Fractured Darkness: A YA Fantasy Adventure (The Age of Alandria Book 3) Read online

  Adjusting his position in the slightest to the side allowed him to peer beyond his current student into the tree line where he first stood. Even though he didn’t need to; he knew who was there—Kaeleigh. He could feel her. He could always feel her presence when she was near. He didn’t know why, but it gave him comfort knowing she was near and safe. But it also drove him mad like an itch he could not scratch, mostly because he did not understand their connection and because he was beginning to grow accustomed to it. Knowing she felt it too did nothing to help his discomfort. Daegan knew he was keeping her at an arm’s length, but it was too much right now. He didn’t know what she expected of it or of him.

  He looked up more directly only to find her smirking at him. She knew he had seen her. For not being an empath as he was, she could read him pretty easily, and perhaps that was the true reason for his discomfort. Her friends would not let her out of their sight long, so where she went he had to assume that Chel or Finn would be close by. Although, since they had gotten there, Finn had seemed quite preoccupied with something else. After Daegan had cornered the young man that had barged into their cabin while the girls were sleeping, he heard Finn and Ella arguing in hushed tones about something related to the Twined camp; something about how in Finn’s previous position she was not able to trust him with it; something about a letter she had intercepted addressed to the Paladin.

  There was more but he could not pay attention as he had been dealing with Cyrus. He was determined to find out what Finn was up to. Daegan could feel that he was hiding something, but Finn was able to mask his emotions well, except when Kaeleigh was around. She had him tied in knots. Finn watched her when she didn’t know he did. From what Daegan could feel from Kaeleigh—even though he tried not to pry into the privacy of others—she did not return the same feelings Finn had. Daegan did not trust everything about the Elf, but he knew Finn’s motive to protect Kaeleigh to be genuine. After all, he had done just that for the last many years. That story was still yet to be understood. So much had happened in the short time that Kaeleigh and her friends had come into Alandria. So much had happened to her personally, he did not know how she was coping with it all. Something in his chest tightened, thinking of Hunter and her feelings of loss as well as his own. Shaking off his brief sadness, he looked at her with a question in his eyes.

  Kaeleigh took a step forward from the tree line with Chel right on her heels. When the two saw the group training, their eyes lit up. There was a bounce in Chel’s steps as she moved closer. He knew they both wanted to learn to fight with weapons. They had only had one opportunity to have a training session right before they left Hunter’s and they both still needed to train in order for him to feel comfortable that they could even attempt to protect anyone, let alone themselves. Kaeleigh had not done too badly for herself, but he feared it was mostly adrenaline and the magic of her sword. He decided to remedy that and soon. Perhaps they could join this group for training while they were here.

  ✧✧✧

  Walking toward the group of people training in the field, Kaeleigh was struck by how many were young like they were. Then there was Daegan, who stood out among the group—but then he stood out everywhere he was. There was such an air of authority and an ease with commanding, but not only that, there was a genuine passion that flowed out of him as he worked with the others. Her breath caught as something gripped her heart as their eyes met even across the distance of the field. He had changed into clothes from the mortal realm: snug blue jeans and a tight white shirt similar to everyone’s that stretched across his broad, muscular chest. Why didn’t Chel and I get blue jeans too? Kaeleigh wondered briefly. Daegan really was a sight to behold. His dark brown eyes and his blue-black hair that was longer in this realm than it was when he had been in her world... well, her mortal world. She liked it longer, she had distracting desires to run her fingers through it. Blushing, she pulled her focus back onto the group in front of her that had now all stopped what they were doing and watched her and Chel approach, some with open curiosity and others with blatant skepticism.

  Daegan turned to face her and nodded in her direction. Kaeleigh gave a slight smile at the recognition, even though that was pretty much how he acknowledged most people, unless he chose not to acknowledge them at all. So there was that. Suddenly feeling slightly deflated, she took a breath and remembered why she was looking for him. He had that effect on her often—distracting her from her present focus. She heard a subtle clearing of a throat next to her as Chel popped up beside her. Kaeleigh relaxed as her best friend stood with her.

