A Tale of Ashes: Tales of Fairy, #1

Ann Dayleview

Book One

Onyx Fire Press

Onyx Fire Press, LLC

Copyright © 2021 by Ann Dayleview

Thank you, reader, for buying an authorized edition of this book and for following copyright laws by not reprinting and distributing this work in any form without permission. By doing this, you are supporting authors in their drive to craft more stories for you.

ISBN: 978-1-7363705-0-6

Printed in the United States of America

Design by Jessica Pierce

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, or events is entirely coincidental.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER I

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 29

CHAPTER 30

About Ann Dayleview

For Felipe,

Who sees wonder in all my stories

CHAPTER I

Freddie

Freddie knew this story would likely get her into trouble, but that’s what made it worth covering. Dust tickled her nose as she leaned over the dash of her ancient Toyota, her ears primed for the pulsing beats of a nightclub. Raul sank into the creaking pleather, and Freddie rolled her eyes. Easing off the gas, her knuckles turned white on the steering wheel as they rolled toward three shabby rowhomes and a small army of protesters. 

This is it? she said.

A two-hour drive from the nearest Fairy border, it was supposed to be Easton’s best and most authentic fae club. The perfect setting for an illegal blood sale, a magic trafficking ring, or even a brawl she could spin into a story to land an internship with the New Wall Inquirer and secure her entrance into the upper school. But this couldn’t be right. She eyed the crowd outside the rowhomes; perhaps the protest could be her back up story.

Yeah, this is it. Raul leaned forward and sucked in a breath. Sure you still wanna go? We can turn back. There’s a party at my frat and—

Freddie held up a hand. This is the only night Pelrin isn’t around to keep tabs on me, and I need this story. I’m going with or without you. 

With her ever-present ex across the border at a briefing on Fairy’s civil war, this was her one chance to celebrate sweet, sweet freedom and finally catch a scoop.

Raul groaned. Haven’t you heard the news? Humans are going missing—all of them students. Like us. Well, like you.

Not like you, Chupa? Freddie said, the sides of her eyes crinkling as his flashed yellow in the passing streetlights.

I told you, that’s not short for chupacabra. It means...well, it means something different. Besides, you’re avoiding the point. It’s not red fae, like me, who are disappearing. 

Freddie brushed a curl from her face. It was only a few people in the South. Easton hasn’t been impacted. I’m fine. This is the most boring place in the country. Besides, the police, and the school, have taken precautions. Still, she bit her lip. According to the news, the kidnapper, or ’nappers, were moving north...toward Pennsylvania.

All they did was put up some fliers and send out that email telling us to stay in groups. Freya—

Could be anywhere. She’s just one person, Raul. She’ll turn up. Freddie risked a glance at her friend—for his sake, at least, she really hoped so. I could always drop you back off at the house... 

Raul shook his head. Nah, Pelrin would kill me if I let you go alone.

Freddie grumbled as she neared the club; the shouts of the protesters grew louder, and she could just make out the anti-fae slurs and racist slogans on their signs. Perfect. Her blood heated. She’d make them all infamous. A pinch-faced redhead stood at the crowd’s front, shouting into a megaphone. Freddie’s body went rigid, recognizing the girl—Mallory Sheppard. 

If people had opposites, Mallory would have been Freddie’s. Where Mallory was milk-pale with ruler-straight hair and a boney stature, Freddie’s skin resembled the color of a chai latte—heavy on the chai. She had coily, black hair that bushed out and down her shoulders and hips her grandmother would lovingly describe as child-bearing wonders. Their differences continued beyond appearance to their politics, choice in fashion, and choice in friends. Even their rooms were on opposite ends of the same dorm.

Humans first! Refugees go home! Mallory shouted into the megaphone.

Freddie grit her teeth and slammed on the brake, making Raul grunt. A faun in a red vest inched around the protesters to tap on the window with a yellow card. Freddie rolled it down, forcing back the rage boiling in her chest. 

Sorry about the commotion, folks. He tensed. His eyes skimmed over her all-too-human appearance. Freddie forced a smile as she pried open a bobby pin with her teeth to re-pin a stray curl back into her high bun. Raul leaned forward and took the ticket, allowing the light from the solitary streetlamp to make his eyes flash yellow—hinting at his fae heritage. The valet’s shoulders relaxed. I’ll need your keys, he said.

Freddie’s hand jerked, and she yelped. Where the plastic nub at the end of the pin had been, sharp metal now gleamed. She stuck her thumb in her mouth and the metallic tang of blood sent tingles down her tongue. Sorry, she muttered and fumbled for her keys.

