Fae:Generations (Heirs of the Vegas Fae Book 1)

by Tom Keller

  "You sure you don’t mind?" Jazzy asked. "It would be nice to go for a run in the moonlight."

  "It's your call, Jesse," I said. I might be the team leader, but we all had our specialties, and this kind of magic was purely his domain. "I'll hang out with Jazzy. That way we'll still be close enough if something does come up. Are you sure you don’t need us?"

  "What can I say? I'm a martyr," he replied, grinning. "But you guys can owe me. Just don’t do anything I wouldn't do."

  "Is that even possible?" I asked, then played rock-paper-scissors with Jazzy to see who got to use the shower first.

  Chapter 8

  "You want to go again?" Matt asked as I got off the quad. He'd let me borrow it to take a spin.

  "Thanks, but I'm good. She's all yours," I said, turning it over to him.

  He waved and gunned the motor, taking off back in the direction of the dune.

  "That didn't take long," Jazzy said. She was sitting on a camp chair under the awning of the toy hauler they'd brought to store their quads and motorcycles, as well as spend the night in.

  "I didn't want to hog their rides," I said, grabbing a beer from the cooler and joining her. "Don’t get me wrong, it was a lot of fun. But they came out here to play. I don’t want to impose too much."

  "Who's the martyr now?" Jazzy asked, chuckling.

  "Don’t look at me," I replied. "Besides, I'd rather sit by the fire and chill out. I'm staying low profile, if you know what I mean. But since you brought it up, why aren’t you out there?"

  "Long story," she replied, taking a deep drink. "I'm putting off the inevitable, if you must know."

  "Putting off the inevitable?" I repeated. "What did I miss here… or do I even want to know?"

  "Oh, hell," she said, finishing off the bottle. "I might as well talk to someone about it, and you'll at least be able to understand, considering who your father is."

  "My father?" I asked, then realized what she meant by that. "Oh, is this a pack thing? It's got to be hard being the Pack Master's daughter."

  "You don’t know the half of it," she replied. "Well, maybe you do. Anyway, my dad's not happy that I haven't produced an heir. He wants me to mate with Roberto, because we're both rare breeds, and I know Robby's gonna bring it up again sometime tonight. Probably after our run. Fate, it appears, has brought us together."

  "Whoa," I said, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. "I know that's pack custom and all, but do you really think that's something you should be discussing with me? I'm not exactly an expert in Werewolf traditions."

  "Who else but someone that lives in their father's shadow will understand?" she asked. "I certainly can’t discuss it with Jesse. He's got the hots enough for me already."

  "My apologies," I said, chuckling at the thought. "If you need someone to talk to, I'm here for you."

  "Don’t get me wrong," she said. "It's not about having sex with a guy, even though that's not my first preference. Robby actually understands me when it comes to that. It sounds selfish, but I like what I'm doing. I'm not sure I'm ready to take a year off and play momma; especially after this promotion. I know my obligation to continue the line and have children, but my father just can’t understand that type of thinking. With him, the pack is everything. It wasn't that way growing up with my mother. The Rougarou are loners. We have our own traditions, and we're not bound to the pack like my father's line. Here, I'm just another Pack Master's daughter. It's like I'm living in two worlds."

  I could understand the issue. Family came first with any Werewolf pack, and while there were no rules when it came to relationships, the goal of any pack is to continue the line. That puts a lot of pressure on the female to choose a mate among her kind, and the choice of that mate is an important decision. Love for a Werewolf wasn't a priority when it came to having children. Diversity of the gene pool and the future of the pack was their primary concern, as well as their duty. I didn’t envy Jazzy her situation. She identified with her mother's kind, who, while still Werewolves, didn’t run in a pack like her father's did.

  But the Weres, like the rest of society, had gone through lot of changes over the years. Since it takes two Weres to conceive another, many Werewolves had their first child in their younger years. This allows both parents to have a life outside the pack at some point, should they desire one. While most members never left, that couldn’t be said for all of them. It's not quite the same as equal opportunity, but then again, like the Fae, they weren't exactly human.

