by Hickory Mack
“That sounds nice, but I can’t tolerate everyone calling me whatever they please. Yourself included, my Lord,” she said deliberately. “What if you pick something I hate?”
“Fair enough. We can work on it together; I will suggest names and you can choose which you favor.” He compromised easily.
“Can we do it now?” Alice asked.
“No, for two reasons. As I already told you, I wish to know something of you before naming you. The other, it is late and I am tired. In the morning I will go back to work on healing the forest. I will stay here tonight to make sure you are safe and comfortable. However while I’m here, I must rest,” he answered.
“Can I come with you?” Alice asked without thinking.
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes, please? Makkai?” Alice asked. “I slept for eight days straight, and spent all day today locked in a room with some birds. I don’t want to be alone all day.”
“You wouldn’t be alone, you’ll have Asuka, and Fen. You should spend time resting and eating and getting to know your surroundings. And, we can have dinner together again, if you promise to behave and not break any more of my house,” he answered. “I will speak to him in the morning, so try not to give Fen trouble, he may have gone about it the wrong way, but he was trying to look out for you.”
“It isn’t the same. I’m feeling loads better, I haven’t felt this good in a long time, nothing hurts. I’ll be quiet and let you work, I’ll observe. Maybe I can learn something from you,” Alice persisted.
“You cannot make the jump, you’ll be sick.” The frown was back on his face.
“I’ll get over it. How can you get to know me if I’m locked away all the time? I won’t get any stronger or learn anything if I’m coddled,” she said, raising an eyebrow.
“You’ll have teachers, as soon as the healers say you’re ready.” He gave a deep sigh, acknowledging her stubbornness. “You can come, so long as you make yourself useful. Do not fool yourself into thinking it will become your everyday routine. Once your tutors are located you will stay here, and you will be expected to obey them.”
“Okay, I will!” Alice perked up once she’d won.
“Hmm,” he answered, then stood and stretched. Within a few seconds the same two pairs of demons approached, removing the table, trays and tea. Lord Makkai bent low and quietly spoke to one of them before they left. He walked to a pair of steps that went into the house and opened wide the doors into the hallway. Alice stayed where she was, watching him move into the interior, opening the doors to his own rooms.
Lord Makkai moved to a place she could not see him but she did not have to wait long for his return. He came back to the hallway and sat on the step, wearing pajamas, comfortable looking pants and a t-shirt, a hairbrush in hand.
“Miss?”
Alice turned, the demon that Lord Makkai had spoken to stood next to her. She was the size of a small child, the top of her head only reaching Alice's shoulder, but she had the proportionate features and voice of an adult.
“Yes?” Alice answered.
“His Lordship requested a change of clothes for you, we brought them out here, and a pair of screens to shield you, if you would?” the woman said. Alice stood and looked around. Makkai’s fox light had extended further back, near the trees, where a wide, shiny black screen waited.
“Thank you.” Alice went and changed into a pair of baby blue and black flannel pajama pants and a soft white tank top with a pink t-shirt over it. A pair of fuzzy pink slippers made her smile. No more bare feet. Alice came around the screen, the cream pajamas in hand.
“Was there anything else I should do?” she asked, and the tiny woman shook her head and bowed to her before taking the clothes.
“His Lordship is waiting for you, Miss.”
Alice took a deep breath and went to him. He looked a lot less intimidating in his pajamas, brushing his long hair into a top knot. She sat with him and watched quietly, hugging her knees to her chest.
“Are you comfortable?” he asked, catching her staring. Alice nodded. “Good. Where do you propose to sleep? Outside, on the ground?”
Alice looked around and shrugged.
“I think so. At least tonight,” she answered.
“Alright, you silly thing.” He got up and went back inside, returning with his futon mattress and a stack of blankets. “Come on then.”
Surprised, Alice trotted after him obediently. He arranged the mattress underneath the largest tree in the garden after he surveyed its branches. Alice offered to spread the blankets but he waved her off and did it himself.
“I won’t sleep on the ground for you, Youngling. If it makes you more comfortable, you can sleep here, and I’ll be right above you,” he said.
“You’re going to sleep in the tree? Are you sure? I’ll be okay on my own if you want to sleep in your own bed,” Alice stated, twisting the hem of her shirt.
“If you sleep in your own room, protected and safe, I will sleep in my bed,” he watched her freeze and tilted his head, “but you cannot. That’s unfortunate, but this compromise is an acceptable solution. Sleep, Little Witch, tomorrow we have work to do.”
He touched her cheek gently and jumped to the second lowest branch in a swift movement, arranging his tails comfortably. Alice slipped under the blankets, acutely aware of how strange their arrangement was. His werelights had dimmed, only two remained lit, soft blue night lights.
“Makkai?” she whispered after a few minutes of silence.
“Yes?” he sounded tired, but amused.
“Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.”
The first thing Alice did when she woke was look up, but he was gone. She stretched and sat up, pushing the blankets off. The same pair of screens from the night before were set up, angled and folded to make a box with an easy opening. They were shiny black and painted with bright blue and purple flowers. Nobody was around, but it was obvious what was required of her.
