by Amy Sumida
A man stepped forward and two more joined him, flanking him from behind. They were all dressed for combat (we had matching boots) and had the look of soldiers about them. Behind them, more witches drew forward, all of them ready for war. I walked out a few steps with my honor guard, calling three of the star-crossed witches to join us. They stood before us in a line, a human shield between us and the solemn three witches who had come forward.
“I am Aidan, Alpha of the Missouri Pack,” the man front and center said.
He had deep chestnut hair, short but wild, and pale blue eyes like arctic ice. He was muscular but not overly so, and his skin was a warm, honey-brown. Hands flexing into fists at his sides, he stared at me like he wanted to tear my limbs off my torso and beat me with them.
“We don't want a war, Aidan,” I said calmly.
“You have a surprising way of asking for peace,” he huffed and looked over the happy-faced men in front of me. “These are flighters, what did you do to them?”
“I enchanted them,” I said simply. “It's a fairy thing. Basically, I'm in control of them. Just like with your Beckoning witches and their zombies, except I don't have to kill my victims.”
“Release them, and then we'll speak of peace,” he smiled at me but it was a vicious smile.
“That's not going to happen,” Tiernan stated simply.
“Then we're at a impasse,” Aidan folded his arms across his chest. “Because I came to see Flight freed and I won't leave until I do.”
“Fairies have a truce with humans,” I ignored his bluster. “As I'm sure you know. As humans, you are bound by the laws of that truce and under those laws, we have the right to execute any who break the truce.”
“You can't hold us accountable to laws we never agreed to,” Aidan growled.
“Why not?” I lifted my brows. “Aren't you born into a society which holds you accountable to certain laws that you've never agreed to? The truce has laws very similar to that of this Nation. They are basic laws of morality and Flight has broken the biggest of them; Do not commit murder.”
“Flight does only what it was born to do,” Aidan narrowed his eyes on me. “They can't help it if you fairies made them hungry for human hearts.”
“Oh, they can't help it?” Tiernan lifted his brows. “I'm sure that would be a great defense for them in a human court.”
“That's not how it was explained to us,” I waved Tiernan down. “Our understanding is that the magic allows witches to prolong their lives through the consumption of a human heart but it doesn't force them into the act. Murder is a choice for them, as it is for all of us.”
“Sometimes instincts are difficult to deny,” Aidan growled. “So much so, that there doesn't seem to be a choice.”
“I understand instincts quite well,” Raza stepped forward, his metallic eyes gleaming in the floodlights streaming off the Council House. All three witches tensed, their nostrils widening as they scented a bigger predator. “I have some of the most violent instincts of them all. Right now, they're telling me that you're food.” He gave a quick, deep sniff, “Prey with tender meat that would taste sweet in my mouth.”
All three witches started to growl.
“But I don't have to give into my instincts because I am stronger than they are,” Raza shrugged. “It's easy enough for me to deny the call of flesh and blood or bones and marrow. Easy because I am not only an animal, I am a man. I choose to let you live, just as these mocking birds,” he waved his hand to the enchanted witches before us, “had a choice to be men instead of murderers.”
“Let's not argue about what's been done in the past,” I put a hand on Raza's shoulder and he eased back. “We don't have to fight. We can find a middle ground, write a new truce which you can choose to live by.”
“Why would we want to find a middle ground with you?” One of the men behind Aidan sneered. “All you've done is attack our people without cause.”
“Without cause?” I chuckled. “I don't think so. If someone came into your house at night and took out your dying grandfather's heart so they could eat it and steal his remaining time, you'd probably kill them, right?”
The man shut up but gave me a nasty glare.
“I don't think we're asking for a lot here,” I went on. “Just a chance to discuss things rationally and perhaps find a peaceful way to coexist.”
“Give me these three to return with,” Aidan waved a hand at my witchy shield. “As a show of good faith. And I will speak to the witch elders on your behalf.”