  “Kaeleigh. Chel. This is the Twined training ground.” Daegan spoke as if welcoming them without the actual feeling of a welcome, but more questioning their presence.

  “Thanks, Captain Obvious,” Chel retorted. There was a snort from behind Daegan and then the young white-haired girl shot out around him.

  Metrí looked up at Daegan then back at Chel then back to Daegan. “I like her.”

  Daegan looked down at the girl with a frown. Then Metrí glared back at Daegan. “We don’t like to be referred to as Twined. We understand that is what we are and that society feels to label us because we are different and it makes sense if we need to be referred to as a group, but as a whole, we don’t like it. We just want to be who we are and be a part.” Her stance was strong with one hand fisted at her waist and the other gripping her staff at her side.

  Chel grinned and nodded toward Metrí. “And I like her.”

  Kaeleigh pushed her way forward to be acknowledged, impatient to get on with why they were here. Aidón. She was suddenly feeling impatient and irritated because the little imp of a girl made her feel... made her feel... what? Not jealous. Couldn’t be jealous. “I apologize to everyone, but I really need to speak with your new instructor in private.” Kaeleigh looked at Daegan with eyes pleading and continued politely. “We need to speak with you if you could spare a moment to come with us, please?”

  “We have been training, could it wait? I would like to try a few more drills with them. Actually, I was going to see if you and Chel wanted to join and practice the skills you have learned.”

  “No, I mean yes, we would like to, but perhaps a bit later? And no, it really can’t wait. I think I know how to release Aidón from his glamour, but I am going to need your assistance... I think,” Kaeleigh stumbled, suddenly unsure of what she had, moments ago, been sure about. Taking a breath, she looked back up into his eyes so he could hopefully get a clear read on what she was feeling. Apparently understanding she needed to do this soon, he nodded.

  Turning to the others behind him, “I will hopefully return soon. Keep practicing the adjustments I showed you. Thank you for allowing me to train with you.”

  Metrí jumped forward with a sparkle of anticipation in her eyes. “Can I help you? Is there anything I can do?”

  Kaeleigh was about to turn the girl down when something nudged the back of her mind. It was just a feeling and she couldn’t even decipher what it meant but there was a rightness at having the girl there even without knowing if she had any magic of her own, but she knew that wasn’t really what was important. “Yes, thank you, I would appreciate your help. I’m Kaeleigh, by the way, and this my friend Chel.”

  “I’m Metrí. And before you ask, no, I don’t know what it means or where my name came from.” She stuck out her delicate hand in Kaeleigh’s direction.

  Kaeleigh and Chel both shook her hand and smiled. Kaeleigh then turned to head back toward the main camp area, but saw Chel’s quirked eyebrow in question. Kaeleigh shrugged and kept going, feeling Daegan behind her... always feeling him when he was near.

  Almost back to the village where the cabins were, Kaeleigh felt a pull just past the main area. She looked around as they slowly passed, looking for Finn.

  “Chel, do you see Finn? I am going to need him too.”

  “Is he the one all in black with a surly-looking expression?” Metrí spoke up from quite close behind Kaeleigh.

  K
aeleigh startled slightly; she hadn’t realized the girl was so close to her. Chel responded instead, “Yep, that’s him, sunshine and daisies, that one.” Chel winked at the girl as she let out a short laugh. “I’ll get him, Kae.” Chel jogged toward where Finn was leaning against one of the cabins intently focused on something. He did not see Chel coming up on him until she was quite close. She animatedly waved her hands around, explaining something to him. He looked up and beyond her to stare directly at Kaeleigh. There was a flash of guilt or regret in his eyes that quickly vanished. He nodded and gave a just-a-minute signal with his finger. Chel jogged back toward them, as Finn seemed to finish whatever conversation he was having with a shadow of a man.

  “Who is he talking to?” Kaeleigh asked Chel.

  “I’m not sure. He was pissed that I totally interrupted him but I thought this was more important.” Chel paused, thinking about what she had interrupted. “He was saying something about how it was almost ‘time.’” Chel shrugged, unconcerned. “You ask him, here he comes.”

