~~
Trinity
~~
I didn't want to carry that frozen head in my hands all the way back to the battle. At least, I didn't want to carry it in my hands. I didn't want to touch any part of that crazy bitch that had caused all of this. So, instead of touching her at all, stabbed my sword through the bottom of her neck.
The tip of my blade slid in effortlessly past the ice, skin, bone, and everything else that was in between it and the brain. I knew for a fact that the blade had slid in far enough so that it was planted firmly in the soft, vital organ.
Now that her head was skewered enough for me to carry it, I put my sword over my shoulder and walked back toward the barrier that separated me from the outside world. I had an image of someone with a hobo stick walking through the dark countryside as I made my way out of this place.
I remembered which way I had come, so it didn't take me long to get to the fog barrier. I just needed to pass by all the unpleasant looking scenery along the way. I tried not to think of that sea of bloody water as I passed by, hoping that the battle up above hadn't turned into something that resembled that hideous body of water.
When I did finally make it to that hazy, foggy divider between me and the exit, I took a deep breath. I needed to brace myself as I pushed into the thick, clingy, nasty substance. I knew that it would be gone soon. And I knew that it wouldn't cling to me when I was through it, but that didn't make it any easier for me to push my way through it. It felt disgusting and unnatural.
Finally, after a few moments, I was able to pass through that ten foot stretch of the tunnel. I was finally looking up at the exit and ready to leave. There was only one problem. I didn't know how to get out of here.
As soon as I thought that while looking up at the light above me, I felt myself being lifted. It was once again that gentle and slow movement that didn't make me feel the least bit nervous or scared. It was like the magic was fully welcoming of my presence and was assisting me. There was nothing at all hurried or terrifying about the way I was flying up and up and up.
After what felt like several minutes, I could see the end of that long tunnel. I was almost out of here. I was almost back to where everyone one else was. I wonder if Reece was going to be mad that I ran off like that?
I felt myself fly effortless out of that crack in the barrier and land gently on my feet. I was now out in the bright afternoon light and the sudden change had me squinting in an attempt to see what was around me. When I had gone in through the barrier it was in the morning. I don't know how long I was in the dark Fae realm, but it was five times longer out here than it was in there. Yeah, Reece was going to be angry for sure.
As my eyes adjusted to the light, I saw that the battle seemed to be over for the most part. Most of the people that were near me, near the boulder, were all just standing around and staring at something.
'What are they looking at?' I asked myself silently as I started to walk forward. 'What the hell is going on here?'
As the people around me saw that I was back from the dark realm, they were pointing and whispering. I hadn't felt this uncomfortable since I attended pack meetings as an ostracized teenager who was the ridicule of the entire pack. Huh, to think that I went from being worth nothing to the pack to being the most sought-after shifter in the world. That was kind of funny if you think about it.
"The Queen is back."
"Look at that sword."
"What happened to her?"
"Where did she go?"
The whispers were following me and making me feel even more uncomfortable with each passing second. This just didn't seem right. It didn't seem normal. What was really going on here?
As I passed by the edge of a group of Fae that were huddled together, I saw several people that I recognized. Reece was there and so were Dietrich, Shawn, Shane, David, and Griffin.
"Where is Vincent?" I asked myself softly as I looked at the group of them.
I saw that Griffin was worried about something, so was Reece based on the set of his shoulders. There was a man lying on the ground between them. He was covered in blood and groaning in pain.
That was when it hit me.
'I recognize that voice.' I told myself as I walked closer to them. 'I know that voice.' I said again when he groaned once more. 'Oh please Goddess, don't let this be what I think it is.' I begged as I took off running toward the group of people.
I could see more friends, more allies. Trevor and Aunt Glory, Athair mòr and Daciana, Rahim, Nathair, Leelin, Crawford, Anastasia, Analise, Reef, Arno, Kayda, Riley, Rawlynne, and all of the rest of my council members were there along with all of my guards. But I couldn't see Vincent anywhere.
Reece seemed to sense me when I was close enough. He looked up to see me running at him, sword in hand.
"Reece?" I yelled out to him as he leapt to his feet to catch me.
"Trinity!" I could hear the emotions that were thickening his voice. "Oh Goddess, Trinity, I am so glad that you're back." He was relieved but still worried.
"What happened, Reece? What happened to Vincent?" I pushed myself away from him, away from the hug and dropped to my knees next to the man that was laying on the ground. "Vincent?"
I took my guard's, my friend's, hand in my own and squeezed it tight.
"I..I..I'm s..s..so..so..sorry, T..T..Tr..Trin..Trinity." Vincent was having trouble speaking and I could tell he was in pain.
I was instantly saddened by the sight before me. Vincent's complexion had been sapped of all color. His eyes were losing their light. Even his lips were turning blue as I watched. He was dying. I could see it. Vincent was dying right before me.
"Vincent?" I sobbed as I pulled his hand closer to my face. "Vincent, don't leave me." I begged him.
I couldn't lose Vincent. I just couldn't. He was my friend. He was the first person that I had truly bonded with when my life had changed. He had been there with me every single step of the way since I found out that Reece was my mate.
"I can't lose you, Vincent. Heather can't lose you either. You need to fight it. You need to get better. You need to be there for your kids. They all need you. Please, Vincent, don't give up."
"T..T..Tri..Trinity, I..I..I've a..a..al..always l..loved y..you l..l..like a..a s..si..sis..sister. I..I h..hope y..yo..you kn..know th..that." He weakly gripped my hand back, as I held it against my cheek.
"I love you too, Vincent. You're my family, I have always thought that. That's why I need you. Please, don't give up.. Don't leave me."
