Chapter 16

It was late afternoon by the time they spotted the towering, spindly buildings of Iriswood peeking over the hillside. Lightning cracked overhead and Sam looked up to see swollen clouds churning over a yellow-green sky. It looked as if a storm were coming, but he didn't feel the ache in his knee that usually came before rain.

"It's getting dark early isn't it? Or is that just storm clouds?" Selene asked, her Nereid cream shimmering.

"Nightfall approaches. Iriswood can be a dangerous place at night. It would be best for us to stay at an inn so we don't have to camp so close."

"But I thought it was better to stay out of towns at night. You know, with vampires and all."

"Iriswood is different," Sam said, hating to lie so that she would agree to retire in a place where he could find a guide. Selene looked skeptical. "Wouldn't you like to sleep in a place with proper amenities? We"d get two rooms, of course," he added.

"Do they have bathtubs?"

"Yes."

"All right, if you think it's safe."

As they continued to walk toward Iriswood, the green of the forest gave way to rocks and thin trees. A stone archway and fence marking the village's entrance could be spotted up ahead. Birds, sacred animal of the Harpy race, filled the trees—some singing, others squawking. They peered down at Sam and Selene with curiosity.

"What's that smell?" Selene asked after a moment, her nose wrinkled.

The stench of rotting meat invaded Sam's senses. A gust of wind intensified the odor while something large and dark swooped over their heads. He looked up to see a winged creature with a female-shaped body circling over them like a vulture. Selene followed his gaze.

"What is it?"

"Just a Harpy." They watched her glide through the sky and dip once, twice, as if trying to get a good look at them. Then the Harpy sped toward them, emitting a high-pitched titter. Right before she made contact with the ground, she twisted to fly straight up again.

"You wish to enter Iriswood?" the Harpy squawked down at them. Her wings flapped slowly, silhouetted against the sky.

Sam's jaw clenched. He should have known there would be some sort of toll or challenge put up by the Harpies to enter their lands. With the exception of one Harpy he knew, they were mistrustful of males, and notorious for stealing what they wanted, especially food. He tightened his grip on his backpack. If this Harpy thought she would be stealing anything from him or Selene, she would regret it.

Apprehension grew as he watched the Harpy swoop erratically through the air. It was almost as though she wanted to soar higher, but a barrier prevented her from doing so. Sam squinted to get a better look, and saw sharp talons peeking out from under a tattered brown dress. Her spiky hair was tangled with debris, and streaks of dirt smeared her face.

Selene looked at Sam with alarm. He called out to the Harpy, "We only seek to pass through Iriswood."

"What queen do you serve?"

"Thema of the Malkina."

The Harpy drifted down to perch on top of the archway. She had a heavy brow, a pointed nose, and sickly blue skin that clashed with the red of her hair. Scarlet feathered wings extended from between her shoulder blades. Black and orange eyes peered down at them before the creature rolled her head and let out a caw. Selene stepped back, her body drawn tight with fear.

The Harpy looked at them and said, "Don't look Malkina."

"We serve Queen Thema, nonetheless," Sam replied. From the corner of his eye he saw Selene smooth her hair over her ears, no doubt taking care to hide their rounded tips.

"I serve Queen Aello," the Harpy said.

"Yes, I know," Sam said, his anger rising. He did not care for games or having his time wasted. "May we pass?"

The Harpy lifted her chin. Then she flew up and dove straight for Selene's backpack. Selene held up her arms and ducked, which left the Harpy's talons grasping at air. An angry shriek rang out, followed by a clap of thunder.

Next, the Harpy spiraled around to pluck Sam's pack from his shoulders. He swung out his arm defensively, which made the Harpy lose balance and crash to the ground. When she rose, Sam was surprised to see that she was nearly his height.

Her stench was so noxious it made his eyes water. Her talons looked razor sharp, capable of snatching supplies and tearing flesh. The Harpy spread her wings out menacingly and advanced.

"Queen Aello demands tribute!"

He glanced at Selene and saw beads of blood blooming from a scratch across her forearm. Sam's breath quickened as his instincts for vengeance roared to life.

Punish.

He motioned for Selene to stay back, while he moved toward the Harpy. Once they stood eye-level with each other he growled, "You're not taking our food. Or anything else."

"Tribute!" the Harpy screeched.

Sam bared his teeth then said, "No. You can either step aside and let us pass or—"

"Or what?" the Harpy challenged. She shuffled her feet back and forth in the dirt, preparing to charge.

Wisps of shadow curled around Sam as his claws extended. "Or lose your wings."

The Harpy laughed—it was a nasal, unpleasant sound. Then she launched herself into the air. Sam pushed Selene back. "Go hide behind those trees," he commanded.

Seeing the fear in Selene's eyes made his rage grow. This creature thought to steal from them, prevent his entrance to Iriswood, and frighten Selene? No. Unlike the bread thief in Padu, he had no doubt about whether or not this Harpy deserved to be punished. It was time to take care of this situation.

Destroy her.

Vengeance.

Sam felt the weight of the twin knives strapped to his belt and began to strategize. A blade thrown just right could hit directly into the Harpy's heart or her eyes. And if that didn't stop her? He could do some real damage to those wings once she plummeted to the ground. Make the thing bleed, sob, and cry for mercy. She would truly regret the day she thought to thwart a demon.

