Despite her vague sense of motion sickness, Eilidh felt an underlying emotional calm. In the previous two days, she had come to understand more about magic than she had in her entire life of trying unsuccessfully to learn the Ways of Earth. Throughout her childhood, her father and other mentors attempted to teach her something alien to the way her mind naturally worked. Now that she had her first taste of what astral magic should feel like, she gained confidence. Beneath it twinged a layer of regret for all the wasted years, frustration, and deeply ingrained belief that she was somehow less than the other kingdom fae.
Eilidh caught her own reflection in the bus window. The general shape of her face was her own, but Beniss had guided her through creating an illusion to round her ears, darken the shade of her hair and finely arched brows, and add a few flaws to her skin tone. It hardly took any energy for Eilidh to hold the illusion, but it still felt uncomfortable, like wearing a pair of shoes the wrong size. She couldn’t help but stare at herself, and she ran her hand over the top of her ears to be sure the spirals were still there, hidden beneath the illusion. Beniss told her that one day she would teach her how to perform an illusion that would fool the mind on a deeper level and make the ears feel as well as look round. For now, however, all they cared about was getting back to Perth without being noticed.
Eilidh’s first lessons in astral magic consisted mostly of various types of illusions. Beniss said they were the easiest and most natural talents to have come out. Eilidh could fool the eye, as well as the ear, and had learned to mask herself even better than her Watcher training had taught. She told Beniss about the blood faerie being able to contact her with some kind of mind-speak and that it had happened when Eilidh opened herself to astral flows. But Beniss said teaching her that would take too long. Mind-speaking was a difficult talent, one that would give them little advantage over what they would soon face.
They kept the plan simple. They would find the blood faerie and kill him. There would be no conversation, no negotiation, no attempts to reason with him. They had not arrived at the decision lightly, but with the help of the higher conclave, they concluded he would be impossible to restrain and unlikely to reform, especially if the Krostach Ritual had started to exact a price on the faerie’s mind. Even if he were perfectly sane, they said, what faerie would be willing to give up magic? Eilidh shuddered as she realised she had nearly been willing to do just that to please Saor.
Every one of the azuri faeries would face death by the kingdom conclave, so it was no small thing for them to decide to take the life of someone whose crime was in his own magical talents. Yet the loss of four druids could not be tolerated. Bonding with a true druid went far beyond increasing a faerie’s power.
Everyone, not least of all the higher conclave, had been shocked to learn that Munro had initiated the binding ceremony. That day in the woods when he’d said, “Dem’ontar-che” to Eilidh, he had unknowingly pledged his devotion. The fae on the Isle of Skye had grown excited, telling Eilidh she already had his consent to bind him. Eilidh disagreed. She didn’t know what magic had given him the words, but she would not let him cede his will to an incomprehensible magical force. The longer they were bonded, the more they would be inside each other’s heads. It was not a thing to ask lightly.
Eilidh had to admit she was not certain about it either. She liked Munro, liked him very much. Her attraction for him had grown, despite everything she’d been taught about humans and fae. Not to mention that she found the possibility of mastering the Ways of Earth enticing. But to be so intimately aware of another person all the time, to have them etched into her mind, knowing there was no way to ever undo the ritual… Eilidh felt uncertain. Beniss seemed convinced that bonding with Munro would be vital to the success of finding and overcoming the blood faerie. Even knowing that, Eilidh would not complete the bond without his permission, not when she had so many doubts.
Although Eilidh wanted to get off the bus once they came to parts of the country that were more inhabited by humans, and therefore safer from fae Watchers, Beniss insisted they ride all the way to the city. They sat in the back, and Beniss did her best to teach Eilidh what she could. She drilled Eilidh over and over, often frustrated by how rigid Eilidh’s mind had become after more than a century of resisting her talents.
As they came closer to Perth, Eilidh forgot how much she disliked the bus and its mechanical smells and grew nervous about seeing Munro. She had considered how she would explain the bonding. She knew most of the benefits would be hers. He would live longer, aging nearly as slowly as she did, but to a short-lived species, the idea of a centuries-long existence might not be appealing. Especially considering all of his friends, his family, everyone he loved would die while he lived on. According to Beniss and the higher conclave, Munro’s magical abilities would probably not be enhanced. For him, the benefits were few, and the price might be more than he was willing to pay.
Finally, they arrived in the city. Eilidh was happy to run the few miles to Munro’s house. Sitting for so long had made her legs ache and the movement helped clear her thoughts. Even the human smells of Perth were far more appealing than the enclosed air on the bus. She and Beniss ran, each step taking them closer to a conversation Eilidh was not quite ready to have. She told herself that she and Beniss would find a way to do what they must, even if Munro turned her down. But a place in her heart hoped he wouldn’t. The feelings confused her. She couldn’t put a name to them. They were certainly unlike the feelings she’d once had for Saor. When she told Beniss about it, Beniss said it was the power of the unfinished bonding ritual and that everything would become clear when the rite was complete.
