Mae looked to her mother for an explanation.
“When a Champion receives a wound such as Jill’s while in magical lands, especially in service to their charge or their love, they are usually changed somehow.”
Jill leaned into Mae. “Apparently, I’m a Champion.”
Mae gave Jill a frown. She turned back toward her mother. “Changed how?”
“There is no way to know until I remove the covering.”
Jill picked up her cup, took a sip, set the cup down. “Mirallyn and I both think it’s a good idea to wait until everyone gets back.”
Mae nodded in agreement. “Where are Ellie and Kravis?
“Ellie went to check with our cousins about sanctuary. Kravis has gone to retrieve some things of importance.”
Mae considered this. She decided it was a good time for a private conversation between herself and her mother. “Why did you have to leave us?” There was no accusation in Mae’s voice. She had spoken with her father. She knew there was a reason.
Jill cleared her throat nervously. “If you two need—”
“No,” Mae said resting a gentle hand on Jill’s knee under the table. “I want you to stay. I need you to stay.”
“In that case, I’ll pour more tea,” Jill said, standing.
Mae turned back to her mother. “I know you had a reason.”
“I had to hide your sister.”
Mae frowned at this revelation. “My what?”
Her mother reached across the table and placed one of her small hands on one of Mae’s. “Sister. You are twins, born on the same night, but you and Fay are in no way identical.”
“I have a sister?” Mae was dazed at this news. “What’s she like, my sister?”
“You would not know she is your twin. She is but a third of your age.”
Mae’s eyebrows rose. “She’s twelve?”
“Yes. Time flows oddly for the Tylwyth Teg of Llysllyn, and her strong fae blood adds to the effect.”
Mae nodded, her face set in a neutral mask. She glanced at Jill, who poured tea in all three cups and placed the canister of sugar and a spoon in the middle of the table. Jill sat back down, touching her knee to Mae’s under the table in silent support.
“What else?” Mae asked, a slight edge on her voice.
Mirallyn’s face reflected pride and concern. “Fay is her name, and fae she is indeed. She is as bright as sunlight on snow, beautiful as spring in the Shining Realms, quick as a hummingbird on the wing, as powerful as the druids of old and curious to the point of recklessness.”
“She sounds special.”
“She was born to be a Champion, to lead her people to a new dawning.”
“But not me?” Mae asked softly.
She watched her mother’s pained reaction.
“No,” Mae’s mother said. “Not you. So, you did not need hiding.”
“You know what, I think that’s okay,” Mae said. “After the last few days, I’m glad I’m just plain old Mae Malveaux.”
Mae watched her mother lean back in her chair and frown in thought. “And yet, you and your companion have done more in the last few days to bring the conflict between the circle of mortal mages and the Tylwyth Teg into the open than any before you.”
For several moments the three women sat together, each lost in their own thoughts.
“You needed to hide her from the Cn Annwn?” Mae asked to fill the sudden silence.
Mirallyn looked up at Mae. “To a point. I might have been able to hide Fay from the white hounds, at least for a time. The more pressing matter was the circle of mortal mages. They would have sensed the flame of Fay’s magic and come for her, eager to make it their own. That, I could not protect her from.”
“And you took her—?”
“I took her to my home. To the Llysllyn Court of the Tylwyth Teg.”
Jill cleared her throat. “Kravis said she was lost. I’m guessing these mages have her?”
Mirallyn nodded.
Mae gasped. “How did they capture her?”
“Her curiosity. She wanted to walk in the human world, to see the place she was born. She slipped away while I and her watchers were distracted. I suspect the hounds or mages surprised her, snapping her up almost as soon as she set foot in your world.”
“And you left her?” Mae ground out.
“What would you have me do, daughter? I cannot go to her myself. That is what her captors desire, and though my powers are formidable for my kind, I would fall against the combined might of their entire circle.”
Mae stood up, knocking her chair backward as she leaned on the table.
“Surely someone could help you,” she snarled.
“I sent Kravis, but he was unable to penetrate the mages’ stronghold. Their magic is simply too strong.”
