To Hel

Jackson

My heart catches in my chest. I just came up here to check the property. Who is she? My mind races as I force myself to drive away. I could feel her pain, she was in so much of it. It made my heart hurt, and those marks. They look so familiar, I just can not seem to place them. I have a feeling they are important, deep in my gut, a sinking feeling. I have to talk to the elders. They will know something, they have to. Good thing I have an eidetic memory. The way she froze, her eyes going far away, and that scream, Oh goddess, I just want to turn around and wrap her up in my arms and never leave her again. Kyra had a long, lecturing, talk with me. More or less, now is not the time. Rayna doesn’t know. She thinks she's human. Kyra would let me know when it is time. I slam on the brakes, the truck sliding sideways to a stop. Pounding on the steering wheel, I let out my rage and sadness. I gotta get myself together. Jace can't see me this way, I will just set him off.

I cranked the radio, to drown my thoughts. Still Waiting, an EDM version blasts through the truck, the base vibrating the windows. Those eyes, hazel, yet not, the starburst around her pupil was the color of amber that melted to an electric green. I bet they changed color with her mood, and that burgundy and silver hair, I bet it's dyed. There is no way that color isn’t out of a box. Sigh. I hit a bump and realized I was home. Well, that wasn’t safe. I don’t remember the drive here. Just those eyes and the way she shook while I held her. She was terrified.

I got out of the truck with visions of Rayna filling my mind. She was so small. Slight? No, that's not the right word. Rubbing my chest, I try to get rid of the tightening,

“OOF, What?” I walked squarely into my twin, and knocked him to his ass. “Sorry man, I…” Shaking my head, I finally saw who I shoulder checked and blinked.

“Dude,” he shot off the ground like a spring. “Where's that head of yours?” he clasps my shoulder, peering into my eyes, catching a stray thought before I could throw up my mental walls. (Damn it). I saw surprise flash through his eyes. Did he see her? He caught his expression fast and shut it down. The emotion only showed in his eyes, that the dopey grin never left his face. “p***y cat got your tongue? Meow”

“Shut it”

He prances around me in a circle singing, “What's up, p***y cat whoo oooh wooh ooo oo”

I did not have time to deal with his bull s**t. I pivoted, driving a forceful edge-hand strike onto the top of his head,

“Gasp.” My brother fakes injury, his face turns into a pout. “ Gasp! You hit me.” That stupid grin returned, while cradling his head in his hands. “Was that what I think it was?” he asked, wiggling his eyebrows. His body was coiled tight, shaking, needing me to answer him.

He couldn’t know. I can’t tell him she was a fraction of the woman she should be. That another carved her up and god knows what else. He started to sing again, so I cut him off.

“For the love of all things holy, will you knock it off? Yes, I think I found her. No, I am not certain. She…. I .... ” I grabbed a handful of hair and tugged hard, “I can’t even…. Words… you have to meet her for yourself.” Meeting his eyes, “I’m sorry brother, but it’s not my story to tell.” Even if I did know absolutely nothing, I knew we had to protect her. TICK TOCK!!

“I know!” I shout up to the sky, dropping my arms to my side, exhaling slowly. He looked at me with suspicion. My brother was not stupid, but he let it slide. For now. I feel it, I feel a clock counting down in the back of my mind. She needs us. Something is coming.

He stills. Watching me. I was not the one to get off the handle. I was the take my time, think about things through the guy. So, whatever that was, that shook me to the core, he could see it was bad. Gone was the fun-loving little brother and before me a chilling figure emerged—a warrior who treated violence as a game, ready to go to kill without needing me to ask. No matter the show he puts on for others, that is all it is. The ‘I’m a happy fun-loving guy’, covers the cold, focus, the need for violence and blood. My brother wasn’t damaged, he was hard, (we have lived through many trials) never letting anyone in other than me. Now this, a possible mate, how would he take it? Would he accept the bond, or would he turn his back on it?

“First I need to visit the elders,” I shot him a stern look. “Alone.”

