Witchbane (Book 5 in The Twilight Court Series)

by Amy Sumida

  “Two, experienced, drunk soldiers,” I added. “But still impressive, King Zhayu.”

  “Thank you, Princess,” Zhayu smiled. “Care to ride the dragon again? I'd be happy to give you a lift to the Council House.”

  “Don't say it,” I pointed at Killian when he began to open his mouth to speak.

  “Whatever you say, Twilight,” Killian smirked. “But I really don't approve of drug use.”

  “He said it anyway,” I muttered.

  “Or public sex,” Killian added as he stood. “Unless it's with me. And don't think I didn't hear him say 'again', you naughty girl.”

  “And he's back,” I shook my head. “The old Killian is in the building.”

  “I have no idea what you two are talking about,” Zhayu scowled. “But if there's to be public copulation, I demand to be included.”

  Chapter Forty-One

  I don't know what horrified the Collective more, the sea fey or the finger. Rolling up to the High Fairy Council House with a horde of sea fairies, led by four dragon kings and one dragon queen (yes, Daiyu was there, lucky me), was not copacetic evidently. The hunters on guard duty went wild, leveling all manner of weapons and magics at my guests as soon as they exited their vehicles.

  I had to throw my weight around a bit to get everyone to calm down. When it was finally established that the dragons and their entourage were there in peace (mostly), they were welcomed (mostly). We were led warily through the hallowed halls of the High Fairy Council House, with an escort of hunters, until we reached the main council chambers. The high council members and witch elders, who had been assembled hastily, sent the hunters packing. Well, mainly it was High Councilman Timberstride who gave the order for the hunters to “Please refrain from treating our guests and fellow fey so rudely”. The hunters left grudgingly, casting wary looks over their shoulders as they did.

  I did a lot of explaining. It was tedious, boring, and unfortunately necessary, not to mention difficult in my slowly sobering state. The sea dragons had their own kingdoms and their own laws. When they ventured onto land, they generally didn't respect any of our laws, nor did they care about what we thought of their disrespect. They were royalty and they did as they pleased. However, in this one instance, they were willing to compromise. The sea dragons had made a bargain with me for Uisdean, and they informed the Collective that they would hold to our laws until that bargain was concluded.

  It was better than we could ask for, considering.

  The sea fairies were given quarters, suite to relax in until Killian or the twins had concluded their investigations of the finger. All of the sea fey retired to those quarters except for Zhayu, who insisted upon joining us and witnessing the psychometry in action. King Zhayu was functioning as the sea fey's representative, and he wanted to be certain that his people weren't cheated in any way. I understood completely. There was enough bad blood between land and sea fey to warrant suspicion.

  “If you recall, my people did help immensely at the Battle of Unseelie,” Zhayu pointed out, on our way to a sitting room where we were meeting the twins.

  “Yes, you were a great help,” I vividly recalled the wave of vibrantly colored dragons and sea fairies leaping forward to fight the Sluagh. “Your people are both brave and strong, two admirable traits.”

  “Especially for allies,” Zhayu smiled.

  “We are allies again,” I stopped to hold my hand out to Zhayu, and he quickly took it. “But any alliance beyond this will need to discussed further,” I leaned in and leveled my stare on him, “with my father.”

  “Yes, of course, Princess,” Zhayu brought my hand to his lips, placed a kiss on the back, and then breathed in deep. “Apples and roses.”

  “Excuse me?” I gaped at him.

  “Your scent. It's an intriguing combination. Perfect for you,” he leaned in closer, still holding my hand. “I've heard another interesting bit of gossip about you, Princess Seren.”

  “Oh?” I didn't want to appear weak by pulling away, so I waited him out.

  “You are without a lover,” Zhayu finally let go of my hand, and looked me over consideringly. “We could form another type of alliance, if you wish. It's been quite awhile since I've taken a land fairy to my bed. I find that the thought is not as repugnant as it once was.”

  “Gee, that's tempting,” I rolled my eyes and laid the sarcasm on thick. “Especially when you flatter me so.”

  “I am a master at seduction,” he said airily. I couldn't tell if he was teasing me, or if he truly didn't catch my tone.

