Death Charmed, page 24
"I should have you flogged for your impetuousness. Do you know how many faelings would have killed to be given such gifts? You're a spoiled vampire whore, not fit for the title Princess." She said, rising out of her throne with every razor-edged word.
The volume of her voice had moved the ever-curious faeries closer. At this accusation, gasps rippled through their ranks. There was nothing like juicy Court intrigue, but this went beyond. Especially since Mother now looked less like the regal Queen, she had been mere minutes ago and now resembled a murderous Queen who had the life sucked from her. Her words cut deeper than they would have because of our people's presence, the same people I'd just vowed to help. They were a people wrapped in tradition, so I was under no disillusion that her points were hitting home with them.
"How could I want them?" I shot back. "They were your way of keeping me chained to this place. I will not be your pawn. But I am here, aren't I? I'm here to help our people."
"You care about no one other than yourself, you always have." She pointed a wrinkled, accusing hand at me.
Seeing the aged arm, what little color there was in her skin fled. Her hands flew to her face. Her head shook over and over again in disbelief of what her shaking fingers found: an old woman. The dark purple of her gown no longer protected luminescent flesh; it cradled crepey skin. The legendary amber glass hair had been piled high on her head, arranged to spill over the top of her gold crown in artful curls. Now, those same curls hung limp, seeming to be pulled down by the weight of the swamp-water brown she now was the unfortunate owner of.
"What have you done to me?" She whispered, horror cracking her voice.
Shock hit me at her words? I hadn't done this to her. Had I? It wasn't my magic. Was it? Wouldn't I know if it was? There wasn't any time to think about it because she swirled her arms around her in a dance like seaweed deep on the ocean floor. A ball of darkness enveloped her. This just excited her audience, which at this point was everyone in attendance. Shoulders bumped against each other as they crowded for a better look and the cavernous room erupted in a roar of murmurs. Then a light as bright as the sun flashed from the center of the globe in a pumpkin seed-shaped spear. Shit. Reflexively, I ducked, shielding my head. My heart drummed a double bass in my chest, all my senses attuned to the stage. The sound of hasty steps brought me back to my feet. A quick check to the left and right didn't show Mother, just dozens of faeries crouched down. Their faces buried into colorful skirts that no longer seemed joyous covered in the floor's dirt hundreds of feet had brought in.
I craned my head to see over the raised area. There she was. The black orb was almost to the discreet door next to a tall, spiraling juniper. I'd used it myself, the many times I'd wanted to duck out of a party early. It led to the kitchen building, but there was a small dirt path next to it that led away from everything. She was leaving. The swirling blackness moved among the crowd, many who were on their knees fervently murmuring devotions to the deep purple train that flew out from the blackness. The hysteria that fueled the words spoke of fear rather than adoration. But that's how the Queen of Fear and Illusion liked it. The door was thrown open. Cecht, obscured by the illusion before now, stepped to the side as the Queen sailed through. He slammed the door shut. I flinched. I half expected it to splinter under the force.
What in the hell was that about? What was going on? Why did my mom look like death? We'd fought before. Granted, nothing to this scale. It wasn't something I did, was it?
Black loomed into my peripheral. I drug in my kundalini energy so fast a little buzz of heat buzzed at my spine. Simultaneously, I twisted to the newcomer. A regal woman stood there, her brown hair neatly coiffed, and the clean lines of her dress screaming style the likes I'd never be able to replicate. The Wicked Italian Queen, Catherine de' Medici*[1] herself. It wasn't up to me to say if she'd earned the title. However, anyone who made their son state before all of his addresses, 'This being the good pleasure of the Queen, my lady-mother, and I also approving of every opinion that she holdeth, am content and command that…' wasn't precisely undeserving of the title either. I didn't ask why she was here. Her love of parties was well known and the Midsummer Night's Festival was one of the biggest parties in fae land. I left the magic crackle quietly in my palm. After what had just gone down with Mother, I'd be damned if I was caught unaware again.
"Such a shame," she said as she stared down the slope of her long nose, scrupulously assessing the closed door Mother had just flown out.
