“It’s okay. You’re okay now,” Aero reassured her.
Shadow curled up at Aero’s feet and purred away happily. “This is my cat, Shadow. He’s the one who led me to you.” Shadow wasn’t exactly her cat, but Aero knew this wasn’t the time to split hairs. “I’m Aero, what’s your name?”
Instead of answering, the fairy stranger gathered herself, her thoughts apparently clearing.
“How did you know you could bring us back like that? You’re no more than a child.” The fairy blinked and stared at her with wariness.
Aero thought to herself she could easily have said the same. Did all the creatures of the Realm have such youthful skin?
It only occurred to her then how little she knew about the creatures of this world. Did they not age, did they never… die? Certainly, being turned into dust seemed final; if it hadn’t been for Shadow and her, that is. But she suspected the creatures of this world had not known the pain of death until now. Maybe this was what drove the fear in their eyes?
She also didn’t know if the latter part of what the fairy had asked her was a question or a statement. Yet, it reminded her of the time she’d come to discover her own witch heritage. She had thought frequently about her own inadequacies as a person, never mind a witch. Her age was only one of the plentiful things which made her feel incapable. But she had just brought this fairy back to life. Her magic had saved her, and Shadow, an animal, had shown her how.
“There are a number of things I don’t know, but one thing I’m certain of is I’m a witch. My name is Aero Westwood, daughter of Peregrine Westwood, and granddaughter to the greatest witch that ever lived, Joanna Westwood. You may be a great deal older than me, stranger, but I’m here to help. And Shadow is too. I promise you, if you mean no harm to us, then we mean no harm to you.”
“You’re not of this world, are you?”
“No, I’m not, but I am here to save it.”
Thoughts of her mum and aunt nudged at her mind.
“But first I need to save my family from the Shadow Creatures.”
Standing up for herself was a new and unfamiliar thing, but it felt incredible. Her legs shook with the rush of confidence flowing in her veins.
The fairy stranger grunted approvingly. “I am Queen Faya, leader to my people of the Realm. If you’re an enemy of the Shadow Creatures, you are a friend to me. Please forgive me for my churlishness, but as you can see, the Realm is not the friendly place it once was. Please, can you help my sisters?”
“I’ll do my best.”
Chapter Ten
Best Room in the House
Beside Umbria’s, Megan’s room in the castle was the largest. There was a part of her that felt frightened being in the Realm and in the presence of the Shadow Creatures. These shape-shifting entities, who had the power to decimate, to pull apart the fabric of life, one particle at a time, and leave them floating in the wind, were worthy of such reverence.
But these creatures had intoxicated her with their ability to give her revenge. Through agreeing to help, the power of these ancient beings had sent her falling off the edge of her own world to land in another. The two realities were so close to each other, such an impossible thing was a possibility, as if it were the easiest thing to do.
But, comfortable, she sat in wait with all the authority of a queen wielding her powers. Her opulent quarters endowed her with the type of status this role in the Realm owed her. But they also provided a soundproof refuge, which was essential. To be in such close proximity to witches would have been unbearable otherwise.
Sitting in her room awaiting the next witch for appraisal, a calm, exhilaration came over her. The Shadow Creatures needed her, and she needed them. Her hand, she supposed, was in every part of the damage they’d caused. Without her guidance to lead them to the witches, furthering their cause, this siege would have dwindled.
When the witch was ready, Umbria led Megan through a narrow staircase to the excision room. It was hot and stuffy in this part of the castle, because of the heat of the machinery. It took a tremendous amount of energy to remove a witch from her magic.
The witches were brought one by one for Megan’s assessment. As far as she knew, her magical hunting abilities were entirely unique in this world, or any other. The prioritization of the work depended entirely upon her evaluation.
As to why these beings needed magic, Megan had come to understand the entire Realm required it. The death of Joanna Westwood had somehow affected the balance within the Realm and without it, this reality would crumble. She had seen for herself it already was.
If there had been others with her ability, perhaps they would have felt guilty knowing what the Shadow Creatures were doing. Stripping witches of their power was neither a delicate nor kind procedure. Agony would be a much better description for the procedure she had come to think of as debridement; cutting away the infectious magic.
After her parents’ death, it had taken her a long time to stuff the hole inside herself with purpose. The Realworlders had given that to her, and more besides, safety and belonging. When Umbria had told her Joanna Westwood had murdered her parents because they too were witches, all the years of stuffing and filing and plugging had come away as easily as a scab. The hole hurt more than ever. So she felt no guilt or remorse from her actions.
A minute went by and the machine was ready. Megan had advised Ursule that this was a particularly powerful witch. Of course, Peregrine Westwood was the strongest, but leaving her in a cell to contemplate the futility of her situation gave Megan a thrill too glorious to ignore.
Feeling the throb and pulse of the machine as it whirred into life, Megan stepped back. The witch paled and sat glassy-eyed, resigned to her fate.
Ursule flipped the switch swiftly and it began. The witch gritted her teeth but did not cry out. Clamping down hard on the mouthguard, her fingers splayed and convulsed with the electricity as fresh tears escaped from her eyes, Megan didn’t know whether through pain or the feeling of loss.
