Chapter 51- Fallen and Found

Calculated Risks

Cyrus’s POV

The guards led Liam away, his cocky grin fading as they disappeared down a crystal-lined corridor. My hand instinctively brushed against my concealed weapon, its familiar weight offering little comfort in this alien environment. Every instinct screamed danger, but I forced myself to remain outwardly calm.

As we followed Liam’s parents through the throng of Fae nobility, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Years of training kicked in as I scanned the crowd, cataloging potential threats. My gaze landed on a figure that seemed… wrong.

Tall and imposing, the stranger stood out in dark, elaborate clothing amid the sea of shimmering pastels. But it wasn’t just his appearance – a palpable aura of darkness seemed to emanate from him, making the air feel heavy and oppressive. His eyes, black as bottomless pits, were fixed intently on Kate.

I watched as his gaze slowly raked over her, methodically analyzing every detail. It was as if he was peeling away layers, seeing beyond her physical form to something deeper. The intensity of his scrutiny made my skin crawl.

Kate shifted uncomfortably beside me, clearly unnerved by the attention. Without thinking, I pulled her closer, my arm wrapping protectively around her waist. The stranger’s lips curled into an amused smirk, as if my display was somehow entertaining to him.

The gesture only served to fuel my unease. This wasn’t just some Fae noble eyeing up a newcomer – there was calculation behind that gaze, a predatory focus that set off every alarm bell in my head. I sized him up, assessing the threat. He radiated power, an ancient, dangerous energy that made me doubt my ability to take him in a straight fight. Best to avoid direct confrontation if possible.

“Cyrus,” Kate whispered, her voice tinged with confusion, “who… what is that?”

“I don’t know,” I murmured back, “but I don’t like how he’s looking at you. Stay close.”

As we moved on, the stranger’s gaze never wavered. He remained rooted in place, continuing to stare at us with that unsettling intensity. The other Fae seemed to instinctively keep their distance from him, creating an invisible barrier around his presence. It was clear he commanded a level of fear and respect that only heightened my wariness.

We moved in tense silence, hyper-aware of our surroundings until we finally reached a private chamber. As ornate doors swung shut behind us, I let out a carefully controlled breath. The room was ostentatious, all crystal and swirling mist, but at least it offered some privacy from prying eyes.

I took the opportunity to study Liam’s parents more closely. His father exuded an aura of authority, his bearing regal and composed. Every movement was deliberate, speaking of centuries of political maneuvering. His mother was no less impressive – her grace couldn’t quite mask the sharp intelligence in her eyes. These weren’t just nobles; they were power players in a game I was only beginning to understand.

My gaze fell on Rosebud, Liam’s little sister, hovering shyly near her parents. Despite the scar marring half her face, there was an innocence about her that seemed out of place in this world of intrigue. As Kate smiled warmly at the child, Rosebud’s face lit up. It was a small moment, but seeing Kate’s gentle interaction with the girl eased some of the tension in my chest. At least some things remained constant, even in this bizarre situation.

Liam’s father turned to face us, his piercing gaze unnervingly similar to his son’s. “So,” he said, voice deceptively calm, “a demon hunter in our midst. How… unexpected.”

Shit. I tensed, ready for a fight. My mind raced, calculating escape routes and potential weapons. How many could I take down before they overwhelmed me?

Kate’s eyes widened, but she remained silent, her gaze darting between me and Liam’s parents.

Liam’s mother smiled gently. “Calm down, we mean no harm. But perhaps it would be wise to keep that particular detail… under wraps, shall we say?”

I nodded stiffly, not fully relaxing but appreciating their discretion. “Agreed. The fewer who know, the better. If you don’t mind me asking, how did you know?”

Liam’s father chuckled. “Your stance, the way you scan every room, the concealed weapon… it’s quite obvious to those who know what to look for. You might want to work on that while you’re here.”

I grimaced, making a mental note to be more careful. Sloppy. You’re better than this. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.”

I found myself constantly reassessing the situation. Liam’s parents were formidable allies, but their power also made them potential threats. The political minefield we were navigating seemed to grow more complex by the minute.

My thoughts drifted back to the dark stranger in the crowd. His presence nagged at me, an unknown variable in an already precarious equation. Whatever his interest in Kate, I had a feeling we hadn’t seen the last of him.

