by J. L. Weil
“Spider Queen…” I tried to explain, remembering how the sharp end of her spider leg had pierced my back while we fought, but my voice was barely there.
Ambrose dashed behind her, reaching for the phone on his desk and hurriedly dialed a number. “Serenity. I need you in my office immediately. He’s been poisoned!”
His words hardly registered as my blurry gaze focused on the beauty before me. Renna’s hand lifted, reaching for my cheek as concern tainted her gorgeous blue eyes, but she stopped before she could touch me, changing her mind, and pulled her arm back.
“You want to kiss me again. Don’t you?” My words were a raspy whisper, but her eyes widened, then narrowed as she heard them.
“You wish.”
I tried to smile at her, but I wasn’t sure my usual charm was coming through, the circle of my vision became smaller by the second. “Don’t pretend,” I rasped. “I know my abs made you swoon.”
Well, I could still flirt, so the situation wasn’t that grave, right?
“How long ago did this happen?” a woman’s voice suddenly demanded, calling our attention to the long mirror on the wall—its surface rippled like water while strange symbols glowed along the frame. The woman stepped through it into the room. “How long?” she barked again, making Renna’s jaw tighten.
“I don’t know. Thirty minutes, an hour?” the words stumbled out of Renna’s lips, lips I fully remembered kissing. They tasted like sinful glory—cinnamon and perfectly aged brandy. At least, that was what they tasted like to me.
“Step aside, I need to heal him now,” the woman ordered, pissed by Renna’s answer, but Renna didn’t move. She just looked at me, distraught and leery, struggling to grasp what was happening. “There is no time for this! Out of my way, or I will forcefully remove you,” the woman roared, her right hand lifting as a weird crackle of golden energy arose from her skin.
My gorgeous brunette scowled at her, defiance igniting in her sapphire eyes, and sharp iron fangs descended from her upper lip. Ambrose immediately gripped her arm, pulling her out of the way before they engaged.
“There is no need for that, Serenity,” the lord told her in a disapproving tone, and I thought I heard an air of protectiveness toward Renna in his voice. He threw a dangerously scary, warning glance at Renna, and her fangs retracted but she tipped up her chin.
“This human is far more important than she can possibly imagine,” the woman snapped, rage simmering just under her skin while she took something out from the pocket of her dress. “She fights a demon with a human, and doesn't even think to check him for possible wounds?”
“Don’t forget who sent me down there. Besides, I’ve already got scolded for that. I won’t stand here and take it from you too.”
“Renna!” Ambrose thundered, appalled and infuriated by her back talk. “This is not the time for your attitude. Stay quiet.”
Renna blinked, taken aback by his outburst.
“You have a beautiful and resilient soul, child, but you must learn to watch someone else's back, other than your own,” Serenity warned. “No matter how mighty we might be, we all need to trust and depend on someone else. We are nothing alone.” She knelt before me, her face finally entering the small circle of vision I had left.
“Doctor?” I mumbled, seeing the tall and slender brunette that had treated me in the hospital. Yet, instead of wearing a white coat, she had on a green gown that dragged over the floor.
Her face immediately transformed from anger to kindness, and her lips curved into a caring smile as she looked into my eyes. Serenity’s hand reached for my cheek, caressing it gently when Renna’s hadn’t. The warmth of her touch rushed through my body, just like it did in the hospital, but this time her amber eyes glowed.
“It’s okay, handsome. I’m a witch, and I’m going to heal you, alright?”
A wave of nausea and confusion rolled over me, making my eyes water while I struggled to breathe, but I nodded—at least I thought I had.
Plucking the cork from the embellished bottle she had taken out of her pocket, she turned me on the sofa until I could tilt up my head. “I need you to drink this, every single drop,” she instructed, pressing the vial to my lips.
“Spider Queen,” I slurred, suddenly desperate for her to know what had attacked me. I had no idea why, but I trusted her. Deep down, I knew she would save me.