Mae felt Jill place a hand on her arm, stopping her angry reply.
“You don’t have any other allies in your Court, do you?” Jill asked.
“I do not. The late Lord Murlannor barely tolerated Fay. My people hold half-bloods in general disdain. They would have driven us both out, except I am the only one with the strength to hold the door to Annwn and your world closed. That is the only reason they did not kill me after you slipped into Annwn. Those are my charms and guards on the door. As long as I live, the door will stay locked.”
Jill frowned. “I was able to get into your lands.”
“Because you were brought in by someone the portal recognized. Lady Elliefandi ferch Myfleria, as a member of the Lord’s family, could bring in visitors if she chose.”
“Wait. Late Lord Murlannor?” Jill asked softly, going pale.
Mirallyn nodded.
Mae looked at her companion. “Jill?”
Jill had gone white, her mouth opened slightly, forming a silent oh and trembling. After a moment, Jill narrowed her eyes and closed her mouth. Her face took on a hard look. “He was between me and Mae.”
Mirallyn nodded. “And he would have blinded you and left you to die. Your actions were both necessary and justifiable.”
Mae reached out to Jill, touching her face. “Jill, I don’t know what to say.”
Jill turned toward her. “I’d do it again.” Jill looked to Mirallyn. “How did you escape?”
Mirallyn frowned. “Kravis lifted me to his shoulders and fought his way out of the Hall. I’m afraid he slew a few too many guards while escaping Llysllyn. Even Lady Rhyania of the Falls will not offer him shelter now. Lady Elliefandi slipped out in the confusion. Technically, she is the ruler of Llysllyn with the death of Murlannor, though I suspect the nobles would arrest and banish her for her part in our little adventure.” Mirallyn swallowed and continued her tale. “We stopped at my abode long enough to secure a few supplies and necessities before we fled into the human realm. We found one of Lowry’s trains waiting and climbed aboard, hoping to reach some kind of sanctuary. We discovered you both and now we are here.” Mirallyn frowned again. “What I would like to know is how you escaped Annwn? Unless a gatekeeper or the Lord of Annwn opened a portal, you should have been trapped and yet we found you on a streetcar.”
Before Mae could respond, they heard the front door open and the sounds of heavy breathing. Mae, her mother and Jill walked into the living room. Kravis stood there, looking as if he’d lost a fight with a locomotive and carrying two of Mae’s bags.
“There’s been a complication,” Kravis gasped out.
“What kind of complication?”
Kravis sighed. “Why don’t we all settle so I only have to tell the tale once?”
“I shall prepare another pot of tea,” Mirallyn said.
By the time they were all seated on various couches and chairs, Mae’s anxiety had risen to the point of nervous shakes. She smiled gratefully as Jill reached out and took her hand.
“Is this one of those ‘good news and bad news’ situations?” Mae asked.
“Mostly just bad news. The nobles of the Llysllyn Court have declared Mirallyn, Ellie and me trai
tors and enemies. They have impressed upon the Lady Rhyania of the Falls that we are a danger to all our kin and have secured their aid in hunting us.”
Mae felt a cold chill. “Shit. Is that what happened to you?”
Kravis nodded gratefully at Mirallyn as she set a steaming cup of tea in front of him. “Yes. I was ambushed by a squad of warriors of Rhyania’s Court as I went to the meeting place Ellie and I had agreed upon. I beat the information out of one of the survivors.”
“And Lady Elliefandi? She went to speak to Lady Rhyania, what is her fate?” Mirallyn asked in a whisper.
“I don’t know,” Kravis said, reaching out carefully for his tea. “They might have taken her to the Court for justice. They might have killed her on the spot.” He took a long drink of his hot tea and swallowed. “We should stay hidden.”
Jill frowned. “Mae might be on a forced vacation, but I have to be at work tomorrow morning.”
“And how shall you explain your injuries?” Mirallyn asked.
Mae shook her head. “We need more information.” She turned to Jill. “I think hiding here is a great idea, but won’t someone notice a group of people suddenly showed up at your family’s second home? I’d think the neighbors will come to check it out, or call your family.”
