Back to the Wall

Morganna looked from her sister to the angry singer pressed against the wall. With a wicked little grin, she said thoughtfully, "You know, with just a snap of her fingers, she could make every hair fall out of your head."

Jon’s eyes widened, then he saw the little evil grin flirting with the corners of Fiona’s full lips. "You wouldn’t!"

Fiona gave a rich, deep chuckle, and Richie said, "She’s just trying to get you to give in, Kidd.”

“Oooh,” Morganna added, “or she could make you shorter!”

“Don’t listen to her!” Richie insisted. He turned to Morganna, smiling. “That wasn’t fair.”

Morganna just winked at Richie and turned her attention back to her sister. Jon’s glare turned even more icy, telling Richie he was close to giving in. "Fine, I won’t call you Fairy anymore." His chin was tilted at a mutinous angle.

Richie knew Jon better than anyone else, or so he thought. "That’s the closest thing to an apology you’re gonna get."

"You think I don’t know that?" Fiona asked. "I’ve known him longer than you. I was in the room when he made his borning cry. I understand him as much, if not better, than you."

"Then let me down," Jon demanded.

Fiona frowned at him, then quickly dropped her hands. So, instead of a nice slow decent, Jon crashed to the floor with a very loud thump. He jumped to his feet while Richie and Morganna’s laughter filled the room.

"That’s not my idea of letting me down," he glared at Fiona.

"Yeah, well," she shrugged negligently, "that wasn’t my idea of an apology."

Morganna crossed her arms under her breasts, making them plump into the deep vee of her dress. Richie’s eyes widened a fraction before he forced his shoulders to slump. “Guess this means no kiss? And I think I owe you a shiny present.”

Richie reached up to his left ear and removed the discreet gold hoop he wore there. He held it out to Morganna, who took it gently from his outstretched hand. The grazing of her fingertips on his palm sent little shocks up his arm. He watched as she examined the ring and put a finger to her own left ear. A small hole appeared, and she threaded the post through it, closing the clasp. She pushed her hair back from her ear.

“What do you think?” she asked, tilting her head at Richie.

He reached out and touched the small gold ring, caressing the shell of her ear in the process. “It looks better on you, darlin’, than it did me.” Reluctantly, Richie dropped his hand.

They both turned their attention to Jon and Fiona, who were still squared off against one other. The two combatants stood glaring at each other until Richie took a step forward. "Kidd, I thought you wanted an explanation. As best I can tell, we’re only halfway there."

"Oh, I know that one too," Morganna gave a happy squeal, then began to sing again in Jon’s deep voice, "Whoooa, we’re halfway there, whooooa, living on a prayer."

Fiona giggled at her sister’s antics. "That’s enough, Sister."

"But, I know the rest of it," Morganna pouted.

"I’m sure you do," Fiona laughed.

"Why exactly are you guarding us?" Jon demanded, ignoring Morganna’s trick.

"To protect you from our brother, until you are needed." Fiona looked at him like he was an idiot for not knowing that information.

"Needed for what?" both men asked at the same time.

"The final battle," Fiona answered, exasperated.

"What my sister is trying to say is, that if the final battle comes in your lifetime then you will be needed. Until then your protection is her first and only priority," Morganna clarified.

“Final battle?” Richie asked.

“Certainly you have read The Bible,” Morganna said, indicating the gold crucifix that shone against Richie’s tanned skin. “You know what I’m talking about.”

“The end of days,” Richie said softly, and sat down.

"Jesus. And what if something happens to you?" Jon asked, his gaze moving from his friend back to Fiona.

"A new guardian will be sent," she answered, "but I can only die if silver pierces my heart. So, chances are I will be there to hear you take your last gasping breath as well."

Morganna stepped forward. “She will not fail in her sworn duty to protect you,” she said fiercely to Jon. “And I will not fail in my duty to protect her.”

Fiona whirled around. “Anna?”

“Why do you think I’ve been working so closely with Merlin? He knows these two are THE two. The others were just decoys. He also knows that Lucie will soon figure that out, if he hasn’t already.”

“Lucie?” Jon asked.

“That’s our nickname for our brother.” Morganna smiled wickedly. “He doesn’t much like that name.”

Jon thought about what Morganna had said to Richie about the final battle. Dread blossomed out from the pit of his stomach, threatening to make him sick. “What’s your brother’s real name?” Jon asked Fiona.

Morganna and Fiona looked at each other, then at Jon, but didn’t say anything. They saw the realization in Jon’s face.

“No,” Jon said, eyes wide. The sisters simply nodded solemnly.

“What?” Richie asked.

Jon looked at him. “Their brother is the devil.”

“The WHAT-IL? No, nuh-uh. That is just too much.” He looked at Morganna, who locked eyes with him. In that moment of eye contact, Richie saw they were telling the truth. “Shit,” Richie said.