Lost in Between

Chapter 1 (D)

The first fey nodded at the fae and said, "Go see where we are."

"And try to spot the trespasser if you can," the other fay added.

An annoyed expression surfaced on the face of first fey. "Just be back as soon as you can."

"Got it." The fae pulled on the reins, and she rose with the horse and disappeared behind the canopies.

*What have I gotten myself into?* I asked myself and not for the first time, and something told me it wouldn't be the last either. I looked sideways at Kairon. "Who are those people?"

"Ssh. There's a time for talking, and it's not now," he whispered, throwing my own words back to me.

"He must be badly wounded," the young fey said, looking around the forest as his horse trotted forward. "He couldn't have gotten far."

"Regardless." The older fey, who seemed to be the one in command, sat straight-backed as though he couldn't care less. "That isn't why where here."

I stepped back, intending to confront Kairon about whatever it was that got us in this situation, but my foot nudged a fallen branch, the twigs of which rustled the dried leaves around. The heads of both feys snapped in our direction, and I gasped and frozed on my feet. But Kairon quickly pulled me down and we crouched low to the ground. I stared at him and conveyed with my widened eyes the panic I was experiencing, but he didn't seem to share my concern. He just listened, which promted to me do the same.

One of the feys unmounted, unsheathed his sword, then walked toward our location, his footfalls getting louder a he got closer. I pulled the fork out of my pocket and held it tight and at the ready. Kairon looked at it and his lips twitched, then his face turned serious.

"Listen. When that fey gets here, don't move and don't make any noise. You understand? I know that doesn't sound reasonable, but I need you to trust me. Alright?"

Should I trust him? I didn't know, but he swore. So even though I didn't understanding anything that was happening and would happen, I nodded. Because he swore. "Alright. I won't shriek like a pig for s*******r and I won't run as though— even though —my life depends on it.

Finally the fey stopped and stood on the other side of the tree. I bit my lower lip and held my breath, my heartbeat racing. Kairon grabbed my wrist just as the young fey walked around the tree and stepped into view behind him, a glinting long sword in hand. His head flicked down to the ground, at the two of us, and I almost shriek and ran for my life, but his eyes trailed away as though following something in motion, then he lowered his sword and sheathed it.

"What is it?" The commanding fey asked in an impatient tone.

"Just a komodo," the young fey answered, but he stared down at our spot again, eyebrows joining in concentration. Then he took a step back then another and kept slowly walking backwards, his eyes fixed on us the whole time. Kairon squeezed my wrist so hard I almost hissed. I looked at him, his eyes closed and forehead furrowed. The fey was still gaining distance, but Kairon's glamour was already fading at the seams. Another step backwards and the fey would be out of his reach and we would be caught.

"There's a house close by, to the north," the fae shouted from above. "The nearest village is about a mile away to the west. No iron jungle as far as my eyes could see."

"Come on then. We can't stay any longer," the commanding fey said, and his the horse neighed.

The fey stopped walking and stood still, glanced at his companions then back at our spot, then he made a disappointed face and ran back to his horse. Kairon let go of my hand then sighed and slumped sideways against the tree. I turned and watched as the young fey and his horse disappeared into the same spot the butterfly had disappeared into. Then I imitated Kairon and joined him against the tree.

"It'll blow my mother's mind to know that there's a portal in El Mundo, even more that it's this close to our house."

"They will seal it now that they know it's there. Anyway, your mother wouldn't like to find herself on the other side of it."

"That's not what I meant. She wouldn't like that it's there, sealed or not, and we'd probably have to move somewhere else again if she knew."

"You humans and your words. But your mother can rest assured that nothing will ever get through that portal again. It's in the best interest of the people on the other side to make sure of that."

"Alright, then. Let's go to the creek and get you cleaned up already." I stood, pocketed the fork, and offered him a hand. "You can tell me all about those people and how you got yourself *and* then stupid me in these lovely situations."

He took my hand and I pulled him onto his feet, but gods he was heavy, so he ended up doing all the work. He winced and I cringed in guilt. "I'm sorry. How bad does it still hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt that much anymore. Just the occasional pang. Most of the wounds have already started numbing, and they are healing albeit very slowly because of your little fork there."

"Oh, gods, I totally forgot about that. I'm so sorry. Why didn't you tell me sooner?" I knelt down, pulled the fork out, and buried it under the leaves.

"It's alright. You don't have to do that. I know that you need it for your safety."

"No, it's fine. Really." Esmé would disagree, of course, but I already broke two of her rules, so what was one more? "I'll just retrieve it later."

"My wounds will completely heal, anyway, once I return to Erden. All I have to worry about is the scarring."

I stood and and steered him forward by his good arm. "You're lucky you're a fey then. Or... maybe not. If you weren't a fey, you wouldn't have had those nasty burns in the first place. Let's just go with: You're lucky you have me then. Come on."

The sooner I treated his wound the sooner he would be on his way and out of my hair. Gods, the lies I told myself today.