Seducer Fey

by Cullyn Royson

  “Don’t romanticize me, Ms. Cassidy,” Eamon whispered when he noticed her expression. “Your intelligence, sexuality, and empathy are all aspects of your being an Each Uisge can and will use to manipulate you.”

  Just then Aydan interrupted them by calling her. “Cassidy, Danny, come meet my dad,” Aydan yelled across the room.

  Followed by Eamon, Cassidy strode over and extended a hand. “Hi, nice to meet you.”

  “What a splendid young woman.” Daray said as he brought her hand to his lips, Cassidy noticed how thin his skin had become when compared with the photographs. She feared the touch of a feather would rip him open. “You remind me of Artio.” With a shaking hand, he held her palm to his cold cheek as though to recall the sensation of his late wife’s caress.

  “I thought she did too,” Eamon agreed.

  Leaving Chay with her plate, Danny joined her friends and waved to Daray.

  “Oh, Edana,” He took her hand his face lighting up with joy. “You’ve grown up so strong and radiant.” Daray’s eyes fluttered closed as he spoke. “I’m sorry everyone. I’m very tired.”

  “That’s alright.” Aydan patted his arm. “We’ll just sit with you.”

  “Eamon, I’m grateful to you for taking care of me all this time so I could see my children again.” Opening his eyes as though there were lead weights attached to his eyelids, Daray admired his sons. “Donovan, Aydan, I love you. I wish my other child were here. I love Eadowen just as much.”

  “Eadowen knows that and someday you’ll be able to reconnect in person.” Eamon tucked a pillow behind Daray’s head.

  While Daray drifted off to sleep in his armchair, Cassidy finished her grapes and occasionally fed one to Aydan. The fatigue she had suppressed made her feel unsteady on her feet, so she sunk into a leathery armchair near Daray and his sons.

  “There’s a guest room upstairs,” Eamon said producing a set of keys from his pocket which he dropped into Aydan’s hand. “Why don’t you make sure she makes it there. In fact, you look pretty worn-out yourself. If you don’t come back down, I’ll knock on the door when Daray wakes up.” Stroking his father’s sleeping forehead, Aydan hesitated.

  “I’ll look after him,” Donovan assured him from the other side of Daray’s chair.

  Convinced that his father was in good care, Aydan guided his sleepy companion back up the stairs, through the living room, and into a small boudoir with white mosquito netting over the bed.

  “Thank you,” Cassidy mumbled.

  Rubbing the dark circles under his eyes, Aydan yawned. Cassidy pulled back the blanket invitingly. “If you join me, I promise to let you sleep this time and I won’t lie on your hair.” She helped him undo the Strap-Shirt, while he sponged off her makeup with a damp washcloth.

  She lay on her back attempting to either sleep or resolve everything that had ever made her anxious in her life. The thoughts jumbled together incoherently in her sleep-deprived, post- adrenaline rush brain. Repositioning herself to her stomach she tried to find a comfortable position for her neck. Next, she attempted sleeping in a few different configurations on her sides, all the while taking great care not to tangle herself in Aydan’s tresses. Her bedmate cleared his throat, and she realized she’d monopolized the blankets.

  “I can’t sleep when you’re doing a horizontal ballet.” Aydan rolled on his side and gave her a sultry look over his shoulder at her. “Would holding me help?”

  Laying one arm over his torso, she let him rest his head on her arm. Hooking his foot around her calf to anchor her in place, he wriggled closer to her until their bodies sandwiched together. Face buried in his hazel and lilac-scented hair, her breathing began to synchronize with the rise and fall of Aydan’s chest.

  ***

  While Cassidy spoke to Eamon, Danny returned from the buffet table with a plate full of food. Using the floor as a table for her feast, she listened to Eamon mention the pictures on the wall to Cassidy.

  A hand touched Danny’s arm, distracting her from their conversation. “I knew you would figure it out.” Chay’s layered dress tickled Danny’s hand.

  “Hi.” Danny stood, excited to see the young woman from the university. “How did you know to give me the book?”

  “When we heard about the researchers, I got a position as an aid in the archeology department to keep an eye on them. I doubt I would’ve been able to do anything, though, since I was just an assistant to the department,” Chay explained. “Artio and Daray told me stories about you and their children. I recognized you three from your pictures, so I followed you. I was afraid to make a mistake or that you wouldn’t trust me. I figured if you were the right people, you would make the connection to the book.”

