by Amy Sumida
“Your enchantment may not work on a magic user,” Teagan considered it.
“Pardon me,” Alexis interrupted. “But have you all forgotten about us?”
“Oh!” Teagan chuckled. “I guess we have.”
“Perhaps you will be helpful,” Raza sounded a little surprised. The twins gave him matching scowls.
“Is there anyone in your community who is sick or elderly, someone we could watch over and use to lure out one of these witches, Mr. Chepaney?” I asked.
“There are always the old and dying among us,” Chepaney shrugged. “It will be hard to monitor them all. I usually wait until I'm notified of suspicious behavior.”
“Princess Seren,” Raza sighed. “I appreciate that you were an extinguisher for many years but-”
“I am still an extinguisher,” I corrected.
“Oh, my sweet lady,” Raza shook his head. “You are so much more than that.”
“Anyway,” I rolled my eyes.
“You are not utilizing all the tools available to you,” Raza's voice went stern. “Stop thinking like a human and think like a fairy... a fairy princess.”
“The Hunt,” Tiernan whispered.
“Precisely,” Raza nodded. “This is really their domain and at the very least, they should be notified. Then they can find the witches for us.”
“The Wild Hunt may end up killing innocents if we notify them of this,” I frowned.
“If you recall,” Tiernan said gently. “I mentioned how the Hunt has kept an eye on the raven mockers for years now because they knew how difficult they are for humans to catch.”
“But they never caught a mocker because it wasn't the raven mockers doing the deed,” I whispered in revelation. “They were watching the fairies when all along, it was humans.”
“But now, we know the truth,” Raza nodded. “And the truth makes this even more their business. No offense to the Human Council but I believe it's the duty of the fey to monitor humans. The Wild Hunt should be in charge here.”
Councilman Teagan cleared his throat and the twins shared concerned looks.
“You can't ask them to back down now,” I said reasonably to Raza. “But you're right, we have a responsibility to notify the Fairy Council,” I chewed my lip as I considered. “Or at least a member of the Wild Hunt.... a Lord, preferably.” I looked to Tiernan.
“I don't think I'd qualify,” Tiernan shook his head. “I still answer to the Council but my assignment is to watch over you.”
“I wasn't thinking of you,” I gave him a look.
“Oh,” he blinked. “You mean Eadan.”
“Of whom do we speak?” Raza lifted a brow.
“Lord Eadan Gale,” Tiernan clarified. “He's a Lord of the Wild Hunt assigned to the Twilight Council House.”
“Yes, I'm familiar with Lord Eadan,” Raza smiled. “I approve of the choice.”
“Of course you do,” I smirked. “He's an unseelie sidhe.”
“Hold on now,” Teagan lifted a hand. “We need to discuss this further.”
“I'm sorry that this seems high-handed of us, Councilman,” I apologized. “But notifying the fey is not up for discussion. It must be done and I think you know that. I'm just trying to find us someone fair to work with.”
“A fair fairy,” Alex whispered to his sister and she giggled.
“Alright,” Teagan sighed. “Contact your hunter. But we're going to continue to play a role in this.”
“I intend for you to,” I nodded. “But honestly, this may go above us.”
“I can be very tenacious, Ambassador,” Teagan declared and then looked to the anxious shaman. “I won't abandon you, Mr. Chepaney. We'll see this through together.”
“You know that Lord Eadan will have to report to the Fairy Council before he can take an assignment,” Raza said casually.
“Lord Raza,” I snapped.
“I'm just trying to be of service,” he shrugged.
“Please don't service anyone,” I said dryly but then felt my cheeks warm as everyone turned astonished eyes my way. “I mean, don't help us.”
Chapter Twenty-One
It was just as Raza had predicted. Eadan couldn't do anything without the express approval of the Fairy Council. That being said, his council was the one based in Twilight and as such, the council members were all twilight fey. They were open to hearing my opinion on the matter before they made a decision.
