Page 91
BANE
Ihave seen some truly bonkers shite in my day, but nothing tops this mishmash gathering of magical creatures and beings.
I scratched my ear, the side of my hand brushing against Aurey’s soft fur, remembering the heavy pressure of invisible magic that dropped over me as Monstera, her coven, and the half a dozen other covens she assembled placed wards around a vast meadow in the neutral fairytale modern humans know as Thumbelina. According to my mate, the original tale was called Thumbling, but as it is one of the lesser-known stories, all versions of the story resided here.
“Bane, look,” Aurey whispered excitedly, hanging off a horn and pointing up.
My stare lifted as Monstera floated dozens of gold and aquamarine bubbles above our heads. “Hmm. I don’t trust it. Something tells me, those bubbles will produce awe inspiring magic or something unexpected,” I replied.
“Probably both,” Aurey countered, her precious voice causing me to smile.
My brows rose and I met Miko’s gaze. She jumped as Monstera shouted “earmuffs,” covered my Honeybee’s ears with her hands, and uttered something in Latin. An obnoxious, but blissfully brief, whistle stabbed my sensitive eardrums. The crowd silenced and it took me a second to realize what happened, spotting glittery confetti sprinkled over everyone present.
“Aw, she popped them,” Aurey sighed morosely. “They were so pretty.”
I nodded, my attention, and everyone else’s I might add, firmly pinned on the witch center stage, just as Monstera intended.
Miko scowled at her bestie as she giggled, faced, the seated assembly, and shrugged. “I’d apologize, but I didn’t know how else to get your attention. My mom often used that little trick when my sisters and I got into a screaming match.” A few awkward chuckles peppered the air.
Admiring the cocky female, I smirked and shook my head. My eyes caught on Monstera’s hand as she made a complicated pattern with her forefinger, then followed the path of thick packets of paper bound in thread as they floated on an unseen wind.
“Show-off, you could’ve just used a stapler,” I chuckled under my breath.
“Of course, I could have, but clearly I’m no basic bitch,” Monstera laughed and flipped her hair over her shoulder.
The more time I spend around my mate’s bestie, the more I like the witch. If all else fails, at least she is a constant source of entertainment, such a wholesome quality for any battle commander.
I watched my mate as she fidgeted with a rubber duck on the edge of the makeshift platform, pacing the short distance of the logs bound in vines; I had to admire her loyalty to the witch and Huff. She wouldn't let them stand up there on their own despite how badly she suffers from social anxiety. Judging from the teasing grin on Monstera’s face as she swaggered to the center of the platform, she gave no fucks about being the center of attention, Miko’s support notwithstanding.
“Welcome everyone and thank you all for coming to our aid, especially on such short notice. It won’t be forgotten,” Monstera announced, meeting the eyes of several people in the crowd. Now, we all know why we’re here today, but I thought it’d be best if you learned a bit more about it from someone directly involved in the conflict.
Miko walked over to her bestie, then held out her hands, creating a wee platform for Huff with her palms. “This is Huff, one of less than a hundred Heechus left.”
A witch gasped, slowly rising to her feet, a sliver of moonlight igniting her hair in thousands of rainbow shards; yet somehow, I could see through clear strands of the locks not reflecting all colors. My head tilted. It’s like every individual strand contains a crystal prism. I stared, utterly mesmerized by the sight. The fur along my forearms stood on end as I watched her methodically stroke a massive, softly glowing, shaggy green dog’s side, his head level with her shoulder.
Huff once told me a story about a dangerous species banished from the lands of the Underworld with hair exactly like that. I rubbed my arms, smoothing my fur down. I suppose it’s good we amassed such powerful allies. We’re just lucky she didn’t bring that bastard Hades with her.
“So, it’s true,” the witch said, awe chasing her words. “The Heechus live?”
Huff smiled, flashing a peek of his needle teeth hidden behind his soft fur. “We do, for now.” My best friend tapped a paw on Miko’s palm, his tails splaying behind him as his eye widened. “I’ve heard of you! You’re Keelie, Head librarian of the Underworld Library.”
“At your service, Heechu,” Keelie proclaimed.
“While we’re more than fucking grateful you’re here, Keelie,” Monstera said, interrupting what I’d wagered would have been a brilliant conversation, and tossed the intriguing witch a sardonic smirk. “You and Huff can fangirl over books or some shit after we’ve eliminated the enemy.”
Keelie bowed, her long, wavy prism hair shifting over her shoulder and casting an array of colors over the dog’s coat. “It’s been an age since I’ve had a worthy fight. As it happens, I couldn’t pass on the opportunity to collect a few gallons of enemy blood for my stores. My ink supply is running low.”
“Go ahead, Huffluff,” Miko encouraged.
My best friend looked over the gathering, appreciation brimming in his eye. “As, Witchy, oops, Monstera said, the Heechus thank you all for showing up when we needs it most.” Huff blinked solemnly, curling a fluffy tail around Miko’s thumb. “The war with the Heechu Hunter Coven, also known as the HHC, started centuries ago against the Heechus, killing us off in droves in an effort to steal our magic and amass the most power. They believe they have the right to rule over not only every living creature in the Human Realm and Fairytale Realm, but all witches as well.”
Huff waited as the rising murmured conversations in the crowd died down.
“As a result, the Heechus are nearing extinction, and we know they won’t stop there. Over the last year, the HHC has started spreading their poison, sucking up every drop of power they can from the ultimate power sustaining the Fairytale Realm, as well as capturing and imprisoning anyone who got in their way. We knows it won’t be long before they move on to another.”
“Thanks, Luffy,” Monstera said, smiling sweetly at my best friend, then turning her attention back to the group as a whole. “I’ve taken the liberty of drawing up a battle plan. Inside the packet I distributed, you’ll find everyone has been assigned tasks based on their individual strengths and magical abilities. If you don’t see any tasks assigned to yourself or your group, please see me after the meeting for further instructions. It’s color-coded so I don’t foresee there being any issues.”
“I’m shocked you managed to delegate anything at all,” Miko jested.
