Blood Prophecy: Kallen's Tale Read Online Free PDF Page A

no different than a Pooka Fairy.  My entire body tenses, and with a
clenched jaw, I grind out, “Do not presume to know my nature.  I am a Sheehogue
Fairy and we have never had a quarrel with Cowans nor Witches.  It was my
grandmother who worked the magic that closed the realms, protecting Cowans and
Witches alike from the Pooka Fae.  It was also my grandmother who sent me here
to help protect Xandra and keep the realms closed to each other.  So you see,
there is no doubt in anyone’s mind what my or my grandmother’s intentions are. 
Xandra is unable to say the same about her grandmother.”  Too my great
surprise, Xandra’s father laughs at the woman’s taut face as she digests my
words.  Yes, I may grow to like him very much.
    Through her own clenched
jaw, she says, “I apologize if I offended you and your kind.  I have been told
tales of Sheehogue intervention between the Pooka and the humans, on occasion. 
But I also understood from these tales that the Sheehogue prefer to remain
neutral, and are not prone to intervention unless the situation has become
dire.  So, you can understand my assumption that you are of the Pooka Fae.  I
did not realize that the situation had reached the point where the Sheehogue
would intervene.” 
    I try to loosen my grip on
Xandra’s fingers, because if I keep squeezing them like this, I may end up
breaking one.  Or two.  “And as I have heard tales of you and your husband’s
treatment of Mrs. Smith.  And personally witnessed your husband try to kill
Xandra.  You can understand my hesitation to believe you to be anything more
than a distraction while your husband gathers seven other Witches to take on
one Witch Fairy.”
    Her eyes are full of pure,
unadulterated hatred, but her words are wheels made for backpedaling.  “Yes, I
can understand why there is hesitation to trust me.  It simply took me by
surprise that I would be making a blood oath with a Fa…with you.” 
    Xandra tries to wiggle her
fingers, letting me know that I am squeezing too hard again.  Just as I am
ready with my retort, Xandra’s father crosses his ghostly arms and says, “That’s
the deal, Athear.  Take it or leave it.” 
    Correcting her posture so
that she is sitting bone straight, the woman says, “I will make a blood oath
with whomever you would like.  I am here to help.”
    The one that looks the least
sure about this is Xandra’s mother.  She may desire her mother’s company, but
the worry lines on her face go a long way to prove that her doubts are almost
as great as the rest of ours.  “Are you sure, Mother?” 
    Squaring her shoulders
again, the woman says.  “Yes, Quillian, I am.”
    “Her name is Juilienne,”
growls Xandra’s father. 
    She inclines her head
towards him.  “Of course.  It will take some getting used to on my part, but I
will adjust.  Are we ready to begin?”
    That is my cue.  To the
Witch spirit, I say, “If you do not object, I would like to set the terms of
the blood oath.”
    She hesitates a moment, but
it does not take her long to relent.  Honestly, I cannot believe she hesitated
at all.  This is Xandra’s safety we are dealing with.  Surely, that comes
before a mother whose actions have had her on the run for all these years.
    “Okay.”  Then she turns
towards her mother.  “Mother, please take the knife and add your blood to the
bowl.”
    The woman is about to grab
for the knife when she pulls her hand back and her breath catches.  Accusation
clear in her voice, she says, “You are using your athame for a blood ritual?” 
    “It’s a little late to be
concerned about that.”  The Witch Fairy says pointedly.  Xandra has told me
about how her mother had to stab two guards to get away from her parents.  “It
has already shed blood.  A little more will not make a difference.”
    Good lord, is the woman
actually going to cry over a knife?  There are bigger things for her to be
worried about at the moment.  After