Through Time-Slamming

by Conn, Claudy

  No one was telling her anything, but she knew the situation was about to unravel.

  She was twelve years old and felt as though she had already lived a lifetime. She was tired of training. She was sick of jousting with a fake sword. She was ready to help. She was confident that she could help. She was quickly learning on her own.

  She hadn’t reached the pinnacle of her powers. She knew she wouldn’t attain them until her majority, but she was probably more powerful than any Fae alive including the Royals. She knew this was more than a feeling and she was ready to test herself..

  She held back all the time during her training sessions. She was afraid that if she gave in to the swirling magic building up inside of her, the human would be lost. She didn’t want to lose her human side. She wasn’t ready to let go of that part of her life.

  Her life? She had been ripped out of her century, and thrown into Faery. She sighed and thought of Nuad.

  Nuad had been training her to fight. Symba the Seelie Art director had been training her to adapt to the present human world and to the Seelie world. She believed she had assimilated everything they had taught her…..and more.

  Still, no one took her seriously.

  No one except Jazz treated her like a thinking person. She should tell Jazz what was happening and what was happening to her body magically, but Jazz was presently closeted in the War Room.

  There was a slightly different breeze with the scent of pine and heather as she turned around. In spite of the fact that the Dark Ones were their sworn enemies, she smiled and said softly, “Graely.”

  “Frankie,” he said and she saw him actually really smile for the first time since she had encountered him.

  He dropped down beside her and sighed heavily, “Frankie, I know the Sluagh is your father.”

  “Y—es?”

  “He and Trevor will be meeting with my brother Pestale, and I cannot say for sure, but I believe it is a trap. I don’t want you to think I had anything to do with it although it was I who delivered the message.”

  Frankie felt her heart skip a beat and her hazel eyes glittered suddenly with amber fire. “Graely, ye can’t let him hurt my da. Ye can’t.”

  “They don’t trust me. I am not privy to their plans and if I intervene they will combine their powers and kill me. I am not certain why they haven’t done so yet, because I am sure Pestale knows I am not one of them…not really.”

  “I must go to m’da and to Trevor…I must stop this meeting,” she said getting to her feet in a rush.

  He took her hand as he jumped up and stood looking at her., “No. They won’t pay any mind to you, child. You may feel all grown up, but the truth is you aren’t. He won’t listen to you. You are just too young.”

  “Too young? I don’t think so! I am a part of this and have been from the day we encountered Hordly in my time. Graely, you know that I have been to the Dark Realm and back, and you must also know that I feel things beyond my kin…and…,” she was about to tell him more and stopped herself.

  He saw it at once. “Ah, you don’t quite trust me.” He sighed heavily. “I understand, but know this, Frankie of Sluagh, you can. I mean for you to trust me and I will never let you down.”

  She looked into his black eyes. Some would call them dark as charcoal, but she knew better. Like charcoal, they could be ignited.

  “Friendship is earned,” she said quietly.

  “Then so it shall be,” he said.

  “Help me protect Trevor and m’da.”

  “I wish that I could, but I don’t see how,” he said and shifted off.

  She was aware of a feeling of loss when he left. She was in many ways quite lonely in this new world so full with impending dangers. He was the only adult that seemed to listen to her.

  “Now da,” she said out loud. “You are not leaving to meet Pestale without me.”

  She shifted uninvited into the Queen’s War Room and looked around. “Where is da?”

  Aaibhe came to her to put an arm around her, but Frankie was now upset and forgot herself as she shrugged the Queen’s hand off and stepped away, “Da! Where is Da?” She turned to Jazz whose eyes were tear-filled and whose cheeks were wet. She knew. She ran to Jazz and hugged her tightly and whispered, “Don’t let anything happen to m’da and Trevor.”

  Jazz was choked up. In the end, Trevor and Deimne had set aside their objections. They had formulated a plan that Jazz felt was doomed from the outset. Her gut told her that Pestale was ready for them and that what he was planning was something they would not be able to control.

