rogue shifter 07 - cut off

by parness, gayle

  Saying that my arcane dagger "understood" was totally weird, but somehow it had the ability to connected to my mind and my magic as if it was captain to my general, a soldier who'd fought beside me hundreds of times and could read my wishes before I spoke them out loud. My birth father had given me this incredible gift when I was only five. Learning how to use it to the best of my abilities had always been a top priority.

  "Tomorrow, you'll fight me in my warrior form." Isaiah used his stuck-up voice, probably because during today's practice I'd spent more time on the floor looking up at him than I had facing off against him. He was a cool trainer, and I liked hanging with him, even though I was sure that one day his head was gonna swell so much it exploded.

  Remembering what he'd announced, I looked up. "This room has low ceilings. Your warrior form won't fit." In a flash, the ceiling height doubled, along with the size of his head. Again. I did a half eye-roll, but caught it before he saw me. "Why don't you leave it like this all the time?"

  '"I try never to waste energy. You never know when you might need it."

  "Uh...I think I remember a story mom told about you making her wander around your fifty room house and memorize where everything was, when really you hardly ever use more than a dozen rooms."

  He grinned, showing the tips of his fangs. "I couldn't resist. She's such fun to tease." He scowled suddenly. "And also a royal pain in my ass."

  "Tell me about it." My mom could make the mountains roll their eyes.

  His loud laugh startled me. "You're just like her."

  "What? I am not." I slammed the cabinet door, locked it and faced him. "I'm nothing like Mom."

  "Really? You question everything, you test the limits of my patience several times a day, your stubborn streak is wider than the Milky Way, and your temper is legendary." I opened my mouth to respond, but he held up a finger in warning. I snapped it shut. "On the flip side, you learn quickly, work hard, show great compassion for others and you can turn that anger into a formidable weapon. These are also Jackie's traits."

  I sat on the floor mat and stretched my muscles out the way Kyle had taught me, digesting what Isaiah had said. "That's just wrong."

  "What?"

  "A guy should be like his dad, not his mom."

  "I would have ended you years ago if your birth father's DNA was what drove your personality."

  I snapped my head up. He wasn't smiling at all. My stomach clenched for a second as I remembered the training Kennet had insisted on. "Very funny." I grinned, then changed the subject. "Do you think I'm anything like Garrett? We're not blood related, but maybe there's something similar. Somewhere." I was hopeful. Dad and I agreed on just about every subject, except maybe when he felt I'd crossed the line with Mom by disrespecting her.

  "Love and respect hold our family together," he'd say when he sat me down to ream me out over my latest shouting match with Mom. "It takes hard work, but it's worth it."

  I couldn't really argue the point, because Garrett lived that life, treating mom like his personal angel and me like his true son. All the supes he worked with respected him and listened to his advice. I wanted to be more like him, only—it was hard.

  Isaiah interrupted my thoughts. "The major difference between you and your mom is that you usually take the time to plan things out instead of jumping in head first. She reacts quickly, then wheels and deals her way out of the resulting fiasco so it doesn't turn into a full blown crisis. Garrett is a strategist like you. It's obvious you learned that from him."

  "Yeah, when I have a problem, he sits me down and we talk about different ways to approach it. It's kinda cool. Oh, and he taught me to play the guitar. I like music." Thinking about the fun we'd had playing and singing together helped keep thoughts of Fionna and what she was doing to Dad in the background. It didn't do me any good to sit around and worry. Training was a much better way to spend my time and Garrett would be the first one to say so.

  Isaiah laughed. "I doubt that Kennet is interested in the arts. I seem to recall that when you were small you wanted to be a rock star."

  "And a knight. Or Robin Hood." I smiled and took another swig of water. "How about you? Were you ever a little kid with dreams?"

  He sighed. "Yes. I had dreams, but mostly I was busy trying to stay under Mother's radar. I've survived quite well, overall. Certainly better than my other siblings." He stood before the mirror, having magically changed his clothes and looking like he'd already showered. I was still all sweaty from my workout.

