Only Human: Hide and Seek

Chapter 182: June Jackson

Oh my goodness! I loved all the comments from the last chapter! Sorry to leave you all on a cliffhanger again, but here is the resolution. I can't say it won't happen again, but I appreciate your patience with me. Please enjoy the chapter, and don't forget to vote and comment!

-Lucinda Croft

 "What are we even waiting here for?!" Queen Ebony complained. Her yellow eyes addressed the unicorn. "Hildegard, right? Aren't you an angel's host? Why are you just standing there with this umbrella, when you should be sending that dragon packing?!"

"This does seem counterproductive." Queen Celeste agreed.

I pulled my attention from the chaos in the clearing to study their responses. The unicorn shook her head and took a breath before her voice echoed for everyone to hear. "I am but one host, and I am afraid not even the strongest of hosts. However we have been working with the dragons for the past few years, and I know that they are creatures with limited stamina. They can put up a big fuss, but they spend more time sleeping and hibernating than they do active. Even with the shades powering the poor creature, it can't last forever. Once it has tired itself out, we will then work to contain the creature."

"Then you'll be able to save our subjects and purge our forest of this ick?" Queen Celeste asked relieved.

The unicorn's silver eye addressed the light fae queen. "This is the problem with staying so isolated in your own little worlds. You are completely clueless on the demon threat. It would take several hosts to do all that, and it would take months to do it. The best I can do is push out the infected fae and start working on purifying the Queens' Forest. The rest of your Fairy Forest will need to be discussed with the AFC for a proper purification... But then again, the fae don't take sides. Isn't that right?"

I was surprised at how sharp tongued this Hildegard was. I had always imagined unicorns to be like Lannister. Noble, soft spoken, polite, yet fierce when upholding justice. Hildegard just seemed tired and fed up. She had no patience or tolerance, and she was treating this like another work day while those around her were terrified and desperate. There was no way she didn't feel their distress. It was as if she just didn't care. I discreetly analyzed the angel beside her. Was it his influence that made her so cold? So jaded? His face was equally tired and expressionless as Hildegard's. His pink hair was still glossy, and his white wings held up releasing white and gold light that fueled our protective bubble. What had these two been up to, that a massive black dragon wreaking chaos didn't even make them blink an eye?

The angel's eyes flicked in my direction. I started and quickly pretend I was staring at something else or fixing my hood.

"Why are the demons even attacking us? We haven't done anything to upset them. Or gotten in their way." Queen Celeste asked.

"No idea. It doesn't even make sense. This attack is so muted. Even the dragon is moving cautiously rather than destructively. Maybe it's a warning?" Hildegard pondered aloud, but even she didn't believe her theory.

I bit my lip nervously. The demons were after me. With the fairy ring they knew I would be here somewhere. They were just casting a wide net.

"My Lady, we are ready." Oak suddenly whispered beside me. I nodded and refocused on what I was about to do. Like before any performance, doubts started to nibble at my resolve like fetid rats. Was I truly powerful enough to do this? What if I overestimated myself? What if something unexpected happens, or I just look like a fool? Everyone already thought so little of me... They were starting to think little of Cenderion too, and I hated it. I shook my head. No. I could do this. I was made to do this.

I started to untie my cloak as I strode out of the protective bubble. "Human! Where are you going?! Come back inside my protection before a shade takes you!" Hildegard snapped with a whinny.