Becoming Banshee

by Kimberly Quay

  Ian cleared his throat bringing my attention back to him. “I believe Brycson and Sheryl have returned from the grocery store.”

  “Okay, I guess I should eat something,” I said, even though I still wasn’t hungry. “It was nice to meet you, Rufus. I hope to talk with you more soon.”

  “It was a pleasure to meet you as well.”

  Ian and I headed to the kitchen. When we entered, I noticed there were more than just our housemates.

  “Uh, hi,” I said.

  “Hi,” they said as one.

  “What’s everyone doing here?” I so wasn’t ready for another problem just yet.

  Leo, a Scout like Seth, who had recently moved in, answered for the clan, “We wanted to make sure you were okay. Peder let everyone bunk here until we were sure you’d be okay. So, how are you?”

  “Wow. Thanks guys. I’m much better. After a little food and more sleep, I will be good as new.”

  I moved to Bryce and stepped into his open arms. He squeezed me and kissed the top of my head. “You tell me if there’s anything I can do.”

  I nodded and buried my head in his chest and just held him. Ian approached and asked to speak with me for a moment. We took a few steps away from the group.

  “I am going to take advantage of all this extra company and go…” He let his sentence trail off and he was still hesitant to tell me when he needed to feed.

  “You need to feed. You don’t have to hide it from me. I am sorry for ever making you feel that you should. I never meant to make you feel this way.”

  He gave me a smile. “Do not be sorry. You are the first to have ever made me feel nervous… and I think I like it. I will return soon.”

  I turned back to the fridge with a huge smile on my face. Imagine that. Little ol’ me making Ian nervous. It was empowering. Something dawned on me. I grabbed his arm and pulled him back to me before he could go too far.

  “Wait, a minute… Do you kiss the people you feed from?” I knew he had to feed. I just wasn’t sure how I felt about him making out with a bunch of other women.

  “What gave you that idea?”

  “Well, you kiss me when you give me your essence and so did Peder.” I noticed Peder suddenly had somewhere else he had to be. “Stop, get back here.” Peder walked over as if he had his tail between his legs. “Why did you let me think you had to be kissing the person to make it work?”

  “What is she talking about, Peder?”

  “Just what she said, I led her to believe we had to kiss for the sharing to work,” Peder said, not meeting Ian’s gaze.

  “I gathered that much, but why?”

  “You know it’s more effective the more you touch. Plus, it’s way more fun that way.”

  A deep growl was the only warning before Ian tackled Peder to the ground. He pulled his fist back. I grabbed it before he could execute the punch.

  “Really? You are grown men, and friends! Stop it, dammit! Ian, get off him!”

  “He kissed you, gave you pleasure. Do not think I forgot about his display of power when you first met.”

  “He in no way gave me pleasure. You know that it hurt like hell! Get off him so we can talk about this like adults.” Peder didn’t seem too worried. I imagine it wasn’t the first time they’d come to blows in the years they’d been friends.

  Ian stood. “Never touch her again.”

  “Wouldn’t dare.”

  “Ian, you are being ridiculous. Peder is attracted to men.”

  “More attracted to men. I prefer men over women, but women are still mighty fine.”

  “You’re not helping things, Peder. Regardless of who Peder is attracted to, I decide who touches me and who does not. Now, one of you explain the meaning behind Peder showing me his power.”

  “Releasing the full extent of your power at someone is a threat, a kind of warning. He had no right.”

  “He was calling out any of Gabriel’s men in the area and he hadn’t pulled it back in before shaking my hand.” The shame on Peder’s face told me I was wasting my breath. “You were threatening me?”

  “Yes, but I knew you wouldn’t understand it, so it was a dick move. I am sorry.”

  “Okay,” I said with a shrug.

  “That’s it?”

  “Yeah. I trust you not to hurt me now. I forgive you. So, we’re okay. Is there some sort of banshee ceremony we’re supposed to do?”

