Breaking Out

by Gayle Parness

He frowned. “Don’t need to. They aren’t strong. You went right through them when we worked on your spooky mind control shit.”

  “You’re a magical creature, right?”

  “I guess, even though I don’t feel that way.” He spread out his hands. “To me this is normal.”

  “That’s one of the problems. You don’t see the parts of you that make you different from human. What do you feel right before you shift?”

  “Vibrations and that tingly feeling like your foot’s asleep, only it’s all over your entire body. Then the pain starts in. But you must feel the same before you shift, right?”

  “Not as much. I power through a shift quickly, so the physical changes are blurred. I think it’s different for me. Do you…do you open your mind? Is there any sensation similar to that?”

  Jay twisted his mouth, thinking it over. “I let go. I let go of my human form. I make the decision to become my bear before any of the other feelings kick in.”

  “When I reach out to your mind, there’s a block, a shield. It’s not very strong, like you say, but it’s still there. Do you think you can try to let go of that block?”

  “Why, if you can just go right through it?”

  “I think we might be able to talk mind to mind if you do.”

  He huffed, looking at me like I was nuts. “I’m no fae.”

  “Why can vampires speak mind to mind but not shapeshifters? Both species are using the ley lines. “

  “The same ones?”

  “No. Shifters, the fae and most sorcerers and witches use the lines the fae create with their magic. If blood or pain is part of the process, then that creature is using demon-borne magic.

  “Vampires use demon magic?”

  “Yep. Most of their magic is fueled with blood.”

  “Nice. How about zombies or ghouls?”

  “C’mon, Jay. Zombies? Ghouls?” He had some crazy imagination.

  Jay swallowed down his third energy bar, crushing the wrapper and sticking it in his pack. “I guess I could try, but I might start shifting.”

  “Don’t think about your bear. Relax your body and think about letting go and telling me something important.” Jay didn’t look convinced. “I’ll buy you a big steak for dinner.” Samson whined. “You too, chow hound.” And the tail was wagging again.

  Ten minutes later, we gave up and started walking south on the Old Redwood Highway, a road that ran parallel to Highway 101. “You’re still blocked, blockhead.” I shoved his shoulder, frustrated that it wasn’t working.

  “Maybe I don’t feel like letting you into my head, rearranging my awesome intellect.”

  “I can talk to you. I just want you to be able to talk to me too.”

  “Yeah? Tell me something, big shot.”

  “You’re a stubborn asshole.”

  He looked shocked at first, then laughed. “So original.”

  “Hey, I’m no Shakespeare. All I want is for you to send me a message without using your big mouth. I’m not going anywhere near your gray matter.”

  “Do it again. I’ll concentrate this time.”

  This time I said something dirty in Rux, the demon tongue. Jay happened to know that particular expression and was busy laughing as a pack of human females jogged by. “Hey,” Jay called out to one of the pretty girls on our side. “You know where we can get a steak dinner?”

  She jogged in place. We watched. “There’re a couple of restaurants near the shopping center up ahead.”

  “Thanks. You hungry?” Jay asked.

  Still running in place, she looked him over and smiled. “Maybe, if you clean up nice.”

  “Oh, I clean up real nice.” His grin was wide as he tilted his head in my direction. “You got a friend you could bring? I know he isn’t much, but he can string a few words together to make a sentence and he can use a knife and fork without dropping food in his lap.”

  She giggled, looking me over like I was some foreign refugee. She shrugged, I suppose deciding that I didn’t look threatening. “Sure. I’m Sherry.”

  “Jay and Charlie.” Watching him in action was an education: AP Flirting.

  They exchanged cell numbers and decided on a time to meet. The girl took off, running faster to catch up to her group. That view was nice too. The whole interaction took no more than two minutes.

  “I gotta admit, you’re smooth.”

  “It takes years and years of practice.”

  “When did you start, when you were five?”

  “Ah, little Susie Polk. My first kiss.”

  “I never heard of Susie Polk.”

  “Please. I don’t kiss and tell. And you should talk. Linn was all over you at five. And Brina…”

  “We’re not going there.”

