"Oh yeah, time doesn't pa.s.s on the other side of the shimmer," Thorne blurts out. "Give me a second and we'll go talk."

Caleb looks at me curiously, "Shimmer?"

"Let me call Amber, and I'll tell you what the shimmer is." Amber's phone goes straight to voicemail. "d.a.m.n, voicemail. Where do you think she went?" Caleb and Thorne just look at me and shrug. "Glad to know you're so concerned."

"I'm sure she's fine, probably drank and got grounded. Her dad would have called you if she were missing. Don't stress...I'm sure she has a big story for us on Monday morning." Caleb says as he pulls me into a hug and kisses the top of my head. "Miss Gayle, do you think Amber's okay?" Thorne asks grandma as though they're best buds.

"I'm sure you're right."

Thorne isn't good at hiding his concern, it's written all over his face. He motions for us to follow him. It feels like it's been hours since I was inside these walls.

"I'm going to brew some coffee, would you like any?" Thorne asks us as he fills the carafe with water. After a unanimous yes, he and grandma set mugs and coffee creamer out on the dining table. He pulls a bag of Milano Cookies with dark chocolate out of the cabinet. Grandma takes the cookies and puts them on a plate, setting it in the middle of the table.

The dining table is much smaller than the one at home. I doubt anyone has used it before; the finish is perfect, not as much as a nick to be seen.

"I'm feeling like something major has happened, I can't put my finger on it though. Would someone like to enlighten me?" Caleb's voice is cool without a hint of frustration, although I could sense that he was.

"Okay, here's the deal dude...I'm not a Light Tamer. I'm a guardian, and I've been a.s.signed to watch out for Jessie. In the beginning, I thought it was odd to watch a Tamer. I mean, well, there isn't too much drama that goes along with them. Typically, the Dark Ones do their thing and go. They don't haunt a family and don't usually do serial light stealing. If the teachers had their way, they'd make you guys think it happens all day, every day. So yes, I was confused about the Jessie a.s.signment. I find out after I get here about her heritage, and that made more sense. It wasn't until this afternoon that everything came together, crystal clear."

"You're an angel?"

Thorne sets his mug down harder than necessary. "No, I'm not a d.a.m.n angel. Why does everyone think that you take the word guardian and a.s.sociate it with an angel? I'm far from angelic...I do, however, have a code of ethics, just as they do. Trust me when I say, it isn't much fun guarding someone who is bound to a big dude that looks like he can kick my a.s.s. Not that I can't fight, but I'm not into fighting for a girl. Don't get me wrong, I'll fight for her, but not for her in the relationship kind of way. She's not my type." He looks over at me and my mouth drops open. "You're too pretty, too sweet...too...good. I like my love interest to be edgy and s.p.u.n.ky."

"Like Amber?" I grin from ear to ear as I say it.

"Like Amber," he agrees. Grandma and Thorne begin by telling Caleb about the woodlands and grandma's secret.

The next hour was spent telling him about the box and its contents. I open it again and show him the smaller box with the rings. Everything was going smoothly, up until they tell Caleb we have to get married....because we're going to rule Fairyland.

"We can't get married; she's not sixteen yet. I don't think you can get married in North Carolina at fifteen," Caleb complains.

You don't want to marry me?

No...yes...yes I do, but not like this...not right now. We can't vote or get credit, we can't support ourselves...this is a dumb idea.

I scoot my chair closer to him, he puts his hand under the table, and I take his hand in mine. You're right. You were so adamant; I thought maybe you didn't see us together in the future.

Jess, don't be silly. We will be together for the rest of our lives. I love you, you're a part of me...I'm nothing without you. It might sound corny, but it's true.

"Are you paying attention? I'm not here to talk to myself. When is your birthday Jessie?"

"August thirty-first." The three of us say in unison.

"That's Friday, we can't wait for Friday. Honestly, your age isn't a big deal in the super world," Thorne says matter-of-factly.

