Women of the Dark Streets

by Radclyffe

  “And what if she’s a vegetarian?” Zofia asked smartly. “Look at her. She’s incredibly slender and delicate. Your kind of meals would make her a butter ball in no time.”

  “I…I…I could always order in, I guess.” Wallace looked decidedly nonplussed as she blustered.

  Though the werewolf female wasn’t in full pelt and looked human enough, Rhyannon could still see the pathetic hang-dog expression clearly written on her face. She marvelled at how she had managed to get stuck in this tavern with two of the worst nightmares for conversation she could possibly have come across. She hadn’t been vying for attention and yet she had these two trying desperately to outdo the other in their seduction techniques. So much for a quiet night out getting to experience the nightlife and its colourful inhabitants, she sighed. She had hoped to go unnoticed so she could get a feel of the mood among these people. Instead, the drink she had paid for was bitter and unsatisfying, and the company was wearing on her soul. She lifted her hand to brush back a lock of hair that escaped from her hood.

  “You have beautiful hair,” Zofia remarked immediately, her dark eyes raking over Rhyannon and falling to rest on her slight cleavage on show. “It’s like moonlight, so pale and shiny.”

  “I like shiny,” Wallace commented guilelessly. In an instant, Zofia whipped out a coin and flipped it into the air. Wallace caught it immediately in her large hand, grinning at the game.

  “Go buy yourself another drink, furball, and leave me and the pretty lady to talk.”

  Wallace’s head instantly bowed. She was being dismissed from the table and was not happy about it. She began rumbling under her breath. The bell from the door chimed and, distracted from her own pitiful whining, Wallace’s eyes trained on the entrance. Zofia sighed at her antics but looked up too.

  “My oh my, now, there’s something you don’t often see walking into a place like this. We have new blood in the house tonight.” Zofia cut a look at Rhyannon. “Must be the waning moon bringing everyone out.”

  Rhyannon spared a look over her shoulder. Standing at the bar was a woman with a short crop of hair, the colouring very similar to Rhyannon’s own. She wore some kind of uniform with a heavy cape and looked very starched and proper. Handsome too, Rhyannon noted. She caught the fire in Zofia’s eyes ignite as she studied the woman.

  “Look at her ears,” Zofia spoke almost to herself. “She’s a fairy.”

  Wallace snorted. “She’s not a fairy, she doesn’t have wings. You have to have wings if you’re a fairy.”

  “She’s got pointed ears,” Zofia argued.

  “So do I when I’ve got my wolf on,” Wallace retorted.

  “Yeah, but you’re all furry and smell of dog, this woman doesn’t.” Zofia inhaled deeply and a small smile curved her lips. “She smells of the outdoors.”

  “I…”

  Zofia stopped Wallace’s comment with a raised hand. “You bring most of the outdoors in on your bloody great paws. This woman is a fairy and I bet she would reek of magic if I got closer and more…intimate.”

  Rhyannon sat back in her seat and regarded the vampire. “You can smell magic on the preternatural?”

  “I have many skills. It comes from living for hundreds of years,” Zofia said with a smug smile.

  “Oh dear heavens, save me,” Rhyannon muttered under her breath, hoping that the vampire wasn’t going to start in again. She felt the presence behind her before a voice even spoke.

  “You called for me?”

  “Oh slick move, very slick,” Zofia said, eyeing the newcomer intently.

  Rhyannon looked over her shoulder. “Can I help you?”

  The woman smiled at her, though it never reached her eyes. “I think, maybe, I can help you. What is one so fair doing out consorting with,” she spared a glance around the room, then stared down the two women at the table, “new friends?”

  Rhyannon felt the woman crowd in just a little closer behind her. The heat from her body warmed Rhyannon through her sheer cloak and summer dress.

  “What’s your name, Fairy?” Wallace asked, sniffing at the air, probably searching for magic but sneezing loudly when she snorted up some tavern dust instead.

  “I am Odelina, but you can call me Odel.”

  “You’re very big for a fairy. You’re our size. I thought fairies were only this big.” Wallace held a meaty thumb and finger an inch apart. “Itty-bitty things, like bugs.”

