Rising Moon (The Rune Stone Trilogy) (19 page)

             
"
Hello.
"
She stood up, and he was still a foot taller than her.

             
"
’Tis a fine night to be out, do you think?
"
She couldn’t place his accent. It sounded Scottish, but there was a hint of something else that sounded formal that she couldn’t put her finger on.

             
He looked around the forest. Once in awhile a hint of a glowing mist would come out from behind a tree, and then disappeared quickly.
It surprised her a little to see other beings in the area.
She had
first
noticed them the night before when she took a quick stroll, keeping the moon company.
Back on the island it was a rare occurrence for her to see another faerie, until she found El. It was her understanding that faeries were spread out through the world, and there weren't a terribly large number of them.
The fae kept their distance from her, but she was aware they were watching her.
At least s
he could feel they were harmless, just curious.

             
There had to be something about this forest, this land that attracted so many creatures.
"
The forest is becoming quite crowded
as of late
,
"
he said as he crossed his arms.

             
She didn’t follow his gaze that moved over the forest, checking each being. Even though she couldn’t feel any threat from him, she didn’t think she should trust someone so old. Faeries don’t live for centuries.
"
I don’t think I’ve seen you around.
"

             
His mouth twitched.
"
No, I would think not. I try to keep a low profile. I have been keeping close to my homeland for quite sometime now. But there are some stirrings around here that had my curiosity aroused.
"
He looked down at her, examining her guarded expression.
"
Where are my manners? I am Finn.
"
He extended his palm to her.

             
"
Uh, Aylin.
"
She hesitated, wondering if she should project to El and Terra for fear of what would happen if she touched his hand, but his hand remained extended out to her. Every bone in her body screamed to flee from this man, but something deep in her heart wanted to see what he was. She slowly put her hand in his, and his fingers closed around hers. Images flashed into her mind, of rocky cliffs and
dense
, gnarled woods
, and a feeling of very old and strong power
.
"
A faerie of the Highlands,
"
she barely whispered.
"
I didn’t think there were any of you left.
"

             
Faeries of the Highlands, also known as the Heroic Faeries, were a legend for their kind. They were categorized as the most powerful and clever warriors of their kind and also the reason they were able to coexist with the humans and be who they are today. Aylin didn’t know many of the details. She only knew they were held in high regard, and they were assumed to be extinct, thanks to some horrible hobgoblins. While considered the most powerful creatures, they were betrayed and overpowered.
"
Ah, that is what we would like you to think. Some of us remain, but we remain in hiding. It is an unfortunate lifestyle now.
"
He let go of her hand.
"
Aylin of the moon, I feel you are troubled tonight.
"

             
"
My troubles are nothing compared to what you must face,
"
she said, ashamed that she had gotten herself so worked up over Blake. Especially when she wasn’t the one in hiding.

             
"
Please, I am interested.
"
He waved his arm out for her to walk alongside of him.

             
"
Well, uh…
"
She couldn’t tell him. She wasn’t supposed to tell anyone her secrets.

             
"
You are the third Moon faerie that I have met, and every single one of you is so guarded. Are you not allowed to trust anyone?
"

             
She was taken aback.
"
It’s not a liberty that I am allowed.
"

             
"
You must sense that I am no ordinary faerie, I am not drawn to you because of your powers. There is more at work in this land than the three of you. Much more is at stake this time. So please, I insist you confide in me,
"
his voice was soft and gentle, but she sensed the authority he held. He would not take no for an answer. She looked up at his profile. He kept his eyes on the woods around him, but his face held softness around his eyes that she wouldn’t have expected from a warrior.

             
"
Why is there more at stake this time?
"
she sidestepped his directness.

             
He chuckled, and it was a deep rumbling.
"
In all good time Aylin. First, you must allow yourself to trust others, then we can talk about what else is at stake.
"

             
She looked behind her, and Terra’s home was no longer visible, and neither was the protection. But the idea of something more at work than the elements was too enticing for her.
"
All right. Terra-
"

             
"
Faerie of the earth.
"
He nodded.

