Gwen rallies and manages to get control of herself again. ‘Why the change of heart, to let me in here?’
‘We want to show you something, and we keep it here for safety, where it’s shielded from the outside. This place is the most protected around here. Very private.’ answers Tara.
‘You’ve got the Dagger in here.’ Immediately, Gwen scans the room and throws her witch senses out.
‘Please,’ says Tara while she motions to the altar in the middle, Bridget and the ancestors follow. Gwen walks cautiously keeping her distance from the skeletons; it’s all a bit freaky.
Gently, Tara unwraps the dagger and puts it on the altar in front of Gwen. Her eyes shine in recognition. Her hand reaches out and hovers above it. ‘Did you change your mind?’ The others can taste Gwen’s eagerness.
‘No, we didn’t.’ Tara watches with anticipation.
Gwen looks from one to the other. Why did they bring her here if they don’t want to give it to her? Weighing her options, should she snatch it and go home? Should she wait and see what is going to happen? When Tara reaches for it, Gwen grabs it in a reflex. It’s time for her to go home. Quickly, she backs up. Weirdly enough, the two women don’t move and are actually smiling. Gwen scans around, where is the trap?
‘It’s not the real dagger.’ says Bridget.
‘Liar.’ Gwen feels its power rushing through her.
‘Come on, Gwen, you’re a witch, you know when someone is telling you the truth.’
‘I’m not giving it back to you. You’ve caused enough trouble.’
‘Feel it, Gwen. Take a moment to truly connect to it.’ Bridget tries to persuade her.
Gwen hesitantly tries, her family is made of Air. They’re naturally drawn to its power. This dagger emanates and resonates with it. It is tough for her to recall the Dagger’s power, as it was Alana who was attuned to it, and she had only seen it maybe once or twice. She digs deep in her memory, and when a warm and glowing feeling takes hold, she realizes that the dagger she holds in her hand is not THE one. Disillusioned, she lets it clatter to the ground.
‘What is this all about?’ Ceri’s voice rings through the tomb.
All the witches turn around, and instinctively move closer together, hiding the dagger from her sight.
‘Ceri. You’re back.’ says Tara.
‘Well, well.’ Ceri passes her and picks up the dagger. ‘What did I miss?’
‘It’s not real.’ blurts Gwen, unable to hide her disappointment.
Tara has to suppress her natural instinct to hide the truth; it’s unfortunate that they have to include yet another one in the knowledge of the fake dagger.
‘I apologize, Gwen, but we had to see if the dagger could pass for the real one. And you’re the only one who could confirm that.’
Gwen can’t hide her irritation. ‘You could have asked.’
‘It’s not the same. Not for what we plan to do with it.’ answers Bridget.
‘We are the only ones who know this is not THE dagger. Our plan depends on everyone believing this is the real one. We need to keep this between us.’ stresses Tara.
Bridget keeps her fingers crossed that this will still be necessary. Hopefully, Lucy doesn’t get the real one back before that.
UTAH
‘Why would we tell you about our plans?’ Diane and Lucy stand nose to nose.
‘Because I asked, and you can’t go back until you tell me.’ states Lucy. This back and forth has been going on for a while. Jason has calmed down, and he and Liam are wandering around. Maeve had done her utmost best not to draw attention to herself. She’s always been good at blending in.
Diane had been tempted to push Lucy’s buttons, so unlike her. Maybe it’s a residue of the merge with the Maiden, she can still feel her sensual presence. A shudder brings her back to the present. Time to try a different approach.
‘So now we’ve established what you are asking. What position were the cards in?’
Lucy smiles victoriously. ‘You’re the current situation, the High Priestess. The kid stands for your plan, the Chariot.’ Then Lucy points to Maeve, and this is the first time she entirely focusses on her. She pauses, does she sense the Dagger on her? Lucy walks closer, and Maeve does her utmost not to show anything. ‘Is Bridget your twin?’ Lucy squints her eyes. ‘Not identical, maybe, but you resemble each other.’
‘Yes, she is.’ Keep it short, usually the best.
Lucy comes uncomfortably close and smells her aura. ‘You were my advice card. Temperance. I can smell the Dagger on you.’
