Jace: Stop, look at me.
Jace concentrated hard, keeping just a little concentration on the other slow moving guards, and giving the most to the one he was connected with. The other Clown guards glanced from him to their friend than back to Jace.
Jace: You will do as I say.
The guard nodded, Jace grinned.
Jace: Destroy and kill the guard next to you.
Jace thought, two down three to go. Too bad their minds are far stronger then the first guard.
However, it took a lot for Jace to use what compulsion he did.
“Well boys, I guess it’s time for a little magic.” Jace grinned wickedly having far too much fun. As the other Clowns realized what Jace was about to do it was too late. Jace chanted, “My thoughts will travel, as waves unravel. To their mind I send a wave to end, now crash into thee, so mote it bee.”
As he chanted Jace visualized a wave of water hitting his target, the three guards crashed into the wall with a bone-shattering crunch. Two got up and one stayed down.
Jace could live with that. Jace smiled, he had a brilliant idea.
First he would throw a slowdown spell, and then he thought it would be funny if he put one of them to sleep, while the other one struggled to walk.
Man, these Clowns that are on Kate’s side were not worthy opponents when a 17 year old was kicking their butt! Jace shook his head bitterly.
Jace chanted as the other two guards charged him, “Quick on your toes; however, now you will slow. Under your feet I call quicksand to flow. Snail like movement now your body cannot say no.”
Jace flung his hands out and a wave rippled under one of the guard’s feet. Slowly the floor started to pull him under just like quicksand. Stupidly, the other guard stopped and watched. If it wasn’t for the Clown mask, Jace would think he was scared.
Jace grinned, “Don’t worry buddy, you soon will join him,” and with that being said Jace chanted, “Core go around him. Power God if you will bind him. Interrupt the nature’s course and slow this ugly ass Clown down. I call to thee so mote it bee. Well,” Jace shrugged. “It’s not the best, but it will do.” Jace said as the last Clown slowed to a crawl. “Now, before quicksand Clown disappears completely under the floor, hmm, I want him to watch you take a nap. I sure hope you are not a Vamp, because once the lights go out you won’t be coming back.”
The Clown that was moving like a snail started to scream, it sounded funny. As if his voice was slowed down as well.
“I should let you bastards suffer.” Jace glared. The guard shook his head. Jace chanted. “Empty thoughts I command of thee, clear your mind so you shall sleep. Fast asleep and dream of night, darkness is you’re only light.”
The slow crawling guard slumped over and snored, Jace shook his head and smirked. He looked around and saw that the fighting was over. Oz had changed back and grabbed one of the dead guards clothing.
“I see you’re getting better at casting spells,” Oz said placing his hand on Jace’s shoulder. “But what was with the ugly ass Clown spell? Man it sucked Dragon balls.”
Jace shrugged him off and scowled; however, both of them burst out laughing. That’s when they heard a loud Boom, boom, boom.
I was running, and Asher was a good five feet behind me, Ziggy, Thorn and Reese were a faint distance in front of me. This place was falling apart. Everywhere I stepped, fire footprints seared the ground.
I had a really silly thought; if I ever wanted to help someone land a plane because they could not see, I would just call on my fire and walk a straight line. Voila, there you have it!
As the walls were caving in, Asher yelled through the noise, “The exit is just on the other side of this corner.”
I nodded glad that my fire was winding to embers, but soon I would be full on naked. Crap-crap-crap. This is gonna suck. I looked for a place to hide as we took the corner; I did not care that this place was crumbling before me; all I cared about was hiding my soon to be naked body. Man, the supernatural Gods need a handbook in situations like this one.
I yelled, “Asher I am about to be buck naked. When I duck behind something you better find me some clothing, got that!”
Asher chuckled as he pulled up beside me. Oh God, my fire was only covering me from the neck down to my knees. I was losing the flames with every step I took. I looked down at my body in horror, as my flames slowly rolled up and down my body. It was like I was giving a slow tantalizing tease revealing me and my privates to the world, like a peep show. I felt like my flames were mocking me.
“Kitten? Um, you think you might move just a little slower for me? I am seeing glimpses of that sweet, sweet body of yours.”
