The Fae King's Return: The Giftless Chronicles, #5

By J. Franklin Snyder

The Fae King has returned, and he's out for blood!

The end of The Giftless Chronicles saga! After years of plotting, Corinne's true enemies have finally shown their faces. The Fae King will stop at nothing, including the deaths of Corinne's family and friends, to conquer the world. The Fae King's sworn enemies, Corinne and the clans of The Knights of the Round Table, are but a shadow of their former strength. The Hunting clans have been losing their powers for over a century. Their only hope was aid from the Assessors Office.

Unfortunately, Corinne's other nemesis, the ruthless chief of the Assessors Office, wants to ban her clan from Hunting monsters. Summoned to Washington, D.C., Corinne must do the impossible: unite the Hunting clans, reignite their powers, thwart the Chief Assessor's schemes, and take the fight to the Fae. Can she do it all in time to save the world? What will it cost to do so?

• Language: English
• Publisher: J. Franklin Snyder
• Release date: Oct 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223084679

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Prison Rescue

Prison transport van #43 rumbled down the highway. Prisoner 100558, a petite woman in her forties, sat alone in the vehicle on one of the benches. Gray streaked her dark brown hair, and the crinkles around her eyes spoke of kindness rather than anger.

How long till we get to the prison, Jorge? She said patiently. A strong French accent graced her calm voice. The man reminded her of someone from long ago, but she couldn't remember who.

Jorge, a tall man with jet black hair and thick build, once again considered the small woman. He smiled at her faintly. We'll get there soon.

She nodded politely. Thank you. If it is not too much trouble, I would like a bit of water.

He nodded and handed her a bottle of water. She unscrewed the cap and drank. When she finished, she said, I should like to thank you, Jorge.

The big man tilted his head sideways. Why?

Some of the guards have not treated me with kindness, but you did.

The man appeared almost uncomfortable with her compliment. Just doing my duty, Ma'am.

Even so, I am grateful. She took another sip of the lukewarm water. You do remind me of someone.

Who?

She thought for a moment and then snapped her fingers. You remind me of a man named Lamorak! He was tall and imposing, but underneath he was the kindest man you would ever meet.

He stared at her for a moment. You know, sometimes this job is hard.

How so?

I can guard the meanest, most despicable human beings and go home and sleep easy.

And why is that?

They hurt people, kill people. Those people deserve everything that's coming to them. After a while, you start being able to sense who the really bad ones are. You're not one of them, are you?

She smiled. No, Jorge, I'm not.

He pursed his lips, and then his eyes became sad. You start getting a good nose for those kinds of people, too. It's the nice ones, the ones where I get the sense that they'd done nothing wrong, those are the ones that keep me up at night.

Her heart broke for him. I am sorry, monsieur. If it makes you feel any better, I want you to sleep well tonight.

Jorge said nothing but banged on the cage separating the driver's seat from the rest of the van. Rob, what's our ETA?

Rob didn't take his eyes off the road. I'd say about thirty minutes, give or take.

Jorge turned back to the prisoner. There's your answer.

She flashed a kind smile. She hoped that it would help him have some peace.

A powerful blast interrupted them, sending the van careening off the road and crashing into a large oak. They struck with high velocity, and Prisoner 100558 banged her head on the side of the van.

Her head swam as she fought to regain consciousness. This had to be her daughter's work. Try as she might, she couldn't regain consciousness in order to defend herself.

Rob! Jorge yelled. Rob didn't answer. He turned to her. Prisoner!

She tried to speak, but her head seemed to swim in fog. Hot blood trickled down the side of her face.

The van door was ripped off, and three large men stood there, weapons drawn and masks covering their faces. Jorge weakly tried to grab his pistol, but it was too late. One of them shot Jorge in the chest and arm with his shotgun. The impact threw Jorge backward and he slumped over.

Humans, the man with the shotgun said derisively.

The last thing Prisoner 100558 saw before she lost consciousness was the second one, thinner than the others, entering the mangled van and stand over her.

***

John Blackstone raced down the road with his father, Anthony. Corinne hadn't given them much time to prepare, so they'd stocked up on what they thought they might need: machetes, guns, crossbows, garlic grenades, the works. Hopefully, it would be enough. He and his dad put on hats and masks in case of cameras. They couldn't afford to be seen.

