She did not, she hated being drugged, but Maggie had a performance to give, and so she jumped at Dan.
Addressing the attendants who were restraining her, Dan said, “Take Dr. Dunham back to her room, I’ll be right along.”
The attendants took complete control, and a wildly struggling, Maggie was brought back to her room.
Faith watched her mentor. She was impressed with both his knowledge and compassion. She was also impressed with his friend, Ned. Who used his significant physical prowess to subdue Maggie, but only to the extent necessary. It was clear to Faith that neither Dan or his friend Ned would ever abuse their power.
When Dan returned to where Faith had remained seated, she said, “That is so sad.”
“She’s faking,” Ed said.
“She was faking the rage. She fakes the catatonic state, but she’s not faking her illness,” Faith said.
“That, Dr. Ferguson, is correct,” Dan said.
“Well, we need to speak with her, and her attorney,” Paul said.
“You’re not going to get much,” Dan said.
“You’re probably right,” Paul said. “But her attorney can begin the process of defending her, and, maybe Maggie’ll have a lucid moment and decide to confess. That way we can get her a deal.”
“She’s going to be here for the rest of her life,” Dan said. “That’s probably the best deal she can get.”
“We’ll call her lawyer,” Ed said and gave Faith a small smile as he and Paul left.
“Well,” Paul said on the way out, “either way, the case is closed.”
“We missed lunch, let’s find someplace to eat.”
“And you can tell me more about you.”
Ed just looked at him.
“There’s more, and I want to know about it.”
******
Hours later Faith was home, lounging in her usual casual uniform, of sweats and tube socks, trying to write but unable to focus. “Mom,” she said aloud. She hadn’t needed to speak, but it seemed more natural to her.
“Hello dear,” her mother voice answered. The voice was, of course, only heard in her mind. “I’m so impressed at the distance with which you can communicate. This is wonderful, but what’s up?”
“We’ve got Aaron’s powers bound, subdued the demon that Braden Druce sent after me for some reason, and Ed’s current murder case is solved ...”
Her mother interrupted, “Did you find out how it was connected to you?”
“Yes, but I don’t want to tell you.”
“Why?”
“There will be a whole lot of I told you so.”
Her mother was silent.
“Alright, alright, the girl in my vision was Maggie Dunham’s niece, and it looks like she had her killed.”
“Why did she do that?”
“Long story has nothing to do with us – but let me finish. What I want to talk about is that this nasty feeling of dread isn’t gone. In fact, it’s stronger than ever.”
“Yes, I’ve been feeling it too. All I can think is that it’s An Dubh and if Braden sent a demon, he has to be behind it.”
“Why would he be coming after me? Nobody knows I’m Fáidh.”
“He must want revenge. It’s a strange one all right. Talk to your grandfather, and I’ll talk to dad. We’ve got to get a handle on this. Love you, dear.”
“You too, Mom.”
Feeling a little better at being reminded that this battle was not hers to fight alone, Faith settled down to her writing.
As for Braden Druce, himself, he was confused and dismayed. The demon, Alastor was nowhere to be found, and Faith had not been brought to him at the appointed time and place.
Since he couldn’t contact Alastor, Braden would, once again, petition the demi-god who controlled him and ask for more help.
An Dubh’s ranks had been decimated during the Battle on Unst. The demon, upon who they’d been relying had been killed, so Braden had gone to a different god for this operation. His ultimate goal was to eliminate the entire Ferguson family; an ambitious plan to say the least, but Braden wasn’t planning a direct assault. He had a much more subtle, albeit equally deadly plan. The details of which, Braden hoped would not be anticipated by even the clairvoyant among them.
For hundreds of years, the Druce and Ferguson families had been close. Braden had, however, chosen a life of crime when he was only in his teens, and it had been decades since he’d set foot on the island of Unst.
Braden had quietly moved up the ranks of An Dubh, and eventually recruited his brother, Gavin. Gavin had been at the Battle of Unst but fled when things turned against their side. Subsequently, Gavin had been killed by one of Duncan’s agents. So, in addition to wanting to get rid of the ruling council for his own purposes, Braden wanted revenge for his brother’s death.
“Is everything ready?” Braden asked his reluctant accomplice.
“Yes, it’s done. Now we just have to work out the logistics. How do we get them all there?” Olivia asked.
“I’ll see to that,” Braden said.
He had one more minion in Boston, but this one was not Buidseach. He was, however, a trusted ally in Braden’s many criminal activities and he was Braden’s next call.
“We’re good to go.”
“I’ll see to it, but we have to be careful. From what you’ve told me. You’ve got just one shot at this.”
“Exactly, I don’t want them coming after me.”
******
Faith’s brush with a demon had Ed concerned. Unless Braden Druce was somehow connected to Aaron, why would he be going after Faith? Ed decided that it was time for him to have a chat with his cousin.
His partner was having lunch with his wife, which allowed Ed to take a ride over to the Suffolk County Jail. Even though he’d clued Paul into the magical part of his life, Ed wasn’t about to broach demons and demi-gods.
Aaron was actually pleased to see him. He’d been sitting alone in his cell for days.
“How are you doing?”