I quickly cyphered off Asher. Now I was moving at a fast speed, taking the corner at an alarming rate. I was ready to dash behind something, anything.
I heard Ziggy’s high pitch voice squeak, “Father!” He zinged by me in a blur of light.
But, that was not what stopped me dead; no something entirely wonderful happened . . . I saw the most breathtakingly-beautiful thing in that moment . . . I saw Jace! My Jace! Jace, Oz and some other supernaturals were coming our way; my eyes went wide with relief.
“Jace,” I screamed, running with my all to him. He looked up and smiled.
Then suddenly out of nowhere, Asher grabbed me and put his body in front of mine. I shoved him.
“Asher, move. I know him.”
“Kitten have you seen what you have on?” He asked.
“Nothing,” I replied rolling my eyes.
“Exactly,” Asher shook his head. I felt stupid.
“Let her go.” Jace said roaring. His voice was more commanding in that second then I had ever heard.
“Calm yourself boy,” Asher snapped, “I will let her go once Kitten has something on over her body. If any of you would be so kind as to volunteer some of your clothing; that would be wonderful.” He said sarcastically.
I felt silly for hiding, but I was grateful to Asher. At least someone was thinking rationally.
“Thank you,” I sighed.
“It is my pleasure Kitten,” Asher whispered. “I just want you to know… You have a sexy ass.” He chuckled.
I wanted to smack him, what an arrogant Vamp.
“Oh, go suck some blood you stinking leech.”
“Why Kitten, don’t you know it’s not nice to threaten a Vampire with blood? When, said Vampire might just take you up on that offer.”
I swallowed. Jace handed me his shirt, at least it was long.
Peachy, just freaking peachy!
Finally I got what I wanted from the moment I laid eyes on Jace. I ran to him. I didn’t care what I looked like.
Besides, it was too late for the whole slow-motion movie scene.
Once I reached Jace, I immediately threw my arms around his neck. Jace caught me up, spinning me around.
“Charlie, oh my little Fox! You’re ok, you’re ok!” He said. Jace’s whole body was shaking.
I nodded. “I’ve missed you.” I sniffed.
“And I you Fox and I you!” Jace brushed a strand of hair out of my face and kissed the tip of my nose.
Jace carried me out of the building still cradled in his arms. I could have walked on my own, but I wanted to feel Jace’s arms. I wanted to feel safe. I saw Asher watching us. He nodded and quickly looked away. I saw Ziggy as he was reunited with his sisters. They hugged their father and brother. Sally hugged the Troll that was with Jace and Oz. Then it seemed to happen at once, we all turned and watched the cave /building/prison crumble to the ground. All the captives shouted, happy to see it gone. After seeing everyone on their way, Jace, Oz, and I headed off.
“I’m glad you’re ok.” Oz said into the silence.
“Thanks, Oz.” I said over Jace’s shoulder. After the threat was gone, I told Jace he could put me down, but he insisted on carrying me. I was fine with that. Well one thing I have to say about fire, the smell of ash and smoke replaces the smell of my nasty three day old BO. Because
a smoky Charlie has to be better than a Charlie who smells like sweat, lack of hygiene, vomit, blood and I hate to say it, but urine.
Okay, so I urinated on myself, but God what did you think my full bladder would do? Hold out until I was rescued? I think not, so smoky Charlie was way better then BO Charlie. Yuck! How could Asher’s nose have stood me? I let down the wall that connected me to him. For some reason I needed to hear his voice. Freaking-blood-bond.
Asher: There you are Kitten. I have been waiting for you to let me back in. Miss me already.
I asked just to be talking to him: How old are you?
Asher: Well, how old do I look?
I said: Maybe twenty two?
Asher: Actually Kitten I was turned at the age of nineteen.
I frowned: But you look . . . In your eyes you look so much older and the way you carry yourself.
Asher: I said I was turned when I was nineteen, I did not say how long I have existed.
I asked: Asher, are you going to tell me?
Asher: Kitten I am far older then you are, if we are talking Vampire terms.
Again I asked: How much older?
Asher: Old enough!
I wanted to talk, but not that bad so I said: Fine bye!
