by Alicia Fabel
“You should eat,” he argued.
“Yeah, that’s a really bad idea with what I’m about to do.” She waved him over and patted the ground, pulling her blade from the fire. She hadn’t been playing in the fire. She’d been sterilizing her knife. Kale ran a hand through his hair then sighed. She wasn’t going to give up. He pulled the shirt over his head and sat in front of her as directed. Vera did not touch him, though.
“It’s okay,” Kale assured, assuming she’d lost her nerve. “I’ll be fine until Addamas can get it all out.”
The blade slid across his skin without warning. Kale stilled and took a shallow breath. Vera’s fingers pressed into his skin. Stars above. His stomach dropped. This was a really bad idea. Kale clenched his teeth while Vera’s fingers and the knife flitted interchangeably over his skin. Kale began to think he preferred the bite of the glass under his skin to the new sensations he felt when he thought of Vera or felt her touch. He had to get himself together. All she was trying to do was make amends for something he did not hold against her to begin with. If she had any idea what he was thinking now, she’d run away screaming.
“That’s it. There’s enough glass to make a new window here,” Vera announced finally. “Stay there, let me clean off some of the blood first.”
She hopped up and retrieved his torn and bloodied shirt. He only had one more in the bag after that one. Vera’s face was pale. Her hands trembled when she touched the cloth to his back.
“I think most of them have already healed over,” she said absently.
Kale began to wonder how much blood there had been as the fabric moved up and down his back. Finally, he spun around to catch her hand.
“That’s enough,” he said. “It’s good enough. Thank you.”
Vera looked down and nodded, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. The lock escaped as soon as she released it. Kale moved before he realized what he was doing and tucked the errant hair back again. Vera’s chin trembled.
“Healing you was not as selfless as you want to believe,” Kale said and swallowed hard. “I think if I lost you now, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.”
“You’d probably go save the world a lot faster without having to save my butt every two minutes.”
“You do realize that you’ve cleared poison out of my system, saved a chick’s life, stabbed a lake monster with a twig, and rescued me from the jaws of a fox? You’re hardly a helpless burden hanging around my neck.”
“Huh. I guess I am pretty awesome, aren’t I?” Vera teased.
“You’re going to make me regret those words, aren’t you? You know you do owe me an act of obedience since I won your little bet.”
“You did not. I said Mitch and Gage could be trusted, and you said I was wrong. So, I won. Ha.”
“Actually, you said Mitch and Gage had nothing to hide, and I said you were wrong. Which means I won. Because what he said was that his family had nothing to hide regarding the nest raid. You’re the one who translated it into him having nothing at all to hide.”
Vera gaped. “That’s…” Vera stuttered. “But that means you let me make that bet, knowing I’d worded it wrong.”
“I did try to tell you.”
“You’re a butt.” Vera yawned through a scowl.
“Why don’t you eat something and rest?”
“I’m not hungry. I’m just going to close my eyes for a little while.” Vera pulled her pack over and laid her head down. “I bet Ferrox is missing you by now.”
“Nah, he doesn’t like people. He only tolerates me because he has to.”
“At least I’m not the only one.” Vera’s eyes slid closed and did not open again.
“Funny enough, he did accept your offer of friendship that day.”
“Huh?” she asked, half-asleep.
“The sugar. When Ferrox took it, he made a contract. If you ever need anything from him, he’s obligated to return an act of friendship.”
“That’s crazy.”
Above them, the magical fireflies slowly winked out as Vera fell asleep, and the last threads of magic frayed and dissipated.
17
Vera stirred. Her nose and fingers were freezing. She snuggled closer to the yummy warmth radiating beside her. Warmth which turned out to be a sleeping Kale. Vera’s icy touch jarred him awake. All of a sudden, Kale was crouched protectively over Vera, a knife in his hand. Blinking to bring the lunatic-man into focus, Vera felt her waistband for where that knife should’ve been.
“How do you have my knife?” she asked sleepily.
Behind Vera, someone hooted with laughter. Vera startled, huddling closer to Kale while craning her neck to see who’d found them. In the process, she bashed her head against Kale’s chin. Ducking, Vera wrapped both arms over her head, squinting from the pain. Kale clenched his jaw and winced. The laughing turned hysterical.