“I know, I’m sorry. You’ll feel better in a moment. Just drink.”
And so, I did.
The smooth, cold liquid flowed down my throat like a decadent, creamy liquor. A tingling sensation spread all over my body at its wake, extinguishing the fire that threatened to consume me. Slowly, my limbs relaxed, the pain dissipating until it was fully gone. Still drowsy, I attempted to reach for the wound in my back, but my hand swayed, not fully in control of my actions.
“You compelled him?” Serenity’s reproaching tone was hard to miss when she glanced at Renna.
“How else was I supposed to get him to do what I wanted?” she barked back.
“I had already placed two spells on him,” the beautiful woman explained.
Renna’s lips pressed together. “No wonder he was a zombie. His mind is overwhelmed by magic.”
The witch nodded.
“Serenity?” I called, trying to reach my back again, but my arm waved aimlessly, unable to find it. She guided my hand to my lower back, allowing me to feel nothing but smooth skin under my fingers.
She had healed me.
“My goddess-given name is Iphigeneia.” Her nose wrinkled. “But that is too long and antiquated for my taste. Just call me Serenity.” Placing a hand on my forehead, her eyes glowed. “Expedire...”
The word was a murmur, but it danced in my mind, taking the thick fog that had captured me away, until my clear thoughts returned, and I was once again in control of myself.
“Better?” she asked hopeful, a warm smile curving her red lips.
I blinked, seeing the perplexed expressions on Ambrose and Renna’s faces while they stared at Serenity. The way they watched her said they’d never seen her be so kind to someone.
“Yes, I—” my words faltered when I tried to sit up, and what felt like a ton of rocks fell on my body. The intensity of it robbed me of breath for a second.
“Shhh, careful. Magic has a strong effect on humans, even the good kind. And given the amount you received between my spells, the demon attack, and Renna’s compulsion, it will take a couple of days at least for your body to be fully back to normal. I strongly recommend you sleep it off. I can help you, if you want?”
My eyes bore into hers while I considered her words. Sleep was the last thing I wanted. Now that my mind was free of its dazing prison, there were a million questions whirling in its depths. Yet, I couldn’t deny the force weighing me down even as I looked at them. I was all out of strength, and my arms and legs seemed deaf to my commands. I couldn’t move.
Sighing defeatedly, I nodded, knowing that whether or not I liked it, I needed to restore my energy, and get full control of myself again. I was probably still under some of their influence, because I recognized that I was far too calm for what I thought was happening here.
“I’m going to have ten thousand questions when I wake up.”
Serenity beamed, pleased by my compliance. “You never disappoint, Scorpion. Always doing the right thing. I promise I’ll answer every single one when you awake.”
“Okay.” Sighing, while Serenity guided my body to turn on the sofa, I focused on Renna. “I’ll be dreaming of you, gorgeous. But don’t worry, it won’t be a wet dream.” I blew her a kiss, giving her my naughtiest grin, and watched as her eyes widened, cheeks flushing a cherry red with my words.
A chuckle escaped Serenity when she leaned over me. “Goodnight, handsome,” she whispered and placed a kiss on my forehead, like my mother used to do. “Requiesco...” her breath fanned my skin with the command, and a white light engulfed my senses.
Instantly, I was taken away to a
place where I was light as a feather and no troubles existed. Only the beating of my heart, and the feeling of Renna’s body pressed to mine as our lips danced together.
RENNA
My head hit the pillow with an oomph, but mind wouldn’t stop racing. I couldn’t seem to turn it off, thoughts of Catina, Scorpion, the Aereum, and Serenity whirled around and around like a goddamn merry-go-round from Hell.
The High Witch thought she was so regal and mighty, swooping in to save the day. A part of me was grateful she was able to heal the human, but the darker side of me hated that she tended to him and seemed to care about him, when I couldn’t. If I hadn’t been there in the club, what would have happened to him? Did she think of that when she shot her mouth off about my insolence and not checking for wounds? No.
