Origins of the Fates

3: Eris Morn

The overseer room is placed high above the rest of the places in the Glass City. I find the elven warlock, Icarus Mercury, perched over the window, staring out as the ships in the loading bay far below move about. He is silent, not even turning as I enter.

"It's so amazing," he says, still not looking my way. "How much love influences a person."

I freeze, wondering what fresh hell he's made for my sisters. Emmeranne, Elidi, and Eisley. They all need me, they need me to do whatever this monster before me asks. And I have. I have indeed done everything he's told me, because if I do not, if I hesitate, he will hurt or kill them.

Master Mercury turns on me, his bright red eyes glowing. "Don't you think, Morn?"

"Indeed, sir," I mutter.

"Right." He swings his legs over the edge of the windowsill and hops down, walking toward me. "And, as I've recently learned, it is a bit .... how shall I say, um .... disconcerting? Yes. Disconcerting indeed. It is hard when I realized you'd been hiding things from me."

I remain silent. I hide my pounding heart from him, watching in silence as he taps a panel on his desk, then pulls a hologram up between us. There, I see Aires and I, as we are kissing. Hidden away in an alley within Ilyntalos, on the other side of the city from here.

"So, if you'd like to ensure his survival, you will do as I say right now."

"Don't I always?" I ask, my voice hard and furious.

"You do, Morn. But I'd suggest you remain a bit calmer, as this is not the time for you to get snarky. This is something you cannot get out of. Either of you. So, Eris, tell me, what would you do to make sure that Aires Ozias remains alive, and unharmed?"

I don't say anything, my fury growing stronger. The air around us grows hot, the energy crackling as flames and sparks curl around my hands and arms.

Mercury does not miss a beat. "Muzzle your powers, girl. Because if you harm anything in this room, your boyfriend will suffer. I don't even care if it's a piece of paper, you will not do anything to harm anything in my office. So, where were we?"

I rein in my power, but instead of fire, it is frost that pumps through my veins.

"Good girl," he sneers. "You are my property, all of you. And do not think I have forgotten your sisters down in the holds, either. But no, we are talking about Aires. So.  As an incredible warrior, a powerful dark magick fae .... He is something I'd rather not lose. So, Morn, what will you do for me to ensure his survival? To ensure that I do not get a little bit angry at your betrayal and kill him?"

"Didn't you just say you'd rather not lose him?" I ask. "Why do you suddenly need convincing to not kill him?"

"I must remind you of the consequences of your actions, I see. Hmm.  So, let's start with this...." He turns and presses a button on the panel. "Send them up."

Frost covers my skin, and I feel purple eyes becoming lined with silver. The air around me is cold, but it does not extend to him. Mercury grins as the door behind his desk slides open and in comes the vampire, Tarquin Rist, who loves to work with Mercury in being the most evil creature in this entire city.

But in his arms is a struggling Eisley. She is bound and gagged and blindfolded, but she still thrashes in his arms. He throws her to the floor at my feet, and I resist the powerful urge to bend down and make sure she's okay. To remove her restraints.

"This is your sister, Eisley, right? Your little sister, am I correct?"

Tarquin casually walks over to me, sneering as he sees the anger on my face. But still, I remain silent.

"Answer the question, Morn," hisses Tarquin.

I glare at him. "I do not answer to lapdogs."

He snarls, fangs flashing as he slaps me hard across the face. I do not move, keeping myself standing straight. Tarquin hisses then, stepping closer, but Mercury snaps his fingers. The vampire reluctantly relents.

Mercury stalks toward me, his lip curling. "You answer to me, Eris Morn. So, fucking answer me."

I glare at him. My sister is still struggling. She's whimpering as she does, and Mercury kicks her.

Rage, cold and hot at once, fills me. It's intoxicating, and I shove him back, then slash a stream of ice at Tarquin. But I do not hit him, just aim the ice spear at his throat. "You dare touch her again and I will kill all of you!"

Mercury laughs. "You do not have that kind of power."

"Oh, wanna fucking bet?"

"You forget Emmeranne and Elidi. You forget your fucking boyfriend."

"And you forget that you have so few allies here, just people who are trapped with no hope of being free. Not until someone shows them the way," I snarl.

"Oh, so you'll be that one, will you, Eris Morn? You forget you are just an elemental fae. You forget who I am. All that I can do. So, why don't I show you?"

Tarquin grabs me, restraining my arms behind my back and twisting them at a painful angle. I hiss as Mercury approaches Eisley. She squirms as he grabs her curly red hair and yanks her to a standing position. He rips the blindfold and gag off, and she spits in his face.

Mercury slaps her, but as he is about to draw his hand back, she bites him. He hits her with the hilt of his dagger, striking the top of her head with it. Eisley yelps as she slumps forward and passes out.

"Let her go, you fucking asshole!" I shriek.

Mercury grins. "No, I don't think so." He brings his blade up to her throat. "Apologize to me, girl. Or she will die, right here and right now. If I believe you to be sincere, you will both be allowed to leave here alive. If not, well ...." He chuckles darkly. "You'll see."