Aislyn

by Aislyn (NCP) (lit)

  His stomach churned some more.

  Guilt. For a fleeting moment, he considered calling off the betrothal to Renee. Then he and Aislyn could be together. Seamus frowned, and gritted his teeth. He couldn’t do it. He’d signed the papers agreeing to the marriage without coercion. If he went back on his agreement, the fairy colony would land in the midst of a political war. He sighed knowing he wouldn’t go back on his word. His honor was about the only thing he had left.

  "With everyone but Aislyn." His reputation rated zilch where she was concerned.

  Seamus walked into the resort restaurant and spotted Aislyn straight away. She was seated with Watson and Morgan, of all people and she had Watson laughing. Even the dour-faced Morgan cracked a smile. Seamus stepped up to the table and slid into the only spare seat left. The grins faded on all three faces. Aislyn stared at him with total disinterest, Watson glared, and Morgan wore a neutral expression. One easy step to kill a party.

  A young waitress bustled up to the table, holding a coffee pot. "Coffee?" she asked, a friendly smile on her face.

  At least someone was talking to him. "Thank you. Coffee would be good."

  "Is your business all completed, Mr. Gallagher?"

  What had she told Watson? Seamus glanced at Aislyn, hoping for guidance.

  "It was only phone calls," Aislyn murmured. "I didn’t expect them to take long."

  Watson stroked his chin and looked thoughtful. "Why didn’t you make your calls from the resort?"

  Right. Get me out of this one, Aislyn.

  "We’re heading back to Auckland early. Seamus wanted to fill up with petrol."

  Seamus wanted to shake her. We could have filled up with petrol on the way, he thought. What’s Watson going to make of that excuse?

  "Interesting," Watson mused. "You could have filled up on the way home. Were you trying to save time?"

  Seamus felt Morgan’s gaze. "Aislyn and I argued." He shot her a look of annoyance and it was only slightly feigned. "Again."

  Color rose up on Aislyn’s cheeks. "It was not my fault!"

  Seamus gritted his teeth, knowing her words were not strictly for Watson’s benefit. "I don’t think we need to air our domestic differences here."

  Watson laughed suddenly. "Ah, newly wedded bliss. Are you sure you’re not being a little hasty returning today? These differences have a way of working themselves out."

  "I don’t think so," Seamus declared. "Aislyn’s parents arrive tomorrow." He turned a speaking glare on Aislyn.

  Watson chuckled and clapped his hands. "How delightful."

  Seamus saw the quick flash of pain on Aislyn’s face and knew he had caused it. The urge to comfort was strong, but now was not the time. And he suspected she wouldn’t let him near her anyway.

  Watson turned to Aislyn. "I’ll be sorry to see you go, my dear. I’ve enjoyed our little chats. Maybe we can meet in Auckland for coffee. Perhaps afternoon tea at the Carlton."

  What? Seamus’s heart stuttered in alarm, not liking that idea at all. He didn’t want Aislyn anywhere near this man. He opened his mouth to say no, but Aislyn spoke first.

  "Thank you, John. That sounds lovely."

  John? Seamus speared a worried glance at Aislyn. Since when did they become so friendly? He hoped she knew what she was doing, and he hoped like hell she hadn’t done anything stupid like giving him her telephone number.

  "Good. I’ll look forward to meeting up with you."

  Seamus picked up his coffee cup, noted the uncharacteristic tremble in his hand, and set the cup down hurriedly. "It’s a long drive home, sweetheart. Have you finished packing?"

  "It’s all done. I’ll check out at reception while you organize the bags." She stared pointedly in the direction of the cabin and Seamus received her message, loud and clear. She wanted him gone. For the second time, he hoped she knew what she was doing. Watson was no minnow. The man bore the jagged predatory teeth of a shark.

  Unwillingly, he stood. After abrupt nods at Watson and Morgan, he headed for the cabin. When he arrived back at reception, Aislyn was at the counter by herself.

  "What the hell did you think you were doing?" he gritted out, trying to keep his voice low. Judging by the piercing and avid look of the receptionist, he didn’t succeed.

  Aislyn fixed him with a chilly look. "I was doing my job."

