Blood of Centaurs: Book 12 of The Witch Fairy Series

by Bonnie Lamer

  Yup, stupidest idea we’ve had coming to this party.

  10

  As nice as it would be to send everyone off to bed and figure this out in the morning, I am outvoted. Even Kallen votes against it. Mostly due to the fact he is pissed he couldn’t catch whoever did it. I think he’s taking it too much to heart. Whoever planned this must have planned for his or her escape.

  So, here we are back in the room with marble tiers. There are more Centaurs this time and a bunch of chairs are set up to give the Sasquatch places to sit. This time, the chairs for our envoy are facing the marble tiers instead of the King’s bench and podium. This is so we can mediate what is destined to be a heated discussion. By heated I mean it would be more comfortable sitting in the middle of a solar flare than in this room. Kallen, Dagda and I have already broken up several fights between the Centaurs and the Sasquatch. Using magic, of course. I’m really not a match for either in hand to hand combat.

  “Enough!” Dagda shouts over the foul words being lobbied back and forth across the room. When no one responds, he turns to me. “Xandra, if you please.”

  With a grim smile, I do what he is asking. I take everyone’s voices from them. I’ve never taken so many at once before, so I’m happy to know I can. But, this also means that almost all of the anger in the room is directed at me now. I shrug. “You guys wouldn’t shut up.” Kallen gives me a ‘don’t push it’ look. Fine. “If I give you guys your voices back can we have a reasonable discussion? One where only one person speaks at a time?” I feel like I’m talking to preschoolers. Probably because that’s what they’re acting like.

  A few reluctant nods are directed toward me. Figuring I’m not going to get more, I go ahead and give their voices back. Several Centaurs and Sasquatch hurry to be the first to speak, but Dagda cuts them off.

  “We need to get to the bottom of this and bickering back and forth is not going to help,” Dagda says, stating the obvious.

  “How do we know you did not perform this horrific act?” Kono Nakani, the Supreme Commander, asks. Well, that’s a stupid idea.

  I field this question. “First, I’m the one who threw up a circle to keep the noise from continuing to penetrate into your brains and melting you from the inside out. Second, Kallen tried to find the person who did it. Third, I’m the one who brought several of you back from the brink of death. Why would I do that if I wanted to kill all of you?” Unfortunately, those who I did bring back from the brink of death haven’t had a chance to wash up. The blood matting the hair of many of the Sasquatch is rather disturbing. It’s less noticeable on the Centaurs because most of them are darker in color.

  Refusing to see the logic in my words, Kono says, “Perhaps it was a ruse to convince us you are here to help when you are really here to kill us for the Centaurs?” This starts a lot of grumbling and the tension in the room has become a breathable gas trying to choke us all to death.

  “On the Richter scale of stupid, her magnitude would be twenty,” Taz grumbles from under my chair. I try hard not to laugh.

  “The Fae have no quarrels with the Sasquatch,” Dagda says calmly. “We will not take sides in this war.”

  “We need to focus on determining who the culprit is before members of your races are killed. Passing the blame back and forth and making wild conjectures will not accomplish this,” Kallen says. “Answer me this, was anyone noticeably absent right before the attack occurred?” To my surprise, the grumbling in the room stops as they consider Kallen’s question. But the answers are what we all expect.

  “All members of my envoy were present and accounted for at the time the attack occurred,” the Sasquatch King announces.

  “As were the Centaurs,” Pholos assures us.

  Asking Kallen more so than the rest of the room, I say, “Could the whistle have come from something, a machine of some sort, set to go off a certain time?”

  He ponders this for a moment. “That is a possibility. I did not feel magic when I searched for the culprit.”

  “It would be helpful if one Sasquatch and one Centaur go together to look for such an object,” Dagda says to the two unofficial leaders, Kono and Pholos. They both look doubtful that the culprit would be so stupid. But, Dagda continues anyway. “Garren will accompany you, as well,” he says. Garren is thrilled he’s being sent along so he can break up a fight that is more than likely going to break out between the Centaur and Sasquatch he is to accompany.

