Demon Day by Penelope Fletcher (best novels in english .TXT) 📕

If I had known … if thewhite witch had warned me of what might happen if you were to meetand touch I would never have–”

“Enough,” Breandan saidflatly.

My head swung back and forth betweenthem, more than concerned now. They were being openly disrespectfulto each other. Breandan ran a hand down my arm and I shuddered. Whoknew how many he had killed with those hands. How many he wouldkill to get back to me if ever we were separated? I knew he wastrying to distract me from what I had passed between him and mybrother, but it would not work. I could not ask them what waswrong, somehow I knew they would not tell me and would have amutual agreement to keep it between them. But I would figure itout, oh yes; I would work it all out.

Leaning back on my elbows, I kicked mylegs out in front of me to cross them at the ankles. “Iunderstand.”

“This is a good thing. Weare beginning to hear each other clearly, little sister.” He lookedso proud I swallowed a disagreeing snort. Conall slapped his knees,face lightening, and becoming fair with a beauty I had not known amale could possess. “And now you learn our family history. Ourmother was Sorcha. A fairy of such beauty and grace there wasnothing she could not have or command from anyone. When I was aboy, I watched our father rule our people when the forests coveredthe earth. As a young man I watched him keep us safe when thehumans built their cities and destroyed our forests.” His voicebecame thick with emotion. “We learned to blend. To glamourourselves to look and move like them so we could be safe. We wouldconvene in parks and woodlands to frolic and tend to the naturethat was left. Our numbers dwindled and we became myth and legendto a race that once lived with us in harmony.” Conall’s face wastight, strained. “The other races spawned from us were not soamenable to change. They were not content to hide.”

I sat up and blinked. “Wait,spawned?”

Conall shook himself and focused on myface rather than the middle distance. “I am sorry. I forgot you donot know the history of such things. Rae, we all came from oneSource.” He cupped his hands together. “At the beginning of allthings there were fairies. From them the species diversified. Overthe year’s genetic quirks and mutations created whole other speciesto walk the earth. We loved and guided them, loved them despite thedifferences, and their lines flourished.”

“That’s why the Priestessguards the balance. Fairies were the first beings.”

Conall nodded. “We are honor and magicbound to take care of this world. It is why we feel so connected toit. To nature.”

I slumped. “Ana told me Sorcha brokethe balance. I had hoped she was overreacting.”

Conall bowed his head. “Our family is… we are the only purebloods left from our line. We must fixthis.”

He sounded so tired when he said thatI crawled forward and placed a hand on his knee. “Must? It’s ourchoice. We can choose to leave this region. Find a newhome.”

He gave me a small smile. “If we donot make our stand here where in the world could we hide? This isour purpose and we shall meet it with pride andcourage.”

I leaned back on my heels, plucked atthe shorter grass by my sides. “It’s not fair you’re dumping allthis responsibility on me. I understand that by blood thisPriestess thing was unavoidable, but why can’t I pass my title onto someone more worthy. More … responsible and suitable. Like,abdicate, or something.”

“It does not work thatway,” Breandan said. He stared at his hands as if they held answersto all questions. “We are chosen, and we do the best we can withwhat we are given.”

“I don’t want this,” I saidfirmly. Biting my lip, I fisted my hands on my knees. Screw it.“What I’m asking is for you both to leave the region with me. Wecan find a new home.”

I did not look at either of them. Yes,I was ashamed, but I was more afraid of not asking. The power andstrength I had felt that morning when I had used the amulet ofpower that morning was gone. And though I knew what my purpose was,I was terrified of it. How could I do this? I barely knew how I wasfeeling half the time. I did not think five minutes past my ownnose, and more often than not concluded running away was the bestway to resolve my problems. Okay, yes, I was getting better atstanding and fighting, no doubt if Breandan or Conall was in dangerI would give everything I was to save them. It was everything elsethat worried me. Could I stand and fight on behalf of a race I hadyet to come to love?

A finger tapped my chin up. I triednot to cry, and looked away from Breandan’s knowing gaze. I did notwant to feel comforted.

“We will be with you,” hesaid softly.

“To the end,” Conalladded.

Their words held so much love yet theygave little comfort.

“Tell me what to do.Please. Point me on the right direction because I’m lost, Conall.I’m sinking and I can’t pull myself out. Something inside me isdead, festering. I can’t reach that place where everything is okay.I see darkness and it kills me.” I closed my eyes. “Lex is dead;she is dead because of me. Maeve nearly died because of me.Breandan nearly died because of me. Why aren’t you seeing a patternyet?” My voice became angry at the end. “I’m no good at this. I’llfail.”

Breandan said something in a low voiceto my brother. He replied curtly and stood, patted me twice on thehead lightly. The gesture was so joyous you would think I’d toldhim a storm was blowing in.

“All will be well,” hesaid. He seemed to consider something for a long time then hismuscled chest heaved with a sigh. “Rae, the trail has gonecold.”

The abrupt switch in conversationtopic had me scrambling around for a moment before my anger bubbledand churned. “You’re lying.” Even as I said the words I flushed,but kept my stare defiant.

Fairies could not lie – except