by Brenda Trim
A choked laugh escaped me as my lower jaw dropped to my chest. “Apparently, I didn’t inherit that trait.”
Violet shakes her head. “Not true. You took care of your husband when he got sick and haven’t been with anyone since. Years of no sexual activity will blow anyone’s pilot light out. But the heat flowing between you and Bas is enough to start a bonfire. I think your fire’s been relit.”
My cheeks flamed and I shook my head. That was a one-way street. No way did that man find me so much as attractive. “You might be right about me, but you’re not about Sebastian. Just because he kinda gave me a compliment last night doesn’t mean he likes me.”
Aislinn let go of my arm and waved her hands animatedly through the air. “Wait a minute. You never mentioned a compliment. I didn’t think he knew how to be nice.”
I smirked at her and rolled my eyes. “I wouldn’t go that far. All he said was that my great aunt Shelby made almost as many mistakes as I did when she became Guardian which made me feel so much better because she was raised with full knowledge of magic and the existence of Fae. Which reminds me. How the heck old is he? You mentioned witches are mortal. What about Fae?”
The first thought I had last night was that I was hot for a guy more than twice my age. I’m not sure how I feel about being with someone so much older than me. On the surface it’s like being with my great grandfather or something. In reality all I could see was s good looking guy in great shape with a bad attitude.
Aislinn’s voice brought me out of my head and away from thoughts I had no business thinking. “Some Fae are immortal, some are long-lived, and some are subject to harm and death as easily as mortals are. It depends on their power level.”
“I wondered when you’d show up this morning.” My head shifted from Aislinn to Mae who was standing outside Violet’s bookstore. I lifted my hand in a wave, wondering what she was doing there.
“I left a note that I’d be opening an hour later this morning. I met these guys for breakfast,” Violet replied. “Did you come for something specific? Or are you trying to put me under your spell?”
My eyebrows went up at that. Was she talking about those bright pink candies in Mae’s hand? They looked like some kind of saltwater taffy or something.
Mae thrust one hand on her hip and glared at Violet. “I would never do such a thing. And, these aren’t for you anyway.”
Violet gave the town gossip a dubious look and turned to me. “True Fae food and drink are harmful to humans.” She must have seen the confusion on my face.
Aislinn crossed her arms over her chest. “Am I to assume you’re trying to manipulate Fiona then?”
Mae shook her head side to side. “I am not going to harm Fiona. Isidora was able to eat Fae food with no problem and I heard the protective bubble around town is more powerful than ever, so I wanted to say thank you. Even if that didn’t keep Iymbryl safe.”
Violet’s face lost all its color and Aislinn gasped. I had no idea who or what Iymbryl was, but both my friends were clutching their chests as if they ached, so I knew it wasn’t good and I kept my mouth shut. It was Violet who broke the silence. “What happened? And, why didn’t Dahlia say anything? We were just there.”
Mae sighed and handed me the clear bag of candies. “She was killed last night in her house. Lance has kept a tight wrap on the news. He doesn’t want to panic people. Anyway, I need to get to Mug Shots to meet up with the girls. Thank you again for whatever you did, Fiona. Enjoy the agiope candies.”
Violet opened the front door to the store and Aislinn and I followed her inside. “This is bad isn’t it?”
Aislinn’s head bobbed up and down and her forehead furrowed. “It’s very bad. I’d bet someone is trying to take over Cottlehill Wilds.”
“What does that mean?” I lifted the cellophane bag and poked the candies inside unsure I would ever eat them. Perhaps I’d give them to Sebastian. He was Fae and could eat them without issue.
Aislinn went to the counter and picked up a pen that had a fuzzy end. “I believe someone is using Fae magic to take the portal from your family. From what I understand such a switch in power would require the blood of every species and a power practitioner.”
“You’re likely right,” Violet agreed as she went about her routine when opening the shop. “That would take balls and I can only imagine one being with that much gall.”
“King Vodor.” Aislinn and Violet blurted at the same time.