It was at highway marker 35 that they saw the van. Outside of it were three armed men. One was carrying a woman to their own car. John's father slammed on the brakes behind it, and John jumped out before the SUV came to a complete stop. He aimed his crossbow and pulled the trigger. The wooden bolt released and slipped into the chest of the one carrying the shotgun. John was rewarded with an explosion of dust. So, they were vampires then. Corinne was right. Good. That would make this a lot easier.

The other two overcame the shock of their friend's death and raised their own weapons in response. But it was too late. Anthony had parked his car and stepped out of the driver's side. He spotted the one that was not carrying the woman, and shot him in the head with his pistol.

The man whose arms were full with the woman had to put her down, and this gave John the time that he needed to tackle him. The man snarled and bared his teeth. He punched John in the chest, and John fell back into the wet grass. John pulled out his magic knife. Many monsters required special weapons, like stakes for vampires, in order to kill them. This knife could kill anything if placed in the appropriate spot. It had been a gift by a friend who was now an enemy, and it had saved his life many times. John tried to sink the knife into the man's chest. The thin man blocked, knocked it away, and struck John in the face. John fell to the ground, the knife landing several feet away. The man pulled out a gun and tried to shoot John, but he was shocked when an arrow sank into his heart. He disintegrated into dust. John turned his gaze to his father, who was lowering his crossbow.

Nice shot, Dad.

Anthony smiled. I've been practicing. He pointed to the vampire he'd shot in the head. The monster's head wound was closing. You need to get off your backside and kill that one, though.

John scrambled back to his feet and pulled a machete out of its sheath. He'd practiced with quite a few of these, and he'd come to like this one. It was called a kukri knife, and its large blade curved inward just like Corinne's Sword. He walked over to the healing vampire and chopped off its head with a single blow.

While he'd busied himself with that, Anthony had brought his first aid kit to the injured woman.

Morgana, he said gently, Can you hear me? He placed two fingers on her neck to check her pulse.

Morgana's head was bleeding, and she whimpered.

She's still alive, Anthony said. He checked her for wounds. She took some bruises and scrapes in the crash, but it looks like the head injury is the only serious wound. We will have to check for others when we get home. He put some procoagulant on her wound, and then he cradled Morgana in his arms and placed her into the back of his pale blue SUV.

John went to get in the other side, but Anthony waived him off.

You'll need to get their weapons and gear and then drive their car somewhere to ditch it. Maybe that patch of woods a few miles back.

John smacked his forehead. Corinne's orders, right.

That's right. I'll check the van and try to save whomever I can before I leave, Anthony said. I'll meet you at home.

After John put the vampire's weapons in the car, he sat down in the driver's seat of the vampire's car, careful to not touch anything and leave fingerprints. He turned the key in the ignition. The vehicle hummed to life.

Emilee's not gonna be happy about this, he said with a smile. Then, he drove off.

CHAPTER TWO

The Trap

"Is the trap ready?" Emilee asked into her microphone. She'd been staying in this stupid warehouse for the past week, and she was getting antsy.

Of course, it is, babe, Donovan's youthful baritone voice came through. Don't get all uptight. He said it playfully, but Emilee fought the urge to growl. She hated being bait. Waiting for someone to come after her was much more infuriating than going after the other person. It's why she'd sent Medraut to kill Corinne. But her idiot brother couldn't even do that right, and all he'd managed to do was cause the roundabout death of Corinne's mother and the re-ignition of Corinne's Gift.

Guilt twinged in Emilee's gut. She hadn't meant to cause the death of a noncombatant, particularly not one so close to her love. But Emilee buried the guilt. Death was part of her work. If she was to do her part, then she couldn't afford those kinds of feelings.

She also was in desperate need of a Conduit. Unfortunately, they'd struggled to find their quarry, and with her team failing to capture Morgana, it meant Emilee needed to take a risk if she wanted to stay on schedule. She didn't know which faction—werewolf, Hunter, Assessor, or unaffiliated—had taken Morgana, but it didn't really matter. She'd find and kill her moth—that sorceress.

