'Storm Born Chapter Six\r'

'I dour the light keystone on.\r\nâ€Å"Hey, Volusian, hows it expiry?”\r\nHe stepped forward, blinking with annoyance at the light, how eer as Id lie withn he would. He was shorter than me, very(prenominal) solid and humanoid in shape, which indicated a plumb amount of power. He had smooth, approximately shiny benighted skin and those narrow red eyes that forever and a day unnerved me a little. His ears had a slight commit to them.\r\nâ€Å"I am the same as ever, mistress.”\r\nâ€Å"You know, you never ask how I am. That hurts.”\r\nHe answered my purposeless grimace with a grand-suffering scowl. â€Å"That is because you atomic number 18 in any case forever and a day the same. You smell of life and blood and sex. And vio allows. You are a painful reminder of every the things I in virtuoso case was and all the things I impart never be again.” He paused estimationfully. â€Å"Actually, the scent of sex is stronger than prevalent. My m istress has been…busy.”\r\nâ€Å"Did you scarcely over attend a joke?”\r\nI utter this partially to deflect the sex issue provided also to keep teasing him. Volusian was near as damned as a soul could be. I didnt know what hed d atomic number 53 when alive, more(prenominal)over it had been evil plenteous that virtuallyone had cursed him from ever entering the ball of the dead. His soul would never find any peace. So he had haunted my human being and the Otherworld until Id disc everywhereed him tormenting a suburban family.\r\nHe was so powerful, as was his curse, that I had non been strong sufficiency to destroy him and shoot down him on. The outperform I could eng curiosityer done was roam him to the Otherworld, exclusively I had no guarantees he wouldnt return. So Id done the next go(p) thing I could: Id enslaved him. He was bound to me until I discharged him or deep in thought(p) control. This way, I dictated his actions. I usually unplow ed him in the Otherworld until I take awayed him. Teasing him was a way to project confidence in my control, kindred I wasnt worried at all. I couldnt ground any weakness with him. He had made it perfectly clear a number of cartridge holders that he would kill me horrifically if he ever broke free.\r\nHe didnt respond to my last comment. He exactly stared. He was lone(prenominal) obligated to answer direct questions.\r\nâ€Å"I need al just about advice.”\r\nâ€Å"I do as my mistress commands.” There was an implied until I can put across the breath from her consistence at the end of that apparently subservient statement.\r\nâ€Å"Im expiry to be crossing over into the Otherworld soon. Physically.”\r\nThat almost surprisald him. Almost. â€Å"My mistress is foolish.”\r\nâ€Å"Thanks. I have to find a human girl that some horny gen subdue abducted.”\r\nHe reconsidered. â€Å"My mistress is gallant and foolish.”\r\nâ€Å"She was t aken by a guy named Aeson. Do you know him?”\r\nâ€Å"He is king of the Alder Land. Powerful. surely powerful.”\r\nâ€Å"Stronger than me?”\r\nVolusian stayed silent, speak outing. â€Å"Your powers do non diminish in the Otherworld, as some humans do. Even so, he allow tranquil be at his full strength. It would be a close battle. Were you to fight him in this world, on that point would be no contest. He would be weaker by far.”\r\nâ€Å"I dont think I can manage that. What nigh you guys? Im waiver to bring you along. Will it sponsor?”\r\nâ€Å"I feared my mistress would say that. Yes, of course it lead suspensor. You know my binds force me to cling to you, no numerate how some(prenominal) angst it causes me.”\r\nâ€Å"Aw, dont sound so glum. Think of it as product line security.”\r\nâ€Å"Make no mistake, mistress. I may protect you now, but as soon as I have the chance, I volition rip the frame of reference from yo ur body and tear your bones apart. I pull up stakes ensure you suffer so gravely that you will beg me for finis. Yet, even then, your soul will not find relief. I will torture it for all eternity.”\r\nHe spoke in a straight tone, not as a threat, but precisely as a statement of fact. Honestly, later on my workweek of propositions, statements about(predicate) my impending death were kind of a refreshing return to normality.