Witching Ways

by T K Eldridge

  “She told me the Macha was probably inside the Belle Cove PD. I asked Captain Rinehardt for a list of all of the prisoners and their charges he’s currently holding in the prison. One name stood out. Fergus Fraser.”

  “Wait, what?” I stared at him. “I thought King Fionn said that Fergus was in the UK.”

  “He did. I asked Ian to take a look at this Fergus. He’s a twenty-two year old kid – and he’s a witch.”

  “Did he get him transferred to SPD?”

  “He did, but it wasn’t easy. One of the guards, Iris Faherty, took offense at the idea that they’d not be able to keep him restrained. She nearly laid hands on Ian when he had Fergus transferred into his custody. After what your Grams told me about tonight, I think that might be a clue to follow up on?”

  “Iris Faherty could be Iona Fraser, the Macha. Stumpy is getting the hiring records for us, so we’ll take a look tomorrow. Did Ian get Fergus secured okay?”

  “Yeah, he did. And yes, I know I could’ve called or something, but I’m staying at your Grams’ tonight and she had a few more things to finish. Here’s your spare key – I used it to lock up the other night when you went up to bed and I wanted to finish the reading.”

  “And I appreciated that you cleaned up my kitchen before you left. You didn’t have to, but it was a nice surprise the next day.” I gave him a hug and curled his hand around the key. “You hang onto it. It’s nice to know there’s one out there in case of an emergency.”

  “Thanks, Siddie. Let me know when you get the files from Stumpy? I’m going to have Sin and Grizz talk to Mr. Fraser tomorrow. It’s time to see just how involved this young man may be. Good night, granddaughter.”

  “Good night, grandfather.”

  It took me way too long to fall asleep as I tried to put all of the pieces together in a way that made sense – and failed.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Sin

  When Grizz told me we were questioning a prisoner, I was confused. We didn’t usually do that – the witches that easily cast spells so they could read minds were better options. I will be honest, I didn’t know what the Commander had up his sleeve until he handed me Sir Cedric’s toy car anchor and whispered in my ear that Cedric could read minds.

  “Brace yourself before you go in there,” the Commander said. “He looks very familiar.”

  “Well, he’s a distant relation, right?” I said.

  “Yeah, but he doesn’t look distant,” he replied.

  Grizz pushed the door open and I ran into his back because he stopped short. “By the stars,” Grizz breathed and I nudged him out of the way.

  Cuffed to the table was a man who could’ve been my identical twin. A couple of years younger, hair a bit longer, and he had a scar on one cheek that I didn’t have. “No shit,” I replied to Grizz’s exclamation, then shoved the car into my pants pocket.

  “He is as stunned at the similarities as you are,” Sir Cedric said in my head.

  “Well, this is creepy. Fergus Fraser, I’m Agent Sinclair Boudreau and this is Agent Grizzell Leonidas. We’d like to ask you a few questions,” I said as I settled into one of the two chairs facing Fergus.

  “I’ve got a few questions myself,” Fergus said, a Scottish accent easily heard in his speech.

  “If you’re related to Alastair Fraser, then yes, we’re related,” I said. “Obviously.”

  “That surprised him, that you used Alastair and not Margaret. He’s confused now, unsure of how much you know. His grandmother is Athdara Fraser Lovatt. His mother, Athdara’s daughter Kirin, married a distant Fraser cousin.”

  “Thank you for your help, Sir Cedric. It is greatly appreciated,” I sent back to the Guardian.

  Sir Cedric laughed. “I love this stuff. Thanks to you for letting me assist.”

  “What were you picked up for?” Grizz asked Fergus. “The file only says ‘disorderly conduct’.”

  “Not my job to tell you why I’m here,” Fergus said. “If you can’t read, that’s your problem.”

  I leaned over, eyes narrowed, then slammed my hand down on the table. “Watch. Your. Mouth,” I snarled at him. “You’ll show respect in my house, or I’ll see that you get lost in a hole in Galliol where no one knows your name.”

  He jumped, then sneered at me. “You can’t do that.”

