Chapter 13

Allie

I was so glad to have my friends here with us for this next part of our mission but a part of me was sad that my time alone with Masen had come to an end. I looked over to where he stood laughing and talking with Fadden, Garron and Chris. They all seemed to give off this preternatural glow yet something about Masen called to me and set my heart racing. All of them were extremely good looking in their own way. Fadden with his golden hair and aura of magic. His blue eyes seemed to hold all the mysteries of the world. Garron was big, really big. He carried a lethal sort of aura that went well with his dark hair and dark eyes. He was always quiet and so very hard to read whereas Chris was such a bright shining light amongst them all. His brown hair and green eyes fairly glowed with his innate goodness. He was tall and strong yet he never used his strength against anyone, well, except against The Darkness, he didn’t hold back then. I realised that Jimmy wasn’t with the other men and searched for him. I found him leaning against a tree watching everyone prepare to leave. As I watched him I noticed his eyes continuously look towards the forest and to where I knew Amell was settling the unicorns. I started to walk over to him when I felt a gust of warm breath on the back of my neck. I spun round and found myself eye to eye with Shilah.

I placed my hand on his soft mane and leant into him.

“Child, I will be with you to the end. I have decided that you need me.” His deep velvety voice rumbled through my mind. “I know you are strong but there are going to be times you will need my magic. I was born for this.”

“Thank you, Shilah. The future isn’t clear to me like it is for you, but I’m glad you will be with me. I just want to actually start moving.” I knew I sounded a bit petulant but my impatience was starting to grow.

Shilah huffed out a unicorn laugh. “You will learn patience as you grow, young Allie. Now come. You must meet Amell properly. She is ever protective of us, even when it is not necessary. Do not let her gruffness scare you.” He started to walk in to the forest, sending me a glance over his back. “You will come with me now.”

At that I quickly caught up with him and said “Who’s impatient now?” I ran my hand down his neck just because he was so silky soft to touch.

“Why are you always touching my unicorns?” a voice rasped at me from ahead. “Surely you don’t think you can just do whatever you want with them?”

Amell stepped out from behind the trunk of a large tree and stalked towards me. Luckily I was used to people underestimating me so wasn’t too worried.

“Shilah actually asked me to come and meet you properly. I’m glad he did because if we waited for one the men to do it we would be waiting for ever! I can’t thank you enough for travelling here with us and for your help with your fantastic unicorns.” I hoped I wasn’t laying it on too thick but I really needed to get her onside. Plus if she was going to be in Jimmys life then we needed to be able to get on. “Have you decided which of the others are coming with us?”

Amell stared at me with piercing eyes that were a shade of grey I had never seen before. It felt like she was looking into my soul which I have to say was slightly uncomfortable. She moved to the other side of Shilah and pointed to three other unicorns standing silently.

“This is Trace, Shadow and Holly. Trace is the one who will lead you and he can find fresh water anywhere. Shadow can deflect most magic that tries to do you harm. His power is the most unique I have ever encountered. Shadow will only communicate when necessary. Holly has a calming presence and will be of most help when things become tense. She is able to diffuse tempers and will aid you when sadness sets in, which it will, because The Darkness will use any and all emotions it can to make you fail.” Amell waved her hands and the three unicorns gracefully walked over to her. They all rubbed their heads against her in turn then turned towards Shilah. They all bent their front legs and dipped their heads in deference to him.

“I guess you’re pretty special, hey?” I asked him.

Again he chuffed and nudged my shoulder with his head. “Not as special as you, child.”

The three others slowly rose to their full height and turned their eyes on me. My mind resounded with a chorus of hello’s and bright bursts of light.

Amell watched this all with a small smile on her striking face. Her red hair curled crazily on her head and her eyes actually twinkled.

“They take a bit of getting used to. These three are the ones who have had the most interaction with people so they can handle anything you throw at them. Shadow will be the one to watch as he will sense magic and danger quickly. They will all defer to Shilah though if he decides to overrule them. And you’re right, he is special. Shilah is the King of Unicorns. He doesn’t always come out to deal with any wars or even with people much. It’s because of him that I knew you were facing something big and something evil. He will be yours and Masens personal protector, an honour few will ever get to have.” Amell finished her speech by abruptly walking away from us. Weird.

All of a sudden I had a feeling that someone was watching me and I turned in a circle trying to find who it was. There was only shadows and giant trees though. I knew I was safe because none of the unicorns had made a move. I turned more slowly this time and used all of my senses to search the gloomy forest around me. My heart rate sped up and that was when I knew who it was.

“Masen, stop hiding and come here. You need to meet Trace, Shadow and Holly.” I called out to him and turned back to my new friends. Two strong arms slipped around my waist and a kiss was pressed into my hair.

“Don’t disappear on me again. I thought you’d left on your own to find Manny. Scared me.” Masens whispered in my ear.

I sighed and leaned back against him. “I told you I wouldn’t do that anymore!”

He just chuckled and said “So, introduce me.” He stepped out from behind me and held out his right hand to each of the unicorns.

“Shadow, Trace and Holly this is Masen, my..” I stopped because I wasn’t sure what to call Masen.

“Your one and only? The light of your life? Your man?” Masen offered up these suggestions with a grin. “Any or all will do.” He touched each animal on the neck and seemed to be silently communing with them.

“He is well suited to you, young Allie.” Shilah murmured in my mind. “You both have a lightness of spirit when you are together. No wonder The Darkness fears you.” His voice faded as he walked away from us. The three others  followed him leaving Masen and I alone in the empty glade.

“We’re ready to leave when you are.” He spoke in a quiet voice. “All you need to do is get your backpack.”

It was only then that I heard the sounds of feet walking at a steady pace through the woods. Conversations drifted in on the breeze and the occasional laugh rang out. This was why we came here. Yes it was most definitely to save Manny but it was also to keep our freedom. We wouldn’t let The Darkness take over our world. We were the light and we would defend our people for as long as we could. I looked at Masen and saw my future. As we left the gloom of the trees I threw a thought out to Manny.

“We’re coming for you, Manny. Nothing will stop us from getting through.” I could only hope that somehow she could hear me.