"Seelie and Unseelie, Wild Folk and Shy Folk, I am glad to have you march under my banner, glad of your loyalty, grateful for your honor. To you, I offer honey wine and the hospitality of my table. But to traitors and oath breakers, I offer my queen's hospitality instead. The hospitality of knives."
-Holly Black

Two fairy knights walked by Lisa's side, she had been summoned by the Queen. Most of all, she wanted to turn around, back to her safe starry room, where she'd been trapped for the past few hours. Maybe longer.

She twirled her father's ring in her hand, it had small cracks in it from the fall, Moira would have to mend it. She felt alienated to walk around with wings. It didn't help that the elves gave her superior looks, either. Thomas had forced her to show her wings, she did not dare to put on the ring to test whether it still worked.

Lisa's lips parted as they reached the throne room. Knights in gold and silver armor looked her way. The leaves of a tree filtered the bright sunlight. A guard shoved her forward, causing her feet to move again.

She stepped down to the stairs on which the throne stood and stopped at the first step. Lisa's head was bowed down, never before had she been so afraid to look someone in the eye as with the Queen. She heard the loud clicking of her footwear on the stone steps, a pair of crystal heels appeared in Lisa's field of vision. Her face was lifted by long fingers.

She looked straight into the face of the fairy, the Queen looked exactly the same as the day she killed her father. Anger bubbled up inside her, she pressed her nails into her palm. What were the chances that she could give the Queen a good kick without her killing Lisa right away? The fairies clearly needed her in their nefarious plan. Her blue eyes – without whites – slid to Lisa's wings.

"Did you enjoy your stay in my Court, little niece?" She spat out that last word. So it was true, her father Emyr had been the rightful heir to the throne. Lisa nodded briefly to answer her questioning look.

She laughed, her head towards the ceiling, some pixies giggling along. The Queen turned and walked up the stairs, swaying her hips. She took advantage of the situation to glance at Thomas, who was also in full armour among the elves. He looked at the Queen with lustful eyes, as if she were a goddess.

Lisa bit her tongue hard, the pain brought her back to the here and now. She fixed her gaze on the fairy woman, who was pulling something from behind her throne. It was the scepter. For the first time, she saw the legendary weapon up close. The woman laid the long stick in Lisa's hands. She could feel the weight of pure gold and ran her fingers over the rune decorations. The red ruby ​​glowed momentarily and dulled when she touched it. She knew the weapon was dangerous, best ending up at the bottom of the ocean. Still, she found it difficult to take her eyes off it.

"Now, little angel, you must activate it for me." The Queen smiled sweetly and folded her hands in front of her. She radiated confidence, as if she was sure Lisa was going to do what she asked of her.

Lisa hesitated. If she were to activate the scepter, it would mean the end of her shadowhuntership, forever, for everyone. That was only a small sacrifice, because otherwise, war would follow. But maybe they could beat the elves.

"I see you need some encouragement." She looked up in surprise at the fairy woman, she grinned, staring at a point behind her.

Lisa turned her head suspiciously, her jaw dropped in horror. There were her friends, held by guards. She felt her eyes burn, they had come to rescue her. Only then did she realise she was threatening them. The elves had their swords pointed at them.

"Don't think you're special, little Nephilim. My brother's blood flows through you, but I could replace you any time soon." She laughed her fake laugh and then went on, her words piercing her skin like daggers. "If you're too weak to activate the scepter, I and your beloved Thomas will provide a second half-breed." She cast a haughty glance at the boy. Lisa widened her eyes. "He's got better genes than your weak mother, isn't it Centurion?" Thomas bowed his head, her blood began to boil when she saw his grin.

She had no way out, the Queen would get what she needs anyway. Fortunately, Lisa had been able to come up with a plan. One with little chance of success, but it was better than nothing.

"Don't do it Lisa," she heard Jonathan's familiar voice yell behind her. A dull slap and cursing followed. She closed her eyes.

"I will do as you ask of me, Lady." She made a curtsy. Much to her relief, she was too vain to see through her bluff poker.

