I needed to be completely committed to my snake. Indecision would get me killed in the goblin camp, so no indecision. I would be the snake. I giggled as an old movie scene popped in my head. Stop with the distractions already. A snake. A long, very long, white scaled snake. Maybe one of the king cobras with the wide heads. That would be cool. Not only cool but fearsome. I wanted them to fear me.
I felt my body shifting with my fae magic. The dark sands around me turned shades of gray and black. Who knew snakes didn’t see color? Not me. I turned my new snake head and looked at my body. Was it as long as I wanted? I couldn’t tell. I had no perspective to judge. I’d find out when I got to camp.
Through some instinct I didn’t possess but my snake did, I slithered along the sand. The soft glowing light turned to flickering flames from several fires. Tents dotted the area with no obvious organization. I’d expected them to be in a circle with the leader’s tent in the middle, but they weren’t.
Movement on my right gave away the first goblin patrol. If my snake could’ve gasped, she would have. Two short creatures strolled towards me, and I slid into a low crevice in the sand. They couldn’t have been more than four feet tall. Baggy trousers tucked into large boots covered their lower halves, but their chests were bare. Long swords hung from their belts. Or maybe they were just normal swords and the goblins’ short body made them look long.
As they approached, their wide eyes scanned the desert behind me. Long pointed teeth prevented their mouths from fully closing and drool dripped down their chins. A shiver ran the length of my body. Disgusting and fearsome.
A gun rested in each of their excessively long arms. I was totally ignorant when it came to firearms. It could’ve been a shotgun, a rifle, or even Nerf gun and I wouldn’t have known the difference. Regardless, I had to assume these would shoot to kill no matter how out of place they looked. Mythical creatures should be carrying swords and shields, I thought, or maybe long spears. Not modern-day weapons. I shook my head with disappointment.
They walked by in silence, and I slithered closer to one of the tents. Three more goblins sat outside the small dwelling, talking in a gruff language I couldn’t understand. Which seemed to be a common theme for me. I needed to fix that.
I slid by them unnoticed and made a circuit of the camp’s perimeter. There had to be at least a hundred goblins living there, probably more, and it looked like they’d been there a while. Or they were really good at making it look that way. Maybe it was how they lived all the time. I had no idea. Again with the ignorance. That seriously needed to change.
I curled up near a tent and looked towards the center of the camp. I needed to find the mage supplying their water and the vampire who had to be directing them. But numerous fires lit the camp. It’d be difficult to dart between shadows and go unnoticed. And why were they up this late at night? It had to be two or three in the morning.
My indecision would get me nowhere, and neither would my ignorance. Slowly, I slid along the rocky ground, unwinding my coils as I went. The snake’s smooth motions were mesmerizing, and I almost felt graceful. I stopped in the shadow of a pile of boxes, once again coiling my body.
Loud voices caught my attention but only because they were in English. I peered around the boxes to my right, in the direction of the argument. A group of men and women stood in small clusters between an enormous tent and the nearest fire. I could only see their backs and nothing beyond them.
“Did you really think you would be unchallenged?” a man’s voice asked. He had a weird accent I couldn’t place.
“No, I hoped to find you here.”
I rolled back into my coils at the sound of Gordon’s voice. Braden couldn’t be here yet, which left Gordon alone. If the elder was lucky, he might be on the plane.
“Trying to make more traitors?” the man asked.
“More like winners,” Gordon replied. “Jack loses more support every day.”
“That’s not what I’ve been told.”
The man’s voice dropped, and I couldn’t hear him anymore. I needed to get closer, but I could feel my magic wearing on me. I wouldn’t be able to hold the snake’s illusion for much longer. What to do? Not be undecided, that’s what.
I slithered out of my hiding place and in between the legs of two men, careful not to touch them. I should lay those vine traps among them while I’m here. Yep, good idea. I made my way through the crowd, my fae spell singing in my mind as I dropped the traps.