“This place is fucking scary, and for the first time in my life I don’t have the edge.”
“I’ve fought you. With or without your – edge – you’ll be okay,” Ed said. “But you’ve got bigger problems than the inmates if you don’t tell me what’s up with you and Braden Druce.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Are you familiar with the name Alastor?” Ed asked.
“No.”
While Ed, himself, did not have the power to read people, he did have the power to compel them, and it was that power that he was tempted to use. He could make Aaron tell the truth, but, for now, he would continue to refrain from using his powers.
“Don’t play with me. I can make your life more difficult. And if need be …”
“I have no idea who that is.”
“You know Braden,” Ed said.
“Of course.”
“And you’re working with him,” Ed said.
“I was, sort of. He knew I was coming here and asked me why. I told him about Faith. He said that he’d help me if I’d do some work for him.”
“What work?”
“Nothing yet. He just said that he wanted me to stay here for a couple of weeks because he might need my help.”
“How did he say that he’d help you with Faith?” Ed asked.
“He didn’t. He said that I should just do what I had planned and contact him if I ran into any trouble.”
“Did he know that you were arrested?”
“Yes, he said that if I couldn’t get out myself, he’d get me out.”
“When?” Ed asked.
“Later. Not now. Something’s going on, but I honestly don’t know what.”
“Were you gonna let him break you out?”
“It’s tempting as hell. He could just compel a judge to let me off, or a guard to uncuff me. And I’m in for hiring hitmen. I could get life, and I think they’ll be kind of surprised when I live over two hundred years,
don’t’ you?”
“The maximum is twenty-five years.”
“Jesus.”
“You hired people to kill me.”
“If you can get me a break. I’ll stay put. I promise.”
“Twenty-five’s the maximum. I may be able to help, but you’ll get nothing if you let Druce get you out or if you’re holding out on me.
“I’ve had time to think in here. Don’t get me wrong. I haven’t changed in a week. If he got me out today, I’d go, but I’d like to do better. Anyway, I just want to go home.”
“You have no idea about what he was going to do about Faith?” Ed asked.
“I don’t. He wasn’t supposed to be doing anything unless I asked for help, and I didn’t. Maybe he figured that since I was in jail, he should take over.”
“Aaron, you tried to have me killed, so, if you leave this place, it’s likely that the council will end you. So, don’t. Even if you got the max, twenty-five years is nothing to us.”
“Aye.”
Ed got up to leave, and Aaron said, “Ed …” This was the first time he called him by name, and Ed turned around to hear what Aaron had to say.
“What?”
“I’m sorry.”
Ed nodded. He was not convinced on any level that Aaron was telling the truth, but for Aaron’s sake, Ed hoped that he was.
******
Ed was coming into his own as a familiar, and while he valued his newly acquired family, Ed was now becoming a functioning member of the Buidseach community independent of the Ferguson clan. He did, however, feel the need for a professional consultation with a fellow Buidseach and police detective in the person of Duncan Stewart. Much as he was more secure, Ed knew that he had a good deal to learn both about his powers as a familiar and the ethics of using his broader powers.
As he drove up to the Boston’s Liberty Hotel, Duncan was waiting for him on the sidewalk carrying a suitcase.
“What’s in the bag?” Ed asked.
“Some stuff we’ll need.”
“Oh. I just visited Aaron,” Ed said. “He’s where he belongs, and he’s not going anywhere, so that situation seems to be under control.
“How’s your daoine case going,” Duncan asked.
“Coming along. We just have to do a bit of cleanup on one case, but now that my partner knows about us, he keeps encouraging me to use my powers.”
“Want me to talk to him,” Duncan said.
“No. He’s just excited about the whole thing. He thinks it’s great. I do get tempted, though.”
“You can use them. There’s no law about it, but I can tell you that you won’t get the same sense of satisfaction. So, where are we going?” Duncan asked.
“Out to one of the western suburbs so we won’t be disturbed,” Ed said.
They drove until they found an isolated field and Ed said, “This looks good. Lots of space and plenty of trees.”
Ed turned down a dirt road, pulled off, and parked behind some shrubs.
“All right, Duncan, what have you got to show me?” Ed asked as they got out of the car.
“I know that you can transform.”
“What happens if we don’t undress?” Ed asked.
“The clothing will tear, and it won’t really injure you, but it can hurt like hell if some seam doesn’t give way. Like, say for example in your jeans.”
“Ow,” Ed said.
“Ow, indeed. But what you may not have figured out that in an emergency, you can do this,” Duncan said, and with a wave of his hand, he was standing naked before his friend. “The downside is, your clothing is gone for good.”
“We can’t make it magically come back?” Ed asked.
“We can transform some fabric or something, but we can’t just pull things out of thin air,” Duncan said.
“Like with the elements, we can enhance things that are already there. Like making a plant bloom. Taking moisture from the air and making a cloud but we cannot create something from nothing,” Ed said.
“Exactly,” Duncan said, but then, thinking he added, “Well, we can’t, and run of the mill Buidseach can’t. I don’t know about Finn, Faith or Faith’s mother. They are hybrids, so it’s hard to say.”
