Dark Realm 69

“Okay, I guess we have missions.” Joy kissed Brax before leaving the room.

“Do they always do that?” Fina asked Herman.

“What are they doing?” Herman replied.

“Well, they don’t listen.”

“Maybe it’s because you’re not saying anything they need to hear.” Herman pulled up the blanket to his chin. “They are not children.”

Brinley pushed off the wall. “Good for you, Herman.” She whispered before she disappeared down a secret hallway. It didn’t take long for Brinley to be in the car scoping out her prey. “If I were Emerson, where would I go?” Brinley tapped her fingers on the wheel.

It was at this moment when Brinley realized she didn’t know Emerson as well as she thought. Yes, she was angry. Yes, she killed Asher before she could talk to him. But watching her friend being eaten, Brinley knew Emerson needed to see Asher die. Emerson did know what it was like to be alone and now all she wanted to do was find Emerson. After thirty minutes Brinley pulled into a gas station. She walked down the aisle in search of something sweet to take her mind off not being able to locate Emerson.

“Oh no, Deb, it’s like totally haunted. I heard about the shadow creatures from my cousin Mickey.” A woman complained to her friend in the next aisle.

“Graveyards are supposed to be creepy,” Deb said.

Interested in their conversation Brinley followed them down the candy aisle.

“I don’t care what you say, Michele. I heard laughing coming from the mist. I swear I saw little people.”

Michele clicked her tongue. “Oh god, here we go.”

“You can mock me all you want I know what I heard.”

“Were you high?” Michele joked.

“No, but I smoked after I left there.” Deb laughed.

Brinley glanced up at the ceiling to whisper a thank you. Quickly, Brinley paid for her candy and then headed back to her car. She parked a few blocks down from the cemetery, just in case someone followed her. Even though Asher was toast there were still many creatures roaming the town. Entering the graveyard from the back, Brinley walked around hoping to hear laughter in the mist.

“Emerson?” Brinley called out. “Are you here? It’s me, Brinley.” Snapping twigs behind her made her stiffen slowly she exhaled. “I don’t want to hurt anyone. I’m looking for my friend Emerson. I’m Brinley if you’re here please come out, Emerson.” Footfalls behind Brinley made her sidestep then grab the small imp by its tail. “You’re really small.”

“Small? I’ll show you small.” The imp only stood knee-high, but she kicked Brinley’s shins with wild abandonment. “Just wait until you set me free. I’ll show you.”

“What’s your name?” Brinley shook the imp by its tail.

“I’m not here to answer your questions, human.”

“Okay, I guess we will do this the hard way.” Brinley conjured an orb of lightning it bounced up and down in her palm. “I’m done fuckin around.”

“Don’t kill me.” The imp pleaded. “I’m too young to die.”

“Shut up. I don’t want to kill you.” Brinley growled.

“Okay, okay, jeez we were only kidding around.” Emerson stepped from the shadow. “Brinley? I missed you. I never thought I’d see you again.” Emerson rushed over to hug Brinley. “I’m so happy to see you.”

“Same.” Brinley crushed the orb in her palm. “I’m not here bearing good news.”

“Of course, you aren’t.” Emerson winked. “I heard you died.”

“Do I look dead?” Brinley spun in a circle.

“No, you look rested.” Emerson laughed.

“You’re a smart ass, Emerson.” Brinley giggled. “I’m here because the darkness flowing from this city will not stop. It is only the beginning. It’s time we take a side.” Brinley placed the imp on the ground. “I’m sorry.”

Emerson glanced around. “What does this have to do with me?”

“We need a safe place to meet, and I heard you were in the Golden Glade with the Fae.” Emerson stared at Brinley. “You’re acting like you don’t trust me? Have I ever lied to you? We don’t have time to debate this, Emerson. If you want to live you have to trust me.”

Emerson exhaled. “What do you want me to do?”

“Tell me how you got to the Golden Glade.”

“The Hooded One brought me there.”

“Who?”

“That’s the name I’ve given him because he never told me his name.”

“Shit.” Brinley kicked at the dirt.

Emerson tilted her head back and forth. “Fine, I’ll help you. Go gather the troops. Bring them here.”

“Oh, don’t do it, Emerson.” The female imp hugged Emerson's leg.

“It’s fine Trixie. She is my friend. Go gather everyone then meet back here after dusk.”

“Thank you, Emerson.” Brinley embraced Emerson and then bolted toward her car. Brinley glanced at her watch as she drove back to the catacombs. The once-crowded city streets were barren. “This is insane.” Brinley shook her head, pulling into the garage. She shut off the car and then hustled to meet everyone else. “I’m here.” Brinley waved her arms.