Eilidh smiled in the warm summer evening as she approached Munro’s neighbourhood. She realised how much she’d come to love the city and how much it felt like home. The higher conclave had urged her to return and complete her training, which could take many decades, but she had been reluctant to make promises. Someday she would, no doubt. The taste of casting the azure she’d gotten with Beniss left her hungry. But things were changing so fast. She wanted to be able to make commitments with a clear head, not in the shadow of peril.
When they finally arrived at Munro’s house, Eilidh stopped in the front garden and stared at the door. Beniss reached down and took Eilidh’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “You must do this,” she said.
“I know.” Suddenly, all the things she planned to say abandoned her. She could feel him inside the house. He must have been aware of her too, but still she could not move.
The front door opened. Munro stood in the doorway. His eyes never left her. He did not even appear to notice Beniss or the fact that Eilidh’s appearance had changed. He strode toward her and put his arms around her, pulling her into a fierce hug. He buried his face in her shoulder. Finally, after a long moment, he looked into her eyes. He started to speak, then instead, kissed her full on the mouth, with none of the indecision or hesitation he’d shown before. “Don’t ever leave me again, Eilidh.”
“You don’t mean that,” Eilidh said, turning her face away. “I have learned much since we last saw each other. These feelings you have for me are part of a bonding magic that we inadvertently triggered when we first met.”
Munro put his finger on Eilidh’s chin and tilted it upward to force her to meet his eyes. “I may not know a lot of things, but I know my own mind…and my own heart.”
“Quinton, I have many things I need to tell you, but we don’t have a lot of time.” She squeezed his arm, and he released her.
He lowered his voice. “I know. We found two more bodies, probably his first victims, and I have reason to think he’s killing druids. Although one of the first victims was likely fae.”
Beniss and Eilidh exchanged a surprised look. The fae victim must have been an outcast, otherwise Saor would know of it. Eilidh nodded grimly. “We believe he is trying to perform what is known as the Krostach Ritual. It requires the hearts of four true druids.”
Munro appeared t
o notice Beniss for the first time. “I assume you’re not any more human than she is.” He smiled and ran a finger over Eilidh’s invisible twisted ear, causing her to shiver and blush.
“And you have doubts, child, that he wants to complete the life bond of a true druid servant?” Beniss asked with a smile.
“Servant?” For the first time since they’d arrived, uncertainty passed over Munro’s face.
“If you consent to complete the bond with Eilidh, her strength will be increased many times over. She will gain access to magic that even one of her deep talents would have difficulty mastering on her own. Your connection with the Ways of Earth will be open to her, and she can use the powers to challenge the one who preys on your people. In exchange, you will receive the long life that fae enjoy and be forever bonded to the one you so obviously love.”
Munro began to speak, but Eilidh held up a hand and stopped him from replying to Beniss. “There is more you should know. The bond is deep and cannot be severed. We will be in each other’s minds and in each other’s hearts as long as we both live. Should you change your mind…”
“I won’t.” His words were sure, but his voice held some hesitation.
“Quinton, you must…”
Munro held up a hand to stop her. He studied her eyes intently, then glanced to the sky. It was overcast, and Munro took some time and considered the clouds, breathing in the evening air. Finally, he spoke. “Do it. Whatever you have to.”
This time it was Beniss who asked. “And the cost?”
“I’m not seeing a downside.” Munro put a hand on either side of Eilidh’s face. “The last two days as I felt you coming home, I’ve thought of little else than being with you. Do you love me? Could you love me?”
“These are not things the fae speak of.” Eilidh felt her face reddening. She did not yet have the mastery of illusion to know if she kept it hidden.
“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not fae. If you bond with me, you’ll have to get used to the fact that I’m not what you expect. I know things will take time, and I know we’re different. But if you’re asking me if it’s too much to bear, being stuck with you for a very long time, the answer is no. It’s not too much. Do what you have to do.”
Eilidh glanced at Beniss, who nodded. The elder fae said, “Perhaps we could go inside?”
Munro led them into his house, and they sat awkwardly on the soft furniture. “I found this at the latest crime scene,” Munro said, digging a small, carved stone out of his pocket. He handed it to Eilidh. It was beautiful work, more intricate than the rough shape she’d seen Munro make. “I made this the day you and Saor left,” he said and gave her a small metal bear. In it, she could feel his essence, which had become as familiar as his face.
She showed both pieces to Beniss, who said, “The dead man was surely a druid. His heart was taken?”
“Yes. According to the coroner, he died before the other two. That means the blood faerie has taken three hearts, but one was destroyed. It looks like he tried to take the faerie’s heart as well, but it was also found mangled at the scene. So whatever he tried didn’t work there either.”
Beniss grew pale. “An abomination,” she said.
“While you were gone, I met a few other druids. I took your advice, Eilidh, and tracked down a cousin who seems to have a similar talent, although he’s gifted with water, not stone. The druids talked about a mentor named Cridhe, but I don’t know if he is a druid or fae.”