  “You are a powerful Witch,” Bayard says. “Why are you not using a spell to search for the culprit?

  It’s a reasonable question. One with a reasonable answer. “First, I’m a Witch Fairy.” Not that this really matters in the conversation at hand, but still. I’m proud to be of mixed blood. Though, I do leave the Angel part out. I don’t like to spread that secret around. “Magic can find magic,” I say. “Magic wasn’t used in this attack, so there is nothing for my magic to find. If the item used to make the whistle sound is located, I may be able to use that to lead me to the guilty party.” I suspect whoever did it already knows this and the whistling object is long gone.

  “So, we are to go to our beds where we will likely die in our sleep from another attack like this one?” a Sasquatch asks.

  I try really hard not to roll my eyes. The stern look I get from Dagda implies that I failed. “I doubt whoever did this is going to start picking you off one by one in your sleep.”

  Finding no comfort in my words, a Centaur accuses, “You cannot be certain of this. Since the attempt to kill many of us at once has failed, perhaps this is the logical course for the culprit.”

  “Is that a confession?” Kono asks malevolently. The Centaur must be physical restrained by those on either side of him to keep him from attacking her.

  Because I really, really want to get out of here, I throw out, “Would you feel safer if I perform a spell that will make everyone fall asleep and wake up at a certain time so no one is roaming free while others are sleeping?”

  Dagda and Kallen both turn to stare at me. “Xandra, even you may not have enough magic for that,” Kallen whispers.

  I shrug. “Probably not. But if we join our magic in a saka like the Witches do, it may work.” Look at me throwing around the magical lingo.

  Kallen considers this for a moment. “It may work,” he says with only the slightest trace of doubt in his expression. He looks to Dagda. Still whispering, he says. “Do you believe they will agree to do this?”

  Dagda shrugs. “We can try.”

  “How, exactly, would a spell like this work?” Kono asks, breaking into our hushed conversation.

  Since I have never done it before, I have no idea. Probably best not to say that out loud. “I will say a spell that will make everyone within its reach fall asleep at a certain time. How long would it take for everyone to return to their shelters?”

  “Would we be under your control?” Pholos asks.

  Wow. Paranoid much? “The only control over you I would have is putting you to sleep and waking you up again.”

  “How can we be certain you will wake us up?” the Sasquatch King asks. Seems the paranoia isn’t limited to Kono. To be fair, though, I’d probably be asking the same questions.

  I let out an exasperated sigh. “Look, it was just a suggestion. If you don’t like it, I won’t do it. You can simply return to your shelters, post guards at the door and wear earplugs or something.”

  “We have come full circle then,” Bayard says. “We are to lie awake waiting to be attacked.”

  I admire the patience and reserve Dagda is exhibiting. Me? I’m ready to do the spell and let them fall to floor right here. That may not do much to help persuade them we are truly neutral observers, though.

  Dagda takes a better approach. “Many of you have witnessed the power the Princess can wield. The rest of you I am certain have heard tales of her abilities. If she had the desire to hurt any of you, she could have down it already and been back in our realm in a heartbeat.” Um, not the way to build confid
ence in me. “She has offered a temporary reprieve from the violence. In addition to her spell, a circle will be put up around the village to ensure no one from outside has access to you. As Xandra said, the choice is yours. You can enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep and we can address this new development in the morning as part of the peace negotiation, or we can adjourn and you can do what you believe necessary for your personal safety.” New development? That’s a funny way to describe attempted mass homicide. The circle will be no problem. Kallen can easily make a circle large enough to surround the village.

  Murmuring begins around the room as the Centaurs and Sasquatch discuss their options. “Wake me when the wankers make up their mind,” Taz says through a yawn. “Their idiocy is making my brain tired.” Mine, too.

  “The Centaurs will agree to your offer on one condition,” Pholos says. Great. I can’t wait to hear it. “You will leave my father, myself and another Centaur of our choosing awake.”

  Three, two, one. “Are the Sasquatch to trust you enough to be in such a vulnerable position? What a ridiculous notion,” Kono grouses.

