Siren Song
Chapter 9: Shattered Silence
"Release me!" – The Banshee, in "The Gathering: Part I."
"Wake up!" The Banshee opened her eyes, to see Puck's face very near her own. Their kind did not need to sleep nearly as much as mortals did, but eventually, even they needed their rest. She was very groggy, but his proximity was enough to startle her awake. She shoved him away.
"What?" She demanded irritably.
Puck bounced up and down excitedly. "There are mortals in our forest."
The Banshee shot him a death glare. "You woke me up just to tell me that?" All this time traveling together, and he still hadn't learned not to annoy her. Impertinent little –
Ignoring her look, he tugged at her hand. "Come on, let's go mess with them."
"You go if you want. I'm still tired." His face fell.
"Oh come on …" he whined. "You can rest later!"
The Banshee sighed. "Puck, you are trying my patience."
"Come on, little siren …" he leaned in, his blue eyes sparking with wickedness. "You know you want to."
She rolled her eyes. "Don't call me that, and no, I don't, actually. But if it'll shut you up, fine. I'll at least see what manner of mortals they are."
Together, they made their way to the forest clearing. The Banshee was not amused by what she saw.
"Really, Puck? This is what you brought me here to see?"
He frowned. "What's wrong with it?"
"Well, for starters there are only two mortals here." And indeed, it was merely a young human, with a lady who seemed to be about his age. "How much mischief can you really conjure up?"
"Is that a challenge?"
She ignored his question. "What are they doing here anyway?"
"Dunno."
The Banshee studied them for a moment, watching their interactions, the way that they looked at each other, until the answer became obvious to her: "They're in love."
Puck smirked. "How quaint."
"You really had to wake me to witness this mortal foolishness?"
"Oh now don't get mad, I'm sure there's a few tricks I could play on them to make things interesting. Say, what if I give the boy a donkey's head? Can you imagine her face when –"
"Leave them."
Puck blinked. "What?"
"Leave them in peace. They seem … happy."
Puck looked at her curiously. For a moment it seemed he might argue, but then he merely shrugged. "As you wish, then. But they won't be nearly as entertaining this way."
The Banshee turned to contemplate the two mortals. The young man was holding the girl's hand, telling her something which apparently made her blush and smile. Suddenly, he seemed to trip over his own feet, landing in a puddle of mud. Beside her, Puck snickered.
She shot him a look. "Was that you?"
"Sorry, couldn't resist."
"Typical." She turned to see that the young lady was now laughing at her beloved. But instead of being embarrassed or angry, after a moment, he joined her in the laughter.
"See, they have a sense of humor," Puck said approvingly.
The girl leaned down to help the boy up, wiping the mud from his face, both of them still giggling. Suddenly they had both stopped laughing and were standing very close together, looking serious, almost scared. Then the boy kissed her. The Banshee wondered idly if it was their first kiss; it seemed like it, for they both appeared a little breathless and giddy when they broke apart.
"Puck, I'm bored with this. Let's go."
They moved away from the couple and deeper into the woods.
"I guess I shouldn't have woken you. They weren't really all that entertaining."
"It's alright. They were rather sweet in their way, I suppose. But I must say, what with the reputation we've given this place, they can't be too smart to be out here all alone."
"Ah yes, what fools these mortals can be. It was kind of sweet though, the two of them. Silly, but sweet." He stopped suddenly, looking at her. She returned his gaze questioningly.
"What?"
He glided towards her until they were face to face, and then he leaned in and kissed her. It was nothing much; she felt the brief pressure of his lips on hers, and then he pulled back, looking inquisitive, waiting to see her reaction.
She put her hand to her lips. "What … what was that?"
"A kiss."
"Yes, I know that." She was beginning to get irritated. "Why did you do it?"
He shrugged again. "I felt like it."
"You – you – what?" She fumed. "You see two silly little mortals in the woods and I tell you to leave them be and you think that means you can kiss me?"
Puck didn't understand why she was getting so upset. "What's the matter, you didn't like it?"
"That is not the point!"
He chuckled. "Oh, I rather think it is, my little siren."
"Don't call me that!" She directed a blast of magic at him, which he easily dodged.
"Whoa, was the kiss that bad? Let me try again, I'm sure I can do better –"
"I'm going to make you pay!"
"You'll have to catch me first!" He flitted away. Puck could be very fast when he wanted to, but eventually, she had him in her grasp.
"Now you will suffer," she hissed at him.
"I'm trembling," Puck said mockingly. "What are going to do?"
