rogue shifter 07 - cut off

I felt nothing against my skin, not clothing, bindings or even a whisper of wind. Although I sensed that I was still in solid form, my body refused to obey the commands of my mind. My brain told my eyes to blink, yet there was no sensation where I imagined my eyes to be. If my fingers did indeed wiggle, I couldn't feel the muscles move or the joints bend. My mouth could not—or would not—enlist the help of my lungs or vocal chords to call for help.

Was I standing up or lying down? Perhaps I hung suspended from a ceiling? There was no way to know. Sensory deprivation at its worst.

What I remembered from the night before was curling my body around Jackie's as she drifted off to sleep, her lovely scent and steady breathing comforting me as only hers could. When I knew she was deeply asleep, I'd moved away so my soon much cooler skin temperature wouldn't chill her. Then I'd closed my eyes and allowed my resting phase to take over.

Frustration roared through my unresponsive flesh, as I realized that I had no memory of how I came to be in this state. Had I been drugged into hallucination or could this be death? Was I now a spirit judged soulless and banished to a universe of nothing but my own thoughts to keep me company? My mind and memories were all that remained. How long before I went mad?

I tried to connect to the magic of the ley lines, but I was blocked. I reached out to my love with my mind, but our precious link was severed.

There was nothing.

Nothing but the hunger. The thirst.

CHAPTER TWO

My eyes sprung open, my instincts telling me there was danger. I sat up, throwing the blankets away from my body and pushing the remote to open the shades, simultaneously pulling in magic so I could defend myself and my resting mate. But the mid-day light illuminated more than just the room.

Garrett wasn't in the bed.

Lord Caelen stood by the window on the right, and I knew without his saying a word that Garrett was gone. Not dead, though. Not dead, but somehow not in my world. Which left only Faerie or the Demon Realm, neither scenario good. I rubbed my arms, shivering, my heart empty in a way I hadn't felt since before Garrett and I'd first shared blood over sixteen years ago.

"Jacqueline." Caelen's face was grave, pale. I opened my mouth to respond, but couldn't speak. "I've received news."

Aedus appeared next, then Liam. Three fae gods were standing in my bedroom. Any other time, I might have laughed, teasing them about
already being taken, thank you very much,
but not today.

The bedroom that I shared with Garrett wasn't a fit place for this sort of discussion. "In the kitchen, please. Two minutes." Short phrases were all I could manage. I splashed water on my face, then dressed in clothes I could move easily in, adding soft boots and then finally, my arcane dagger, its sheath fastened to my belt. If we were going to war, I would be ready.

A moment later, I was in the kitchen standing across the table from Caelen, too wound up to sit. "Tell me."

"A few minutes ago a body was delivered to our ceremonial field. He was a young fae, only one hundred and sixty years old. His name was Jerillin. He was one of mine." Caelen's voice cracked as his knuckles whitened on the chair back.

He sucked in a long breath before continuing. "In his satchel he carried a note from my sister, Fionna, the queen. I will translate."

Brother,

I hope you enjoy your gift.

Your undead ally is held prisoner at court. If Jacqueline wishes to take him safely home, she will accompany you to court, along with her son, Charles. Charles will be exchanged for the vampire and will stay at court with his true father, our brother, Kennet. Charles will be housed in the royal wing and will continue his training as a magic user.

You three will attend me in the throne room at eventide three days hence. The exchange will take place there. You will encourage the cheetah to obey me in this, or the Sidhe of Cascade will lose more of its people. I do not make idle threats.

Her mate will be held unharmed and released upon your arrival.

Fionna

I had no words. As my friends waited for me to find my voice, my hand went automatically to the handle of my dagger, my other hand clenching and unclenching by my side. Somehow my heart continued to beat and my lungs took in air, but nothing made sense.

Feeling lightheaded, I leaned against the wall for support. I must have looked shaky, because Liam took the lines to get to my side quickly, then led me to a chair. With a gentle hand on my shoulder he urged me to sit. He asked in his most soothing voice, "Do you need water?" I shook my head. "Jackie, where's Charlie?"

The microwave clock read just before noon. "He spent last night at Kyle's. He should be at the movies now with Aislin, Jay and Grady." I was surprised my brain worked well enough to figure that out and then communicate it so clearly.

"I'll have Aislin bring them back."

"No!" That was louder than I'd intended. I needed to get a grip.

The three fae stared at me in shock. "He is in danger." Aedus said.

I shook my head and held up a hand. "He has Aislin and no one knows where he is. First we need to make a plan."

Caelen answered, his tone clipped. "There is nothing to discuss."

"Really?" I bit my lip before I said more. Although Caelen had little to do with his twin sister, the queen, I couldn't help but feel he should have somehow prevented this from happening. "How did she get past our wards?" I asked.

"I can only guess. Fionna is foolish enough to use the spell that stops time. When she does, she's able to slip between the wards. The spell takes a great deal of her energy, so she will need a few days to return to her full strength."

"Why didn't she kidnap me instead or Garrett? Or both of us? I was sleeping right next to him."

"Taking you would seem logical, but Fionna is impulsive and not often prone to using common sense. I am guessing that she came for Charles, and when she saw he was not here, she had to come up with another scheme on the spur of the moment. She chose to leave one of you behind to escort him to court." Lord Caelen frowned. "She must have thought you'd be more malleable than Garrett, more easily influenced by me. She does not know you at all."

I ignored the jibe, especially since it wasn't far off the mark. "How do we get Garrett back and keep Charlie safe from Fionna?"

"Today we will take Charles to Cascade where he will be protected, and then we will do what has to be done to bring Garrett home."

Too vague for me. "And what specifically has to be done?"

"There are diplomatic procedures that you needn't concern yourself with." Huh. Caelen was used to giving orders, but I wasn't used to taking a back seat.

Aedus began to pace. "We'll do all that we can to get him home soon." The tall fae's eyes were streaked with an angry gold. I knew how he felt. Garrett was his friend, plus the young fae's death was an enormous loss to their sidhe. Like his father, he must be taking the attack personally. His deep voice rumbled through the room. "Jacqueline, please bring Charlie home now so we can take him to safety. Cascade is the only option. You may accompany him, of course. Philly and I would welcome the two of you into our home." He smiled, the warmth in his eyes urging me to agree.

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