"Formidable." She handed Lisa an old-looking book. "You are the bridge between the shadowhunter and Elf realms. Read this incantation to transfer the power of Nephilim to Seelies."

Lisa took a deep breath and looked at the incantation. She silently thanked Marianne for the Latin lessons as she began to speak.

The scepter vibrated like a magnet drawn to the ceiling. Sparks of red light jumped from the gem. Just as she spoke the last word, the ruby ​​lit up completely.

"Magnificently." The Queen eagerly took the scepter from her hands and pushed Lisa aside. She lost her balance and fell into the grass, before she knew it a guard took her by the arm.

"Let's see if the scepter still works after all these years." The fairy woman's hair glowed as red like the ruby, looking even more imposing than usual. Lisa swallowed, what had she done?

The red-haired woman pointed to Anna, who shot back a scathing glance. "You there, come here." The guard holding her parabatai moved.

"No!" Everyone's eyes shifted to Olivia, who was desperately trying to reach Anna.

"Ah, young love, so devoted and innocent." Lisa watched in horror as the Queen laughed, clearly enjoying the pain. "Raven girl, come to me." She snapped her finger impatiently.

Olivia tore herself free from her guard and headed for the elf, head held high. Anna sputtered, wriggled around corners, and shouted. Nothing helped.

Meanwhile, Olivia was on her knees at the feet of the fairy woman who was aiming the scepter at her forehead. She spoke a few words, a red beam hitting Olivia's slender body.

She flew backwards from the shock, her body jerking on the floor. She watched her runes burn away. Lisa squeezed her eyes shut. The sound of Anna's screams went through my heart. Tears streamed down her cheeks, she didn't open her eyes until the screaming stopped. A grin crossed the Queen's face. Lisa was still staring at Olivia's body, hoping for some sign of life. From the corner of her eye, she could see Anna's unsteady breathing calm down as the girl worked herself up on her elbows. She breathed a sigh of relief, Olivia seemed unharmed. Besides the fact that her runes were scorched.

"Monster!" cried Anna, brave as ever. "She never did you any harm." The fairy stepped over Olivia's body and moved slowly towards her parabatai. Though her steps were small and controlled, she could see how hard she was clinging on to the scepter.

Everyone looked back in surprise when one of the elves spoke, "Have we ever done anything wrong to you?" The boy, dressed in golden armor, took a step forward. Unlike most elves, he wasn't as pale as snow, his dark skin stood out against the rest. Judging by his jewels and armor, he was high in rank. "But some elves have conspired with Morgenstern against the shadowhunters."

He cast a reproachful look at the Queen, something she certainly didn't appreciate. To Lisa's surprise, she stood still, even smiling at the boy. He had to be highly regarded, otherwise, his head would have been separated from his body by now.

"We are unjustly punished by the actions of others, without having any say in the matter. It's time for the Clave to turn down a notch," he completed.

The guards behind him cheered. The sound of their cry sent shivers down Lisa's spine, the Queen was clearly not alone. Backed by the encouragement of her people, she took a step forward. She stood right in front of Anna and jabbed her index finger at the girl.

"I just saved your girlfriend." She gestured to Olivia, who was fully recovered. "Ungrateful hussy."

She saw the confusion in Anna's eyes. Saved? she heard in her head as if a Silent Brother spoke. It took her a while to realise it was Anna's voice. The queen lifted the scepter high into the sky, the ruby ​​refracted the light, colouring the floor bloody red.

"That's right," she said haughtily, "this scepter can burn away much more than just runes, you just have to know how to use it." She grinned. "And I know a lot. The shadowhunters are weeds that there's only one way to get rid of."

Lisa's eyes widened, she prayed to the Angel that she was wrong. But, as always, her pleas were to no avail.

"By destroying them, piece by piece."

______________
What did you think of this chapter? Be sure to let me know in the comments!

As always, the Queen has played everyone into her hand.
A new chapter is waiting for you! -->