  Seamus started to speak, then bit down on the hasty words that trembled at his lips. Aislyn was right. There was nothing left between them except work. He was betrothed to Renee.

  Life would go on, but without Aislyn.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Seamus heard laughter, both masculine and feminine, the minute he exited the stairwell. Fighting to hold his temper, he stomped along the passage toward his office. His mouth tightened as jealousy zapped straight to his ego.

  Aislyn and Gill.

  Ever since they’d returned from the ill-fated assignment at Kowhai Lodge Resort, Aislyn had avoided him. Not that Seamus blamed her, but the galling thing was that he seemed to have thrown Aislyn and Gill together. From the little Gill said, they’d been out for drinks and dinner together a few times.

  Seamus paused in the doorway to Gary’s office. The three of them were laughing like loons. Envy and resentment gripped him. Even though he had no rights where Aislyn was concerned, he’d promised Duncan he’d watch over her and keep her safe.

  Gill wasn’t safe.

  Last night, he’d promised his meddling mother there was nothing between him and the rebel despite the rumors. Seamus closed his eyes briefly, working to control the maelstrom of emotions inside. While he wanted to rail at fate, there was no point--even though destiny had stuffed things up so he’d fallen in love with the wrong female. He had a duty to the colony, an obligation to provide the best future for the young fairlings, and now he had someone else to consider. Renee. Last night, he’d told his mother he was ready to marry. Even now, he had no difficulty remembering his mother’s laugh of relief and her words. "Good. Renee will arrive tomorrow. Make sure you’re at the colony to meet her."

  Seamus stepped through the doorway, breaking up the party. "Gill, you ready to go?"

  The laughter ceased immediately. Gary shuffled behind his desk, Gill straightened, removing his hand from Aislyn’s shoulder, while Aislyn glared at him not bothering to hide her animosity.

  "Yeah, I’m ready." Gill grinned at Aislyn. "See you later, gorgeous." He tapped her under the chin. "Seven, okay?"

  Aislyn nodded. "At the flat."

  "Sure. Seamus?"

  Seamus stiffened in shock. Aislyn had moved from the hostel and hadn’t bothered to tell him. The green-eyed monster clawed at his insides, and for the first time since he’d met Gill at Police College, he wanted to deck him. No, untrue. Seamus wanted to land more than one punch. Working at controlling his breathing, he stepped back out of trouble.

  "Before we go, can I have a word with you in my office please, Aislyn?" Although phrased as a polite question, it was an order. Seamus was ready to drag her kicking and screaming into his office if she refused.

  "I’ll wait for you in my car," Gill returned easily. He sauntered from the office, and Seamus couldn’t help but notice the way Aislyn’s gaze followed his friend’s departure.

  "I don’t have all day," he snarled.

  "After you," Aislyn said, her polite gesture carrying mockery.

  She struggled to hide her confusion when Seamus glared then stomped off to his office. She followed more slowly. She was keeping out of his way. Not one word of what had happened between them had passed her lips. What more did the male want?

  Seamus was practically married and out of bounds so she was keeping out of his way. The minute he’d admitted his commitment, he’d made his decision clear and she’d accepted the decision. Even if the betrayal ached like a knife stuck to the hilt into her gut.

  Aislyn perched on the edge of one of the two mismatched wooden chairs in front of Seamus’s desk. Realizing she must look as though she were about to face
a firing squad, she attempted to relax her tense limbs and waited for him to speak.

  "I’m going back to the colony tonight for a few days. Renee arrives tonight."

  Aislyn stiffened at the sound of her rival’s name. Her memory produced the face from the photo she had found in Seamus’ bag along with inadequacy and plain envy. Why was he telling her? They worked together--that’s all. There was no need to share private confidences.

  "I wondered if you wanted me to give your parents or brothers any messages."

  Aislyn stared at him blankly. He knew her father had forbidden her to speak with the rest of the family. "I wrote to Duncan a few days ago and sent it in the diplomatic pouch."

  Seamus moved from the bank of windows to stand behind his desk. He thrust his hands in his pockets. "I ... ah ... thought I’d ask. Do you want me to bring anything back for you?"

  "No, thank you," Aislyn said. "I finished the tests on the latest batch of anti-cat remedies and sent the results in the pouch."