  “Okay, fine.”

  This being a touristy area, motels were as easy to find as fields covered in grape vines. The first one we tried was a pet friendly motel with a large room, perfect for all three of us. We checked in and showered, meeting Sherry and her friend Kristin at the local steakhouse at seven. Samson was far from happy that we’d left him alone in the motel, but the restaurant didn’t allow dogs.

  “Hey, I’m Charlie.” I stuck out my hand and Sherry’s friend Kristin giggled, blushing. Wow. Great start. I had zero normal social skills. Oh I could handle myself in front of the King of Faerie or the son of an archdemon, but give me a pretty human girl to talk to and I was hopeless.

  Kristin stared up and up. “You’re so tall. Where’re you from?” she asked.

  “Up north.”

  “Alaska?” Her eyes grew wider.

  “No. Near the Oregon border.”

  “He’s part tree,” Jay teased, already sitting and holding hands with Sherry under the table. And I thought vampires were fast.

  “You ordering wine, Jay?” Sherry asked, leaning against him and pouting her lips. Maybe she was interested in him the same way Jay was interested in her. I’d have to get another room. He could keep Samson with him.

  “Nah. My body’s a temple, Sher.” It was hard to hold in the laugh, but I’d had lots of practice around Jay. His body was a temple full of burgers, fries and blueberry pancakes.

  “Ohhh. You’re one of those fitness fanatics? Are you vegan?” Sherry asked.

  He flexed one of his muscles, about to probably go off on the benefits of eating meat. “I believe that...”

  I spoke loudly, interrupting. “He believes animals are sacred and that a truly righteous man should consume no flesh.” Part tree, huh? Can probably use a fork, huh? We’ll see about that.

  “Hey…”

  Jay was about to protest, but Sherry interrupted, wrapping her arm around his and scooting her chair closer. “I think it’s wonderful that you care so much about animals.”

  I raised my eyebrows in a see-how-I-did-you-a-favor expression. “You do?” Jay asked.

  “Are you a righteous man?” Kristen asked me, not at all interested in leaning against my shoulder or holding my hand. She was more the wait and see type, like me. Hey, that could work.

  “Yes. One who eats steak.” Jay’s eyes had narrowed, his mouth thinning. If he could’ve sent me a message mind-to-mind at that moment, it would’ve been X rated.

  The two girls and I ordered steaks, Jay playing along by ordering a large salad and some garlic fries. While we waited for our food, we asked the girls a few questions about themselves. Kristin majored in music at the local community college and ran track for their team. Sherry, also on the track team, majored in business, hoping to eventually get a job as a buyer for a local department store chain.

  When the food came, we talked some more, always steering the conversation away from us and on to more general topics like movies and music, the usual. When Kristin and Sherry finished eating, they both left to use the restroom.

  Jay started to rant on me about the steak dinner thing, but I got his attention fast when I told him, “They’re lying.”

  “What?”

  “They’re lying about every
thing: their ages, their school, the track team. Even the movies they like.”

  He scowled. “They’re human. You can’t read humans.”

  I shrugged. “Maybe they’re not human. Or maybe I can read humans.” Truth was, I didn’t know half of what I could or couldn’t do.

  “But you’d know if they weren’t human. You always know.”

  “I thought I did.” Everything seemed different now that I was away from Crescent City.

  The server came by. “Can I get you anything else? Dessert?”

  “I’ll take two more steak dinners to go.” The server looked at me like I was nuts. “I have a couple of dogs back at the hotel room.”

  “Your dogs eat the roasted potatoes and the side of broccoli?”

  “Yes. Everything.” The server nodded and left to put in the order.

  “Thanks, but I’ll get you back.” Jay was smiling, already figuring out some way to embarrass me tomorrow or sooner. These mind games were normal for us and I never minded the distraction.

  “Be nice or I’ll give both steaks to Samson.”

  “Ha. If he’s lucky he’ll get the bones.”

  “I knew you’d never last the whole evening on salad and fries. Can’t have you fainting on me.”