Watching it happen, the procedure in truth made Megan feel sick, and she found herself taking a few deep breaths. But her heart quivered with the excitement of it, seeing the witch strain at the straps, as if the realisation of what was happening spurred her on to a futile effort of escape. The girl made a soft noise, nothing more than a whimper. It was pointless.
Whilst the process of magical extraction was not something which could be seen with the naked eye, Megan, rather like during a sunset, felt the light in the room shift. The sound of crackling in the air was as palpable as electricity through power lines. The girl, who had seemed like a bright bulb only moments ago, now sat in the shadows, the spark in her auburn eyes dulled and lost.
A low thumping sound signified the process was complete, and with uncanny timing, the lights in the room burst into brightness.
The Shadow Creatures had a name for Megan: The Instrument. Once they had what they wanted and needed, her usefulness would be over. They had told her the truth, but not all of it.
For want of a better description, these beings lacked humanity. Theirs was a tribe without imagination or fear. An ancient race with a singular vision, to take back what belonged to them. They would gladly fight and use others, thinking of these beings as disposable, to do it for them. They had no worry about death, but consequently, they did not understand what it was to live.
Chapter Eleven
Magical Abilities
Re-transformation of the remaining fairies was swift. Aero didn’t like to ponder on her abilities to bring back the dead. Instead, she thought of it as a simple process of reanimation, not unlike her mother’s own abilities. Surely, the fairies would consider television magic in a Realm without such a device. And catching them looking at her with a mixture of reverence, gratitude and fear, it unnerved her.
Aero watched on as Faya and a few of the other fairies moved away from her, deep in conversation.
“My sisters, this child is the one we have been waiting for. She is h
ere on a mission to rescue her parents from the Shadow Creatures, but we cannot allow her to leave us. It saddens my heart to ask you all to agree with me, but we cannot allow such power to pass us by. Surely, she is a god? She is both protection and faith; she is our salvation!”
Murmurs of agreement spread throughout the group. “We cannot change what has happened, my people, but salvation has come to us. Tonight, we must not let it escape.”
Bone-tired, starving and simply longing for the sweetness of a cosy bed and a hot meal, Aero was unable to hear their conversation.
As Faya moved back towards her, Aero could no longer stay alert. Dizzy with the exertion, her legs felt weak.
“My dear child, it is decided that tonight we will hold a great feast in your honour. After all, we fairies owe you our lives.”
Aero smiled back weakly, feeling her legs give way.
“Aero?!” Faya asked, full of concern. “Quick fairies, let us move her to my bed at once.”
Aero felt herself moving through the air effortlessly. She complied like a helpless infant as her clothes were stripped. She sighed deeply as warm water ran off her feet and face from the tender care of the fairies. The last thing she remembered was the softness of something below her, and struggling to stay awake, but she couldn’t keep it up. There was no more energy left in her body.
Deep in the forest of the Realm, Aero slept. Shadow lay like a guardian at the foot of the makeshift bed, but his eyelids did not close. Purring and vigilant, Shadow kept watch.
Aero awoke, astonished to find herself inside the Fairy Queen’s quarters. Refreshed and much more herself, the hunger which had driven her earlier returned with equal vigour. She smiled as she saw Shadow had kept watch over her, joyful at greeting him. Knowing trouble awaited her still, the feeling lasted only moments, but nonetheless she was grateful for it.
Just as Aero jumped off the bed, ready to be off, Faya burst into the room. Half walking and half flying, she was filled with excitement.
“Aero, my dear child, how delightful! The colour has returned to your cheeks once again. You gave all of us a most fearsome shock. Now listen, my dear. I imagine you are quite ready to eat something and be on your way. My sisters have prepared a banquet so exquisite, as I’m sure you’ve never seen. You simply must eat with us and let us thank you properly.”
Aero could see beyond the door Faya had left open behind her; fairies had flocked to take a glimpse of her. A delicious smell also wafted through the opening. Shadow purred insistently, and in her head, she heard his keenness to be away again. Aero shared his sentiment, but her body needed fuel. Shadow watched curiously as Aero weighed up her options.
“Shadow and I will be delighted to join you. Thank you, Faya.”
Queen Faya pulled out her chair. Around the large table, the other fairies waited. Only as the queen sat down, did they also sit. Aero watched this unfamiliar etiquette closely, afraid of making a faux pas. Evidently, the community followed and looked to Faya as both their leader and queen. Once sat down, though, it was like any other ordinary family dinner. It seemed a free-for-all took place.
Aero was immediately subjected to intense questioning by the strangers, all immensely interested in where she had come from and what other powers she might possess. Unused to such treatment, their interest both flattered and frightened her.
During the rather splendid meal, Aero discovered these fairies also had magic of their own. Before even finishing draining her cup of drink, it refilled, and no space was left lingering empty on her plate before it too was filled up again.
Everything about her journey into the Realm appeared impossible, but she had said it herself, what appears to be magic in one world is simply normality in another. To seek the nature of their magic would not only be rude, but also be a disservice to her own kind. There were worlds beyond her own and magic too.