  Laughter came from behind me and I turned to glare at Rufus. He was leaning against the entryway to the kitchen enjoying the show.

  Peder smiled. “No, there is no ceremony, but forgiveness isn’t given so easily amongst our kind.” He shot Ian a sheepish look.

  “Well that seems silly. For a species that has existed as long as yours, you’d think you’d have grown more than that.” This earned me another peal of laughter from Rufus.

  “Yes, well…” Ian was uncharacteristically at a loss for words.

  “I’m sorry, bro. You were missing, it upset me.”

  “You kept her safe for me. We are good.” Ian turned back to me. “You eat and rest. I will be back soon.”

  Rufus left with Ian. Peder and the rest of the clan went to do whatever it was they needed to do, leaving Bryce and me alone.

  “Bryce, are you hungry? Can I make you something?”

  “No, you sit. I’ll make you a sandwich and tea.”

  I obeyed because I was getting sleepy again. He placed a plate holding a sloppy peanut butter and jelly sandwich in front of me. This was usually my favorite meal, the sloppier and goopier the better, but today I just stared at it with no desire to eat it.

  “Thanks.” I lifted the sandwich to my mouth and reluctantly took a bite.

  “Finish it.”

  It smelled good, tasted good, but I got no enjoyment from it. I ate it anyway, slowly but surely.

  “Have you figured out who the fairy working with Gabriel might be?”

  “I believe so. I’m just not sure where she’d be. She will not stay with Gabriel and his clan. If we cannot find her ourselves, we may have to petition the Elders to get the name and last known location of the remaining fairies. That is not information they like to give out, it could take us years to get, if ever.”

  “Why don’t we just start the petition now just in case?”

  “We want to keep that as a last resort. Ian’s clan isn’t Elder approved so…”

  “Ah, gotcha. I guess we will have to find them ourselves. The Great Fey War is when most of the fairies were killed? What started the war?”

  He sighed and turned to look out the window. “Why does any war begin? They are usually pointless and never solve anything. It was a long time ago.”

  “Yes, but I’d like to know what happened. It is part of my — our — heritage and I’d like to know why our kin were killed.”

  He heaved a sigh. “You’re right. Okay… There was a large clan of fairies who wanted to reveal the Fey-kind to mortal-kind. They no longer wanted to hide and wished to live amongst the mortals. The banshees disagreed.”

  “You were there?”

  “Yes. While I didn’t agree with exposing ourselves, I fought with the fairies. We fought for months on end. It was brutal and seemed endless,” he said as he began to pace. “We couldn’t sleep because they attacked us while we did, so we took shifts patrolling the land then sleeping for an hour or two, just to get back up and fight again. Eventually, we had to surrender, or the entire fairy race would have ceased to exist. The banshees allowed the remaining fairies to live, but they were ordered to stay only on Fey lands. With extinction looming over their heads they agreed.”

  “So, an entire race was almost completely wiped out because one didn’t want the other to reveal themselves to mortals?” Seemed a bit on the extreme side to me.

  “Yes. The banshees argued that unveiling their existence posed many problems for them. One, they believed the mortals would rise and try to kill them out of fear. Folklore about vampires and witches, and all that. Two, they beli
eved that if they weren’t killed, they’d be guinea pigs in the mortals’ never-ending quest for youth and immortality. And three, they wanted to feed without hindrance. Fairies eat similarly to mortals and don’t feed from them like the banshees do.”

  “Well, not that I am choosing sides or condoning genocide, but the banshees had a point… well, three.”

  Bryce turned back to me with a watery smile. “Yes, they did. They made a great case for keeping the Fey a secret. The Elders had ruled in their favor before the war.”

  “Oh, well, then why all the fighting?”

  He sighed and rubbed his temples. He was stressed. I thought I may have lost him, but he continued, “One fairy decided she didn’t agree with the Elders or the banshees and she built up a following of fairies. One night they bombed a banshee village, thus the fighting began.”

