by Amy Sumida
“I agree, Councilman Catan,” Raza called to the crystal. “Could you please deliver a verdict in light of these circumstances?”
“Now, hold on,” Teagan growled. “This is a matter for the Human Council to rule on and they've already made it clear that they won't offer a ruling until all the information is presented to them.”
“Who's speaking now, Princess?” Catan asked.
“That's Councilman Teagan, Head of the Tulsa House,” I introduced him.
“Councilman Teagan, that's a ridiculous statement,” Catan said stiffly. “I'm sure you're aware that on matters of this magnitude, both Councils must be consulted but the Council of the defendant's race is always given final say. This is a courtesy that has been given since the truce was first signed and one which I intend to avail myself of right now. Goddess knows that you humans have done so often enough.” Catan's voice went deep as he delivered the verdict, “The raven mockers are hereby found innocent of all charges and shall be allowed to return to their homes and their lives, be they in Fairy or within the Human Realm.”
“Thank you, Councilman!” Rayetayah whooped and then hugged his father.
“Go,” Raza nodded to Raye. “I know you want to bring them home.”
“He'll need the plane,” I interjected. “We'll call ahead and have my father's jet prepared for him.”
“Thank you, Princess,” Raye came over to me and kissed my hand. “Thank you for looking after us.”
“Thank you for helping us uncover the truth,” I smiled gently. “Now go get your family. I'll scry for my father after I speak with Councilman Catan, and let King Keir know to send them to meet you at the rath.”
“Then you'd better send him with our plane, instead of your father's, Ambassador,” Teagan offered graciously. “Remember how many there were.”
“Oh, right,” I gave Teagan a grateful smile. “Thank you, Councilman Teagan, that's very kind of you.”
“I agree with the verdict,” Teagan shrugged. “I just didn't want to be the one who disobeyed the Human High Council. Now I can blame Councilman Catan for citing truce law.”
“If I could, I'd like to speak to Councilman Teagan?” Catan asked.
“Yes, of course,” I gave Teagan the ball with a Oh damn, I think he heard that look on my face. “I'll just see Raye out as you speak,” I got up and gestured to Raye. “Do you want a ride to the airport or would you rather fly?”
“I'll fly, thank you,” Raye followed me out of the room, his father close behind us.
When we got to the front door, Raza hugged his son and wished him a safe journey.
“I've missed you,” Raye said to his father. “Perhaps you'll return to the Human Realm more often now?”
“Or perhaps you'll come home to the realm of your birth more often,” Raza countered with a grin.
“I'll make the effort if you will,” Raye smiled back and then turned to me. “May I hug you, Princess Seren?”
“Absolutely,” I held my arms out to him and Raye enveloped me.
“My father can seem cruel but when he loves, it's fiercely and forever,” Raye whispered into my ear. “A love like that is worth a little cruelty, don't you think?”
“It depends on who is being cruel to whom,” I said as I pulled away. “Goodbye, Rayetayah. May Danu fly beside you.”
“Goodbye, Princess Seren,” Raye stepped out onto the porch, unfolded his wings, and leaped into the sky.
“I would never be cruel to you,” Raza said casually as he walked by me on his way back to the library. “Unless you asked me to.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“Lord Raza,” Tiernan was saying as I entered the room. “Your son is safe. I assume that means you'll be leaving us as well?”
“Actually,” Raza shot me a sexy look, “I've found that there's more here to hold my interest than my son's plight. I intend to stay and see this situation with the witches through to its conclusion.”
“There may not be a conclusion,” I took my seat beside Tiernan and Teagan handed me the crystal ball. I looked down into Catan's grim face.
“I fear you may be correct, Princess Seren,” Catan said. “This is a complicated issue, one which must be brought before the High Councils. Councilman Teagan and I have agreed that we should both notify our high councils of these latest developments and allow them a say in the matter. Until then, Lord Eadan's hunt will assist the extinguishers and your team in locating any remaining Flight members. You must not extinguish any of them unless you're given no choice. We may have already instigated a war with the Coven but hopefully, we'll be able to avert it through negotiations.”
“You want to negotiate with the murdering witches?” I lifted a brow.
“I think they deserve a chance to at least plead their case before the High Council,” Catan sighed. “Murder is a horrible thing but extinguishing an entire race is even worse. Add to that the fact that they may have thousands of witches in these other clans who may seek to avenge their deaths, and we have a complicated situation indeed. We need to tread carefully here and perhaps a truce can be reached.”
“I understand,” I nodded. “We'll do our best to not kill or be killed.”
“Good,” Catan declared. “The prisoner will be escorted here by one of Lord Eadan's hunters and I will then transport him to the High Fairy Council on the Isle of Danu. After I discuss this with the high council members, I will scry you and inform you of our decision.”
“Yes, Sir,” I agreed.
“Oh, and Princess Seren,” Catan frowned. “I overheard Lord Raza's statement and I hope you'll give him every courtesy. It will take time for us to dispatch more hunters to your location and Councilman Teagan and I are concerned for the safety of his House as well as your person. You'd do well to keep Lord Raza close, he's a skilled warrior. I myself can attest to that.”
