Prologue
The sun shone brightly over the heavenly grounds, making the goddess smile. She lovingly touched her swollen belly, comforting the kicking child inside. Her smile faltered a bit as she worried about her unborn daughter and the child's future. Her daughter was cursed before she had even entered the world.
It had been decreed no new immortals were to be born unless there was an open position in any pantheon. Unfortunately, all positions were filled. Each day, it became harder to hide her pregnancy. Perhaps she should have thought more wisely about her fraternization with an Underworlder. It had been All Hallow's Eve and the barriers between the worlds had been weak enough for the goddess to slip through. For one night, she threw caution to the wind.
Now months later, she realized how naïve she had been. Not only did she break so many rules, but now she also had an innocent child to consider. Doubly dangerous to her unborn daughter was the prophecy that the child would unseat the Usurper Fae Queen. Siofra would never let this baby live.
The goddess eased down to the bench at her gazing bowl and waved her hand over it. She had to find a safe place to hide her daughter. The goddess would bind her daughter's powers and tuck her away safe in the mortal world. She could only keep her daughter safe by sending her away.
Chapter One
Seven Years later
Aos Si
At the altar of an elaborately decorated great hall reclined a beautiful queen on a bed of colorful plush pillows and silken sheets. Her beauty always garnished more than second glances. In fact, it was her beauty that caught the attention of the Fae King. How stupid he had been, so blinded by her beauty that he did not realize how she plotted to take his kingdom from him.
Siofra smiled evilly, a smile looking almost sultry on her plump lips, as the crunching of bone echoed throughout the cavernous room. The sound of crunching bones belonged to a beheaded Fae who spoke against her. That was treason in her kingdom. A bit unsatisfied that the Fae hadn't begged for his life, she waved a hand to have the remains cleared before it stained her floor. Although she thought that deep crimson pooling on the marble looked rather nice. Perhaps it was time for another renovation.
The large solid wood doors opened and in walked her favorite demonic twins. Her body started to thrum as she recalled the ecstasy those two could wring from her body. They were a beautiful pair with their dark chocolate skin, sable hair and golden brown eyes. Their tall and lean bodies exuded sex through every pore they had.
"Satana and Santana. Welcome." She purred as they neared. "Come join me." She waved, indicating they sit on each side of her. "What brings you to my humble abode?"
Satana bent her lean body at the waist and kissed Siofra, sucking her lower lip before she took her seat to the right of Siofra. "Oh, just a visit."
Satana and her brother had always been attracted to the Fae Queen, her beauty called to them. It wasn't only Siofra's face that bewitched them. From those large green-blue eyes and thick lashes to her lushly full lips and aristocratic nose, no one would guess Siofra's sadistic nature. And that was what the twins loved so much about the Fae Queen. Satana trailed a finger down that unblemished porcelain skin, smiling as her brother spoke.
"You know, we love to visit with you, especially when we have gossip." Santana answered in a deep baritone. He kissed her neck. "Very juicy gossip, indeed."
Siofra narrowed her eyes. "You always have good gossip, Santana. Do tell, my loves." She rubbed Santana's crotch, scraping her nails along his length, laughing at the hiss he made. "Entertain me, please."
Glancing at his sister above Siofra's head, they shared a coy look. He gave a nod to Satana to share the exciting news.
"Well, we were up visiting Mother and heard the most lovely bit of gossip pertaining to you."
That definitely got Siofra's full attention. For as big of a gossip as the twin's mother was, the Aztec goddess of sex and fertility never passed along information that wasn't accurate.
"The gossip goes that a goddess gave birth to a child fathered by your beloved Fae King." Satana side glanced to watch the Siofra's expression.
A murderous look fell upon Siofra's face. "Impossible. It is impossible for that wretch to father any child. I saw to it personally." She spat out, her mood changing in an instant. "Who spouted such lies?"
"Now, now, sweet, we are only the bearer to the tale, we did not invent it. We just thought you should know, given your situation and all." Santana said soothing the Fae Queen's jangled nerves.
"The source is reputable, though." Satana interjected, giving the queen that infamous charming smile of hers. Hell, Satana's mother gave King Oberon the fertility potion a very long time ago and just recalled it.
Outraged, Siofra growled in a low voice. "You're sure of this gossip? Where is the child?"
"Strong rumor has it was a Celtic goddess and no one knows where the child is, except it was secreted in the mortal world." Santana answered.
"But, we're sure you will find out. You have eyes all over the mortal world, do you not?" Satana loved nothing more than when she and her brother stirred up trouble and this was going to be fun trouble to stir.
"We just have one request, when you dispatch the bastard to Hell, we want it." Santana added. "As a reward for alerting you to its existence. This way, you will not have to worry what to do with the brat...we will deal with it for you. You just find the child and get it to Hell." The immortal ones were always more fun. They weren't as fragile as humans.
