Fates Divided: Halven Rising

Derek went to Elena’s room a few hours later, but Keen wasn’t out front and Elena didn’t answer the door. A brief moment of panic washed over him, before he remembered that Leo had wanted Elena to put in one last defense training session before traveling to Tirnan. Derek jogged to the Emain gym, and found Elena crouched and facing Keen.

Keen lunged for her, and Derek’s entire body tensed. But in the next instant, Elena hit Keen in the throat with the side of her wrist and elbowed him in the solar plexus. Keen faltered and Elena mimicked kneeing him in the groin.

Keen stepped back and nodded, still recovering from the throat blow.

Derek clapped. “Not bad. Thanks for waiting for me this morning.”

Elena grabbed her water bottle, her tanned skin pale, eyes rimmed with red. She walked to the side of the room and proceeded to stare at the wall.

He hated to see her like this. Felt helpless to fix things, since he was the cause. Wisps of what had occurred the night before rendered a hazy, disjointed image in his mind, but one thing was clear. He hadn’t wanted to be with Beatrice.

The thought of being with the Fae female made bile rise in his throat. He had scrubbed his skin raw last night trying to erase lingering memories of her touch. He was a guy; of course he’d hooked up with girls he didn’t have strong feelings for, but never against his will. Call him crazy, but he liked to choose his partners.

After spending time with Elena, he had no interest in anyone else. The knowledge that he’d hurt her after what they’d shared tore at his insides, and Elena’s cold shoulder made him itch to punch something. Preferably a Fae something.

Derek strode to where she stood and addressed Keen. “What’s the plan?”

“Weapons training for you, more hand-to-hand combat for Elena before she meets with Leo for final preparations.”

“Why aren’t you teaching me how to use weapons?” Elena glared at Derek as though she wanted to shiv him—for last night, for being the one who received the weapons training, for everything.

And maybe he deserved it. He’d been an ass to her in the beginning when she’d caused an explosion in Marlon’s lab, redeemed himself somewhat by helping her with the Fae, and then he’d kissed another girl right in front of her. It didn’t look good.

“We need to teach you more defense skills,” Keen said. “You put up no fight against the Halven at the party.”

Elena threw up her hands. “It was two against one, and the one guy clocked me in the head. How am I supposed to respond under those conditions?”

Keen pinned her with a glare. “Do you think you will find yourself in a padded, air-conditioned room the next time someone attacks you? You will be given no warning, likely under impossible circumstances. You must be able to defend yourself in the worst of conditions, and I don’t have time to properly train you. Derek has proven his combat skills are sufficient for him to advance to weaponry.”

“His skills haven’t been tested in a real-life situation. How do you know how he’ll fight when the chips are stacked against him?”

“Enough.” Keen waved his hand and walked to the edge of the mat. “I will not argue with you, Elena. Do as I say and you may survive the next time someone tries to kill you.”

“Don’t sound so smug,” she grumbled, and turned her back. “If I don’t survive, you won’t either.” Elena chopped the dummy bag with the move she’d practiced on Keen’s throat moments before.

Keen moved to the weapons wall and pulled knives and guns down. He checked the chamber of a handgun and raised it to Derek. “Have you used one before?”

Derek shook his head, most of his attention on Elena chopping the hell out of the dummy bag. “Only a Benelli shotgun and a Magnum .22.”

Elena landed one last punch on the bag. “Great. He kills Bambis.”

Derek dropped his hands low on his hips and turned to her. “We have a large property back home. I’ve shot birds, but most of my experience is limited to tin cans.” He nodded at Keen. “I have good aim, though.”

Keen handed him a Magnum .22 and ammunition, then pulled several small knives from the wall. He sheathed them, and pointed to where they fit along Derek’s belt. Once Derek had the items secured, Keen reached inside a drawer and handed him two more belts, both of them small and made of the same rubberlike material as the belt at his waist.

“For your ankle and forearm,” he said, handing him two more knives. “Attach the smaller knives to these straps and cover them with your clothing.”

The guard from the basement lab walked in and stood at attention beside the door.

Keen glanced up. “Marcus will take you to firing practice and show you knife maneuvers while I finish training Elena.”

Marcus peered at Elena. “Nothing on your roommate yet, miss. I have my men searching all possible leads. Leo asks that you meet him in the small laboratory.”

