Magic engulfed me, almost painful in its intensity. I stood, though the weight of it threatened to bring me to my knees. No one looked my way, the entire room staring on as my magic left Edmund—his face blanching at the sight of his dead friend below him. The friend that I had convinced to act on his colorful thoughts about Kay, Edmund’s wife.
Fun, such fun.
Making my way out of the tavern, I wove through groups of fae attempting to find the source of the commotion. The air outside was foul, burning my nose and making me sneeze, but the atmosphere was euphoric. Everywhere around me were sinful and virtuous minds, mingling to make a dangerous cocktail that might leave me too intoxicated to continue my search.
I took a deep breath of the nasty air then pushed on. Demons were here at some point, I could feel it, as if the magic itself was calling my name. There was no knowing if these were the right demons, but anything was a start when finding her was so heinously difficult.
Asher. Such a nice name. Blessing, that was what it meant. Unfortunately for her she seemed to be less of a blessing and more of a curse if the stories around here were true.
In fact, I heard from many that she was closer to a plague than a benediction. I had a feeling that I would love her. Like calls to like, after all.
“Well, hello there, beautiful. Can I help you find what you are looking for?” The male was stout, smaller than most around him.
His hair was so short that it nearly showed his scalp, the color of it a muddy brown to match his eyes. He was a kind soul, one that likely did not belong with those surrounding him. Waters. That was what these fae called themselves, if I remembered correctly. They were far less irritable than the Fires I had visited before, though it was never hard to get them riled up. Not for me, that was.
“Why, yes, you can help me,” I said with a smile, flashing my too-white teeth. The male suddenly looked unsettled, as if for a moment he saw behind my mask.
That was, until I flicked back my hair, the pink hue of my locks shining in the afternoon sun. The dress I wore was simple, a thin silk slip that reached mid-calf. The sleeveless garment left little to the imagination, even with my cloak overtop. That was what I wanted, what I craved. Any temptation for those around me, anything to feed my magic.
They made it all too easy, males and females both flocking towards me like pigs to the slaughter. This male, with his pure intentions and kind thoughts, was no exception. His eyes wandered as I put my hands behind my back and squared my shoulders, my breasts pushing forward and my cloak falling back.
“Wh-what can I do for you?” He cleared his throat, shaking his head before he looked back up to my pink eyes. There it was again, that flash of uncertainty. I was quite scary, admittedly.
“Where would one find passage to Eoforhild?” I asked, feeding into his sin, tempting him with the greatness that came with being wicked.
The male stared at me with a confused frown. Had I misspoke? Did I feed too much magic into him?
“I am sorry, miss, but I do not know of a place with that name. Is it in the Mortal Realm?” he inquired, his eyes briefly falling back down and then shooting up once more.
The Mortal Realm? They separated by realms rather than kingdoms now? That was surely a new development. Not that I had been here before, but I knew enough from what the others said.
“I apologize, I must have misheard the name. I’m trying to find a port that has ships sailing for the demon lands.”
My biggest mistake yet. In the days I had been here, enjoying myself rather than gleaning any information I could, no one mentioned the demons. I should have understood that meant strain, fear, distrust, hatred.
The male reared back, his eyes wide and his mouth open. For a moment in time, I witnessed what it was to truly feel terror, to know dread like one knows a lover—intimately and wholly.
“Listen here, I do not know what sick joke you are playing or what you stand to gain from it, but I suggest you rethink your plans.” His voice lost the sweet and considerate tone, taking on a harsh edge that left spit flying from his mouth.
How could I have possibly been so offensive that it warranted that reaction?
“I apologize, I didn’t mean to—”
“No, you need to go back to whichever isle you come from and never step foot in the Water Lands again. We do not take well to those who wish to spread fear for the sake of a laugh.”
I nearly giggled at his rage, the likes of which was so pathetic that I couldn’t even attempt to take him seriously. That was, until he began to pull water from a nearby stream. This outfit was far too delicate, and my hair was far too perfect, to let that water hit me.
With a quick flick of my hand, I pulled the sinful thoughts of every fae in the area to the forefront of their minds. Some were all too easy to influence, their hopes and dreams and tantalizing wants already in line with their evil nature.
Fae came together in dire embraces, some stripping naked before they even found someone to take them. Others let their fists speak instead, fights breaking out and shouts splitting the air. I watched as two attacked another, stealing handfuls of coins.
Arguments ensued, a female nearby taking off what looked to be a ring and throwing it in the face of a male who stared open-mouthed at her. Water flew everywhere, the weaker fae losing ground in their fights and the desperate ones falling to the grass. The sounds of wet skin slapping together was nearly as loud as the screams.
Soon, all of the Water Lands, as that fae called this place, would erupt into a cacophony of vices being explored.
I reveled in it, my gaze trained on the fae who was now once more looking at me with lust—the longing for me evident. I allowed my magic to flow free, my eyes changing, waves of pink setting me aglow. He fell to his knees, the addictive mixture of fear and desire a beautiful thing.
I had always been beautiful. No one could deny that. Nor did they wish to. My face and body were a means to an end, luring in those I might use. This world, though, was different. The way the fae felt was stronger, more evident. It had to be overwhelming to feel so much so often. Tragically so. As strong-willed as I was, I didn’t imagine I would fare well living a life such as theirs.