  “Did you use your nose, Chel?” Daegan asked quietly. When she looked at him with part confusion and part insult, he explained. “You have incredible senses being a shifter, Chel. You need to learn to use them to your advantage. You never know who may depend on it.” He spoke like he was educating her, but he also inclined his head in Kaeleigh’s direction.

  Kaeleigh put her hand protectively on Chel’s arm to comfort her. “Don’t put that pressure on her, Daegan, she will learn when she is ready.”

  “No, Kaeleigh, he is right. I want to. I just need to focus more.” Chel looked into her friend’s eyes, trying to convince her she was fine. “Let me try and see if I can remember.”

  “The scents are much harder to recall after the encounter for any shifter, let alone an untrained one. Do not feel bad if you do not,” Daegan added.

  Chel closed her eyes and tried to focus on her brief encounter with Finn and the stranger. Her eyes squinted together in deep concentration. Suddenly, she opened her eyes to find both Kaeleigh and Daegan staring at her in expectation. “Well, I remember he smelled kind of like you do, Daegan, but not quite as strong.” Kaeleigh leaned closer to Daegan, attempting to sniff him, which only earned her a scowl as he moved away slightly. The girls giggled.

  “You do kind of smell strong,” Kaeleigh admitted with humor, then she winked at him.

  “So he is probably Faerie. That is most likely the similar underlying scent you are picking up,” Daegan stated, trying to ignore Kaeleigh’s comment.

  “But there was more,” Chel began again, suddenly serious. “I was picking up more from the birds in the trees. At first I thought it was odd because in this place, there are not many animals and creatures other than the people. But there were some birds that apparently had been following him since no one else should be able to find it other than those invited. I picked up suspicion and caution and...”

  “What’s so important, Kae?” Finn interrupted what Chel had been about to say as he walked up to the group. “Why are so many people following you?” Finn eyed the group that had gathered, apparently unbeknownst to Kaeleigh if her shocked expression was any indication.

  “Oh, I didn’t realize so many of you had come.” She paused, looking at the several new additions that had joined them from the training ground. “Thank you. I would appreciate any assistance you are able to lend. I will explain when we get there what I need you to do.” She looked back to Finn. “I know how to break the glamour over Aidón and I want you all to be there to help, but also... to see if you know who he really is.”

  She was hesitant and Daegan reached toward her then dropped his hand before it came close to her as he spoke. “There is no reason to be concerned. We will be there to determine the situation. I do not, however, feel him to be a danger. His motives have appeared to be genuine thus far; however, this glamour is almost as strong as yours was and I am unsure if what I feel from him is authentic.”

  Finn, slightly distracted, refocused on what they were saying. “Lead the way then. I’m with you.” He gestured with his arm for her to continue.

  Kaeleigh frowned at her friend of many years, suddenly concerned for him. She couldn’t feel him as Daegan could, except that hadn’t he said that he couldn’t really read Finn? But she could tell by looking at him that something was not quite right with her friend. She would find time to ask him about it later.

  “We need music,” Chel said randomly as she began to hum. At Kaeleigh and everyone else’s confused expressions, she gestured with her hand at everyone following them. “We look like a parade... minus the floats.” She shrugged. “I always wanted to be in a parade.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Aidón was exactly where Kaeleigh saw in her dream: down by the lazy river, sitting serenely on the bank. He tilted his head toward the sky, enjoying the warmth of the sun upon his face. She could feel the pull of his energy as soon as she had left the training field, zoning in on his destination. It was as focused as an electric current, pulling and guiding her toward him. It was like one of the threads that she had seen before—the ones that connected her to those around her when their energies had connected; like an aura but more whiplike than a glow around them. Aidón’s energy was a green similar to Finn’s, marking him as an Elf, but with a trace of something different making it his own. Those of stronger magic could contain a mix of their own color, Hunter had explained to her, whereas the mass of the races had the same subdued color marking them to the race they belonged with. Kaeleigh reminded herself to examine the energy colors of those from the Twined camp when she was finished. Her curiosity had her wondering what colors theirs would be. She didn’t see the thread at all times, but only when she focused her inner magic or when an energy was loud enough that it practically slapped her in the face.

