Relics and Runes Anthology

by Heather Marie Adkins

  He realized he had stopped his chore, then quickly returned to it as I approached the worn wooden surface of the bar.

  “What will it be?” he asked without looking up at me.

  “Whiskey on the rocks,” I replied.

  “Coming right up,” he said as I took a seat at the bar. He had my full attention because something affected him when I walked into the bar.

  “Thank you, Sir,” I said with a smile as he sat the drink in front of me.

  “Would you like to start a tab?” he asked.

  “Yes,” I replied. “Are you Nestor?”

  “I am,” he answered.

  “I’m Grace. I just moved to town,” I offered. Most bartenders were chatty. I got the impression that Nestor was the sit back and listen kind of guy.

  He nodded as he picked up another glass to dry with his white towel. “Jeremiah told me you were moving to town,” he said.

  “Oh, you know that old coot,” I laughed but wondered if he knew Jeremiah or if he knew Jeremiah.

  “Yeah, but he doesn’t drink much. Mostly comes in for a cup of coffee,” Nestor said.

  “Coffee in a bar?” I questioned.

  “It’s damn good coffee,” Nestor replied. He finally broke a smile.

  “He tell you bad things about me?” I asked.

  “Nope. He said you were a little down on your luck and his organization was helping you out. But that’s all he said. Nothing bad. We all get a little down from time to time,” he said.

  “That we do,” I replied.

  A couple of young men entered the bar. They pointed at the pool game, but then approached the bar.

  “Evenin’, Nestor,” one of the men said.

  “Howdy, Deputy Maynard,” Nestor replied.

  “None of that, Ness. I’m off duty,” Maynard replied. “Give me a couple of beers. We gotta go show these youngins over here a thing or two about pool.”

  Nestor popped the top off of two bottles of piss water. It didn’t matter what kind it was, beer was piss water. I refused to drink it. Any of it.

  Maynard dropped a few bills on the bar, then joined the other men at the pool table. They welcomed him and his friend.

  “Deputy?” I asked Nestor.

  “Yeah, he works for the sheriff’s office,” Nestor replied.

  “Good guy?” I asked.

  “Absolutely, but I hear we are getting a new sheriff,” Nestor said. Sounded like he was fishing for my reaction.

  “Oh, what happened to the old one?” I asked.

  “Corruption in the ranks,” Nestor replied.

  I grunted in response. A new sheriff. Right after I moved to town. Was that a coincidence, or was I right to be paranoid. I paid Nestor for my one drink, then headed toward the door.

  A young man stepped in my way just before I got away.

  “Hi,” he said.

  “Hello,” I replied.

  “Wanna dance?” he asked. He had had quite a few drinks because his breath reeked of alcohol.

  “No thanks. I came for a drink. That’s all,” I said.

  He grabbed for my arm and tried to tug me toward him. “Come on. Just one dance.”

  I pushed my magic down. This human man couldn’t hurt me unless I let him. Right now, I needed to let him. No one in this room knew what I was.

  “Get your hands off her,” Deputy Maynard said from across the room. The customers silenced at his commanding tone. The jukebox continued to play. The man did not let go of my arm.

  That rush of power that automatically overwhelms me whenever I’m in danger, bubbled up to the surface, but I refused to let it take over.

  Maynard sat down his bottle and walked toward us. “Tifton, you heard me. Get your hands off her. I’ve warned you before. You wanna go down to the jail?”

  “Naw. Me an’ this pretty lady are just have in a conversation,” Tifton replied. I felt his sweaty fingers wrapped around my arm.

  “Let me go,” I growled through gritted teeth.

  “Your loss,” he said practically slinging my arm away.

  Maynard rushed him, pinning him against the wall. My eyes went wide as he twisted the man’s arm around behind him. “You and I are going for a ride,” Maynard hissed.

  His friend joined him with a pair of cuffs. He snapped them on Tifton’s wrists, but Maynard kept him pushed against the wall.

  “I told you that you weren’t going to manhandle the women in this town anymore. I keep my promises,” he said to Tifton. “Put him in my car. I’ll take him down to the jail.”