Asher: Kitten, do not be like that—
I slammed the walls down.
So much for small talk and trying to get my mind off what happened to me: Thanks a lot Asher.
Slowly I fell asleep in Jace’s warm secure arms. I opened my eyes to see that I was lying on a black couch with a light blue shawl draped over my lower body. I guess we were at Eli’s place. I sat up with a groan. I realized I was in my own clothes and wonderfully clean. I looked around and spotted my mother and father talking to Eli. I jumped up and stumbled over to them crying. I hugged them from behind.
“Mom! Dad you’re alive! You’re alive! You’re alive!” I repeated over and over so glad they made it out of the house fire.
“Shh, baby where ok.” Mom smiled down at me.
I held on to them as if my life depended on it, and maybe in the moment it did. I cried the tears I held back in my prison; I cried the tears when I thought they were gone out of my life for good. I cried tears of joy. I cried so much until I had no more tears to cry, and then I just held onto them shaking. My body was trebling with the effort to stand. I was so overwhelmingly happy, all the while dry sobs racked my body. Someone picked me up and carried me over to the couch. I finally got myself under control and saw my Daddy. My beautiful-wonderful-Daddy cradling me as he did when I was a little girl. He smiled and kissed my cheek. Tears were in his eyes. Mom was beside us crying.
“We tried to get to you Kiddo, but there was a shield blocking you from us.” I nodded, as Daddy went on. “Then we set up a search party. But I see you, Jace and some others had it all under-control, didn’t you?” I nodded again smiling. ”We are so proud of you Kiddo; you are so brave and strong. We heard what you did. You are so courageous. We love you Kiddo, you know that right?” I nodded smiling bigger, “You know we really tried?”
“Yes Daddy, I know and I love you guys so much.” I laughed, there was no reason behind my laughter other then I was just so overcome with joy. I just had to laugh.
I heard several chuckles and some snorts; I turned my head to see we had an audience.
Oh, hell, I swallowed and glanced around the room. Reese, a dark kid with glasses and I am guessing his father were here. Sally and her husband, Eli and some of the council members, Ziggy, Magpie, Dory and their clan hovered in the corner. Jace and his family, Oz, Zeb and even Asher were all gathered. There were a few others I didn’t recognize, but still it was a little overwhelming.
“Mom, Dad what’s going on?”
“Charlie,” Mom murmured, “Some people are here to meet you and others are here to have a talk with you about Kate and Jerold.”
I groaned and closed my eyes. I slowly shook my head and sighed, “Fine, meet away.”
Reese and the black kid stepped up first, I studied the kid. For some reason it seemed I should know him, his cocky grin just seemed so familiar. He had dark eyes, dark skin and dark hair. He was skinny, wearing blue jeans, a white shirt and cowboy boots. He had on glasses, ruining the whole badass look he had going. He tilted his head and sneered, I almost laughed, but I held it in. I knew who it was in that instance: Thorn. Oh yeah, that was Thorn, no doubt about it. So this was what Lizard boy looked like, not so scary in human shape are we? I wanted to rub it in, but I waited, I’ll know when the right moment will be.
Reese was more beautiful than ever. I guess now that he has his magic back it brings out the Fay in him. He was dressed all in white from the crown on his head to the cloak around his neck. He looked like a prince; the crown had white diamonds and green leaves intertwining around his head. Reese ears were notable; the point’s stuck out from his crown, and his hair was braided down his back. He grinned and I found myself smiling back.
“Fair Charlie, allow me to introduce my father, King Demetrius of the Seelie court.” Reese’s voice was calm with that strange hint of accent.
Reese’s father stepped around him, and oh God he was breathtaking. He looked to be around nineteen or twenty, the first thing I noticed was his wings, they were almost translucent, a light blue, almost white with red and black lines etching the inside. His wingspan had to be at least three feet long and three feet wide. Crystals seemed to sparkle as the light hit the tips of his wings, casting colors around the room in a prism of light. As if his wings would break light up into its constituent spectral colors, kind of like the colors of the rainbow. The crystals on his wings were so remarkable, reflecting light, or as if it split light into components with different polarizations. That was the first thing I saw, but hell, King Demetrius was the total package.
