Page 3 of Twist of Fate

Avaneel darted into the sky. His brother’s focus finally shifted from the fire to the tiny specks of sparkling magic Avaneel left in her wake.

Connal shook his head and chuckled. “Only you, big brother.”

Zer ignored his teasing laugh as well as Asterius’s accompanying cackle. In their home realm, no creature would have dared such a bold gesture where Zer was concerned. Asterius? Sure. Their brother’s jovial nature shone brightly and countless fae had been captivated by his charms. But Zer? Unthinkable. His shadowy nature, powerful intelligence, and sharp tongue drove away the majority of their fae brethren.

Keir emerged from the shadows, his ever-present scowl darker than usual. “I don’t sense any magic users nearby. Something approaches, however.”

The broodiest of Connal’s brothers was a master of the obvious. As if they couldn’t clearly hear the screaming creature heading their way, not to mention the glow lighting the night sky in the distance.

Did Keir think no one had noticed such an obvious approach?

Connal glanced at Asterius in time to see his brother roll his eyes. If Keir’s temper wasn’t as ferocious as Zer’s sword, Connal would point out his oh-so-clever ability. He held his tongue, though, lest his brother be tempted to try and remove it.

The glow of the creature flashed in the night sky as it drew closer to their location. Connal ignored the approaching threat for another few moments until the screech became too close to avoid. The brothers waited for Zer’s command, while Zer waited for Avaneel’s return to her perch on his shoulder.

“Patience, brothers,” Zer warned.

The rules of the Unseelie King rang through Connal’s ears, worse than the incessant pounding drums used during certain feasts. They were to neither be seen nor heard within the human realm, unless the threat from a fae creature demanded they take action.

“Spread out,” Zer commanded as Avaneel reappeared from behind the flames. “Hold steady until my command.”

Connal didn’t bother arguing. He was more of a kill first, ask questions later kind of warrior. His eldest brother preferred a more subtle, if less exciting, approach. Connal didn’t mind. He’d rather let Zer deal with all the crap that came with being their leader anyway.

Sliding into the darkness, Connal moved to a position across from Zer. Asterius stood behind the building, while Keir hid in the shadows across the human street. The shrieking monster grew closer, finally appearing in all its shining red glory.

Connal had never seen such a beast in his life. The incessant screaming ceased as smaller minions poured out from inside the creature. Although humanoid in shape and size, the bright yellow minions weren’t human at all. One large, reflective…Was that an eye?…took up the entire front of their face, giving them a Cyclopean appearance.

He held his position as the minions swarmed around the fire, searching for any weakness they might exploit. The minions appeared to work with a hive mind. The huge, red mother beast remained still as the smaller creatures moved at her side.

Then, to Connal’s awe, the minions began pulling a large tentacle from the body of the red beast. He shivered as several of them held the tentacle, and it began spewing what appeared to be water from its belly.

“A water demon,” Connal hissed. “Makes sense.”

Opposing magical forces often battled each other, none more ferociously than fire and water. As much as he wanted to leap into the fray, Connal waited for his brother’s command. He couldn’t fault Zer’s logic for keeping them at bay.

Hell, if the water minions wanted to take out the fire demon, Connal would happily let them. He’d hate to singe his new human garments, after all. The Consort would be quite miffed if he ruined yet another set of clothing. Apparently, humans didn’t have adequate resources to clothe someone of his size. Connal wondered once again what they’d done to have their Queen send them to such a piteous realm as punishment.

At least the creepy water minions would be interesting to battle. Was their weak spot their large, solitary eye? Or perhaps the cylindrical lump on their back? Either way, the strange reflective stripes on their bodies that echoed the color of their thick skulls gave Connal an easy target to locate. Would it take more than one swipe of his sword to remove their heads from their bodies?

Keir snuck around the red mother demon and crouched by Connal’s side. “My sigil stopped glowing.”

Connal glanced at his wrist. His own had gone dark as well. Odd. Whatever they had detected had vanished before the sigils could lead them to it. Another explosion rocked the area, this one sending the remains of the human building high into the air. It knocked several of the water minions off their feet.

Connal scoffed. Puny creatures.

Their pitiful strength meant they lost control of the mother demon’s tentacle. It began flying through the air, spewing its contents everywhere. Some of the spray drenched Keir, but Connal ducked behind his brother in time to avoid the majority of the deluge. Before Keir could seek vengeance, a shrill whistle sounded.

At Zer’s signal, Connal and Keir charged into the clearing with their swords drawn. The water minions shouted, finding themselves quickly surrounded by Connal and his brothers.

“Control your mistress or we will end her,” Asterius roared, rising to his full height.

A few of the minions stepped back, but it only put them closer to the end of Zer’s sword. One, however, stepped forward. His skull was a darker shade, closer to the red of the flames still lighting the sky behind them. It likely indicated an elder position, perhaps the leader of this group.

“I don’t know who the hell you are, but this is not a joke. Get the hell out of our way and let us do our job.”

“Your job,” Connal snorted. “Isn’t that quaint. Does your mistress have no better use for you?”

“Nice use of the word,” Asterius said, his laughter a stark contrast to the deadly blade shimmering beneath the glow of the flames.