by Brenda Trim
Chapter 3
By the time I returned home an hour later I was exhausted and ready for a nap. Whenever chaos started up in my life it tended to take over. I didn’t get enough sleep or enough caffeine. When the two combined it created the perfect storm and I struggled to function.
I was seriously beginning to doubt my grandmother’s assertion that I had some kind of internal battery. I could barely lift my arm to wave at the seriously sexy Fae glaring at me from across the yard. My heart didn’t seem to feel the fatigue as it started racing in my chest. God he was sexy as hell.
“Hey.” It was a weak greeting, but I had nothing more to give at the moment.
“When were you going to tell me Isidora is back, Butterfly?” The ever-present glower was on Bas’s gorgeous face telling me he was annoyed. He couldn’t be too mad because he was using the nickname, he’d chosen for me recently.
Much like I had from the first time I met him. I fought the urge to apologize. I didn’t owe him an explanation. Sure, I was excited to see where this relationship went and was falling for him, but I hadn’t had time to fully process it myself. I’d been doing what I needed to do to take care of myself and make sure I didn’t get lost in the shuffle when we learned about Tierny’s death.
My life didn’t, and would never again, revolve around someone else’s needs before my own. It was one of the benefits of starting over. I could set the stage from the beginning. And hope my overeager hormones didn’t betray me.
I pinned Sebastian with a stare. “Hello, Fiona. How was your day? Looks like potion making was productive.” I cleared my throat and dropped the deep rasp, returning to my normal tone of voice. “It was rather eventful. I’m still processing everything, but more worried about the malevolence I picked up at Tunsall’s house when I went to investigate her sister’s murder.”
I’ve learned a thing or two about balance and the importance of self-care. I spent more than half of my life taking care of my kids and my late husband. I lost my footing after Tim died. Thankfully, I had my kids to keep me busy. And just when I was faced with an empty nest my grandmother died and I moved halfway across the globe to another country. I knew you weren’t supposed to make major life decisions at times like that, but it felt right, and I didn’t regret it for a second.
Of course, I did wonder if there was something magical driving me here. I’d say chances are good that Grams in addition to casting a spell to tie her spirit to me, she placed an enchantment on me to want to remain at Pymm’s Pondside and take over the family job.
Bas lowered his head and rubbed the back of his neck. “I get it. I was rude.” He closed the distance and wrapped his arms around me then placed a gentle kiss on my lips before pulling away. I wanted his mouth back. Suddenly my fatigue was gone, and my body was gearing up for an altogether different adventure.
“But I was shocked when I returned half an hour ago and found Isidora floating in the kitchen and watching Kairi through the window above the sink. Wait. Tierny was killed? What happened?”
I sighed and threaded my fingers with his then headed inside the house. Grams needed to hear this, as well. “Grams,” I called out while I toed off my shoes in the mudroom.
I was entering the kitchen and heading toward the coffee pot when she floated through the ceiling. “What is it? What happened?”
I let go of Sebastian’s hand. “Mae came into the bookstore while we were there and informed us there had been another murder and Gardoss was called to investigate. Aislinn and I decided to go to the scene and see if it was the Fae Queen.”
“That was dumb. Never search her out without me being with you,” Bas cut in.
I turned and glared at him before continuing. I gave them a brief rundown of what we encountered when we arrived then showed them the scale and my theory that it was planted to point the investigation in the wrong direction.
“Placing the blame on dragons would further hinder the relationship between them and the main residents in town.” Grams translucent figure seemed to vibrate and get faster as she spoke. “That would cause a rift between Fae and shifters, further dividing the supernatural population. I spent years trying to bridge the rift and bring them together.”
Sebastian straightened from the island and lifted his hand as if he was going to reach for Grams, but then let it fall to his side. “Without you they would be openly fighting for no reason. As it stands, we agree we need to work together to ensure humans never learn about us.”
