Her comment was made casually as she perused the site, but the truth of it was profound. I realized that even when I kept telling myself to keep an open mind, I was still trying to use the labels and facts from the world as I knew it before.
We briefly read about Hera, the majorly jealous wife of Zeus, but there was certainly no affirmative evidence that she was in any way related to Titania. Although there was a noteworthy theory that Shakespeare had acquired the name 'Titania' from a Roman poet who had given the same name to the descendants of the Greek Titans. There seemed to be some attenuated ties but no way to tell if it was purely artistic imaginings behind the references or if they were founded in fact.
“Do you think there could be some connection between the Fae and the Greek gods?”
“Well, if there were Fae running around back then, it wouldn’t surprise me if people believed they were gods. The links between the legends about gods and those about the Fae are definitely intriguing.”
I voiced my agreement and resumed reading, but after several dead ends we moved on to Oberon.
“Oberon seems to have a more diverse origin. There’s historical references to him not only from England but also from France and Germany.”
“Guess he got around—you think more references to him makes for a higher chance he’s real?” she asked.
“Seems like it to me. Not to say Titania isn’t real, but she seemed to keep to herself aside from Shakespeare’s writings.”
“Unfortunately, not only does he have more historical references, but his name is also used in a ridiculous amount of games, books, and movies. Hell, there is even a current television show who had an Oberon character for a while,” I said in frustration as I scrolled through all the google pages.
We then gave ourselves a cursory review of A Midsummer Night’s Dream to refresh our memories on the tale. The story had always seemed imaginative and far-fetched, but now, I wondered just how much of the writing could have been based in fact. What could Faeries do? What powers did they have? Could they really turn a man's head into that of a donkey? How on earth had I gotten to a place where this was a legitimate question to raise?
“Okay, I think I’ve had enough for tonight.” I said as I closed the laptop.
“I totally get you, it’s a lot for the brain to handle. Plus, my pain meds have kicked in so I’m heading to bed.”
“Sounds good. I’m going to give my Mom a quick call to check in and then I’ll be up.” We said our goodnights and Ash headed upstairs. I pulled out my phone and dialed my parents’ number and waited. After half a dozen rings, it went to the answering machine but not long after I’d hung up, my phone began to buzz with their number on caller ID.
“Hey Mom!”
“Hey sweetie! I’m surprised to hear from you again so quickly, everything okay?” Her mother's intuition was kicking into overdrive.
“Yeah, just had something kind of odd happen. I’ve started having that dream again, about the shadow man, and I was wondering what was in the incense you used to burn in my room as a kid. I thought maybe I could have some made here or try to whip some up myself.”
She was quiet for a moment. “Has something happened to trigger the dream?”
Dear Lord she was perceptive. Realizing I wasn’t going to get off the phone without a full disclosure, I told her about the attack in the alley, or at least the same version I told the police.
“Why didn't you tell us? We’ll be there next week, honey.”
“Mom, please don't. There's no reason to hurry out here.” I chastised myself for giving in and telling her about the attack. My stomach sank at the thought of my parents walking around Ireland with dangerous creatures on the loose.
“We had already discussed visiting then, I’ve pulled up flight information and everything so don’t try to talk me out of it. Plus, your dad got an advance for his next book, so it really isn't a problem.” Heaven knew once my mom got hold of an idea, like a dog with a bone, there was no way she was going to let up. Not that I could blame her. I was 100 percent her daughter in that regard.
With a small resigned sigh, I acquiesced. “Okay Mom, there’s just a lot on my plate now, I’m not sure how much time I can spend with you guys and my place is tiny.”
“Don’t you worry, I’ve got big plans for sights I want to visit while we’re there and we'll find a cute bed and breakfast or a house to rent. Ashley is leaving soon, right? I think it would be a good time to come out there so you aren’t all on your own yet.”
Her assurance that their travel schedule would keep them out of Belfast bolstered my mood, but I still felt guilty that they would be endangering themselves to be near me.
“Hey Mom, so what do you remember about the incense?”
“I don’t know for sure, I know it used Frankincense and Myrrh, but I’m not sure what other ingredients were used.”
“Like the gifts the wise men brought when Jesus was born?” I asked, surprised.
“Yes, they have protective qualities to ward off evil. I'm not sure of the proper proportions and I can't recall what else she used in the mixture. I’m still in touch with the friend who used to make it for me, so I’ll see if I can get some made before we come.”
“That would be awesome, thank you Momma.”
“Love you, baby girl. I’m so sorry to hear that dream is back and about the mugging. You be careful over there.”
“Love you too. I swear I’ll be careful, and I’m excited to see y’all.”
“Same here baby, try to sleep well tonight.”
“Will do.”
We said our goodbyes and I headed upstairs to find Ashley already out cold, snoring softly.
12
After a good night’s rest, I started my Tuesday with a bit more energy and optimism than I had the day before. I tend to wear my feelings—dark colors on rough days and bright colors when I'm feeling cheerful. Confidence and optimism meant a red sheathe dress that hugged my frame perfectly and black patent peep-toe heels. It was one of the few dresses that fit my figure and was professional enough to wear to work. The bold outfit bolstered my psyche even further and I felt ready to deal with whatever came my way.