  “Yeah, he can. His grandfather is the Commander of the SPD for the whole western hemisphere,” Grizz said.

  “So?” Fergus said. “My great-grandmother is…” he snapped his mouth shut so fast, we heard his teeth click.

  “What was that?” I asked.

  “Nothing.”

  “Didn’t sound like nothing,” Grizz said.

  “It was nothing,” Fergus said again, tone edged with panic.

  I smiled at him, and it wasn’t a very nice smile. “Your great-grandmother is the Macha?” I asked, voice very soft.

  He flinched as if I’d struck him, eyes wide and skin gray under the tan hues. “N-n-no. That’s not what I said.”

  “No, it’s what I said. It’s right, isn’t it?” I said.

  “I’m not telling. I want a lawyer,” Fergus stuttered.

  “Yeah, you don’t get a lawyer until the transfer is finalized. The paperwork is slow to process, so you might get one tomorrow,” Grizz said.

  “I need protection,” Fergus said. “She’ll kill me.”

  “She got you arrested because you didn’t follow through with what she told you to do, right?” I guessed, but I felt it was a solid angle to pursue.

  “He’s really panicking now. That’s exactly what happened. She told him to burn down the Farm store and he wouldn’t do it because they were doing inventory that night and people were still in it. Instead, he slashed the tires on the delivery vans and took off.”

  My brows went up as I heard Sir Cedric’s information. “So, you were the one that slashed the tires at my grandma’s farm? I’d heard it was some punk kid on a dare.”

  I turned to Grizz. “We’re not going to get anything useful out of him. Let’s get him on the next flight to Galliol. I’m done here.” I pushed to my feet.

  “No, no, wait. I can help you out. But you’ve gotta make sure I’m protected,” Fergus begged.

  “Protected from whom?” Grizz asked.

  “Everyone. I don’t know everyone she’s got on her side. She’ll kill me just like she did my cousin Seth.”

  “Seth…?” I asked.

  “Seth Stevens,” Fergus said.

  “The drunk driver that died after he hit the car full of kids,” Grizz reminded me.

  “How did she supposedly kill him? He was drunk off his ass and drove into another car,” I said.

  “She spelled his booze, so he didn’t feel drunk until later. Either he’d die of alcohol poisoning or do something that got him killed.”

  “He almost killed four teenagers,” I snarled. “That would’ve been on you.”

  “I didn’t even know she’d done it until he ended up dead. Then she told me that if I didn’t do what she asked, when she asked it, I’d end up like Seth.”

  “Such a loving auntie, eh?” Grizz said. “Glad I don’t have one like that.”

  “Look, can’t I just stay in a cell here? It’s shielded, so she can’t find me here. I’m safe. I’ll tell you what you want to know, but you can’t let me go back out there or I’ll end up dead,” Fergus started to trip over his own words in his panic.

  “He’s absolutely terrified of the Macha. She killed his mother when she refused to let her take any of her children. He had three brothers and two sisters. He’s the only one left – she’s killed them all. Anything he’s done for her was done to stay alive, at all costs.”

  I listened to Sir Cedric’s words, then gave Grizz a nod. “We’ll be back. You want something to drink? Food?” I asked Fergus.

  He shook his head, half curled in on himself in the chair, even with his hands cuffed to the table.

  “He needs food and drink. He’s refused all but seale
d items since he was imprisoned three days ago.”

  “I’ll take care of him,” I thought back at Cedric, then stepped out of the interrogation room with Grizz.

  “I wanted to tell you what Sir Cedric has been telling me,” I said. “He’s absolutely terrified of the Macha. She’s killed his mother and five of his siblings. He’s the only one left. He’s also starving and probably a bit dehydrated because he’s refused all but sealed food and drink. Clearly, he was afraid she’d poison him or something.”

  “Damn, no wonder,” Grizz said. “Good thing the Commander loaned you that Guardian.”

  “I know. This could’ve gone badly for Fergus otherwise. Cedric said that anything Fergus has done was only to stay alive, at all costs.”