  “I could faint on Sherry. She’s sweet. And probably really soft in all the right places.” His eyes widened. “Oh shit. What if they’re lying about being in college and they’re in high school?”

  I shrugged. “Let’s play it safe and not take any chances. We’ll make sure they get home okay and then we’ll call it a night.”

  “Man, hanging with you isn’t the party I’d imagined.”

  “I can always take you back home.”

  “You kiddin’? I have great hopes for the future. Wait till we get to the land where stars are not only in the sky, but also on the sidewalk and in hot tubs.”

  The server returned ten minutes later with our check, a takeout bag and an envelope written in a strange hand. The lettering was fancy and old fashioned, like something Isaiah might write. I touched my forehead with my index finger, giving Jay the silent signal to keep watch.

  “Have you seen the girls we came in with?” I asked the server, smiling at the human male to set him at ease.

  “They handed me this envelope and then left through the back.” He saw my surprised expression. “Sorry, dude.”

  I gave him cash to cover the check and the tip, opening the envelope as soon as he moved away from the table. I read it and passed it to Jay.

  “Mr. Cuvier,

  I apologize for the subterfuge, but we were certain that a direct approach would not be appropriate or welcomed in your case. Our spies have reported that Caelen and Isaiah have trained you well and that a perceived threat might have resulted in an injured messenger. Our people are precious to me and therefore not expendable.

  The two young human females have been glamoured to deliver this message and to tell a harmless falsity concerning their lives. They know nothing useful to you so I appeal to your sense of honor when I ask that you do not take action against them.

  Now to the point: I wish to offer you my assistance on your journey, without any future obligation on your part. I will not expect repayment of any kind: not blood, nor promises of future support. All that I ask is that if you do require my assistance, you spend one full cycle of the sun—24 hours earth time—as my guest. I assure you, your stay will be comfortable and your companions will be welcomed and not harmed.

  Say my name and enact a beckoning sigil if you feel yourself to be in danger. One of my messengers will appear to bring you to my home.

  Good journeys-

  Ammon

  The steak in my stomach was threatening to make a break for it. I folded the note and stuck it in my pocket.

  “Who the fuck is Ammon?”

  “No clue. I grabbed Jay’s shoulder. “You said that in my head.” Jay waited for me to say more, but I was in shock, speechless—even mind-speechless.

  He spoke out loud. “Man, two bizarre things happening at the same time is too much.”

  “Try it again. Tell me what you think I should do.”

  He shook his head. “Your call, Char.”

  I swallowed and forced myself to focus. “Guess it was the stress that brought it on. Try to remember how it feels so you can do it again.” He nodded, still waiting. “Tonight, we’re back on the road. We’ll pick up Samson and leave the area.”

  “And go where?” I shook my head, frowning down at the steak knife I’d automatically picked up after reading the note. “If you want to go back to Crescent City…” Jay began.

  “We’ll hit the coast. Monterrey or Pismo. Work our way to LA.” I was not going back to Mom and Dad with my tail between my legs. I was more than capable of keeping us safe.

  A heartbeat later Jay nodded his agreement. He was in for the long haul. “Fine, as long as I don’t materialize in the Pacific. Sharks are not my favorite swim buddies.”

  “Now that you’re a righteous vegan, you probably wouldn’t taste that great to a shark.” He snatched away the take-out bag, growling deep in his chest. “Just leave some meat for Samson.” I added with a smirk.

  My two companions ate their steaks while I packed our stuff with shaky hands. I’d already paid for the room, so we were good to go. I threw us into the lines, the feel of the magic calming me in a way nothing else could. Even though I wasn’t going home, it was becoming clearer I needed advice. But who should I call?

  CHAPTER SIX

  A week after the debacle in Napa, Jay and I were standing in a gas station convenience store in San Louie Obispo, Samson waiting unhappily outside. We’d spent the night in a motel 5, or maybe a 4. It was crappy but the shower worked and the bed was softer than the ground. The mysterious note from Ammon had been weighing on my mind, hence my current frustration at the lack of success in finding a working pay phone.

