by N. K. Vir
Two large offset obsidian colored eyes stared at her unblinking. A fish like mouth remained tightly sealed as the new creature stared up at her. Annie struggled to remain silent as millions of questions threatened to ask themselves. She inhaled deeply and gave the newcomer a graceful nod of acknowledgement.
“Tis true,” croaked the bobbing head, “The life spark has been found and in my own backyard.” His fish moth drew up into a charming smile that Annie could not help but return.
“I like your voice.” The words flew out of her mouth before she could censor them. Embarrassment heated her cheeks and she hoped her words would not offend him. She was surprised when she heard a deep melodic chuckle.
“And I admire your bluntness. I am called Flick,” the deep voice tickled the nerves in her belly causing her to instantly relax. She found herself leaning towards the sound wanting him to speak more.
“What kind of Fae are you?” She asked cocking her head to the side to study him. She knew there were many types of Fae that lived in the water, but his whitish, almost translucent smooth skin and fish shaped mouth had her confused.
“I am an Ashray, a water ghost. My kind can offer you some help from the sea. Nothing will reach you, nothing will harm you from the sea,” he promised. “But I come with more to offer. A Redcap gathers goblins to him as we speak in the cove. He is coming.”
The sound of dogs howling and barking in the distance echoed of the ocean. Flick cocked his head towards the water. One long ear dipped below the surface. He listened to the water. Annie could hear the gurgling and croaking beneath the surface. Suddenly he whipped his head up spraying Annie with water.
“He is coming now!” He croaked in alarm. “Quickly back to your protectors.”
A sudden panic seized Annie. Instead of freezing in place her legs dug into the loose sand and propelled her away from the shore. Her friends waved their hands frantically calling her to them. As she sprinted towards them she heard Flick call out one last warning.
“Stay close to the Faeriedae! He will allow no harm to touch you!”
Annie reached the small mixed group of friends and Fae moments later. Her lungs sucking in air in massive fear induced gulps. The sound of angry dogs grew closer as the entire group began talking and questioning at once.
“Silence!” shouted a deep voice that instantly had everyone obeying. Seven pairs of astonished eyes swung towards the commanding voice.
Before them stood an imposing figure, his tall well-built frame was decorated with tattoos and deep scars. His short cropped hair surrounded a fierce looking ace. His strong angular jaw was clenched shut and his dark eyes scanned the distance as his ears listened to the howling dogs. He caught sight of Annie and raised a dark thick brow at her as his harsh face softened slightly. His face and stance reminded her slightly of Duncan.
“I am sorry my lady,” he said. His commanding voice softening as he spoke to her. “I am Finn this,” he said motioning his head over his right shoulder, “is Callum.” A burly, red headed bearded man nodded. “And this,” he said nodding his head in the other direction, “is Colin.” A thick bald giant nodded as he was introduced. “We have come by the request of my adopted son. Where is he?”
“F-Finn?” Robert stuttered.
Finn’s dark eyes searched through the small group until he found Robert. “Robert!” he exclaimed enthusiastically. “I am blessed to have two of my sons by my side. Come here son,” he said extending his arms towards Robert. Robert pushed his way through the group and steeped into Finn’s open arms. Finn grasped Robert tightly by his shoulders and gave him a quick once over before pulling him tightly to his chest. “You are with us son. Callum give the boy a sword,” he commanded pushing Robert behind him.
Finn’s eyes surveyed the group quickly a small frown turning down hi smiling face. “You,” he said pointing a finger at Caelia. “No one gets past you. And,” he added with a menacing growl. “One twitch of deception and I will relieve your shoulders of its pretty little head.” He emphasized his last words with an affectionate kiss on her forehead.
Finn stepped past Caelia and gave her a slight push away from the rest of the group. He beckoned Kat and Griffin to him. Both went willing each one walking towards an outstretched arm. He curled them close to him, his head leaning down to speak to them as if he had a great secret to tell them. Until he stood close to Griffin Annie did not realize how massive and imposing he was. “Now my druids,” he uttered in a low tone. “You create a shield around her. Nothing in and nothing out, understood?” Kat and Griffin nodded slowly in understanding, and rushed to stand on the spot he indicated.
