by Antara Mann
He grinned and ran his hand over my waist. I slipped out of his grasp and strolled along the street. I was only a few hundred yards from my house and intended to take a well-deserved rest. I’d spend at least two days doing nothing but sleeping, eating spaghetti and pizza, and binge-watching my favorite shows. I’d had enough of betrayals, vampires, goddesses and gods, the Magic Council, and all the rest — I needed some fucking sleep, for magic’s sake! No emotions and definitely no romance with the arrogant fae. No way!
“Come here. Alex, wait!” He walked after me and I increased my pace. Just before my door, he caught up with me, seized my arms, and pulled me toward himself. I pretended I didn’t want his embrace, but his masculine scent drew me in, and his potent magic sounded in that moment like strong ocean waves. It made me dizzy and I gave in to his desire. His lips sought mine and he dug hungrily into my mouth. Kissing him felt like nothing I had ever experienced. It was like the Fourth of July in my mouth, magic sizzling across and on my tongue, invigorating and titillating me.
“Whoa, that was… intense,” I said once I’d pushed him away from me. I needed a break, and took advantage of the moment to take a deep breath.
He leaned in to kiss me yet again, but I stopped him. “It’s pretty late, Kagan. Don’t be pushy on our very first date.” The words were barely out of my mouth when I realized what I’d just uttered. Where did such thoughts come from?
“So, this is our first date?” he beamed, his ego clearly soaring high in the clouds.
“No, of course it’s not a date — that was a slip of the tongue, Mr. Fae. Don’t make a big deal out of a simple mistake.”
But he wasn’t listening to my explanations. The silly smile was still pasted on his face.
“Your subconscious mind said it quite right, Miss Goddess.” He placed a light kiss on my cheek. “I’m very much looking forward to our first real date, Alex. I’ll make sure to take you to a lovely restaurant.”
So he wanted to treat me? I guess I could go on a date with him after all. Maybe.
“But not any old restaurant — I want someplace nice, like Temptation,” I said.
“Done. I’ll make reservations. Is tomorrow at eight convenient for you?”
“Perfect,” I replied, and slipped inside before he could steal another kiss.
Epilogue
I had hoped to spend the next few days sleeping, eating Italian food, and binge-watching my favorite TV shows, but it didn’t work out that way. I had to get some answers… The first day after the fight in the basement passed in a frenzy and before I realized, it was eight o’clock and time for my date with the fae.
That morning I’d had a talk with Awen — the one I’d been longing for all my life. My mentor was surprised when I asked him about my mother.
“She was a goddess, wasn’t she? And I myself am a goddess, a half-goddess,” I said.
He exclaimed, “Christ, Alex! Who told you all this?” Awen was obviously horrified. I described my encounter with Garrett, crazed and drunk on dark magic, and his attempt to slaughter me as a sacrificial lamb in order to release infernis from Inferno. Awen’s face became a shade darker with every new bit of information I told him. By the end his face looked like a storm-brewing sky, his brows furrowed.
Once I’d finished with my story he asked, very quietly, “Did you kill the bastard?”
I sighed. “Unfortunately no. He got away. And the real problem is that he has an ally, a demon — worse yet, an inferni. And I have no friggin’ idea who that might be. The only thing I know for certain is that it isn’t Kai.”
Awen cursed — the first time I’d ever heard him do it — and paced around his living room. Finally he came over to me and said, in a deadly serious tone, “I knew this day would come; I only wish it had been later. Well, the beans have already been spilled.” He sighed and went on, “Everything that guy told you is true. Your mother got in the way of some nasty demons who wanted to free infernis from their special hell, and as a result the man you know as Garrett killed her. He wanted to take your life as well. He searched for you tirelessly for years, but I have been protecting you, even since before your mother died. I never told you who you were since I’d promised your mother I wouldn’t tell you your true nature until you turned twenty-five. On your 25th birthday we can have a long talk, but you’ll have to wait until then. You see, my child, I had only your best interests at heart. That was the real reason I advised you not to enroll in any mercenary agency. I feared you’d attract unnecessary attention, and that monster was after you. Alex, do you forgive me?”
