The Iron Cursed

by J. M. Briggs

  “We’re in the sunlight,” Jenny said, almost as if she read his mind. “We should be fine.”

  “Maybe there is a kind of Faery that is resistant to the harsh light of our sun.”

  “Maybe, but I’d rather not think about that,” Jenny replied. She looked around nervously, her left hand toying with the pendant around her neck. “Probably wouldn’t be resistant to iron though, and we’re surrounded by that. If Arthur had any Faeries like that he’d have already sent them.”

  “You think Arthur sent them?” Lance leaned forward over the table. “Even with the spell broken?”

  “I…. yeah maybe.” Jenny sighed and tugged on a strand of her long dark hair as she nibbled at her lower lip. At any other time, it would have made Lance lean forward to kiss her. “It’s a bit naive isn’t it? To think that none of the Faeries would help him and the Queen? Surely some of them will want power or a chance to come out of the shadows.”

  “I guess you’re right.” Lance slumped down in his chair and looked towards the house, wishing that Merlin and the others would hurry up and get back here. “I haven’t thought much about it, but you’re right. This isn’t their world, and to avoid human panic and potential genocide they always have to hide.”

  “And with modern technology that’s got to be getting harder and harder. I can’t imagine many of them go above ground in crowded cities with a lot of cameras,” Jenny said thoughtfully. “When you think about it, they probably live in smaller cities or in towns like this one.”

  “That’s not very reassuring.”

  Swallowing, Lance wished they had something to drink. There were a couple of bottles of water stashed in his truck’s emergency bag, but he doubted they’d be very refreshing. He rubbed the back of his neck and looked up towards the forested hills surrounding Ravenslake. Lance understood why Merlin and Morgana didn’t live in the town proper, but did they really have to live so close to the forest with all those thick trees and long shadows?

  Jenny pulled out her phone and sent out a group text but didn’t look very hopeful. A gust of wind shook the distant trees and Lance grabbed for his dagger. Nothing came out of the tree line, but he was slow to relax. Jenny reached over and touched his arm, squeezing his muscles lightly. He was pleased to note a slight blush take over her cheeks and almost smiled. The weight room did have its rewards.

  “Uh, so if we’re staying next year, do you think we should try to move in with the mages?” Jenny suddenly asked.

  It took Lance’s brain a moment to catch up. “Yeah, maybe,” he replied slowly. “Though we might put them in danger if they have to worry about us.”

  “Maybe, but those Red Caps attacked us. At least, I don’t think they went after anyone else...” Jenny’s face suddenly turned pale and she was on the brink of panic. “Oh no! Lance, do you think-”

  “No.” He grabbed her hands and gave her a weak smile. “No, Jenny, I’m sure they were after us. We’re connected to the mages, and if you’re right about them helping Arthur then going after us makes sense. Us being hurt would hurt Alex, and Arthur…” Lance trailed off– he couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentence.

  “He likes hurting Alex,” Jenny finished. Her eyes were darker now, controlled rage simmering just beneath the surface. She exhaled slowly and the anger eased from her eyes, but Lance knew it was still there. “I just hope he leaves her brothers alone.”

  Lance nodded. He couldn’t help but think about his siblings Chris and Kelly. His family was certainly vulnerable, even with the blood protection that Alex had placed around the house. Would Arthur go after them, or was he too unimportant in the grand scheme of things? Would Arthur actually kill anyone else, or was the fear he’d put into them all enough? There were too many questions, but Lance was very aware that he had the youngest siblings of all of them. It wasn’t a reassuring thought. Nothing about Arthur’s actions thus far gave him any reason to believe that Arthur had any moral limitations to his actions, but maybe just maybe they would be pleasantly surprised.

  “I still struggle with it all,” Jenny said, her voice soft and resigned. “I close my eyes and think of Arthur, but all I see is that smiling boy from high school. Then I remember what he’s done.” She shivered and squeezed Lance’s hands tightly. “It’s like there are two people in my memories now, even when so many strange little things about him now make sense.” A bitter laugh escaped Jenny, and Lance watched her blink away some tears. “I keep going over things, trying to see if there was anything important that he ever let slip.”

  “Have Merlin or Morgana asked you?”

  “No: I don’t think they trust me or have that much faith in me.” Jenny’s voice was matter of fact and accepting. Then she tilted her head cutely and smiled, short-circuiting his brain for a moment. “I guess it's something we need to think about: housing arrangements for next year, I mean.”

  “Uh, yeah.” Lance was a bit disoriented now but pushed through. “If the mages don’t want us there due to the danger then we need to know soon.”

  “Exactly.” Then Jenny bit her lower lip and dropped her eyes. “And we could always share. Become roommates, I mean, in that case.”

  Lance’s brain wasn’t able to fully process that thought. There were too many emotional reactions at her suggestion that left him dizzy. Before he could completely become a puddle at Jenny’s feet, the sound of cars on the driveway made them both sit up straight. He released Jenny’s hands as his heart started pounding for another reason. Lance’s fingers twisted around the hilt of his dagger before he’d even though about it. Then there were familiar voices and the slamming of car doors. He stood up from the table, making the chair drag across the cement patio with a squeal and sheathed his dagger.