Kate and I stood awkwardly in the ornate room, unsure whether to stand or sit. The opulence was overwhelming – crystal formations jutted from the walls, casting prismatic light across surfaces that seemed to shift between solid and mist. I fought the urge to touch the nearest surface, half-expecting my hand to pass right through.

Liam’s father seemed to read my thoughts like an open book and gestured to a seating area with a subtle smirk. “Please, sit. We have much to discuss.”

I tried not to show my surprise as the cushions of the impossibly comfortable chairs seemed to mold around me, cradling my body in a way that was both luxurious and slightly unnerving when I sank into them. Everything here was beautiful, but with an edge of otherness that kept me on guard.

Liam’s mother leaned forward, eyes sparkling with barely concealed curiosity. “Now then, we simply must hear how this… unusual arrangement came to be. It’s not every day our son returns with not one, but two partners. And such an intriguing pair at that.”

I felt my jaw clench, uncomfortable with the implication. The whole situation was complicated enough without adding Fae assumptions to the mix. I glanced at Kate, silently urging her to take the lead. She was better at this kind of thing. Meanwhile I found myself pondering the etiquette of meeting your girlfriend’s boyfriend’s parents. Was there even a protocol for this kind of thing?

As Kate recounted our story, beginning with how she ended up with the demon hunters and her subsequent rescue by Liam. I listened intently, my noting which details she chose to share or omit. I kept my expression neutral, but inside, I was analyzing every word, every reaction from Liam’s parents. Their centuries of experience made them difficult to read, but I caught fleeting expressions of surprise, concern, and something that looked unsettlingly like calculation.

“And then,” Kate was saying, her voice softening, “during an intimate moment, I pricked my finger. Liam… well, he tasted my blood. And something just… happened.”

Liam’s parents exchanged a shocked glance.  His mother finally nodded, her expression grave. “The power in your blood must have been quite overwhelming. Even so, for Liam to initiate such a bond, even unintentionally… it’s shocking to say the least.”

I cleared my throat, shifting their attention to me. “I came back into the picture later,” I explained, keeping my voice neutral. “I managed to track Liam down a few weeks after they disappeared. When I learned about the Tether situation, I agreed to help.”  I carefully omitted the part about the trackers I’d secretly placed in Kate’s backpack, phone, and laptop. Kate didn’t know about those yet, and she’d probably make me eat those trackers for breakfast when she found out. Best to let that sleeping dragon lie for now.

Liam’s mother tilted her head, her gaze uncomfortably penetrating. “And how exactly did you and Liam come to… an agreement? Excuse my bluntness but you’re not exactly his usual type.”

I felt my muscles tense, flustered by the unexpected statement. His usual type? What the hell is that supposed to mean? “We… found common ground in wanting to help Kate,” I managed, trying to keep my tone somewhat even.

Kate, sensing the tension, jumped in with a wry smile. “Oh, I can only imagine how that conversation went. Knowing those two, there was probably more fighting than talking involved. I’m still not entirely sure how they managed to stop trying to kill each other long enough to work as a team.”

I grimaced, remembering our less-than-friendly reunion. Kate wasn’t far off the mark. It had taken a lot of grudging compromise and a shared goal to get us to this point.

Liam’s parents exchanged an amused look. “Indeed,” his father said dryly. “And what exactly did this… teamwork entail?”

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. “We undertook multiple trials to retrieve the Temporal Tether,” I began, my voice steadier than I felt. “Each trial tested different virtues, requiring us to work together in ways we never expected.”

Over the next several minutes, I recounted our journey through the trials, with Kate occasionally interjecting with questions or gasps of surprise. Since we hadn’t fully debriefed about the events of those last few days, much of what I was recounting was news to her too. The three stared at me intently as I described the endless staircase, the boulder-moving patience test, and the harrowing hourglass challenge.

I decided to skip over some of the finer details of the modesty trial. Liam’s parents didn’t have to know about our fight. When I reached the final trial, Liam’s parents leaned forward, their faces a mix of horror and fascination.

“You mean to say,” Liam’s mother breathed, “that you were willing to sacrifice yourself? To stay behind so that Liam could return with the Tether?”

I nodded stiffly, uncomfortable with the emotions in her voice. “It was necessary,” I said simply. For Kate, I added silently.

