Dark Faery III: The Celestials

by Bridget McGowan

  “How is it that your crew couldn’t overcome pirates?”

  “These were fierce and outnumbered us, I think.”

  “Captain Osprey thought they were few.”

  “In the melee it was difficult to tell. They were fierce.”

  “Who was it rescued you?”

  “Someone sent by my mother, and his friends from the Isle of the Dark Cove. Beyond that I can’t say.”

  “Your mother has powerful friends. We are all grateful for that.”

  “I am happier than you can imagine to be back.”

  “Will you sail again?” Mr. Morningstar asked.

  “Oh yes. Perhaps not right away. But the pirates have been dealt with. There is no more to fear from them, I’m sure.”

  He hoped that was true, but he had no plans to seek out Simon to learn the truth of it. He knew he was now twice in Simon’s debt, and he feared what the repayment might be.

  *

  The night had been difficult. Simon’s coven had barely made Colm’s lair before dawn. The last few stragglers had been singed. Zoe and Flynn, after returning the captives, had gone to ground. They would wait until the survivors returned.

  The following evening Simon and the others awoke. They met with Colm’s coven then. Colm looked grim.

  “Luke did not survive. He should have recovered, but perhaps they put some poison on their weapons. I am sorry.”

  “Luke and Jennica,” Simon replied, nodding.

  “We left him in a grove at the edge of our lair. No one will see him and he’ll meet the next sunrise.”

  Colm led them to the cave where his thralls waited to take them across the sea.

  “If there’s any trouble, send word,” Simon told him.

  “I expect none. They’ll have no idea who gave you aid.”

  “What will you do with the captives?” Simon asked.

  “They’ll need to prove themselves to stay with us,” Seamus said. “I lost two, so two of these who survived may serve. But we have room for the others if they wish it.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss,” Simon replied.

  “And I for yours.”

  Simon and the others boarded the boats and were off. In a few hours they were on their home territory. It was late. He’d see to his own. Time enough next day to seek out the High Priestess and allay her fears.

  Zoe threw herself at Simon as he appeared in the cave.

  “I had feared never to see you again!” she said.

  He held her and whispered, “Have you so little faith in me that you thought I couldn’t defeat Artemis’s henchmen?”

  “But everyone has not returned.”

  “No,” he said, shaking his head. “We have lost Lucas and Jennica.”

  She backed away and studied his face. He looked tired, but she wasn’t sure whether or not there was more in his expression than that.

  “I am sorry. Luke was a good man. And I thought Jennica a fierce fighter.”

  “You see now, don’t you, that allowing Flynn to fight would have been foolishness. Luke had more experience and was far more skillful, yet he was slain.”

  “You are tired, Simon. Come, let’s rest. Time enough tomorrow to grieve.”

  Simon nodded and followed her to their lair.

  XXI

  The Vampyres mourned the loss of Lucas and Jennica. First Fiona had gone and now two more of their own had been lost saving light Faeries.

  Simon felt more anger than sorrow. It was his fault. Hugh had been taken because one of his had offended the tyrant, and Simon had foiled Artemis’s exacting retribution. It didn’t make it just that Luke and Jennica should trade their existence for Hugh.

  Perhaps the Vampyres had no right to live, as some said. But live they did. And Simon’s coven tried to coexist peacefully with the light Faery.

  He flew off in a fit of temper toward the land of the Humans. His lower nature wanted to kill, to hurt. He wanted to frighten someone.

  Occasionally, dark Faeries did taunt their Human victims. It wasn’t done the way Flynn had when he failed to glamour his victim; that had been carelessness. Fortunately, perhaps, Flynn had been mistaken as a giant insect. No, some of Simon’s acquaintances would allow the intended victim to see them, taunt them with the inability to catch the dark Faery, and place a stun spell on them to slow their motions. That way the Human would see the Vampyre fangs before he was bitten.

