by T K Eldridge
“Explains what?” Grizz asked – and I could’ve kissed him for that.
“Explains why Maggie won’t let you research, and why she won’t answer you,” Fionn replied. “Do you know Margaret’s parents?”
I thought for a moment, then shook my head. “No, actually – I don’t even know their names. I know the Fortin line goes back to the sixteen hundreds, but just that Margaret Fraser married Marcel Fortin.”
“Margaret is the daughter of Fiona Bowden and Alastair Fraser. She’s not their only child, though. She’s one of five children. Athdara, Iona, Siusan, Margaret, and their brother, the eldest, Fergus. Fergus is, last I’d heard, still alive and in Scotland, where he’s lived for the past hundred years or more. However, Fergus and Athdara were born of Alastair and his first wife, Kirin. Iona and Siusan were born of Fiona and her first husband, John Doyle. Margaret is the only one born to Fiona and Alastair,” Fionn said and then he looked from Grizz to me. “You cannot share this next part. If word gets out, it could cost Margaret her life, and both of us the throne.”
I nodded, and he tipped his head at me, so I spoke the words. “I promise to keep the secret.”
Grizz nodded and spoke, “I promise to keep the secret.”
“Margaret is not full fae. She’s half fae, from Alastair Fraser, while her mother was a witch. Since Margaret and I were not having children, I could marry her and make her my Queen.”
“So, Grandma Maggie’s mother was a witch. I swear, every time I turn around, my bloodline gets more twisted,” I said.
Fionn just smiled. “No one is truly pure, because the heart wants what the heart wants. When you can find Chosen across species, then you know the original plan was to not have pure bloodlines.”
“Okay, so while this is fascinating, I don’t see how it ties to the Macha,” I said.
“The Macha is always a witch. Full witch. The Badb is always a shifter or mythic, and the Nemain is always a full fae. The woman who holds the title of Macha, and has for the past three hundred years or more, is Maggie’s sister, Iona.”
“Oh, wow,” I breathed and sat back in my chair. “I take it the sisters weren’t close?”
“Fergus adored all of his sisters, but he was particularly protective of wee Maggie. Athdara and Siusan married into other families and left their birth family behind. Iona, however, had always had a mean streak and as such, no one cared to wed her. Fergus had to shield Maggie from Iona’s spite more than once. Finally, she was sent out of the house and away from the family. They later learned that she had apprenticed herself to a witch that lived in the Wicklow mountains in Ireland, and when that witch died, Iona claimed the title of the Macha.”
“From what I’ve been able to learn, the Macha is the sovereignty aspect of the Morrigna triad, associated with land, fertility, rulers, and war,” I said.
“That is so,” Fionn said and took a sip of his coffee. “This is good coffee, may I have more?”
I refilled his mug from the pot on the table, then added some to Grizz’s mug as well as my own. “I’m getting the impression there is a lot more to this story,” I said to Fionn.
“Well, you know that Maggie killed my son, and left her son behind when she escaped? Macha is behind the uprisings my son, and later my grandson, tried to use to unseat me. The Macha is behind the murder of my first wife, Grainne. She is a powerful, vindictive, evil woman and the hate she has for her sister has grown to encompass anyone Maggie loves. I married Maggie because she has always put the throne and the people we are to protect and serve ahead of her own needs and wants. Is it strange that I married my son’s widow? Yes, in human terms it is weird. But when you live as long as we do, such things don’t matter unless you were to make children together. Then, yes, it can get weird.” Fionn looked up at me, eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Maggie was the best person I could think of, the one person I could trust without reservation, to handle my failing kingdom. Not only did she save the kingdom, she saved all of Faery by bringing us out of the pocket realm.”
I reached out and gave his hand a squeeze, then leaned back once more. “I think I understand her motivation in not wanting anyone to make the connection that the Macha is her sister, and therefore she’s not fully fae – but doesn’t the risk to the rest of us counter that need?”