  “How’d the journal wind up as a novel?” Danny offered her fruit plate to Chay, who nibbled a slice of apple.

  “The first half of the journal—what you were looking for was destroyed a long time ago.” She joined Danny on the floor. “Fortunately, it was kept alive through stories in my family. Eamon realized we might be able to communicate the story in an untraceable way if he published it as fiction.”

  “Why’d you give it to me and not Aydan or Donovan? They would’ve recognized their dad’s name sooner.”

  “Er … in retrospect I should have.” Chay’s green eyes sparkled, as she rubbed the back of her neck bashfully. “I guess I kind of wanted a chance to talk to you.”

  “Me? Why?”

  “Well, Artio and Daray told me all about you. You’re a black belt in different martial arts, you’re fluent in Latin, you once rescued a squirrel at summer camp, and you’re really pretty. Oh, geez … that must have sounded really creepy.”

  “I’m flattered, but I’m only a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. I can piece together a couple of Latin phrases, but I’m not fluent. And Cassidy was the one who saved the squirrel at summer camp. Do you think I’m pretty, or did Aydan’s parents tell you that too?”

  “Well you’re … different than I expected,” Chay said, as she rolled a wild strawberry between her fingers. “Is the second half of the journal safe?”

  “It’s destroyed too.”

  “That’s probably for the best.”

  Danny fidgeted. “Can we go outside?” she asked. Chay nodded, but Aydan summoned Danny to meet Daray.

  “We can go for a walk after you say hi to the Tolymie’s dad,” Chay assured her.

  ***

  After Cassidy and Aydan went upstairs, Danny met Chay in Eamon’s garden. She detected the smell of sage, rosemary, and lavender, but realized she could only identify the distinct purple shoots of the living lavender plant. The other two smells she recognized as only spices from the grocery store.

  “So, how do you know Eamon?”

  “I met him through Artio, Aydan’s mom. My family and her family have known each other for a long time.” Chay plucked one of the yellow flowers. “This is St. John’s Wort.”

  “Oh, I’ve seen pills of that.”

  Pinching the bridge of her nose, Chay shook her head and sighed.

  For the next several hours, Danny enjoyed learning the histories and uses of different flowers and herbs from Chay. When Danny was tired of absorbing information, they strung lavender cuts together in bundles that could be dried from the ceiling. They entertained themselves in that way until the afternoon, and were ushered inside by a somber Eamon.

  CHAPTER 24

  HE’LL BE WITH THE

  ONE HE LOVES

  CASSIDY AWOKE TO BEES BUZZING outside the window. Judging by the square of sunlight on the satin comforter, she correctly predicted late afternoon before checking her Ogham. Aydan yawned and she gently rolled him off her arm. For the first time in several days, she felt rested and refreshed. Her bliss promptly changed to concern when Danny entered without the usual spring in her step. Chay trailed in behind Danny.

  “What’ve you been up to?” Cassidy asked, as she shook her arm to relieve the pins and needles from the pressure of Aydan’s head. She rubbed the sle
ep out of her eyes bringing into focus the tear stains on Chay’s cheeks.

  “I hung out with Chay … until … Aydan … I’m so sorry,” Danny mumbled.

  “What happened?” Aydan threw back the covers and jumped out of bed.

  “Daray died this afternoon,” Danny managed to say. “He looked so young. I don’t understand.”

  “He wasn’t young, but a neurodegenerative disease took its toll on him before he lost his youthful face,” Aydan explained his voice cracking. “It’s alright Cassidy, he was in his late nineties. I’m glad he didn’t have to suffer more.”

  The company made their way back to the garden where Daray’s body lay surrounded by wildflowers that Chay and Danny had helped organize for the last few hours. Aydan cried out and slumped onto the cobblestone path. Kneeling on the ground next to him, Cassidy pulled him to her chest. She felt his sobs against her shoulder, while a handful of elderly people gathered in the yard to mourn.

  “They’re my neighbors and Daray’s friends,” Eamon explained gesturing at the new arrivals. “I’ve been keeping an eye on his body the whole time, but it’s highly unlikely any of them know about his origins.” He sat down next to Cassidy and Aydan. “The way your father acted around you today is the most functional I’ve seen him in two years. I think he was just hanging on to see you again. I’m sorry.”

