Witchbane (Book 5 in The Twilight Court Series)

by Amy Sumida

  “Are you going to tell me why Tiernan hit you?” Raza asked in a deceptively calm tone.

  “Nope.”

  “I insist.”

  “No.”

  “Seren.”

  “Not happening.”

  “Why did Tiernan strike you?!”

  “I said 'fuck Danu'!” I shouted back.

  Raza pulled away from me, nearly as horrified as Tiernan had been. His eyes were wide and dark in the dim light of the limousine. His mouth dropped open.

  “Dare I ask what Tiernan did to incur your hostility, previous to this?”

  I felt my face flush. “Let's just say that he deserved it.”

  “I do not think Lord Tiernan's brutish behavior was justified,” Raza squished up his face as if he were tasting something foul, “but I at least understand it now.”

  I found myself staring at Raza's hands, so human looking under their glamour. I knew that beneath that layer of magic, there were dangerous talons tipping each of Raza's fingers. Or were there? I wasn't sure how glamour worked, if it just covered things up or changed them completely. Whatever the case was with glamour, Raza's talons, when he had them, had never cut me. Not even accidentally.

  Raza, though he had the heart of a beast, had never behaved like one with me. No matter what I said to him or did to him. I had rejected him over and over, said some harsh things to him, and done some stupid things around him. Raza had responded with patience and reasoning. Not that he had never been angry with me. He had. Raza could get very aggressive with me, both physically and mentally, but he had never hurt me.

  Though I kept thinking that I had no room to judge Tiernan. If you don't want to be hit, don't hit. I shouldn't have started it. I was a soldier at heart, and I knew better. And if Tiernan could forgive my strike against him, shouldn't I forgive his against me? I wanted to, but part of me was angry still, and hurt. It was so sexist, but it felt different when Tiernan hit me. Just like Killian had said.

  “Tell me,” Raza whispered, his voice like warm honey on my skin. I had a feeling that if I kissed him, he'd taste sweet. Raza nuzzled my face, edging his lips closer to my ear. “What did he say to you, that made you angry enough to strike him? I think you should tell me, if for no other reason than to save me from making the same mistake.”

  “Tiernan was upset that I'd left the castle without any guards,” I finally confessed, realizing that I wouldn't have to tell Raza about the dream. “I had Cat with me, and I pointed that out to him. Tiernan in turn, said that Cat had failed at protecting me in the battle for your kingdom.”

  Raza inhaled sharply and jerked back. His affront made me love him more. I admit it. Maybe it was because he could see it from an animal's perspective. I don't know. But Raza understood my love for Cat, and he knew better than anyone what had happened on that battlefield. He also knew that Tiernan had no direct knowledge of the events. Tiernan hadn't even been there. He had no right to judge.

  “She was your mount,” Raza hissed in indignation. “She valiantly carried you into battle and took a fatal blow meant for you. I'd say Cat protected you most successfully.”

  “Thank you, Raza,” I whispered sincerely.

  “And what would Tiernan even know of it?” Raza went on furiously. But his fury vanished when he looked on me. “Shh,” he wiped my cheeks with the pads of his thumbs, and I flinched, surprised to find that I'd been crying. “Tiernan doesn't understand because he wasn't there. I was, so I know what Cat nearly sacrificed for you. I witnessed her valiance firsthand.”

  “Firsthand is right,” I laid a palm to his cheek. “Did I ever thank you for saving our lives? You gave up your advantage to protect us. Even after I abandoned your cause to stay with Cat.”

  “As if you could have left her,” Raza scoffed gently. “I would have done the same for any fallen friend. You have the heart of a warrior, mo shíorghrá, and you made me proud that day. You stood by me, fought for me, and nearly died to make me king. When I saw you there, holding Cat in your arms as you tried to ease her death, my love for you expanded until I couldn't contain it, not even within my dragon's chest. It was bigger than my body, bigger than my cause. The battle ceased being about claiming Unseelie, and instead became purely about protecting you.”

  “Raza,” I whispered in awe.

