Halfling;The Sentinel Chronicles. The Rod of Ardum.(Complete

I should have seen it coming.

As the plane landed, I watched fascinated while Rosin’s fur slowly shimmered back into trousers, his horns and tail disappeared back into his skin. His ears camouflaged by the thick strands of his dark ebony hair. I shuddered, still trying to come to terms with the fact that the man in front of me was not a man at all, but a myth, come to life!

“So where does it go?”  I asked him suddenly, uneasily. I was waiting somewhat impatiently for the door to open. My skin was itching and prickling, an unconscious signal to the presence of great power.

“Where does what go exactly?”  He asked innocently, staring at me. I gave him a pointed look, one hand planted on a hip.

“Where does your fur go when you change?”  I replied, rolling one shoulder slightly, trying to ease the uncomfortable sensation. I needed to get out of the confined space. I began swallowing, for a moment; I thought I was going to be sick.

“It doesn’t go anywhere. I can produce a strong glamour to disguise what I look like.” Ah!  Yeah well, that makes sense I thought, nodding my understanding.  I felt my magic flash over my skin, I was having trouble controlling it. Somewhere close there was a power my magic felt drawn to. It fought to engulf me. I shook with the effort it took to control myself.

“Speaking of magic. It would be wise to keep the knowledge of witchcraft a secret. There has never been a witch here before and your magical presence may cause some unexpected reactions in more than one quarter, you, of course, remember reading of the witch trials, well need I say more”.

Yes, I remembered reading of the witch trials, the inquisition slaughtered many non-craft users, and it had been rare for the finders to catch a real witch for they had a rather effective means of escaping. Great, more sadistic fanatics, that is all I need I thought a little fearfully.

“Why, when as you said I would be surrounded by other paranormal creatures no doubt stronger than myself?”  I asked, although in my head I answered my question.  Using my magic was dangerous at best. One wrong twitch of my little finger and I could decimate a small town I thought worriedly, pulling back harder on the energy within me. Rosin sighed rubbing the back of his neck his eyes darted around us, checking for hidden ears.

“In the next two weeks, you will meet creatures, human law has taught you to believe were evil and some that you were led to trust were good. Human law my new friend is not entirely correct. Even within the E.F.P.I.D, you will find enemies. Power is a powerful motivator; choose wisely your friends Miss Templeton. Times have not changed so much that witches are not still persecuted for false crimes.” Rosin whispered. I cringed. Understanding completely the crimes of which he spoke. I read enough diary entries of my grandmothers to know the extent of that.

Rosin motioned for me to precede him out the door and down the stairs of the plane.  I took a deep breath, glad to be able to step away from the faun. We were not on a runway; but in a large well-lit hanger, housing three other planes, the likes of which I had flown in on.  I looked at my watch, surprised that the flight took six hours. Where in hell was I? I thought wrapping my arms around myself, it was so cold, my teeth were almost chattering.

“Follow me please Miss Templeton.” Rosin picked up my duffle bag that had appeared as if by magic at my left foot. I shrugged forcing myself into movement and my lungs to work properly. I was trying not to hyperventilate, steam puffed out of my mouth when I breathed.

Okay Templeton this is it, relax, you are a confident, intelligent woman!  I chanted a mantra inside my head as Rosin herded me into an elevator.  I watched with thinly veiled curiosity as he pressed a code into the keypad in front of him, the doors slid closed. A vent above me blasted me with warm air, I sighed with bliss as my skin began to heat.

“Claustrophobic?”  Rosin suddenly asked as he caught my gaze. I shook my head.  How strange!

“Not normally no, I am afraid of clowns and grasshoppers though and don’t eat anything I can’t identify. I am finding that with each new thing I learn here all bets are off. I may react badly to anything and break down in a hysterical puddle without a moment’s notice”.  I replied dryly leaning against one wall. 

“Good to know.” Rosin chuckled softly turning back to the small screen before him.

Oddly enough upon stepping into the elevator my skin had begun to tingle, not the same itching from the levels of power surrounding me but something altogether different.  I had never felt it before; it was unnerving and irritating all at the same time, like having pins and needles in your legs from sitting too long in one manner. I closed my eyes, seeking the source of the strange sensation. Suddenly I found myself in the mind of a creature more powerful and older than anything I had ever dealt with and I knew them! I ‘saw’ through their eyes. The creature’s eyes reflected in the lenses, one eye shone a bright green on one side, and my brown iris stared back at me from the other.

“Elisabeth, to what do I owe this pleasure?”  Seth’s nonchalant voice echoed faintly amused through my mind.

“Oops! Sorry Seth, wrong number.” I muttered into his consciousness. Pulling back, I slammed barriers up protectively.  This shook me to my core, struggling to control my breathing. I had to learn to control it, I could not keep popping into his mind like that. The elevator to my surprise moved down instead of up.  I realized with a start that I could see through the walls to the shaft, then to solid rock.  I wondered if my heart was going to give up the ghost.

Rosin studied me as the shaft switched from rock to water.  Star Wars step back, the E.F.P.I.D. Have you covered! I thought stunned. I gasped in surprise, turning in a small circle in transfixed awe of the sight of the brightly lit underwater city rising from the seafloor in the shape of a giant sparkling tree!  The tree’s branches scattered in all directions, all over them were what appeared to be some huge clear and some smaller smoky black pods looking like beads of grass growing out of the trunk and branches.

Rosin smiled that wide disturbing smile as the doors swished open to reveal a long wide hall with transparent walls.  I felt as if I was stepping into one of the tubes in the Underwater World center.  Rosin shimmered again until he stood before me his original faun self.

“Welcome, Miss Templeton to the E.F.P.I.D, the Southern hemispheres division, or as we call it, Tartarus.”

Rosin threw open a large set of golden double doors. I came to a direct halt in the entryway.  I could almost hear my jaw hit the marbled floor in awe, if there was any dirt on the floor my tongue would have collected it as it rolled across the hard stone.  The giant antechamber glowed with white light, illuminating a fountain in the center of the dome-shaped room.  It was a shining black stone sculpture of two hands holding the earth high in its fingers, it towered over us.  To the left and right were identical reception desks, each manned by a woman in black with bright green hair and purple eyes.