It was stupid on my part. I knew better, and the truth of it ate away within me. I might have a wicked tongue and be rough around the edges, but I wasn’t a murderer. I’d only ever killed demons… And maybe one asshole who deserved it.
I rolled over to my side, taking the sheet with me and tucking it under my chin. My eyes traveled to the window in my dorm, which overlooked the waterfalls. The moon was gloomy, only a sliver of light visible, as if it too sensed the darkness I’d fought tonight.
He could have died.
For reasons I couldn’t begin to understand, or piece together, the thought of Scorpion dying carved a gaping hole in my chest. What had I been thinking, bringing a human through the portal—to the academy—a sacred place? Tonight had been a whirlwind of activity, and I knew that come tomorrow, I was going to receive some grand punishment for both losing the witch and abducting a human.
Or perhaps not.
Serenity seemed pleased he was here. Perhaps even expected him. That witch definitely had secrets she wasn’t sharing.
Where was he?
What was he doing?
Was the council going to kick him out once he rested? Take him right back down to Earth, without giving me a chance to say goodbye?
If they did, what would I do about it?
Nothing. There was nothing I could do, regardless of the sudden panic that rose in my chest.
What is wrong with me?
I couldn’t explain this rash and reckless, protective streak that surged in my blood at the mere flickering thought of Scorpion.
A smile twisted my lips. As if that was his real name, but it made me realize that I wanted to know his real name. I wanted to know where he’d learned to shoot like that. His instincts were impressive for someone of his age, and something told me it went beyond human training. Some people were just born with a high intuition, a need to fight and defend, like breathing or taking a piss, the skill was just inside them.
As intriguing as he was, I had bigger problems. I needed to come up with a new plan to track the witch, Catina, and haul her ass into the academy. Preferably, before the council could rip me a new one. Failure was a difficult pill for me to swallow, and I wasn’t ready to admit defeat.
I flopped onto my back, peering up again at the ceiling. Shadows crawled over the surface like a spider. Dread coiled in my belly as I recalled the demon, and what it had done to the human. The sounds of its piercing screams echoed in my head, and I wanted nothing more than to shut out the horrible cries, to banish the reminder of my mistake.
Dragging my pillow over my head, I twisted my face to the side and blinked, staring at a glimmering necklace on my bedside table. A round charm hung on the chain.
Where did that come from? It wasn’t mine, and it hadn’t been there when I went to bed. I was sure of it. The only jewelry I ever wore was my bracelet, and that was more of a weapon than a statement piece or family heirloom.
But this… It wasn’t possible.
My hand reached for the dainty necklace, scooping it off the table with delicate fingers, afraid it would break. The gold chain was warm to the touch, and a hum went through my blood, dispelling all noise in my head. Grateful for the sudden silence, I closed my eyes for a brief moment. When I opened them again, I examined the coin pendant with three rays beaming from three stars at the top. The markings were expertly carved. It was a piece I recognized, but I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. “Awen of Light,” I whispered, half convinced I was dreaming.
“So, you do pay attention in class,” said a light female voice, causing me to jump and bolt upright in my bed, pulse racing.
Fangs extended, I hissed at the intruder, but I halted lunging out of bed when I saw who had invaded my room. She was beautiful in an ethereal way, long midnight hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall of darkness. Her eyes were opals—glimmering hues of white, pink, and blue—and her hair was tucked behind pointed ears.
My lips twitched, despite there being an ancient spirit in my room. “I must have been bored that day,” I replied. Not quite true. I had a weak spot for magical artifacts, their history, their power. I’d always dreamed of going on a quest to find some of the ones we’d study in our history classes, the Tara Brooch, the Chain of Ankh, the Pin of Valknut, Lucien’s Dagger. And one had just landed on my lap.
The ghostly presence of the first Queen of Faerie was proof it was indeed Awen, the pendant of light. Perhaps my luck was turning around.
Or I was having the most peculiar dream.
“How are you here?” I asked, still clutching the necklace in my palm.