“My men will not follow that arrogant, self-centered ass!” the man exclaimed.
“Braden will show your clan how to raise the same wealth he has created for us,” Gordon argued. “Think about it, Vail. What is best for your people? The humans will never accept us. We will have world war three, and they won’t hold back.”
I stopped at the front of the group between a man and a woman. As long as no one moved, my long body wouldn’t get stepped on. And it was really long, just like I wanted it. Close to ten feet and at least eight inches thick, if I guessed right.
Gordon stood a few yards away with a dozen vampires behind him. If my snake could’ve smiled, she would have. Every one of them had a scarf tied around their bicep. I saw it as black and white, but I knew it was really red and white.
“You’re a fool,” Vail snapped. “The humans don’t stand a chance against us.”
“You’re the fool if you really believe that,” Gordon said.
His eyes drifted down to me and widened. I shook my snake’s head and willed him to recognize me. My scales were white, right? I wanted them to be.
“AJ?” he asked.
I slithered out of the group and coiled my body at Vail’s feet, the trigger for my traps flitting through my mind. As soon as the vampires moved, the vines would react.
“What are you talking about?” the vampire spat.
Gordon nodded at me, and Vail looked down. He jumped back, and I rose on my long, muscular body until my snake’s eyes met his. I flared the fan on my neck and reveled in the fear radiating from him.
“What is that?” Vail asked, his eyes glued to mine.
I flicked my tongue at him and he flinched.
“Looks like a snake,” Gordon replied.
“No shit. Don’t just stand there. Kill it!”
“I don’t think so,” my friend with dreadlocks said. I could hear the humor in his voice but didn’t turn my attention from Vail. I’d already learned that lesson the hard way.
He spat out several commands in yet another language I didn’t know. Possibly Chinese? I hated being ignorant. Several of the men moved, and howls of fury erupted from Vail’s vampires as my vines entangled them. The fighting behind me threatened to steal my attention, but I refused to take my eyes off Vail. I was so glad I didn’t.
My colorblindness didn’t allow me to see the blood in his eyes, but his extending claws and widening shoulders gave away his intent to attack. I struck him first, opening my mouth as wide as it would go and sinking my fangs into his shoulder. His claws scraped down my scales, but I ignored the pain and curled my length around his body. With each wrap, I gripped him tighter.
The bones in his legs crushed first, but my snake’s strength didn’t allow us to fall. I continued my slow, deadly embrace until my coils completely covered him. I retracted my fangs and lifted my head, hissing my victory over yet another of the vampire council.
Unfortunately, his blood rolled down my throat, and I gagged. It tasted awful. Like vinegar and spoiled eggs. I spat and choked several times, falling to the ground and carrying Vail with me. My magic wavered. I was done being a snake.
I quickly unwrapped my coils and put several feet between me and the vampire, then let go of my glamour. Waves of exhaustion rolled over me, but I couldn’t give in to them, not in the middle of a group of vampires and goblins.
I pushed myself to my feet and looked around. My vines held most of Vail’s vampires still in full monster, while several others lay headless on the ground in front of me. I
pushed back my need to vomit and looked past the vampires. Numerous goblins circled us, their wide eyes taking in the scene, but they weren’t attacking.
“You’re a pleasant surprise,” Gordon said, suddenly standing next to me also still in full vampire.
“Thank you,” I responded with a tired smile. “I do my best to please.”
Vail moaned as two of Gordon’s men went to his side, dragging him to his feet. He howled in pain.
“His legs are broke,” I said, pointing at the twisted limbs.
“Yes, I see it now.”
“How long will it take to heal?” I asked, taking a step closer to Gordon. I needed someone to lean on before I fell over. He seemed to sense my need and wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
“Does it matter?” he asked.
“Only if you think he will join us,” I replied.
My gaze swept across our would-be enemies again. Several still tried to break free of the vines, but most stared back at me.
“What about them?” Gordon pointed at Vail’s vampires.