Beniss tilted her head to one side. “It seems likely they are speaking of the blood faerie himself, although I do not know this name.”
“Can any faerie detect a druid? My cousin seemed to know I was like him the moment I walked into his house.”
“I do not think so. From what lore we still possess after our exile, it seems most azuri fae can only detect a druid with whom a bond would be successful. Not every druid is suited to every faerie. The magic is complex.”
“Yes,” Eilidh said. “The first time I saw Quinton, I knew there was something different about him.” She remembered that night, how she watched Munro from the shadows and how he seemed to be able to sense her in the dark.
“I had not anticipated there would be more druids the blood faerie was keeping alive.” Beniss seemed troubled. “How he has managed to collect so many is beyond me. True druids are so rare. He must be old and worked long and hard in his search, or possibly found a strong lineage.”
“What do you mean?” Munro asked.
“It could be your blood connection to your cousin enabled him to sense your talents. As you will learn when you further your training with Eilidh, our heart and blood is the conduit for our magical flows.”
“On the other hand,” Eilidh remarked. “You and your people do not travel very much. Perhaps druids are not so rare as you thought.”
“That was not always so. Only within the last thousand years has the kingdom conclave persecuted those who cast the azure. Although most of us are gone, Galen, Oron, and I are all from a time before. We remember when things were much different in the kingdom. Even before the persecution started, we sought out true druids, but few found one.” Beniss looked pointedly at Munro. “And that was after a thousand years of searching. I cannot imagine how the blood faerie found so many. At least we know that until he completes the Krostach Ritual, he can only bond with one of them. The fae-druid bond can only happen one time in the lifespan of each. If we can determine which one is his creature, we target that one, and his death will weaken our foe.”
Munro’s eyes narrowed. “No. We’re not killing anyone we don’t have to.” He looked from Beniss to Eilidh, his eyes determined.
“If he has bonded with a druid, it has increased his powers immensely. When the druid dies, the blood faerie’s additional power will die with him. Besides, even if the druid survived, he would be useless to us, since he would not be able to bond with another.” Beniss shrugged.
“I will have no part in killing an innocent man, and if you try, I will stop you. Cridhe is a ruthless murderer, and I have reconciled myself to the fact that I can’t exactly arrest him. But as far as we know, the druids haven’t committed any crimes or even been aware that Cridhe is responsible for the murders. Nobody, not even you, is going to go around killing innocent people. Make no mistake about that.”
His passion stirred something within Eilidh. Although she saw the practicality of Beniss’ words, she had seen too much killing of innocents. “Quinton is right. The only death we seek is that of Cridhe, the blood faerie.”
Beniss relented with a brief nod of assent toward Munro.
“I forgot to mention, my cousin Frankie, the druid, asked me to come by tonight. I think he’s starting to piece together what is going on, assuming he didn’t already know. He might be willing to lead us to Cridhe. He hasn’t admitted he knew all three victims, but it’s unlikely he didn’t. He and the others have to be getting worried.”
Eilidh fingered the stone Munro had found at the crime scene. “Beniss, do you think this stone means the human victim was of stone talents?” She couldn’t help but hope Munro would not be a target for the Krostach Ritual.
Beniss shook her head. “No, child.” She reached over and touched the blackened grooves. “This was crafted with fire. A remarkable piece.” She nodded at Eilidh. “I know your fears, and I share them. But even if this were a stone druid’s work, we cannot be certain the dead man made it. Any of them could have dropped it.”
Munro turned to Beniss. “How much sway will Cridhe have over the druids?”
“If you’re asking about compulsion, that’s unlikely with one of blood talents.” She nodded toward Eilidh. “That’s more along the line of our gifts. It’s complicated and dangerous to both the one who casts it and the object of the incantation. I’m not as familiar as Oron with the rituals of the blood, but I do know casting the azure does not work the same way as invoking the Ways of Earth.
“The four earth talents are compatible. One faerie may ha
ve even some abilities in two or three of the seasons. With the Path of the Azure, not only are we restricted to one path, but talents in the Path tend to run in families. So every faerie in my lineage that has access to the Path only has gifts in astral magic. Blood sticks with blood, as they used to say. I could not cast blood shadows any more than I could breathe underwater.” Beniss paused to think for a moment. “Although he probably has no control over their thoughts or access to their minds, he may have other ways of tracking them. The body, the blood, the bone, he will be able to manipulate these things with ease. If you share familial blood with one of his minions, you should be wary.”
Munro glanced at his watch. “I have to go. Frankie’s expecting me. I’ll find out what he knows, and we’ll decide what to do from there.”
“The ritual must be completed,” Beniss said.
Eilidh shook her head. “We are not ready. We will discuss it further when Munro comes home tonight.” She appreciated his certainty about their bonding, but she couldn’t yet share it.
Blood Faerie - Contemporary Urban Fantasy (Caledonia Fae, Book 1) Page 17
