite right, Haley Cambridge. Out of curiosity…. when you do meet your wolf...what are you going to do?” I turned bright red, “Heath Scott!” Heath flushed, “No... god...no... not that! I mean wolves have a mating ceremony within weeks of meeting their mates. Sometimes days later.” I shrugged, “We could observe that custom, I guess.” Heath started laughing. I frowned. Eventually he said, “You’ve never asked your wolf about mating ceremonies?” I sighed, “I avoided the topic because I didn’t want to hear about his mate. Which…. I know now is incredibly ironic.” Heath snorted, “A mating ceremony is a wedding, Hales.” My eyes widened, “WHAT?!” Heath started laughing hysterically. I said, “You think he’s going to want to get married…. right away? Hackura don’t get married until they’ve been together for at least a decade...and that’s like running down the aisle to us. I figured I’d pop out a couple kids first…. you’re telling me his custom is to get married right away?” Heath said, “Uh huh…” I frowned, “Well…. I guess I’ll figure that out when I meet him.” Heath laughed, “I look forward to your wedding, little Hackura fairy.” I sighed. It wasn’t like I didn’t have the whole thing planned. I did. It was just….my people’s traditions were to be with your mate...have off periods….and eventually get down the aisle. Bjourn and Astrid still weren’t married, and they have been together since they were sixteen.

            Heath nudged my shoulder with his. He said, “We should get back.” I nodded and waited for Blade to join us. When he did, he smirked at me. My eyes narrowed, “You knew. About the wedding thing.” Blade said, “Know all about Princess. Includes wolf.” I snorted, “Well...fine then.” I popped us back to the shroud. Heath’s dad was waiting in the gym. I smiled, “Hi Mr. Scott.” He smiled, “You know you can call me James or Uncle…. hell even dad is fine. You are practically family.” I nodded. He said, “And I see you fixed my son. Are you ready to talk now Heath?” Heath sighed. “Yeah dad. Let’s go.” I popped back to the Scott house with Blade. Blade said, “tibi pura cordis esse innocentes. Tu bonus est in se. Quasi hominibus ostendere difficile daemonibus impugnentur. Facile te facere sentire (you have an innocent pure heart. You did a good thing for him. It is hard for men like us to show weakness. You make it feel easy).” I smiled, “I did what anyone would do.” Blade simply said, “No.” Then faded into the background. I laughed and walked into the house. I went back up to Lexi’s room. She smiled. I frowned, “Where did Emmaline go?” Miley laughed, “Oh…. she’s spying on her wolf.” I sighed, “I don’t understand Marcious problem.” Miley said, “Father’s and their daughters.” I frowned. Marcious made Emmaline promise to wait to meet Lucas. He guilted her saying he loved having her in Faerie. 

            Lexi said, “Did you fix my brother?” I said, “I helped him.” Lexi breathed a sigh of relief, “Thank god.” I said, “If you find yourself twitching for your bow and arrow later…. give me a call.” Lexi frowned, “Are you going to stop me?” I laughed, “When have I ever stopped you? Hell no bitch...I’m popping to your side.” We laughed. My phone rang. Lexi and Miley said, “ooohoooo!” I rolled my eyes. I answered, “Hi Eric.” Eric said, “Angel...I just needed to hear your voice.” I said, “Oh yeah? Why?” Eric said, “We got word the earth fairies are working on tricking a partial fairy.” I frowned, “I don’t know any earth fairies.” Eric sighed in relief, “Good…. that’s good.” I asked, “What are you doing?” Eric sighed, “I’m at Alpha Chase’s with Lucas and the rest of our allies. We have a problem we are trying to solve.” I frowned. None of my searches had gone off for them. I said, “What’s going on?” Eric said, “The usual...someone is spelling Alpha’s and we aren’t any closer to finding out who that is.” I had a lead on a coven, but it wasn’t solid yet. I bit my lip. Miley nodded. I closed my eyes, “Do you know anyone from Satan’s Coven?” Eric said, “I do know of them, but that’s in Louisiana.” I told him our group’s theory, “I think they travel. I think they are larger than Louisiana. I think that they are a massive collective group, and just let everyone know where their headquarters are. In your realm they are called franchises.” Eric was quiet, “You think other covens are actual parts of Satan's Coven…. they just don’t take the name.” I said, “Only assignments.” 

