by Kimbra Swain
The command rolled over her as her body pushed itself off the floor. She walked out the door awkwardly as she fought my command. Once on the porch, she was in control again. I shut the door on her just as she spun around to speak.
“You are an idiot,” I said to Finley.
“Yeah, I know,” he replied. “What kind of spell?”
Levi proceeded to tell him about the haze, the dead body, and Astor’s attack. I listened but prepared a blanket on the floor with some soft toys for Aydan. I took him from Levi’s arms, waking him up. Laying him stomach down on the blanket, I sat down with him to play with the toys. His blue eyes brightened at the rattle and stuffed teddy bear that I had provided. His little hands worked around the rattle, but instead of shaking it, he stuck it in his mouth. I knew it was too soon for him to be teething, but there was a lot of slobber there. This child was going to grow up overnight, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.
“I’m sorry about Nelly, Grace. She’s completely unhappy here, and hard to deal with. Not that I was ever good with women anyway,” Finley said bringing me back to the conversation.
“Finley, just don’t bring her back here,” I replied.
“I’d like to have left her in Summer,” he said.
“Nope. You made that bed, now you gotta lie in it,” I replied. Levi chuckled.
“So, you are going to the council meeting tonight?” he asked.
“Yes, of course,” I replied.
“I’ll stay and keep the kids,” he said.
“I’d like you to be there. Astor is keeping the children,” I replied.
“If you don’t trust me, just say it,” he grinned.
“I don’t trust you,” I said flatly.
“Well, damn, Grace. I know Nelly was rude, but why are you in such a foul mood?” he asked.
I decided not to answer him. Perhaps I did need an attitude adjustment. Not that he needed to know that.
“The Camaro is in the garage. We found it last night,” Levi said, providing a completely legitimate excuse for my bad mood.
“Shit,” Finley said. “How did it get there?”
“Dunno,” Levi said. “Remy or someone else probably had it moved here.”
“I would put my bets on Tennyson,” I replied.
“He’s rather helpful,” Finley said.
“He is, but he betrayed my father. Blood oath or not, I wonder about him. He seems to serve the interests that serve himself and his empire. Supporting me in Shady Grove helps his influence to grow,” I said. Tennyson, who was once Lancelot, was now a mob boss. He’d built his empire from Europe to the New World. He was a natural leader and it was easy to see why people flocked to him. Confidence radiated off him when you were around him.
I had learned since we came home that Tennyson never lived in the Otherworld. Even with the second chances for most of the Arthurian legends, Tennyson remained in the human world. There was some speculation that he had never died at all. He simply continued to live under a different name as time passed. Either way, he wasn’t a spring chicken, and I knew better than to underestimate him.
“I believe he is trying to make amends through you,” Levi said.
“Maybe, but only time will tell. Until then, I told you. There are very few people that I trust in this world,” I said.
“Is Finley one of them?” he asked.
“No, actually. I love my brother. He is family, but he’s got a lot of proving to do as well,” I said.
“It’s possible that a lot of people feel the same way about you,” Levi offered. I raised my eyebrows at him. He wasn’t wrong.
“Touché,” I replied. Not only was my bard not afraid to contradict me, he wasn’t afraid to tell me things straight. I loved that about him. Perhaps he wanted to be punished.
He narrowed his eyes at me, but I saw the spark there. Sweet Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Hell no.
“Whenever the two of you are done making eyes at each other, just let me know. I’ll just chill here on the couch until you are done,” Finley said.
“Grace has an active imagination,” Levi said.
“Dublin, tread lightly,” I said.
“I suggest you don’t anger her considering she’s going through some sort of fairy PMS,” Finley said. Levi didn’t dare laugh, but I saw him holding it back.
“Fairies don’t have a monthly cycle like humans, therefore it is virtually impossible for me to have PMS,” I said.
“It’s just technical. Trust me, you fairy women have your moments,” Finley said.
“You are a pig,” I said.