“If I may,” Grizz said. “I believe it’s not so much that she wants to keep it secret that she’s not full fae, but that she doesn’t want people to realize the Macha was behind the uprising attempts because she’s still out there and hasn’t been caught or punished.”
Fionn pointed a finger at Grizz. “That’s a big part of it.” Then he turned to me. “However, that’s not all of it. Macha is a very powerful witch. I can almost guarantee that Maggie’s attempts at shutting down your research angle was to keep you safe. She doesn’t want anything to happen to you, and going after the Macha is a risk you’re not strong enough to take.”
“She’s threatening my community, my family, my friends – she’s making life untenable in Belle Cove and Sorsyville with the instability of the ley lines,” I said. “I have to stop her.”
“She’s not the only reason for the ley line instability, but she’s a big part of it. Macha has been working towards this day for centuries. By weaning witches away from the Path of the Creator and other traditions that helped stabilize and balance the power, she has been undermining the core of what kept magic flowing for the witches. To fix the problem with the ley lines, witches will need to start practicing the ancient traditions, and Macha needs to be stopped. It also wouldn’t hurt for more witches to have offspring with other species,” Fionn said.
My mouth must’ve dropped open because Grizz chuckled at my expression. I swallowed and sat up straight. “That’s exactly what I had discovered over weeks of research,” I said. “That the elementals were the first beings made by the Creators. Fae were then added, by the Creators, to serve the elementals. The elementals created the witches to help keep the fae from taking over and dominating the elementals, and witches created the shifters to keep the humans from destroying all things supernatural. Mythics are elementals that bred with other species and then later gained the ability to shift when the witches learned how to give that gift to witch-human hybrids to create the new species.”
It was Grizz’s turn to stare at me with his mouth hanging open.
“Yes, Grizzell. Your griffins are part elementals, and therefore, if there was a hierarchy, the Mythics would be at the top, under the pure elementals – if there are any of those left,” I said.
“If there are any pure elementals left, they would be exceedingly rare,” Fionn said. “Even those we call sylphs, nymphs, dryads, and so on – are part fae, part elemental.” He set down his cup and gave me an appraising look. “You are highly intelligent, and unusually adept at putting random bits of information together. I admire that skill.”
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate your compliment.”
“It is my turn to ask a favor of you, granddaughter. Would you arrange it so I could have words with your Commander? And then, at some point, I would like to meet the rest of the family. I would be most grateful, if you could see to this,” Fionn said.
“Grizz and I, both, could get you to see Commander Walsh – but I take it you mean you want to meet with him in such a way that no one else will know?”
“That is so. Maggie still believes I’m locked in my tower suite, ignoring the world. I’d like her to think that for a little bit longer.”
“Well, if you’d like to spend the day here, I’m sure we could find plenty to talk about, and Grizz could see about bringing Grampa Walsh here. He’s at the farm a lot, so it wouldn’t be unusual.”
Grizz nodded. “I could do that. In fact, I can go do that now. Want me to bring back some take out?”
I turned to Fionn. “What do you say, Grampa Fionn?” I gave him a teasing smile and he smiled back.
“I’ve wanted to try some of the more exotic foods, now that I’m
out of the realm. What do you suggest?”
“Well, what’s exotic? Fried chicken? Thai food? Chinese? Korean barbecue?”
“I’ll take care of it. I think I know what he’ll like,” Grizz said. “I’ll be back in an hour or two, depending on what the Commander is in the middle of. See you both soon.”
Grizz left and I cleared his dishes, then nodded to the cobbler. “Help yourself to more, if you like. Or I can wrap it up and you can take it home with you. Would you like to see my research?”
Fionn eyed the cobbler, then sighed. “You should probably wrap it up. I do want more, but I suspect I’ll need the space to be able to do justice to a meal of new things to try. Show me what you’ve been doing and how you do it. I’ll admit I’m quite fascinated.”
* * *
Nearly three hours had passed before we heard a knock at the door. Both Fionn and I had lost ourselves in the world of research and history, and I knew I wanted to spend more afternoons like this.
