Blood of Sirens: Book 13 of The Witch Fairy Series (20 page)

“
To invoke this rite, magic strong enough to call upon the ancient council must be given freely at the risk of death.  Such has been done.  To invoke this rite, the admission of guilt without coercion must occur.  Such has been done.  To invoke this rite, it must be asserted free will has been removed.  Such has been done.  To invoke this rite,”
this is the tricky part,
“straying from the path set forth by destiny must be proven.  Such has been done.”
  I am putting a lot of faith in the fact Raziel agreed with this plan.  Mortals are not supposed to pass judgment regarding destinies and free will.  Claiming this puts my life and the lives of everyone I love in danger.

When I first read the spell, I couldn’t figure out why it was in the dark magic section of the archives.  It is a spell to seek judgment upon evil; it is not evil in and of itself.  Adriel explained that what makes it dark magic is the assumption of knowing the will of the universe.  The hubris of a mortal assuming to know such things is no better than the hubris of the one who is accused of defying the rules of the universe.  Mortals who have attempted to invoke this rite in the past have been instantly killed.  Smited, smoted, smote, whatever the word is.  I really, really hope I will not join their ranks.  I hope the Angel blood running through my veins is enough to remove me from the mortal category and make those I have called upon consider my request.

“I call upon those with the power to restore balance. I seek judgment upon this race.”
  I wait for the lightning strike, but thankfully it doesn’t come.  A hush falls over the warriors and Sirens as we all hold our breath in anticipation of what will happen next.

An explosion of sound erupts outside.  “Find out what is happening,” Irena instructs the closest warrior.

Before he can move to obey her command, the tent flaps part and mine is not the only jaw getting rug burn about now.  Beings enter the tent.  Beings like none I have ever seen before.  No, that’s not true.  I’ve seen some of these shapes before.  I just have never seen them made out of water.  One of the beings flaps her wings when a Siren doesn’t move out of her way fast enough.  The Siren is pushed back to the wall of the tent.  There are seven beings in all.  I know at least two of them are Angels.  The wings are a dead giveaway.  The others I am guessing are gods.  The amount of magic they are emitting makes it impossible to believe they are less.  Which religions and which cultures they represent I have no clue.  The one with several arms, though, I’m pretty sure is Indian.  As scary as they are in their water forms, they are not blinding anyone or killing them just by being in their presence.  I’m pretty sure that’s the point of them not appearing as their true selves.

When all seven are standing before us, one of the Angels speaks.  I recognize her voice immediately.  Rashnu.  “Xandra, borne of the blood of three, you have called upon us to cleanse the blood of the Siren race.”

I am trying really hard to keep my cool.  I’ve seen Rashnu mildly irked before and that was scary as hell.  I suspect if my claim is found to not be just, I’m going to get a taste of how much worse she can be.  I am relieved when my voice comes out even.  I think the weird echo thing is masking any fear I may be leaking through my words.  “I have.”

Rashnu turns to Irena.  “Standing before you are those with the power to determine whether or not your race is guilty of the crimes set forth.  Each represents the voice of many.  The Seraphim and minor Gods before you are but the representation of the whole.  Do you understand?”  Irena can’t respond.  Fear and regret have kidnapped her tongue with the intent to leave it for dead in some deserted place or other.  There is a tiny movement of her head.  It could be a nod.  It could just as easily be her shaking in fear.  Rashnu continues regardless.  “As they can reside anywhere in time and space, they are now searching the past and the future for your crimes.”  Rashnu returns to the group, presumably to await their decision. 

I can’t take a deep breath.  My lungs won’t even consider it as a possibility.  Every muscle in my body is so taut, they feel like they will snap if I try to move any part of me.  These could be my last mortal moments and I still have no idea what happens to me if I die in my mortal form.  Do I live on as an Angel?  Do I become a spirit like Mom and Dad?  Or do I simply get stripped of darkness by an Angel of Death and sent either to whatever lays beyond or back to a mortal life as a lower being.  Like a cricket or something.

Rashnu jolts me out of my musings.  “It has been decided.”  She comes to stand between Irena and me.  When her water head turns in my direction, my heart skips a beat.  I can’t read her expression at all so I don’t know if she is about to smite me or not.  I hope not.  “Xandra, borne of the blood of three, your claim is found to be just and true.”

Every last cell in my body is celebrating.  Life as I know it will be continued for at least a while longer.  I want to do a happy dance but that seems inappropriate for the situation.

Rashnu turns to Irena.  “Irena, Queen of the Sirens, your race has strayed too far from its origins and you have been deemed a threat to the balance of the universe.”

I asked Raziel why this rite was never evoked in the Cowan realm.  There have been so many atrocities committed in human history.  Hitler, slavery, etc.  The response I received is that no matter how awful these things were, the council before us has no right to judge unless these awful things affect many realms and the balance of power in the universe.  Irena threatening to conquer as many realms as possible qualifies her as a candidate for this type of judgment.  Otherwise, the higher beings before us are to let mortal affairs unfold as they will, despite how awful some parts of history are.

