Every odd family tree has roots that dig deeper than you'd expect.
I knew I'd need every bit of help I could get—that's why I wanted to talk to Zack as soon as possible. The fae doctor had reserved the top floor for monsters, a place I knew would be off-limits after visiting hours, but I wasn't about to let that stop me. Once I managed to slip in unnoticed, I made my way straight to it. Of all the places to run into someone, though, I never expected it to be on the stairs.
"Shaytan?" His voice echoed with shock. "What are you doing here?"
"Ah, Doc, I was just looking for you!" I said, trying to sound casual. "Do you know where I can find Zack?"
"Why are you looking for him?" He eyed me warily, a hint of suspicion in his tone.
"I need his help," I said quickly. "Where is he?"
"I don't think he would help you..." he replied, still skeptical.
"I know, I know, he's not exactly a helpful fairy godmother, I've already realized that," I muttered, rolling my eyes. "But he agreed to at least meet. So where is he?"
"Alright, alright," the doctor sighed, clearly relenting. "He's in my office."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"You know, Zack isn't just obsessed with physical combat," he continued, as if that was supposed to be some kind of revelation. "Sometimes he comes to me, and we play chess."
"Chess?" I blinked, taken aback. "Do fae even play chess?"
"Not the fae," he corrected, "but Zack does."
"I see," I nodded.
"If you want, I can set up a match for you," he said, offering a small smile. "Can you play chess?"
"I've never tried," I admitted.
"Well, maybe I'll teach you sometime," he said, then turned to lead the way.
We ended up in a neat office.
"Sasha, you finally finished?" a familiar voice called out.
Zack was lounging in a cushioned chair, legs casually draped over the table, where papers and a monitor sat in neat disarray. His expression was as uninterested as someone who'd been waiting for a thousand years.
"Oh!" His eyes widened when he saw me, and his grin stretched across his face. "Shaytan! You're early!"
Before I could react, he was standing right in front of me, a blur of movement.
"So, did you give any thought to my idea about fighting to the death?" He grinned like he knew it would make my skin crawl. "It'd be fun, I promise, you wouldn't regret it!"
"Uh," I groaned. "No, but I'm here to talk about fighting."
"Then maybe you want to play chess with me?" He tapped his chin, feigning deep thought. "Not a bad idea. Almost as good as fighting to the death."
"No, I can't play chess," I said, shaking my head. "But if you'd like, I'll explain why I'm here."
Zack's face fell slightly, his playful grin faltering. "Just talking about fighting? Boring... you know the best way to talk is with your fists."
He sighed dramatically.
"Okay, I'll listen while I play," he suggested with a shrug. "But first, I want to play. Right now."
The doctor pulled the chessboard from a hidden compartment in his desk, and despite this being his office, he chose one of the guest chairs instead of the cushioned one. Zack was still something of a prince among the fae, and sitting across from him was a half-blood—someone who wasn't even comparable to him in rank.
After the first few moves, Zack's eyes finally found me. Until then, I hadn't dared to interrupt him, his expression so tense that it felt like I might shatter the moment just by breathing. I chose the other chair and settled back, waiting.
"So, what kind of fight are we talking about?" Zack asked.
"I'm starting a war," I said, and the moment the words left my lips, I saw his hand, holding a white chess piece, tremble. His typical grin reappeared—the one that always hinted at danger.
"A war?" He repeated, his voice dripping with amusement.
"Have you heard of the Fifth?" I asked.
"Oh!" His grin grew wider. "A war against your own father? What a badass you are! You're really starting to look like a royal fae, Shay."
I chose to ignore the comment.
"He's gathered a massive army," I continued. "I'm going to need something like that on my side."
"And where do I fit into this picture?" Zack asked, still amused.
"I need to talk to Titania," I replied.
Zack burst into laughter, but there was nothing joyful about it. It was the kind of laugh that carried madness with it.
"Talk to my sister?" he chuckled darkly. "You think she'll help you?"
"Yep," I nodded.
He chuckled to himself for a while before answering, clearly savoring the idea.
"Alright," he said finally, his tone now tinged with something darker.
"When can I meet her?" I asked, pushing the conversation forward.
"ASAP?" He shook his head as though he couldn't quite believe the urgency. "This sounds important..."
"Yes, it is," I agreed.
Instead of answering, he started humming, likely just to annoy me.
"Fine," he said after a moment. "I can arrange for her to see you at dawn. But only after I've had my fill of playing."
"And how long will that take?" I asked, not hiding my impatience.
"How long?" He shrugged absently. "Who knows?"
I stood up, the chair creaking under the sudden movement.