I poured myself a cup of coffee and added peppermint creamer. “That would be bad. I will do what I can to help the situation. And that starts with discovering who is responsible for Tierny’s death. Whoever it is has some seriously evil intentions for our kind. The malicious energy was chilling.”
Sebastian came over and rubbed a hand down my back, leaving it there to comfort me. “It’s likely the Queen. She’s got to be getting desperate. Especially now that your energy isn’t easily detected.”
Grams nodded her head which looked eerie when the tree outside was visible through her visage. “That will help keep attention off of you. We can only hope she buys that she was wrong about what you are. After all the fight you two had wouldn’t actually weaken a nicotisa like it would other hybrids.”
Sebastian’s eyes flared wide and his jaw clenched. “You’re a nicotisa.” It was a statement, not a question or clarification. “I should have known, and you should have told me. I could have done more to shield her from discovery. This complicates matters.”
Grams folded her arms over her chest while red flickered around the edges of her ghostly form. “Why should I have trusted you? Yes. We have been friends a long time and no you have never given me reason to doubt you, but with your previous connections, I couldn’t be sure. And, I will never endanger Fiona’s life. It’s why I sacrificed a closer relationship with my granddaughter.” Tears seemed to brim in her eyes.
I hadn’t considered how difficult it was for her when she sent my parents and me away all those years ago. A thought popped into my head and was out of my mouth before I had time to think about it. “If it was so dangerous why did I come here every summer?”
“How else was I going to renew the spell?”
I shook my head. “I’m sorry I didn’t keep coming back. Life got so busy, but if I’d known…” I let that go. I’m not sure what I would have done if I’d known.
“By the time you were thirteen it was cemented in place. Now, about the Queen and this energy. Are you certain it wasn’t her?”
I wasn’t quite ready to let the topic drop, but I wasn’t sure how much more I really needed to know. “Our magic touched, or something, when we fought, and I felt her. There’s this angry determination to her that was lacking in the energy today. At Tierny’s there was hatred and hunger. Whoever did it enjoyed killing the brownie and wanted more.”
“Perhaps the killer isn’t doing it in an attempt to steal the portal from you, after all. We could have been wrong in assuming that was their intention.” Bas braced his hands on the counter. His brows were furrowed, and his lips pursed. I’d say this was his thinking look, but he wore resting dick face most of the time.
Heat filled my cheeks when I recalled how Aislinn told me I could ease the crinkle in his forehead. I’d been married for a couple decades and had three kids, but I was unsure and nervous about taking it to the next level with him. Part of me was beyond the insecurities and worrying about whether or not he’d like my body. While the other screamed to do some sit-ups and get a better moisturizer to hide the wrinkles.
“I don’t think it’s the same person. This one was far different from the previous ones. Besides, can they get use the blood they took from the others for anything else?” I took another sip of my coffee, enjoying the minty flavor. Some people liked pumpkin spice, I preferred peppermint.
“Not that I’m aware of. Isidora, can witches use Fae blood in spells?”
Grams waved a hand through the air and energy from it hit me in wa
ves. It tingled everywhere it touched. “Of course, but it’s tricky to work with. It has to be collected precisely, like it does for Fae rituals. Not many witches are willing to do such dark magic. Everything comes at a cost, and when you perform blood magic it eats at your soul and will eventually drive you crazy.”
I shuddered at the thought. “No thank you. I could be wrong. The Queen might have killed Tierny. All I know is whoever did this was beyond angry.”
“Last I heard the Queen was enraged. Has that changed?” I gaped at Grams’ question. She really did have her finger on the pulse of Cottlehill.
“That hasn’t changed. It’s what prompted her to make a move against Fiona.”
One corner of Grams’ mouth quirked up. “Well that and the fact that you’re interested in my granddaughter.”
Sebastian’s face was tinged with pink and he stopped glowering to give his version of a smile. “That would certainly add to it, but this started before I acted on anything.”
“He’s right, Grams. She was killing long before he said one word to me. What’s the history there?” I recall him telling me they had a relationship, but he never gave me any details.