  It took them only moments to go around the house. Familiar cars and Merlin’s SUV were now parked next to his truck and the mages were climbing out. There was extra activity at Merlin’s SUV that made Lance frown in worry. Aiden was carrying Alex in his arms, balancing her carefully as her head lay motionless against his shoulder. Lance started to step forward to both check on her and offer to help, but quickly stopped. At this point shifting her would be more troublesome than helpful.

  Not wanting to surprise the mages, Lance called out in greeting. They all turned as one to look at him, Morgana’s hand raised and ready to summon magic. It inspired a jolt of fear in him, but he managed not to flinch back.

  “Ah, Lance,” Merlin greeted even as he frowned. “I was wondering about your truck. What brings you here?”

  “Is Alex okay?” Jenny demanded as she rushed over next to Aiden. “What happened?”

  “She’s exhausted,” Morgana replied calmly. “But we need to get her inside.”

  “There were Red Caps in town,” Lance said. He didn’t want the reason they were here to become lost in the worry over Alex. Nonetheless, his eyes jumped back to the unconscious young woman. Her face was deathly pale and her eyelids were fluttering. “Not sure how many, but they attacked us.”

  “Red Caps?” Morgana repeated. “You’re sure?”

  “Small Faery creatures with blood red hats, so pretty sure.”

  “That isn’t good.” Morgana’s brow furrowed and she rubbed the skin between her eyes, suddenly looking very tired. “I wouldn’t have thought they could get through the blood protection spell, even with their high immunity to iron.” Shaking her head, Morgana sighed softly. “Damn little psychopaths.” Her expression softened and she looked at the pair of them. “You are uninjured?”

  “Yeah, we just ran once we saw them,” Jenny said.

  “Good; once we know Alex is alright I’ll take a look. Where were they?”

  “Right along Central,” Lance answered.

  “That’s something at least,” Morgana said.

  Merlin got the front door open and held it so Aiden could step through it sideways. Alex’s sneakers bumped against the doorframe, but she didn’t wake or even react at all. Jenny made a small sound of worry and Nicki put an arm
around her shoulders before he could. The redhead didn’t say anything to his surprise and silently watched Alex vanish inside. Then she released Jenny and followed. Lance looked down at his girlfriend and without a word to each other they followed the mages inside.

  The house was neat and tidy, but Lance noted that sheathed swords were tucked into various corners, against furniture or behind chairs. He didn’t have to study them to know that they’d all be iron. Alex was gently placed on the sofa, but her height was enough that her legs had to be bent and tucked.

  Aiden wiped his forehead, looking a bit winded. “I’ll move her to the guestroom in a minute,” he said.

  “I can use magic for that,” Bran reminded him. He clapped Aiden’s shoulder and added, “Now that the neighbors aren’t at risk of seeing anything.”

  “Right, good.” Aiden nodded, still panting. “Good. I thought I was in better shape than that.”

  “You could always join me in the weight room,” Lance offered lightly. “I can make sure you don’t kill yourself.”

  He meant it as a joke, but Aiden actually looked a little thoughtful. Then again, magic wasn’t everything. Especially not in the day time when others could see it. Judging from how much the mages ate nowadays their magic definitely had an impact on their metabolism, but it didn’t add muscle tone.

  “What happened?” Jenny asked again, her voice shifting to a higher pitch. “I thought you were making a Gate!”

  “We were,” Morgana answered. “And we did. To train Alex we had her gather everyone’s magic and use that to construct the Gate. It exhausted her. She’s fine; just asleep for now.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “I checked her pulse, breathing, and eyes myself,” Morgana assured her. “Pulse is a little high, but she seems to be dreaming.”

  Lance nodded in a little in understanding, but it didn’t fully dispel his nervousness. “So she’ll wake up soon?”

  “She should.”

  “What about...” Nicki started to ask but trailed off. She looked very worried and was watching Alex’s face intently.

  “What?” Merlin asked.

  “Well… Brekszta,” Nicki said. “What if she tries to get at Alex again?”

  No one answered the question. No one even met each other’s eyes. Morgana sighed, the sound filling the room, and brushed a hand over Alex’s forehead. Merlin moved around the back of the sofa and put his hand on the crown of Alex’s hand. Alex’s eyes fluttered again and a soft gasp escaped her. Alex’s brow furrowed and Lance found himself stepping forward out of concern. Jenny caught his arm and pulled him back towards the loveseat. Nodding, he sat down next to her. The action spurred the others to sit down except for Merlin and Morgana who stayed with Alex.

  “Should I take her back to the bedroom?” Bran asked. He raised his hand and warm yellow magic swirled around his fingertips. “Wouldn’t take long, but she’d probably be more comfortable.”

  Morgana nodded, but Merlin was still staring thoughtfully at Alex. There was a hint of confusion in his brown eyes that worried Lance. After three thousand years the idea of anything confusing Merlin was unsettling. Glancing at Jenny, he found his girlfriend intensely watching Alex like she was trying to unravel all the secrets of how reincarnation worked and why.

