They ended the tour with the media room, which was attached to the small library filled with ancient texts, some even written on stone. The media room had one large flat screen television on the back wall surrounded by a plush couch and matching chairs for movie watchers. Smaller televisions were scattered about with comfy chairs and a few computers with internet. When she looked surprised, Kaer only said, "What, you expected us to live under a rock?" Knowing how true that statement was, he winked at her before introducing her to a couple of young males currently enjoying a new blow'em-up action flick.

None of the residences had computers or televisions, they couldn't afford it, she'd learned. They all shared the ones in the media room. Most of the homes he showed her were cut from stone and earth, hallowed out and furnished with simple furniture, but all were proudly shown and displayed by its owners. Most were families sans the males, consisting only of widows with children. Kaer had explained that the majority of the bachelors stayed in a few large bunk rooms until they were mated.

They took a break among all the technology, while she did some email checking and research and Kaer was distracted by the movie, munching on popcorn the youths shared with him. At some point, Kaer left the room, only to return with a tray of food, roast beef sandwiches, with home made potato chips, complete with sea salt sprinkled lightly atop. He pulled out a couple of bottles of water from his back pocket and set one by her elbow, which she thanked him for before tearing into her sandwich. Between bites, she continued with her search.

Looking up what Wikipedia and other info sites had to say about the Obsidian Ares, the fae and Fomorians. There wasn't much more than a blurb on either the statue or the Fomorians, some myths, like a history lesson but nothing else helpful. She had hoped to find something along the lines of weaknesses and Achilles heels. Vampires had holy relics and water, silver for werewolves. Witches didn't like salt, right? But, fae? Nothing. Though there was a whole heap of reading material, some of which she printed out for later.

As she sat staring at a message from Adam, another waiter at the bar, asking if she could cover his shift tomorrow night, a warmth flushed through her at the same time as the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.

"It's time," Fallon said from behind her.

She didn't exactly jump, but it was close.

Looking to where Kaer had been sitting on the couch, she saw that he had abandoned his movie as well as the popcorn to stand, watching them.

She logged off the accounts she was in before pushing back and standing. When she turned to him, he held his hand out to help her around the chairs.

She stared at it for a moment, wondering if the same thing that happened in her room when they touched earlier would this time.

Placing her hand in his, she felt his skin warm instantly. But no sooner had she cleared the chairs did he let go. Nothing else. No blue glow.

Kaer stood as well, nodding his head towards her. "A pleasure to be at your service, my lady."

"Thank you." Jess said and looked to her side to watch Fallon who seemed to be having a silent conversation with Kaer just by facial expressions alone. Whatever it was, the other acknowledged the message by nodding his head minutely before walking out.

Nothing else was said and Fallon ushered her out of the media room and into the large hallway with a hand low on her back.

Jess couldn't help the warm flush she felt that began where his hand rested, spreading throughout the rest of her body. Even her breathing seemed to be panting with a little extra beat of her heart.

As a woman walked their way, he dropped his hand and edged away, putting space between them. The immediate loss of his heated presence made her shiver slightly. The woman only smiled at them before she continued down the hall.

"Did you enjoy your tour?" He asked, clasping his hands behind his back and under his tucked wings.

They walked side by side now, but Jess couldn't help but stare at his wings, angling her head when she thought he wasn't looking.

"Hm? Oh, yes. Kaer was a great tour guide." She gave a little smile when he looked at her. The moment he looked back ahead, she went on to dissecting his wings with her gaze.

His black shirt had been tailored to have two openings at the back that looked to close with Velcro all the way down. Where the wings met bone at the base between his shoulders, looked like that of a large bird's, with muscles layered over bone.

Though she vaguely heard the rumble of his voice when he started to speak again, her focus couldn't be broken. Her hand reached out to run her fingers over the boney part of the left wing.

His reaction was instant, going rigidly still, unmoving, but he didn't stop her, so her bravery grew and she tested the elasticity of the webbed part. It was rough but not scratchy, warm to the touch and firm, tougher than she had imagined.

Hearing what sounded like a growl emanate from him she snatched her hand away, looking contrite as she found interest in her shoes all of a sudden. "I'm sorry. I don't know why I did-"

His hand snagged her arm as he swept her into a small cover between two residences, briefly out of sight from any other passersby.

For a brief moment, she was blind in the abrupt darkness, but she could feel his breath on her neck and the closeness of his body, it's heat surrounding hers.

When he didn't say anything except air sawing in and out of his lungs, she spoke. "Fallon?"

"Touch—" His voice sounded like his throat hurt, gravelly. She heard him swallow before speaking again. “Touch me. Touch me again."