  Odel bristled visibly. “Fairies are not bugs, and you would be surprised by how many forms we can take.”

  “So you’re what? The Queen of the Fairies because of your size?”

  Sighing, Odel shook her head. “No, that is someone else’s job. Someone much more qualified. I’m merely a soldier.”

  “Where are your wings?” Wallace was on a roll.

  “We don’t reveal our wings to just anyone, Wolf.”

  “But what if you needed to make a fast escape from here? You could, couldn’t you? You could bust your wings out and fly away if threatened?” To emphasise her point, Wallace deliberately bared her teeth and an ominous growl escaped from her chest. In an instant it was stifled and Wallace squeaked out a startled yelp. Her eyes widened in fear at the sudden appearance of a long sword’s point pressed menacingly at her throat.

  “Are you threatening me, whelp?” Odel asked stonily, her sword pushing in fractionally and piercing Wallace’s neck. Zofia looked torn between distancing herself from her foolish friend and wanting to check out the blood now trickling from Wallace’s wound.

  “No, no, not at all.” Wallace purposely kept her gaze away from Odel, suitably cowed.

  Rhyannon coughed quietly and the sword was instantly sheathed.

  “Wise move, mutt.” Odel stared the contrite wolf down.

  Wallace rubbed at her neck with a grimace. “Fairies carry swords?”

  “It’s a harsh world out there for the preternatural community. You can never be too careful.” Odel looked about the tavern. Everyone’s attention was suddenly somewhere else. “We’re not even safe among our own. It’s a fool who goes out unprepared these dark days.” She drew in a sharp breath as the sharp point of a knife made its presence known at her stomach. She looked down to see Rhyannon’s hand holding the weapon. “Not so helpless after all, my lady.” She bowed her head in acknowledgement and the knife was duly removed.

  “Why are you here?” Rhyannon asked. “You’re a long way from home.”

  “My people are hearing stories, rumours of an army threatening to test the borders of the fairy kingdom.”

  “With what intention?” Surreptitiously, Rhyannon looked around her. Now the others in the tavern were all ears and listening intently to the fairy speak.

  “To invade and take our lands, lands that have been rightfully ours since time began.”

  “And if these rumours prove to be true?” Zofia asked, a small smile playing on her lips.

  “Then I’m going to serve as warning to those who wish to go into battle with us. We have more magic than you bloodsuckers and tick carriers can imagine.”

  Zofia and Wallace both bristled at the derogatory comments. Zofia sat up straighter in her seat. “Your people send in one fairy soldier against a whole tavern full of vampires and werewolves. Either you’re all-powerful or your people are running scared and you were the only one woman enough to stand up to us.” She looked Odel up and down. “But you don’t look that big to me, Fairy.”

  “Size matters nothing when I possess the one thing our nation was founded on.”

  “And what’s that?” Wallace asked, still worrying at her throat.

  Odel leaned forward over the table and the nervous werewolf shrank back. “A magic more powerful than you can possibly imagine.”

  Zofia snorted inelegantly. “Magic has no hold in our world now. It’s outdated. What are you going to do, sprite? Turn my hair blue with a few choice words or de-fuzz Wallace here?”

  Wallace gasped out loud at the thought. “I don’t want to lose my fur,”
she whimpered.

  The people in the tavern started to crowd in a little closer with a swell of angry whispers. Some of the men looked like they were preparing to take action. Odel slowly removed her sword from its sheath again. This time when she spoke, she spoke to the whole room.

  “I have it on good authority that tonight this tavern welcomes the rulers of the vampire court and the werewolf pack. And not just them, but also the leaders of their armies are assembled.” She cast an eye around the room. “It’s so nice that you could all join me for this occasion. I bring you word from the Queen of the fairy folk herself. You will not cross our borders.” Odel paused, then added in a voice of steel, “For if you do, you will suffer the consequences.”

  “And a bunch of little fairies are going to do what exactly?” A deep male voice rang out. Rhyannon spied him lounging at the bar, his military bearing revealing him to be one of the vampire soldiers.