“Weaver,” Kale gritted out.
“Wondered when you two cuddle bunnies would wake up.” Marianna sat on a fallen log a few feet away, elbows resting on her knees and eyes crinkled with laughter. “Breakfast is about ready.”
Behind Marianna loomed her traveling house. The trees had spread out to make room for it. The witch looked between Vera and Kale with undisguised interest. Vera’s face flamed. She desperately wanted to explain that getting handsy with Kale had been unintentional. Girl, you know protesting will just make things worse. Ugh. We’ll just pretend it didn’t happen at all.
“I made gingerbread cake for you, dear,” Marianna said to Vera with amusement.
Kale ran a hand over his jaw and rose stiffly to his feet.
“Don’t feel bad, Guardian.” Marianna rose to her feet as well, brushing debris from the seat of her green pinstriped jumpsuit. “I’m confident you’d have woken sooner had I been anyone else. I’m old. I’ve had more practice sneaking around than most.” Marianna tilted her head, listening to something. “Oh, I picked up some stragglers yesterday. They were looking for you two.”
Kale tensed when the girl-version of Mimi burst from Marianna’s home. Mimi leaped from the porch, easily clearing the steps, and plowed into Vera. Vera threw out a hand to keep them both from falling over. Mimi clung to Vera’s neck while Vera sat there awkwardly. She knew Mimi, but she didn’t really know Mimi. Addamas strolled through the door eating what looked like a piece of bacon. Holy manna, could it be? Marianna plucked the strip of meat from Addamas’s fingers and walloped him upside the head.
“Satyr hooligan,” Marianna scolded.
“What?” Addamas asked innocently, ducking Marianna’s next blow.
Mimi snorted. Vera hid her smile.
“Let's go see if there’s any breakfast left for the rest of us.” Marianna glowered at Addamas and tossed the confiscated bacon to the nearest cats. The cats pounced.
Marianna disappeared into the house, and Addamas pouted while the kitties devoured his treat.
“Satyr,” Marianna bellowed in outrage inside.
“Be right back,” Addamas said and vanished.
“Where’d he go?” Marianna was at the front door, holding an empty grease-streaked platter.
Mimi pointed at the spot where Addamas had disappeared. Marianna squinted, then gave a satisfied nod. “He better bring back extra this time.” Marianna headed back inside. “Get a move on, you all.”
The three were quick to follow Marianna’s bidding, Mimi pulling Vera to her feet. On the way to the house, Vera caught Kale throwing furtive glances at Mimi. He’d not spoken once since Mimi appeared. In return, Mimi had not acknowledged Kale at all. Well, breakfast was going to be loads of fun. Mimi was not willing to let things get that far, apparently. The girl hit the top step and swung around, hands on her hips.
“Are you even glad to see me?” Mimi demanded of Kale.
“I thought you might prefer if I didn’t speak to you.”
Mimi rolled her eyes and launched herself at Kale. Kale caught her, holding her above the ground. The strain on his face drained some.
Mimi pulled back to press her forehead to Kale’s. Vera pinned her gaze on the new hole in her tennis shoe, wondering if it was best to leave or hold still.
“I love you, dummy.” Mimi licked Kale’s cheek and grinned when Kale looked a bit uncomfortable.
Kale set Mimi back down on the top step and waved her inside fondly along with Vera. Inside, Marianna had transformed her loom room into a dining room. A large pedestal table held bowls of fruit, oatmeal, nuts, honey, cheese, and, yes, sliced gingerbread with butter. Vera’s stomach gurgled. Addamas returned with a fresh plate of bacon. He’d added a pile of sausage links as well. With his most charming smile, Addamas offered the platter to their host. The weaver sighed with annoyance but her lips twitched. Marianna pinched Addamas’s cheek affectionately, and then patted it before taking the plate. Not a gentle pat either. Addamas didn’t flinch. The satyr winked at Vera when he noticed her staring.
“Eat. Then talk,” Marianna instructed.
Vera didn’t have to be told twice. Her eyes rolled into her head with her first bite of bacon in months. Back home, bacon had been an expensive luxury they didn’t indulge in often.