Elena squeezed her eyes closed and nodded.

She’d been through a lot, and there was more to come. Derek wanted to comfort her, but she wouldn’t like that right now. Maybe she never would.

Probably best he left with Marcus. Elena hated him for what’d he’d done, and there was no easy way to explain his actions.

He strode through the door, leaving his heart back in the room.

Keen had taught Elena a few more defense maneuvers she hoped she’d remember if she ever needed them. He even relented and gave her a few pointers on how to handle a small knife and gun. He said if she needed them she was probably dead, but he gave her tips on proper handling just in case she got lucky.

How optimistic of him.

Elena left to meet Leo in the lab and made one last-ditch effort to transmute.

She looked up from her latest failed attempt, a granite rock that had ended up a pile of granite sand. “Do you really think I’ll be able to improve my powers in Tirnan? What if I misinterpreted the Codex? Land. Ancient. Noble. Those are the words that stick out in my mind as keys, but that’s not exactly a road map.”

Leo set aside a petri dish. “Fae magic is most powerful among the royal lineages, one of which you come from. Royals, if they’ve survived the disease, live in Tirnan. And the land itself is magical, gifted by our original fathers.”

“The angels.”

He nodded.

“But what makes the royals so magically powerful?”

“Persistence. We’ve managed to keep those lines pure, intermarrying to preserve the lines and their connection to the angels.”

“As in incest?”

“In most cases no, but cousins marry. After years of trying to conceive, they may partner with another. The goal is conception, which can take decades, possibly centuries for most women. Fertility is much stronger between Fae and humans, thus the Halven problem.”

Elena chuckled humorlessly. “And that doesn’t tell you something? Did God ask you to keep your bloodlines pure, or is that a Fae interpretation?”

Leo’s mouth became a thin white line. “Of course not, but Fae were gifted by God with abilities. Those abilities weaken the farther down the line our brethren are from the original angels who sired them. It is only logical to keep the bloodlines strong through purity.”

She shook her head. Maybe that was true, but in nature the ability to reproduce was critical to the survival of a species. If Fae could be wiped out by a manufactured disease, they weren’t impervious to death. And if successful reproduction meant mating with humans, maybe Fae should listen to biology.

Tired of trying to convince Fae that their prejudices were stupid and harmful not only to Halven, but to themselves, she focused on what mattered. “I’m wasting time here, Leo. I should leave for Tirnan. It makes sense to seek help from the nobles I’m descended from.”

Of course, how to get those nobles to talk to her before immediately killing her was something no one had the answer to.

“Yes.” His face was weary and drawn at the edges. He actually appeared sad. “I had hoped we could protect you, Elena. You are more special than I presumed, with Fae-like abilities. You could have been one of the few Halven with a legitimate claim to a place in Tirnan. I have always respected your family… I am sorry I cannot protect you.”

Leo’s compassion stunned her for a moment. “I’m not dead yet, Leo. My mother and the rest of you will be, if I don’t do something.” She remembered Deirdre’s words about asking Leo for information on the Fae realm. “What can you tell me about Tirnan? How can I best survive while I’m there?”

Leo nodded and spun on his heel. “Come with me.”

He led Elena to the classroom where it had all started—the place where she’d first encountered Keen and the other Fae.

An image of an allon tree, carved into a wood panel on the back wall, presided over the room, gold filament covering the leaves. It was subtle, but magnificent. How had she missed it before? The allon was everywhere in Emain, now that she knew what to look for.

Leo stopped in front of the unusual framed map she had noticed the first day. The one Portia had identified as Tirnan. The massive land formation in the center differed from anything she’d ever seen, yet the map itself appeared aged, worn at the edges, as if it had been around forever.

Leo pointed to the singular landmass. “At the center of Tirnan lies a large crater, a frozen, uninhabitable wasteland.” He placed his hand on the surrounding area colored in faded blue. “Ocean covers the rest of the realm. The kingdoms lie along the rim of the landmass, near the ocean. Volcanism does not affect Tirnan, so the land is fairly flat and easy to traverse. Tirnan is densely vegetated and rippled with interconnected streams, rivers, and lakes, all of which may be used as drinking water.”

He pointed to a place at the top left of the landmass. “The land here is a part of Old Kingdom. The sovereign of that land holds with ancient customs and ways of living. The buildings in this region resemble human fourteenth-century architecture. Though the lifestyle is outdated, the king is very powerful magically, and uses his ability and that of the others in his land to stay current with battle weapons. Do not underestimate these people by their lifestyle. The king is a formidable opponent.”