Caleb and I turn to each other and back at Thorne. "Super world?"

"You know... the supernatural world."

"Oh yeah, that world...I totally forgot. What does this world consist of?" I ask sarcastically.

"Sorry, that's a need-to-know basis...right now you don't need to."

I huff and turn to grandma. "What kinds of supernaturals? He might not be able to lie, but his omission isn't the truth." She shakes her head at me. "Explain this Fairyland prophecy. How does Light Tamer fall into the category of faerie?"

"That's the easy part. All magical beings get their powers from the elements. Your light is a gift and to those who went dark...their curse. Like the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, one predominately good, the other not-so-good. There's been many presages about leaders of courts, packs, clans, congregations to come. Each has slowly been brought to fruition over the last decade. The fae have exclaimed the presage about them was just a fairytale...pun intended. They guessed since they don't operate on a parallel realm, they wouldn't need to worry about the so-called prophecy. Growing up with a human family and visiting the Woodlands, I was intrigued with the stories the rogues would tell. You may have noticed when we were on the other side of the shimmer, I was younger. Fae don't age like humans. We start as children and age to no more than thirty - physically. You'll meet fae who are hundreds and hundreds of years old. I'm relatively young compared to them. I'm not jaded by the rules and regulations of their world. I've never lived on the other side of the shimmer. I actually found their stories intriguing, and the elders love to tell their stories. One of them gave this box to me when I was about your age Jess. He wanted me to try to open it, obviously I couldn't. He told me to keep the box, one day I'd have reason to try again. I had the box in the closet before you and Tabitha moved in. When I got wind there was a Guardian involved, a nice omission Mrs. Ward left out, I knew the time had come. Lucky for us, he came with a key," she said pointing to Thorne.

"Where did you get the key?" Caleb asks Thorne.

Thorne stood to cross the room; he picked up a messenger bag. The khaki bag was well-worn with frayed edges and stains. He pulls out a journal looking book. "This is a book a.s.signed to guardians. The book fills with information regarding my next charge. Each evening, I talk to the book, and it doc.u.ments my words. The information is stored for reference if needed. Once the a.s.signment is over, the book goes blank...until you receive the next name. Sometimes, I'm called to work another case. The new guardian will receive all of my notes when their book reveals the name. That's what happened to me. I was on a mission when Jessie's name appeared in the book. When one a.s.signment trumps another, it's usually important. The notes stated I was told to talk to a fae by the name of Locke. He's..."

"Nuts," Grandma blurted out.

"Yeah, we'll go with that word. He gave me the key, and said the Lady of the Lake told him to retrieve the key. He had to go to the bottom of her lake and was rewarded with a kiss. He was chattering on about her beautiful smile, the way she hovered over the lake, in a gossamer dress."

Grandma pours herself a fresh cup of coffee and shakes her head. "Granted a kiss did she? Obviously he hasn't collected on the kiss, or he wouldn't have given you the key."

"Why, what does a kiss do?" I ask.

"One kiss will link him to the lake; he'll lose his earth magic, and become a water wielder. Water is cool, but when you've lived three hundred years roaming the forest...losing your magic will kill a fae like him."

"Oh, how terrible. She has him get a key made of iron and rewards him with death? Who does that?" I blurt out.

Thorne squished his face as if he smelled something foul. "The fae are losing nothing when it comes to him, trust me."

Grandma shakes her head in agreement about Locke. "How did you find out the box was at my house? I didn't even know."

"The book, it said to tell her to bring it."

"What is in Kentucky if you get all of your info via book?"

"Home," he says, without any hint of betrayal to his secrets. "When I don't have an a.s.signment, I live in Lexington. I haven't been back to Kentucky for anything other than meetings. My roommate is a slacker when it comes to being a guardian; he's on suspension for failing to protect his charge. She died before she was slated to, which tethered her soul to earth. Until he finds a necromancer to successfully release her to the heavens, he is suspended. It is no bed of roses to have a soul stuck in limbo, and stuck with you. Since he's at fault, she stays with him...constantly! I hear she's a chatterbox. She talks non-stop while he's trying to sleep, going to the bathroom, entertaining a lady friend. You get the idea."

