Running Away

I listened as the snores of my father Marcus finally entered a steady rhythm with Hunter’s. They had both been horribly worried when I had returned from the party with the news of Zira’s disappearance. With good reason I thought, as I kicked the blankets off me and quietly rose up from the bed careful not to make too much noise.

I was fully dressed, from head to toe in black. And I slung one of Marcus’s old rucksacks around me and quietly opened the window. Holding on to the top of the window I swung out doing a flip in midair before landing on my feet. (After magically slowing down my descent of course).

I walked down the alleyway for the second time that night and was immediately accosted by blinking headlights when I entered the street. Blinking in annoyance I looked at the source and was surprised to see yet again, my father’s old jeep. I walked towards the driver seeing a very familiar smirking Dragon.

“Julio what the hell?” I asked rather tempted to shove his rather pretty face into the steering wheel.

“Stop complaining and get in.” Hulio said from the passenger seat.

I shook my head and opened the back door surprised to see Iris, Julio’s girlfriend already in the backseat. “The fire wasn’t summoned by a witch. It was a portal to the Fairy lands.” She said, her face grim. “I’ve seen that fire once before.”

“What do you mean the Fairy Lands?” I asked, as Julio put the car in gear, and drove (Rather quickly I might add) out of New Orleans.

“Maybe if you hadn’t always fallen asleep in Dimension theory class, you’d know what we were talking about.” Iris said shrewdly.

I frowned. “The Fairy Lands are in another dimension?” I asked my eyes wide.

“Technically it’s more of a realm than another dimension.” Hulio said from the front seat. I narrowed my eyes at him.

“What do you mean?” I asked Hulio, who turned smiling at me and Iris.

“It is known, that there are nine realms of hell according to Dante’s Inferno. But he was human. Granted a human with considerable sight of the magical world. He was and is still the only human to trespass into the many different realms in his dreams. He saw visions of them and assumed they were hell.” Hulio said.

“Dante speaks in the Inferno that hell is cold but he is in fact speaking of Belmora. An icy chasm, full of blizzards, and ice cities. There is of course the realm of demons, Vemos. The realm of Angels has been known to Mortals as Heaven or the Silver City.” Iris said grinning at my awestruck face.

“The Silver city? That can’t be real.” I said.

“It’s real but it’s not a place you would want to visit. Angels might be even more dangerous then demons.” Julio said.

“How can you even be sure that the fire was a portal?” I asked.

“Because someone at the party confirmed it.” Iris said. “Two people actually.”

“Who?” I asked.

“Damien Cross and his partner in crime, Scotty the Leprechaun. They were both around when Prince Bastien came here to find a way to blend the dark and the light into one force.” Iris said.

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

“It’s an ancient Faerie Legend. One that’s been passed down for centuries. I was told this story from Raena, a couple years back.” Iris said.

"Once, long ago, in the Lands of the Fae. A daughter of the light and a son of the dark fell in love with each other. Their love was true and pure, but was never meant to be. When the son, Prince Bastien went to the King of Light to ask to marry his daughter, he set upon him an impossible task. To make light and dark whole. Bastien left swearing that he would return. And so he did, but the King had betrayed him, and when he returned with an orb that contained both Light and Dark magic he met the Queen of Light, his one true love Ariadne on the throne married, and with child. So he did what anyone who is scorned by love would do. He set the Kingdom ablaze. And the queen made the Castle of Light impenetrable. King Bastien swore he would get his revenge one day.”

“The mark that was left on the floor was from the King of the Dark Court of Faerie. King Bastien.” Julio said.

“He has returned, for his revenge.” Iris said. “What does his revenge have to do with Zira?” I asked.

“Zira is an elemental witch of fire. He must plan on using her somehow.”

“So we are going to the Fairy lands?” I asked.

“Nope. We are going to the next best thing. The only person who can give us any insight to King Bastien. The queen of the fae.” Hulio said.

“In other words, we are going to see Hulio’s girlfriend.” Iris said with a smirk.

“SHUT UP.”

The Amazon Rainforest

Raena

I waited by the water on my favorite boulder for Neiria to appear. It had been an eventful couple of days as it always were during the Solstice. The days and nights had been full of dancing, drinks and frivolity. I had watched the Witch of Ice and with the Witch of Fire (The local one anyways), but even with all the excitement, I was looking forward to going back home, back to Hulio.

“You are thinking of him again, aren’t you,” Neiria said as she rose fully from the water. She flopped beside me, her green hair glistening in the sun. I watched as water droplets ran down her skin as her water spirit faded to that of her mortal form.

“Is it such a crime to miss what makes you whole?” I asked looking at the snaky stream that was the Amazonian river.

“You’ve gotten much closer with that Dragon.” Neiria said an edge in her voice.

“That Dragon as you say is my soulmate. And if you could actually leave the river you would see that the outside world isn’t as bad as you may think.” Raena said.