            Eric questioned, “Why do you think that?” I sighed. Lexi handed me her computer and I emailed the file the four of us had been working on for a year. I told Eric, “Check your email. That’s everything we have.” Eric said, “One second.” We waited. I heard two growls. I smiled, “Hi Jackson.” Jackson said, “Hello Hales.” I’d talked to Jackson a few times over the last year. Eric always left his phone with someone in case I called so they would talk to me until he got back to the phone. I’d offered to meet Jackson, but Eric said that wasn’t fair. I REALLY wanted to meet Molly, Tabitha (I called her Tabby), and Amber. They seemed really cool. Tabby promised she could make me a mean strawberry martini. Eric cleared his throat, “You’ve been busy. This is a lot of information and speculation.” I said, “I want to help you. Spelling Alpha’s so that their own Beta’s are unaware….it seems someone is systematically causing werewolf channels of communication to break down. I just don’t know why.” Eric softly said, “Neither do I, but you are right.” I frowned, “You have to go, don’t you?” I heard Eric walking away. He said, “I don’t want to. I want you by my side. I want to hear your sweet voice. I want to coordinate with you and my allies.” I whispered, “I want that too.” Eric sighed, “We are so close to your eighteenth birthday Angel. Then I’m never letting you go.” I smiled, “You’ll have to catch me.” Eric growled, “Naughty fairy.” I laughed, “Your naughty fairy.” Eric’s voice softened, “My naught fairy. I love you Angel.” I blushed, “I love you too Eric.” We hung up.

            Miley said, “What was that about? The tricking a partial fairy part.” Lexi said, “Emmaline said all of the partials know not to trust the earth fairies.” I frowned. I wished I could do more. I’d just started training with the others. My dad agreed to a small control group. I practiced with three partial fairies that were related to Aiden and Arion but not me. Trixie, Oscar, and Mathis. Oscar and Mathis were Aiden and Arion’s Uncle Lochtan sons. Trixie was their dad's half daughter. They were very excited when I stumbled across her six months ago. So was she. She’d always wanted siblings. She’d even found her mate. She said his name was Farrin. I had yet to meet him, but she really liked him. He’d agreed to be monogamous with her. I was pretty sure Aiden and Arion would’ve set him on fire if he hadn’t agreed. They really loved having Trixie live with them, and now she was planning on moving to Faerie. Her mom had just died, and she wanted to embrace her fairy side. She’d done really well in all the lessons I’d been in with her. I actually really liked all three of them. 

            Lexi cleared her throat. I turned my attention back to them, “Sorry…. I just don’t know who they are talking about. I’ve only met Emmaline’s partial sisters, and some of the fairies related to Arion and Aiden. I just don’t know enough to help anyone else. Oscar would never do anything without checking with Aiden. Matthias is attached to Arion, and Trixie wouldn’t go anywhere without Farrin. Aiden said Farrin is very talented. I don’t think anyone would want to cross him.” Miley said, “What if it’s not a royal fairy?” I said, “What would be the point then? Unless they are using the partial fairy to get to a royal...I don’t know any more. This all is getting ridiculous.” Miley said, “Not to break up the party, but…. I’ve got a date to get ready for.” I smiled, “Bye Lex.” Lexi said, “Go get you some Miles!” Miley said, “I’ve got to live for the four of us. My mate is hiding from me.” I laughed, “You could ask Emmaline.” Miley said, “I think Lex over there has the right idea. I want to see how the universe brings us all together. It’s kind of beautiful.” I said, “I don’t know how you do that. If she knew…. I’d want to know.” Lexi said, “Must be a fairy thing.” I laughed, “Maybe it is.” I popped Miley and I home. I snapped her ready right as her date knocked on the door. 

            I walked in and found Gunner with my cousins, Miley’s brothers, Topher, Dyre, Ase, Calder, and Jari. I smiled, “Hey guys.” Gunner smiled, “Hey there.” I said, “Do you guys know anything about the fairies trying to trick a partial fairy?” Gunner frowned, “They’ve been trying.” I asked, “Why?” Gunner said, “Many reasons.” I sighed. They weren’t going to tell me. I nodded to Blade. He was going to see Serion. I said, “Later cousins and basically brother.” I popped to my room. I started to read some of the books Aiden wanted me to. My phone ringing interrupted me. I looked at it. I smiled, “Emmaline! Hey, you left before….” I was cut off by a harsh laugh. My heart stopped. I conjured my Samurai swords. That laugh wasn’t Emmaline. A man’s voice said, “Ohhh...you’re little fairy cousin fell right into our trap. She hasn’t even noticed we conjured her phone away. I just wanted you to hear her scream when she gets hit by iron. None of us have had the pleasure of meeting you yet.” I popped without a second thought to Emmaline. I tackled her to the ground. I screamed as the dart of iron hit me. I could swear I heard a growl in the distance. Emmaline screamed, “Haley! What’s happening?” I said, “Where are we?” Emmaline blushed, “Alpha Allister’s territory. I just wanted to see Lucas. I was about to pop to the meeting. I just did the concealment spell.” I looked around and hissed, “Are you alone? Lucas isn’t in this territory, Emmaline. He’s in Alpha Chase’s.” Emmaline said, “But…. No... he has to be here! The note said the meeting was here. I came alone, I’m good enough, as you are to do the concealment spell alone now.” My veins were on fire. I cursed, “s**t this hurts! Not what I meant. I mean, is there someone else to protect. Since there’s not... Pop and get Lexi and Heath.” Emmaline frowned, “I won’t leave you here with iron shooting people!” I rolled my eyes, “Yes you will. You will go get help. Bring fighters back with you, and then you can show them what happens when they mess with the fairy fairies.” 