“The Coven Elders?” I cocked my head at him. “Will you give me your word that you will speak to them as a whole and convey our desire to reach a peaceful agreement?”
“I vow it,” he nodded solemnly.
“Fine,” I agreed and pulled my magic away from the Flight witches.
They went stumbling to their knees, vomiting and shivering through the return of their free will. One of them turned swiftly and rushed at me. Before either Tiernan or Raza could react, I lifted a hand in automatic response. I had no intentions, I simply wanted to ward off the blow. But my magic knew better.
It rushed out, forming thick vines around the witch and sending him crashing to the ground in his own puke. He screamed as the thorns pierced his flesh and the vines continued to grow, shifting and cutting into him. I pulled back the magic enough to stop the growth and the witch whimpered as the vines settled into place.
When I looked up, I found Aidan's eyes focused on me intently. There was an odd look in them. A little shock but mostly delighted approval and maybe just a touch of fear. His icy eyes narrowed but not in anger, more like how an art critic might view a Picasso. He was impressed.
“Not just a princess then,” Aidan mused.
“Hardly,” Raza chuckled.
“I was an extinguisher first,” I admitted.
“But that was magic,” Aidan noted.
“Then I became a princess,” I shrugged. “And real fairy princesses kick ass.”
I called back the magic and the vines disappeared like they'd been made of smoke. The other two Flight witches rushed forward to help their friend, who was moaning and bleeding from several wounds. They gave me nasty glares as they pulled him back among the Pack witches.
“I see that they do,” Aidan smiled. “I'll tell the elders about your power and your offer. Then I'll return here and give you their response. I don't know how long it will take but I will be back. Rest assured.”
“I don't think anyone will be resting assured until we settle this but I will trust that you'll return,” I smirked. “Goodbye, Aidan, Alpha of the Missouri Pack.”
“Goodbye, Kick-Ass Princess of Twilight,” he laughed and ran off into the darkness.
Chapter Thirty-Two
“Why didn't you tell me that I was born in Fairy?” I asked my father as soon as the crystal ball focused on his face.
“That was abrupt,” Keir frowned. “Don't I get a; Greetings, Father before you verbally assault me?”
“Greetings, Father,” I rolled my eyes. “Now why didn't you tell me that I was born in Fairy?”
“Because it's humiliating,” he sighed.
“How is it humiliating?”
“Any father who can look into the eyes of his newborn child and allow it to be taken from him, much less send it away, is not worthy of fatherhood,” he swallowed hard. “I did that, Seren, I was there for your birth. I welcomed you into this world; held you and felt the magic inside you. Then I sent you away from me.”
“For my own good,” I whispered gently.
“And to my detriment,” Keir closed his eyes briefly. “I wish I'd kept you both here. I should have tried to protect you. I should have fought for you instead of hiding you away.”
“That was your way of fighting for me,” I touched the surface of the crystal. “I'm sorry I brought it up. I just felt a little blindsided when Tiernan told me.”
“You're right. I should have been the one to tell you. Instead, I hid it from you,
just as I hid you from the fey. I didn't want you to think less of me.”
“I don't think less of you. In fact, I'm glad you were with Mom when I was born.”
“I love you, Little Star,” he touched the crystal over the place I had laid my fingers.
“I love you too, Dad.”
Then Lord Eadan cleared his throat and I was reminded that there were several others in the room; including Tiernan, Councilman Teagan, Raza, and my Guard. I cleared my throat too and filled Keir in on what had been happening.
“Have you spoken to the High Council yet?” Keir asked.
“Not yet. They'll be my next scry. Who do you think I should speak to?”
“High Councilman Greer,” Keir advised. “He's the most reasonable.”
“Alright, thanks,” I nodded.
“I'll travel to the Isle of Danu tonight,” Keir looked grim. “That way, I'll be at hand to offer my assistance.”
“You mean to give them your opinion,” I chuckled.
“And impose it upon them,” Keir nodded. “As is my right as King of Twilight.”
“Give 'em hell, Dad,” I said encouragingly.