  “You sure, Troy?” the other man asked. “I can take him down. You stay here and cool off.”

  “Fine,” Troy replied, releasing Tifton to the other man who drug him out the door. “I’m sorry about that ma’am. He’s been too forward with all the ladies lately. He’s been warned. Once you told him no, he should have backed off.”

  “Thank you, Deputy,” I said.

  “You are Grace, right?” he asked.

  “Yes,” I replied.

  “I’d heard you moved into the trailer park. If you ever need anything, just give me a call,” he said, handing me a business card.

  “Troy Maynard. Antique vehicle restoration and repair,” I said reading the card.

  “Yeah, that’s my cell phone on there. I fix-up old cars on the side. Mostly for fun,” he explained.

  Troy Maynard’s muscled frame filled out the plaid shirt and jeans he wore. His daring green eyes didn’t linger on me as most men would. He searched the room like a hunter. I immediately liked him. I wasn’t always the best judge of character though, and he was law enforcement. I’d had several tangles with the law over the course of my life. I had to remain wary of everyone. Even this man who helped me out of a bad situation.

  “Thank you, Deputy Maynard,” I said.

  “When I’m not on duty, you can call me Troy,” he said finally smiling.

  “Are you ever off-duty?” I asked.

  He huffed. “No, I guess not.”

  “Have a good evening,” I said with a smile.

  “You too,” he replied, then turned back to his friends.

  I stepped out into the warm night. The town outside the bar was quiet except for the chorus of critters.

  As I walked home, I watched a possum cross the road not too far from the trailer. I hoped that Cletus and Tater didn’t see it. They were chasing a possum the other day so they could cook it. Being good neighbors, they had already brought me a container full of fried frogs’ legs which were still in the fridge.

  This town wasn’t like my previous trailer. Nor was it like the one near Mrs. Sharolyn. But it would do for a little while.

  When I made it back to the trailer, a small plastic crate sat on the porch. Inside a small black and tan dog stared up at me with pleading eyes.

  “What the hell is this? Who brought you here?” I asked, picking up an envelope on top of the crate.

  “His name is Rufus, and he needs a home. Please take good care of him.” I read the note out loud. I shook my head while moving the crate so I could open the door to the trailer.

  After getting the door open, I pulled Rufus and his crate into the living room.

  “What am I going to do with you?” I asked. He nudged the gate. “Alright.”

  I bent down and unleashed the puppy. He ran out wildly. Perhaps I should have let him go outside. I opened the door again, and he pressed his nose against the screen door. Before I could barely move it, he darted out the front door and squatted in the nearest patch of grass. Once he finished, he came back up the steps.

  “You ready to go inside?” I asked. He wagged his tail. “Yeah, I bet you are. I don’t know who dropped you off here, but I’m not sure you are staying. I don’t need a dog.”

  He harfed at me, so I let him back inside. He followed me around the room and into my bedroom where I changed into something more comfortable.

  “Rufus, let’s get a few things straight. No pee in the house. No poop in the house. No humpi
ng legs. If you can do those things, I might let you stay,” I instructed him. He wagged his tail as I talked to him.

  I’d made another bond. With a dog. At least if I decided to run, I could take him with me. I couldn’t take Winnie though. I mean, I suppose I could. Fulfill that myth about fairies taking children. I would just have to stay in Shady Grove for a bit.

  “Ready for bed?” I asked. He barked at me again. I found a small throw blanket in the closet. Placing it on the floor, I patted it. He took the signal and laid on it. “Night, Rufus.”

  18

  Grace

  Almost a whole week had passed when Jeremiah reappeared at my door.

  “Come in,” I said inviting him into my trailer.

  Winnie sat in the floor playing with some blocks. She looked up at Jeremiah and gave him a big smile.

  Rufus backed away from him and hid under the kitchen table. Some guard dog he was turning out to be. Jeremiah eyed the dog.

  “Where did he come from?” he asked.

