by Brey Willows
He rubbed his chin with his paw, such a human gesture it made Maggie smile.
“I don’t think you need to worry much. They’re not ones to take offense easily. But they don’t like to be interrupted, so listen carefully and wait to say anything until they’re done.”
“The one that changed shape. Is she the leader?”
He nodded. “Avery has been their ceannaire, or leader, for many centuries. She’s kept them safe, mostly by staying out of politics. They can be frustratingly neutral, even when it really matters.” He accepted the mug of tea Brenda handed him and blew on it, a mouth movement that looked particularly strange on a cat. “I haven’t had much to do with them, honestly.”
Brenda sat on the floor cross-legged. “I’ve visited here once or twice, but always on my way somewhere else. They’re pretty close-knit. Not as outgoing as my people.”
Maggie took in that little bit of information. Listening without interrupting wasn’t an issue. That was something she’d always been good at, thanks to her time in orphanages and foster homes, where she learned to listen to what wasn’t being said as well as what was. The fact that they were apolitical and yet worried about something more than strangers calling for help in the forest was worrying.
Kody stepped out of the bathroom, toweling her hair, and Maggie was reminded of the first time she’d seen her doing that same thing back in her apartment in New York. She ignored the surge of desire that flooded her at the way Kody’s body moved during the simple task. Why on earth should something like that be erotic?
As usual, Kody seemed to read her thoughts and that same sexy, amused grin twitched on her lips. “Your turn.”
Maggie nodded and mumbled something about being clean, though her thoughts felt far from. She grabbed her bag and squeezed into the bathroom. While mentally berating herself for having a libido all of a sudden, she turned on the water and jumped back when it came out navy blue. She opened the door and stuck her head out. “Okay that the water’s blue?”
Brenda laughed. “Of course, silly. Blue water is what makes you feel better. Yellow is the one you don’t want to wash in.”
Maggie ducked back inside and flinched at the thought of bathing in yellow water. Not in this lifetime.
It was true, though. As odd as the inky water looked sliding over her skin, by the time she got out she felt energized, like she’d had the best night’s sleep ever followed by the best meal. When she came out of the bathroom, she could swear she saw a look of appreciation in Kody’s eyes before she looked away.
There was a knock at the door, and when Kody opened it, a Puca with eyes the color of hematite slashed through with white veins of lightning was waiting. His tail, much like that of a lion, swished behind him.
“If you’d like to follow me, dinner is nearly ready.”
Kody looked back at the others, who moved behind her. “Lead on.”
They followed him up a long, winding path, and Maggie was grateful for the energy given to her by the blue shower. She wasn’t sure she’d have been able to make the trek after a full day of walking. On top of a hill fully enshrouded by trees stood a mound house that looked like it was made of two or three connected mounds. Like a castle for mound people. The thought made her smile, but she didn’t voice it.
When they entered they were taken to a large hall where a long table was already set for seven. Avery sat at the head of the table, their guide took a place to her right, and another Puca sat to her left, his eyes and tail a matching cobalt blue. All three of them looked utterly serious, and Maggie wondered if that was always the way they were.
“Thank you for joining us for dinner.” Avery motioned, and a group of creatures came in carrying dishes that were set before all of them. “Our custom is to discuss serious matters after we eat. I hope this agrees with you.”
Her tone suggested it wasn’t really a question or up for debate, so Maggie concentrated on her food, though what it was she couldn’t quite tell. She looked at Kody, who was already shoveling spoonfuls of the thick white mixture into her mouth.
“It’s similar to what your kind called porridge, I think.” Avery’s small smile was kind. “Not pretty, certainly, but good nonetheless. We use milk from only the finest cows on the Baden Moors.”
Maggie smiled her thanks at the explanation, although she had no idea where the Baden Moors were and why it made the cows better, and tried it. It was slightly sour, but the milky taste was sweet, too. The more she ate, the better it tasted. By the time her bowl was empty she was full and hoped they’d have some to take on the road with them. Take-out porridge from the shape-shifter people. Why not? Again, her thoughts amused her, but she kept them to herself.