"Miss Gayle, what is the prophecy?"

My phone buzzed with a text.

WHAT IS WRONG??.

I was worried.

I'M FINE.

Good, put this address in your GPS and come here...NOW DO YOU HAVE ASPIRIN?.

You hung over?

STOP BEING THE ALCOHOL POLICE.

When can you get here? Thorne is here.

OH?.

When will you be here?

IF YOU HAVE ASPIRIN I'LL BE THERE IN TEN MINUTES "Does anyone have aspirin? Amber said she'd be here in ten minutes if we have some."

"I have some in my car," Grandma replied.

WE HAVE ASPIRIN. COME ALONE.

K.

"I'll give you the short version of the prophecy."

"Wait - you don't want Amber here to hear the story?" I ask, my eyes meeting his.

"Jess, I think it's better you hear this without the peanut gallery and her comments."

"Grandma, you did not just call her the peanut gallery."

"You did not just call me grandma! I call a spade a spade."

Caleb shakes his head in agreement.

"Okay, spit it out."

"As you'd have it Your Highness. The box you opened has two daggers, the Dagger of Destiny has been spoken about through the centuries. The leather on the handle of the daggers is made from hide that was tanned with a thousand tears shed by angels when Christ was born. It is told, the crowned n.o.bility who uses the daggers will be the victor of any battle fought for the greater good. They won't bare their powers until the Ring of Virtue is placed upon the true King and Queen of Faeries. Anyone to dare try on the ring without being virtuous and pure of heart will fade away as sand to the ocean waves. They will not return to the earth to fulfill their decedent's magic. The final ingredient is in the book. The Book of Fae has been rumored to exist for as long as history goes back. I'm certain, this is the book. I was thinking about the reason you weren't able to open the book...you aren't the Queen...yet. The prophecy says the guard will go behind his masters back and help crown the Queen. Of course, everyone believes the Queen is already of royalty...you know, having guards and all. I'm the guard. I'm the guard. Oh holy h.e.l.l, I'm the guard. I'm in the prophecy too." He runs his hands through his hair over and over. "Oh this is bad, very, very bad."

"Why?" We ask.

"The betrayal will be paid with a sword to the neck!" He runs his finger across his throat.

"Oh my. You get beheaded? That's horrible." I state the obvious.

"That's not all...you're the one who does it."

"Me?" I point to myself. "I'm not cutting anyone's head off Thorne. I a.s.sure you that isn't happening."

"It is as it shall be Your Highness; I am here to serve you for as long as I have a head."

"You're a riot. We don't know that we're the King and Queen."

"You are, and I will be officiating the nuptials. Now I know why I had to take that online cla.s.s. Someone knew this would happen, it doesn't make any sense, but I know this is true. You're the destined royalty, and I am here to protect you...up until you kill me."

"Stop saying that. I'm not killing you!"

"Well, he might." He points to Caleb.

"I'm not killing you. What else does the prophecy say?" Caleb asks.

"The King and Queen of Fairyland will stand alongside other leaders of many bloodlines. The stance is for the safety of humans and all humanity," he says excitedly. "You must believe me when I say, you have no idea what type of powers are spread across the world. Every tale you've ever read and some...and plenty have truth to them. Those beings do exist, and some are very bad and incredibly ruthless. The sooner we perform your vows, the sooner we can announce your existence throughout Fairyland."

"Will Caleb and I be safe in Fairyland? You talk about these other so-called supers and how ruthless they are, well, can they harm us?"