Taken aback by his request, she hesitantly reached out. Her vision had cleared marginally, allowing her to make out outlines. His wings curved to hover over his shoulders, beckoning towards her, while his face was a few inches from her own, dangerously close.

Watching his face, she gingerly tested the arch of his wing with one fingertip, just below the large talon like claw. At first, she didn't see any change in the shadow of him, until, using her thumb, she reached higher and tested the point of the talon and the smoothness, almost a polished feel. Right then was when things seemed to happen all at once. That growl sounded again, followed by his eyes snapping open, glaring through the darkness the same incandescent blue and boring into her.

She left her now trembling hand where it rested on his wing tip, but kept her eyes locked on his diamond ones. From the corner of her vision, she saw him reach out to cup her cheek. Instantly, it too, began to glow the same shimmering cobalt.

"Why does-" He cut her words off with his mouth. The pressure was firm but not unpleasant. Jess felt him sigh at the contact. Before her eyelids fluttered closed, she saw the left side of his face begin to take on another sapphire hued marking. An intricate design that looked like a sort of starburst.

Tentatively, she began kissing him back, feeling completely out of her element. When she did, though, his hand on her cheek moved to grasp her chin, opening her to him. She allowed it but held herself reserved for a moment, until finally giving in and meeting him kiss for kiss.

Her lips were happy to oblige his demands and she grabbed handfuls of his shirt at his sides, holding on. Occasionally, she caught herself running her tongue over his fangs, enjoying the sharp intakes of air he took each time she did.

When he ran his other hand down her side to grasp the back of her thigh, a clattering sound echoed from down the hall, shaking them both from the moment and springing them apart from one another. Jess was able to see the new starburst tattoo on his face before it faded away completely.

The pounding of her head and her panting breath still didn't cover up the sound of Fallon's own labored breathing. After a couple of seconds, he turned to step out of the corner's shadow, holding a hand out for her to follow.

His expression was hard to read, so she kept quiet as he led her through the large marketplace area, up the stairs and to the street. An older black Honda Civic waited at the curb, with one of the female soldiers standing by the rear passenger side door.

Fallon stopped and introduced them. "This is Roshea. She will be driving you." He started to turn away before she stopped him. "Wait. What about you?"

"I will meet you there." With that, his wings snapped out and up before rushing down, pushing him through the air to disappear in the night.

"My lady," Roshea said, holding the rear door open for her.

Smiling at the woman, she held her hand out, saying "Hi. You can call me Jess."

Tentatively, the Fomorian female took her hand, jerking it up and down gingerly, smiling as she simply says back, "Roshea."

Reaching around her new friend, Jess pushed the door shut and opened the front passenger door, slid in and slammed it closed.

A few seconds later, Roshea joined her in the driver’s seat, buckled her seatbelt before turning the engine.

 

 

Alyss prowled her room, switching between sitting and pacing. She already checked the window, barred. The bastards, she cursed silently. On the point system, she was losing and the assholes were ahead by two.

After what seemed like hours, even though it was still dark as pitch outside, someone tapped on the door before unlocking it without her go ahead.

Cormac entered, eyes landing on her sitting on the bed. "Come." Was all he said, pushing the door open more.

Huffing out a breath, she stood and glared at him the whole way into the hall.

Folding her arms across her chest, the stance she took was that of a reluctant child, ready to dig in her feet.

"Where are we going now?" She asked when he turned to lead her down the hallway. "To talk about your future. And your sister's." That said, he left her standing dumbfounded, as he walked ahead without her.

She wanted to smack him when she spotted an entertained quirk on his lips when as she galloped to catch up.

"What about my sister?" Protectiveness made her adrenaline pump faster through her system.

"You will know soon enough." He said rather dismissively.

"You keep saying that, but it makes me wonder if you really know what's going on." He only smiled a little as they trotted down the stairs.

She left it alone for the time being and continued to follow him down to the main level.

Once they reached the foyer, he rounded the stairs to go down a small hallway on the left, bypassing a couple of doors until he came to the end where the hall split into large rooms on either side. A kitchen and what looked like a Butler's pantry on one and a grand sitting and entertainment area in the other.

Peeking in the sitting area, she saw a single candelabra resting on a dark marble mantle above a fireplace. Frowning, she wondered why there wasn't any electricity on the first floor. The only lights she'd seen since arriving at the Adams Family estate were the dim light outside and the upstairs. Even the foyer had the same candle lit sconces.

Moving her gaze back to her captor, she jumped when she spotted a form step out of the shadows of the hallway and move to stand beside Cormac. "They're here," a man said in a gruff voice. Leaning forward he then whispered in his ear something Alyss couldn't hear.