  “Cremation was his choice and is necessary for the protection of his DNA,” Aydan explained to Eamon.

  “You don’t need to worry about the formalities. I organized all of the burial proceedings for your mother as well.”

  “You were the friend who told us about Mom, weren’t you?”

  “Yes. I did everything I could to save Artio, but she passed away in my arms.” Eamon quietly shed tears behind his hand. “I would like you to accompany me when we take his body to the crematory in an hour.”

  Breathing shallowly, Aydan squeezed Cassidy’s waist when Eamon discussed Daray’s body. In that moment, Cassidy felt more helpless when confronted with Aydan’s anguish than she had felt drugged and pinned to the ground by Taban. “I understand why it’s a good idea to get rid of Daray’s DNA as soon as possible, but I didn’t know it was possible to get someone’s body cremated so quickly,” Cassidy commented.

  “I’m very good at getting what I want. In this case, what I want also coincides with what all of you want: Peace for your father.”

  When Eamon wiped his eyes the bright sunlight hit his face at the right angle to wash out his wrinkles. For a split second Cassidy thought she was looking at Eadowen. She pondered for a moment if Eamon could have fathered a child with Artio. The way he’d looked at Artio’s photograph and his reference to her dying in his arms seemed very intimate. From memory she concluded that Eadowen didn’t give off the same striking charisma she’d noted with both Taban and Eamon. She accepted that her observation of Eadowen did not entirely rule out that he was Eamon’s child. Why would Eamon protect and care for the man who married the woman he loved? Cassidy wondered. I know I’m probably jumping to conclusions, but what if Eamon killed Daray now that he has Daray’s sons. What if he’s going to reveal their whereabouts? Her throat tightened. She wanted to trust Eamon but she didn’t want to be duped by an Each Uisge again.

  To avoid facing thoughts of death or grief, Danny made herself busy moving the fruit platter and table outside for the guests. On one of her trips, carrying an arm load of various citrus staples, Danny noticed the neighbors surrounding Donovan to hug him and express their condolences. To provide him with the opportunity to mourn alone, she dropped an orange on the path. The juicy thunk was not loud enough to disrupt the entire gathering, but it distracted enough people to allow Donovan to escape. Then she received a message on her Ogham from Cassidy which read: I think E.B. might have something to do with what happened to D.T. Help me talk to him. Danny decoded from the message and the dark look Cassidy gave her that she was supposed to help Cassidy interrogate Eamon.

  “Eamon there’s something I need help with in the basement,” Cassidy said to Eamon loud enough for Danny to hear.

  “Certainly,” he replied and followed Cassidy through the front door.

  Danny darted up to Aydan who remained seated on the steps staring at his father from a distance. She hugged him and unfastened his silver hairclip. “I need to borrow this,” she whispered. “Don’t take your eyes off your father.”

  Pulling the razor blade out of the hair accessory, Danny trailed after Eamon. He turned when she opened the door. Seeing the razor blade he looked at Cassidy uncomfortably. “What can I help you with?” he asked.

  “You did something you’re not letting on,” Cassidy accused. She and Danny advanced on him until he backed into the sofa. Amenably sitting on the couch in front of the two women, Eamon looked from one to the other with a baffled expression. An exasperated frown formed on his lips when, he caught Cassidy looking in the direction of the open trap door with the staircase decorated by photographs.

  “You think I’m responsible for Daray’s death don’t you?” He sighed.

  “You were his romantic rival, weren’t you?” Cassidy said.

  “Yes, but Artio has been dead for four years, what purpose would killing him possibly serve?” He rested his arms on his bent knees. “I loved her and I wanted to protect Daray. He was a kind and wonderful man who was also my dear friend.” Cassidy’s heart ached at the sincerity of his tone, but she maintained a skeptical expression.

  “Then what about the money that could be made by selling longevity?” Danny asked.

  “There was no price worth betraying those I cared about.” He started to stand, saw that neither Cassidy nor Danny was willing to believe him and sat down again. “Chay!” he yelled.

  “Coming,” Chay called from outside. A few seconds later she opened the door and her eyes widened before squinting with concern. “What are you doing to him?”

  “I’m fine,” Eamon assured her. “They think I killed Daray.”

