The Gift of Fury

by Richard Jackson

  “Count, you’re assuming he is still in the city.”

  “He’s not about to leave. It’s too risky with all the people looking for him.”

  Contrary to popular belief, the authorities make it real difficult for wanted criminals to flee the city let alone the country. In this case, his fame and love for publicity are working against him. Famous people have a harder time running and hiding than us no names.

  “Okay but where is he?”

  The list of places Meredith can use is actually quite short. The public ones are too dangerous for Meredith to use. That leaves the privately owned ones. Only a few of those will have enough energy for Meredith’s needs and all of them will be closely guarded. Their owners would fight anyone tooth and nail to prevent someone from using their place of power without permission.

  “He has a Fae helping him. That’s a good place to start. I’m betting Meredith will use one of their places of power but we’ll cover the others, just in case.”

  Kara considers that. I can sense her smile. Yep, this feels right. It fits. I can ask Jennifer to have her people stake out the public places. For the rest, I need to cash in a few favors. I pick up the phone and start making calls.

  Act Three: The Awakening

  Chapter Twenty Three

  When I call my friends, it soon becomes apparent we need a place where we can sit down and talk. Meeting in public is out of the question. It’s going to be one of those conversations that would be sure to turn heads. We usually used Scott’s apartment for this type of thing. It had everything one could want; space, luxury, convenience and privacy. With Scott out of the country, it’s not an option. I’m not about to call him and ask to use his apartment. There is the chance he might say yes but I would never hear the end of it.

  The next logical place to meet is Sol’s library. His library is well suited to meetings even if it isn’t as luxurious or convenient as Scott’s place. Any information we might need would be close at hand and within easy reach. Unfortunately, Sol is incommunicado. There is no way to get to his library until he is down handling that other problem Scott mentioned. That doesn’t leave too many other options. My studio apartment is a bit too small for what I had in mind. I don’t think anyone would appreciate being packed into my apartment like sardines. Nerva’s place is roomy with plenty of style and creature comforts. Too bad our little tussle wrecked the place. It will be days before it will be fit for company. So it falls to Hagan to play host.

  When I first visited Hagan’s apartment, it wasn’t what I had expected. His apartment wasn’t small, messy or in shambles like many so called bachelor pads. True, housekeeping wasn’t something he did a lot of but he didn’t let things get out of hand. His place rides that fine line between lived in and neat. There are bits and pieces of the man’s history scattered about the apartment assuming you buy into the whole immortality thing. Amid the artwork and other collectibles is an impressive array of weaponry, all of it kept in perfect and lethal condition. Some of his things are probably worth a fortune. You wouldn’t know it from the way Hagan treated them. To him, they aren’t antiques or pieces of art. It’s just stuff he has picked up over the years. He doesn’t mistreat them but they aren’t treated like showpieces. It reminds me of the tiny figurine I keep on my desk at home. I brought it when I was a kid for five bucks. Less than a year ago, I saw the same figurine being sold for almost two hundred dollars. A friend suggested I sell it or put it in a display case but it didn’t seem right. It was too personal for me to even think of selling it or treating it with special reverence except to keep it right where it was and close at hand to remind me of bygone days. Where I have a figurine, Hagan has a sword. It’s not a beautiful weapon but it looks like it has seen plenty of use. It was also in easy reach should Hagan need it. All in all, it would have been perfect except for one or two minor details. I start our little ritual in a vain attempt to distract him as Jennifer studies the two of us.

  “Ready for a fight Hagan?”

  “Always. Still hearing voices Count?”

  “Hearing voices?” Jennifer asks.

  Hagan laughs as he shifts his attention to Jennifer, looking the woman up and down. It’s good to hear the sound of laughter even if it is at my expense. “Count doesn’t like to talk about his little valkyrie. He’s afraid people might think he’s crazy.”

  “As crazy as a guy who thinks he’s immortal,” I say.

  Jennifer was going to find out sooner or later. I just wish Hagan’s timing was a little better. This would be a bad time to start doubting me. I focus my thoughts inward as Hagan introduces himself to Jennifer.

  “A valkyrie?”