"Show them in, Hayden."

Alyss watched as Hayden nodded and strode back down the hall to the front door.

"After you."

Turning at his words, she saw Cormac holding a paneled door that wasn't there a moment ago, where once there was a smooth wall at the end of the hall between the two rooms, now gaped a space with its own wall sconce that lit a narrow, curved stairwell.

Curiosity overwhelmed her fight of flight responses. Cautiously, she stepped through the doorway to descend the steps, hearing him follow a few feet behind.

As they went, evenly spaced sconces would light on their own to shine the way. Motion sensing lights from the Dark Ages, she mused. After going at least twenty feet below the house, they reached solid ground again.

Another man waited for them just to the side from where the stairwell opened to a large space that looked to be a tunnel of some sort. It reminded her of the old drainage below the stretch of New York and the ancient ducting of the Romans. A rush of water, rather clean looking oddly enough, ran along the far side coming from a large manhole opening on one end and exiting down at the other end.

"You live," said the man, smiling at her. His light hair was buzzed and sported a tattoo that looked like a Celtic dragon on the left side that appeared to curl around to the back. Brown eyes were illuminated by more sconces scattered on the concrete brick walls. He wore the same black t-shirt and jeans as the other men, almost uniformly.

Stepping forward, he went on to say, "You bled quite a bit in the car."

"Oh," Alyss said, having forgotten all about being knocked over the head earlier. She reached back to gingerly feel for the wound, feeling tenderness and dried blood caked in her hair.

"Eh, gross." At least it didn't seem to be bleeding anymore.

"Sutten, " Cormac said, giving an affirmative nod, one of which Sutten returned before snapping a hand out and grabbing her upper arm in a tight vise. Not bruising, but still not friendly either.

"What the hell, Cormac?" She spat at him.

"Our guests have arrived," was all he said before following Sutten as he dragged her to stand on the opposite side of the stairs.

No sooner had the words left his mouth did she hear footsteps coming from the stairwell. Seeing is believing, but at that moment she would swear she’d been drugged by what she saw step into the room.

The woman was probably her height, the lower side of average, silver haired, honest to goodness silver hair. Not a pretty graying color that older women got, but a gorgeous shining metallic silver, which hung loose down her back, brushing her thighs. She wore a pale gray gown with a bodice that showed the cleavage of her small but well-proportioned breasts. Her features were childlike, with a slightly upturned nose, pale, oval face with a delicately pointed chin and ruddy cheeks. She was followed by another man dressed similarly as the others in Cormac's band of brothers.

When they walked back towards them, stopping in front of her and Sutten, Alyss noticed the woman was wearing slippers that matched her gown. She seemed to be whispering something too. A whimsical sound coming from her that just barely reached Alyss, her ears strained to make out the actual words.

Before she could, more footsteps echoed from the stairwell.

"Don't do anything stupid, " Cormac growled in her ear, making her jump. Hadn't he just been standing to the side of us? She thought.

She shot him a "bite me" glare before turning back to watch the new comers enter the chamber.

 

 

With just the last step remaining, Jess was forced to stop or run into Fallon's back. His form blocked out much of what laid on the other side of the tunnel, only able to make out concrete brick, trapping her between him and Roshea. She reminded herself not to think too much about where they were, or else risk conceding into the panic that she felt creeping under the surface. The calculated deep breathes she took in order to keep herself calm, still sounded shaky. In. Out. In... Out. Though she was thankful for Fallon being in the lead, she still couldn't wait for the anticipation to be put to rest and finally know who Cambers and his men were, what they wanted and if Alyss really was safe.

Since they arrived outside, both Fallon and Roshea had been on high alert. She'd even wager they'd jump if she sneezed right then. She and Roshea had taken the car, while Fallon flew overhead. The drive took a few hours to get there but something told her that it wouldn’t have taken nearly as long for Fallon if he hadn’t been keeping staying close to them in the car. He kept pace with them though, gliding on the cool breeze like a magnificent bird of prey enjoying the ups and downs of the warm air pockets he came across. When they drew closer he flew ahead, taking stock of the property’s surroundings before landing just as they pulled up and parked outside the house. Mansion. It was an honest to goodness mansion, and an old one. Fallon didn’t allow her much time to admire the structure, instead he took up residence in her direct line of sight so that her view consisted of just his wide back under his dark shirt, wings spread out and blocking any peripheral vision too. It didn’t bother her too much, since his was just as a good a view as the one he was barring.

