Fairy-Struck

by Amy Sumida

“DVDs are plastic discs which are used to store information. These in particular have movies on them; moving images used to entertain,” I tried to explain. “Like little pictures of real life, moving pictures... movies.”

  “Yeah, except XXX means the movies are pornographic,” Abby chuckled.

  “Pornographic?” Torquil still looked confused.

  “The boy doesn't even know what pornographic is!” Abby hooted. “Oh please let me tell him.”

  “Abby, come on, he's from Fairy, take it easy on him,” I chided.

  “Aw, that's just affection,” she rubbed Torquil's arm good-naturedly but then her eyes widened. “Damn, honey, maybe we should have put you in a muscle T. You're more fit than most Extinguisher men.”

  “Abby,” I laughed.

  “What?” She shrugged. “I can't appreciate a good physique?”

  “Don't you have Jared's physique waiting for you back at the Council House?” I lifted an eyebrow.

  “Eh,” she shrugged. “I'm not engaged yet.”

  “I am not even getting into this conversation, Extinguisher Abby,” I rolled my eyes at her.

  “Oh come on, I'm just having some fun. Hey look,” she pointed across the street. “There's an F-U War restaurant. Do you think it's run by hippies?”

  “No, I think it's run by Chinese since its Fu, not F-U,” I laughed.

  “I got you off the silly subject of my boyfriend though, didn't I?” Abby giggled and sashayed past us to the glass door of the club.

  I cast a glance at the pawn shop next door and then the cheap hotel across the street and sighed. This club may be called Monarch but it was in a less than noble area. That's what happens when you let a fairy pick the club.

  I rethought my assessment as soon as I walked in the door, although I still wouldn't have named the place Monarch. Circus would have been more appropriate or maybe Cirque since there was a gilded, old world meets band of gypsies décor going on.

  The room was narrow, with two tangled balls of glowing tubes hanging from the ceiling. A trim length of sleek bar down the length of one side. Behind the bar was a glittering display of alcohol and above that was a burgundy wall decorated with autumnal swirls. To the right of the swirls was a round opening bordered with a gold frame. Within this hole, a female acrobat hung from a black hoop contraption and did all kinds of interesting maneuvers as she smiled seductively at her audience.

  “This is...” Torquil stared up at the woman and she winked at him.

  “Fun?” Abby asked.

  “Fascinating,” Torquil finished.

  “Wanna drink or dance?” Abby lifted a brow at us.

  “Drink,” I said.

  “Dance,” Tiernan said.

  Torquil stared at her blankly.

  “Two to one, dancing wins,” Abby cheered and then grabbed a passing guy. “Hey, where's the dancing?”

  “The basement,” the guy smiled at her. “You want me to-”

  “No,” she cut him off with a smile and grabbed Torquil's arm, “thank you, we got it.”

  “Oh, okay,” the guy nodded and kept walking.

  “I think you've just been drafted into being Abby's date,” I grinned at Torquil.

  “Date?” He frowned.

  “Her companion for the evening,” Tiernan explained.

  “Oh, well, I,” Torquil cleared his throat. “As you wish, my lady,” he bowed to Abby.

  “As I wish?” She lifted her brows at me. “Sweet! Let's go,” and she pulled him off into the club.

  Tiernan and I shared amused looks as we followed after them. I ended up pressed tight to him as we navigated the crowds and by the time we reached the basement, I wasn't really enjoying myself. I kept thinking of my father and wondering if he was okay. I wanted to tell them to take me back to the Council House, just in case Dad decided he wanted to see me, but one look at Tiernan's face changed my mind. He was obviously doing this to help me get my mind off my father and I hated to wreck all his plans with my bad attitude.

  “I seem to recall that you're much better at this type of dancing,” Tiernan smirked. “If you would just please refrain from stepping on my feet.”

  “Yeah, yeah, very funny,” I looked over the packed basement.

  Neon blue lights beamed down from the network of pipes covering the ceiling, casting the dancers in a undersea glow. No one seemed to notice or care about the lack of a proper ceiling, they were too busy dancing as best they could within the press of strangers. I sighed as Tiernan edged us into the mass of bodies and glanced over to see Torquil and Abby nearby. Torquil had the look of a man facing death, his horrified gaze set on Abby thrashing about in front of him.