“There’s nothing I need to forgive you for,” I exclaimed and hugged him. He’d been protecting me my whole life without my knowledge. “If anything, I’m the one who should be asking you for forgiveness — I’ve been pushing you to tell me about myself instead of trusting your judgment.” My eyes filled with tears and I sobbed. My mother’s image surfaced before me and I remembered her beauty, her youth, and most of all her dazzling smile. She had the loveliest smile I’ve ever seen. Hot tears streamed down my cheeks.
“Andred would be proud if she could see you right now — her very own little daughter! You resemble her in so many ways,” Awen said with unusual gentleness in his voice. He looked at me with affection and love, and I felt closer to him that I ever had.
“But tell me, why didn’t she want me to know I was a half goddess until I turn twenty-five?” I persisted. That bit troubled me somehow.
He extracted himself from my embrace, sat down on the living room sofa, and frowned. “That’s a very good question.” He regarded me for a few moments and finally said, “Your powers are intensifying, right? You have started to hear your inner voice more and more — you’re communicating with it, aren’t you?”
I nodded and he went on. “I thought so, which is why I advised you to listen to it. This voice is part of your goddess nature, as well as one of your more ‘unusual’ gifts, so to speak, like your healing ability, and the fact that you can teleport and read into an object’s past. When you turn twenty-five, though, your goddess powers will increase significantly, and I doubt the moon phases will influence your magic anymore.”
I gaped at him. So that meant my inner voice was… my inner goddess?
“You have inherited a piece of the goddess’ soul, and that inner voice is your link with the goddess inside of you, yes. It is a gift from your mother. Since your father was a mage — a powerful elemental, but still merely a mage — you’re a half-goddess and your powers are, as a result, less powerful than Andred’s. That’s why they have appeared only at certain times, usually connected to the moon phases. However, as I said, after you turn twenty-five, they will increase drastically, though I cannot predict to what extent. You also need training. I can provide you with some, but I think the Magic Council has more qualified supernaturals than myself, especially at the Court of Heaven.”
“I see ,” I muttered. “And what should I do from now on, Awen? Will the Morrigan want me to join her court? Am I on her side, their side?”
“That’s difficult to guess, child, but I’m sure she’ll want to talk to you in private. After all, Andred, your mother, was one of her most loyal servants.” He smiled at me ever so lovingly. “I should imagine she is very well disposed towards you. You can probably benefit a lot from your mother’s good name.”
I pondered over his words, then remembered something. “And what about my father? Is he… alive? Does he care about me?”
Awen laid his hand on my knee and said, “I’m sorry, Alex, he died a long time ago, when you were still a baby. He was a brave and noble man, though. He loved your mother deeply, and she loved him just as much. He lost his life in a tragic accident and your mother never quite recovered from it. It was you who kept her sane and on the right track.”
“Until that monster Garrett killed her,” I spat, venom burning in my insides. How I wanted this asshole dead! Because of him, I’d forever lost my mother and would never have opportunity to know h
er. He’d ruined my childhood and young adult years. One thing I was sure of: I had to kill him myself.
Awen squeezed my hand. “What’s done is done, but I’m sure she’s helping you somehow,” he reassured me.
Just then I received a message from Kagan. The Council and both Courts wanted to see us, the investigators, and express their gratitude to us for successfully solving the murder cases. Before I left, Awen said, “Everything’s gonna be alright, sunshine. But you have to kill him. He won’t rest until he kills you."
I felt a chill go up my spine at Awen’s second sight. Did he have a premonition of danger?
“So get some rest and prepare when he comes back, for he surely will.”
I turned my eyes toward my mentor and stared at him for a few long moments. So many questions swarmed inside my mind — I wanted to ask him about his warning, and about Garrett — but I didn’t have the heart for it. Not now, anyway. It wasn’t the right time. I needed to get some rest instead — he was absolutely right about that.
