The Shadow Project

by Cecilia Dominic

  "So that sounds like you," Selene persisted. "Someone must know who you are."

  "Others do know about me," I said, thinking back through the years at who had confronted me. Most recently it had been the were-sharks back when Max and I had been in medical school, but Atlanta was way beyond their territory. I had always wondered who had tipped them off.

  Instead of solving the problem of why the head of the CPDC wanted me there, I only came up with more problems, more worries, and the sense that a web tightened around me.

  "That's all I can tell you for now," Gabriel said and put his half-empty teacup back on its saucer. "What happened to your bike?"

  I told them about the accident, but I left out the talking to the tree and the unicorn. Some things didn't need to be common knowledge.

  "And how did you get home?" Gabriel persisted. He could always tell when someone omitted information. That's why he'd been such a good Lycanthropy Council investigator.

  "Proprietary Fae information." I waved my hand to dismiss his question.

  "So someone ran you off the road," Selene said. "But you don't know who?"

  I shook my head. "All I saw was the lights. Thankfully Sir Raleigh dug in just before it happened."

  The cat, who'd been watching birds from the kitchen windowsill, turned his head.

  "So he knew?" Selene asked.

  "It seems so. Can either of you detect anything weird about him?"

  They both looked at the kitten, who proceeded to jump down to the floor and lick his butthole. Right, cats weren't exactly known for their manners, especially while being observed.

  "Looks like a normal cat to me," Gabriel said.

  "Yes," Selene agreed, although not as firmly.

  "But…?" I prompted.

  "I don't know. It's barely there, but there's some sort of shadow around him."

  Sir Raleigh looked up at her with eyes more gold than blue today, winked out, and then reappeared on my shoulder. They both gasped.

  "And that's why Veronica wanted me to watch him," I said. "He's a strange little chap." I caressed his ears, and he purred.

  "He's definitely strange," Selene agreed. "He seems to like you."

  Gabriel's cell phone rang with the chorus from the “Werewolves of London” song. Both Selene and I chuckled, but Gabriel cursed under his breath when he saw the number on the screen.

  "I have to get this. Excuse me." He walked out of the room, leaving me with Selene.

  I typically didn't feel awkward with human women, but something about Selene made me think twice before I opened my mouth. No matter what I did, she'd take it apart, analyze it, and put it back together in a way that might or might not help the image I wanted to project.

  "More tea?" I asked after what seemed to be an uncomfortably long period of quiet. What I really wanted to ask was, "Why are you so eager for me not to go to Atlanta?" She hadn't mentioned anything, but I could feel it in the air between us.

  With a shake of her head, she returned her attention to me. She'd been looking in the direction Gabriel had gone. I couldn't hear his side of the conversation in spite of my preternatural Fae abilities. Could she?

  "Sure, thanks."

  "So…" I said as I poured. "Tell me why you don't want me along on the mission."

  She fumbled the cup, and I used my Fae powers to steady it before she dropped boiling hot tea all over my feet and floor.

  Once she caught hold of the clattering cup, she said, "Gabriel said you were direct."

  I shrugged. "When you're as old as I am, you learn what to be patient for. Spill it, Ginger."

  She looked down—Liar. "I'm just worried…"

  "About…?"

  She placed her cup on its saucer on the table. "Look, you've been around long enough to know that things aren't always as they seem."

  "Yes." Like her, but I wasn't going to say that.

  "It's dangerous, Reine." She looked up and met my gaze with her own. "There are tons of lycanthropes and wizards running around and not many Fae. What if they want to do something to you? Experiment on you?"

  A shiver tiptoed down my spine, and I stiffened so I wouldn't show it. "So you really care about me?"

  She laughed, but not with mirth. "I don't know you. But I know Gabriel does, and he cares." She looked away. "He'd never forgive himself if something happened to you."

  "And would you?" I couldn't help it, I had to poke her.

  "I'm afraid he'd be angry with me, although what could I do? You're more powerful than all of us combined, even with your powers attenuated like they'd be over there."

