Chapter 4
“Is everything alright?” I asked into the phone. I have been nervous since we walked away from Andras and River. Just because the newcomers are Fae, doesn’t meant they are friendly.
“Yes, but somehow word got out. We have a group of men outside now.” Her words had an edge to them. I could feel my anger boiling under the surface again.
“I’m coming. Once they realize you have human support they should disperse.” I was confident they would, but sometimes when humans rally together they get out of hand.
“You don’t have your pepper spray anymore. Be careful, Bella.” She sounded worried, which meant they were probably not just being quiet protestors.
“Don’t worry, I have more. See you in a few minutes.” I ended the call and grabbed my purse. It wasn’t dark yet, so I at least wouldn’t be dealing with these idiots in the dark.
I could hear the crowd before I saw them. As I rounded the corner I was shocked. Apparently the crowd was more then twenty strong at this point. I snapped a picture and texted it to Jacob before walking over.
“Get out of here Fairies! We don’t want your kind here!” Someone yelled loudly and was accompanied by a chorus of cheers.
“Keep Silver Forest Fae free!” Was quickly becoming a chant.
I pushed my way through the crowd, throwing out elbows when necessary. I was almost to the front of Andras’ yard when a rough grip yanked me back. I turned back with my pepper spray in my other hand.
“You have five seconds to get your fucking hands off of me.” I seethed. The burly middle-aged man smirked in response.
“Or what?” He laughed, causing a few others to join him. “Are you a Fairly lover?” His tone was mocking as he projected his voice, further rallying the crowd.
“Or I will pepper spray you in self-defense, you jackass.” My tone was icy and he flinched, but didn’t let go. “One…don’t make me finish, because I won’t hold back.”
“Stupid Fairly lovers.” He let me go with a shove. I hit the ground and finally had enough, I turned around with my fist ready. I punched the man as hard as I could in the chest, letting my rage and disgust at their behavior fuel me. The shocking part was that he flew a good three feet back and fell to the ground. I refused to let my shock show.
“Get out of here and stop harassing the Fae. They aren’t harming you, you are in fact the ones causing harm. Just last week I saved a Fae girl from being raped. We saved another one from a mob, similar to this. Is this really how you want to represent our race? That makes you look weaker. You aren’t winning if you are using groups on one man. You aren’t winning by forcing yourself on the Fae. Stop this, Now!” I put as much confidence and emotion in my voice as I could. The crowd didn’t scream back, they just turned and walked away, a few staying behind to help the man I hit. Once they were gone I turned around and walked up the walkway to Andras’ front door. The door opened before I reached it, apparently they were watching and waiting.
I was halfway up the walk when an awful burning pain seared across my left shoulder blade. The pain was so intense I cried out and fell to my knees. River and Andras were on their knees next to me in moments.
“What’s wrong, Bella?” River’s voice rising in panic. I clutched at my shoulder and whimpered. She lifted my shirt until she had access to the spot I was clutching. Andras scooted in front to block my exposed stomach and bra from the others. River gasped as she located the burning.
“What is it?” Andras shouted in alarm. River apparently couldn’t speak. He gave me an apologetic look I barely recognized from the tears blurring my vision.
“Arabella?!” Jacob’s voice bellowed out as his feet pounded down the sidewalk. I felt myself being pulled into his arms as he assessed me. “What did they do to you?” He asked as he continued his search.
“It wasn’t the crowd, they were gone when she collapsed. It’s this.” River finally choked out. Andras hadn’t said anything as he stepped away. River stopped him with a hand on his arm. “Keep this between us for now.” Her voice was fierce. Now I was in a bigger panic, but the pain was ebbing away. Now it just felt like a sunburn.
“Her birthmark? How did you burn it Bella?” Jacob asked confused.
“That’s what is on fire on my back?” I asked, my voice still shaking from the pain as I wiped away the tears that remained.
“A birthmark?” River asked quietly. Her face and voice showed her clear disbelief.
“What’s wrong, River? Why are you being weird about it?” Jacob accused. He was clearly trying to defend my feelings.
“Let’s talk about it once the others leave, please.” River said quietly. She grabbed my hand and helped me stand. Jacob put an arm around my waist to help me inside.
The new group of Fae stood in the entryway, varying looks ranging from annoyance to concern. Andras had them move away so Jacob and I could get through.
“So what’s the story with our new friends?” I finally asked as we settled onto the couch. I was careful to not let my burn touch the cushions behind me.
“They said pretty much the same thing they told us when we first met them. They all felt a pull to Silver Forest they couldn’t ignore. They left their homes and jobs, if they had them, to travel here. Once they were in town it stopped. Though to be honest, I believe them. I felt an almost tug in my stomach a few times, but it was faint. It doesn’t make sense yet. I do think we should prepare for more though, this group can’t be the only Fae around that felt it.” Andras explained. He looked lost as he contemplated the situation.