I scratched my beard, and nod to the truck. We take the well-worn track to the main complex. It’s really a big-ass log mansion in the middle of the woods, where we could be ourselves without causing a commotion. I pulled up to the big-ass gate, stupid you might think, but necessary. I rolled down my window and nodded at the cocky man ambling to the truck. Leaving forward with his arms folded across a broad chest, he shot a saucy wink at Jace, his mouth curling into a demented grin, looking at me.

“What brings you to the doom castle?” he gazes through his lashes, with a low and husky chuckle. What the hell is he flirting with us?

Cillian, the cheeky bastard, didn't belong here, he was just visiting from beyond the veil.

“Are you even supposed to be on Guard duty?” I chuckle, shaking my head. Cillian played for both teams, his magic demanded it.

“Between you, me and Mr. Panties in a bunch over there, I got Case drunk, and he’s passed out in the shack.” Cillian threw his head back, laughed and sauntered over to the guard house and buzzed us in. Tipping my head, I drive my truck through the gates, I navigate the circular drive around the courtyard's centerpiece, parking to the left of the main entrance. Shoving my hands in my pockets, I cast a glance towards the guardhouse, shook my head and prowled inside.

At the door of the council chamber, I argued with my twin. He just wouldn’t listen, throwing that smarmy smirk at me, he wasn’t going to let this go.

“Damn it, Jace, I can’t let you in there with me. What I have to say…you’re not ready to hear.” Rubbing my face, “Most definitely not from me, not from someone that knows nothing.” I admit I kinda lost it, I shove him up against the stone wall, grasping a fist full of his collar. “You can not ask this of me. You are not calm and collected.”

He scoffs, “You’re the one to talk, Jackson,” rolling his eyes at me. He’s right, but I can’t stop.

“You fly by the seat of your pants.” I release him and stab my finger into his chest. “The smallest thing sets you off ! This” I wave my hand, like brushing away something irritating. “This will hurt.” I let my hand fall, I give up. A sinister look crossed my twins face,

“Whatever! I have warned you. Keep it together when we go there, brother.” This might break him. Maybe I can talk my way around what I know. No, I can’t do that either. That would make it look like she had done this to herself, and from her muttering ‘HIM’, he did this. What do I say? How do I keep the worst of this from my twin? When I get my answers, nothing will keep me away. I will be back, my Starlight.

Inside the council room,

“Where did you get this?” Sighs my mother, the boss, Queen really, but nowadays, stuck in this human world, more of a mayor. So stupid.

“I saw it in a notebook, in one of my renters' cabins,” I shrugged. “It looks familiar. Something about it? You know. Maybe the ancients will recognize it.” I looked into her eyes, she wouldn’t meet mine. She is hiding something and I don’t like it. I’m sure if I told her it was carved into my mate's face, she would be more inclined to help, but with Jace here I don’t dare.

“I’m sorry,” she says, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I can’t help you.”

“ Can’t or won't?" I growl. “Can you at least tell me someone who can?” Damn it. I need my mom, not my queen,” I shout. She just lowers her head and shakes it down.

I slam out of the council chambers, the massive hard wood door bounces off the log wall behind it, causing the door to split in half and the wall crack. I’m so pissed, and Jace doesn’t look any better. He is matching my emotions, damn empathy. I need to calm down so he can as well, but I can’t, not with my mate out there without me.

None, they had no idea what that symbol was. My ass. I held back, I knew if I told everything I saw, it would tear Jace apart. I couldn’t let his first time meeting her be clouded with anger and vengeance. I drew out the mark that was carved into her face. It looks unfinished, like she got free before he was done with her. Mother didn’t even really look at it. Just a glance, but the moment she recognized it, her eyes flashed with fear, it scared her.

“Come on, there is nothing here for us.” We head back to the truck, crawling in and slamming the door. “Damn it Jace, she knows something.” He keeps quiet. Not looking at me. He knew I was hiding something, and he was pissed. Angry Jace was one I would not bring near my mate on purpose. So I ignored my need to go back to the rental, and drive home.