  "Any good?"

  "The latest potion gave me hives." Aislyn pulled up her sleeve to show Seamus the angry welts that peppered her forearms. "The scientists tell me I’m not testing their remedies properly. You might want to pass some reassurance on to the board. Joe and I are carrying out the correct tests and maintaining meticulous records."

  "I’ll tell the board."

  "Good. Was there anything else? Gary and I are going on a day trip to Maximillan’s resort. The boss wants to know the layout of the place. They’re recruiting staff so Gary and I are applying in the hopes of working undercover."

  "Do you think that’s wise?"

  Aislyn pressed her lips together to trap her irritation. Do you think that’s wise? Cripes, the boss had made her and Gary an official part of Operation Scavenger Hunt. They knew exactly what they were doing. She forced a smile. "The boss suggested it."

  "Oh."

  Aislyn checked her wristwatch and stood. "Have a nice time at the colony."

  "I will."

  Aislyn wanted to run from the room, but she maintained a slow, easy pace. She had her hand on the doorknob when he spoke.

  "I don’t think you should go out with Gill."

  Aislyn spun about to stare at Seamus in disbelief. "What?"

  "You heard me."

  "I think you should repeat it, just so I’m positive I heard correctly."

  A dull tide of color swept across his cheekbones. "Gill is older than you, more experienced. Nothing can come of a relationship between the two of you. You’re a fairy; he’s human. Mixed marriages don’t work."

  "You don’t want me, but no one else can have me either? What’s the matter, Seamus? Are you afraid you might have to meet up with me socially? Afraid I might say something I shouldn’t to Gill?"

  "Of course not. I’m trying to be a friend--"

  "Seamus, you ceased to be a friend when you slept with me then told me you were engaged! I’ll see whoever I want to see. In fact, let me lay it down plainly. If I want to sleep with Gill, I will. It is none of your damned business." Aislyn wrenched the door open, stalked through, and then slammed it using every ounce of her strength.

  From his desk, Gary stared at her with an expression of half shock, half admiration. Aislyn wanted to laugh but couldn’t, not with the tight lump blocking her throat. Tears threatened and she blinked rapidly. Once. Twice. She thought about trying her on-again, off-again magic. A rat’s tail would look fine on Seamus.

  "Are you ready to go," Gary said. "We need to stop by the flat and work out our disguises. The ferry leaves in two hours."

  "Yes, I’m ready."

  They walked out to the bank of lifts.

  "What did Seamus want?" Gary asked as they waited for a lift to arrive.

  Aislyn swallowed and stuck as close to the truth as possible. "He’s going to the colony for a few days. His betrothed arrives tonight, and he’s going to meet her at the portal port. He offered to take some messages to my family for me."

  The news of Seamus’s betrothal distracted Gary, as Aislyn knew it would. The look on her friend’s face would have been funny under other circumstances. Instead, it made her sad.

  Gary picked up his jaw. "Seamus is betrothed? When? Who? Where? Tell me everything!"

  The lift arrived and they stepped inside to join the other passengers. The company inside the lift frustrated Gary’s urgent curiosity. He vibrated with the need to ask questions. When they reached the ground floor, Gary dragged Aislyn through the foyer of the building to the car park where his rusty Toyota was parked. He unlocked the car and the instant Aislyn was inside, he locked the door.

  "Right," he said, his beads clicking nosily as he tossed his head. "We’re not leaving until you give me the gossip. Every juicy detail."

  "The short story," Aislyn declared. "That’s all we have time for. And I really think you should start driving or we will miss the ferry. The boss will send us back to paper pushing if we miss the recruitment presentation."

  "All right," Gary said. "But if I think for a minute you’re skimping on details, you’re in trouble."

  The Toyota started with a protesting whimper then fell silent. Gary frowned and tried again. "Damn car!"

  Aislyn scanned the car park. There were no people sitting in the nearby cars. Under her breath, she muttered the incantation for transport, factoring Gary into the equation. Yes, she thought. That was the right one. Now all she needed to do was say the spell out loud. As to working, who knew? She’d given up trying to second-guess the why and how of it all. Sometimes it worked but mostly it didn’t. Aislyn prayed this was one of the times otherwise they weren’t going anywhere in this car today.