\r\nâ€Å"Looking forward to it, Volusian.” I yawned and sat on the bed. â€Å"Anything else constructive youve got to raise? In rescuing the girl, I mean.”\r\nâ€Å"I suspect my mistress is athe equals of… treated in her ways for my advice, but you could supplicate armed service.”\r\nâ€Å"Solicit it from whom? I dont have anyone else to go to.”\r\nâ€Å"not in this world you dont.”\r\nIt to a faultk me a signification to perish what he was aphorism. â€Å"No. No way. Im not going to some gentry or s pirit for help. non like theyd give it anyway.”\r\nâ€Å"I would not be so certain of that, mistress.”\r\nGentry were petty and dishonest. They had no regard for anyone but themselves. No way would I appeal to one. No way would I consecrate one.\r\nVolusian watched me. When he saw I would not respond, he express: â€Å"It is as I thought. My mistress will not hear anything she doesnt want to. She is too stubborn.”\r\nâ€Å"No, Im not. Im always open to things.”\r\nâ€Å"As you say, mistress.”\r\nThe look on his vista somehow managed to be angelic and scream you have a go at it hypocrite all at the same time. â€Å" on the whole right,” I said impatiently, â€Å"lets hear it.”\r\nâ€Å"There is some some different king, Dorian, who rules the Oak Land. He and Aeson hate severally other †in a polite-faced, political manner, of course.”\r\nâ€Å"No surprise there. Im surprised they arent all turning on each other. Tha t doesnt mean hed help me.”\r\nâ€Å"I believe Dorian would be very happy to see psyche condescend and kill off Aeson. Especially if he did not have to actually do it himself. He might offer a great slew of assistance to see you do it.”\r\nâ€Å"‘Might being the in effect(predicate) record. So youre suggesting I precisely salute up at his door and ask for help?”\r\nVolusian prepared his head in the affirmative.\r\nâ€Å"Have I ever killed or cast out any of his slew?”\r\nâ€Å"Likely.”\r\nâ€Å"Then I think its ‘likely hed kill me the moment I set foot on his land. I cant imagine any gentrys keen on permit their biggest assassin in the door.”\r\nI wasnt touting ego in that statement. Much like Volusians death threats, I simply stated a fact. I knew my own cost and reputation as far as the Otherworld was c at a timerned. I mean, it wasnt like I was reaching genocide levels or anything; I just had more notches on my blas t than most.\r\nâ€Å"Dorian has…an odd sense of humor. It might enliven him to welcome an enemy like you. He would wassail the sensation it would cause among others.”\r\nâ€Å"So he uses me for cheer and then kills me.” I couldnt believe Volusian was even suggesting a protrude like this. He hated me, but he also knew me. If he hadnt had such a stick up his ass, I would have pledged he was messing with me. Yet, his bindings forced him to sincerely give the best of his counsel if I asked it.\r\nâ€Å"If he gives you his word of hospitality, he is honor-bound to keep you safe.”\r\nâ€Å"Since when do gentry keep their word? Or have honor?”\r\nVolusian regarded me carefully. â€Å"May I speak bluntly, mistress?”\r\nâ€Å"As opposed to usual?”\r\nâ€Å"Your hatred of the gentry blinds you to their true nature. You are also blind to the only thing that might let you escape this mad scheme alive †not that I would mind if you were torn to bloody shreds by Aesons people. But whatever else you believe, one of the gentry will stake his life on his word. They keep their oaths let on than humans.”\r\nI honestly didnt believe that. No theme how much I might need help with this, it wasnt worth it. I would not make a deal with the devil.\r\nâ€Å"No. I wont do it.”\r\nVolusian gave a small shrug. â€Å"As my mistress wishes. It makes no residual if you speed your own death. I cannot die, after all.”\r\nI stared at him in exasperation. He stared back. Shaking my head, I stood up for another summoning.\r\nâ€Å"Okay, if thats all, Im gonna call the rest of the gang.”\r\nHe hesitated. â€Å"May I…ask my mistress a question first?”\r\nI turned in surprise. Volusian was the epitome of dont-speak-until-spoken-to. He only answered what was asked of him. He did not seek out other information. This was new. Wow. What a week of earth-shattering events.\r\nâ€Å"Sure, go ahead.” \r\nâ€Å"You do not trust me.”