There was no humor in her rigid spine. No pep in her words. If the Wicked Italian Queen was this somber, real shit was going down.
"What is?" I asked, not sure I wanted to know the answer.
She waved a long, elegant hand to the stage. "It will be as Lapis foretold."
At this, I let go of the energy I'd been holding. Too disturbed by the thought to do anything but give my full attention to it. A cold chill swept through me. Lapis was the most powerful seer in all of Faerie. She was so in demand that she only saw Kings and Queens. She was never wrong.
"What did she see?" I asked in a hushed voice.
I don't know why I asked. It's not like I wanted to hear the answer. Quite the opposite, I most certainly did not want to listen to what the Wicked Italian Queen had to say. After the Croí had "blessed" me with the mark, I was afraid of what her answer might be. But it was like my body was possessed, and I couldn't stop myself from speaking the question aloud.
Her eyes stared, unseeing into the distance. "She saw pale skin and hollowed eyes. Of rotting teeth and hearts. The wailing death of a reign that would destroy all of Faerie as we know it."
Fear icicled down my back. Death of a reign. Mother's reign. Did that mean the start of mine? And if so, what? Was she saying I was going to destroy Faerie? The crown on my wrist burned. No way, that wasn't happening. I rubbed my wrist, wanting nothing more than the mark to just go away.
A clammy hand on my bicep pulled me out of my thoughts. I turned to see Avalynn, her face white.
My skirts poofed air into my face as I bobbed fast and low, "Excuse me, Queen Medici."
Deep in thought, she waved her fingers, never letting her eyes leave the closed door. I desperately wanted to ask her more questions, but from the look on Avalynn's face, this couldn't wait. I stepped to the side with her. It wasn't hard to do since people were still clustered in excited groups.
Avalynn handed me a rolled piece of paper. "I didn't want to panic you, but a waiter gave me this. He said he was told to give it to you, but you were with the Queen, and he didn't know what to do." She worried her bottom lip.
I unraveled the curled paper, catching the edge as it threatened to unroll again. The words, simple and to the point, dropped the floor out from under my feet: WE HAVE ANTHONY. ROOFTOP. 15 MINUTES. ALONE.
Horror washed ice over me. Anthony was in danger?
"Who gave this to you?" I demanded.
Not waiting for an answer, I scanned the Great Hall. It was a rush of chaos, voices clamoring to be heard one above the other. A tide of fae rushing to the door in droves. A handful of teenage faeries pushing others back to give space to some of the Elders who'd gotten caught up in the maelstrom.
She stood up on her tiptoes to make sense out of the havoc. By the time she finally answered, I'd already figured out there were no waiters. "I don't see him."
So much for getting more information.
I strode to the door, my breath was far too shallow for the moderate pace. People tripped over themselves to get out of my way. Self-derision crawled into my throat. Danu only knew what they thought of me after what Mother had said. As if reading my mind, a regal woman in a paisley, lace dress stepped in front of me.
“Princess, is it because your Mother is borne of Bile that she...that she…” her hand clutched her throat like the words were being strangled off.
Such an abrupt introduction of something so out of touch with what all of my senses were screaming hit me like a slap to the face. I shook my head to make sense of what she’d said
The question out of my mouth was automatic. “What?”
She started to speak. The crease of her brow making her distress evident. I didn’t hear a word of it. My ears started to ring. I couldn’t deal with this right now.
“I’m sorry. I can’t right now.” I said and pushed past her.
The offended intake of her breath I did hear, but Court niceties were so far outside of what I cared about right now it wasn’t even funny. I had to get my best friend.
How could I be so stupid to think I could protect my friends? I'd promised Avalynn I'd keep them safe, and yet, I couldn't even keep them safe for a single night. Sure, I hadn't thought they would strike tonight. Not during a sacred festival. But these clearly weren't moral people. How could I have been so dumb?
I could feel every eye on me. Ignoring them all, I strode out of the room. No doubt, they thought I was leaving because of Mother. Better that they think that then jeopardize Anthony. The flower petals were still falling. I brushed them out of my hair as I strode down the hall.