Turning a pale shade of green, the man clopped back a few feet on his goat legs. Frowning, Freddie tossed him her keys and carefully tucked the pin back into her hair, avoiding the keen metal. She stepped out of the car and tugged down her metallic blue skirt. It was a far cry from her usual uniform of blue jeans and red hoodie. Bracing herself for the October chill, Freddie shrugged out of her hoodie and tossed it into the back seat. She stared at the crumpled lump, dreading the evening of pulling down her skirt and readjusting her top. But it wasn’t like she could wrap the hoodie around her waist, and paying for the club’s coat check was way out of budget. She closed the door and waved to the valet as he drove to the crowded lot.

Go home, werewolf! Mallory pointed at Raul.

I am home, human, Raul said. I was born here.

A girl on Mallory’s left giggled. Red fae snuck over here from Fairy just like the rest of the fae leeches, she said. "We’ve had enough of you people claiming you’ve lived here as long as us. It’s called the Human Realm for a reason."

Raul growled, and Freddie put a hand on his shoulder.

Send them home! Mallory chanted; the rest of the crowd took up her cry. 

With birth control! the giggler said. She just had to add the double dose of racism. Raul shot them a dark glare while Freddie trailed half a step behind him toward the center house. 

Stop taking our jobs! a boy shouted as he passed.

My parents are business owners. They create jobs, puto! Raul barked.

Doubt it, Mallory muttered.

Freddie stopped and turned on her heel to face her rival. Camping out here ’cause they won’t let you in, Mal? She folded her arms and took a step closer.

Shut up, you whiney sympathizer. Mallory tossed her fiery braid over her shoulder. I wouldn’t be caught dead inside there. And it’s Mallory.

"That sounds like jealousy. You’d better be careful, Mal. Red hair and now a greenish tinge, people might start thinking you’re a leprechaun." Freddie winked and hurried up the stairs after Raul.

Mallory shrieked curses at her back. The rest of the protesters fell awkwardly silent now that their leader had lost her composure. Taking one last look at the fuming redhead, Freddie snapped a pic with her phone and chased Raul up the remaining steps.

Pulsing bass rose from the porch planks as they approached the middle unit. A bulky man in a too-tight tee stood at the door, his arms crossed over his chest. When he tilted his head to look the two of them over, he revealed a pair of massive horns hiding beneath a broad-brimmed hat. The horns—coupled with the thick silver hoop in his nose—marked him as a minotaur, a magicless brown fae like the faun valet. 

Looks like they’re scattering. You guys got IDs? he said in a heavy rumble.

Freddie had an ID, it just didn’t say she was eighteen—only that she was old enough to drive but a year too young to have fun.

Glancing back at the crowd, she shrugged. I think I forgot mine in the car. Please don’t make me go back and get it. Freddie used the same look on the minotaur as she’d used on Raul to get here—her eyes wide and her lip slightly puckered.

From behind her, Raul sighed. Are you serious? 

The minotaur scratched his chin. "You were pretty bomb back there. I wish we had more folk like you in Fairy."

Freddie grinned. I want to be a foreign correspondent, so fingers crossed I will be one of those people. Where or how you were born doesn’t matter. 

True, true. I’ll tell you what, I’ll let it slide, but don’t forget next time, and no drinking. Okay? Giving her a pointed look, the brown fae handed her a white wristband.  

Raul forked over his ID and the twenty-dollar cover charge for them both. The bouncer gave him a white wristband, too. 

I don’t know why you want to be a journalist, Raul said as they entered what once must have been the house’s foyer. You were clearly born to be an actress. He hauled open a wooden door at the end of the small space.

Freddie shrugged and followed him in.

They walked down a flight of concrete stairs into a room doused in bright blue lights; white lounge furniture gleamed around a tightly packed dance floor. The air vibrated with the familiar beats of one of the latest pop remixes. Freddie’s eyes widened as she took in the scene before her. At first glance, it appeared like any other club in the Human Realm: colored strobe lights, a sun-glassed DJ, a long glossy bar, but then...

A pale-faced man looked up from the counter. His eyes glowed blood red as they caught the light. Vampire. A group of harpies argued loudly from a booth in the corner. Unlike Raul or the bouncer outside, a large amount of magic-wielding green fae mingled throughout the club. Freddie spotted a couple undines, a group of leprechauns, and even several fairies with translucent wings flit across the dancefloor. There were even a few humans, like Freddie, whose eyes didn’t glow in the dim light.

No one was disguised or wearing a glamour. It was almost as exciting as being in Fairy, minus the war of course. She took another picture and secured her phone in her wristlet. I am so out of my realm.