Shamus had a milk moustache from the bowl of what Maggie assumed was cream, and Brenda daintily finished the last of her porridge with a happy sigh. Maggie’s attention turned toward the Puca, who had apparently finished their own meals and were waiting patiently.
“Thank you. That was delicious.” Maggie kept her voice soft. One thing that seemed a constant here was that people spoke quietly, unlike the New Yorkers she was so used to.
Avery inclined her head. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. I suggest we speak in the grotto, where it’s more comfortable.” She got up and left the table, clearly expecting the others to follow, which they did.
Maggie was bursting with questions but took the advice to listen to heart. Instead, she took in her surroundings. It smelled of fresh damp earth, like when it begins to rain after a warm, sunny day. Deep browns and greens gave it a solemn feel, and the grass they crushed underfoot smelled like sweet sunshine. The path led down the backside of the mound castle, and the lower they got the cooler and damper it became. When they entered a mound that made Kody and Maggie duck, Maggie’s breath caught at the beauty in front of her.
Moonlight made tiny diamonds of the water falling from a ledge and into an inky blue pool below. Stone benches were arrayed at different levels above the pool so people could have quiet time. But Avery led them around the back of the waterfall, over a short bridge, to a round table set with heavy silver goblets and various bright fruits.
When they were all seated, Avery poured a thick red liquid into their goblets and handed them around.
Kody sniffed hers and put her hand out to keep Maggie from picking hers up.
“Red Queen? What’s going on?”
Shamus and Brenda both sat without touching their goblets too. Shamus’s ears were flat and his nose was twitching constantly. Brenda was pale and her fingers gripped the table edge.
“What’s Red Queen?” Maggie asked.
Avery poured herself a drink from a different pitcher and sipped from it. “I’m sorry, ancient one. No offense is meant. But times here are strange, and this calls for strange measures. To see that you are who you say you are, so that we may discuss things freely, I would ask that you drink.”
“What’s Red Queen?” Maggie asked again. This habit people had of acting like she wasn’t in the room was beginning to piss her off.
“It’s a potion. In simplest terms, it’s a kind of truth serum. After you’ve taken it, you can’t lie for the next twenty-four hours. If you do, it causes excruciating pain. The Red Queen flower is found in the queen’s garden in Wonderland. It can be deadly in the wrong hands.” Kody’s expression was dark as she leaned forward. “You’d ask a shepherd to drink this?” She motioned toward Maggie. “And I know you recognize her for what she is. You’d ask a spinner to drink? In the old days, you know what that would have gotten you.”
The Pucas’ ears flattened against their heads, and the two lesser ones bared their pointy little teeth. Avery held up her hand and they settled back in their chairs, though their ears remained down.
“Things have changed, shepherd. These are not the old days. Drink and we’ll speak freely. Or don’t, and we’ll let you stay the night and send you on your way. The knowledge we have, and the knowledge we seek, will be worth it.”
Kody’s body
was rigid, her expression stone when she turned to Maggie. “This is one of those times when it comes down to you.”
“What would you advise?” Maggie had a feeling what had to happen, but she still wanted Kody’s input. The fact that she was drinking something out of Wonderland would have to wait.
“Don’t do it. Being under the influence of something like this takes away your willpower, and I don’t like giving up that kind of control.” Her gaze flicked away. “And there are secrets that you should be able to keep.”
Maggie’s heart ached for the bit of pain she glimpsed in those words. She closed her eyes and parsed out the situation before she turned back to the Puca. “Can we put conditions on it?”
Avery’s small eyes narrowed. “In what way?”
“In that any questions posed to us relate to this situation only. Nothing that has to do with the past that doesn’t effect this moment.”