  "Have you tried to explain it to him, like you just did to me?" I asked.

  "He doesn't make it easy," she replied, reaching over and grabbing another beer. "So, what's it like in the Fae world?"

  "It's a bit different with my kind," I said. "Not to sound all technical, but Fae females control all aspects of reproduction. It's a form of parthenogenesis. They can reproduce sexually or asexually. Asexually, they can only produce a daughter, but if they choose to mate sexually, they can take whatever traits or genes they want from the union and pass them on to the child. Since it's all controlled by the female reproductive system, Fae children don’t inherit an equal part of their genes from their father. If they even have one. They're raised by their mothers; although parenting is the obligation of every Fae in the community. I know I'm making it sound cold and impersonal, but it's not like that at all. It's not that Fae males aren’t good fathers. We're a matriarchal society, and unlike your kind, or even humans, males only make up maybe 15% of the population. They do what they can. Of course, there are always exceptions, like my father, as there are in any culture.

  "Now that I've said that, it doesn't sound that different from what your own father says about the pack. It's all about the continuing the line and doing what’s best for the community, although we come at it from different ways. I'm sorry. That's probably not what you wanted to hear from me when you asked."

  "Not exactly," she agreed. "But it does put things in perspective. At least from the point of view of the pack."

  "Maybe," I said. "But I do know what you mean about being stuck in two worlds. I spend most of my free time in Fae, in my Protector role. I don't even take vacations, at least not like humans do. Then I see a pretty girl like the one riding with your pack mate… Oh, hell, I couldn’t even tell you the last time I had a girlfriend, or if I even remember what human girls act like. I think I was in college back in …"

  "Wait," she said, cutting me off. "You haven't had a girlfriend since college?" She pulled another beer from the cooler and tossed it to me. "You need to loosen up, Jay. Maybe even find a nice girl and get laid."

  "No, no… that's not what I mean," I said, sounding defensive. "It's not about sex…"

  "I know," she said, standing up and laughing. We could hear her pack mates on the quads coming back. "I'm just kidding. I know that Fae attitudes toward sex are different. I've been there, remember? But, for what it's worth, I'm glad we had this little chat."

  "Oh, really? Why's that?" I asked, the sound of engines growing louder.

  "Because now I know you can relate to what I'm going through," she said, and kissed me on the cheek. "We're more alike than I thought, and it turns out your world is every bit as screwed up as mine is. As mean as that sounds, it does makes me feel better."

  We were both still chucking when the others returned.

  While Jazzy went on a run with her packmates, I took the Jeep and checked to see what progress the Wizards had made. From what Jesse reported, it wasn't much. Like he'd told us earlier, it would be hours before they determined the best way to move forward. That done, I headed back and waited for the Witches to complete their ceremony, then headed over to the tent they'd put up to see what was on the menu.

  To say I was pleasantly surprised was an understatement. They called it a celebration of the full moon. A time to watch the sun set and the moon rise and then gather beneath it, calling down its energy to strengthen and renew their magic. The ceremony itself, was private, but afterward, the celebration contin
ued; and this part was open to special friends.

  They'd set up BBQ's and smokers; and exotic meats like elk, deer, and antelope were already cooked and being placed on tables. A bar was set up in one corner with a variety of drinks available. I sampled a few of the items and tried to be friendly. I even learned a bit about their trips out here, although no one seemed to have much to say about the Mission. Eventually, though, I wound up standing in a corner, nursing my beer and feeling like a third wheel. It wasn't a big deal. Magical world or not, most folks tend to be cautious around cops, especially when they're asking questions. But you get used to that when you work in my field. A few minutes later, I saw Jazzy talking to a petite blonde girl with braided hair. She was wearing a light-colored silk blouse, jeans, and sandals. It was Iris, the Witch I'd met on the road earlier. Jazzy pointed at me and she started walking my way.

  "We haven't been properly introduced," she said as she came up. "I'm Iris Whitney.

  "Jay Hoskins," I replied. "Thanks for inviting us."