“That remains to be seen.” Neiria said dryly.

“I see you haven’t changed a bit.” Iris said as she climbed out of the water, her hands on her hips and a scowl for Neiria on her lips.

“Iris. What are you doing here?” I said overjoyed to see my friend. “If Iris is here, she is sure to have brought bad news along with her.” Neiria said crossing her arms and looking at Iris sternly.

“She’s not wrong.” Iris said with a sigh. “There’s been an incident. We need an audience with the Queen.”

I frowned at her words. “We?” I asked just as what seemed like a whirlpool opened up in the middle of the river. From the center of the whirlpool a hunter green jeep drove out, into the river to the opposite shore. Neiria looked furiously at the car before she tackled Iris into the water. I ignored the two water guardians and walked over to the jeep, surprised to see Davenna jump out of the backseat. “I hope we never have to do that again.” Davenna said looking slightly pale. I had just approached the car when Hulio and Julio stepped out from the car.

“Hulio!” I said happily running into the open arms of the man I loved. He swung me first before giving me a hard kiss on the lips, our usual hello.

“Hey.” Hulio said his voice deep after our kiss.

“Hey.” I said softly, happy to see my boyfriend for the first time in weeks. I leaned away from him glancing at Davenna and Julio before looking back at Davenna. “Iris said there was an Incident? What could’ve possibly happened that would’ve brought you all the way to the Amazon Fairy court?” I asked my eyebrows furrowed.

“Zira was taken, from fire.” Davenna said her voice full of sorrow.

My eyes widened at her words. “A faerie portal.” I said looking back at Hulio. “There’s only one fae who would dare do such a thing. Or would want to.”

The Court of the Fae

The court of the fae was carpeted with, red rose petals and the glistening petals of white ice roses. The petals signified summer and winter coming together as one. The Queen herself wore a dress of white lace that shimmered like fire when she moved, her hair was long and the colored of mulled wine, and there were small ice roses woven into her curls. The queen had her trusted knight Ifrinn at her side, and surprisingly enough, “Aunt Irina?” Davenna said from behind me, as she caught the eye of the white blonde ice witch that stood on the Queen’s other side. She wore a bright red gown that made her pal skin glisten. She smiled as she looked at Davenna.

“My Queen, if I may?” Irina asked respectfully, waiting for the Queen’s nod before she approached her niece. Davenna wasn’t as patient moving closer and hugging her aunt tightly. I detangled myself from Hulio and bowed deeply at the Queen before taking Irina’s place by the Queen’s right side. “Lady Iris, what trouble have you brought forth to us today?” Ifrinn asked looking at Iris darkly as he did. “I don’t always bring trouble and if I do it’s purely coincidental.” Iris said. The Queen raised a single eyebrow making Iris flush in response.

“An Incident has befallen the Academy. An Incident that may have been caused by a faerie. We have come here to confirm if that is possible, not to accuse anyone.” Iris said, tacking on the last bit nervously as the Queen’s countenance grew darker with the words she spoke. “Milady. The incident was done by fire.” I said watching as both the Queen and Ifrinn stiffened in response. “What Incident? What happened at the Academy?” Irina asked looking at Davenna as she spoke.

“Zira. It’s Zira. She got taken by this fire that appeared suddenly and disappeared just as suddenly. I thought it was black magic but the twins said it had been fairy made.” Davenna said. “Technically we didn’t say anything. Damien did.” Hulio said bowing as he spoke. “Whoever this Damien is he wasn’t wrong. This kidnapping was caused by a faerie. A Faerie King to be exact. From the Faerie Lands. King Bastien ruler of the Shadows, and Ice.” Queen Nixie said gripping the arms of her chair as she did. Davenna turned and glanced at Iris as the queen spoke.

“I told Davenna and the twins the old Faerie tale of King Bastien. Raena had told me once that this King had sworn to get his revenge on the Kingdom of Light.” Iris said looking at the queen. Queen Nixie’s eyes darkened. “What is Zira?” The queen asked. “I know that the Academy houses not just witches but all manner of supernatural people who need aid.” Queen Nixie said.

“Zira is an elemental witch. Specifically a fire starter. She’s the daughter of the Witch Tatia who wanted to sacrifice Hunter Moon.” Irina said. “What does a Royal fae want with her?” Irina asked, her voice turning icy as she spoke. Her skin was icing over, like frost over a windshield. Irina of course had been one of the witches to save Baby Zira from the coven of witches that had kept her since they stole her from her mother’s arms at the time of her birth. Irina had always been protective of Zira. I watched how she held on to the shoulders of Davenna, and realized an important truth.

“Why is Marcus not here? Davenna where is your father?” I asked. Davenna turned pale at my words. “I was afraid he would find some way to keep me in school. But Zira is my friend, I have to save her if I can.” Davenna said. “And you will. I have every faith in you, the daughter of Hunter Moon and the Warlock Marcus. But there is many dangers ahead. In order to get to the Fairy Lands, you will need to find a witch or warlock with the powers of air. And you will need the God of War and Goddess of Chaos, to join your number.” The Queen said her eyes shimmering as she spoke.