There was another low bench between them, folded clothes, a pair of sandals and items for her hair within. Alice hurried, changing into the jean shorts, green t-shirt and an earthy brown duster with a cinched waist and generous hood. She folded her pajamas and set them, with the slippers onto the bench, hoping she’d get them back.
Alice brushed her hair quickly and pulled it into a simple ponytail, setting the brush with the slippers. She looked but didn’t find a toothbrush. She’d have to ask for one. When she exited Lord Makkai’s bedding had already been removed. Alice looked around, again seeing no-one. It was weird to know she wasn’t alone when no one was in sight.
“Um… Hello?” she said, feeling stupid. “I um, I need to use the restroom.”
The tiny woman from last night appeared and bowed. She turned her serene face to Alice.
“Would you like me to inform M’Lord or would you rather I bring Asuka?” the woman asked, a slight curl of her lip on using Asuka’s name.
“Is Asuka already awake?” Alice asked.
“Yes, I expect everyone in the house is, it is late in the morning already,” she answered.
“Oh,” Alice said, feeling stupid. “Please ask Asuka if she doesn’t mind? Has Lord Makkai already left?”
“His Lordship is here, waiting for you. He left instructions that you were not to be disturbed,” the little woman answered, her words clipped. Alice could almost feel the hostility rolling off of her.
“I didn’t mean to keep him waiting. What is your name?” Alice asked and the woman bristled.
“It is only polite to offer your name, first, human-borne,” the small woman challenged, knowing full well her name had not yet been given. “I am called Sora.”
“I’m Alice. I’m sorry I offended you, Sora, I don’t really know your rules, yet.”
“It is dreadfully impolite to ask for anyone's name when you have nothing to offer in return, Miss,” Sora said, fixing Alice with a fierce look. “I will send for Asuka.” Sora left quickly, walking with a b
risk stride instead of vanishing on the spot.
Alice watched her go, stunned. She had never been taught to think about the emotional capacity of demons, and she certainly hadn’t known their resentment could be so petty. Alice wrapped an arm around her stomach and chewed a fingernail nervously. She went to the bench and sat down, lost in thought. When she’d arrived in Tallow she’d been upset about how much less the kids there knew. She’d felt superior and eventually sadness for her peers, before poverty and the other kids beat it out of her.
Now she realized that her higher quality education had been severely lacking. She was offending demons without realizing it, without even having the sense to know they could be offended. Nobody had told her they were so complex, with their own ingrained and intricate culture. They were so, so… Human. Alice groaned and buried her face in her hands. She was so far over her head she’d been drowning since waking up yesterday and hadn’t even had the wherewithal to figure it out.
“Are you okay?”
Alice’s head snapped up and her relief showed heavily on her face.
“No, I’m not. I’ve just found out I’m an idiot,” she answered. A flat mask slid over Asuka’s features and Alice let out a short laugh. Confirmation she wasn’t wrong. “I’m sorry Asuka, if I’ve said or done anything to offend you. I’ve been stupid, but I swear I’ll do my best to change that. I’ll learn.”
Asuka smiled, her eyes gentle and sat next to Alice. She reached out to take Alice’s hand, but saw the girl’s eyes widen and settled her hands in her lap.
“Start with an important first lesson, never apologize to a faerie. Many will take that as an admission that you owe them a favor, and whatever they ask, you aren’t likely to enjoy it. Be careful how you word gratitude as well, even if they have done you a great service. If you must offer a return favor, be specific. Some demons are the same, and they’ll be upfront about it, but not until the mistake has already been made,” she advised. Alice had lived among part fae, she was part fae, and she’d never known that, either.
“I’m so out of place here, I feel like I’ll wake up and all of this will have been an elaborate dream,” Alice said.
“A dream, not a nightmare. You’ll come to like it here. You belong because he says you do. Trust me, I understand. It took a long time before I could fit in. Demon and fae kind, we have a long and dark history between us. They need convincing, you’ll have to prove your worthiness, outside of his influence. Learning our customs will help, but what they respect is power. His Lordship hand-picked each and every person here. You are weak, meaning you’ll have to deal with a lot of crap.”
Alice shifted uncomfortably and bit her lip.
“What can I do?” she asked.
“There are a couple of paths you can take. You can learn to take orders, do as you’re told, when you are told. Make no trouble and keep to your rooms when his Lordship is not here. Make friends by quietly winning them over, learn how to be inoffensive to every species here. Getting close to you will get them closer to him, so you will have no shortage of those willing to surround you,” Asuka answered.
“What’s the other path?” Alice asked, thinking she saw where this was going.
“The second path is to learn. Wait them out until your tutors arrive and absorb every word they say. His Lordship was not wrong about you. You’re young, witches grow into adulthood differently than humans, you have another couple of years before you come into your full power,” Asuka said. “I’ve been in your head. You have potential, and if you work hard to wield it, there’s not a demon here that would not give you their respect.”
“That’s pretty straight forward,” Alice said after thinking about it for a moment, nodding slowly.
