by J. S. Malcom
“Do centaurs poop in the woods?”
Esras cocks his head, telling me that particular colloquialism might not be familiar.
“Never mind,” I say. “Sure, let’s do another round of the old trellberry. Just point to the bottle.”
“That blue one there,” Esras says.
“Awesome.” I levitate the thing our way along with two glass mugs. My skill is a little sloppy at the moment, but all three items plunk down in front of us without breaking. So, that’s something. I’m about to try hands-free pouring when Esras takes over. Probably a good idea. I’d hate to waste good trellberry wine.
Meanwhile, I remain a dog with a bone. “What about Abarrane?” I say.
Maybe they let her out on some sort of royal immunity or some shit and don’t want to tell me. Maybe she had a really good lawyer.
Esras sits and slides a mug my way, one that I notice is only a third full. “She remains in prison too.”
I slug back some trellberry. “Maybe we should go visit those two assholes. I’ve been meaning to say hello.” By which I mean tap into the Faerie ley line again and wipe them off the map. Which I guess I should have done to begin with. I’m not usually the murderous type, but I’m pretty sure I could live with it.
“Probably not the best idea,” Esras says.
I squint at him. “Are you humoring me?”
He shrugs. “To a degree.”
“Okay, whatever. More wine please.”
Esras hesitates, but then pours me a little more wine. I nudge the mug and he adds yet more. He probably figures it’s either that or I light up another fireball.
I drink some trellberry and say, “We need to figure out what’s happening.”
“Yes, we do,” Esras says. “And we will, I’m sure.”
“You’re humoring me again, aren’t you?”
“Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it humoring you. More like—”
“You’re cute when you lie. Has anyone ever told you that?” I jump to my feet. “Come on.”
Esras swivels his barstool to look at me. “Where are we going?”
“Downstairs,” I say. “We can play darts.” Right, I’m going into denial mode. This whole deal is driving me crazy, and right now I better back off before something bad happens. It occurs to me that maybe I just have too much pent up energy. Well, not energy exactly. Just that maybe I need a release, and here we are just the two of us…
Esras frowns. “I don’t think there’s a dartboard down there.”
“Yeah, there is. I’m positive I saw one.” Or maybe I’m confusing a dartboard with a map. Or a bookcase. Or a door. I’m positive I saw those down there. I’m totally winging it, but I don’t care.
I start walking and look back over my shoulder. “Oh, and bring the bottle.”
I head down the stairs, even as some muted part of my brain keeps saying, Cassie, what the hell are you doing? Seriously, stop. I hate that part of my brain, so I ignore it. Tonight, by means of alcohol.
“Where’s that damned dartboard?” As I get to the bottom of the stairs, I look back to be sure that Esras is still with me. Now, that would have felt silly. Thankfully, he is, but he didn’t bring the bottle.
“Cassie,” he says, “Maybe you should just think about—”
“I think it’s in there,” I say, pointing at a familiar door, which just happens to be the room where Esras and I spent our very first night together. No, we didn’t have sex that night, but the way I see it, this is my chance to go back in time. Sort of, anyway. Close enough.
I fling the door open and enter the room. It hasn’t changed. Maps remain pinned to the walls and the table still has those beat-up old chairs around it. As if the Unseelie underground might still be meeting down here to plan strategies. Maybe they’re keeping it for old time’s sake. Either way, there’s no dartboard, but that’s not a problem. I’m in Faerie. I can materialize one using magic. The last time I was here, I could have materialized an aircraft carrier. Then again, the last time I was here I was entrusted with some serious-ass mojo, thanks to the ley line. I think of her and inwardly say, Come on, give me this. Just for old time’s sake. It’s just a freaking dartboard.
I waggle my outstretched finger toward the wall and nothing appears. Damn. Come on, ley line, it’s me!
“Cassie,” Esras says.
“Hang on a minute.” I point at the wall again and say, “Dartboardio Manifestus.” No dartboard appears, but I love my new spell. I crack up laughing.
