Sean laughed loudly. “You learned what the Sylvan wanted you to know. I’m sure some of that reputation is well founded. We have some citizens who take umbrage to the way humans treat the planet and the creatures that inhabit this world. Not all humans are nice… Should your race be judged on Hitler, Pol Pot, Amin, the worst of humanity?”
“Of course not, that would be insane.”
He squeezed her hand. “Yet we are judged by the actions of a few.”
“You could set the record straight.”
“Who would believe us? And more importantly, why? Tell me why we should feel the need to justify our existence? Our reputation has led to the peace we have enjoyed for many centuries. Except for a few crazies, we have had little disturb our peace.”
“Until now…”
Sean shrugged. “Unfortunately, yes.”
Their meandering led the pair to a huge meadow. Vines with great red blossoms intertwined the trees that stood around the glade. All manner of Fae had gathered. As far as Kennedy could tell, none tried to hide their true forms. These people did not band together in clumps like other groups. They spread out, all talking to one another, hugging and kissing. Kennedy would not be surprised if a great orgy broke out in the mass of people, there was so much body contact going on about the gathering.
Sean stepped into the glade, weaving his way to a rise in the center, devoid of others. Kennedy’s arm gripped tight, he pulled her with him to the base of the bump. A Pixie ring of mushrooms kept the crowd at a distance. He released her arm and stepped to the top.
With no warning, he shifted from the human form he’d taken, into a part-goat/part-man Satyr. His voice boomed as he began to address the gathering from the slope. “We are here today to debate the series of attacks against the Fair Folk and the upcoming war, and our response to the hostilities shown to us. The time for the final vote will soon be upon us.”
Watching from the edge of the mob, Kennedy tried to make herself small. She had felt no indication Sean was the leader of this land. He felt like a normal person to her.
“You all know my feelings; the peace has served us well for over a thousand years. It would be unwise to let the Sylvans’ goading push us into a rash action.”
An odd mix of cheers and jeers rose from those in attendance. With all the cross talking and partying going on, it was hard to find the council mixed among the creatures. The only one who seemed to be taking the meeting seriously was the Satyr known as Sean.
“We have a witness to the attack on the city, if there are any questions.” Sean motioned for Kennedy to join him on the mound.
Her brief hesitation was met with several hands pushing her up from behind. Surprisingly, the mob grew quiet, allowing her a chance to speak.
“I was in the North End. I witnessed what I think was a Leper… Redman use a rod, or twisted shaft, to launch magic into the sky over the Charles River. I gave chase, and he escaped, using magic I have never seen before.”
Whispers of “shillelagh” spread through the crowd.
Kennedy had more to say, about the strange mage Tom and the breaking of the curse, but the crowd erupted into arguments before she said another word.
Sean stepped to her side and put his arm around her as fistfights broke out all around. Even those who watched from the forest canopy joined in the fight. From the smallest Pixie to the Minotaurs and Centaurs, they all joined in the battle.
“What is going on? Why is the council letting this madness happen?” Kennedy shouted over the brawl. None of the combatants broke into the circle where Sean stood.
“The council is debating the decision now. They will have their answer before too long.”
“This mob is the council?” Kennedy watched as the blood splattered and a few teeth flew.
“Yes, everyone is the same here. We all have a vote.”
“I thought you were the leader…”
“Oh, goddess no… perish the thought. I was elected to lead this debate. As soon as a decision is made, my task will be finished.”
Kennedy watched as the fighters ran out of steam. If they kept it up much longer, they would have no fight left in them for the Elves.
“What if it isn’t the Seelie Court that is behind all this? What if it is the outcasts?” Kennedy asked.
Sean laughed. “The outcasts… really? Maybe it is aliens from outer space that is the cause. No… I see no way the outcasts could gather the power to do something like this. They are too few and scattered to launch an attack. Besides, the weapon you spotted is a classical Redman weapon. The Elves wanted you to see that storm being brought down on the city to blame us.”
Kennedy needed to shout over the clash of fighting. “Ask yourself, who has the most to gain from this war?”
Sean paused for a moment then chuckled. “If I had to guess, it would be any of the marginalized groups… the outcasts are only one. However, I could make an argument that it was the humans… or the witches behind the attacks. Personally, I’m undecided, but I am only one vote.”
“If this war spreads… millions might die.”
Sean shrugged. “Millions die already, millions more will die in the future. Death is the only thing we can be certain of.”
“That is a callous way to look at life.”
“Sorry, life is a disease that is always fatal. If magic has returned, you should be worried. Soon you will grow old and die, as well.”
The fight drew to an end. There were a few scuffles in the distance as creatures finished their debate, but exhaustion, or what passed for order, gripped the mob.
“The debate seems to be finished.” Sean’s voice called attention to the center of the glade once again. “Those in favor of joining the battle, and all the death and destruction it promises to bring, shift over there.” He pointed with his left hand. “Those who want to give peace a chance and wait come over here.” He pointed with his right hand.
Once the gestures were made, he started to shift to the right side of the glade, taking Kennedy with him.
