*Merna* We all had been getting ready for the gathering. There were disputes about how things were going to be handled. I would give my advice, but Kudiya found something to disagree with me. Several times he would remind me that I was a human born, and each time I would remind him that I was the creation of Pirapancam. For the longest time, we bickered back and forth. Resulting in Chaos raising his voice and slowly losing patience with all of us. Nearing the end I glared at Chaos and asked him what my position was. Which he replied as consort. Ending the dispute of my position and status I reminded Kudiya more than anyone else that that position was to advise. Advising is what I was doing, if they did not like what I had to say they could find another seer that could give them possible outcomes for the future. The only one that seemed to enjoy the whole scene was Alma. Both Chaos and I pinched the bridge of our noses when Alma started to jump up and down, finding this all hysterical. ‘My head hurts!’ I mentally told Chaos. “We will be going with the original plan. Everyone knows what they are to do!” Chaos brought his attention to Alma, “you are to control your inner impulses Alma!” With the sweetest smile that would break the hearts of the strongest males, “yes daddy!” “Merna!” Chaos growled my name, “while we are there you are not to antagonise my son!” I could not resist the opportunity to tease, “Son, that would imply one … You have two sons, which one would you be referring to?” Alma erupted into laughter while the others stifled their laughter. With a growl that I have come to enjoy, “MERNA!” I sped towards the exit, “I love it when you scream my name!” “You are one hair away from a spanking!” Chaos’s voice was dangerously low. I knew I should not push Chaos’s buttons anymore but I was being threatened with a good time. “Just one hair!” I put one finger up in the air, “and why the threat? Could you not turn that into a promise?” Bellowing, “WOMAN!” Pointing at Chaos, “Your room or mine?” Then pointing at me.Chaos inhaled loudly and allowed black mist to come out of his nose. I nodded my head once, “your room it is!” I pivoted and took a few steps. Before I was out of the room I yelled, “handcuffs or rope? Oh, how about both?” “For the love of all that is pure and innocent … Please give me the guidance to deal with this woman!” I heard Chaos yell followed by his offspring's laughter. *Master* All of us stepped out of the portal. The second Merna got to my side she whispered, “they know!” I looked down at her, “speak up and plainly!” Cheating her throat, “They know you have been visiting my mother a lot. They still believe that I am a human hybrid. Someone has been giving them information on some of the things that I have been able to do. All of your movements have been reported back as well. They also know that we have been active in your room. This tells me that we didn’t get all of the spies. Or?” “OR?” I glared at Merna waiting for her to continue. “How did you get this information by just getting here?” “The land is speaking to me!” Merna paused, “unlike you, they do not have strong enough wards to keep my wandering mind from tapping into information.” Merna smiled up at me, “I also know that you get the Mages to increase the efficiency of the wards on a regular routine!” She stifled a laugh, “the only way a spy could communicate and pass information is if they step outside of your barriers.” Smirking, “Do you blame me?” I started to chuckle, “Let’s go!” Lately, the only time I seem to smile is when Merna and I make eye contact. The fact is we are heading again into the lion's den. I was sure they were going to take this opportunity to get Merna away from me. Approaching my siblings, every eye was on myself and Merna. ‘I could not help but notice how fake everything is. From their hair to the decoration, everything is an illusion.’ Merna whispered in my mind. “Dear big brother!” One of my sisters cooed. “I did not know you were going to bring all of your offspring, how lovely to see you all!” ‘Attitude added to the list of fakery!’ Merna spoke to me. ‘Fakery is not a word!’ I glanced at Merna to see that she was glaring at my siblings with a lack of emotions. Much different from the last time we were here. The first time she was apprehensive, unsure of things. Gathering information by studying the location. This time she came here with a dagger glared and shields up. ‘It is now!’ She whispered back to me.I had to stifle a chuckle from erupting from my throat. Merna was not wrong with her observation. “Merna!” My eldest sister called out, “how nice to see you again. Do tell us, have you eaten yet?” Pappavar was the biggest threat to Merna. Not once, not twice but several times, Pappavar’s name had been mentioned. The one that wants Merna the most. The one who told me I had a year with Merna before she made her decision to stay or go. That it would be my temper that would push Merna away. Merna smiled sweetly, “Eaten? Would you be implying food or getting down on my knees? Details … it is important!” Moaning, ‘Merna!’ ‘What?’ Merna said slowly, ‘I am just getting started!’ She chuckled maliciously in my mind. “Has my dear brother fed you any food as of yet?” My sister's tone was stern. “In that case, no! I have refused each time he has offered!” Merna smirked, ‘she said food not drink!’ ‘Details are very important!’ I repeated Merna's favourite line. “Look at our selection, it could be that my brother does not meet your needs!” My sister gestured toward the food that was set on the table for everyone to see. I wanted to grab Merna’s arm as she took a step towards my siblings. We have a plan, each playing their part. Merna had, as she liked to put it, the easiest part. She was the bait! If I had to say it out loud I would say she was enjoying herself far too much. Merna’s arms were first behind her back, motioning her head from side to side. I was gauging my siblings' response to Merna’s behaviour. I was well aware of what they could do to Merna if given the chance. I still was not aware of what Merna could do to them. I could see the twinkle in my sister's eyes and the coy grins on my brother's faces. They anticipated Merna eating something that was on display. Each item of food had been imprinted with their sigil. Determining who the victim would belong to. “Eat whatever you would like, it is all delicious!” One of my brothers spoke up. Encouraging Merna to eat something. Briefly, I glanced back toward my offspring, each of them radiated a bit of uncertainty. Ashur and Zefer glanced at each other with a knowing look of wanting to jump on Merna to stop her from eating anything. Bringing my attention back to Merna she picked up one piece of food that my siblings had offered. I could see the enthusiasm in my sibling's eyes. Like vultures, they were ready to swarm around Merna the second they had the chance.Merna picked up the food, inspecting it while it was held in the air. My eldest sister was on the edge of her chair, “try it … I know you will love it!” “Blister beetle” Merna dropped the food on the ground and stepped on it. “Beetles of the family Meloidae … defensive secretion of a blistering agent … roughly seven thousand and five hundred species … worldwide!” Merna glared at my brother, “the owner of this insect would be Vantu!” Merna proceeded to pick up more food. “Red Bulldog ant!” Again Merna repeated herself, twisting her foot as she stomped on the food. “An Australian species with a painful sting!” Turning her head towards my sister, “Owner would be Visam! Poisons are your specialties!” ‘That's my girl!’ I whispered in Merna’s mind. “Assassin caterpillar! Or also known as Lonomia Obliqua!” Merna picked up a chocolate sweet. Dropping it to the ground she stomped on it. Turning her head towards my brother, “Kolaiyali your handy work!” “You insolent little …” My eldest sister started to scream. I could hear Merna in my mind. ‘She is the one that I saw!’ Merna spoke before my sister could finish. “Did you really think I was as smart as you?” ‘That would be Pappavar!’ I linked Both Merna and I turned our heads when we heard Alma starting to laugh. “Apologies father!” Alma covered her mouth with her hand to cover the remainder of her hyperness. “All of this food here is an illusion to make one think that it is sweet to eat. If you knew anything about me …” Merna took a step towards my eldest sister. “You would have known that I hate sweets. Two …” Merna held up two fingers to emphasize her point, “you would have known that I could see through your pathetic attempts at glimmering. You are not even close to my level of intelligence.” It happened fast! I blinked once and Merna was on the ground and my eldest sister was on her feet with her arm extended outwards. “Iruppu!” Merna said as she sat up. “What did you say, pathetic human-hybrid?” One of my brothers roared. ‘Get up!’ My body wanted to move toward Merna and aid her back to her feet, I could not show weakness. I watched Merna pick herself up off the ground. ‘It has begun!’ Merna said coldly in my mind. “Pappavar! The weakest version of a seer I have ever met!” Merna got up from the ground, “maybe when everyone was in their infancy of developing, you were considered the most powerful being … Now you are nothing!” “Merna!” I said my little pet's name, “come!” ‘Do I look like a mindless animal to you?’ Merna hissed in my head. ‘Stick to the plan, my little pet!’ I calmly said to her. Merna may not realize it but I can feel her energy growing. For a moment I thought Merna was going to be disobedient until she shuffled her feet in my direction. I placed my fingers under her chin, lifting her head so that I could see closer the mark that my sister had left her. Blood was oozing out of the wound. Her cheek was swelling up, already a bruise was already starting to form from the impact of my sister's backhand. I studied Merna, her eyes had blackened with no sign of light. This was the first time I thought twice about Merna’s existence. The scent was faint but still there, I could tell that Merna was struggling to control the rage that was building in her. Raw! Untampered! Rage! ‘Stop with this emotion … You are exciting to me!’ I told Merna as I let go of her chin. As Merna gilded towards my offspring, they circled her. Protecting her from my sibling's stares. I motioned towards my siblings. “Your pet is out of control brother!” My eldest sister yelled at me. “For someone that has the gift of sight, you should have seen this coming. Then again your visions have always been fickle at best.” I gauged the reaction of my siblings. “I thought Merna said she had not eaten anything!” Our youngest brother pointed out. I cleared my throat, “Merna does things of her own doing, she is … reliable! And for the issue of eating, you saw what she was able to do here, what makes you think she did not see through my glamorous?” “What is her lineage?” My youngest sister spat out at me. “Merna’s lineage is not your concern!” My tone showed my authority. “What is your concern is this … If you continue with these futile attempts to attack me, you will not like the outcome that is to come your way!” Our eldest sister started to laugh, “what can you do that we can not?” ‘Come up with a tactical plan to overthrow the other with little to no energy!’ Merna said coldly in my mind. I glanced back at Merna, she held a wicked smile that melted my blackened heart. Pointing towards the vines on the column, “it has already begun!” Merna motioned with her hand toward my siblings' illusions. “As mentioned, continue and you will not like the outcome that is bestowed on you!” Her tone was flat line. Every eye had turned to look at what Merna was speaking about. The vines indeed were starting to die. Everything that was near Merna when she fell was dead. The decay was spreading. The lingering hint of decay filters into our noises. The smell of rotting flesh and damp earth filtered off of Merna, “Pirapancam says hello by the way!” Merna had tilted her head to the side as she gave my siblings a wave. “You really should know who you are striking before you complete your actions. You never know what could happen.” Merna scrunched her face, “death could appear at any time!” Her tone was low, sending a shiver of excitement down my spine. We made eye contact, and I tilted my head to the side, ‘hmm!’ ‘Sorry I have no control over my temper at the moment!’ Merna whispered in my mind. ‘Please help me … I think I am about to erupt and I do not want you or your offspring to get hurt!’ “You have been warned!” I spat out at my siblings. Without a second thought, I wrapped my arms around Merna's small hip and guided her back to the portal. I would have cherished the expression and multiple questions that my siblings would have had. Yet my first instinct was to get everyone out of this location. Nearing the portal Merna whispered in distress, “Chaos … I am out of control! I can not …” I stopped walking and lifted Merna’s head. Her eyes were black obsidian with speak of gold and sapphire energy rapidly swirling around where her eyes should have been. “I can not control the rage and the need to … kill!” Merna whimpered. “I have a desire to go back and finish ruining their land!” “Do you understand what is going on?” I asked Merna as the temperature of her skin increased. “No!” Merna said as she clung to my cloak. “Did your mother ever tell you what your genetic origin was?” Ashur asked Merna. “No … mother only ever told me that I was different. Special to her!” Merna started to chuckle sarcastically. “That is something that all parents tell their children to make them think they are better than the next that stands besides them. Now I am starting to think that this special ment that I was very different from the others.” “I think your mother spliced your genetics with an atippa tai fae!” Ashur pointed out his thoughts. “Atippa tai fae!” Bau whispered, “is that not … they have been extinct for eons, are you sure?” “The ancient fae’s runs deeper than any of us know. No one has any idea of their time of creation. However, it would not disappoint me if she was more atippa tai than anything.” I told my offspring as I lifted Merna into my arms. Looking down at Merna, I noticed that she had passed out. “We will keep this to ourselves, tell no one. If Merna is part of the ancient bloodline of fae, this changes everything. I would rather keep this to us … most of all, do not even mention this to Merna or your mother. I will have to make a visit to Pirapancam … again!” I let out a low growl.