  And there was the gulf between us, lycanthrope and Fae. Well, any mortal creature and Fae. Occasionally the isolation I tried so hard not to feel welled to the surface, like ink from the well at the bottom of my heart. All the more reason to get this investigation over with and get my Faerie ass home.

  "I can take care of myself, Selene," I said softly and, I hoped, firmly. "I'm going. I'm not some delicate fairy statue that needs to be packed in bubble wrap and protected from shattering."

  "No, but you're a creature of interest, and you don't know what you're getting into. Atlanta is...different from here."

  I hated being called a creature. And I detested when others assumed I had no experience with cities. But she had information I needed. "How so? You're from there, right?"

  "Yes, but I'm sure it's changed. It's like that. A strange mix of old and new, but like they kept the wrong parts of the old."

  "What do you mean?"

  "It's hard to explain. I'm sure you'll see when we get there since you're so determined to go."

  "I am." And since her attention seemed to wander every few minutes toward the direction Gabriel had exited, "Who do you think Gabriel is talking to?"

  "I don't know." She looked down, and her shoulders lowered an inch. Interesting.

  "It must be hard being with the head of the Lycanthrope Council and a new alpha." I pretended to stir something into my teacup, then tapped the side of the spoon on the rim.

  She shrugged. "It has its ups and downs. I'd never intended on dating or being engaged to a politician. Somehow I thought it would be different for us, but people are people no matter what they can turn into."

  Hmmm, trouble in fuzzy paradise? My mischievous side perked up.

  "But it's okay," she added a little too brightly. "We make it work. I can't tell him most of what happens during my day since my patient confidentiality is so tight, so we're even."

  "So what do you talk about?" I didn't have to feign interest.

  "Outside politics. How world events will affect the Institute. Our upbringings and childhoods, but not in a weird way."

  Gabriel returned, and he smiled, although weariness had crept into his eyes. "I'm afraid I have to get to Lycan Castle. Reine, do you want me to arrange to have your bike picked up and towed back here? Or to a junkyard?"

  "Back here is fine." I would see what could be done for her. A couple of dwarves owed me a favor. Then, since I would have to act more human once we arrived in the States, I added, "Thank you."

  Gabriel's eyebrows shot up, but he didn't comment on my sudden attack of politeness. "You're welcome. See you tomorrow at the airport? Flight's at ten."

  "I'll be there. I'll drop this little lad by Veronica's on the way."

  "How will you keep him from following you?" Selene asked.

  "I don't know, but I have the rest of the day to figure it out."

  Sir Raleigh, who'd dozed off into a heavy cat-weight on my shoulder stirred and began to purr again. Had he heard and understood?

  Yes, I'd have my work cut out for me. Meanwhile, I needed to speak to my mother again to see if she had any ideas about why Dr. Cimex wanted me there specifically. And why she wanted me to go if there was a danger I could be experimented on. Or worse. But when I fetched the talisman from the box, it was dark.

  6

  My mother didn't answer the wand summons, and as per usual, it didn't unlock the portal into
Faerie for me, no matter how hard I tried. I don't know why I was so desperate. Perhaps I didn't want to leave Sir Raleigh even more than I realized. Indeed, my heart hurt with a twin ache—over my exile and over the thought of abandoning him—when the car dropped me at Veronica's shop the next morning.

  Sir Raleigh's eyes had turned fully from blue to yellow with green rings around the irises, and he seemed to have gained a pound and some length. His ears also appeared to have decided to outpace the rest of him. Veronica almost didn't recognize him.

  "Is that the same kitten?" she asked. "He's growing much faster than his siblings."

  I told her the observations others had made of him as well as the one magical creature's assurance that I'd figure out what he was when it was time. With her typical good nature, Veronica shrugged and said, "You of all creatures should appreciate mystery and the timing of revelations."