He leaned over and whispered in her ear, “It has been several centuries since we’ve had a good fight. I think too many have forgotten the pain and death it brings. I think peace has lost this battle.”
Kennedy didn’t know what to say. Sean hadn’t moved too far to the right. Creatures from both sides, and every race possible, still shifted from one side to the other. From the center, it was impossible for Kennedy to tell which side gained the upper hand in the vote.
The movement dropped to a trickle as the last few holdouts made up their mind. A clear line developed between the two sides. As far as Kennedy could tell, the sides were too evenly split to determine if war or peace won out.
Sean called out, “All those in favor of war, shout, ‘Yea.’”
There arose an earth-shattering cry of yea, from the other side of the glade.
“All those in favor of peace, shout, ‘Nay.’”
The voices from behind her and Sean called out, with the Satyr adding his voice to the mix. It was too close for Kennedy to call which side won.
“The yeas have it. Tonight, we battle the Sylvans. May the goddess grant us victory.”
Everyone cheered, even the losers who stood behind her and Sean. Even Sean cheered after he made the call on the vote. The vote cast and called, the groups intermingled once again. “Send word to the Sylvans to meet us at the Back Bay Fens at midnight, for the arse-kicking they desire.”
Kennedy yammered, trying to gain some control over her thoughts. “Wait… what… how can you tell who won? You should do a recount. You need to be sure.”
“Listen, dear, our side fairly lost. Now we need to get ready for the fight… You can join us, if you want.”
“Wait… you’re going to fight? You didn’t believe in the war.”
“Why wouldn’t I join the fight? Even if I don’t agree with going to battle, I can’t stand by and let my side be defeated by the Sylvans. What would happen to the Fair Folk if, once a de
cision was made, we didn’t support each other? I can tell you what, our little paradise would tear itself apart.” He shook his head. “For this to work… Listen, I know it is hard to understand, but this is how things work here. Do you think it is better to have a small group make the decisions, like the Sylvan? That, to us, is insanity.”
“Either way, bad decisions can be made. Leaders are meant to make the best decisions possible.”
“Leaders are not perfect. Never have been, never will be. Now if you are not going to join our side, you need to leave. We need to practice and try to decide how we are going to win this war.” Sean started leading her back to the portal.
Kennedy followed, mouth agape. From what she witnessed here, the Fair Folk greatly outnumbered the Sylvans. If the dark Fae could come together as a unit, they would wipe out the Elves and other Sylvans. The only wild cards were the syndicate who lived in the human world and the outcasts. Depending on which group they sided with, they could put a stop to this madness.
“But…” Kennedy didn’t have an argument she thought would work. It seemed the Fair Folk put more priority on the process than the outcome.
“But nothing, the decision has been made. Please don’t try to revisit until tomorrow. The orders have gone out to seal the border and protect the homeland. The forest will kill any intruder now…” He smiled, but Kennedy spotted a sadness in his eyes. “Wish us luck. Perhaps when this is over, we can meet once again.” He pushed her backward out the portal.
She found herself midair, falling toward the ground. The hood of the Gremlin broke her short fall. Sean’s sinister laugh glided on the wind. The dark Fae played a last joke on her.
What could she do now to stop this mess?
Chapter 12:
“Puta madre, what chew do to my wheels? Dis car is a classic.” Alleye stuck her head out of the window, yelling various Spanish curses into the wind. “Not chew, sista. I know chew didn’t dent my hood on purpose.”
The landing knocked the air from her lungs. Kennedy forced herself to lie still. She needed a mental inventory to make sure none of her bones were broken. Her head throbbed from the impact. She might have a concussion, but other than that, once she caught her breath, she should be all right.
Alleye looked down at her face to face. “Chew all right?”
Kennedy nodded, reached to make sure the SIG was still in her pocket, then rolled off the car hood, dropping to her hands and knees in the snow. Her words came out in a wheeze, “The Fair Folk are going to war with the Sylvan.”
“That is not good… maybe time to visit Florida?”
“If war breaks out here, it will soon travel around the world.” She needed a break to suck in the sweet air. “We need to stop it here.”
“I’m not sure what chew think chew can do alone… ‘cept die.”
“We need help.” Kennedy reached for her back pocket, pulling her cell out. The smashed screen didn’t respond. “Damn it all. Can I use your phone?”
“Let’s get out of this snow first.” Alleye didn’t question, rather helped the young-looking witch to her feet and into the passenger side of the car. Once inside, she handed her cell over to Kennedy. The card in hand, Kennedy dialed a number.
“Hello?” the familiar male voice said on the far side.
“Decker… this is Kennedy. Glad to hear you’re still… working. We need to talk. There is some heavy shit happening.”
“Yeah, I hear ya. Is there somewhere we need to meet?”
“I can’t believe chew calling dat…” Alleye never finished her sentence, rather she cursed under her breath in Spanish.
Kennedy decided to ignore it and focused on the call. “Do you know where the outcasts gather? They might be the answer to this problem.”
“As a matter of fact, I know a place. You sure about this? What did you learn?” Decker asked.
Kennedy shook her head. “I’d rather tell you in person. Never know who is listening.”
“Getting paranoid in your old age?”