“As can I,” I said without making any commitments to courtesy.
A glance at Raza showed him to be smirking. I looked back to Catan and inclined my head respectfully. He in turn gave me a bow before the crystal misted over and then cleared completely.
“Well, I have my orders,” Eadan stood. “We'll need the key to the cell downstairs.”
“I have it,” an extinguisher held it up. “I'll escort them down, Head Councilman.”
“Yes, thank you,” Teagan said distractedly.
“After I see Barram out,” Eadan motioned to the hunter with him. “I'll be taking my team into Tulsa to scout the area. When we return, I'll report my findings to you.”
“Thank you, Lord Eadan,” I nodded.
“Princess,” he bowed and left with Barram and the extinguisher guard.
“There's nothing left to do now but wait, I suppose,” Teagan sighed.
“We could sleep,” I shrugged. “I happen to be really, really tired. What time is it, anyway?”
“3 AM,” Teagan noted wearily.
“Ugh,” I groaned. “And I need to shower before I can get in bed.” I looked to Tiernan and found him glaring at Raza. “Hey,” I snapped my fingers in his face. “Do you wanna help me with that? I might drop the soap.”
“Yes,” Tiernan grinned, focusing on me immediately. “I'd be most happy to assist you, my lady.”
Chapter Thirty
Within two days, the prison cells beneath the Tulsa Council House were full of witches. The Kavanaugh twins had interrogated most of them and we were slowly compiling files of information on the Coven and its members.
Flight and Pack were the most unified of the clans. They had groups that generally stayed together. If they moved, they moved as a whole. The others, however, spread out wherever they would, keeping touch with their clans but not necessarily living among them. Each clan did seem to have leaders with permanent locations though, so some sort of government appeared to be in place.
Just as with the Human Council, the Coven also had members placed strategically in human leadership positions. This included government officials, police, judg
es, and even news reporters. They knew all about the Councils, the Extinguishers, and the Wild Hunt. It looked as if they had been watching us for centuries and they were even aware of our current interactions with the Flight witches.
Which meant we could expect some visitors soon.
“We have to move them,” I said to the table full of council members, hunters, and my Star's Guard. Oh, and Raza.
Unlike fairy councils which included Lords of the Wild Hunt (or LotWH as I like to call them... I pronounce it loth-wah just to be even more annoying), the human council generally didn't include extinguishers in their discussions. It never bothered me before but now that I'd been among the fey for awhile, the exclusion was starting to annoy me. The Extinguishers should at least be represented in all of the meetings, not just seriously important ones.
“Where to?” Councilman Teagan threw his hands. “And how? It would take a lot of effort to move that many people securely. It's practically concentration camp full down there.”
“And that's not cool,” I leveled a look on Teagan. “Both the living conditions and your using that as a reference.”
Teagan made an exasperated noise.
“There may be a way to control them,” Tiernan gave me a steady look. “A way that we could make them work with us. Then we could make them more comfortable too.”
“What's he talking about?” Teagan frowned and Raza lifted a brow.
“I don't know if I want to do that,” I said in a low you know what I'm talking about but I don't want them to know what I'm talking about tone to Tiernan. “Especially to so many people.”
“I think the situation may call for it,” Tiernan said gently.
“Call for what?” Councilman Sullivan asked.
“Alright fine,” I sighed, giving up on trying to keep my star-crossing ability a secret. “You know how fairies can enchant humans?”
“Yes, but it's doubtful that these witches will be susceptible, not with fey magic in them,” Murdock huffed. “We already went over this, Ambassador.”
“I realize that,” I rolled my eyes. “But I have a different version of fairy-struck.”
“A different version?” Teagan settled back in his seat and gave me a wary look.
“Go on,” Raza purred.
“It's called star-crossing,” I whispered.
Raza inhaled sharply and Eadan whistled an impressed note while his hunters exchanged looks of surprise. My Guard already knew about my magic, so they didn't react at all.
“I'm unfamiliar with the term,” Teagan, along with the rest of the humans, was just plain confused. “What exactly does it mean?”
“It means that she could make any man in this room do her bidding,” Raza's eye gleamed. “And I'm not referring to her using her substantial feminine wiles.”
“It's a powerful magic,” Eadan agreed. “And a rare one.”
“So you're telling me that you can walk down into those cells and magic all those witches into becoming your willing slaves?” Sullivan's eyes were going round.
“As long as none of them are wearing any anti-fey charms,” Eadan nodded.
“Well,” I cleared my throat and Eadan's eyes went as round as Teagan's.
“No,” Eadan whispered.
“Yes,” Raza leaned forward with a huge smile. “Charms don't work on you, do they, Princess? Your human blood negates them.”
“I can hold iron without a problem,” I gave my iron sword a pat. “It's not like I've tested myself against charms but I used to wear them all the time.”
“Anyone can wear a charm,” Eadan shook his head. “It only works on the fairy who is trying to enchant you.”
“She can hold iron, Eadan,” Tiernan sighed. “I'd say that means she's immune.”
“I still disagree,” Eadan shook his head. “Holding iron is a chemical reaction to our genetics. We can't touch iron but we can all wear charms. It might make us uneasy but we can still wear them. An anti-fey charm is a ward against fey magic and her star-crossing is definitely fairy magic.”