After the meal was over and everyone had finished, Aero looked around expectantly at the guests. Refuelled, they were both eager to be on their way. She had not forgotten the reason for her presence here in the Realm.
Still, it occurred to Aero she might learn something of the Shadow Creatures from Faya and the other fairies. But with such a sensitive topic, Aero hardly knew where to begin. After all, these new friends had faced them already and not fared well. Aero had no wish to hurt them further. In the end, she decided the only thing to do was ask.
Faa, the fairy to her left, was watching her, so Aero began to speak. “My mother and aunt have been taken to the Shadow Creatures’ castle, here in the Realm. They are the ones who have taken them, but I don’t know for what purpose. I am trying to rescue them, though. Can anyone tell me anything about them? I’ve only ever met one, his name was Umbria.”
A hush fell over the table. Aero feared she had made a mistake. “Please forgive me for asking after all you’ve been through, but I have to get to my family and help them. I hope you can understand.”
The mere mention of the name Umbria had sent an icy cold stab of fear through the hearts of the fairies.
“The Shadow Creatures are from our world, but it is yours they wish to return to and conquer. There is light and dark in both, and I’m sure you know there are shadows living in your ‘Earth’. They have a plan to steal magic, and they have built a machine which can separate a being from their power.”
Aero held Queen Faya’s gaze steadily as she spoke.
“Once there was a sense of peace in our land, a balance. But the old ways are changing, and no magical creature is safe anymore. We tried to resist, but you saw for yourself how that turned out.”
As she spoke, one of the other fairies, Faa was using her magic to clear away the table, but Aero did not stop in wonder or amazement. Instead, she felt the intensity of Queen Faya’s words, their meaning sinking deep into her stomach, which was already heavy from the meal.
“That’s what happened here? They were trying to get your magic?”
“Yes, but we fought back. Until you came along, all was lost, we were gone. But they did not get our power.”
“Forgive me, but I don’t understand, Queen Faya. Why do they want magic? How does that help them?”
“Every warrior needs a weapon, Aero. These living shadows need magic; without it, not only will they not succeed, but the Realm will die too. Have you not noticed the stars and the moon?”
Aero listened, fearful for her family. She had to ask. “And what happens to a witch after this machine has… has been used?”
“We have not dared get close enough to find out such things. We have never seen one after… mutilation. I cannot put your fears at rest, child. The Shadow Creatures are an army none can fight. They are eternal, immortal. They fear nothing, not even death.”
All at the table were silent. Aero heard Shadow’s voice inside her head, once again urging her to leave. This time, having heard what the fairies had told her, she had no wish to linger further.
“Please stay and have one final toast with us before you leave.”
The fairies got up from their seats and soon surrounded her. Faa magicked up a fresh pot of tea and cups for them all. Aero felt a flutter in her chest. A sudden realisation swept over her; perhaps there was danger here but, surrounded by the fairies, there was no way to escape. There was no choice but to stay and drink. Besides, these fairies had looked after her when she had slipped into unconsciousness. If they had meant to do her harm, they’d already had ample opportunity.
Just about finished with her drink, Aero stood up. Enough was enough. The fairies had been watching her closely but now Aero saw something new in Queen Faya’s face. A feeling of weakness came over her body. In her mind, she called out to Shadow.
“I am here, mistress. I won’t leave you.”
How had she failed to notice the fairies trying to delay and distract her? The threat was real. Numbness crept upwards from her feet, and then she felt a dark cloud come over her mind.
“I am sorry my child, but we have no choice. Don’t be
afraid, it’s not poison, just a little sleeping potion I had Faa whip up.”
Aero tried desperately to hook her nails into the top of the table to stay upright, but it was too late. The potion had already taken hold.
Chapter Twelve
What Dreams May Say
Aero had a strange and alarming dream. She saw a flickering glow as the moon of the Shadow Realm burst fully into life. The screams of her mum and aunt were caught in amongst other witches’ cries. They were strapped to a chair, not unlike the one she sat in at the dentist. Their faces were pallid, eyes large as glass balls, and written in them anguish as deep as the day she had learned of her grandma’s death.
In the dream, Megan was at the castle too, and worse, Aero knew Megan could sense her coming. Megan had commanded the Shadow Creatures to search for her. They were moving in her direction.
Aero saw herself transform into an ant and burrow deep into the soil. The darkness there was so profound she became one with it. Moving with the others, she felt the undulations of the dirt behind her, as they stayed hidden deep beneath the ground to avoid predators.
Now awake, Aero found herself still crouched and huddled small like the animal she had become in her sleep. No longer in the queen’s quarters, the room, whilst not a prison cell, had the feeling of one.
The visions contained truth because in her surroundings, she saw everything as if for the first and last time. The world around her had become a part of her, just as she had become a part of it. Everything was clear. The ripples in the air around, the swell of the magic inside her. The key to unlocking the ability to transform was there in her mind and at her fingertips, in a place beyond time and space.
But she could scarcely breathe, knowing it could be prophetic. Because if it were, then everything else in her vision might also be real. After her encounter with the eagle-people, she had come here, to the Realm, knowing her visions were glimpses of reality.
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