Liam’s father shook his head, looking genuinely shocked. “No wonder no Fae has ever retrieved the Tether,” he mused. “Such selflessness is… atypical among our kind.”

His wife nodded in agreement. “We owe you a debt of gratitude, Cyrus,” she said softly. “Your sacrifice ensured our son’s safe return.”

I shifted awkwardly, unused to praise from beings I’d been trained to view as potential threats. “Yeah, well… don’t thank me yet. We still need to get that damn thing off his arm.”

Kate nodded, her expression turning serious. “We were hoping you might have some ideas about that. Liam couldn’t figure out how to remove it.”

Liam’s father sighed, running a hand through his silver hair in a gesture eerily similar to his son’s. “I’m afraid we’re as in the dark as you are on that front. However,” he added, a glimmer of hope in his eyes, “we did uncover some documents related to the Tether during Liam’s last… visit. Perhaps they might shed some light on the matter.”

I filed that information away, my mind already whirring with possibilities. Before I could pursue that line of thought, however, Liam’s mother spoke up, her voice tinged with concern.

“We have another complication to discuss,” she said, glancing between Kate and me. “An Unseelie Ambassador arrived unexpectedly this morning. He’s here to negotiate the release of a spy caught during the Woodstock incident.”

Ah, I thought grimly. So that’s who tall, dark, and creepy was.

“How does this affect Liam’s situation?” Kate asked, her brow furrowed with worry.

Liam’s father sighed heavily. “It complicates matters. There was supposed to be a hearing for Liam tonight, but with this new development… it’s been pushed to tomorrow morning at the earliest.”

I felt a knot form in my stomach. More delays meant more time for things to go wrong. “So what’s our play here?” I asked, falling back on familiar tactical ground. “How do we approach this trial?”

A heavy silence fell over the room as we all contemplated the gravity of the situation. Then, Kate leaned forward, her expression resolute. “There’s one more thing,” she began, meeting the eyes of his parents. “Liam asked me to try and heal some of the Fae still suffering from injuries caused by his actions, and I agreed.”

Liam’s parents exchanged a startled glance. “You… would do that?” Liam’s mother asked, her voice filled with cautious hope. “So far no saint has ever agreed to help the Fae, even if we officially requested help.”

I felt a surge of protectiveness towards Kate. “Hold on,” I interjected, my voice harsher than I intended. “We don’t even know if it’s possible. Healing Liam’s eye took a lot out of her. We can’t risk Kate’s health for-“

“I have to try,” Kate cut me off, her voice filled with determination. “If there’s a chance I can help Liam and the others who were hurt because of him, I need to do it. I won’t let him face this alone.”

I bit back a frustrated growl. Damn it, Kate. Always charging headfirst into danger. “I’m just saying we need to be careful,” I said, trying to keep my voice level. “Your safety comes first – you said so yourself.”

Liam’s father held up a hand, forestalling further argument. “Perhaps we should consider this offer carefully,” he said, his tone measured. “It could be a powerful bargaining chip, but wielded carelessly, it could also put Kate in a vulnerable position, and we don’t want that either.”

We spent the next hour strategizing, debating the merits of revealing Kate’s offer immediately versus holding it in reserve. The conversation eventually turned to a crash course in Fae politics, with Liam’s parents explaining the intricacies of the court and the Council of 13.

“The Council,” Liam’s father explained, “is comprised of representatives from the most influential Fae families. Each family can only have one member on the Council at a time, and terms last for ten eons – about 150 of your years.”

“Right now,” Liam’s mother added, “I hold our family’s seat. When my term ends, it will likely pass to Liam’s father, assuming Liam hasn’t… resolved his current situation by then.”

They went on to describe the delicate balance of power within the Seelie Court. Alliances shifted constantly, with ancient favors and slights influencing every decision. A single misspoken word could have far-reaching consequences, toppling carefully constructed political structures.

“So let me get this straight,” I said, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Your whole family is involved in this political circus, and that’s part of why Liam’s… situation is so complicated?”

Liam’s mother nodded. “Correct. Our family’s high rank actually worked in Liam’s favor, in a way. A lower-ranked Fae might have faced even harsher punishment. However, it also means that opposing families are looking for any opportunity to use this situation against us.”

“Some Council members were even calling for Liam’s execution when he first broke his banishment,” his father added grimly. “We managed to stall that decision, but the threat still looms.”