I got to my feet and opened the door to Grampa and Grizz, who both had bags of food to unload.
“I decided to go with a buffet,” Grizz said. “Some Thai, some Chinese, and some Indian food.”
I collected dishes and utensils, Fionn helped by taking out glasses and napkins, while Grampa and Grizz unpacked more food than the four of us could possibly eat.
“Don’t worry, Siddie. Leftovers are great, and I’m sure Fionn will want to take some home,” Grampa said and I laughed.
“Your Majesty, I’m Liam Walsh. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Grampa said and offered a bow.
“Commander Walsh, it is my honor and pleasure,” Fionn replied. “My condolences on the loss of your wife, Bride. She was a wonderful woman.”
“Ah, yes. I’d forgotten that you knew her before she came through. She was the light of my life, but now I have a new light in Maggie’s daughter, Alicia.”
“I see,” Fionn said with a twinkle in his eye. “Good for you. Now, tell me what food is which. I am quite hungry.”
We loaded up our plates and settled in to eat, each of us explaining to Fionn which sauces to try with which foods and how to combine things for the best mingling of flavors. There was a lot of laughter and camaraderie at that table, making memories I’d never forget.
Later, once the food had been put away and we sat with coffee and fortune cookies, Fionn turned to Grampa Walsh. “I would like to help you with your policing of the supernaturals, or perhaps with the training of your Academy cadets. I am more adept with a sword than a gun, but I’m qualified with both. I think my strength would be in discussing historical battles, strategies and tactics – since I fought in so many.”
Grampa choked on his cookie, then wiped his mouth with a napkin before he spoke. “You want to teach at my Academy?”
“I do,” Fionn said.
“May I ask a very rude question?” Grampa said. “How old are you, exactly?”
“Over a thousand years old. I was awake for four hundred years, asleep for three hundred years, then reawakened. I have been awake for three hundred and fifty years,” Fionn said. “I was cursed, and then summoned – but that’s a really long story and has little to do with right now.”
“So, the legends of the Irish warrior, Fionn MacCumhaill – with CuChulainn, and Fionn and the Salmon of Knowledge are all about you?” I asked.
“They are. More for us to talk about another time,” Fionn said.
My mind was reeling, and I was so excited to ask a bazillion questions, but he was right – now was not the time.
“Are you going to be able to stick to a regular schedule and rule?” Grampa asked.
“Let’s be blunt here, shall we?” Fionn said. “Maggie rules. It’s her kingdom now. I’m tired of being king and I trust her to manage it all. If she needs me, she knows she can ask, but that hasn’t been the case for over fifty years now. I need a reason to get up in the morning, and I have done my due diligence. I know your Academy is one of the few places that can train law enforcement for supernaturals in this part of the world – and that you always need help. I’d like to offer my help.”
“Well, my grandson, Andre Boudreau, runs the Academy now. We can go see him tomorrow if you’d like and he can tell you how best you could be of service,” Grampa said. “Like you, I’ve learned to delegate and not try to do it all by myself.”
Fionn chuckled at that, then yawned. “I would like that, Commander Walsh.” He turned to me and offered his hand – then gripped my forearm. “I am grateful to you for your hospitality and your candor. I look forward to spending more time with you, granddaughter.”
“I look forward to spending more time with you, too, Grandfather,” I replied and he smiled.
“If you’re ready, Grizzell, I would appreciate a ride home,” Fionn said.
“You’ve got it, King Fionn. Let’s get your doggy bag and hit the road,” Grizz said.
“Doggy bag?” Fionn asked and I handed him a bag of leftover take out.
“He’ll explain it in the car. Stay safe, you two,” I said and Grampa stood with me as we watched them back out and head down the road.
“You okay?” Grampa asked.
“My head feels like it’s gonna explode. He told me so much stuff. But he did help clarify things. We have an enemy that’s old, powerful, and full of hate.”
“We do?” Grampa asked.
“You up to hearing about this now?” I asked.
