The Unveiling

Chapter Nine

If you didn’t know what you were looking for, you would never be able to find the old warehouse. 

It was connected to an old mining shaft, and a dirt and pebbled road that was more brush than paving shot out right from the main road. The drive was bumpy, causing our discussion to die down. As the car lurched forward a rusty corrugated tin roof stuck out from behind a large boulder. 

“Park here,” I motioned to some trees that offered shade and coverage from prying eyes. 

“Okay, so I’ll be back in ten minutes,” I said as I unbuckled my seatbelt. 

His warm hand gripped my forearm, hindering me from actually getting out the car. 

“Not a chance Reya, I’m coming with you.”

I furrowed my brow, “It’s a dynamite factory and they’re likely to blow anyone up that they don’t know. So no, you are not coming with me. I will not be held responsible for the death of the Fae Prince of your realm,” I hissed. 

He leant towards me and said, “If you think that a little dynamite can take out a Fae Prince Reya, then your expectations of me are decidedly low,” he purred. 

Without saying anything further, he released me and got out the car, while I sat there reeling. I had no idea how I was going to explain this to Shay. 

Trudging forward, I heard the distinctive click of the gun, before I rounded the boulder and came face to face with the barrel pointed straight at me. 

“Thom,” I hissed, “Put that thing away before you actually shoot me.” 

Thom’s eyes didn’t even edge my way, he was too busy taking in Chase. 

“Who the hell did you bring with you Reya,” he asked softly. 

“It was the only way I could get here,” I huffed. 

Chase stood silently simply observing. 

“Shay isn’t going to be happy,” Thom muttered as he turned to lead the way. 

“It’s not like I had much of a choice,” I said. I glanced at Chase, my eyes conveying the message that I couldn’t speak - ‘’You see?’ I mentally screamed. 

Chase simply hid his grin, as if he found the whole thing comical. Mother but I hated him. 

As we stepped into the warehouse, the shafts of light created shadowed patterns on the floor and amongst the crates. 

I had made it a whole two steps before Shay had engulfed me in a bone crunching hug. I clutched back to him, wondering how I had actually managed this past week without him. He smelt of cinnamon, and pepper, and all things home. His shaggy blonde hair fell into his face as he finally looked at me. 

“What the hell happened?” he demanded. 

And as soon as the demand was made, he noticed Chase. 

Shay immediately straightened, glaring at Chase in a look that spoke of dominance and possession. His denim jacket with home sewn patches stretched across his broad shoulders, making me smirk a little. I eyed Chase, hoping that my ‘I told you so’ message was being conveyed clearly. He rolled his eyes at me. What an asshat. 

To Shay I was family. And, as far as he was concerned Chase was an outsider. A threat to his pack. A low growl emanated from his throat as Chase finally broke the ice and spoke, 

“Calm down there shifter,” he lifted his hands, as if in surrender, “I’m not even from your realm and I’m just trying to figure out what is actually going on here.” 

Shay watched him silently, before motioning his head toward a cleared out area in the warehouse that had an old whiskey barrel as a mock-table, surrounded by smaller crates for chairs. The whole setup screamed punk rock, and if you were still a little unsure of Shay’s setup, MGK's Bloody Valentine streamed through an old ipod somewhere, harking back to the days before the veil lifted. In some ways those times seemed simpler, in others they seemed exactly the same. I could have imagined him in a punk band, wooing some guy on stage, and yet, he seemed equally comfortable in this warehouse setup. 

We each took a crate, the tension in the room almost tangible in nature. Thom and Rogue stood guard, rifles in hand, as Shay demanded, “Reya, you need to start talking.” 

I shifted uncomfortably, unsure of where to begin. 

“Reya,” Shay warned. It wasn’t just the warning of an older brother, it was the warning of the leader of our little pack. 

“I got tested,” I said quietly.

“I know,” he said, “that was the last any of us heard from you.” 

I looked up at him, my eyes suddenly swimming with tears. They were the kind of tears that you managed to keep at bay whenever anyone asked you if you were okay after something bad happened. You seemed fine. You seemed like you had it all together, but then, as soon as someone who really knew you asked the exact same question, those walls came tumbling down, and you had to acknowledge that no, you were not in the least bit okay. Would he look at me differently? Treat me differently? Source! Who was I kidding? I was even looking at myself differently. 

“It can’t be that bad,” Shay joked. 

I half sobbed and shook my head, as the tears ran freely down my face. 

He leant across the table and gripped my hand, “What is it Reya?” he asked, brushing a strand of hair out of my face. 

“I’m a sh..sh...shi..shifter,” I stuttered, trying to gain control of my emotions. 

The tell-tale sign of me not being okay was evident as the lights started flickering.

“Hush now,” Shay spoke softly, “It’s going to be okay. We suspected you were shifter this whole time,” he smiled a little, “Hell, now we really do have a pack.” 