Welcome to Illusion, Freddie, Raul shouted over the pulsing beats. Be careful about the drinks. Remember, it’s a fae club and Pelrin would literally kill me if you got drunk and... He saw her expression and trailed off.

I know. I can’t even get anything. Freddie held up her wristband. Besides, she’d visited the Summer Court plenty of times when she and Pelrin were dating. She was fairly sure she knew which mixers had stronger or magical effects on humans. Raul probably had less experience with fae drinks than she did.

Be safe, okay? Just don’t go too far, he said.

She rolled her eyes. There were plenty of other humans here without babysitters. 

Sweat and body heat washed over her as she bounced her way to the middle of the dance floor. Spicy cologne stung her nose, and she whirled around. A blue-skinned young man decorated with glittering gold jewelry surveyed her.

I hardly expected to see another genie here, he said in an accent she couldn’t quite place.

I’m not a genie. She laughed. Her non-glowing, brown eyes and perfectly ordinary form marked her as human.

But you must be. I wished you would dance with me, and here we are.

Freddie smirked and twirled closer to the green fae. Soft mist drifted over the floor from a dry ice machine in the corner. A pair of wings, thin as cellophane, brushed against her side as a fairy couple squeezed their way closer to the DJ. The genie spun her out, and Freddie’s eyes fell on a handsome fae leaning against the wall. Blue flames twisted and coiled their way down his arms like writhing snakes. He turned. Brushing a stray lock of wavy black hair from his face, he fixed his glowing, amber eyes on Freddie. She shuddered as the genie pulled her close again.

Are you all right, beautiful? The gold hoop in his ear glinted as the crowd shifted, blocking the other fae from view.

Fine, she said.

The song faded into the next. Freddie’s eyes wandered again, searching for her next dance partner. At the far end of the sea of bodies, Raul danced with a girl whose long, red hair swept her back. Had Mallory found her way inside? The girl turned, and her emerald eyes glowed bright in the low light. Definitely not Mallory, then. Even from across the room, Freddie could see the dreamy expression on Raul’s face. Flowering vines curled around the green-eyed girl’s arms and legs, steadily inching their way toward Raul.

For the love of God, Freddie muttered under her breath. The wood nymph had Raul completely under her spell. If Freddie wanted to save him from getting pranked into making a complete fool of himself, she had to act now.

’Scuse me. Freddie shimmied away from the genie and through the sea of bodies toward Raul. She creeped her fingers along his waist, tickling his sides. He jerked and spun around. For a moment, he looked from Freddie to the nymph in a wide-eyed haze. The nymph doubled over laughing, tears glittering in her bright eyes. Raul's brow creased.

Fuck you, Fred! he shouted over the music. I knew what I was doing.

I’m sure.

The nymph cast Freddie a mischievous look. Don’t worry, I wasn’t going to do anything to him. Just playing. She giggled.

A dark flush bloomed across Raul’s face, but Freddie couldn’t help from joining in with the nymph’s laughter. He glared at them before slumping off to the bar. Before Freddie could follow, the nymph grabbed her hand.

It’s nice to have a girl’s night sometimes. Doncha think? She pouted her lips, her eyes flashing.

Sometimes, Freddie said. Her thoughts drifted back to her article as she danced alongside the green fae. There was nothing other than ordinary club happenings here. The story would have to center around the protest. Did you see those people outside?

The nymph pulled her lips tight. Her movements became stiff and nearly as unfluid as Freddie’s human ones. Those people have no idea what it’s like in Fairy. Someone should toss them over the wall and see how they fare.

Tell me about it, Freddie said, hoping she actually would.

My family was lucky enough to escape Autumn before it fell to the Dark Fae Army. It took them years to save up enough money to qualify for my visa. 

Sorry. I’m glad you’re here now, though. 

The nymph's words would be a great quote. All she needed to do was research a bit more about the visa process, and she’d have at least a halfway decent article she could send to the editor. Giving the young woman a half-smile, Freddie grasped her hand and swayed to the music. As they danced, the nymph’s aura pulled at her, enticing her to let go of her inhibitions. She shook her head and continued moving to the flutes and electronic beats of the fusion music. Only those with weak minds would fall under a wood nymph’s spell.

As the night wore on, the wonder of the fae club wore off, and Freddie’s feet screamed for attention. Pausing to catch her breath, she again met the bright amber gaze of the fae from earlier. He looked to be her age or perhaps a couple years older, though with fae it was hard to tell—he could be well over a hundred. Dark, shoulder-length hair fell over his olive-toned face as his flames flared up, and he turned quickly away. What kind of fae is he?