  “I’ll go get him something to eat out of my stash, for now. Maybe we can convince him we’re on his side and then he’ll trust us enough to eat a hot meal,” Grizz said. “Be right back.”

  Being a mythic shifter, Grizz needed to keep a quick source of protein nearby in case he had to shift while working. Kind of how I had to keep fuel for any spells or shifting I might do.

  He came back with some jerky, granola bars, chips, cookies, a couple of bottles of water, and a bottle of that sports drink with electrolytes. “Let’s see if he’ll accept any of this,” Grizz said.

  “Before we go back in there, I’m thinking we get everything we can out of him and put him in a cell by himself so he’s more comfortable. Fix him up with books and a TV or something for a few days.”

  “I like that. Sounds like a good plan,” Grizz said and we went back inside.

  “Hey, Fergus. I brought some food, and it’s all still wrapped, so you know we haven’t messed with it,” Grizz said.

  Fergus lifted his head and we got a hint of a smile as he reached for the electrolyte drink first, then started to eat. “Thanks,” he muttered with his mouth full.

  “Take it slow. If you’ve not eaten much, your stomach needs to adjust,” I said and sat across from him. “If it’s okay with you, I’m going to record this because I suck at taking notes.”

  Fergus gave me a nod and a shrug, so I turned on the recording app on my phone and slid it to the middle of the table.

  “This is Agent Sinclair Boudreau with Agent Grizzell Leonidas and Mr. Fergus Fraser,” then I gave the date and location. “Fergus, could you tell us what you know about the plans the Macha has, and what her next moves might be?”

  He swallowed the last two bites of a protein bar, washed it down with the electrolyte drink, then opened a bottle of water. “I don’t know all of her plans, but I do know she’s been preparing for some big event on the next full moon. It’s a blue moon, the third full moon in a month, and that gives it extra power or something.”

  “Do you know where she’s planning this event to be held?” Grizz asked.

  “She’s been preparing a spot about a mile inside the state park’s forestry reservation, right along the cliffs that look out over the bay towards the fae islands.”

  “I can show you exactly where, now that he’s held the location in his mind,” Sir Cedric said and I gave Grizz a nod.

  “Preparing it for what?” I asked.

  “A ritual of some kind,” Fergus said.

  “How many people does she have working for her?” Grizz asked.

  “I don’t know. I only know of about five or six that I’ve seen and I know she has lots more, but they’re like sleeper agents. They’re all over the place, but won’t act unless she calls on them. For this spell casting? She’s planning on calling everyone in.”

  “When did she get into town?” I asked.

  “When the fae realm left the pocket dimension. She’d been in the realm for about a hundred years – it’s how she’s survived so long and held on to the power without a challenger.”

  “What do you mean, a challenger?” I asked.

  “It’s how she gained the title. She challenged her teacher, and when the teacher was beaten, she killed her and took the title. Now, the teacher didn’t have to die for the title to pass, but Auntie is a nasty piece of work.”

  “What is her ultimate goal?” Grizz leaned his arms on the table as he watched Fergus speak.

  “Power and control. She wants to stay the Macha, even though there have been four Badbs and three Nemains since she took her title. From what I’ve been able to piece together, this ritual is for some kind of longevity spell or something.”

  “Well, that’s not good,” Cedric said. “Those kinds of spells usually involve pulling the life force from the others in the circle.”

  “How many does she plan on having at the ritual?” I tried to casually ask, but my stomach knotted and I probably sounded less calm than I intended. Grizz snapped his gaze to me and frowned while Fergus leaned back.

  “She had me buy thirty candle cups so everyone had one to hold,” Fergus said.

  “Good thing you’re not going to be there,” I said. “Okay, Fergus. If you think of anything, let us know. We’re going to get you set up in a private cell and make sure you have a TV and some books or whatever to occupy your time. I can even bring you some take out if you’d like?”

  “Sounds good to me. I’m so tired, I could sleep for a month. Maybe you could bring me some fried chicken?” Fergus asked.

  “One of us will,” Grizz said. “I’ll get you settled while Sin takes care of the paperwork.”