Jill shook her head. “No. It’s private enough that no one will notice for a few days.”
“Jill shouldn’t go out in public anyway,” Kravis added. “You’re not the most popular mortal on the various planes of existence right now, especially with the fae.”
Mirallyn agreed. “You slew the Lord of the Llysllyn Court, Jill Hall. My people will be keen to extract revenge for such an act, and they will call upon Lady Rhyania of the Falls to help them. I suspect your death has been ordered by the nobles of the Tylwyth Teg. The Lady of the Falls will honor that order of execution, and members of her Court will seek you out. She might even leverage an agreement with the nobles. If she can bring them your head, they will bend to her will.” Lady Mirallyn smiled without humor. “It would be in their best interest for the nobles of Llysllyn to find an honorable way to merge our peoples. With no lord to lead them, the barrier between our lands and mortal shall begin to fade.”
“Murlannor has no other heir?” Mae asked.
“Lady Elliefandi is the last member of the royal line not bound to Annwn,” Mirallyn explained. “I fear my friend may be dead now,” she said in a small, sad voice.
Mae set her cup of tea back on the coffee table and stood from the couch. “I can’t sit around, not while they have my sister. Not after they attacked Jill and me.” Mae glared at the others. “I won’t let them get away with kidnapping and murder.”
Mae knew her outburst had caught them all by surprise. She glanced around the room. Her mother’s face also held a stubborn set. Kravis frowned. Jill simply looked up at her, waiting to hear what Mae had to say.
Kravis and Mirallyn started talking at once.
“Mae, maybe you—”
“Daughter, I think—”
“Quiet!” Jill snapped. “Let her finish what she’s saying.”
Mae smiled down at Jill. “Thank you.”
Mae sat on the couch and picked up her messenger bag, which had lain forgotten after the events of early morning. She snapped it open. Giving the wreckage of her makeup case and a small bottle of lotion a rueful grimace, she withdrew the manila folder containing Chrysandra Arneson’s illegally copied file. She opened it and placed it on the table.
“This file is a person, a little girl. This little girl’s family is in on this, and now she is dead. This little girl is dead, and her body has been reanimated by Hodgins and these mages. I can’t help but think she might not be the only child this has happened to. Now you tell me they have my sister, and it doesn’t seem to me that any of you are in any position or hurry to do anything about it.”
Mirallyn’s voice was cool and controlled. “What makes you think you are in a position to do anything?”
“I never said I thought I was, but someone has to try. Who else is going to help Fay? The police? The courts?”
“You do not understand,” Mirallyn snapped. “We have tried. I sent my best weapon to retrieve her, and he was unable to secure Fay’s safety. If I were to attempt to rescue her, they would overwhelm me and destroy Llysllyn through me. They are too powerful.”
“You’re all thinking about this the wrong way,” Mae said. “You are all thinking about making some kind of direct assault on their home.”
“And what are you thinking, Mae?” Kravis asked, giving her a shrewd look.
“I’m thinking we break their connection to Annwn.”
Mirallyn frowned. “Their connection is through Gwynn ap Nudd. You would have to sever the connection.”
“I know,” Mae said. “I don’t suppose any of you know how they hold power over him?”
Mirallyn closed her eyes in thought. “They must have access to Annwn. A door of their own. If one could find the door and seal it, that might break the connection.”
“And if it doesn’t?” Kravis asked.
Mae looked to Jill as the black-haired woman cleared her throat.
“Then Gwynn ap Nudd must die,” Jill said.
Mae’s mother opened her eyes and looked at Jill. “I asked you once, Jill Hall, if you were a Champion, to walk into Annwn and rescue Mae, and you proved your worth in that cause. But what you propose—to slay the greatest Champion of the Tylwyth Teg—that is utter folly.”
Jill narrowed her eyes and leaned toward Mirallyn. “The greatest Champion of the Tylwyth Teg is sitting frozen on his throne. I’m pretty sure I could walk up to him and whack him with a heavy stick. I happen to have a heavy stick.”