“I’m going to go out on a limb and say that’s the evil Fae King.”
“Sure is,” Aislinn replied.
“That changes nothing. We knew someone was after me. I’m making progress with my magic and I know where the portal is. What do I need to do to keep him from getting his way?” My confidence was shaky at best and I hoped they didn’t see the way my knees shook. I refused to lose my family’s legacy. Not on my watch. I wasn’t some young woman that would be easily frightened.
I’ve faced the death and loss of the man I loved most in the world. And I survived. That changed a person on a fundamental level no matter how old you are. You stopped sweating the little things in life and focused on what matters most.
“Keeping people in Cottlehill safe is the only place I can think of to start,” Violet murmured as she started the tablet that acted as her register.
Aislinn set down the pen she’d been twisting between her palms. “I agree with Violet. It’s not like we can go out and hunt whoever has been killing Fae.”
I tilted my head. “Why not?”
Violet shook her head. “You have to remember that everything the Fae do is driven by base behaviors which makes them very dangerous. We need to tread carefully.”
Aislinn’s face broke out in a smile. “You need to start making friends in town.”
“That’s been my plan regardless, but why’s that important?”
“If you respect them and their sacred spaces the Fae can be one of the best benefactors to the natural magic practitioner. Isidora always said she wasn’t as powerful outside of Cottlehill. I didn’t understand until just now. By showing them the reverence you have for them, you will win their hearts. Mae’s gift is proof enough of that.” Aislinn crossed her arms and smiled in satisfaction at her advice.
I would do my best to win over the towns people, but I knew that wasn’t going to be the answer. That would just mean a lifetime of trying to stay one step ahead of the killer and ensure he didn’t have the opportunity to follow through on his plans. My gut told me I would have to find this Fae and eliminate him. And, there was only one person I trusted to help with that.
I needed to focus on winning Sebastian over rather than the entire town. He was more than capable of having my back. I wanted Violet and Aislinn there, too, but I couldn’t put my coven mates in danger like that.
Chapter 11
“First things first. I need to find my family Grimoire,” I told Aislinn who had come over after dinner to help. Having the tome would make my job so much easier. Having checked the entire house many times before, I figured the best place to start was in the attic.
Aislinn cracked her knuckles. “Tell me how I can help.”
I paused at the base of the stairs and glanced back at her. “Look through the attic with me. Honestly, I’m hoping you will be able to sense it’s magic.”
Aislinn bit her bottom lip and furrowed her brow. “I doubt I will be able to sense it because I’m not connected to it, but I have two hands and can comb through the morass like nobody’s business.”
My heart sank hearing she wouldn’t be able to pick up on its presence. “That’s ok. I’m just grateful I don’t have to do this by myself.”
We climbed to the second floor then the third faster than I had when I arrived a few months ago. All this activity was getting me in the best shape of my life. “Can I ask you something?”
Aislinn walked to one side of the attic and lifted the lid off a box. “Sure. Anything.”
“You mentioned the other da
y that some Fae were immortal and some long-lived and it depended on their level of power.”
“Yeah. What about it?”
“Well, you also mentioned I was quite powerful. Or maybe that was Violet. My point is, if I’m higher on the scale why did I find three more gray hairs this morning? And what’s with the age spots on my hands and face?” Seriously. Being a hybrid should have some benefits. My first choice would be no aches and pains and the second would be not finding any gray hair in my light brown locks. It would also be nice to not have to get up fifty times a night to pee. I’d love to lose the hot flashes, too. Honestly, anything would be nice.
Aislinn chuckled. “You’re a hybrid, Fiona. You won’t age like humans, but you aren’t immortal either.”
“I guess that was too much to ask for. Wait a minute,” I called out excitedly as I crouched down and swiped some dust away. “What’s this?”
Aislinn rushed to my side and knelt beside me. “It looks like the remnants of a spell.”
“Could it have to do with the Grimoire?”
