brutal king that couldn’t be swayed by a greased palm.
In other words, we were fucked if we were caught meddling in mortal life in a way that impacted the future. Hence why I took more nervous steps, stumbling due to the rough treatment of Pan and his unyielding hold on me. However, the closer we got to the south porch, the more I could sense that whoever we were meeting was a mortal… and not one of our kind.
“Did you do it, did you do as was promised to me?” the man, who was no more than in his forties, asked. He donned a white wig and had jowls like a large dog.
“They have been released, and as we speak scratching their hides amongst English limbs,” Pan answered with a dangerous smirk, making me frown.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I questioned, knowing he was talking about the rats, and wondered what it meant that they were scratching themselves amongst the mortals. Both men then sneered at me, before the man in the shadows gave me an appreciative look up and down, and said,
“And who is this young filly, for clear it be she is no boy?” I rolled my eyes but was stopped from answering as Pan did so for me, and not in a nice way.
“She's no one, a mere tool, and one I used to acquire what was needed to get the job done.” I huffed at this but knew to hold my tongue, for we were out of sight and therefore I was unprotected by the witness of others.
“Well, I would like to use her as a tool for my cock.” I scrunched up my nose in disgust, knowing that if he came anywhere near me with that thing, I would snap it off in a second. I didn’t know what it was about my disgusted look that pleased him, but he seemed happy about it.
“Yes, well that will cost you extra, but as for now, you know what I require.” I huffed at this and looked up at Pan in utter shock! I mean yes, he hadn’t exactly been the best champion of mine, but he had never been willing to prostitute me before.
Oh yes, it was time to let Pan go alright, and right after he placed coin in my hand I was getting out of London for good… before the shit fell amongst the cobble and I ended up Kickerapoo.
“I acquired the Oracle stones, yes,” the man said, making my jaw drop in shock.
“Pan,” I said his name in warning for this was bad, as in extremely so. Upon the word of the Gods, we were dabbling in forces far from our depth, and the seriousness of my situation had hit me like a King’s guard. What the Hell’s hounds had Pan gotten me into this time?!
“Silence your tongue! Now, hand me the stones as was promised.” The man nodded and pulled the leather pouch from his waist before handing it over to Pan, who was quickly tugging at the cord.
“It came with a warning but alas I cannot fathom a reason beyond one of superstition.”
“Tell me!” Pan demanded as he tipped the four different coloured moonstones onto his hand, making me gasp at the sight of them, for I had heard the part they would play in the prophecy and who they were destined for… all my kind had.
The King’s Electus.
His mortal Chosen One, and one destined to change our worlds entwined. By the Gods what had Pan been thinking for this wasn’t just a death sentence, this was a sentence handed down by the Devil himself!
This was the reason I started to step away from them both before Pan grabbed me and yanked me back, snarling down,
“You go nowhere, Flittermouse.” Then he nodded for the mystery man to continue.
“The witch I acquired them from told me that there are only four times such moonstones can be used, and if you miss one opportunity then hundreds of years will pass before the next moon is right, for the power of creation and binding will only be awakened after each phase lights the sky,” he said, in a way that you could tell that even he didn’t understand it and why would he… he was mortal.
“The comet will soon light the skies and reveal its first opportunity,” Pan said, with wide eyes full of greed and dark intent as he gazed down at his treasure. So, this had been his plan all along,