rogue shifter 07 - cut off (27 page)

I rolled up the sleeves of my ceremonial robe and sharpened my usual dagger against a whetstone, ignoring the females pleas for mercy. It was unfortunate that the arcane blade had not responded to my magic. Nonetheless, Charles would make good use of it during the war, and I intended to stand by his side to share in his glory.

"Captain, you may leave. If time was bounteous, I might have given you the girl for a fortnight, but my son and my mate are at hand. I will summon you to the throne room at the proper time." It was better that Reylan not witness the ritual I was about to perform. Some of my magic must remain a mystery to the others.

"Yes, lord." He glanced at the girl with an air of sadness, whether it was in anticipation of her imminent torture and death or because he wanted to be a witness to it, I couldn't say. He departed as instructed and I continued with the ceremony.

I'd used charcoal remaining from the burning of a large willow to draw the circle, then added to that a mixture of salt, herbs and the blood of the female to be sacrificed. I began to chant the ritual words, memorized in a language so ancient that only those who studied the Magicks of the Arcane could decipher or employ it.

During the later part of the chanting, I would remove the specified organs and place them within the circle, a gift for the demon. I would then proceed, first closing the circle with my own blood, then burning the remains of the donor in the sanctified fire pit. When the demon appeared, the organs would be accepted and consumed, and we would strike our bargain.

Only higher level demons required such dramatic ceremony, however those were the creatures with true power. I preferred them over the other levels, who were little more than paid thugs. Long ago, Isaiah became mine in this way, although in his fury he'd burned the organs and refused to eat them. The demon I would summon today was one I'd never had dealings with, but my sources had never failed me in this regard. I knew what he required for his services, and I was ready to agree.

I knew my vulnerabilities when dealing with Caelen, Aedus, or the warrior female. I was trained in swordplay, as were all fae, but my dominant talents lay elsewhere.

Tonight, after we reached our agreement, I would glamour the demon to look fae and he would guard my flank. Fionna underestimated all of her siblings, especially Caelen. I would not fall into that same trap.

I allowed myself a slight chuckle as I approached Elle with my sharpened blade held ready. Her whimpering was grating on the nerves, and I was anxious to get to work. This procedure took time, my preparations had been thorough.

The sharp pain in both knees took me to the floor so quickly, my head knocked against the edge of the table. I felt surprise, then anger, catching the startling flutter of teal wings as my world blurred around me. Then all was black.

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Brina, still looking like Charlie, spoke, her gaze shifting constantly to Farrell. She looked nervous, although I couldn't think why. "We found several families of demi-fey living in two hollowed-out trees. They have settled there to escape the queen's policy of forcing their people into cages." She directed her attention toward Lord Caelen. "They gave me a message to deliver to you, lord. If the elders will approve, they would like to join their brothers and sisters in Cascade. They have no future here."

Caelen scowled, conflicted. "They are needed to revitalize the court. If we can convince Fionna to allow them their freedom, the vegetation will then recover and the harvest will soon be bountiful. Demi-fey produce a unique magic that heals the land." I'd seen it in my own backyard.

"They've managed to grow a large garden beneath the trees," Farrell added.

"How are the fae at court surviving if they don't have enough magic to conjure proper food?" I asked.

Caelen looked grim as he faced the road ahead. "We'll find out soon enough."

We started off again, picking up our pace.

We approached the entranceway, an arch similar to the one Liam and Keara had revealed outside Cascade the first time I'd visited. It was etched with incredible symbols and figures, some still shimmering with color, other sections dark. The flowering vines that had once covered it had withered and dried to look like clutching fingers. I shuddered, feeling a cold twinge I couldn't explain in the warm afternoon.

There were eight fae guards on our side of the arch. Three of them were curled on the ground, sleeping. Sleeping? I was in shock. Brina, outraged that a fae would sleep while on duty, moved forward as if to wake them, but Aedus held her back with an arm on her shoulder.

The five that were awake nodded with respect to Caelen. One spoke and Aedus translated for me. "Lord. The queen awaits you and your group in the throne room."