  “She's already got enough suitors,” Killian stepped into our conversation, literally, placing himself between Zhayu and me.

  “But are they dragons?” Zhayu lifted a brow.

  I looked at Zhayu in shock for a second before I burst into laughter. “Actually, yes. One of them is the new Unseelie King.”

  “Raza Tnyn,” Zhayu made a face. “He's the wrong type of dragon for you.”

  “You're the only one with that opinion,” I shrugged.

  “Not the only one,” Killian grimaced.

  “No,” Zhayu looked the witch over. “You can't possibly believe you could ever have a chance of sharing Princess Seren's bed?”

  “Why not?” Killian growled.

  “Oh, he does,” Zhayu gave me a shocked and amused grin. “Fascinating. Have you given him reason to feel so confident?”

  “None of your business, Zhayu,” I turned and started walking away.

  “Seren,” Zhayu instantly used the same familiarity with me. “I would very much like to make it my business.”

  “No,” I said simply.

  Killian came up beside me with a smug grin.

  “So we'll discuss it later,” Zhayu said calmly. “I understand completely. Uisdean must be dealt with first.”

  Damn dragons, they were all the same. You tell them “no” and they hear “not yet”. I had known Raza, and come to admire him enough, that the quirk was charming on him. But I barely tolerated Zhayu. With the sea dragon, the stubborn arrogance was grating. I seriously contemplated continuing the vicious bitch-slapping cycle.

  “There will be no discussion,” I snapped. “I'm not even sure my relationship with Lord Tiernan is over. We had an argument, that's all.”

  “From what I've heard, it was more than an argument,” Zhayu said primly.

  “How the...” I turned to gape at Zhayu a second, then decided I didn't want to know, and started stomping down the hall again.

  Note to self: Assume the sea dragons know everything.

  We entered the Pink Room to find the twins waiting for us, sipping at cups of tea. The Pink Room wasn't just a description of the chamber but an actual name. I believe the naming of sitting rooms within a castle was done with two purposes in mind; there were a whole freaking lot of sitting rooms and the names helped to clear up confusion, and it was also a human tradition which the fey liked to mock. Thus the obvious name.

  I'd been the one to choose the meeting place, and I'd decided on this room in particular because of the color. Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to fight in a pink room? It's because the color actually has the psychological effect of calming people. Studies have shown that with large exposure to pink, people aren't only calmed but experience physical weakness. The color is like a drug. Like kryptonite, except for everyone. It's also supposed to help with intuition. So a pink room was pretty much perfect for our purposes.

  “That's a lot of pink,” Killian stated the obvious as soon as we stepped in.

  “Just sit down,” I rolled my eyes and took a seat beside Alexis on the Victorian, rose-colored couch.

  Alexis passed me a cup of tea that she had fixed perfectly to my liking. I sighed and sipped it. Maybe I should just assume that everyone knew everything. Zhayu claimed the spot on my right, much to Killian's consternation, and helped himself to a cup.

  “Alexis Kavanaugh,” I nodded my head towards Zhayu, “this is King Zhayu of the Court of the Nine Sons. Please do
n't shake his hand.”

  “Why not?” Zhayu paused pouring to look up at me.

  “Because she'll see things about you,” I lifted a brow. “And I don't want to give her nightmares.”

  “Oh,” Zhayu resumed his pour. “Yes, quite so.”

  “Another dragon,” Alex whispered in awe. “You introduce us to the most interesting fairies, Extinguisher Seren.”

  “Just Seren is fine,” I said softly, “I don't believe I have that particular title any longer.”

  “Who told you that?” Killian growled.

  “High Councilman Murdock implied it,” I shrugged.

  “No matter what Murdock said to you, you will always be an extinguisher,” Alex said firmly. “Fuck him if he believes otherwise.”

  “Thank you,” I smiled at Alex. “But I understand his reasoning. I can't be given orders like a normal extinguisher. I'm not a soldier anymore.”

  “Sweetie,” Alexis gave my shoulder a pat. “They can't really order us around either, and we do mostly mental work, but Alex and I are both still extinguishers and soldiers. No one can take that away from us. And no one can take that away from you either. You trained, you bled, you vowed, you are an extinguisher.”