Sebastian took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a second. “You know she’s married to Vodor. Well, she and the King have been estranged for centuries. What you might not know is that Fae are lusty creatures and sex outside a mating is common.”
My girl parts sat up and took notice when he mentioned Fae being horny. I wanted to strip him bare and show him how turned on I was. The tone of his voice alone was like an intimate caress. Shit. He was still talking.
Get your head out of the sewer and join him in the gutter.
“The King has had a harem since he came of age, but the Queen didn’t. Not officially anyway. The problem came when she fell in love with someone else. She talked about overthrowing the King with her lover. Somehow word got out to her parents and they weren’t happy. They’d arranged a mating with Vodor when he was making a play for throne. She begged the man she loved to step up, but he refused.” Bas’s eyes went distant and I could see him reliving the events as he talked. His body became more and more stiff as time passed.
“Why did he refuse?” Resting dick face was back and I hated it. I hoped my voice would ground him in the present.
He blinked several times and finally focused on me, but it was Grams that answered me. “Politics. Only those in the upper echelon of Fae society are powerful enough to take the throne. The reason for classes among the Fae goes beyond income. They value power more than anything. That’s why the Queen wants to steal yours, Fiona. You could eclipse her status.”
“She’s right,” Bas added. “The man she loved wasn't in the upper class, and despite being powerful enough to grab it, had no desire to. The Queen was pissed when he refused. She’s always been a megalomaniac, and even then, wanted the man most powerful for her mate. This refusal embarrassed her and was a huge scandal. It was unheard of that the Queen wanted someone who was officially from a weaker family than Vodor.”
“You’re that man, right?” There was no doubt in my mind. He exuded this aura that was layered with undeniable strength.
Sebastian lifted one shoulder. “I was, but that’s not important. We need to focus on the Queen and why she’s been so silent.”
“It matters more than you know. She hasn’t gotten over you. I imagine she feels you snubbed her by rejecting her then taking off. That coupled with her desire for my power makes her highly dangerous. And, it could have driven her over the edge. She might now be lashing out without a care for who she hurt.”
“That sounds like the most plausible explanation I’ve heard all night,” Grams agreed with a bob of her head. “And, don’t forget your manners, Fiona. You haven’t offered Bas tea or anything to eat.”
I rolled my eyes at my grandmother but couldn’t stop the chagrin. She and my mother had taught me better, and I was making them look bad. “I’m not sure about you, but I could use some wine. Would you like some whiskey? I’ll throw a pizza in the oven.”
“I’ll get it.” Bas crossed to the cabinet and grabbed the whiskey then pulled the white wine from the fridge. A smile crossed his face when he retrieved the stemless wine glass from the counter. It said, ‘I pair well with wine.’
After preheating the oven, I put a frozen pie with tomatoes, garlic and basil on a cookie sheet then took a seat at the island. “Are we safe here?” I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wasn’t capable of beating the Queen. That meant everyone that lived at Pymm’s Pondside was in danger. That included my grandmother now, too.
“Your wards are as good as any I’ve ever cast,” Grams told me. She was beaming at me. The pride was unmistakable.
“Thanks, but are they impenetrable? I don’t want anyone else in danger because of me.”
“I found all of the spelled stones Tunsall planted, so those are taken care of. And, you’ve already tightened those permitted to enter.”
Grams made a noise that sounded like she was choking. “You’ve banned anyone from entering Pymm’s Pondside?”
I got up and put the pizza in the oven. “Yeah. I had no choice. Kairi and I were nearly killed because the Queen manipulated Tunsall into doing her dirty work. I had to make sure that couldn’t happen again.”
“What about those seeking passage through the portal? Did you ever consider how such a spell would affect them? Most of them are running from the tyrant in Eidothea and you’ve barred the only safe passage left for them.”
I swallowed and turned to face my grandmother. She had her hands on her hips, but I was glad to see she wasn’t red around the edges.