Let’s get a drink. The nymph cut into Freddie’s thoughts.

Ok, sure. Freddie limped behind her. What she wouldn’t give for fae stamina. The other girl propped her boobs up on the bar. An auburn-haired vampire appeared before her. He looked down and grinned.

Two Embraces, she said, holding out two fingers. 

Freddie shook her head. Oh, I can’t—

Before Freddie could hold up her wrist band, the nymph said, Don’t worry, babe. They’re free. She gave the bartender a wink, and he licked a gleaming fang. Freddie’s gaze followed him as he glided off to the other end of the counter.

She bit the inside of her cheek. The prospect of tasting something new was tempting, but it went against the countless lessons her teachers, her parents, and Pelrin had drilled into her. Beware of fae food and drink; the word beware echoed in her head. Nothing with yarrow, belladonna, agrimony, or angel trumpet. All top shelf mixers, she noted, and he hadn’t reached for any of those. Instead, rose hips, refined peppermint oil, mullein syrup, and something purple called moon wine were added into a crystal shaker. The last one was probably what made it alcoholic.

Freddie straightened and pulled her lips into a thin line. She didn’t need her ex or anyone else telling her what she could and could not drink. There were other humans here, and they were fine. Besides, even if she did get drunk, Raul would look out for her. In a blink, the vampire set down two shot glasses. The liquid inside faded from a bright fuchsia on the top to a deep purple on the bottom. 

May our night be fruitful, the nymph said, holding up her drink.

Indeed. Freddie couldn’t keep her voice from wavering as she held up her own glass. Screw it.

They clinked glasses, and she tipped hers back. Deep scents of fresh cut roses and apricot blossoms assaulted her nose while the tastes of rich, dark chocolate copulated with a salty oyster-like flavor on her tongue. Freddie coughed and set the glass down, grimacing. At least she hadn’t spent money on that. She put a hand to her head as a dull buzzing sensation swarmed her mind. An intense wave of heat shot up through her toes, causing her to stumble back. 

When she looked up, the nymph was climbing over the bar to wrap herself around the vampire. The green-eyed girl paused for a moment to look over her shoulder and wink at Freddie before shoving her chosen victim into a passionate kiss.

The warmth racing through Freddie’s veins intensified. All thoughts of her article swam away like mermaids from a speed boat. A dull ache blossomed across her chest—her heart pounded like a wild animal’s. She needed...something. Scanning the crowd, her eyes landed on the flaming fae. He ran a hand through his hair and stared out at the dancers with a hunter’s concentration. Her feet, acting of their own accord, moved closer to him. Freddie couldn’t help but notice his broad, muscular shoulders and the seductive fullness of his lips. Before she knew what she was doing, her arms were wrapped around his neck. He jerked, stiffening beneath her grasp. Her lips met his. His eyes widened. The pounding ache in her chest soothed as her mouth crushed against his. His lips moved slow and uncertain while his arms hung limp at his sides. She sucked in a breath, pulling him closer. He smelled like the sky just before a rainstorm. 

His fingertips brushed against her cheek just as a strong hand jerked her back. The world spun as she was lifted into the air and tossed over someone’s shoulder. For a moment she thought she would vomit, but they were moving before her stomach and head were able to reach a decision. There was a bang as the door to the outside flung open. Cool wind brushed against her bare back. Freddie’s toes touched down on the pavement where the protesters had been. Where were her shoes? Raul’s strangely pale face stared at her, his mouth opening and closing wordlessly.

Can I help you, sir? a voice squeaked.

Raul turned and growled. The faun valet cringed.

Get the car! Raul barked. He shoved the ticket into the faun’s chest. The skinny creature clopped off in the direction of the parking lot.

Freddie swayed into Raul’s hard-muscled body and breathed in his scent of Old Spice and frat house beer. A screech of tires signaled the arrival of her Corolla. She held her hand outstretched for the keys, but Raul brushed it away. He snatched the keys from the valet as Freddie stumbled around to the passenger’s side and tumbled into the seat. Raul slammed on the gas and sped out of the parking lot. Frowning, Freddie was not sure her elderly car could handle such a pace.

Que carajos estabas pensando?! he shouted. I thought I said no drinking!

It was just one, and it was with a girl. Freddie’s head pulsed. Outside, the streetlights made pretty streaks as they flew past. Freddie hiccupped, a chalky sweetness filling her mouth.

Yeah, a girl who apparently didn’t know you were human and stupid enough to... to... He was shaking, his face still ghostly white.

I’m fine. All I did was make out with that hottie. She hiccupped again. 