“Knackers,” Finn called.
Knackers, glamour gone, walked proudly to Finn’s side, his tail swishing behind him. Finn squatted down to look the Wag-by-the-Way in the eye.
“You my old friend are the last defense,” he said clasping both hands on Knackers’ shoulders. “No matter what happens promise me her safety.” When Knackers looked like he was about to protest Finn silenced him with a finger. “No matter what Knackers, for Duncan.” Knackers hesitated then reluctantly gave his agreement. “Thank you, caraid.”
Finn stood and clapped his hands together and rubbed them in excitement. “Everyone clear?” A chorus of “Ayes” responded.
“Excuse me, Finn?” Annie called after him as he turned away. He ignored her turning his attention to the flat ground that surrounded them.
“Callum, take Robert there,” he said pointing towards the south side of the wharf. “Colin you and I will take the west. The ocean shall guard out back-“
“Excuse me!” She shouted over Finn’s directions. Finn paused and finally acknowledged her.
“Yes my lady?” He asked without looking at her.
“What am I supposed to do? Sit here and look pretty? I’ll have you know I wounded that Redcap without any assistance from, from whoever you are.”
He glanced over his shoulder at her, a wicked knowing grin curving up one side of his face. “Aye, that ye did. Brave and fierce ye’ve always been,” He said as his voice thickened with a brogue she had not caught before. “Through yer love and spark ye’ve assembled a whole army of Fae and Riders to ye with just yer presence. Tis a wonder I have no’ seen in an age.” He turned towards her, respect shining in his dark eyes. “Ye,” he said taking a few slow steps towards her. “Are, our secret weapon. Yer power will shine like a beacon of hope and light durin’ the darkest point of the battle.” He reached out a hand to cup her cheek; his calloused thumb rubbing in reassuring circles. “Listen to yer heart an’ all will be as it should daughter.” He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead; and left her hand firmly in Knackers’ hairy paw.
“Come Annie,” Knackers said pulling her towards Griffin and Kat. “Finn kens what’s right.”
Chapter Fifteen
The Awakening
The world Annie had known changed the instant the last rays of the sun dipped below the horizon. With her back to the ocean she faced the west and waited for whatever was to come. The usually gentle ocean surged with great violence under the new moon a precursor of what was to come. The night sky grew even darker as ominous clouds thickened blocking out the stars. A dense fog crept towards the shore. The street lights dimmed to a pale yellow failing to illuminate the ground below allowing the darkness to grow as it fed upon itself. In the distance the sound of the howling wind echoed in her ears as silent lightning arced across the sky. The air surrounding the wharf stood still in an eerie bubble of silence. The usually busy Derby Street sat empty and quiet as if it knew there was evil approaching. For a moment, a heartbeat of time, the world stopped as if it were taking a deep steadying breath. Lightning cracked and thunder boomed shattering the glass windows of the surrounding buildings and instantly the world she had known changed.
She could hear Griffin chanting silently behind her as a slow steady breeze drifted past her carrying a dark mist. The mist swirled about her ankles; it nuzzled and rubbed gently around he
r comfortingly. It grew as if feeding off of her; it expanded upward creating a wall then slowly condensed and reached higher until it encapsulated her in a bubble. The air grew sweet smelling making her feel relaxed. Outside the safety of the dome the world had turned black, even the stars refused to give light. Without thought she knew Griffin had erected a protective barrier, she knew she was surrounded by magick and for the first time ever, she felt at peace, at home.
Home!
A word she had abused for as long as she could remember. A part of her awakened, it stirred as it reached out to touch the magick that had cocooned around her. As it had fed on her she now fed on it and found it strengthened her. She closed her eyes and for the first time felt. The raw power of the ocean crashed in silent violence like the pounding ebb and flow of her heart.
