Abandoned (Born From Shadows #2)

“They’re going to find out,” Freya whispered in a panic.

“They will if you keep talking,” Riley replied in a hushed.

“I’ve never seen you two before. Who are you?” An Elf said approaching the two.

“I’m Reyl, this is my sister Faey,” Riley said with a smile.

“Siblings? Now that’s rare. What can I do for you?” asked the male Elf. He had blonde hair, roughly five foot ten in height, his face sharp like most Elfs. Riley felt so relieved. It was working.

“We were wondering if you could grant us safe passage to Zarenda,” he replied.

The Elf looked over them once more, Riley prayed to all the gods the Elf would see through Vivian’s spell.

They were standing not too far from the Overway, also known as the ship they needed to get on. It was midday and the ship’s crew had almost finished loading the boat with all sorts of produce to share with the Fae. Riley and Freya were doing their best to act natural. One false move and they were done for.

“Hmm, what business do you have in Zarenda?” asked the Elf.

“Our friend over there, the one in the chair,” Freya said pointing out Vivian who was not too far from them. “She needs to see a physician in Zarenda every ten years for a check-up.”

“What’s wrong with her?” the strange Elf asked. Riley looked over to Vivian who sat still, unmoving.

“Born like that, paralysed from the neck down. There is something wrong with her nervous system, the doctor knows the details but in short, magic can’t seem to help her.” He was lying of course. She was actually using magic and he could feel Vivian draining him. He needed to act quick. Vivian was going to run out of energy to take soon.

Vivian sat stiller than a building, her concentration fixed on trying to maintain their fake appearances. The adjustment to their human features and her own recognisable face.

“I’ve never heard of an Elf like that, where are you from?”

“Kalida,” Riley answered.

“No wonder, that town is so far away.”

“The journey here was quite long. So can you help us?” he asked.

The male looked them over once more. “Ok, sure. These are tough times, we Elves need to stick together,” said the Elf.

Riley nodded his head. “Yes, we do. Thank you so much.”

“We set sail in an hour. I’m Aestal by the way, I’ll go send for someone to help her up onto the ship,” Aestal said.

Within half an hour all three of them were on the ship. They were underneath in a spare room that captain Aestal let them stay in for the two-day trip across The Pass. Vivian was no longer keeping up their fake look, but she was prepared to use her magic at any second.

“I can’t believe that worked,” Freya repeated for the tenth time.

“We’re not there yet,” he replied.

“Nope, but we are on our way,” she said. “Viv…um, that was really cool magic you did. Thank you.”

Vivian turned to Freya with a smile. “Anything for you Sunshine.”

“I’m sorry,” Freya told her.

“You’re the one who is sorry?” Vivian asked.

“I’m sorry for letting Kayter down. You knew him the longest. I am sorry also…for taking so long to forgive you.”

Vivian looked shocked. “You’re forgiving me?”

“Yes,” Freya said. “I am. Although if you ever betray me again, I will never forgive.”

“Because you’ll be dead,” Riley said interrupting the conversation.

“I would never. I am so sorry I left you in the first place. I don’t know what I’d do without my Sunshine,” Vivian replied ignoring his comment. “I can hear someone outside.”

“Who?” Riley asked.

“Shh,” Vivian told him and listened to what they couldn’t hear. “They’re talking about something…about how they are disappointed they’re going to miss something,” Vivian said in a small whisper.

“Miss what?” he asked equalling her low tone.

“Someone is on her way to Lefernen for…a coronation. Tatianna is going to be crowned,” she said. Riley didn’t know what to think. He didn’t know what to do.

He felt the ship begin to move, sailing away from the Elven kingdom.

“We have to go back,” he said.

“Riley,” Freya replied. “We can’t. This is the safest path.”