“That’s going to be rough, I hope you guys stick to groups, if that crowd was any indication of how the town will receive you.” Jacob exclaimed in disgust.
“Why do you guys care?” A male Fae stepped into the room, his tone hard. He glared at me, then turned his fiery gaze to Jacob.
“Back off Allwyn!” River barked. Allwyn turned his glare to her and turned around in a huff.
“No, his question is valid. I care because I don’t believe you should be treated this way. It’s wrong and disgusting. I’m trying to make people realize they need move past their prejudice.” I explained, trying to pour my desire for change into my words. His glare softened as he looked at me again.
“Allwyn, she literally fought off an entire crowd while we cowered inside, how can you still question her?” A soft feminine voice asked, as a beautiful young Fae stepped in the room. She looked to be around our age. She had long blond hair and bright green eyes. I always thought the Fae were super model pretty, but she had a kindness in her face that made her look even prettier.
“Gwen, they are human.” He said the word human like it was the nastiest thing he had ever heard. Jacob openly rolled his eyes.
“Not all humans are the same.” River defended us. “Bella saved me from being raped. She even offered to walk with any Fae who would be alone to avoid something happening again.”
“Fine.” Allwyn huffed as he walked away. When he cast a look back at me, it wasn’t as hateful. Maybe we would eventually come to a mutual respect.
“I need to get home to Dormy, he needs to eat.” I announced, standing up gingerly. My birthmark still hurt, just not as fiercely.
“I’ll walk with you.” River offered. She stood and grabbed her keys and purse.
“I would like to join you as well.” Gwen said softly, looking at me with a curious gaze. I nodded and made my way to the door.
“I need to get to work, I’ll let Deb know you are sick.” Jacob said with concern. My eyes went wide and embarrassment flooded my cheeks. He just laughed. “I knew you forgot when you texted me. I’ve got this.”
The walk back to my apartment was quiet. Thankfully we didn’t run into any more angry mobs or assholes trying to harass us. I ushered Gwen and River into my apartment before locking the door behind us.
“It’s loud here, how can you concentrate?” Gwen looked shell shocked. The parties were going strong, so I had to drag them through the crowds to my door.
“I’m used to it.” I laughed and gave her a shrug. I walked over to Dormouse’s cage and dropped in a few treats. “I’m home again, buddy. Are you adjusting ok?” I couldn’t help the sweet baby voice that came out when I spoke to him. The little guy grew on me. He just squeaked at me, in what I decided was gratitude, before devouring his treats.
“He talks back to you?” River laughed as she came over to see Dormy. “I swear if you weren’t obviously human, then I would think you are of the Spring Fae.”
“That reminds me, why did my birthmark freak you out?” I asked as I went over to the mirror hanging on my living room wall. I slipped my shirt off, not caring since I had on a sports bra underneath. My birthmark was an odd shape, resembling a flower. Jacob was the only other one who had seen it, he just thought it was a cool shape, nothing odd. As I locked my eyes on it I gasped. The flower now looked like it had swirling vines growing out of it. The whole think was a bright pink now, instead of the tan color it generally was.
“Is that what I think it is?” Gwen shrieked at River. I turned to look at them and River had a look of wonder on her face.
“Fae that are of the royal bloodlines have a mark similar to this.” Gwen whispered as she walked behind me to study it again.
“Well that’s cool, but I promise I’m not Fae.” I laughed it off. They were making a big deal out of something that clearly was impossible. “I must have had a reaction to something today though, it didn’t have the swirling burns and wasn’t pink before.” I said more to myself than my friends.
“It’s to much of a coincidence.” River stated. Gwen nodded at the same time.
“It wouldn’t matter if I had some royal blood way down in my bloodline. Faerie isn’t exactly accessible.” I pointed out. They both nodded in agreement, though the look on their faces showed how sad that made them.
“It doesn’t explain why it would change. Burns don’t exactly come in that perfect of a shape. We can’t really use magic here. Occasionally we can rock a glamour for small periods of time, but our magic is connected to Faerie. But I would guess this is magic. Not to mention the magical pull the others felt.” Gwen pointed out.
“Hold up! I thought you guys could use magic!” I exclaimed, shocked. It was one of the reasons the humans tried to oppress them. They are scared of the unexplained.
“Well, we can’t use much. We just chose not to disclose that for our safety.” River explained sheepishly. It made sense. If humans thought they could fight back easier they would be more likely to attack Fae alone.
“Fair enough.” I responded as I put my shirt back on. “Are you guys hu..” I was cut off by louder than normal yelling from the hallway. I pointed to the hall, to keep my Fae friends from view. I waited until I couldn’t see them before opening my door to see what the big deal was.