“Always.”
“Then meet me at the South Station garage. We can talk in private there.”
“Meet on the roof then. It will be easier for me.” Kennedy looked over at Alleye, who nodded in response.
“See you in thirty minutes. At the elevators… Watch your back.”
“Yeah, sure.” Kennedy pressed the end button. She stared at Alleye. “Sorry to keep asking the favors, but we need to end this war, or it will be the end of—”
“Yeah, I know the end of the world. Chew know, Decker might be dirty. Dis could be a trap.”
Kennedy handed back the cell. “It could be, but I need to try. I need to do whatever I can to stop this war before it starts.”
“Even give your life?” Alleye started the car and, with a brief rolling start, had the Gremlin airborne.
Kennedy never thought about that. Her task, her covenant, was to maintain the order at all costs. In the past three hundred years, giving her life to keep the peace never came up. She and her fellow witches were not immortal. She knew they could die. The world had become so routine, the danger of a violent death slipped into the back recesses of her mind.
“I would rather not die to end this war… Can we leave it at that?” Kennedy watched the snow blow past the window.
“Sure, just one more thing… If all the humans are calling in sick today, why is Decker up and about?” Alleye never took her eyes from the airspace ahead of the car.
“That’s a really good question.” Kennedy didn’t have an answer for it, but she would be sure to get one quickly.
The analog clock on the dash read ten after ten. If was still pitch-black outside. “Is that the right time?” Kennedy asked.
Alleye checked her cell and nodded. “Spooky, isn’t it?”
What Kennedy witnessed the night before, the fireworks over the bridge, must have something to do with the strange weather and the effects on reality that seemed to be manifesting themselves. The Fair Folk mentioned a shillelagh. As far as Kennedy knew, the more powerful magical weapons disappeared from the world along with the magic over three hundred years ago. It would make sense if Tom’s presence brought about a change in the level of magic in the world. It stood to reason it might include a renewed focus of magic into weapons.
The very thought made her heart skip a beat. A few enchanted items survived: her shoes, Alleye’s car, Kennedy had seen flying brooms and cloaks that could turn a person invisible. These magic items, commonplace as they were, held great power. A person didn’t need magic abilities to use them. They gave the gift of magic to the mundane. If magical staffs and weapons were to be reintroduced into the world of the norms… literally, all hell might break loose.
If magic returned, like the prophecy claimed it would, the war that would start in a few hours was the least of their problems. Magical items, weapons in particular, introduced into a modern society might spell doom for mankind and Fae alike.
From aloft, it was easy to see the roof of South Station Parking was deserted. Alleye circled the area while the pair looked for an obvious trap.
“Chew think they would lay in the open and wait for ya?” Alleye asked.
“I wouldn’t. Listen, you have done enough. Just drop me off, and you can head home. There is no need for you to get involved.” Kennedy couldn’t take her eyes off the barren expanse of undisturbed snow.
“Sista, chew know that ain’t happenin’.” Alleye brought the Gremlin in low over the roof and set the car down so the pair could watch the glass doors to the elevators.
“Decker said thirty minutes. It has only been fifteen.” Kennedy had a hard time taking her mind off the dash clock. Something was off, and she couldn’t put her finger on it.
Alleye turned the music off.
“I’m going to the elevator, you stay here.”
“Like hell I am… I go where chew go.” Alleye was out of the driver’s door before Kennedy reacted. The shorter witch needed to double-time to catch her
by the door.
The numbers on the elevator were counting up as they stepped into the waiting area. Kennedy had jammed her hands deep into her coat pockets, only to be reminded of the automatic pistol she still carried.
The numbers stopped at four, and the elevator pinged. In an instant, she gripped the pistol, ready to pull it if needed. The door opened, and Kennedy let out a sigh of relief when Decker stood alone in the car.
Alleye stuck her left hand out to hold the door open.
Kennedy could spot the dark circles that hung under Decker’s eyes. He looked older than the last time she’d seen him. She assumed he had not slept since the last time they met. “Fancy meeting you here… You brought company?”
“Get in the car. We can talk in private in here.” He seemed as impatient as always.
Kennedy shook her head. “Before we do, answer me one question. How are you not affected like all the other mortals?”
He shook his head. “My, you are getting paranoid.” He unfastened two buttons on his white shirt and pulled out a small leather pouch. “I got this. Protects me from curses, the evil eye, all sorts of witchy B.S. Now get in.”
Kennedy didn’t have the heart to tell him that his little bag of tricks would do no good against a powerful caster. It served as more of a placebo than anything. “Where’s your pet Goblin?”
“Now, be nice… He called in sick.” Decker pushed the first-floor button then flipped the switch, stopping the elevator. “Who is this?” He motioned to Alleye with his eyes. His hand rested on his belt. Kennedy knew he kept a revolver on that side.
“She is a friend, and we can trust her. I would not be here if not for her.”
“Not good enough… Before we continue, I need to know I can trust you both.” Decker leaned against the panel, blocking the buttons.
Kennedy growled slightly. “Fine… I can prove it to you. Sorry, hun…”
Kennedy Awakens Page 10