“Let’s see if we can find a way to close that door before we go whacking demigods,” Mae said.
“I told you,” Mirallyn said. “I cannot enter their sphere of influence. If I cannot stand before the door, I cannot close it.”
“But the door will respond to your blood?” Mae asked. “Or even someone who carries your blood?”
“Yes. But you have no magic.”
“No, I don’t. I’m about as magical as a dead gopher.”
Mae let the statement hang in the air. After several moments Jill started to laugh, drawing a frown from Mirallyn. Kravis nodded his head, the barest smile on his broad face.
Mae grinned at Jill. “Figured it out?”
“Yeah. All we have to do is break into a mansion full of mages bent on killing both of us, rescue your sister, find the door to Annwn, then hold off the combined might of the hounds and mages while a preteen works a complicated bit of magic to cut off their power. Then we have to escape the mansion and avoid said angry mages.”
Mae shook her head, trying to contain the manic laughter threatening to bubble up from her chest. “When you lay it out like that, it does sound kind of stupid, doesn’t it?”
“It sounds like all kinds of stupid. When do we start?”
“I was thinking we’d continue hiding out here. It puts us closer to them, and gives us a chance to check out the Arneson home, see what shakes down.”
“You’re both mad,” Mirallyn said.
Mae grinned at her mother. “Think about it. You keep saying how they’ll have these magical protections to detect and stop you or someone like you, but Jill and I, we’re as mundane as mud.”
“How do you plan on entering the mansion? They will have normal, mortal means of defense as well,” Mirallyn said.
“Alarms and guards for sure,” Kravis said, “and the Cn Annwn can detect both of you. Neither of you are invisible to the Fair Realms anymore.”
Mae held up a hand to stop their protests. “I’m going to do this. It’s really just a matter of are you with me or not?”
Mae turned to Kravis with a questioning look. The nasty smile on the creature’s face was answer enough. He would follow Mae to the end.
“I am afraid for you. I am afraid that I shall lose both of my daughters.” Mira
llyn sighed. “Yet I hoped you and your Champion would be willing to see this through.”
Jill nudged Mae with her shoulder. “I’m a Champion,” she whispered again, giggling.
Mae raised an eyebrow at her. “You do realize what typically happens to Champions in these kinds of tales?”
“They get the girl and live happily ever something?”
Mae took both of Jill’s hands in hers. “That’s what happens in cartoons for children. In the old tales, the Champions would complete their mission, making the world safer, or saving the day, or some other great deed, but they usually died in the process.”
“Well, then, we’ll have to make sure neither of us dies,” Jill said, turning serious. She gave Mae a thoughtful look. “Again, in your case.”
Mae nodded. “Yes, I’m in no hurry to die again.” She released Jill’s hands and sat back with a sigh. Mae looked around at the others and decided to change the subject. “Now, what about Jill’s eye?”
“Yes, what about Jill’s eye, because this patch is getting itchy,” Jill added.
“I think we should go carefully,” Lady Mirallyn said. “Perhaps even allow it to remain covered for another night. There is no way of knowing what changes her violent contact with the ice of Annwn might have caused.”
“Or I could just take the damned thing off,” Jill said, ripping the white padding off her face.
Mae bit her lower lip. The area around the eye was an angry red and the lid was bruised and still slightly swollen. Jill looked down at the floor and opened her eye carefully.
“No heat rays or death beams,” Jill said in a shaky voice.
“Let’s have a look then.” Mae touched Jill’s chin and directed Jill to look at her. Jill blinked a few times, trying to let her eye grow accustomed to the light. “Well, that’s not so bad,” Mae said, examining it carefully.
“Either tell me what you see or get me a mirror.”
“It’s—well, it’s—”
“Yes?” Jill asked. “It’s what? Deformed? Enlarged? Growing hair?”
Mae gave her a sympathetic smile. “It’s—”
“The iris, it is silver!” Mirallyn said, peering over Mae’s shoulder.
Mae tried not to laugh at Jill’s surprised expression.
Last Car to Annwn Station Page 17