Chapter 17

The first step is the hardest. Yeah, you could say that. As soon as we crossed over into the Fairy Realm, I was saturated by a wave of magic so strong that the breath fled my body. Magic seemed to burst through all of my cells; permeating my very DNA. Like saltpeter set to flame, it sparked and popped beneath my skin; an explosion of pain. A scream clawed its way up my throat, and I convulsed in Tiernan's arms until he laid me down on a soft patch of grass. I heard the slam of a door and then Aideen's face was added to his above me.

"Seren?" Tiernan wrenched off my helmet and cast it aside so he could run a gentle hand over my face. "Why is she having this reaction?" His distraught gaze shot to Aideen who immediately looked away.

"I don't know." Aideen's eyes were fastened on a golden door to her left. "But we can't stay here. The Sluagh will be right behind us. I have a place where we can hide her."

"Lead on." Tiernan picked me up, and I groaned, but the pain seemed to be over and my body was filling with a sublime tingling sensation. Like sunlight but softer, moonlight but warmer; something in between.

My head lolled against Tiernan's chest; the rough material of his body armor irritating my sensitive skin. I rolled my face away from it with lethargic vexation. His gait was smooth but rushed and the gentle jouncing left my head hanging back over his bicep. Disjointed images flickered in and out of my vision. Flashes of an alien forest filled with alien creatures. Trees seemed to leer over me while peculiar beasts ran across their limbs. Vines dangled down; spiraling tendrils uncurling to clasp at me while their blossoms opened and closed like hungry mouths. My eyes darted side-to-side as my limp limbs draped uselessly in Tiernan's arms.

Flares of light sparkled through the trees, flitting about as if they were alive, and haunting calls echoed around us. The cries vibrated in my ears; pulsing and thrumming like warbled sound effects before settling into an enchanting melody. Layers of scent gave glimpses of what I couldn't see; luscious berries, sharp citrus fruits, and something syrupy sweet like mangoes ruled over the softer aromas of crushed grass, fecund soil, and crisp water. Then came a pungent base note of fertile decay; rich like patchouli. The perfume of the forest lured me like an exotic lover; arms open and lips smiling. It banished any unease I may have felt and my eyes drifted shut as I breathed deeper. The brush of flora against my skin became a gentle caress, and I sighed as a sense of peace washed over me.

Was this fairy magic? Were my charms ineffective around so much of it? Where was my sword? I reached down to pat the sheath attached to my thigh. I'd worn my short-sword simply because it was easier to maneuver with. It was still there, but touching it didn't bring me the comfort it normally did. Perhaps because I didn't need comfort. I let go of my suspicions and embraced the peace which had been offered; instantly feeling like a newborn, experiencing the world with fresh senses. A world which felt like a mother to me.

We stopped moving, and I opened my eyes to see Aideen standing before a massive tree trunk. I cast my gaze up and followed the trunk to its grand branches; the emerald leaves rustling in a light breeze. I smiled and the branches seemed to wave to me in welcome. It was such a silly notion that I smiled wider.

When I looked back at Aideen, she had her hand against the trunk and a portion of it was glowing. The glow brightened and grew until it disappeared with a sparkling burst and a door-shaped opening was revealed. The three of us rushed through; Tiernan's hands tightening against me. As soon as we were inside, Aideen touched the trunk again and it closed seamlessly behind us with another soft glow.

Tiernan laid me down on a squishy mattress and the loamy scent of moss wafted up from it. I immediately swayed upright to peer around me; my curiosity conquering my fatigue. The inside of the tree was completely hollow; the trunk polished to a golden sheen. There was a dainty staircase along one side; curving up and disappearing into the ceiling above us. The ceiling itself was obscured by woven branches and in several places the branches bulged out; creating cages for glowing lights that brightened as I watched.

There were bookshelves flowing out from the trunk in several places; filled with leather-bound books, shards of crystal, rocks, feathers, and unknown objects. The furniture seemed to rise smoothly from the floor, including the round bed I was sitting on which was also connected to the wall. Vines trailed from the ceiling; veiling the bed near the trunk. There were white flowers blossoming among the vines, releasing their delicate perfume into the air, and the lime silk comforter was scattered with fallen petals.

Over to one side of the room was what appeared to be a kitchen with a sink also molded from the trunk, a wide counter, and a stone-lined fireplace whose chimney went straight up the side of the tree. Cupboards above the sink and counter had no doors; open shelves showcasing an assortment of mismatched china. There was a small table growing right out of the floor in front of the kitchen and a couple of chairs tucked away beneath it. On the table's center, a large porcelain pitcher held a collection of silverware like flowers.

Between me and the kitchen there was a thick rug on the floor which looked as if it was woven of the same vines that draped the bed. There were two rocking chairs sitting on it; one with a knit blanket folded over it. Although, there were no windows, the place felt open and fresh; probably because of all the plant life. I wondered how it all grew without sunlight and then looked up at the glowing lights suspiciously.

"Where are we?" I whispered.

"This is my home." Aideen smiled gently at me. "My tree. We'll be safe here."

"The Sluagh?" I looked over at Tiernan.

"They won't be able to sense us inside the tree," he assured me as he divested himself of the bulky body armor. "How are you feeling, Seren?"

"Better now." I sighed and lowered my feet to the floor. "I didn't know entering Fairy would be so painful."

"It shouldn't have been." Tiernan frowned at me and then shot Aideen a sharp look. "There's only one reason for Fairy to affect you like that."

"Tiernan"—Aideen laid a hand on his shoulder, she'd removed her body armor as well but she still looked strange in the black combat clothes that had been beneath—"let me do this. I'm afraid I owe you both some explanations."

"What did you do?" I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Nothing bad." Aideen gave me a guilty smile. "Look, let's start with the facts. You've never been to Fairy, right? Isn't that strange for an extinguisher? Don't all of you make at least one trip over here after you've been trained?"

"Well, yeah, I guess." I frowned. "My mom wanted to take me herself but there was never a good time and then—"

"She was murdered," Aideen said matter-of-factly.

"Yes," I whispered.

"Seren, there's something I need to tell you about your mother." Aideen's face was starting to blur, and I blinked rapidly in an effort to regain focus.

A delicious lethargy was overtaking my body and with it came a sweet, tingling rush. I felt so good; like I did when I drank too much whiskey. Except this was brighter, almost effervescent; champagne instead of whiskey. It was distracting, and I felt my attention wavering.

"Seren?" Aideen knelt before me but that only made it worse. I could make out the shape of her head but that was all. She seemed to look over her shoulder at Tiernan as she urgently asked, "What time of day is it?"

"Dusk," came the grim reply. "Aideen, please tell me she's not what I think—"

That's when I blacked out.