“Yes, I am,” Finley replied proudly.
“A lot of proving to do,” I said.
“He’s just joking around,” Levi said.
“That’s the problem. He’s never serious. Ever.”
Troy stood in front of the community center full of concerned citizens. This wasn’t your normal mob though, it was a fairy mob. The fear in their eyes pierced through him. He had been telling the crowd the details of what he and the wolves had found, but the unrest in everyone’s faces told me that it wasn’t enough. Thankfully, we were under our own laws now, and Troy could speak freely about the situation. Unfortunately, he had been fielding tense questions for over an hour. I was there mainly to keep the peace as Troy told them that we had found no leads on what killed the human man or who he was. Tabitha’s autopsy was inconclusive. However, we heard many reports of small squabbles turning into fist fights. No major injuries, but I felt like it was just a matter of time. As the crowd demanded answers, I stood up to stand with him. As I approached him, the room silenced. I used to have to tell them to be quiet, but I supposed they had learned that I wasn’t above using my power to get them to calm down.
Good little fairies. That was my darker side talking. I had to shake that shit off before it got out of hand.
“Troy and the police are doing everything they can. In the meantime, Levi, Finley, and I will be trying to track down the culprit. I do hope that it is no one in this town. Shady Grove is supposed to be a haven for us. Do not come after my people or cause harm to others in my town,” I warned. “We will deal with this just like we have every time that we’ve had some issue arise.”
“Yes, but now that you have a family, how are you supposed to focus on us?” a voice in the crowd said.
“Michael Handley, I know your voice. Don’t act like you are hiding from me,” I said, scanning the crowd to find him. He stood up across the room in the back row of chairs.
“Fine, then. Answer it,” he said.
“Because if I protect this town, then my children are protected. Don’t you ever question my loyalty to Shady Grove. If it weren’t for this town, I’d be crawling through the Otherworld looking for Dylan. Instead, I’m here fulfilling my duties,” I replied.
I supposed there was a certain gravity to my words because Michael sank down into his seat without another word.
“If that is all, we will dismiss the meeting,” Nestor said to the crowd. No one spoke. “Dismissed.”
The murmur rose as people exited the building. I knew they had concerns. We’d lived in fear for so long, but this had to be better than what we once had. No need to run. We just needed to protect ourselves. I also thought we desperately needed to depend on our gifts. There were so many talents in the room to assure our safety, but living in the shadows for so long had affected all of us. I had stepped out. My successes and failures reflected on that ominous cloud hanging over all of us. If I failed, then exiled fairy life would change forever. I needed them to see it was okay to be themselves here. Use their talents for good.
“You okay?”
“Yes,” I replied, finding Levi in the crowd talking to Jenny and Malcolm. His back was to me, but it didn’t matter. He was carrying on the conversation with them like there was nothing else going on.
“Sorry if I wasn’t convincing,” Troy said.
“Troy, you are doing a great job under the circumstances. I can’t ask
any more of you. Are you feeling okay?” I asked. His shoulders sagged.
“It’s nothing. I’m fine,” he said.
“Where are Amanda and Mark?” I asked.
“Mark is hanging out with Dominick, and Amanda is on patrol,” he said. “I’m heading out to get him and go home. He said that he and Winnie had a good day at school. He is determined to be her protector from all the other fairies and shifters. I wouldn’t have it any other way though. It’s the wolf in him. As long as you are okay with that.”
“They are a little young to be married, but we could arrange something,” I smiled.
“I don’t think we have to worry about arranging it. I’m sure they will have ups and downs, but they seemed to be well attached to each other. I know he is to her,” he said.
“She’s a little bit like her momma and it might take her a while to admit it. But since she’s almost seven, I’ll give her about ten years to figure it out,” I said. Troy laughed.
“Have a good evening, Grace,” he said. I looked at him through my sight. Everything seemed normal about the wolf, but my instinct told me that there was more to his mood than just fatigue.