A warmth radiated from her core as her heart kept rhythm with the waves. The breeze grew into a gust as it kept pace with her lungs as they inhaled and exhaled. Her skin tingled as the magick caressed it. Her head tilted back enjoying a sensation unlike anything she had ever felt. The air crackled with energy, her ears could hear it, her skin could feel it, her nose could smell it; and as she opened her eyes they could see the magick that swirled around her. Magick was alive and its essence surrounded her. Colors she had never seen, could never have imagined, danced and swirled before her. Magick was not just one color, it was every color, every emotion, every smell, sound and sensation. Magick was not just alive, it was life.
Annie wasn’t sure how long she had remained mesmerized by the thought that magick was real; years or minutes could have passed. Time and knowledge was infinite, she had just learned so was magick. How her friend had managed to tap into such a force left Annie dumbstruck. The awe must have registered on her face, or maybe she had given voice to it because Knackers answered her.
“He is verra powerful. With the Otherworld’s magick surrounding him he is even more so. But,” he said grinning up at her, “your energy is more than helping him along. Welcome back life spark.”
She fought to find her voice but failed. She inhaled deeply and let out a shaky breath. As if the building tension in the air was connected to her lungs the delicate calm that had been teetering suddenly broke.
Watery ghosts appeared on the shore. Howling Beansidhes wailed a warning chorus in harmony with furiously barking dogs whipped up by the Grant. Knackers’ tail swished in agitation as he stood protectively in front of her; his ashen nose sniffing the air trying to detect the smell of evil over the Ratboys milling on the dock, his green eyes squinting out into the darkness. A thick fog like curtain parted revealing the most frightening creatures Annie had ever seen.
A row of Cu Sith lined the sidewalk snarling menacingly. Behind them stood a disheveled group of creatures that she could only guess to be ogres or maybe even goblins. Their misshapen bodies twisted in directions that should have made it impossible for them to move; some were missing limbs while others seemed to have extra ones. Each creature held a weapon, brandishing them in an attempt to instill fear in the small group that was attempting to protect her. But perhaps the most frightening being stood behind the misshapen creatures. The red-capped being tall and pale with dark eyes glowered and smiled at Annie. His evil smile splitting his face in such a horrible grimace that she could not control the shiver of fear that ripped through her. One hand seemed to be covered in a dark liquid as the other gripped a large sword stained with centuries of battle. It pointed one long bony finger in her direction and as it gurgled out a strange sound, all hell broke loose.
Duncan raced away as fast as his legs would carry him. His mind worked even faster. He was missing something. Images of the Battle Queen, Caelia, Mandy and the wise woman all fought for his attention. They had all given him clues, pieces of a picture that failed to form into a whole. The Queen watching and waiting, he could see her pacing in her black marble room. She was tense, her ivory hands clenched into fists. It reminded him of the first days after the bhanphriosa went missing. Then Caelia’s voice rushed out of the Battle Queen.
“He is coming…Kill him Duncan…When he comes kill him.”
His leg abruptly stopped. His breath came in deep and hard as his lungs burned. He closed his eyes and shut out his pounding heart and burning chest. The answer was right there. He fought with frustration and quieted his overactive mind allowing thoughts and memories to come and go freely.
Why? He asked the quiet recesses of his mind. He knew all the pieces were there he had all he needed.
Oisin-
“Every time he told me that story I thought it would end differently,” Annie had said. He had told Annie that story more times than she cared to remember.
“Kill him-“
“No,” Duncan whispered to his memories.
“He told me to make ready,” Fiona had said.
Duncan shook his head in denial. It made sense but defied logic. If he had done this, if he had taken her, if he had enchanted her what did he hope to gain? He was Seelie, he was power, and he was king. He was her father. Duncan could think of nothing, of no one else who possessed the power to capture a goddess and fool everyone, including him.
A howl pierced through his thoughts. Trouble was coming. He had failed to protect her more than once, he would not fail again. A curse and a vow escaped his lips as he began to run again. He was a warrior, a rider, a Faeriedae, and he was angry.
