God Complex

Chapter Eight

Mom?

Isadora was frozen where she knelt.

She had known Audric was part fey.

Chancellor had told her ages ago and it stood to reason with his Lunacy gift.

Audric was the son of the Seelie Queen.

And Julian practically made out with her.

Halo looked angry.

"Leave him alone, Mother. His debt is paid," Audric growled.

Isadora frowned. Debt?

The Queen smiled,"Funny story about your debt, Julian."

Audric shot her a murderous look.

Julian stood, baffled,"What about it?"

"That it is paid," Audric answered firmly, his eyes not leaving the Seelie Queen.

The Queen laughed,"How I've missed you, my dear son. I don't know how you expected to come through my Court without paying me a visit. I know why you are here and I can help you."

"I know better than to take one of your deals. The price isn't worth the payment. Ever."

The Queen smiled,"You can take my deal, son, and let me help you or your cousin, Zandra can take it. After all, she just wants to avenge her mother. Better yet, little Liliana-"

"What the hell do you want, Mom?"

Halo stood, much to Isadora's dismay.

"I will take your deal. Leave Audric alone."

Her voice was clipped and her eyes were flames.

Isadora didn't know whether to smile triumphantly or to step back.

The Queen smiled,"Oh Halo dear, I don't want you to take my deal. Audric is my son, I would never just leave him alone."

She didn't blink an eye and had Halo frozen where she stood.

Fey magic was too powerful.

Halo growled.

Isadora looked at Lili, who had her eyes shut as if she was too scared to even look.

"Liliana, my dear, you are powerful, I will admit, but not powerful enough. Maybe one day we could fight fair," The Queen said, sounding impatient.

Audric had his fingernails buried into his thigh, trying to center himself.

He hated her and Isadora did, too.

"Okay. I accept. I know what you want. Please," Audric said, his voice breaking,"leave Lili out of this."

The Queen laughed,"Who knew the way to finally convince you would be threatening a girl you have known for less than a week?"

Audric closed his eyes and started muttering to himself, trying to force his rage down,"When the time comes, I give you my word."

The Seelie Queen grimaced,"Son, your word means nothing. Unlike me, you are able to lie."

She pulled a rolled up sheet of parchment from her glittering robe and handed it to him.

Audric didn't bother to skim the terms before taking a knife to his palm. He had no choice.

He dabbed his finger in his blood and carefully intialed his name.

"Happy?" Audric asked, not bothering to conceal his rage.

"Very, Sweetheart. Tell the King I sent you to collect. He owes me several favors, already."