  Simon had never done that. Humans were food. He saw no need to taunt those who supplied his need. But tonight the idea was appealing.

  He had flown into the bedroom of a Human child still thinking about playing the Vampyre of Human imagination. He was suddenly pushed from behind, and fell to his knees on the night table. He quickly took to the air snarling at the child who had pushed him to see if he was real.

  “Don’t be angry,” the child said. “I didn’t mean to knock you down. I’ve never seen a Faery before. That is what you are, isn’t it?”

  “Yes,” Simon replied.

  “I didn’t know Faeries had fangs.”

  “I’m a Vampyre,” Simon replied.

  The child laughed.

  “No you’re not.”

  “How would you know?” Simon asked, feeling incensed.

  “Vampyres are big – Human. And they’re not real, anyway.”

  “Neither are Faeries,” Simon replied, fluttering to the table, hands on his hips.

  “You’re funny,” the little boy said.

  “Do you think so? I think you’d make a nice dinner.”

  The boy laughed again.

  “You couldn’t eat me. I’m too big for you.”

  “I’d only drink your blood. I’m a Vampyre, remember? I wouldn’t need much.”

  “But I could squish you.”

  “You wouldn’t do that,” Simon answered.

  “I wouldn’t?”

  “No,” Simon replied, muttering an incantation. “But I’ll let you watch me.”

  “Would it hurt? My parents would come if I shouted.”

  “It won’t hurt. You won’t shout,” Simon told him, holding the boy spellbound.

  The boy looked dazed as Simon ran his hand lightly over the boy’s wrist. He watched Simon, but made no attempt to move or shout. Simon sank fangs into the boy’s wrist and fed for several seconds. Humans bled more and faster than Faeries, being much bigger.

  When he finished, Simon licked at the punctures and they began to close. Then he looked at the dazed boy.

  “That didn’t hurt a bit, did it?”

  “No. I’ve never seen a Vampyre before.”

  “Most people haven’t. But you won’t remember. It will be like a distant dream you can only recall the edges of, but not the substance.”

  “But I want to remember. I won’t tell.”

  Simon shook his head and said, “Unfortunately, that cannot be. Sleep, now.”

  The boy’s eyes were heavy and he slept. Simon flitted out the window.

  The blood, taking it while the boy watched, had calmed him. He hadn’t ripped at the boy’s arm or been unnecessarily fearsome – although a Faery could hardly be fearsome to a Human. He returned to the coven and played his music listlessly.

  “What’s wrong?” Zoe asked.

  “Have you ever wanted to rip someone’s throat out?” he asked calmly.

  Zoe took a reflexive backward step and clutched her throat.

  “No,” she said.

  “Well, I did. I was so tempted to do my worst, but this Human boy saw me. He watched me bite his arm. I just couldn’t be cruel about it.”

  “You let him see you?”

  “He was glamoured, and I made him forget in the end.”

  The last he said somewhat guiltily.

  “You took a risk.”

  “I know. I was angry.”

  “Why?”

  “Why? Because it is left to us to rescue the light Faery. Always us. So much for their goddess protecting them.”

  “She cannot protect them from o
ur kind. Our kind caused their most recent trouble. We didn’t know revenge would be wreaked on them, but we caused it, so it was up to us to fix it. You know that’s the truth of it.”

  “You still believe in the goddess, don’t you?”

  “Don’t be like that, Simon. Of course I believe. I believe she directed you to me.”

  “You’re confusing Moira with the goddess.

  “Moira was no goddess. In fact, I wonder what Aoife discovered.”

  “I leave it to you to ask. I’ve had enough involvement in their lives.”

  “Admit it: you like Hugh.”

  “Just what I need! The love of another light Faery!” he replied, rolling his eyes.

  “Don’t be bitter.”

  “Luke and Jennica are dead because of them.”

  “Luke and Jennica are dead because their time came.”

  She left him. He was in an argumentative mood, and she didn’t want to fight.