  "You look lonely," she said, her blue eyes glancing up at me as she took a sip from her wineglass.

  "Just trying to keep a low profile," I replied. "I think I make them nervous, being a member of the EAB."

  "Jasmine doesn’t seem to have that problem," she countered, gesturing in her direction. She was still in the middle of the group of four or five Witches, laughing and chatting away. "But you're right. They are intimidated, but it's not because you're with the EAB."

  "What is it then?" I asked, sniffing the air. "I just took a shower so I know that's not the problem."

  "Cute," she said. "It's not your job title that makes them nervous. We're all white Witches, so we've got nothing to hide from the EAB. It's what you are. You should hear the rumors about you going around the room?"

  "What I am? What kind of rumors? I don’t even know anyone here. Except Jazzy, of course."

  "You're a Fae, an Elemental," she said, running her finger around the rim of her glass. "Not that we haven't seen Dryads before, but none of us have ever met a male. Let alone a warrior, as Jasmine makes you out to be. That's enough to make the room buzz. But then they hear that you're royalty, and they don't know what to think."

  "I see," I replied, drawing out the word. "You make it sound so special. It's not really that big of a deal. You don’t seem to be bothered by it."

  "Of course not," she said, leaning forward and whispering in my ear. "I'm a High Priestess. I'm not allowed to be intimidated by such things. Besides, Jasmine says you're a really nice guy." She leaned back again, but continued to whisper. "But don’t tell them that. It's best to let them keep thinking I'm fearless."

  "Aren't you the sneaky one," I said with a laugh. "I won’t betray your trust."

  "I thank you, Lord Dryad," she said with a bow, then took my arm in hers. "But it is a big deal. It's a bit overwhelming when a Fae Lord drops in without a proper introduction. Come with me. I'll take you around, and we'll fix that."

  "A proper introduction?" I repeated. She made a good point, and I suddenly remembered what Jazzy had said about loosening up. What the hell? I might as well have some fun doing it, and Nikki would appreciate the gesture as well. "Of course! I'm sorry, but I just realized I need to do something. Can you excuse me?"

  "You have to leave?" she asked, sounding perplexed. "Now?"

  "There's something I need to take care of. I'll be back in a few."

  "Well," she said. "If you must."

  I hurried out of the tent and into the desert where the Jeep was parked. Jumping in and starting it, I drove in the direction of the nearby mountain to hide what I was up to. When I was far enough away, out of sight, I parked and got out. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the root of the oak tree my sister had given me, then placed it in the ground. If I needed an ice breaker, I might as well go for broke. A moment later, I stepped into Fae and headed to The Wayward Elf, where I placed an order to go.

  True to my word, I was back at the tent in 15 minutes, human time. I unloaded two casks of Handion's Elf ale from the back of the Jeep and went inside. I found Iris chatting to a few other members of the coven in a group near the food tables and walked toward her.

  "I'm back," I said, lifting my arms to show off the casks. "And I brought presents."

  "I see that," she said, looking surprised as she eyed the casks.

  "What? Did you think I wasn't coming back?"

  "I wasn't sure," she said. "But…"

  "One second," I said, stopping her before she could continue. I turned and scanned the room, looking for Jazzy. She was on the other side of the tent, already watching what I was up to. I winked at her, put down the kegs, and then addressed the crowd.

  "Hey! Over here, everybody," I shouted. The room got quiet, and many looked in my direction. "My name is Jay Hoskins." I took a bow and switched into my Fae persona. The change wasn't that obvious, due to my age, but it was enough that the Witches took notice. "Well met, I say in greeting, in the manner of my kind. As a representative of the Dryad, and as thanks for your kind invitation to join you tonight, I bring you this gift from my lands." I picked up one of the casks and placed it on the table. "Elf ale. The product of a master Elf brewer by the name of Handion. Drink, and enjoy a taste known to few outside my realm."

  I placed the other cask next to the first one, popped in the spigot, and poured several glasses and handed them to those close by. A few minutes later, I passed that duty on to one of the nearby Weres. I filled two glasses for myself and walked back to where Iris was waiting.

