Page 53 of Within the Veil

As of now, Nici's plans revolve around telling the populace that Hudson is kidnapping children and then draining them for power. The concept is absolutely ludicrous... for anyone who truly understands the Fae. But that lack of knowledge is what Nici is using to her advantage, asno onetruly understands the Fae. We made it so as to avoid being sought after for gain but more so to stay separate from those who are not pure of magic. Our superiority complex has no bounds.

The Elimentis' are the only ones who knew my greater plan, so far, at great risk to myself, but I couldn't risk someonenotknowing the same way we can't afford someonetoknow.It is because of this that I came here today on an unsanctioned mission. My mission will not only ensure that the Elimentis' will remain loyal to my cause, but that they will have a vested interest in doing so.

I will be blessing them with the ability to conceive one child by providing them with a sliver of my power. When doing so, I will have to willingly give a piece of my very soul. Although it will not weaken me, giving pure magic to someone who is not Fae is dangerous if in the wrong hands. More specifically, the child will bear a resemblance to me that is undeniable, even though I am not her birth father, nor will we share the same blood--genetics are woefully complex. In the end, the child will share a piece of my soul. So much so that if discovered, her connection to Faerie will be uncovered, and her life will be at risk.

So while my actions today will result in a gift, in the same breath, a curse as well, with Fae origin and power laced with the elemental magic and strength of spirit from her parents, the child will be a force that will either lay waste to the world or give it purpose. With this decision, Hudson, for all intents and purposes, would have a younger sibling, elementally speaking. My only hope is that in the future, the child, in combination with Hudson, will come together to bring Nici to her knees.

"While I agree, I do not have much time to discuss. Today, I am here for another reason. Just as I have confided in you my plans, you have confided in me your inability to have a child. Loyalty has no price; however, I see in you something I wish I could see in everyone I come across-- strength in spirit. As such, I would like to help you and your wife conceive a child."

His face pales and I chuckle, "No, no, my good man, nothing so salacious or nefarious as that."

I reach into my cloak and pull out a small corked bottle, that is glowing purple, and take his hand, placing the small bottle in his palm before closing his fist of it. "This is an Elixir that contains my essence, my soul. The glow? That is the glow of true and pure magic. I give this to you with a warning. The childmustbe kept hidden. When it is time for your wife to give birth, it must be done in the privacy of your home, and you will have to claim that the child was stillborn. Not only to prevent falling on Nici's radar for her schemes but because that child will have untold power. Power, that in the wrong hands, will be too potent for a world beyond the Veil as a young child."

I watch his face, laced with excitement a fierce determination, and I know I am making the right choice today. They would conceive immediately, and the timing couldn't be anymore in line with the prophecy.

"I will fortify your home with protection wards and send to have them redone every so often. This will be our only time speaking of this, as it is a great risk; however, trust me when I say, when I implore you, to keep the child hidden and safe at all costs. He or she will not be an average child; they will be stronger, more powerful, and more intelligent. Teach the child everything you know, as if you were going to be dead in the next moment, because, in this war, you very well may be."

I look into his eyes, making sure my point has fully taken root.

He nods frantically, his eyes filling with tears, "Thank you, thank you." He says thickly, holding the bottle close to his heart in reverence.

I smile softly, "If you wish to thank me, do so by not only protecting your child but also by keeping tabs on the 'kidnapped' children. I will protect them, and they will serve a greater purpose. As for the elixer, simply drink the entire contents of the bottle before coupling tonight, and you will conceive."

He tucks the bottle into his inside shirt pocket and looks at me, "What should we name the child?" he asks.

Before I cut back into the Veil, I look back, "Name him or her Charlie, because if we are fortunate, we will indeed all befree menafter this war. Goodbye Elementis, stay safe, stay protected, and keep out of unnecessary danger. I'll be expecting reports."

Crossing the Veil, I expel a deep breath as I open my senses to the hum of power that greets me. The Magick realm, in comparison, is incredibly muted, dulling one's senses as if a plastic bag is placed over one's face--I loathe it.

Observing the sun's position in the sky, I hasten to my next rendevous point with a smile as I realize the full implications of my actions. Not only did I just provide Tír na nÓg with another weapon to hone against Nici, but if the child embodies even half the strength of their father, I've also unwittingly provided the people of Darnica with a means to liberate themselves from their Council's oppressive rule--their key to freedom, Charlie.

* * *

Eli Elimentis

* * *

I holdmy hand over my chest, keeping the small bottle closer to my heart with every step. A child! A little version of us that we can cherish and love. It is everything we wanted.

But first, I think to myself as I exit the forest, the Council building looming ahead, I have to get through this farce of a meeting before I can go home. I nod at the soldiers and upper caste members milling around the grounds before entering the building, which despite its outward appearance, one carefully and lavishly built with light marble and gold, is as cold as the gold that ostentatiously covers every inch of the inside as well.

Whether the show of wealth is supposed to serve as a distraction from the cold that seeps into one's very bones as they enter or to mask the poison spreading through the shadows that now make up the souls of those on the Council, I am not sure. However, I can only hope, that by the time my child is of age, their power will serve as the catalyst for what my wife and I have been trying to attain; equality within the castes.

Making my face go blank, I straighten my back and walk into the Council chambers. I nod my head in greeting, acknowledging the other members present; Gi, an earth elemental, Leigheas an air elemental and healer, Myalo a Spirit Elemental and mind-reader, and the de facto leader, by his own ego alone, Ignis a fire elemental.

"Well?" Ignis says impatiently, fingers thrumming on the table before him as the veins on his neck stand out.

Temper, temper,I tut mentally.

Outloud my voice takes on a dry bored tone, "Everything is in order, he has a new list of children, and all things are going as planned. Time works differently within his lands, but as long as we continue to train the Shadow Guard, they will have their army as needed, and we will have our power source."

His face lights up with glee, and inwardly, I roll my eyes. It is a marvel that I have been able to maintain this ruse when the urge to drown him in the closest source of water is pervasive, almost sentient, as it claws its way into my heart. But I refuse to have that stain on my soul. Because despite the fact that we have been facilitating the kidnapping of children to help stir the magic community against a supposed insurrection of power in a world that had nothing to do with ours--not directly anyway-- I am not evil.

As requested by the Prince, I have been keeping tabs on those children. All of them were safely tucked away within a heavily warded academy filled with luxuries and highly trained nannies, instructors, and soldiers. The reports I had to give the Prince helped ease the guilt of my actions. That and the knowledge that in Darnica those children would have grown up in an unfair world filled with minimal possibilities.

The rest of the Council is under the, very mistaken, impression that because of our actions, they will be granted access to the source of raw magic. This, as Shea informed me, is not possible since the Fae people were created by, and therefore are, pure magic. Magick users are simply a very watered-down version of the Fae, our bodies are not made to hold such power.

When Sergio approached the Council with the proposal, all anyone heard was 'more power,' but my wife and I knew something sounded off. So when Shea approached me directly and confided his plan, I knew I would rather be on the inside helping than on the outside, helpless.

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