‘She doesn’t have it.’ Diane moves her body between Lucy and Maeve just enough that Lucy is forced to take a step back.
‘Maybe not, but I’m positive she has touched it.’
Maeve stares at Diane, anything not to look straight at Lucy. She’s the worst at hiding the truth. Most witches can bend the truth far enough, so it’s not an outright lie. Maeve, unfortunately, has never mastered that skill.
‘And the man is Death. The outcome is clear, I would say, things will change. Which can only mean I will get it back.’ Her laugh sounds loud as it echoes through the room.
This brings Liam and Jason back to them, once again huddled together.
‘As for my cards, I would say you know already, as you have excellent intuitive skills. Whatever you’re thinking is probably on the right track.’
‘That is not how the cards work. You have to give me what I want.’ demands Lucy.
‘I don’t think so.’ Diane sounds certain. ‘In a reading, the cards control the outcome, not the one asking the question. What would otherwise be the purpose of asking the question at all?’
Her aunt is right. They’ve been approaching this all wrong. Instead of taking charge, they have been submitting to the wishes of the inquirer instead of directing the reading. It’s the same as a regular reading. So stupid. This is actually an opportunity.
‘Ha! I don’t think so. Let me prove it to you.’ Lucy’s schmuck response has no effect on Diane’s determined demeanor.
‘Young man? What does your card mean for me? You are the plan.’
Liam is intimidated and falls silent.
‘Come on, you’re the Chariot.’
An encouraging nod from Diane spurs him on to answer. All the children in the Madigan clan learn to divine from an early age, so he knows very well what the chariot indicates. He clears his throat. ‘Gran is trying to move ahead with this plan, but she’s having a hard time getting everybody on board.’
‘See. That doesn’t tell me anything.’ Lucy tells Diane. ‘We know the outcome so that only leaves my advice. Temperance. I’ve never been good at moderation.’
Maeve moves a little away from Diane, who still shields her from Lucy. A plan had formed in her head. She must be meticulous in the choice of her words. ‘It’s not so much about moderation, more like it’s a balance. A give and take. They will offer you a deal. My advice; take it.’
‘Maeve.’ Disbelief and worry sound through in Diane’s voice.
‘What deal?’ It is all that Lucy wants to know.
‘Tara will offer you a deal, the Magical Tarot Deck for a dagger.’
Right then, they all start to dissolve.
‘Wait!’ shouts Lucy, but in a few seconds, they’re all gone.
FAIRY
Ceri lingers in front of the Golden doors for a moment, getting distracted by the fairy history portrayed on it. The big tableaus of wild battles, the origin of Fairy, are hard to follow. For the first time, she recognizes Mab and also Cephalop. Is that Felaern? When she bends forward and touches the door, it resonates under her hand. The surface feels warm, and her mind could get drawn into it. For a moment, she struggles to pull free. Always, and that means always, be on your guard in Fairy. There is so much she needs to learn and explore; when will she ever find the time? Time, that concept has changed, she’s immortal now. Of that, she’s sure. Something in her has fundamentally changed. There is no going back, she has all the time in the world to catc
h up. The thought of an endless life stretching out before her freaks her out. Best not to dwell on it now. Focus on the problem at hand.
‘Are you sure you want to go on with this.’ hisses Sparkle in her ear. He has been giving her a hard time ever since he heard the plan.
‘You always tell me I have to work on my fairy game. Well, this is our chance.’ says Ceri with a confidence that she doesn’t feel. Her stomach is twisting and turning. What had she said to Bridget when she came to her for help with her magic? I’m a big believer in the trial-and-error approach. Well, she’s about to take her own advice.
‘I meant with maybe Alvina or something, not practice on the fairy Queen. This has disaster written all over it.’ He starts to sound desperate.
‘Are you onboard or not? Otherwise, shut up.’ chastises Ceri.
Grumbling, he agrees, ‘What choice do I have? I serve you.’
‘That sounds horrible. Remember, with me, you’re always allowed to choose.’
‘Really?’ Hope shines through his words.
Maybe she should have thought this through more. But it is how she feels in her heart. That serving people should stop. ‘Yes. Really.’
‘Thank you.’ Sincerity and gratitude are evident in his words. ‘I’m ready and will do the best I can.’