  “Well said, Lady Alexis,” Zhayu nodded.

  “Lady,” Alex snickered.

  “Shut up,” Alexis growled at her brother. “I can be a lady.”

  “And this is Alexis' brother, Alex,” I said to Zhayu.

  “Alex and Alexis?” Zhayu cocked his head at them. “Were your parents only prepared for one child?”

  “Nice guess,” Alex chuckled. “But no, unfortunately, we don't even have that excuse. Our parents thought it would be cute to name us so similarly. Then no one could forget we were twins.”

  “As if that would ever happen,” Alexis rolled her eyes.

  “Of course, they had no idea we'd be such powerful psychics and would end up working together too,” Alex noted.

  “Can I have it now?” Killian held his hand out to me.

  “What's that, Kill?” I teased him. “What do you want?”

  “Just give it to me, Seren,” Killian rolled his eyes.

  “Oh, she's been hearing that a lot lately,” Alexis smirked into her tea.

  “Not you too,” I shook my head at her. “Have you been spying on my love life, Is?”

  “Not at all,” she said innocently.

  “You don't have to be a psychic to know about your love life, Seren,” Alex laughed. “It's the talk of the castle. The princess and her illustrious suitors.” Alex looked over Killian and then amended, “Well, mostly illustrious.”

  “Great,” I huffed.

  “Seren,” Killian jiggled his hand at me, ignoring Alex completely.

  “Alright already,” I pulled the bundled finger out of my pocket and handed it to Killian.

  Killian drifted away into the dreaming state of his psychic ability, his eyes losing focus as his stare remained steady. Then his eyes started to move, shifting and squinting. Killian made a little flinch, then squished up his face. We were all watching him intently, especially Zhayu.

  “Fascinating,” Zhayu whispered.

  “I see something,” Killian cut off whatever else the dragon was about to say. “A paper. An ad for a house. It's... yeah, it's nice. Tall. Three stories. Squished up against other houses. Like ghetto apartments, except not ghetto. White with yellow trim. And iron railings.”

  “Iron,” I whispered. “Uisdean likes that trick.”

  “Devious,” Zhayu nodded approvingly.

  “Iron over the windows and the doors,” Killian nodded, “Gates. Ornate, but how does he even get inside?”

  “The question is, how does he stand it?” Zhayu shook his head. “Uisdean must be afraid.”

  “It's bright inside the house too. Lots of colors, but the wood shutters are painted black to match the iron gates,” Killian went on. “Wood beams across the ceiling. Oh, a garden too.”

  “Look for an address on the paper,” Alex urged him, bored with the detailed description that was getting us nowhere.

  “I can't make it out,” Killian shook his head. “Too fuzzy. I see the real estate agent though. A dark haired woman. But I don't see her name.”

  “Just give me the finger,” Alex huffed.

  “Hold on,” I growled at Alex. “Don't press him.”

  “No, he's right,” Killian's eyes cleared and he sighed. “I think that's as good as I'm going to get.” He handed the finger to Alex.

  “Now that you've zeroed in on a real estate listing, I can go directly to it,” Alex noted. “We can build on each other's visions. That's how me and Is-” his eyes lost focus, just as Killian's had. Then they squinted, as if trying to see something clearer. “I have it. R Amparo. But I can't see the number.”

  “Where's the road?” Alexis pressed him.

  “In a busy place,” Alex wasn't at all bothered by his sister's prompting. “Lots of tourists. The locals are dark skinned. There's color everywhere. And rainforests.”

  “Anything else?” Alexis asked.

  “You try, Is,” Alex handed her the finger, dropping out of his trance in a flash.

  I saw Killian's eyes widen.

  “We're professionals, remember?” Alex smirked at Killian.

  “We've been trained since we were four,” Alexis said gently to Killian. “We're old hands at this. Hands,” she giggled as she held up the finger. We all frowned at her and her face fell. “Sorry. Oh! Here we go.” Her eyes started moving as if reading a page, “Olinda, Pernambuco,” she frowned. “What does that mean?”

