The Unicorn's Scion

One

Rage and pain tore through Cartazonon like a kukri blade wielded by a Gurkha. Deep blue silk wallpaper hung in shreds, revealing the chalky drywall. Shards of vases, clumps of cotton stuffing, and chunks of furniture littered the floor. Kicking through the mass of debris, he found the leg of a chair. This would work. Tightening his fingers around the polished teak, he looked around the room.  

His face, gaunt and haunted, reflected in the glass covering a Fan Kuan ink wash of the mountain village in Northern China where he had met Lee. Back before he could even transform into a human. Back when a tiny part of him still had faith and trust, and he had attached that last bit of his true nature to Lee.  

Lee, whose life he had saved. Lee, who had saved his life. Lee, who he had made immortal. Lee, who had been his constant companion for almost two thousand years. Lee, who had been taken from him. Lee, who died protecting him from children, stupid fucking weak children!  

He flung the chair leg across the room, shattering a window. Wind and rain howled, rushing inside his office and giving voice to his unending grief.

The door creaked behind him.  

Get out, he bellowed, throwing a Venetian glass paperweight hard enough for it to embed into the wall next to the door. They shoved a tray of water bottles and food into the room. It crashed into the other trays of rotting food and drink. The door slammed shut.  

Cartazonon’s throat hurt from screaming. Guzzling down a bottle of water, his thoughts cleared. Vengeance. He needed those who had taken Lee from him to pay. To suffer. To compensate him for losing someone priceless. 

Those meddling, pathetic descendants of the Phoenix King needed to be dealt with.  

Where are those fiery chicken children?  

Had any of his generals continued to monitor them?  

Had his empire fallen to pieces to match his office?  

He needed to regain control of himself and his world. 

He would turn Shamash’s spawn into living batteries, forever supplying him with power from Akasha.  

And for that he needed two jinn, according to the water witch. 

Pacing, Cartazonon kicked the tray, and the kobold whimpered, fighting to get free from his bonds. The German sprite, trapped in its humanoid form, looked at him with pain-filled eyes. Its magic and life called to him. He needed to replenish himself and his empire. He needed a plan, steps to take, a campaign to organize … and Lee. He needed Lee. 

Grabbing the kobold, Cartazonon ignored the sprite’s screams and German curses. His jagged fingernails cut into the being as he tightened his grip, forcing a tiny needle of power into the creature. The kobold gasped for breath and its face contorted in pain and fear. Hooking his power through the center of the kobold’s being, Cartazonon pulled life and magic from it. 

The kobold’s scream of agony and terror shattered the one vase untouched by Cartazonon’s rage. He siphoned bit by bit the essence of the magical creature. The creature’s desperate screech faded into whimpers, until its voice and life ended.   

Cartazonon shared the power that now flowed through his body with his empire. It wasn’t enough. He needed more. He could feel the strain on the protection spells that bound his properties and people to him. Tossing the limp body of the kobold into the trash, he reached out to check on his generals.

An empty gaping hole replaced the space his oldest and most trusted general had stood in his empire. Lee—Lee was gone. Pain exploded in his chest, stealing his breath and threatening to kill him. 

Cartazonon blinked, his vision blurred. He shook his head, trying to clear it. Fatigue washed over him, his muscles heavy and unwilling to respond. Easing himself to his knees, Cartazonon did his best to avoid the sharpest pieces of debris as he collapsed to the floor.  

Had the kobold somehow poisoned him?  

Had his people tampered with the kobold?  

How would that even be possible?  

It wasn’t, that stupid fairytale creature could never hurt him.  

What fresh hell was this? 

Fighting against whatever was in his system, he focused on the empty water bottle inches from his face. Someone had drugged him. A person he trusted and protected had betrayed him. They would die slowly and painfully. 

If Lee was here, this never would have happened. He would have been safe if his friend stood by his side. Enveloped in a drug-induced darkness, he did not know if he was going to sleep or die. He couldn’t die yet, not until he had killed the child who had taken Lee from him.

Two

Drumbeats pounded into me, forcing my heart and breath into its rhythm. I tried to break free of the powerful thrum. Then a new sound joined, a blend of wind and voices, deep and primal.

Pin pricks of light danced in the darkness, growing bigger and forming snakes, spiders, fish, crocodiles, kangaroos, and humans. They swirled around me to the ancient music of Australia.

A serpent of multi-colored dots formed outside of the ring of dancers, layer upon layer of coils created a protective wall. Wait, not a serpent, but the Rainbow Serpent of the Dreamtime and Indigenous Australians stories.