Strange, by giving him a choice, he all of a sudden has no problem supporting her. Something to keep in mind.
‘Right.’ She straightens herself and raps her knuckles on the door. A booming noise sounds on the other side of the door. Oops. A little less next time.
When the doors open, the little confidence that Ceri had felt melts away. The surreal scene that is greeting her renders her speechless. Ceri had always thought because she lived in New Orleans, nothing could shock her and she prided herself on her Bohemian lifestyle. How wrong she has been! Mab seems to be floating on her back in midair, looking spectacular with no clothes visible. A troop of fairies is pleasuring her. Even though Mab’s anatomy is relatively similar to humans, this whole happening is way too much for the onlooker and looks positively alien. Tiny fairies are sucking on what look like multiple nipples on each breast. Her head is thrown back, and her extremely long dark hair cascades down to the floor like a curtain. Two male mermen are combing her hair, while their tails tickle her back. And whatever that gigantic fairy is doing between her legs, Ceri really doesn’t want to know.
‘Ceri, my darling, you’re coming to join our party?’ Mab’s sensual voice fills the enormous room with sheer pleasure.
Unable to resist, Ceri walks closer.
‘Don’t be shy. We fairies like to share.’
No kidding. Witches love sex; it’s part of life and is rejuvenating and good for the soul; it replenishes your powers. This is taking it to a whole new level though. How could she ever think that she and Bert had experimented? Transfixed, she’s frozen in place.
‘Come, you have way too many clothes on.’ Mab’s arm reaches for her.
‘Don’t!’ shouts Sparkle, but he’s too late.
Ceri’s fingers brush Mab’s, and that sends such sensations down her body. Unable to resist Mab’s magic, she starts to undress, helped by two male fairies who appear like magic. Vaguely, she’s aware that this is not normal and that she should leave, but when Mab touches her again, a wave of such pleasure washes over her. This is like nothing she has ever experienced before and she’s unable to resist. How long has it been since she had some really good sex? Bert had been distant even before all this happened.
Now completely naked, one fairy turns her toward him, and his mouth finds her. Gently, he wiggles her lips open, and the taste of spring rain fills her mouth. She drinks him in, a loud moan escapes him, and she feels him happily pressed against her. Behind her, the other male fairy presses himself against her back while he kisses her neck. Blissfully, she lets herself be stroked, and the warm sensation of being held between two male bodies is heavenly. One of the fairies reaches between her legs, and the real fun begins. He strokes her and slowly the glow inside her builds until, almost reaching her climax, she throws her head back. Mab is floating above her and kisses her deeply. Sunshine on a rosebud is what she tastes like. Right then, Ceri climaxes, and Mab drinks in her pleasure.
NEW ORLEANS
Maeve is stress cooking while Bridget watches her. They’re all anxiously waiting for Ceri to return. The plan is far from perfect, and too many things can go wrong. Like the time between Fairy and Earth can stretch, and they may not see Ceri back for a long time. The vine around Bridget’s finger has been blooming ferociously, bright red voluptuous flowers. Absentmindedly, Bridget strokes it. These flowers must be a positive sign. Or at least that’s what she likes to think.
It’s the first time that Bridget and Maeve are alone; something has been bothering Bridget from the moment that Maeve came back. ‘Didn’t Lucy feel that you had the Dagger?’
Maeve freezes for a second before she continues kneading the dough. ‘I didn’t have it.’
‘What? I saw you walking over to the well.’
‘I did, but I took it back to the room and gave it to the card version of Wes.’
‘What?!’
‘We should have done that from the start. There’s no way anyone can reach it if he has it. He’s not on the original cards, and it’s the safest place.’ Maeve turns to Bridget, daring her to contradict that.
‘I didn’t want to involve him! What is he going to do when Lucy gets his hands on him?!’
Bridget is furious.
‘You underestimate him.’ This has pissed off Maeve, that she feels Bridget doesn’t treat Wes as an equal.
‘It’s not that, he doesn’t stand a chance against magic.’
‘Maybe you should make him an amulet to protect him. He’s not just a sex object. He’s a real person and a very kind and smart one.’
‘And you would know that, how?’ Bridget’s voice breaks, betraying her insecurity.