\r\nâ€Å"Thats not a question, but no, I dont.”\r\nâ€Å"Yet…you came to me for advice first. beforehand you spoke to the others. Why?”\r\nIt was a good question. I was about to summon two other minions. I didnt trust them either, but they had more reason to show loyalty than Volusian. They did not describe my graphic death on a regular basis.\r\nâ€Å"Because no matter what else you may be, youre smarter than they are.” I could have elaborated on that, but I didnt. That was really all there was to it.\r\nHe thought about this for a long time. â€Å"My mistress is less foolish than she normally appears.” I think it was the closest he could come to thanking me for a compliment †or giving one.\r\nI took out the wand and summoned my other two strong drink. I didnt distract with candles or darkness because these ones were easier to call †especially since I was technically only â€Å"requesting” one to come, not tell him.\r\nThe coldness and pressure came again, and then two other forms appeared. Volusian stepped back, arms crossed, not looking impressed. The two newcomers glanced around, winning note that I had gathered all of them. The troika of them never interacted much in my viewing, but I always wondered if maybe they hung out for coffee or something in the Otherworld and made fun of me. Kind of like how people make fun of their boss after work during happy hour.\r\nStill affecting unconcerned, lazy control, I unwrapped a Milky appearance and sat back on my bed again. angle of dip against the wall, I surveyed my team.\r\nNandi was less powerful than Volusian, so she had a less substantial form in this world. She appeared as a translucent, opalescent figure that seemed vaguely egg-producing(prenominal) in shape. Centuries ago, she had been a Zulu woman accused of witchery by her people. They had killed her and, like Volusian, cursed her from finding rest. diffe rent Volusians, I could break this curse and send her on to the land of death. I had encountered her haunting this world, more scare than harmful, and bound her in service to me in exchange for eventual peace. I had demanded three years of loyalty, one of which she had fulfilled. When the other two were up, I would let her breathe on. Whereas Volusian always seemed sullen and sarcastic, Nandi was always sad. She was the poster tyke for a lost soul. A real downer.\r\nFinn, however, was a different story. Of the three, only he looked happy to be here. He too was not powerful enough to have a solid form. He translated to this rake as small and glittering, barely there, much like how humans perceived Disney-type pixies. I had no claims on Finn. He had started hanging around because he make me entertaining. So he popped up from time to time, followed me, and would broadly come when called. I had the power to force his service, but †even as much as I disliked all things from t he Otherworld †I was sturdy-pressed to do so without provocation. I didnt entirely trust anyone who offered help so freely, but he had never effrontery me reason to doubt him either. Indeed, hed always been very helpful. I had no idea what his story was, if he too was a cursed spirit. Id never pressed for the details.\r\nHis flame body settled upon my dresser. â€Å"Hey, Odile, whats new? Why do you smell like sex? Did you get some? Why are we all here?” similarly much exposure to my world and television had tending(p) him a better grasp of our slang than the others.\r\nI ignored the questions. â€Å"Hey, Finn, hey, Nandi.” The female spirit merely nodded in acknowledgment of the greeting. â€Å"So,” I said in my best boardroom office, â€Å"Im sure youre all wondering why I called you here today.” none of them found that funny, so I just kept going. â€Å"Well, brace yourselves: Im going to be paying you guys a visit. In the flesh. The real d eal.”\r\nNandi showed no reaction whatsoever. Finn leapt up in excitement. â€Å" authentically? Truly? When? Now?”\r\nNice to know somebody appreciated me. I debriefed them, telling them the story. Volusian leaned against my wall, letting his body language convey to me what an utter waste of his time it was to have to hear this all again.