***
Pandimora felt her body rebuilding itself, one molecule and cell at a time as she shifted into Aisywel. She concentrated on the protective elven star, afraid at any moment she would turn to dust and all would be lost.
Her heart positioned itself in her chest, beating very hard and fast. She was frightened, but the matter shift appeared to have worked and she was finally back home. As Sirt and Jonic materialized beside her, she motioned for them to follow. She had to be quick to find the high elder council and then she had to make them listen. She paused a moment on the edge of the forest, noting the faeries hurrying toward the hillocks, into the woods, their faces filled with fear and concern. They did not seem to notice her or the goblins. Her senses picked up an unusual sense of urgency and she wondered at the levels of distress evident.
Looking at the goblins she put a finger to her lips. They gave her an odd look. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"You're a bit pale and faded," whispered Sirt. He reached for her hand and looking down, Pandimora was alarmed to see she was somewhat transparent.
"I'd say you're not all here," Jonic remarked.
"Does this usually happen?" she asked.
Jonic shrugged. "Don't know. This is the first time we've shifted matter for a faerie. Hopefully in time the rest of you will arrive." He licked his lips. "Um, it might be a good idea to grasp your arm above the star, as a reminder to invoke its continued protection."
Pandimora did as he suggested, knowing time was precious. "Follow me." She skirted the forest toward the back of the university hall, looking up at the imposing structure, which reached fifteen stories into the sky. Having been away from her beloved Aisywel, she drank in her surroundings as she slipped through the familiar opening in the ancient garden wall. The trees in the garden turned toward her with a soft whisper but then pulled back in alarm as the goblins came into sight. Sirt tried to pull Jonic through the wall but his stomach appeared to be wider than the opening.
Panting, Jonic gasped, "I'll wait here and be a look out. If any faeries come by, I'll be my usual jovial self."
Pandimora looked back at him. "Don't bring attention to yourself," she warned, then bit her lip. Any faerie would know he was a goblin. "Please don't start any mischief."
She stepped into the once beautiful gardens and frowned with dismay. The vegetable garden plots she had so carefully tended had been tilled into the deep rich soil. She felt as if the memory of her existence had been erased also.
A mix of emotions began to simmer; anger, injustice, a sense of helplessness. Angrily, she stepped closer to the back of the university building. Motioning for Sirt to wait, she climbed a small stone wall and leaned against the building, peering through a broken window into the conservatory. It was a prime vantage point for eavesdropping. The leaves growing close to the windows moved aside to make room for her and she pressed closer. Inside the splendid glass hall several members of the elder high council were gathered. Lukais was not present.
Her sensitive ears picked up the thread of conversation. "There is fear and concern among the faeries for the future. Sensing our vulnerability, the netherworld creatures have opened a portal and are flooding Aisywel as we speak. We have arranged a meeting before chaos takes over."
Lukais had implied her rebellion had started the unrest, but how could that be the truth? There must have been trouble before she fled Aisywel.
Pandimora was jerked backwards and she tried to grab the window frame to steady herself. The thin wood splintered, glass spilling over her as she landed on the ground. She looked up at Lukais, fear heavy in her heart.
Sirt and Jonic stood beside Lukais, heavy golden chains of enchantment binding their arms to their bodies and covering their eyes.
She scrambled to her feet. "Let them go. They have done you no harm."
"Pandimora, I cannot believe you have enlisted the aid of -- of goblins! They have broken my law, as have you by being here."
Pandimora looked at him quickly. "Your law or the law of the fae?"
Lukais regarded her dispassionately. "Surely you know it is the same."
"All I have done is seek the truth, yet apparently you consider that to be harmful."
He wove a spell of faerie dust around Pandimora and the goblins. The ground beneath them dissolved and a chasm opened. Fear quivered through every part of her as she felt herself suspended in air.
Pandimora wanted to scream at how helpless she felt. There was nothing solid that she could push or struggle against. In this moment, she virtually did not exist.
"You will not win," she said. "Too many faeries know what you have done," she added brashly, hoping she was right.
He brought his face close to hers and Pandimora averted her eyes from his mesmerizing stare. She wondered if faeries could go mad for surely the glitter in his eyes was troubling. "I will prevail," he said fiercely. "All I have ever done is my duty to ensure no harm comes to Aisywel. I will not step down. I will not give up the crystals."
Pandimora was relieved when he moved away from her, but she knew if he left they would be forgotten for all time. "Release Sirt and Jonic to their world. They are only here because of me. They are innocent in all this. I made them false promises to get them to help me."
He considered the goblins held motionless in their bindings. "I find them harmless enough," he agreed, "although goblins love the scent of chaos and disorder." He added a stern warning to the goblins. "If you return there will be no second chances. Am I understood?" The goblins nodded and quickly suppressed nervous giggles.
To her relief, Lukais waved a hand and the goblins disappeared.
"Your continued interference is going to cost the human. If it's any consolation, he'll never know what hit him. Let this remind you in future you cannot defy me."
Drew. Pandimora held her breath in terror but the elder vanished. Drew. The worst she had feared was happening. She'd thought he'd be safe if she left, but now ...
Alone, suspended in a holding cell with no floor, walls or door, she thought longingly of Drew. She had lost her family, her home ... she couldn't lose him too! She thought it strange that the elder had not asked her about the crystal. Her heart plummeted. That could only mean he already had it, or anticipated having it. Irfin.
The elven star on her arm began to grow warm. Was she to turn into faerie dust? She closed her eyes and put her hand over the star, seeing her mother's face, invoking her protection.
Find Me: Faeries Lost Page 25