She answered him with a kiss of her own, an action which surprised her as much as it did him. This kiss lasted longer than the first, and when it was over, they found that they had wrapped their arms around each other.
Puck's eyes were wide, and very bright. "I like this game," He said softly. "Even when I lose, I win."
"Puck …"
He kissed her again, and she could not even pretend to protest, pressing herself to him, feeling the shivers of pleasure as she did.
"I like this game very much," Puck whispered. "Don't you?"
"You're … impertinent …"
He laughed softly, and nuzzled her neck.
"Oh come on, just admit it, you like it as much as I do." When she was silent, he continued, in a tone that was almost pleading. "Tell me you like this game. If you don't, I'll stop."
"Puck…" she sighed, unable for once to snap at him. "Puck, it's not a …"
He pulled back, looking at her guilelessly. "What?"
"I like this," she admitted. "I like this … game."
He smiled at her. "Good," he said, kissing her again, and they let the moment carry them away.
"Wake up, shrew."
The Banshee's eyes flew open and she attempted to lunge at Raven, only to find herself restrained.
Iron? How on earth could he bind me in iron chains without hurting himself? But she soon had her answer, spying two mortals nearby. They appeared to be nondescript, except for one significant detail; their eyes glowed red, just as Raven's had done. And above them, still holding the child and looking triumphant, floated Mab.
"You would bring human minions into our conflict, Mab?" She sneered, with far more daring than she felt. "Your son at his worst would not stoop so low."
She expected Mab to get angry, but instead she seemed rather amused, a reaction which was infinitely more frightening than her rage.
"Mortals are pitiful, fragile things, but they can prove useful at times," she retorted smugly. "For instance," she gestured to the Banshee's chains, "Look at you now. Oh, and by the way, does anything about your current predicament strike you as … familiar?"
It was then, to her horror, that the Banshee realized the irons chains bound her to a tree, just as it had been all those centuries ago.
Mab gave her a nasty grin. "Do you remember what comes next?"
Her eyes widened. No. Not even Mab would be that cruel. Not even she would do that to one of her own…
One of the mortals held up an iron plate, and moved toward her.
"No!" She screamed, struggling madly against her bonds.
"There is a way for you to avoid this fate," Mab said calmly as the mortal advanced upon her. "Side with me against Oberon. Think, Banshee. My son has banished you, has muted your powers. Join with me, and you shall have back all that he has taken from you, and more. You can turn all of Ireland into a graveyard if you like. Just agree to fight by my side."
"I will not," the Banshee hissed, fighting her rising panic.
Mab frowned. "Don't be foolish, child. Your loyalty is misplaced. You think the parents of this little babe care at all for your well-being? You were merely a tool to them. Think of what I can offer you. Raven has already seen –"
"Raven has seen nothing but what you wish him to see!" She shrieked. "You have him in thrall, even as you do these men! Raven," she said, addressing him frantically. "I know you have been callous, I know you have been cruel. I can understand that, because I have been those things too. But even at your worst, I know you would not do this to one of your own people. You must fight her influence!" His eyes glowed red at her, and he did not look as if he even realized she was speaking, much less that he was hearing her words.
"Last chance." Mab whispered.
She shook her head. "Raven, please …"
"Very well then, little fool."
The mortal put the iron gag on her, and Raven used his magic to fasten it. As he did so, his eyes briefly returned to normal.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, but even if she had been inclined to forgive him, she was no longer capable of a reply.
"Where are we?" Xanatos asked, as they landed on the ground.
"Ireland, I'd wager," Titania said.
"Why here?" Fox asked.
"Mab probably means to make a gift of the island to the Banshee," Titania explained. "No doubt she will offer it to her in exchange for her loyalty."
Xanatos scowled. "Would she accept such a deal?"
"Of course she wouldn't!" Puck snapped. He had never addressed Xanatos in an angry tone, neither in his mortal guise nor out of it, but he did so now. "Don't be stupid, David."
"This is not the time for arguments," Fox interjected. "We need to find Alex."
"Look!" Titania exclaimed. They all turned to see a flash of red light come from a hill above them. She shook her head. "Mab always was careless. Now that she thinks she's winning, she won't even bother to conceal herself, or be on guard for our approach."
"Which means we have the element of surprise," Xanatos said.
"Indeed, David. Follow me, all of you, quietly."
They made their way to the hill, peering out from behind some bushes. Xanatos' eyes darted around, trying to asses the situation. There stood the one called Raven, and two other men. All three sets of eyes glowed an unnatural red. His heart thudded in his chest as he saw Mab above them, clutching his crying son. He was so horrified by this sight that he didn't even notice the Banshee was there, at least not until he heard Puck gasp.
