by Martha Carr
The troll cackled and gave her a wink. “Like I’ll leave some. Good one!” he squeaked.
At the last moment, Leira grabbed a damp wash cloth and draped it over the opening of the container. She headed back for the living room already seeing tiny orange paw prints dotted here and there. “How did he do that so fast?” She turned on the radio that sat on a nearby shelf and turned it low to hide the smacking sounds coming from the pantry and kept walking.
Estelle had a thing about cigarette butts on the ground. She dropped what was left into the mug and slid an unlit cigarette into her mouth before completely walking into the living room, keeping her own rule about not smoking in the guest house. It was all out of respect for Leira so she would know this was her home.
Estelle handed over one of the beers and sat down on the couch, as she took a long, slow swig, the unlit cigarette still dangling from the corner of her mouth.
“That’ll do.” Estelle tapped her cigarette on the edge of the mug out of habit, deftly holding the beer in the same hand, putting it back in her mouth. “You want to tell me what’s going on?” She leveled her gaze at Leira, not blinking or looking away.
How the fuck does she do that? “How did you know?”
“Not hard, dearie. You have tells, if anyone would bother to watch. What’s going on? You look like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders.”
“That’s probably a little overstated.” She paused, looking around the guest house. My home for the past four years. “I got a new job offer. But it’s in D.C.”
Estelle chewed on the end of the cigarette, making it bobble in her mouth. “Is it a good job?”
“It’s a great opportunity to do some good.” That’s not a lie.
“So, we’re talking a move, here. Out of Texas and into foreign territory.”
“Not sure I’d classify Washington, DC as foreign.”
“Not Texas and it’s a company town and the company is politics, and the politics change every few years, and so do the people. And it’s not Texas.”
Leira gave her a crooked smile. “Well, when you put it like that.”
“I can see you’ve already made up your mind.”
Leira felt a sense of relief come over her. Estelle was right. She had made up her mind to go. But leaving was harder than she expected it to be. “I just found some kind of roots, my roots. Put together some kind of family. Everyone’s in a good place. Makes it hard to go.”
“Found a good man, who’s easy on the eyes.” Estelle slapped her knee and leaned closer. “It should be hard to go, little lady. I’d be worried about you if it was easy and you just left me a note on the counter. Your family is here, and I’m including myself and all those people at the bar who don’t seem to have anything better to do with their day, God bless them.”
“I’ll come back to see you…”
“Of course you will.”
“And I’ll miss this place.” She looked around at the tiny room. “So much happened inside these walls. Some of it was the best times of my life.” The bracelet slid down her wrist as she twisted the sapphire ring on her finger.
“Oh honey, this is still your home. Hell, this was storage before you came along. This place will always be here just for you as your home. That’s not changing as long as I’m alive.”
Leira leaned in, risking a snappy rebuke. “Just how old are you?” Are you part Elf, have you been around for a few hundred years? Are you some kind of alien?
Estelle winked and smiled as the cigarette pointed up toward her nose. “That’s a mystery lost to time. Better if it’s kept right there, too. Let’s just say, you have a home in the great state of Texas where you can always come home and find the people that love you and know you best. Take that worry off your plate. Go out into the world and put the bo-back-slappyass on the bad guys. I’ll sleep better at night knowing you’re out there.” She put her hand gently on Leira’s knee. “And when you need a reminder, you come back here and we’ll sit at the bar and talk about bowling, or Barton Creek, and share a little brisket.”
“It’s a deal.” She leaned over and wrapped her arms around Estelle’s small, bony shoulders, hugging her close, breathing in the smell of tobacco and Shalimar. “Thank you for everything.”
“Wasn’t nothing, dear. It’s what you do for family. Better get back outside before those regulars of mine start serving themselves and pestering the wait staff. We have a bowling practice to get to. Need to defend our title!”
Leira saw Estelle to the door and went into the kitchen to find the troll sitting on the edge of the table, wrapped in the cloth. There were smears of orange on every surface except on the troll. He kind of got the point.
“We’re moving?” He was sitting very still, waiting for an answer.
“We are.” Didn’t think how this would affect the tiny dude. “You okay with that?”
“Hagan coming too?”
Leira hesitated but answered him quietly. “No, buddy, he’s going to stay back here in Austin, but we’ll stay in touch. Same with Mom and Nana.”
“What about Correk?”
“That’s an interesting question. Don’t exactly have an answer for that one yet.”
He held out his tiny paw and Leira held out her hand as he stepped into her palm. “This is part of life. Everything changes, even if you’re trying not to evolve, and standing still is not in your nature,” he squeaked. “Thank goodness.”
“You’re like a tiny little Yoda of my very own who eats an amazing amount.”
Yumfuck cackled, leaning back in her hand, his paws behind his head. “It takes far more courage to walk forward than it does to stand still, even when it’s for the best reasons. But then you find out that the world is a pretty good place to hang out. Onto the next adventure out there. What kind of food do they have in D.C.?”
“That’s a good question. I have no idea. We’ll find out together.”
“Let’s get this part straight. Do they have bacon, Cheetos and Dr. Pepper?”
“Yes, that much I can guarantee.”
