Seducer Fey

by Cullyn Royson

  “I can only walk slowly.” Danny hobbled past him. “Uh, convenient and nice to see you,” she added.

  The shuttle headed in the direction of Danny’s apartment, pulled up to the stop down the street from the school. “Sorry, Donovan, I don’t think I’ll be quick enough to catch that one. We can just wait for the next one.” Just then someone cat-called Donovan. Flushing to the color of a tomato, Donovan scooped her up and ran toward the shuttle. She nearly protested, but his humiliated expression forestalled complaints.

  In the moment, she couldn’t recall how distantly she and Donovan were related. “Leave my cousin alone!” Danny shouted at the harassers, even though it hurt to speak loudly.

  “Don’t bother,” Donovan growled, showing a glint of teeth under a suppressed snarl.

  Poor Donovan, Danny thought. Though, I wish I was a huge guy who could just pick up people and move them whenever I want.

  She slid her arm across the shuttle scanner and let Donovan place her in the seat next to him.

  “What’s going on?” Danny took advantage of a moment when her pain lessened. “How’s your family?”

  “They’re okay.” He slipped her an ivory envelope, on which her name was scrawled. It opened easily with a snap of the seal. Fascinated by this form of communication, she stroked the thick textured paper and tried to decipher the cursive.

  My Dearest Edana Reyes,

  I hope all is well with you and Cassidy. I am afraid to inform you that Taban has made-off with the journal we had. We have reason to believe this is because Savali has discovered evidence of the other piece. Stag was talking to Abigail and he found out that she and Taban were involved. It is not clear whether Taban intended to give the journal to her or not.

  Donovan and Aydan will be traveling to Scotland soon to search for the other part of the journal. We kept the daughter’s addition to the journal a secret. She wrote about where her great-grandfather left the piece in Scotland. I think it would be best if you joined them, but it is your decision, of course. I have a contact, named Marja, who has signed you up for an exchange program with a full-ride scholarship. I have full confidence you will make the best decision for your needs. Stay safe.

  Yours Always,

  Eadowen Tolymie

  P.S. Please dispose of this letter in such a way that it may not be salvaged.

  A trace of Eadowen’s cologne, probably deposited by his wrist brushing against the page as he wrote, caught Danny’s attention. Holding the letter up to her nose, she inhaled and her pain subsided even more.

  ***

  Rubbing his forehead after an unfortunate encounter with the front door of the Reyes’ apartment, Donovan lumbered into the living room after Danny who held the door for him. She collapsed on the couch. The acute discomfort stemming from her arm increased. She writhed on the couch. Donovan hovered over her.

  “Hospital?” Donovan asked.

  “I’m starting to feel better,” she lied. “Why don’t you make yourself comfortable.”

  ***

  Fifteen minutes later, Cassidy and Aydan rushed into the apartment. Cassidy saw her friend curled in a ball and ran to her side. “Do we need to take you to the hospital?” she asked. At her present discomfort level, post consumption of pain medication, Danny no longer considered the suggestion completely unreasonable.

  “That probably won’t do any good,” Aydan said quietly, his face somber.

  “Why?” Cassidy demanded.

  He looked away and muttered, “Not her too.”

  “What is wrong with Danny?!”

  “I’m not positive, so I don’t want to say.”

  “Danny, you should take a bath, you’ll feel better,” Cassidy said in an overly sweet voice. She guided her friend to the restroom and locked the door from the inside before shutting it. “Some honey would probably make her feel better. There’s some in the kitchen cupboard, but it’s up too high for me to reach,” Cassidy lied. “Would you be so kind, Donovan?” The second Donovan disappeared into the kitchen, she grabbed Aydan’s wrist. Wrenching his arm behind his back, she nudged him on the back of his knees with her foot.

  “Hey—” he started to say, but she clapped a hand over his mouth. Intertwining her fingers in Aydan’s silky hair, she dragged him into Mr. Reyes’ vacant bedroom and locked the door as Donovan rushed back from the kitchen empty handed. He started to pull and beat on the door. Afraid he would break it down; Cassidy released Aydan’s hair, but held his wrist. “I’ve had enough! My friend is in pain for no obvious reason and you won’t tell me anything about this or the journal. If you don’t want to say anything in front of her then explain everything to me.” She jumped when she noticed a razor blade in Aydan’s hand.