Avalynn was right behind me, her kitten heels clacking on the polished floor.
"What are you doing?" I called over my shoulder as I broke off from the crowd heading out the door and rounded the corner that led to the stairs.
The diamonds slapped my back with little pricks of pain, and my skirts plastered themselves between my legs as I practically ran to the stairwell doors.
She huffed behind me. "Are you kidding? I'm not letting you go up there alone. Who knows what could happen to you?"
"They said alone." I reminded her as I threw open the metal door that led to the rooftop stairs.
"I know. I know…Here, how about this? I won't go out onto the roof if they are there. Otherwise, we go out and look for Anthony. I figure they weren't dragging him through the building while they delivered the note, so he probably is up there already. So by my estimates, we've got about ten minutes and two people looking are faster than one." She said.
I listened to her reasoning as we leapfrogged the stairs, two at a time. I had to admit it was pretty sound logic.
So I agreed. "Ok, but only if no one is out there."
"Right." She said, thinning her lips.
When we reached the rooftop door, I put my finger to my lips and ushered her to the side. When I was sure she was out of any possible line of sight, I threw some energy into my hands. It vibrated along my skin.
I opened the door with all of the subtlety of a creaky haunted house. A shiver ran down my spine.
With tension tight in my legs, I walked halfway out the door. "Hello? I'm here."
The rooftop consisted of an 8 X 10 cement pad that featured a massive crate and a small shed. Beyond that was the roof itself. Wood shingles wove together to create a picturesque peak. It made quite the picture when you were on the ground. Up here, it just looked like a death trap.
But death trap or not, there was no response. Thank Danu. With a nod to Avalynn to come on, I went the rest of the way out. Now just to find Anthony. I prayed Avalynn was right, and he was here.
The wind whipped around us as we split up. The small area meant there wasn't much to investigate, so this would be quick if Anthony were here.
I took the North half, first checking behind the crate. I even lifted the top to look inside. Nothing. Avalynn checked around the fenced part of the roof, leaning over the roof to make sure she didn't miss anything. She turned and shook her head. I checked my disappointment. The shed was next. When I was sure there was no one behind it, I let go of the energy that had started to stretch and burgeon like a balloon inside me. I didn't want to keep it too long. Unused Kundalini energy held for too long would be a disaster.
A padlock hung from the shed door. I looked up to see Avalynn's progress. Shock blanched my cheeks as I saw she was making her way across the peak of the roof. I tried to remind myself that she'd been an expert at the balance beam when we were growing up. Still, the way loose shingles skittered and fell as she passed them made me more than a little nervous.
"What are you doing?" I hissed across the expanse.
"Checking everywhere!" Avalynn hissed back, in an equally loud voice.
I flinched at the volume. We had to stay quiet, so I let her go and focused on the task at hand. We had to do this now before the heavy got here. I looked back at the lock that rested against the metal door. He was in this person-sized shed. He had to be. Light-headed, I rested my head against the wall as I worked through the problem and my gut knotted. Just how was I going to get in there? I couldn't break the lock with my magic because the whole building was made out of metal. Lightning and metal didn't mix. If Anthony was leaning against the side, it would kill him.
I rapped on the shed. "Anthony, are you in there?"
I put my ear to the cold metal. Nothing. Not that that proved anything. He could be gagged, or worse, knocked out. I gulped in deep breaths. I had to get it together. I wouldn't do Anthony any good if I didn't.
"He's here," Avalynn shouted over the picking up winds. "I can't reach him!"
Clasping my hands together, I pressed them to my lips. Thank the Gods, he was safe. Shooting to my feet, I dashed to the roof's peak, tossing a quick glance over to my shoulder to make sure we were still alone. So far, so good. Avalynn knelt over the edge of the roof; her skirts slapped the shingles in the wind. Precarious didn't begin to cover her position. We were so high up. You didn't get to fall from a height this high and live to tell about it.
"I'm coming!" My heart raced as I kicked off my heels. They hit the shed with a hollow thunk, thunk. "Be careful!"
