Chapter 9

Allie

We all left, straight after Jenny and Fadden, to do what we needed to do. My mind was spinning with all information I had received tonight. When I woke up this morning this was not what I envisaged happening today. I knew that Masen and I had to leave as soon as possible so I hurried towards where we all lived in the compound. As I knocked on doors and explained what was happening I realised that for the first time tonight I was alone. I looked around to see if I could spot Masen anywhere but I really was alone. As I kept alerting The Few to what was coming I actually missed Masens presence. I started sending others to do the gathering and ran back to my house to pack what I would need to travel with. I had a few special things that I never left without, one being my journal. As I got closer to my place I saw lights on inside. I ran faster because I knew I hadn’t left that many on all those many hours ago. I burst through the door ready to do battle with whoever was in my space only to stop when I saw Masen standing next to neatly packed backpack and a small pile of weaponry.

“Why are you in my home and how did you get in?” I stalked toward him as I asked. “ You better not have touched my stuff!” I didn’t understand why I was so argumentative around him. I know he was just doing what he could to help but somehow it just really irritated me. If I didn’t sort this out in my head soon, it was going to be a long, long trip together.

“ I’ve been talking to Garron about some of the things we will be facing and this was the safest place I could think of. I’m sorry for intruding but I was hoping you would understand. Garron is going to meet us at the borderlands to help us with the grass dwellers and unicorns. I know a lot of them, but they all revere him. Plus he gets on really well with Amell and she can be a bit tricky to deal with. I haven’t packed any of your stuff, this is all mine. I’ve received word that Fadden had made sure provisions will be available at different spots along the way. Sala is still in talks with The Powers and Chris and Jimmy have left to meet with their community to get more help. How did the gathering go?” Masen was still so calm and I couldn’t figure out how he managed it. I was starting to come apart at the seams and could feel my grip on my temper loosening.

“Right, I’ll go pack and we can head off. You can fill me in on all the details as we travel.” I turned away and headed in to my bedroom. I quickly gathered my travel kit and some clothes, stashing my journal at the bottom of my backpack. I picked it up and turned to leave when I smacked into a warm solid body. Two hands came up and clasped my face, blue eyes looked into mine.

“Let’s just get this out of the way.” He said before lowering his head and kissing me. And oh my goodness. All thought fled my head as the kiss went on. I had never been kissed before and I was so glad that this would forever be my first one. Masen slowly lifted his head and smiled at me. “ Well, that was worth the wait.”

“I, yeah, it was, yeah.” I wonder where my words went? My mind was still reeling from all I just felt when suddenly there was a pounding on my front door. I pushed past Masen as the pounding continued. I wrenched open the door to find Fadden there looking as panicked as I think he could.

“What the hell did you two just do? No, don’t answer that but just know that you have really woken up The Darkness now and it is coming faster than we thought. I leave you alone for two seconds.” The Fairy stalked off to the kitchen mumbling under his breath.

“Did we really do that?” I asked Masen. “Are we capable of even doing that? Something else probably did it, not us.”

Masen was looking over at Fadden when he said loudly “ It had to happen at some point. We chose now.”

“We?” I protested “ You led that charge, not me.”

He smiled at me and ran a hand down my arm. “I did and I don’t regret it at all.”

“Yeah, yeah. You love her, she’s your only one. Blah blah blah. You two have started the war early. We haven’t even begun to get things in place. I hope you both like running because that’s what you need to do. NOW!” Faddens voice was so commanding that I jumped up to leave as soon as he finished speaking.

 Masen meanwhile stood without any hurry and grabbed our bags. After handing me mine he started to load up all his weapons. He passed over knives and ropes and other small items to me so I could put them in pockets and down my boots.

“Ready?” he asked me. “Fad,  so far we’ve got this, okay. You need to be back at court helping Jenny. Garron is meeting us in a few hours and we will plan our attack from there.”

Faddens face took on that strange expression again when Garrons name was mentioned. I really would have to ask about that one day. We walked out the door together and faced into the night. There were sounds of people talking and moving around further out in the darkness. You could feel the energy in the air even as the wind picked up and the chill got worse. We walked through the parkway towards the gate with brisk steps. Suddenly I was enveloped in a hug that nearly knocked me off my feet.

“Allie! Please take care of yourself. Don’t take any chances and make sure you and Manny and Masen come home.” Salas voice was a mere whisper in my ear as she hugged me tight. “I plan to be home very soon, Sala, I promise.” I hugged her back before stepping away. I could feel myself going through my usual pre battle routine. My muscles were loosening and my mind was becoming clearer. All my senses were opening up to the sounds and sights of the night. There was always a sense of excitement when I headed out on a mission and even though this one was so intensely personal and so vital, that feeling was still there. I did a lot of work on my own because I was able to get animals and other creatures, that would normally avoid humans, to help me. The grass dwellers were my favourite source of information and back up. They were such crusty, cranky little things yet around me they were cuddly and curious and loving. I couldn’t wait to see them all again and have them help me find Manny. As we reached the gate, Jimmy and Chris came out to meet us.

“We will be travelling with you now. The Powers decided you needed more protection after the show you two put on.” Chris grinned as he spoke to us.

“Oh, for God’s sake, we just kissed okay! It was nothing.” I snapped back at him in exasperation.

Chris shouldered Masen as he said “You mustn’t be too good in the kissy department, hey Mase?”  He quickly stepped to the other side of Fadden after he spoke laughing the whole time.

“I think I’ve got it covered, thanks anyway for your concern. And Allie, you wound me with your harsh words.” Masen winked at me as he reached behind Fadden and shoved Chris. Hard. Watching him trip and fall was worth the embarrassment of everyone knowing we had done something to stir The Darkness.  Walking through the gate and out of safety, I was struck by the notion that life was about to change and I really had limited control over these changes. My heart beat sped up and I could feel anxiety creeping through me and it was an unfamiliar feeling. Just as my breathing quickened and I was starting to panic, Masen grabbed my hand and pulled me closer.

“We know what we have to do, Allie. You’re strong and courageous, you know you can handle this. Remember, you’re not alone anymore.” His words were whispered so only I could hear them. Already he seemed to know me better than some of my friends did. He must have really been paying attention when he was spying on me for all those years and for the first time that thought actually brought me comfort not anger.

 Now as we started our trek towards uncertainty and war, and as the dark of night closed in around us, I felt hope.