The energy contained a hint of Akasha and Earth, but it was something unique and dynamic on its own. Did the magical beings in Australia want to go to Akasha, or were they trying to tell me to go away?

A bell chimed, creating a wave that disrupted their dance.

I attempted to move, to talk, to communicate, but I was helplessly bound. Panic tried to rush through me, but the force of rhythm kept my heart and breathing from changing.

The bell chimed, and the lights faded.

I reached out with my empathy, trying to communicate with the Dreamtime? Australia? Magical beings?

The bell chimed, and everything fell away.

Gasping, I sat up and looked around, trying to figure out where the hell I was.

Hotel room, a nice hotel room.

My bags thrown in the corner.

Okay, breathe, everything is fine.

My phone chimed. I rolled over and grabbed it from the nightstand. Rubbing my eyes, I blinked at the texts. I wasn’t awake enough to handle Hiroshi’s cryptic dream drawings.

Images from my dream kept flashing. I tried to hold onto them, but my body’s needs were loud and pushed the fading images away.

Before I could snuggle deeper into the soft sheets, I kicked them off. Time to get up. I knew well enough that the best way to beat jetlag was to maintain my daily routines. 

A shower, putting on pajamas I can wear in public aka yoga pants, and a tee shirt, I felt ready to deal with Hiroshi’s dream drawings.

 Holding the dragon-forged katana given to me by Zennyo Ryūō, I looked like a warrior queen. My hair and clothes flowed around me as Phoenix fire emanated from me in a fierce glowing wave of power.

So, I guess I need to learn to use that sword. I texted Hiroshi.   

It wouldn't be a bad idea. He replied.   

You’re very helpful. I hoped my sarcasm carried through the text.   

I will keep you up to date on any more dreams I have. Maybe you should start wearing the katana just in case. 

Sure, I’ll strap it to my back. That won’t draw attention at all.  

But think how fierce and beautiful you’ll look. I have to go, time to translate the history of the Tengu. 

Bye, Hiroshi. And thanks. 

Peeking into the other bedrooms in the suite, and finding them empty, I texted Miu to find out where everyone was. I left the room and followed the sign for the elevator.

We are on the patio of the restaurant on the first floor. Miu texted back seconds later. The server is here. Do you want me to order for you?

Yes, please!  I sent before getting on the thankfully empty elevator.

The elevator stopped at the next floor, and a family got on, the fake coconut scent of their sunscreen strong enough to make me gag. Their little girl waved at me. I waved back, wondering how her mom could hold the shiny, greasy, squirmy toddler.  

At every floor we stopped, letting on more tourists glossy with scented sunscreen. I pressed myself into the corner when the elevator stopped again. Three men in business suits forced their way on, glaring at the oily tourists, and standing as still and contained as possible as they went down one floor. One stupid floor!  

Sapphire, Anali’s voice said in my mind, you don’t know these men, maybe one or all of them can’t do stairs.

 I smothered the righteous anger that my hunger had fueled in me. Almost there. Then food. You can do this. The toddler giggled. I opened my eyes and saw her trying to play peek-a-boo with me. I smiled and played along. Had I played peek-a-boo with strangers while on family vacations when I was little? Before the Sons of Belial hunted and murdered my parents. Before my mom hid me in the San Francisco foster care system. Before, I was unwanted and easy to abandon. 

Old fears and thoughts wormed up from deep inside my psyche.

One of the many social workers had tried to get me to talk about my feelings and warned me that the trauma I had been through would poison my relationships in the future.

That’s all this internal muck was. I had a family. I had Taliesin and my old wounds were making themselves known. Well, they were in the past, and I intended to keep them there.  

The elevator doors opened at the lobby. The sun-screened masses surged to the exit. I headed in the opposite direction through the restaurant, and out onto the bright patio. A quick scan and I found my group at the very end. Philip’s Mohawk, styled in all its salt and pepper glory, provided an easy marker. Of course, Miu’s high pigtails streaked with electric blue, Kayin’s and Sasha's red-streaked hair, and Taliesin’s long moonlight white hair made them easy to spot. 

Taliesin saw me, his blue eyes filling with joy, and my heart fluttered. No one had ever looked at me with such happiness. I wasn’t unwanted and easy to abandon anymore.  

Good morning, I said, sitting next to him.  

Morning, he murmured, kissing my cheek before laying an arm across my shoulder and relaxing back into the chair.  

I grabbed a slice of thick toast and a cup of coffee before settling against his side. I had eaten the toast and drunk half the coffee when a horn blew, and for the first time I focused on my surroundings. The patio overlooked Sydney Harbor. Boats busy for work and pleasure glided over the water and around the docks. The arches of the Sydney Opera House stood gleaming white in the morning sun. "It’s like Finding Nemo." 