  As they approached, Aidón turned toward them with a pinched expression on his face. Taking in everyone tagging along with Kaeleigh, he rose and slowly began to approach her. “I know you are here to attempt to remove the glamour, or the magic encasing this glamour, but I am not sure it is a good idea for you.” Disappointment flashed across his features before he steeled his resolve.

  “Aidón, I’m not sure why you wouldn’t want me to keep trying, but I think I know how to do it now... no, I’m sure of it—I can feel it. I want to try once more,” she pleaded.

  “It is not that I do not want you to try, it is just that it might not be”—he sighed in his pause as he took in Finn and Daegan on either side of her—“safe. It might not be safe for you.” As she expected, the warriors at her sides stiffened with bristling agitation and began to move in front of her as if Aidón was attempting to harm her. Kaeleigh waved them back with barely a frowning glance and stepped further in front.

  “I saw it in a dream...or a vision...or whatever. I know I can do this. I saw that I would need help and that is why they have all come with me.” Her hands gestured toward those behind her. “I can help direct their energy into dissolving the glamour. I know I can’t do it on my own—I could feel that much from my earlier attempts. I’m not strong enough yet,” she declared with an edge of frustration. “Please let me try.”

  “I don’t know, Kae, if he doesn’t think it’s a good idea maybe he knows more about it than we do. We don’t even know him, and I won’t let you put yourself at risk for him. There is too much at stake,” Finn tried to reason with her.

  Kaeleigh looked at him with pure aggravation, “You won’t let me? Finn, really? You do know me, right?” Chel came up along Finn’s side, seeking something in her friend’s eyes. Kaeleigh patiently allowed her inspection, hoping to find support. Chel took a slow breath and nodded to Kaeleigh. “Okay, if you need to do this, I am with you.”

  Kaeleigh turned back to Finn, barely pausing at Daegan’s eyes as she did, afraid for the fight she would see there as well. One at a time, she thought. She gave Finn a questioning glance as if to say, “Would it be too much to ask for that kind of support?” Finn practica
lly growled at her. He folded his arms in protest but nodded, relenting. “You have my support. You know you always do.”

  She had started to move toward Aidón when a strong masculine grip held onto her arm just inside the elbow. Somehow, that simple touch and placement of Daegan’s hand sent shivers racing through Kaeleigh’s body. She looked up into his eyes to see cauldrons of boiling dark chocolate. She saw his concern, but also saw the struggle he seemed to be having within himself. Kaeleigh could feel his protest for her protection, of course, but also he seemed to be decided in letting her follow her path.

  Daegan bent toward her, and for her ears he spoke softly. “My energy, my magic, belongs to you. Take what you need.” He paused for a moment, then added, “If you are in danger at all, you back away or I will pull you out myself. Understood?” As he took a step back, she looked up into his face again and saw fear and something else. Something that made her heart feel warm. Instead of putting up a further fight, she gave a quick nod.

  With all of that out of the way, Kaeleigh took a deep breath and walked with confidence and anticipation toward Aidón. Not only did she feel the rightness of what she was to do, but she had the support and help of her friends. Now to find out who this man, who had become a mystery to their little group, really was.

  Kaeleigh took a moment to stare at Aidón. She let the magic in her energy assess him. In her mind’s eye, she visualized the thread of her own energy as it approached him. It moved freely around him, poking and prodding with fingers of static electricity. The glamour around him was extensively created, but her energy sought any weakness it could find in order for her to know how to go about disbanding the magical entrapment that he was living within. On the path here, Kaeleigh had seen a sneak peek at what she assumed was his true self when she had attempted to break down the magic. She was slowly learning and at a time like this, when she was confident in her actions, she felt free—as if her magic had endless possibilities. Aidón patiently let her assess him, opening himself to her magic as he could. When she looked back into his eyes with a resolve of steel, she asked, “Ready?”