  Standing up, Bran gave them a reassuring smile and flicked his wrist. Yellow magic swept around Alex’s prone form, shrouding her in a veil of shimmering sparks. It made him think of Arto’s body wrapped in the mage’s magic, and Lance fought back a shiver as Alex’s body slowly lifted into the air. Memories teased at his brain. There were visions of strange fields and hills. Odd faces and smells tugged at him. The door had opened and he struggled to shove it closed. He shook his head and shuddered, pushing away the memories.

  They faded quickly like a dream, yet Lance was left with an icy sensation in his chest. If that was what Alex experienced from her other lives then it was no wonder that she wasn’t sleeping. Alex’s body was floating gently above the sofa with her blonde hair drifting around her. It was a bit creepy honestly; like something out of a horror film. Bran moved closer to her and turned his hand, making the yellow magic shift.

  Suddenly, Alex’s body tensed. Her fingers clutched helplessly at the air, grasping for something that wasn’t there. Bran froze as Alex’s head tossed listlessly and she groaned. Everyone was still and waiting. Morgana started to step closer to Alex, extending a hand into the yellow sparks. Alex’s head lashed and the flutter of the eyelashes increased.

  A blood-curdling scream filled the room. Alex’s head was thrown back, her mouth open and her eyes squeezed shut. Morgana pushed through the sparks and took Alex’s hand. She spoke to Alex softly with comforting words and put a hand on her cheek. There was another cry and Lance pressed himself against the back of the loveseat.

  Morgana said something, but it was lost in another scream. The magic around her rippled and the yellow darkened to gray. Morgana grunted as the gray sparks tried to push her back, but didn’t let go of Alex’s hand. Bran made a strange sound of alarm and Jenny jumped off the loveseat. Alex’s back arched and she cried out, the sound echoing through the house. It was a sharp, long, and unnatural sound.

  Everyone drew back. Lance couldn’t move. Around Alex, the gray magic swirled and tightened around her. The air hummed dangerously. The scent of ozone hit his nose. Reaching out, he grabbed Jenny and pulled her back onto the loveseat. Twisting his body, he cradled Jenny against his chest and turned his back on Alex. There was a crack. The smell of ozone filled his nose and his arm tightened around Jenny as she shrieked. Behind them there were shouts. Colors flashed around them. Then things went silent. He turned to look behind them.

  Alex was back on the sofa, her eyes slowly opening as she groaned softly and stretched. There were strange dark marks across the walls of the room. The back of the sofa looked scorched. The other mages were spread out through the room, their hands in front of them surrounded by shades of their magic. Everything was very still. Then Alex shifted and began to sit up, blinking her eyes and rubbing her head. No one said anything.

  18

  Pookas and Sídhe

  464 B.C.E. The Golden Vale, Ireland

  There were traces of frost on the ground that crackled against the soles of his leather shoes. Leugio looked out across the landscape and exhaled slowly, watching his breath waft into the air. With a huff, he hoisted himself up onto the horse and gripped the rough reins. After years of rarely riding the things, Leugio was beginning to doubt he’d ever be comfortable on them. It wasn’t enough that a year ago he’d entered a Sídhe mount to save his sister, but now he was subjected to frequent summons that forced him onto horses.

  It was enough to almost make him laugh. Somehow his life had completely changed course. He’d been a shepherd who was good at woodworking and did the occasional artisan project to get his family something nice. He’d been the man of the family due to his father’s death, but nothing special. Now he was called to aid his king and riding along with the king’s daughter.

  Flaitheas laughed, the sound ringing in the cool stiff air. It made Leugio smile automatically and he glanced her way. Her long brown hair was piled in a complicated mess of braids on her head, with a few golden beads woven in for show.

  “I’m sorry,” Flaitheas said suddenly.

  “Uh, for what?” Leugio looked around, worried that he’d missed something.

  “Father keeps calling you back: that has to be difficult,” Flaitheas explained. “Leaving your life over and over again. I was just thinking to myself about how odd it all must be for you.”

  “I don’t mind so much,” Leugio answered as his cheeks warmed. Flaitheas had been thinking about him. The very thought made his chest tighten. “My life isn’t so interesting back home. My family is fine without me. There are plenty of others who can watch the sheep.”

  “It’s strange to still to think of you as a shepherd.” Flaitheas shifted on her horse and looked at him thoughtfully. “I supp
ose you lack the muscle of my father’s soldiers, but none of them have ever entered a Sídhe mound.”

  Leugio wasn’t sure how to take her remark. Was it meant to be some sort of compliment or was she mocking him? He didn’t think she was mocking him; Flaitheas was many things, but he’d been around the king and his daughter often enough to know she wasn’t cruel. Struggling for something to say, Leugio opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

  “That sounded horrible didn’t it?” Flaitheas laughed nervously, the sound making Leugio’s stomach twist. She was blushing a little and he stared at her in shock. He couldn’t remember her ever being embarrassed. “Sorry, I just meant that you aren’t a warrior by trade. That makes what you did for your sister all the braver. I’m not sure I could have gone into a Sídhe mound.”