Suzanne Lazear - Charmed Vengeance

Jeff gave her a wide, mischievous grin. “Grandfather does have a very large house.”

Noli laughed. Jeff was going to bring his trouser-wearing wife and a bunch of air pirates to Grandfather Montgomery’s for Thanksgiving? “Boston’s never going to be the same, is it?”

“Probably not,” Jeff chuckled, giving Vix a fond look. “Probably not.”

“Rogue or not, this is very generous.” Vix packed the piles into the case. “We’ll have payday later. Let me put this in the safe for now.” She and the case disappeared into her quarters.

Noli turned to Jeff. “I can’t wait to see Mama.”

“Captain Vix, Captain Vix, I need to speak to you right now,” a voice boomed from outside, sending shivers down Noli’s spine.

“Come out, come out, Captain Vix,” the man shouted again.

Jeff arm shot out in warning as his other hand fumbled for his pistol. “Noli stand back.”

Vix barreled out of her quarters, pistol drawn, just as King Brogan appeared in the common area, still in his morning coat and top hat.

“Why are you on my ship, Kyran … or should I say Brogan?” Vix kept her pistol focused on the blond earth court king.

“Ah, what’s in a name, Victoria?” King Brogan raised his hands in an empty gesture.

Noli craned her neck trying to see who lurked behind Brogan. One thing she’d learned was that Otherworldly monarchs liked entourages.

“I contracted you for something and I expect it to be delivered. Promptly.” He tapped his walking stick on the floor for emphasis.

“You gave us no payment in advance. We aren’t bound to sell it to you.” Vix held her ground. “Perhaps we found a higher bidder … ”

“Kevighn Silver stole it from us,” Jeff blurted, still blocking Noli with his body. “He masqueraded as a crew member and stole it. I think he works for someone also named Kyran.”

“Kevighn Silver took it? And he’s working for another Kyran?” For a split second worry crossed King Brogan’s face. “We can’t have a rogue like him with an artifact like that.”

“No, we can’t, but we don’t have to resources to find him,” Jeff apologized.

Noli looked on in horror as Jeff blamed this entire debacle on Kevighn. “How could you?” she hissed, taking a step forward. “Kevighn—”

Jeff put a hand over her mouth as if she was a naughty girl. “You’ll have to forgive Noli, she’s not feeling well.”

King Brogan focused on her. His eyes might look like V’s, but they lacked his soul and insight.

“An earth sprite on airship?” he cackled. “Whose ingenious idea was that? Kevighn didn’t have to steal my artifacts. He probably traded her something shiny for them.”

Her heart fell. She wasn’t ready to reveal that particular mistake to Jeff and Vix.

Did he give us something shiny? I want something shiny, the sprite whined.

Shush, Noli retorted. “I’m not an earth sprite. You, sir, must be mistaken.”

“Is that any way to speak to your king?” He took several menacing steps toward her. Brogan greatly resembled Mr. Darrow, but he had James’ hair.

“You aren’t my king,” she spat, heart pounding. She treaded on dangerous ground. The high queen would kill someone for speaking to her like that.

“Stay away from my sister.” Jeff fixed his pistol on Brogan, using his body to shield her.

King Brogan’s eyes unfocused then refocused, lips curving into a deep frown. “You aren’t part of my court, yet you aren’t dark court, nor high court—how did that happen? Who do you belong to? You look familiar … ”

Taking a deep breath, she gathered every ounce of courage she possessed and looked right into his eyes. “I belong to no one.”

“What is going on? You need to get away from her,” Jeff yelled, striding toward him.

Vix grabbed his arm. “Jeff, wait.”

“You are very much out of your element, little courtless earth sprite.” King Brogan smirked. “It’s not good to be out of your element.”

What did that mean?

“You need to get off my ship, Brogan. Now. We don’t have your artifacts.” Vix kept her pistol focused on him.

All these pistols and Brogan didn’t seem fazed.

“Your weapon won’t hurt me,” he shrugged. “How about your little sprite gives me the piece in her pocket and I don’t kill you all? I think it’s more than a fair trade. What exactly does a sprite do on an airship? They’re not very good at practical things.”

Noli’s hand went to her pocket. How did he know?

Don’t give it to him, please, a female voice echoed in her mind.

It wasn’t the sprite. Unless she was truly going mad, it could only be the Bright Lady herself. She didn’t know who else it might be.

“I won’t.” Her jaw set. She wasn’t about to defy the Bright Lady.

“Noli, you have a piece?” Jeff’s brow furrowed and he didn’t put down his pistol.

Her hand reached into her pocket and wrapped around it. “You can’t have it.”

“Guards, seize the sprite,” King Brogan called. Two large men, clad in gentleman’s clothes, entered the room and stormed toward her.

“Leave her alone.” Jeff charged. One of the large men tossed him aside like a doll.

“Jeff.” Vix ran to him.

“Leave my brother alone.” Noli looked around for something she could control.

Just push them, the sprite told her. Like they’re a ball.

Holding out her hand she pushed with her mind, like the sprite had when volleying the cannonballs. One of the guards stumbled backwards into the wooden table.

“Do you dare use magic against me?” Brogan roared, holding out his hand and sending her flying backward into the wall. The air whooshed out of her body as she smacked against the wood.

“Noli!” Jeff stumbled up off the floor.

“Wait,” Vix hissed, holding out her arm.

One of the guards peered at Noli. “Your majesty, do you know who this is?”

“Who?” Brogan looked down his nose at her as she lay crumpled against the wall, ribs smarting, though nothing felt broken.

“She’s Stiofán’s. I remember her from the House of Oak.” The guard looked familiar.

Noli sucked in a breath, which hurt, as she remembered where she’d seen him. “You worked at the big house. You’re a spy.”