“That's a good point,” I conceded. “I guess we'll need to test it after all.”
“It's a moot point,” Raza rolled his eyes. “We're getting carried off by tangents. The important thing here is that Seren can cross those witches into doing whatever we want them to do.”
The council members started muttering among themselves.
“I don't want to keep all of those people under the star-crossing,” I huffed. “I don't even know if I can.”
“Why not?” Raza shrugged.
I glanced around the table and found several faces who looked to be in agreement with Raza.
“It's not like you'd be physically hurting them,” Tiernan joined the ranks.
“No, just stealing their free will,” I huffed and looked down at Cat. She stared up at me patiently, waiting for me to come to the right conclusion. “Et tu, Brute?” She whined and laid her face on my thigh. “Next you'll all be asking me to use them as cannon fodder when their friends show up.”
“That's damn brilliant!” Teagan sat up straight in his seat.
“What?!” I gaped at him.
“They're not going to attack their own people,” Teagan argued. “You'll simply be preventing bloodshed. At the very least, it would stop them long enough for us to speak with them.”
“And we wouldn't have to worry about guarding them at all,” Eadan nodded. “They'd be guarding us. Princess, you're a genius.”
“I wasn't serious,” I grumbled but then I thought it over.
It would be a lot easier to keep them all star-crossed instead of worrying about them escaping or being rescued. We could let them out of those cramped cells and make them more comfortable, wasn't that a good thing? And I really didn't want to lose any more of our people. We could surround the Council House with a wall of witches and if it came down to it, they'd even fight for us. There was a certain ironic justice in that.
“This can't be right,” I shook my head.
“Leaders have to make difficult decisions,” Raza was saying what I already knew. “Sometimes the wisest choice can appear to be evil but we both know that appearances are deceiving. Do we not, Princess Seren? Now, are you willing to appear evil if it will accomplish good?”
“Goddess forgive me,” I whispered as I stood. “I'm not turning into my grandmother, I'm turning into my Uncle Uisdean.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Star-crossing over sixty people was exhausting. Each one would have to be brought out of their cell and held down while I sprinkled magic in the eyes. That was the one drawback to star-crossing as opposed to good ol' fairy-striking. To strike a human, you just had to get close to them but to cross one, I had to be able to sprinkle silly sparkles in their eyes, like a damn Disney character.
We decided to remove the witches from the cells and bring them upstairs, one by one, so they wouldn't have any idea what we were doing. Of course, they all assumed that their friends were being executed because no one returned. So that started a panic and I ended up going down into the cells and using my other fey magic, the dream dusting, to put them all to sleep.
That turned out to be a really good idea because then all we had to do was lift their eyelids. It was much easier than restraining people but the magic still took its toll on me. By the time I was done, I was barely able to stand. Tiernan had to help me up to our bedroom and tuck me in. I don't even remember falling asleep, I was simply awake and then not. I didn't dream either, just sank into a blackness that was eventually pierced by the sound of shouting.
“Princess Seren!” It was Conri at my bedroom door. “They're here and we need you to command the prisoners.”
“Who's here?” I asked Tiernan sleepily.
“The witches, Love,” Tiernan helped me up and rubbed my temples until I came fully awake. “Do you feel up to this?”
“Yes, of course,” I nodded and went to put on some clothes. Blue jeans; check. T-shirt... now where is that I got ninety-nine pr
oblems but a witch ain't one shirt? I had to wear it, it was imperative. Maybe not moral but definitely imperative. “Aha!” I pulled it on as Tiernan gave me a beleaguered expression.
I threw on some combat boots, just in case there was combat, and we rushed across the damp back lawn, Cat racing ahead of us. The sound of battle wafted to us from the front of the main house, urging Tiernan and I along faster. I ran to the kitchen and down the stairs, where the witches were all sleeping soundly in sleeping bags, spread out around the basement. With a few shouts, I woke them and then I was leading my enchanted army up the stairs and out the front door like I was Snow White and they, my dumbly-named dwarves. Although there were no hi-hos to be heard, the witches were calm and even happy to follow me, showing no signs of distress. Not even when I led them out into the thick of battle.
“Surround the house and if a witch tries to get past you, stop them,” I said to the members of Flight.
They filed out and did as they were told, forming a living line of defense around the Council House. It was obvious that there was something wrong with them and they were a little hard to miss. So I wasn't surprised when the fighting stopped entirely, giving the fairies and extinguishers a chance to fall back behind the line of star-crossed witches and take up positions on the porch. Cat was already at my side but both Tiernan and Raza came forward to stand at my back and lend their menace to my look.
“My name is Princess Seren Firethorn of Twilight,” I called out, feeling a sense of deja vu.
Hadn't I just done this? Actually, I felt a little silly calling my name out into the night, like maybe I should be holding my sword aloft and shouting For the honor of Greyskull. I am Seren, Princess of Power! Note to self; Never tell my best friends Abby and Karmen about this or my next nickname will be She-Ra.
“I'm the Ambassador between the Human Realm and Fairy,” I continued. “And I'd like to speak with your commander.”