"Oh, aren't you a little irritated?" Zack hummed, a teasing edge to his voice.
"Not particularly," I replied calmly. "I'll be back in two hours, ready to go."
"Okay," he waved dismissively. "Bye-bye."
(...)
By the time I got back, Des was done with the letters and calling the family. Alex, well, just as I planned, he was nowhere to be found—according to my calculations, no matter his super-sensitive nose, it might take until morning for him to find Rolo.
"So, what's the plan for tonight, my dear little brother?" Des asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
"Better take a seat," I suggested, bracing myself for the conversation ahead.
He hopped onto the counter, which meant the moment had finally arrived.
"So, don't freak out," I began, "but... I'm more or less related to Titania."
Des froze, his eyes wide with disbelief. "What?" blurted out in shock.
"You mean with the Moon Queen Titania?" he asked, his voice tinged with shock.
"Yes," I nodded.
"And I didn't know about this until now?" Des asked, his tone grumpy, almost like I'd been hiding it from him on purpose.
"I only found out recently, too."
"How is this even possible?" Des's confusion deepened.
"Well, it turns out Alistair is her brother," I explained. "So, we're related."
"Who the hell is Alistair?" Des asked, brow furrowing.
I almost forgot how well I kept my secrets from him.
"I think he was my grandfather," I said, and even as the words left my mouth, I felt a strange disconnect. Grandfathers, in my mind, were old men with hearing aids and canes—but Alistair looked like he was in his thirties.
"So, he's been watching me since I was little, and you remember he's the one who healed you," I continued.
Recognition flickered in Des's eyes. "Oh, that mysterious rescue guy," he muttered, slapping his palm against his knee.
"Why bring up Titania all of a sudden?" he asked, clearly trying to piece things together.
"We're going to visit her tonight," I said, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. "I know Alistair's younger brother, and he promised to take me to her. I was thinking of trying to convince her to help us."
"What makes you think she'll help?" Des asked, sounding skeptical. "She doesn't even know you."
"Fighting is what the fae love most," I replied. "I'm sure she'll be interested."
"So, what's the plan?" Des asked, leaning in, now more focused.
"I go in, negotiate, and you cover me," I said. "We need to be very, very convincing. Even if I make it in, I'm not sure I'll be able to get out on my own."
"Isn't that a bit dangerous?" Des frowned. "You're about to walk right into the lion's den."
"Exactly why I need you covering me," I answered, giving him a firm look.
Des just nodded, his expression serious. He reached into his pockets and pulled out a small, button-sized tracker, pressing it into my hand.
"Take this," he said quietly. "Just in case things get messy."
(...)
About an hour later, I found myself standing in front of the office again. I knocked politely and pushed the door open. The game was still ongoing — or had they started a new one? — with only a few pieces scattered across the board. Zack's face was a mask of concentration, while the doctor remained completely at ease. After barely a minute, the doctor gave Zack a check, then a checkmate.
"Next time, I'll win," Zack snorted, clearly offended.
"I'll be looking forward to it," the doctor replied with a smile.
Zack sighed dramatically, then turned to me with an exaggerated look of boredom.
"Let's go," he groaned, waving to the doctor. "See you later, Sasha."
The doctor, usually so polite, shot a sharp glance at the fae—one that Zack either didn't notice or was simply too used to.
As we headed down the stairs, Zack turned to me. "How fast can you run long distances?"
"I don't know, I think I can keep up," I replied cautiously.
"Let's say... three hundred and fifty kilometers per hour?" he asked, his tone serious.
I laughed, assuming he was joking, but his expression didn't change.
"Well, not that fast," I said, trying to suppress a smile. Zack sighed as if deeply troubled by my lack of speed.
"It would've been funny to see how long you could last next to my motorcycle..." he mused, as if lost in thought.
Well, It'd be funny to see how long he could last in our family's torture chamber, but I didn't mention that. Not yet.
We reached the parking lot, and sure enough, there it was: his prized black Kawasaki, gleaming under the hospital's lights.
"I thought you hated human things..." I remarked, raising an eyebrow.
"I love speed," he shrugged, as if that explained everything.
Without missing a beat, he hopped onto the bike, kickstarting it with ease. He glanced over at me, his eyebrow raised in challenge. "If you don't hurry, I'll leave you here."
I seriously didn't want to die this early, but getting on the back of a motorcycle driven by a crazy fae with no helmet wasn't exactly a recipe for longevity. Yet, I had no choice. Zack was my only shot at meeting Titania.
With a resigned sigh, I climbed onto the bike behind him. As soon as we started moving, I realized it was a very good idea to hold on tightly unless I wanted to fly off halfway. A quick glance at the speedometer—which read 250 km/h. We were tearing through a winding forest road. Not exactly reassuring.