Siofra was so angry all she saw was red. How had that bastard father a child? She had cursed him to only be fertile with her. As for herself, she was cursed to be barren. Immediate action had been taken the minute those horrid Fates had decreed that a child of the Fae King would be the end of her. Siofra's next step had to been to siphon powers from Oberon and banish him to Hell in a specially built prison, the Unseelie World. She had ruled alone since that time, unworried about being dethroned.
"I will find the brat and you can have it." She vehemently vowed, glaring at the twins. "You both can leave now. Should you find information, I expect you to alert me." She demanded.
"Careful," Satana warned at the Fae Queen's tone.
Santana double that command. "Keep in mind who you are speaking to."
Their mother invented the words overprotective and vindictive. As for their Fallen Angel father, well, the twins knew they got away with a lot more than most demons did.
The twins stood up, a bit disappointed that they would not be enjoying a bout of sex with Siofra, but pulling the Fae Queen's strings made up for it.
"Of course, you will be the first to know...just as you were with this bit of information." Santana said, kissing Siofra's hand. "Majesty, till our next meeting." He murmured before he and his sister shifted back to their domain, happy with this outcome.
Once alone, Siofra called her assassins. "There is a halfling Fae child being hidden in the mortal world. Its mother is a Celtic goddess." She informed them, careful not to reveal who the father was. "Bring it to me. Fail me and you will regret it. I don't care how long it takes but find that brat." Her men bowed and disappeared to start what would surely be a long search. Non-humans rarely remained undetected among mortals.
Chapter Two
Near Island, Alaska
2008
Avinn Sinclair sat in the front pew of the filled church and swiped at the tears falling from her brilliant blue eyes. Her father and three brothers lay in their closed coffins in front of the altar. Still shocked as to how she had ended up sitting in this pew listening to the eulogies, she barely registered someone beside her squeezing her shoulder.
No more than two weeks earlier, she had returned home to visit them. Her father had just gotten back from a dig in Scotland, so she and her brothers ambushed their workaholic father for a family visit. Summers on Near Island were stunningly beautiful and held such great memories for all of them. Since graduating from school with a Masters in Physics, her job had her working at Tulane University located in New Orleans. Having everyone in one place at the same time was always a feat in itself, so these visits home were cherished times.
The five of them had been sitting at dinner when her father smelled gas. He told her to get out while he and the boys had tried to stem the leak. They joined her outside when they were attacked by something. She never saw the attacker, but her father shoved her in the hole where the new swimming pool was going to be put. The last thing she remembered was a huge explosion and waking up in the hospital. Apparently, the sheriff's department had dug her out after one of the search dogs had found her. Her family had not been as fortunate. They were killed in the blast from the house.
Now she sat getting ready to cremate them, the sole surviving member of her family. Her body shuddered with the silent wracking sobs. She couldn't believe they were gone while she lived. She had been told it was survivor's guilt that haunted her. She would take their remains to her father's ancestral home in Scotland to be spread. After that she would return to New Orleans to pick up her life and try to move forward with it. She never felt so alone in her life, her mother had died when she was born, her father and brothers were all she had.
---
Aos Si
Siofra slashed the cat of nine across the assassins' back shredding the skin. The sight made a few of the guards queasy, but with the stolen powers of the former Fae King, no one dared oppose the new reigning sovereign. Blood covered everything, making even the whip slick and difficult to hold on to.
"How dare you let that bitch live!" The Fae Queen screeched over the wet sounds of the whip making contact with the torn flesh of the unconscious Fae.
She beat the Fae till she couldn't lift her arm, her anger finally draining. The Fae at her feet had breathed his last breath long before she tired. Throwing the spiked whip to the ground, she shouted for her war general. When he appeared, she jabbed a finger at his chest.
"You! Find me an assassin that can actually do his job!" Siofra spat angrily.
She threw herself onto her throne, unbothered by her blood soaked clothing, and glowered at one and all. A Fae appeared in front of her and bowed deeply. Siofra waved a hand and an image of Avinn Sinclair shimmered into view. She snapped her fingers and the Fae looked up.
"See that woman? I want her head on a silver platter in front of me within 24 hours. Do you understand?" She waited until the Fae nodded his head in understanding. "Good. If you return empty handed, I will rip the skin off your body inch by inch with my bare hands." With that, the Fae shifted out. Chapter Three
Anchorage Airport
Avinn checked in at the Anchorage airport, wincing as she lifted her arm to put the ticket on the counter. She still ached and had cuts and bruises from the explosion and being thrown in the hole. After she checked her baggage through to New Orleans, she headed to security checkpoint. Grabbing a coffee once through security, Avinn wandered towards her gate unaware of being followed.
Two Fae stood near the shadows watching their prey. It would be easy to snatch the woman here in the crowd of humans. Humans were so frail and so stupid, they never noticed their surroundings and were blind to the universe around them.
"That's her, correct?"
