by Rose Smith
He knew he should have turned Fawna away when she showed up—and at first he tried, but he couldn’t. He reasoned she’d be safe with him. His Ripper powers had him more in control of the lion and the hawk and the werewolf that lived inside him—even when the moon was full. But if he ever needed the strength of the strongest beast inside him—it was now. His eyes flashed an angry neon yellow, and the lion began to overtake him. He let out a low growl that became more ferocious and the animal took hold of his soul and began to sprout a powerful lion’s mane, hair and long, strong claws.
Brock froze when he heard the growl. He watched in amazement as man turned to magnificent beast. The beast lunged, planting his powerful paws on the man’s chest.
“Help! Help!” He cowered as the beast began to speak.
“Not even the Empress of Empathy could save your soul. You must be put down so you can no longer do harm to anyone.”
Chaz’s animal clamped his claws over Brocks heart and began to chant in the Ancient Ripper Language. A circle as black as coal enclosed over Brock’s chest as his skin began to swell. He screeched in agony as his body tremored. Craaaaaaack. His ribs broke and whoooosh! His heart flew out of his chest. Chaz transformed back into human form, clasped the heart and encased it in his special case to take to the Cave of the Ancients after he checked on Fawna and made sure she was still resting.
He gathered his rifle and his belongings and went to holster them onto his horse. He gasped, dropped his knapsack and ran to her as he lay on the ground near the trail.
Chapter Twenty
“Fawna bit her lower lip. Her long fingers dug down into her flesh to try and quiet the fire breathing into her wound. “I—I—I—I’m sorry Chaz, she stumbled. “I promised you I wouldn’t leave the cabin, but I heard a howl and I thought you might need help. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t talk, please don’t talk,” he cried. “You are so brave. I’ve got to get you back to the cabin.”
“I love you, Chaz, she reached up and stroked his face with her hand. I just met you, but I felt like I’ve know you all my life. You’re the one I was always waiting for. Hoping for… I…I…”
Fawna went rigid before passing out. He scooped her in his arms and rushed her back into the cabin to tend to her wound. The gun had gone off when he dropped it fighting with Brock. It wounded her with the silver bullets meant to protect her from the beast inside him.
“If I lose her, I’ll never forgive myself,” he cried. He felt a queer, constricting ache under his heart. He placed her on the bed and examined the wound. It was bad. The silver bullets he’d had made were hollow point—bullets meant to expand and do more damage to the tissue. He meant to keep her from harm and now he was the one who’d cause the harm to come to her.
As he rushed to gather a bowl with water to wash the wound and a washcloth to place on her head he couldn’t keep the tears from falling. He cursed his weakness for her, causing him to keep her with him instead of sending her back to the ranch.
He knelt down beside her, praying for her to be ok. Her pulse was so weak.“Oh, God, I can’t lose her.”
A bright circle of light entered the room. So bright, Chaz had to shield his eyes. Like the light of a thousand candles to the tenth power. The illumination grew. It became an incandescent vivid glow. It took the shape of an ethereal being with long arctic white hair that floated around her—framing her delicate face. Chaz had heard tale of the Empathy Empress, but until now, he’d never laid eyes on her.
Tales of her beauty failed to capture the vision floating before him. Her face glowed with softness and the tears that flowed down her cheeks froze upon her ivory skin like diamonds. Her big hazel eyes were full of instant understanding, as if she’d lived centuries seeing misunderstood aliens, giants ostracized as monsters, good witches burned at the stake and mankind feeding upon mankind. Her dress billowed as she floated, decorated with thousands of stars, pointed ones, round ones, bejeweled stars, ones that looked like flowers, stars made of many ringlets—each illuminated with a radiance so bright her entire being glimmered.
“I’ve been waiting to feel your tears for a very long time, young man.”
Chaz Xanadu wiped his face, unaware until now that his tears were still streaming down his face.
“I’ve killed her. I wanted only to protect her. I’ve failed her.”
“You haven’t killed her. Her wound is deep. But it will not be fatal. She is in the Empathy Slumber.
“Empathy Slumber. But that’s only for, for…”
“For Empathy Fairies. She is my daughter. She has powers she has taken care to hide from the world—powers she doesn’t understand—some she isn’t even aware of. I struck a bargain with her parents that I would never reveal her identity. They didn’t want her to feel like she was different so they kept her adoption a secret. By agreeing to raise her, they helped me keep her from harm when her life was in danger. I promised I would never interfere until there came a time she would need my help. That time is now. Please. Let me reach her while she’s in her protective slumber. I promise all will be well. You are needed at the Cave of The Ancient Rippers. You have something they need.
He’d forgotten all about the heart he’d ripped from Brock’s souless chest. He had not failed his first mission. But if he lost his true love in the process—it would mean nothing. Sensing his feelings, she floated down and kissed him on the cheek. “I have waited many years for true love to come to her. You have not broken your promise to her. Your actions have led her to her true destiny.”