I shut my eyes and silently begged every deity I could think of to spare my life. After what felt like an eternity of wind screaming in my ears and trying to claw out my eyes, I noticed we were slowing down. Slowly, my breathing evened out, but my hands felt frozen and numb from gripping so tightly.
In contrast, when we finally stopped, Zack leaped off the bike with boundless energy. After a stretch, he ran a hand affectionately over the sleek black machine, purring with satisfaction.
"Nothing beats a short ride," he purred, still caressing the bike like a beloved pet.
I glanced around. We were on a dirt road in the middle of a dense forest.
"Where are we?" I asked, trying to sound less rattled than I felt.
"Agria, right in the heart of our queen's territory," he replied casually.
We must've been going even faster than I thought to reach Eger in an hour. Or maybe it was because of the path? The fae use magic pathways to get from one place to another in a short amount of time.
"From here on, we walk," Zack declared, already heading towards the trees, humming in a way that suggested he was in a particularly good mood.
"Are you just going to leave it here?" I gestured towards his bike, still wary of leaving something so valuable out in the open.
"No one comes around here," he shrugged. "No one's going to steal it."
I followed him into the dark forest. After about ten minutes of trekking through thinning trees, we arrived at a mansion that could only be described as regal. Towering spires, immense windows, and copper tiles tinged with green stretched before us. The sheer size and elegance left me staring, mouth agape.
"Impressive, huh?" Zack grinned, clearly enjoying my reaction. I could only nod.
The ebony double doors swung open on their own, inviting us inside. The lobby was as grand as the exterior, with twin staircases draped in crimson carpet leading to the upper floors. Polished marble gleamed underfoot, and garnet drapes framed the space with a touch of luxury. A massive crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, eliciting a low whistle of appreciation from me.
My admiration was cut short as Zack led me briskly up one of the staircases and through a labyrinth of corridors. Marble railings and golden candelabras—each topped with an eagle spreading its wings—lined the halls. Gold accents, antique vases filled with dark blue roses, and opulent porcelain filled the mansion.
We passed several armored fae, their eyes narrowing as they took in my presence. Their hostile gazes didn't go unnoticed, but as long as I stayed behind Zack, they begrudgingly let me pass.
Finally, we arrived at a grand hall that I assumed was the reception hall, judging by the regal fae woman seated upon a towering throne. Her features bore an uncanny resemblance to Alistair's, her silver-blue irises shimmering like twin moons, radiating a stern and icy distaste.
A delicate metal circlet adorned her forehead, inlaid with crystals that caught the light. Her silvery hair, interwoven with intricate braids, was pinned up with jewels, and she wore a long, dark blue cloak over flowing silks that elegantly draped her form. The queen of the fae, Titania, was as breathtaking as she was formidable, an embodiment of cold majesty.
"Sewre in des ksag adra, Zacharias?" she spoke, her voice a velvety hiss in the fae tongue.
Her tone was like molten caramel, smooth but laced with an unmistakable threat. Clearly, my presence was not a welcome one.
"Kirio da des insad sol... Qe talimor," Zack responded, his tone steady.
Titania's eyes glimmered with curiosity, though the sharpness of her gaze remained.
"Segera des, wa setem re!" she commanded.
Zack gestured subtly towards the platform and leaned in to whisper, "Behave, and don't anger her." I nodded, barely registering his words as I stepped forward and knelt.
"Asar muroe, Mone Faeline, irie seren ksag adra," I greeted, my eyes fixed on Titania. A flicker of surprise crossed her face. She hadn't expected me to know the fae language — a skill Alistair had taught me when I was young. He had said I might need it. He had probably known this day would come.
"Sarel korosol?" she asked, her gaze narrowing as she took in my black hair.
"Ksaner," I replied quietly.
A palpable tension filled the room. At that single word, Titania's expression twisted into an indescribable disgust. Well, as I said before, it sucks to be a mixed-blood.
"Kiros des!" she ordered Zack sharply.
His lips curled into a twisted smile, a look of cruel satisfaction mixed with anticipation. A sinking feeling settled in my stomach. Perhaps coming here hadn't been such a good idea.
"I propose an alliance," I interjected, my voice firm despite the weight of the situation.
Titania's laughter rang out, cold and dismissive. She waved off her brother, who hesitated, disappointment flashing across his face as he stepped back.
"Really?" Titania drawled, switching to the human language. "And what could someone like you possibly offer me?"
"I know you want the death of the half-blood," I grinned. "It's a pity that you haven't been able to kill him yet. Maybe I could help with that."
