the shadows a giant of a cyclops emerged.
In the flash of an eye another bolt of power flew through the air—the cyclops raised his hand, effortlessly deflecting the blow.
Calamus stepped forward. “Mother, leave him alone. He means no harm, he is terrified.”
My hands dropped to my side, I felt the rage fizzle out of my body.
The large creature loomed over us.
Lifting his hand, Calamus wove a different kind of energy at the large beast.
I watched stunned as the monster dropped to his knees. Calamus drifted closer to the cyclops.
My heart thumped against my breastbone. I realized I couldn’t move. Calamus or one of the others had frozen me. My magic was not accessible to me.
Michael and Blake were looking at me as if to say stop him, but I couldn’t. Agony tore through me as I stood helpless. If that monster hurt them …
My anger boiled. The cyclops were savage monsters.
The other children moved forward so they were like an arch in front of the cyclops. Calamus raised his palm and placed it on the creature’s massive chest. The cyclops’ nostrils flared, and then his eye closed and a small smile played across his lips.
Finally, I was able to move again. I rushed forward. “What are you doing? If any of you ever take my power like that again …” I paused. What? What could I possibly do to them? “It’s disrespectful to steal another’s power like that. Anyone else would kill you on the spot.”
Calamus didn’t bother to turn. “Sorry, Mother. But you often react impetuously, and it’s not always the wisest course of action.”
My mouth agape, I wanted to throttle the kid. He sounded like the parent not the other way around.
The cyclops’ eye opened. His head bowed slightly before speaking telepathically to me. Princess, I came forth not to harm you but to thank you. I’ve been locked away for centuries and one of your children set me free. There are others, but they have fled to the higher ground. I wanted to tell you that you have our loyalty forever, and your Jinx, he will be revered. I have given him the power to reach us if any of you shall ever need us. We are powerful beings, as you know. You have no reason to fear us any longer.
My mind reeled. The monster was right, the faeries had feared the cyclops for as long as I could recall. Having them as an ally would certainly be monumental. I hesitated. If what you say is true, I would honor a truce between our kinds. The queen will be most pleased. I’m sorry I struck out at you.
Do not apologize, you acted on instinct. Regardless of what this wise young being says, always act on instinct. It will serve you well in the future.
I found myself drifting closer to the monster. Do you have a name?
I am Oak.
I couldn’t suppress my smile. Oak, it fits you. I must warn you, if any harm comes to my children, I will not hold back.
In answer he picked up Calamus as if he weighted nothing and set him on his shoulder.
Just then Jinx blinked back into existence. “Mother, do not worry. They are harmless and just want to be free to live without being constrained. They came to Earth hoping to have freedom only to be locked away again. They will be guardians of Mother Earth, if allowed to live in peace.”
I let his words sink in. Guardians of the Earth—that was just what the planet needed. Is this true?
I swear an Oath to protect the Great Mother at all costs to our last breath, in return we just ask to be left alone.
Well, I can’t promise what others might do, but you have my word that there will be a truce between the fae and your kind. I speak for my mother because she is unable to join us now.
Thank you, Princess.
All of the children climbed over the giant, laughing; a sound that was not heard enough.
After we said our good-byes, we made our way back to the castle. I was still upset with Jinx for leaving and Calamus for interfering even if he had our best interest at heart. I think what bothered me the most was that they had the
In the flash of an eye another bolt of power flew through the air—the cyclops raised his hand, effortlessly deflecting the blow.
Calamus stepped forward. “Mother, leave him alone. He means no harm, he is terrified.”
My hands dropped to my side, I felt the rage fizzle out of my body.
The large creature loomed over us.
Lifting his hand, Calamus wove a different kind of energy at the large beast.
I watched stunned as the monster dropped to his knees. Calamus drifted closer to the cyclops.
My heart thumped against my breastbone. I realized I couldn’t move. Calamus or one of the others had frozen me. My magic was not accessible to me.
Michael and Blake were looking at me as if to say stop him, but I couldn’t. Agony tore through me as I stood helpless. If that monster hurt them …
My anger boiled. The cyclops were savage monsters.
The other children moved forward so they were like an arch in front of the cyclops. Calamus raised his palm and placed it on the creature’s massive chest. The cyclops’ nostrils flared, and then his eye closed and a small smile played across his lips.
Finally, I was able to move again. I rushed forward. “What are you doing? If any of you ever take my power like that again …” I paused. What? What could I possibly do to them? “It’s disrespectful to steal another’s power like that. Anyone else would kill you on the spot.”
Calamus didn’t bother to turn. “Sorry, Mother. But you often react impetuously, and it’s not always the wisest course of action.”
My mouth agape, I wanted to throttle the kid. He sounded like the parent not the other way around.
The cyclops’ eye opened. His head bowed slightly before speaking telepathically to me. Princess, I came forth not to harm you but to thank you. I’ve been locked away for centuries and one of your children set me free. There are others, but they have fled to the higher ground. I wanted to tell you that you have our loyalty forever, and your Jinx, he will be revered. I have given him the power to reach us if any of you shall ever need us. We are powerful beings, as you know. You have no reason to fear us any longer.
My mind reeled. The monster was right, the faeries had feared the cyclops for as long as I could recall. Having them as an ally would certainly be monumental. I hesitated. If what you say is true, I would honor a truce between our kinds. The queen will be most pleased. I’m sorry I struck out at you.
Do not apologize, you acted on instinct. Regardless of what this wise young being says, always act on instinct. It will serve you well in the future.
I found myself drifting closer to the monster. Do you have a name?
I am Oak.
I couldn’t suppress my smile. Oak, it fits you. I must warn you, if any harm comes to my children, I will not hold back.
In answer he picked up Calamus as if he weighted nothing and set him on his shoulder.
Just then Jinx blinked back into existence. “Mother, do not worry. They are harmless and just want to be free to live without being constrained. They came to Earth hoping to have freedom only to be locked away again. They will be guardians of Mother Earth, if allowed to live in peace.”
I let his words sink in. Guardians of the Earth—that was just what the planet needed. Is this true?
I swear an Oath to protect the Great Mother at all costs to our last breath, in return we just ask to be left alone.
Well, I can’t promise what others might do, but you have my word that there will be a truce between the fae and your kind. I speak for my mother because she is unable to join us now.
Thank you, Princess.
All of the children climbed over the giant, laughing; a sound that was not heard enough.
After we said our good-byes, we made our way back to the castle. I was still upset with Jinx for leaving and Calamus for interfering even if he had our best interest at heart. I think what bothered me the most was that they had the
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