“I never said I wouldn't kill them,” I declared in a vicious tone, silencing the whole table. “As you've pointed out, I'm an extinguisher and our job has always been to protect the fey. We kill only when necessary and that's what I'll do. However, I'm also an ambassador and the Princess of Twilight, so that makes this situation very complicated for me. I must keep the peace between the realms as I try and remain loyal to my fey. As their ruler I am responsible to them andforthem. So if they've broken the truce, I will extinguish them myself. But I must be certain of their guilt; so I have to make an effort to verify that this istheircrime and to hear their defense against the charges against them before I act.”
“This is what we get for contacting a diplomat,” Murdock waved his hands in frustration.
“I thought I was an extinguisher to you?” I leaned forward so I could glare at Murdock across Tiernan. “Make up your mind,old man.”
“Well I...” Murdock started to stand as Tiernan laughed outright.
“Cease!” Teagan shouted. “You deserved that, Murdock. Now please control your outbursts around Princess Seren. Remember what she represents. It shouldn't be so hard, since she's just reminded all of us of her numerous responsibilities. Let's try and be supportive since one of those responsibilities is to us.”
“Thank you, Councilman Teagan,” I took a deep breath. “I apologize for my own outburst.”
“It's fine, Princess,” Teagan rubbed a hand over his face. “We're all a little twitchy. What I didn't get to say is that the raven mockers have harassed us already.”
“What?” I went still.
“We don't know if it's the video that they're after or if they simply believe that we'll be hunting them now that we've acquired proof of their actions, and they wish to make a preemptive strike,” Councilman Teagan explained. “They've yet to attack us outright but we've heard their cries circling above us at night and we're on high alert.”
“Hmm,” I pondered it. “Actually, that might be helpful.”
“How's that?” Another councilman asked.
“I thought I'd have to search for them,” I shrugged. “But now I can simply sit on your porch and wait for them to come to me.”
“Yes, very convenient,” Tiernan agreed.
“And what happens when they attack us?” Murdock growled but instantly quieted when Teagan gave him another sharp look.
“They wouldn't dare attack their own princess,” Tiernan sounded horrified. “If they did, far worse things than death would come for them.”
I swallowed hard, knowing exactly what Tiernan was referring to. The Sluagh; the monsters of Fairy. You never really saw them, they stayed hidden until the King of the Unseelie commanded them forth... or someone murdered a royal fey. Even attempted murder could call the Sluagh down upon your head and though I'd personally faced them twice and lived, that was not usually the case. Normally, once the Sluagh began to hunt you, you were as good as dead.
“What does he mean?” Teagan looked to me.
“There are laws in Fairy, just as you have laws here,” I glanced at Tiernan, unsure of how much I could share with them. Tiernan nodded so I went on. “One of our laws states that royals are sacred. If any fey, royal or not, were to murder or even attempt to murder a royal fairy, the Sluagh would come for them.”
The table gasped as one. When I'd been just an extinguisher, I hadn't known nearly as much about the fey as I do now but I did know about the Sluagh. Of course, now that I'd actually seen them, been up close and personal with them, I knew even more... and wished that I didn't.
“Yes,” I swallowed hard. “It's a hell of a deterrent but also, fairies tend to be loyal and I'm banking on that. I will demand a meeting with their leader and then see what can be done.”
“You're gonna parley with them like they're pirates?” Sullivan smiled but when I merely stared back at him, he lost the grin. “Wow, you really are.”
“Did you miss the part where I said that they are my people?” I cocked my head at him. “I know the concept is still new to all of you but I am both fairy and human. As an ambassador, I'm trying my best to remain fair, if not entirely neutral.”
“Then, I wish you luck, Ambassador,” Teagan declared. “The raven mockers usually come after midnight, when the darkness makes it harder to see them.”
“Of course they do,” I chuckled. “I'm sure you've got the house surrounded by flood lights though.”
“We do,” Teagan confirmed with a smile.
“Great,” I nodded. “I'll need them to be kept off tonight.”
The whole table looked at me in horror. All but Tiernan, who smiled at me confidently. Goddess, I love that fairy.
Chapter Six
“I'd like to take a look at that tape now, if you don't mind?” I asked Councilman Teagan as we left the council chambers.
“Of course,” he nodded. “We'll use my office, I have the tapes in there.”
