Page 75 of Obsidian Prince

The pine goblin had only a moment to look startled at his forearm and hand laying on the grass. Around them, the roots that had shot out of the ground now waved aimlessly. The barrel of Siobhan’s automatic weapon came up to his forehead and fired.

The muffledbrrrdddtttof automatic weapon fire exploded his head in sap and bark and splinters. It left no doubt that Siobhan’s ammunition was effective against Fae.

Alexander smiled dangerously showing silver needle teeth, lifted his own hand, and the roots that had been trying to grab him and everyone near him, switched their target. The roots pulled the pine goblin’s still twitching corpse rapidly under the earth which moved out of the way to make space.

Liliana saw no sign even of fatigue in her prince as he gestured to smooth the ground again. Within moments, the area was covered with bright grass and wildflowers, as if the pine goblin had never been. The Green in this area channeled through her prince made them all strong.

He looked up at the rest of the waiting Fae, those who had sworn to him and those who hadn’t yet. They all showed signs of shock, some with the beginnings of fear, some with anger. “In case anyone else intends to use this chance to get close to me and cause harm, you should know that my consort sees into your souls and knows your true intent.”

Liliana tensed for a moment as she knew everyone would be staring at her now. But it was a tactic. Like when she stared down every lion who might have called challenge. She could not show fear or nerves. This was a form of combat.

She turned to face the crowd, threw back her hair with all eyes wide, and bared her fangs at them all.

Everyone, even the rock trolls cringed when her eightfold gaze fell on them.

It was weird to discover that as much as she hated being stared at, nearly everyone else there showed deep unease when she stared back at them with all her eyes unashamedly open. A heady feeling filled her. For once other people could be made uncomfortable by HER stare.

While Liliana swept her stare across the crowd, fangs bared and arm blades out, Siobhan popped out the magazine from her Kel-Tec and pulled a new one out of a pocket of her baggy pants.

The Fae, led by the pretty little hydrangea sprite, all started kneeling where they stood, showing respect, or possibly just fear, not just to Alexander, but to Liliana.

None showed anything in their auras that Liliana could identify as hostility or challenge. Not after the pine goblin’s very sudden death.

“Like I said, make an example of one.” Siobhan popped the new magazine into place, ready to fire again.

“Mmm.” Alexander sighed. “I’d hoped to avoid that, but I can’t argue that you were not correct.”

When Liliana’s many-eyed stare fell on the native cypress Fae, he looked back with admiration in his aura and a nod of respect. “The consort of the man you serve.” He spoke to John and pointed at Liliana with his chin. “That one who sees souls and severs limbs. Also, your tiny Guardian, the one who chose to use a weapon that did no lasting harm to stop me, rather than the one that explodes heads. They are likeyunwi tsunsdi.”

Nudd looked confused.

“Little people,” John explained. “Invisible nature spirits. Kind of badass. A few let me see them up in the mountains. Just show them proper respect and you’ll be okay. Usually.”

“I suspect people frequently underestimate such small warriors.” The cypress Fae had an odd smile on his face as he looked at Liliana.

She nodded back to him, a half bow.

Nudd grinned. “People always underestimate Siobhan and Liliana.”

John grinned. “Siobhan is the sprite. She made all our weapons and she kept me from getting knifed in the back at a bar.” John pointed. “That’s Liliana. She killed the biggest werelion I’ve ever seen. Sliced his head right off with one of those blades on her arms.”

Nudd added, “Siobhan saved my life once when the local king of the lion-kin pride tried to kill me. She fought him to a standstill one on one, sword to sword. Liliana saved all of us from getting blown up and burned alive shortly after that.”

“Those are tales I would like to hear,” the cypress Fae said with the beginning of a tired smile. He got to his feet. He stood straight with a look of wonder as he moved without pain, tall, slender body whole and unmarked. The smile faded. “I see that Elohi loves the beautiful man of shimmering black stone. Her spirit flows strong through him and answers his call. But I cannot swear to obey a foreign chief. Especially when I know so little about him.”

“Let’s talk to Colonel Bennet about that.” John shrugged. “I suspect the two of you can work something out. What’s your name?”

“I am Agasga.”

“Lieutenant John Runningwolf. This is Doctor Nudd.”

Agasga nodded to the craggy man who appeared to be centuries older than him. “I am in your debt.” He touched his unmarked chest and abdomen gingerly. “I did not think to live to see another day. You have given me a new century.”

Doctor Nudd didn’t know if the native Fae used the same system of barter, favor for favor that the European Fae did, but Agasga had acknowledged a debt. “I would ask a favor of you in return. Let the old enmity go. Live in the modern peace.”

“That is not so easy a favor to grant.” His eyes were dark pits for a moment, looking back into another time. “You don’t know what I have seen.” Then he sighed. “But I will try.”

“You can stay with me while you get adapted to the modern era. I have plenty of room.” Nudd held his hands up. “If you wish, of course.”

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