“I'll do better than that,” he smirked. “I'll give them no choice. Also, I want to question the witch you caught.”
“You'll have to star-cross him, Mr. Sehoka doesn't give information freely,” I offered.
My father was the only other fairy I knew who possessed the star-crossing ability. In fact, a lot of people looked on my ability of star-crossing as stronger proof of parentage than my eyes.
“Thanks for the tipping.”
“Tip,” I whispered to him. “Thanks for the tip.”
“Right,” he gave me a wink.
“Bye, Dad,” I shook my head and laughed.
“I'll see you soon, Seren,” he said as the crystal misted over.
“High Councilman Greer,” I said as soon as the mist dissipated, and the crystal filled with fog once more.
It remained blurry for awhile and then the image focused on a fairy man with ice-blue hair, so light a blue that it was almost white. His skin was just a shade darker than his hair, contrasting sharply with the heather tunic he was wearing. Piercing pine-green eyes looked me over and I suddenly remembered him from my one visit to the Isle of Danu. My father was right, Greer was the best choice. He'd been one of the few council members who had accepted the events that occurred with reason and respect.
“Princess Seren,” Greer bowed.
“High Councilman,” I bowed back. “I've called to give you a status report on the situation with the witches. I'm assuming that Councilman Catan has already spoken with you?”
“Yes, not with me specifically but he did contact us and I've been informed of the situation. Thank you for scrying us so quickly,” Greer smoothed his tunic nervously. “The Fairy High Council is very concerned about this new human race and their capabilities.”
“Councilman Catan informed you about the different clans?”
“Yes, he did,” Greer confirmed. “What have you to add to his information?”
“I've spoken with the Alpha of a group from Pack, which is the clan of shapeshifters,” I reported. “I offered them peace through the signing of another truce.”
“Another truce,” Greer mused. “Do you think the witches will agree to that?”
“The Alpha said he would speak to the elders of the Coven and then return with their response,” I recounted. “But I don't think these are a warmongering people. I believe they'll seek peace.”
“The High Councils will have to convene and meet with the witches if they want to proceed towards a truce,” Greer considered.
“I assumed that would be the case.”
“I'll take this information to the others. Scry for me again when you've heard back from the witches.”
“Yes, Sir. But before you go,” I glanced at the anxious Councilman Teagan. “I believe the human council members of Tulsa would like to be assured that they'll remain a part of the process.”
“We would not be so high-handed as to evict them from the conclusion of a matter they helped to bring to our attention,” Greer huffed. “Assure them that they may be as much a part of the solution as they were the investigation.”
“Thank you, High Councilman.”
“Ambassador Seren,” he smiled briefly and the crystal went hazy, then cleared.
Chapter Thirty-Three
The next evening, my dinner was interrupted by the sound of howling. I had been eating with my Guard and Raza in the guest house kitchen, a meal that Ainsley had prepared for us, and I'd been enjoying it until the spine-tingling sound had ruined the calm. Conri perked up and seemed to listen intently before looking towards me.
“The Missouri pack leader has returned with only ten wolves,” he declared.
“How do you know there are only ten?” I frowned.
“I heard them.”
“You can discern ten different wolf voices?” Ainsley asked in awe.
“No,” Conri smirked. “I can discern what they're saying.”
An extinguisher came into the guest house and rushed over to me. “You're wanted in the front yard, Ambassador.”
“Thank you, Extinguisher Keith,” I slid my seat back and everyone else at the table followed suit.
“Um,” Keith cleared his throat as he looked at my Guard. “They'll only to speak with the Ambassador. They said if anyone else comes out of the house, they'll leave.”
“Ridiculous,” Torquil huffed.
“It's fine,” I sighed. “You guys can watch over me from the windows.”
“At least take Cat with you,” Tiernan said in a low tone.
“Yeah, that's a good idea,” I agreed. “Come on, Cat, let's go talk to some werewolf witches.”