  Trevor had disregarded the Queen’s command and Deimne had apologized with a tilt of his head. He said that he must give Trevor back-up. The two, as requested sent their message on the wind to Graely.

  Chapter Twenty

  BANZAR’S EYES WERE slits as he thought about Aaibhe and paced in the comfort of his home.

  His lip curled as he thought of what she had done to him. He would never forgive her for humiliating him. The others might wish to move on and forget the horror of their present positions, but he would not…could not forget.

  Everywhere he went; Fae looked at him and shook their heads. He had lost his position on the Council and if that was degrading enough everyone knew what he had tried to do, and his brethren seemed to despise him for it.

  They didn’t understand that their Queen that they purported to admire so very much, was a traitor to their way of life!

  He would get his revenge.

  He had the means to it.

  The other ex-Council members were trying to get a semblance of their old life back, but he was moving on with his into another facet. He was going to make life just what he had planned it to be.

  His eyes were bright with his obsession and his lips were curved, but the smile held only a frigid breath of air as the words he whispered were filled with hatred. He knew himself obsessed, but didn’t care. He told himself he wasn’t going mad, for he had long ago taken the waters of the Cauldron to stave off the madness that comes with immortality. He swept his loose and bright red locks behind his handsome head and looked at himself in the mirror. He believed he was beautiful, with black glittering eyes so unlike most of his kind. He was also smarter than most non-royals.

  He reveled in his own brilliance in the quiet of his study. He turned away from his reflection in the long looking glass. It was a good thing that he had foresight and an understanding of the history of the Royal Scepter.

  Things would soon change for Queen Aaibhe.

  She was not expecting any retaliation for her actions and he would take her by surprise.

  He laughed out loud as he thought how easy it had been to steal the Royal Scepter from her.

  The Queen was notorious for sending off her magical artifacts and then forgetting about their existence. She did so in his presence only a few months ago. Fearing that it would fall into the wrong hands during the war with Gaiscioch, she sent it off to keep it safe.

  However, he had been watchful and had casually suggested she make a record of its whereabouts. She had laughed but had then done just that, right in his presence. Another fault of the Queen. She trusted her fellow Fae. She should not have.

  It was an easy thing to open her record book which she neglected to put away immediately. It was also easy to locate the dimension and retrieve and study the Royal artifact to learn how to manipulate its many powers It must be ready for use when all else failed.

  All else had failed and the Scepter would now do what his peaceful coup could not. He would send the Queen off to a dimension from which she could not escape.

  Banzar would do that and then he would turn to his fellow Fae and show them just how powerful he was.

  Only one problem remained. He was not of Royal blood and the Scepter’s inner most powerful magic would only respond to a Royal. He had only been able to access the least powerful of its magic threads.

  “Never mind,” he said to the empty room. “It will do what I need. He la
ughed out loud and it was the sound of madness, but he told himself it was purpose.

  ~*~

  Jazz took Frankie’s hand in hers and shifted to the lovely pink sands of the beach at Tir.

  Frankie needed some down time with her and in spite of her concern, regarding Trevor she bucked up her spirits for Frankie’s sake.

  They walked in a comfortable silence for a moment and then Frankie said, “Da sent me a message just a moment ago. He didn’t say much. It was more a whisper in m’head, it was. Just m’name and that he would see me soon.”

  “And he will,” Jazz said with a comforting smile.

  “That’s just it. Jazz. I know that devil Pestale is up to something. Ye see…Graely told me.”

  Jazz stopped short. “Graely? Graely spoke to you?” Irrational fear shook Jazz to her core. This mysterious Dark Prince had sought out Frankie.

  “Aye, he did. Jazz, he isn’t like his brothers.”

  Jazz knew she had to control herself or Frankie would stop confiding in her. She had to hear what the child had to say and try to guide her, but it was hard when every inch of her wanted to yell and tell her to stay away from him.