“There’s a group of at least fifty!” One guy announced. “The men in town are talking about a militia.”
“Why, they’ve never hurt us? It doesn’t make sense.” Another guy responded.
“Where are they?” I asked with concern. The group turned in my direction and I suddenly felt uncomfortable. It’s not like they could be mad about eavesdropping when they were yelling it through the hallway.
“The edge of campus, the park near Diamonds apparently.” Another guy finally answered me.
“Where did you come from?” The first guy asked in confusion. I rolled my eyes and pointed at my apartment door.
“Dude, a cute girl lived this close and we didn’t know?” The second sounded appalled. I ignored them and went to my room, locking it behind me again.
“Guys we have a problem.” I announced as River and Gwen peaked around the corner. “A group of fifty or more Fae just got into town. The assholes in town are discussing a militia. We have to find somewhere safe for them all.”
“That’s so many, Andras and I have tiny homes!” River said frantically.
“What about the forest at the edge of town. We planned to stay there before Andras invited us in.” Gwen’s usual quiet voice of reason calmed River down.
“Without tents? I could maybe buy a few, but I’m not exactly rich.” I frowned. They couldn’t just sleep on the ground.
“It’s a start at least. I can take some in my home, but the rest won’t have a place to stay.” River looked thoughtful as she pulled out her phone and started frantically texting. We were all lost in thought for several minutes before my phone broke our concentration. I saw Jacob’s name on the display and answered. He must not have found someone to cover me.
“Need me to come in, I’m doing ok now.” I said, but he quickly cut me off.
“It’s bad, Bella. Stay inside with Gwen and River. There is an all out war happening on main street. We’ve locked down Deb’s.
“What? The mob and Fae again?” I shouted back. Before he could answer I heard glass shattering in the background.
“Stay home.” He yelled back before the line went dead. He clearly didn’t know me. I wasn’t going to stay home.
“Stay here and don’t open the door for anyone, understand? The Fae and town militia are killing each other downtown. I have to go, Jacob is in trouble.” I tossed my extra key to River just in case and bolted out of the door. I ran as quickly as I could in the direction of Deb’s café.
The sight in the street was like something out of a movie. One of those incidents that happen that you never think you would witness. Wounded and unconscious bodies lined the street. I wasn’t going to say dead, since I hoped most weren’t.
I spotted Allwyn a few feet in front of me, trading punches with an older man. Allwyn was graceful, but the man was determined. I turned and started to run for Deb’s when I heard a gasp from Allwyn. I saw a gun in the man’s hand now and Allwyn had his hands up. The man clicked off the safety and aimed. Not even thinking about what I was doing I ran up and pushed Allwyn out of the way, just as the man fired. Allwyn twisted around once we hit the ground to see who knocked him over. He saw me and looked horrified. I felt a burning sensation on my side for a moment before the adrenaline ebbed away, then it was pure agony. I gasped for air as the pain overtook me.
“I’m sorry, Miss, I didn’t realize you were human.” The man mumbled, trying to help me, but Allwyn blocked him with an arm.
“You’ve done enough!” He bellowed. Before ripping off his jacket and applying pressure to the wound. “We have to get you out of the street.” He urged in a soft tone. I couldn’t help the whimpers of pain as he helped pull me to my feet. I looked around at the devastation and I couldn’t stand it. I felt my pain, anger, and grief explode inside of me.
“Enough!” I yelled, as a shockwave of power burst from my body, hitting everyone who was near. The Elves seemed to be immune, but the humans slumped down where they stood. I felt a tingling sensation course through my body mixing with the pain in my side.
“You are Fae?” Allwyn gasped, almost dropping me. I couldn’t focus on his words, I was too afraid I just killed all of the humans. How did that even happen?
“Tell me they aren’t dead? Did I kill the humans?” I asked in a shaky voice, looking around at the poor souls that dropped because of me. I couldn’t stop the tears streaming down my face.
“Someone check the humans who fell. Are they alive?” He barked at the group, everyone was still stunned, just standing around in shock. One of the Fae crouched down to check the nearby humans for a pulse.
“Alive, just unconscious.” He announced and I sagged against Allwyn in relief. Though it may not have been only relief, I could feel the weakness spreading through my body. My vision was fading quickly.
“Arabella?” I could hear the panic in Allwyn’s voice as he lowered me to the ground. He must have noticed I could no longer stand on my own. Thankfully he was strong. “I need medical help!” He yelled before turning his attention back to me. “You have to be alright, Arabella. Why did you jump in front of me?” His voice was hard, but I could hear the panic behind it.
“You deserve to live.” I said as I raised my weak hand to his cheek. I felt a smile on my lips, knowing I saved those left from further bloodshed. My vision disappeared completely as I lost consciousness.