  Simon’s sullenness lasted a few days. If the band was rehearsing, he played his part or sang, but he didn’t feel any of the joy of it. The others kept their distance. He shouldn’t be taking the losses so hard. True, Luke had been of his creating, but Jennica hadn’t. In fact she’d never been particularly close with him.

  What everyone failed to realize, if any had even known it, was that Luke had been Simon’s first successful dark creation. Simon had spent a couple of years teaching Luke how to be a good dark Faery. Simon based everything about the coven on what he’d taught Luke.

  Luke had come willingly. Indeed, he’d had a terrible life, living in squalor, bearing abuse. Simon had been the first Faery he’d ever met who was kind to him. When he finally discovered what Simon was he begged Simon to change him. Simon was reluctant, but finally agreed because Luke had no chance of improving his conditions. An epidemic was sweeping the land at the time, and many Faeries died. Simon couldn’t bear to think of losing his friend to death, so he brought him across.

  The Faery population still hadn’t recovered in numbers since the plague a hundred years earlier. But Luke had never expressed a single regret. He’d done whatever was asked of him, and now he was no more.

  Harry knew more about Jennica, although her creator was not among the coven. She was an excellent musician and got along with everyone. She had been the one Simon probably knew least. Now he’d never know more about her.

  Luke was my son even more than Flynn is my son, Simon thought. As I’d wanted Teilo to be my son.

  The pain of loss tore at Simon, yet he shared it with no one.

  The weeks wore on and one or other would try to draw him out, but nothing penetrated the wall around Simon’s psyche.

  One night toward the end of the evening, Zoe frantically searched for him. No one else had seen him since their awakening at sunset.

  Harry helped her search, and they found him a half hour before dawn sitting on the shore, looking calm.

  “Simon!” Zoe said, “It’s nearly dawn.”

  “Yes. You’d best go to ground.”

  “Simon,” Harry said, “the coven needs you. Don’t do this.”

  “I couldn’t save my son. What use am I?”

  “Your son?”

  “Luke.”

  Harry finally understood.

  “But what about your other children? Flynn, Zoe.”

  It startled Simon. He’d never really thought of Zoe, his lover, as his child. It sounded incestuous. Yet Vampyres often created others to be their lovers.

  “You’ve been a father to them, too,” Simon said. “You carry on where I can’t.”

  “No!” Zoe said. “You’ve never been a father to me, Simon and you know it. I don’t need a father.”

  She walked to where Simon sat and settled beside him.

  “What are you doing? Go back.”

  “If you’re going to meet the sun, you won’t do it alone.”

  “Zoe, I’d never ask you –”

  “You’re asking me to continue alone. I won’t. You’re the reason I’m here. I’m more than your daughter. At least I’ve always thought I meant more to you than a child. I didn’t cross over to be your daughter! So, if you’re staying here, so will I.”

  The sky was gradually lightening. The sun would creep over the horizon soon and none of them would survive long here.

  “Zoe –”

  “There’s nothing you can say to change my mind, Simon. The only way you can get me back to the coven is to take me. We all feel the lack of Luke and Jennica. You’re not alone in that, and the only way you’ll heal us is by letting the rest of us help you.”

  He was tired and didn’t want to argue. Zoe was as stubborn as anyone he’d ever encountered. She’d give no quarter, and he couldn’t bear to be the cause of her death. Slowly, he stood and returned to the cave with them. There would be other nights. Or perhaps they could heal his pain.

  XXII

  Hugh went to see Teilo and Jessica. They were overjoyed to see him alive and well, but didn’t ask for details of his rescue, assuming it was too painful a remembrance.

  “I hate to ask it, Uncle Teilo, but one last time I would wish for you to contact Simon for me. I wish to thank him for his efforts to free my shipmates and myself.”

  “It is no chore, but a pleasure in this instance,” Teilo replied. He went off immediately to call to Simon.