“Maybe you’re tired,” Esras says. “Try again tomorrow?”
“I swear there was a dartboard,” I say.
Suddenly, the entire day catches up with me. Maybe it’s just that I’m exhausted, or maybe Fairie’s ley line gave herself a little distance to be on the safe side. Either way, my legs get wobbly. I plop down onto the sofa where I’ve slept several times now. I sink back into it immediately. I almost forgot how much I love this old sofa.
Esras sits down next to me. “Well, maybe you saw the dartboard somewhere else.”
Of course, he’s humoring me again, but I slide closer to him. “I really wanted to play darts.”
“We can play darts tomorrow,” Esras says.
I slide even closer, snuggling up next to him. I let my head sink back. “Okay, tomorrow.”
“Good plan,” Esras says.
“Arm,” I say.
I didn’t realize I’d closed my eyes, but I open one now to see Esras looking back at me. He really has the nicest face. I’d kiss it if I could lift my head.
“Arm,” I say again.
Esras puts his arm around me. I rest my head against his shoulder and close that open eye. Which is good, because I was having the hardest time keeping that eye open.
CHAPTER 24
I groan and open my eyes to darkness, only after a minute realizing that the darkness is caused by the pillow into which I’ve stuffed my face. I let out another groan, this time swiveling my head to the side and trying to lift it. Through bleary eyes, I look around my living room. I drop my head back into the pillow, groan once more and start to drift off again.
Wait. I’m home?
My eyes pop open again, this time with surprise. How the hell did I get here? I roll over and look up at the ceiling. I did go to Faerie, right? My pounding head tells me I did. Shit. I was really hoping that, just for once, what happened would turn out to be a dream. Yesterday starts coming back to me, and last night. Oh, shit, shit, shit.
I sit up this time, which is almost enough to knock me over. My head feels like someone whacked me with a club, and my breath smells like a rotting whale carcass. Was I really with Esras last night? Oh, yes I was. Oh, my God, did we have sex? It takes me only a millisecond to realize we didn’t. I couldn’t possibly get drunk enough to forget that. So that part is good. Well, I think it is. Did he want to have sex? Maybe I tried and he didn’t want…
Stop, I tell myself. Just stop. That will get me nowhere. For now, I should just be happy that I didn’t have incredibly drunken sex with Esras. Especially since I was the only one who was incredibly drunk.
But how the hell did I get home?
Then that part comes back too. Slipping out from beneath Esras’s arm, sneaking into the hall and up the stairs. Why I’d felt the need to go up to the bar to open a portal, I’m not sure now. Had I been thinking about having another drink? God, I hope not. But, yes, I went upstairs and decided to slip out of Faerie before Esras woke up. Was I thinking maybe he’d be the one to think it had all been a dream? I may just have been still drunk enough to believe that at the time. Not good, because Cade was right. Who knows where I might have ended up?
So, it’s time to count my blessings. I may have made an ass of myself, but I didn’t have sloppy sex and I didn’t strand myself in outer space. Now, I’m home and—
Hang on. What time is it?
I snatch my phone from my pocket and let out another groan. I have two hours before I’m supposed to be in California. And, let
me guess, I still haven’t stocked up on coffee.
~~~
I down some ibuprofen and take a shower while things keep coming back to me. Things such as there being increased demon activity in Faerie, just as we’ve been experiencing here. That was a bit of news I totally didn't expect. Once again, I tell myself it's probably due to the connection between the realms. Just like how the magical imbalance in Faerie threw things off in Silvermist before. But why can't I get past that other feeling, that nagging fear that Vintain could be somehow involved? Am I just traumatized and paranoid? Not typically something to hope for, but here's hoping.
I throw on some clothes, this time with every intention of going to the store. For one thing, I haven’t done any cleanings lately—at least any I’ve actually been paid for—and my bank account is running on fumes. So it’s time to behave responsibly and stop shelling out for Starbuck. Or I could check in on Anna and Lissette…
No.