Miu giggled. That is exactly what Kayin said. 

Kayin winked at me. Great minds think alike. 

I lifted my coffee cup in a toast. Exactly. 

Are you awake now? Philip asked, brushing crumbs off his scruffy chin.  

Depends, I answered, not wanting to spoil the cheerful mood. 

To start, I just want to check in with everyone. The past, Philip waved his hands as if trying to pull the answer from the air itself, week has been overwhelming.

Miu scoffed. What do you mean? The being shot at. Or running into poachers? Or the four days and five airplanes to get from South Africa to Sydney, Australia?

At least all the crazy was at the end of the trip, Philip said.

Da, I enjoyed Africa very much. Sasha grinned at me.

I ignored him, refusing to voice my jealousy over a certain goddess who has been overly affectionate with Taliesin.

I could use some more sleep to get my bearings, Kayin offered.

Philip nodded. Agreed, anyone else need anything?

A noise carried over the voices. No, not a noise, music, something deep and resonate, something I had heard in my dreams. What is that?

A didgeridoo, Taliesin said. The waiter told us there would be traditional music played this morning.

It sounds like my dream. A drum joined in and an instrument which reminded me of two sticks being hit together, but higher pitched.

Explain, Philip said.

In my dream I heard music like this, but it was more, like it had a magic and power to it. Frowning I rubbed my forehead. There were images, nothing I can remember, and I remember being scared but the music guided my heart and breath so I couldn’t panic.

Was it Cartazonon? Kayin asked.

No, it didn’t feel threatening, at least I don’t think so.

Well, that’s reassuring, Sasha snapped.

I glared at him. Did you dream of music?

No, I have been dreaming about the magical beings we have to save.

Enough. Philip’s sigh held a mix of guilt and resignation. Sapphire, please let us know if you have any other dreams.

I nodded and focused back on my coffee and toast.

I have been researching the jinn, and I wanted to update you. I believe it will explain the dreams Sasha has been having.  

Sasha sat straighter. "Da, maybe then they will stop. All I see are different magical beings rushing by, and I am flooded with a desperate sense of urgency." His hand shook. Kayin reached out, lacing their fingers together.  

Philip brought out a tablet and turned it on. I found this in the digital archive. 

The image on the screen showed brittle, aged paper with faded Hebrew lettering. It tells of Milcham, who was studying with the rabbis. He was only interested in gaining knowledge. Rarely would he share what he knew with the rabbis or join in any of the community gatherings. 

Philip’s Phoenix power of speech wrapped around me. His voice bought the scene to life in my mind. 

This is the story of a young woman, who was the light of her grandmother’s life. She fell and hit her head on a rock. Her grandmother, a healer, feared the girl would die. Having seen Milcham perform miracles and knowing a little of his travels and where he had studied, she begged him for help. 

Milcham refused, saying it wasn’t his place to interfere in the lives of beings beneath him. 

The young woman suffered greatly before she died. The grandmother prayed as she helped wash and prepare her granddaughter for burial. For the next year, she prayed for the ability to forgive and for her granddaughter’s soul. A year later, when they set her grave marker, the grandmother gave into the rage that continued to burn inside her. She called on the power of the Shekinah to guide her, to help her get vengeance on Milcham, the being who kept knowledge and power for himself, forsaking others. For days she fasted and prayed until a vision came to her. 

She asked her son to make two bronze wrist cuffs with hinges and a latch. When they finished, she etched a spell of binding into the cuffs. She carved the spell into the metal with a small knife. Her skin tore, blood and pain seeped into each letter. 

Insane from grief and rage, she walked into the library, making no attempt to hide. The men would ignore her, she was an old woman after all.

Philip paused for a moment and let the image of the ancient library fill our thoughts. Stone floors, flickering oil lamps, and shelves filled with scrolls, clay tablets, and books. Men sat at simple tables, hunched over the delicate are precious works.

Milcham was sitting alone, an old scroll spread out in front of him. Absorbed in his work, he didn’t notice when the first cuff snapped into place. ‘What is this?’ he asked as she latched the second one on him. 

The old woman said, ‘You refused to use your knowledge and power to help my granddaughter, so now I have taken your free will. You must obey your master.’ She began to chant, and the cuffs glowed, binding his powers. Desperate to escape, he changed from a solid being to one of shadows and light. It was useless, he could not escape. Screaming, he fell onto the table, knocking an oil lamp to the floor. The old woman reached out, holding onto a chair as she lost her strength. Still, she continued to chant, unwilling to let this man go. With her last words, Milcham became a jinn. All his power and knowledge would be at the mercy of his master, forced to grant whatever they wished. She died, her strength and life given over to vengeance. 

