CHAPTER 11

The occupants of the castle started to come back to life in the early afternoon. The previous evening had taken its toll on everyone. First to rise were Gene and Paul. They sat in the library together drinking tea and discussing the events of the night before.

"I am having trouble believing that really happened." Paul began.

"I know." Gene agreed. "My son was 6" tall, with wings." Gene shook his head as he remembered the sight.

Shannon was the next to join them.

"The children are still sleeping." She announced.

"They must be tired after all that flying last night." Paul remarked. "I still cannot believe what I saw. Did we really see leprechauns?"

"And Dwarfs, and trolls?" added Gene.

Lady Kathryn smiled as she entered the library. "Yes, you really saw them. You should feel very honored that King Greagoir allowed you to witness the festival. Humans are not permitted that pleasure."

"It was a pleasure." Shannon thought out loud. "I mean, it was so beautiful to watch them fly and the lights and the music."

"It could have been a KISS concert." Paul joked.

"What is a KISS concert?" a sleepy Sabrina entered the library.

"Good morning Sabrina, I will bring you your honey and cream." Lady Kathryn left the library headed for the kitchen.

"Good morning, or should I say afternoon?" Paul said walking toward Sabrina. "Did you have a good time last night?" Paul asked as he took her hand and walked with her to sit on the windowsill.

"I had a wonderful time. Festival is always so much fun." She replied dreamily. "But what is a KISS concert?" She asked again.

"A concert is like a festival." Paul began, "With lots of people and music."

"I like music. Can I go to a KISS concert?" Sabrina asked.

"I do not think that would be a good idea, Sabrina." Gene told her.

Sabrina looked from Gene to Paul, "Will you take me to a KISS concert?" she whispered.

Paul smiled, "No Sabrina. I do not think that is something that you are ready for."

"Actually, I do not think the people are ready for Sabrina." Gene corrected.

Sabrina did not know how to respond. Were they saying she was not good enough to go to a KISS concert? She was a princess and a princess could go wherever she wanted. A plan began to form in her mind, one that must remain a secret.

"Fine. I do not want to go to a KISS concert anyway." Sabrina left the room in a huff.

"I didn’t mean to make her mad." Paul said.

Thaddeus came into the library just as Sabrina left.

"Morning Thaddeus." Gene greeted the Prince. "How are you feeling today?"

"A little tired after last night. Where is Sabrina?"

"She just went upstairs. She is angry with Paul." Shannon told him.

Thaddeus left the library to follow Sabrina, what could she be angry about? Thaddeus felt it his duty to check on the Princess.

Just after Sabrina entered her room there was a knock on the door. Sabrina opened the door to find Thaddeus with a worried look on his face.

“Sabrina, are you angry?” Thaddeus questioned.

“They do not think I am good enough to go to a KISS concert.” Sabrina gritted through closed teeth. “I will show them who is not good enough. They went to my festival, and they are human. I did not tell them they could not come. I will show them.”

“Sabrina what are you going to do?” Thaddeus was concerned. He had never seen Sabrina this angry before.

“I am going to go to a KISS concert without them. Will you come with me Thaddeus?” Sabrina answered.

“I do not think that is a good idea.” He stammered. “What will The McGregor say?”

“I am not going to tell him.” She said stubbornly. “I am not going to tell anyone I am going. You better not tell either Thaddeus, because if you do I will be so mad at you. I will never forgive you.”

Thaddeus was really worried now. Sabrina had never acted like this before, not until those humans showed up. Thaddeus was beginning to believe that he did not like these humans after all. They were changing Sabrina and not for the better. Thaddeus decided he could not let Sabrina go off on her own, with no one knowing where she was, he was going to have to go with her. Thaddeus might not be able to keep her out of trouble but if there was trouble he could go for help.

“I will go with you Sabrina.” He told her reluctantly.

“Oh goody.” Sabrina clapped her hands in joy. “We have to watch when they leave and follow them.” Sabrina had a plan.

Downstairs, the children came into the library one by one, a little sleepy but still excited about the night before.

“Did you see me Dad?” Evan looked into his father’s eyes. “I was flying back and forth just like you do in your concerts.”

Paul smiled at his son, “Yes, but you did not use wires like I do.” He wrapped his arms around his son in a big hug thankful that he was okay and did not get hurt the night before. To see his son as a faerie was scary and Paul was still shuddering at the thought. What if he had not changed back? What if Aghamore had come to upset the festival? Too many things could have gone wrong so he was just glad his son was back in his arms and human again.