Lord Caelen surprised the male by placing a hand on his shoulder. "Your comrades are unwell. What has happened here, Stren?"

"The queen prepares for the war against the Demon Realm. She requires our magic. We give it freely."

Pain colored Lord Caelen's features. "I see." He pointed toward Stren's right side. "You are injured." There was a gash across that side of his tunic, some red stains had darkened the edges.

Stren straightened, although it was plain he was in pain. "A simple training injury. I do not choose to heal myself."

Caelen shook his head in confusion. "Why?"

"We must conserve."

"And how fares your mate, Lady Loryll?"

"My lady is...is well, lord." Stren looked away.

Caelen squeezed the guard's shoulder. "We were friends once. You can speak honestly to me."

He met Caelen's gaze, but spoke softly. "You chose to abdicate."

"You did not wish to join me in Cascade. All were welcome."

"This is our home. It was your home once. Faerie would not be suffering if you had stayed."

The words hung in the air like sharpened daggers. Caelen was distressed. "Come to Cascade, Stren. Bring Loryll."

"We do not run like cowards from our home." Caelen's eyes widened in shock. I noticed Aedus placing a hand on his sword. Stren noticed it too, immediately looking at the ground and kneeling on one knee. "Forgive me, lord. I spoke out of turn."

Aedus sent to me,
"He is accustomed to the violent ways of the queen. As the former king, my father could have Stren and his family imprisoned or worse. But they were children together, the best of friends. Father has not forgotten those days."

Caelen helped Stren stand. "You spoke only the truth. I've made mistakes. I intend to do all that I can to restore our people to health. If I call upon your service, will you advise me, Stren?"

The male smiled for the first time. "I would be honored to help you, Caelen."

"You were always the smarter one." Caelen winked, encouraging the other guards to relax, including the three sleepers who'd risen and were listening intently.

I sent to Caelen, "
Shall I heal his injury
?" My healer magic was strong today, perhaps the lingering result of taking Aymis' blood.

"
All here would soon know of your generosity. It might encourage the court fae to trust us. I'll need their trust.
" He turned to his friend. "Stren, Jacqueline is a healer and has offered to see to your injury. It would not require you to use your magic and she will not enter your mind. I promise this."

Stren seemed unsure at first, but as soon as I touched him he sighed in relief. Two of the other guards had injuries that they could not spare the magic to heal, so I healed them as well. They nodded to me with hands on hearts and I nodded back, glad to have been able to help in a small way, at least.

Stren took my hands in his, his dark eyes gleaming with health once more. "Jacqueline, I thank you and ask The Balance for you mate's swift return."

A tear leaked down my right cheek, then another down my left. "Thank you, Stren. I hope that Faerie is returned to health soon." I'd answered in Seelie and the guards looked pleased by my attempt to show them respect.

After leaving them with food, we continued on, passing dead orchards and foul-smelling streams. Ragged fae labored in the gardens that would have normally been seen to by demi-fey, as several well-fed overseers stood nearby holding whips.

"Half-bloods," Aedus whispered. I couldn't believe that this sad terrain was the seat of Faerie. In this decrepit state, Naberia could walk in and take over easily, spilling very little blood in the process.

A set of double doors loomed ahead, crafted in a blend of rich woods and threaded with platinum and gemstones. Over twenty feet tall, the doors were hand-carved and golden in color, depicting scenes of lush gardens peopled by elegant fae. A tall male and female seemed to hover above the rest, their magic too powerful for the others in the carved masterpiece to ignore. Each head was bowed in respect or submission.

We passed into an enormous entrance room, then along a wide hallway, leading toward a set of double doors at the end. The furnishings we passed, as well as the wall mosaics and sculptures, were lovely but slightly dulled, as if some of the magic they required had been withdrawn.

After being admitted to the throne room by two guards, we lined up facing the still empty thrones. As per our plan, first in line on the left was Aedus, then Brina (as Charlie), Caelen, me, and on my right, Farrell. Farrell had requested the duty of guarding me and Caelen had agreed.