  “Just forget about everyone else and dance with me,” Tiernan spoke into my ear so I could hear him above the deafening music.

  “That's a little hard to do,” I grimaced as someone bumped into my back.

  “Is it?” He asked as he pulled me in against him and started moving us in a way I had no idea he was capable of.

  Suddenly the music softened and people backed away from us. Tiernan's thighs pressed to mine, his hands slid over my waist as mine slid up his back. I could feel the bass thrumming up through the cement floor, vibrating into my limbs and urging me to move against him. It felt wild, primal, and forbidden, like we were breaking some kind of law, dancing like that. This couldn't be legal; not the way his hands tormented me or how his hips twisted and teased, skimming intimate places.

  “I think I like human dancing better than fey,” Tiernan spun me around, pressing into my back as his hands roamed my stomach, fingers edging into indecent territory.

  “What did you do?” I started to look out at the club but he swung me around again, drawing my attention back to his face.

  “Don't look away, you'll ruin the magic,” he purred. “Light and shadows surround us.”

  “And they'll disperse when we acknowledge the room again?” I asked.

  “You learn fast, Twilight Star,” he smiled as his hands coasted up my arms to frame my face.

  “And you're a damn good dancer, Mr. Tight Ass,” I smirked and was surprised when he only smiled wider.

  “I think I'll have to purchase more of these jeans,” his hands slid down my arms, pulling them down from his back to his ass.

  “I think that would be wise,” I said breathlessly, right before his lips covered mine.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  We danced until I was weak with wanting and finally pleaded for mercy. I didn't want to drink and suggested that we find a restaurant for a late dinner instead. They all agreed eagerly, I guess I wasn't the only one who had worked up an appetite. In fact, Torquil looked a little flushed when we walked out of Monarch.

  “Oh shoot, F-U War is closed,” Abby whined as we walked down the sidewalk.

  “Abby,” I chuckled.

  “You know they named it that on purpose. I'm only being obliging,” Abby shot me a look over her shoulder since she was walking with Torquil in front of me and Tiernan. She had her arm through his and he looked damned comfortable with it. That had me a little worried but it wasn't any of my business. If Abby wanted to thwart convention by taking a fairy lover, who was I to tell her no?

  “Maybe we should just call a cab and ask the driver-” I didn't finish the sentence because someone came running out of the alley beside us and tackled Torquil.

  “What the hell?” Abby looked down at the rolling tangle of men with shock, as more men poured out of the alley to confront us.

  A boom shook the ground and the man attacking Torquil was flung back, hitting a wall and then sliding down it to sit in a stunned heap. Torquil jumped to his feet, instantly guiding Abby over to us so he could stand with Tiernan in our defense. Abby shot me a grimace and I returned it before we slid to the sides of the men, dropping into fighting stances. Then I saw who was attacking us.

  “Brendan?” I straightened in surprise. “What are you doing?”

  “Showing you the error of your ways,” Brendan Mu
rdock growled and then cast a dark look at Abby. “Ways which seem to be rubbing off on others.”

  “F-U, Brendan!” Abby snarled. “When the Council hears about this, you're gonna get it.”

  “And I'll be happy to inform them of your inappropriate behavior too, Extinguisher Abigail,” Brendan narrowed his eyes on my friend.

  “Go home, Brendan,” I sighed. “I understand you're upset but this isn't the way to handle it. I'm not even fully human anymore. You don't want to be with me.”

  “No, I don't,” he spat, as in literally spat at my feet.

  “Gross,” Abby huffed. “You're a cretin.”

  “That doesn't mean I want you fornicating with a fairy either,” Brendan nodded to the four men he'd brought with him. All Extinguishers. They began to fan out.

  “Fornicating with a fairy? Really?” I chuckled. “That's pretty good actually, I think I'll use that.”

  “Be warned, we will use every power available to us in our defense,” Tiernan said grimly. “You have no idea what you're up against.”

  “Yeah, a Lord of the Wild Hunt,” Brendan rolled his eyes. “Whatever. I can still kill you with iron.”

  “You step one foot forward, Brendan and you will regret it,” I declared. “How long you live to regret it depends on what you do after taking that step.”