“How can you name such a beautiful place Tartarus? That is the realm of chaos and a prison for the titans, this is almost heaven!”  I breathed spinning in a slow circle.  Rosin nodded absently placing a hand on my back to propel me towards the desk on the left.

“Once you meet Donovan you’ll understand completely.” He muttered half under his breath in reply. Who was Donovan? I wondered briefly. I kept getting distracted by the different schools of fish swimming past the transparent walls and did not take much notice of his answer.

“Myra this is Miss Elisabeth Templeton our newest trainee.” The green-haired woman looked up at me in surprise before turning her frowning face back to Rosin.

“It’s Lisa, nice to meet you, Myra.” I murmured I was still engrossed in my surroundings.

“The pleasure’s mine. Felix where are the other three?”  She asked Rosin sighed lightly scratching the side of his face.

“There was a problem with the other contenders.  One had a disgusting hygiene problem and admitted that gnomes of the two-foot-tall, little hat-wearing variety attacked him. The other should be on probation for stupidity, he said he was a warlock and turned out to be an inept magician. Finally, a very skinny, shrewish woman whose grandfather aliens allegedly kidn*pped. I think the man ran away out of fear. The woman was horrible and I refuse to have anything more to do with or get along with her!  So, I turned the plane around dropped the other three loathsome creatures home, and returned here with Miss Lisa, the last of the contenders ready and willing to commence her training.”  The mention of my name pulled me from my open-mouthed awe.  I could not help the smile that sprung onto my face at Rosin’s self-suffering tone.

“She threatened to sue and have him killed by a sociopathic uncle, Peter Knag grabbed him by the tie and was going to hit him,”  I told Myra in a loud whisper.  Myra laughed softly as she typed something into a computer.

“Oh Felix, poor darling, it is horrible you have suffered so much this day.” She cooed. Rosin pulled a face. The next moment Myra handed me an ID card that said ELISABETH TEMPLETON!  Rosin smiled tilting his head in a slight inclination towards Myra before dragging me with him towards a long hall where he ushered me into another elevator.

We were waiting for the doors to close when a group of males stepped into the hall across the atrium. The tallest one’s head snapped around, his wraparound sunglasses hid his gaze but I could feel his eyes on me. My skin almost lifted off my bones, the tingling so insane I rubbed my hands together. The corners of the stranger’s mouth kicked up, a slow grin forming.

“Elisabeth!” He whispered. One of the males behind him spoke he inclined his head slightly still staring. I felt my magic rise, horrified I clamped it down. Rosin clamped his hand tightly around one of my arms; the stranger’s expression became a mixture of confused surprise.

“Seth! Hi, looks like we’re in a hurry. I’ll talk to you soon. I promise. The moment I get some free time.” I smiled happily. Seth bowed his head.

“I look forward to it. Felix, I hope you are looking after my dear Elisabeth?” He drawled.

“Y-your Elisabeth-. I certainly am, happy as a clam. See, big smiles. Ok, time to go.” Felix chuckled nervously before the elevator doors closed.

“What was that?” Rosin demanded softly turning to face me with a frown. I shook my head.

“Seth and I met recently. I keep jumping into his mind all the time. I don’t know how to stop it either. When I saw him my skin went crazy, all tingling like pins and needles, then my magic rose like wildfire.” I answered in a shaken whisper.

“Stay calm, take a breath, everything is fine. You caught it before anything happened, doubt he noticed anything.” Rosin tried to assure me, though his eyes spoke volumes. Seth had not missed a thing. Cursing I turned to face one wall, instantly I was fascinated. I pressed my face against the glass surrounding me. Watching what appeared to be Mer-people swimming back and forth. I turned wide eyes on Rosin.

“Are they?” I asked breathlessly, anxiety is forgotten. He nodded a small smile on his face. I spun around when the bell rang announcing our arrival on another floor. The doors swished open. I froze and stared at the room before me in shock. The dome was a huge space filled with non-humans. I noticed some with fur, and others had pointed ears. I even spotted a couple I thought might have been ogres. I panicked pressing my back against the wall of the elevator; I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head.

“Nope, can’t do it.” I moaned, suddenly frightened. I heard a chuckle beside me. Rosin put his arm around my shoulders.

“Take a deep breath.” He whispered. I breathed in deep and let the air whoosh out of me in a rush.

“Now, open your eyes.” He whispered again. I took another deep steadying breath and opened my eyes awaiting his next command.

“Now pull up your big girl pants, get in there, and kick some arse.” Rosin cried cheerfully and pushed me bodily into the room, my duffle landed at my feet and the elevator doors swished shut behind me. All eyes turned in my direction. I wanted to die of embarrassment.

“Name please.”  A deep voice startled me. My eyes snapped to the left a big man with thick shoulders, long silver hair, and an eye patch was striding across the floor. I swallowed.

“Elisabeth Templeton.” My voice was a little more than a whisper. The male scowled.

“I said name soldier!” The whole room paused to stare at me again. Shame flooded my body I could hear my uncle's voice in my head. Suck it up, girl!

“Elisabeth Templeton!” I threw back my shoulders and raised my chin.

“Templeton good, where are the others?” I smirked shaking my head.

“Rosin threw them back; they were a defective catch,” I replied off-hand glaring back at the intimidating man before me. His mouth twitched, I saw amusement light his one eye.

“Morgan, show Templeton to her quarters.” For the first time, I allowed my eyes to focus on the figure behind him. A willowy woman stepped forward, indicating for me to follow.

“Five minutes Templeton.” The silver-haired man snapped. I snarled silently, it appeared Cyclops was having the time of his life.

“You’d better watch it; Zephyr lives to kick us around. He’s the elf army commander and has seen hundreds of war campaigns.”

“Elves wow, there are elves too?” Holy s**t I thought, eyes wide. Morgan peered down at me from her great height a funny look on her face.

