by Al K. Line
"How dare you!" she screamed, coming at me hard and fast.
"No, I saved her. I saved Fabianne, remember?"
She paused, so close I could see death in her tiny eyes. She shook, dismissing the notion, and readied herself to take my life.
"An elf, it was from an elf. I saved her and you saw me and you said thank you the last time we met. Why are you saying I killed her?" I was certain now. This was the faery that had seen me fifty years ago save her friend from a rogue elf that tried to do the impossible—kill one of her own kind.
What had happened for this to all get so warped and turned on its head? How could she forget such a thing and get it so terribly wrong?
She thought for a moment, confused. "I do seem to remember something about that. You saved her and I was there, came and got her and we left. But I also remember you killing her. You used magic, something dark and nasty and she lost her wings. She fell and you stomped her, shouting and angry as you were having a fight, saying she tricked you and you would have your revenge."
"That's not true. I would never do that. I don't stomp, especially not faeries." This was messed up. I know they are flighty and prone to forget, but c'mon. Me, stomping a faery? So this was why I was sentenced. It made no sense. It certainly didn't ring true.
"Hmm, I need to think. Don't think I forgive you for what you did, Spark, but something's not right here."
She glided over and stood on the bench next to me. "Okay, can we please get to the bottom of this. Your word has me sentenced to death, but now you're saying you remember two versions of the event? Why would that be?"
"Because somebody has been tampering with things, that's why. You did save her, didn't you?"
"Yes, that's what I've been telling you." I looked up to see an old couple looking at me funny, shaking their heads at the mad guy talking to himself, muddy and half crazed. It didn't matter, they'd forgotten already as they called their dog and wandered off.
"Well, where is she?"
"Who?"
"The faery known here as Fabianne. If you didn't kill her then where is she?"
"How the hell should I know?" This was exasperating.
"Don't you get clever with me, you big cheat. Making me fall in love with you. As if a faery could ever love an ugly human. You smell horrid and are so stupid."
"I'll have you know I had a shower this morning, so there." Okay, not my best comeback, but I was seriously messed up in the head. The comedown from the Chemist's potion was severe, like a hangover but with extra brain dessication and no enjoyment while under the influence.
"I remembered about it the other day, so told the Faery Queen and then I guess they sentenced you?"
"It was a year ago they locked me up. You fae, you never know what day it is or if you were here a year ago or a decade. How can you be sure I did it?"
"Because I remember it. But being here, with you, I also remember something else. Oh, it doesn't matter, all done with now." She paused for a moment, lost in thought. "What were we talking about? Well, I'm busy, see you."
"Wait! No, don't go. I need you to tell the Council I'm innocent."
Too late. She was gone and she took her faery dust with her.
I could tell she'd already forgotten, or half-forgotten, the truth of the events of fifty years ago. These damn, adorable fae, they'll be the death of me.
Thinking Things Through
The plot thickened, and that was one thing I was certain of, if nothing else. This was a plot. Someone was out to get me. What other explanation was there? Okay, maybe that a dippy faery—and I say that with all due respect—got herself confused, but that didn't have the ring of truth to it.
If Florenta began to recall me saving the faery because she was in my presence then something had been done to her at some point to make her remember things differently.
The problem was I had little memory about the event of fifty years ago. You can't store over a hundred years of memories, they won't fit, and for an immortal faery you can just imagine the things they've had to make room for. They mix up timelines and events, think nothing of skipping decades, even centuries in their memory, and it all led to a muddle for yours truly.
What had happened all those years ago? The details were fuzzy, but I recall a faery getting caught up in some nasty elf's scheme to wreak havoc here and she'd been in the process of laying down the Law to him when he'd tried to kill her. Elven magic is different to other magic, and he'd come close to wiping her out, or at least sending her back to faeryland for good, but I'd intervened. We had a rather epic fight, elf vs human, and I'd won, saved the day, saved the faery. Florenta had come in time to witness it and whisk her buddy away.