  “Listen.” Chay walked over to Danny and rested her hand on Danny’s arm. “There’s no reason why Eamon would shelter Daray for this long just to hurt him. Eamon could’ve sold him out years ago.”

  “Do you find Eamon attractive?” Cassidy asked. “That could skew your judgment like it did mine.”

  “Ew. No.” Chay wrinkled her nose. “I’m gay. Besides, he’s practically my uncle.”

  “And she’s a Genetic Fey,” Eamon added. “I swore to Artio I would do everything in my power to keep her family safe. I am many things, Cassidy, but I do not go back on my word.” As he spoke the last phrase his face became resolute, an expression which emphasized the similarities between his and Eadowen’s features.

  “I apologize,” Cassidy said. “I’m adjusting to not always trusting an alluring and sincere face.”

  “Thank you.” Eamon smiled and stood up from the sofa.

  “You don’t seem very angry at us,” Danny commented on his sudden cheerfulness.

  “I haven’t been called alluring in ten years.”

  “Flattery will get you everywhere with Eamon,” Chay said, giving him a light punch on the shoulder.

  “Why did you think she’d find Eamon appealing?” Danny asked.

  “He’s a Peach Whisky.”

  “Really? Like Taban?” Danny said. “Ugh.”

  “What’s a Peach Whisky?” Chay asked.

  “He doesn’t seem to be all that terrible though,” Cassidy replied.

  “Thank you for the vote of confidence,” Eamon replied dryly. “I can understand how past experiences would lead you not to trust me.”

  “You seem like a pretty nice Peach Whisky,” Danny observed.

  “Why do I get the awful feeling that the butchered pronunciation of Each Uisge is going to stick?” Eamon said. He headed down to the basement for another fruit platter for the guests while the young women returned outside.

  ***

  When the neighbors finished their speeches and goodbyes, Eamon and Aydan boarded a
hearse to transport Daray’s body. An hour before sundown, Aydan and Eamon returned with Daray’s ashes. Upon their arrival, Cassidy sent a message to Marja asking her to take them back to the hostel. She and Aydan cuddled in one of the large armchairs, while they waited for Marja to arrive.

  “Where’s Donovan?” Aydan said into Cassidy’s shoulder.

  Enlisting the help of Danny and Chay, they frantically searched every cranny of the house. “You know it’s kind of embarrassing that we lost an almost seven-foot-tall guy,” Cassidy remarked to Danny as they went out to investigate the garden. Eventually, Eamon located Donovan, who had taken refuge away from human interaction in a coat closet. Though Cassidy had already checked the same storage space, Donovan had evaded her by concealing himself under several trench coats and a kilt.

  “Hm, the closet is the last place I’d expect to find you,” Eamon remarked, then looked disappointed, as the younger generation stared at him blankly. “That would’ve been funny thirty years ago,” he muttered.

  The friends bid Eamon goodbye at the door and Chay followed them out to Marja’s car. She smiled at Danny. “I had a really good time spending time with you. I wish it hadn’t ended the way it did.”

  Danny kissed the tear stains on Chay’s cheek. “I’m going to be around for a few days. Maybe we can spend more time together. Feel better, okay.”

  “I’d really like that,” Chay gave Danny a quick peck on lips.

  ***

  Journal Entry by Edana Arthur Reyes:

  We’re on the plane back to North America, and Cassidy suggested I write about our trip in her journal. We—that is Cassidy, Donovan, and I—spent two weeks traveling and exploring with our respective programs. After we left Eamon’s house, Aydan caught the first flight back to Nova Scotia to communicate to Eadowen what had transpired. Aydan is so cute. I don’t think Cassidy has stopped thinking about him this whole trip. Not that she’d ever admit it. Chay stopped by when Cassidy and I weren’t being whisked off to the next site or activity, which unfortunately wasn’t very often. I really like Chay. We flirted a lot, but we didn’t get serious because we probably won’t see each other for quite a while. It was still great to socialize … and make out. I have to admit, I’m not sure whether Chay liked me for me or for the stories the Tolymie’s parents told her about me. Chay and I promised to keep in touch. It’s nice to know another Genetic Fey outside of the Tolymie family. I think I’m going to start really studying biology. Maybe I can figure out my whole pain thing and help out Chay, Aydan, and Eadowen with theirs. Whatever happens, I’m so glad Cassidy will be there for me. I hope I can be there for her too.