The Evanescence (Fallen Soul Series) - By Jessica Sorensen Page 0,59

way too simple. Regardless, it’s all we’ve got, so taking a deep breath, we walk down the tunnel, hoping for once that something will be that easy.

Yet, when I step through, just like that, I’m heading down the tunnel with Aislin at my side. I grasp onto the rock wall and feel my way along the path. I can’t see a damn thing, but I can hear Aislin breathing loudly, like she’s scared to death.

As we reach the exit and the tunnel opens up, a dark shadow blocks the light flowing inside. Sticking my arm out, I push Aislin back and step into the shadows.

“What are we going to do about him?” Aislin whispers. “Usually I’d go to magic, but I’m useless right now.”

Tiny glances over his shoulder and we jump to the side, ducking behind a large boulder.

“I don’t know,” I whisper, peering over. “There’s got to be something…”

Tiny looks away and sits down on the ground, right in the center of the exit. His diamond wings fold inward and again he glances back, like he can sense us.

“He’s huge,” Aislin whispers, peeking over the top of the rock. “But he doesn’t look mean. In fact, he almost looks sad.”

“He does, doesn’t he?”

“He does.”

We turn around and sit down on the ground, thinking.

“We could try to take him down,” Aislin suggests, flexing her fingers at her side as she rolls her neck. “It’s two against one.”

“Yeah, and he’s like five of us in size,” I mutter, raising my knees up and resting my chin on them. I close and open my eyes, wishing I could just blink us away, but I can’t feel a spark, no energy. I’m useless at the moment and I hate it.

Suddenly, the ground begins to tremor, pebbles scattering, and pieces of the ceiling chip off and crash down around us. I’m about to ask what the hell is going on, when a dark shadow capes over us. I angle my head back and look above me.

Tiny’s bright blue eyes stare down at us, his wings expanding like he’s ready to fly away. Aislin leaps up to her feet, throwing her hands out in front of her, a habit that comes from frequently using her magic. My lips part as I start to back away.

Tiny eyes us both and then places one of his huge fingers against his lips, warning us to be quiet. We both freeze and I look over to Aislin and mouth, “Huh?”

Tiny motions for us to follow him, still signaling to keep quiet with his finger placed to his lips, which is contradicting seeing as how every step he takes makes the ground rumble and shake.

Tiny makes his way out into the sunlight while Aislin and I follow quietly behind him as he ducks into the trees, knocking a few over from the roots. Aislin and I rush to keep up with him as he stomps through the trees, going further into the forest until he reaches a clearing.

I slam to a halt and Aislin crashes into the back of me. “What the heck…” She scans the land in front of us, the tall grass, the leaves blowing in the wind, and the hundreds and hundreds of Fey, kneeling in the dirt with their heads tipped forward.

Tiny bows his head at me, before joining them, setting his spear down so he can kneel to the ground.

“What is going on?” Aislin whispers from behind me.

“I have no idea…” I trail off as Tiny lifts his head up and looks directly at me, pulling a long saber from his belt and lifting it towards the air.

“All hail, Gemma, Empress of the Faerie Realm,” he says with his sword raised, and it’s echoed by claps and hollers.

I think back to my vision and how similar the scene is, except for the fact that I’m not wearing a dress and Aislin wasn’t standing next to me.

“Gemma.” Aislin nudges me from behind. “Do something!”

I gape at her. “Like what?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know, like give a speech or something?”

I look down at my neck, at the outline of the Cornu Lepore hidden beneath my shirt. I didn’t do anything. I didn’t even show them it, yet, somehow, I’ve become their ruler. The ruler of the Fey? The Fey.

I blink and shake my head, doing the only thing I can think of. I raise my hand in the air, pretending I’m Empress.

Chapter 30

Gemma

They all keep bowing and it’s starting to make me feel uncomfortable. It’s like they’re