Chapter Thirty Five
Marked by a Fairy
King Demetrius’s hair was long and silver; his bangs were pinned back with a clip leaving the rest of his hair to flow around him. He had gray/green eyes, a chiseled jaw; rosy cheeks and white skin. King Demetrius lips were full and his nose was tilted up, he too was dressed in white. I looked at Thorn then back at Reese and his father. Funny, Thorn was the only one that looked out of place in Reese’s entourage. How in the heck did he become friends with Reese?
“Hello King Demetrius, it’s very nice to meet you.” I held out my hand. Okay, so it was kinda shaking. God he was just so freaking beautiful.
He raised his eyebrow, and then he lifted my hand and placed a kiss on the inside of my wrist. Heat swirled around my wrist in a vice like grip; I closed my eyes and felt myself move closer to the king. Dad clutched my waist. It was a little too hard, but it did the job. I felt sad all of a sudden. I looked at my Dad sharply. My Father looked at the King. But the King was looking at me with a raptured expression. Okay, what was up with that? I heard a couple of gasps, and some murmuring, Reese looked outraged and Thorn looked shocked. However, I had no clue what the big deal was. I slowly withdrew my hand, still feeling some kind of loss. The king grinned, a slow grin.
Reese said, “Father, how could you?”
Reese’s father looked at him, and that was all it took. Reese ducked his head and looked down. What was going on? Even so, I knew there was one way to find out what just happened and what was going on. A way that would let me be sneaky, without letting everyone know what exactly I was doing.
Well, that is if I was good at it, but I really wasn’t the best at this power-magic thing. Ugh.
I could, however, cypher off of Eli and read the kings mind or Reese’s for that matter. But, I was kind of afraid they would know what I was doing. Damn it, the only thing left was Asher.
Crap, crap, crap on toast.
I let just the wall blocking Asher out down and thought. Me: What the hell just happened with Reese and Daddy dearest?
Asher: Kitten, Kitten, Kitten. You have just been marked by the King of the Seelie court. What are you going to do now?
The way Ashe
r said it sounded kind of like a game show host. You’ve just won a new car, what are you going to do now? Wow, I cannot believe it Bob; I guess I will take that car for a spin. Lame, lame, lame, I know!
I asked: Marked, what are you talking about?
Asher: It looks like The Fairy king fancies you. He marked you as his.
I panicked, but I was still smiling at the Fairies.
I asked: Tell me everything in a sec, okay?
Asher: As my lady ask.
I said: Can the sarcasm.
I then put the wall back up. Asher glared at me. I just smirked; hey he was the one that put a blood bond on me, so I was going to try my hardest to make him want this bond gone.
“Yer very exquisite,” Demetrius’s voice was low and soft with a hint of an accent. I thought Reese had a faint accent, but his father’s voice was more pronounced.
Maybe Scottish, I didn’t know for sure.
“I’m now, in yer debt,” Demetrius said with a grin.
I heard some more gasps and murmurs. I shook my head; I was so getting pissed at the way everyone was acting.
“Well, I don’t know what to say…” I stopped my words and frowned, because the king looked eager. As if he was waiting for my next words. As if he was on the edge of a cliff and what I was about to say would determine whether or not he’ll jump off. Weird! He leaned in as I opened my mouth to say thanks, but that was when Reese kicked me. I stopped, looked at Reese and saw panic. Was he panicking over what I was about to say? Something wasn’t right, and Reese’s kicking me proved it. I let down my walls again, almost rolling my eyes. My on information booth: That was so Asher.
I asked: Asher, what just happened?
Asher: Kitten do not say thank you to a Fay, whatever you do.
I said: Okay, thank you.
For now, I guess, I’ll let the wall between us stay down. Besides, I might have to ask him something else, who knows. Okay, yeah now that I can’t say thank you to the king, like I want to, the words were on the tip of my tongue. When you tell me not to do it, well, I almost have to do it. Anyway, the king did not notice the kick. I smiled at Reese and nodded. He looked relieved; his shoulders sagged as the king, still standing there watched my lips.
A Blaze of Magic: Chosen Saga Book Two Page 24