I laughed a little. Through my tears I laughed. “With a coyote as a leader?” I questioned jokingly. 

“Hey, don’t hate on the charisma I’ve got going on,” he said with an answering smile. He was relaxed towards me, but his eyes kept darting towards Chase periodically - he wasn’t forgotten, just something to be dealt with in a moment or two. 

“Okay baby girl, what else are you? It’s not just shifter right?” he pushed. 

I shook my head in response, as the lights flickered more violently this time, my throat felt like it was closing in on itself, and I suddenly felt like I had to tell him now. That somehow, if I didn’t speak the words right this moment, I never would. I would be denying myself in its entirety indefinitely. 

And so I rasped out, “Angel.” 

I don’t think I have ever seen Shay speechless before. He sat there with a look of shock, so apparent on his face that I felt as if he may shun me at any moment, and still I said, “I’m half angel.”  

As the words spilt from my lips, the flickering lights calmed, as I sat and waited for judgement to be passed. 

Thom and Rogue had sworn at my proclamation, and Shay (after collecting himself) spoke, “It’s been you all along?” 

“What?” I uttered. 

He glanced at Chase and demanded, “Before I deal with this new information of Reya’s - who are you?” He posed it as a question, but it was nothing short of a demand. 

Chase leant back in his chair, and casually crossed his ankle over his knee as he said, “I’m Reya’s trainer.” 

“An Angel?” Shay stilled. 

Chase grimaced, “Source No. Fae.” 

The silence hung like a noose. I wasn’t sure if Chase would be crucified or applauded. 

“Full Fae?” Shay asked carefully. 

Chase simply nodded. 

“Aren’t you leaving something out?” I interjected. 

Chase glared at me while I spoke, “He’s also a prince of the Fae Realm.” 

Shay sat back quietly and stared. Thom and Rogue finally lowered their weapons, as if they knew that they were no match for the full blooded fae male sitting here. 

Shay ran his hand over his face as he muttered, “It’s all bloody true.” 

I shifted, allowing my anxiety to swirl. “What do you mean?” 

“It’s what all anyone on the streets has been talking about Reya,” his eyes met mine as he continued, “an angel among us that will bring about balance.” 

Shay was the leader of one of the street gangs, so he held some semblance of importance. He was always looking out for those less fortunate, and had incredibly nimble fingers which came into good use on the nights we had little to no food. For the most part, he kept me out of his gang work and only handed me jobs or side hustles that were marginally acceptable. Additionally, Shay was actually incredibly good at negotiating deals, finding loopholes in arrangements and talking his way out of a bind. 

“Balance?” I scoffed, “What the hell are you talking about Shay? I barely know what my powers are.” 

He glanced at Chase and then back at me, “It doesn’t stop the people from hoping Reya.” 

“How does me being an angel bring them hope? And, stop looking at me like that!”

“Because Reya, there’s finally someone who is so different from anyone in power and you come from the streets. you’re one of us. You will have a voice that will actually be heard. Surely that is something to be hopeful about.” He grinned, “How am I looking at you?” 

“Like I’m the saviour you’ve been asking for,” I swallowed, “I don’t know what I’m doing,”  I admitted. 

Shay grabbed my hand and said, “that has never stopped you before.” 

“I didn’t know that I was an Angel before,” I gushed, “I didn’t know that that piece of information held so much damn importance.”

“Really Reya? After all our late night discussions? Don’t be naive and bury your head in the sand. You have the chance to make a real difference, even without the powers - simply by being a voice. Simply by being someone who will be listened to.”

“Not to be that guy, but Reya we need to be getting back,” Chase spoke as his phone flashed with an incoming call in hand. 

I grimaced. We were on borrowed time. I nodded. 

“I’ll be in touch,” Shay said, gripping me fiercely. 

I smiled sadly, “I’m in an elite basecamp with no communication,” I said. 

He smirked, “You should know that wouldn’t stop me.”  

I laughed. 

“This doesn’t change things okay?” he whispered in my ear, “If you need me to come and get you, I will.” 

I nodded into his chest, and before I could say another word he released me and turned to Chase, “I’m not sure what your deal is with her, or what’s in it for you, but keep her safe Prince.” 

Chase remained still, listening intently. 

“People know that there’s an angel walking among us,” Shay spoke. 

“Half,” I interjected, “I’m only half angel.” 

Shay shook his head, “that won’t matter. It’s only a matter of time before they piece together who the angel is, and then Reya, it won’t be simply the government that wants you, other organisations are going to emerge from the woodwork.” 

He looked at Chase and continued, “And so Prince, when I say ‘keep her safe’, it is not without merit. There are probably more enemies around her than perhaps even you are aware of.”

Chase only nodded. He didn’t give Shay a smart reply, or an arrogant smirk, he actually nodded, and without another word we were on our way back to basecamp.