Why use that as an excuse to have me eliminated? Because old events could be manipulated by someone powerful, warp the faery mind to recall things that never happened.
But who? And why? And how? And where was this supposed dead faery now?
I was in someone's cross hairs, and in the Hidden world you can bet those hairs had poison on the tips. I dared not risk another potion from the Chemist. Who knew what that would do, and I was pretty sure it would end up with me dragged off to faeryville or whatever it is they called it, and disappearing in a cloud of dust. Not even nice faery dust.
The day warmed up, my clothes dried, and actually weren't that dirty at all once I brushed the suit down, so I decided to go get an ice-cream.
The van was busy with little kids getting served, shouting at the harassed ice-cream man, dropping their cones and generally making me wait in line for ages. Even when it was my turn the guy kept forgetting what I'd ordered as I was so unmemorable, but I knew now wasn't the time to let the veil slip.
I stood by the lake again while I licked sprinkles off the ice-cream and watched kids running about while parents checked their mobile phones. I bet they didn't have a tattoo counting down their lives on their necks or giants to try to stop or mad witch Grandmas or vampire lovers, just worries about bills and clothing their children, so maybe I didn't have it so bad after all.
Their life was not my life and mine most certainly was not theirs.
Too soon, my treat was gone. I stared at my empty hand, surprised I'd eaten it without enjoying it. That's not good. Life is to be savored, the moment enjoyed to its fullest, not missing out because your thoughts are elsewhere.
I had no answers, only more questions. I thought of getting in touch with the Council, telling them what I'd learned, but I knew them and I knew it would be pointless. If I told them what had happened with Florenta, and what she'd remembered, they'd find out I used a love potion, and that would mean her new memories would never be believed. They'd accuse me of unfair coercion, and besides, she'd already half-forgotten what she'd told me as the potion wore off. No, I needed to discover who wanted me dead, and why.
My phone rang in my pocket so I answered. I hadn't put in any numbers so there was no caller ID, but I had a feeling I knew who it was.
"Hi, Rikka," I said by way of answering.
"How did you know it was me? Where are you? Did you hear?"
"Slow down. I knew it was you as only you and Kate have this number. It's one of your phones, remember. I'm at the boating lake having just eaten an ice-cream, amongst other things. Like talking to a faery. And no, I haven't heard." Whatever it was it wouldn't make my day any better.
"Reade Littlejohn is close, very close. I think you may have to get ready."
"Rikka, let me ask you a question. Why don't you deal with him? You're much more powerful than me, why not show him what you're made of? Better yet, why not find out who hired him and pay them a visit. I can't leave the city or my damn execution will be brought forward, so if you want me to help you'll have to wait until he's here. Give me a call then." I nearly hung up on him, but he was still my boss, and he'd done so much for me over the years.
"You know I don't get involved in the messy side of Hidden life, Spark. That's not how Heads, or, ahem, ex-Heads do things. Not me, anyway. It's why I have enforce
rs. To protect me, bash heads, and steal magic. And if I knew who had sent a giant to kill me you can be sure I'd be sending you to pay them a visit. Any more questions?"
I smiled, this was more like the Rikka I knew. "Yes, Boss. No, Boss. Sorry, Boss. Look, I've got a few inquiries to make, see if I can prepare for this. I'll be in touch."
"Fine, but get it done. Any progress on the getting off front?"
"A little. I think somebody is out to get me."
"There is always somebody out to get us, it comes with the job. That's why we're paranoid."
"Yeah, I know. But this isn't some disgruntled Hidden, this has the ring of conspiracy to it."
"Just clean this up. I have few enough enforcers left now, I can't lose you too."
"Bye." I hung up. Nothing like feeling wanted, right?
A Strange Attraction
Hours later, I awoke to find myself sprawled across the wooden bench where I'd had my encounter with the faery, feeling like a hobo and just as wrinkled. Fae take their toll on the mind and the senses, and what with magic use the day before it was no wonder I'd crashed.