“Thaddeus and Sabrina had to help Nick cause he could not fly very well.” Sophie told her parents.

“That is not true. I could fly I was just flying in circles too fast and got dizzy, that’s all.” Nick argued with his sister.

“Oh sure” Sophie replied.

“That is enough from both of you.” Shannon spoke up. Sharing a look with Gene, she knew they were both glad the previous night was over. Although they knew he was in no real danger, it was terrifying to see their son start to fall. Gene realized how vulnerable the children were when he remembered some of his own experiences with flying during the concerts.

“We need to head for the concert. If we leave now we will make it in time for sound check.” Gene told them.

“Do we have to go too?” Sophie yawned. “I wanted to see Sabrina.”

“It is too far to town to make two trips Sophie.” Gene explained. “You will just have to see Sabrina when we get back.”

“Okay” Sophie frowned but knew her father was right.

The limousine arrived to take everyone to meet the other members of KISS for the evening’s concert.

Sabrina watched from her window as the limousine pulled out of the driveway.

“Come on Thaddeus, it is time to go.”

A reluctant Thaddeus followed Sabrina as she flew out the window. “What if someone sees us? What are we going to do?”

“No one will see. We will stay close to the trees.”

“What if there are no trees.” Thaddeus argued. “This is not a good idea.”

“If there are no trees then we will just fly very high.” Sabrina looked back at Thaddeus, “You do not have to come with me Thaddeus. I can go by myself.”

“I said I would come with you. I am just afraid of what The McGregor will say when he finds out, and your father.”

“They will not find out unless you tell them.”

Thaddeus said no more. He knew her mind was made up and it was not easily changed.

The two faeries followed the limousine to the outdoor arena where the concert was to be held. The limousine stopped and Doc McGhee greeted the occupants.

“How is your stay at Castle McGregor?” asked Doc.

“You would not believe us if we told you.” Paul laughed.

“We are having a great time.” Gene told Doc, giving Paul a look of concern.

Walking next to Paul, Gene whispered, “I don’t think we should tell Doc about Sabrina or last night.”

Paul thought for a moment, “You are right, maybe we shouldn’t say anything. Besides, he would have us committed if we did.”

They all went inside to the dressing room to meet up with the other band members.

“Thaddeus, come look over here. It looks like they are going to have a festival.”

Thaddeus and Sabrina found a spot to sit high above the arena on a light post. They watched unseen as KISS came out for their sound check.

“I do not think I like their music.” Thaddeus told Sabrina.

Sabrina’s eyes sparkled, “They are just practicing right now, Thaddeus. The Paul said that our festival was like a KISS concert so it must get better.”

Sabrina and Thaddeus stayed up on the light post watching the roadies put finishing touches on the stage and get everything ready for the concert.

People started to trickle into the arena. Some of the people were dressed up in fancy clothes, some ordinary clothes, but there were some dressed up like demons.

“Sabrina, I do not like this.” Thaddeus was afraid. “What if those demons see us? What will they do to us?”

“Thaddeus, they are not demons.” Sabrina said with more assurance than she actually felt. “And besides, The Paul has great magic, he can help us.”

Thaddeus did not want to remind her that The Paul did not know they were there.

The arena was filled. The lights went out. From out of nowhere a voice announced. “You wanted the best, you got the best. The hottest band in the world. KISS” and the music began.

Sabrina’s eyes lit up, there were bright lights on the stage, and there were four demons making music. They were all dressed differently but Sabrina recognized The Paul and The Demon Gene. The music was very loud but Sabrina found herself flying around to the music.

“Thaddeus, this is so exciting.” Sabrina squealed.

“I do not like it Sabrina. Can we go home now?”

Sabrina did not hear him as she soared above his head dancing back and forth to the beat of the music.

Abruptly Sabrina stopped and stared. Did her eyes deceive her? The Paul was flying over the heads of the crowd. She did not know The Paul could fly. Sabrina clapped her hands in joy, now she could fly with The Paul. To Thaddeus’ horror, Sabrina made a beeline to the platform where Paul had landed.

“You can fly!” Sabrina told an astonished Paul. Grabbing his hand, “Come fly with me.”

