‘Oh, dear. This is Wisteria, the daughter of Aloé, Felaern’s sister.’
‘Family?’ blurts Ceri, desperate to have some familiarity, even though the woman makes her feel clumsy and inadequate.
When Wisteria reaches Ceri, she falls to one knee. ‘Lady Madigan, Keeper of the Land, Cousin. So good to finally meet you.’
‘Please rise, it’s a pleasure meeting you.’ Ceri pulls her up and into a quick hug. This confuses everybody and is clearly not a usual greeting. Wisteria is all smiles. Ceri does notice Wisteria’s quick glance at her ring.
‘Right, don’t be fooled by the sweet exterior. She’s the next in line.’ whispers Sparkle.
For all she cares, Wisteria can have the ring right here and now.
‘I know what you’re thinking right now. You can only transfer the ring when you’re dying. There is no getting rid of it.’ The familiar voice in her head responds.
She’s definitely not planning on dying right now. This shocking information she files away for later. It’s simply too much to deal with. Desperate for a way out, Ceri scans around, Wisteria is talking to her, but she can’t make out the words. Why is it so hot in here? Sweat pours down her back and trickles into her eyes. Blinking to keep the sweat out and her vision clear, she tries to gain control over herself again. She’s not a faint flower. Come on. Get a grip. She takes a deep breath. A steadying hand on her elbow brings a flood of calm and grounding. Surprised, she turns her head and looks into the otherworldly eyes of Maeron, one of Felaern’s oldest friends. His yellow catlike eyes glimmer in the light showing compassion and a hint of mischief. His ageless features don’t betray he’s over a thousand years old. A Fairy of old, and although he doesn’t hold a position of significance at court, he does hold respect. The fairies around them welcome his presence, even Mab.
‘Let me do the honor of escorting the Keeper of the Land to her place at the table.’
The women step back and Ceri can instantly breathe. Thankfully, she hooks her arm into Maeron’s offered one.
‘Thank you.’ She whispers.
His warming smile gives her even more power. ‘You’re welcome. I owe much to your father. But it’s wise to remember, that tonight, nobody is your friend, not even me.’ Taken aback, Ceri wants to withdraw her arm, but Maeron holds it firmly in place.
‘Survive the night. Prove to me that you’re worthy and I will help you.’
This statement angers Ceri, which gives her a jolt of energy. A smile crosses Maeron’s face.
He pulls back a poppy, an equivalent of a chair, and helps Ceri into it.
‘You’re not sitting with me?’ asks Ceri. Even though he’s apparently not her friend, he is the friendliest fairy so far.
‘I’m of no significance.’ He bows deeply. ‘Till we meet again.’ He gives her a flirty wink, which makes her blush. What the hell? She’s married and has two children, and she loves Bert.
The whole encounter has centered her and put her back on her game. Time to take control now.
For the first time, she’s really taking in her surroundings. Mab glides to her position at the head of the table. Ceri sits on her right, as the guest of honor and the Keeper of the Land. Opposite her on Mab’s left is Birdwing. Next to Birdwing sits a watery creature; his edges appear blurred and to flow like water. He nods at her and she returns the gesture.
‘Obelow, the Keeper of Water’ whispers Sparkle. Then she turns toward the shiny creature next to her. Heat is coming off it, and Ceri can’t make out if it’s male or female. The light and heat overpower everything. Quickly she throws up a shield and instantly feels better. A powerful creature. ‘Sunbeam, the Keeper of the Light’ adds Sparkle.
Again, Ceri bows like Obelow and she thinks Sunbeam does the same. Different fairies and creatures are seated further down the table. To her surprise, she recognizes the octopus fairy that had given her the magical collar to block Lucy’s magic. She gives him a warm smile and he nods back at her. He must hold some powerful position as he’s seated fairly close to her down the table. Quickly, she had figured that they were seated according to their significance. Halfway down the table, she recognizes Maeron and even further down Wisteria.