  Kara shrugs. “It is how he thinks of me. I really don’t see myself as a wolf-riding chooser of the slain.”

  I laugh, “That makes two of us. I wonder where he got that idea from.”

  Kara’s reply is interrupted by the sound of a stinging slap. I glance over at my two friends. Hagan is still smiling though his cheek is a little red.

  “Just what I thought” He says to Jennifer before turning his attention back to me. “So tell me why you brought a cop into my home and for her sake the answer better be good.”

  “It’s not that bad,” I say with one of my more winning smiles. It does nothing to appease the big man towering over the two of us.

  “Not that bad? You bring a cop to my house while there is a warrant out for my arrest and you’re telling me that it’s not that bad.”

  I spare Jennifer a quick glance, hoping she doesn’t say or do something stupid.

  “I’m not a cop,” She says “I’m with the government.”

  The look I give her is different from the one Hagan gives her but for all intents and purposes the message is the same. “Shut up!”

  “Oh right, sorry. She’s a Fed. That makes a big difference,” Hagan says.

  “You’re not going to win. Just take your beating and get it over with,” Kara says “Hagan dislikes Federal agents more than police.”

  “It’s not like she’s here to arrest you or anything. Jennifer is here to help us out with Meredith.”

  Hagan goes on like he hasn’t heard me. “Feds stink of mom and apple pie. The only thing worse than a Fed is a spook,” He pauses, giving Jennifer another more appraising look. “She’s not a spook is she?”

  Jennifer answers the question for me, ignoring my unspoken warning and Hagan’s anger. “No, I’m with the Defense Intelligence Agency.”

  “I knew it” he says with a scowl. I give up. Any hope of winning this battle goes out the window as Hagan lets out a stream of curses in some forgotten tongue. Jennifer doesn’t flinch from his verbal onslaught. In fact, she replies with a few choice insults and curses of her own.

  Kara murmurs “I told you this was going to happen.”

  “Maybe, they will calm down before Nerva arrives.”

  “Ever the optimist.”

  ***

  Nerva is late as usual. It gives me time to diffuse things between Hagan and Jennifer. He is one of those people, you either love or hate. There is no middle ground. A lot of it has to do with Hagan’s attitude which can draw you in as easily as push you away. If you take the time and effort to get to know him, you can get past all that and see him for who he is. The problem is Hagan usually doesn’t let people get that close. He is fond about talking about the perks of immortality. It’s rare that he mentions the downside. It’s a lonely sort of existence very few can take. He admits you don’t have a lot of friends because you outlive most of them. In time, you become more and more reluctant to make new ones. You build up walls to protect yourself. I understand that. You don’t need to be immortal to do it.

  Like me, Nerva didn’t come alone. She brought a guest with her. He is the second minor detail I was referring to. His kin call him Aleric the Strong, not because of his physical strength. It is from his strength of will. He is part arbiter, part diplomat and all troubleshooter. Though he doesn’t exude power, Aleric is not one to un
derestimate. Among the Fae, he is unique. Long ago, the Fae split into two courts, the Seelie and the Unseelie. The Seelie or Blessed Court is made up of the more benevolent Fae. That’s not to say they are all goody two shoes. Far from it, they can be capricious and cruel when given reason. The Unseelie don’t need a reason. I wouldn’t call them evil but you don’t have to be evil to be bad news. Aleric exists apart from the two courts, free of the intrigue and politics, so he can mediate disputes between his kin fairly. During times of crisis, he has the authority to make decisions on behalf of both courts. He’s a good man to know and a bad one to cross. It’s why I need to speak to him. Before any introductions can be made, Hagan takes the initiative.

  “Well, well, if it isn’t the master race.”

  Even Kara wasn’t prepared for that comment. It’s true the Fae see themselves as superior to mankind. Aleric is no different though he usually keeps his opinion to himself. Aleric acknowledges the words and Hagan with a cold smile. He isn’t the least bit intimidated by the big man.

  “It’s always a pleasure to see you, Elfkiller.”

  Kara mutters the word “Vikings” as if it were a curse. It shouldn’t surprise me. Another perk of immortality seems to be there is never a shortage of enemies. Nerva gets over her surprise slightly faster than the rest of us.