When The Empathy Empress kissed him—he felt a warmth he’d never felt before. Like being inside a mother’s womb—safe and secure.
“Go, get the Ripper Case. I will send you to the Cave of The Ancients and once you have turned in your first kill, Rakarah Fee will send you safely back. He ran out to his horse to retrieve the encased heart—anxious to complete his mission and be back by Fawna’s side as soon as possible. He went back into the bedroom and The Empress of Empathy waved her wand—transporting him to The Cave of The Ancients. He left The Empress of Empathy with Fawna—praying she could save her life.
Fawna felt like she was flying—soaring high above the clouds. When she looked down, she saw The Empress of Empathy floating among them. Fawna flew down and sat beside her. She was the most beautiful being Fawna had ever laid eyes on. “I know you. Once when I was four years old and had a bad fever, my mom was kneeling on the side of my bed praying for you to not let me die. I thought I was dreaming when light flooded the room and you appeared. My mom thought I didn’t hear her—but I did—and I saw you.”
“I know, my dear. I’ve had the privilege of watching over you all your life. Your parents kept you from harm by taking you in. I owe your safety to them.”
“What harm?”
“When I was young myself, a stalker made my life unlivable. He sent threatening messages, called me in the middle of the night, even killed my Lead Empathy Fairy Lieutenant. The scary thing about it is we didn’t know who he was. When he threatened to kill my family. I had to send you off to keep you safe. Fawna looked up and saw diamond tears trailing down her mother’s porcelain cheeks. Her sadness pierced Fawna’s heart.
“I’m so sorry you had to go through that. It must have been terrifying.”
“I had to go into hiding for many years. One of the most scary things about stalkers is they have an agenda that’s completely made up—yet it becomes reality for them. And having a stranger stalk you brings a level of paranoia that almost suspends your ability to live your life. It’s unnerving knowing anyone out there can be your stalker. Even with all my magical powers it took me many years to solve this frightening mystery.”
“So you caught him.”
“Yes, my dear. But let’s not waste our precious time talking of things past. I’m sure you have questions for me about your magical powers.”
“Why do books appear out of nowhere when I’m in danger?”
“They don’t just appear wh
en you’re in danger, my love.”
“As Empathy Fairies, we perform a small task that keeps the Seven Realms a little more balanced toward good and away from evil.
“You have power to make books materialize to guide you toward the good in your life. It is a skill that improves with practice. You simply have to believe in magic and always tell yourself—I believe in Magic. I will find the answers I seek.
“I believe in magic. I will find the answers I seek.” Fawna repeated.
“Yes. Always believe in magic.”
“But if the books were to guide me toward good, why did Things Are Not What They Seem appear after I’d married Stephen? He was already gay. “Sometimes, my dear Fawna,” The Empathy Empress told her, reaching out to brush a raven lock behind Fawna’s ear, you misinterpret who or what the book is meant for.
Even though it appeared well before you met Brock—he was not at all what he seemed. Because the owner of The Mesa Flying School knew Brock’s parents, he did not do a background check on him. Brock had been in several relationships where he threatened girlfriends, and their families. He had two unsuccessful suicide attempts including suicide by cop, where he tried to get the police to kill him. He was bad news, but he’d already fell through many cracks before he met you.”
Fawna absorbed what The Empathy Empress had told her. She swallowed. “This magic thing is a little scary for me,” she admitted. “But it does explain why I’ve always wanted to become a pilot. Little did I know—I could already fly.”
“Before I had to whisk you away to safety, when you were very young, you’d soar among the trees. You loved watching Oscar blow white puffy clouds out of his pipe. Fawna couldn’t believe what she’d thought she’d only imagined actually happened. In Magic, you are in the Enchanted Realm. We are now in the FAE Realm.”
“What are the rest?”
“Alien, Animal, Monster, Ghost and Earth.”
“Wow. Finding out about Magic, New Mexico was one thing, but all this—there’s so much more. And I’m so thrilled to meet you—my mother. Now I have two.” She reached out and hugged her new mother and felt all the warmth she had been saving for her.
Fawna looked around her. She didn’t even realize they had floated down from the cloud and were now floating in the Magic forest. Only it was different. Everything, the red rock mountains, the waterfalls, the trees that kissed the sky, the emerald colored grass were all illuminated. And there were rainbows glittering everywhere. Waterfalls that went down the mountain as well as up, zebras, peacocks and different types of birds, including the beautiful songbirds were rainbow-colored. And the rich red earth of Magic, glowed in the moonlight. What Fawna thought were fireflies lighting up the realm were tiny fairies, flitting about sprinkling trails of neon fairy dust everywhere.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Marry me, Fawna. I’d like to feel you’re mine always. And as your husband I want to protect you. And I want to spend a lifetime making you happy. “I’m a lucky guy.”