Sitting upright, I got my act together and let my muscles relax, nerves unbunch. I was listless and my thoughts were cloudy, so I allowed a taste of the Empty to touch me, magic coming inside and caressing my soul like the most intimate of lovers, promising things would be all right, that I was the Black Spark and nobody would destroy me. It sounded silly even to me, but I knew the mantra was important. You have to remain confident, optimistic, or others will beat you down and stomp on you without mercy.
It's not mere bravado, being in this game, you have to mean it, believe in yourself. So, yeah, I bigged up myself, told myself I was the man, strong and mighty and hadn't I kicked a load of vampire asses and wasn't even feeling sick and like I needed to rest for a year? My magic, my stolen magic, was stronger than ever. Not invincible, nobody is, but the best damn wizard I had ever been by a long stretch. Not that I like the term wizard, it means so little, yet so much, and I am me, with my own identity.
The magic worked its way through my body, through my tattoos, rejuvenating, taking away the aches and the doubts, strengthening my mind and fortitude, and five minutes later I felt as though I'd slept a full night's sleep. Yes, I would pay for it, but not now, not until this was over. I promised myself that. When all our messes were cleared away then I would relax, maybe even quit the game entirely, or have a vacation, at any rate.
Things had to return to normal. Rikka had to be numero uno again, Grandma needed to be released from her position, and I sure as hell needed not to be goo on the sole of a giant's bare and knobbly foot.
I called Kate and she answered on the second ring. "Is everything okay? Why did you answer so fast?"
"I'm fine. I had my phone in my pocket, why wouldn't I answer?"
"Um, no reason, just me being jumpy. Fancy getting lunch? For some reason I really fancy that restaurant down by the bay, not far from your old place. You wanna meet up? Um, haven't eaten already, have you?" Damn, she caught that, I bet.
"If you mean eaten as in fed, then no. If you mean eaten as in had lunch, then no as well. You okay? You sound weird."
"All good here, babe. See you in half an hour?"
"Sure, bye."
Something was drawing me there and I wasn't sure what. But I had one of those feelings, when you know it's the right thing to do, and it would be great to see Kate. I didn't want to be one of those guys that went storming about the city and never checked in or saw their girlfriend.
Damn, you'd think after all these years I'd have a better grasp on this stuff, but I never seemed to find the time for long relationships, not many, and certainly none that made me feel the way I did about Kate.
Time for lunch.
Being Used
I took a leisurely drive down to the bay and spent fifteen minutes wandering around getting my bearings. I hated to admit it but the regeneration had been a good thing. It teemed with people, both local and visitors, and it had brought a lot of money into this small part of the world. The National Assembly building meant even more people—even if they were politicians—and the increased business spread out and up to the city center, now home to more outdoor cafes than you could shake a Welsh daffodil at.
I wandered over to the restaurant only to find that Kate was already there at our favorite spot. This is one of those places that has both indoor and outdoor eating areas but it's the outdoor spaces that draw the crowds. Maybe it was sheer luck, or maybe, just maybe it was Kate practicing a little of the vampire glamoring, but we had the absolute best corner all to ourselves. It was in a tiny, ancient walled enclosure with murder windows that gave seductive glimpses out over the water.
This was utterly private, suitably vampiric what with the mossy stone, the sense of ancient timelessness, old flagstones and cool accent lighting so the ambience didn't feel too gloomy. It also had the best food in the city.
"You look..." I was lost for words. I know, doesn't happen too often.
"It's okay, isn't it?" Kate checked her clothes self-consciously, but she needn't have worried.
"Of course it's all right. You look amazing. I like your makeup."
"It's new, thought I'd try it out." She smiled and I knew I was the luckiest damn man in the world.
"Well, it suits you. You been here long?"
"Nope, just long enough to get us a table."
"Haha, and was it easy?"
"Hey, there have to be a few perks to being a you-know-what." She looked around nervously but we were alone. No sooner had she checked, than our waiter came and we ordered drinks and our meals. We didn't need the menus as we knew what we wanted. Same as always.