  The sound of footsteps, and then the thud of a hand on the door, stopped whatever else I was going to say. But I continued to stare into those topaz eyes as the limo's door opened, and Killian stuck his head in. He looked back and forth between us with a frown.

  “You okay, Twilight?”

  “Yeah,” I cleared my throat, and finally looked away from Raza. “It's just been a rough day.”

  “But I'm helping her through it,” Raza laid his hand possessively on my thigh. “Now, are you coming with us, or not?”

  “Well, here's the thing, Unseelie King,” Killian made a lopsided grin as his own words hit him. “That rhymed,” he gave a little chuckle before he looked to me. “Mom told everyone what happened and the Elders had a quick meeting. They've decided they want in on this truce you got going with the Coven, and they also want in on the hunt for your evil uncle.”

  “Um, alright,” I agreed. “I think I have enough authority to approve an audience with the Councils, but beyond that, I can't promise anything.”

  “Good, cause I brought one of our elders with me,” Killian stood back and gestured a man forward, into the car. Then Killian climbed inside, and shut the door behind him. He waved to the man, “This is Elder Claybourn. Sir, this is King Raza of Unseelie and Princess Seren of Twilight.”

  “Please, call me Daniel,” the man held out his hand.

  Daniel's skin was just a few shades lighter than Raza's was in his true form. That deep African tone which can shine like polished ebony. But Daniel was in his late sixties, if I judged correctly, and his skin had lost its shine awhile ago. It was now lined lovingly, in the way that men who lived well aged. His short hair was completely gray, but his dark eyes were clear, full of both wisdom and peace. It was very calming to simply look at him.

  “Then you must call me Seren,” I shook Daniel's hand while Raza rapped on the window and told Davy to take us back to the airport.

  “It's my pleasure to meet you, Seren,” Daniel nodded and then offered his hand to Raza.

  “Elder Claybourn,” Raza shook Daniel's hand, making it clear that he didn't approve of doing away with titles.

  Fair enough, I suppose. His title had been hard won.

  “King Raza,” Daniel went easily with the flow. “Thank you for allowing me to join you.”

  “This will be a long trip,” I looked over the two witches. “Didn't either of you think to pack a bag?”

  “I got my bag in the trunk, remember?” Killian grinned. “My swords and my gun are in it. As long as I have them, I'm good to go.”

  “We'd already kept you waiting long enough,” Daniel said more diplomatically. “Anything else can be purchased if need be.”

  The ride to the airport was filled with discussions on the truce between the Coven and the Councils, as well as some background on Uisdean and Rue, and some speculation over what they were capable of. Which brought us back to the subject of what we'd seen Rue doing. Raza had interrupted me earlier and I'd completely forgot to get back to it.

  Killian and I told them, in great detail, what we'd seen. How it appeared that Rue had turned the humans and fairies into zombies, but flat-out killed the Pack witches. How Dagda's club had been glowing with magic, but there had been no wounds on the bodies. And then Raza and Daniel both sat quietly, pondering.

  “What do you know of this weapon?” Daniel finally asked me.

  “It can kill nine men with one blow,” I said, “and then it can use those nine lives to fuel the resurrection of one person. But only if the lives are taken honorably, in battle. If innocents are slain to fuel the club, as was the case with Rue, the resurrected person comes back wrong. Evil.”

  “And Rue appe
ars to be using the club in a dishonorable manner again,” Daniel noted.

  “It makes no sense,” Raza shook his head. “If I were her, I wouldn't bring anyone else back to life. I'd be concerned that they might return more powerful than I. And I'd think that Rue would be wise enough to consider that.”

  “That's the thing about crazy,” Killian shrugged, “it doesn't make any sense.”

  “Maybe Uisdean and Rue are building an army of evil fairies and zombies,” I shuddered. “They're both arrogant enough to assume they'd be more powerful than those they brought back. Perhaps they'll make them generals.”

  “What was Uisdean doing when you saw Rue with the club?” Raza asked.

  “Nothing,” I huffed. “He was just standing to the side, watching her.”

  “Did he look upset?” Raza continued. “Worried? Happy?”

  “I don't really know,” I frowned. “I didn't get a good look at him.”

