by CJ England
She was led to a side entrance. She touched it, and it gave way to her magick with a soft ... snick. Moving slowly, she walked across the wide entrance and through the archways that led to the stands. Grimacing at the pain in her feet, Kira made her way down the hundreds of stadium steps to the baseball field.
The Mound of the Faerie wasn't always housed in the middle of a baseball field. For the safety of their people, the faerie had spelled it so it was never in the same place twice. Plus, it couldn't be seen by a normal human, so it was rarely discovered.
The faerie people consisted of many type of supernatural creatures, all grouped under the heading of faerie. Elves, Gnomes, Trolls, Goblins and Dwarves fell under this category, as did dozens of other lesser-known faeries. Most were immortal.
The faerie were the holders of the old magick. Magick that existed before the creation of the world. It was different than the magick a witch would wield. Most witches got their power from the earth, whereas a faerie carried the power inside themselves. The faerie considered a witch's power ... new magick, and something to look down upon.
Kira stood in front of the silent mound. It was several feet taller than her and looked to be about thirty feet wide. There was no movement, so she just waited. After a time, the mound trembled. A passageway shimmered into being directly in front of her. From it stepped three faeries.
One was small and dark green. A goblin, with bulbous eyes, long skinny nose and sharp teeth. It had skinny arms and legs and was totally hairless. It held a faerie animal on a leash. The animal looked somewhat like a cross between an anteater and a wolf, with large tuffs of hair covering all of its body except its elongated snout.
The third faerie was as beautiful as the others were ugly. With the pointed ears he had, Kira knew him to be an elf. He had shining silver hair that reached to his waist. His face was lean with a beauty that shone in the night sky. He was tall and thin and wore a crown of stars on his head. It was this faerie who spoke.
"What dost thou want here, child of man?"
Kira felt the trance lift from her. She smiled as her power stirred within her. “I wish to meet with the Emperor of the Faerie. Please take me to him."
The shining elf made no response to her statement, but just studied her for a long moment. A wind began to pick up around the mound and Kira felt herself begin to shiver. The goblin and his odd-looking pet didn't move.
"Thou speak as though thou knowest of my kind, yet thou art human. How can this be?"
Kira sighed. “I am who and what I am. I will explain everything to your Emperor."
"Sssheee mussst be sssearched.” The goblin spoke in a sibilant tone. The ant/wolf slobbered at his feet.
"Wilt thou agree to this?” The elf pointed to the goblin's pet. “This is a Slornoth. A magick seeker. He will see if thou art true magick or counterfeit."
Kira looked askance at the slobbering creature. “If he must seek me, he has my permission."
The goblin excitedly brought the creature to Kira. It began circling her, its snout sniffing the air. After several times around, it stopped, looked at its master and whined.
"Sssheee isss sssheilding,” the goblin spat.
The elf looked at Kira. “Thou must drop thy shielding so the seeker can do its work."
Kira looked at the three faerie. She didn't want to drop her shielding completely. She didn't want the animal to know what her magick was.
She suddenly realized she wished her Chosen were here. She had been a fool to allow herself to be entranced and go off without them. But she was here now and had to get inside the mound. Sighing again, she concentrated and dropped the shielding just enough to let magick pour through.
The Slornoth went crazy. It bustled around Kira, making happy little noises deep in its throat. It whined to its master, who pursed his lips and looked sour at the outcome of the seeking.
The elf was gratified. “Thou dost carry true magick. I will take thee for an audience with the Emperor."
The goblin and the Slornoth moved ahead of the elf through the shimmering doorway.
The elf turned to Kira and held out his hand. “Come, thou art now a guest of the faerie people.” She took it, and together they walked through the shimmering doorway, which faded from sight after their passage.
* * * *
"So just where is this Faerie Emperor?” Lucas asked. He was sitting in the back of the Mercedes with Patrick and Benjamin. Danolas had shotgun this time.
Danolas shook his head. “That's the hard part. The home of the Emperor, The Faerie Mound, doesn't stay in one place. It moves around."