I still have time to hit the store, brew a pot, eat something, and zip over to California. That’s the plan. I get halfway down the hall when Jerome and Bobby come up the stairs heading my way. Jerome gestures to where a snorfler sits perched on his shoulder.
“Hey, check this out,” he says. “Cute little bugger, isn’t he?”
“We’re adopting him,” Bobby says. “We’re thinking about calling him Gene.”
I frown back at them, not making the connection.
“Like Gene Simmons, from that band in the eighties,” Jerome says.
“Kiss,” Bobby reminds him.
No sooner does he say it than the snorfler’s tongue flies out of its mouth and smacks against Bobby’s face. I watch as the snorfler takes to the air, vanishing a moment later.
Jerome cocks his head at the ceiling. “Where did the little guy go?”
“He’ll be back,” I say. “Trust me.”
They keep walking and I head toward the stairs. Coffee. I need coffee. Would it be faster to pop over to Faerie? I mean, I’m a celebrity there. Maybe I could train my admirers to bring offerings of gourmet coffee rather than booze.
Behind me, I hear Bobby say. “What about Miley? Her tongue is pretty famous too.”
“That’s a good one too,” Jerome says. “Do you see him anywhere?”
As I walk downstairs, their voices fade, to be replaced by a quiet conversation between a guy and a girl. I hear the guy say, “I don’t know. I think it’s a great way to look at the world. That kind of positivity reflects well on you.”
The girl giggles and says, “You don’t think it’s too woo-woo?”
I recognize her voice as being Wendy’s, but who’s the guy flirting with her? I reach the landing, see that it’s Alec, and have no idea how to react. I love Wendy, and I’d like nothing more than to see her happily in love. But somehow the terse and aloof new witch in the building doesn’t seem right for my innocent, optimistic pal.
“Well, it might be a little woo-woo,” Alec says, “but who’s to say if—”
He stops speaking, seeing me heading toward them. I try to keep from narrowing my eyes, but I’m not sure I’m totally successful.
“Hi, Cassie! Have you met Alec?” Wendy flashes a big, happy smile. On anyone else, it might seem fake. Not on her. That smile comes from her soul.
My gaze meets Alec’s and he lowers his eyelids. Maybe I just can’t get past the Grayson lookalike thing, but he rubs me the wrong way.
“We met the other day,” I say. “How’s it going, guys?”
“Good!” Wendy says, and Alec says nothing.
Should I remind him we’re supposed to be in Monterey in an hour? Probably not. For one thing, he’s already turned his full attention back to Wendy. Besides, he’s a witch with a pedigree. I’m sure he can manage his own schedule.
I’m almost out the door when Wendy says, “Anna and Lissette were looking for you. Something about one of the witch Facebook groups. You might want to check in with them.”
I hesitate, step back inside and head toward Anna’s and Lissette’s apartment. I have almost no doubt that I’ll score free coffee, but I’m pretty sure it won’t be worth it. Right now, I just don’t need any more news.
CHAPTER 25
The creature streaks down from above, leathery wings outspread as it lets out an earsplitting shriek. We stand as a group, waiting to see which one of us it chooses to target. Whether we defend each other or fight back alone depends on the orders we receive in the next few seconds.
The demon swoops back up into the sky, gliding in a suspended loop. Gazing down through eyes glowing fiery red, it flicks its serrated tail at the air. A few moments pass as it determines its prey, and then it starts another barreling descent. I soon realize that it's keeping me squarely in the sights of its extended talons and razor sharp beak.
“That is called a zarcaroth!” Regina calls out. “It spits acid, can shear your head off with its tail or drive its beak through your heart.” A beat and then she adds, “Defend yourself, veil witch!”
Her way of saying I won't be getting any help. Of course. Thanks so much, Regina. There I was thinking my little centaur stunt impressed her, but apparently it just pissed her off that much more.
I gaze up, squinting against the glare of the sun as the zarcaroth zooms toward me. I spread my feet to balance my weight, flex my knees and position my elbows at my hips. I keep my forearms raised and my hands at the ready.
