Garen

I'd been reading the latest visions that had manifested in the book when a tall figure suddenly appeared before me. He looked as if he couldn't see anything, however when I demanded, "Who the fuck are you?" I could hear his heart begin to race. There was something familiar about him as he slowly turned to face me.

"Well, shit," he muttered. His eyes darted to the door that Daniel now walked through. "Gentlemen," he inclined his head, but never broke eye contact. "I guess introductions are in order. I am Asher Wraithleaf, King of Faire and brother to your Eternal."

"Where is she?" Daniel growled, taking a menacing step forward. I'll give the kid credit, he didn't even flinch. Then again, compared to him, we're the kids.

"Resting. To be honest, I didn't know I was coming here. Seems the fates had different ideas."

I motioned to the seat before us, "Care to explain that in more detail?"

He eyed the chair suspiciously, then sat rigidly. His gaze drifted to the book before me. "How did you get that?"

"It was located in our archives. We were advised to study the visions recorded within," I said vaguely.

He snorted, "Advised my ass, Sen told you to do it, didn't she? Damn, I should have known she'd be a step ahead of all of us." His body seemed to slack as he groaned, "Look, I know you're pissed at me for taking her and I fully admit I'm not a fan of this bond you all have, but none of that matters any longer. She's in trouble, and I can't save her. According to the Fates, only the two of you can."

"How is she in trouble in your kingdom? Isn't she the damn princess?" I spat. "You steal her from our very arms and then allow her to be harmed in your care?" I felt Daniel's hand on my shoulder.

"We need you to explain everything to us so that we can help her," he told the Fae.

"Well, that's part of the problem, I don't know everything. Sen came to breakfast today and looked horrible, then in the middle of talking, her eyes rolled back in her head and she began having what can only be described as a seizure. It was so severe that her nose began bleeding, and she lost consciousness. The healer says her powers seem to be draining her life force. That's when I reached out to the fates to demand answers."

"You said they sent you here," Daniel clarified, "Did they tell you anything helpful?"

"They said they weren't killing her, that it was someone trying to steal her power, but then they said she'd never die. They also mentioned two grey pillars but didn't explain that. When I asked how to save her, they said I don't, 'they' do. That's when I ended up here in your study." Asher's face was etched with worry, and I believed him to be telling the truth.

"Your father," I said quietly. "Your father is trying to steal her power, and someone is helping him." I turned the book around to show both of them the latest vision that had appeared just this morning. "I'm assuming, based on the timing, that this was the vision that took such a toll on her."

"That bastard," he muttered. "He's using a siphoning spell, but I don't know any witches strong enough to pull that off. Oh fuck..." The color drained from his face as his hands began to tremble, "Danu."

"Wait, are you telling us a fucking goddess is helping your father drain her life force for power?" Daniel snapped.

"Not drain," Asher corrected him. "If her vision is right, it's a perpetual siphon. If Danu completes the connection, Sen will be trapped like a damn battery for all of eternity."

"Looks like Daddy dearest wasn't quite ready to let go of the throne," I added. "So, how do we stop him? I'm not sure the two of us can take down a goddess."

Asher's expression was downright panicked, "I...I don't know. The fates said you could save her. They sent me here, that's all I know."

I rubbed my chest, feeling a warmth, and grinned, "The bond. We have to finish the bond."

"How does that stop the siphon?" he snapped.

"What happens to her powers if she's turned?" Daniel asked, catching onto my thoughts.

The Fae was on his feet in seconds. "You want to kill my sister to save her? Are you two insane?"

"They said 'never die', didn't they? Well, that's what a vampire does, we never die," I smirked. His shoulders slumped in defeat. "Now, we just have to figure out how to either get her here or us there."

"If Danu is involved, I'm not sure I can get her out of Faire until the connection is broken. I can get you into a section of Faire undetected, but it won't be easy." He quickly laid out a plan we all agreed to, then with a frown, he vanished.

"What if she hates us for turning her?" Daniel asked once we were alone again. "She wasn't sure she wanted to."

I sighed, knowing he was right. "I know she wasn't sure, but when all of this is over, she will forgive us. It's the only way to save her, Daniel. I'd rather have her alive and angry than trapped by her insane father and a power-hungry goddess." He nodded in agreement.

My eyes drifted back to the pages of the book. More words began to bloom as I motioned him close.

Two paths

One path suspends the light

One path crashes light against the dark

Two grey pillars

Power eternal

Life and Death

Author's Notes:  Hmmm....guesses on the prophecy?  

Sorry for the inconsistent writing as of late.  My physical health has taken a hit, and that, of course, impacts my mental health.  But...the semester is almost over, and then a bit of a break.  Hopefully that will allow for more writing time.