  He was about to call my bluff when a sinister growl emerged from the same alley they'd just exited. All of us froze as the shadows seemed to slide away to reveal a huge dog; wider than a wolf, larger than a lion, perhaps proportionate to a small bear. Canine eyes burned in the darkness like the vengeful fires of Hell and when the streetlamps hit him, it glinted off fangs sharp enough to slice through bone like butter. He moved forward on massive paws, claws clicking on the cement, and it was as if the dark came with him. Then I saw it was merely his midnight fur playing tricks on my eyes; his long, shaggy fur which nearly hid the black horns curving back from his temples.

  He snarled and snapped his substantial jaws at the Extinguishers as he positioned himself in front of us. The men backed away with wide eyes and the bargest followed. He barked, a deep and vicious sound, and kept barking like a rabid pitt bull. Spittle flew from his mouth as he leaped forward, snapping his teeth at the air.

  “Kill the monster!” Brendan yelled as he rushed forward.

  Iron blades glinted in the lamp light as the other men moved in to help Brendan. I heard a scream behind us and glanced over my shoulder to see a couple disappear around the corner. Oh, this was not good.

  “Take care of that,” Tiernan growled to Torquil and the knight ran off after the couple. Then Tiernan lifted his hand and a shimmer surged around us. Shadows blended with light again and we were enclosed in magic.

  We moved forward to join the fight, Abby easing out to the left as I took the right, but before we could close the distance, the bargest's head shot out and his jaw closed over a hand holding an iron sword. The sound of breaking bone was added to the clang of metal as the sword fell from useless fingers, and then above all that, came pitiful screaming.

  Quicker than I could track, the bargest transferred his bite to another opponent and more screams filled the night. Blood sprayed as the bargest shook his head and I stepped aside to avoid the splatter. Two iron swords now lay on the sidewalk between us and Brendan's group. I shared a quick look with Abby before we shot forward and snatched them up. We lifted the weapons as Tiernan came up beside the bargest and lifted his glowing hands.

  “This is an unsanctioned fight,” one of the Extinguishers huffed. “We shouldn't even be here.”

  “We can still take them,” Brendan grabbed one of the injured men and shook him. The man stared at him like he was insane.

  I heard the sound of pounding footsteps and glanced behind me to see Torquil come running up. He stopped and stared hard at us and I realized he couldn't see past Tiernan's illusion. Then he held out a hand and walked forward. The sound of ringing bells filled the air as the illusion broke and Torquil came up to stand next to Abby.

  “It appears that I'm just in time,” Torquil grinned and spread his hands out to his sides, in preparation of who knows what kind of magic.

  “I'm done,” one of the injured men announced and as he turned away, the rest of them followed. All except Brendan, who stayed a moment longer to glare at me before he finally left with the others.

  The bargest gave a satisfied huff and looked up at me with what I appeared to be a grin.

  “What are you doing here, Conri?” I went to stand in front of him.

  “You know the beast?” Abby looked from Conri to me and back again.

  “Abby, he's a bargest,” I pointed to Conri's head. “See the horns?”

  “Oh,” she seemed to remember what that meant and smiled. “Thanks for the help, Mr. Bargest. That was fun.” Then her eyes went wide as Conri shifted into human form. Very naked human form.

  “It's Lord Conri,” Conri said with a sexy smile.

  “Not here, Conri,” I snapped and looked around us anxiously.

  “I think his previous appearance drew more attention than his shifting,” Tiernan grumbled. “We had no need of your assistance, Lord Conri. The matter was being handled.”

  “You should take a tip from the pretty lady and just thank me,” Conri eased closer to me and I tried my very best not to ogle him but it was hard...er difficult. Conri grinned at my efforts and took my hand to kiss it, “Are you alright, Princess Seren?”

  “Conri, what are you doing here?” I asked again.

  “I felt your crowning and went to investigate,” he grinned, keeping my hand firmly in his. I pulled it away from him and he pouted.

  “My crowning?” I frowned.

  “He means how you were crowned by the animals,” Torquil offered as he pulled his shirt off and handed it to Conri. “At least cover yourself, my lord.”