“I could kill them now, if you want,” I answered. “I believe the vines’ poison is a slow and painful death, one that vampires aren’t immune to.” Several of the trapped vampires growled. “But I think we want allies, yes?”
“Braden wants to save as many of our people as possible,” Gordon replied, rubbing my arm.
“That’s right.” I tapped my chin and took a step away from him. “Let’s see if I remember the speech he gave to Ernesto’s men.” I smiled, despite my lingering exhaustion and a healthy amount of fear. “You have two choices: Fight with us or walk away. But Braden was very clear about one thing. If you walk away, you better keep walking. Because if I see you on the battlefield in a few days, you are no longer my ally.”
More growls erupted from the group, and I glanced at Gordon.
“How much you got left?” he asked.
I knew what he meant. How much more magic could I do before passing out?
“Enough,” I replied, hoping it was true.
He stepped away from me and squared off against Vail’s army. How did he appear so fearless? “What’ll it be?” he asked.
“You would side with a mage over your own kind?” a tall female asked, glaring at him.
“No, I would save my kind,” Gordon replied with more kindness that she deserved. “Jack’s plan will kill us all. How can you not see that?”
“We should rule them, not hide in the shadows,” she spat, desperately trying to free herself from my vines.
“Then I have your answer,” Gordon said. “Anyone who agrees with her, stay and fight. Everyone else, take your human form.”
Only a handful reverted to their human form, albeit reluctantly. They looked at Gordon with disdain and threw daggers of hatred at me. Gordon growled and turned his back to them.
“Kill them all,” he said.
I stared at him with remorse and sadness. If I didn’t do it now, I’d have to later. These same people would kill our mages and shifters. Could I live with the guilt? I couldn’t see where I had a choice. The spell to activate the vines’ poison rang through my mind, and I nodded at Gordon.
“You deal with their leader and the goblins, who I assume won’t attack or they already would have,” I said.
“They won’t attack,” he confirmed.
My gaze raked across the hideous creatures. I tried not to feel pity for them. They were pawns in this just as much as I was.
“You should give them the choice to go home or stay and fight,” I suggested.
Gordon raised an eyebrow at me, but a piercing cry drew his attention to Vail’s army. The poison was just starting its path through their blood.
I raised both hands in the air and looked skywards. “Niyol!”
A bolt of lightning struck the ground at my feet, forcing everyone around me to jump away. Göksu? A narrow funnel cloud reached down and picked me up. Tears pooled in my eyes as the vampires’ cries of agony floated into the air, following me as I fled. I didn’t know what the poison would do to them, and I didn’t want to find out. I should. Running away was the worst form of cowardice, but I couldn’t watch their deaths. Why did it have to be slow and agonizing? What was wrong with a swift, painless death? It seemed like every spell Cedric taught me was meant to inflict excruciating pain. Surely, the fae were more than just death. They had to be.
Niyol took me back to the old cavern, gently putting me on the ground this time.
“Do you have the energy to go back to the palace?” he asked.
“No.”
“Then I’ll take you to Fadil,” he said. “He’ll feed you and give you a place to rest.”
“Thank you,” I mumbled. The weight of so many lives pressed down on me. No matter what I told myself, I’d have to carry that guilt.
“You didn’t have a choice,” Niyol said. “They would’ve killed the people you’ve sworn to protect.”
“I know.”
He picked me up again, and a few minutes later, he set me down next to a large one-story building. The two guards at the entrance started yelling but didn’t approach me. I suspected the appearance of my elemental kept them from attacking.
I stood there, silent, as I waited for either Fadil or Zahur to emerge from the home. I didn’t have to wait long. The front door flew open, and Zahur appeared in a pair of dress slacks and unbuttoned shirt.
“Alisandra?” he asked, his gaze bouncing from me to Niyol.
“I’m really sorry to drop in unexpected,” I said. “But I’m in no condition to go anywhere else.”
