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Darkness had deepened now, but I could see the shadow of the creature against the sky. Broad wings, claw hooked feet as she landed.
The wounded woman scrambled in front of me, pushing me out of the way as she moved. "Mother," she said, her voice firm. "Do not hurt him. He saved me."
"Saved you, did he?" The other harpy tilted her head in a very birdlike movement, as if she was assessing me even in the dim light. Her eyes seemed to glow golden in the gloom, piercing me. "I can smell him on your body, Selene."
"There was an arrow," Selene said. This time, her voice was quieter.
The silence stretched out between them, as if they were carrying out an entire conversation that I couldn't hear.
"I've warned you before about getting close to the humans," the mother screeched. "You know the consequences."
Selene raised a hand, the other cupping her side where the wound was. "No. Please, Mother. He was only trying to help me."
Some strange part of me wanted to step forward and tell her it was fine. I would do what was required. After all, it was my arrow that had wounded her. It was my fault that we were here at all.I was known for doing the right thing, but it would be utterly stupid to put myself directly in the sights of this monster.
"What are the consequences?" I asked, then swallowed hard, not liking the dry feeling in my throat. At the office I felt in control, but here? I had no idea what was happening and there was no manual for dealing with mythological creatures. No way did Google have the answer to this question.
I was out of my depth, more than normal.
The mother turned her glare back to me. I could see no expression on her face, only those glowing eyes, but they seemed to somehow smirk. Sinister energy radiated from her as she looked me up and down; as if I was the last piece of a plot she had been working on, falling right into place.
She flicked her gaze back to her daughter; the smile spreading across her lips now, too.
"It's time, dear one. You know it as well as I."
Selene
The words reverberated through me.I had known that they were coming, but nevertheless, they shook me. I wasn't ready, and I certainly didn't want to bring harm to the man behind me. It might have been his arrow in my side, but it had been my choice to venture so recklessly close to the humans. And he had such kind hands, a kind face.
I turned to face him, some of the strength and energy seeping from my body as I did. He caught me as I stumbled, ushered me back into the hollow of the tree, and helped me to sit. My side ached so badly, but I knew that once he was gone, mother could bring the salve and the wound would heal easier. Knitting back together with herbs and a touch of magic. A single arrow would never be enough to take down one of my kind.
"I'm so sorry," I whispered. "Please, you have to know that I didn't want this for you."
Mother stalked toward the entrance of the hollow, blocking out all light. However, the glow of her eyes radiated in the space, as well as the tinge of her magic in the air.
"Human," she intoned. "I summon forth the winds of our people and place a geas on you." Mother was all harpy queen with those words; she was almost always all harpy queen, but more so now than in a long time. I could feel warmth radiate from her, her pleasure obvious. She was basking in the sensation of her magic as it infiltrated this small space, as it moved between the man and I.
In fact, now that I thought about it, she had likely forbidden me from spying on the humans just so such a chance meeting could happen, and she would get her way. None could learn of us and remain free.
The man's eyes were wide, and he lifted his hands, peering at his body as the light floated around him before it punched into his midsection, making him bend over at the sensation. It was lighter for me, perhaps because I knew what was coming; had felt the touch of her power over the years many a time.
"What was that?" he gasped, looking up at me, his expression full of confusion and pain.
"A geas," I whispered. "A curse of sorts, of our people." I hoped he could tell how bad I felt about this. Hoped he could see that I wanted no part in this.
"A geas?" The human shook his head slowly, the light brown hair falling around his ears. "I don't know what that means." He dropped his arms from his stomach and sank to his knees. All the while, Mother looked on, the imperious grin on her face making me feel sick to my stomach.
"Three tasks you must undertake in order to break the geas, and until then you cannot leave this place," Mother intoned. Her eyes seemed to glow even brighter in the darkness.
His eyes met mine, confusion darkening his glance. "What does she mean?" His words pained me, because he didn't deserve this.
And neither did I.
"A geas is a curse," I said, trying to explain things in a simpler way. "And in order to break this one, you must do three things."
"Okay…" He dragged his hands through dark brown hair that hung to his ears, and longer at the back. "So, what are they?"
"I'll leave this to you, daughter." Mother thrust herself into the air, landing further up the tree to give us some semblance of privacy; though I knew she would hear everything. Knew that she could still whisper her commands in my ear and screech at me if I didn't do this right.
