Last Car to Annwn Station

by Michael Merriam

  “Shit!” Jill said, looking over her shoulder at Mirallyn.

  Mae raised an eyebrow. “What?”

  Jill swallowed and frowned. “How am I going to explain this to everyone, and why the hell is Mirallyn glowing blue and silver?”

  “Oh,” Mae whispered. She looked over her shoulder to Mirallyn for an explanation.

  Mirallyn glanced down at Mae, and then leaned forward, looking more closely at Jill’s silver eye. “That is the color of my magic when it manifests. Look to Kravis, and tell me what you see.”

  Jill turned her eyes to the squat faerie creature. “Purple and red. He’s glowing purple and red.”

  “That explains everything,” Mirallyn said.

  “Well, please explain it to me,” Mae said.

  “I told you that the injury might alter her somehow.”

  Jill blew out a long breath. “Yeah, and how was I altered?”

  Mirallyn gave both Mae and Jill an amused smile. “Congratulations are in order, Jill Hall, you have picked up a quite useful skill. You can see magic.”

  Dear Wall,

  I am sick. My stomach has felt wrong all day. When they took me down for dinner, I couldn’t even work up the energy to be defiant. I think that confused Mr. Hodgins and Elise. I think it made some of the others a little worried.

  My stomach was cramping all through dinner. I threw up the pasta and bread almost immediately. “Mother” was very concerned, checking my head for a temperature, asking me questions about my stomach. She wanted to take me to something called urgent care, but “Grandfather” and Mr. Hodgins told her no. She got a little hysterical and all the plates on the table broke, then she went glassy-eyed and still, staring at me the whole time. Elise led her away.

  “Mother” kept looking over her shoulder at me, worried, her tiny little pupils staring at me, like she was seeing something she couldn’t describe. I must have worried Mr. Hodgins and “Grandfather” as well. They called the whole group of mages together.

  Ilona was there, in her black clothes and heavy makeup. She seemed amused by something after they were done chanting over me and waving their arms and doing all the ridiculous stuff they do. Mr. Hodgins seemed relieved and “Grandfather” looked—uncomfortable.

  At bedtime, Elise brought me hot tea. She had Chrysandra in tow. They’ve freshened her up again. She looks almost like a real girl, except for some missing clumps of hair, black fingernails, and a little red-mottled discoloration on her nose and cheeks. She still smells pretty awful.

  The hot liquid soothed the hurt.

  Chrysandra asked me in her raspy, dry voice what was wrong with me. I told her what was happening with the cramps, stomach upset, bloated feeling and, since dinner, the blood. Chrysandra laughed. Then she explained what was happening. She promised to bring me the things I would need, told me not to worry—it had happened to her before she died and she would help me.

  Do you know how very odd it is to talk about having your first menstruation with a corpse? It was strange and uncomfortable. Still, Chrys might smell funny, but she kept my hair out of my face while I got sick in the toilet. She’s become a good friend.

  Jill dried the last of the dishes and replaced them in the cabinet. She dropped the dishrag across the sink divider and turned to the living room. Mae and her mother were sitting together on the couch, talking quietly. Kravis was perched on the fireplace hearth, the slow rasp of his whetstone along his curved sword eerie and unnerving.

  They had spent the afternoon discussing different plans to gain entrance to the Arneson mansion, weighing various pros and cons of each idea while Mirallyn worked to heal Kravis’s injuries. The problem was, their most experienced breaking and entering artist was Kravis, and he had tried and failed to enter the mansion three times. By the time dinner rolled around, they were rehashing earlier ideas and everyone needed a break.

  Kravis had not lied about being a chef. He and Jill had found several walleye fillets in the freezer. They added rice, opened up a can of corn and made biscuits from a boxed mix, the two working together in the little kitchen to produce a hot and hearty meal.

  Jill sighed to herself. She would have to tell Mae about Robert, both his connection to the mages and the invitation to the Halloween party he had extended to Jill. Tonight, Jill decided. She would tell Mae in private.

  “I’m thinking about heading to bed,” Jill said, joining the others in the living room.

  Mirallyn nodded agreement. “I think an early night would do us all good.”

  “Then we should decide where everyone is sleeping.” Mae stood.

  Pausing to admire Mae as she stretched, Jill raised an eyebrow and smiled. “You’re with me.” She had enjoyed having Mae in her bed, even if all they had done was kissing and cuddling before falling asleep.

  Mae grinned back at her. “I didn’t want to presume.”

  “The bandages are off.” Jill raised her hands.