The seating for spectators was only half full, the fae occupying the worn chairs looking healthier than Stren's group but far weaker than Caelen's Cascade fae. They were dressed in fancy tunics and gowns, their necks, heads and wrists, adorned with precious jewels. These must be Fionna's sycophants, those who were allowed at least some of their magic. Stren had described to us how the queen allowed her favorites to keep a good portion of their magic while she drained the rest of most of theirs. Some of them whispered to themselves, pointing at Caelen and Aedus and Charlie/Brina, but most seemed bored by our arrival.

The five of us had discussed beforehand that we would acknowledge Fionna with only the usual respectful nod. Theoretically, this should not be taken by the queen as a sign of disrespect, although her behavior was pretty tough to predict. My comrades were blood relatives of the queen, heirs to the throne, and since I was representing an altogether different species, I shouldn't be expected to treat her as my sovereign.

A small honor guard arrived and announced the queen's consort, Tillion. When he entered, only a handful of fae nodded in his direction. He was a plain-featured male, with thick brown hair and small violet eyes. He had a nervous habit of clutching at his fancy tunic sleeves and pulling at the cuffs as if they were riding up his rather scrawny arms. His features were birdlike and his movements as quick as the darting tongue of a snake. He gave me the creeps.

After I was introduced, he addressed me directly, speaking quickly in Seelie. "You could have saved your mate quite a bit of pain if you had sent word sooner that you intended to bring the boy. His health is tenuous. He may not survive the journey home."

Aedus sent the translation to me alone, as he would the entire evening, then added, "
A weakling himself, he attacks whom he assumes to be the weakest in our party. See how he stands before us and does not seat himself in the chair beside Fionna's throne, the consort's traditional position. This means he is not favored, so you need not respond. Pretend you do not understand."

I smiled at Tillion and shrugged.

He spoke rapidly to Caelen next, obviously annoyed.
"
You must translate what I say to her,"
he barked
.

My mouth dropped open when Caelen spoke in English."There is nothing I must do for you, Tillion. You have no power and very little courtesy. We have been forced to walk several miles and are disheartened by what we have seen. You should offer us refreshment and a comfortable chair in which to rest while we await our audience with the queen."

As if Caelen's words were their cue, a line of ten fae warriors entered through a door behind the thrones, all of them bearing weapons, looking strong and healthy. Of course Fionna would allow her personal guards their magic. How else could they protect her? One of them stepped forward, giving Tillion a slight tilt of his head. "The queen wishes for you to sit. There."
Tillion glared at the guard, but moved to a chair behind Fionna's throne and sat, his ego deflating at the speed of sound.

The guard faced us and spoke. "Her Glorious Majesty, Queen Fionna, daughter of Queen Aine and King Finvarra, Anointed Sovereign to all of Faerie, Seelie and Unseelie. Accompanying the queen is Her Grace, Princess Zerian, Heir to the Throne of all Faerie, Seelie and Unseelie." All of the courtiers stood and faced the large doorway to the right of the dais. As soon as the queen passed through the archway, everyone knelt, everyone except for our little group.

The dimmer fae light suddenly shimmered and brightened as she entered, giving her skin a rosy pink glow. Because of her overwhelming beauty and the golden luster of her aura, Fionna's aspect was spectacular. Beneath the stunning crown, bejeweled and enchanted, her blonde waves fell about her head, tumbling down to her waist. A shining rainbow-hued dress that shifted into a different shade every time she moved, hugged her perfect curves. Her large eyes and lovely mouth were exquisite, but her expression was far from welcoming.

Thanks to Simon and Elizabeth, my shields were strong enough to resist her magnetic pull without any effort on my part. When she surveyed our little group, I clenched my fists. Oh to wrap my hands around her throat and squeeze until she turned a lovely shade of blue. Aedus gave me a mental nudge and I nodded along with the others.

"Calm yourself, stubborn cheetah. We must survive the day."

The queen returned our nod then met Caelen's gaze, speaking in Seelie. "What a shame that it required such drastic measures for you to attend me. The vampire has suffered." She gave me a little smirk.

My knees wobbled, but Farrell grasped my arm at the elbow, steadying me with a firm hand and a reassuring glance. I nodded in thanks.