"How the hell do we find it then?” Benjamin asked. “How do we find Kira?"
"We wait until we can sense her.” Gallegar drove slowly down the streets in a residential neighborhood. “We know Kira's aura went this way. If we have to, we can track her."
"This sucks,” Lucas grumbled. “I'm gonna tan her hide for running away from us."
No one else said anything, but all were in agreement. No matter what had happened between Kira and Gallegar, Kira's leaving had been a bad idea.
"Tell us about the Faerie. All I've ever heard was legends.” Patrick smiled. “They're immortal, so none come to my part of town."
Danolas turned and spoke over the back of his seat. “They are a people of tremendous power. Their magick has been around since the beginning of the universe. They keep to themselves and don't mingle with other supernaturals. As you said, they are immortal, and it's said they carry the cunning of the ages in their souls. Most of what we know is from the stories and legends we read when we were children.” He glanced back at the second car in the side mirror.
"There are stories that they mate with humans to keep their bloodlines fresh. Then they steal the immortal child and replace it with a changeling, who dies soon after."
"Nice,” grunted Lucas. “But none of that helps us find them."
"We aren't looking for them,” Gallegar put in. “We're looking for Kira."
"Who we wouldn't be looking for now, if you hadn't left her in the first place,” Lucas shot back at him.
Gallegar's fingers clenched on the wheel. He took a deep breath, holding onto his temper. Lucas had been sniping at him since Kira had disappeared.
"We will find her,” was all he said.
"Is their magick stronger than yours?” Benjamin asked, trying to change the subject. He had been impressed by what he had seen Danolas and his acolytes do.
"They'd say it is. But I am not sure. It's probably just different. I've never had a chance to go head to head with a faerie."
"Hopefully you won't tonight."
Lucas was nervously drumming his fingers on the armrest. “This is crazy,” he finally said out loud. “We're never gonna find her, just driving around in a car. There has gotta be a better way!"
"I'm open for suggestions,” Gallegar bit out. He'd just about had it with Lucas and his pessimism.
"Don't look at me. I'm not the one who lost her in the first place. This is your mess to clean up."
"That's it!” Gallegar pulled to the side of the road and slammed on his brakes. The four men went flying, their bodies hitting what was in front of them. They all stared at Gallegar, shocked into speechlessness.
Gallegar sat still, his arms braced on the wheel, his body tense. “I know I screwed up. I shouldn't have argued with Kira. I shouldn't have left her alone. I should have stayed with her and brought her down to the party."
He turned and looked right at Lucas. His eyes were like emeralds in his face. “Do you think I wanted this to happen? I'm in love with Kira. She is more important to me than my own life. The thought of her out here by herself, doing whatever it is she is doing without us scares the hell out of me. I would do anything to get her back safely."
They sat silent as Gallegar sighed and ran a hand through his already tousled hair. “Would taking a stake to my heart make you feel any better, Lucas?” he asked quietly. “Will yelling at me make Kira return to
us?"
His gaze met Lucas’ once more. “I know we both love and want her, but we can't let it get in the way of why she was sent here.” He looked down, and his jaw tensed.
"I forgot that once already this evening. I forgot Kira is more than just the woman I love, and so we hurt each other. I would give anything if it hadn't happened. I would give my life for her ... just as I know you would. Can't we put this behind us and work together?"
Lucas sat there, immobilized by Gallegar's speech. He could sense his sincerity and his anguish through their link. He probably could have already, if he had let himself see it.
He was just too angry at Gallegar. Not just for leaving Kira alone, he admitted to himself. He was angry Gallegar had spent time loving her. Lucas wasn't sure how far it had gone, but he was pretty sure they hadn't made love. Gallegar didn't have the look of a satisfied man, just an unhappy one.
The bottom line was he was jealous. The same emotion that seemed to plague them over and over again. He didn't know how he could help it, but he knew he had to try. He laughed to himself. The funny thing was when he wasn't mad at Gallegar, Lucas thought of him as an all right guy ... for a vampire.