***
I met Kagan and the shifters shortly before noon at the fae’s apartment. He teleported us to the Veil where representatives from the Courts of Heaven and Hell were waiting for us. This time, though, there was no strife between them. Even Kai was in a good mood — as much as was possible for him, anyway. The conversation was short and simple: They thanked us, then Kai asked me about Garrett and I told him everything I knew.
By the end of my story, Kai was furious, his eyes glinting menacingly, and his magic was thundering and roaring around us like restless ocean waves. After I finished, both the Morrigan and Kai thanked us and we were dismissed. I stood to follow my colleagues, but the Morrigan’s voice made me stop in my tracks.
“Alex, could you please stay for a while with us?”
I hesitated and flashed a glance at Kagan. He nodded, then drew nearer to me and whispered in my ear, “Go! She probably wants to tell you something important. I’ll send you a text later about our date tonight; you haven’t forgotten, have you?” He winked playfully at me, then left the grand hall. Once they were all gone, the Morrigan turned to me.
“So how are you, Alex?”
“What kind of stupid question is that?” Kai snapped.
“Being snarky again, huh? You ought to be more polite toward me and my court, Kai,” she retorted.
Kai waved a hand dismissively. “Yes, yes, I’m very grateful and all that, and it’s all my fault — I know. I’ll make sure the traitors are severely punished. I’ll show them who’s boss.” Anger flickered in his eyes like two small volcanic explosions, and I shivered. If he got his hands on Garrett and his master, he’d probably throw them into the most gruesome hell possible. Or even create one, if it didn’t already exist.
The Morrigan glanced at me. “I apologize, Alex, for my colleague’s outburst and behavior, but this is his nature. Anyway, I wanted to talk to you and learn what you intend to do from here on out. As a half-goddess, you can’t really join my ranks, but given the fact that you thwarted the killer, and considering who your mother was, I’m inclined to raise the issue before the rest of my court. We might make an exception for you.
“Another possible option is for you to work for the Magic Council. I have talked to Galvyn, their president, and he said they can hire you as a full-time investigator. Kagan spoke very highly about your detective skills.” She smiled and her benign energy invigorated me. Both offers sounded fantastic, and I didn’t know right off the bat which one to choose.
“Well, what’s your decision ?” Kai asked, not even bothering to conceal the irritation in his voice.
“I need some time to consider both offers. They’re both very attractive,” I replied.
“Of course dear, take your time. How about you give me your answer in a week’s time? Just email me your response.” She handed me her card, which had an email address printed below her name.
As I was leaving, my phone buzzed and I saw Kagan’s text. He informed me he’d come to my place at eight pm sharp and requested that I be dressed nicely: no jeans, no boots, and no blood on my clothes. Holy moly; he must be planning to take me somewhere fancy.
I teleported home, and finally got my well-deserved break: I ordered a pizza and sat down to watch one of my favorite shows. Naomi was working at the Steaming Cauldron, so I had the whole afternoon to myself. She sent me a few text messages throughout the day to tell me about how busy the shop was, bringing in more customers — and more money — than we had since Magica World had opened. Maybe that was why we had so many clients today: We didn’t have any more competitors, now that I’d destroyed the last one's store. I smiled. Fate has a sense of humor, as well.
And yet, poor Desmond. He’d lost his shop, his partner and sponsor, and pretty much his business. I was relieved when Brendon informed me he wasn’t among the victims found after I’d blasted the basement, and I hoped Desmond was safe and sound, wherever he was.
While I was watching my show, I used my relaxed state of mind to contemplate the revelation that I was a half-goddess. Wow! Thinking back to the incident with the incubus at the Hellfire Club the first time we went there, I suddenly realized why I had blasted him — the goddess inside me didn’t like demonic nature close to herself at all.
Shortly before Kagan arrived, I started looking through my wardrobe for something to wear. I came across a nice red dress and tried it on. It fit me perfectly, highlighting my breasts and waist. Holy magic, I looked exquisite! I found a pair of high heels I hadn’t worn for ages, but they matched the color of the dress perfectly, so my outfit was all ready.
Kagan arrived right on time. Clad in slacks and a blazer, perfectly shaved, and deadly powerful, he looked gorgeous. His magic rolled over mine and I longed to kiss him and feel the strength of his masculine embrace.