“You have offered yourself as a symbol of your race and you shall be made to suffer for the sins of the past.”

Wait, what?  “What does that mean?” I ask. 

Rashnu’s watery face turns back to me.  “Your heart pleads for us to spare this one?”  It is more a statement of surprise than an actual question.

She is obviously reading my emotions.  “Yes, it does.  She could be cleansed like the others.  There’s no need to kill her.”  If they kill her, her blood will be on my hands.  It doesn’t matter if I actually do the killing or not.  I did this, I called the council.

The one I believe is the Seraph steps forward.  “Xandra, borne of three, your plea for mercy on behalf of thine enemy shall be granted.”  The relief on my face can’t possibly be as great as the relief on Irena’s.  “The cleansing shall begin.”

The burst of light I associate with the Angels fills the tent.  It spreads over the entire island, dissolving the tents and swallowing the Sirens and Warriors.  But the light is not what I am focusing on.  When Rashnu said their water forms represented the whole, I had no idea she was being literal.  Every available space on the island is filled with Seraphim, Angels and minor gods.  I recognize some of them from studying various ancient religions.  There is Vishnu and Kali and several Greek gods including Hades.  I don’t make eye contact with him as our brief encounter did not end as he hoped.  I recognize Ra and Isis from my time with Eliana.  There are many, many more I do not recognize.

I watch in wonder as these powerful beings merge their magic.  This powerful force blankets the Sirens and their warriors.  Somehow, I know this is occurring everywhere in the universe.  Every Siren, every Sirens’ slave is being cleansed.  I do not know the exact details of the cleansing, how it works, but I know what the outcome will be.  Sirens will no longer gain power from the deaths of others.  They will still have magic, but it can only be used to help the weak as they once did.  They will not be able to enslave anyone and everyone currently under their spell will be released.  I stand here watching the process for what seems like hours though I know when it’s done, no time will have passed in the Fairy realm.

Rashnu comes to stand by my side.  “You risked all to save this race.”

“Am I saving them?” I ask.

“You are saving them from themselves, yes,” the Angel of Judgment replies.  “But, Xandra, know that if the Sirens’ actions had not already reached the eyes and ears of the council before you called upon them, you would have failed in your quest.”

Reading between the lines, I ask, “Are you telling me I should never try this again because it would probably kill me?”

Rashnu smiles the beautiful smile of the Angels.  “I would never limit your free will in such a way.”

“I’ll take that as a yes.”  I’m not stupid, after all.  “Will they remember what they’ve done?” I ask. 

“Yes.  It will serve as a reminder of what they will never be again.”

I wonder if it will drive Irena mad knowing she will never have the power she sought.  “What about the slaves.  They’ve been with the Sirens for centuries, if not longer.  They can’t just be sent back to their original realms.  Their loved ones are likely long dead and everything has changed so much.”  Especially for the humans among them. 

“Perhaps a kind soul will build a sanctuary for them.  Educate them in the new ways of the universe.  Eventually, they could decide where the best place for their selves is.”

“You’re not very subtle,” I complain.

Rashnu laughs.  “There is no place for subtle in my line of work.”

“No, I guess there wouldn’t be.  I’ll talk to Dagda and we’ll come up with something,” I assure her.

She turns to me and her blue eyes are filled with pride.  “Your courage and your compassion are your most important strengths.”  She turns back to the scene before us.  “It is done.  Take care, Xandra.”

With that, Rashnu is gone.  They are all gone.  Time has begun again and a whole new reality is set before me.  This is going to take forever to sort out.

“Xandra.”  I felt him before he spoke. 

I turn to my gorgeous husband and am instantly breathless.  He has only been gone a short while, but I missed him so much.  I rush to him and throw my arms around him.  He holds me tight.  “I love you,” I mumble into his chest.  Pushing back so I can see his face, I reach a hand up to touch his cheek.  “I had to play along with Irena so I could get her to talk.  I knew you were not under her spell, that you were pretending.”

His perfect lips form into a smile.  “I told you, there is no other who could lay claim to my heart.”  He bends down and kisses me as if we have been apart for years, not just one night.  I kiss him back with the same fervor.

“Can’t you at least wait until my food digests before doing that?” Taz snarks.  I reach a foot out to kick him but he’s already gone.

Still, I end our kiss.  “The others?” I ask.

“They are fine,” Kallen assures me.  “A little groggy, but fine.”

Taking his hand, I reenter Irena’s tent.  All of the tents were resurrected when the council left.  Irena is sitting on a giant red pillow that matches her hair.  Several Sirens are surrounding her and they are all in tears.  “What’s going on?” I whisper to Kallen.

“I believe those are tears of remorse,” he whispers back. 

“Remorse for what?”  There are so many things Irena could feel remorse about.

Isla joins us.  “Remorse for the path she took in life.”

Remembering my conversation with the Angel of Judgment, I say, “Rashnu suggested we create a sanctuary for those who can’t return to their realms in their current state.  Especially the Cowans.”