“Yeah, elves and Mer-people and there are some dryads, fauns, and weres. There are vampires and skinwalkers. Oh, and banshees, that is what I am. What are you?” Morgan asked suddenly. I gaped in shock. Wow, I thought. Morgan led me down a long transparent hallway.

“I’m human and a b***h one week out of every month,” I replied off-hand looking around me. Morgan grinned. Stopping at the third door on the right she pulled a key out of her pocket.

“Hope you don’t mind, you’re roomed with me.” She sounded a little uneasy.

“That’s cool,” I muttered looking around as Morgan stepped back. The door opened onto a furnished open planned living room and kitchen.  Two doors opened from each side one leading into a small bedroom with an ensuite. I dumped my duffle on the bed without really taking much time to look around. Zephyr said five minutes and if he was anything like Chuck, even a second later meant a big penalty and some serious pain.

We were late! Zephyr was scowling; Morgan was terrified. He ordered us to stand in the middle of the floor.

“I said five minutes and you took eight.” Zephyr’s voice cut through the silence of the dome, like a hot knife through butter. Morgan seemed to shrink back in on herself. Out of the corner of my eye, at least ten creatures surrounded us. I swallowed, taking Rosin’s advice. I pulled up my big girl pants and prepared to kick some arse.

“It was my fault. Morgan told me to hurry up but I was looking around.” Zephyr knew I was lying, he could see it in my eyes. His mouth twitched again. He lifted one hand. The ten attacked. Morgan let out a girlie cry of fright. I spun pressing my back against hers.

“I’m not good at hand to hand.” She whispered franticly. Her terror beat at me. I swore under my breath. The creatures approaching all wore purple tags on their shirts and I was still wearing my skirt!

“What are the tags?” Confusion side-tracked me. Morgan took a deep breath; I could feel her heart hammering through her back.

“Purple tags, oh yeah they- they are Zephyr’s elite, the ones chosen to graduate to the next level.”

“Interesting and how does one achieve one of those tags?” I felt Morgan’s heart slow her voice became calmer.

“You have to take them in free combat.” Her voice was almost inaudible.

“And what is this training called?” I whispered franticly kicking out at a furry male with one foot. I pushed him away. Losing his footing, he fell onto his back and slid away.

“Free combat!” Morgan cried suddenly her arm flashed out catching one under the chin with one curled fist. She kicked out with her long legs hitting another. I grinned, feeling adrenalin hit my system.

One by one, we watched our opponents fall. Morgan turned out to be a fast learner. She mirrored my movements, her lithe frame flowed like water. I wished briefly I could move like her. I caught a glimpse of Zephyr’s face, he was grinning. My peripheral vision picked up what appeared to be a mix of human and cat. I spun sprinting towards its back. He ducked. My feet hooked on either side of his head, the momentum of my body sent me careering face first towards the ground, at the last moment I curled through his open legs. The movement flipped him and sent him flying a meter away to land on the mats. I came quickly to my feet, once again back to back with Morgan. Breathing heavily, we waited for the next wave. Zephyr started clapping. The solitary sound loud off to our right I looked quickly at his scarred face.

“Well done Morgan, Elisabeth that was impressive. I liked the way you fought together, using each other’s strengths. Even strangers can achieve great things by opening their eyes to all that is around you. You are both eligible to graduate to the next level. Take a purple tag. Twelve minutes Templeton has been here and already she has graduated, pull your fingers out people this is not a daycare center.”

I eyed Morgan; we unfolded our arms five purple tags fell from our hands.

“Which purple tag are you referring to sir?” I asked grinning evilly and indicated the ten on the floor before us. Zephyr shocked the whole room by chuckling and shaking his head.

“Two pm tomorrow ladies, this time don’t be late. It’s rude.” With that, he spun on his heel and strode to the elevator a moment later he was gone. Morgan held herself tall; I peered up into her face. She motioned for me to follow her. On her heels, we made our way back to our quarters.

“Oh wow, I did not expect that when I woke up this morning.” My new friend muttered. I closed the door and promptly collapsed against it. Morgan draped her long body over one couch, her face covered by one pale arm. I rubbed my leg, it throbbed painfully. One of our opponents corked me in the thigh and my bruised rib was killing me.

“Are you alright?” My head snapped up. Morgan was right in front of me kneeling on the floor. I had not even heard her move.

“I’m fine, got corked in the leg though. It’ll be alright.” I assured her, still rubbing the offending limb.

Morgan nodded. Being so close I took in most of her features. She was a little on the scary side, although she could be called ethereally beautiful. Her wide eyes were a deep purple with blue streaks shooting from the iris outwards to the corners. The skin on her angular face almost luminescent; she had an inner light that shone from the very depths of her skin.  I blinked drawing back into myself. Morgan was blushing, her face turned away her expression was a little sheepish.

“Sorry about that.” She whispered. I was confused, sorry about what? I thought. My emotion must have shown on my face.

“I’m a banshee as I told you before; I can trance people with my eyes and kill with my voice. I did not mean to trance you. How come you didn’t tell me you are a witch?” She asked. I froze in the act of getting to my feet. How had she known that? I wondered sucking in a shocked breath. I peered up at her apprehensively. She stepped back, allowing me room to climb to my feet.

“I was told it would be in my best interests not to tell anyone about it.  Detrimental to my health. How did you know?” I was weary. Favouring my left leg, a little, I passed her to sit heavily on one of the stiff leather armchairs. Morgan blushed again, looking away out into the ocean surrounding us.

“When I trance someone, I connect with their unconscious mind. I saw you were a witch briefly before a mental shutter slammed down, hiding your mind. That has never happened. No one has ever been able to throw me out before; it’s humbling and a little embarrassing.”  Morgan perched on the chair opposite me. I sighed pinching the bridge of my nose. I was surprised my brain had not tried to shut down from paranormal overload.

“How long have you been here?” I asked while I leaned back, deciding that I liked the banshee, she was open and honest. Morgan’s smile faltered, she slumped, her willowy figure almost folding in on itself.

“I got here yesterday, my mother and father made me. I had no choice. It was either this or...marriage!”

I stared; eyes wide for what seemed like the fortieth time that day.

