Dark Divine

Chapter 3

Magnus was waiting in the main sitting area when Sebille walked in from her visit with Alina. She took a seat beside him as he looked at her expectantly.  She let him suffer in silence for a minute or so before she spoke.

He fidgeted a tad bit, but waited until she was ready to talk. Even though he was foggy in the brain and wobbly on his feet, he thought he should have been there for the girl to wake up. But Sebille had insisted that his ugly mug would frighten the girl into a state of shock if he was there when she came to.

“Your girl, Alina, is awake now. She doesn’t seem to be suffering any ill effects from your knockout spell, or the wards in her room.”

The room seemed to brighten, when Sebille just told him the girl’s name. Alina. Simple, and elegant, just like the creature down the hall.

“That’s a relief.” He said, clearing his head with a little shake. “I was a little worried that I had used too much juice on her. She seems so fragile.”  He said in a slightly gruff voice. What the hells was wrong with him?

Sebille didn’t say anything about Magnus not correcting her when she referred to Alina as ‘his girl’. She decided to let that slide, for the time being.

“Was she very upset when she woke up?”

“Oh, she was a bit disoriented, but she didn’t get herself into a tizzy until I started getting too close for her comfort. She didn’t want me gettin’ hurt.  Very curious, indeed.   I’ve never seen a dark fae that had so much sympathy for others, and so little about herself.   I suppose you did the right and honorable thing by bringing her here.  You know, not everyone is going to agree with that sentiment.  I have a feeling bad things are going to rain over our heads over this.”

“I am very aware of that,” said Magnus. “But I could not, in good conscience, execute someone who is completely innocent, as she obviously is. I will take full responsibility for her, and I intend to give her a chance to live a more normal life.  She deserves that much.”

“You will have a long road ahead of you if you think you can convince the council that it was a wise decision to allow her to remain alive. That will not be looked upon lightly. Those powers of hers probably make her the most dangerous being to walk in this realm. If she had been any other person than the good soul she is, death would be like a mist descending on all of us by now.”

“I will do my best to sway their judgment in our favor.” said Magnus.

“Well,” said Sebille. “I like the girl so far, at least from my first impression of her. I will stand by your side when the fae council holds a hearing on this matter, as I’m sure they will. I do not envy your journey.”

“That is far more than I could have asked of you. You have my most humble gratitude.” said Magnus.

“You have your work cut out for you, Magnus. She will need to be prepared for the harsh questioning she will be subjected to at a hearing, and in her current state, I think she would crumble under that kind of pressure. I hope you can toughen her up a bit, which is ironic, considering how very deadly she already is.”

“Just so. Now if you will excuse me, I think it is time for me to check in on our guest to see how she is settling in. Thank you for ensuring her needs were met, and presenting a friendly face. It is much appreciated.”

“It was the least I can do, with all you have done for me and our little group. I know you have saved our hides more than once, and it’s time you get a little pay back. Besides, I couldn’t have stayed away if you had told me to. She is such a little enigma, isn’t she?”