He willed his sword to his hand. It answered his summons singing happily at the promise of battle. Duncan dreaded the impending fight. He wished he had grabbed Annie that first day and ran. He wished he had been stronger then. He promised himself he would be stronger now. He tore down the street towards a darkening patch of sky. His sword, Answerer gripped tightly in his palm humming for retribution. It was his sword, gifted from him to Duncan when his Annie first went missing. Sometimes revenge presented itself in the most unusual way. The cold iron forged steel settled comfortingly into his hand. Duncan tightened his grip on the weapon that would soon be dripping crimson with the blood of its enemy and original owner. Very soon, the Son of Lir, Annie’s father in this world and the Otherworld would fall upon his very own sword and by Duncan’s hand.
A flash of light drew his attention. His eyes focused on what lay before him and the sight froze his moving legs. He had run so far in such a short time that he could not believe how far he had come. His mind had been so actively working that it had not registered the passing of time and distance. He stood outside Annie’s house facing the ocean and the beginnings of a great battle. Duncan, seasoned warrior of both worlds, stood frozen. Darkness had descended. A battle had begun to form and grow. Sides had been drawn between the Seelie and the Unseelie; Salem was under siege. The war had begun on the very shores where magick had first blessed the New World and in the middle shining like a beacon was Annie.
She had drawn his eyes towards her. Her voice screaming above the battle cries of his kin who surrounded her protectively. She called him to her. Then he saw the terror in her. As if he was standing before her he could see the fear, the horror of what she was witnessing reflected in her beautiful eyes. She was not only at war with the Unseelie, but with herself; as the human and the goddess fought for dominance.
Something inside him broke. His blood turned to fire. Anger erupted and spewed out of him in a deafening roar as he threw his head back allowing his rage to bellow out of him. The part of him that clung to his humanity vaguely recognized what had taken control of him. He had heard of such terrifying creatures before. They were legend and nightmare during his mortal life. Fueled by bloodlust and over taken by the need to kill anything that stood in their way. His animalistic nature understood and accepted the red haze that clouded his vision while sharpening his instinct. It would, he would, tear anything apart that threatened what was his to protect.
“Yes,” hissed a voice. “Hold that, Dark Warrior, use its power.”
His own fury took form and shape deep within him and gained strength as it took on a w
ill of its own and took control over his body. His consciousness was shoved away, a vacant passenger as he exploded into the battle.
Chapter Sixteen
The Battle at the Wharf
If hell itself had exploded before her it would have been more believable than what she saw now. No human imagination could do these creatures justice. There were no words that existed to describe their appearance or the fear they could inspire in her delicate human heart. These beings were ancient horrors. Their modern legends were so mild, so underwhelming that they seemed to be invented from a children’s author. The creatures that stood snarling before her small band of protectors gave new meaning to the word monstrous. The Cu Sith she had run screaming from the other night seemed like a playful puppy compared to the beast of hell that stood snarling and snapping before her now. It paced restlessly just outside her dome of protection searching and sniffing for any weakness. Knackers brandishing a sword did his best to scare off the beast as he stood protectively in front of her. The terror was unlike anything her sheltered mind had ever focused on. Although she knew she should be afraid she laughed imagining the hell hound trying to swallow the hairy Knackers. As if it had read her thoughts it glowered and growled at her with more intensity.
Its eyes glowed as if lit from within reminding her of stoplights. The brilliant red orbs were lifeless lights that glowed inside a black canine shaped skeletal head. Bits of matted fur clung haphazardly to the dripping decaying flesh that was barely attached to its skeletal frame. The visible bone was yellowed and chipped with scars across the ossified surface. The entire structure of the beast was darkened, colored by the hand of death. Only the eyes gave away any sign of life. The teeth, clenched together, stood out in the artificial light. They gleamed pure white and were tipped with an oozing red liquid that Annie realized instantly was blood. Her stomach threatened a revolt and she had to fight hard to swallow back the rising bile in her throat.
