Forever Fae (Forever Fae #1)(45)

“This, my child, is a very special, magical ring. This ring will protect your magic. The dark sorcerer must not find out about the ring, so whatever you do, do not draw attention to it. Make sure you keep it on at all times.” She raises her eyebrows at Calista and Calista nods back, letting Elvena know she understands.

“What happens if he notices my ring?” Calista asks.

“If he notices your ring and takes it, he will have full access to your power. The ring will help keep the dark sorcerer from taking it all at one time, but eventually it will start to siphon your energy slowly. He needs your power first, according to the prophecy, and once he gets yours he will move on to the next,” Elvena explains grievously.

This got all of our attention, but Calista asks first.

“Who will be next?”

Elvena shrugs her shoulders and says, “I don’t know, child. It could be either one of your sisters….” She then looks at me and says, “Or it could be yours.” Elevena continues, “I know who The Four are, but I don’t know which one will be next. I have speculations, but it’s too soon to tell.”

I cut in and demand, “When did you figure all this out?”

Elvena huffs, “I hadn’t figured it out until now, but we can’t think about that at the moment. The dark sorcerer’s focus is on Calista and we need to concentrate on getting her rescued. We’ll worry about protecting the others later.” Elvena stops to take a breath and grabs hold of Calista’s hands.

“I’m afraid, my child, that I cannot tell you what plans I have for your rescue and before you ask why, I’ll go ahead and tell you. Dark sorcerers are powerful, they were very powerful a century ago and I don’t know the full extent of this one’s power yet. I’m scared of what he’ll do if he finds out we made contact.”

Calista interrupts, “Warren thinks Ryder won’t come to my rescue because of what he told him about Merrick and me, so it’ll be easy to pretend that I’m heartbroken over Ryder and not expecting him to rescue me.” Elvena nods her head in approval.

“Good, child, that’s excellent, but there is something else you will probably have to endure and you’re not going to like it.” Elvena looks regretful and pained to have to give Calista this bad news. I can already tell I’m not going to like it and neither will Merrick.

Calista rolls her eyes and looks up at the sky.

“Why does the bad shit always happen to me?” She exclaims. Elvena shakes her head and dismisses what Calista said with a grumble.

“The dark sorcerer needs to believe he is taking your power, which he actually will be, but only very small traces of it. During this time, he may try to overpower you and make you see things or do things you don’t want to do,” Elvena explains.

Merrick and I both yell at the same time, “Hell no!”

I continue furiously, “What if he tries to force himself on her or make her do other things? There is no way she’s going to pretend through that.”

Elvena rolls her eyes and throws her hands up in the air, clearly agitated.

She shouts, “I was not suggesting she let him force himself on her, but I am suggesting she stay strong and play it off for as long as she can. She will be in his domain and surrounded by his power. If he uses his influence and she resists, he will know something is wrong.”

I look over and see that Calista is holding her hand over her stomach and she’s grown paler in the last minute. She starts to sway and reaches out to hold onto the tree.

She groans, “You guys, I think something’s wrong. I’m starting to feel funny.” She holds her head in her hands and closes her eyes.

I reach out to steady her, and to be closer to her before she goes. I’m going to go out of my mind wondering what she’s going to go through. I know she’s strong, but I don’t want to think of all the vile things that could be done to her. I’ll rip out their goddamn hearts if they touch her.

Elvena comes over looking apprehensive. She grabs Calista’s hands.

“I think someone is getting close. We need to hurry, there’s only a couple more minutes left.” She takes Calista’s face in her hands. “Calista, my child, we will rescue you. Do not doubt that, even if you feel lost and helpless, just know we will be there to get you out. I promise.”

The promise from a prophetess is a very powerful vow. I have full confidence in Elvena and her plans to help rescue Calista. I don’t know what those plans are yet and I don’t care. I will go through the fires of hell and back again to rescue Calista. Elvena kisses Calista’s cheek and passes her to Merrick.

Merrick hugs her hard and murmurs softly, “Be safe, Cali. I’m going to get you out of there.”

Calista reaches up and lays her hand on his cheek. Jealousy spikes in my gut, but I quickly let it pass.

She looks into his eyes and says, “I have faith in you, Merrick, my guardian.” She kisses his cheek, hugs him one more time and then walks over to me. Her face looks sad, but I know she’s strong. A tear is on the verge of escaping her saddened eyes, but I quickly reach up to wipe it away before it falls.

Taking both her hands in mine, I pull her to me and whisper quietly in her ear, “I love you, Calista. Whatever the plan is, I’ll be there. I promise.”

Elvena interrupts and announces, “It’s almost time, you two.”