Once Upon a Steamy Night
Chapter Twenty-eight

"Welcome to New Orleans!"

Claire inhaled the fresh mortal air and sighed. It felt like forever since she had been in the human realm.

Technically speaking, even though it was only three days that she spent in the faerie realm she realized it was three months away from the mortal realm.

"I just welcomed you guys, tip me," Scot said.

Claire rolled her eyes as they filed out of the bus. They had taken a plane and now a bus to arrive here. For a group of powerful faeries, they had still decided to travel the mundane way. After her birthday party and her other party, she had gathered along with the group and got whisked away to an airport magically where they joined the last flight.

She took a deep breath and noticed she wasn't the only one trying to adjust after being away from here. The sun was too hot, and winter had begun putting everyone in a festive mood.

But Claire was extremely grateful that the portal that leads to the veil was located here because they could be themselves without anyone staring oddly at them.

This city was supernatural, and you could tell by the party going on in the middle of the road where a lot of people gathered and were dancing crazily.

"Well, this isn't what I expected from a mortal realm," Anede finally broke the silence.

"Me neither," Aiobel echoed.

Adam shrugged. "New Orleans isn't a land for mortals at least not weak ones and this is Jackson square."

Claire nodded but didn't say anything when her eyes caught a familiar face entering a nearby tavern.

Her heart skipped a bit as she swallowed the bile lodged in her throat.

"Are you alright, princess?"

She smiled gratefully at Liam's hands squeezing her palm. "I'm fine now."

"Ew! Let's get a move on already!" Ryan exclaimed walking past them.

"Come here, Ryan. We are looking for someone who would direct us, so we won't get lost," Adam said.

"Can't you use a locator spell or any of that voodoo thing?" Scot asked.

"We can't use magic here because then the tear in the veil will widen causing more harm than good," Adam explained. "That explains the airplane and bumpy ride," Claire sighed.

"It's not so bad, princess at least you're saving your energy for something bigger," Liam smiled.

Claire chuckled. "How do you always do that?"

"Do what?" He furrowed his brow in confusion.

"Always know the right thing to say."

Liam chuckled and kissed her softly. "Your presence helps me."

"Okay, that's it. I'm going to gather some information from the locals!" Ryan grumbled.

"Let's meet back here in one hour," Adam called after him.

"Whatever!" Ryan snapped.

"What's his problem?" Claire asked.

Liam shrugged. "I and Claire will go do our research."

Claire nodded as they walked off.

"Aiobel and I will see what we can find too," Anede said as they walked away.

Adam sighed. "I guess it's you and me now, Scot. Try not to get eaten by a vampire."

"As if such things exist," Scot chuckled.

Adam grinned. "You never know what's lurking in the shadows, son."

They headed into the party where the people barely noticed them.

"Who are all these people?" Scot asked.

"They're humans compelled by the original vampires to never stop partying," Adam replied simply.

Scot shuddered. "And they aren't dead?"

"The original vampires can only be killed by a special stake made from the ashes of an oak tree," Adam explained.

"No, I meant the people."

"Oh, they compel them every time something shady is going on in this town, so my guess is something is happening today," Adam mused.

***

Claire giggled as she left Jackson square with Liam. The street performers and jugglers were working in full swing.

"I know we are supposed to do research but let's do sightseeing also," Liam suggested.

Claire smiled. "Where do we go?"

"Café du Monde," Liam Grinned.

Claire shrugged as they walked across the street and headed to the Cafe where Liam bought two doughnuts topped with an inch of powdered sugar and two cups of cafe au lait. When she stepped out and tasted the doughnut then washed it down with the creamy coffee, she moaned.

"Just what I needed for this weather."

Liam chuckled. "I still can't believe it's almost Christmas."

"Yeah well hopefully we'll seal the veil and return home for Christmas," Claire said.

"Yeah, I can't miss it like I missed thanksgiving," Liam agreed.

They wandered into the French Quarter and Claire marveled at the beautiful 19th-century houses she saw. "They're all beautiful."

"Yeah except we can't stay because someone is following us," he whispered.

Claire whirled around and saw the familiar blonde woman walking towards them.

"Immobilize!" She whispered.

"Sorry honey, magic isn't allowed in our town again," the woman chuckled, still walking.

"What do you want?" Liam asked.

"I think you both want something," she replied creepily.

Claire eyed her. "Davina."

"Wow! You know my name and I only know about you from the locals," she sounded impressed.

"I know about you from the locals too," Claire lied.

She smiled. "Follow me."

***

One hour later and Claire arrived at their rendezvous with Liam to see everyone was already there except Ryan.

"Took you both so long," Adam grumbled.

Liam shrugged. "I and Claire needed some alone time."

"Ugh! This again?"

Claire whirled around as Ryan walked up to them. "What's your problem, Ryan? You've been sulking all morning but don't vent it out on us."

"I'm sulking because I can't feel my freaking magic!" He snapped.

"Yeah about that, I think the Sidhee coven is responsible for that," Claire replied.

"Who?" Adam arched a brow at her.

"Come now, Davina."

"Everyone meet..."

"Davina Sidhee," Adam interrupted Claire sharply.

"You two know each other?" Scot asked.

"Yeah," Davina smiled.

"Why did you pretend not to know me then?" Claire asked Davina sharply.

"If I had told you I was your father's lover would you have brought me to him?" Davina asked.

Claire looked from her to Adam. "Lover? Both of you?"

"It was a long time ago, Claire and you shouldn't be with this witch she's dangerous," Adam snapped.