Avery gave the small smile again. “A spinner returns. Yes, we can set those parameters. We’re not interested in what you stole as a child or who you had to kill on the sands of Mount Kane.”
Kody’s jaw worked, but she stayed silent. Maggie held her hand under the table and felt some of the tension go out of her.
“And will you drink too?” Maggie pointed toward the jug with the red liquid in it. “If we have to tell the truth in an exchange for knowledge, it seems to me there’s no reason you shouldn’t do so as well.”
There was a momentary silence, and she heard Brenda stifle a laugh. She had a feeling she’d just done something out of line, but she wasn’t sure where. It didn’t matter. She believed what she said.
“Okay,” Avery finally said. “I will drink.” When the darker of the Puca at her side began to protest, she shook her head. “The spinner is right, and the parameters are set. She doesn’t know our ways, so her request is pure.” She pulled the red jug and another goblet toward her. After pouring, she raised the cup. “Shall we?”
Maggie looked at Brenda and Shamus. “Her two friends aren’t drinking. I think that means you don’t have to either.”
They both nodded, and Shamus had that look she’d come to know so well, one that meant he understood more than she did. She turned to Kody, who surprised her with a wry smile.
“I think you’re getting the hang of this.” She tapped her cup to Maggie’s. “Cheers.”
They sipped their drinks. It tasted of citrus. Oranges and pomegranates, maybe. There was something else, something with a bitter tang that hit only when she’d stopped drinking. She waited, expecting to feel something, but there was nothing. She looked at Kody. “Well?”
Kody grinned. “Did you expect to float into the air? Or to shrink to a little version of yourself?”
Maggie rolled her eyes, feeling silly. But it was from Wonderland, so it wasn’t like that should be so farfetched. “Fine. Let’s get on with it.” She turned to the Puca. “So, Avery. Where do we begin?”
Chapter Fifteen
It was a long, long night.
The questions Avery asked were easy to answer. Where had Maggie been? Where had Kody been? Why had they returned? What had happened to Maggie’s parents? Those were simple, and it wouldn’t have taken any potion to answer them. But it made the Puca feel better, so there was no harm in it. They only wanted to make certain that Maggie and Kody were who they said they were, and given the state of the world, it made sense. As promised, they stayed away from any questions to do with anything else, though once or twice Maggie was sure a question had died on the wind, unasked.
Kody had begun with her own questions, and Maggie had asked follow-up questions. The answers they’d received were confusing as well as scary. By morning, neither side had anything more to ask, and after they’d woken Shamus and Brenda, who were curled up together under the table, they’d gone back to the visitors’ mound and slept most of the day away.
Maggie stretched, her feet hanging off the end of the bed. It was made for shorter humans, at the very least. Still, it was better than the floor. Kody must have been uncomfortable though. As tall as Maggie was, Kody was taller still, something Maggie found incredibly attractive. She hadn’t met a whole lot of women taller than herself, especially of the women-loving variety. She pushed the thought aside. There were graver things at stake than wondering if she’d actually meet up with the three little bears and what Goldilocks was like in person.
She got out of bed and showered. The house was silent. Everyone else must be outside. The blue water shower gave her a shock of energy and she dressed quickly. Outside, the sky was gray and the wind chill. Kody, Shamus, and Brenda sat beside a pond nearby, and Maggie went to join them. A kettle and mugs sat in front of them.
“I don’t suppose they have coffee here?” Maggie figured it was a long shot, but she had to ask.
“Afraid not. But the mint blossom nectar makes a nice tea.” Brenda held out a cup to Maggie.
Maggie tried it and winced. “It’s like drinking grass.” She set it down and tried to swallow away the taste.
Kody handed her a flask. “Here. I hate the stuff too.”
Maggie took a tentative sip and then drank more. Water was perfect. It wasn’t coffee, but it was better than liquid grass.
“You guys have no taste.” Brenda took a loud slurp of hers and smiled at them with green tinted teeth.