‘Oh, please.’ Maeve has enough of her sisters’ sensibilities, ‘You should treat him right.’
Right then Tara enters the kitchen glancing from one to the other, Maeve had returned to cooking and Bridget is looking at her phone, pretending to be busy. The tension is still palpable.
‘I wonder how Ceri is getting along with Mab.’ says Tara out loud. It’s a rhetorical question, so both girls let it go.
The oven pings and, like magic, the others start to appear in the kitchen.
Wes gives Bridget a chaste kiss on her cheek, as he’s covered with paint stains all over his hands and clothes. ‘This smells great, Maeve.’
Emily, Liam, and even Bert shows up, nobody can resist Maeve’s cooking. This time, the lovely cinnamon smell of the loaf of bread she has baked fills the room. The table is set, and for a brief moment, life feels normal.
FAIRY
When Ceri finally comes back to her senses, she finds herself snuggled up to Mab, in a pile of fairies. Slowly, very slowly, the reality of what has happened starts to sink in. A fairy orgy. What the hell! Her human self wants to jump up and get out of here as soon as possible, but her fairy self smells an opportunity. What better time to get Mab’s cooperation than after a good old-fashioned orgasm? Her stirring must have woken up the others, and the pile of creatures starts to move.
Mab’s hands brush back some strand of hairs back from Ceri’s face.
‘What a pleasant surprise to find you in my bed.’ Her voice makes Ceri shudder involuntarily with a memory of pleasure. Mab laughs like a spring brook. ‘What brought you to my home?’
Aha, Mab is not that distracted.
‘I wanted to ask you a favor.’ replies Ceri. She decided to get straight to the point.
‘Hmmm.’ Mab kisses her on the lips. ‘I would say after this, I owe you one.’
Ceri licks the taste of sun-kissed flowers from her lips. ‘It’s a delicate matter. I’m worried…’ She let the rest hang there for a minute. Mab lets her hand wander down toward Ceri’s naked breast, her curiosity
piqued. It takes everything Ceri has to stay focused on her goal.
‘It has to do with Lucy.’
Mab’s head snaps up, and her outlandish golden eyes stare into Ceri’s emerald ones.
Now it’s Ceri’s turn, purposefully she tickles one of Mab’s many nipples. This brings a sparkle into Mab’s eyes, and she throws her head back and laughs. ‘Learning fast, I see. What do you want?’
Ceri looks around to all the other fairies lying around, all feigning that they’re not paying any attention to the conversation. With a snap of Mab’s fingers, they scatter. ‘Privacy, that’s what you wanted, right?’ It’s like a trap shuts. Mab wiggles down and looks at her, full of anticipation, and it’s not about the question Ceri is about to ask. ‘Tell me what you want?’ This sounds so seductive.
‘Ask the question.’ hisses Sparkle in her ear. This brings Ceri back to why she actually came. Damn, Mab’s magic is powerful!
‘My family needs to swap a magical item with Lucy, and we would like to do that on neutral ground.’
Mab cocks her head while one of her hands combs through Ceri’s long locks, ‘I would never have thought you would find Fairy neutral ground. I forbade your mother and her sister to ever set foot in Fairy again. Yet they defied me. Why would I help them?’
‘I was hoping that with everything that has happened and now that I’m committed to Fairy, you would reconsider?’ tries Ceri.
Mab’s hand shoots forward and she grabs Ceri by the back of her neck and pulls her toward her, their faces now almost touching. For a few awfully long seconds, Mab’s delicate features morph into a creature of your nightmares. Ceri tries to pull back, but Mab is way too strong. Panic flows through her, and she can’t help but start to shake uncontrollably. ‘I owe you nothing. I despise those women. Tell me what is so important that you risk exposing yourself to me? What is it that you’re trading?’
With Mab’s face still inches away from hers, Ceri’s mind is racing. What was she thinking coming here? She doesn’t stand a chance against this terrifying creature. Her Queen. Her nakedness makes her even feel more vulnerable, she’s totally exposed. There is no other option than to tell the truth. ‘Lucy has our family Magical Tarot Deck that my fa…, uh, Seamus made. We want it back, and we will trade it for a dagger.’
The Magical Tarot Deck Page 26