"Oi, Spark you ignorant git, you not gonna say hello?"
Kate nearly sprang from her chair and I didn't react much better. She checked the courtyard, ready to do the vampire dance, and I felt magic ready to be called at a moment's notice.
Neither of us could see anyone. Who was here? Was it an imp, maybe a gremlin? No, they were never so rude.
"Up here you great daft lump of a human. Wot, don't you recognize old Gergesenec when you hear him? Hell, man, it's only be a decade, if that."
We looked up and it all made sense. I put an arm to Kate's wrist and said, "It's okay, Gergesenec Göyünc is an old friend." She stared at me, not making the connection. "The gargoyle, that's him. Look closely and you'll see his lips move, just a little."
"All right, love, wot you doin' wiv the likes of Spark?"
"He's my boyfriend," said Kate, still rather confused by the situation.
"Blimey, you've done pretty well for yourself haven't you, mate? Got er up the duff is it? That always works, haha."
"No he has not! How dare you!"
Just then the waiter came with our food so we all acted casual until he'd left. As usual I was next to invisible, even Kate was becoming less of interest unless she let the magic guard down and the vampire glamor take over—such is our life.
Gergesenec talked while we ate and the quiet romantic dinner was definitely not going to happen. He began with idle chit-chat about the weather and how it was playing hell with the moss he felt was as much a part of him as his weather-worn features.
"What are you doing here, anyway?" I asked between hungry bites of the best ribs ever.
"They only went and bloody moved me, didn't they. One minute I'm happily whiling away the centuries at the castle and the next they turn me into a feature. Me, a feature! I'd rip their bloody heads off if I wasn't made of rock and stuck to a bleedin' wall as decoration. Damn cheek if you ask me."
"Oh, yes, it does sound rather inconvenient," said Kate with a twinkle in her eye, trying not to laugh.
"Is she trying to be funny, Spark? Cause if you are, love, then you can cut it out right this minute. This is serious. I like my routine. I got a system."
"Gergesenec, your routine consists of just hanging around doing nothing and spying on people."
"It's not s
pyin', it's listenin', there's a difference. Anyway, I liked it there. Fresh air, nice view, all that good stuff."
I looked up at where he was sticking out the wall near the top, probably at about the ten feet mark. He seemed a lot cleaner than I remembered him. When they'd put him in place to use as part of the repairs some fool had obviously thought it a good idea to spruce him up. Gone was most of the lichen, the patina of age replaced with a paleness that didn't suit him half as much as the green did.
He had big ears, a long nose, and a face somewhat like a goblin, but mainly he came from an artist's idea of what something hellish looked like and it was clear it was no Hidden that had created him. The fact he was sentient, well, that was down to a rather drunken wizard many centuries ago. Gergesenec seemed to enjoy it.
Something clicked in my mind and I asked my question. "Any chance you've heard anyone talking about me while you've been up there in your new location? Anyone gossiping or saying bad stuff?"
"Wot do you think? Look at you. Your hair looks like a girl's and I can smell you from up 'ere. Wot happened to men being men and washin' once a month and stinking of old meat? That's wot real blokes smell like."
"Damn, I was just asking. No need to get personal. At least I don't look like I was just finished at the stone masons."
"Wow, that cuts deep, Spark, no need to take your frustrations out on me. I 'eard wot happened, but I'm sure you'll sort it."
I finished my meal and put my cutlery down tidily, Kate seemed to have given up on hers entirely. "That's what everyone keeps saying but I need some leads. So anything you have could be of help."
"Hmm, gimme a moment. This is a popular place. I hear all kinds of things. Well, there was this one time... No, hang on, that was someone else." We waited in silence for a moment while he thought. "Ah, yeah, I got it. Some vampire dude was 'ere not so long ago talkin' 'bout you."
"What did he say?" Maybe this was it, why my instincts told me to come here. Was I about to get a big revelation?
"Yeah, talkin' 'bout how he was gonna get you, him and a load of others. I knew they were talkin' out their asses, though. Right?"