A hush went over the audience, Gene realized something was wrong but not knowing what, he ran back onto the stage to see Sabrina hovering above Paul. Paul and Gene exchanged glances, each not knowing exactly what to do. Gene had an idea. He walked to the microphone.

In the most evil sounding voice he could come up with Gene called out, “Sabrina.”

Sabrina’s glance went from Paul to the stage where she saw Gene and she did not like what she saw. He looked very angry and she was beginning to think that maybe this was not such a good idea after all.

“Get down!”

Sabrina found herself sitting on the platform next to where The Paul was standing. ‘Oh no. The Demon Gene had put another spell on her.’

“Paul cannot help you this time.” Gene told her.

Sabrina looked up at Paul with tears in her eyes, but Paul shook his head no.

“Come Here. Now.” Gene ordered.

Sabrina landed next to Gene, head bowed. Gene took her by the arm and escorted her off the stage. Thaddeus quickly flew to Sabrina’s side. He had to share the blame and the punishment for them being there.

Paul looked at the crowd. “The leprechauns were busy tonight so I guess they sent a faerie instead. Only in Ireland can you have faeries at a KISS concert.”

The crowd cheered and clapped. Paul continued with his song while Gene was backstage with Sabrina and Thaddeus.

“Do you realize what you have done?” Gene was yelling. “All those people saw you. What is The McGregor going to say about this? How did you get here? We told you that you could not come. Don’t you ever listen? Gene continued his rampage.

Sabrina sobbed. She had disobeyed and now she was in trouble. The Demon Gene had placed another spell on her and The Paul could not take it off. She could not fly and now she was being yelled at. She was a princess. No one was supposed to yell at a princess, but she didn’t think she could tell Gene that right now. He was very angry and even though she did not want to admit it, Sabrina knew he had a right to be angry. She had done it this time.

“You sit there and do not move until I tell you. Do you understand?” Gene demanded.

Sabrina could only nod her head. Thaddeus sat on her shoulder. He knew that Gene was right in yelling at them but he could not help but feel sorry for Sabrina. He nodded to Gene and moved closer to Sabrina’s cheek, whispering in her ear, hoping to make things better.

The concert was finally over. The band left the stage after the encore. Gene stood in front of Sabrina who was still sitting on the stool where he left her. He took her by the arm, “Come with me.” Sabrina got off the stool, and with head still bowed and Thaddeus still on her shoulder, she went with him.

They got into the dressing room and Gene pointed to a chair, “Sit.”

Sabrina sat down not daring to disobey. This room was filled with things she had never seen before and she was curious but she could not get up. The Demon Gene had placed a spell on her and all she could do was sit. Tears streamed down her face. She had never been so humiliated in her whole life. This was worse than the spell Aghamore had put on her.

“Sabrina.” Sophie shouted as she walked into the room.

“Sophia, leave her alone.” Gene ordered.

“Is she in trouble?” She asked, seeing the scared look on Sabrina’s face.

“Yes she is. Now leave her alone.” Gene ordered again. He was not over being angry yet.

The dressing room was unusually quiet as the band took off their make up and changed out of their costumes. Gene and Paul told the others good night and taking Sabrina and Thaddeus headed for the limousine to take them back to Castle McGregor.

Sabrina had stopped sobbing but occasionally a tear slipped down her face. She was really in trouble this time and no one was going to save her. It was too quiet in the limousine on the drive home.

After what appeared to be an eternity, the car stopped in front of the castle. Lady Kathryn and Michael came out to greet their guests when they saw Sabrina get out of the limousine.

“This does not look good Michael.” Lady Kathryn told her husband.

“Are you missing something or actually….someone?” Gene asked his host and hostess.

“Looks like you found a stowaway.” Michael said soberly. “Sabrina, go to your room. I will deal with you shortly.”

Sabrina stood still. She looked at The McGregor then at Gene. She was under his spell and could not go anywhere.

As if reading her mind, Gene said, “I release you.”

Hearing those words Sabrina ran up the steps and into the castle to her room.

“I think you were a little hard on her Gene.” Shannon said.

“Maybe I was.” Gene agreed. “But she was flying in front of all those people. How were we supposed to explain that?”

“I am afraid her curiosity gets the best of her sometimes.” Lady Kathryn told them. “I had best see to her.”

“No Kathryn.” Michael looked at his wife. “She has to learn the consequences of her actions. Leave her until morning.”

It was not going to be an easy night for any of them.