The Fox’s Tale

“I don’t like this, not one fucking bit,” I muttered to Lucas who shot me a lazy grin.

“Jones will not let any harm come to Esma and Ellery. Don’t forget to act like the shackles are hurting you when whomever comes, comes.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I shifted as much as the shackles would allow. “This better work.”

We’d been in the cells for at least twenty-four hours, according to Quinn. During that time we had not been offered anything to eat or drink, and if Ellery hadn’t charmed us everyone but Lucas would have wet their pants since our restraints didn’t allow for us to reach the chamber pot in the corner of the cell.

Even though I knew it wasn’t real and that the charges wouldn’t stick, getting arrested in my own home, along with Lucas, Quinn, and all of my teammates who were Shifters had been mortifying. The look of my parents’ faces would haunt me for years, even though I know Ellery would have set their minds at ease after the security detail had hauled us away.

“It will work," Lucas replied with confidence. "Did you not see the glee on the faces of those we suspect?”

“Did you have to chew the scenery though, Luc?” asked Quinn who was chained to the wall next to me.

“I was selling the story. What difference does it make to you? You’re not the one upside down.”

Lucas had behaved like a madman when they came to arrest us, fighting the guards and screaming invective at them, until they’d clamped a bog iron collar around his neck. He continued to hurl expletives at them as they dragged us away.

Matt snorted. “No, but that one guy looked ready to run you through right there. If he had then where would we be?”

“Ellery would have become High Queen of the Incorruptibles had Tarquin executed me, and then she would have decapitated him. You all would have been fine.”

“Sure, because Ellery getting another power up and going on a killing spree is just what we need,” I groused as I moved around as much as I could trying to find a way to sit that didn’t leave my butt numb after two minutes.

Lucas shrugged. “It’s a moot point. Tarquin didn’t kill me; everything is progressing as we planned. You all remember what to do when you’re released, right?”

“Like we’d forget,” growled Lee. “My jaws are aching with the urge to tear their throats out.”

Scott, Nick, Matt, and Grant all made sounds of approval. We heard the door to the dungeon open and everyone quickly began to make groaning noises. Lucas began to cackle with laughter.

Tarquin stalked into where we were being held and backhanded Lucas. He was wearing a leather glove with what looked like iron studs embedded into it.

“Shut your trap, you vampire trash.” Lucas stopped laughing, but kept a sadistic grin on his face. Tarquin motioned for the guards with him to step forward.

“The Crown Princess has explained the events of the other evening to the satisfaction of myself, the Council, and the Queen. The five Shifters have been granted permission to leave. You will be escorted in chains to the portal and shoved through. If you dare to set foot in this realm again, your lives are forfeit.”

The guards stepped forward and unlocked the chains from the walls and hauled the guys from the room. When they’d disappeared Tarquin continued.

“Meridian, the Crown Princess has advocated for your release as well. You are banished from the Unseelie Realm and must remain in the Seelie realm for the rest of your life. You may have no contact with your vampire relations ever again.”

“What?” bellowed Quinn. “You can’t do that! Ellery wouldn’t have agreed to that!”

“Ellery is the one who suggested it.” He smirked at Quinn who fell into a stunned silence. “Lady Plumeria tried to get you released into her custody, but that would have left you in contact with the filth you share blood with.”

He turned to the remaining guards. “Drag him to the portal," he barked. "The Sinclairs have sent guards to escort him to his new home.”

It took three guards to drag Quinn away as he struggled. I buried my face into my shoulder to hide my expression. They’d fallen for it!

“This isn’t right!” Quinn screamed, his voice echoing off the walls. “This isn’t right, Tarquin and you know it!” The door shut behind him, muffling the sound of his protestations.

Tarquin chuckled once the door shut, and then turned to glare at us. “Now, that just leaves you two.”

“You can’t seriously be thinking of punishing me?” I demanded. “I didn’t do anything wrong! None of us did! We were just trying to get home safely.”

“No, you will not be punished, Future Duke of Thorns. However, there will be new guidelines for you to follow.” The door opened again and Alastair came in. Tarquin's smile was cruel as he looked down at me.

“Alastair will explain it all to you.”

My eyes went wide as Alastair advanced on me and grasped my face with his hands. He muttered something in Gaelic and my eyes glazed over. He stood up with a triumphant look on his face.

“He’s agreeable.”

“Good. You take care of that part of this and I will deal with this foul creature.” Tarquin turned his attention back to Lucas and punched him in the face with his gloved hand.

Lucas spit blood into Tarquin’s face. “You don’t have enough bog iron to kill me, Tarquin.”

“Perhaps not, but I have enough to hurt you; over and over again, you scum.”

As Alastair led me away I heard Tarquin resume beating Lucas. I shook my head. Whatever Alastair had chanted at me was making me feel dizzy.