“Then we’re good. We can figure out the rest.”
“I like a little dude with priorities.”
The troll let out a soft trill. “Yumfuck hits the road!”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Leira knocked on the familiar bungalow, standing back, waiting for Hagan to answer. She came with a hot pizza from Home Slice, extra pepperoni just the way Hagan liked it. She was hoping that would make breaking the news a little easier. The troll was tucked in her pocket with his own piece of pepperoni. He was trying to make it last but finished it in three bites, peeking out of her pocket at the box.
Leira knocked again and peered through glass panes in the front door as Hagan came barreling down the stairs, his shirt only partially tucked in and his hair in disarray. He opened the door with one large pull, sweeping his hand to the side, not saying anything.
“You don’t look so hot. You okay? Brought pizza.” Leira took in the deep circles under his eyes and the puffy cheeks as she found her way to the kitchen, setting down the pizza. The troll squirmed his way out of Leira’s pocket, jumping onto the kitchen island and lifting the lid to the box, breathing in deeply.
Leira ignored Yumfuck and kept watching Hagan. Something is off. I recognize that look from long stakeouts when we were looking for someone really bad. He hasn’t slept.
Hagan followed her, moving around the kitchen, making tea and setting out a tray, still not saying anything. He was lost in thought. Leira put her hand on his arm to get him to stand still for a moment. She waited till he looked her in the eye. “What’s going on?”
Hagan’s shoulders sagged and he looked down for a moment, blowing out a breath as he put his hands on his hips. “It’s Rose,” he said quietly. “Something’s wrong. We thought it was the flu at first but the doctors say it’s her heart. She caught something and it traveled to her heart. We didn’t know it was happening.” His voice broke as he got out the last w
ords. He looked up at Leira, his eyes shining. “I can’t lose Rose.”
Yumfuck poked his head out of the box, the remains of a pizza slice in his hand and a smear of grease across his face. He dropped the slice and stepped out of the box, looking from Leira to Hagan.
Hagan tried to manage a smile. “You know it’s bad when Yumfuck puts down greasy food to listen. I really must look bad.”
“What can they do for her?” Leira found a dish towel and wiped off the troll’s face, putting him up on her shoulder.
“Damn doctors said to make her comfortable. Talk to hospice. They’re giving up…” he hissed through his teeth. “I’ll be damned if I give up that easy.” An idea came over him and he became animated, waggling his fingers in the air. “Can you pull off some kind of magic thing? Make her better?”
“I have no idea but I’m willing to try.” She squeezed his hand. “What if we pool the resources?” Fuck me, if Rhazdon turns out to hold the answer… “Can Rose be moved? I say we take her to the sanctuary and ask the Gardener of the Dark Forest.”
“What about that hellion, Rhazdon? I hate to even say it out loud, but she knows so much magic.”
“Dark magic. She’s well versed in how to twist someone into something unrecognizable. Not so much in repairing things. But the Gardener is the opposite.”
“Isn’t he more of a veterinarian at best? I mean, not that I’m unwilling but…”
“He’s the best practitioner of the healing arts that I know of and has trained himself in healing organic matter. I don’t think it matters what species. Worth asking and after that rescue you pulled off with his son…”
“Would have done that either way.” Hagan shook his head, waving his hand in the air. “No question. Wasn’t trying to bargain for something.”
Leira gave a crooked smile to her old friend and partner. A good cop to the end. “I know, it’s just who you are. The Gardener is kind of mythical when it comes to helping the outside world. You, though will be an exception. Come on, I’ll help you get Rose ready. We can carry her through a portal.”
“What happened to the rule about using magic on Earth and especially portals? Don’t need the Silver Griffins on our tail.”
“Fuck the rules.” Leira followed Hagan down the hall and up the stairs.
Hagan looked back at her with a surprised expression. “That’s new.”
“Okay, I still get off on rules but let’s say I’m catching on that every group has their own set. Not going to be able to follow them all. It’s a new world. May have to come up with some of my own and near the top of the list is going to be, I don’t let loved ones suffer in order to keep any of the other rules. Fuck that philosophy. I’m coming up with my own rules. Next rule is fuck the other rules. I’m going to rewrite justice.”
“I like this idea. Leira 2.0 with the gloves off. Look out world.”
“Probably past due. Stop fighting magical demons with worn out rules made up by others.” Leira stepped into the bedroom and saw Rose propped up with pillows, breathing oxygen from a mask. Rose looked up at Leira with the same kind, brown eyes and held out her hand. Leira took it, gently squeezing.
She pulled in energy through her feet, letting her eyes glow and the symbols appearing along her arms as Rose’s eyes widened in surprise. She sent a ribbon of magic energy through Rose, setting an intention and watched her skin pink up.
Leira felt the connection and pulled back. Rose’s heart could only take so much energy.
“What is it? Why are you stopping?” Hagan paced at the end of the bed.
“It’s not working. I’m not fixing her heart, just making it work harder to keep up. I could easily overtax her. Come on, on to plan B.”
Chapter Thirty
Leira and Hagan helped Rose swing her feet over the edge of the bed and slipped a robe around her shoulders. Hagan gingerly held his wife up as he sat next to her on the bed.