“Glad you’re here then; marriage humph, you do less for murder,” I muttered. Morgan grinned, by the look on her face, I figured she thought I was joking.

I was not! I was a cynic through and through. I never wanted to get married. I came from a family with divorced parents it had been messy. My dad had re-borrowed on the house loan and when the money came through he ran off with his boss’s wife. Leaving mum high and dry with a loan repayment, she could not afford by herself. Forcing a sixteen-year-old to leave school, work at two jobs, to cover the household bills. I had managed a couple of years later to finish my senior years at night school. Months after graduating mum got sick, we sold the house paid the bank loan, and moved into government housing. Being unable to afford private care, I took up the slack. I had been eighteen. Danny had been nine. To me, marriage symbolised heartache and pain, a graveyard for savaged dreams. Being here was my shot at something better; being here was my chance to become someone. A person who my mother will stand tall, throwback her shoulders, and say with pride that I was her daughter!

“Elisabeth, did you hear me?” I jerked myself from my depressing thoughts. I shook my head.

“Sorry, I was wallowing in self-pity, could you repeat that please?” I chuckled. Morgan shot me a knowing look.

“Mr Bowen just called; we are to be joining the other team of purple tags with him today, he has a couple of extra seats. We are going out into the field! We have about half an hour to get ready.” I had been so deep in thought I had not heard the phone ring.

I slowly climbed to my feet; I noticed what Morgan was wearing for the first time. I looked down at my ankle-length white and blue skirt and my white peasant top and then to Morgan.  Her long legs encased in lightweight black yoga pants with a white stripe down the side of each leg. She wore a loose black t-shirt with the same white stripe. I lifted one eyebrow. Morgan grinned widely coming to her feet she led me into my room and opened a draw in the built-in wardrobe. The same clothes were folded and awaiting my use. I peeked at the tag. How had they gotten my size?

“I was told the elevator from the hanger measures you, I’m not sure if Colleen the ogre was just jerking my chain or not but it seems plausible.”

I had to agree. Nothing seemed farfetched to me at that moment. Morgan left me to change.

Five minutes later, I emerged from my new room. My long hair pulled back into a tight bun; I was surprised Morgan had done the same. We nodded to one another and made for the door.

The field trip led us back up in the Atrium, where once more I saw Seth. He was leaning against one wall talking to a smaller man in a black and grey pinstriped suit. I felt his eyes on me as we stepped out of the elevator. I tried not to look at him but noticed he was partially smiling as he watched me pass.

“Look at me, Elisabeth.”  His voice whispered through my mind like sin. I fought not to grin.

“No, if I look at you, I will want to talk to you and neither of us will get anything done.”

“I am not seeing a problem with this.”

“I graduated from Zephyrs class. Mr Bowen is taking us into the field.”

“Well done sweeting. You were only down there half an hour. Have a good time.” Thankfully Seth turned his mind back to the subject his companion was speaking of. I took a deep steadying breath. Spinning around, I was walking backward while looking across the space separating us, unable to help myself. I had to see him once more. I smiled brightly, shooting Seth a small wave. He lifted one hand casually. The man he was talking to turned, his head, studying me curiously in silence.

“Lisa, pay attention or you’ll fall on your backside.” Morgan striding along beside me nudged me. I turned back in the direction of the rest of the group heading up to the island above and back into the hanger. I sighed wondering how long the trip was going to take; I had just spent ages on a plane.

Sullenly I climbed the short staircase. Morgan leaned towards me when I spotted a huge bearish man hunched over at the front of the cabin.

“That’s Jericho; he’s a were-bear. He was on the plane with me yesterday. He made the elite team in about the same amount of time you did and he’s the only one here that will speak to me...Well before you that is.” Morgan whispered in my ear.

“Why is that?” I leaned back peering up at her with a confused frown.

“Banshees aren’t very popular; we’re liked even less than vampires are. Jericho doesn’t care about that sort of thing though; his best friend back home in the states is a vampire.” I smiled shaking my head at the matter of fact way she told me of these things. My mind was going a mile a minute trying to compartmentalise all the information coming at me. There really were vampires! Damn.

“Morgan hey babe, how are you? Elisabeth, hey I am Jericho Cob nice to meet you. Congratulations on the awesomeness of that dance you two put on earlier. Major point’s ladies. Cool stuff, I was so moved, for real there were almost tears.” His deep voice boomed over our heads before he made himself comfortable in the chair to my left. I had no idea what he was talking about; half of me did not want to know.

“Ah thanks and its Lisa, I prefer to be called Lisa,” I replied hesitantly. Both creatures grinned wide nodding enthusiastically.  Jericho leaned in close.

“Rumour has it we’re being taken to a place in Tasmania. I don’t know what we’ll be facing but I heard Mr Rosin telling Mr Bowen he’s barking mad. Someone might get hurt or killed.” Jericho’s voice laced with fear. Morgan gasped, her hand going to her throat in a protective gesture. I swallowed; fear began crawling up my spine.

“That’s alright, we stick together and we’ll be fine, right! You know safety in numbers and all that.” I told them quietly. Both nodded again. Jericho grinned all fear vanished as if it had never been.

“Good to have you both here.” Morgan and I smiled at him, and then shared a worried look as the were-bear gazed out the window.

It was the last month of winter and Tasmania was cold, so cold, if I sneezed, I probably would have shot my hand when I covered my mouth. I shared my thoughts with my two new friends. They sniggered quietly. We huddled together, trying to keep warm. I was from North Queensland for god’s sake; the coldest place there was your freezer.

“Why don’t you use your magic Lisa, to warm us up?” Morgan’s voice was soft in my ear. By the look on Jericho’s face, he heard her anyway, his face lit up with hope. I shook my head sadly.

“I can’t, I’m not very good. If I tried to warm us up, I might go too far and our insides would get so hot the top of our heads would blow off and melt down our faces.” I replied grimly. Jericho and Morgan placed a hand each on my shoulders in sympathy. Mr Bowen held up a hand indicating silence, saving me from my embarrassment.

