Chapter 24: Ch 23 Best Laid Plans

Sara had woken up earlier than the sun had risen and it pissed her off however, she was excited. Today was her first official meeting as queen and they would discuss and relay the plan of pulling their enemy out of hiding so they could end this once and for all. The queen and her kings meet their warriors and high ranking commanders in a massive meeting hall. Walking up to the large space there was a set of massive double doors made of solid black oak. There was a calligraphy decal on the doors that looked like a tree of light pendant. Though there were many branches that signified the smaller species and populace under the kingdom, there were six thicker branches. She called it the kingdom family tree. Hanging from each branch almost like a fruit was a holographic icon that represented the community that branch was dedicated to. On the larger branches the emblems were large but also made out of something that represented that community.

Dragon king of course was a dragon but it was made of the crystals that lined their mountain. Werewolf kingdom was a wolf howling to the moon but the material was glowing like the moon itself. Vampire kingdom was a bat icon seemingly made of blood that looked like it was flowing. Mage kingdom was an eastern dragon but made of the magic aura that surrounded Mahō. The Heaven and Hell kingdoms were both wings, heavens of course were feathered wings and hells were webbed wings. While the heaven wings were pure white hells wings were black outlined but an orange red line that also extended through the wings like vanes and to detail the bone structure. Sara spent way too much time admiring a simple door but she loved how everyone was accounted for. Everyone she and her kings were responsible for.

Once in the hall there were seven thrones along the back wall that were on a raised platform. Each of the king's seat had their emblems that matched the tree and one her she saw the same raven that looked like the tattoo on Mahō's back. Like Mahō, whose magic manifested itself in the form of a dragon, hers manifested in the form of a purple phoenix. Once they were seated the visors or regents came in and then the top ranking military officials with their highest ranking warriors. Sara noticed and awkwardly dark corner of the room and felt like something was watching her from the area but before she could question it they began with talks and planning.

"Thank you all for coming. We know we've been very hush hush about what's going on and how we plan on dealing with the threat to our kingdoms but now that we've come up with a solid plan of action we're bring it to you all because we will need everyone's help." Mala'ika started. "I'm sure all of you are aware, we have found our mate, your queen." Cythraul started as the warrior gave a war chant of pride. "However, what many of you may not know is that there is a dangerous threat aims at the royal house. Our enemy plans on taking us out and in the chaos, take over our kingdoms. A chance was made at the queen once already. It will not happen again." He finished and the warrior let out another roar. "Here's what we know. There are six dark kingdoms working against us. Necromancers, Sirens, rouge wolves and vampires, dark witches and dark fae. Their leaders Diak, Mele, Kū'ē, Makabuts, Noroi and La'ana have been meeting in secret and being fed information through Marminey, Diak's right hand." Murciél informed them.

"Apologizes my lord but where are they getting this information from. Enough so that they took a chance at the queens life?!" once of the commanders asked fearing the worst. "As you're probably suspecting. We have a mole who's feeding them information." The vampire king replied and there was an uproar of disgust. "Enough!" Sara called out and immediate everyone quieted down. "We are aware of the leak and exactly whom is it. At first we thought to expose them right away but we can use them to our advantage. Feed them false information, wait for the trap to trip and wipe out our enemies in one fell swoop." She stated and the higher ups nodded in silent agreement.

"Pardon, but do we have an inside man as well? Where are we getting this information from?" another visor asked. The guys looked at Sara who replied, "I have seen it. I have sight." Was all she said. The same visor retorted, "No offence my queen but are you not human?" Sara raised a brown but before her or the men could reply Samael and Inna walked in. "Sorry we're late." Inna said with a smirk and they sat in two empty seats conveniently left for them. "Grandmother, Father." Sara acknowledges them with a nod and the room fluttered with excitement before dying down quickly. "Apologize my queen." The visor from before said and sat back in their seat. "Any other questions or can we get to the point of why we're here today? Sara asked for clarification. Once no one replied they continued.