“Did I shut the cupboard?” Addamas asked himself aloud, a sausage halfway to his mouth.
“You’re cleaning it up if you didn’t,” said Kale.
“Nope, we’re good. I’m sure I did.” Addamas shoved the whole sausage into his mouth.
“What cupboard?” Vera asked curiously.
“The food cupboard,” explained Mimi. Vera shrugged her shoulders in ignorance. “Kale didn’t tell you about his magic cupboard? The one in his kitchen that conjures whatever food you want at any moment?”
“It didn’t come up,” Kale said defensively at Vera’s pointed look.
“That’s why it was full of trail mix when…” Vera pressed her lips closed.
“When you were trying to run away for the hundredth time,” finished Kale. “You spilled that stuff all over my kitchen, you know.”
“I was in a hurry.”
“If you leave the cupboard open, it keeps spilling food onto the counter.” Mimi wrinkled her nose. “If no one’s home for a day or two, it can get disgusting.”
“And after a week…” Addamas whistled. “I kept away until the place aired out.”
“Because you knew Kale was going to kill you, idiot,” said Mimi.
“How do you get a magic cupboard?” Vera asked.
“It was a gift from a leprechaun,” Mimi answered.
“It was payment for my help,” Kale clarified.
“Kale saved the guy’s pet bunny from a hawk.” Addamas leaned his chair back onto two legs.
“Really?” Vera couldn’t hide her surprise.
“Our Kale’s got a squishy middle.” Addamas pressed out his lips, making goo-goo noises.
“And a secret following of worshipers,” Mimi added.
“You’re both ridiculous.” Kale pushed the food around his plate with a scowl.
“Um, no. We’re not,” said Mimi. “That leprechaun tried to give you his pot of gold for saving his precious friend, but you wouldn’t take it. Which won his complete and total adoration.” Mimi turned to Vera conspiratorially. “The leprechaun offered Kale his fealty.”
“Kale promised to cut off the leprechaun’s legs beneath the kneecaps if the little man ever bowed to him again.” Addamas laughed. “Leprechaun was so enamored by Kale’s threats, he had that cupboard fashioned as a gift.”
“Does he still pop up once in a while to ask if you require his service?” Mimi asked, but Kale had turned stoney.
“Kale threw a shovel at the leprechaun once. He brought it back to Kale gilded in gold.” Addamas guffawed.
Kale flicked out a foot, and Addamas’s chair fell over.
“Keep my chairs on all four legs, satyr,” Marianna berated Addamas over the lip of her teacup, but her eyes sparkled with amusement.
While Addamas righted his chair, Marianna poured a cup of tea for Vera. Vera took it politely, wanting nothing to do with it.
“You’ll like this one,” Marianna assured. “It has ginger to keep your stomach settled while we’re moving.”
“We’re moving?” Vera spun around in her chair. Trees passed by the window—yep, we’re moving.
“My cats noticed a search party headed our way. I decided it was best for us to get going.”
“Was the Maiden with the search?” Kale asked, seeming surprised by the news too.
“Could be. They sensed some strong magic.” Marianna turned to Vera. “Speaking of magic. That charm doesn’t look like the one I gave you.”
“It’s not.” Vera rubbed the piece of eggshell between her fingers. “I gave the other one to someone who needed it more than me. I hope that’s okay.”
“It was your charm, dear. You’re free to do with it what you will. Are you sure that was wise, though? You seem to have sucked up some magic recently, and I haven’t got another cloak.”
“More like I was force-fed. By the Maiden.” Vera had everyone’s attention with that.
“The Maiden is the betrayer?” asked Mimi with alarm.
“For the record, I’m really trying not to say I told you so.” Addamas kicked back in his seat, folding his arms over his chest. He kept all four chair legs safely on the floor.
“It is interesting that you missed her deception, Guardian,” noted Marianna.
“I haven’t figured out how she did it yet,” Kale admitted.
“How did she force-feed you magic, Vera?” asked Mimi.
“She shoved tendrils of her mist through my skin.”
“Fun fact: Vera can see magic,” Kale explained for the group. “She’s only part siphon it seems.”
