Dark Realm 68
Herman winked at her. “Your path is your own, but you can choose to either walk alone or make a stand. You have grown so much in the last few years. I am so proud of you.”
Brinley leaned over to place her ear to Herman’s chest. “Thank you.” Brinley closed her eyes as tears soaked his shirt.
“You are so much stronger than you think.” Herman rubbed her back. “Believe in yourself,” Herman whispered.
“Hey.” Joy opened Herman’s bedroom door. “I’m sorry, Brin. I didn’t realize.”
Brinley hopped off Herman’s bed to hug her friend. “I’m sorry for being a bitch. I needed time to think.” Brinley sobbed.
“Hey, hey, it’s fine. Stop it.” Joy held Brinley’s shoulder. “I know this must be hard for you. I need you to know I’m always here for you.” Joy wiped Brinley’s tears. “Where did you go?”
“After the meeting with Jackson, I found myself in the graveyard. Pyramus found me.”
“You’ve been with him this entire time?”
Brinley nodded.
“Did you learn anything that could help you?” Herman asked, sitting up in bed.
Brinley turned to face the dark curtains, she opened her left hand, and with a sharp twist of her wrist, the curtain swayed. From the inky depths of the curtain stepped a shadowy form. Joy gasped staring at Brinley’s doppelganger.
“Shadow casting?” Herman said in amazement.
Brinley closed her right hand as the clone vanished into the murky shadows.
“Okay, I must say one thing, that was fuckin cool.” Joy clapped.
“I learned a lot about the storm. Her name is Elizabeth, the Blood Countess. Pyramus and the countess have a history. And it’s not a pleasant history.”
“Wait. Are you joking?” Joy took a step back. “If that’s true, that would make Pyramus…” Joy tapped her temple trying to do the math.
“Don’t try to work it out. I tried.” Brinley shook her head.
“I knew I would find you here.” Fina stepped into the room.
“Wow, I feel like a celebrity.” Brinley joked, turning to stare at Fina. “I guess now that we are all here. Our enemy is Elizabeth Bathory.”
“But she died in sixteen-fourteen.” Joy paced the floor.
“Look, I’m not sure how she did it, but it’s the truth. She wants nothing but death and blood. And we can’t sit back waiting, we need to have a meeting. The light against the dark.”
“A meeting where if nowhere is safe from her.” Joy stopped pacing.
Brinley sat back on Herman’s bed.
“Are you done running off?” Fina crossed her arms.
“Can’t you see my future?” Brinley snapped.
Herman cleared his throat.
“Sorry,” Brinley mumbled.
“Fine. You’re right about calling a meeting. Do you know where we can go without being in danger?” Fina stared at Brinley.
Brinley and Joy exchanged a glance. “We can’t go to the Isle of Magnesia. It was already attacked. We need a new place.” Joy shook her head.
“I don’t think we should involve Pyramus. I cannot bring harm to him and his people.” Brinley rubbed her palms on her jeans.
“I think I know a place,” Brax said.
“I didn’t even see him.” Fina held her chest.
Brinley and Joy giggled.
“Do you remember the night we attacked Red Thai?” Brax asked.
“Of course, I remember.” Joy moved closer to Brax.
“Emerson said she was safe and hidden by the fae at The Golden Glade.”
“Well, the dwarf is correct.” Fina stepped away from Brax.
“This dwarf has a name.” Brax didn’t back down. “My name is Brax. Say it with me now. Brax.”
Brinley giggled while rubbing her nose.
“Look, we can either be pissy with each other or we can buckle down and work together. Elizabeth isn’t sitting around arguing. We must succeed, or we all die. Period. We need to find Emerson she may be our link to finding the glade.” Fina said.
“How do we find her?” Brax asked.
“Leave that to me. Joy, you need to go to Emmaline. We must warn her of what’s coming. Plus, maybe she can help us. Emmaline’s always been a wealth of information. Brax, can recruit more dwarves?” Brinley gave the orders.
“What about Cillian and Glory? We can’t leave them out. They need closure.” Joy nodded.
“I agree.” Brinley nodded.
“What do we do?” Joy asked.
“Divide and conquer.” Brinley smiled. “I’ll find Emerson then meet you guys back here in about an hour.”
“I hate knowing you’re going to be alone.” Joy sniffed.
“No matter where I am. I am never alone. I have you and Herman. I realize what a pain in the ass I’ve been and I’m sorry. I have my eyes on the prize.”
“If you’re not back in an hour…”
“I know all hell will break loose.” Brinley hugged Joy as she walked out of the room.