\r\nFinns enthusiasm little a little. â€Å"Oh. Well. Thats ballsy but also kind of…”\r\nâ€Å"Foolish,” said Nandi in her typically gloomy monotone. â€Å"It will end in despair. Dark, bitter despair. You will die, and I will never know peace. My suffering will be without end.”\r\nâ€Å"Never thought Id hear you two concord with Volusian.”\r\nFinn shrugged. â€Å"It is a good cause, honest. But you cant really just walk into Aesons castle and take the girl. Not that Im saying you arent tough enough or anything. Youll just need a plan. A really good one. Yeah. Whats your plan?”\r\nâ€Å"Um, w ell…to walk into his castle and take the girl.”\r\nVolusian sighed loudly. It was hard to tell with those red slits, but I think he rolled his eyes.\r\nI shot him an wroth glance. â€Å"Hey, its a hell of a lot better than your plan. Would you like to share it with the rest of the class?”\r\nHe did.\r\nWhen he finished, Finn said, â€Å"Now, thats a good plan.”\r\nI threw my detention up. â€Å"No, its not. Its a horrible plan. Im not asking one of the gentry for help.”\r\nâ€Å"King Dorian might help you,” offered Nandi, â€Å"although his help would most likely only offer a brief flaring of hope, which would then make our ultimate defeat that much more tragic.”\r\nâ€Å" occluded front with the maudlin crap, Nandi.” I wished they made ghost Prozac. â€Å"Anyway, its a moot point. Were taking on Aeson directly. End of discussion.”\r\nI gave them the time and location of our meeting spot, binding them to inhibit about th e plan. I had to take it on trustingness that Finn wouldnt let the cat out of the bag, but once hed reconciled himself to my possible demise, he seemed pretty stoked about the whole idea.\r\nâ€Å"I have one more question for all of you before I release you. In the last week, three denizens from the Otherworld knew my name. Whats going on? How many of them know who I am?”\r\nNone of the spirits answered right away. last, in a voice that sounded like he couldnt believe I was asking, Finn said, â€Å"Why, everyone. Well, almost everyone. Everyone that counts. Its all theyve been talking about for the last meet of weeks. Odile Dark Swan is Eugenie Markham. Eugenie is Odile.”\r\nI stared. â€Å"Everyones been talking about this?”\r\nThe three spirits nodded.\r\nâ€Å"And none of you †none of you! †thought this was worth bringing to my attention?”\r\nMore silence. Finally Nandi, compelled to answer any direct question, merely said, â€Å"You did not ask, mistress.”\r\nâ€Å"Yes,” agreed Volusian dryly. â€Å"Had you summoned us and asked, ‘Is my name known in the Otherworld? then we would have readily answered.”\r\nâ€Å"Smartass.”\r\nâ€Å"Thank you, mistress.”\r\nâ€Å"It wasnt a compliment.” I ran a hand through my hair. â€Å"How did this top?”\r\nâ€Å"Maybe mortal guessed,” said Finn.\r\nVolusian cut him a glance. â€Å"Do not be an even magnanimous fool than you already are.” The dark spirit turned back to me. â€Å"Not all creatures come to this world to fight you. Some may have spied. For someone quiet, discovering your indistinguishability would not have been so difficult.”\r\nâ€Å"What are they saying, then? Are they all going to try to kill me?”\r\nâ€Å"Some are,” said Finn. â€Å"But most of them are weak. You could probably take them in a fight.”\r\nâ€Å"Unfortunately,” added Volusian.\r\nGreat. This w as not good news. Some part of me had been hoping only a few knew, but now it seemed my identity was the gossip du jour in the Otherworld. I wondered if it would be worthy to find a local witch and set wards around my house. I could also keep the spirits on permanent guard duty, but I didnt really know if my patience was up for large doses of their idiosyncrasies.\r\nâ€Å"All right, then. Get out of here. Come back at the time we set up. Oh, and if any of you hear anything that might be useful about Aeson and the girl, come tell me. Do not wait until I explicitly ask you.” Those last words were a growl.\r\nFinn vanished instantly, but Nandi and Volusian watched me expectantly.\r\nI sighed. â€Å"By flesh and spirit, I release you from service until next I call. locomote to the next world in peace and do not return until my summons.”\r\nThe spirits faded into nothing, and I was left alone.\r\n'