He dropped his hand to the lower middle of the landmass. “New Kingdom embraces most modern conveniences, with buildings constructed in the human realm’s eighteenth-century style.” Leo glanced at her. “It is from here, Elena, that your ancestors descend. You may find less opposition should you enter the realm in New Kingdom. Their use of magic as a weapon is not as advanced as in Old Kingdom, but they too are lethal.”

“Old Kingdom and New Kingdom are deadly, but what about the third kingdom? Is that the land on the right?”

“Sunland. Yes.” Leo took a moment to answer. “Sunlanders are an open-minded people. Passive. They do not fight for power. They live with the land rather than use it.”

She chuckled. “Sunlanders are environmentalists.”

He nodded. “Among other things. They desire peace for Tirnan, which is unrealistic.”

She wanted to ask him why, but figured she didn’t have enough hours in the day to argue peace not war with Leo.

“If you venture to Sunland, you will find the dwellings odd, many built into craters or low to the ground. Sunlanders are less combative, which would be safer for you, but noble Fae do not reside in Sunland. And if your interpretation of the Codex links your development of transmutation with the nobles, you will need to enter one of the other two kingdoms.”

Leo stepped away from the map. “It would be best to portal you to New Kingdom, close to the castle. I’ve already mentioned that the streams and lakes may be used as drinking water in Tirnan. You need not travel more than a kilometer in any direction to encounter a fresh source. Animals may be caught for sustenance as well, but you are not acquainted with these particular species. We will supply you with food for your journey. And, of course, the leaves from the allon may be eaten if all else fails.”

At her questioning look, Leo scanned a bookcase beneath the map that held what looked like encyclopedias. The titles on the spines were in an unusual language.

He selected a book and quickly flipped through the pages. “Here is the allon leaf.” He pointed to a broad, round leaf in varying colors, the edges frayed like worn fabric—exactly like the colorful branch-jumping leaves she’d spied in her dreams. “The leaves alone will not sustain you, but you could survive on them for a few days if needed.”

Leo returned the book and seemed to be considering something else. “I would tell you of the weapons used in Tirnan, but most you’ve seen or heard of before: bows, knives, some guns. The best advice I can give you is to remain hidden and try never to encounter a Fae soldier.”

Why did she think that was going to be a nearly impossible task?

Leo ushered her back the way they’d come. “The sleep deprivation you’ve sustained will hinder your ability to manifest the power you need for transmutation, despite your body’s rapid healing. You are still half human, after all. I feel it best that you take a short nap while we prepare the food packets and inform those among us of the journey you are about to embark on.”

Another restless nap in Emain? If this was it, a sort of last rites, she had one final request.

“Leo, before I leave for Tirnan, I’d like to go home. I’ll take a short nap there and return immediately. I’ll be gone an hour at most, just enough time to say goodbye.”

If she needed sleep to have any hope of success, a twenty-minute nap in her own bed would be best. Also, she wanted to see if Reese had been home.

Marcus’s men didn’t know what to look for, but Elena knew her roommate’s routines and could tell if anything had been disturbed. Reese should have called or texted by now, but Elena couldn’t help wanting one last chance to see for herself—and one last moment in her own space.

Leo sighed. “You cannot tell anyone of your journey.”

“I won’t actually say goodbye. It’ll be more of a visual farewell.”

He studied her face, then gave a short nod. “Very well. I will send extra guards with you.” As if reading her mind, he added, “And I will see what Marcus has discovered of your roommate. We will speak to the authorities if she still has not been found.”

“Thank you.”

Either Leo was softening his stance on Halven, or her chances of survival were astonishingly low. He never wanted her to leave Emain. His agreeability didn’t bode well.

Within minutes, Elena was led to the exit of the physics building with no fewer than five additional Keen-sized bodyguards, one of whom was the weapons master, Marcus. Several more guards followed, hidden in the surrounding area. It was a good thing it was dark out, and few people were about. Keen with his atypical height was unusual, but a group of Keens walking the campus would not have gone over well. They didn’t exactly blend.

“Elena, wait up,” Derek called from behind as they left the building, and her heart constricted.