  “Well, I did witness him saving a mother and child, so I agree that there is more to this Dark Prince than we know. However, I don’t like that he visits you alone,” Jazz said.

  Frankie eyed her. “Hmm, I don’t think he would ever harm me. Quite the opposite Jazz. Do you trust me to know such things?”

  Jazz cautioned herself. “Yes, I trust you. Do you trust me as an adult to try and guide you and keep you safe?”

  “Oh I do, Jazz, I do! Ye be the only one who has never treated me like just a baby. And ye really listen to me. Do ye think he means us harm, this Graely?”

  “In truth my gut says no, but my sense of self preservation puts me on guard. Do you understand that? Do you think it fair that we not make up our minds about him until we know more?”

  Frankie considered her words for a moment and then hugged her fiercely. “I do, but Jazz, what are we going to do? M’da is out there. Trevor is out there. How can we bring them back safely?”

  Jazz just hugged her. “Not sure yet, sweetie pie.” She sighed and added, “but I tell you what, nothing will happen to your father or to Trevor. They are both too smart and besides, they are forewarned. They are ready for Pestale and his tricks.”

  “No, they aren’t,” Frankie cried. “Don’t ask me how I know, I just do. Pestale has something he is planning and it will surprise them.”

  The same feeling had been flowing through Jazz’s veins. She had an awful premonition about this thing. A vision of only one thing—that it wasn’t going to go well.

  However, she had to look after Frankie. The child had been through so much. She just couldn’t let her worry and fret, but Frankie would see right through it if she tried to lie. “I am not going to whitewash this for you, Frankie girl. I love you too much to tell you everything is going to be fine and that they have a decent backup plan. I don’t think that at all. However, I will tell you that I do think your da and my Trevor are not easily beaten. I do think that Pestale won’t be able to best them, so that is where we are.”

  “Thank ye, Jazz. I can always count on ye to not treat me like I’m a stick of wood,” Frankie said solemnly. “Ye know what?”

  “What?” Jazz smiled widely.

  “We will be their back up plan.” Frankie suddenly smiled.

  Jazz touched her nose. “You mean I will be their back up plan. For all of your abilities, you are still a young girl.”

  “That may be so, Jazmine Decker.” Frankie mimicked Trevor’s voice and laughed. “But there are things about me you have yet to learn.” With which she giggled at herself.

  Jazz pulled on Frankie’s long lock of gold lit auburn hair and sighed heavily. Something was off in the atmosphere. She could feel it and what was more, it was getting stronger. Something huge was breathing fire. What the hell was it?

  Was it just the unknown that had her off kilter?

  The sky was as always in Tir, captivatingly blue and cloudless. And yet, she saw a blot of something high above. It wasn’t really there. It was a vision in her head. A flying something…

  “What is it Jazz?” Frankie asked wide-eyed and alert.

  “Nothing sweetie,” Jazz answered.

  Frankie stared into the sky. “No ye know better. I feel it too. M’Fios feels it. M’Fae feels it…oh Jazz, the Sluagh in me is shaking. Something is coming!”

  They stood looking up, but were unable to discern anything out of the ordinary and Jazz said, “Let’s get back to the palace.” She pulled Frankie close and shifted.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  TREVOR SHIFTED ONTO the grassy slope of the Lower Lake With his Death Sword ready he looked at Deimne who had shifted to stand beside him.

  Deimne was not built like a warrior, but he was muscular and Trevor knew he was very capable. He watched as Deimne drew in his wings and folded his arms across his chest.

  “Where do you think he is Deimne?”

  “I don’t think they have shifted in, but I think I shall watch your back for no doubt he means to have Hordly come up behind us.”

  “Aye, Deimne, something feels off in the atmosphere.”

  “I agree. I have a very bad feeling about this Trevor.” the Sluagh looked up into the Irish sky and added. “My blood is shouting a warning to my brain, an ancient warning, but it can’t be…it is impossible!”

