"Mom?" Sebastian said as he looked up. "I'm here" I said. "I'm so sorry mom." He said, his voice cracking. "They said I'm scheduled for something called clipping in a few days. I'm scared, mom." "It's going to be okay" I said trying to convince myself just as much as Sebastian. Before I knew it I heard Martin behind me. "Charity, it's time" he led me back towards the entrance. "Martin, what's going to happen to him?" I asked as we neared the desk. "He mentioned something called clipping?" " With a sigh Martin sat down before he said "it's the most severe punishment the Fae have. There have only been three Fae that have endured clipping, Sebastian will be number four. He will be forced to ingest a potion that if he survives will render him mortal. He will be stripped of his wings, he will be human."
I was in a daze as I traveled back home. "He will be human" Martin's words echoed in my mind. How could they do this to their own kind? Not only would he be human, but he would also likely be banished. I doubted that they would let him stay. As I got home I broke down, all the tears I had been holding back came rushing out.
Three days later Sebastian was returned to us. He survived. He was human. Kai helped me get him to his room, he was so weak. "Mom?" "I'm here Sebastian." I said as he drifted off to sleep. Sebastian slept for hours, but even when awake he was so weak he stayed in bed. I knew what he was going through. When I became a Fae, I remember how much lighter I felt. His was the opposite, mortality was heavy.
A few days after Sebastian came home, Martin was at my doorstep once more, though this time I wasn't pleased to see him. " You already took is wings, what more do want?" I snapped at him. He hung his shoulders and said, "I'm not here for Sebastian"
He was here for my husband. Sebastian's sentence wasn't enough to appease the Vampires, war had been declared.
"Malakai" Martin started, "you are hereby conscripted into the Fae army" Kai was the only one who had first hand knowledge of the potion that would kill vampires. He was the only one who had used it in hundreds of years. "What if I refuse?" Kai asked. "I have my orders to bring you in by what ever means necessary." Martin said with a pointed stare at me.
"Understood" Kai said. "Can I say goodbye first?" "Very well" Martin said as he moved towards the edge of our yard, giving us a small bit of privacy. "Charity, I love you. With all that I am, I love you. This isn't goodbye, I will see you again" I couldn't speak, all I could do was kiss my husband as if I may never see him again, Then he was gone. Once they were out of my sight, I broke down in tears.
Several hours later Martin returned. I was still on the porch where he has left me. "What now? What more will you take?" "Charity, I apologise, I am only doing my duty, but this I won't do." He ran inside, up the stairs and into the nursery. I was right behind him. "Charity, the council feels the child is an abomination. They sent me for him, this I refuse to do. He is innocent." Martin said handing him to me. And picking up my son. "I'm getting you away from here." Rousing Sebastian Martin made his way out of the house and to a portal where Rochelle and her husband were waiting. "Charity" Martin said as he opened the portal. "You must go" I sent Sebastian through with the boys first and turned around for Rochelle, but she hadn't moved. "Come on." I said reaching out to her. "Mom, I can't go. I have to stay here." I hugged her tight and told her I'd always love her and one day we'd be together again. Then I stepped through the portal and joined what was left of my family on the other side.