  “Gee, thanks,” I teased Grizz, then grabbed my phone. “I’m going to go talk to the Commander. See you up there when you’re done?”

  “Yep, I’ll be there. Okay, Fergus, let’s go. You can keep the stuff you haven’t eaten yet and I’ll stock you up before I head out today,” Grizz said as I left the room and jogged up the stairs.

  “He didn’t tell you a few key points,” Cedric said as I made my way upstairs. “She’s destabilized the ley lines because of the chaos it creates, but she didn’t realize cursing the Creators would do that. It was an adjustment after the fact. She hates witches, fae, and shifters alike. She hates her own kind and blames magic for destroying her own chance at a family and corrupting her with the drive for more power. He heard her rants and rages more than once, but Fergus himself hasn’t truly understood what she was saying. As he thought about those temper tantrums, he wondered how close he’d come to dying more than once. While he played them over in his head, I was able to see more about Iona than he did.”

  I tapped on the Commander’s door and waited before he called out ‘come in’ to open it and step inside.

  “Hey,” Sid said from her seat beside the desk.

  “Done with Fergus?” the Commander asked.

  “For now,” I said. “Grizz will be up once he gets him settled. We agreed to put him up in a cell by himself, and make sure he had a TV and some books or whatever he needed to pass the time, if he’d tell us anything and everything. He’s terrified the Macha is going to take him out, so he’s happy to stay put in a shielded building until she’s dealt with.”

  “Was Sir Cedric useful?”

  “Yes, sir. He was the key to us unlocking everything. I’d like to hang onto him for a little longer? He knows precisely where the ritual she’s planning will take place and can show me where it is. He plucked the location from Fergus’ head,” I said.

  “Tell us more?” Sid asked.

  “Well, one thing he said that you’ll probably want to hear, sis. She’s been the only Macha while there have been three or four other Badb and Nemain title holders. She spent a century or so in the pocket realm to keep from being unseated, and she’d travel in and out to keep herself from aging too quickly. Also, she didn’t realize that taking focus away from the Creators would destabilize the ley lines, but she welcomed the chaos that caused. She hates witches, fae, and shifters alike and blames magic for destroying her own chance at a family – while still doing what she can to amass more power for herself.”

  “So, what’s this ritual she’s planning supposed to do?” Sid asked.

 
“Sir Cedric says it’s a spell for longevity that sucks the life force out of all of the participants. She has, according to Fergus, thirty people supposedly involved. From what I gathered, that would make her nearly immortal.”

  “Oh, hell no,” the Commander said. “We’ve got to disrupt this. When is it planned?”

  “The blue moon – the third full moon for this month that happens in two days,” I said.

  “That doesn’t give us a lot of time,” the Commander said. “Let’s wait for Grizz and we can figure out a plan. Do you think you know what spell she’s planning, Sid?”

  “There are a few that could do what she’s trying to do – but they’re all considered too dangerous and volatile for anyone to even try anymore,” Sid said.

  “I get the impression she doesn’t care about the risk to others,” I said.

  “Where did that come from?” Sid asked.

  “The fact that she killed all five of Fergus’ siblings and his mother, with him the only one left,” I said.

  “No wonder he’s so afraid of her,” the Commander said.

  “Jeeze, that’s rough,” Sid said.

  A knock on the door and I got up to open it and let Grizz in.

  He gave the Commander a nod, then dragged the last chair over to join us. “Sorry I was delayed. I put Fergus in the solitary confinement cell so he would have some privacy, and got him all set up. I’ll grab him some real food when we’re done here.”

  “Who did you put on guard?” the Commander asked.

  “Leo Clifton, one of my griffins,” Grizz said.

  “Good. Let’s keep the guards on that cell to people we know and trust. I don’t know how many others the Macha may have on her side,” the Commander said.

  “Others?” I asked.

  “Olsen and Bidderman are hers. They were helped to escape yesterday in the early morning hours by a guard from the Belle Cove PD that fits the description of Iris Faherty, or Iona Fraser, the Macha,” the Commander said.

  “So they didn’t go after Sin because of Aaron Finley’s death, but because the Macha said to,” Sid said.