As he moved forward, she stayed on his heels, having gotten strict orders to stay close before she was even allowed out of the car. When she finally moved out of the stairwell, she got a look of the room before spotting her sister.

"Alyss!" Staying behind Fallon, she stuck her head around his wing, keeping Jess in her sight.

"Jess!" Attempting to rush forward, she was held in place by baldy's grip on her arm. "What's going on?"

"It's going to be alright," Jess assured her, ignoring the question.

Behind Roshea, the one who escorted them down blocked the stairwell taking an unmovable pose, legs spread and planted firmly with arms crossed over a massive chest.

The one standing beside the woman in gray broke the women's reunion. "Fallon," he said sarcastically.

"Cambers," Fallon said acknowledging.

"How's your man's wing? Hope there's no hard feelings. Nothing personal."

Fallon didn't answer, except to say, "Let her go, Cambers."

"That's not my son's decision," interjected the woman who looked to have taken a swim in a radioactive river.

Son? Jess thought. She didn't look old enough to drink, much less to have birthed a now grown man.

Fallon bowed his head respectfully to the woman. "Your highness."

"Fallon," she said, her tone like that of a teacher to her young student. "Surely we know each other well enough for you to call me by name." She held a genuine smile as she waited for him to agree.

"Brianna," he said, head still bowed.

Pleased, she continued, "There. Now, as I was saying, it was my decision and order to...apprehend the girl and the Ares."

Brianna waved a hand towards her son, who then presented Alyss' messengers bag and pulled out a small black figurine for all to see.

The Obsidian Ares, Jess presumed, was no bigger than her size six and a half shoe. So, that's what all the fuss is about, she thought.

"And what, may I ask, do you have planned with the Daeghtus, Brianna?" Though he used her name, it still sounded like a title, and he wasn't fooling the woman either.

One eyebrow raised, she answered, "I plan to give it to you, Fomorian King."

King?! Jess couldn't help the punishing jab she gave his lower back. He completely ignored it, but that was fine by her, they'd talk about it later.

Brianna folded her hands in front of her gracefully. No one else moved. Jess kept her head in the odd angle with the majority of the room still in view.

"I have a proposition for you and Manahan's heir," she met Jess' shock-rounded eyes. Fallon shifted his wing to block her, but Jess side stepped minutely to keep her eyes on Brianna.

"I'm listening," Fallon interjected.

"What's going on?" Alyss interrupted. "I want to know what you're talking about if you're holding us hostage."

"Alyss, it's fine," Jess said calmly, taking a full step to the side, away from Fallon. "Everything is going to be okay. Just let them talk, I'll explain it all later." She didn't sound very convincing, she guessed, with her shaky voice.

"No, Jess. I want to know now. Who are these bastards? What-What are they?" Alyss' own voice didn't sound very sure either.

"Quiet," Brianna commanded, growing impatient.

"Just who do you think you are, lady?" Twisting her arm in a elementary maneuver she learned Freshman year during a self-defense class, she broke the man's hold and advanced upon the silver haired wisp of a woman. Before she could lay a finger on her though, Brianna threw a hand out, palm facing Alyss.

Jess watched as her sister froze for a second and, when the queen flicked her hand to the side, as if swatting a fly away, saw her collapse on the spot like a rag doll dropping to the concrete floor. Chaos ensued from it.

"No!" Jess screamed, starting to run to her before she was jerked back by a meaty hand on her shoulder. A sound similar to the low growl she heard Fallon make earlier in the underground hallway, reverberated in the small chamber, bouncing off the walls, sending chills through Jess before the weight disappeared and the man who dared to touch her flew against the brick wall, head snapping back with a sickening thud before he slid down to slump against it, dazed.

Fallon snatched her arm, dragging her behind him again, wings flared out at half mast, offering added protection. Roshea stood to his side, having advanced from the rear, battle ready.

"Stop!" Brianna's commanding voice froze everyone in place. Breath hitching, Jess pressed her forehead to Fallon's back, feeling it warm even more at the contact and how the cotton absorbed the sweat that started to bead on her skin.

"Domminai, stand down," the man, Domminai, just now standing from his momentary stupor against the wall nodded as he rubbed his head. Jess hoped he had an egg size bump for the bruises she was sure would show up on her shoulder from his brutal grip.

"Well, well, Fallon. I guess you do have more at stake in this, don't you?" Brianna's mocking words made Fallon still for a second as she looked him over from head to toe.

Looking up, Jess could see his cheek was illuminated with the same blue tattoo she'd seen in the dark just a couple hours ago, he looked fearsome and beautiful all at once. The palms of his hands, which were held at his sides, opened and closed into fists, glowing with their own markings as well.