  “He just appeared on my doorstep in a crate with a note which said his name is Rufus,” I replied. I had tried to figure out who would give me a dog, but I gave up. Nobody I knew would give me a dog. Perhaps he belonged to someone else, and his appearance was an unfortunate mistake. It would be tough to give him up. I kind of liked the furry beast.

  “That’s it?” he asked.

  “That’s it,” I assured him.

  “Well, hello, Miss Winnie!” Jeremiah said. Winnie looked up at him with a brilliant smile. “She’s adorable. Isn’t she?”

  “I like her,” I said. “Can I get you a drink?”

  “No, thanks,” he said.

  “Suit yourself,” I said while cracking open an orange soda. I took a sip and savored the burn as it rolled down my throat.

  “Not alcohol?” he asked.

  “No. So I ask again, wanna drink?”

  “Coke,” he said.

  “That I can do,” I said, pulling out a can from the fridge and offering it to him. “What brings you to town? I’ve been good.”

  “I know you have. You have only been to the Hot Tin once,” he said.

  He already knew I had visited the Hot Tin. He probably knew about the altercation with the man when I left, but he didn’t mention it. I wondered if Deputy Maynard spied for him. Or perhaps the bartender, Nestor.

  “Just once. I’ve got a mess of frog legs in the fridge if you’d like,” I offered.

  “Cletus and Tater,” he chuckled.

  “Yeah. I’m not big on eating slimy things,” I said.

  “They are fried, aren’t they?” he asked.

  “Yes, but they were slimy at one point,” I reminded him.

  He laughed. “You are happy here,” he said.

  “For now,” I said. “For her.” I nodded to Winnie who played quietly in the floor.

  “Somehow I knew that you would like this little one. You like Betty, too,” he said.

  “I do,” I replied.

  “Good.”

  “You came here for a reason. What’s the bad news?” I asked.

  “Why does it have to be bad news?” he protested.

  “Because Jerry, you haven’t been here since you dropped me off. I figured something was wrong when I saw that beat up land yacht pull into my drive,” I said.

  He sighed, then took a seat on the couch. I’d only offered him basic hospitality. I didn’t intend to offer him anything else. He more than anyone knew the consequences for crossing me. Hospitality wasn’t needed.

  “The Sanhedrin,” he started.

  “You talk about them like you aren’t one of them,” I said.

  “We think we need an added layer of protection while you are here,” he explained. “We have decided to bring in a man who specializes in detecting supernaturals. I know your ability to do it isn’t the best, but he’s good. He will be here to look out for anyone coming after you.”

  “Liar. He is coming here to keep an eye on me!” I growled. Winnie looked up at me with concerned eyes. I lowered my tone. “This isn’t necessary. I don’t need a babysitter.”

  “Grace, you are right. You don’t, but you aren’t the only one who will be in trouble if something bad happens here,” he said.

  I caught his meaning. He’d stuck his neck out for me, and if this experiment of his failed, then they would hold him responsible.

  “What will they do to you if I slip up?” I asked.

  “You won’t,” he reassured me and himself.

  “What if I do?” I asked.

  “I’ll be forsaken by the Sanhedrin,” he said.

  “Forsaken,” I muttered.

  “It doesn’t mean the same thing as it does in the Otherworld, but it’s almost as bad,” he said. “So, please, Grace, stay put for now.”

  “This man coming here, is he human?” I asked.

  “Yes,” Jeremiah said without hesitation.

  “And a human is supposed to control me?” I asked.

  “Not control you. Just keep an eye on things,” he replied. “If he needs your help with anything, you help him.”

  “What?”

  “He’s going to be the sheriff. If a supernatural case comes up, and occasionally they will especially with you here, you help him. Do you understand me?” he demanded.

  “I’m not your child,” I countered.

  “You are mine! You signed the contract. You will help the sheriff!”

  “Bite me,” I growled because I couldn’t think of a better comeback. I didn’t really want him to bite me. Sometimes that kind of thing is fun, but not with Jeremiah. Ew!