"You're right,” he said, leaning forward and putting his hand on Gallegar's shoulder. “It's time to end this. We're a team, but we haven't been acting like one. I don't blame you for losing Kira. That's not why I was mad."
Their eyes met, and understanding flashed between them. “We all love her. We're the luckiest men in this city to be with such a woman. Even though she makes us crazy sometimes.” They all gave a weak chuckle. Lucas went on.
"I'm sorry too. I can be a real asshole when something doesn't go my way. I know we can't pretend it never happened, but we can go on from here ... okay?"
"Okay,” Gallegar's voice was ragged.
"Anybody else got any problems, while we're clearing the air?"
There was silence for a minute, before Patrick piped up. “Now that you mention it, I'm kinda pissed Benjamin and I haven't gotten to link with y'all yet."
Gallegar gave a snort of laughter, but Lucas shook his head firmly. “Sorry, friend, but there is no way in hell I'm dropping my pants in a car full of guys on a dark street!"
Everyone burst into laughter, except Benjamin, who looked from one to another, and asked, “What'd I miss?"
They were still laughing when they felt Kira's shields drop and her power flow back into them. It was so sudden, Gallegar was glad he hadn't been driving, because it hit them all and bent them double. They hadn't even been aware of the deprivation, till it had ended.
"Holy Mother of God!” Patrick crossed himself, as he shook his head, trying to clear it. It took a few minutes for the power to get back to a normal level within them.
"Remind me to tell Kira she's not to raise her shields completely again. If we had been in battle, we would have been helpless. That could have wiped us all out.” Benjamin wiped his forehead with a shaky hand.
Lucas agreed with a growl. “I can sense her. I know she's alive, but I feel fear too."
"It is good she has lowered her shields. We know she is all right.” Gallegar's voice was rough with relief.
"Better than that,” Danolas said, with a smile. “I know how to find her. I saw a flash of The Faerie Mound when she came back to us. I now know where she is."
* * * *
Kira lost track of all the corridors and rooms they traveled through since entering the mound. Some had been fancy, others quite plain, but all beautiful to see.
There were faerie in the rooms too. Kira could get glimpses of them as they flitted past, peeking at her through the doors.
The goblin and his pet had peeled away from them soon after entering the mound. Kira got the impression he hadn't wanted to be around her, any more than she wanted to be with him.
The tall elf hadn't said another word to her, just motioned her to follow him as they set off down the many hallways.
"How many faeries live here?” Kira snatched a quick look at a small faerie as it peeped out from under a chair.
The elf jumped, almost like he had forgotten she was there. “It is unknown how many reside in the mound. It is thought there are ten thousand faeries living here. But they come and go as they please."
"Is the mound big enough?” Kira asked, her eyes wide.
The shining elf turned and smiled at her. “It is as big as it needs to be. There is always enough space."
Kira noticed he had dropped the polite courtly speech he had used outside. “Since we are talking normally with each other, can you tell me your name?"
"I am known as Tamblith ... of the Star People. May I know yours?"
"I am Kira.” She stopped, not knowing quite how to continue.
"And your people?” Tamblith pressed politely.
Kira smiled as the answer came to her. “My people are the Chosen Ones."
They had entered a hallway wider than any they had gone down previously. It was decorated in flowing crimson drapes and gilt carvings. At the end was a large door. Kira could sense the power that hummed around it. A muted light shone like flickering flames of fire around the doorframe.
The elf waved a hand at the entrance. “This is the chamber of our Emperor. He will wish a token."
Kira blinked at him. How she wished she wasn't alone. She had no one to give her council. She opted for honesty. “What is a token, Tamblith?"
Tamblith gaped at her. He looked at her unbelievingly for so long, Kira began to get impatient. She repeated herself.
"My apologies, my Lady. I have never had an applicant not carry a token for the Emperor."
"I did not say I did not have a token. I just do not know what a token is."