I couldn’t help but snort at that. Execution. That’s one hell of a punishment for gate-crashing. “And where does that leave us?” I asked, gesturing between Kate and myself. “I’m guessing ‘demon hunter’ and ‘saintess turning Iele’ aren’t exactly common titles around here.”

Liam’s father’s expression turned grave. “Your presence here is… unprecedented, to say the least. The political ramifications of Liam’s relationship with you both are far-reaching and complex.”

“Great,” I muttered. “No pressure or anything.”

“Given your involvement in the trials, you may be called to testify during Liam’s hearing,” Liam’s father added, his tone growing even more serious. “And if there’s any doubt about your account…”

“They might use magic to compel the truth,” his mother finished. “Which could reveal your true nature as a demon hunter.”

The implications made my stomach churn. “What would happen if they found out?”

Liam’s father’s expression darkened. “Best case scenario? Immediate expulsion from the Fae realm. Worst case? Some might view your presence as a threat, given the history between our kinds. It could escalate tensions significantly.”

A heavy silence fell over the room as we all processed this new threat. Then, Liam’s mother spoke up, her brow furrowed in confusion. “There’s something I don’t understand. How did you manage to escape the trials? If you were willing to sacrifice yourself…”

I glanced at Kate, unsure how to explain. She took a deep breath and recounted how she’d used a combination of her saintly powers and Iele magic to rescue us.

Liam’s parents stared at Kate in astonishment, their composure slipping. “That’s… remarkable,” his father said, voice filled with awe. “The combination of those powers… it’s unheard of.”

“No one knows what you might be capable of,” his mother added, her voice a mix of wonder and trepidation. “If you can harness both saintly and Iele magic…”

The implications hung heavy in the air. Kate’s potential power could shift the balance of all magical realms. And I couldn’t shake the feeling that we’d just painted an even bigger target on her back.

Kate reached over, squeezing my hand. The simple gesture grounded me, reminding me why we were here in the first place. For her. For her safety and freedom. Liam was just a means to an end. It was ironic that the person who should be most worried about all this was the one calming me down. When did my life get so damn complicated?

As the conversation continued, my mind kicked into overdrive. I started mapping out potential scenarios, weighing risks and advantages. It was like preparing for a high-stakes mission, except the enemy wasn’t a demon or a monster – it was a room full of ancient, powerful beings with more tricks up their sleeves than I could possibly imagine.

“We’ll need to present a united front,” I said, surprising myself with the conviction in my voice. “Whatever happens in that trial, we stand together. Agreed?”

Kate nodded firmly. “Agreed. No matter what.”

Liam’s parents exchanged a look I couldn’t quite decipher. “Very well,” his father said. “We’ll do what we can to support you. But be warned – the court can be… unpredictable.”

Our strategy session concluded, leaving me with a mix of determination and dread settling in my gut. We had a plan – sort of. But in a world of immortal beings and ancient magics, plans had a nasty habit of going sideways fast.

I glanced at Kate, taking in her determined expression. At least I’m not facing this alone, I thought. Then I almost laughed at the absurdity of it all. Here I was, a demon hunter, about to face a Fae court alongside a saint-turned-Iele and the parents of our mutual Fae… whatever Liam was.

If we make it out of this alive, I mused darkly, I’m going to need one hell of a drink.

As we prepared to rejoin the court, Kate pulled me aside. “You okay?” she asked softly, her eyes searching mine.

I managed a wry smile. “Just peachy. Nothing like walking into a den of ancient, potentially hostile magical beings to really get the blood pumping.”

She rolled her eyes, but I could see the affection behind it. “We’ve got this,” she said firmly. “Together, remember?”

I nodded, feeling some of the tension ease from my shoulders. “Together,” I agreed.

As we stepped back into the glittering throng of the Seelie Court, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were stepping onto a battlefield. The weapons here might be words and political maneuvering rather than blades and magic, but the stakes were just as high.

Alright, Liam, I thought, squaring my shoulders. You better appreciate the hell we’re about to go through to help you. When this is over, you owe me. Big time.

With that thought bolstering my resolve, I plastered on what I hoped was a neutral expression and followed Kate and Liam’s parents into the fray. Whatever came next, we’d face it head-on.

After all, compared to the trials we’d already been through, how bad could a little Fae politics really be?