The Hidden War: Book One by Marie Andreas

Author:Marie Andreas [Andreas, Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MARIE ANDREAS
Published: 2020-01-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Another arrow shot toward them, but missed both. “Stand down and your deaths will be merciful.” The voice was heavily accented, sounding more like a running brook than actual words. But the meaning came through. A second arrow, closer this time as she tried to move back the way they’d come, clarified any confusion.

Eladrea knew the next arrow would be through her or Lachie.

She removed her hand from the hilt of her sword, raised her hands in the air, and motioned for Lachie to do the same. The smaller woman didn’t look like she was going to agree at first, she was looking around the trees trying to find a way out. Finally, she raised both her hands as well.

Silence filled the area. No animals, no birds, no murdering fae. Just the trees rustling gently.

Finally shapes came through the trees. Two males and two females. Taller than anyone from her village, they were thin and graceful. And beautiful. There was no doubt they were fae. Long hair was pulled up in elaborate knots, exposing their delicately tapered ears. Three had the same silvery hair that had been on the one murdered by the villagers and carried bows nocked with arrows. The leader’s hair was ebony and, even in knots, flowed down to his knees. He had an elaborate bow across his back but walked forward empty handed.

“We would rather not hurt you, actually. A scouting party of ours came through here and two of our kind were murdered. We are seeking answers and justice, nothing more.” His voice had grown softer now, the type of voice who wanted nothing more than to keep you from harm. “If you had nothing to do with their deaths, we will leave you with naught but a memory.”

Eladrea hadn’t realized she was starting to relax until she saw Lachie’s shoulders lose their tension. She bit the inside of her lip to refocus. The leader was even closer than he’d seemed before. He had moved close enough to Eladrea’s horse that he could grab the bridle. She thought about kicking her horse and taking her chances. But she couldn’t leave Lachie, not to mention that her own horse seemed to be in a trance. The mare’s sides were moving slowly, as if in sleep, and she stayed looking ahead without an ear flicker.

“I see you are the stronger of you two.” The dark-haired fae smiled. “I will talk to you. My people were thrown from this world eons ago. Your magic rejected us, slaughtering many, and pushed us back to our desolate land.”

Eladrea found herself transfixed by his mouth. It was perfect. The words coming out of it were perfect. He was perfect. Of course the fae hadn’t drained their land of magic and fled. The destruction to those villages wasn’t them at all.

“We sent envoys to try to reestablish contact with our human companions, but all were thrown back. This time, two were killed. The first was beheaded. The second was stabbed with a single blade.

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