“What else can you do?” Mimi sat forward excitedly.
“Her tears can heal,” Kale answered for Vera. “She cannot be poisoned, she can purify someone who is poisoned, and she can swear like a sailor when she’s really angry.”
Vera flipped him off.
Marianna cackled and said, “I knew I liked you, Vera dear.”
“You’re part kargagon,” Addamas said confidently.
“That’s what I was thinking too,” agreed Kale.
“What’s that?” Vera tilted her head curiously.
“Unicorn,” said Mimi.
“You cannot be serious.” Vera looked between her friends. “A unicorn? Then where’s my horn?”
“A unicorn’s horn is made of magic, not bone,” Addamas informed Vera. “You could still sprout one at will.”
“Um, guys, I don’t want a horn.” Vera rubbed her forehead anxiously.
“Ignore him,” Mimi said. “He’s just messing with you.”
Lie. Vera cringed. Kale covered his mouth with a hand, pinning Vera with an intense stare. Interesting that he left out that little ability of mine. Vera got the feeling she wasn’t supposed to mention it either. The man was going to have some explaining to do.
“But human myths describe unicorns as horses or goats,” Vera said, breaking the staring contest with Kale.
“They’re not wrong,” said Addamas. “Kale, how much time did you spend tracking down horny unicorns who’d snuck into the human realm looking for a frolic? Especially once that rumor got started about maidens sitting around in forests, waiting for a unicorn to come lay their heads in a warm lap.”
“Not my favorite century,” said Kale.
“Their realm is right beside yours, that’s why there are so many images of unicorns in human records,” explained Addamas. “When the witches stitched your realms together, there were some residual cracks. Those naughty boys found them.”
“Unicorns sneak to Earth?” asked Vera.
“Not anymore. The unicorn’s king finally hunted down every last crack and sealed them after a few herdsmen got killed. Human men-folk were never happy to find their maidens were not maidens anymore, if you know what I mean.” Addamas wagged his eyebrows.
“She knows what you mean,” Kale said dryly.
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br /> “But girls and unicorns? How?” Vera closed her eyes, hearing what she was asking. “Never mind. I seriously don’t want to know.”
“Hey, once you go furry, you never go—”
“Enough, Dam. They can use glamour, Vera,” said Kale. “Sometimes they look like animals, but other times they look like us. Or like a troll or demon or giant or whatever they want. That’s why it’s very difficult to find a unicorn who doesn’t want to be found.”
“I could turn into a horse? Or a troll?” Vera’s voice rose with panic.
“No,” Mimi and Addamas lied at the same time.
Kale did not hide his smile fast enough at Vera’s wide-eyed horror.
“It’s not funny, Kalesius,” Vera said with warning.
“You’re right.” Kale sobered. “How about we stop the Maiden and get you home so you don’t have to worry about any of that?”
“Please.” Something inside Vera’s chest twisted at the reminder that she was going home soon. “How do we stop the Maiden?”
“I found where the horde is hiding in Montana if that helps,” said Addamas. “Managed to keep up with Errock that last time.”
“Why doesn’t that sound like good news?” Vera asked Addamas.
“Because there are a thousand unnaturals with him,” Addamas answered.
“I didn’t expect there to be so many already,” said Kale. “What about their master?”
“He’s not there much, but he checks in every day, brings in a load of food and booze,” Addams said thoughtfully. “He didn’t use magic once.”
“You think the Maiden has him on a diet?” asked Kale.
“I’d almost guarantee it. He was twitchy like an addict too long between hits.”
“That has to have the siphon pretty upset with the Maiden,” Kale said.
“Too bad you couldn’t toss him, the unnaturals, and the Maiden into a pit together and let them kill each other off,” said Vera.
“That’s surprisingly blood-thirsty coming from you,” said Addamas. “It’d be a great plan, though. If only we had a pit.”
“We don’t need a pit,” said Kale. “I’ll kill the siphon so the horde cannot be released, then we’ll face the Maiden with the Mother’s and Crone’s help. Once the Maiden is dealt with, and the Mother has transitioned, we’ll ask the Mother to assist in destroying the horde.”