Free Through Time-Slamming by Claudy Conn Page B

happening now? You can speak in front of Frankie. She is a Fios and she is Fae, and she is a very brave warrior who has already learned how to survive.”
    Ete smiled softly at the girl and said, “Queen Mab accompanies Aaibhe, and Deimne has just left them. I can hear and see them through Breslyn’s eyes and ears.”
    Ete paused and smiled sadly before continuing as though looking for a way to find her words. “Their initial discussions are over and to save time Breslyn has allowed me to listen in on the final plans being made.”
    “Hey!” Z objected. “Why didn’t Danté let me in on it?”
    Ete glared at her, “Because he doesn’t want you to go off…er…”
    Z grinned, “Half-cocked, Ete? Is that the word you were looking for?”
    “Indeed,” said the beautiful princess with an affectionate smile.
    “Is Deimne still with them?” Jazz asked. “He had told us his Queen had called him to her side.”
    All eyes turned to her. “You were with Deimne?” Trevor demanded and he didn’t look happy. “You are never to be with him again!”
    Jazz was surprised, “Why?”
    Ete whispered into Jazz’s ear, “Your mate is jealous because the Sluagh is notorious for taking females for a flight around the world and making love to them in the air.”
    Jazz laughed out loud, but Frankie was pulling at Jazz’s hand. She leaned over and said softly, “It is nothing. Trev just doesn’t like me to spend time with other male Fae alone.”
    Ete smiled at Frankie. “Ah, I am so pleased Frankie. You have met with Deimne. This is the most wonderful news. It is just what you both need; each other .”
    “You knew then?” Jazz asked surprised as she realized that Ete knew Deimne was Frankie’s father.
    “Yes, I knew,” Ete answered softly.
    “By Danu!” snapped Trevor. “Why should Frankie need the Sluagh? I don’t like it.”
    All at once the air began to glow so brightly that Jazz grabbed Frankie and held her tightly as she shielded her eyes. Trevor, who had dropped his hold of Jazz and had stiffened noticeably when Deimne had been mentioned, now took up her waist again and drew her in closer.
    The arrival of two Seelie Queens was a remarkable moment.
    It was an explosion of soft light, and yet completely infused with a power that could be physically felt as its force flowed in undulating strokes pushing all living beings present, a few steps backwards.
    The atmosphere sparkled and pulsated with magic and might so strong that it shook the classic paintings on the walls of Queen Aaibhe’s private parlor. It did, in fact, cause the furniture to wobble.
    Both Queens stood regal in their shimmering gowns, but over their lovely faces were masks of sorrow. It was so great that the sadness was felt by everyone present. They were beings of nature and life. War was a devastatingly repugnant outcome.
    Breslyn and Danté were close behind both Queens, but Deimne was absent. For a moment no one spoke. Both Breslyn and Danté each stomped across the room and took their mates into their arms.
    Aaibhe raised a hand and said, “We are grievously saddened to report that we were unable to stop Pestale from using one of the Portals he had confiscated. It has started.”
    “Where—where has it started?” Z asked as she stepped forward and away from Danté. He reached for her and she turned to him, her face drawn in outrage. Jazz watched and understood that the human in Z was crying.
    She looked up at Trevor and his gold eyes caressed her. “Oh Trev…”
    “We will drive them into the ground. There will be nothing left of them when we are done,” he reassured her.
    “The Dark Ones have conducted what we think was a test run.” Aaibhe said quietly. “We are guessing that they released not more than one hundred Unseelie into a crowd in Venice, Italy. It happened so quickly, and even with our combined magic we could not stop the Unseelie monsters as they spread out into the homes and hotels. We were able to dislodge and