THE MOMENT
"Sir, can you step out of line, please?"
"Oh, sure. Okay," Dion nodded and followed the TSA guard toward a small office. He was used to being picked for 'random checks'. Normally, it annoyed him to no end. However, in a way, it was almost a pleasant comfort after the crazy morning he'd had. Things started off normal enough. He woke up in his hotel room and went about starting his routine. It wasn't until he stood in front of the mirror that he noticed the glowing sun-shaped mark on the side of his neck. He felt confident it wasn't there when he went to sleep; but, he'd also been drinking the night before and things were a little fuzzy.
He approached the hotel clerk to ask where one might get a glowing tattoo and he showed it off along with the question. The clerk was overcome with instant panic and shoo'ed Dion away nervously. Once he was out in the town, everyone he passed took a distinct route around, or away from him. Even the friendly convenience store owner he'd gotten to know over the last few days refused to let him enter the shop. He made a single lap around the town, ignored on every block. And, by the time he ended up at the hotel again, his things were packed and waiting for him on the front step. With no choice and nowhere else to go, he decided to cut his vacation short. He thought he'd put the weirdest stuff behind him until he was alone with the TSA guard.
"Let me guess, no one bothered to tell you what that sun on your neck means, right?" The guard asked as he sat down and encouraged Dion to do the same. "That little town is so superstitious, it's kind of silly in this day and age," he chuckled and shrugged.
"You know what it is?" Dion asked.
"I do, and I'm afraid it's the reason I can't let you board the plane," the guard replied. That was an unexpected comment.
"Wait. You mean I can't leave??" Dion asked.
"That right there is the mark of Solarion, the Radiant Sovereign of the Fae Court; he's a local deity around these parts."
"How'd I get his tattoo on me? I don't remember...," Dion asked. He had a lot of questions, and a decent bit of anger growing in his gut. But, he knew it would only make things worse for him. Instead, he chose to find the answers he could get."
"It's no tattoo, it's a proper magical mark," the guard answered. "Solarion has chosen you for a sacrifice." It was ridiculous enough to make Dion laugh.
"You're kidding," he chuckled. "You're sounding pretty superstitious too...,"
"Oh, no. I'm not. Superstitious would be fearing you because of your mark. Me?" he shrugged with a grin. "I know there's nothing to be afraid of. You're the one that's marked. But, I also know Solarion is real. Letting you get on the plane would only jeopardize everyone else aboard when he comes for you. He's not generally careless enough to endanger others; but, why take the chance?" Dion glanced back at the door. It was closed; but, not locked. He could make a run for it. Then what?
"So, what are my options exactly? Can I get rid of it? If I can't leave, am I just supposed to sit down and wait to be sacrificed?" He repositioned his body to lean forward on the guard's desk. But, the motion turned his body so that most of him was facing the door.
"You can leave, just not on the plane. We have a loaner here you can take and drive alone to anywhere you can get to. No matter where you go, Solarion will summon you when he sees fit. You can't escape the mark." The offer of a vehicle relaxed Dion somewhat. He suddenly wasn't a prisoner anymore; just incredibly inconvenienced. He had a lot to think about; but, he needed to leave as soon as possible, and at the same time verify the offer was genuine.
"Yeah, I'll take that loaner," he nodded as he stood up.
"Sure, this way," the guard stood and followed Dion to the door. Dion entered first; but, he did not find the airport once he crossed the threshold. He now stood in a lush forest clearing with knee-high grass.
"Welcome to the Fae Court, Dion Argentis," a voice boomed from above him and he looked up. A golden, glowing fairy with a silver beard and a green, regal mantle on his shoulders fluttered down toward him. "I have summoned you here for a purpose." He was surprised; but, at least the talk with the guard prepared him somewhat for the sudden change. However, he did start to wonder if maybe it wasn't a coincidence.
"Yeah, it's not gonna be simple to sacrifice me," Dion reached for his knife and only found the memory that he was at an airport before this. "Damnit," he grumbled and balled his fists.
"Stay your hands, I mean you no harm young man," Solarion lowered himself to eye-level with Dion and fluttered in place.
"That explains the mark of sacrifice on my neck, right?" Dion chuckled and kept his stance ready. He didn't know what he could possibly do to someone that teleported him who knows what distance in an instant. But, he was going to try everything he could while he was still alive. This time, Solarion chuckled with him.
"Sacrifice is such a broad term," he said. "And, those simpletons only seem to focus on the worst aspects. I do occasionally feast; however, your mark is an invitation to join our ranks. This is not a threat, and you may leave," Solarion added. He made a dismissive gesture at Dion and two things happened. A tall black portal opened next to him; but, he was more surprised by the tingling on his neck. He had no way to check then and there; but, he was confident the mark was gone.
"Why me? What do I get if I stay?" Dion asked. He felt Solarion was being sincere. Trustworthy, even. Though, he couldn't quite decide why felt that way.
"You traveled to a small, superstitious town in the middle of nowhere looking for something. A cure of sorts," Solarion said. "I won't remove your curse, but if you join us you'll learn to embrace it."
"How...," The obvious question was to ask how Solarion knew. But, Dion shook his head. The answer was just as obvious; he was Solarion. Dion had spent most of his life learning to control his anger and he was finally at a point where he thought he was doing okay. Even though the morning had been a significant test for him, he felt proud he hadn't slipped. Not once had he let his inner animal out. "So, is that why I'm invited? Because I'm a were-fox?"
"That makes up a good portion of the reason; but, there is still more to you than that," Solarion answered. "What's your favorite number?" It was a weird question and it came with a broad smile. But, Dion answered it instantly. Before he even processed the question itself or its place in their conversation.
"23!" he said.
"That is the rest of the reason," Solarion nodded. "Join us?"