  “We were a little distracted by all the dead dudes,” Killian grimaced.

  “The thing I don't understand, is how she killed those witches,” I ignored Killian's snark. “They had no wounds on them. The men Uisdean killed,” I swallowed hard as the memory of holding Iain's crushed skull in my lap, flooded my mind. “They were obviously injured. But Wesley's corpse was immaculate.”

  “Perhaps the club works differently for her,” Daniel mused.

  “What's that?” Raza narrowed his eyes on the witch.

  “Well, the club brought her back,” Daniel offered. “Perhaps Rue can use it in a different manner than others.”

  “Like killing without actually swinging the damn thing,” I gave Raza a grim look.

  “If that theory is true,” Raza narrowed his eyes, “then Rue has just become an even bigger threat than we anticipated.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  On the way to the airport, Raza insisted that we stop at Davy's house so I could scry my father. Raza was annoying, but he was also right. I didn't want Keir to worry. So I had agreed. But I had called the High Fairy Council House in Ireland first. To give them a heads up on our travel plans. Then I had scried Keir.

  Our conversation went something like this:

  Keir: Come home now.

  Me: No.

  Keir: Seren!

  Me: Dad!

  Keir: Seren you are a princess and my only daughter. Return to Twilight immediately, I will not have you put yourself in further danger!

  Me: The man who raised me is a zombie.

  Keir: Oh.

  Me: I'll see ya later, Dad.

  I'd ended the conversation abruptly, clearing the crystal and leaving the room as fast as I could, before Keir could scry me back. I could only answer a scry if I was near a crystal ball, and I didn't intend on being close to another until I was ready to return to Fairy. It was childish, but I needed to do this for Ewan. So I had booked it out of Davy's house and climbed back into the limo within two minutes flat.

  Then we'd returned to Juneau's airport and took the next flight to Ireland. Raza had paid for the tickets, which at first seemed generous, until I realized he'd bought us first class tickets while purchasing coach for the two witches. Daniel had graciously thanked Raza, it was still an expensive ticket to buy on short notice, and Killian had grudgingly followed his elder's lead. But I had given Raza an irritated look, expressing clearly that I knew what he was up to.

  Raza had asked me if I had truly expected him to pay thousands of dollars so that Killian, a man whom Raza already wanted to, and I quote, “cut up into tiny pieces and feed to the goblins”, could sit beside us on the way to Ireland. When he put it like that, I could hardly argue. And I had to admit the flight was peaceful. Much more than it would have been if Killian was sitting with us. I was actually able to get some much needed sleep.

  Killian didn't look any worse for wear when we landed, despite having his bulk squished into the sardine can they called coach. In fact, Killian was quite chipper when we headed out to the street to meet our ride. He gave me a saucy wink as he stuffed his duffel bag into the trunk of the town car the Fairy Council had sent for us. Then he crawled into the car, laid his head back on the headrest, and promptly passed out.

  “He wasn't able to get much rest on the plane,” Daniel had whispered as we all followed Killian inside the vehicle. “The poor boy is tuckered out.”

  “It appears so,” Raza frowned at Killian's casual sprawl.

  “That explains his overly cheery attitude,” I chuckled. “He's slap happy.”

  “You've both been driving yourselves to the brink of exhaustion,” Daniel noted. “Killian told me all about it on the flight.”

  “It's been a lot of traveling for us,” I agreed.

  “It wouldn't have been so bad if we could have journeyed through Fairy,” Raza muttered.

  “Raza,” I growled.

  “Yes, yes,” he rolled his eyes. “The frailty of witches.”

  “Oh?” Daniel widened his gaze.

  We explained the results of witches stepping into Fairy while we journeyed up into the Irish mountains, a good fifty miles past Dublin. It was a long drive but comfortable. When we finally reached the High Fairy Council House, Daniel had been brought up to speed, and Killian was just starting to wake up. Perfect timing.

  We were met in the courtyard by an aid, and ushered through the stone hallways with all haste. We were told that the high council members and the coven elders were currently convened and had requested that we be brought to them as soon as we arrived. I had told the council assistant who had taken my scry, that I would be arriving with King Raza, but I hadn't mentioned the caster witches. I'd thought it would be better to explain in person.