  “We shall show our true might.” Odel shrugged off her cape and her large wings burst forth. Not fragile things, but wings imbued with muscle and might. They shone with a burnished bronze as if forged from the finest metal and were tipped with lethal barbs. She opened them fully, forcing the people behind her to step back or risk getting hurt. “I warn you for the last time, neighbours, never judge someone’s power by their mere size. You cross our borders, we will take a step back onto yours.” With a flourish of her hand, Odel let loose a shimmering rainbow of dust that covered her from head to toe.

  “Fairy dust, ooh, I’m so scared,” Zofia muttered sarcastically.

  Rhyannon was satisfied to see the vampire’s face suddenly pale even more as Odel began to shift and grow before all their eyes. The fairy first began to slowly gain height over the occupants of the tavern and then she grew taller still. There were some startled screams and frightened yells as Odel grew at an almighty rate. Everyone pushed back and away from the transformation happening right before them. Terrified, they huddled together at the other side of the room as Odel’s size increased. Some tried to escape out of the door but found it sealed. No amount of pulling or banging on it worked the door free of its frame.

  “There’s no escape.” Odel’s voice boomed off the tavern’s walls as she all but pressed into the ceiling. She rested one hand on the thatched roof and peered down at the frightened occupants of the tavern. Her sword had grown too and its lethal blade shone in the tavern’s lights. She lifted it carefully over the heads of the nervous vampires and werewolves. “This is but a fraction of the size I can grow to. Imagine an army like me with this impressive might. We could fly into your lands on silent wings and wipe out each and every one of you.”

  Zofia hastened to her feet. “You dare come into this tavern and threaten us all? We have done your people no harm.”

  “Not as yet, but we have seen the plans you have worked up between your military men. Not all your clan wish to fight against us. They prefer to continue living in the peace that exists between us all.” Odel twisted her sword so it caught the light. Wicked glints shone along its impressive length. “Your own plans were leaked to us by ones who could only have been in your war rooms. Think about it. You’re not as safe in your own lands as you believe.”

  Zofia looked around the room and caught the eye lines of certain vampires and werewolves alike. Rhyannon watched the silent communications with interest. Zofia then turned back to the giant in the room.

  “I think it’s safe to say you’ve made your point, Odel. Tell your Queen we meant no disrespect in considering expanding our lands. It was an idle thought that should never have been made public knowledge by loose tongues. We regret that it brought fear to your esteemed people.” She bowed nervously, her dark eyes flicking toward the lethal sword that hung high above everyone’s heads. “Tell your Queen she has nothing to fear from either house.” She looked around the room again and a large male werewolf nodded.

  Rhyannon recognised him as the current Alpha of the werewolves. She’d already identified Zofia as the vampire next in line to reign once the current King tired of leading his immortals. She recognised the familial arrogance and the ornamental ring bearing the family crest Zofia wore. Now she knew the key players, it was Rhyannon’s turn to speak.

  “I thank you for that reassurance, Zofia.” Rhyannon removed her hood and let her hair flow free. The pale blond tresses lit up the room with an unnatural glow. Standing, she appeared before them all, radiant and shimmering. She looked around the room, satisfied to see the apprehension in many an eye. “Be assured, my power is even stronger than this soldier’s. Fear us and leave our lands untouched. You’ll only get one warning from me, so heed it well.”

  Everyone nodded swiftly, looking to Rhyannon and Odel in undisguised terror.

  At a nod from Rhyannon, Odel shrank back down in size.

  “I think our business is concluded here, Your Highness. May I escort you back to your kingdom?” Odel’s sword was still in her fighting hand but she held out her other arm gallantly.

  Rhyannon rested her hand lightly on Odel’s forearm. She turned to Zofia and Wallace. “Thank you for the scintillating conversation, ladies. I learned so much about your people tonight thanks to your…attentions.” She tossed a few coins on the table. “Buy everyone a drink on me, as a thank you for their kind hospitality to a stranger in a very strange land.” She let Odel lead her through the tavern, amused by how everyone stepped back in fear. Odel unlatched the door that opened easily for them and closed it quietly behind them as they left.