  “What is impossible?” Trevor asked sharply.

  “Nothing. Perhaps, it is just the Daoine in me revolting at this meeting. Trevor, he doesn’t want peace and there are no terms that will satisfy him. He has called this meeting for one reason only. He must believe he has the means to a successful outcome. I think it is unwise to remain.”

  “I know,” Trevor said. “But, do we turn tail and run? I don’t think so.”

  “No, that wouldn’t be good, and yet…” and then he saw Hordly and said, “Trevor! Look to the east, Hordly strides toward us! Why did he not just shift in?”

  “To divert us,” Trevor answered.

  “Well then, let us try and ignore him and keep focused on our immediate surroundings. Pestale has something up his sleeve but by Danu, I don’t know what it can be,” Deimne said, his eyes narrowed as he gazed to the east and watched Hordly out of the corner of his eye walking with confidence and a look that said, he owned the World.

  “What is that? Pestale is chanting over there on that hill. What is he doing up there, when he called for the meeting here?” Trevor asked.

  And then, they got their answer.

  A screech overhead had already told Deimne what was coming. He opened his wings, as the enormous wickedness of what Pestale had done came fully into view. “He has released the Gorka!” he shouted in surprise and utter disbelief. “I will do what I can” He eyed Trevor as though saying goodbye. “Promise me if I don’t come back, you will take care of my daughter. Get out of this Trevor and take care of my daughter, you and Jazz and send a message to the Queen…we need reinforcements now!”

  ~*~

  The scent of her roses filled the air. The air in this world they had created was sweet and inviting. Aaibhe looked up at Morgan as they walked along, hand in hand and felt a newfound wonder. In the midst of the horror of war, there was their love.

  In the center of some of the hardest decisions she had ever made, she had found some measure of peace. She was so lucky that this wise immortal loved her so much and so completely.

  He bent his handsome blond head as he took her fingers to his lips and kissed each one; and as though he couldn’t face parting with her, crushed her into his embrace.

  She had thought she would never be so fortunate to find true love again after Conall.. She had faced the prospect of living an eternity alone. Aaibhe had lived so many centuries without even taking a lover. Now here was Morgan LeBlanc filling up her mind and making her essence his own.

  Her inner senses blo
ssomed and she felt herself blush for the first time because of Morgan and she returned his passion with a fire she was so thankful to be able to feel.

  His kiss was long and edged with desperation and yet, so completely tender. His kiss was all consuming and he made her feel alive. Too soon, he began to pull away, his face drawn with purpose as though he had to draw on great strength to leave her.

  “Chance has called on me, sweet lass. I must go to Dravo.”

  She rubbed her cheek on his bicep. She was Queen to her race, and he called her lass. How she loved that.

  “He tells me that he canna locate the exact area something aboot a shift in the earth. I must go help them so that we can collect this Twalla of yers and end this thing with the Dark Ones.” His voice was rough, his demeanor reluctant to leave her.

  “Yes, go at once, you and I, we have…” she trailed off

  “An eternity. Even that will never be enough,” he whispered just before he shifted away.

  She turned and stared at all the brightly colored roses, and took a long breath of their delicious scent. Matters in the Human World were treacherous. In one of her visions she had seen that her Royals had come to harm, but she did not know whether or not they had survived.

  How could she bear to lose any of them?

  A scent that did not belong wafted toward her. Slowly she turned to the direction of the intrusion, she raised her brow and said in a stern voice “Ah, Banzar. I had thought by warding the palace against you and the others, that I might have some peace from your devilry.” She sighed, “Apparently I should have warded the Palace grounds as well.”

  “You and the Milesian were very cozy,” Banzar spat, ignoring her remark as he emerged from behind a large shapely evergreen.

  “I should hope so. What do you want, Banzar?” She wondered why he was wearing a cloak over his very formal white billowy shirt and black silk trousers.

  “Did you think there would be no consequences for your actions?” he spat at her.