“Discord? Why on earth would we need the most troublesome person I’ve ever come across to help?” Iris said. I closed my eyes as all the fae in court started to whisper and mutter at Iris’s abrupt words. “My Queen she meant no disrespect.” I said tiredly. The queen waved her hand. “I know that, Iris is many things but respectful to our kind she always has been.” The Queen said. “I know you have always been highly distrustful of Discord, even with her now being in human form. But the lands of Faerie are fraught with danger. Dark Fae and light Fae are constantly at war with each other. The goddess of Chaos and god of war balance the dark and light. Because they are both.” Queen Nixie said. “They will be a viable asset to all of you should you wish to go after Zira.” She said.

“Zira has to be rescued. Whatever reason she was taken cannot be for the good of Fae kind. King Bastien has never worked in the interest of his own kind. His only ever recourse has always been to serve himself.” Ifrinn said glancing sideways at his Queen. The queen shook her head. “None of my kind can help you in this task. I will not send my fae to the lands of the Fae. There is a reason my people have lived apart for so long.” The Queen said.

“What about Marcus? He should know what is going to happen to Zira. She was in his care since she was a baby. He has a right to know.” Irina said looking at the Queen.

The Queen tightened her grip on the arms of her throne as she looked darkly at Zira. “Irina, you are a guest of the Faery Court for the Solstice. As such you follow our rules. Until the Solstice is over you are bound to our laws.” The Queen said looking at Irina darkly.

“I know. I know. Las Vegas rules. What happens in the Faery Court, stays in the Faery Court.” Irina said with a scowl. Iris rolled her eyes before she looked back at the Queen. “Do you even know where we can find Discord or the God of War?” Iris asked. “They are in Athens, Greece. In the old resting place of the Great Oracle of Delphi.” Ifrinn said.

“Why are they there?” Iris said frowning. “They are there for whatever reason they have to be there. They are gods. They can do whatever the hell they want.” Ifrinn said testily.

“Stay here for tonight. We will give you whatever aid we can tomorrow.”

Raena’s Apartment

“We are not staying here.” Davenna said fuming. “What a completely unsurprising response coming from you.” I said, as I sat beside Hulio on the loveseat. We were in my apartment, on one of the higher tree trunks in the middle of the rainforest where the Faery Court of nature resided.

“The queen can be helpful.” Julio began, “And you would know this how?” Iris said sharply. Julio immediately shut his mouth. “I can’t see why you won’t wait. You don’t even know how to get to Greece. Or to Delphi’s oracle.” I reasoned. “But I do.” Ifrinn said, as he walked into my apartment in not his armor, but in jeans and a button down shirt a knapsack slung about his shoulders. “And why would you help?” Iris said. “Because I owe a debt. And anyways. It’s not like I haven’t helped before.” Ifrinn said pointedly.

“What do we need to do?” Davenna said clapping her hands together. “What do you need? Before you even think about getting the God of War or Discord on our side to join us to rescue someone girl they don’t even care about, we will need to find a way to actually get to The Fairy Lands. That will involve opening a portal to another realm. That’s extremely powerful magic.” Ifrinn said.

“I think I know a way.” Davenna said. “Iris do you think you can figure out a way to get Discord to help us?” Davenna said turning to Iris who scowled in response. I knew why of course. Discord had always kept Iris under her thumb since she was chosen to be in Discord’s servitude. “I never want to find Discord but she is always a valuable resource. Of course I know how to find her.” Iris said scowling. “Good. Hulio and Julio are coming with me. So you and the Faeries,” Davenna said looking at Ifrinn uncertainly, “Go to Greece, and get the Gods.”

“You aren’t coming with us?” I asked frowning. “There’s someone who owes me a favor. And I mean to collect. They can help me open a portal.” Davenna said, turning to Julio and pulling out the keys to the Jeep. She tossed the keys to me. “Don’t destroy my dad’s car.” She said sternly before gesturing to the Dragons who followed her out. “How are they getting to wherever they need to go without a car?” Ifrinn asked.

“Where they need to go, they won’t need a car.” I said smirking. Iris grinned before she opened a portal, Ifrinn and I jumped through, Iris following us as we landed right in front of the jeep. “Where is she?” a dark voice rumbled, in the darkness. I turned around startled at the voice. Damien Cross stood in front of us his pale skin glaring bright in the darkness. “Damien where did you even come from?” I asked.

“I followed them. Of course.” He said scathingly. Iris grinned wildly. “And no doubt had to resort to your horrible tracking skills when we took my portal out of Louisiana.” Iris said triumphantly. Damien scowled. “You didn’t answer my question.” He said. “Davenna had a side mission. Get in. you can come with us to Greece.”

“What the hell is in Greece?”