  *

  “How long before the spell wears off?” Odel asked, risking a swift look over her shoulder back toward the tavern as they hastened away.

  “Just a few more minutes, but I resealed the door for a while so that no one could attempt to follow us.”

  “Then I suggest we waste no more time. Let’s take to the air and put this place behind us.” Odel sheathed her sword and flexed her wings. A soft steady thrumming sounded in the air as she vibrated her wings, preparing for flight. She helped Rhyannon push her cloak aside. Underneath, the Queen of the Fairies possessed a magnificent set of wings resembling the purest gold filigree.

  “I won’t be sorry to shake the dust of this place from my wings,” Rhyannon admitted. “Let’s get out of here and not tempt our staying any longer.” Taking to the air with a graceful manoeuvre, Rhyannon rose above the ground and looked down at where they’d been. The tavern looked so small from the air, the three roads that led to each faction’s territory stood out starkly on the ground. Rising higher, Rhyannon looked north. The vampires’ lands were a dark and dismal vista. The ornate castles built high on imposing hillsides were fashioned with cruel spires, their bricks a sullen grey to match the landscape. The whole land looked empty and devoid of life. Rhyannon thought how fitting that was for such a race. To the west lay the werewolf territories. In marked contrast this was a veritable forest, trees of every variation tangled tightly together to hide the ground from prying eyes. Rhyannon had a fondness for the wolves. They were creatures of a transforming magic like the fairies could empower. But like the vampires, they were bound forever to the cycle of the moon above. Fairies had no such limitations. Rhyannon looked east and found her home.

  “Your Highness, if you’re done sightseeing, we need to go.” Odel was already flying away, looking eager to be on safer soil.

  Rhyannon’s wings carried her after her mate. “You did well in there, Odel. I love the uniform, where did you get it?” As the Princess Consort to the Queen, Odel had long since handed in her soldier’s garb for a ruler’s cloak and crown. Rhyannon had gotten a special kind of thrill seeing her lover in the clothing she had wooed her in so many years before.

  “I borrowed it from Alfre.”

  “You look mighty fine in it, my dear. It brings back sweet memories.”

  Odel turned around to hover until Rhyannon drew up beside her. “Flattery will get you everywhere, my Queen. Do you think we suitably put the wind up the vamps and wolves?”

  �
�I hope so. Every generation we have to prove ourselves again to these people. It’s a good job all of us are long lived, so we can make sure we don’t pull the same tricks every time.”

  “I think we did well this time.”

  “Yes, showing our might in size was a marvellous inspiration from you, my dear.” Rhyannon flew past her, then called over her shoulder, “Well, don’t you want to get home?”

  Odel put a spurt on and raced after her wife. “Don’t think I didn’t notice that damn vampire all but had her beady eyes wedged between your cleavage,” she grumbled.

  “I’m surprised she could even see mine with the glare of paleness from her own chest she boldly had on display.”

  “Vampires know little shame.” Odel flew at Rhyannon’s side, tempering her wings to match their speed. “What did you make of the werewolves? This was our first time meeting our neighbours, and I wondered what you had learned.”

  Rhyannon reached out and they flew together hand in hand. “I found the vampires a haughty and selfish breed. They appear to look out only for themselves. All those years of immortality have worn away their manners. As for the werewolves, I rather pity them. They are obviously in league with the vampires but held in such disdain they are nothing more than lap dogs.”

  “I found the smell offensive in the tavern.” Odel made a face.

  “That’s because you, my love, are used to the fresh air and bright meadows we live in. We are blessed to be surrounded by the perfume of flowers and not the rank odours of people and badly fermenting ale.”

  “The sun seems to shine more on our territory too.”

  “I’m sure the Fairy Goddess had a hand in that for us.” Rhyannon relaxed and felt the warmth from the swiftly setting sun caress her face. They flew over their lands, hailed by the fairies on guard at the borders and at various strategic points. She caught sight of a trail of fireflies taking to the air, their bodies tiny beacons to light up the night when it fell.