Milcham, fearing what had happened to him, used the tiny spark of free magic he still possessed to hide. His body vanished into the brass lamp lying on the floor next to him. Philip stopped, and the power from his voice faded.  

Hell, hath no fury like a woman scorned, Sasha said.  

I wouldn’t be surprised if this event started that saying, Philip said.  

Kayin’s eyes widened. Cartazonon wants to make more jinn.

Melusine, Miu whispered. If Milcham was a powerful being from Akasha, and the grandmother bound him using Earth magic, then that is what Melusine is for. 

And explains Sasha’s dreams, added Taliesin.  

Sasha nodded. I only see magical beings that are thought of as gods. We have to send them back to Akasha before Cartazonon captures one and makes them into a jinn.  

How? I asked, my voice cracking. There are still so many places we haven’t gone. So many powerful beings out there.  

Does Cartazonon even have the jinn yet? Taliesin wondered. Hiroshi’s dream drawings showed him and Melusine hunting for something, but did they find it? 

I thought over the images. I don't think so. They stopped hunting after… well, after Lee. After Shin died and Kayin killed Lee. I glanced at Kayin. His eyes were sad, but he appeared calm.  

So, do we go after the jinn or the magical beings that could be turned into a jinn? Philip asked.  

I want to go after Cartazonon, said Kayin.

I gasped as my brother’s desire for revenge slammed into me. Thick and sharp, his grief settled in my throat. I grabbed Taliesin’s hand to center myself. 

So do I, Big Brother, but we need to have a plan and information first, I said, hoping to soothe him. 

I think, said Sasha, that we should focus on the magical beings, for right now. 

From the dreams Shamash and Aya are sending you, that seems to be the best option, Miu agreed. 

Or at least the option they’re choosing for us. I sighed, thinking over everything. I wish I could go to Akasha in my dreams, like I used to do. 

Why not ask Five if he can help? suggested Philip. 

Five, the god Loki, one of the Phoenix King’s brothers, and a shapeshifter, had been watching over me since my mother had placed me in foster care. He even pretended to be my last caseworker, the one I nicknamed Five.

So far, I hadn’t bothered to call on him. I didn’t want to see him yet. I wasn’t sure how I felt about Five. From the beginning, Five had the power to change everything in my life but chose not to. He chose not to save me from the foster care system, chose not to interfere, chose the path my life would take, with what appeared to be little compassion or affection. Just as Milcham had done.  

I shrugged, hoping to pull off nonchalance. I suppose I could ask him. 

Philip nodded. When you’re ready, ask and see what happens, but for now we should focus on the information we have. 

I agree, we have no idea where the jinn is right now, but we know where the gateway stones are. Let’s focus on that, I said. Then turned to Kayin. For now, until we know more. 

Kayin nodded. 

Philip set down his coffee cup and rubbed his hands together. We have a master plan. Good thing I have the boat already booked. I can't wait to scuba dive again, it's been ages. 

Wait? What? Scuba dive? 

He nodded. 

Why do we need to scuba dive? The memory of the ocean pressing down on me made my heart pound, as if I was once again sinking into the cold, dark depths. 

Taliesin's arm tightened around me, chasing away the memory. 

There is a gateway stone which is part of the Great Barrier Reef. How else can we activate it? 

But I don’t know how to scuba dive, Kayin said.  

It was a valid argument, but I could tell there was no way out of this. 

Don’t worry, I have that covered. Philip grinned.  

Yep, no way out of this.  

Oh, great, our food is here.  

My stomach took over, my brain shoved the terrifying idea of scuba diving way, way, way, down, then buried it under a pile of my life's failures. Breathing in the delicious smells, I let my eyelids flutter in delight. Miu had ordered me toasted sourdough bread covered in avocado, poached eggs with crispy hash browns, and a bowl of fresh fruit.  

The avocado was rich and flavorful, the toast crunchy, and … what was that flavor something tangy and yeasty and pungent? Under the avocado was a thin dark brown layer coating the toast. This must be the infamous Vegemite. It was odd and not something I saw myself asking for, but it would not ruin my breakfast.  

Taking deep breaths of the sea salt air, basking in the warm sun, and eating, I pretended that worms of fear weren’t burrowing through my body.

Three

Taliesin in choreography mode was a mix of infuriating artistic brilliance