"What?" He whispered.
Looking more stricken than Xanatos had ever seen him, Puck pointed with a trembling hand at a figure chained to a tree – he could only assume the chains were made of iron. He now had a full view of the Banshee, who looked eerily beautiful but infinitely sad. Tears ran down her cheeks, and there was a plate over her mouth, which he could only assume was made of iron as well. He remembered Owen's reaction when he'd told him about the Banshee being gagged; as Puck, he looked even more upset now than he had been then.
"We have to help her!" Puck made to move forward, but Xanatos held him back.
"We need to be smart about this," he said, taking care to keep his voice low.
Puck quickly realized the man had a point. "Right," he muttered almost apologetically.
"Those two men beside Raven are mortals," Titania whispered. "Mab is controlling them, but I believe I can remedy that. Follow my lead." She waved her hand, and suddenly, the two men's eyes were glowing green as they advanced upon Mab, who shrieked indignantly, releasing the child to unleash her fury on them.
"Alex!" Fox screamed, diving for her son.
Where the two men had stood, there were now only piles of ash. Mab turned to Titania, her face lit up with malice. "You think your can try your little tricks on me? You who would dare to call yourself Queen of Avalon? Do you forget how powerful I am?"
To prove her point, she struck Titania down, once again rendering her unconscious.
At that moment, Xanatos began firing his gun, and Mab screamed out in agony as the iron bullets sunk into her skin. He didn't stop firing until he'd emptied the clip, and then he dug in his pockets, frantically trying to reload. Near him, now on the ground, Mab was moaning, beginning to pick out the bullets one by one, unable to remove them with magic.
"Take care of them, Raven," she croaked. He moved to obey, but Fox directed a blast of magical energy at him, and he reeled back. Before she knew what she was doing, she had recited a spell.
"I realease you from Mab's dreadful geas,
Do as you will, and as you please!"
Raven's eyes cleared of the red haze, and he staggered backwards, looking dazed. Mab gave a muted cry of frustration, removing the last bullet from her chest and springing up to face them. "Raven, do not listen to Titania's brat. I promised that you would be rewarded if you served me!"
"You didn't give me a choice!" Raven snapped.
"You have a choice now," Mab retorted. "Help me defeat them, and you shall have free reign of Queen Florence Island. You can drive all the mortals away, just as you've always wanted!"
For a moment, Raven looked like he was seriously considering the offer. Then he gave Mab his trademark sneer.
"Sorry," he said. "But that place no longer amuses me. And neither to do you!" He shot a blast of magical energy at her, which was quickly accompanied by one from Fox, Puck, and a newly revived Titania. Xanatos fired more bullets into her, and she screamed, writhing in agony. Even so, she still mocked them.
"Go on, keep it up," she managed to get out. "I will still be able to fight long after you are spent. I am more powerful than all of you combined." It was then that Titania cast a summoning spell.
"Protectors of those I hold dear,
Come to this hill to aid us here!"
There was a flash of light, and the Manhattan Clan appeared.
"Help us!" Fox screamed as Mab managed to direct a volley at her. She fell to the ground, her child slipping from her arms.
"Alex!" Lexington cried, diving down. He caught the child, and Fox scrambled to her feet and over to them. Puck used his magic to a place a protective barrier around the three of them. The rest of the gargoyles were currently rushing Mab.
Puck's eyes fell on the Banshee, who was still chained to the tree. The iron meant he couldn't do anything to set her free. "Someone release her, please!"
Angela swooped down from overhead. Landing by the tree, she didn't even hesitate, but instantly broke the Banshee's chains. When she caught sight of the plate over her mouth, however, she paused, uncertain of what to do.
"Puck," she called, "How do I –?"
"I don't know, I don't know!" He cried, ducking to avoid Mab's magic. Her spell hit the barrier he'd made, and it shook, but did not break.
Unable to think of anything else, Angela put her hands on the Banshee's face. "This might hurt, I'm sorry." She fastened her talons on the plate and began pulling it off. The Banshee cried soundlessly in pain, but tried not to move, and eventually Angela had pried the awful thing away from her face.
The Banshee staggered and fell to her knees, clutching her throat. She gasped and coughed, trying desperately to breathe again. She looked up, intending to express her gratitude to her unlikely rescuer, but found to her horror that she could not make a sound.
"What's wrong?" Angela asked, but the Banshee could not answer.
"Puck," Xanatos grabbed his arm, while Mab was busy reeling from Titania's renewed attack. "Her voice is still a weapon, isn't it? Why doesn't she use it, why doesn't she scream?"