I left the guest house and everyone followed me into the main house and then to the living room. Several of my Guard set themselves up at the windows, lifting the glass panes to get an unimpeded line of fire. Extinguishers were already spread out around the house, watching the front yard warily, and Councilman Teagan was waiting in the living room.
“Ambassador,” Councilman Teagan said. “We've got Extinguishers up in my office and the upper floors, armed with rifles to watch over you.”
“Thank you, Sir,” I gave him a quick nod; extra protection was never a bad thing.
Tiernan and Conri flanked me all the way to the front door, where they remained, to watch me through the charcoal mesh of the screen. Cat stayed with me though, scanning the shadows as we walked down the wood steps.
“What is that?” Aidan asked as he stepped forward into the light. His eyes were glued to Cat.
“This is Cat, she is a puka and she can understand you, so I'd be careful to not insult her.”
“A puka... I've heard of them but never seen one. She's massive,” he looked her over. “Is it true that they can shift into horses?”
“Yes, I met her as a horse actually,” I smiled, recalling my introduction to Cat. “We bonded and have been friends ever since.”
“Well, Mistress Cat,” Aidan held out his hand to her. “May we be friends as well?”
Cat looked up at me but I only shrugged. Sometimes she was a better judge of character than I was. She set her cognac-colored eyes on Aidan and his expression went from casual to acute. Something seemed to pass between them, some kind of understanding was reached, and Cat laid her head in his palm.
“Not one for shaking hands, eh?” Aidan laughed and stroked Cat's cheek. “Me either, to tell the truth.” And with that, he leaned forward and kissed my cheek. He turned the kiss into a cheek-to-cheek face press as he whispered, “It's nice to see you again, Princess Kick-Ass.”
“And you as well, Alpha Aidan,” I lifted a brow at him as he withdrew. I didn't give his kiss any regard. Aidan felt like a mini Conri to me and I assumed his flirtations were just as frivolous as the bargest's. “Did you speak to your elders?”
“I did,” he pulled a length of leather cor
d from his coat pocket. At the end of it, a small cluster of quartz crystals was tied to the leather. “Now they would like to speak to you,” he began to put the necklace over my head but I stopped him.
“What is that?” I pulled back a little to look the necklace over. It really did appear to be just a chunk of crystal shards, all grown together in a group, but I knew how deceiving appearances could be. And crystals were great receptacles for magic.
“It's a cluster,” he frowned at me like he couldn't understand why I'd be hesitant.
“I know it's a crystal cluster,” I huffed. “Why are you trying to put it on me?”
“So you can speak to the elders,” he cocked his head at me. “Don't the fey use clusters?”
“To speak to each other?” I asked and he nodded. “No, we use crystal balls. It's called scrying.”
“Scrying,” he mused. “Like divination. Interesting. We've always used cluster crystals.”
“And what happens when you put one on?” I took the pendant from him, holding it by its leather cord.
“You're mentally connected with the people in the cluster,” he shrugged. “I've already established a cluster link with the elders. When you hang the crystal over your chest, you'll be pulled into the cluster with them.”
“Fascinating,” I glanced back at the house and saw the windows full of worried faces. Tiernan and Conri were still at the door, looking like grim shadows through the screen. “Alright,” I set stern eyes on Aidan. “Just know that if this is some kind of a trap, Cat will tear your throat out. Isn't that right, Cat?”
She gave a low bark.
“And then all those people watching will run out here and obliterate whatever she leaves for them.”
“Fair enough,” Aidan held up his hands. “I give you my word as pack leader, neither the crystal nor the link will harm you.”
“Fair enough,” I said back and slipped the leather over my head.
The world brightened around me like someone had changed the filter on a photograph. Brighter and brighter until everything faded and was replaced by icy alabaster. A glowing fog covered the ground and I was surrounded by thick glass walls which soared up into a multi-pointed and strangely angled ceiling. No wait, it wasn't glass, it was crystal. It was like I'd been transported within the quartz. And I wasn't alone.