“That’s why the portal has been silent since my fight with the Queen. I thought it had to do with her for some reason. I had no idea that would happen.” I bit off the apology. I had nothing to be sorry for. This was all new to me, and I had been doing my best with what I had.
“Of course not. I blame Filarion. If that weasel hadn’t come in and stolen my book you would have seen my letter and I would have been here to help sooner. What’s important now is to loosen the wards.”
Sebastian finished the drink he’d poured himself and set the glass down. “Is there something we can do to ensure no one with malicious intentions can cross over?”
Grams floated closer to the oven when I opened it and watched as I removed the pizza. “That’s complicated.”
“That’s what I thought I did before,” I interjected. When I cast my wards, I even kept that desire at the front of my mind.
“Magic isn’t capable of evaluating a person unless they practice dark magic. That changes a person, like I said a bit ago, and because of that we can keep those individuals out. But it can’t detect what someone is thinking. Or if they are jealous of you. Nor can it tell when you’re hungry and provide you a meal. It becomes tricky when dealing with an individual that is being forced to do someone else’s bidding.”
“Okay. That makes sense,” so I just hope no one else is manipulated like Tunsall was?”
Bas shook his head. “That wouldn’t be wise. I guarantee she will find someone else to manipulate sooner or later. That’s one of her constants.”
I threw my hands up in the air. “Is there anything I can do? Kairi was almost killed last time. I promised her a safe place to live after she ran from Vodor instead of giving him a piece of herself.” She knew the worst thing she could do for her people was give him power under the water. I respected that and wanted to make sure she could live as safely as possible, even if she was away from everyone she loved.
Grams floated back to the window. “We can call on Theamise. She and her sisters can keep an eye on the borders and let us know if something seems fishy.”
Bas poured another glass of whiskey while I cut the pizza. “Yes. It wouldn’t strike anyone as odd if they struck up a conversation with them. A few well worded questions, and she should be able to determine if someone is acting out of character.”
I
went to the fridge and grabbed the fruit from inside and put it on the island. “Sounds good to me. I’m going to take something to eat outside and talk to her and Kairi so I can remove the wards. I don’t like the idea of Fae being stuck in Eidothea and in danger.”
I grabbed a platter and arranged the food before heading outside. Sebastian followed me with our drinks and the pizza. Guilt ate at me that I had cut off an escape route Fae relied on. I couldn’t imagine if Kairi was still in Eidothea. The King would have caught her and gotten what he wanted. And, it would have been my fault. I hoped the weight on my shoulders would lessen now that Grams was with me and could help me figure shit out.
Chapter 4
“So, it’s been quiet because you accidentally closed the portal?” Violet clinked her margarita glass against mine. We were at Phoenix Feathers, the pub where Aislinn was a bartender. “Good job, Fi.”
The first time we came here, Aislinn had spent more time talking to us than serving others. I asked her why she wasn’t afraid of being fired and she’d laughed at that saying she like to see her mom try. Apparently, her family had owned the place for decades.
Anyway, I had spent the past half hour letting them know what happened when I returned home last night. Aislinn chuckled and lifted a glass of soda to us from her perch behind the bar. “That’s one way to keep your workload down.”
I growled low in my throat. “I wasn’t trying to get out of doing my job. I blame Grams. It wouldn’t have happened if she’d told me about uh,” I cast my glance around, making sure no one was close by. It would be my luck to out the existence of supernaturals to humans. “Our family. It’s bad enough Kairi suffered for weeks when I had no idea what was expected. I had to go and do it again because I don’t know any better.”
Aislinn paused in wiping down the top of the bar. “There’s nothing you can do to change what happened before and you’ve fixed the problem, right?”
I bobbed my head up and down. “Grams was as hesitant as I was to lower the ward without a way to monitor if anyone crossed onto Pymm’s Pondside. It was actually pretty simple once Bas came up with enlisting Theamise to help if anyone visits. I had no idea she had such an impact on the trees closest to the house. The leaves are thinning out and the bark is peeling now that she moved to the outskirts of my property.”