  After our experience in the Napa area, things had been pretty normal, but I couldn’t stop feeling like I was being constantly watched and it gave me the creeps. Every night, I’d put protective spells on the motel doors, knowing full well that they’d be as effective against an ancient magic user as a strip of scotch tape, but it made Jay feel safer. I hadn’t slept too much the last few nights, but Jay’s snores were music to my ears…kind of.

  “C’mon, c’mon.” I was trying to call Faerie using the in-case-of-emergency number I’d memorized a couple of months ago, but I wasn’t hearing it ring. It seemed kind of weird, calling Faerie like it was some take-out pizza joint, but Aedus had set up an office, taking care of all the magical rigmarole that was necessary for a phone to work.

  I needed some advice so I could sleep again, too.

  I slammed down the receiver when I realized the pay phone was broken. This was the third one I’d tried. Don’t stores have working pay phones anymore? There must be someone in the state who doesn’t have a cell. Using the motel phone wasn’t an option because we might have to stay there again tonight. Last thing I wanted was Sasha or Liam showing up at my door, telling me in exact detail how they were going to beat the crap outta me.

  “What’s up, bro?”

  I grunted, pounding on the wall of the booth in time with my words. “What do you think?”

  “I think you’ve been in a messed up funk all morning.” Jay took a few nacho chips out of the super-sized bag and stuffed them in his mouth. The cheesy powder was all over his fingers and around his lips. He saw me staring and offered me the bag.

  I shook my head, choosing to forgo the artificial cheese and orange dye #322. “We’ve managed to find another piece of crap phone and I still need to speak to Fin.” I’d told him this was my plan first thing this morning, but Jay was choosing to zone me out and listen only to the stuff that interested him. He got that way when he was worried.

  “That Fin dude? He’s spooky, right?”

  “No spookier than Isaiah, and you say you two became buddies.”

  “Pfft.
I talked to him once for about fifteen minutes.”

  “You found out a lot in that time.”

  “I haf my vays.” He’d used a horrible German accent. Why me?

  Three more chips disappeared into his bright orange mouth. The crunching was making my ears ache. I snatched away the bag. “Hey, I would’ve shared,” he protested, frowning.

  “We’re eating a good meal tonight. Something with vegetables.” I stormed outside and threw the bag in the trashcan.

  “Corn chips are made from corn.”

  “A green vegetable.”

  “Yes, Mom.” He produced a bag of fried onions, holding one up. “This is made with onions. They’re vegetables.”

  “They’re not green.”

  “Maybe they’re green onions.”

  “You’re an idiot.” I stormed off in the direction of a small shopping center.

  “Fine. But no brussel sprouts. Jeez. Who would’ve thought you’d turn into Mrs. Simpson?”

  “I don’t think Marge Simpson cares about what her kids eat.”

  “Sure she does. She’s a good Mom.”

  I groaned. “C’mon. We need to find another phone.”

  Ten minutes later we walked into a coffee shop that had an old fashioned phone booth in the back. Fortunately, the phone was working. Unfortunately, Aedus answered the call, speaking in Fae.

  “Charles? Where are you?”

  I continued speaking in English so the customers didn’t hear me speaking a language developed before humans took their first steps on the planet. My luck, they’d think I was a terrorist. “I need to talk to Fin.”

  His voice grew colder than normal, which was tough since he was usually an iceberg around me. “You wish to speak to Lord Finvarra, the King of Faerie, the Supreme Ruler and most powerful being in all the realms, the…”

  I cut him off. “Lord Aedus, cousin, forgive me.” I could play this game too. “I beg the honor of speaking to Lord Finvarra, our grandfather.” Aedus’ dad, Lord Caelen, was Kennet’s big brother.

  “To what does this request pertain?”

  “It’s personal.” I made the Lord Aedus gesture with my free hand so Jay would see I’d gotten though to someone. It involved looking in a pretend hand mirror and moving my head so I could see every angle. Jay laughed, almost choking on a disgusting fried onion. Man, his breath was gonna stink.