  "Gary, I have an idea that might work." She saw the hope on his face. "And then again, it might not." Aislyn closed her eyes and concentrated. The Gaelic words danced off her tongue. She heard Gary’s gasp of shock, his quickly muttered words of horror but ignored them and continued.

  "You can’t do that! It’s impossible."

  Aislyn felt the whoosh of breeze on her face and the sense of weightlessness. Yes, I can, she thought. They materialized in the middle of Gary and Jacob’s living room. Gary’s head whipped from side to side before he fixed a horrified gaze on Aislyn.

  "How...." Words failed him about the same time his legs gave way. Gary sank onto a faded, sagging armchair. The chair emitted a loud squeak of protest, but Gary ignored the sound and stared dumbly at Aislyn.

  "How did you do that?" Gary regained his powers of speech.

  "What?" Aislyn studied her fingernails, pretending she had done nothing out of the ordinary.

  "Quit that." Gary leaned forward in the chair to study her intently. "I want to know how you transported us when the pills contain an anti-magic compound. And don’t tell me you’re not taking your pills because I stand over you each morning to make sure you take the damned things."

  "Temper, temper."

  "Aislyn!"

  Aislyn rolled her eyes. Gary sounded like Seamus. The likeness was uncanny, especially when he roared. "I have no idea why my magic still works. I only discovered it by chance."

  "Do you have full power?"

  "No. I have no control over it. I never know if my spells will work until I try."

  Gary leaned back in the chair. The chair squeaked again, but he paid it no mind, concentrating on Aislyn. "Well," he said finally. "What does Seamus say?"

  Her stomach churned at the mention of Seamus. "Haven’t told him."

  Gary studied her for a moment longer before shaking his head and setting his beaded braids chattering. "Probably best you keep it quiet. In the mood he’s been in lately, I think he’d send you back to the colony. The Guardian and the board decided if we kept our magical powers one of us would slip and the humans would learn of the colony’s existence." He paused. "Be careful, Aislyn. You love it on the human side. You don’t want to be sent home."

  The serious nature of Gary’s words wiped the smug look off her face. He was right. The idea of bein
g sent back to the colony made her shudder. "Don’t worry, I’ll be careful."

  "Cripes, look at the time. We’d better get our disguises in place and call a cab. You start and I’ll order the cab," he said, shooting to his feet. Half way to the door, he paused. "Since there’s just the two of us, why don’t you see if you can zap us into our disguises. In the interests of saving time, of course."

  "Of course," Aislyn murmured. "Go order the cab and I’ll see what I can do."

  Once Gary left for the kitchen, Aislyn closed her eyes and concentrated on the outcome she desired. Let’s see. She wanted long dark hair, conservative dress. Something that screamed, I’m a good worker. Hire me now.

  A soft ripple of warm air blew against her skin as her clothes disappeared and were by her disguise. Aislyn opened her eyes to glance down at the result. Yes! Perfect.

  Aislyn thought for a couple of seconds about a possible disguise for Gary then grinned. Of course, the braids would have to go. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on the new Gary.

  A loud yelp came from the direction of the kitchen.

  Aislyn laughed and hurried out to see the results of her magic.

  "You could have warned me." Gary peered into a china cabinet and studied his reflection. "Where are my braids?" he demanded.

  Aislyn shrugged. He looked very handsome as a redhead. Maybe she’d overdone the freckles, but he looked as though he was a good, hard worker--a sincere young man who would make an excellent employee.

  "Where have my braids gone?" Gary turned to Aislyn, his brown eyes narrowed in a glare. "This is a wig, right? Tell me my braids are under this wig."

  "It’s not a wig." Aislyn tugged on her own long dark hair. "See?"

  "Aislyn O’Sullivan, your magic had better work when it comes time to change out of this disguise, otherwise I will never talk to you again. Do you know how long it took to get my braids done?"

  A honk of a horn outside the flat saved her from replying. "Cab’s here," she said. Aislyn seized a small black bag she’d conjured up to go with her disguise and ran for the door. It would be safe in the cab. Gary wouldn’t be able to say a word in front of the human.