  "One proper introduction," I said, handing her a glass. "Great idea, by the way."

  "That's not exactly what I had in mind, but thank you," she said, then took a drink from the glass. "By the Goddess! What is this?" She took another drink, savoring the taste.

  "Just what I said, Elf ale. Like it?"

  "It's delicious," she replied. "I thought you were kidding. About it being made by the Elves, I mean."

  "I never kid about Elf ale," I said, chuckling, then turned when I felt a tap on my shoulder.

  "What was that about staying low profile?" Jazzy whispered, raising her eyebrows.

  "I figured I might as well take your advice," I whispered back.

  "Hmm… She is hot, I'll give you that," she replied, leaning her head back, glancing at Iris. "And she's quite interested in you."

  "That's not what I meant," I said.

  "Hey, I'm not judging. Have some fun," she replied with a grin, then waved and melted back into the crowd.

  "What was that all about?" Iris asked, as Jazzy disappeared.

  "That? Oh, it was nothing," I replied, then changed the subject. "But I've got something else for you. Come on."

  "Where are we going?" she asked as I took her by the hand. I led her outside and walked to the back of the Jeep.

  "You were drinking wine earlier, so I thought you might appreciate this more than the ale," I said, reaching in and pulling out a wineskin. "And I wanted to apologize. For rushing off like I did."

  "You brought this just for me?"

  "I did leave in a hurry," I said, not quite sure how I wanted to put it. "I didn't want you to think I wasn't enjoying the conversation. But when a beautiful High Priestess reminds you of the rules of hospitality; what could I do? I really shouldn't have come empty-handed."

  "That wasn't the point I was trying to make."

  "No, it wasn't," I agreed. "But it's something I should have thought about. No big deal. Hey, the Were's have a fire going down at their trailer. I thought we could sit by it. Maybe open this there."

  "I think I'd like that," she said. "A fire sounds nice. But my place is closer." She pointed to a new Airstream parked a hundred yards from the tent. Even without Fae vision, it was easy to spot, especially with the moonlight reflecting off its polished aluminum surface.

  We walked across the sand to a small path that led to her trailer. It was parked in a clearing, just off the main dirt road. The vegetation was sparse out here, and
there were plenty of places to boondock for those that visited the area.

  She'd obviously set up camp earlier. In front of the Airstream sat a few zero gravity recliners and a small table. There was also a fire pit, already loaded with wood. As we approached, she pointed in its direction. Sparks appeared, and the wood began to burn.

  "Show off," I said with a smile.

  "Look who's talking," she replied, laughing. "You're the one that changed your appearance in front of everyone."

  "Oops," I replied, grinning. I switched back into my regular persona. "Forgot about that."

  "Have a seat. I'll get the glasses." She walked into the trailer as I took a seat by the fire.

  "I think I've had enough," she said an hour or so later. She placed the empty glass on the table. "I don't want to have a headache in the morning."

  "That's the beauty of Elf and Fae spirits," I said, getting up to squeeze the last of the wine from the leather container into her glass. "No hangovers."

  "So you claim," she replied, picking it up anyway. Then she looked up at me, and her eyes sparkled as she took another drink. "Or maybe, just maybe, you're trying to get me a bit tipsy."

  Tipsy. Now there's a word I hadn’t heard in a while.

  "More likely, you're trying to put ideas in my head," I said, draining the last of my glass. "Or maybe you're casting a spell. But if you'll point the way to the nearest Starbucks, I'll buy you a coffee to dispel the thought."

  "Oh! I would never," she said, feigning shock. Then she placed her hand over her heart. "Alas, it is as I said. I am a good Witch, and would never resort to such tactics." She threw her head back and laughed, then stood up and offered me her hand. "Coffee sounds good. Unfortunately, I think the nearest Starbucks is 100 miles away, and it's closed. But I've got a coffee maker inside. Come on. I'll brew us up a pot."

  I took her hand and followed her inside.

  "Would you mind grabbing the coffee?" she asked, filling a pot with water and pointing. "It's in the cabinet behind me."