  “Just keep looking,” Alex urged her.

  “Brazil!” Alexis shouted triumphantly, holding up the finger like a trophy. “He's in Brazil!”

  “Rio?” Killian began to grin.

  “No, Olinda,” Alexis shook her head at Killian. “Weren't you listening?”

  “That's near the ocean,” Zhayu smiled. “Uisdean's finally made a mistake.”

  “No, no,” Alexis shook her head. “I mean yes, Olinda, the town, is near the water, but this house Uisdean was looking at is further inland.”

  “Close enough,” Zhayu huffed.

  “Not for a water attack,” I shook my head.

  “It doesn't matter,” Zhayu waved his hand. “We don't need to sneak about. It's the proximity of the ocean that has pleased me. It will empower us.”

  “I'll go tell Councilman Murdock we'll be needing the jet,” Alexis got up.

  “Thank you, Alexis,” I stood as well. “The rest of us better get packed, and that includes you, King Zhayu,” I looked to the dragon. “Gather your people and whatever else you need.”

  “We'll meet you in the courtyard,” Zhayu nodded, stood, and left the room.

  “Sure thing, King Zhayu, the courtyard is just fine with us,” Alex called after the dragon, then he chuckled. “I guess the guy isn't used to waiting for people to agree with him.”

  “Yeah, he kinda just gives orders and expects them to be followed,” I nodded as the rest of us left the room. “We'll see you in a few,” I told Alex as Killian and I headed back to our suite.

  “Brazil,” Killian noted. “Odd choice.”

  “Not really,” I began to think it over. “Brazil lies over Twilight,” I abruptly changed direction.

  “Where are you going?” Killian stared after me.

  “I need to scry my father,” I waved him away “Go ahead and get ready, take a shower or something, I'll be there in a few.”

  “A shower?” Killian sniffed himself and then seemed to agree that this was a good idea.

  I went straight to the scrying room. Every fairy council house had one. It was a room, usually small and sparsely furnished, which held their enchanted crystal ball. The High Fairy Council House's scrying room was a little more ornate than others I'd been in, but still very spartan. The door was open and unguarded. It had to be so that scries could be answered. Directly beside the scrying room was another open door, which led
to an office. One of the council members was always there, doing paperwork and answering any generic scries that came in for the Fairy Council.

  I nodded at the councilman on duty while I passed, and headed into the scrying room. Inside, there was a rich, wine colored carpet covering the stone floor and thick tapestries hanging on the wall. All of fairy scenes. The only pieces of furniture were a round table and two chairs. But they were elaborately adorned with carvings of vines and fruit. In the center of the table, a massive crystal ball was set upon a gold stand. The stand was a miniature of the Council House itself. The castle's towers held the ball firmly in place. I took a seat before it and set my hand to the cool, curved surface.

  “King Keir of Twilight,” I called, removed my hand, and waited.

  It took a few minutes for Keir to answer. He must not have been very close to his ball. When he did, his face filled the crystal, and his expression changed from irritation to delight.

  “Seren,” Keir smiled. “I'm glad you scried.”

  “Hey, Dad,” I paused. Things were still a little strained between us from our recent disagreement. “We've got a location on Uisdean, and I wanted to warn you.”

  “Warn me?” Keir's eyes narrowed. “Why? Where's my brother?”

  “He's in Brazil,” I reported. “A place called Olinda.”

  “Olinda?” Keir frowned and seemed to consider it. Then his eyes widened and he looked up at me. “There's a rath near Olinda.”

  “I knew it,” I cursed.

  “It's in the forest, closer to Camaragibe actually. But close enough to be worrisome,” he said.

  “That's where he is, Dad,” I sighed. “You'd better warn the rath guardian.”

  “I'll do so immediately,” he nodded. “In fact, I'll give you his number, so you can call him if you need help. His name is Lucas and he's half curupira, so he knows the area well.”

  Keir rattled off a phone number and I memorized it.

  “Curupira?” I asked afterward.

  “Seelie fey,” Keir explained. “They're partial to Brazil. Love the humidity and the forests.”