Avery told Morgan how there were once humans in Aeritis. She shared how magical humans—witches—saved the human race by separating the two realms between Earth and Aeritis. That’s when things started getting confusing. There were whisperings of humans in this realm. But, most humans had been killed or died in the journey through the portal. Avery even suggested that Morgan wasn’t the first human to enter the realm through Sapphire Falls, and that the Nepheli king had been responsible for their deaths. However, she and Avery were inexplicably chosen by the goddess to fulfill some prophecy. It was all too much for Morgan to take in. She pressed the palms of her hands against her eyes, and sank back in her seat before she looked at her sister.
“So these people think we’re here to destroy their land? They’re going to kill us off,” Morgan said with a heavy sigh. She couldn’t believe that she and Avery were trapped in a land like this.
Avery’s face flashed with concern. “No, it’s not going to be like that. Savine will keep us safe.”
“Savine? The supposedsoulmate,Avery? You trust someone who isn’t even part of our species with your life only after a little over a month of knowing him?” Morgan rolled her eyes. Avery had always been slightly gullible, but this was insane.
Hurt shone in Avery’s eyes before she said, “You don’t have to believe me that he’s my soulmate, but I know what I feel, and it’s real.”
“I know what you feel! You feel good fucking a creature that isn’t even human!” It was a low blow, but she still couldn’t believe that Avery had spent her time here falling for a creature that claimed to be her soulmate instead of trying to get back home.
Avery stood, hurt shining in her eyes before she took steady steps to the balcony.
Morgan turned back to her tea, which somehow was warm long after it should have been cooled. Just like her bath the previous night. Avery stayed outside, and Morgan didn’t bother to go to her. She’d let her sister cool off first before they talked again.
Eventually, she came back into the room. Her eyes were red lined and her cheeks puffy. Avery cleared her throat before she spoke. “You know, last night I thought that this was sort of a dream come true. I don’t have to worry every day if you survived the attack, instead I get to have you here with me. But, we always have a way of getting under each other's skin. Even still, I love you. I love you in a way that I can never love someone else. And having you here gives me hope. So yeah, I may not have spent my time here researching how to escape or formulating some grand plan. Yeah, I found someone who I care deeply for, and I want to be happy about that. But we’ve got to be a team here. There’s some messed up stuff in this world and I want to know you’ve got my back no matter what.”
Morgan fidgeted with the cuticle of her nail as she looked at her sister. “Of course. You’ve got my back and I’ve got yours. We’re not going to let this place tear us apart. I’m sorry I said that about you and Savine. It’s just caught me off guard.”
Avery came closer to Morgan before she pulled her into a hug. “Good. We stick together. We learn together. And we fight together.”
Morgan let out a nervous giggle. “The Hollis sisters: badass fairy fighters.”
Avery laughed in return as she pulled away. “Speaking of fairy fighters, we have to train. At least in our magic and self defense. Savine told me I’ll never have to fight another battle, and I plan on that being a reality.”
Morgan shook her head. A sense of dread coming over her. This was all too real, this nightmare she found herself in. It was easy enough to joke that they’d be fairy fighters, but the reality of that situation sent cold dread through her. “I’m still not ready to commit to anything crazy here. I want to try and get home. Nothing else is as important as finding a way back to Montana.”
Chapter 7
Avery
Avery wasn’t very surprised that she and Morgan were already arguing. Of course, she wanted to get along, but she was also overwhelmed with a strange mix of excitement mingled with dread that her sister was with her. And she wondered what sort of havoc Morgan would cause in Aeritis with that shadowy magic.
After breakfast, they got dressed in simple, soft tunics and leggings that Edet had provided. She’d had questions when Avery asked for something for her period, and Avery found out that the fae don’t even menstruate. Great. Of course they didn’t.This was going to be worse than she thought, but she figured she could discreetly ask Susan what she did.
Avery wanted to introduce Morgan to Susan and Rue right away. It would help Morgan to begin to meet fae who weren't a threat, and Rue was just that. Also, she knew Morgan would get some of her questions answered by Susan.
As they stepped into the hallway, Avery expected there to be a guard preventing her from wandering the tower. During the previous days, it was made clear that Avery wasn’t being held captive, but she didn’t have the freedom to wander without an escort. That seemed to lighten after Savine arrived, but she still felt like any wrong move could leave her trapped in the Tower of Teeth instead of living in luxury and comfort as a guest of Rylo’s.
As Avery surveyed the hallway, Morgan looked at her with an expression that was pure fear. “It’s okay, Morgan. We’re safe. I promise.” The jarring scars across Morgan's face seemed to darken as she took a small step out of the bedroom. Avery still couldn’t believe that her sister had been so brutally injured and survived to share the story.
“Where do you want to go anyway,” Morgan asked as she stepped into the hall.
Avery gave her a quick smile before she turned toward where she suspected Susan and Rue were staying. “I just want you to meet my friends. They’ve helped me so much here.”
Avery’s steady footsteps echoed across the red rock of the floor as she crossed to a door that had previously been guarded. She heard Morgan close behind her as she knocked on the heavy wooden door.
Dark skin and sleek raven-black feathers greeted her. Selene was in this room, not Rue and Susan. She’d never suspected Selene to be living in this part of the Towers. Selene, the woman who was responsible for torturing Savine’s soul.
“Oh! Selene. I didn’t expect to see you here. Sorry, I thought this was Rue and Susan’s room,” Avery said, feeling embarrassed for the mistake.
Selene just stared at her with violet eyes, a gaze that was cold despite the warmth in their color.
“Avery! In here. Selene, please let her in!” Rue demanded from the room. Selene pursed her lips and let Avery and Morgan in. Immediately, Rue was embracing Avery in a tight hug. “I’m so happy you’re okay. Last night was—well it was something I never want to experience again. Seeing you down on the ground, tortured like that? The rest of us were in some sort of a frozen state. I could see everything, but I couldn’t move. Only Susan was free, but I think she was too scared to act.” Rue turned her head, tight curls bouncing as she looked at Susan, sitting quietly in a chair in the corner.
Avery noticed the pale color in Susan’s skin, her glamour gone as she sat in her human form. Avery squeezed Rue’s arm as she walked over to Susan. “Hello, friend,” Avery said.
“I’m so sorry, Avery. I wasn’t there when you needed me most. We could have stopped him together if we’d tried to combine our powers, and when you needed me most I froze. I—I understand if you can’t forgive me for what I did.” Susan’s eyes were rimmed with red. She looked like she’d barely slept.