Isla nods.  “A good idea.”  She’s not really paying attention to me, though.  Her eyes have found Garren and all of her focus is on him now.  Irena isn’t the only one feeling remorse at the moment.

“Talk to him,” I urge.  “He loves you.  You can’t possibly doubt that now.”

Isla drags her eyes back to me.  “I fear it is too late.  Too much has been said.”

Kallen snorts which is unusual for him.  “I do not like him but even I can see how badly he wants to reconcile.”

“Now is not the time for such discussions,” Isla insists.  She leaves us to converse with Dagda and Garren’s eyes follow her across the tent.  Yeah, he’s pretty desperate to reconcile.

We spend hours on the island sorting out what needs to be done.  Most of the Sirens’ slaves were taken because of their abusive behavior but the cleansing performed took that away.  Some of the former slaves who are from magical races elect to return to their home realms.  Some of the Cowans need gentle persuasion against immediately returning to their realm.  Much has changed in the last few centuries there and they will need to be familiarized with these changes before returning.  Also, if they went back there and started talking about how they had been kidnapped and turned into slaves by the Sirens, they would probably be locked away in a mental asylum.  Tana agrees to organize a sanctuary for them in the Fairy realm.  She’s excited about the opportunity to do something so good.  Maybe it will take some of the tarnish off her soul.

It is midday before we finally return to our shore.  Most of the Sirens fell asleep around daybreak as they are nocturnal, so Tana and some of the palace staff will return at dusk to offer them whatever help they can to find them new homes.  Arie was not certain the free Sirens in her realm would want to take them in.  She went back to her realm to discuss it with them. 

“I am exhausted,” I tell Kallen as we walk up the terrace steps and into the house.

“You should rest.  That was one hell of a spell you pulled off,” Dagda says.  The pride in his eyes makes me flush with color. 

“I had a little help from the rest of you,” I argue.

“A little help?  You could not have done it without me,” Kegan interjects making me laugh. 

“Kegan!” Alita exclaims from the kitchen doorway.  She rushes into Kegan’s arms.  She knew if we returned, we would be coming here instead of the palace.  Everyone under my spell left there hours ago and all that is left to do is free the warriors in the cells.  Dagda assured me he could take care of that. 

“Your father has made an excellent point, my love,” Kallen purrs close to my ear.  “You should rest.”

A tingling sensation goes down my spine.  “I doubt you have rest on your mind.”  Neither do I.  Without hesitation, I teleport us to our room.

Kegan shouts up the stairs, “Not fair, cousin!”

Kallen chuckles.  “It is not my fault he could not win the heart of the powerful beauty who can teleport.”

I wrap my arms around his neck.  “Oh, it is very much your fault.”

Grinning, Kallen scoops me up and drops me gently onto the bed.  “I’ve missed you,” he murmurs against my lips and joins me on the bed. 

There is a question nagging at me and I have to ask.  “You had no idea what the plan was, how come you didn’t fight it when I stole your magic?”  Everyone’s magic obviously returned to them as soon as the council left.

Kallen shrugs.  “I trust you.”

I place a palm on his cheek.  “I trust you.  I’m sorry I made you believe I didn’t even if it was only for a few minutes.”

He turns his head and kisses my palm.  “It is already forgotten.”

“If you ever leave me like that again to do something so stupid, though, I will kill you myself,” I tell him.

He chuckles.  “Understood.  Now, I would very much like to make love to you.”

He doesn’t need to say it twice.  Soon, our clothes have disappeared and our bodies tell each other everything our mouths do not have words for.  We make love until we are too exhausted not to sleep.

Sometime later, there’s a knock on the door.  Barely awake, I call into the now dark room, “Come in.”

Alita’s soft voice floats in.  “I am sorry to intrude, but I thought the two of you would like to be present for the hand-fasting.”

She has our complete, fully awake attention now.  “What hand-fasting?”

Giggling, she says, “Isla proposed to Garren.  He wants to do the ceremony right now because he’s afraid she will change her mind again.”

With good reason.  “We will be right down,” Kallen tells her.  He is already dressed and getting out of bed.  Alita closes the door, giving us privacy to get ready.  Shaking his head, Kallen says, “Grandmother married.  I cannot believe it.”

“Be happy for her.  Just like you, Garren was never tempted by the Sirens.”

Lighting up the room with magic, Kallen grins.  “Which is why I did not insist he leave the house the moment we returned.”  Sobering, he says, “I am happy for her.  I am happy for both of them.  Garren proved himself these last few days.  Living with the Dragons for so long took a lot from him that he is just starting to get back.  Who knows, maybe someday I will even like him.”

I put a hand over my heart.  “There are miracles in the universe.”

He leans down and purrs against my ear, “Yes, you are living proof of it.”  He kisses me deeply.  “I will love you for eternity,” he says against my lips.

“You had better.  I couldn’t face eternity without you.” 

After several more long, delicious kisses, we join our growing family downstairs.  After all, we can’t miss Isla finally getting her Fairy tale ending.