Chapter 22

"What do you mean you killed someone?" I ask horrified. "It was a long time ago, before I met Bonnie. It was an accident, I never meant for it to happen" he says staring at the ground. "Thank you for opening up to me Jax. What exactly happened" I ask. He takes a deep breath and replies, "As you probably have guessed, like Emily, am a faerie. "But-" I begin, before Jax interrupts. "Just let me finish, please? I have been holding this in for so long" he says continuing, "There were 5 of us; Emily, her best friend Tulip, Tulip's brother Nox, my buddy Cade and I. We were the best of friends, until one night."

"Their father had married a human woman. Tulip is completely faerie like their father, but Nox was human. No one knew this because though he was human he still had faerie wings. He never told anyone they didn't work, just that he liked to have flight light when we went flying. One night we all went flying, but I went on ahead a bit to catch up with Tulip, Cade and Emily. Nox ran out of flight light and fell to his death. If only I had been close by, it never would have happened. After that I ran away, and vowed never to use my wings or magic again" Jax informs me, then slumps down to the ground, his face resting hidden on his forearm. "Jax! You can't blame yourself for that! It was an accident, it could've happened to anyone" I tell him calmly, and place my hand on his shoulder.

"I'm assuming flight light the shining light you put on all of us to make us fly from Ms. Parfon's?" I say. "Yea, and just a little of that would have saved my best friend" Jax says downheartedly. "I'm sure if you explain to Bonnie she will understand" I tell him. He jumps to his feet and shouts, "No Nora! You promised! She can never know." Seeing his grief I hug him tightly and say, "Well you've got to tell her something Jax, you can't just keep this from her."

"No you certainly can not!" Bonnie yells emerging from the woods. "I don't know what's going on with that magic back at Ms. Parfon's house, but I can clearly see the magic that is going on with you two! I can't believe you would do this to me Jax! I'm done with this little adventure, I think I've had all the truth I can stand" she shouts and runs back into the forest. Jax and I look at each other stunned as we break away from our hug. "She must have thought you and I-" I start. Jax puts his palm to his face and chases after Bonnie. 

I wait in the clearing for what feels like forever, when suddenly I see Emily emerging from the woods. "I'm sorry Nora, but she's gone, I couldn't find her. Where's Jax, is he looking for her?" Emily tells me. "Yes but that was awhile ago. Why didn't he just fly?" I ask. "He would be spotted surely! Look!" Emily says pointing as Jax and Bonnie walk into the clearing. 

"Bonnie I'm so glad you came back!" I tell her once they have reached Emily and I. Bonnie says nothing, and just stands there. "I had to put a spell on her, she's basically on auto-pilot. I will have to reason with her later, but I at least wanted her with the group so she would be safe" Jax explains. "Good thinking" Emily tells him.

"We should get going, it will be morning soon" Emily offers. Jax nods and places a hovering enchantment on Emily's human body. It hovers a few inches above the ground and follows where ever Jax walks. "I'd like to fly but, I'm pretty sure we'd be spotted. Especially with morning approaching, I just don't think it's a good idea" Jax says. "Will we have to travel far?" I ask Emily. "It will take us quite sometime. It depends on how fast we can travel, but possibly a days walk" she says. "Let's get a move on then" I say, and we all start the long journey to Emily's parents home.

The journey is long and the walk is rough, the forest floor is covered in large roots and steep hills. Large rocks along the way provide for great resting spots. Jax catches up some fish for lunch from the river, and we cook it up over a small fire. The day was pleasant at least, a bright sun was beaming through large fluffy clouds as Emily and Jax described Brendlewood to me. 

Midday turns to afternoon, and afternoon turns to dusk. "We'll be there soon, just be careful crossing through this part of the woods. There is an evil spell on it" Emily told us. Walking through what was quickly becoming night, we were eager to get to Brendlewood. Large tree's fill a thick forest and tangled vines every few feet, try to trip us up. From a nearby bush I hear a terrifying sound. I gasp as a low growl creeps from the brambles. 

A beast of a man leaps from the bushes and growls fiercely. All of the girls scream and Jax jumps in front of us, wings out, ready to defend us. The three of us take cover behind a large tree as Jax shouts, "Stop please! Who are you?" The brute growls, "You should know! I don't appreciate being stunned!" "Philip!" Jax shouts, as he puts up his hand ready to shoot off a spell.

Philip laughs, "You think you're a match for me? Imagine a dainty little fairy up against the strength of a werewolf?" Jax launches an attack, but just misses Philip. Philip looks at the place where Jax's spell landed, and then looks back at Jax with astonishment. "Really? So it's a fight you want, is it?" he growls before he lunges at Jax, striking him hard. 

Jax falls to the ground holding his eye, as one of his wings twitches with injury. Quickly, he tries to get to his feet, but Philip strikes again. This time when Jax falls to the ground, he is knocked out cold. We try to hide our gasps, but Philip catches sight of us. He puffs out his chest, and gives a nasty smirk saying, "Looks like you brought me a new girl as well. Thank you Miss Nora." 

Suddenly a bright light bursts into Philip and he falls over, clutching his arm. Rising back up he yells, "What pathetic weakling takes a cheap shot like that!?" "This kind!" shouts a stranger, as Philip turns to face him. "Do you have a death wish? You should be more careful with who you pick fights with" Philip snarls. 

Before I can get a look at this newcomer, Philip takes to all fours, darts around the tree, grabs me throwing me on his back, as he speeds off into the forest. Philip is running so fast I fear to jump off. Everything is just a wild blur, that is until a pair of green wings appear at my side. 

Suddenly everything seems to move in slow motion, though I know we are still speeding through the forest. The young man who appeared next to me wore shaggy moss colored hair, the ends of it black as night, and the greenest eyes I've ever seen. He gives me a wink and gently places his arms around me, delicately lifting me from Philip's back without him even noticing. Landing safely on the forest floor, the young man releases me and launches a spell at Philip, who freezes in place as solid stone. 

Rushing over to me the young man takes me in his arms and asks if I'm alright. All I can do is stare at him, and his eyes almost seem to twinkle as they gaze into mine. Captivated by his handsome appearance, I can only nod yes. He smiles a dazzling grin, stands back and say softly, "Good.. I'm glad. I'm Cade by the way, Cade Meadowstone."