L. BANKS - Cursed To Death

“They are calling for a trial,” Elder Futhark said. “Kiagehul is up on capital charges, which is an affront to the entire Unseelie nation.”

“They have not summarily executed him, as is their right if your cousin committed the first act of war against the Seelie king. They seem to be employing due process. Therefore, as much as I despise Rodney, law is law, and I see no reason to expend precious resources on what appears to be a very personal matter of magickal transgression.”

“He is in bondage, my queen,” Enoksen implored. “Held in Sir Rodney’s dungeon with iron and rowan.”

“That does seem to be cruel and unusual punishment,” she said carefully, appraising her top two advisors. “But what have the Vampires to do with all this?” She waved her hand about, causing it to briefly snow in the chamber.

Gremlins and Goblins hid behind the huge icy stalactites and stalagmites hanging from the endless vaulted ceiling and thrusting up through the chamber’s perma-frost floor. Burly digger Gnomes stayed hidden in the shadows and squinted against the northern lights that dappled the upper air, also waiting on the queen’s advisors’ response.

“You are slow to answer,” she said in a threatening tone, “which gives me pause.” She smiled a wicked grin. “Many an avalanche has been caused by the untimely drop of a misplaced pebble.”

“Kiagehul was retained by them to keep them updated on their enemy’s movements, and the Vampires were wrongfully attacked,” Elder Futhark said quietly, and then glanced at Enoksen.

“For personal gain or for the gain of my Unseelie empire was he so employed?” she asked coolly, her breath coming out as a white mist. She narrowed her pale blue gaze.

“I’m sure he was doing so to annex power to the Unseelie Court,” Elder Futhark said quickly.

“How so?” she asked in a sudden, stormy burst, waving her arms and causing swirls of mini snow squalls to spin around the room.

“The Seelie have banded together with the Werewolf and Shadow Wolf Federations,” Enoksen said, bowing. “The trilateral alliance is an enemy of the Vampires, and also a threat to the Unseelie… as they guard and honor humans.”

Queen Blatand became very still, as though suddenly flash frozen. Then, without warning, she became animated again. “That would make Rodney extremely formidable.”

“Yes, my queen,” Elder Futhark added quickly. “Hence, when our cousin saw a way to ally with the Vampire Cartel by simply sharing information, finally having something that they might find of value… something that he could negotiate with, he seized upon the opportunity. The only small bit of remuneration he asked was for the rightful return of his Seelie-nationalized property… the old Dugan Bed & Breakfast and Finnegan’s Wake, the drinking establishment.”

“Seems a fair price for such intense labor,” she said, beginning to walk while thinking out loud. She tapped a cold, blue finger to her lips. “Such an alliance with the un-dead ones could have far-reaching value… whereas Sir Rodney’s newfound friendships could be catastrophic to our quality of life.”

“Yes, yes, my queen. This is why we must go to the UCE trial to urge that Kiagehul be remanded to our custody-it is far less harsh to be banished from the Americas, versus being beheaded.”

“So, after all these years of straddling the fence and working for Sir Rodney, the prodigal son wanted to return home to me. Interesting. I wonder what gifts he’d meant to bring?” She nodded as she strode back to her elaborate, ice-sculpture throne and sat. “I do need to stay more connected with the goings-on at the UCE; I just hate to travel to New Orleans in the summer.”

“We don’t know if this will work,” Sasha said quietly, holding Silver Hawk’s and Hunter’s hands as they stood around Clarissa’s bed. “But if we can go into the shadow lands as one, we might have a chance.”

“This man still has an IV attached to his arm,” Dr. Williams said, glancing at Doc for support.

“We put it on a walking pole,” Hunter said. “It’s either that or it comes out. Time is essential-we need to go in and reinforce her before the sun sets.”

“Anything that you can do,” Bradley said, clasping Clarissa’s hand. He gave Sasha a pleading look and then handed her a small, white, linen charm bag on a long, white satin cord. “It’s got an iron slug in there, a copper penny, rowan, bay leaf, brick dust, a four-leaf clover, St. John’s wort, a St. Anthony medal, myrrh, frankincense, sea salt…” he said as his voice cracked and tears rolled down his cheeks. “With a lock of her hair and… and…”

“You keep this on her, Bradley,” Sasha said, slipping her hands out of Hunter’s and Silver Hawk’s. “We have the amber and silver amulets from the clan.” Sasha gently looped the charm bag over Clarissa’s head and kissed her forehead. “You put so much love into that charm, Bradley, that it belongs right over her heart.”

Silver Hawk nodded and the confirmation from the older shaman seemed to help Bradley’s confidence. Bradley wiped his face with the back of one sleeve, never letting go of Clarissa’s hand.

“The power of prayer always triumphs over the power of evil spells,” Silver Hawk said, landing a time-weathered, supportive hand on Bradley’s shoulder. “You continue to pray with all your might… you, Doc, and Winters, a strong pack bond of three-while we go into the darkness to bring her soul back to wholeness.”

“We have to go,” Hunter said, looking at the waning sun.

Sasha and Silver Hawk nodded, stepping into the nearest shadow with him.

“Sir Rodney! Sir Rodney! Lower the drawbridge!” A breathless Fae archer held his prancing chestnut Unicorn tightly as the beast reared and the drawbridge came down with a thud.

“A cold front just blew in to New Orleans,” the guard said, not waiting for the normal protocols. “We must send reinforcements to the area to brace for a possible onslaught! We have Seelie civilians… humans… there could even be ice storms in June-we don’t know what all could occur, but our people must be evacuated immediately.”

Woods and Fisher ran up to the front gate with Shogun and his men.

“Just like we helped you get the prisoner down to the dungeon, we’ll help you get him to UCE trial and will assist with the evac efforts,” Woods said, staring at Sir Rodney. “We’ve got your back out there in the streets of New Orleans, too. Sasha wouldn’t have it any other way. Plus, if humans are involved, we’re involved.”

“We owe you,” Shogun said. “This battle is not yours to fight alone.”

A nod of acceptance was all that was needed. Sir Rodney turned to his guards and prepared them for war. “Full garrison alert,” Sir Rodney shouted. “I want all civilian Seelie behind these walls before sundown. As we’ve expected, there will be vicious Vampire retaliation for the accidental lair destruction, if they’ve gone so far as to call me ex-wife.”

Hunter and Sasha sat quietly inside the full-moon circle that Silver Hawk had drawn on the ground of the shadow lands, listening to the low, resonating prayer chants of their clan shaman. The insistent wail of his voice and the rhythmic thud of the finger drum he used soon merged with their heartbeats and breaths until it was all one and the same. Then his sad, native chant ceased and he closed his eyes.

“We ask permission to speak with Clarissa’s higher spirit,” Silver Hawk murmured. “Let her come into the healing circle that is guarded by those of the light.”

Sasha fought not to gasp as Clarissa’s battered soul drifted into the center of the circle. Her eyes had been put out and her ears were bleeding. It seemed like her spirit was struggling to breathe as she scrabbled at her throat. But there was no way Sasha could stop herself from reacting in horror as Clarissa opened her mouth and her tongue was missing.