For now, she just concentrates on the people around her. The first course arrives, something colorful and with a flowery look to it. For a moment, Ceri hesitates; her mother always warned her never to accept food from a fairy. But now she turns out to be one, it should be possible, right?! With a little shrug, she takes a bite. An explosion of fresh morning dew and sweet sunrays overwhelm her taste buds. Never in her life has she ever experienced taste like that. It affects all her senses, and for a moment, she’s like a little child with a new toy. Eagerly, she takes the next bite. Joy must show on her face.
Mab bends toward her. ‘Welcome home, child.’ Ceri gives her a big smile. Mab throws her head back and laughs. That seems to ease the conversation, and Ceri is happy enough to sit back, listening to all the conversations around her and tasting the food. The overwhelming feeling of being the focus of everyone’s attention fades. She can relax a bit. It’s very obvious she needs to get up to speed. She doesn’t know anything about Fairy. Her mind wonders about all things Fairy, what she has to do, to learn, and to master. Very slowly, her mind circles back to Maeron. Their eyes lock and she gives him a lovely smile. With a shock, she’s reminded of Bert and her children. Reality barrels back, and with a jolt, she stands up. She needs to go home. What is she doing here? They love her and depend on her; she’s abandoned them for this? Her mind is racing.
All the fairies fall quiet. Ceri makes a deep bow to Mab.
‘Thank you, Queen of Fairy, for this special evening. Your warm welcome to me as the Keeper of the Land. I will cherish this moment and hope to serve you and the land to the best of my ability.’
‘You’re leaving so soon?’ Mab teases her.
‘I must my Queen.’ Ceri keeps her head down.
Mab nods and moves on with her conversation.
Relieved to be dismissed, Ceri walks as fast as she can out of there. Whispers and curious looks follow her out. With a big sigh, she closes the doors behind her and sags against them.
‘You’re not home yet.’ admonishes Sparkle.
Ceri pushes herself off the doors, opens a portal, and steps into her Fairy house.
Alvina awaits her, eager for news. Ceri is barely through the portal when she tries to rip Sparkle out of her ear. But he doesn’t let go. ‘Get out of my head!’
‘He can’t, my Lady. He’s bound to you until you’re ready.’ Alvina tries to stop her.
Another thing they had neglected to mention. It was very clear tonight she doesn’t belong here. There must be other fairies way more suited for the job. How could she have forgotten about her family? Frustrated and homesick, she lashes out, ‘You tell me now?!’
‘Why are you angry? What happened?’
Ceri breathes in and out, it’s not Alvina’s fault, she reminds herself and plops down on the couch.
‘It’s too much. I don’t belong here. I want to go home.’
Sparkle is very quiet through all this.
‘But, my Lady, you’re bound to the land.’
‘I’m married, I have children. I’m going home.’
Alvina keeps trying. ‘Please. You can’t. This is home.’
‘Bring me my clothes. I’m leaving.’ Alvina has no choice than to obey.
‘It’s not her fault.’ says the quiet voice in her head. Ceri feels Sparkle’s form in her ear. ‘Apparently, I’m stuck with you, for now. You better behave.’
‘As you wish.’
UTAH
Emotions are running high, and the chaos in Lucy’s ritual work room is complete. Lisa is beyond reason and whatever Freya tries; she won’t stop crying. Fin does his best to reason with Lucy and Mara that they have no idea what they’re talking about. He might not know, but she does. The conflicted feeling inside her is growing. Knowing she could end this situation. Could she betr
ay her mother’s trust and tell Lucy who has the Dagger? If she goes back, maybe they can hide it somewhere else. This needs to come to an end, poor Lisa. This is no situation for a young child. Bridget can at least take care of herself.
Cal is standing back trying to fight off Seamus, who pesters the only person that he can reach. ‘Let my grandchild go!’ He shouts in his face. Cal has a hard time ignoring this while trying to look normal. The smell in the room had become unbearable after Lisa had swept her arm through Lucy’s supplies. But he dares not leave. To leave now would have serious repercussions.
Lucy’s blood is boiling and she is tired of this madness. Her magic might not work, but her senses are still there, and the only one who has been awfully quiet is that Freya woman. It’s time to put some pressure on her. Lucy stalks over and grabs Lisa’s arm and pulls her away from Freya. Lisa is terrified and forgets to cry for a minute. Her big eyes are focused on this scary grandma. Seamus turns and goes for Lucy but only manages to give her the chills.
