Reese watches from the shadows, pulling the multi-layer shades around him like a cloak, making himself invisible to the naked eye.
“She is angry, my King.” Reese hears Duncan say in his mind. Duncan has the ability to manipulate air. He can cross great distances in an instant.
“Good. Her fury will entice him,” Samantha replies. She is Duncan’s mate and the soothsayer who predicted the victim. Unfortunately, she can only see short distances into the future. They hope that it will be enough to capture the Dark Fae before he kills again.
Katie seems oblivious to the danger she is in; she merely knows that she is losing money. Her arguing with the construction workers is pointless and she blows back to her shop in a hurry. As she passes Reese, she looks directly at him, slowing for a moment then keeps going.
“Well, if the customers can’t come to us, then we will go to them,” she says to herself. Walking through the door to the café she orders the two cashiers behind the counter to fill up trays and go sell them outside. “We can make this work, girls. I will man the shop. Hurry now, time is money.” Tossing her long blonde curls over her shoulder, she watches the girls leave.
With a sigh, she looks around, suddenly chilled. Katie hurries to her purse and reaches inside, when she hears a male voice say, “You won’t need that, Katie.”
Confusion fills her mind as she drops her grandmothers cross. It was a token from her granny to protect her from spirits. “I don’t need this,” she says in a monotone voice.
“You should close the shop today, Katie. The construction crew will be here all day, and I want to play with you.” He says brushing her hair back from her face. Katie struggles to move. Eyes wide open; she watches the demon appear in front of her. Sweat breaks out on her body as she fights his mind control.
His beauty repulses her for she can see past the glamour spell he wears. He is not what he appears. When he smiles, he reveals two rows of sharp stained teeth and he leans close, savoring the aroma of her fear. “Pretty Katie, I’ve been watching you for some time.” The scent of death floats on the air as he licks her cheek.
Katie lashes out and strikes him in the throat. The force of the blow sends him across the shop, crashing through tables and chairs. Nyssa gives a shake and frees herself from the disguise she holds. Shape shifting for that long has weakened her body and she goes to one knee on the floor. Duncan moves quickly through the front door with Sam to assist her. In a blur of movement, Duncan attacks the Dark Fae while Sam hurries to help Nyssa.
“He will try to flee through a body, Duncan,” Sam tells him.
Baring his teeth, he lunges for Duncan slashing at him with long black fingernails. Duncan kicks him straight in the chest and sends him flying back into the wall.
“Where is my Katie!” he screams at him spraying spittle.
Reese comes through the back of the shop and with a thought locks the front door. He draws on his power and sends cuffs of light straight at the demonic Fae, pinning him to the wall. He is unable to move and struggles against the energy holding him.
“Gallus, I am Reese, the Shadow King. You have betrayed your people and shamed our race. You are guilty of murder. Do you have any last words?” Reese asks.
“Shadow King!” he laughs. “You do not know the meaning of the word, King, but you will. Our numbers grow every day and soon the true King will rise. If you think the Fae will allow a human to be our Queen, you are mistaken,” he sneers at them with hatred in his eyes.
Sam grabs her head and struggles with the vision. “He speaks the truth, my King.” Nyssa holds Sam protectively and whispers a spell to ease her pain.
Duncan moves to the door to watch for humans. Gallus leaps from his body in spirit form and attacks Samantha. In her weakened state, he is hoping to take her body. Duncan moves, using the power of the wind he captures Gallus in a cyclone of light and wind. Gallus starts screaming when Reese unleashes the power of the stars and judges the spirit of the Fae incinerating him. The King turns to the unmoving body of the fallen Fae and calls upon the power of the sun burning it to ash.
Nyssa looks around at the mess in the café, “Time to go. I will bring Kathleen back after we clean up.”
“He speaks the truth. They are plotting to assassinate Queen Caderyn. We have to warn them,” Samantha says walking over to Reese.
“I will. Tell me what your vision showed.” Reese demands. Duncan and Nyssa clean up the shop and leave to get Kathleen.
Reese guides Samantha to a chair and sits her down. “I saw the Vale, Reese. It was as beautiful as ever and it sparkled like diamonds calling me home. A shadow passed by and reached out a clawed hand, ripping the Vale open. Shadows poured into the Vale and the screaming started. Reese! They were devouring the light of every Fae. We have to stop them!” Sam cries out, clutching her head again.
“We will. Time for you to go home,” he watches as she gets up to leave and waits for the others to return.
Nyssa walks inside with the real Kathleen. She smiles at them saying, “Thank you.”
“You are welcome, all is safe now,” Reese speaks to Nyssa’s mind and tells her to erase Kathleen’s memory. Nyssa nods, but before she can move Kathleen speaks.
“It won’t work. I may be human, but I