  “Donovan stop banging on the door. It’s okay,” Aydan tucked the blade back into his hairclip. “Sorry, I’m just under five feet tall, do late night shows, and walk home in the dark a lot. That was just reflex.”

  “I overreacted too. I shouldn’t have handled you so roughly.” Guilt bore down on Cassidy. “I can’t believe myself—flipping out. I swear I’m not usually like that. I just felt so helpless.”

  “You’re forgiven. I would’ve done the same thing if Donovan became mysteriously ill.” Aydan massaged his wrist. “So here’s what I think is going on: she’ll live, but her martial arts career may be over. Some of us seem to be more susceptible to a chronic malady that makes us hypersensitive to pain. The onset occurs when our bodies are weakened for some reason, usually a virus. Now put me down.” He sat on the plush duvet covering the bed.

  “Are you affected?”

  “Yeah, Eadowen and me. Donovan washes his hands excessively because he’s afraid of a virus weakening his body. Sometimes I wonder if the real key to our longevity is having a minor chronic illness,” Aydan added sarcastically.

  “So, what I did really hurt you?” When she stooped to touch his shoulder, she saw red marks on his wrist where her fingers had been. He winced at the contact. “I am so sorry. Can I get you anything?”

  “No, I’ll recover.” He patted her hand reassuringly.

  “Wait, you’re hypersensitive to pain and you play with whips and knives.” She helped him to his feet. “Are you insane?”

  “We’re all mad here.” He grimaced with an icy Cheshire-cat smile. Holding the door for him, she followed Aydan into the living room. Forcefully, Donovan shoved the jar of honey he’d since located into Cassidy’s arms.

  “I feel bad that you’re all so worried,” Danny dragged herself from the restroom to the sofa. “It comes in pulses. I’m okay at the moment.”

  “Of course I was worried. You’re like a sister to me.”

  “You’re like a sister to me too.” Danny lightly squeezed Cassidy’s shoulders the way she’d seen the rejected romantic interest do in movies. She secretly congratulated herself at executing such a difficult social maneuver. “So, the opioid receptors in my brain have been affected somehow?” Danny asked.

  “I don’t know much about brain chemistry, sorry. Eadowen takes cold baths when xie hurts,” Aydan suggested. “Did anything happen to weaken your body?”

  “My period started a couple days ago. My whole body felt like the nutrients had been drained out of me,” Danny explained.

  “I’m so sorry to hear that. I wish there was something I could do,” he said. “Have you gotten rid of Eadowen’s letter?” She pulled the folded letter out of her pocket. Aydan took the paper, it burst into flame, and he calmly let it disintegrate in the air.

  “Why’d you do that?” Danny cried.

  “He didn’t want me to read it,” Cassidy replied.

  “It smelled like Eadowen and made me feel good.”

  “I’ll get you some of hir perfume,” Aydan offered.

  “I want hir flesh too,” Danny mumbled.

  “She thinks it smells better mixed with his natural scent,” Cassidy clarified after an uncomfortable glance from Aydan. “I brought you an early birthday present. I hope you feel well enough
to try it on.” She gave Danny the box.

  Danny slipped the shirt Cassidy had given her over her head. Snapping the choker collar, she pulled her other shirt out from underneath it.

  “I know you really wanted one of those Strap-Shirts. This was the closest I could find in an extra small. I hope you like it.”

  In front of the mirror in the restroom, Danny twisted and stretched, the heavy black fabric moved with her. The front of the shirt was comprised of a solid material starting from the collar and culminating in a V-shape at her waist. Straps formed two x’s across the open back to hold the front in place. She admired her back in the mirror. “Thanks Cassidy. I love it. Speaking of clothing, Donovan looks really uncomfortable.” Danny pointed to Donovan, who squirmed in his jeans, while he tried to watch a soccer game on his Ogham.

  “Stag didn’t want Donovan walking around in the rags he usually wears,” Aydan explained.

