“I’m coming beautiful Cassie and I will kill everyone in my way until you are in my arms.” Trik ran and not even the wind could keep up with the Elfin King in pursuit of his Chosen.

~

Tarron watched as the humans tossed back the Rapture handed to them in the small glasses. They laughed in carefree merriment and continued to gamble more money than he had given them and more than they probably had in their bank accounts. It had been four days since they had begun giving Rapture to the humans and it was more effective than he could have hoped on the weak, selfish humans, seeking out pleasure with no regard to consequences.

So far the only thing that he had noticed was when Rapture began to wear off, the humans instinctively sought out more. It was like their bodies knew exactly what it craved. Though the addiction varied, the response to the drink was universal. Inhibitions flew out the window. Doubt, worry, stress, was all gone and all that remained was the pursuit of pleasure and what could bring that pleasure.

Tarron walked over to the bar and motioned for the elf who was acting as the bartender.

“Release it to the masses,” Tarron told him. The elf’s eyes widened.

“Is that direct from Lorsan?” He asked Tarron.

“Why else would I give an order? Now do as you’re told and offer it to every human who comes to the bar. Reveal the name of it and get them to talk about it so that it spreads like wildfire.”

Tarron turned to go, leaving the stunned elf to introduce the humans to Rapture and a smile crept up his cruel mouth as he thought about the one thing he had not reported to Lorsan. When Rapture wore off on the males they did not simply seek it out, they hunted for it. They became predators and violence poured off of them in waves. The first night they had had two males nearly kill each other when one received the Rapture before the other. It didn’t seem to affect the females in the same way. Tarron had yet to isolate the distinction, but he imagined that it must have something to do with the Y chromosome they carried.

Security had called the police and had the males arrested. When Tarron called one of their contacts at the police department, he found out that the males had to be placed in cells by themselves because they were so violent. Since then Tarron had made sure to have waitresses following the males who were drinking the Rapture ready to refill their glass when the effects wore off. But tonight there would not be enough waitresses to follow every male who would consume the addicting drink. Tonight the humans would begin their self-destruction, one drink at a time.

~

“We have to do something,” Elora stomped into the storeroom of Enigma.

“What can we possibly do?” Lisa asked. “Tamsin and Syndra said to give him time. They w ill act when they feel the time is right.”

“It’s been five days Lisa, five days and he hasn’t come back. That tells me that something is wrong. Trik needs help.”

“I suppose that you are the one to aide him?” Elora’s head snapped around as the saw Syndra step from the mirror into the storeroom.

“Well if you yahoo’s aren’t going to go get my best friend then yes, I am the one who will go and help him.”

“You do not know your way, or even where to begin,” Syndra pointed out.

Elora rolled her eyes. “Yeah well Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it was built so don’t count me out just yet.”

“What is your plan?” Syndra asked as she pulled a chair over and sat down.

“Storm the castle, kill the evil psycho elf, save the damsel, and get the hell out of dodge before it all comes crashing down.” Elora folded her arms across her chest and tapped her foot. “What do you think?”

“It has potential,” Syndra smiled. “I’ve been to see Cassie’s parents.”

“What did you tell them?” Lisa asked.

“I convinced them that they had seen Cassie today and had a pleasant chat. They think she is fine and going away for the weekend with you two.”

“How exactly did you convince them of that?” Elora’s eyes narrowed at the Light Elf Queen.

“Elora dear, you already have seen, and heard more than any human should. Let’s keep things on a need-to-know basis, shall we?”

Elora snorted. “Does that include my demise? You will be a dear and make my death a need-to-know issue right?”

Syndra’s smile widened. “I assure you, you will be the first to know when the time comes for your last breath.”

“How kind of you,” Elora said deadpan.

“Now,” Syndra stood up and clapped her hands together. “If you are ready, I do believe we have a King to help and a friend to save.”

“Finally, someone says something worth listening to,” Elora breathed out a sigh of relief.

Syndra headed towards the mirror and as she began to walk through it she called out over her shoulder.

“You probably won’t live through this Elora dear.”

Elora rolled her eyes. “I changed my mind, I don’t need to know anything, just keep your big mouth shut.” Elora heard Syndra’s laugh as she was engulfed by the mirror. She looked over at her mom and shrugged. “You ready for this?”

Lisa nodded without hesitation. “Cassie is family. We will get her back and if anyone isn’t going to make it through this it’s me. You had better live, Elora, or I will be very ticked off.”

“Don’t die,” Elora nodded as she put one foot through the mirror, “maimed, crippled, grotesquely disfigured, okay, but dead is a no go. Got it.”