The Harpy crowed above, taunting him. What was about to happen couldn't be helped—another obstacle between him and Zaybris had to be eliminated. More thunder rumbled and the sky turned dark when the Harpy released a piercing battle cry.

Sam looked into Selene's terrified face and said, "I'm sorry you have to see this." He cracked his knuckles, and with a deftness born from experience, pulled out the two knives from his belt.

"Wait!" Selene cried, sprinting out from behind the tree and holding up her hands. "Wait, both of you, please!"

Sam was startled by Selene's boldness. The Harpy dive-bombed toward them, but then landed silently in front of Selene. Cocking her rust-colored head to the side, she ignored Sam to fix her full attention on Selene.

Selene's voice was frantic as she asked, "What does Queen Aello require for tribute?" The Harpy tilted her head to the other side, her rough features lit with confusion. Sam stepped toward them, but Selene held up her hand. "No! We're just talking."

At the sound of her voice, the Harpy moved closer. Relaxing her posture, the winged female let out a soft coo. Selene swallowed and Sam could tell she was fighting the urge to run. He held his breath as Selene looked up to meet the Harpy's eyes. "M-my name is Selene. What's yours?"

The Harpy blinked, then murmured in a tinny voice, "Pydiana."

"That's a lovely name." The Harpy fluffed her feathers.

"Pydiana, you've been given an important duty to guard the entrance of Iriswood. Is that right?" Selene asked. Pydiana hooted her confirmation, then bent to sniff the top of Selene's head. "You're doing a wonderful job."

The Harpy rolled her neck, seeming to quiver with delight. There was a beat of silence as a few of the dark clouds overhead shifted. Sam tightened his grip on the twin knives. Selene saw the movement and gave him a small shake of her head.

In a dreamy tone, the Harpy implored, "Speak again, lady."

Selene bit her lip. "Pydiana, can you tell me what your Queen has asked you to collect?"

"Tribute."

"Yes. But what?"

When she didn't answer right away, Sam interjected, "Our food. Harpies steal food."

Pydiana made a hissing noise and shot him a look of contempt. Then she leaned closer toward Selene. With a conspiratorial air, she whispered, "A stolen offering."

Sam could smell the creature's putrid breath from where he stood and couldn't imagine how Selene was enduring it. Her ability to remain so calm was unfathomable.

"What sort of offering?" Selene asked.

Pydiana showed a smile of chipped teeth, then shook her head.

"You won't tell us?"

The Harpy shook her head again. She began to giggle and started to twirl in a circle before Selene. Suddenly, she sang out, "Lady Storm Swift feeds her brood by snatching a stranger's song or food!"

The moment the words left her mouth, Pydiana gasped and stopped spinning. Her face was stricken.

Selene exchanged a look with Sam. "Song or food?"

"I shouldn't have told… " Pydiana said.

"We can give you a song as tribute?" Selene asked.

The Harpy shrugged. Then nodded. Shrugged again, then began to trace swirls into the ground with her talons. She nodded a second time.

Sam bristled. He should have known that a Harpy would covet a song. Especially a song from a stranger that she hadn't heard before. His patience was nearly at an end.

"Pydiana, what sort of song?" Selene asked.

The pupils inside Pydiana's orange irises widened. "One that speaks my name." She flicked her tail. "So that I may steal it. To sing for my queen."

Sam's unease grew. What song could a human know that speaks the name of Pydiana? Sam knew how powerful songs were to Harpies. They sang to heal, to sound an alarm, to share news, or even to call forth a storm. But they were also very particular about their songs. And quick to rage if they heard something they didn't like.

Certain that Selene was in over her head, Sam took a step closer. He was pleased at how well he was controlling his urges, but this game had to stop. He would show Selene how merciful he could be by giving Pydiana a quick death.

Selene's features shifted from worry to triumph, making him pause. "Ah! I know just the song. Is there anything special I have to do besides sing it?"

Pydiana shook her head. Selene glanced at Sam and flashed him a grin that made him feel even more baffled than he already was. He didn't think humans possessed magic, but Selene clearly had a solution she believed in. Was she about to cast a spell? Murmur an incantation?

Selene drew a deep breath, then sang the words,

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday, dear Pydiana,

Happy birthday to you.

It was a short song with a simple melody. Sam was sure Pydiana would reject it. His palms began to sweat around the handles of his knives, yet the Harpy didn't shriek or attack. Her face shifted into an expression of wonder. Tears filled her big eyes, and she stretched her arms out to flap her wings joyfully. Pydiana sang the song back with Selene's encouragement. Despite her horrific screeching, the Harpy had a beautiful singing voice.

Sam's fingers uncurled from his knives. It seemed more like Selene was offering Pydiana a gift rather than having something stolen. Yet it appeared Pydiana's demands had been met. Her whole body seemed to uncoil with released tension, and even her skin tone morphed from dull blue to vibrant teal.

Crossing his arms over his chest, Sam felt utterly lost. How had Selene charmed such a detestable Harpy? After singing back Selene's song for a third time, Pydiana sighed with pleasure. With a soft hoot, she looked to Selene, then Sam. Her eyes glowed as her lips stretched into a disturbingly odd smile. Sam tensed with awareness that the whole song stealing story could be a diversion.

But Pydiana only dropped into a deep bow. Then she stepped aside to extend one wing out toward the village ahead. Her voice was strong as she said, "Lady. Companion of the Lady, I bid you welcome to Iriswood."