“One chance, one weapon!” Regina calls out.
Again, her meaning is clear. I’ll have just one shot at killing this thing, so I better choose right.
The zarcaroth swoops in low, flying parallel to the ground. A bead of sweat trickles down my face as it soars toward me. Sparks crackle along the length of my arms, magic coursing through me. Still, I can’t decide. Sword, fireball or whip. Or deflection. I could try that too, but that might only buy me time. Of course, I could try opening the…
“Choose!”
At the last instant, I channel my magic into my right arm. A shaft of light surges up from my closed fist, curved like the blade of a sword. I pivot just as the zarcaroth tries to drive its beak through my chest. I swing just in time to lop off the creature’s head. The beast crashes down with a thump, dirt spraying and dust billowing as its body rolls along the earth.
Chest heaving and magic spent, I look up expecting admiring eyes and maybe even a round of applause.
“Another second and you would have missed entirely,” Regina says. “But, okay, not bad.”
Gosh, thanks. Just in case she missed something, I clear my throat and tap my foot against the zarcaroth’s severed head.
“Exactly,” Regina says. “Why would you ever let a demon get that close? You could have eliminated it twenty yards out with a whip.”
In other words, she thinks I was trying to show off. Still, she does have a point, especially since I know all too well how effective energy whips can be. I learned that in Faerie, where I first channeled my magic that way. Until today, I never realized I could do the same here.
“Okay, time to call it a day,” she says. “I’d tell you to hit the showers, but none of you worked hard enough to break a sweat. You know the way out.”
With that, Regina takes to the air, darting across the field toward the back of the castle.
“She’s a real charmer,” Blair mutters, rubbing her arm where she sustained a cut doing battle with a gorgon.
“Yeah, total sweetheart,” Harper says, wincing as she gingerly touches her bruised brow.
Without slowing, or even turning to look back, Regina calls out, “I heard that!”
As she departs, the demon I just killed starts to evaporate, since it was Regina who conjured the thing to begin with. The zarcaroth wasn’t real, of course. Regina manifested the illusion of that particular demon, one of several today, so we could learn what we might be facing if things don’t change. Still, illusions or not, they weren’t to be taken lightly, as evidenced by the blood still drying on Blair’s arm, the contusi
on on Harper’s forehead and Alec’s limping gait. Amazingly, I’m the only one to come through the session unscathed. God only knows what would have happened if that fake zarcaroth had driven its spearhead beak through my sternum. Regina’s demons may have been magical facsimiles, but none of them looked to be shooting blanks.
As we make our way back inside, I have to admit feeling a certain level of satisfaction. Until today, I never realized I could harness anything even resembling the level of magic I did in Faerie. Not that I came close to wielding that kind of power. That’s just not possible unless this realm’s ley line decides to make me its temporary sole repository. Still, in the last six hours we’ve all taken our combat magic to new personal levels. Regina may come off as a first-class bitch, but she’s a pro when it comes to getting us to raise the bar.
On top of that, there was the added bonus of being too imperiled to fixate on what I learned from Anna and Lissette this morning. Two more witches have gone missing, something I’m not sure how to feel about. Not that I could feel anything but terrible learning that something like that has happened. Especially since, in both cases, ghostlike images of the missing witches were discovered suspended within mirrors—this time by other witches. As far as I know, the police are not involved. From what I gathered, the witch community has decided to take things into its own hands. We’re also on high alert.
Obviously there’s a lot to be concerned about. The part that leaves me feeling uncertain is that, this time, neither Autumn nor I know the witches involved. Which could mean that, possibly, Bethany’s disappearance has nothing to do with us after all. So, maybe my sister and I aren’t targets in some warped game. Not that it makes much difference. We need to figure out how to help Bethany while there’s still time.
“What do you think, Cassie?”
I snap out of it at the sound of Harper’s voice. “I’m sorry. I kind of spaced out there for a moment.”
She frowns, cocking her head. Understandably, since I’ve been walking right next to her. “We were just discussing what the plan might be.”