“Please, come in.” He stepped back, making room for me to pass.
I looked up at Niyol and gave him a smile. “Thank you, my friend.”
He knelt and wrapped me in a hug. “I will always be yours, even when I’m not.”
“I love you,” I whispered, not stopping the tears that rolled down my face.
“Go. Eat and sleep.” He released me and stood. Then with the flourish that was Niyol, he disappeared.
I turned back to Zahur and his guards. All three stared at me with astonished looks. I wiped away my tears and smiled.
“He’s a drama queen,” I said, waving my hand at Niyol’s empty spot.
Zahur chuckled. “Come in.”
I followed him inside the darkened entry. He turned on several lights as we crossed the foyer into a large kitchen.
“He said you needed food,” Zahur stated. “Let me have something made for you.”
“No, please,” I insisted. “It’s the middle of the night. I feel guilty for pulling you out of bed. I can warm up whatever you have or eat it cold.” I shrugged. “I really don’t care at this point.”
He laughed, but the smile didn’t reach his face. “Hummus and pita?”
“Would be wonderful.”
His kitchen looked a lot like everyone else’s with stone countertops and stained wooden cabinets. A small breakfast table filled a corner of the kitchen, and I slid into the one of the chairs. My stomach rumbled, and I hoped he didn’t hear it. I couldn’t even remember the last time I had a meal. Maybe the sandwich at Kellen’s the day before. I would need more than hummus and pita bread at some point.
Zahur joined me a few minutes later with enough food for us both and two bottles of Coke.
“Thank you,” I said, “Please forgive my manners. I’m starving.”
“No need to apologize.” He scooped a helping of hummus onto my plate and then his. “Tell me what you’re doing here, alone.”
I dipped my pita into the hummus and took a bite. A spicy explosion of flavor filled my mouth. It had to be the best version of chickpeas I’d ever had. To be honest, it was the only version I’d ever had, but it was amazing.
“This is outstanding,” I muttered, covering my full mouth.
“Thank you. Our cook is very proud of it.”
He still hadn’t taken a bite, and I felt a little guilty for not answering his question. But how much could I
tell him? I swallowed hard.
“Did you hear that we found the goblins’ camp a couple hours from here?” I asked.
He nodded but didn’t say anything.
“I was there, um...” I bit my bottom lip. “Getting rid of a few vampires. I didn’t have the energy to go home, so my elemental brought me here to refuel.”
I took another bite and tried to avoid the suspicious look he gave me.
“Getting rid of a few vampires?”
“It’s really difficult to explain,” I said. “And I used a lot of fae magic, so I’m really tired. It’s possible that particular group of goblins will fight with us instead of against us.”
His thick eyebrows rose. “Truly?”
“Yep. I hope to have confirmation of that soon.” I frowned, knowing Kellen would be pissed when he found out I was with Zahur and not Cedric as I’d told him. “I don’t suppose there’s any way to keep this from your cousin?”
Zahur laughed, but I didn’t share his humor. “Ah, so my cousin won’t approve of you coming here?”
“No, he told me not to, but I’m not very good at taking orders.” I also told him I was going to see Cedric, which was a lie, sort of. My guilt doubled. Kellen deserved better than that from me.
Zahur’s smile didn’t falter, and his expression softened. “He’ll not hear it from me, but I’m not the only one who saw you drop from the sky like a goddess.”
“You saw me?” I asked. “And I didn’t drop from the sky. My elemental carried me.”
“I was here in the kitchen when I heard what I believed to be a sandstorm,” he explained. “When I looked out the window, a young woman drifted down from the stars to land at my door.”
A fierce blush spread across my face and down my neck. He made it sound so silly, like a fairytale.
“Well, let’s not tell Kellen. I promised I would be home in a couple hours.”
“Do you need someplace to sleep?” he asked.
“No, I’m fine,” I replied. “Getting some food in my stomach has helped. I should be okay now.”
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