  “Who’s Stag?” Cassidy asked.

  “He was the guy with the purple hair and the chinchilla at Dalhousie,” Danny reminded her.

  “Right. I remember him.” Cassidy had a new idea to convince Aydan she was trustworthy. “Stag is a non-GF, who seemed to know about you all,” she said slyly. “Who is he?”

  Aydan narrowed his eyes to indicate he knew exactly what she was scheming. “You’re not like Stag. The reason he knows about us is because he helped Donovan out in a big way.”

  Groaning, Danny lay back down on the couch next to Donovan.

  “How did he help?”

  “Some guy on Donovan’s lacrosse team got jealous of him and spread such a nasty rumor nobody would room with him during away games. Stag saw what had happened and decided to be Donovan’s roommate. He joined the cheer squad just to dispel some rumors and give Donovan a roommate.”

  “Oh,” Cassidy said. Geez, these people have high standards of loyalty. “So, you need to know how I operate. Fine.” She unlocked her journal and shoved it into his hands.

  Aydan tried to give the book back to her. “This is personal, I understand.”

  “It is. It’s horribly embarrassing. I sound like a pathetic, swooning teen, but it’s all real. You don’t trust me. Well, here are my feelings for Danny and Taban.” She pressed it to his chest. “Everything.”

  “I want Cassidy to come,” Danny said. “I trust her.”

  Aydan flipped through the journal: without commentary, to Cassidy’s relief. “Would you throw Taban against a wall like you did to me, if he threatened Danny?” He asked.

  Cassidy nodded apprehensively.

  Desperately, Aydan turned to Donovan who gave him a blank look. At that moment, Donovan’s Ogham beeped to indicate it was low on power. Fumbling around in her bag, Cassidy found her Ogham charger and tossed it to him. He tipped his head in approval of Cassidy. Aydan shot his brother a disapproving “you-traitor” look. With a defeated sigh, Aydan revealed the contents of Eadowen’s letter and the location of the international studies program run by Marja. “We hid the daughter’s addition to the journal, which documented where the journal was left in Scotland.”

  Cassidy selected from her accepted programs the closest one to where Danny would be.

  “Shouldn’t you tell your mothers what you’re doing?” Aydan said sarcastically.

  “Sure.” Cassidy smirked. “Sunset accept: Message to Moms: I’m going to be gallivanting around with Danny and her fairy relatives during my exchange in Scotland.”

  “Message from Rona-Mom: That sounds like a very fun program. I’m delighted to hear that Danny’s going too.”

  “Do you need a place to stay?” Danny asked the brothers.

  “No. Thank you.” Aydan tapped Donovan on the shoulder and they headed toward the front door. “I suppose we’ll be seeing you soon.”

  After the Tolymies departed, Cassidy joined Danny on the sofa. “I’ll protect you,” she said.

  “I’d rather you didn’t, so much.”

  “What? But you’re …”

  “I don’t like feeling helpless either,” Danny explained. “And if I can’t do my martial art, I’ve lost the one thing that made me feel powerful.”

  “You remember when I said I was jealous of you.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, I’m sorry I ever thought that. You’re not helpless, but you have a burden to bear. How about I say, ‘I’ll support you’?” Cassidy put her arm around Danny.

  “How about ‘we’ll support each other’?” Danny suggested.

  “Done.”

  They clasped hands in a triumphant grip to seal the promise.

  CHAPTER 18

  BREAKING AND ENTERING

  IN SCOTLAND

  THE FLIGHT FROM SEATTLE TO SCOTLAND left Cassidy’s legs so stiff she wondered if she’d ever be able to touch her toes again. From Cassidy’s second-story hotel room, Loch Ard Forest looked like a curtain of grey: no horizon, no land, and no sky. Opening the window, Cassidy could taste the thick fog as she attempted to convince her body that it was indeed early morning in Scotland, not night as it seemed. In order to arrive at the same time as Danny and the Tolymie brothers, she’d flown to the UK a week before her exchange program began. With money she’d saved from working as a barista on school breaks, she had reserved a room for a couple nights at a hotel no more than three kilometers from the exchange program’s youth hostel, which Marja ran. Danny would stay at the hostel south of Ward Wood, while she stayed north of Shadon Wood and east of Muir Park Reservoir. Cassidy hoped she could negotiate with Marja for a place at the hostel instead of paying for the hotel until she had to go to the University of Edinburgh for her exchange program. I like being on the edge of a National Park, Cassidy thought. It feels like I’m surrounded by wilderness, a bit like home.