"The setting will Sara's coronation ball in the mountains. This will allow us to properly evacuate all citizens and not have to worry about human bystanders. The top mages and myself will be working on glamour charms and healing positions for the warriors. Instead of having the real royal court form the kingdoms present we will have your warriors general, glamoured as them to play out the act. Our enemy assume we don't perceive him a threat and attacks in an area full of warriors." Mahō informed them and the generals nodded. "Now based off of the enemies we are facing I would ask that you go back to all the kingdoms and quietly rally for help. They may want us." Sara said gesturing to her and the kings "But they are a threat to us all and we shall snuff them out. Together." She finished and the warriors chanted. The kings looked her and smirked with pride. "Let's finalize the details and I will work with our engineers to see if we can set some actual traps within the many caves." Balaur suggested. Sara and the men stood, "As your queen stated. This is an attack on us, our livelihood and our future. We will show the enemy no mercy, we will take no prisoners. Let them be an example for all rebellions to come!" Murciél said garnering a massive cheer from the crowd.

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Sara slipped out of the meeting hall and snuck down a path waiting at a cliff's edge. From the shadows of the cave Mazekin slipped out and walked next to Sara before kneeling with a bow. "How did it go?" Sara asked. "Well it kind sucked not being able to be at the main meeting with you guys but the bait has been set and the mole has been misled. Now we wait." Maze replied. "And the other item?" Sara asked and Maze spawned a shit eating grin. "Now that my queen has been fully handled." She replied as Prudence teleported in. "My queen" she said with a bow. "Maze informed me that you lot had tons of fun. I hope Mala'ika isn't keeping you too busy." Sara joked with a giggled and Prudence scoffed but they all laughed. "Indeed. I've spoken with the decorators to make sure the requested item is included and I will be at your call when you need." Prudence informed. "As will I" Maze said. Lilith has walked up to the group none too quiet as he heels clicked against the stone beneath her. Prudence and Maze turned to face her with the intent on protecting the queen they grew fond of. Sara had told them of Lilith's folly and they could care less for her existence.

"My queen." Lilith said before bowing. Sara turned around so fast she nearly got dizzy. "Lilith?" She replied not sure what was going on. "I came to honestly apologize for my actions the other day. I understand that even in some magical reality if you weren't in the picture I know Cythraul would have never been mine anyway. I would like us to start a new and be friends." She said in honesty. Sara, Maze and Prudence looked to one another before Sara nodded. "Alright then, friend. I have a ball in a few days and I don't have an outfit nor any lovely ladies to enjoy my spa day with." Sara sang walking back into the mountain. "Shopping! Yes!" Lilith cried. "Spa day is most important here ladies, "Prudence retorted. "Nah I'm pretty sure it's kicking the bad guys' asses. That's my go to." Maze said with a nod and a smug grin and all the girls burst out laughing. "I let the boys know where we'll be. Hands!" Sara said and the all held hands and teleported away.

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The girls had way too much fun out and about. Prudence had made sure to take them to a mall in a magical realm to be honest humans were missing out. This mall had every single department store a human could imagine and the some magical ones at that. Sara had designed her own dress so they went to a shop to have it made. "Alright so we know they'll have the crown. Hair and nails is tomorrow so we need…"Prudence started "Shoes and jewelry!" Lilith finished and they all giggled. Maze they were sure was laughing at them but eventually fell into their folly. "This here is the best weaver to ever live. Period." Lilith said and Sara had proudly managed to take the woman before her in stride. "Welcome to Silk touch, I'm Arachne. How may I help you my queen." She asked. Sara mentally pepped herself to get past the woman spider bottom and just went with it. Her having a human-ish body form the torso up helped. "The queen here has designed a dress for her ball and we need you to make it. It's very short notice but they don't call you the best for nothing." Prudence announced and Arachne almost lost her mind with glee.

"Of course! Oh that Athena bitch is gunna lose her shit when she hears this. Come to the back!" she sang and they girls followed. Sara Showed her designed and Arachne helped her make sure the fit was proper for her body. They ended up using a corset in the bodice so she didn't have to wear a bra even though she was well blessed. It was a simple enough strapless gown in pure amethyst that's flared out at the waist. It had a floral lace over the top of the bodice and then the lace extended down the left side of the dress. Arachne did all the measurements herself and said she'd begin immediately. At first she wouldn't take payment but Sara said if she did she'd get Arachne and invite to the ball as her personal stylist and here Prudence was paying the woman with the 'kingdom card'.