Tamblith scratched his head. “A token is a gift, one to curry favor."
Kira smiled. “I have myself to offer to your Emperor."
Tamblith sighed as he opened the door. “I hope that will be enough."
The chamber was lit with the same fiery light as the door. The carpet was a deep pile, scarlet in color. It made the whole room look like it had been drenched in blood. Soft golden curtains hung along the walls. Elaborate furniture graced most of the room, with a large couch at the center. It too was made out of red velveteen and had golden arms and legs. Soft pillows were strewn over it.
On it, reclined the Faerie Emperor. He was an elf, older than Kira had expected, in his mid-fifties, if she went by human age. He had golden hair, real gold, and his face was golden too. In fact, everything about him was golden, from the top of his head to the slippers on his feet. A golden man.
His face was handsome, but lined around the eyes and mouth as if he didn't smile often. He looked tired. He stared at Kira and his look made her uncomfortable. He raised his hand and held it out imperiously to Tamblith, never taking his eyes off of her.
Tamblith cleared his throat apologetically. “She has no token, my Emperor."
The Emperor sat up on the sofa. “You have nothing to give me?” His tone was incredulous.
"I do.” Kira looked at the Emperor.
The Emperor glared at Tamblith, who swallowed quickly. “She says she has herself to give."
The Emperor laughed. He raked Kira up and down with disparaging eyes and then laughed again.
"She has true magick, my Emperor.” Tamblith's voice was shaky.
The emperor reclined back on his couch. His expression was bored. “What magick does this child have that would interest me?"
Kira held her chin up proudly. “I have magick such as you have never seen, Emperor of the Faeries. I am Kira. I am Peacekeeper. I..."
Kira waited for her power to tell her who to join with, but there was nothing. She firmed her jaw and went on. “I am here to join with your kind and to protect them. A war is coming, one that can do damage to all of our people. I have been sent here to help you, Emperor of the Faeries, so your people will continue to live."
The Emperor sat stock still, his mouth slightly open as he listened to Kira's ann
ouncement. His shocked eyes glanced at Tamblith—then to Kira—then back to Tamblith again. He opened and shut his mouth a couple of times before coming to his feet. He loomed over her.
"You dare threaten me ... human?"
Kira frowned at him in confusion. “I did not threaten you.” Her words were matter-of-fact. “I just told you what would happen to you in the future if you do not join with me. A war is coming, one that will be fought against all supernaturals. If you wish to survive it, you must ally yourself with other supernaturals and join with me.” She paused, considering.
"And I do not think I am human. I do not know what I am."
Without asking permission, the Emperor took Kira's chin in his hand. Kira wished again her joined ones were with her. They would not have allowed him so close. That she had the power to stop him wasn't the point. She just wanted them with her.
"You carry the old magick in you.” The Emperor turned her chin back and forth as if examining it. “You have strength.” He dropped her chin and turning, flung himself back down on the couch. “But you carry the stench of other magick also. I smell death on you, Peacekeeper."
Kira blushed, wondering to herself if it was magick he smelled, or Gallegar's scent on her skin. “I am allied with other supernaturals. Their magicks are all different. In joining, we have shared those magicks with each other and become stronger as a result."
The Faerie Emperor sneered at her. “My kind does not need to ally themselves with those of lesser magick. We are strong, not weak!"
"With my Lord's permission?” Tamblith waited to speak.
"Yes?” The Emperor made the word sound frightening.
"New ... new blood is always welcome to our people. Perhaps a treaty based on that."
With a snarl, the Emperor flung out his hand. Tamblith was hurled into the air and slammed into one of the curtained walls. He was held there by the Emperor's power. Blood poured from his mouth. Something had been broken inside him.
"We take new blood by conquering it, not by allying with it!” the Emperor roared. “That has always been our way!"
Suddenly, the goblin who had greeted Kira outside rushed into the room. Bowing low, he crawled up to the Faerie Emperor. He was shaking with agitation.