7 VII~At Your Service~

~I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death. (Robert Fulghum)~

Taking in the grandness of my home I let a smile slip onto my face. Goliath walks to my right side, watching me carefully. "You haven't fed."

There was no question, he could tell just by looking at me. "No."

"Did that demon refuse to feed you?"

"No, he offered the other night... I refused to take it. I hate that I have to take ancient blood to keep my strength up! I have taken far too much from him over the years."

"Yes but it is nothing you can change." With a sigh I cast my eyes down, knowing that he is right. "The others will be here shortly. Maybe one of them can feed you... I would offer but..."

"But you do not have blood to offer." We had been through this many times before. "That is alright, Love. I am going to freshen up while we wait for our guests."

"Of course. I will alert you the moment they arrive."

Smiling I walk to my chambers. After my father passed and my... identity was revealed I moved myself to the highest room of the tallest tower. It has kept me isolated enough that I did not have to fear my power bursting out if something happened. My moving, at first, was to give myself a safe place that I could go to if my powers became overwhelming. As the years passed and I gained control over the power I hold it just felt wrong to leave the tower.

As technology came to be, the first time, we modernized the castle. Indoor plumbing and whatnot. Television, computers, and mobile devices we still do not have here. If I get my way we will never have those contraptions within my castle. We do, however, have holographic calling for emergencies or if a supernatural ruler cannot make it to a meeting.

I take my time walking up the stairs to my chambers. I miss this place so much. When the war broke out and Abaddon arrived, joining us, it became live here without him or only visit my home and be with him. I chose him and going back I would not change my choice but that does not change the fact that I miss my home and the people within its walls.

Walking into my chambers I take in the sight of it. Everything is just as I left it, not a single thing out of place and not a speck of dust. Walking to the closet I find a floor-length, skin tight, black dress. This will work. Laying the dress on the bed I walk to the wash room and begin running the water in the ginormous shower. After disrobing I step into the steaming water. I let out a sigh of content as I let the water cascade down my body. After what felt like only a few short minutes Goliath walks into the washroom. "The first of our guests have arrived."

I turn off the water at his words and step out of the shower. "Thank you. I will only be a moment more." With a nod Goliath takes his leave as I wrap a towel around myself. Walking back into my bedchamber I shed the towel and exchange it for the dress. It fits snug, accentuating my curves. With a wave of my hand my hair dries, leaving it to fall down my back, ending just passed my knees. There is no need to put makeup on, who am I trying to impress? I quickly slip my heels on before rushing down to greet my guest.

As I enter the main drawing room I find a young woman clad in a light blue dress with her bright purple hair tied in a neat bun atop her head. The woman stands, her height at almost 4'9", as she turns to me her beautiful grey eyes widen. "Ma'am." She bows just slightly at the waist. "I thought my grandmother had lost her mind when she would talk about being called to meetings by the last living banshee... Mother thought the same..." Clapping her hand over her mouth she stops herself. "I am so sorry... I..."

I hold my hand up as I walk further into the room, "I understand. Is your grandmother here, young spellweaver?"

Nodding her head vigorously she smiles. "Yes, my grandmother and mother went to the lady's room."

"What is your name?"

I take a seat in the chair across the coffee table of the couch the spellweaver is standing in front of. As she takes a seat she answers, "Summer."

"Your mother is Autumn and your grandmother is Winter, correct?"

"Yeah, how'd you... You used to be friends with my grandmother... yup."

Holding in my amusement at her speaking to herself I nod. "She always told me that when she had a girl she wanted to name her Autumn after her mother."

"Islanzadi?" Hearing my name I turn my head to see an older woman standing in the doorway. Her wispy grey hair is tied in a bun and her white dress is falling around her frame in billows. "I almost didn't believe it when I heard your call yet here you are looking the same as you did all those years ago."

"Yes, many winters have passed and it looks as though two have brought babes as blessings."

Summer and Autumn stare at us in wonder as Winter and I greet one another. "They have." Winter rushes over with tears in her eyes as I stand. "I never thought I'd see you again and though I am happy... I hate the reason for this meeting." She wraps her arms around me in an embrace which I return.

"It had been too long old friend." With a nod she pulls away, composing herself. "I assume you have brought these two to train them?"

"Oh aye, that is the reason. A meeting may never happen again but should it happen after my passing I want them to know what to expect."