“Listen up, what you are about to see is one of the most terrifying and dangerous Para’s to ever live. Move slowly, no sudden movement as the creatures drawn to it. No loud noises and for the God's sake don’t provoke it.” Mr Bowen’s cheeks were a little pale; I was not sure whether it was the creature or the cold weather that had caused it. I saw a hand go up in front of the group.

“What will we be seeing sir?” The rest of us shuffled forwards when Mr Bowen cleared his throat.

“We are seeing a unicorn.” I was the only one who laughed! Everyone else drew back horrified. Morgan clamped a hand over my mouth shaking her head.

“Unicorns are demons.” Jericho murmured leaning close. Slowly the banshee released my mouth.

“Are you serious? Unicorns are pretty white magical horses with gleaming gold horns on their heads and they save pretty young virgins.”

Morgan and Jericho shook their heads slowly. Their eyes showed a deep-set fear. I swallowed convulsively as they pulled me along with them towards the half-concealed bunker. I huddled into another elevator wondering what I had gotten myself into now.

The doors swished open onto a small room with a viewing window. Automatically, I noted the exits and entrances; there were two, the elevator and/or the stairs, the latter’s door was bolted closed. I frowned. Mr Bowen noticed my gaze sweeping the space. He nodded in approval. Everyone huddled close to the back of the room; I turned around looking back at them. Morgan looked as if she was trying to crawl into Jericho’s skin. What could be so terrifying, grown military-trained men and woman cower at the back of a room? I sucked up a breath, squared my shoulders, and moved at a slow steady pace across the floor to the wide window set into the wall. My blood froze in my veins. Breath caught in my lungs. The creature before me was unbelievably terrifying.

I stared unmovingly, the humanoid creature unfolded itself from the cot on which it was perched, and it slowly crossed the room coming to stand before me. His white skin appeared almost dead and wrinkly. Not one piece of fur covering him, although he had a long tail and a mane like that of a lion. A white Mohawk sat atop his head, strands of hair hung down one side of his face, covered in hollowed out teeth, instead of beads. A twisted, dirty red horn protruded a short way out from his forehead. He lifted almost human hands; to press against the glass. He had hooves as feet when he moved toward me. I shifted my hand slowly; lifting it, I pressed it against the glass mirroring his movement. His mouth curved up in a small semblance of a smile. Strange liquid silver eyes stared out at me. Terrifying he was, but why would they lock him away to be nothing but a bug under a microscope.

“Why is he locked up? You have no right to keep someone against their will, no matter what their species. He may look terrifying but what has he done to deserve this? If he has done nothing let him go.” I demanded over my shoulder. There were several shocked gasps from behind me.

“Unicorns are savage beasts Miss Templeton, they are demons. If one bites you, your death is slow, you suffer horrors such as you could never imagine. The flesh of your body turns black with infection and flakes off your bones before you die.” I heard someone retch and rolled my eyes.

“Lightweight,” I muttered half under my breath. The Unicorns mouth split wide in an amused grin, my gaze never left his. He could hear me.

“That doesn’t answer my question sir; all you have told me of is the weapon this unicorn uses to defend itself, which is actually really cool. Though not very hygienic, what if the person you bit tasted bad, you’d be stuck with that for the rest of the day?” I said, hearing the creature chuckle.

“Mr Unicorn forgive me I do not know your name. Why have they locked you up?” My voice was steady and respectful although inside I was trembling with fear.

“I am Merdath. I am the bringer of death, Lady Elisabeth. My very existence on this plain foretells the coming of the Queen. The fools that locked me in here are afraid; they think my confinement will save them from the terrors to come.” The unicorn used my name as if he knew me.

“It won’t?” I asked softly, not understanding what he was saying. Merdath shook his head, his mane swayed from side to side. I sighed. He peered over my shoulder.

“Your class of cowards has left you here little witchling.” He told me softly. I turned my head in time to see everyone but Morgan and Jericho huddled into the elevator as its doors swiftly closed.

I watched the expressions on my friend's faces change as if they were in slow motion from dismay to blinding terror.

I felt the hand I had pressed to the window pulled gently from the glass. I turned slowly. Merdath was free from his prison, from the look of the intact wall he had probably walked right through it, spectra style. I watched hiding my terror as best I could as he kissed the skin of my knuckles before releasing my hand.

“I give you my thanks, they would not have listened to you. Your heartfelt attempt for my freedom was appreciated. Your friends must regard you with much respect for they have braved their fear and stayed with you. True friends indeed. Until we meet again Lady Elisabeth; you had best stay within this room, you will be safe here.” Merdath disappeared with a pop. Above us, we heard terrified screams. Jericho fainted; Morgan curled up in the corner and cried.

“Oh God Seth, a unicorn just slaughtered Mr Bowen and our entire class. Only three of us are left.” I reached out to the one person I could.

“Are you alright? Have you been bitten? Where is it now?”

“It’s gone, I think. We’re on the third floor of a facility in Tasmania. No one is bitten, just shaken up and scared.”

“Help is on the way sweeting. Stay where you are!” I broke off contact and dived for the bin to lose my coffee and vegemite toast.

What felt like an age later? I leaned against the bin I was pale, sweat beaded on my skin, and slid slowly down my forehead. Jericho groaned his eyes opened slowly, surveying the room under hooded lashes. Morgan held out her hand. Jericho grasped it thankfully. Their gazes met mine.

“Was this my fault? Did my talking to him cause this, did I provoke him?” I asked the questions that had been burning within my head. Morgan shook her head.

“No, he could have done that at any time. This was not you. The E.F.P.I.D. should have known this. Mr Bowen should never have brought us here. You talking to him saved our lives, Lisa.”

I felt the tears gathering behind my eyes, my nose itched signalling how close I was to having an all-out bawl. The bell to the elevator rang loud in the silence. The doors swished open. Five men armed with swords dived into the room. Jericho had sat up against the wall. He stared up at the men in shock.

“Are you hurt? Have you been bitten?” One demanded. Each of us shook our heads.

“The unicorn kissed Lisa’s hand though.” Morgan blurted. Five sets of fierce eyes turned to me. I sighed glaring at Morgan, she frowned, then realising what she had done, bit her lip to keep from saying anything else. The male I figured as the leader, stepped forward he crouched down holding out his hand I placed mine in his. I watched as the soldier inspected my skin closely.

