“Naturally I’m not prepared to go to those lengths, but I think we can use the basic ideas behind it to help out. Those programs did start out with good intentions, after all, and it was only when those in power realised how they could abuse them that things turned out the way they did…”

Those ‘basic ideas’ revolved around using illusionary and dream magic to train people in an altered state of consciousness. Learning to lucid dream was a requirement to graduating from SEELIE because of its personal-development potential, but few of the Academy students would be capable of it. Godhand had made sure the teachers couldn’t continue their work in such private realms.

“I’ve put in a call to Queen Thetis to discuss the current situation,” said the Chief, “But until the kids have their minds cleared up we won’t be able to proceed,”

“Lieutenant Chiltern seemed unhappy at the prospect of stopping the masquerade,”

The Chief studied his mug for a moment, took a sip of coffee, then met Tes’s eyes again. “Natalie may be a stubborn, idealistic individual with strong bias towards certain tribes and methods of magic,” he said, “But she’s also a caring, protective woman. She created that illusion because she cares. I may not have agreed with it, but in hindsight it has perhaps helped our students to grow in ways we couldn’t have taught them otherwise, so maybe we ought to give her some credit after all,”

***

“Nat, you gotta give those kids more credit!”

Princess Titania was standing on the underside of a branch, her ethereal form defying every law of gravity there was. Even her irregular hair fell upwards, its shorter, feathery strands fluttering in some unseen wind as they sparkled green in the moonlight. Natalie paled in comparison, sitting wrapped in blankets on the tiny balcony of her tree-house retreat.

“I just don’t think it’s the right time,” she said, “If you remove the masquerade now then what about the safeguard? Godhand might not be around, and some of those kids might be able to handle themselves with a bit more training, but there’s still this issue of there being a Potential among them. The masquerade may be the only thing holding their power back, and if we don’t identify them before they awaken everything you’ve been working for – this ‘legacy of Dionysus’ – would be for nothing! And if Cethin Sarff get to the potential first—”

“Don’t get so worked up, girl!” Titania spun through the air, like a leaf caught in the autumn breeze, coming to a stop in front of Natalie. “I have a plan!”

Those words were almost as horrifying as the possible consequences of lowering the masquerade. Princess Titania wasn’t the cleverest of individuals and responsibility was an alien concept to her.

“With all due respect,” began Natalie – insulting a Wind faerie, no matter how friendly they were towards you, could be a dangerous risk – “Princess, you’re not a Water faerie. Planning and strategy aren’t your forte…”

“Exactly!” she replied, eyes squint shut from the force of her smile, “That’s why I’m going to enlist the help of Princess Phantasia and Lady Faye! So far we’ve been totally at odds with them for no reason! I think maybe it’s time we showed them a little love and brought them into our crazy schemes!”

Natalie met Titania’s sparkling eyes with a concerned, narrow glare. Princess Phantasia was a wild card, her very identity and natural abilities steeped in mystery and her personal agenda difficult to decipher. She was insistent on protecting her friends, but refused to work with others to do so, as if she alone had some Goddess-given right to carry the weight of the world with a cheerful smile. Natalie had known people like her. They preached about the powers of love and understanding, like children who had never grown up. Maybe it was different for faeries, but humans didn’t want to understand one another. They didn’t want to hold hands and stand against the Darkness. Humans wanted power. At least Faye Delphinus seemed to understand that. She was a more traditional faerie, opposed to the corruptions of humanity, though sadly she also retained the arrogance that plagued so many ethereal beings.

Chapter 57
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