“I think we need to discuss what you heard last night before we venture any farther.” Shamus held a cup of what looked like milk and lapped at it daintily.
“Why didn’t you ever drink that neatly when you lived with me?” Maggie had cleaned up plenty of milk from the floor.
As usual, he ignored the question he didn’t want to answer and just looked pointedly at Kody.
“I don’t know when you two fell asleep, but here’s the rundown.” Kody ticked off the points on her fingers. “Humans and fairy tale creatures have been forbidden to live in the same neighborhoods. Humans are considered lesser creatures here and have been pushed into ghettos.”
Maggie had a hard time imagining a fairy tale ghetto until she thought of stories like Aladdin and some of the German ones that took place in tough, rundown places and featured poor people as the main characters. She focused again on what Kody was saying.
“No one knows who is calling the shots. The Red Guard patrols regularly and makes sure everyone stays in line. They’re bullies at best, and murderers at worst. They report to the royalty in their sectors, but everyone knows the royalty is reporting to someone higher.”
“And no one knows who that is? How is that possible? Secrets aren’t well kept in this world.” Shamus set his glass down and dropped onto his haunches.
“It doesn’t make any sense. But what we do know is that people are scared, and many creatures have retreated to the forests. Stories are playing out in a muted way or not at all. But the stories have been entrenched for a long time, so the changes won’t show up in the real world for a while yet.” Kody shrugged.
Maggie jumped into the discussion. “As I see it, we have to find out who is at the head of this thing. Avery told us which villains are still here, and I have to say, there aren’t many. The Red Queen, Ursula, Yeh-hsien,” Maggie glanced at Kody to be certain she was pronouncing the Chinese name correctly, “and a few others are still heading up their sectors. But it sounds like the smaller villains, the ones who cause havoc on a more basic level, are all gone.” She looked at Kody for confirmation, and she nodded. “My gut instinct says we head back to New York. We track down some of the villains there, and see where that leads us.”
Brenda shook her head. “I don’t understand, Maggie. We’re already here. Why not go straight to the source?”
Maggie hated that she had to admit it, but she owed her companions the truth. “First, because we don’t know who the source is. And because I’m not strong enough to face high-level villains. Even with the three of you beside me, I don’t understand my powers well enough to use them effectively. I let that one little rat-thing get away—�
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“Mos Ene.” Kody sighed. “From the Romanian sector. A kind of sandman.”
Maggie grimaced. “The thought of that thing giving me dreams makes me squeebie.” She shook off the feeling. “Anyway. I’m not strong enough here. We’d have to round up the villains in my world anyway—”
Shamus cleared his throat. “This is your world.”
“Would you guys let me finish?” Maggie closed her eyes. “We’d have to round up the villains and bring them back here anyway. So why not start with them, let me practice my powers, and we can see what information we get from them as we grab them? Then we can come back here armed with more knowledge and more confidence in what I can do.” She looked at them each in turn. “I’m sorry to let you down. But I’m not ready.”
Kody took her hand and held it. “This has been happening for a long time, Maggie. You taking the time to figure yourself out isn’t going to be the end of the world.” She looked at Brenda and Shamus. “And you’re right. If you’re in danger in both places, it makes sense for you to face them on territory you’re familiar with. So, let’s go back, and we’ll do everything we can to protect you from whatever lurks there. At least we have some idea what we’re dealing with now.”
Shamus tilted his head. “I think we should make a stop before we go.”
Maggie couldn’t help but reach out and stroke his head, and his resulting purr made her glad she did. She was incredibly glad he was there. “Where’s that?”
He looked at Kody when he answered. “The Crags of Moher.”
She sucked in a breath and squinted. “That seems like a dangerous place to go, given what we know.”
“It’s also the best starting point for Maggie to get a grip on her powers, and the best way to give her a fighting chance. And if anyone knows where her parents are, or if there are other spinners in hiding, they will.”