"I didn't do anything, it's your daughter that killed me in my dream and now I have no powers," Davina shrugged.

"Why are you just saying this now?" Claire exclaimed.

Davina shrugged. "I didn't feel like talking earlier."

"Guys, I think we should go," Scot said sharply.

"Why?" Liam asked, "she has information on the veil."

"We're surrounded!" Scot exclaimed.

Claire looked around and saw about ten different women surrounding them. She knew they were witches, but magic doesn't work here, right? "Slimip!"

The last voice she heard was Davina's laughter before she gave in to the darkness.

***

"Why isn't it working?"

"She's not returning my magic."

"Maybe she didn't take them."

"This doesn't make any sense."

"Stop overreacting, Davina."

"That's easy for you to say when you aren't powerless!"

Distorted voices filtered into her ears even before she could open her eyes, but she was still able to make out Davina's hysterical voice and her eyes snapped open. "Release me!" Claire ordered.

The witches stopped arguing, startled as they stared at Claire.

"Shut up, Claire! They are my witches," Davina snapped.

Claire looked around and she saw the rest of the group were all unconscious except Adam.

"Took you long enough to wake up, princess," he smiled at her.

"What's going on, dad? Why are we the only ones awake and what does your psychotic ex-lover want?" She asked.

Adam chuckled. "Sleeping spell rarely works on me again, Claire. I'm a faerie King. Besides, it only worked because these witches spelled this place, so magic won't work but that doesn't mean I'm weak and you aren't too." "So, the rest of them aren't so powerful?"

"No, the rest of them haven't gotten used to witches sleeping spells," Adam replied.

"That makes sense."

"Davina thinks you took her powers when you came here in your test," Adam said.

"But I didn't come here," Claire muttered.

"She said you killed her in her dream two months ago and since then she hadn't been able to do magic without using a crystal," Adam explained.

"I didn't do anything!"

"I already told her," Adam shrugged.

Claire strained against the chair but realized she couldn't move because of the circle formed around them.

She ignored their bickering and focused on the air. She managed to summon it and the ash was scattered a bit giving her free movement.

"Let's go, Dad," she whispered.

Adam chuckled as he stood up. "Hey, Davina. Let's have a chat."

The witches stopped their arguing and whirled around again except this time they were shocked.

"How did you..." Davina's eyes widened in shock.

"We're not your regular captives, Davina," Adam chuckled.

"So, either tell us how to find the portal or I'll make all your dreams come true," Claire threatened.

The rest of the group members stretched and woke up.

"I have a splitting headache!" Scot exclaimed holding his head in his hand.

"Sorry perks of being a human," Ryan smirked.

Liam clutched his head too. "Ow! Hurts so bad."

Ryan scoffed.

Aiobel glanced at Claire and Davina.

"Why do I feel like a showdown is about to happen?"

"It will if this bitch doesn't tell us how to get to the portal."

"It's dangerous to go there!" Davina exclaimed, "We're waiting for the child of nature so don't even think about trying and getting yourselves killed. I just want my magic back." "What are you talking about?" Adam asked.

"It's a prophecy. A seer sent it three years ago," Davina replied, bringing out a parched scroll.

Adam glanced at it and began reading the prophecy.

A child of nature is born.

Though a child trying to find the path, two shall be given and the right path shall be dominant.

The seal shall be sealed.

Humanity shall be saved.

Immortals shall rejoice at the victory of a child.

But then darkness arises.

From a great betrayal

Friends shall turn to foes

Enemies shall become friends

And the heart's greatest desire shall be destroyed.

Chaos shall walk in the day.

Darkness and doom shall arise

And no one shall wish to live to see another day

For out of the betrayal

Doom and destruction await.

"That's some pretty deep shit!" Scot chuckled.

"Yeah I was beginning to enjoy it before the talks of darkness started," Claire agreed dryly.

"But isn't Claire the child of nature?" Aiobel asked.

Anede frowned. "She is but that prophecy doesn't relate to her."

"Claire is the one spoken about in this prophecy?" Davina asked.

Claire shook her head. "You've got your prophecy all messed up, Davina. The prophecy I know of is that in which I'm a hero."

"If that's the case then we can't let her leave this place," one of the witches said.

"Are you even listening to me?" Claire waved her hands in their faces.

Davina whispered a spell in an ancient language as her father screamed.

"No, let her be!"

And suddenly the room was plunged into darkness.

"Dad?" Claire called.

She couldn't breathe, it felt like there was no air left in the room, no light, nothing except darkness and void.

"What is this place? Where is my father?"

"Once the sand runs out of the sand clock you'll die."

Davina's voice was barely a whisper, but she could hear it loudly.

"No, I have to seal the veil!" She cried.

"We can fight any monster the rift unleashes but we can't fight chaos and doom."

"I'm none of those things!" Claire exclaimed.

"Never be so sure. Now, save your strength for the more you keep screaming the quicker you die."

Claire gasped as she felt the walls closing in on her though she couldn't see. She felt her heartbeat speed up and she felt blood going to her head.

Can't die...

She continued chanting her mantra in her head, but it did nothing to stop the suffocation.

"This is unexpected."

She couldn't see anything in the dark, but she sensed his presence and the glowing emerald orbs.

"Go...away!" She gasped.

"Shush! Save your strength so you won't die on time," he chuckled.

"I hate you!" Claire spat out.

"Likewise."

Her life flashed before her eyes as she realized she was going to die before she started her journey.

"End it," he whispered.

A strangled scream filled with anger ripped from her throat as everything went white and then...

Eerie silence.