The Chaos of Azazel

Chapter 9

Chapter 9 Lilura - 

Eva and Kodan had followed me in her Prius. They parked behind me and we all walked together to the front door. When we entered Robin the Fae was in my living room. I jumped, but Eva and Kodan went into attack mode. Before they killed the Fae boy I grabbed them both by the shoulders and held them back, “it’s okay I know him.” I told them. They relaxed but only slightly.

“Robin, what are you doing here?” I asked him. Before he could answer Tyr walked into the living room from the kitchen. He looked different somehow. He was in even finer court attire; it was black and silver and his crown of golden leaves and thorns that once belonged to King Oberon sat atop his soft black hair. My heart leaped to my throat but I beat it back down.

“Why are you here?” I asked him but my voice cracked slightly. 

Tyr looked past me to Eva and Kodan, “A creature trespassed into faerie land and was killed by my people. I believe it is like the other creatures you have been encountering. It appears they can cross between worlds.” He explained.

I opened my mouth to respond but Tyr spoke first, “I thought I would notify the council as a precaution.” 

“You could have just told us at the next meeting.” Eva snapped. Her aura was humming with rage and I felt the confusion from Kodan.

“I will no longer be on the council. Robin will be the new representative for the Fae.” Tyr explained. It was another blow and it stung.

“What are you talking about? Why aren’t you on the council anymore?” Kodan asked confused.

“I have accepted the throne of the Seelie Court and my obligation is with my court now. I have no reason to concern myself with mortal issues anymore.” Tyr said. He spoke to Kodan but his words were for me. 

“So that’s it? You’re just bowing out? And sending us this kid? I don’t even know this guy.” Kodan said pointing accusingly at Robin. The Fae looked sheepishly at Kodan and took a tentative step back.

“Robin Goodfellow is a trusted courtier. Nothing happens in Tir nA nOg without his knowing. He will be the best replacement for me.” Tyr explained coldly.

Robin Goodfellow was a familiar name. I glanced at the copy of a midsummer's night dream on my bookshelf. Kodan wasn’t backing down though, “He’s a kid! How he can be the best replacement.” 

I turned to Kodan, “I think we should drop it—“ I started.

“Robin Goodfellow is a great deal older than you, Kodan Scott. His experience and skill outweigh any you could ever hope to possess in your lifetime.” Tyr snapped back. Somehow his new position as King made him more cold and formidable. 

“Fine, we will accept your replacement. Now if you’ll excuse us we have work to do.” Eva snapped. 

Tyr dropped his cold gaze and for a moment I noticed curiosity cross his face, “what are you doing?” He asked, more gently than his previous words.

“Hey, you just dropped out of the council I don’t think you get to know what we’re up to all the time now,” Kodan said angrily. 

Tyr’s eyes grew dark with anger, “if it concerns Lilura I should know about it.” 

Eva spun to confront Tyr but I grabbed at her hand, “Don’t.” I pleaded with her. She looked at me worriedly but sighed in acceptance.

“I was going to try and do a tracking spell. There is someone who is leaving offerings for Azazel and we have a theory he may be behind the creatures.” I explained to Tyr. 

“Do you not remember the last time you tried a tracking spell? You were nearly pulled into Azazel's world? What do you think would happen now since he knows of your connection?” Tyr barked.

“It’s a different spell. It won’t be as detailed but it will help.” I explained. 

Eva and Kodan stood at my side, “shall we get started?” Eva asked studiously, ignoring Tyr.

I nodded and went to my bookshelf to gather my grimoire and some spell ingredients.

“Your Highness, I believe it is time to return to court. If you wish I may stay here to watch over the girl.” Robins musical voice said. Everyone turned to Tyr waiting for his answer.

“No. You return to court Robin. I will be shortly behind.” Tyr said. 

Robin looked anxiously at Tyr, “Your Highness, I don’t think —“. Tyr glared at him and Robin closed his mouth.

“Of course my King.” Robin bowed slightly and quickly left the house. 

“You should go. I don’t need you here. I have Eva and Kodan.” I told Tyr. He ignored me, he lifted the golden crown from his head and flung it onto my dining table. It landed with a thud. It was odd to have something so precious tossed carelessly onto my chipped and worn table. 