He shook his head. "David, you know how iron weakens us! It takes time to recover."
"We don't have time!" He shouted, ducking a blast from Mab. "And I'm out of bullets! What would make her recover faster?"
"Well, maybe if she got angry …"
"So get her angry then!"
And for an instant, despite the dire seriousness of the situation, Puck's eyes lit up, sparking with mischief, and he grinned. "I know just the thing."
He disappeared and then reappeared beside the Banshee.
And then he leaned in and kissed her, right in the middle of the battle, right in front of everyone.
When he pulled back, she glared at him and let out a scream.
Even though Oberon had muted her powers, her voice was still an impressive thing. Mortal and fay alike staggered backwards in the wake of the sound, covering their ears, cowering down.
"You did say she could only maim with her voice now, right?" Fox managed to call out to her mother.
"How dare you?" The Banshee hissed at Puck when she ended her scream.
"Hey it worked, didn't it?"
Mab lay on the ground, unmoving. For a moment it seemed the battle was won. But then she eased herself up, and staggered to her feet. Fair folk and mortals alike shuddered as she spoke, in her voice of stone.
"You cannot defeat me."
An unmistakable figure suddenly appeared in their midst. "Perhaps not, mother. But I can."
Oberon, the Lord of Avalon, stood before them, looking grim but determined. Mab scowled.
"So, my treacherous son shows his face at last. Come to tear my heart out again, have you?"
"I never wanted to hurt you, mother," Oberon said, sounding almost sad. "I only knew I had to stop your madness."
"I gave you life!" Mab shrieked. "And you went against me to protect the mortals!"
"It wasn't just about the mortals, and you know it! Your insanity would have destroyed us all!" And with that, he directed his own magics at her.
Mab, weakened by iron, the battle, and her long imprisonment, could not stand against him. Eventually, she collapsed under the weight of the weight of his spell, sinking to the ground.
Oberon stood over here. "I bind you, Mab, from doing harm."
"No!" Mab shrieked. Gold chains appeared, and wrapped themselves around her, glowing with her son's magic.
"I bind you, Mab, from doing harm." He repeated, and the chains tightened.
"Don't do this to me, my son," she pleaded, her voice growing weaker. "Not again! I made you. I loved you. Don't make me face eternity alone."
Oberon's eyes filled with tears, but his voice remained steady. "I bind you, Mab, from doing harm. I return you to your prison, there to dwell forevermore, for the safety of all the peoples of all the three races on the earth."
With a final cry, Mab disappeared. Oberon fell to his knees, his head in his hands. Even after all she had done, he had not relished defeating her again. Titania rushed over to comfort him.
Puck quickly flitted over to Alexander, soothing the little boy's cries. "He's fine," Puck declared. Lexington smiled in relief, and then went to check on the rest of his clan. Xanatos went over to his wife and child.
"Everyone okay? Are you alright, Puck?" He asked.
The fay laughed weakly. "I'm okay. But I'm afraid Owen won't be available for oh, say the next century or so, because I plan to sleep until then. That all right with you, David?"
"Unacceptable. I expect to see bright and early for work tomorrow morning. Is that clear?"
"Slave driver."
"And how's your friend?" He nodded towards the Banshee. Now that they both turned to look, it appeared Angela was having to physically restrain her from attacking Puck. They couldn't quite make out exactly what she was saying, but Xanatos was almost certain he heard the word "impertinent" (and perhaps several more colorful phrases) mixed into her angry tirade.
"I think she's really mad at you."
Puck giggled. "I know, isn't it great?"
"You really enjoy getting a rise out of her, don't you?"
From where he was floating in mid-air, Puck leaned down towards Xanatos, his eyes sparkling. "Do you want to know a secret? Sometimes I think there is no better fun in all the world."
"You love her."
He didn't think he'd ever had the pleasure of seeing Puck, in any form, look as completely shocked as he did now. For a moment there was something almost like fear in those fathomless blue eyes. But he recovered quickly enough, donning an almost-convincing expression of amused condescension.
"Oh come on now David, that's just silly. Don't get me wrong, romance is a fine thing for you mortals to indulge in, and it's often provided me with some great entertainment. Some of us fay even like to mingle with mortals and dabble in that quaint little concept, resulting in amusing surprises like you lovely wife here. But the simple truth is that, especially amongst our own, we are simply beyond such things."
"Oh really," Xanatos countered, "then how exactly do you explain Oberon and Titania?" He nodded to where the two stood, holding each other.
"The exception that proves the rule," Puck said smoothly, sounding almost Owen-like for a moment.