  I wiped my face and neck with a towel. "Your mom sounds like a wolf spider, huh?" I asked.

  "Wolf spider?"

  "Sometimes they eat their young."

  He laughed. "Not quite, but close. I believe she gave one of my sisters to the Goblin King. He enjoys a roast demon on occasion."

  My chin dropped. He had to be kidding, right?

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  I took Fionna by the shoulders and shook her, an act I would never have considered only a few months before. Several salient facts were glaring her in the face, yet she refused to acknowledge them. "What were you thinking?" I lashed out.

  Her eyes flared with gold, a sign that would send most court fae dissolving into the lines as quickly as possible. "Take your hands off of me, or I will serve half of you to Throat and the other half to Belly."

  My fury made me foolish. "I assume you are referring to your pet slaugh? Can you not pronounce their unseelie names, sister?"

  My rebuke woke her up, but not in the way I had hoped. A lamp whizzed past my head, crashing against the far wall. Annoyed at my good luck, she waved her hand. I crumpled to the floor by her feet, my knees jarred by the unexpected journey. As I winced from the intense pain, she leaned closer and spoke, her voice a shard of ice, "I will not speak in the unseelie tongue. It is abhorrent to me."

  I rubbed my face in frustration and remained kneeling, That lamp had missed my head by mere inches. Even with full power, a concussion took over a day to heal, which meant Fionna would be left on her own to wreak havoc while I was out of commission. I shuddered to think of her ruling in her present state, unchecked.

  As I stood, the movements still painful, I continued in my attempt to make her see reason. "Perhaps you should not have taken the unseelie's power and called yourself their ruler. You have made an entire realm your enemy, Fionna." I moved a step closer, ignoring her glare. "It's not too late. You can restore their power with a simple ritual and then work to rebuild the relationship. I advise you strongly to move in that direction. We do not want the unseelie to side with Naberia."

  "Hmmph. My people and I are more powerful than all the unseelie combined."

  She sounded more and more like her irrational mother as each day passed. "It's possible that the Goblin King, Luryn of the Drow Elves, and several other unseelie royals are most likely drawing up war plans as we speak. News of the court's weakness could have been discovered."

  With a wave of her hand, Fionna stopped time, trying to impress me the way a child would a younger sibling. "See? I can stop them in their tracks. There is nothing to fear."

  I'd had enough. "How can you call yourself the daughter of Finvarra? Wasting power

  That shocked her speechless. Our father had been a master strategist, bringing down enemies not only with his skill on the field but also his ability to strike with speed and stealth. A diplomat as well, the former king was never one to waste a single seelie life if another avenue presented itself.

  Her voice rose in pitch. "I am the daughter of Finvarra and Queen Aine, and as such am worthy to rule." Her face turned harsh, her features now as ugly as her soul. "Speak to me in that manner again and I will torture you for years, yet it will only be as a heartbeat in real time."

  "I advise you not to play rough with me. I have my own powers."

  "You are arrogant as always, little brother. Would you care to test out your mental strength? It will be the last time you are able to use your mind."

  I huffed in exasperation,
then turned away to pour myself some wine. She laughed, thinking she'd won that round. Unlike Caelen, Fionna was a simple soul in many ways, anxious for flattery and easy to fool. As I'd distracted her with my anger, I'd tested her shields. They were weak, and because she felt herself to be invulnerable, she rarely used her magic to strengthen them.

  She sprawled in a large chair, the game no longer fun. "Why were you angry?" she asked.

  "You sent a note to Caelen saying we would torture Garrett."

  "Yes."

  "It was too early. They'll be rallying their forces now."