"Alright. Shoes and Jewelry." Maze said next and Sara giggled. "Someone having fun?" she asked and Maze scoffed. "Prudence knows, even as a badass, out of pocket paranormal wrangling soul torturer, even I need to look good at all times." She retorted and everyone burst out laughing as they walked to the shoe department. "Why don't we have them made too?" Lilith suggested and Prudence nearly dragged them to the 'perfect store' according to her. They ended up getting her black pumps made for her that had the same lace as the dress on it but in purple. Then they added a jeweled flower to the back of the heel embedded with diamonds and amethyst. "I'm not even in them yet and me feet hurt." Sara said and Prudence scoffed. "Nonsense my queen! I mean really." She said jokingly.

"Okay so I took the liberty of going for your jewelry ahead of time since that does take time however, I know you're going to love it." Prudence promised leading them into a store called Hidden Gems by Smelting and Co. As they walked in there was a tall older looking man behind the counter cleaning some rings on display. He was tall, bald and burly looking in a muscular way. She notice his arm was mechanical and when he stepped out to greet them so was his leg. "Ah my customer of honor! It's an absolute pleasure to meet you my queen. I am Vulcan and I have had the utmost pleasure is creating your jewelry for you based off your dress designs." He said introducing himself. "Hephaestus, watch the front!" he called into a back room as he led them into a private viewing room. Laid out for viewing were there pieces of art. The ring was black gold, Sara had no idea that was a thing. Apparently is was like regular gold but stronger than steel. The band was in the shape of flower vines and the crown piece that held the amethyst jewel was a flower. The band and flower was embedded with onyx diamonds. The bracelet looked like linked flowers, the petals black, and the center purple and the linking band was silver. The necklace was the black lace that was on the dress with purples roses made of silk strategically placed. At the center of the choker was a large amethyst gem with an onyx one in the shape of a teardrop hanging from it. Sara hadn't realized she was crying until Maze started wiping her tears. "They're beautiful!" she said and hugged Vulcan. He chuckled and patted her back with a nod. "Best reaction ever." He said and they all laughed.

The dress and shoes would be delivered tomorrow and they had everything else. "I'm starving. Can we feed the beast that is my belly?" Sara complained and they all laughed as it growled at them. They ended up at an Italian restaurant in the food court. Yes the food court had full sized restaurants. "Table for four?" the hostess asked and Maze whispered something to the hostess that made her eyes so wide Sara was sure they'd fall out. "Of course right this way!" the hostess said as she led them to an upstairs area that seemed to be reserved for high class guest. They were given a nice booth that overlooked the rest of the restaurant and as they got comfortable the waitress walked up. 'Shit I hope this is better than the last time we went out' Sara thought to herself, remembering the crazy old lady and the girl who couldn't take a hint.

Dinner had gone seemingly smooth until and older Asian couple walked up to the table looking none too pleased. 'I'm starting to think Italian restaurants are cursed' Sara said to herself. Maze was up first since she was sitting on the outside and she pulled two demon daggers from God knows where and stood in front of the table to the side with her arms crossed at the wrist by her waist to show off her blades and gave the couple a nasty glare. Prudence stood next her hands clasped in front of her and asked "is there an issue?" and tilted her head to the side with a bit of a neck roll. 'Yeah. She could totally get it" Sara thought. "Yes! We need to speak to THAT one." The woman said pointing to Sara. Maze's eyebrows shot up and she almost swung except for the fact that Sara called her down. "You will address her majesty as such or 'my queen', first and foremost." Lilith said now standing next to Maze. 'She must have hit her head somewhere between when they last met and today' Sara was convinced. "This is one of your concern lackeys!" The man said. Maze and Prudence's necks rolled so aggressively Sara was sure they'd need a chiropractor to reset them. Lilith fake clutched pearls she wasn't wearing with a scoff.