  It surprised him that he wasn’t answered as quickly as he’d become accustomed. Simon must be busy. The call had gone out and he would answer when he chose.

  The reply came an hour before dawn, and Teilo wondered at Simon’s waiting so long. Hugh was still at their house, so Teilo sent him to the usual meeting spot, and Simon was there waiting.

  “You require more?” Simon asked.

  “No. I came to thank you for my life and that of my friends. My mother put her future at risk contacting you, but you and yours put your lives in peril rescuing us, and I’ll always be grateful.”

  “I didn’t know you thought of our existence as life.”

  “I’ve changed my attitude greatly since our first meeting.”

  Simon nodded. “We lost two of ours saving your five.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do?”

  Simon chuckled. “I trust you’re not offering yourself as a Vampyre?”

  Hugh looked shocked. “No, I –”

  “Be at peace, Hugh, I wouldn’t take the son of a priestess. I merely wanted to demonstrate that there wasn’t anything you could do for us. It is enough that you recognize that we did you a service that we didn’t have to do. And it cost us greatly.”

  “For that I shall always be sorry. I never meant any harm to you and yours.”

  “You didn’t intentionally get yourself kidnapped, and in large measure it was our fault. Do not fret over our fate.”

  “Will I ever see you again?” Hugh asked.

  “I didn’t expect you’d wish to. But no, unless you come to our concerts. You’re welcome to come back to the lair if you do. But otherwise, I think this is where we part company forever.”

  “Goodbye, then. And thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, Hugh, son of Aoife.”

  Simon turned and flitted off as purples and oranges streaked the sky to the east.

  *

  Hugh entered the judgement room. Dandriloc looked at him and scowled.

  “These proceedings are private,” he said.

  “They concern my mother, and I am their cause. I think I have the right to be here and have some say as well.”

  Dandriloc glared at him, but as the words filtered through his authority, he saw the justice of it.

  “Very well. You shall be heard. Step forward and say who you are.”

  “I am Hugh, son of Aoife,” Hugh replied once he had entered the testimony box.

  “You were taken by pirates from your ship?”

  “I was. But the pirates were Vampyres. They boarded our ship, and we fought them off as best we could. But we had no chan
ce against Vampyres. They killed about half of our crew and took us prisoner.”

  “How did you discover they were Vampyres?”

  “I saw them feasting on some of our crew. I saw the blood dripping from their faces, and later they confessed that they were Vampyres.”

  “Were they Shauna Faun?”

  “No. They were outlanders. Their ship came from the Isle of the Dark Cove, but I later discovered they were from across the small sea.”

  “Why did they attack your ship?”

  “They seemed to know I was on it, and wanted me specifically.”

  “Why?”

  “They – well, their leader, when I eventually met him, said Simon and others of Shauna Faun owed him a debt and had killed two from his coven.”

  “And what have you to do with Shauna Faun?”

  “Nothing. I don’t listen to their music or have traffic with them. I once attended a concert to act as protection for the son of the man to whom I was apprenticed.”

  “Then why would they want you?”

  “Because they knew I was related to the High Priestess and that Zoe was as well. She apparently is Simon’s woman. But they thought Moira Holly was still High Priestess. So it is not my mother that they knew.”

  Dandriloc wrote on a parchment for a few minutes, his face troubled.

  “The ship carried no medallion of the goddess? You wear no amulet?”

  Hugh blushed and looked down before answering.

  “None have been attacked by Vampyres before, so I would imagine the ship captain did not see the need. And I – I did not think to meet Vampyres on the sea.”

  “You have little faith in the goddess, Hugh? The amulets protect against more than Vampyres. I would think the son of the High Priestess would be better educated –”

  “It is not my education that is lacking. It is more a matter of my faith. I am ashamed to say that it took this experience to teach me to attend more to my faith.”

  Dandriloc looked satisfied by the answer, but did not look pleased with Aoife.

  “Why did these Vampyres wish to capture one who was once related one of Shauna Faun?”