“He kissed your hand, why?” he sounded confused by the unicorn’s behaviour.

“I spoke to him, I asked why he was locked up and he told me.”

The soldier’s eyes flared wide.

“It spoke to you? Are you sure? What did he say?” he became agitated and looked over his shoulder.

“Yes, he-he said ‘I am Merdath the bringer of death, Lady Elisabeth. My very existence on this plain foretells the coming of the Queen. The fools that locked me in here are afraid; they think that my confinement will save them from the terrors to come! And then he walked through the wall like it was made of air.” I replied still afraid. All five men frowned looking at one another. A hand extended once more towards me I clasped it tightly as it pulled me to my feet.

“Come with us.” We followed the five into the elevator. I looked down on the floor horrified with the splattering of blood.

“Sir, Mr Bowen, and our class are we able to see them?” Morgan asked before Jericho could stop her. One of the soldiers pointed to the bloodied floor.

“You’re standing in them kid.” Morgan stifled a scream. A pressure built inside my head until finally, I fainted.

I awoke to the sound of whispers. Opening one eye, I peered around me under the cover of my lashes.

“If Templeton was in direct contact with the unicorn, she may be in danger and pose a threat to the rest of the group.” Commander Zephyr was growling at someone. I almost jumped when Morgan’s voice came from somewhere off to my left.

“Sir, if these were other circumstances I would hold my tongue, and I go ahead and say this knowing full well that Lisa is probably going to hate me for it...But I feel, you should know that Lisa is a witch, a bloody powerful one.” Commander Zephyr stiffened, his gaze bored into my now open one.

“Is this true?” his question cracked like a whip. I nodded shooting a half-hearted glare at Morgan. I knew why she told him and did not have it in me to be angry with her at that time. Morgan must have seen the latter in my eyes for she relaxed shooting me a sad smile.

“Jericho has gone back to the states. My parents have called me home.” I peered up at the banshee, apprehension for my friend shining through in my expressive face.

“What about the marriage thing?” Morgan’s eyes fell from mine. She had agreed to marry then. My peripheral vision caught Zephyr pacing around the living room of our quarters with a phone attached to his ear. I tramped down my feelings and plastered what I hoped was a sincere looking smile on my face.

“Congratulations and good luck. When do you have to go?” I knew the answer before she spoke.

“I was just waiting for you to wake up so I could say goodbye.” Morgan leaned down from her great height and pressed cool lips to my cheek.

“I left my email and mobile number on the fridge. You are going to write and call me, right. That’s what friends do right?” Morgan’s voice wavered. It became apparent to me that even in the space of a day, the tragedy of that afternoon brought us closer. I realised Jericho and I were probably the closest to friends she had ever had.

“Yeah man, I’ll write and give you a call and I’m inviting Jericho and me to your wedding, so strap on your groove shoes and prepare for party central.”

“Yeah absolutely Lisa, I would love that.” Morgan’s face split in a big grin, she nodded enthusiastically before stepping back, she waved on her way out the door. Zephyr scowled down at me.

“How touching Templeton, get up, clean up, and follow me.” I swung my legs over the side of the bed, rising to my non-considerable height. The Commander stepped out of the room. I quickly brushed my teeth and pulled on my shoes.

“You will need your bags, Templeton. Your little chat with that unicorn this afternoon may have saved your arse, but it did nothing for the rest of your training companions. The higher-ups now feel that you are a danger.” He snapped handing me the piece of paper containing Morgan’s details.

I flinched at his remark. Stupid is as stupid does. That was it, now they would send me home. Great, this was wonderful! The bitter taste of failure settled on my tongue. Stooping down I lifted my duffle onto my shoulder and followed the Commander towards my fate. Mr Rosin was waiting at the elevator. The training room was deadly silent, all eyes followed as I crossed the floor. I had never been so glad to leave a room in my life.

“So, you had a meet and greet with a unicorn I hear?” Rosin was leaning casually against one wall. I nodded.

“Yeah, then it escaped and killed my class. Either my big girl pants are better than I thought or I have to have the worst karma on the planet.”

Rosin shook his head, he rested a hand on my shoulder, and the doors swished open on a long hall and atrium. I noticed for the first time more doors leading into only the gods knew where. Rosin threw open one to reveal a huge expanse of a room, the walls were transparent I was still trying to get my head around the fact that I was under the ocean.

“Holy bloody hell, look at that?” I looked around suddenly realising that we were not alone my outburst had been heard by five very intimidating men standing at the other end of the room.  A soft nasty chuckle ran through the group.  I felt a shiver race up my spine.

“I will leave you in the capable hands of these fine gentlemen for a moment, if you will excuse me, I will tell the director you are here.” Rosin turned and hurried out, the door closed behind me with a bang of finality.

“The director, oh great just peachy, what a day. Can it get any worse?” I muttered sarcastically.

“It sure can.” Someone whispered savagely. The lights went out! The sniggers growing louder and closer.

“Oh fabulous, just what I need, what is it about groups of freaks attacking me.  Fine men my arse. I have had enough! Today can go to hell.”  I muttered savagely under my breath, throwing my duffle bag towards where I had last seen the door. I felt the airflow disrupted as the creatures moved to surround me. I could hear their faint chuckles; see a glow coming from behind their strange coloured eyes.  I cursed, the creatures coming for me were fully trained skinwalkers.

Someone reached out pushing me backward.  I came up against another hard body. My temper already frayed snapped. A flicker of flame lit within me, fired up by fear, magic roared under my skin.  I caught my balance; a nimbus of a pale pink lit the surface of my skin, glowing in the darkness.

“You picked on the wrong woman fools; I have had a long day.” I snarled. There were curses of alarm.  I had taken them by surprise, I snapped out with one foot in a spinning backward kick. Snaking out with my magic an unseen force lifted the four men and threw them across the room.  My foot connecting with a face, before I followed through with a solid right hook and knee.  In the darkness a few feet away, the sound of splintering wood, the piece of furniture giving way under the combined weight of the falling men.