‘Let her go. She’s just a child.’ Freya wants to take Lisa from her but Lucy steps back.
‘Tell me, and you can take her home.’
‘I don’t know what you mean.’
Lucy only looks at Freya, who feels like she is looking into her soul. She reminds her a lot of her mother. Freya has never been good at hiding her true feelings.
‘You know.’
Involuntarily, Freya blushes.
Lucy pulls Lisa against her, who whimpers. This breaks Freya’s heart.
They’ll just have to find somewhere else to hide it quickly. This has to stop. She looks Lucy in the eye and—
‘Bridget has the Dagger.’
‘What?! No!’ shouts Fin from the other side of the room, but immediately they all start to dissolve.
Lucy looks triumphant.
‘Who is Bridget?’ wonders Cal.
PART 5
Six of Pentacles ‘Give and Take’
‘You are born into your family, and your family is born into you.
No returns. No exchanges.’
—Elizabeth Berg
NEW ORLEANS
Freya feels no relief at being back safe in her living room after her recent experience. Her husband Jason rushes toward her to hug her, but she’s already looking around for her phone. What has she done? No time to waste, she needs to warn Tara. Or better yet, Bridget.
‘Honey, are you okay?’ Her agitate state worries Jason.
‘Yes. No. It’s a mess. Please, I need to warn my mother. My phone?’ She pulls free and starts to turn everything upside down.
‘It’s there.’ He points at the kitchen table.
Without further explanation, she rushes over and speed dials Tara.
‘You’re back!’ comes Tara’s anxious voice through the phone.
‘Mom, listen! Lisa was in such distress; I had no choice.’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘I told Lucy Bridget has the Dagger.’
Tara gasps for air. ‘Oh, my God!’ Wasting no time, she breaks the connection, and bursts out of her room into the hallway. The house feels quiet; the girls must be around.
‘BRIDGET!’ her voice resounds through the house. Magic does have its advantages.
Bridget comes out of Seamus’ atelier, and Maeve pops her head out of the kitchen.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘Freya told Lucy you have the Dagger.’
For several seconds, you could hear a pin drop while this sinks in. Bridget’s mind is racing. It won’t be long before her card is used now. She quickly glances at Maeve and sees her fears reflected in her face. How did Freya know? She wasn’t there…
When Bridget turns to her grandmother, guilt is coming off her in waves. Right, obviously there’s no need to go into that discussion. They have no time to waste. Maeve is just coming up the stairs when Bridget starts to fade.
‘Oh, no!’ She manages to say.
UTAH
Bridget materializes, and Mara holds her phone up to compare her with a picture of Bridget in police uniform. ‘Yes. That’s her!’ Excitement sounds through her voice.
The workroom is a mess; Bridget’s eyes start to water from the stench of the broken vials that still overwhelm the air in the room. Lucy looks a bit frazzled. However, her victorious smile says it all. There is no escape; Bridget feels the air around her.
‘Bridget!’ shouts Seamus agitated, his favorite grandchild in danger and no way to warn her.
Bridget shivers and could swear she saw Seamus for a second, but when she blinks away the tears in her eyes, she only sees the chaos in the room. Weird, she could swear…
Seamus rushes toward her, when he hugs her, he moves through, like always. The only reaction his presence ever produces is a shiver.
‘Well, well, young lady. You’ve caused quite some trouble.’ Lucy draws Bridget’s attention and sticks out her hand, ‘You can give it back to me now.’ It’s strange. Lucy had expected to feel the pull of the power of the Dagger. The protection that’s on the cards must prevent her from doing so.
Bridget tries to take as much in as she can from her surroundings. It’s time the Madigans start to take control of the situation. ‘What do you want? Where am I? Who are they?’ The cop in her takes over.
Lucy laughs, ‘Don’t play coy young lady, you know what I want.’
‘I don’t know what you’re—’
‘ENOUGH.’ Lucy is fed up, and after the screaming child, her patience is running thin. ‘I asked, give me the Dagger. I know you have it.’
