They travelled in a limousine, windows dark and bullet-proof, bodyguards nearby. Rupert had quickly made arrangements and shepherded Erin out of the council building with a promise that there was someone she had to meet immediately. He had refused to talk after that.
The city had dropped away and the houses were few and far between when the driver looked back at Rupert and asked in disbelief, "Here?"
Rupert nodded and pointed up a poorly maintained gravel drive into a stand of trees, bare of leaves but still dense enough to hide what was beyond the bend.
As the car bumped and jolted along the drive, Erin sensed the power that she had come to recognize as shields. She could also feel along the forest floor and sense the presence of animals watching the car progress along the drive in a way that didn't feel natural. Then she felt the tingle of a powerful being unlike anything she had felt before. Where was Rupert taking her?
Erin looked at Rupert almost fearfully, but his smile was one of delight, not triumph or menace. Whoever he was bringing her to meet, he was truly convinced the person was good. Erin reigned in her fear and tried to keep an open mind.
The car pulled to a stop before a small, well-maintained farmhouse. Rupert jumped from the car excitedly, holding the door for Erin. A small, black woman of indeterminate age came out on the porch, looking critically at them all.
"Alma!" Rupert called out as he bounded up the three porch stairs, pulling Erin along behind him, "This is Erin, our Queen!"
Erin wondered if this level of excitement was good for a man of Rupert's age, and she worried at the severity of the look Alma was giving them both. Alma did not appear happy to see them, regardless of Rupert's obvious excitement.
"Why are you here?" Alma asked in a low, quiet voice, staring angrily at Rupert.
"Be polite, Alma," Rupert enjoined, "Take your Queen's hand."
Alma reached out slowly, her petite hand covered in thin, delicate skin the color of weak coffee. Erin touched her hand gently, feeling the hum of Alma's shields ratchet up, and a tingle begin in her fingers that swiftly turn to an electric current. Erin pulled her hand back with a jerk.
Alma faced Rupert, her piercing dark eyes pinning him in place, his smile slipping away.
"Is this some kind of trick, Rupert? You know I don't want to be part of your council, never have, never will. Who is this girl?" Alma said, her low voice menacing.
Rupert faltered, trying to smile, but only managing a grimace. "She's our Queen, Erina, only she goes by Erin now. I swear Alma, she's a channeler."
Alma's gaze turned toward Erin, looking her up and down. Alma slowly paced around Erin, surprising the queen when she touched her at the nape of her neck. The flow of energy was palpable, but not uncomfortable. Alma continued to move around until she again faced Erin.
"When did you know?" Alma asked, those dark eyes never leaving Erin's face.
"Not until this morning, when Rupert told me about those who could channel the power of, well, everything." Erin stammered.
Alma turned her eyes to Rupert and he nodded, a smile again starting to lift the corners of his mouth.
"Then come inside, girl. There is much you need to learn," Alma said, turning and heading into her home.
Rupert waved Erin ahead of him into the small sitting room through the front door. The room was neatly done in a style consistent with an earlier era, but quaint and comfortable. Erin followed Alma to a love seat where they both sat, turned slightly to face each other.
"Your power is far greater than anyone thought. The ability to tap into the energies of the Earth, and of people around you, makes you a formidable fairy. You are the first channeler in the royal family in centuries, and this ability is probably what saved you when the rest of your family was killed," Alma explained.
Erin sat quietly, letting this information sink in. She was different. It had been a shock to find out she wasn't human, but at least she had been a fairy, and had people like her with whom to associate. Now she was different from them as well, and from what Rupert had told her, she would be feared by the very people who she sought to bring together and rebuild a peaceful society with. She shuddered at the prospect.
Alma spoke again, but this time her voice was soothing, gentle, "You are in a position to change things for all fairies, regardless of their shape or powers. You are poised to create the society many of us have dreamed of for hundreds of years. You need to learn how to use this power to bring about a new order, to end rivalries, and reduce fears. Is that what you want?"
Erin simply nodded, her eyes tearing up at the sheer magnitude of what faced her.
Alma turned again to Rupert, "I just put on some water for tea. I'll bring that in for the two of you while I go pack a bag. I guess my statement about never joining your council may have been a bit overblown after all." She shrugged and left for the kitchen while Rupert reached out and took Erin's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"It will be all right. You'll see," he said, smiling at Erin.
********
The days passed in a blur while Erin learned about Fairy society, the current state of affairs, and her own powers. Nights were a little quieter, held in Luka's reassuring arms. He had only smiled broadly at the revelation of her abilities, showing no sign of the fear Erin had dreaded. Many others had not accepted it so easily.
The councilmen that Erin had released from service were trying to raise support to oust her from power, and with the discovery of her new powers, several other councilmen had joined them, some even calling for her to be placed in a special jail to reduce her threat. Luckily, most of the council remained committed to Erin and to the effort to integrate everyone back into one society.