  “Message from Danny: We’ll meet you at your hotel in a few minutes.”

  In the hotel lobby, Cassidy entertained herself in the same fashion she had while awake on her red-eye flight: Videos of Harlan Eldin performances. For the eleventh time she replayed a clip of him prancing about in a peacock-feathered suit. He linked gigantic silver rings as he cast flirtatious glances at the audience.

  “Hi, Cassidy.” Danny poked her head into Cassidy’s field of vision. “I’m wearing the top you gave me.”

  “Looks great. Where’re we off to?” Cassidy hastily slipped her tablet into her pocket.

  “Two stops today: University of Glasgow and part of the Antonine Wall,” a plain looking teenager in a pink newsboy hat and loose T-shirt informed her. Cassidy looked twice before she recognized Aydan without makeup by the long black braid sticking out of the cap. “Don’t really want to draw attention to myself,” he explained. “That’s why I left Donovan at the hotel. Have you seen any alerts from May Savali?”

  “No, she’s really private. Probably because she doesn’t want anyone stealing her research,” Cassidy replied. “I’ve subscribed to all the researchers with whom she seems to be affiliated. One of them named, Gregory Andrews, insinuated that she’d be meeting with him at the University of Glasgow soon. Apparently, you already knew that.”

  “No, I didn’t.” Aydan blanched. “Come on, let’s go.”

  “Is Eadowen joining us?” Danny asked.

  “No, Eadowen is busy sorting out our estate and keeping us off the map back home.”

  A half-hour walk took them to a bus station. They transferred buses a few minutes later and settled into their seats for the forty-five-minute commute. During the ride Aydan quietly explained that the daughter had indicated her ancestor left the tablets along the Antonine Wall. “The geographic landmarks she describe suggest he buried them somewhere just outside of Glasgow as some sort of tribute to the GF he loved. I doubt we’ll find anything there, but it’s one piece of evidence we have that no one else does.”

  Cassidy read a couple passages on her Ogham to familiarize herself with the historic site. The Antonine Wall was a Roman military structure maintained for only about two decades. She tugged on one of the gold earrings Taban h
ad bought her. He always asked about the jewelry, so she felt guilty not wearing them; but due to recent developments, she felt just as uncomfortable when she did. Realizing she’d lost track of the conversation between Aydan and Danny, Cassidy tuned in.

  “There’re a lot of videos of you on there.” Danny said as she peeked over Aydan’s shoulder at Cassidy’s tablet which he held.

  “Give it back you little klepto!” Cassidy felt in her pocket. I can’t call him on it, she thought, browsing another person’s virtual video and literature library is equivalent to perusing a physical shelf.

  “Well, at least you haven’t read all the fan fictions about Harlan Eldin. One day Taban picked me up from a magic show and my fans had a field day.”

  “Oh, that’s who the blond guy was,” Cassidy grinned sheepishly. “Anyway, the Antonine Wall is a historic site.” She changed the subject abruptly before Aydan could comment. “It’s not like we can dig anything up. Besides, it’s also been two-thousand years. The landscape has changed. Have you looked up a comprehensive list of all the items that have been excavated from the Wall?”

  “Yes, which is the reason I decided we should go to the University of Glasgow first. A piece of a stone tablet was found about three weeks ago near the Wall. It’s being studied at the university.”

  So, we’re going to take it? Cassidy scribbled on a page of her journal. There’re probably security cameras everywhere.

  Squinting at her scrawled letters, Aydan shook his head. If it looks like it’s part of the journal we’ll probably have to accidently destroy it. He looked pained as he wrote. Cassidy decided she didn’t like the idea of destroying a piece of history either.

  They switched to a train which stopped close to the university. The elegant old buildings made Cassidy curse the fact that she came from the New World.