Lure

  Chapter 4

  CEARO

  The next gate had intelligent Seelie. Only two came here, one to go through, the other to stand guard. I watched them to be sure. The former came back after only minutes. He clutched the arm of an old, sickly human.

  “That was quick,” Guard noted.

  “He was living in a hovel in the middle of the woods. Practically set out on a platter for us,” Captor muttered. Both the Seelie chuckled, but the human failed to notice the dark undertone. The human was staring in wonder at this new world and thanking his captor profusely. He must not know yet.

  Captor detached himself from the human and stood in front of him to gain his attention. “Welcome, lost human,” Captor said, waving toward the castle with a flourish, “to your afterlife.”

  Ah, that is what he thinks. Captor is an angel, or another analogous dream, come to escort his soul to heaven. I have seen human depictions of such things. Some of the Seelie do look the part. This one seems to be reveling in his role. His smile sparkled as the human continued to express his gratitude.

  Guard snorted. “This will be a good one.”

  The human turned to Guard, happy anticipation in his expression. “Oh, I’m sure it will be lovely,” he said, not realizing Guard had been talking to Captor about reality. “God’s home is beautiful already.” He gazed longingly at the castle, which was visible from the knoll they stood on.

  I was no longer surprised by this reaction. When given this story, humans often failed to see the sharpness of the spires, the gloom covering the turrets, the impenetrability of the wall that would hold them here. It never lasted long though. Once encased within the Seelie Kingdom, he would see.

  He would see that he is not dead.

  He would see that death is an escape.

  He would see that escape is difficult.

  I watched Captor and Guard lead their prisoner toward the castle. I turned away. On to the next gate.