Unfortunately, all of this communication couldn't be done without either going into Fairy or using an enchanted crystal ball, and the only balls available to us were the ones in San Francisco; one at Gentry and one with the San Francisco Council House that had been gifted to them when I first became princess. So instead of making yet another flight to SF, we called my Uncle Dylan and asked him to relay the message to Eadan.
Dylan called back and told us that Lord Eadan was on his way to the Tulsa Council House and would be bringing with him a crystal ball so we could speak directly with the Twilight Council. That meant that the Tulsa Council had two days at the most to get as much done as possible before the fey most likely took over.
Meanwhile, the twins had reported back to the Human High Council and they were loath to give up control of the investigation. They knew that the fey had jurisdiction, as it were, but felt that in such a case as this, everyone should be included. So they instructed Teagan to do as much as he could before the Wild Hunt arrived and then to make sure that they were included in any meetings discussing possible transference of control.
Basically, it had become a huge political power play.
So Teagan sent an escort of extinguishers out with Shaman Chepaney into the Cherokee Nation to search for possible victims while the rest of us stayed back to research witches and wait for the Wild Hunt to arrive. It was pretty clear that Raye and his mockers were innocent but the Human Council refused to make any final decision on the matter until all the evidence was collected. They were obviously using the mockers as leverage to keep themselves in the witch investigations. So Raye remained in limbo and Raza remained in HR.
Much to Tiernan's chagrin.
After Raza's big declaration of pursuit, Tiernan had become a vigilant companion, rarely leaving me alone. Raza in turn, observed Tiernan, usually while smirking, and I watched the both of them warily. It was an awkward love triangle which wasn't actually a love triangle, and I had no intention of making it into one. Raza was right in one aspect though; if our love was strong, his advances wouldn't matter. However, temptation is never easy to resist, especially when it pursues you so rapaciously.
Even with Tiernan's diligence, Raza still found moments to mess with my peace of mind. He had no problem flirting with me in front of others but I could deal with that, it was the rare private interludes that were difficult. I was headed back to the library from the bathroom when he struck the first time.
A hand shot out and grabbed my wrist; a hand tipped in talons. I was pulled roughly into an empty room, some kind of study, and the door was shut quietly behind me. Before I could react, my hand was lifted and a pair of sinister lips laid over the back of it, sending tingles up my arm.
“Princess Seren,” Raza purred. “You shouldn't be wandering the halls alone. Your lover would be dismayed.”
“Funny,” I pulled away but he swung me back and pressed me into the door with his body.
I swallowed hard as the firm length of him leaned against the length of me and I was able to feel every dip and plane, every curve and hollow, every twitching muscle on him. He sank into my softness and a groan was pulled from my throat by invisible hands. Damn but dragons were built; for speed and strength, and... other things. His wings extended out and then curved around us, blocking out everything but him; his face, his shining eyes, his descending lips.
“Whoa,” I slid a hand up between us and his mouth smacked into it.
He took my hand and kissed it again, as if that had been his intention all along. Then he shifted my palm to his face, holding it there
as his mouth fell on my throat. I gave a startled gasp as the heat of his tongue met my skin and my hand clenched automatically on his cheek. He growled, low in his throat, the vibration tickling my skin as he released my hand and slid his arms around me.
“Seren,” he whispered in my ear. “Don't limit yourself to one man. You have only just discovered your fey blood. Its magic has yet to be truly released, it's heat has yet to be truly ignited. Let me show you how much more you could have.”
“I'm happy with what I've got,” my voice was breathless.
“I'm sure you are,” he leaned back to look into my eyes. “But I can take you higher; straight into the heavens.”
“I'm a twilight fairy, Lord Raza,” I grabbed the door handle behind me and twisted. “I'm happiest in between the earth and sky.” I opened the door and slid out. “Besides,” I gave him a sly smile. “You aren't the only one who can fly.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“We have one!” Teagan burst into the bedroom I was sharing with Tiernan in the guest house. Cat jumped up excitedly and circled Teagan. She didn't have her glamour on and Teagan gave her a second glance when he noticed.