        We both heard a laugh, “She won’t be able to pop.” I yelled, “GO NOW EMMALINE!” She popped as three darts were fired. I tried to shield her and take them. Two hit my skin, but one disappeared in a pop with Emmaline. She would get hit in the shroud. I screamed in agony as the iron hit me again. I heard a pop close to me. I knew without a doubt I was hearing growls now. I forced my fairy side down and called up my anger. The growls turned to snarling in the distance. I stood eyes blazing to look at my attackers. Fifty men stood before me. I unsheathed my samurai swords. I said, “Big mistake.” I killed the fairy closest to me. I rolled to avoid the magic they were sending my way. I took a dagger to the thigh while dodging one aimed at my chest. I yelled, “MOTHER FUCKERS!” I took out ten of them before they started popping and using more of their magic. I was sure they hadn’t because it offended them to think they couldn’t beat me without it. The ground started to shake. I laughed, “That’s pathetic. Mine is significantly better. I’d prove it, but you guys are assholes going around shooting people up with iron.” I killed the fairy beheading him. One ran at me. I pulled the dagger I kept hidden in my shoe and stabbed him with it. Everything in me was coming alive. It was as if my body was anticipating something. I just didn’t know what it was. I took a shot to the head but kept moving. I fell to the side and swiped out with my legs knocking another fairy down. A black wolf growled and began to help me. I knew it wasn’t Eric, but this wolf was a good fighter. Several other wolves joined behind the black wolf. I heard howls…. then a snarling roar shook the trees. I smiled, “Eric.” The black wolf looked over at me and nodded. This Alpha was telling me Eric was on the way. it had to be Sophia. Her dad would’ve been at the meeting with Eric. I stood. I would fight my way through to him. I hadn’t popped to meet him. I’d come to save Emmaline. I couldn’t even pop away. I wasn’t breaking a single promise. I smiled. That’s why I felt so alive. Eric was getting closer to me.

        I realized too late the fairies were backing us up to a cliff. They shook the ground again. The black wolf that had been helping me couldn’t get its footing. It looked at me in panic. I sheathed my swords and held my dagger tight. I dove off the cliff after the wolf. I grabbed a paw and yelled, “SHIFT BACK!” I swung my arm clutching my dagger and dug it into the cliff. Stopping our fall. I heard a whimper of pain and a pop. I looked down. I was right. This was Sophia. I said, “I’ve got you.” She whispered, “Sophia. I’m Sophia.” I smiled, “I figured. I’m Haley.” She snorted, “I figured that too.” I smiled, “Climb up me, and get back onto the cliff.” She used her good arm and climbed over me. I saw limbs flying past us down the cliff. Sophia said, “Don’t look down.” I said, “Too late.” The remaining fairies were very dead. The wolves had ripped them to pieces. Sophia made it back up. She turned and offered me her good arm. My dagger started to slip. I said, “Oh for the love of the earth! Come on!” I was too far down for her to reach now. A rough strong hand grabbed mine and yanked me up in one pull. Sparks exploded all over my body. I was crushed against a very naked, chiseled, and warm body. I looked up into the blue eyes I’d memorized from pictures Logan gave me. Something in me faintly whispered in my brain, “Mine.” I heard several growls of men declaring other people as theirs, but I couldn’t look away from Eric’s eyes. Being in his arms was better than I even imagined. He growled, “Mine. My mate. My Angel.” I felt my adrenaline fading. I whispered, “My Eric. I’m sorry.” I heard him curse, “f**k!” I swore I heard Heath Scott yell, “Haley!” As my world faded to black. 

        I came to awareness hearing that obnoxious beep. I sighed. I knew that beep. It was a heart monitor in a hospital. OH I WOULD GET MY BROTHERS FOR THIS! I couldn’t remember why I was in the hospital...wait! Eric! I fought for my eyes to open. They refused to cooperate. I heard someone say, “Alpha, she is healing. The knife wound is gone now. The iron drip worked quickly.” I heard Aiden say, “My presence as well as my brother’s helps her heal faster. She should wake soon.” Eric growled, “WHY DID THEY ATTACK HER?” Aiden sighed, “They didn’t intend to attack her.