The skylight above her creaked open, and Emilee forced herself to continue working at her computer instead of looking up into the night sky. If the noise above her was who she hoped it was, then she couldn't give away the game, not yet. Not when she was so close. In light of fifteen hundred years of waiting, she could wait a few more minutes.

A clawed hand reached for the back of Emilee's blond head.

Hello, Annis, Emilee said calmly.

She felt powerful magic welling up behind her. That was a good thing. It meant that they had the right monster. Emilee could feel powerful energies being summoned, which also was good. It meant that Annis would do for the ritual.

Emilee spun her desk chair around. Annis, in her usual disgusting way, floated above the ground. Her soulless black eyes shown from her pale blue face, and she looked more like a withered old crone than an incredibly powerful, supernatural being.

Annis' claws stopped their progress, and confusion rippled across her face for a moment. But then she re-extended her claws and flew toward Emilee.

Emilee leaped to one side and pressed a button. A large net flung over the monster, and vampires who'd been hiding dragged the net to the ground. Annis shrieked and thrashed about.

Emilee walked over and gave in to her urge to gloat. It's been a while, hasn't it? Not since Chicago, Emilee said in a way she knew would irritate the bogeywoman. How are you?

Annis screamed in frustration. Ye killed my sisters. Why don't ye just kill me, too? Her English midlands accent was especially angry tonight.

Emilee crouched down and grinned into Annis' ink-black eyes. I'm not going to kill you, silly goose. I have better plans for you. Anyone ever tell you that you make a better conduit than a monster?

Annis' eyes widened with terror. She raged, and with a cry of superhuman effort she blew the net apart. Emilee and the vampires were flung backward.

Emilee scrambled back to her feet. She hadn't been expecting that. The net was laced with iron and should have held the creature. Get her! she yelled.

One of her vampires tried to grab the woman, but Annis sliced off his head with a clean sweep of her claws. Two more suffered the same fate.

Is that all ye've got, deary? Annis spat.

Emilee sighed. Fine. I'll do it myself. She chanted quickly and threw two fireballs at Annis.

Annis dodged and then charged Emilee.

Emilee pretended like she was going to send another fireball as Annis flew at her. At the last second, when Annis had almost reached her, Emilee said another word and aimed at the ground right in front of herself. It was an incantation that Emilee knew well. Her mother had taught it to her long ago. But she'd not used it in a long time, and the incantation took a fraction longer to activate than it should have.

Annis' claws pierced Emilee's shoulder for a split-second before Annis was violently pushed back. She crashed through the computer, sending a shower of plastic, metal, and glass everywhere.

Pain shot through Emilee's shoulder, but she refused to cry out as she clutched it.

Babe! Donovan yelled as he ran through the doorway.

Took you long enough! Emilee said. She took her hand off her shoulder and pointed at Annis. Don't let her escape.

Concern clouded Donovan's eyes. You're wounded.

It doesn't matter, Emilee said through gritted teeth. Go!

Annis had begun a hasty retreat, but Donovan caught up with her before she reached the door. He brought his fists down like a sledge hammer on top Annis. The force smashed the monster into the ground, knocking the wind out of her. She coughed and sputtered as she tried to get back up.

Emilee hurried behind Donovan and said another incantation. Unseen forces pinned Annis' arms and legs to the ground.

Hurry, Emilee said, I can't hold her for long.

Donovan ran and got iron chains. In a swift motion, he clamped them down on Annis' wrists and ankles.

Emilee sighed in relief as she released Annis. Emilee hadn't used that much power in years. She didn't have a lot left, and she didn't want to use that until The Return.

When he was finished, Donovan walked over to her. She pressed her pale body into his tall, muscular body. Thank you, love, she said.

He leaned down and kissed her.

He was a good kisser. Emilee loved that about him, as well as his dark eyes and warm brown skin. And they'd accomplished so much together. With those powerful Hunter muscles, he was the perfect enforcer to her plans.

She returned his kiss. The timeline is back on track. Father will be proud.

CHAPTER THREE

Kerrigan's Request

Corinne, her father called to her out of the sliding glass door, The Assessors will be here soon. You should probably get ready.