  She does have a point, though. Maybe there can be a compromise. “What if just the Kings were left awake?” I ask.

  Stunned eyes turn to me. Kono speaks first. “Leave our King unprotected? Are you truly that stupid?”

  “Should I bite her on the ankle or the ass?” Taz asks. “I can’t reach much higher than that. She’s pretty tall.”

  Ignoring my Familiar’s kind offer, I say, “Do you really believe it likely the Kings will try to kill each other while you sleep?”

  “My father’s advanced years put him at a disadvantage if there is a struggle,” Pholos growls.

  I was never spanked as a child. My parents mostly relied on time outs and guilt to keep Zac and me from misbehaving. So, when Bayard sucker punches his son in the face, I really didn’t see it coming. Neither did Pholos, apparently.

  “Do not ever again imply that I am too old or feeble to protect myself,” Bayard growls in a voice that sounds more tiger than horse.

  Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Pholos grinds out, “My apologies, Father.” I suspect this incident will speed up Pholos’ plan of patricide.

  “I have no fear of the Centaur King,” Yerwen declares, rising from his chair. “I am willing to make this compromise. Bayard and I will remain the only two awake.”

  Well, them and all of our party. I’m not putting Dagda or Kallen under a sleeping spell. Honestly? I’m surprised the Centaurs and Sasquatch are agreeing to it. Yup, I’m a hypocrite. I can live with that.

  “If we are agreed, then we can get started,” Dagda tells the crowd. He wants to get out of here as much as I do. Taz assured me Tana, Zac and Felix are fine, but I know Dagda wants to see it with his own eyes. Turning to Kallen, he says, “Send Garren a message that the search will resume tomorrow. He and the others are to return now.” Kallen nods and mentally sends the message. Poor Garren, he’s going to have a headache.

  It only takes a few minutes for Garren to return with the Centaur and Sasquatch. Both of whom are less than thrilled with their Kings’ decision. Garren is smart enough to keep his mouth shut about it. He simply looks at me with raised brows as if to say, ‘how in the hell did you get them to agree to this?’

  That can be explained later. Right now, I want to get this spell done and then get back to our barn. I’m still annoyed we’re staying in a barn with stalls for sleeping in. I try to push that irritation back so I can concentrate.

  I have Kallen and Dagda take my hands. Garren is on the other side of Dagda holding his hand. Glancing at each of the Fairy men, I am somewhat amused that the only one not grimacing is Garren. He has no idea what he’s in for. Leaning across Dagda, I say, “Make sure you have a firm grip. This is going to hurt.” Garren’s eyes open wide, but he doesn’t drop Dagda’s hand.

  When I feel Kallen make his impressive circle big enough to surround the village, I let the spell form in my mind. Closing my eyes, it flows from my mouth. “From greed or power a foe has arisen, from both sides unwelcome and unbidden. Protection from malice is my gift to you, wrapped in magic none may harm you. For this night, the foe’s victims will have peace, none shall suffer his violence or caprice. Slumber all within this circle from dark to light, waken only when the moon takes flight. Dream alone will come to you this night, only gentle harmony will tread upon your inner light. With a humble exception of only we few, none will walk until this land feels morning’s dew.”

  As I speak the final word, the magic I need to put an entire village to sleep is wrenched from me. Whether my own magic is enough or not, I’ll never know because the spell wants all the magic present. The gut wrenching feeling I have as the magic is flung forth is nothing compared to what the three Fairies standing with me feel. Even though they are giving their magic willingly to this spell, it’s a greedy son of a gun. The pain transforming their faces is enough for me to try to drop Kallen’s and Dagda’s hands, but they hold tight until every drop of magic the spell wants has been taken. To my surprise, Kallen’s circle holds against the pull of the spell that wants to suck up magic like a sponge. He is truly a powerful Fairy.

  I must say, I’m impressed with Garren, too. Of the three, I expected him to end up on his knees in agony. But, he bore it almost as well as Kallen and Dagda. Isla would be impressed, as well.

