Free Tablet of Destinies by Traci Harding Page A

took hold of his shirt in a threatening fashion. ‘I only remember it at all, because Tory told me I said it, I swear to you!’
    Thais, who was also tall like Maelgwn although not as muscle-bound in form, was about to intervene in the dispute but Maelgwn released the historian.
    â€˜Damn it!’ the worried father barked, startling everyone present. ‘Can nobody tell me if they are suffering, at least!’ Tears of rage and frustration streamed down his face, but his jaw remained clenched in an attempt to withhold his emotions.
    â€˜Dear Goddess!’ Candace gasped, her sights frozen on the crib.
    Maelgwn turned to discover the source of her horror, whereby he froze, as did all present, beholding the floating alien forms that had emerged from the flaming chrysalis wearing the clothes Avery and Lirathea had last been seen in. The creatures appeared to have assumed a fully physical form and all trace of the two angelic babes had vanished along with the colourful auric cocoon that had consumed them.
    Their skin of soft pink had turned a dark shade of green and was more reptilian in texture. The features of their faces were now more akin to the Nefilim or the faerie folk of the Otherworld. Their ears were larger, and pointed. Their enlarged eyes were almond shaped and had turned amber in colour. The babies’ hands and feet were claws and they had both sprouted tails at the base of their spines. These new appendages had ripped through the nappy and suit they wore and swished around behind them as they floated a couple of feet above the bedcovers.
    Maelgwn’s disgust and anger consumed him, but he had no intention of giving up his children without a fight. On the quiet, he was hoping this was either acase of possession or that these creatures were in fact Changelings.
    Back in his lifetime in ancient Britain, Maelgwn had heard the tales of changeling babies left in place of stolen human babes by the Tylwyth Teg, or the faerie folk as they were more widely known. These changeling babes were said to appear stupid, ugly and strange-looking — the revolting beasts before him certainly seemed to fit this general description.
    Close window. Maelgwn gave a mental instruction to the window, so as not to startle the creatures he meant to entrap.
    As the nursery window closed, both the aliens marked the movement and in no way alarmed by it, they returned their sights to Maelgwn.
    He focused on a small section of the floor. Items of equipment began to manifest — a couple of hand nets, and two incubation cages, like those used to quarantine sick wildlife. He took hold of one of the large nets and handed the other to Noah, who appeared concerned that he’d been chosen to assist. ‘You go left, I’ll go right,’ he instructed.
    â€˜Don’t you want to try coaxing them into the incubators?’ Thais suggested. ‘Netting them will surely throw them into a state of panic.’
    Maelgwn shot a spiteful look at Thais. ‘Do you think I care?’
    â€˜You asked me here to advise,’ Thais reminded him, appearing very concerned for the strange little beings. ‘And I think that you should take a moment to consider —’
    â€˜With all due respect, Thais,’ hissed Maelgwn, short on patience. ‘I want these things quarantined, yesterday! Whatever works fastest … I’m all for that!’
    â€˜Surely it is obvious that, no matter what breed of entity these beings belong to, they are but newborns.’ Thais persisted in pleading their case. ‘And will therefore be highly impressionable —’
    â€˜Would you please leave!’ Maelgwn roared, whereby the pair of alien babes were startled and began, not to cry, but to shriek!
    All present covered their ears, shattered by the dreadful sound.
    â€˜Damn it!’ Maelgwn shot an angry glance at Thais, as he proceeded to net one of the noisy creatures.
    The little female did not resist