“Most bridegrooms are,” agreed Fawna.
He crushed Fawna to him with a groan. She pressed closer. “Tomorrow we can be married.” The Empathy Empress had completely healed Fawna. When she came back to the cabin and back into Chaz’s arms her questions had been answered. Best of all she knew he was her true love. She now knew when Alexandru’s Kiss practically fell into her lap on her way to the airport during the limousine ride, it was because she was about to meet Chaz Xanadu. He was the one she meant to kiss.
The Empathy Empress wanted to let Fawna’s parents know that they’d found each other. She went to the cabin to get Fawna and Chaz waved her wand and poof—they were in the home where Fawna grew up. Nell was also there to greet them. They embraced Fawna and The Empathy Empress. This time instead of forming into crystallized diamonds, the empress cried crystal tears shaped like hearts.
Fawna introduced them to Chaz and told them what all had happened. “Both Chaz and The Empathy Empress saved my life. Chaz and I are getting married tomorrow and we’d like you all to be there. Mom and dad, I’d like both of you to walk me down the aisle alongside Crystal. And Nell, I’d like you to be my maid of honor.” They all embraced and Fawna, Chaz and Crystal returned to the cabin. That night, Fawna’s family flew into Albuquerque where Fawan and Chaz had a sleek ebony limo waiting to drive them to Magic.
She’d begun tapping into her feelings of empathy and trusting her instincts, knowing that as long as she believed in herself and the power of her magic, the books that materialized would give her the true answer.
On the day she was visiting the Magic Bridal Shop, she ran into Oscar who was positively giddy.
“What’s up, Fawna?” He asked, knowing she’d return the greeting and he could spill his good news.
“What’s up Oscar?”
“I get to help The Fates send the plane passengers back to the Earth Realm the day after your wedding. We’re all so excited about your wedding, Fawna.”
“Thanks, me too. I can’t wait to see what kind of music you’ll play, Oscar.”
“Don’t worry, Fawna. I’ve got your playlist right here.” He patted his back pant pocket that held his iPhone. “Achy, Breaky Heart, Boogie Oggie Oggie, This is How We Do It—I’ve got them all—and all your slow songs too.”
“Sounds like you’ve got it handled, Oscar. Now, what’s this about you helping The Fates send the earthlings back to Paris?”
“Oh yeah—I almost forgot! I get to use my slingshot to shoot the plane back into The Earth Realm! They were going to put the plane onto the runway at the Albuquerque Airport, but there’d be too much explaining to do. Instead, The Fates are sending them back into the time warp, right before that bad guy took over the plane. They’ll all be safe. I’ve been practicing all day!”
“I’m sure you’ll do a great job Oscar. Well, I’ve got to get back to The Carson Castle. I’ve still got a lot of planning to do before the big day.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Oscar.” Fawna did the greeting she’d seen Oscar do with Chaz and the twins. Two snaps of her fingers and a quick shake of her hips from left to right.
“You got it goin’ on, Fawna,” he exclaimed returning her coolness greeting with two snaps of his huge fingers and jockeying his hips left to right.
She’d fallen in love with so many of the residents in Magic, but Oscar was one of her favorite people in the world. She looked forward to the wedding and the reception and dance afterward. She, The Fates, Tory and the other women in the town were going to get to dance with Oscar. The Fates would take turns making one of them his size or vice versa so he could get some of his dance moves in.
The Empathy Empress illuminated the FAE Realm in all its glory, allowing the residents of Magic along with the 200 passengers visiting the town to attend.
Troy was well enough to be Chaz’s best man. Nell was the maid of honor and Tory was the bridesmaid. Oscar the giant did the town proud as the DJ, playing Fly Me To The Moon as the couple’s solo dance. They took the dance floor first then everyone else joined in.All the Empathy Fairies and the fairies of the forest glittered up the sky.
It was the most magical thing any of them had ever seen. But there was even more to come that Fawna could never have imagined, even in her wildest dreams. Once the celebration was over, Crystal brought the newlyweds to the center of the forest. “I have a special treat for both of you.” She hugged and kissed them, then touched the top of Fawna’s head with her incandescent wand turning Fawna into a flying fairy.
She touched the top of Chaz’s head and he became a magnificent sable colored hawk with wings of white and gold. “Fly to the moon my dears, a surprise awaits.” Chaz and Fawna took off, shooting towards the celestial body together. Once they arrived at their destination, they landed on the pure white chrysanthemum ring glimmering the heavenly moon.
When their feet hit the cushion of the flowers, they transformed back into their human selves. They walked on the marshmallow softness of the flowers, circling the
moon. Moon Dance by Van Morrison began playing from the tips of the flowers. Chaz pulled her into his arms and kissed her deep. It was if they were drifting on wings of ecstasy.
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