  “I take it, the two of you have met” She says.

  “Not in person but his legend is known to all,” Aleric replies

  “Something you want to share with the rest of us?” I say.

  Hagan shrugs off the comment and question like water from a duck’s back. “It was a long time ago.”

  “The Fae have a long memory, Elfkiller,” Aleric says.

  I see the change in Hagan’s posture. Before, I wasn’t really worried he might hurt Jennifer or me. It was all for show. This time, it’s different. He hears the threat in Aleric’s words. Hagan is more than willing and able to do something violent. It’s a luxury, we can’t afford right now. I need Aleric’s help if I’m going to stop Meredith. That would be impossible if he ends up as another notch on Hagan’s belt.

  “Can we table this discussion for another time? We have bigger fish to fry.”

  Hagan doesn’t say it but I know what he is thinking. After this is all over, he will have words with Aleric. From the look on the Fae’s face, he would be more than happy to oblige. That is fine with me. The two if them can go at each other on their own time.

  “I assume you want to discuss Lord Fitzgerald,” Aleric doesn’t give me a chance to interrupt him. “As I told Nerva, I’m not about to turn over a member of the Unseelie court to her or anyone else unless they are guilty of high crimes.”

  Nerva practically bolt from the couch where she was lounging. “He assaulted me.”

  “That is regrettable but alas not a high crime,” It’s not that Aleric is unmoved. He is friends with Nerva and the two have known each other for years. His hands are tied. Fitzgerald is a noble and a member of the Unseelie Court. He must be very well connected for Aleric to hold this close to the letter of the law. It makes sense. If Meredith needed help, he would go as far up the food chain as he could. Someone in Fitzgerald’s position could probably get access to all sorts of magical resources.

  “I don’t want Fitzgerald.”

  “You don’t?” Everyone says it, even Kara.

  Aleric’s eyes narrow for a moment as if he is about to walk into a trap. He asks the question scholars and philosophers have asked since the dawn of time. “Then why am I here?”

  “Sit back and relax” I say more for Nerva’s sake than for Aleric. “Let me tell you a little story.”

  Slowly, but surely, Nerva relaxes as I spin my tale. She’s not sure what I am up to but she is willing to trust me. Fitzgerald hurt her and she wants him. It reminds me of how badly I wanted Meredith. With any luck, she won’t be disappointed. I start at the beginning and tell Aleric everything. The others have heard it already but it is all new to the Fae. Aleric’s mood changes when I mention the Seven. He doesn’t like what he is hearing. He likes it even less when I get to Meredith’s plan. His expression darkens as he thinks of life in Meredith’s better world. He, like most of the Fae, longs for the good old days when magic was strong. The problem is the price tag for such a return. He interrupts me right before I tell him the juicy bit.

  “And Lord Fitzgerald is in league with this Meredith.”

  “Yes and he isn’t doing this for free,” I say.

  The Fae don’t accept payment in coin. They deal in boons and favors. It is the currency of their realm. They use it in their ever changing game of politics and intrigue. In helping Meredith realize his dream, Fitzgerald is going to get something in return. Aleric knows the man. He has a good idea what he would ask for. I let his imagination run wild then I finish my tale.

  “Meredith needs a place of power to cast his spell. Does Fitzgerald have access to one?”

  Aleric’s silence is all the answer I need. He does. If Fitzgerald was doing this for the benefit of the Fae, he would have told someone at Court. It would have gotten back to Aleric. You don’t have to be a genius or paranoid to come up with a number of reasons why he wouldn’t want that to happen. I was counting on it. When Aleric speaks, he chooses his words with care.

  “I will have to investigate your claims thoroughly, Count. If what you say is true, Fitzgerald will have much to answer for.”

  Hagan laughs. Whatever his history is with Aleric, he knows exactly what the Fae has in mind. Nerva looks confused. She doesn’t see how this helps us. She’s never had to deal with Aleric on this level. He’s not about to let something like evidence or due process stand in his way if he thinks there is a credible threat to his people. He believes what I’ve told him. He’s going to act quickly. The question is how quickly.