  Abby made a strangled sound as she floundered under the the effort of deciding who to set her eyes on. She kept shifting her gaze back and forth between Torquil's beautiful chest and Conri's beautiful... everything.

  “Feeling inadequate?” Conri smirked at Torquil. “Keep your shirt, I've brought my own clothes.”

  Conri disappeared back into the alley and emerged a few moments later; wearing jeans, a white T-shirt, and a black leather jacket. Abby sighed and I wasn't sure if it was from appreciation of how good he looked in the outfit or disappointment that Conri was now covered.

  “And then?” I got Conri back on subject.

  “And then I watched,” he shrugged. “I saw you create your Star's Guard and then I saw you enter the Human Realm. I decided to follow.”

  “Why would you follow us?” Tiernan frowned.

  “Because I want to be on your Guard, Princess Seren,” his expression went serious and he dropped down to one knee. “Let me serve you. I promise to never fail you. I will defend you until my last breath.”

  “Oh wow,” Abby whispered. “I want to be a fairy princess.”

  “The Star's Guard is for knights only,” Torquil narrowed his eyes on the bargest but Conri kept his eyes on me. “Sidhe knights.”

  “Danu chose my guard, not I,” I said to Conri, ignoring Torquil.

  “It's your guard,” Conri lifted a thick brow, “you can appoint whomever you like.”

  “And you'll be happy to take advantage of her ignorance to further your own interests,” Torquil snapped.

  “My Lord Torquil,” Tiernan ground out. “You just called Princess Seren ignorant.”

  “Forgive me, Your Highness,” Torquil said immediately. “I meant ignorant in the way of our politics. I just don't want to see you taken advantage of.”

  “And how would he be taking advantage of me?” I lifted a brow at Torquil.

  “Lesser fey do not belong on royal guards,” Torquil stammered.

  “Why not?” I asked and felt Tiernan tense beside me. He was pressed into my side but a little behind me, guarding and supporting me all at once.

  “It's
too great an honor to be given to a lesser,” Torquil's jaw clenched.

  “So only sidhe may defend and possibly die for their princess?” I lifted a brow. “Because it seems to me that Conri did the best job of defending me tonight.”

  “That's unfair, Your Highness,” Torquil frowned. “I was ready to protect you but the bargest stole the fight and then I had to chase those humans and erase their memory of us.”

  “Would you view humans as lesser?” I asked softly and Torquil's jaw dropped.

  “No, I...” he glanced at Abby and then back to me. “Of course not.”

  “But a fellow fairy is?” I continued.

  “Princess Seren, you're judging millenia of ingrained biases and tradition with a modern attitude,” Tiernan said gently. “We were taught to think this way.”

  “Which is why I won't hold it against Torquil,” I sighed. “I think Conri's actions have proven his capabilities as both a fighter and a tracker. He has skills that no sidhe possess and the rather stubborn intention of using those skills to defend me. I think he'd be a good choice for the Guard, don't you, Tiernan?”

  “I do,” he gave a reluctant sigh. “You'll raise a few eyebrows but I think this might be a good change for us.”

  “My Lord Tiernan!” Torquil gaped at him.

  “There are reasons for segregation,” Tiernan mused. “Reasons that are perhaps outdated in this instance. Princess Seren is an unusual royal and it seems right that her Guard be equally unique.”

  “I still protest,” Torquil said sternly.

  “He's not proposing marriage,” Tiernan shrugged. “He simply asks to defend her and I can find no fault with that. Does he have an eye for advancement? Oh yes, I'm sure of it, but that could be said of any fairy warrior. The real question is whether he will be a good addition to our company and only Seren or Danu herself can answer that.”

  “So what say you, Princess?” Conri was still on one knee before me, watching me with steady eyes; their fire banked to embers.

  “I say that I'm not one to be easily deceived,” I began.

  “Oh, thank the mother,” Torquil sighed.

  “I know there are motives behind your actions that are perhaps not the most honorable,” I continued, ignoring Torquil again as Conri's expression hardened. “But I also know that they are not entirely dishonorable either.” Conri's eyes immediately flared back to bright hope as I smiled. “I think you have a wild heart but a true one and I don't believe you would ever betray me or it. I think you would sooner die.”