Corinne stopped hitting her Filipino sticks against a tire and mopped her dark brow. Though it was still a chilly spring day, the bright morning sun had warmed her too much, and sweat had soaked her shirt. Ok, Dad, I'll be right in.

Her father hefted Corinne's baby sister Christianna, a squirming toddler, upward on his hip and rubbed his shaved head. He looked uncomfortable, but then, he always looked uncomfortable around Corinne.

All right. I'll see you soon, he said. He closed the sliding door and disappeared inside the house.

Corinne closed her eyes and let the cool Michigan wind evaporate her sweat. Though they lived in the same house, she felt as far apart from her father as ever. That's what happened when you told your father that you hated him. Being responsible for the death of your mother didn't help things either.

Unbidden, emotional pain settled within her. By this point it had become a constant companion, a dull, steady ache in her breast. She closed her eyes, stilling the errant emotions.

After a second, She opened her eyes and jogged over to her house. She slid the glass door open and made her way up the stairs to her bedroom. She hastily grabbed a gray, cotton dress and some other necessaries and went to the bathroom. After a quick shower, she threw on the dress and began work on her long black hair.

Her mother used to brush her hair, and Corinne had sometimes dreaded her mother tugging on the knots. But now Corinne would give anything to spend that time with her mother again. The flash of memory stirred up the pain, and a cold lump began to form in her chest. This had happened too many times over the past several months. The pain was awfully inconvenient. She breathed deeply and forced the lump to lessen. She would mourn her mother only when her enemies were finally destroyed.

She looked at her cream-colored face in the mirror, and studied the two long scars that were etched into its left side. The newest scar, the one that traced an ugly red line above and below her eye, was given to her by her own Sword during a battle with the assassin Medraut. Its bottom portion nearly connected with the other scar, a long smooth thing that traveled along her jawline from her temple almost to her mouth. That one had been given by Medraut's sister Emilee. Of the two, Corinne would take the most delight in killing her.

She covered the scars as best she could with her hair. She'd long ago stopped trying to cover them with makeup. They were magic and apparently refused to be covered. Then she gazed in the mirror at her deformed, oval face and into her amber eyes.

You deserve this, she said to herself.

When she finished, she set down the brush on the sink and trudged down the steps for a late breakfast. Her two other siblings, nine-year-old twins Daniel and Cynthia already sat there, munching their cereal.

Daniel's face lit up when he saw her. Hi Corinne!

She mustered the happiest smile she could and ruffled his hair. She almost ran her fingers through Cynthia's blond curls, but Cynthia squirmed away and glared at her.

The cold lump in Corinne's chest grew again, but she pushed it away and got herself some cereal.

***

By the time she heard the Assessors roll up the driveway, Corinne had already found her seat in the living room and was attempting to read a book of poetry by James Weldon Johnson. She set it down when she heard her father open the door in the other room.

Good morning, he said. Corinne could hear the wariness in his voice. Wariness was a worthwhile feeling when dealing with Chief Assessor Janet Kerrigan. She was the unscrupulous bureaucrat who was trying to stop her family from being allowed to Hunt.

Hello, Mr. Durham, Assessor Janet Kerrigan said in her pompous voice. My, how Corinne hated it! I wish to keep our visit brief. May we come in?

So, she was with someone. Corinne filed that information away. Who would it be? Corinne's pulse quickened.

Of course, said her father. She's in the living room.

Corinne stood, smoothing her dress, and waited for her enemies to reveal themselves. Kerrigan was the first to turn the corner into the living room. The Assessor was wearing an expensive black pantsuit, which offset her pale skin and jaw-length brown and gray hair.

Kerrigan's minion was also there, Stephanie Bacco. She rested one hand on the hip of her blue dress while her other held a tablet.

Corinne motioned to the couch across from her. Please take a seat.

Kerrigan and Bacco sat down opposite Corinne. She forced herself to sit slowly and regally, just like she'd seen her great-grandmother do a couple months back. She'd admired how the action had the effect of forcing others to your timetable.

Corinne's smile did not reach her eyes. What brings the Chief Assessor and her deputy to our home before the Grand Assize has even begun? Thankfully, the sentence came out smoothly. Corinne had been practicing this conversation in her head for about a week.

