| "Astra?!" Belinda gasps in a voice that is deeper and huskier than
normal for her.
"Yes," Astra 9 says, deciding it's not worth taking the time to explain
that she isn't the particular Astra that Belinda thinks she is. Time is
something that they do not have much of, for Belinda's transformation into
what seems to be some sort of satyr is clearly already well advanced. "We're
here to help you, to reverse your transformation," she adds. "But to do
that, we have to collect all of you who were victims of the Book, and get
you all together."
Before Belinda can comment on that, Andrea asks her: "Belinda, do you
know what is at the bottom of the burrow that you were digging out?" "No,
but it smells so good," she replies, for the first time noticing
that her hands and her now claw-like nails are covered is soil. "It is
a Seelie creature," Astra says. "Do you know what that means?" "That it's
some sort of good fairy." "Yes, and an intelligent being. It would be very
wrong for you to harm it. It would also seal your fate, and ensure that
you were trapped as an Unseelie creature. I want you to promise me, on
your word of honour as a member of the Aqualarian royal family, that when
we release it from its hiding place you will not harm it."
Just like Joan with Pixie Fred, Astra had known the right button to
push. "I promise," Belinda says. I just hope I still have enough self-control,
she thinks. I hope she retains enough self-control, Astra thinks.
If
not, then the mages would have no alternative to knocking her out with
a sleep spell, but there must be a risk of an unpredictable interaction
with her Unseelie curse.
Pixie Fred watches nervously. He doesn't feel comfortable this close
to Belinda, and from the odd looks she has been giving him he guesses that
the feeling may be mutual.
-
 Faerie Dragon
Fred comes out of his burrow.
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