  Jennifer asks the question on my mind “And how long will that take?”

  I had nearly forgotten she was here. Jennifer had been silent during my rehashing of events. Aleric replies, not missing a beat. “If he is linked to Meredith, I’ll know it within the hour. I just need to make a few calls.”

  I direct my thoughts and amusement inward to Kara. It wouldn’t be diplomatic to say them aloud. “Whether the evidence exists or not, Aleric will find something. He isn’t going to take any chances.”

  “Sometimes you can be a little devious.”

  Instead of replying, I focus on the conversation. Jennifer still has questions, all of them important. This one is of more interest to Nerva than me.

  “And what will happen to Fitzgerald?” she asks.

  Even though Meredith is my prime concern, Fitzgerald has to be dealt with sooner or later. It would be nice to know what Aleric plans to do regarding him. It’s clear he already has something in mind.

  “If he is guilty, his crimes would warrant exile or worse.”

  “Worse?” Hagan asks.

  Banishment and exile are practically unheard of among the Fae. They consider it the harshest possible sentence. Many Fae would prefer death. Not only would they be an outcast forced to find their own way through mortal society, they would have to do it without their powers. Enemies could strike at them without fear of repercussions. It is the closest thing to hell, a Fae could find on this Earth especially if he or she didn’t have any money or resources squirreled away. What could be worse than that?

  “Yes, Elfkiller. I would personally hand him over to Nerva.”

  We all turn to her. Nerva’s smile is not particularly pleasant.

  Chapter Twenty Four

  Space is at a premium. Jennifer and Aleric both need privacy to make their phone calls. Aleric claims the bedroom. As expected, it doesn’t take him long to learn the truth. He has a lot of contacts in the Unseelie and Seelie Courts. It’s a necessity for his job. The time consuming part involves apprising the rulers of both courts about the situation. They need to know what’s going on before Aleric can act against Fitzgerald. In the kitchen, Jennifer calls her people. She wants them ready to
move the moment we know where Meredith is. I’m not sure if that is a good idea or not but I’m not going to argue with her. She has a job to do. That leaves me, Hagan and Nerva. We sit in the living room where Hagan sharpens his sword. He’s expecting the fight of his life and he wants to be ready for it.

  Nerva leans close to whisper against my neck. “Everyone else has something to do. How shall we ever pass the time?”

  Her close proximity and thoughts of entertaining ways to pass time make it harder to concentrate. Kara’s hiss warns me of how far my thoughts are straying.

  “We don’t have time,” I say by way of apology.

  “And even if you did?”

  I think clean thoughts. Kara mutters the word “hussy” before lapsing into silence. Hagan is good enough not to laugh. Sometimes, it’s almost as if he can hear Kara as clearly as I can. Nerva sighs in disappointment. “You’re right and I’m not in the mood for a threesome.”

  The big man nearly cuts himself as he looks our way. I’ve never seen anyone shock Hagan before. It takes him almost thirty seconds to realize Nerva is joking then the laughter comes. It spreads like wildfire, lightening the mood and warming the heart. Even Kara joins in, forgetting her dislike of Nerva. When Hagan regains control of himself, he asks a question.

  “Count, do you remember how we first met?”

  “That was a long time ago, ancient history,” I reply. My theft of Hagan’s trademarked line gets a chuckle out of Nerva and a smile from Hagan. “How could I forget?”

  ***

  Jesse James isn’t my sort of place. It’s not the music, a mixture of country, honky tonk and classic rock. It’s not the large crowd though the bar is a bit more rowdy than my usual haunts. The men and women who frequent Jesse James range from bikers to wannabe’s and outsiders looking to walk on the wild side. Add to the mix the occasional celebrity who wants to be seen and the bachelorette parties that stop by for a last night of extreme entertainment. It’s definitely not the alcohol packed drinks that are served quickly and efficiently by the scantily-clad barmaids; though heaven help you if you decide not to tip. Cheapskates soon learn there is a price to pay for their thriftiness. The barmaids possess razor sharp wits and tongues to match along with a megaphone to call out an offender at a moment’s notice.