“You’re two minutes late.” Joy joked. “Did you find her?”

Brinley nodded. “We will meet her in the graveyard after dusk.”

Joy played with her dagger. “Why does everything revolve around that damn cemetery?”

“I have no clue.” Brinley shrugged. “What about Emmaline? Did she tell you anything helpful?”

Joy stepped to the side to allow Emmaline to wave.

“I am glad to see you, Emmaline.” Brinley returned Emmaline’s wave.

“There is no place I would rather be.” Emmaline smiled. Instead of Emmaline’s usual attire, she wore a beautiful kimono. Around her waist hung a blowgun, and a long silver chain with a weight on the end.

“Battle gear, huh?” Brinley laughed.

“I am ready for the fight ahead.” Emmaline nodded.

“I hope we will all be ready.” Brinley stepped back.

“What about Herman? We can’t leave him here alone.” Joy asked.

“Fina will stay here to watch over him.” Brinley stared at Fina daring her to object. “Do you have a problem with that?”

Fina cleared her throat. “I have my orders, right?”

“Great, as long as we are both on the same path.” Brinley smiled.

Fina turned on her heel and went back toward Herman’s room, mumbling the entire way.

Joy waited until Fina was out of earshot. “What’s next?”

“When Brax returns with the others, we need to meet Emerson. I only wish we had more warriors. Not all of us will live through this fight.” Brinley paced the floor. “How can I ask these people to die?”

“You are not asking, they volunteered. This fight is no longer about you or me. The increasing darkness will kill all of us if someone doesn’t stand up. Our lives depend upon working together. Everyone knows what she or he is willing to risk.” Emmaline said. “That reminds me we do have a secret weapon.”

“We do?” Brinley furrowed her brow. “Who?”

“His name is Lenard. He will meet us after dusk.” Emmaline giggled while Joy and Brinley exchanged a worried glance.

“Why does that name sound familiar?” Joy asked.

“I’m not sure.” Brinley scratched her head.

“Anyone call for a dwarf army?” Flint stepped onto the main floor to join everyone else.

“Well, not an army but we are here for the light.” Hugo stepped aside to reveal two dwarf women. Their faces were painted with runes. “This Nile and Auden. Behind them is Paul.”

“Nile, Auden, and Paul?” Brinley repeated after Hugo. “Paul?”

“What’s wrong?” Paul pushed through the crowd. Paul stood at least chest level. His long dark hair was shaved on one side with a thick plait down his back.

“Uh.” Brinley glanced around.

“It’s okay, Paul. Relax.” Hugo patted Paul’s shoulder. “He’s a bit sensitive about his name.”

“Paul, huh?” Joy said a bit too loudly.

“What?” Paul tried to turn around but the two dwarf women pushed him outside. “What’s wrong with my name?”

Flint tapped his temple. “He’s sensitive but a damn fine warrior.”

“We trust you.” Joy smiled. “Thank you for coming with us.”

Brinley looked out the window. “It’s time to go.”

“I have one question,” Paul said from the hallway. “How are we getting to wherever it is that we’re going? I don’t see us cramped inside a van singing kumbaya.”

“Unfortunately, he’s right?” Brinley nodded in agreement.

“Well, maybe this is where I am allowed to help.” Fina’s words were full of attitude as she appeared in the doorway.

Brinley opened her mouth but the stare from Joy made her clamp her mouth shut. “If you can help us, please do.” Joy stared at Fina.

“Stand together.” Fina’s hands glowed and in a swift movement, the group vanished. Fina leaned unsteadily by the door.

“Thank you for helping them.” Herman walked toward her.

“I’m not helping them. I’m helping you.” Fina walked away.

With Fina’s help, the group appeared in front of the gates to Liam Cemetery.

“Are you ready?” Joy stared at Brinley.

“Let’s get it done.” Brinley winked.

It didn’t take long before Flint popped the lock. Without another word, the group walked inside.

“Where do we find them?” Joy whispered.

“I’m not sure. I guess we follow the pranks.”

“Pranks? What does that mean?” Paul glanced around. Then a swift shadow passed by throwing the dwarf to the ground. “Why is it always me.” Paul groaned.

“Emerson?” Brinley called out. “Enough pranks. You said I would you help.”

“Sorry, sorry. We’re imps we prank people.” Emerson nodded. “Do you remember when you first followed me here, Brinley? You asked me about the Hooded One.”

“I remember.”

“We do not have time. Follow me.” The Hooded One waved from the tree line.

“What do we do?” Joy asked Brinley.

“We follow him.” Brinley raced after the Hooded One. The group chased the Hooded One to a patch of a tree-free circle with a waveringly arched door. Without any thought, Brinley walked through the door and the group followed her.