  He sighed, “Grace, whether you believe it or not, I want you to be happy, and if you just hold on a little longer, you will be. I’m certain of it.”

  “Can you see the future, Jerry? No, you can’t,” I said, answering for him.

  “Do you even care how Remy is doing?” he asked.

  I did. “No,” I replied.

  “Well, he’s got a new job, and he misses you like crazy,” he said.

  “He knows where I am,” I said.

  “The Sanhedrin are keeping him away,” he replied.

  “They think I’ll kill him,” I surmised.

  “No,” he said.

  “It doesn’t matter. I don’t care what happens to Remington Blake,” I said.

  “You’re the most stubborn woman I’ve ever known,” he groaned.

  “Fairy,” I corrected him.

  “That too!” he exclaimed. “I’m done here today. Dylan Riggs will move into town tomorrow. Please, Grace, be nice to the man. He’s a good man, and you will like him if you give him the chance.”

  “Winnie and I will try to like him. Won’t we?” I asked her. She clapped her hands like she agreed. Jeremiah shook his head. I could tell he regretted his decision to pair me with the child. I would be a terrible influence.

  “Later, Grace,” he said.

  “Winnie, tell Mr. Jeremiah bye-bye,” I said.

  “Bye-bye,” she said. Adorable. Even Jeremiah had to grin at her.

  19

  Grace

  The thought of a man coming here just to keep an eye on me infuriated me, but it also intrigued me. Perhaps I could play a few games with the human watcher. If he had the talents that Jeremiah claimed, then he probably had a patron from our side of the lot. It also meant he knew about fairies, and probably about fairy queens.

  We could be very seductive if we wanted to be and I wanted to be more often than not. I’d seen a few good-looking men in town. Once Jeremiah turned me loose, I might try a few of them out for size.

  Most human men were up for a roll in the hay with no baggage which was the only way I’d do it. One time. No repeats.

  I needed to go to the store and pick up more milk for Winnie. She had finished off the jug yesterday. The poor thing always seemed so hungry. Bethany was bringing her over more often. I wanted to have a talk with her about Winnie’s future. Every time she left her daughter with me, I knew tha
t she might not come back to get her. The life of a prostitute was dangerous. Any of her suitors could strangle her or kill her if they didn’t have the money to pay. Then what would happen to Winnie?

  I could call Remington to set something up so that I could become her guardian if she didn’t have any other family, but it was something that I needed to discuss with Bethany before I made a move.

  A light tap on the door caught my attention. My senses flared. Whoever was outside the door had power. I looked through the wall with my fairy sight. I could see the being on the other side glowing in a deep blue color. Winter.

  I opened the door to a very dark-skinned man. He smiled brightly as he met my eyes.

  “By the goddess, it has been ages since I saw you, Gloriana,” he said. He wore a nice suit and carried a leather briefcase.

  “Don’t use that name here, please,” I said.

  “Ah, yes. Grace, it is,” he said. He put me at ease with his smile, but I knew better than to trust any fairy.

  “What can I do for you, Sir?” I asked not recognizing the man.

  He held a business card up between us. A deer skull with large antlers stretched across the back of the card. My father’s symbol in the Otherworld.

  “I’m here to give you this,” he said, holding it out for me.

  I trembled at the sight of the card looming between us. Forcing my hand to take it, I turned it over. Surprisingly, it didn’t have my father’s name on it.

  “Demetris Lysander. Attorney at Law,” I read from the card.

  “He sent me here to provide for your needs,” he said.

  “He,” I repeated.

  “He,” he said, nodding at the back of the card.

  “Oberon,” I said.

  “Yes,” he replied.

  “Why?”

  “I don’t ask those kinds of questions, Grace. I do what I am told,” he said which I knew to be true. My father’s absolution was undeniable and unquestionable.

  “I don’t know what I’d need you for,” I said.

  “I believe he wanted you to avoid any further entanglements with other lawyers,” he explained.

  “Oh,” I said. My father didn’t want me around Remington Blake. “Alright. Well, thank you for bringing this by. I’ll call you if I need anything.”