Hidden Magic by K.D. Faerydae

wrong.
    They instinctively stopped what they were doing and followed her outside. As they made it out onto the veranda, Hazel was already running down the wooden staircase towards Ezekiel and Francis. Ezekiel appeared to be injured. He stumbled and fell to the ground, transforming into a Human as he did so. Lying exhausted, face down in the sand, his injuries became apparent and there were deep lacerations running down the tanned skin of his mid-back and onto his buttocks.
    â€œIt was the Nomeds,” explained Francis. “They were at the gate, two of them. Fala did this to Ezekiel! If the gate’s defences hadn’t managed to restrain Fala in a web of roots, brambles and ivy, we probably wouldn’t have made it out alive. I did try and camouflage us both, but what with keeping the Giant Horse Chestnut tree and the woodland creatures hidden, my powers were depleted more than I would have expected and I was not strong enough to hide us both as well.”
    â€œYou said there were two of them!” exclaimed Hazel. “What happened to the other one?”
    â€œWe don’t know,” replied Francis. “It was Adramalech, I’d know his fiery orange eyes anywhere. One minute he was there, then Fala attacked us and Adramalech was gone.”
    â€œGONE WHERE?” asked Hazel urgently.
    â€œThat’s just it! We were under attack so we didn’t see if he retreated back to the swamp or… or… if he exited via the gate,” said Francis. “And worse still, when we arrived, the gate was already ajar; it is possible that other Nomeds may have escaped before we arrived.”
    â€œOH NO! So Adramalech and possibly other Nomeds, too, may have gotten into the Human world!” Hazel cried.
    â€œI’m afraid so,” replied Francis.
    Hazel caressed Ezekiel’s face, tears welling in the corners of her eyes as she looked lovingly into his.
    â€œTobes, help me carry him inside,” she asked.
    Tobias took off his shirt and wrapped it around Ezekiel’s waist. At first, he attempted to lift him alone, but although Ezekiel was a lot more lithe and athletic than Zavier and Aaron, he was still extremely heavy. Hazel helped by supporting his legs and they carried him inside and laid him on the couch. Jazmine gathered some antiseptic solution and warm water, then gently began to cleanse the wounds.
    â€œJEEEZZZ!” screamed Ezekiel. The sting of the solution caused him to regain consciousness.
    â€œOh, thank God, you’re okay,” said Hazel, still caressing his cheek, then she offered him her other hand to hold. “Here, hold onto me while Jazmine finishes patching you up,” she said.
    Ezekiel took her small hand. It was dwarfed in his, his tanned skin emphasising the paleness of hers. Hazel was very fair-skinned, almost white, but her pallor did not make her appear tired and pale; instead, she was mesmerizingly beautiful, her rich, warm, golden hazel-coloured eyes glowing brightly against her paleness, captivating anyone that looked into them. Her hair was pure white, in a bob style with a fringe that framed her golden eyes; she had a velvety soft face, and soft, pale pink rosebud lips. Unlike Jazmine and Aaron, Hazel and Ezekiel weren’t in a relationship with each other. Both in their early twenties, they had grown up together and had the most beautiful of friendships. They were always there for each other, no matter what.
    â€œThere you go, all done,” Jazmine said, as she stuck down the last corner of the wound dressing. “Stay here and rest. Hazel will sit with you and I’ll come fetch you both when dinner is ready.”
    â€œThanks, Jaz,” said Ezekiel.
    Then the exhausted man slumped his head back down on the cushion, closed his eyes and promptly fell fast asleep.

    * * *
    Chester returned to the fire with a whole swarm of Fire Fairies. The Fairies loved to dance and while Tobias was telling Chester all about Ezekiel