I drew in a deep breath. Holding it, I placed a foot onto the thin line where the shingles met. An ominous rumble came from above. The sandpaper-like shingles buckled under my weight. How old was this roof anyway? It certainly was in no shape to be crossing. Still, I had to get Anthony. To my relief, it held.
Trying not to think about how we would get back across this slip and slide nightmare, I focused on shuffling one foot in front of the other. Letting out a deep breath, I kept my course. Thunder crashed above me. Still, I pressed on. Thunder clapped. Once. Then, again. Then, again and again, and again. What in the name of Ba'al was going on? The heavens opened up, and rain poured down in crystal curtains. My teeth started to click together. Whether it was from nerves or the cold, I didn't know.
"Slow and steady," I whispered to myself in between the click of teeth.
An even more thunderous crash came right after the other. It reverberated deep in my chest, knocking me off balance.
"Shit." I gritted out as I lost my footing on the slick tile and went down.
Avalynn must have seen me falling because she screamed, "Cy!"
She was too far away, though. Throwing my leg out, I managed to catch the other side of the peak. I slammed down onto the V. Pain spiked up the edge of my thigh, but gods be, I was alive. My pulse thudded in my throat. Ba'al wasn't making this easy. Focusing my thoughts to the heavens, I prayed.
"Please, Ba'al. Please make the rain go away. I need to get to my friend. He needs me." Thunder cracked closer, this time accompanied by a crackle of lightning that lit the sky. The Goddess of the Atmosphere was angry. I did not know why, but I closed my eyes and pleaded with her, "Goddess, I know not what I have done, but I beg your forgiveness. Please help me. Let me pass in safety, Ba'al. Please."
Lightning flared, and thunder crashed in a deafening crescendo. Then just as quickly as it started, it vanished. There was only the slightest trace of wind, as I fervently gave my thanks and got back on my feet. My bare foot slipped on the slate when I took my first step, but without the wind, I was able to regain my balance.
"Hurry, they could be here any minute!" Avalynn practically shouted.
My stomach churned at the smack of reality. Yeah, that helped. I took a deep breath. She was right. If they came through that door, we would be in the middle of a full-blown battle. On top of a slippery ass roof. The thought of such a gut-twisting act made me move a little quicker.
I really wished I still had my wings. It would be so much better if I could rely on those. Where were my wings anyway? I know they were supposed to disappear, but they weren't gone. I knew they weren't. Even now, I could feel the weight of them. The difference was I couldn't feel, see, or use them. What had the Nevermore spell done to them?
Thankfully, with the weather cooperating, I was at Avalynn's side before I knew it. Her feet pigeoned the sides of the peak as she rose to her feet.
She went to move around me. "He's tied up on the ledge. I can't reach him. Maybe you can."
I went to go around her, but as her words sunk in, I froze, "Your arms are longer than mine. How can I reach him if you can't?"
"Help me. You have to get me out of here. My wings are tied." Called Anthony's voice, clear as a summer day from the other side of the roof where he was on the ledge.
"I don't know, but we can't just leave him there. Maybe you will see a way to get him up that I can't." She went to go around me again.
I didn't like it, but we were running out of time. I stopped her again.
She practically growled. "What?"
Her reaction shocked me. It was so uncharacteristically Avalynn. Maybe she was just as stressed as I was. Everyone reacted to stress differently.
I said the next slowly so as not to spook her. "That's fine, but let me straddle the roof, so we both don't die up here."
She didn't look happy with my suggestion. In fact, she didn't look ok at all. She looked like she was fraying at the edges.
Despite that, she said, "Fine, fine."
So I did as I'd said. I tried to grip the roof with my feet as I lowered down, but it was like trying to grab sand. More shingles fell away as I landed harder than I'd anticipated.
"Fuck." A dull ache between my legs punctuated the sentiment.
Avalynn hoisted her skirts. I ducked down to make it easy for her to get over me. She balanced herself on my shoulders. With the grace of a dancer, she stepped over me.