  Taz, on the other hand, is a little worse for wear. “I quit,” he wheezes from where he collapsed on the floor. The others’ magic was pulled through him as well as me. Magic, like water, will take the path of least resistance. Being my Familiar makes him a conduit for anything I’m going through magic-wise.

  “You can’t quit,” I inform him.

  “Then kill me now before you speak another spell that rips my insides to shreds. It will not be difficult, I am already at death’s door.”

  I roll my eyes. “Could you be any more dramatic?”

  “Perhaps if I take lessons,” Taz snarks.

  Still gasping, Garren leans toward me. “Remind me to never, ever offer myself up for this again.

  “Trust me, there will be another time,” Kallen smirks with an evil gleam in his eye. “Welcome to the family.” Garren’s horrified expression as he realizes Kallen is not joking is his only response.

  “The moon rises only twenty minutes from now,” Pholos tells the uneasy crowd. “I suggest you find your lodging for the evening.”

  As Centaurs and Sasquatch file past us, I get more than one threatening look. The Kings have certainly not pleased their people with this decision. It’s weird. In the supernatural realms, the residents rarely disregard the direction of their leaders even if they don’t like it. If I had tried this in my home realm, there would have been protesters rioting in the streets. Does that make humans more or less evolved, I wonder. I’m going to go with more. Blind obedience is a thing of humans’ past and that’s where it should be. I’ll just keep that opinion to myself, though. After all, my home realm is far from perfect. No sense in stirring up more trouble than we already have. Wow, I’m maturing. Imagine that.

  When everyone has left except the two Kings, I rest my head against Kallen’s shoulder. “Can this night be over now?”

  Chuckling, he wraps his arm around me. “My vote is yes.”

  Still a bit shaky, Garren says, “I am ready for that good night’s sleep you promised.” Doesn’t he know the spell won’t cover our party?

  With a nod to each King, Dagda says, “Bayard, Yerwen, until the morning.” He then ushers us past the two Kings who don’t seem to know what to do with themselves now that the spell has been cast. I can see the gears churning as they wonder if they should keep an eye on each other, sleep themselves or stand guard over their people. I’m not curious enough to stick around and discover what they decide. I take Kallen’s arm and we head back to the barn. Taz limps along behind us at a snail’s pace until I give in and carry him.

  11

  Tana is beside herself when we r
eturn. As soon as Dagda enters the barn, she rushes into his arms. “I have been so worried!” she says, her words muffled against his chest.

  My biological father wraps his arms around her and despite her worry and his stress, there is joy on his face. He thought he would never have her in his life again. Now, she’s not only in his life but still loves him enough to worry about him. A tiny smile forms on my own lips. I’m happy things have worked out between them.

  Releasing him from her bear hold, Tana asks, “What happened? What was that noise earlier? It almost killed Taz and Felix.” It occurs to me that she is the only other one besides me who refers to the Tasmanian devils by their names. Everyone else calls them beasts, creatures, forest animals, etc.

  “It did?” I ask, looking down at the fat, hairy body in my arms. No wonder he’s exhausted.

  “What, you thought I came to save you?”

  “Uh huh,” I say and drop him unceremoniously to the floor. Fully recovered, he simply ambles away to where Felix is curled up on the couch. I’m pretty sure the other Tasmanian devil is happy we’re safe, but he doesn’t show his emotions much. Years of torture and abuse will do that to you.

  I plop down on the couch next to the two Familiars and give Felix’s head a gentle scratch. “Thanks for staying here to protect Zac and Tana.” He grunts in response but I know he’s proud of himself. He didn’t get many chances to be the good guy in his universe.

  “Where is Zac?” I ask.

  A tender expression forms on Tana’s face. “He fell asleep a few minutes ago. I put him to bed.”

  I smile up at her. “Thanks for taking care of him.”

  Kallen sits down next to me and puts his arm around me. “Very nice work with the spell.”

  I snuggle into him. “Thanks. Did it hurt much?” I ask, already knowing the answer.