Hands suddenly closed firmly around my waist pulling me back behind a tall figure, my skin tingled like crazy for a split second before I was passed into the hands of another...... very furry someone!  I tensed ready to fight again.

“You’re safe sweeting, Cooper has you.” The lights snapped back on in time for me to see my four laughing ‘buddies’ looking thunderous, getting heavily to their feet from their landing positions twelve feet back into the room where their big bodies had destroyed what I assumed used to be a conference table.

“Oops, that looked expensive.” I murmured as I surveyed the damage.

Thick dark goo oozed from the nose and mouth of the male on the floor.  The four leaned down to help their injured comrade to his feet.  The towering man before me stepped up to his opponent’s distinctly smaller and slightly hunched frame.  The fool that had attacked me was afraid!  I thought.  There is always a bigger fish!

“Dante, what do you think you were doing?”  Seth’s voice was quiet, calm, and chilling, sending a shiver of awareness down my spine.  The hand on my shoulder turned me around carefully until I was staring into what appeared to be the face of a half-human, half-wolf.  He smiled and winked. I knew him, he was familiar, he was one of the males I had seen standing in the atrium.

“Are you hurt Lisa?”  He asked. I blinked, shocked.

“You know my name?”  I stammered suddenly nervous. Oddly, I was confoundedly pleased.

“Sure do.  Felix told us you were here. I remembered too late that Dante and his brutes were in here and his prejudice for humans. Sorry, about that it is my bad!  Seth and I came to rescue you.  Felix was having kittens out in the atrium when he realised what he’d inadvertently done and sends his frantic and heartfelt apologies.”

Wow, I thought. I was stunned.

“Oh, um thank you,” I replied unsure of what to say.  With a small smile, I faced Seth and the five others.

“Seth man, we were just having a little fun with her, we weren’t going to hurt her or anything too serious,”  Dante complained as he gingerly wiped what I realised to be blood from his face with one hand.

“And look how that turned out, you got your arses kicked by a girl. A small human female bested you. You pathetic idiots, your shame knows no bounds.”  Seth replied slowly, enunciating each word clearly, although his face showed no emotion.

“Well done sweeting, you bested trained skinwalkers. Are you alright?”

I could hear Seth’s voice softly laughing in my head.

“Yeah, I’m ok.” I looked around me, still slightly awed by my surroundings. The male, Cooper was staring at me, one brow raised in inquiry.

“What exactly are skinwalkers, are they like weres?” I asked. The wolf Cooper peered down at me quizzically.

“Skinwalkers are predominately humans with the ability to become an animal. For example, the red-haired fella you threw across the room, he is a skinwalker- Crow. He can become the crow whenever he pleases.” I nodded showing I understood everything I was being told. I almost jumped through the roof as the gold door behind us burst inwards with a bang revealing a short, balding man with a rounded belly and a grey moustache.  His eyes were snapping with fire and something else I was too afraid to name; his chest was heaving as if he had run a great distance.

“Dante, you and your men are to report to Director Xcoph immediately!”  The short man must have been someone of importance because Dante and his men filed out shooting me murderous looks as they passed.

Cooper's hand tightened slightly on my shoulder, I could hear his faint growling in my ear slowly get louder.  Dante and his men walked faster.  I grinned at the wolf.

“Nice trick,”  I whispered, he laughed low in his throat.

“Isn’t it though,” he replied still grinning. I felt Seth come up behind me, the tingling in my skin erupted worse than ever. I shivered.

The short portly man turned a shiny red face toward me, he stepped forwards extending his hand I noticed he kept a distance between him and Seth.  I met the man’s handshake steadily; there was something very wrong with this fellow!  I thought uneasily, my stomach churning and my skin crawling in reaction to his proximity.

“Miss Templeton, I am assistant director William Goddard.  I cannot tell you how sorry I am about what just occurred today, what with the incident this afternoon and with Dante and his men just now. Are you alright?”  This bloke had sent me the training camp letter.

I was beginning to feel a little alarmed.  My inbuilt radar was telling me to run and run fast!  I swallowed my reaction, focusing on his words and not on the nauseous feelings, he invoked within me.

“Yes, Sir I’m fine, thank you. I am sorry to have caused you so much trouble though. First the unicorn and now this, I am beginning to think coming here was a bad idea.”

Goddard appeared completely charmed; he grasped my hand again patting it gently.  I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. My magic threatened to break free, trying to protect me from the force of my ill-bodied reaction.

“No, no my dear, we are happy to have you with us. What happened this afternoon in Tasmania was not your fault. Mr Bowen knew better than to expose the untrained to a unicorn. In the case of Dante and his men; they were in the wrong, they pulled a horrible stunt on you after such a trying day. You defended yourself as was your right, I saw the whole thing on camera proving your innocence.” he pointed in the direction of one of the lamps.  The part of me that didn’t like him wondered how long he had sat watching before coming to ‘help’ me.  I suppressed a shudder at the thought.  Finally, he released my hand, I tried not to let my relief show as I tucked my hands behind my back.

“I’m glad Seth and Cooper came in, otherwise, I could have been up the proverbial creek without a paddle,”  I muttered talking down my ability to defend myself.  The portly man was watching me shrewdly through beady eyes. I was going to be sick if I spent any more time in Goddard’s company.

“You have only just arrived and survived a unicorn attack. I am glad you are alright.”  Seth’s voice brushed against the sides of my mind.  I shivered.

“Goddard!  After the incident with the unicorn, Templeton will be joining section five.”

Cooper looked up at Seth’s serene expression inwardly hiding his alarmed trepidation and leaning heavily on his humour so as not to give himself away.

“Awesome! I’ve always wanted a pet.” the wolfman replied laughingly as he placed his furry, heavily muscled arm around my shoulders.  I laughed nervously shaking my head, valiantly trying to cover up my rising hysteria.  Goddard’s face appeared to pale a little before he answered.