“We have one what?” I looked up from the book I was reading; True Witchcraft. I had been hoping that the title was accurate but so far, it was not.
“A possible witch attack,” Teagan explained as he scratched Cat's head absently.
“Already?” I sat up straight and put the book down.
“The shaman has verified it?” Tiernan slid off the bed and approached Teagan.
“He's convinced enough that he's already beginning the spellwork,” Teagan nodded. “He believes this may be a revenge attack for Mr. Hocktochee's death.”
“Why does he think that?” I asked.
“Because the intended victim is a young man with Down's Syndrome, not the usual type that mockers go for,” he said grimly. “I mean witches, not the usual type that witches go after.”
“Great, now they're preying on the mentally challenged?” I huffed.
“He's lucid enough to testify to his treatment, giving the witches credit for the crime, while being an unreliable witness,” Tiernan observed. “It's diabolical.”
“Well, now it's certain,” I sighed.
“What is?” Teagan asked.
“We're at war,” Tiernan answered for me.
“Which means that we'll need to set a guard on the Council House as well as on the victim,” I added. “If the mockers were able find out about our involvement, I'm sure these witches did too.”
“That's a good point,” Councilman Teagan nodded. “Alright, we need to be at the site in a few hours; that's when Chepaney says he'll be ready. I'll go and choose a team to accompany us and set another to guard the Council House.”
“Wait,” I stopped him before he could leave. “You're coming with us?”
“Yes.”
“Councilman, I don't think that's a good idea,” I said gently.
“I know how to defend myself, Ambassador,” he smiled and flexed his bicep. “I'm in shape, remember?”
“Yes you are and I'm sure you can defend yourself but when was the last time you had to?” I shot back.
“It's been awhile,” he shrugged. “But it's just like the old saying of riding a bike,” he turned and left.
“Yeah, except if you fall off this bike, it's definitely fatal,” I grumbled.
“We'll watch over him,” Tiernan offered.
“I'd rather not have my attention divided,” I grumbled.
“It's mainly going to be a chase,” he went to the closet and pulled out his bag.
“I don't think so, honey,” I went to grab my things as well. “You heard him; this is an act of revenge.”
“Which means it's probably also a trap,” he shot me a look of sudden comprehension. “Ugh, why didn't that occur to me?”
“Because you're attention is already divided,” I grimaced.
“Damn Raza,” Tiernan snarled. “He's got me on edge. I can barely think straight. All that talk about challenging our commitment and then those damn creepy twins!”
“They are creepy, aren't they?” I agreed.
“Like a bunch of bogles,” he huffed.
“Hey,” I took his bag from him and laid it on the floor before grabbing his hands. “We got this, okay? We can handle Raza, there's nothing to worry about.”
“Really?” He lifted a brow. “Because I saw him pull you into the rose garden earlier today.”
“You saw that?” My face fell and heated.
“Seren,” Tiernan groaned.
“Sorry,” I sighed. “But if you saw that, then you also saw how I jerked away from him and bitch slapped him for his efforts.”
“Yeah, I did see that,” Tiernan smiled. “It was the only thing that stopped me from attacking him.”
“Raza is harmless as far as you and I are concerned,” I pulled Tiernan's head down to mine and kissed him. “This is real, this is what's important to me, not some make-believe fantasy that he's selling.”
“I love you,” Tiernan whispered. “I'm sorry if it makes me act irrationally sometimes.”
“I love you too,” I slid my hands up beneath his shirt and smiled wickedly “And if I have to prove it to you every day, I will.”
“Every day,” he scoffed and yanked me against his chest. “Try every few hours.”
My hands slid up his bare back as his mouth descended. I was overwhelmed by the physical sensations that came with loving Tiernan. Coffee and chocolate on his lips, the smooth marble of his muscles, warm flesh radiating the scent of amber and sandalwood into the air, the stunning shift of platinum hair deepening to midnight black like shadows turning into sunlight, and the flash of his silver eyes. Then the delicate tracery of his beautiful silver scar, running just beneath his right eye and across his cheek. Beauty and strength, honor and kindness, loyalty and love. That was Tiernan and he was mine. I wouldn't risk losing him for a thousand dragon-djinn.