“Good to know. Did you bring extra clothing,” Ed asked getting weary of averting his gaze.
“Yes,” Duncan said and retrieved them out of the bag he’d brought along.
After Duncan got dressed, he brought out an extra pair of pants, a shirt, and some sneakers. He put them on the hood of the car and said, “These are for you. Just think of your natural state, and the words, “Ad naturam.” You don’t need to speak the words aloud, but for some reason the arm gesture is essential.”
Ed did as instructed, and like Duncan, his clothing disappeared.
“I’ve got to get dressed. I’ll lose my job if someone comes along and calls the police.
“You’re not a mentalist, but you can compel, so don’t worry about that.”
“Oh, right, what’s next?” Ed asked.
“Transporting. Not all familiars can do it. It’s a separate skill. Beth and I can, but we’re related, so that makes sense. The question is, can you?”
Ed looked perplexed.
“Don’t be a feartie cat. Just do it. I want to be over by that tree,” Duncan said, and immediately, he appeared twenty-five feet away, standing by the tree.”
Ed had grasped the concept, so he thought, ‘tree,’ and found himself standing next to his friend.
“Now that could come in handy,” Ed said genuinely pleased at this new development.
“It does, but while you are invisible while you travel, you are not without form, so don’t go trying to go through walls.”
“I remember hearing that last summer. What would happen if I tried?”
“You’d just crash into it, and depending on how fast you were going, you could get really hurt or possibly even killed.”
“Could we cross an ocean?” Ed asked.
“I’ve never tested the limits. I imagine we could. I mean, magic is magic, but I wouldn’t try it. I’ve always been comfortable going almost any distance over land because I could stop whenever I was tired, if you get my point.”
“Are we really called familiars?” Ed asked.
“That comes from old witch lore. We’re actually shapeshifters, but we have three primary forms, our human form, oversized domestic cat, and battle form. Which, as you know, is a souped-up lion, tiger or panther.”
“Souped-up is right. Sitting I was six feet tall,” Ed said.
“We can also assume other forms.”
“So, change into something else,” Ed said.
Without a word, Duncan removed his clothing, and became a chestnut colored horse and then just as quickly turned back.
“The problem with that form is,” Duncan said as he dressed, “that I can’t really defend myself. I can get out of it quickly, but you never want to be vulnerable.”
“Does your intellect change with the size of your brain?”
“Magic, you moron. We’re magical beings. Our intelligence is in our spiritual form.”
“And that is?”
“We plain old witches don’t see that till we die, but you saw Finn’s at the battle. It’s the whole glowing light thing.”
“Good talk,” Ed said. “Is there anything else that I really need to know about our kind?”
“We’re tough to kill, but accomplished killers ourselves when we need to be.”
“Sadly, I know about that,” Ed said.
To protect Faith during the battle, Ed had killed several attackers while in his aggressive form.
“Now,” Duncan said, “let’s have some fun. I’ll race you to Faith’s roof deck.”
Duncan transported back to their car, and with a glance, turned it into a miniature, picked it up, put in his pocket, and took off.
Ed was in the chase, and as the two landed on Faith’s deck, they fell over laughing.
“I’m sensing
a bunch of us in Faith’s apartment,” Duncan said. “We better get down there. Don’t want to miss the strategy session.”
“The boys are home,” Faith said, partly from intuition, but also the sound of male footsteps coming down the stairs to her living room. Duncan still had Ed’s car in his pocket.
“Here. You should probably put that outside,” Duncan said handing it to Ed.
“If it’s damaged …,” Ed said.
“Magic, Bampot.”
As they joined the group, things were looking decidedly cramped in Faith’s small living space. Padraig and Faith were on her couch, Ted and Beth were sitting on her dining chairs, and Finn had been sitting on Faith’s only upholstered chair. Duncan and Ed were about to sit on the floor, when Finn got up and said, “You can have my spot, I have to get back to Finley’s, I’m firming up some vendor contracts today.” Before he left, Finn turned back and stretching his arms, said, “Proten,” and as he did, Faith’s chair became a loveseat.
“Thanks,” Faith said, “helpful.”
“Call me if you need me,” Finn said.
“We’ll definitely need you if we end up taking on another god,” Faith said.
“That you will. Unless, of course, you’ve got that covered Bethy.”
“Nope, I’m only good for demons. Gods are above my paygrade.”
Finn chuckled as he stepped onto the elevator and left.
Leaving Padraig to ask, “What are you going to do about Aaron Sinclair? He’s not going to stay in jail.”
“He’s bound,” Faith said.
“He’s cloaked.”
“I dropped in on God and asked him to uncloak Aaron, and he took care of it.”
“You dropped in on God?” Padraig asked.
“Oh,” Faith said with a little laugh, “that’s pretty much an average day for me now.”
“Really?” her grandfather asked.
“Read the lore,” Beth and Faith said simultaneously, as they both burst out laughing.
As Padraig looked slightly confused, Faith said, “Private joke.”
Let’s see if there are any new Buidseach in the area,” Duncan said. “Faith, show us what you’ve got.”
“I’ll get the map,” Faith said.
The Power of Faith: Science Fiction Faith Ferguson Series Book 3 Page 24