  "It's more fun when it's not aimed at me," I grumbled. "And don't call me a creature. Here." I handed Sir Raleigh to her, and she cuddled him to her ample bosom.

  "There's a good lad. Oh, look, your mommy gave you a pretty necklace."

  "I'm not his mommy," I said.

  The look she gave me said otherwise, but she wisely did not press the matter. "What is it?"

  "An elastic string from a clootie well collection of offerings, some quartz from around here, and silver beads between them. He hasn't pulled his disappearing act since I put it on him." Indeed, he'd followed me around the house on foot, grumbling in his cute kitten way.

  "Sorry, wee lad," I'd told him. "Can't have you being lazy and not using your legs to jump and climb like a normal kitty."

  He'd responded by clawing his way up my jeans. Again. That stunt had earned him a claw clipping, which he'd tolerated. But his claws were razor-sharp again the next morning.

  No, this was not an ordinary cat.

  "And you said it's an elastic?" Veronica asked.

  "Yes, so there's room for him to grow. Please don't take it off him if you can help it. Or if you do, do so in a heavily warded space." Although I wasn't sure any wards would contain him. "I don't want him hurting himself trying to find me." Deep sorrow over the possibility welled up, and I almost choked on the words. What was happening to me?

  "I'll take good care of him, I promise. I've sent the others to a friend's house so I can give him all my attention."

  "Thank you." The words came out more easily this time. Of course as a Fae I hated to put myself in debt to someone, especially a human, but the balance with Veronica still weighted heavily in my favor since I'd subsidized and supported our shop. As for Gabriel… He owed me for trying to keep Doctor Cimex’s knowledge from me. I had no patience for betrayal.

  "One last hug for you," Veronica said and handed the cat back to me. He melted against my chest, purring emphatically.

  I scratched his soft head and ears and murmured, "Now stay here and be a good moggie for Miss Veronica. She'll take care of you, and I'll be back soon." He looked up at me with a pitiful expression. With one final scratch behind the ears and tug on the collar to make sure it would stay on, I handed him back, then turned and walked away.

  His piteous cries followed me out of the shop and to the waiting car. Each one felt like it shredded my soul.

  "Please hurry," I said. The anguished yowls echoed in my head long after I should have been able to hear them. Finally, about five miles away, they quieted, and I released the tension that had overtaken my entire body.

  Indeed, what was happening to me? I needed to get myself together and return to being my usual cold Fae self before arriving at the airport. With a final determined sniffle, I wiped my eyes and steeled my expression. Woe to the first human who crossed me—they'd have a nasty surprise coming. No one would be able to see how heartbroken I could be over a silly, fuzzy, adorable kitten.

  When I arrived at the Inverness Airport, I walked to the airline that matched the logo on the ticket Gabriel had given me. Our plan—fly to Edinburgh, then connect to Atlanta. I didn't see any of the others yet, so I checked in, turned over my bag, which held all the human-style clothing I owned, and went through security. Between the scanning devices and the quelling of the tears from leaving Sir Raleigh, I had a troll-level headache by the time I found my gate.

  Oh, and I'd not flown since returning from medical school in the late 1990s. The difference in the atmosphere shocked me and weighed me down further. Whereas travel had previously been fun, now there was a layer of fear and helpless concern. Excitement on other passengers' faces had been replaced by resignation and boredom in spite of the devices they all carried that would produce any information they wanted.

  Without thinking, I pulled out my own device and tapped on the Photos icon. Sir Raleigh's precious little face appeared, looking ferocious although I'd caught him in a yawn. I smiled and tried to block the memory of his yowls from my mind. One more reason to get this assignment over with and return. Surely a magical kitty like that would be welcome in Faerie. My grandmother had a soft spot for fuzzy things, which I'd inherited from her. Neither of us allowed the vulnerability to show lest someone take such attachments as an opportunity for manipulation. That’s why noble Fae didn’t do “soft.”

  "Cute cat," a deep voice said, startling me out of reliving the moment of taking the picture.