Leira stepped back and formed a ball of light in her hands, opening a portal to the Texas sanctuary, relieved to see it was deep inside the forest, making it easier to find the Gardener.
Hagan easily lifted the small frame of his wife and stepped through the portal as Rose craned her neck to look all around her in wonder. Leira picked up the oxygen tank and stepped through after them. Yumfuck bounced along on her shoulder, holding on to her collar.
Leira reached up and plucked him off, putting him on the ground but he wouldn’t move.
“It’s alright. We’ll make sure to take care of Rose. You can go play. You haven’t been outside in a while.”
But the troll stood right where he was, crossing his arms and steadily gazing at Rose.
Hagan took his handkerchief out of his back pocket and blew his nose. “Will you look at that. He doesn’t want to leave. Yumfuck you are worth every bit of money I’ve spent on you and then some. Next box of doughnuts is on me… again… and you can even have first pick.”
Leira gave up and put the troll back on her shoulder as she felt the bracelet warm on her wrist. The bionic animals were nearby, she could sense it. The Gardener was hopefully not far behind.
There was a loud rustling in a dense stand of old growth trees and Leira waited to see an old bull or an elk with bionic parts. She could feel the connection growing as the animal drew closer.
A figure emerged from the depths as the scales along Perrom’s body flipped over from browns and dark greens to honey brown. “Perrom! You’re better!” Leira felt a relief and went to hug him as he pulled back turning his left side away from her. Leira pulled back, surprised and felt the connection with him even before her hand touched his shoulder. A look of confusion passed quickly across her face. “The connection is with you.”
Perrom took a step away from her, a cold, angry look in his eyes. That’s when Leira saw his other shoulder. What was left of his arm was connected to his body by a reformed artifact. A magical prosthesis. I’m connected to you.
Perrom wouldn’t look Leira in the eye and instead focused on Rose and Hagan. “Why are you here?” There was a cold edge to his voice that Leira had never heard before.
“Rose is sick,” said Leira, but Perrom continued to look away from her. “We were hoping your father could help.”
“My father is not a doctor,” Perrom said, bitterly.
Leira could feel the anger inside of Perrom, passing through her. He feels lost. Your father saved your arm. Perrom suddenly looked up at her, balling his hand into a fist. Leira held her place as the troll’s fur ruffled and he stood up on Leira’s shoulder. Please don’t make me defend myself against you… because I will.
“Enough…” The deep, loud baritone of the Gardener of the Dark Forest rang out as birds took to flight, disturbing the calm of the forest. “Felix Hagan is always welcome in my sanctuaries.” The Gardener walked next to a large moose, his hand resting on the large animal’s neck. The vines in his long dreads wove themselves around, pulling his hair off his shoulders as small blue flowers opened and shut.
The Gardener was holding a small chipmunk in the palm of his hand as the small creature vibrated with fear. “He’s not fond of visitors.” The Gardener stroked the small animal’s back, putting him down under a large fern. He quickly ran away, searching for a hole into his burrow.
“They’re looking for a miracle,” Perrom spit out, glaring at Leira.
“We’re looking for a way to help Rose live,” said Leira, softly. My patience has limits, Perrom. Zip it or find somewhere else to be.
“Miracles are what we say when we can’t explain things. Let me take a look.” The Gardener held out his hand to Rose who reluctantly reciprocated.
Leira noticed Rose was already standing taller as the Gardener sang out to the forest and a yellow beetle answered, landing on his hand and walking quickly over to Rose.
“Ow!” Rose tried to pull her hand back as the beetle stung her. Hagan pushed against the Gardener without success, who still bore the same expression of stern mixed with calm. He shielded t
he beetle from Hagan before he could squash it as the bug released its venom into Rose.
“The beetle is sharing its gifts with you.” The Gardener smiled, something rare as he looked at Rose. “Take off the mask. You don’t need it here. Help her.”
Rose cautiously reached up as Hagan helped her get the mask off her face and she tentatively breathed in the deep, cool air of the forest. She blinked, looking around, taking another breath, half expecting to feel the crushing weight in her chest again at any moment. But there was nothing.
“I can breathe. How is that possible?”
“Is she cured?” Hagan was anxious and hopeful, all at once.
“Cure I cannot do. The yellow beetle is from Oriceran and it helps align your system to the rhythm of magic. The magic takes on some of the load of working to keep you alive. It’s the same theory behind why some magical beings live so long. Magic does some of the work.”
“What does that mean for Rose?”
Leira spoke slowly, wondering if she had done the right thing bringing Rose to the sanctuary. “It means she will live as long as she stays here. The sanctuary is now working to keep Rose alive.”
“But that won’t work. I have my garden and the book club, and all my friends. I can’t stay here.” Rose looked from face to face for another explanation.
The Gardener shrugged and let go of Rose’s hand as the beetle flew away. “You can always leave. You’re not a prisoner here. Nothing that lives here is held captive.” The Gardener gave a side glance at his son. “But you will return quickly to your former state. There is nothing I can do to fix your heart. It’s one of the most complicated parts of any being. I suppose that’s good and bad news.”