“Yeah, let’s go.” He closed and locked my front door, then followed me into the office.
For the next two hours I went over everything Fionn had told us, and how I thought it fit into what I’d already learned.
“Basically, everything he told you matched up what you had already discovered but couldn’t prove, right?” Grampa said.
“Right. This Macha came out of the pocket realm with the rest of them. I think that the upheaval this time is so much worse because she’s directly impacting the lines and not reaching through the realm for them. It’s more up close and personal, you might say.”
“So the witches were correct in assuming the return of the fae made things worse – only they’re blaming the wrong people.”
“Yep. The whole correlation is not causation argument in stark relief. Not to mention, this woman gives the concept of the long game a whole new meaning.”
“Understatement of the year,” Grampa muttered. “Okay, so our next step is finding this witch. I think I’m going to need to involve your Grams and Aunt Sett in this one. If anyone can cast a locator spell, it’s those two.”
My jaw popped, I yawned so hard. “Okay, tomorrow or something? I’m hitting brain dead levels of exhaustion.”
“Of course, dear girl. Why don’t you go on up to bed and I’ll read the rest of this, then lock up when I go.”
“Sounds good to me. Love you, Grampa,” I said and hugged him. “Thank you for believing in me.”
“Believing in you? Sidonie, I’m in awe of you. Go get some rest. We’ve got a few busy days ahead of us.”
I went upstairs, washed up, changed into my pajamas, and fell asleep before I fully got under the covers. I didn’t wake for the next twelve hours.
Chapter Seventeen
Sin
Grizz and I were partnered up again. We’d both told the Commander we’d like to keep this partnership, mostly because Tash asked if she could stay with Ian for a while – and I agreed. Whatever she wanted was fine with me. I could learn from all of them, so I wasn’t picky.
We’d just grabbed breakfast at the coffee shop and decided to sit in the vehicle to eat it. I think we were both a little skittish about eating inside the restaurant after the scene at Bubba’s the other day. Three bites into my sandwich, and the radio lit up.
“Caller needs assistance at 2037 Bloomfield Road. No further information available.”
“Oh, that sounds like fun,” I said, sarcasm in full force.
“Call us in, we’ll take it,” Grizz said.
I pick
ed up the radio, “SPD 4 en route.”
Roger that, SPD 4.”
Food went into the bag and behind the console, coffee into the cup holders, and Grizz tore out of the lot, lights and sirens going.
I called up the GPS and we found ourselves in one of the newer subdivisions on the ocean side of Belle Cove. Big yards, mid-sized houses, and clear evidence of lots of kids in the area. We pulled up in front of a sprawling one story house with an L-shaped front porch and two cars in the driveway.
A teenage girl ran out of the house, yelling to us. “This way, they’re in the back.”
We were led around the house to the back yard where one older teenage boy was performing CPR on a younger teenage boy, while another girl stood nearby, crying into her hands.
“I’m Lira, that’s Kaylee, and that’s Kevin working on Lincoln. We were practicing one of the Path spells when suddenly Linc hit the ground and started convulsing. I called 991 and Kevin started CPR when Linc stopped breathing,” the girl that led us around the house, explained.
“Dispatch, we need a bus at this location, and put a rush on it. Teenage male, unresponsive,” Grizz said as I dropped down beside Kevin to check the boy.
“Was he eating anything?” I asked.
“We were taking sips from a cup as part of the ritual. Water with lavender and mint,” Lira said.
“This looks like an allergic reaction,” I said, and Grizz reached into the kit bag to hand me an injector. Like an epinephrine pen, but magical, this should help him if it was a bad reaction to the magic, or the spell contents. I uncapped the pen and told Kevin to lean back, then hit Linc in the side of his neck with the injector. Before I had re-capped the needle to dispose of it, the kid was sucking in breaths, eyes wide open.
“Hey, Lincoln, I’m Sinclair and this is Grizz. We’re here to help. Can you tell me what day it is?” I asked him as I helped him sit up. Kevin got behind him to give him something to lean against.