“I’m staying.” Was all he said. He bent his intimidating gaze on me challenging me to order him away. 

Kodan must have finally picked up why there was so much tension in the room, “so I’m guessing that you two broke up?” He asked. It wasn’t very tactful given the situation and Eva gave Kodan a warning smack on his shoulder and glared at him disapprovingly. 

Not wanting to delve into that topic of conversation I brought my book and ingredients to the coffee table in the living room. Everyone took a seat around the table. I knelt on the floor. I opened the grimoire and turned the thin delicate pages until I found my tracking spell. Next, I pulled the wooden bowl in front of me. I poured the moon water from the mason jar into the bowl. I started setting candles around the bowl and lighting them with a mumbled word and a flick of my wrist. 

“This isn’t where you tell us that we have to pull you out of the water to keep you from being sucked in and then a demon jumps outright?” Kodan asked. 

I laughed, “no this spell is much less involved.” Kodan sat back in the armchair a bit relieved. 

I started speaking the spell in a low and deep Latin. Swirls of smoky grey began to whirl around in the water. All three of them leaned forward to get a better look. When I finished speaking the grey wisps lifted out of the bowl and started to take shape of something. 

The smoke molded itself into the shape of a figure and then with more detail the shape of a short and stout woman. There was no face and she was all grey but she wore a long cloak and her hair was loose. By the way she held herself it could be assumed that she was an elderly woman. 

“Is that who is leaving the altar offerings?” Eva asked.

“Yes, I believe it is. But there is no detail in the face to really determine who it is.” I said.

“At least we now know it’s an old woman,” Kodan added. This would maybe narrow our search down by a few thousand suspects.

“Ask the water another question,” Tyr said. 

I pinched the grey woman’s image and the smoke sunk back into the water. I muttered the same Latin words with a new question in my mind. The grey smoke whirled again in the water. It rose up and formed the letters F G A. 

“What did you ask?” Kodan asked.

“I asked for the name,” I said. 

“FGA? That’s all we get?” Kodan asked, irritated.

“I told you it was much less detailed. But it’s a safer spell and it does give at least a bit more to go on.” I argued.

“Lilu is right. We know it’s a woman, and she bears the initials FGA. That’s more than we had five minutes ago.” Eva stated. 

“I can talk to SPS about keeping an eye out for the woman at the cemetery. We may be able to backtrack and talk to some of the witnesses again and see if they remember an old woman or know anyone with those initials.” Kodan said.

“I’ll go with you,” Eva said. They both stood. 

Eva looked questioningly between me and Tyr, “would you like to come with us Lilu?” She asked. 

I stood as well and put my hands in my pockets, “No, I will stay home. Call me if anything comes up. If not I will be back in the city in the afternoon. I have some business in the morning.” I said.

Kodan left first and Eva followed but not before giving me one last worried glance. Now it was just Tyr and I in the living room. He stood and faced each other awkwardly. 

It was so difficult to look at him now. He looked so different to me. “How are you liking being King? Were you able to end the war?” I asked, aiming for something along the lines of two old acquaintances catching up.

His face looked pained, “don’t do that.” He said.

“Don’t do what?” I asked.

He took a step toward me, “act like this is normal. To act like we hardly know each other.” 

My breath hitched. His presence affected me in a way that I wasn’t prepared for. I had followed through on Aedens favor but I wasn’t sure how extensive my obligation to it would be. Tyr lifted his hand and brushed his fingertips along my cheekbone with feather-like delicacy. 

“I don’t know how to act around you anymore,” I told him. His fingers continued to their path from my cheekbones down to my jaw bone and then came to a stop at my chin. He held my chin tightly between his thumb and index finger. His eyes were greener than I had ever seen them and bored holes into my deep blue ones. 

“I don’t know how to be without you.” He replied. 

“You have to try. I have to let you go. And you have to let me go.” I said. The words came out a whisper and a lump had grown in my throat.

“Do you truly not love me at all anymore?” He asked, his eyes glossy with the beginning of tears. 