Brogan’s hands clapped under his chin. “Stiofán’s little mortal—well, not so mortal anymore. Tiana’s work, I’m sure. What should we do with her? Bait? Or perhaps we should just kill her. After all, she’s not wearing his sigil anymore which could only mean—”

“Leave. Me. Alone.” From her spot on the floor, Noli sent out another blast, this one aimed directly at King Brogan.

He sidestepped, strode over, and grabbed her by the throat. “You are very much out of your element, little sprite, and lacking a protector. You best watch your step. Also, are you sure you’re well? Your color looks off.”

Her throat grew warm and tingly and for the briefest second his hand shimmered as she struggled for breath. Wait, she had her knife. Kicking up her foot, she fumbled for it.

“Now, give me that piece,” he demanded.

Don’t give in, that other voice told her as her hand wrapped around the knife handle.

“No.” The word barely escaped her lips as he choked the air out of her. Grasping the knife, she jabbed it in his hand, praying it would force him to release her.

His face contorted in pain. “Why you little—”

“Leave my sister alone,” Jeff roared. Boom. Boom. Boom. Jeff fired his pistol several times into King Brogan leg.

Again, she jabbed him. Take that. His grip lessened and Noli dropped to the floor with a jarring thud, knife falling to the ground. The knife went back into her boot, then her hand found the piece in her pocket. She must keep it safe.

Several other pistol clicks echoed through the room. Brogan didn’t look up, a hand over his bleeding leg.

“No one messes with little sister.” Thad aimed his pistol at Brogan, uncovered eye narrowing. Asa and two women wearing trousers also held pistols.

“Brogan, you need to get off my ship, you’re bleeding everywhere.” Vix’s voice remained calm, pistol still focused on the earth court king.

“I only want what is mine.” The hand not staunching his wounds extended as if he expected Noli to hand the artifact over.

“You didn’t pay for it, it’s not yours,” Vix retorted. “Asa, Thad, escort these men off my ship.”

“I think we should go,” the guard who’d spied on her and V said, guiding Brogan toward the exit. “I’ll send men after Kevighn Silver for the other pieces.”

“You’ll pay for this,” Brogan yelled as he limped off the ship leaving a trail of blood, guns still focused on him. “Stiofán, too. Oh yes, you will all pay.”

A heavy silence filled the air. Noli grasped for breath, crouched on the floor, feeling lightheaded. The piece cut into her hand. She’d done it—she’d even used her knife to help protect herself. At least Brogan hadn’t hurt Jeff.

She’d never forgive herself if he had.

The voice stayed silent. That was for probably better, her head was crowded enough without adding a goddess. “Are you all right, Captain? Who was that?” Thad tucked his pistol away and took a drink from his flask.

“Business gone bad. Thank you for that.” Vix put her pistol away as well.

“Noli, Noli, are you well?” Jeff crouched next to her.

“I can’t catch my breath.” Clammy heat spread across her skin as she rasped for breath.

Jeff pulled her into a sitting position so she could lean against him. “Asa, could you please get Noli some water. It’s all right. They’re gone.”

“Who’s Stiofán?” Vix joined them, concern in her eyes.

“V. Steven.” She took the cup of water from Asa but didn’t feel like drinking. It was difficult to breathe and her neck ached where Brogan had grabbed her.

“We’ll talk about this later, the three of us, while we’re en route to Boston,” Jeff soothed. “Vix and I are engaged, we’re going to Boston for Thanksgiving to tell my family,” he added to the others.

Various congratulations came from those in the room. Noli had no idea who the women were. She closed her eyes and leaned on Jeff.

“If we’re going to Boston, we best be leaving,” Asa finally boomed.

“Noli, you don’t look good.” Jeff smoothed her hair. “Vix, she’s warm.”

“Go put her downstairs, have Winky ready the engines. Hittie, Hattie, thank you so much, until next time?” Vix called.

Jeff scooped Noli up in arms. She should protest. But the words just didn’t come out.

“Will little sister be all right?” Thad asked.

“She’ll be fine.” Jeff carried her down to her little room.

Noli clutched the piece. “I didn’t give it to him.”

“I still don’t understand why it’s so important.”

“It is,” she insisted.

Jeff put her in her hammock and covered her with the blanket. “We need to talk, you, Vix, and I. I’m not sure what precisely I saw and heard back there.”

Noli closed her eyes. “Brogan is V’s uncle.”

“V’s one of them, too? Don’t they have their own realm?” Exasperation colored his voice as he tucked her in.

“V and his family are exiles, forced to live in our realm because of Brogan and Queen Tiana.” She ached all over and just felt … wrong. “V broke it off with me because his mother is the high queen and she ordered him to. May I have my roses?”

“Um, sure.” Jeff retrieved her pot of roses from the worktable. Noli wrapped her arms around the tiny pot as if it was a doll. Much better.

“I don’t feel good,” she murmured, trying to get comfortable in her hammock.

I don’t feel good either, the sprite whimpered.

“You sleep, we’ll figure this all out later.” Jeff’s fingers traced her cheek. “We’ll figure this all out later. I promise.”

Kevighn entered through the swinging wooden doors into The Thirsty Pooka, deep within the blackwoods of the Otherworld. Once, it had been his favorite watering hole. Despite the shady characters frequenting it, the tavern was actually quite safe. Safe enough to bring Creideamh. So he’d thought.

People stopped drinking and throwing knives to stare at him.

“What are you doing here, huntsman?” a large ogre sneered, cleaning his teeth with his dagger as he sat at a table filled with other ugly, smelly, large ogres.

“Yeah, you’re kind isn’t welcome here,” a goblin added. They were smaller than ogres, but just as strong and twice as ugly.