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Instantly, those around her moved differently; their movements became more frenzied and passionate as they felt the maenadic power coursing through their veins. They swayed and twirled in time with one another, their arms becoming extensions of each other’s movements, as they created a harmonious dance between them that only they could understand.
Erin could feel the electricity flowing from person to person as if it were alive, creating an unspoken bond between those moving around her.
Erin felt a sudden thrill as she watched the creatures of myth and legend enter the temple courtyard. Satyrs and nymphs danced through the crowd, their hooves clicking on the cobblestone and their laughter ringing out like bells. A few of the partygoers glanced at the strange guests in confusion, but most just smiled and welcomed them.
Erin felt both awed and intimidated by this unfamiliar presence. The power they exuded was palpable, and it took all her strength not to cower in fear. She realized that this was part of what made them so fascinating. Their wildness and unpredictability were both exciting and intimidating.
The music changed from high-energy hip-hop to something more traditional, a slow bluesy number that seemed to draw all of them into another world. Couples swirled around each other, their movements becoming more graceful with each minute. As Erin watched, she yearned for more than just a good time. She wanted a connection, an experience that would last beyond just this moment.
Images of Blaine filled her thoughts, but Erin pushed him out of her mind. Right now, she needed to be here, with her people, surrounded by the magic of Dionysos.
With her initial worries put to rest, Erin allowed herself to be carried away by the music and the energy of the dance floor. She twirled and swayed, laughing with delight, as she caught sight of satyrs cavorting with the dancers and nymphs weaving through the crowd.
As Erin danced, her gaze was drawn to something that stopped her in her tracks. Unable to look away, she couldn’t make sense of what she was looking at. But then, Erin had never seen a fae before today. In an alcove across the room, a beautiful male fae was enchanting a human, drawing them into a hypnotic dance. Her gaze lingered on the pair for a moment too long and the fae’s ethereal blue eyes seemed to meet hers. The fae gave her a small smile before he returned his attention to the human in his arms.
Finn appeared by Erin’s side, accompanied by Nia. He leaned in and whispered, “Fae haven’t been seen in the city for generations. They’re dangerous.”
Erin’s heart raced at the revelation, her eyes darting around the room as the gravity of the situation sank in. What had she unleashed by invoking her maenadic powers? The atmosphere in the temple had taken on a darker edge, with the wild energy of the mythical creature intensifying the sense of danger.
Erin nodded absently, still captivated by the fae’s beauty. She knew very little about them, only that they were powerful creatures of myth and legend, capable of manipulating emotions and beguiling mortals with their magic.
However, as she watched his graceful movements, Erin couldn’t help but feel drawn to him. She was mesmerized by his beauty and grace. It’s as if he were from some other world entirely.
Finally tearing her gaze away from him, Erin asked Nia why the fae hadn’t been seen here for so long. Nia shrugged and replied that no one quite knew. There were tales of dark rituals taking place within their realm that terrified most mortals who encountered them. But despite this danger, Erin couldn’t shake the feeling that she wanted to experience this strange creature’s power for herself.
With newfound courage, she stepped closer to observe the twirling couple further, albeit with caution this time. As she looked on with awe and admiration, Erin noticed something else intriguing about the fae; it had wings! Now and then, the iridescent structures would flutter ever so slightly, as if brushed by an invisible force.
“You can’t,” Nia whispered into her ear, grabbing onto her arm and holding her back. “I told you, it’s not safe.”
“I’m more resilient than you might think.” She looked back at where the fae had been, but it might as well have disappeared. “Wait, where did it go?” Erin asked.
Nia shook her head. “I don’t know. Maybe we got lucky, and it wandered off looking for better company.”
The music swelled, and Erin felt a pull toward the outdoor area of the temple. She hesitated for a moment before taking a step toward the unknown. “This way,” Erin said.
“Do you always run headlong into danger?” Nia asked, but she followed Erin, casting a worried glance back at the revelers. As they approached the entrance to the outdoor space, Erin couldn’t help but wonder what other secrets the night had in store.
Erin stepped outside, her heart pounding in her chest. The cold air rushed past her, raising goosebumps on her skin. The contrast between the wild party inside and the stillness outside was jarring. Searching the shadows for any signs of the fae, Erin felt her heart racing and her breath quickening. Nia stood by her side, her eyes wide and fearful.
“Stay close to me,” Erin whispered, her voice barely audible over the distant sound of the party inside. The scent of damp earth and fresh greenery filled her nostrils as they ventured further into the darkness.
In the faint moonlight, Erin spotted the statue of Dionysos that had once stood proudly in the temple courtyard. Now it lay on its side, the thyrsus it had once held aloft, impaling a lifeless fae. The once-mesmerizing creature was now a horrifying sight, its body contorted and eyes vacant.
Erin let out a gasp, her hand flying to her mouth. They ran together to the fallen body.
Nia’s voice trembled as she whispered, “Oh, gods. What have we done?”
“We didn’t do anything,” Erin replied, but then she spied the broken base of the statue. It looked like someone had burned and broken the stone itself. “But someone did. Wait, this isn’t even the same fae. This one’s female.”
With a surge of adrenaline, Erin quickly cast a spell to grow a thick shrubbery around the fallen fae, hiding it from view. She knew she had to act fast. A dead fae would not only put her temple at risk, but the entire city would be in danger if the notoriously vengeful fae sought retribution.
“Stay here,” she ordered Nia. “I’m going to get help.”
Nia stayed behind to guard the hidden body while Erin hurried back inside, her heart pounding in her chest. She needed to find the summoning stone that Meri had given her, the one that would allow her to call for help from sources outside the council and Blaine.
As Erin frantically searched for the stone, her mind raced with the weight of the consequences. These fae had been drawn to her temple by the power she had unleashed, and she couldn’t help but feel responsible for the tragic outcome.
Finally locating the stone in her underwear drawer, Erin clutched it tightly in her hand, feeling its cool, smooth surface. Summoning her courage, Erin prepared to call upon the daemon summoner, Meri, unsure of what would happen next. Her heart hammered in her chest as she whispered Meri’s name three times, the summoning stone glowing in her palm. The room seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the unknown to answer her call.