  "They have few forces to rally. Will Caelen risk his precious sons' lives? I think not. Perhaps the sisters will come, but that is of no consequence." She laughed and took a sip of wine, obviously never having witnessed Keara or Brina's abilities on the field. I had watched them training on many occasions and could say with certainty there were none at court who could match them with a sword, especially now that Fionna had weakened us. Only Caelen and Aedus were more adept, and they fought on the same side.

  Fionna continued, "Jacqueline has no power here, yet the lovesick fool will still risk her life and come before me to beg for her mate's return."

  I closed my eyes, remembering the sweet scent of wildflowers. "She is not his mate. I have plans for Jacqueline." My voice had automatically softened.

  "Oh?" Fionna's interest was peaked. Like a child, it didn't take much to tantalize her.

  "I intend to bind with her. You'll send the vampire back, but Charles and Jacqueline will stay."

  Fionna scowled. "She is not worthy, Kennet. Keep her as your consort if you must, but bind with a pure blood. She is tainted by her demon grandmother."

  "She is fertile."

  "Yes, but there are fae who are also fertile. Look at Aedus."

  "Aedus became fertile after she healed him."

  "You believe she worked some kind of magic?"

  "Who can say? We can experiment on the mongrels."

  "No, I think not. We don't want them breeding, do we? Your children with her will also be mongrels like Charles."

  "That word will never be used in reference to Charles or any other child I have with Jacqueline. Do you understand?"

  "You dare to give me orders?"

  "You will do this for me, Fionna." I'd changed the tone of my voice as I sent out a mild rush of my energy, and was pleased to see her eyes glaze in confusion. It was necessary to be subtle with my magic. I could not attempt to take over control completely, not yet. She had many followers at court, even though the residents could clearly see how life here had deteriorated so desperately. When necessary, I used my magic to nudge and suggest, skills I'd learned long ago. Today was my first attempt to use true Influence on my foolish sister, however this was a battle I must win.

  If only Fionna had inherited our father's wisdom along with much of his power, I wouldn't be in this situation. I'd have a partner to work with instead of a needy child to coddle.

  She walked to the window, her brow wrinkled, her expression stern. "I might consider your request."

  My touch had done its job. "Thank you, my queen." I bowed low, kissing her hand.

  She smiled and stroked my cheek. "You were always my favorite, Kennet. The others did not understand me."

  "How could the imperfect understand perfection, my lovely queen?"

  She kissed my cheek and flounced toward the door. "I will check on the vampire." Her new toy. When she'd disappeared, I shook my head. How could a female have lived three thousand years and more and not garnered at least a modicum of understanding regarding the plight of her people? The rest of the world could sink beneath the seas for all I cared, but the Faerie Court should be a place of exceptional beauty, its people admired above all others, their physical and magical strength, godlike. It was once this way, under my father and his queen. It would be this way again.

  I sank into the nearest chair, weakened from my continued efforts to hold Fionna in check. Her impulsive nature would be the death of us. Kidnapping Garrett was not the avenue I would have trod to achieve her goals, but I might still accomplish the first steps in my own long-range plan before these few days were over.

  I took a sip of wine, enjoying the warmth that spread throughout my body. I had to import this quality of honey wine from the sidhe in Bavaria, since the court demi-fey were almost extinct, another situation I planned to remedy as soon as I could. The court used to be swimming in the very best of everything.

  I shook off my grim mood and chose to think instead of Jacqueline, a female so far superior to the one who ruled that I would have laughed at fate if the circumstances at court were not so dire. Twice a year since Charles was five, I'd spent time with Jacqueline and my son in a private location of my choosing. The time was spent training him to use a blade, a bow, and when he was older, a sword.

  We spoke mostly in Seelie Fae, the language of his people and mine. Behind more mundane activities, I worked secretly with him, teaching him the mechanics of how to use his Influence. If Jackie had known, she would have attempted to end our work, but according to our agreement, she could have done nothing to stop me.