“Very good Donovan, she’ll be safe enough with section five.  Dante would not dare challenge you!  Not again, that is after last time and in the case of the unicorn, well such a creature has not bothered you much in the past. I agree.”  The Assistant Director nodded in my direction then turned on a heel, hurtling back through the door the way he had come.  Donovan, so Rosin had been talking about Seth. Cooper was looking at Seth who had his eyes closed a look of deep concentration on his face.  Finally, I looked up into his face and froze. Up close this man was terrifying, even more so than Merdath.  I was confused, he made the tingling sensation in my skin intensify to shockingly high levels until I thought that I was going to start vibrating along the floor.  It did not hurt; it was just annoying as hell!

“Are you sure, you’re alright?” Seth asked quietly. I nodded. If I opened my mouth, I was going to dissolve into a hot mess. Turning, I watched Cooper stoop to pick up my duffle bag. How the wheels of fate continue to turn, I thought? Come into my lair said the spider to the fly.

What in the Gods’ names was my dream man anyway?  I wondered to myself.  Seth Donovan was very tall, about six- seven- eight, broad shoulders, long black braided hair that reached his waist, dark wraparound sunglasses covered eyes I knew to be as green as emeralds. He had pale skin, he made my skin tingle and he stood so still almost as if he was made of stone.  In the back of my mind, I was horrified to discover that I was entertaining the idea that he was a vampire.  I tried to push the crazy thoughts away. The other night I didn’t notice any fangs while my tongue was in his mouth! I thought sarcastically.  Cooper on the other hand was shorter, by about four inches, with piercing ice-blue eyes; he was covered in short soft fur the colour of ash.  I wanted to reach out and pat him, but I did not think he would appreciate the gesture.  His shoulders were wide but the rest of him was slim and toned. Like Seth, he wore black leather pants and an open-necked white button-up shirt and a black vest, on each hip hung a dagger on one side and a sword on the other.  They looked like eighteenth-century pirates.  Cooper smiled, his mouth filled with small sharp teeth.  There was no way he could be a Werewolf?

“Cooper, are you a werewolf?  I asked hesitantly.

“Yes,” he replied tersely tensing by my side. Oh, a sensitive werewolf, now that was new.

“You can tell me to mind my own business you know!  My Name is Elisabeth Templeton, I am half-human, half bookworm, and I like ancient history and all things antique. Sun Tzu’s The Art of War is my favourite book; I like to study three-thousand-year old war tactics, somehow, I find it calming.  Also to my shame, I am a hopeless Sci-fi junky.  I am a twenty-four-year-old Leo with a phobia of clowns and grasshoppers, and I am irrevocably addicted to party dips and BBQ flavoured chips.  Nice to meet you and thank you both, for saving my backside.”  I stated holding out my hand.  Cooper burst out laughing looking once again relaxed in my company; he took my hand firmly in his.

“A pleasure madam, I am Jackamo Cooper, werewolf extraordinaire. Silver, I think just makes my eyes pop, you know.  I change form whenever and wherever I want and the full moon is great for fishing, I am a sixty-two-year-old Sagittarius, I hate toads and wet dog smell!

The man to your left is Seth Donovan; he is a five-thousand-year-old vampiric, blood-sucking, neck biting dude, obsessed with killing gnomes, going to church, and the opera. He is also a Leo and has a mirror above his bed.”  The last he said in an overly loud conspirator’s whisper.  I coughed trying to smother a laugh. There was a faint chuckling sound brushing at the halls of my mind.

“You like silver and are unaffected by the full moon, and Seth has mirrors and goes to church!  There go seventy percent of all my childhood illusions; I am going to be scarred for life you know.”  I sighed theatrically.  Cooper’s laughter roared louder as he dragged me with them out the double doors and into a long hallway.  The look Seth sent Cooper, promised swift and unanticipated retribution for the mirror comment.

Ooh damn!  Cooper was baiting a five-thousand-year-old vampire, talk about some serious stones and I was worried about my karma points!  I thought sneaking a look at Seth out of the corner of my eye.  I could not believe I was walking next to a vampire!  A real vampire, wow this was amazing. I jumped, almost tripping over my feet.  He was watching me too.  I hoped he was not hungry.  I wondered if he was listening to my thoughts, just in case, I blew the mental equivalent to a raspberry.

Seth jerked around to stare fully down at me.  The shock was plastered all over his pale and marble-like features before he threw back his head and laughed.  I could not help myself, I grinned unrepentantly.

“Guess that answers that question.”  I choked out around another laugh.  Cooper was looking back and forth between the hulking vampire and me.

“What am I missing?” he asked suspiciously. I was too embarrassed to speak; I could feel my heated blood pooling in my cheeks. I rolled my bottom lip gently between my teeth. Seth rubbed his forehead still chuckling as he faced his wolf comrade.

“Elisabeth was wondering if I was listening to her thoughts. In the interest of scientific experimentation, she blew me a raspberry with her mind. The noise rumbled through my head like an earthquake, it was, to say the least, a surprise.” Cooper barked a laugh putting his arm back around my shoulders.

“Fantastic!  Serves the old boy right for eavesdropping. I wish I had thought of it first, most times I hum circus tunes, it drives him nuts.”  Cooper chuckled, slapping Seth on the back as we piled into another elevator. I let go of a relieved sigh. Once again, my humour had saved me from having my insurmountable fear shown publicly.

Seth Donovan was completely enraptured with the small human laughing with Jackamo Cooper. Elisabeth Templeton a woman of small size around five feet seven or eight, with mousy brown hair pulled severely back into a bun at the back of her head, big dark brown eyes, framed with long black lashes stood smiling nervously up at Cooper as he regaled her with tales of his encounters with Dante.  Elisabeth was the woman in his head, which amazed him that she was now standing next to him in the flesh. Not a female that would usually catch his eye, but she had taken him by surprise with her casual wit. Not an easy thing to do considering he was so apt at reading minds and she made him laugh unexpectedly, not something he had done in several thousand years.  It was liberating to know the ability to feel humour was still within him and able to surface.  Seth watched the young human, thoughtfully scanning her thoughts, he paused, listening, waiting as something gathered in her mind’s eyes, and she tried valiantly to ignore it.