I paused, I did love him still, I had never stopped. I didn’t know how to respond, “I will always love —

Before I could finish Tyr had pressed his mouth to mine. It was desperate and longing and I couldn’t fight myself from pulling him deeper into the kiss. He thrust his hands into my hair gripping the blonde strands tightly. My hands cupped his face fiercely. One hand wrapped around me and pulled me against his body. Our kissing went from desperate to craving. Tyr lifted my legs and wrapped them around his waist. He walked me over to the dining table and with one arm swiped all the items off the table and laid me on it. 

There was a clatter of metal hitting the hardwood floor. We broke from our kiss and looked at the golden faerie crown rolling across the floor before it toppled to its flat edge. We were both frozen to the spot still glancing at the crown. I gently pushed Tyr back and sat up. Sliding off the table I went and picked up the crown. It was heavier than I would have thought. The leaves and forms were sharp and I noticed that small jewels and diamonds had been subtly embedded into the crown. I turned and looked at Tyr. His expression was wary as he watched me holding the crown. 

“It’s beautiful,” I said quietly. Tyr said nothing in reply. 

“What if it was just me and you in the world.” I mused.

“We could always run away,” Tyr suggested wistfully.

I smiled at him, “where would we go?”

“Anywhere and everywhere.” He said. 

I was quiet for a long time and so was Tyr, “what a lovely dream.” I said.

“But only a dream.” He murmured. Tears had finally made their way down my cheeks as I looked at him. 

“If there is a way for us to be together I will find it.” I declared. Tyr looked at me surprised. 

“Then I will wait for you,” Tyr said. I handed him back his crown and he placed it on his head. He cupped my face like he always did and bent to place one last kiss on my lips. I watched as he left out the back door and disappeared behind the tree line. 

The next morning I went to the conservatory to meet with the rest of my coven. This would also be my last meeting as their leader. When I entered the entire coven was already seated and waiting. Florence my greatest adversary among the witches stood at the end of the head of the table and rested her hands on the wood. She looked venomously at me as I came to take my seat at the head.

“You look particularly upset today Florence,” I noted.

She growled at me, “decided to grace us with your presence. It’s been so long I was beginning to think you completely abandoned your own kind.” 

“Your right Florence,” I said. She looked taken aback not expecting me to agree with her.

“Of course I’m right.” She said standing straight and crossing her arms.

Rita and Jessica, my biggest supporters in the coven looked at me worriedly. 

“You are planning to do this right now?” Rita whispered to me.

I leaned toward her, “yes I think it’s time.”

“What are you two whispering about?” Florence snapped.

I stood and looked at each of the coven members, “I have failed you as a high priestess. You are all phenomenal witches. You deserve better. That is why I have decided to step down and name my successor.”

The witches sat stunned and quiet, “Rita Malone has shown great aptitude with the craft as well as a steadfast and unwavering faith in this coven.” I said. I gestured for Rita to stand and she did so awkwardly. 

Florence at the other end of the table spluttered, “this is absolute madness! First, you forget your duties and then you pawn it off on someone else. Someone I might add who is completely unprepared for such a position.” 

“Rita is more than capable of taking over and will live up to expectations that I ever could. I would not elect someone as unstable and wrathful as you Florence for fear you would send these women spiraling into the darkness after you.” I said coldly. 

Florence slammed her fists on the table and pointed a finger at me, “Lilura Black you will not live to see the next full moon make my words. You have made yourself a powerful enemy.” 

Rita drew up her full height, “and you have made your last mistake. I am now revoking your membership in this coven and cursing you as an outcast from now on.” 

Florence face flushed red with rage but before she snarl another word Rita had lifted her hand and a gale-force wind lifted Florence off her feet and sent her flying out the conservatory doors. 

“Anyone else have a problem with this?” Rita asked the others. Everyone shook their heads vigorously. I placed my hand on Rita’s shoulder.

“I believe I made the right decision,” I told her.

She beamed at me and then looked confused when I started to leave, “you aren’t staying?” She asked.

“I believe I need some time away. I leave all this in your hands now. But if you ever need me you know where to find me.” I said. Rita looked a bit sad but nodded and watched me as I left the conservatory. I turned and looked at it one last time. I wasn’t sure if I would ever see the inside of it again. 

I got in my truck and headed back to Knoxville and to Eva’s apartment. Now with the burden of Tyr and the coven lifted there was much left to do in stopping the rise of Azazel.