  One fairy. One fairy set on revealing and endangering the entire Fey-kind. One fairy that, from what I had just heard, seemed vengeful and capable of horrific acts.

  “You think this ‘one fairy’ is the one helping Gabriel.”

  He nodded. “I do, indeed. I have been looking for Matilda and her unknown sidekick for many years. Matilda is well-skilled in the magical arts and has hidden herself extraordinarily well.”

  “I can’t imagine she’s a better spell-spinner than you.”

  “That remains to be seen. Okay, my pip, that’s the story, now you need rest. Go, try to sleep.”

  I made my way upstairs and climbed into bed. I tossed and turned, but no matter what position I was in or how hard I tried I just couldn’t sleep.

  Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Gabriel’s nauseating smile, and everything came rushing back. I could no longer lay there, so I got out of bed, changed into my running gear, and headed back downstairs. Seth was in the kitchen doing something on his phone. He looked up at me when I entered the room.

  “I thought you were supposed to be resting.” He slid his phone into the pocket of his gym shorts.

  “I tried. I just couldn’t. I have been basically asleep for two days.”

  “Ah, gotcha. Anything I can do to help?”

  “No, I just need exercise… I think. Been in bed for too long. Would you mind running on the beach with me? You know how much I hate the hamster-wheel. I think I could use the fresh air.” I figured if Ian came back while I was out, he’d worry less if someone was with me.

  “Sure. Let’s go.”

  We ran on the beach for only a few miles before I needed to stop. I was still regaining my former strength. We sat on the sand and stared out over the water.

  I broke the silence first. “So, the girl you’ve told me about. The one you cared so much for, Triza is that girl, isn’t she?”

  He stood abruptly.

  “We should head back.”

  “Why won’t you talk to me anymore? What happened?”

  “Nothing happened. Triza is someone from my past, but not like that.”

  “So, she isn’t the one who hurt you?”

  “No. The one I do have feelings for doesn’t know how I feel.”

  “Why don’t you tell her how you feel? Maybe she feels the same.”

  “No, Kadi, she doesn’t.” He looked me in the eye. “She is in love with someone else.”

  My heart stopped for a second. “What? You…”

  “Look, it is what it is. No worries. I am happy for you and Ian. Truly.”

  “I’m sorry. I had no idea.” Tears trailed down my cheeks.

  “It’s okay. How could you have known? I hid my feelings. You have been in love with Ian for so long. It was obvious. I knew I didn’t stand a chance. I figured being your friend was better than nothing. Like I said, it is what it is.”

  “Seth, I—”

  “Kadi, I don’t want to talk about this anymore. You’re my best friend and I’d like to keep it that way. I will be fine. I promise.”

  We walked to the house in an uncomfortable silence. It was the first time I had ever felt uncomfortable around him.

  Once back at the house I turned to him.

  “Are we okay?”

  “Yes. I just need to be alone for a bit. I’ll catch you later.”

  I watched as he walked away and went in search of Ian. He was in the den looking pissy.

  “What’s up with you?”

  “You left here telling no one where you were going.”

  “I was with Seth. Don’t baby me, Ian.”

  He sighed and rubbed his hands over his face. “I am not trying to baby you. Maybe next time you can leave a note, just until things settle.”

  “I didn’t know how long you’d be. Normally when you leave it’s for hours. I couldn’t sit here any longer, but yes, I will leave a note next time or text you. I needed fresh air and conversation… not that Seth was good for that today.”

  “Why? What is wrong with him?”

  I shrugged. “It’s personal. I don’t think I should tell you.”

  “Did he confess his feelings?”

  “What? How do you know? I didn’t even know.”

  “It is clear in the way he looks at you.”

  The tears came again.

  “Goldie, what is it?” He wrapped his arms around me.

  “He’s my best friend. I don’t want to lose him.”

  “You will not lose him. He cares far too much for you to let this change your friendship.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  “I just am. Trust me, you will get over the awkwardness and be back to normal in no time.”