Sara stood now and squeezed between the girls and walked right up to the couple much to her friend's protest. Sara gave no fucks at this point, coming for her was one thing but the old crone just came for people she cared about. Standing in their faces Sara said "Well here I am. Fuck you gunna do about it?" she whispered with a threatening told which caused the couple to take a few steps back. She smirked and the girls stepped next to her, she finally had the sisterhood she craved so much. "I-It's because of you our daughter was exiled!" the mother screamed and it started to draw attention. The girls burst out laughing because they realized she was the mother of Anari, another wonderful story she told. Maze promised to collect Anari's soul personally and play with it till the end of time for Sara. That's fucking, love. "Last I checked your daughter's disrespectful and racist mouth got her exiled. King Mahō made his decree and I will not lift it nor go back on his word nor ask him to lift the exile. Perhaps if she was raised better it wouldn't have been an issue and she'd be at my coronation with the both of you." Sara replied with a tight smile. "How Da-" the woman went to retort but Lilith stepped in and cut her off. "I highly suggesting thinking about you next words and actions carefully. We lackeys, as you put it, are the respective right hands to the Kings themselves. Not only will we not tolerate your disrespect to the queen, YOUR queen but we will publicly man handle your asses and inform king Mahō that perhaps his court requires a purge." She hissed her eyes now blazing red. The husband seemed to snap into reason and said something to the woman in Japanese before leading her out of the restaurant. "I just want ya'll to know if I wasn't mated to six men, I'd fuck the lot of you." Sara said while she packed her left overs. The all burst out laughing and decided to tall it a day and headed back.

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The leaders of the Dark Alliance sat in their dilapidated meeting room as Marminey supplied information from her informant. "The girl has finished her matings but it turns out she is not human at all. Informant says she has magic in her though they aren't sure what she's truly capable of." Diak smiled to himself, he was pleased his queen wasn't human. She'd live long and could bare his young whether she liked it or not. Styx strolled into the meeting room and stood of to the side. "Continue" Noroi ordered and Marminey nodded. "She will have a formal christening ball for her ascension as queen of the dragons. The kings and her will be there and we could use that as our moment to strike." She suggested. La'ana giggled "Not that anyone asked you but how do you suppose we get in? What would be do once we're in hmm?" she asked. Marminey had to bite her tongue and Diak shook his head. This time Styx spoke up, "I have already acquired tickets from some families who, unfortunately, are unable to attend." He said with fake sorrow. "Noroi could glamour you all as the members of those families and their security detail for your strongest warriors. Take out all the bystanders to give lord Diak some fodder to play with besides what we bring with us." He suggested. Mala smirked, "Well it seems you do have good help Diak." She complimented in a sultry tone.

Kū'ē scoffed "and how are we to get the rest of our people in. We won't take down the kings with a handle of warriors." He countered and Styx nodded pushing off the wall. "Mala can be glamoured as the singer they're going to have live. Her wonderful vocal talents can enchant her enemies to their death. La'ana is a fae, dark or otherwise she and her people can manipulate the elements to her will. It's a massive mountain I'm sure it has many hidden and undiscovered paths." He suggested and La'ana smirked with a nod. "Rouges run in through the hidden passages carrying at least two dead bodies per so 200 men carrying two more people. Math's a bit rusty but that's 600 bodies on our side right there. Keep in mind this is a ball, Most of the people there are high society debutants and ass kissers. Marminey do we have reason to believe the Order of the Light will show since we still have nothing on Inna?" he asked and Marminey shook her head. "They've had activity here and there against our smaller incursions in places but nothing to suggest they'd be at the ball. My informant has no reason to believe they'd show." She replied.

"I'll have my people get on it then." La'ana said and poofed away. "We will advise our men they'll be doing a bit of heavy lifting." Makabuyts announced. "If you can get them in place early they can drop the bodies in the tunnels and Lord Diak can do the rest." Styx suggested and they nodded and left. "I'm going to go for a swim and find some lovely ladies to serenade our enemies with." Mala said and left herself. "Marminey let me know if there are any other developments." Diak said dismissing her and she left. Noroi waited for the door to close before soundproofing and sealing the room. "That girl of yours is going to be a problem. She wants the crown upon her head." Noroi started and Diak nodded. "I'm aware Ms. Merrats has some issues with the projected plan however Styx has his own orders. Our mission cannot fail." Diak replied. "May the shadows consume the light" Styx said bowing and disappearing into the shadows himself. Diak and Noroi met in the center of the room and he slid his arms around her waist. "What do you say you and I have some fun before the party begins?" Diak suggested and Noroi nodded teleporting them away.