  I turned to see a gentleman had taken the seat beside mine. He looked to be in his fifties, but his green eyes had a certain ageless quality and depth. His hair had started graying at the temples, and he had slight crow's feet at the corners of his eyes, but overall he appeared to be in good shape. The odd thing—whereas I could sense the life force from everyone else in the terminal, this man didn't emanate any sort of energy. If he wasn't a supernatural creature, I'd bet he was a powerful wizard. Either way, he could be dangerous.

  "Thanks," I said, simultaneously wanting him to go away and curious about what or who he could be.

  "Had him long? I'm guessing it's a him," the man said with a fond smile. "He has a little lad face."

  I shook my head. "Just got him."

  "Oh?" He raised his eyebrows. "And is he traveling with you? I don't see a carrier."

  "He's with a friend."

  The man's jaw tightened and his expression hardened into concern. "Are you sure that's wise? He looks very young."

  I drew back. What business was that of his? "He's being well cared for."

  "And what about you?"

  I stood. "That, Sir, is none of your affair." I spotted Selene down the terminal and waved to her. She waved back and started heading toward me.

  The man rose, revealing he stood a good head taller than me, and I am not a short Fae. That made him at least six and a half feet tall. "I meant no offense. It can be hard to leave a small creature you care deeply about." The softening around his eyes said he remembered having to do just that, but I didn't care to stick around and find out more. It was quite possible he used a sob story to lure vulnerable young women—all right, young-looking women—into some sort of nefarious trap.

  "I will be fine," I said. I'd meant to say, 'I'm fine,' but it didn't come out right.

  "I'm sure you will be, although be careful. I don't know why you're traveling, but the world is a dangerous place, especially for young women who get so caught up in cat pictures that they don't notice who's around them. Always pay attention, even when you think you're safe."

  He bowed slightly from his waist, then moved on. He carried a jacket but didn't have any luggage, not even a briefcase. I checked to see where Selene had gone, and when I glanced back to make sure the mysterious gentleman wasn't watching where I went, I didn't see him. He'd vanished.

  Who was he, and where had he gone? The terminal wasn't that big, there were no restrooms in the direction he'd been heading, and nowhere he could have ducked into. A chill slithered through me. Perhaps he'd been more powerful than I had guessed.

  "There you are," Selene said. She pulled a purple carry-on suitcase behind her. Why had I checked lugg
age? If she'd been able to pack light enough to not need to, I should have as well.

  "Here I am," I agreed, although not with her level of feigned excitement.

  She didn't look happy to see me. "Wait long?"

  "No, I just got here. Say, did you see the gentleman I was talking to when I waved to you?"

  "No," Selene said, "but that side of you was blocked from my view. You look perplexed."

  Perplexed didn't begin to cover how I felt.

  "Where are Gabriel and Max?" I asked before she could query further. I needed to remember her specialty was the mind.

  Selene's pleasantly neutral expression crumpled into disappointment. "Something came up with the Council and the Institute. They said they'd join us later if they can, but they didn't want to hold us up."

  "So it's just us, then."

  "Yes. Just us," she said too brightly. "Are you hungry? Do you—?"

  "Get hungry, yes. But not like you do. If you need to grab something to eat, go ahead. I…" I inhaled, not wanting to reveal too much, but she had to know. She'd have to watch over me. "I have strange reactions to being on airplanes, being separated from the earth. It's better if my stomach is empty."

  "Oh. Is there something I need to prepare for?"

  I shook my head. "You'll see."

  So there we stood, her without her other half and me with…what? A mystery gentleman who gave strange warnings and whom no one else had seen. I'd heard of older Fae hallucinating as their time to sleep in the earth approached, but I shouldn't be even halfway there yet. What could it mean?

  I knew one thing—the man was right. I needed to ditch the maudlin pining over a kitten and pay attention. Once we reached our seats on the first plane, I pulled out my phone and deleted the pictures of Sir Raleigh. I couldn't afford the potential consequences of distraction.