He whistled and exclaimed, “Wow! You look stunning, Alex.” He hugged me and gave me a light peck on the cheek. “This is for you.” He handed me a splendid bouquet of red roses and I blushed. I thanked him hastily and went to the kitchen to find a vase.
“Are you ready?” he asked when I returned.
I nodded and said, “So, where are we going, Mr. Fae? Temptation or some other posh NY restaurant?”
He grinned. “No, not at all. We’re heading to Dal Riata.” His grin deepened, but I was puzzled.
“Dal Riata? What’s that?” I had barely said the words when a memory flashed through my mind: I’d heard the name before. Wasn’t it an Irish pub, or club or something? Maybe in Dublin?
“It’s the meeting place for Seelie and Unseelie fae — a neutral zone. I’m sure you’ll love it. The food is delicious and the ambience is lovely.” He stretched out his hand, and I hesitated before taking it. Frankly, I preferred my home setting to Ireland, but if he promised I would like it…
His magic intensified and the familiar magic portal appeared before us, sparkling in a white-yellowish light. We stepped inside and the magic took us.
We landed in a dark dingy alley and I turned to the fae. “What the hell?”
But he only said, “Wait a second, Alex,” and laid his hand on the red, dusty bricks in front of us. Suddenly they began wiggling and shifting, and soon a cleared path appeared before us. He stepped inside and motioned for me to follow him.
I found myself in a place that seemed frozen by time. Early medieval castles and ancient-looking houses lined both sides of the road. As a passing group of leprechauns greeted us, I spotted the fairy star embroidered on the castles’ flags.
“Whoa whoa whoa! What is this? A whole new town inside the city of Dublin?”
“It’s actually one of the few remaining authentic fae streets in the whole world. It’s called Áedán mac Gabráin, after one of the greatest Gaelic kings. There are only three other fae streets like this — one is in Wales, another in Edinburgh, and the third in Canada.”
“Canada? Well, that’s a surprise.”
He nodded and pointed to a small door below one of the castles we were
approaching. “And here’s our very own fae club — Dal Riata.”
I raised my eyebrows and chuckled. “You can’t mean it.”
But Kagan said, “It’s the best place for fae. And not only us: Quite a few supernaturals hang out here too.” With those words he strode toward the small, insignificant-looking door and opened it, stepping aside for me to go first.
“That’s very kind of you, Kagan, but let me warn you: I’m not going to sleep with you. Not tonight, anyway.”
“So, maybe another time?” He winked at me.
I shot him a dirty look and he hastily added, “Then a kiss at least?” A mischievous smile tugged at the corners of his lips and he leaned toward me. His action gave me goosebumps, and I involuntarily shivered.
“We’ll see about that, Mr. Fae. Largely depends on the food in here.” I walked into the venue and he followed me.
The place was a very unusual one, decorated in colors of dark yellow, brown, dark green and the like. Celtic music was playing, at a comfortable level. Upon entering, the customers’ fairy-dust magic engulfed me making me feel lightheaded, as if I’d smoked opium. Kagan headed for a secluded table in the far left corner; as we made our way across the room, I spotted two vampires as well, though they didn’t look like the typical ones. A few witches, wizards, and even shifters drank and talked, either at the bar or the tables scattered around. It was hard to explain why, but I did like this place: It felt like home. As soon as we sat down, a waitress appeared, bringing a menu list. She herself was a fae, if a low-level one; one of her eyes was green, the other hazel, and her hair was flaxen with some pink strands. She greeted Kagan with a beaming smile.
“Hello, Mr. Griffith, how are you? Would you like your usual, the shepherd’s pie?”
“Yes, Helen. Can you please bring a candle to the table, as well?”
She nodded curtly and turned to me. It was clear that she envied me. Small wonder: being on a date with the hot, super-wealthy member of one of the magic dynasties, the almighty Kagan Griffith — it was nothing to sneeze at. And it certainly wasn’t my typical off-work evening. Ever since the werewolf had dumped me, I’d been feeling like a bit of an underdog.