  When I worked with Charles, Jacqueline would watch my eyes. During her time with me, she'd discovered that when I used Influence, my pupils lightened in color, turning a dustier shade. It was a simple physical reaction unique to me, yet she'd seen it and remembered. Sometimes her intelligence startled me, so different than most females I'd come in contact with.

  She said she did not trust me and, although I had agreed not to hurt her or Charles, she did not believe me. Most would agree that her feelings were more than justified. I had swept her away and held her captive, hoping she would accept my generous and heartfelt offer. When she fought against me I became enraged, whipping and then taking her against her will.

  Her creamy flesh had broken so easily under the lash, but not her mind. No, she fought my magic with all that she was— and she was extraordinary in all ways. Her will, her intellect, her beauty and her magic confounded and delighted me, reawakening my senses after many tedious years. Without even a drop of fae blood, it is still clear that she is meant to be mine. Not my slave, or even my consort, but my partner. My bound mate. My lover. Queen to my king.

  We will rule together, bringing Faerie back to full strength once more. As my father did before me, we will repopulate our depleted sidhe, and one day Charles will defeat Naberia and the Demon Realm will fall.

  Even though my time with Isaiah had ended sixteen years ago, my strength had not returned completely. He'd stripped me bare, mentally and physically, adding blocks that burned and stabbed whenever I tried to access my powers. It had taken me many years to unravel them, but I was almost free.

  One day I would have my revenge on Isaiah. Until then, I would work toward my immediate goal of restoring the Faerie Court to full power. Fionna was a hindrance and would have to be eliminated, but Charles, Jacqueline and I would soon take up the reins.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Elle knelt beside her sister's still-warm body and drew Niral's head into her lap. She brushed aside the strands of chestnut colored hair that covered her face, then leaned down to kiss her sister's pale forehead.

  "We have been kept apart for more than fifty mortal years."

  "Niral asked me to take you with me when I leave."

  "Why would Niral ask that of you?"

  "Love. Fear for your safety. She thought of you with great affection, telling me you work in the fields and that I should try to find you there."

  "I prayed for many months that I would be allowed to work in the fields. The queen had other ideas." Several tears splashed from her eyes onto her sister's cheeks, as if they both mourned their separation, now final. "I am alone. Truly."

  I took her hand and she immediately looked down in submission, perhaps trained to do so. "As long as I live, you aren't alone. Niral gave me her blood and I promised her that I would help you. This was a ritual agreement between us."
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br />   She tried to pull her hand away. "You got what you wanted. You do not have to honor the agreement."

  "I do." I forced her to look me in the eye, hoping that her fae senses would show her the truth.

  "What is your name?" she asked.

  "Garrett."

  "Gar-rett." My name sounded odd as she tried to pronounce it. "Garrett." I nodded and smiled. "I see you have honor, but there is nothing you can do to save me."

  "Caelen will take you into Cascade."

  With a whoosh of air, Fionna was back and looking bored. She scowled as she glanced around the room. "Now that you're cooperating, I might give you better accommodations. You can wait for your sweet little cheetah in comfort. I cannot have my twin brother thinking I mistreated you." She laughed and took hold of Elle's braid, yanking her to her feet. "The slaugh hungers for your sweet flesh."

  I stood, speaking in a commanding tone, "Leave her. I'll need more blood soon."

  The bitch queen narrowed her eyes and sneered. "She is tainted with human blood, like her sister."

  I continued to meet her gaze, smirking to make her think that I could also be a cruel being. "I've grown fond of human blood over the centuries."

  She let go of Elle's braid and looked me over with a new interest. "If I do this for you, you must do something for me. I'll even give you a choice when the time comes."

  "Not torture or murder. Nor will I forsake my family, friends or my allies."

  "Agreed." She shrugged.

  Seeing no other way out, I nodded. "Excellent. I will find another companion for the slaugh." She yanked on Elle's thick braid. "See that you satisfy all of the vampire's needs, mongrel. The corpse of your sister will please the dogs." She dissolved along with Niral's body.