"Let's get on with it, Brianna," he ground from clenched teeth.

"Very well, as you wish," she acquiesced. "I want an alliance."

"Alliance?" Jess could hear he was a little taken back by her words, his wings inching down slightly. "There is no war between us, Brianna," Fallon said calmly.

She smiled at him as if he were a child, "Not with the Fomorians," she said, then looked around him to spot Jess. "With the Seelie."

"What are you proposing, Brianna?" Fallon tucked in his wings and moved to the side a little, allowing Jess to be a part of the conversation.

"We give you the Daeghtus, in return for a promise of an alliance and a joining of our courts in the future. My people are tired of living only in the shadows. They want to return home.”

"What did you do to my sister?” Jess interrupted, looking worryingly to Alyss' still prone body.

"She sleeps, nothing more." The smile changed to that of comforting, one that reached her eyes and adding truth to her words.

Not believing her, Jess glanced at Fallon, who nodded in assurance.

"Okay. So, let me get this straight. You want your kingdom to reunite with the Seelie?" Jess wasn’t entirely sure she understood who this Seelie were.

"Correct, child."

Jess' brows furrowed a little. "Look, I realize you're probably much older than me, and you look really great for your age too, but please, for the sake of your kingdom and my sanity, don't call me a child. It rubs me the wrong way." Jess rubbed her temples as she spoke.

Brianna's lips twitched, as if holding back another smile, before tipping her head to the younger woman in understanding.

Jess dropped her hand and looked to Fallon, met his edged gaze before sweeping to Roshea and turning back to her sister, still crumbled on the ground beside Cormac, who stood close by, glancing down to her now and then.

"What say you, Princess Jessandra?" Brianna's soft musical voice broke the momentary silence.

Looking at her, Jess took a deep breath before replying. "I say we all take a day. I need a day. This is all too new to me, I hardly understand what's going on." She noted everyone was now staring at her.

"Let Alyss go," Jess said shakily, fearing her request would be denied.

Brianna's brow rose at Jess' shocking words, already shaking her head.

"Let her go," Jess rushed on. "Keep the Daeghtus, and give me a day to think and learn." Brianna looked to be giving her words genuine thought.

"I need time to learn, before I can give you an answer." Brianna smiled again when Jess finished.

"Fallon, I trust you will teach her in a fair manner?" Brianna asked him.

"I assure you, Brianna, that I will give a complete unbiased history lesson to Princess Jessandra." Fallon bowed his head graciously to her.

"Then I agree to your terms, Princess Jessandra." she said.

"Thank you," Jess wasn’t sure what to do so she gave a quick and extremely awkward curtsey.

"Cormac, darling. Please waken our guest," she directed.

The man standing over Alyss quickly knelt down beside her and brushed her temple with his fingertips. Just like that, her eyes fluttered open. Not giving her much time to adjust and find her bearings, he hauled her up by her waist, turning her to face Jess.

"Go, Princess," he whispered to her, his breath fanning her cheek, making her shiver slightly, before nudging her forward.

"Alyss!" Jess called to her through the fog. Her mind clearing, she rushed to grasp her sister's outstretched hands before being embraced.

"Go. You have your day," Brianna said.

Dismissed, the three followed the one Fallon had thrown after touching Jess, back upstairs and outside of the mansion.

"Jess, who are these people?" Alyss whispered once they reached fresh air again.

"Shh...We'll discuss it in the car," Jess hushed her.

Fallon nodded to the two males who waited perched on the outer walls, resembling gargoyles, their wings threateningly arched back at the ready.

Fin and Keegan dropped down in front of him, their heavy weight crunching the drive-way's gravel rock beneath their boots. Fallon spoke with them for a moment, giving direction to make security rounds of the Nead before resting and meeting again on the next eve. Roshea had been opening the door for Alyss and ushering her inside when Fallon pulled Jessandra aside.

"Fly with me." It was as much a statement as it was a question. Jess looked to Alyss who seemed less wide eyed and more sturdy now.

"Just a second," Jess said, turning to hug Alyss in the car. "You're safe with them," she assured her. "I have to go with him, but I will see you soon."

Alyss’ hand snapped out and her hand gripped her sister’s arm, staying her. "Where are they taking me?" Alyss asked, peering at Roshea's eyes in the rear-view mirror.

Looking at the same set of eyes, Jess looked back to her younger sister with a small smile. "Home." She watched Alyss frown. "Their home." Not waiting for a response, Jess dropped a kiss on her forehead, soothed the death grip to release her, straightened and shut the door before returning to Fallon.