I arched my brow. “If that is so, then you wouldn’t mind taking me to him. He is mine and we must take care of our pets. You of all fae would agree and want the same, I’m sure.”
Kira pouted, anger simmering beneath the surface, seen only by the intense flutter of her gills. “I was hoping to have some time alone with you but of course I can take you to him.” She clapped her hands together. “I have a perfect idea. On the way, I want to show you something I know you’ll be surprised by!”
Playing, she was playing me. “Lead the way then, old friend.” I waved my hand, indicating I would follow her.
“You won’t regret seeing this. I know it.” She grinned and swam forward, back towards where I had just come.
I took one last glance at the festival before following her. Music still amplifying the water in the distance. The shifter, although incompetent at being a water fae, was very powerful. I prayed it would be enough to keep him alive this time.
Following Kira, I half listened to her prattling about her city and reminiscing about our faeling days while I cataloged my surroundings, searched for shadows, exits, creatures of the deep,knowing that we both were playing a foolish game the further we got from the city…the further we wentalone.
“Remi darling! Aren’t you listening?” She cuddled into me, stroking my arm.
I resisted the urge to shake off her cold manipulative touch, I could feel the disease of that burgundy power clinging to her.
It was the opposite of Emon’s, who always felt warm and safe.
“I apologize. I am unused to and unpracticed at socializing.”
She nodded. “Almost a hundred years, Remi. Where have you been all this time? Why did you not come to me?” Her fingers tightened on my arm.
I squeezed them back but did not answer, recognizing the looming darkness in front of us. “Shen’s Wall!” I breathed and pulled away from her, gazing at the monstrous mountains that split the entire ocean in half.
“I was hoping you’d remember.” Her voice sounded almost hopeful.
“Of course! A wall that is not a wall. A true mirage created by the ancient water dragon Shen. It splits the entire ocean in two, dividing us from The West Isles. So powerful that many who cross it are never the same again. How could I forget such a thing?”
Kira laughed coldly. “Youwouldremember it that way. Nothing but history and a wall. But I think of it much differently.”
My gaze darted towards her stoney expression, hurt flashing in her pink eyes before disappearing completely.
I frowned.
Kira snickered at my confusion. “You never cared about me, did you Remi? If you did, you would have remembered what this place truly was for us.”
My eyes widened, fully understanding now. “This was where we shared our first kiss.” I looked around, remembering how we sat beneath the looming wall, two friends separated by land and sea but inseparable all the same. I shook my head. “Kira, we were young, curious, and exploring the world together. Just because I never pursued you in that manner, did not mean I never cared for you.”
“You always do that!” She cried and pointed her finger at me. “Acting innocent, never taking responsibility for your actions, the fae you hurt around you! Like Morta, like me! But this is the last time I will allow that to happen! I gave you your chance to remember…to remember us.”
My back straightened and I flexed my powers. Thankful for the wall casting hundreds of shadows around me. I narrowed my eyes on my former friend. “That sounded like a threat, Kira.”
Kira’s pink braids jostled while she laughed again. “Oh it is Remi. It is.” She waved her hands and water swept in front of me, uncovering a still form buried beneath the sands. Electric blue hair beckoned me from the lifeless being.
“Bay!” I crouched down, sweeping her hair back from her petite face, my hands stilling at her large deadened eyes staring blankly at nothing.
She was gone.
Rage, rather than sadness, trembled deep inside of me and my hands shook as I closed her beautiful electric blue eyes forever.
I breathed deep, schooling my face. “You killed her?”
She leaned in with a scowl. “I didn’t kill her, Remi. You did. Because of you, she was sacrificed. For this!” Snatching her hand up, a red crystal shot through the water and Kira caught it quickly. The burgundy power around her brightened.
Swimming up to meet her at eye level, I scrutinized her. “That’s a blood crystal.” Glancing down at Bay, the pieces fell into place. “You drained her life force with it to use it, didn’t you?
“I am merely the repercussions of your actions. You forced my hand. Bay’s death and the crystal.”
I shook my head. “You sound just like her. Are you working with Deirdre, is that what this is all about?”