“How’s my Aydan?” Nestor asked behind me.
“Your Aydan?” I asked.
He grinned. “Of course,” he said. “Don’t you know that grandparents get to claim them more than their parents?”
“I haven’t even taken him to Father yet,” I said.
“You should, you know?” he pressed.
“Yeah. Astor wants to see the King, too,” I said.
“Good. Go see him,” he replied. “Do you need anything?”
I searched the room for Levi again. He still stood with Jenny and Malcolm, but Betty had joined their conversation. “I’m fine. Except for the car being in the garage last night,” I said.
“The Camaro?” he asked.
“Yeah. We didn’t know it was there,” I said.
“Crap. I had them put it out there before you went home from the hospital. I had hoped we would have found him by now,” he said.
“It’s okay. It was just a shock,” I said.
“You are actually doing better than I thought. Don’t lock it all away, Grace. It will beat on that door until you let it out,” he said.
“There is something magical going on with the dead man and people in town,” I said, ignoring his last statement. “The man had a swirling haze around his eyes. Yesterday Astor plowed Levi in the living room. It was so out of his character that when I looked at him through my sight, I saw the same green haze. It was on Nelly yesterday too.”
“Anyone in here have it?” he asked.
Looking through my sight, my eyes landed on Michael Handley. Dense smoke drifted around his head. He was staring at someone across the room. When I tried to determine who he was staring at, I couldn’t figure it out. Even though the crowd had dispersed, there were several citizens in groups still talking in the back.
“Michael,” I replied to Nestor still watching the crowd.
“I see it,” he replied. “Where is he going?”
I watched as Michael rushed across the room, building speed. “Levi!” I shouted as Michael rushed past him. Levi reached for him, but Michael jerked away from him. He split through a group of people that included Ella Jenkins, Mayor Jenkins, Chaz Leopold, and Brittany Arizona. It was Chaz that received the brunt of the impact. They tumbled to the floor. Chaz squealed.
“Get off of me, you bitch,” he screamed. Michael didn’t hesitate. He started wailing blows down on Chaz who held his arms in front of his face. “No, not my face. Not my face.”
Mayor Jenkins shoved Michael, but he continued the onslaught until Levi locked his arms around Michael’s chest. He spoke a word I didn’t hear, and Michael stopped fighting. His body sagged in Levi’s arms. I got to the action just as Levi lowered the limp body to the floor. Chaz was still curled up in a ball, but the mayor leaned over him.
“It’s over now,” he said softly to Chaz who whimpered.
“I told you he would come after me,” Chaz replied.
“You were right. I’m sorry,” Mr. Jenkins replied.
No wonder Chaz didn’t want to tell me who his new boyfriend was. I’m not sure that I knew that Mayor Jenkins preferred men to women. I supposed at some point he managed to have a child, because of Ella, who stood with her back against the wall to avoid the fight.
“Is he okay, Levi?” I asked.
“Yeah, just knocked him out for a moment. The haze is fading,” he said.
I knelt down next to Chaz who hid his face from me. Tabitha had joined us, and she stood over the three of us kneeling on the floor.
“Move your arms so I can see,” I said lightly touching Chaz’s arm.
He lowered his arms. Terror reflected in his eyes. “How bad is it? My beautiful face. How bad is it?”
Mayor Jenkins was the first to laugh. I bit my top lip and said, “I think you are going to have to have a facelift.”
Chaz swooned. “Oh, dear gods below, how am I ever going to go out in public again.”
“Chaz, your face is fine. Looks like you will have some bruising on your arms though,” Tabitha said in her doctor voice.
“Michael was under a spell. There is something going around that we didn’t want to tell everyone, but I think we might have to now. It seems to intensify your emotions to make you overreact. Why would Michael come after you, Chaz?” I asked. Perhaps Michael got a bad haircut or something.
“It’s my fault. He’s always been interested. I’ve always not been interested,” the mayor said.