“You know who I am?” the spirit inquired, her smooth voice gliding over me like warm honey.
I nodded. “Queen Mab. I just don’t know how you have come to be here.”
“I don’t have much time to explain, this form will not allow me to linger in your world,” the queen informed, her words soft, but rushed. “Great evil is on the horizon.”
Confusion wormed its way into my belly, through the astonishment still residing within me. “What does that have to do with me?”
“Everything. You have a task before you, greater than you can imagine, let this light guide you in times when you are lost or alone. You might be a daughter of darkness, but you will never be left in the dark again. With my pendant, you will find the balance you seek.”
What did she mean, the balance I sought? I was exceptionally well balanced, but I sensed our time was almost up, her form seeming to grow fainter by the second. “I don’t understand. What is it I am supposed to do? Does this have anything to do with the witch the council has bid me to find?”
“I cannot say.” Her voice trailed off, along with her body. “Balance is the key,” she whispered from a distant world and then was gone.
For long moments, I gawked at the place where Queen Mab had stood at the foot of the bed. Finally, I unclasped the chain and clipped it around my neck, uncertain what to make of what I’d just experienced.
As I lay back down in bed, I couldn’t help but feel as if Queen Mab’s visit and gift only added to the stack of questions to which I had no answers. A phantom breeze blew through my room, a cool caress over my cheeks.
It was hours before sleep claimed me.
8
SCORPION
My eyes snapped open, and I sat up abruptly on the comfy bed.
Wait. This isn’t my bed…
Panting from the start, I allowed my eyes to wander the space. Aged grayish-white brick covered the walls, while polished travertine tile extended over the floors. The room was large, and if it weren’t for the castle style architecture, furniture, and the way too obvious regal vibe it exuded, I would say it had a college dorm feeling to it.
The bed was a full size, nestled under a large, double-paneled window, and a built-in bookcase spanned the length of the wall on my right. Seemingly ancient, leather bound books filled it, and items I had only seen in the Harry Potter movies were placed between them, some occupying the entirety of a shelf.
Were those potions and magical trinkets?
Built into the bookcase, was a large wooden desk that rested in the corner. A velvet loveseat—that looked like the perfect place for a
late afternoon nap—sat in the center of the front wall, next to the door that led outside, which was right across from me. To my left, two more doors greeted me—one an open closet, and the second I assumed to be a bathroom.
Returning my attention to the large window behind me, I noticed bright rays of midday sunlight filtered through it, and their warmth calmed my aching skin. Without thinking, I knelt on the mattress, instantly reaching for the latches and pushed the panels open. The next second, the sound of rushing water burst to life, and my whole body sang as the sun greeted me. Its rays filtered through my eager skin, filling me with raw, tingling energy.
Nothing was more powerful than nature. An hour of sun, and a breath of fresh air as I ran each morning, gave me the most wonderful high, making me feel invincible.
Closing my eyes, I took everything the day had to offer, feeling vigor and energy rush through my veins like it never had. My nerve endings sparked like live wires. What was this place?
My eyes opened, taking in the sight and seeking the answer to my silent question, I confirmed my earlier suspicion, this was indeed a castle. A very old one at that. Looking down, I gathered that the room I currently occupied was not in a tower, however, I seemed to be at least four stories from the ground. Except the ground wasn’t just earth and grass.
What seemed like a hundred waterfalls rushed around a large piece of land, underneath, and all around the stronghold, some of the cascading water even ran in between the buildings—one falling right next to me. It was like someone had plucked a castle and deposited it in the middle of the Niagara Falls, if the Niagara Falls were a group of multileveled waterfalls.
“Woah…” I whispered, unable to help myself. I was completely taken aback by the sight, and my gaze went even farther.
Unreal blue skies, with puffy white clouds were above me. The cool misty air refreshed my skin as I followed the grass area to a long bridge, which appeared to have larger than life statues. Three that seemed as tall as a building, to be precise.