AAIBHE FELT THE sticky membrane walls as she was sent hurtling through the portal tunnel. She was caught up in a whirlwind and unable to stop the force catapulting her through space.
All at once it ceased. The atmosphere changed, and she felt gentle, tiny hands stroke her arms. She heard the purring and saw the twinkling little Pixies as they fluttered all around her head saying her name over and over. “Queen Aaibhe, Queen Aaibhe.”
The queen closed her eyes with sudden resignation. She was in the Pixie Realm.
Pixie magic was very unlike Fae magic.
She had learned early on that one should never underestimate a Pixie because of its size. They were shape shifters and could take on any size and any form at will. Some were better at it than others, but few ever left their dimension.
However, she assumed they meant her no harm.
Somehow Banzar had learned of the Scepter’s power to send her to the Pixies. The Scepter had been designed to do this to save her from an immediate threat and only as a last resort.
She now thought that she was in quite a bit of trouble. The Pixies would take their job very seriously, and they would not easily allow her to leave.
She felt herself pulled along by Pixie magic and forced to sit on a settee they had prepared for her comfort. Cushions were thrown all around her as they chatted away. She looked up and saw that they had situated her under a Sacred Oak, where their magic would always be strongest.
She was surrounded by Pixies.
They were everywhere saying her name in awe as they fluttered about and giggled. All the while they whispered and flew about with excitement. They were honored to have her there after so many eons had passed. They had been waiting for their opportunity to protect a Seelie Queen. They had been willing participants in the original contract that Queen Mab had enacted all those thousands of years ago.
The Scepter had sent her to the Pixie Kingdom, and she knew that the stubborn, yet powerful shape shifters would not release her without considerable convincing.
The Scepter had been designed to do this when a queen was in mortal danger. The Pixies would protect her with their own special brand of magic. It was common knowledge that very few could enter their world.
Queen Mab herself had infused the Scepter with this quality after Bridget’s death.
With a heavy sigh Aaibhe raised her hand and said, “My darlings, you must return me to my palace at once. We have a traitor amongst us there, and I am needed.”
A group of ten females and males fluttered before her face and gravely shook their heads. One sparkling little pretty said, “No, my Queen, you must remain here while your warriors secure your land.”
“You don’t understand … Banzar has the Scepter. He sent me here against my will.”
A great deal of buzzing went on between the leading Pixies fluttering before her. Then one who was obviously the Queen of the Pixies stepped forward and shifted into a larger form.
“We are pleased that the Scepter worked after all these years. We are honor-bound to protect and care for you until your Isle of Tir is secured against invasion from the Dark Ones. We know that the Human Realm is under attack by these monsters from the Dark Realm, and we have had a worried eye towards Tir as well. You must remain safely here while your warriors defeat the devils.”
“Yes, but I am needed …”
“Queen Mab herself told us what to do when one or two of you are in danger. Your Royals will secure Tir with the help of Mab.”
Aaibhe had to think. She had to prove to them that Tir could not be secured without her. In truth, it could not.
* * *
Deimne hovered overhead, his brilliant eyes filled with the horror of what he was witnessing below in his beloved human city of Inverness.
They stepped out of the portal that Pestale had installed—hideous creatures!
Some were giant insects with pinchers, others reptilian. All were monsters. They swarmed the busy streets near the River Ness.
Then the shifters arrived.
Grotesque abominations. The Dark King had taken the DNA of lovely Danu creatures and, without the Wheel of Being, had been forced to experiment. The results of those experiments were voraciously hungry, mindless abominations with but one purpose—to feed!
He witnessed people pointing, but this time the sirens of their police could be heard racing through the streets. This time they were armed with iron bullets in their guns. This time, Deimne saw with great enthusiasm that the humans were able to stand and fight. But there were so many Unseelie.
Deimne swooped down and began slashing at the abominations with his Death Sword as his mind felt a wave of shame. These monsters should have been contained.
The Human Realm was under attack because his race had not repaired the problem.
He felt his daughter’s probe suddenly and reassured her that he was well. She sounded doubtful.
Then he heard her gasp of horror.
She had seen through his eyes. She had seen all the destruction. He wanted to spare her, so he closed off the mind link.
Their numbers were great, but he, the Daoine, the Seelie Fae, and Milesian warriors had ability and training on their side. Still, they were unable to stop the monsters that plowed through in waves as they grabbed for and ate people unable to escape.
Then Deimne snarled as he felt renewed vigor, enhanced with determination. He watched a group of men surround their women and children and take a stand to fight the attacking throng of monsters; they held iron bars up ready to strike.
He saw that they knew they might die, but to a male they were willing to take a stand and do what they could to save their loved ones.
He rushed in to protect and aid them.
Such beings must survive!