It took me a second then it registered. I looked back at Tabitha who had dated Michael for a minute. “Oh,” I said.
“Oh,” she replied.
Apparently, the reason that Michael and Tabitha didn’t work out was that he preferred the other sex. Our mayor to be specific. Michael groaned as Levi’s spell wore off. “Keep an eye on him,” I told Levi.
As Michael realized what happened, he bolted straight up. “I’m sorry,” he muttered and ran out of the building.
We helped Chaz off the floor who continued to moan for the attention. The mayor was supplying it.
“Oh, Gene, please take care of me,” Chaz murmured.
“You are acting so silly,” Mayor Jenkins responded.
“I know, but it’s working, right?” Chaz said.
“Yes, it’s working,” the mayor replied.
“He’s fine,” I said.
“Of course, I’m fine. Thank you, Levi for saving my life,” he said, then winked at Levi who shook his head. Chaz held his fingers up to his face like a phone and mouthed, “Call me.”
Levi laughed. “Sorry, Chaz. There is only one queen for me,” he said.
“You lucky bitch,” Chaz said to me.
“Alright. I’m ready to go,” I said, hurrying out the door. I’d had enough of the nonsense. Nestor and Tabitha joined me outside. Levi hurried out the door behind them.
“What’s this about a spell?” Tabitha asked.
I told her about the haze. She said that she didn’t see anything like that on the corpse. In fact, she said it seemed to actually be a heart attack. The eyes were removed after death, but very shortly after it.
“Any theories?” she asked.
“Just that it’s a spell. The guy had to be some sort of catalyst for it,” I said. “We don’t have a resident witch other than Mable to ask. Nestor, why don’t you keep a lookout for the haze at the bar, and let me know if you see anything. If you do see it, perhaps Mable could look at it.”
“Sure. If it’s already popping up that much, then I’d have to think any one of us could be affected. I hate to admit it, but someone has cursed the whole town,” I said.
“But who? It would have to be someone on the inside, right?” Nestor asked.
“A power play, maybe. It’s just hard to tell. We haven’t been a community long enough to know the true threats,” I said. “Just let me know if you hear anyth
ing.”
“Sure. Why don’t you and Levi come down to Hot Tin for a cup of coffee before you head home,” Nestor said. “We can talk to Mable.”
“I should get home to Aydan,” I said.
“It won’t take long,” Nestor said.
Levi kept his mouth shut. He was eager to get in the truck for some reason. “Okay. One cup. Then we need to go give the knight a break.”
“See you there,” Nestor said as he climbed up in his old pick-up truck.
“Do you not want to go?” I asked Levi.
“It’s fine. We can go. I just wanted you to know I was sorry for what I said in there to Chaz,” he said. I had felt his anxiety, but I had attributed it to the magic we had thrown around in the community center. No, he was worried about his open expression of affection for me. It wasn’t anything new, but the situation was different with Dylan gone.
“Dublin, you didn’t say anything wrong. Git your ass in the truck, and let’s go,” I said.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said. He got in the passenger side, so I assumed I was driving.
Hot Tin was bustling for a weekday evening, but then again it was the only spot in town to get alcohol. When we walked in, I knew most of the faces in the room. The rest I could feel through their fairy auras. Opening my sight, I was shocked at the amount of haze in the room. The bar seethed with the undulating smoke. I took two steps back into Levi. He placed his hand at my waist to keep me from stepping on him.
“Sorry,” I muttered. As his hand tingled through my shirt, I felt him move even closer to me.
“Holy shit,” he said, seeing the same thing I was seeing. We looked over to Nestor who seemed confused, then realized what we were doing. His eyes flickered for a moment as he switched to fairy sight. I’d never seen him do it before, so the flicker caught me off-guard.
“Get out of here,” Nestor said.
I shook my head. If something went down, I needed to be here to stop it.
“He’s right. We don’t need you in the middle of this. We will call Troy to come down here and monitor the situation,” Levi insisted.