  That may not have been the best decision.

  When Raza and I entered the high council chambers, with Killian and Daniel in tow, the coven elders went ballistic. All eight witches stood in outrage as soon as they set eyes on Daniel.

  Shouts of “What is he doing here?” competed with good old fashioned “Get out!”. I looked to Daniel with lifted brows The caster elder gave me a little grin and a shrug.

  “The only thing better than being famous, is being infamous,” I gave him a wink.

  “Well said, Twilight,” Killian took my arm and escorted me up to the long council table.

  Raza followed after us, glowering at our entwined limbs.

  “High council members,” Killian gave a little bow. “Witch elders,” he only nodded to them. “I'm-”

  “Why don't you let me handle this?” I cut Killian off as I extricated myself from his grip.

  Killian gave me an exaggerated bow and waved me forward.

  “Council members and elders,” I stared at the elders until they sat down. “I've located our missing teams,” my grim tone silenced any remaining protests. “When I reached Alaska, I found the site deserted. Except for one man,” I waved Killian forward. “This is Killian Blair, he's-”

  “Do not, Princess!” Akhila Trivedi, Elder of Flame, hissed at me. “They are not to be acknowledged. Especially not to us.”

  “This man was essential to tracking Uisdean and Rue,” I ground out. “I couldn't have found them without Killian's help. He also freed several witches who were being held prisoner. Killian deserves your thanks, not your scorn.”

  “He is an abomination,” Gabriel Alegre, Beckoning's Elder, said it almost apologetically. “We cannot interact with him.”

  “He is a miracle!” Daniel stepped forward. “And you're all fools not to see it. Akhila, he is of your tribe. How can you turn your back on him?”

  “Do not address me, outcast,” she said stiffly.

  I started to laugh, but it was a scathing laugh. It echoed off the walls mockingly. All of the witches, and the council members alike, stared at me in horrified fascination.

  “Don't tell me you can't see the similarities,” I said to the council members. “This is precisely what happened with the Fey. Except the fairies were lucky enough to have Danu's guidance. You witches, you'
re just stumbling around in the dark, aren't you? You have no idea what you are or what you're capable of. So let me enlighten you. I am a twilight fairy, a blending of seelie and unseelie. Twilight fairies are special among the Fey. Because the Goddess blessed us. She, in fact, helped to create us. Danu knew that not only would blending the races lead to peace, it would lead to more powerful fairies.”

  “What has that got to do with us, Ambassador?” Crispin Arterbury, Elder of Bite, asked calmly.

  “Really, Elder Arterbury?” I cocked my head at him. “I would have thought you'd at least see it.”

  “See what?” Jarne growled.

  Normally the Pack elder was pretty sweet to me, even flirtatious, but I guess bringing in a couple of caster witches had dampened his ardor.

  “They are your twilight fey,” I laughed. “Killian has a combination of Flame and Storm magic. He can rain fire down upon you while he cuts you into pieces with those swords of his. The blending of tribes has created a stronger witch. That doesn't seem like an abomination to me. It seems like evolution at its finest.”

  Killian held out his arms and did a turn, to show himself off to the assemblage. I shook my head and rolled my eyes. The witch elders began to mutter, looking at each other in confusion.

  “No, it's not,” Elder Richard Nelson was Jennifer Watsuke's replacement from Flight. He had dark hair and matching eyes, with the golden tan and dramatic features which marked him clearly as Native American.

  “We don't have time for your small minded racism,” Raza snarled as he strode forward. His glamour fell away as he walked, and his true form shimmered into view. Daniel and Killian stared at the real Raza in slack-jawed shock. “Seren saved some of the witches, yes,” he went on. “But she couldn't help the hunters and extinguishers whom Rue has enslaved within a living death. The witch team you sent is dead,” he said coldly to the coven elders. “They were lucky enough to receive a true death. But we believe their life force was collected within Dagda's club and will soon be used to fuel another resurrection.”