‘I can’t. I don’t have it.’ says Bridget with a shmuck smile and starts to fade. Not before she gets a glimpse of Lucy turning purple from frustration.
NEW ORLEANS
She re-appears on top of the landing. The others are probably in the kitchen. As she makes her way in there, Freya is explaining herself. She must have arrived in the meantime.
‘Thanks, Aunt Freya, for ratting me out.’ Oh gosh, now she sounds like her mother. Instantly, she regrets letting her emotions get the best of her.
Freya, Tara, and Maeve turn to her simultaneously.
‘Did she get it?’ asks Tara resigned.
‘I don’t have it anymore. So no. But she’s not happy, and we can expect her to come back with a vengeance.’
‘Where is it?’ demands Tara. Maeve is busying herself at the stove, never one to be able to keep a secret.
For a moment, Bridget looks from Freya to Tara and glances at Maeve. What will she tell them? Her sister is hiding, no help there. Freya betrayed her, under pressure probably, but still…
‘I can’t tell you. The fewer people who know, the better.’
‘What?!’ Tara can’t believe it, what is her granddaughter thinking?
‘When pressured, we can’t keep a secret.’ gestures Bridget toward Freya.
‘I’m the head of this family. I should know.’ demands Tara.
‘I didn’t tell Lucy, and I didn’t tell Freya.’ Implying that she knows Tara did. ‘It’s safe.’
Without further discussion, Bridget leaves the room.
‘Come on, guys.’ She calls the dogs and opens the front door where she finds Ceri, ready to knock on the door. Startled, she takes a step backward.
‘You’re back!’ Bridget envelops Ceri in a big hug. Both relieved to see a trusted face. Genuine affection flows between them, and the dogs react to this happy reunion, for the moment, forgetting that her aunt had put a magical spell around her finger.
‘Are you staying?’ Bridget wants to know.
Ceri is unsure, all the fairies seem to think she can’t be away from Fairy for long, but she’s unable to except that and says, ‘I want to.’
‘Good. I could use an ally.’ admits Bridget. Ceri is not the only one with problems. What did she miss?
‘I need to…’ And she points toward the kitchen.
‘Do you want me to come?’
Ceri’s heart melts, but this is something that she
needs to do, and it looks like Bridget needs some space. Clearly, there’s a lot she needs to catch up on.
‘Go. We’ll talk later.’
With a quick kiss, Bridget leaves trailed by her dogs.
‘Who’s that? Cute witch.’ says the voice in her head. Ceri jumps, she had forgotten all about Sparkle. ‘Stop it.’ Gently she touches him, ‘Please be quiet.’
‘Are you sure?’ He whispers in her ear.
‘Please.’ She begs.
‘As you wish.’
The house shudders when she crosses the threshold. It recognizes her and senses she has changed. Felaern’s power has steadily grown since it took hold of her. It is making her unsure of herself. Who and what she is now? That’s part of why she’s so nervous about meeting her kids. There’s no doubt that she’s different, but will it also affect her children? When she looks up, her fairy eyes meet Bert. He stands frozen on the stairs.
‘Bert!’ She flies over and hugs him fiercely.
‘Ceri, is that you? What happened?’ He slowly untangles himself and looks into her emerald eyes. ‘You look…different.’ It is the only word he can find. His hand touches her smooth skin.
‘Let’s go home. I’ll explain everything.’
Bert visibly relaxes. ‘Thank God. Your family is crazy. They told me you were in Fairy.’
Ceri glances away. ‘Is she home?’
Bert knows immediately who she means. ‘Tara is in the kitchen.’
Ceri grabs his face and gives him a passionate kiss before she turns around and heads to the kitchen. He rushes after her.
Tara looks up from her cup of tea when the kitchen door swings open and she can’t hide her shock when she sees Ceri’s new form. The implications of what has happened hit home, and it looks like some more wrinkles etch themselves in Tara’s face. Maeve at the stove and Freya at the table are both stunned. Ceri radiates power, no longer simmering inside her, but on full display. Her hair seems alive, her green eyes twinkle, and her skin is unnaturally smooth.
‘Hi, mother. Just the person I want to talk to.’
The Magical Tarot Deck Page 16