"Yes love, you'll be safe, for the most part." She holds up her hands to keep me from asking another question. "Once your Court is announced and brought forth, you'll be safe. Anyone from your Court who betrays their vow to you, will be beheaded. Treason isn't taken lightly. The fae from the other Courts...that's another story. The Unseelie Court will continue their rule over winter and the Seelie Court over summer. We're approaching the fall equinox, which means the Unseelie will be coming and going through the shimmer. Once they are in this realm they lose much of their power, not all of it though. Much of the severe changes in weather are caused by sylphs. They're little faeries who control air, wind and rain. The winter sylphs of the Unseelie Court like to cause drama for the world. Interesting enough, they work all year long. There are four hemispheres on earth, there are two in Fairyland, Northern and Southern. The dominant hemisphere is the Northern one. I veered off subject. The fae that are in our realm aren't as strong, don't let it fool you, they're tricky. If a shape shifter were to capture a fae and bind them with iron chains, the fae will either die a gruesome death, or they agree to the demand. Once they shake on the deal, it is owed. Never say anything like, I owe you one...or I promise. The troubles those sayings can cause a kingdom.

Grandma reaches across the table for my hand, I gladly give it to her. "Honey, we'll figure this out...until we do though, you have to marry him."

My nerves are shot, my head is spinning and tears are two seconds from tipping out of my eyes. "I'm not ready to be a wife, in wifely ways. Mom isn't going to buy into this wedding. My dad will flip out, really flip out."

By the look on her face, grandma knows what I mean about not ready. "Jess, you don't consummate the marriage. The rings of virtue will only work as long as you are...well...a...virgin."

She said it, she said the word. Out loud she said virgin. I look at Thorne, and he has his best straight face on, as well as ears which are beet red. "Yes, I'm a virgin. Big news, we can rent a skywriter to say JESSIE IS A VIRGIN."

The door is practically ripped from the hinges as Amber bursts into the trailer. "Now this is my kind of party. Who's the virgin?" Amber blurts out before realizing Grandma is sitting across from me. Her hand goes up over her mouth in embarra.s.sment.

"Sit, silent and listen," Thorne demands.

Amber grins and sits on the other side of Caleb.

"We'll get you caught up with everything, but first we're all hearing about the faerie prophecy," I say. "Want some coffee? This is a fresh pot."

"Aspirin and coffee." She props her head up with her hand.

Oh, hungover Amber is a tamer, gentler, creature. She looks like h.e.l.l.

Yeah she does, Caleb thinks back to me.

"Will you be my maid-of-honor?"

"Eh?"

"Will. You. Be. My. Maid. Of. Honor?"

Her head flips back and forth, looking for an answer on someone's face.

"Okay, I guess I'm buying a ticket to ride the crazy train. Sure, I'll be whatever you want me to be. Can I be the flower-girl too?"

"When is the wedding?" I turn and look to Thorne for an answer.

He takes his phone out and punches in something... "Hmmm, looks like tomorrow will be good. I'll secure the clearing, and we'll take care of the wedding. Between now and then, I want you all to stay together. Amber will it be okay for you to stay over with Jessie? I'll meet you here, and we'll ride to the shimmer together."

"What is the shimmer?" Caleb asks.

"It's the entrance to an alter realm, the one where faeries live. Thorne is a guardian and has been a.s.signed to Jessie. His job is to protect her against any threats. Nyx doesn't have access to the woodlands, which are located in Fairyland. After you're married, your castle and the court will appear. The prophecy specifically speaks of the shift in the realm. There will be turmoil, especially over you two growing up human. The Light Tamers are regarded as healers, and most are respected. Your Tamer quality is the fae in you. I too am half fae. I've never lived on the other side of the shimmer, but I've visited many times. Fairyland respects the Tamers and the good they do for humans. Their beef is the fact fae have reproduced with humans. It all makes perfect sense now. Nyx isn't concerned about Erebus, she is worried you'll take your thrown and banish the Underworld from ever returning to the earth. Once the ring is on your finger, the dagger will guide and protect you on your journey.

"Dagger of Destiny, the Ring of Virtue, and the Book of Fae. Only the queen will be able to open the book. Try the dagger, maybe you can cut the leather."