At this I can't help the laugh that escapes my lips, "I do not know what to expect at these meetings, Winter, and I have been holding them through the eras."

Shaking her head she smiles, "No one does."

Goliath walks in and bows his head, "Kings Draco, Lucian, and Shirkrine have arrived."

My eyes widen, "King Shirkrine?"

"Yes, he said he wasn't invited but you may need him."

Winter and I share a confused look before rushing out to greet them. As we enter the main hall I stop and bow in front of a man with short black hair and vibrant green eyes. "King Shirkrine, I am glad you came."

As I straighten myself I find a ghost of a smile on his pale lips. "I did not think I would be greeted so warmly. Not by one of your kind."

Nodding slowly I show that I understand his meaning. "Our kinds may not have gotten along before I was around but I have no reason to be aggressive towards you. What ever conflict there was between our kinds I am willing to let them be in the past."

"Said like a true queen."

Smiling I turn my attention to Draco and Lucian. "Thank you for joining us. I'm sure Threasa should be with us soon, as should Conrich."

Just as his name passes my lips a gust of wind tears through the room and kneeling before me is the king of Lycanthropes himself. Sending me a dashing smile he places a kiss on the back of my hand. "I always love hearing my name from your lips."

Gently I remove my hand from his. The door opens once more to reveal a blonde and pink haired beauty. Her purple eyes dance with emotions as she glances around the entrance before her eyes land on me. She quickly glides towards me and grasps my shoulders. With slight smiles we exchange kisses on the cheek. The two of us step away and I clap my hands together. "Now that everyone is here we should begin." I take the lead as I quickly make my way to the boardroom.

Unlocking the door I take a seat at the small desk in the middle of the large room. Draco, Lucian, and Shirkrine take a seat on the couch to the left of me. Thereasa and Conrich take a seat on the couch to my right as Winter, Autumn, and Summer seat themselves on the couch directly in front of me.

"First off we have a few newcomers. Summer, Autumn, and Winter are descendants of the ancient spellweaver Glassriel." I motion to each person as I introduce them. "Draco from the blood of the ancient Dracula. Lucian of the ancient Lycan Wolf Heracles. Shirkrine of the great dragon Razrayne. Conrich of the ancient Lycan Lion Carian, King of all Lycanthrope excluding wold. The lovely Thereasa of the ancient fea queen Razel." I quietly take my seat, "There are others that rule beneath us but we each hold blood of an ancient in our veins. Now that the introductions are over we need to discuss why I called the council." Everyone nods slowly as Goliath slips in unseen by the others. "The old war never ended."

There is a collective gasp from the rulers while Shirkrine, Autumn, and Summer look confused. "You can't mean that..."

I nod my head, "Hell is once again making its way to Earth." The sound of static is heard before a man in a suit with cropped, greying hair is standing in front of me tinged in blue.

"Islanzadi, Bryce has explained why you called the council. This is a highly illegal act but... the SCDA is at your service. All I ask is that you keep us in the loop. Now, I don't expect you to give your location but during the meetings a hologram will be present. Deal?"

I look around the room to the others who each nod in agreement. "Deal."

"Good, so Hell on Earth is what you told Bryce correct? You also said this has happened before?"

"Yes, now I am unsure what their plan is or who is leading it. We were able to fight them back before, I believe we can do it once again."

"Do you have a plan?"

"Not yet. That is why we are meeting."

"What do you mean?"

"When we were attacked last time we had no warning and no time to prepare. This time we do. We will have a plan and we will get this to work."

~*~*~*~

With a wave of my hand I created a portal in the center of the rest. I think it is time the banshee and I meet. I do not know the location of her home but I do know where the SCDA's office building is. I make my way to her office and up to her 'boss's' office. Only moments after I arrive so does the beautiful little banshee. She seems fired up and ready to lose her job as well as her over whatever has her in such a state. She hugs her boss quickly and there are whispered words before she leaves.

Almost immediately her boss calls the head of their organization. After explaining what was going on he hung up and seemed to realize I was still there. "She's always doing things her own way but in the end they work so we let it happen. She will get us all through this and in the end she might get yelled at for breaking the law that is supposed to be enforced by death." He shakes his head and laughs. "She can drive a crazy man sane and visa versa with the hell she'd put him through."