             
"
Yes. She has a brother that might hold a talent that is more than human. And really, it’s none of our business as to what he is. He should follow his own path with whatever he is and meant to be. But Terra, and Eliana-
"

             
"
Sun.
"

             
"
Right. They both think he can help us, somehow. But then we would have to tell him what we are, and that his world is not as it seems. I won’t allow them to tell him. It’s too big of a risk.
"
She shook her head, amazed at how fast the words came tumbling out of her mouth. Instantly she thought of Jordan, who would get her to talk with only nudging her with a few words. Granted, she never spoke to Jordan about what she was, but she still missed having that person to talk to.

             
"
I see.
"
He was quiet for a few moments, and it gave her time to kick herself a few more times. He could be working against them. He could destroy her right now and-
             
"
No, I am not here to destroy you,
"
he interrupted her thoughts. Her mouth fell open.
"
After a few thousand years you become very in tune with others around you. You are still very young, Aylin. Your emotions make it very easy for me to read your thoughts.
"

             
"
Sorry.
"
She felt herself flush.

             
He led her to a fallen tree and sat down on it like a bench.
"
I am going to apologize for my directness. Maybe after some time I will be able to take the time to tell you why I am so interested in your cause, and what more is at risk here. But for now, you need to know that to be successful in your duty you need to take some risks. It is not supposed to be easy for you. You are going to have to let go of some of your reservations. Yes, there is more to Terra’s brother than a normal human and I feel he might be a part of this. In this case, you are going to have to let your guard down.
"

             
"
How do you know that?
"
She frowned.

             
"
As I said before, more than you three are at stake this time.
"
He stopped and turned his head to the side, looking away from her. Different colored hazes were visible clustering a hundred yards away.
"
It looks like we are drawing attention. I must leave; I will find you again Aylin.
"
He stood and looked down at her.

             
"Wait," Aylin reached out and touched his arm. "I have so many questions."

             
"I know you do, and I will answer many of them in time. Some answers you are not prepared for, and could be harmful."

             
Her mouth parted slightly in surprise. "Why are so many here? What is different about this land?" She couldn't stop herself from asking one question.

             
His lips formed into a patient smile. "You would not understand the answer. It would only lead to more questions. I do not have the luxury of time to take with you right now.
"

             
Aylin tried not to show her disappointment. He was right, she had the feeling with everything that she knew, she still had more questions than answers. "I see," she said softly.

             
"Aylin, you will soon know more than you wish. A time might come where you long for the time when you knew so little. Please trust me on this, however, and let him in.
I do not think you will regret it.
"
He took a few steps away and looked back at her and touched his fingers to a nearby tree, tracing the fine cracks in the bark.
"Have patience, Aylin, this is only the beginning
.
I can give you this answer to your question, though. There are more than faeries and witches in these woods."
His mouth twitched and he disappeared, fading into his green haze.

             
Aylin looked down at her clasped hands, and when she felt the slight
breeze
hit her, she knew he was gone. She couldn’t believe it; she had just spoken to a Highland Faerie. How her mother would be beside herself in giddiness. Aylin would have to make sure she found Finn again, she had only a few million questions she wanted to ask him. A glimmer caught her attention to her left, and when she turned her head she became alarmed.

             
There was an oiliness to the eerie black shadow that was hanging around the distant trees. It slipped behind the thick brush and the hair stood up on the back of her neck. She had lingered here too long. She stood and quickly followed their trail back toward Terra’s home.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

             
Blake hadn’t planned on staying too long, only long enough to drop off some old books from his mother.
"
Is she not well?
"
Terra immediately asked, concerned when her mother hadn’t done this herself.

             
"
She’s fine. She thinks you and I have some things we need to work out.
"
He looked around at El, who was wearing a tank top that had a plunging neckline and shorts, and of course, bare feet. He frowned at her light attire. They were heading into a cold winter and she was dressed for a blazing summer day. He looked back at Terra.
"
I told her it was pointless, but she insisted. So, I’ll see you later,
"
he said and stepped out the door, letting the screen door slam shut behind him, making Terra flinch.

             
"
This hurts him so much,
"
Terra said to El, sitting down in front of the fireplace.
"
If we told him and he hated me for being what I am, I could take it. I can’t take it when he hates me for keeping things from him.
"