Robin was pinned to the wall again. Unable to move. Unable to escape.
A woman approached him.
It was not Olessa.
It was Preyuna.
“So. You are the ugly human Isellta prefers over me.” She smiled – a savage smile. “I know what to do with you.” Her eyes turned white.
A stake appeared in her hand.
“I know what to do with those who encroach on my territory.”
The pupil in his good eye widened in fear.
“I know how to get rid of them. How to get rid of you.”
She raised her hand.
The stake shimmered in the dim light.
She lowered her hand.
The stake struck true.
Robin’s good eye dulled into death.
***
Isellta woke up, crying. He buried his face into the pillow to muffle his cries.
Robin.
Robin.
His body curled into a fetal position and his cries escalated into sobs.
Robin.
What if he has been staked?
Obviously not by Preyuna, but by the local hunter?
What if?
“Robin.”
I need to see him again.
Isellta uncovered his face and rubbed his eyes. He forced himself to calm down.
I don’t want to disturb Jay.
I need to see my Robin.
He released the pillow and got out of bed.
Jay was sound asleep in the rocker. He didn’t look all that comfortable, but he was sleeping.
Isellta walked past him as quietly as he could and left the room.
He stepped out into the hall.
Into the darkness.
His wings flittered, but he walked forward.
Through the darkness.
Through his fears.
He walked all the way back to the control room.
He opened the door and startled.
A red-robed guard sat at the monitors.
“Oh.”
The guard turned in his chair. The full mask on his face concealed any and all revealing expressions. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m…I’m sorry. I…” His wings flittered. “I wasn’t expecting anyone to be in here.”
“Leave.”
“Please. I don’t mean any harm. I just want to look at the monitors.”
“Why?”
“I’m looking for someone.”
Oh, but what’s the use? Why would he still be there? I’m sure he’s home or out hunting or at the bar or—
His wings flared out in shock.
Robin was on one of the monitors.
***
Robin snarled.
“Darn it! Where is he? Where—”
His heart stopped beating.
A dark figure walked down the hall on one of the monitors.
“Isellta? Is that you? Is…” He scowled. “It better not be a ghost.”
Robin watched the figure’s progress from monitor to monitor.
Until it stepped into the Henspence control room.
The lighting in the control room was much better than it had been in the halls, enabling Robin to see more details.
The figure was more than a dark spirit. It was someone wearing a close fitting black shirt and black slacks. Someone with blond hair and large black wings.
Robin had difficulty breathing as the fey turned to talk to the man at the monitors.
He saw his profile.
Robin grabbed onto the edge of the counter. His mind and body went into a total uproar.
He wanted to scream, vomit, cry, and laugh all at the same time. But all that he managed to do was gasp. “Isellta.”
***
Isellta’s legs wobbled.
“Robin. My Robin.”
“Who the heck is that? He isn’t supposed to be there.” The guard rose from his seat. “Hot sugar! Their security’s lax in that side of town.” He went into the corner to make s phone call.
Isellta swooped right in and claimed the vacancy. “Robin. Is it really…Is it…Is it…” He covered his mouth with his fingers and dissolved into a fit of hysterical laughter.
***
Robin’s gaze traveled down the soft lines of Isellta’s face, taking in every single detail.
His joints ached with the need to feel him in his arms, to just hug the little fool and hold him tight.
You stupid little fey.
“Isellta.”
***
“Robin.”
***
“I love you.”
***
Isellta’s wings flapped with delirious joy.
He uncovered his mouth. “I love you.”
ambroseandelsie 