“Keep yourself surrounded by those that will serve you well early on. Pay attention to everyone. Who will help you attain your goals, and who will crush you from jealousy. The first step is getting your name. As things stand, no one sees you as a permanent fixture. You can walk out whenever you want. You’re free. That freedom makes you unreliable, unusable. Why would they bother getting to know you if they aren’t sure you’re going to stay?”
“Aren’t you and the others free?” Alice asked.
“It’s a bit complicated. To put it simply, they are bound by the contract they helped create. Every contract is different, but usually both the individual demon and his Lordship can end the contract at any time. However, by taking the name he gives and accepting the contract, they gain respect and power. They have the weight of this house behind them. Demons of lesser houses must give deference to those of this house, meaning fewer fights for survival. And, those without a house are more likely to fall prey to the hunter clans. They live rough, closer to nests than we must go. Many who come here rarely leave the grounds. It’s safe here.”
“I see,” said Alice, not sure she completely understood it all. It was another thing she’d never imagined. Demons sometimes felt unsafe.
“Come,” Asuka stood and motioned toward the house. “Let’s get you to the washroom and fed. His Lordship wants to finish working with his trees.”
Alice followed Asuka into the house unafraid, knowing she would not have to stay any longer than she wanted to. Asuka guided her through the hallways and to the nearest bathroom. There was a normal toilet and sink, but no shower or bath.
“I put a toothbrush in there for you,” Asuka pointed to the small white cabinet in the otherwise green room.
“Tha-” Alice paused at Asuka’s raised eyebrow and light smile. “Awesome, I needed it!” she said instead with a little too much enthusiasm and Asuka gave her a full smile.
“I noticed,” she said, pulling an exaggerated stinky face, laughing with Alice. “I’m going to grab your breakfast. Can you find your way back to the gardens?”
“I think so,” Alice said.
“Take what time you need and don’t worry, all of this will be routine in no time.”
Chapter 12
Alice was halfway through her crepes when Lord Makkai joined her.
Asuka bowed and retreated a respectful distance away. Alice stood and bowed as well, deciding to err on the side of caution, mimicking Asuka’s movements as closely as she could. To her surprise, he bowed back.
“I am the only person in this house you will ever bow to first. Not even Fen, or Haruka,” he said instructionally. “If anyone forgoes that deference, they must learn their place.”
“Okay,” Alice murmured, knowing she would not be the one to tell him if that rule was disobeyed.
“Please, finish your meal. It’s good to see you have an appetite and can eat. Clearly your condition is not due to illness but neglect. You’ll be taken care of here, you’ll never want for anything, let alone something as basic as food,” he said, and Alice bit her lip. Food like this was anything but basic where she came from.
“Even when it turns out I’m not what you think I am?” she asked, regretting her words and instantly wishing to take them back. He could have been cruel, but he was kind.
“Yes, even if that should happen,” he answered, resting his chin on his palm. Looking over he called out. “Asuka. It is satisfying to find my witch so calm this morning, you have done well. I will take it from here, so please, enjoy the rest of your day.”
Alice noted that Asuka’s mouth was drawn into a thin line. She’d also paid attention to how Lord Makkai had expressed gratefulness without saying thank you. She finished her crepes quickly. When she set her fork down he gave her a moment and then rose, holding his hand out. Alice swallowed her excitement down, took it and allowed him to help her up.
“Is there anything you need before we go?” he asked. Alice shook her head. He pulled her close, his hand between her shoulders. “Close your eyes, I’m going to shield you, hopefully it will keep you from getting ill.”
Alice held her breath, pressed her cheek against his sternum and did as bidden. Her hand curled against his stomach, jumping through space was not her idea of fun. The ground s
hifted and Alice felt the hard yank of hurtling through the forest at the speed of light. They stopped with an abrupt slamming into place, momentarily unsettling Alice’s balance. Lord Makkai kept her from falling.
They stood like that for a moment while her breathing went back to normal and she could stand firm on her own. She held her head, waiting for the dizziness to slow and her sense of balance returned. Lord Makkai waited patiently.
“You can open your eyes now,” he said. Alice did, relieved that she could still see.
Knowing where they were going and all the excitement of spending time with him, was not the same as actually being there. Alice felt the blood drain from her face as she looked around in horror, all the memories flooding back. Her every nerve tingled and every hair on her body stood at attention. Lord Makkai released her and stepped back, watching her reaction. He nodded, affirming his thoughts.
“Bringing you here was a bad idea. I am not accustomed to tenderness and thinking of those around me as easily breakable. This was a selfish decision,” Makkai said, momentarily distracting her from her thoughts. He’d brought her because he wanted to, not only because she’d practically begged.
“It’s fine, I wanted to come,” Alice said, tearing her eyes away from the base of the tree where she’d watched Fen and two Hunters die. All evidence of their deaths had been burnt away, leaving charred marks on the ground. The scent of ash lingered heavily in the air. She shook her hands a bit and cleared her throat. She didn’t want him thinking she was too fragile and decide to take her back to the house, but it was difficult to pretend being here was easy.
He frowned and drew her attention to a small building he’d had constructed in the small clearing. It was similar in design to the bath house, but smaller. It had the same sloping roof and walls, lacking only the wrap around porch and support beams. The wood was new and painted a light green.