Aislinn’s shoulder lifted and fell. “No idea. Anything is possible. All I can say for sure is that this is Fae in nature and left over from someone casting in this space.”
“Crap. That could be from my grandmother then. Or, anyone else in my family. So much for thinking I found something.” It was crushing to get my hopes up only to have them dashed so quickly.
“Don’t give up just yet. This isn’t from Isidora. I didn’t know your other ancestors, but there would be familiar elements if it came from your family line. It’s not something to dismiss entirely.”
The pinging started up, sending pain arching through me like wildfire. My hands flew to my head. “Gah.”
Aislinn’s frantic voice echoed close to my ear. “What’s wrong? How can I help?”
“Portal,” I managed to say on a gasp.
Aislinn’s slender arm wound around my back and she helped me to my feet then down the stairs. The agony had never been this bad before. Thankfully, it eased some as I got outside. Enough so I could walk into the cemetery on my own.
Aislinn paused by some headstones ten feet from the crypt while I continued to the door. My hand sizzled when I pushed against the panel. I had to ignore the discomfort and force my way inside.
My hair blew around my head in a whirlwind of light brown locks. The lights spinning in the center blinded me momentarily. I stood there gaping at the tornado in the center for a couple seconds unsure what to do next.
“Enough. Who wants to pass?” My words were swallowed by the winds, but they seemed to work as it died down leaving my hair in a tangled mess.
The lights dimmed and formed an oval that was fifteen feet high. The center shifted and another world became visible as if I was looking at a television screen. It was nothing like I expected.
The grass was lime green and there were brightly colored flowers throughout. In the distance crystal clear water fell over a stunning waterfall. The water wasn’t blue, but iridescent. But the major draw was the woman in the middle of it all.
She was skinny as a rail with pointed ears and long, blue hair. She lifted her hand and bit down on a fingernail. It was such a human thing to do despite the butterfly wings at her back and wide turquoise eyes.
“Are you the Guardian? I need to come to Earth right away.” Her voice wobbled and she kept looking over her shoulder.
“Why? What’s going on?” I wasn’t picking up any red flags, but I needed to know more before I just let her through.
Tears filled her eyes. “The uh, I am being hunted. I’ve tried at every portal I’ve passed on my flight from the capitol city. Please. I mean your kind no harm, I just need to get away before he catches me.”
I gasped and approached the light. Instincts told me to extend my hand to her. “Of course, you can come through. I have an idea who you’re running from.” The second our skin touched the oval shimmered and the Fae woman was stepping through.
“I’m Fiona. Do you have somewhere to go here?”
The female was shaking as she fell into my side. I held her up while her legs shook. The instant her entire body was through the portal it vanished with a loud pop. My ears were plugged like they got when I flew. Sticking a finger in one ear, I shimmied it around, trying to clear them.
“I’m Kairi. I’m a mermaid princess and back home I have a palace, but it’s no longer safe for me there. Here I have nothing.” I glanced down at her legs then at her wings. She followed my eyes. “I had to shift forms to escape the King’s Guard. This is my other form. I haven’t spent much time on land though.
“I thought it had to be something like that. And, I’m sorry if my staring was rude. I meant no offense, but I just discovered supernaturals existed.” I guided her through the door and watched her shrink back from Aislinn.
“This is my friend, Aislinn.” I said, changing the subject away from my ignorance. It still bothered me that I didn’t know much. “The ocean isn’t far from here. I can take you there.” I hated seeing how frightened the poor thing was. I wanted to ask her a million questions. She was an honest to God mermaid!
Kairi’s head shook rapidly from side to side. “Not the ocean. He can find me there. Well, his minions can.”
I rubbed circles on her back and helped her walk her through the cemetery. Aislinn fell into step with us. “Not the ocean then. I have a pond. It’s not very big, but you’re welcome to stay there. It’s right over there close to my house and completely private.”
The tears wobbled on her lower lashes and fell to her cheeks. “Oh, thank you. That’s perfect.”