I can't help the deep chuckle that leaves me, "I am sure you are right."

"So you were looking for an agent to help you?"

He brings up the false story I gave him to get into his office. "Yes, I want someone that I can rely on. Someone that can work in confidentiality and will not break under pressure. I need to hire your best to help me."

The man's eyes fall to the ground, "Unfortunately that was our best and she is not currently available. I can give you the information of some other that will be of help to you."

"No thank you Sir. I can only use the best for this..." As I pause to think of a way I can use this it hits me. There is a possibility that she would work alongside her demon during cases and he may have a way to find her. "Is there anyone she worked closely with? I may be able to use them."

The man begins rummaging through his desk. "Yes, there is someone. Abaddon helps her on some cases. He's probably the only person she get along with when she works. They are very close to one another but I'm sure he can help you."

He pulls out a slip of paper that has Abaddon at the top followed by his contact information. "Thank you Sir. I really appreciate this."

"Be careful Mr.Morningstar. Abaddon is not part of this agency so there is a possibility that he will reject your plea."

Taking the paper from his hand I send a smile his way, "I will keep that in mind." Standing from the chair I leave the office and head to the address given on the card.

I wonder what the banshee is doing right now. Is my face ever present in her mind like hers is in mine? Or is she worried about her little demon? I try to see what she is doing but nothing will show up. There is something blocking my ability to reach her and I can't stand it.

I am now standing in front of a place called 'Midnight Fantasies'. This is apparently where her demon works. Shaking my head I walk in. I am immediately stopped by a young human. "Sir do you have any religious wear on you?"

I grimace at the thought of wearing anything that symbolizes my absent father. "No."

"Okay, you can go in." The human moves out of the way to allow me passage into the house built of sin.

I walk in with a small smile on my lips. There is sex drifting through the air and the smell of alcohol mingling with it. This is my kind of place. I see the banshee's demon on stage with very little clothing on, dancing for the horny women in the club. I wonder what the little banshee would say if she knew. Shaking my head I walk to a door that would lead me backstage. I am stopped at the door by a rather large male in a suit. "What's yer b'iniss 'ere?"

I glare at the brut, if I had enough strength here I would have killed him and had the banshee in my grasp. Calming myself with the promise to kill him later I answer, "I must speak to Abaddon."

"An' what do ya need tah speak wit' 'im 'bout?"

"Islanzadi."

The man opens the door and ushers me inside, "Do yah 'ave word from 'er? Is she okay?" His voice is low as he looks at me with panic in his eyes.

"No, I do not have word from her and I would not know if she was okay."

"Then do ya want tah talk tah Abaddon 'bout the boss?"

So the sweet little banshee is running a strip club. I knew I liked her for a reason. "I need information from him."

"What 'bout?" The man crosses his arms over his chest.

"I'll talk to him Brutis." The demon's voice meets my ears from behind. "I have two hours before I need to be back on stage. Call for me when it is five till." The man nods and Abaddon walks away, motioning for me to follow him. "What information are you looking for?"

He opens a door and motions me to enter. When I do the first think I see is a picture of Islanzadi and him hugging and smiling at each other. There is another picture where she is laughing and he is watching her with adoration. "I'm looking for Islanzadi. We are ex lovers but I cannot seem to let her go."

Abaddon's eyes darken as he watches me, "What makes you think she wants to see an ex?" He tries to keep his voice calm but I know I hit a nerve. She is probably around an ex right now.

"Well, we were supposed to get married and I have changed. She always told me that she would give me another chance when I was ready."

I shrug as I take a seat in front of his desk. The scent of Jasmine faintly lingers in the room. She's only been gone a few hours and her employees are already panicked about her safety. "She went home."

I raise a brow as I place my right ankle on top of my left knee, "So she went to the home you share. I do not understand why you would be so anxious to hear from her or about her safety if she is so close."

"I mean she went home. To her palace. She is meeting with descendants of the most ancient supernaturals. She called the council. This is not a time for you to be putting moves on my girl." Ooh, getting a little possessive are we?

"Then I will wait until the danger passes. Thank you for taking time to see me." I throw him a dashing smile as I leave the office and disappear. I suppose it is time to dig into the banshee's past. I might as well lay low on Earth as I do. I do not want the little banshee to go on high alert.