He pulled away, his full lower lip pouting just a little and glistening from my kiss. I stared up at him and lifted my hand to the scar he'd learned to love through my eyes. He'd earned it while saving his mother from my grandmother and I thought it was a badge of his honor and bravery. He'd once thought it was a mark of shame but now he wore it with pride. And I was proud that my love had done that for him; changed something ugly into something beautiful.
“What are you thinking?” He asked softly.
“How lucky I am,” I slid my fingers through the length of his ombré hair. “How blessed. You know, Raza keeps telling me that I should explore the diversity of fey men but I think Danu knew exactly what she was doing when she sent you my way.”
“I can diversify,” Tiernan smiled. “If it's a beast in bed that you'd like to experience, I won't disappoint.”
He moved suddenly, hands going to the hem of my T-shirt, and ripped the material in half. I gaped at the falling pieces of fabric as he scooped me up and tossed me onto the bed. Before I could even lift my head, he was on me; mouth at my shoulder, teeth biting deep. I groaned as he yanked the jeans off my legs and then rose up to pull his own shirt off.
He looked down on me and smiled, more of a baring of teeth really, and then fell upon me. Beast indeed, he clawed and snarled and bit and licked his way across my flesh until I felt completely consumed. My legs shook, my head swam, and my fists clenched in his straining muscles as he barbarically brought us over the edge of ecstasy.
I guess I had wanted diversity after all.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The Barnett's lived in a lovely little home in Tahlequa. It was only about an hour away from the Tulsa Council House and we were a little early but when we arrived, Shaman Chepaney was already setting up on their front lawn. He had his deer hide out and the tools of his magic were spread across it. Behind him, the red brick walls of the modest home looked perfect nestled among the golden leaves of the elm trees, already celebrating Fall. It made a beautiful pict
ure, something that belonged on a postcard or framed on a wall. You could never guess by looking at it that this was about to be the site of a supernatural battle.
Cat jumped out of the SUV first and ran across the lawn to the shaman, her Newfoundland glamour fully in place. Shaman Chepaney wasn't startled by her approach. In fact, he kept his focus on the task before him as he nudged her affectionately with his elbow. She sat down beside him and went still, watching him work.
The rest of us, which included Councilman Teagan, a slew of extinguishers, Tiernan, my Star's Guard, Raza (in human glamour), and Raye (minus his wings), climbed out of our vehicles and immediately went about our own tasks. The Kavanaugh twins had declared that they'd be needed at the Council House and so they had stayed behind. I was actually relieved to hear they wouldn't be coming. Their probing stares were so unsettling, almost as unsettling as their knowing smiles. Twins can be so eerie to begin with but when they're telepathic twins, it's ten times worse. I swear, if they started chanting red rum, I was going to lose my damn mind.
My Star's Guard helped the extinguishers set up a perimeter around the house, placing lookouts at strategic points. A few climbed up into trees and a couple even went onto the roof. The remainder took up positions directly outside of the house. The Barnett's were going to be more carefully protected than the President.
I stood with Tiernan, Teagan, Raza, and Raye in front of the house, waiting for Chepaney to finish his preparations but before he did, Mrs. Barnett came down the front steps and introduced herself to us. Mr. Chepaney had explained the situation to her so she wasn't shocked to see a bunch of people dressed for war roaming her property. She was rightfully concerned about her family though and asked us to join her inside while the shaman finished setting his magic trap.
“My husband is with Johnny,” she said to us as she showed us into her living room. “Johnny's our son. They're in the bedroom and Mark is trying to explain to Johnny about tonight but I was hoping that one of you might help. We really don't know what to expect. I mean, should I put away the breakables? Will there be fighting inside?”