Aislinn swung her arms as she walked a few feet away from us. She couldn’t hide her curiosity as she kept looking over at Kairi. Finally, she broke the silence. “Won’t it be too shallow for you?”
Kairi’s head stopped swiveling all around as she scanned her surroundings. “In its current form yes it will be, but I will alter it to fit my needs. I’ll remove dirt so it goes deeper and add some tunnels for rooms under the water.” The mermaid’s eyes went wide and she turned to me. “As long as that’s okay. I won’t do anything if you would rather me leave it alone.”
“Are you kidding me? I don’t mind at all. I enjoy looking at the pond, but no one wants to see all this in a bathing suit, so I don’t use it for anything. Wait. There are fish in there that I would like protected. And, it might take a while for my hose to fill up what you dig out.”
Kairi waved a hand in dismissal. “I will call the water to the pond.”
“Won’t relocating that much water weaken the surrounding land?” Aislinn asked as she headed to my back door.
Kairi paused and tapped her lips. “Good point. I’ll make sure to draw from a hundred-mile radius, so there isn’t a problem.”
I smiled big as I brought her into the house to offer her some tea. I’d brought my first Fae through the portal. She was a beautiful mermaid that was going to live in my pond. My chest swelled with pride like it did when I was part of saving someone’s life at the hospital.
“Thanks for coming over. I wasn’t sure who else to call. I don’t trust anyone in town enough yet to ask their opinion,” I explained as I let Sebastian inside the house.
His grunt was low and did funny things to my insides. Why was I so attracted to this guy’s grumpy demeanor? He was the opposite of how Tim was. “What is it that you need?”
A sigh left me as I turned and started for the stairs. “I found these markings in the attic and I have a feeling they are a clue about my family’s Grimoire.”
“And you think I can help you why?”
That time the growl in his voice made me shiver for a different reason entirely. He wasn’t happy about being called on for such a menial task. No doubt he thought I should know how to solve it on my own.
“You’re the wisest Fae I know.”
He snorted as we entered the dim space. “I’m one of the few Fae you know.”
I wagged my finger at him.
“Not true. I’ve met a dozen over the past few days. I rather like Mae, even if she’s a busybody. She gave me some agiope candies I’ll share with you after we’re done here.”
He simply looked at me with one eyebrow raised. Apparently offering candy wasn’t the way to his heart. Lifting one shoulder, I pointed to the marks on the floor. “Do you recognize these?”
Bas bent and held his hand about a foot over the floor. “They’re from a summoning spell. It seems Filarion was in your attic recently.”
My eyes went wide at that. “You mean that griffin with all those muscles was in my house? But why?”
Sebastian narrowed his eyes at me. “You know Filarion?”
I bobbed my head and swallowed past the guilt. Why I suddenly felt guilty I had no idea. I’d done nothing wrong. “Yes, I bought a spell book from him. Why was he in here though?”
Bas stood up and put his hands on his hips. “Likely to steal your family’s grimoire. There’d be nothing else Isidora would have hidden in her home. But that she wouldn’t want to fall into the wrong hands.”
“Dammit. I knew he was an asshole when I met him. How do I get it back?”
“How else? You take it. By any means necessary.”
“Will you help me get it?”
Bas shook his head. “No. I’m not going to do your job for you. But I will give you a weapon to use and be there when you take it back.”
Jerk! I wasn’t asking him to do my job. Why did he have to be such a pain? I mean it wouldn’t kill him to make the griffin give it back to me. I’ve faced far more than most in the last few months and I just wanted space to breathe and learn.
“Follow me.” He commanded. He was past the second floor before I snapped out of my anger and followed suit.
I had to run to catch up when I hit the first floor. Once outside, I noticed he was already to the tree line and wasn’t stopping. “Wait up!”
“Move your sexy little ass.”
My mouth dropped open and my stomach flipped over. Did he just call me sexy? Maybe Aislinn and Violet were right, and he was attracted to me. A smile bloomed across my face and I felt giddy.