"Maybe. Or maybe you're just afraid to admit it, like I was."
"And maybe you're just projecting," Puck snapped, looking downright irritated by now. Despite everything, Xanatos found he couldn't help it; he was enjoying this.
"A bit defensive, aren't we?"
"You know, Davey boy, I do believe this is the first time someone has attempted to psychoanalyze me. And you know what? I don't like it. Not one bit."
Xanatos was about to retort when Oberon suddenly cast a spell over all of them, returning them to the Eyrie Building. As Alexander was now safe, and this was certainly no time for a magic lesson, Puck had no choice but to revert back to Owen. After a moment of confusion, Angela gingerly released the Banshee, who followed suit and reverted to Molly, although Xanatos noticed she continued to glare in their direction.
He raised an eyebrow at his faithful assistant. "'Davey boy?'"
"Sorry sir."
Biting back a grin, Xanatos approached Goliath, who now stood surrounded by his clan, looking weary but none the worse for the wear. "It seems I am even more in your debt than I was before. All of you," he added, looking around at the rest of them. "I guess I'll have to double my efforts to repay you for this latest kindness. I certainly owe you another favor."
"I don't know if I can survive any more of your favors," Goliath said, but there was no real malice in his voice. In fact, there might even have been a hint of wry amusement.
Xanatos smiled. "Even so, I once again owe you a debt of gratitude."
"As do I." They both turned to see Oberon approaching them. Xanatos suppressed a scowl.
"Goliath, you and your clan have helped prevent disaster for us all. I appreciate your aid in stopping Mab. As you see, my mother is dangerous and cruel, and I cannot allow her to be free in the world."
Yeah well, her son isn't exactly the harmless and sweet type himself. Xanatos managed to keep from vocalizing the thought, though he felt certain his expression would give him away. But Oberon paid him no mind as he continued.
"Goliath, if there is some wish you have from me, I would grant it."
He expected Goliath to immediately refuse, but for a moment, the gargoyle seemed to be seriously considering it. Xanatos was briefly reminded of when Owen had revealed his true self to him, and offered him the choice of a lifetime of service in his mortal guise, or the granting of a single wish. His own decision hadn't been instantaneous either. Of course, it had been different; he got something either way. Goliath did not.
The gargoyle spoke slowly and carefully, as if weighing each word. "My lord, I learned a long time ago that the phrase 'Be careful what you wish for,' is far more than a mere trite expression. It is a warning, and I heed it. So thank you for the offer, but I must decline."
Oberon nodded, not seeming offended. "Very well. But should we meet again, and should you change your mind, the offer will remain open." He turned away and walked over to Titania.
"Come, my gentle Titania. We will take Raven and go home now. Our work here is done."
"Wait, that's it?" Xanatos was no longer able to restrain himself. "Owen and Molly just helped defeat your insane psychopath of a mother, and you can't even thank them? Meanwhile, the one person that was actually working with her just gets to skip back to Avalon like nothing's happened? What kind of justice is that?"
Oberon turned to him, frowning. "Raven was clearly in thrall," he countered. Behind him, the fay in questioned nodded.
"Yeah, for once in my life, I wasn't the bad guy." He caught Goliath's eye and smirked. "I know, I'm as shocked as you are, but there it is. Frankly, I don't think I'll ever live it down."
"Fine," Xanatos allowed. "But that doesn't change the fact that the two of them deserve some sort of recognition." He gestured over in their direction. Molly had finally stopped glaring at Owen, and now they were both looking at Oberon with vaguely apprehensive expressions.
Oberon's frown deepened. "Do not presume to tell me how to govern my own people."
Xanatos was on the brink of an angry reply when Titania interjected.
"David," she said, with a gentle warning in her voice, and he stayed silent. She then turned to Oberon.
"He may no be able to presume, my husband, but I flatter myself that I may. Perhaps it is something to think about. You banished them and altered their powers because they disobeyed you, because they showed you disloyalty. Surely, tonight's battle shows that they have at least learned something from their mistakes. Is such behavior not worthy of rewarding, my lord?"
Oberon appeared to be considering her words. "You make your point quite eloquently, my queen. Very well. We shall consider this matter and return with our decision in an hour's time – which would be one of your days. Watch for us at the next sunset." And with that, the rulers of Avalon, along with Raven, promptly disappeared.
"Thank you, sir." Owen said quietly, suddenly appearing beside him. He sincerely doubted Oberon would reconsider any part of the punishment he had visited upon either of them, but even so, he appreciated the gesture.
Xanatos smiled, and clapped him on the shoulder. "It's the least I can do. For both of you."