He was not just some hottie.

Raul swerved onto Main Street. A crowd of drunken upper schoolers stumbled into the street in front of the car, forcing him to slow down. The dashboard clock read eleven forty-eight, a little over two hours before the bars closed.

He was at least a seven. He’d looked more like a twelve, but factoring in her current state of inebriation, she reasoned seven was probably more accurate.

He’s not a good guy, Fred. You leave him alone!

Pelrin must really hate this guy if Raul was this upset.

"I’m gonna be a—hic—journalist, you know. I can track down just about anyone."

I mean it, you can’t go after him.

She grinned. Challenge accepted.

CHAPTER 2

Aiden

Aiden’s stomach sank as he headed back to the Winter Palace, the ghost of the kiss burning his lips. It wasn’t real. The taste of moon wine had been unmistakable, but something inside him ached for her actions to have been genuine. He shook his head to rid it of such nonsense thoughts.

Snow crunching beneath his boots, Aiden made his way toward the three towers of glimmering lights. A gust of wind tore across the frigid wasteland that was the utmost point of Winter. He let out a cloudy breath as the cold bit into his cheeks like spring nettles. Wrapping his hands around his shoulders, Aiden drew his thin leather jacket tight to his body.

It was lucky, for the girl at least, their Majesties had let him recruit alone tonight. The others would probably have wanted to hunt her down, just to see the terror in her eyes when they tore her to pieces. He shuddered as another blast of wind pierced his thin layers.

Freezing frosts. The sound of Aiden’s voice was lost in the windswept tundra, drowned out by the moans and howls of the drekavacs.

Who was she? The thought nagged at the back of his mind. A human at a fae club was only a slight oddity—there were always others—but she had been the only one who’d ever dared approach him. The ripples of magic that rolled off him, even when his flames were out, always made those with lesser magics wary—unless of course they sought to use his power for their own purposes. Perhaps, if his parents were still alive, they could teach him how to dim his aura and appear as other fae...at least in terms of magic. Then humans wouldn’t fear him, but he didn’t, shouldn’t, care about humans, or about who she was. Just some magicked human he’d likely never see again.

A long bridge of ice arched across a black crevasse—bottomless and lined with jagged shards of ice. The bridge’s intricately crafted shapes mimicked curling vines in icy hues of blue and white, standing in stark contrast against the barren expanse. And just beyond, the sharp spires of the palace loomed like icicles perched on their end, each stabbing up at the green-streaked sky. 

A tug on his jacket snapped him out of his thoughts of the strange girl and the even stranger kiss. He spun, blue flames alight on his arms. A drekavac boy stared up at him with milky blue eyes. He appeared human, but for his soulless eyes, nearly hairless body, and jerky movements. As brown fae, the boy had no magic of his own and was cursed to wander these desolate Winter plains. 

Food, sir? The words grinded from the boy’s mouth like rough stones. Aiden recoiled and surveyed the small creature. A yellowed tunic hung to the boy’s knees—his bare feet curled against the snow. Ice crusted on the few wisps of hair dangling to his shoulders.

Shaking his head, Aiden carefully nudged him out of the way. Shards of Aiden’s own shattered childhood reflected back at him through the drekavac’s cloudy stare. Once, he would have taken pity on the boy, perhaps even snuck him into the warm palace kitchens. Now he couldn’t stand even the sight of the tiny figure huddled against the cold. 

The boy howled as Aiden continued across the ice bridge. The creature’s voice added to the cacophony of moans rising up from the desolate landscape. 

Cold stabbed through the soles of his feet like thorns as he drew near the ornately-carved ice doors. A giant with three bearded heads stood guard. Strapped to his back was a wooden shield and a broadsword the height of Aiden’s body. A shackle choked the man’s ankle, its chain leading off into the shadows of the castle’s translucent walls.

What, not wending in tonight, dog? Triglav’s middle head spat. All three sets of lips curled in disgust. Aiden didn’t react. People at court often called him ‘dog’ and worse. 

The once-powerful lord of Winter had betrayed his people to their majesties. Now he had no more power than the lazy swamp dragons the Summer fae kept chained in their yards. Still, Aiden wished he could magically transport himself directly inside the palace and avoid having to deal with the three-headed man. 

He squared his shoulders. Even with the heavy weight of exhaustion upon him, he was more than a match for the three-headed giant. The wards are up. No one is wending.  

Their Majesties didn’t make an exception for you? Triglav grinned.

Security is more important tonight. 

The middle head sniffed, and the man stood aside. Aiden pushed past him and stepped through the ice-crusted gates. 

Inside