The queen of the moon folk grimaced as if she had bitten into a lemon. Even Zack blinked in shock. Few would dare to openly insult Titania and live to tell the tale.
Titania rose from her throne, her movements as graceful as they were menacing. She extended her hand to the side, and the jewel encrusting most of her forearm shimmered to life, slithering into her palm.
For the first time in my life, I beheld the Fae Queen's legendary weapon—the steel whip, a weapon so feared that even the other kings respected its power. Titania's lips curled into a condescending half-smile as she noted my calm appraisal of her weapon. I didn't flinch or flee; I simply stood, matching her gaze with icy composure.
In an instant, she unleashed her aura. The force of her presence was suffocating. Beside me, Zack growled, his entire body trembling. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see that even if he tried his best to stay on his feet, he was unable to resist the presence of a ruler.
"On your knees!" Titania commanded.
Zack fell helplessly, his body betraying him. And Titania's eyes widened in a way not befitting a queen at all. Now it was my turn to pull my lips into a half-smile.
"I'm going to wage war against Alistair's son," I declared. "I know that he's the disgrace of your family anyway, so you could really help me."
Titania straightened her features, but she was unable to completely hide the sparks of curiosity from her eyes.
"I will attack on the night of the full moon. I'll send the details to Zack," I continued, my tone unwavering. "The choice to take advantage of the opportunity is yours."
"Do you plan to defeat him alone?" she asked, a smug grin playing on her lips. Her confidence in her own power and my apparent vulnerability was palpable. "Are you so eager to throw your life away?"
"I'm alone now," I replied calmly. "But in a few days, I'll have an army."
Titania let out a loud, crazed laugh, a sound that mirrored her younger brother's, sending a chill down my spine.
"Fres!" she shouted.
The door creaked open, but instead of guards, it was Des who entered.
"Hi!" he said casually, waving at the queen. "I came for my younger brother."
The fae queen called out for her guards again, but once more, no one answered. Des had likely dealt with them, though I could only hope it was a temporary situation rather than a permanent one.
"On the night of the full moon," I repeated, my voice firm as I began walking toward Des with measured steps.
Before we could leave the hall, Titania's voice cut through the silence once more.
"Who are you?"
Her tone was soft, yet it reverberated with a sharp intensity that filled the room. I paused and glanced back at her, allowing a faint smile to play on my lips.
"As I said before," I replied, recalling her earlier words, "I'm just a scum."
With that, we left the room.
"How did the negotiation go?" Des asked as we walked away from the hall.
"Maybe she'll come," I responded.
"Maybe?" He frowned, clearly not satisfied with the uncertainty.
"Don't look at me like that," I said, exasperated. "You can never be sure with the fae. They're all crazy."
"And how did you get here?" I asked. "When we got on the path, I was seriously worried that I'd have to face this alone..."
"How could I leave my dear, sweet, only—"
"To the point," I interrupted, rolling my eyes.
"I stole a car," he said with a slight shrug, clearly offended by my lack of patience. "And I might have mapped one of the fae's paths using your GPS data."
"I didn't even know you could steal a car," I was surprised by this information let alone the fact that he was able to set foot on the path of fae.
"Well, it comes with the profession," he replied, shrugging again with a casual air that belied the skill it took.
I didn't dwell on the guards' condition any longer. As we rounded the next corridor, I spotted a few of them slumped against the walls, unconscious but alive, evident from their occasional groans. With that reassurance, my concern faded.
Now that our business here was concluded, the next phase of the plan awaited.. I was determined to free the girls and save Alice no matter what.
Titania gripped the armrests of her throne, her knuckles whitening with restrained fury.
"Doesn't he remind you of someone?" Zack asked, his tone laced with curiosity. "There was only one person who dared speak to you like that after you became queen."
"Shut up, kid," the fae queen growled, her voice low and menacing.
Her gaze shifted to the door, her expression a storm of rage, as if the wooden barrier were the source of all her anguish. With a sigh of frustration, she issued instructions to her younger brother. If he was so bored, he could investigate what had befallen the unfortunate guards. Should their excuses prove unsatisfactory, he was free to punish them as he saw fit—perhaps a whipping, or something else his imagination conjured. The fae were known for their vivid imaginations when it came to meting out punishment.
A pleased smile spread across Zack's face as he hummed a tune and exited the room to handle the fallen guards littering the corridors.
"His nature is just as hideous..." Titania muttered under her breath, circling her throne before pulling aside the heavy red curtain from the floor-to-ceiling windows.
By day, the view must have been breathtaking, but now, in the shroud of night, it seemed less impressive, almost lacking.