Kerrigan smoothed a stray hair on the side of her head. We have two items to discuss with you.

I see, Corinne said, placing her hands in her lap. And what is your first?

It was Bacco who asked the question. She cleared her throat. "A...guest of ours was abducted a couple weeks ago." She eyed Corinne, looking for a response.

Corinne didn't give her one.

Bacco continued. She was a friend of yours, Morgan le Fay.

Corinne's eyebrows lifted in mock surprise. A friend? I never met the woman.

That's all you're going to say? Bacco said. She was captured while saving your life!

Corinne smiled. And I'm grateful, but I'm not sure what this has to do with me. What happened? Do you know who tried to kidnap her?

Bacco scowled. Corinne took pleasure frustrating the stout woman. We were transporting her to a new safe house. Someone intercepted her transport and killed one of her guards. The other guard is still in critical condition.

Interesting, Corinne said, And this has to do with me because?

Did you have anything to do with her abduction? Bacco demanded.

Corinne's eyes narrowed. You want to know if I killed a guard and abducted someone?

Answer the question! Kerrigan interjected.

Corinne sighed. No, I didn't abduct Morgan or have anything to do with injuring and killing your guards. It was true, insofar as it went. She'd rescued the Sorceress from her abductors, and Anthony had even given some first aid and called in the wreck to the emergency responders. The other guard had been saved by her efforts.

Bacco ground her teeth, but said nothing further.

Is that all? Corinne said. I thought you said that there were two items.

Kerrigan took the lead. The second item has to do with the Grand Assize.

Yes?

I'd like to offer a deal, a compromise. Consider this the one and only offer.

That surprised Corinne. She crossed her arms. What is it?

The Assessors are prepared to drop charges against your family. We'll reinstate your family as Hunters and give you full privileges and assistance.

How generous of you, Corine said, wryly.

I haven't finished, Kerrigan responded testily. We will do all of that, but only if you recognize our oversight.

Your 'oversight' is a lot like control, Corinne said.

Kerrigan shook her graying head. You Hunters are loose cannons. You need someone giving you guidance. Surely you can see that.

Corinne had had enough of Kerrigan. She rose to her full five feet and one inch height. Maybe we do need oversight, but not yours.

Kerrigan also stood, easily towering over Corinne. "This is your last chance. Accept now, or put yourself at the mercy of the Assize. Rest assured, I—we will win. We always do."

Corinne's eyes blazed, but she kept her voice calm and quiet. Get out, and don't come back.

Kerrigan looked down at Bacco, who was still seated. Let's go.

I'll walk you to the door, Corinne said, faking a smile.

CHAPTER FOUR

Friends

"Now remember, Madelyn, her great-aunt Lucja said, her thick Polish accent sounding worried, This turn comes up quickly. Slow down."

Madelyn smiled. Aunt Lucja drove like an old lady and wanted her to as well. Since Madelyn didn't want her aunt to have a heart attack, she obediently pressed her foot against the brake pedal.

You didn't have to come with me, you know.

This time, it was Aunt Lucja's turn to give a smile. Like the rest of her, the smile was gray. It might have been better classified as a grimace. Madelyn sometimes couldn't tell with her great aunt.

It's been a couple weeks since I stopped by and checked on the Durhams.

I see, Madelyn said. Her aunt had made it a personal mission to ensure the Durhams' well-being. I'm sure the baby is fine.

It's not the baby I'm worried about, Aunt Lucja replied.

Madelyn stole a sideways glance at her aunt. For a woman who never had children, Aunt Lucja had a surprising amount of concern for them. As they pulled into the driveway of the Durham household, Madelyn could almost feel the sadness suffocating the house. Maybe that was her own darkness, the monster that dwelt within her.

Madelyn had been infected by Black Annis, an English bogeywoman, a year ago. The curse had made her become like Annis. She'd had a strong desire to feed on unruly children. She'd done her best to control her need to punish them. She'd succeeded mostly, but every so often the desire began to build.

Thankfully, the rotten kids had to be pretty bad in order for her to feed on them, and none of her friends were that bad. Yet. A darkness seemed to hover over Corinne for the past several months.

Madelyn and Aunt