A couple hours into my work day, I got a call from Cat informing me that I had a visitor waiting for me in the lobby. From the warning tone in her voice, I took an educated guess that it was one of the men from the Huntsman—no one else agitated her like they did. The next time we talked I was going to have to insist she tell me what exactly she knew about them that made her dislike them so much. Exiting the elevator, I saw that I had guessed correctly and Ronan was waiting for me just a few feet away.
“Rebecca, you look amazing.” He flashed his boyish dimples and charming smile that had me patting myself on the back for the choice of outfit.
He was looking particularly sharp as well—his long wool coat hung open to reveal an sharp light grey suit with a white dress shirt. His wavy hair was plastered back in an attempt to tame the curl but, he lost the battle with a wayward strand or two. His stiff gelled hair was not my favorite hairstyle and I wondered how it would lighten his appearance if he let his hair flow more naturally.
“Hey Ronan, what can I do for you?” He may have been easy on the eyes, but now that I knew he wasn’t human, I was going to try to maintain some boundaries.
His face grew more serious as he came to stand directly in front of me and reached out to take hold of my hands. “We need to talk. I know you have a lot of questions and Lochlan thinks it’s better to keep you in the dark but I think you deserve more information. I was hoping we could meet after you're done with work this evening, have some coffee and talk. Perhaps it would also give you a chance to learn more about me … maybe even learn to trust me.”
Meeting my eyes, his expression was hopeful but I wasn’t going to forget he was Fae anytime soon and that kept me feeling wary. On the other hand, my mother had always taught me not to judge someone based on stereotypes, appearances, or any other supe
rficial criterion. She insisted that actions spoke louder than words and condemning Ronan, or any of the Fae, merely for being Fae was contrary to everything I had been taught. Not only that, but talking to someone who was willing to give me information was one of the only ways I was going to learn anything. The pros to agreeing to meet with him seemed to outweigh the cons and I couldn't refuse the opportunity.
“Yeah, I can do that.”
“Thank you, Rebecca. There's a coffee shop down the road called Common Grounds, meet me there after work and we can talk.” I knew the place he suggested and was glad that I had thrown some sneakers in my bag for the walk to and from work because it was several blocks down the road and the heels I was wearing were not remotely comfortable. That was another important life lesson that I had picked up back in New York—while fashion footwear may be important, sneakers for the commute were essential.
I nodded and stepped back, withdrawing my hands from his hold. “All right, I'll see you there.”
After I made it back to my desk, I spent a majority of the afternoon attempting to focus on work but found my thoughts straying to what information Ronan would be willing to part with and how best to go about getting the most answers possible.
After removing my sneakers and slipping my heels back on, I entered the coffee shop and spotted Ronan waiting at a table. Ever since he got carried away at the club, his manners had returned and he was in full gentleman mode. He rose at my approach and helped me remove my coat.
“Hot chocolate again or something different this time?”
“I think some tea would be good for now, thank you.” He gave a light-hearted bow and headed to the counter to order our drinks. When he returned, my hands were sweating in anticipation.
“I want more than anything to earn your trust, Rebecca. Tell me what I need to do.”
My eyes dropped to my hands in my lap as they toyed with a bit of napkin. “I'm afraid that I'm finding it hard to trust anyone right now. It's so hard when I'm learning that nothing is what I thought it was. I'm having to relearn how to trust my own instincts in this new reality.” It was more deeply personal than I had intended to give him but it was the truth.
“I can understand that and I'm here to help you in any way that I can. Tell me, what questions do you have?”
My eyes met his with determination. “You’re Fae, aren’t you? You and Lochlan and the men of the Huntsman.” It wasn’t so much a question as a statement I needed to confirm.
As I spoke I could see pride in his eyes—he was pleased that I had figured it out. “Yes, we are.”
I had expected his answer but it still blew me away to think that these men were not human. “Are you immortal then?”
“That is one of those subjects we are not supposed to discuss, however, you already know of our race and, considering the circumstances, I feel it's only right for you to have all the facts. We are immortal, but probably not as indestructible as your myths would have you believe. We stop aging around thirty and then we are very long lived, although not totally invincible. If you cut off my head, it will not grow back—we are quick to heal, but there are limits to the damage we can sustain. Our healing abilities also keep us from getting sick, which means we can potentially live for thousands of years unless we meet an untimely end.”
“Am I allowed to ask how old you are?”
His lips quirked in a wry smile. “I suppose you just did.”
I returned his smile and arched my brow to indicate that I was still waiting for an answer.
“Let’s just say that I have the benefit of centuries of experience in life.”
I sat back in awe of his answer. “And Lochlan too?”
The moment Lochlan’s name left my lips, Ronan's eyes went hard and a snarl of distaste briefly hinted on his face before he caught himself and schooled his features back into a calm mask. “Yes, he is quite old.”
I was pushing my luck because he obviously didn't want to discuss Lochlan, but my burning curiosity made me push further. “Can you tell me about Lochlan? Why is there so much animosity between you two?”