He caught up and walked home with them without a word, then veered off to his house, taking the porch steps two at a time.

At least he didn’t have delusions of coming over to her place. She was still confused and hurt after seeing Derek with Beatrice. She wouldn’t be able to relax, let alone rest up for the biggest challenge of her life, with him nearby.

And that made her sad. Derek had been the one person throughout all this whom she could depend on.

Elena entered her apartment and breathed in the scent of home. A moment of peace swept over her, until she realized Reese hadn’t returned.

No dishes lay in the sink. Reese never washed hers, so if she’d been home and had eaten something, the dishes would be there. And Elena’s note to her roommate rested where she’d left it the night before.

Elena went to Reese’s bedroom and discovered her bed hadn’t been slept in. She braced her hand on the doorframe, taking a deep breath.

If she’d gotten Reese hurt, she’d never forgive herself. She had to make it back from Tirnan—she needed to find her roommate.

Returning to the living room, her heart heavy, she realized she’d missed a second note beside the one she had left for Reese.

You better not be avoiding me, ER. I got my eyes on you! I’ll be back in a few days. By then your “project” should be finished. Besides, I’ve got another date lined up with Isabelle.

Mateo had drawn an image of two large breasts next to the girl’s name.

Life might crumble around her, but some things never changed.

The note that would normally have made her laugh brought tears to her eyes. She tried not to think about her cousin, or the rest of her family. She could do nothing for them now, except what she was already doing.

She glanced longingly at the stove. What was one last meal at home, all things considered? It would relax her more than any nap could right now, and good food would help her energy.

Elena peered at the five guards and Keen. They’d squeezed their massive bodies onto her couch and living room chair, and were watching a reality dating show. Keen held the remote, which explained their choice in television.

“Are you guys hungry?” No one said anything, but each of the Fae stared over eagerly, like a band of puppies eyeing a pork chop in their mother’s mouth.

She walked to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. Mateo had gone berserk. Packages of chicken weighed down the racks, and the bins and other shelves were filled to capacity. The kitchen cabinets were equally stuffed with dry goods.

A burning sensation filled her chest. Her cousin was the biggest jackass she knew, and she loved him with all her heart.

Elena spent the next forty-five minutes making quick recipes of chicken mole and Spanish rice. She didn’t have time to cut up a salad, but she’d made a ton of the mole, so it would have to do. When it was ready, she called the Fae to the table.

Keen and the five guards joined her with disconcerting speed for their size. Funny how inferior she was, unless she was cooking for them. Then she was their best friend.

Men. Speaking of…

Everyone had sat, the table overcrowded with large Fae tucked up against each other, when the front door creaked open.

For a moment, Elena’s heart stopped. She half stood, thinking it was Reese, only to sink back in her seat.

Derek stepped inside and closed the front door behind him. “Smells good.” He walked to the kitchen and grabbed a plate from the cabinet.

Elena turned to Keen. “Did you text him?” she said under her breath.

He shrugged.

She glared at Derek. “You come to eat my food, knowing how I feel about you right now? Why are you hurting me this way?”

He froze, his throat bobbing in a gulp. “I never meant to hurt you. If it had been within my power to stop it, I would have.”

The guards around the table darted their eyes at the drama unfolding.

“It is true what Derek says.” Keen held a serious expression.

After a moment, Derek scooted a chair over and ladled a helping of rice, but his hand shook. He was upset. Maybe as much as she was.

The guards shuffled their plates to make room for Derek at the table.

Both Derek and Keen said Beatrice had done something to Derek. Elena hadn’t believed he could lose all control that way, but Beatrice had somehow manipulated Keen into leaving his post when she’d trapped Elena in the library. It was possible Derek told the truth.

“I’ll never know what really happened,” she said.

Derek looked up, and her breath caught. Pain and an emotion she couldn’t define pooled behind his eyes. “It wasn’t my choice. I’d take it back if I could.”

Derek’s hand on Beatrice’s breast had been damning, but the look in his eyes now… he meant it.

Elena had been so hurt by what she’d seen that she barely listened to Derek when he said he never wanted to be with the beautiful Fae. Elena couldn’t believe it possible. But he’d said all along he’d been powerless to stop it. Now, with that look in his eyes of utter hopelessness and pain… He was telling her the truth.

Whatever had happened between Derek and Beatrice, it wasn’t Derek’s fault. He was innocent.