  Comforted, I snuggled closer to Ian. He was so warm, and I fit so well in his arms I became so relaxed I thought I might be able to sleep.

  My eyes had just closed when he began talking again, “I want you to invite Juliana to join you when you do one of your yoga sessions. Tell her you think it’ll help her heal or some other Yogi nonsense.”

  “Why?” I prefer doing yoga alone since I also use that time to meditate.

  “I am hoping it will relax her mind enough so I can try to garner more information. I will join you.”

  A laugh escaped me without warning. “You doing yoga? Oh! That will be so…” He glared at me and I stifled the laughter the best I could. “Great! That will be so great!”

  ********

  Halfway through the yoga session Ian left the room. I figured it was a sign he had heard something. I was anxious to find out what it was, so the second Juliana was back in the guest wing I went off to seek Ian out.

  He was on the deck sunbathing with Rufus. They were both in swim trunks, and while I could appreciate Rufus’s physique, the sight of Ian’s bare chest made my mouth go dry. I suddenly forgot why I wanted to speak with him.

  “You’re blocking the sun,” Ian muttered without opening his eyes. A slight smirk on his lips. “Sit or move aside.”

  “Well, I’m glad to see recent events between us haven’t changed your demeanor toward me.”

  He sat up to face me. “I think you know I am not the most affectionate person in the world. No matter my feelings for you, I am not the romantic type. I hope that will not be a problem.”

  Rufus let out a groan. I sneered in his direction.

  “I was kidding. I don’t expect you to kiss my feet and tell me how much you love me…” I stopped abruptly. He’d never said he loved me. I felt my face flush, and I was suddenly overly warm. “Uh, not that you love me, I don’t mean to assume. I know this is new to both of us so… Uh, I mean, no that won’t be a problem.”

  He leaned over to kiss me. “You are adorable.”

  “You guys are sickening,” Rufus said as he rose and entered the house.

  “He’s a regular ol’ ray of sunshine, that one.”

  “I assume you are here to find out what I heard?”

  “Yes, please.” I crossed my legs under me, ready to listen.

  “Not here. We will go for a walk on the beach.” He took my hand in his and led me to the beach.

  “And I thought you weren
’t the romantic type,” I said, wiggling our joined hands.

  “Eh, a little hand holding never hurt anyone.”

  We walked about half a mile from the house before he started to talk. He told me he’d been able to pull memories from Juliana’s mind. Even in such a relaxed state her mind had been stressed and a little chaotic.

  From what he could gather, Juliana had been Gabriel’s favorite. We knew that, but we hadn’t known why. It seems she had been stronger than the other women, also smarter and more stubborn. It took a lot to make her scream and Gabriel preferred a challenge. As I knew all too well. He tortured her to the brink of death and then forced her to drink his blood so she’d heal.

  “She must have Fey in her. Even a bit.”

  “I agree,” he replied.

  “Interesting…”

  “Most definitely.”

  “I wonder what else his blood did to her… or for her.”

  “I assume it has extended her life expectancy. Possibly made her harder to kill than a typical mortal. Also, though I am not too hopeful because of the blindfold, it is possible that since I cannot wipe her mind, she may have the location of some of Gabriel’s hideouts somewhere in there.”

  “Oooh, good thinking.”

  “You will need to befriend her. Gain her trust and get her to tell you about her ordeal.”

  “She may trust you before she’ll trust me. She thinks I’m a freak.”

  “Well, I do not think you are a freak.” He wrapped his arms around me and lowered his lips to mine.

  Chapter Twelve

  Over the next week Juliana and I ran and did yoga together every day. We also prepared food for the mortals. I was more comfortable in her company. I think she felt the same, though I could tell she was still holding back.

  When Friday rolled around, I finally straight out asked her for any information she may have remembered.

  “I hate to ask you, but is there anything you may have left out? Anything else that may have popped up since you spoke with Ian and me? I know it’s painful, but we need to know as much as possible so we can put an end to him.”