“Of all the questions you might have, I cannot fathom why you would want to waste one on him.” He paused for a moment, his brown eyes distant. “He tried to take everything from me. At every opportunity, he has plotted against me, and after we had been in the Hunt for some time together, he even tried to take my life. He set an intricate plot to make others think I had orchestrated a blood bath, but in reality, it was all engineered by him to give him reason to kill me. I would have died too, if the others had not intervened.”
“Why do you stay in the Hunt if you hate him so much?”
“Not just any Fae can be in the Hunt. It’s like your Navy Seals, there are a limited number of men who are accepted in our ranks and the standards are rigorous. There are also many freedoms and privileges that come with my station. I wasn’t about to let that piece of shit drive me from what I had earned. I may not have the option to walk away from him, but you do, and you would be wise to stay far away from him.”
I nodded at his warning and knowing how much the subject upset him, I moved to a safer topic as the barista brought over our drinks. “Tell me about the portals and why Fae aren’t allowed to be here.”
“Nearly a thousand years ago, Guin, the Seelie queen, made the decision that man was becoming too territorial and power hungry to coexist peacefully with the Fae. Not to say that we were living completely out in the open, but the Seelie came and went basically without restriction and it was not uncommon that magic was performed on Earth. However, human populations began to unite under sovereign rulers and campaigns such as the crusades spread out to conquer surrounding lands. Along with the end of the Middle Ages and the spread of the Renaissance and enlightened thinking, it became clear that the Fae would no longer be able to live outside of the rule of man. Nor was the queen interested in waging war with the whole of mankind to rule Earth.
“As there was no other acceptable option, Guin called home the Seelie and sealed the portals, preventing all but a select few, such as the members of the Hunt, from crossing between worlds. The Unseelie had long been prohibited from entering Earth by the queen's magic, and once the Seelie no longer inhabited Earth, our existence dissolved into rumor.” He took a sip from his mug while I processed his words.
If I understood him correctly, some Seelie were allowed on Earth and I wondered just how many that meant and how scattered they were. Guin must be remarkably powerful to rule them all and to control whether the Fae were able to cross between worlds.
“I know it might sound silly, but I had heard of Titania and Oberon and wondered if they were the king and queen, but I guess that was fictional. Are either of them even real?”
“There is no Titania that I am aware of; however, Oberon is real.”
“Is he the Fae king?”
“No, that is one way in which time has distorted the facts. Much like the game of Telephone young children play, there are many facts about the Fae that have been lost or warped through the years. Fae magic is matriarchal and prefers women so the strongest of our kind are almost always female and there are no kings. Although Oberon does exist, he is nothing like a king.” His eyes dropped to his mug and his words bore a note of distaste.
I wanted to know more, but I was aware that I had already pushed my luck asking about Lochlan, so I let my questions about Oberon go unanswered. “Lochlan said that the creature that attacked us was a draug, can you tell me about it?”
“Aside from the Seelie and Unseelie, on the fringes of Faery live the savage Fae of the Shadow Court. Unlike the Seelie and Unseelie, their magic is dark and malevolent. They are ruled by an ancient creature named Lolth and usually keep to the darkness of the Shadow Lands. That is why it was so unusual that the draug attacked you. They are known for seeking out treasures, but not at the risk of stepping into the light.”
“Would the light kill it?”
“No, but the brightness of day is excruci
atingly painful to any creature of the Shadow Court.”
“The draug, after it attacked us, it seemed to dissipate into smoke when Lochlan showed up—can all Fae disappear or trace?”
One of his eyebrows rose in superiority. “What you describe is not the same as tracing. There are certain Fae that can manipulate shadow to disappear and others that can trace, or what you might call teleport. Tracing is primarily a gift of the gentry and only a few lower castes of Fae have the skill. The ones that do generally possess no other great ability.”
“If portals are needed to transport between the worlds, does that mean Fae cannot simply trace or transport between them?”
“Correct, tracing is only performed in relatively short distances, which makes tracing between worlds an impossibility.”
“Are there any other types of Fae, besides Seelie, Unseelie, and the Shadow Fae?”
“No, just those.”
“What is the difference between Seelie and Unseelie?”
“Both use light magic and the Unseelie are not so much a distinct type of Fae, but those who choose to live isolated lives and refuse to be governed. Most of them are less sophisticated than the gentry and it is usually particular castes that choose that life. The Seelie respect and fear Guin such that few disobey her command.”
“Does that mean only the Unseelie attempt to sneak onto Earth?”
“The Unseelie and Shadow Fae are not burdened by rules and periodically a resourceful one is able to find a way between the worlds. Over the last few months, there has been an increase in this activity. Someone has figured out a way to open portals and has been sneaking Fae onto Earth.” His words made my stomach turn.
“What does that mean?” I asked quietly.
“We aren’t sure. We've been tracking the portals and attempting to locate the responsible party, but they're powerful and have managed to stay well hidden.”
I considered pushing for more information on these portals being opened but I could tell I wasn’t going to get much information and instead went back to my previous line of questioning.
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