  “Yes. Well,” Kravis said, resting his whetstone and sword on the hearth. “I shall sleep down here then. If someone tries to gain entry in the night, I shall hold them here until you three escape.”

  “I doubt we’ll be attacked,” Jill said. “Mirallyn can take the second bedroom. It’s—”

  “I saw where it is,” Mirallyn said, rising from the couch. “In the morning Kravis and I shall venture out. We need more information, and I want to know Elliefandi’s fate.”

  “I’m still not sure that’s a good idea,” Mae said.

  Jill took Mae’s hand and steered her toward the stairs. “How about we argue more over breakfast?” Now that she had made up her mind, Jill was anxious to get Mae alone and explain about Robert. Mae smiled widely, probably thinking Jill had something in mind for bed that wasn’t talking.

  The three women climbed the stairs. Mirallyn wished them a pleasant night and turned the opposite way at the landing, disappearing into the smaller bedroom.

  Jill closed the door to the room and turned, finding Mae sitting on her knees in the middle of the bed. The smile on Mae’s face faded as she watched Jill.

  “You’ve got a look on your face,” Mae said. “A look that means something is wrong.”

  Jill sat down on the bed next to Mae. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you for the last few days. Really, ever since you took me for that streetcar ride.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes. I…I haven’t told you yet because things got weird and dangerous, but now you have to know. It’s important that you know.”

  Mae frowned. “Maybe you should just say it. Do it quick and clean, like ripping off a Band-Aid.”

  Jill took a deep breath. “You remember me talking about my brother?”

  “Robert Coleman Hall the Stinking Third?”

  “He’s one of the mages.”

  Jill watched as Mae opened her mouth as if to say something then stopped, closing it and frowning. Mae looked down at the bed, her frown deepening.

  “I just recently figured it out,” Jill said. “Some things fell into place and…well, now I know the truth.”

  Mae shifted, untucking her legs from under her body, resting them on the edge of the bed as she moved closer to Jill. Her frown never wavered. “Start at the beginning, please.”

  Jill swallowed and looked down, fidgeting with her hands. “In the last couple of years he’s occasionally asked me things. He’ll ask me if I’ve ever made something happen, something impossible, or seen things that shouldn’t exist. I always told him no, because that was the truth.” She looked up at Mae. “I saw him conjure a flame in the palm of his hand once. I told myself then that I was mistaken, that I’d had too much to drink or it was some kind of trick. But then you took me for that streetcar ride and I started thinking more about those questions he asked me.”

  “Because now you know magic is real.” Mae’s expression was grave. “Have you seen him do anything else?”

  “I think so, looking back on it. About the time he started asking me if I’d ever m
ade something unexplainable happen, he started wearing this ring. A big, gold thing with an emerald. He fiddles with it a lot. I’ve noticed when he does…” Jill paused. “When we were out for dinner last time, I saw him play with it while he talked to the waitress. I didn’t think anything of it, but the girl suddenly became much more attentive of him, to the point of ignoring her other tables. It was like no one else but Robert existed. I’ve seen that happen before.”

  “That’s disturbing,” Mae said.

  “He brags about his sexual conquests all the time. To think he might be using magic to make women sleep with him…” Jill shuddered.

  “Sick,” Mae muttered.

  “Yeah. When I was in Mirallyn and Kravis’s realm, before I went into Annwn, their Lord Murlannor said he knew the blood of one of the mages in me. He knew. He knew my brother was one of those hunting his people.” Jill swallowed, her body shaking. “And now you know.”

  “Crap,” Mae muttered. She reached over and took Jill’s hand. “I’m sorry. If you can’t help me rescue Fay because of your brother—”

  “Oh no. I’m coming with you. In fact, I’m your in to that mansion.”

  “You are?”

  “Yes. Remember when I said Robert had invited me to a party on Halloween?”

  Mae’s mouth opened in surprise. “You are not serious.”

  “I am. It’s at the Arneson mansion. I can walk right through the front door as an invited guest.”

  “Jill, honey, they know we’re living together. If you go into that house, you might never come out.”

  “Or I might be able to get you in. We know your sister is in that mansion. I want to do this. I want to do this for you. And for Fay. I want to do this for us.”

  “Even if it means going against your brother?”

  Jill grinned. “That’s just a bonus.” She gave Mae’s hand a squeeze. “I was worried how you might react, finding out my brother is one of the bad guys.”

  “You can’t control the family you’re born into.” Mae turned and gave Jill a hug. “You stormed the Underworld for me. I don’t doubt you, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  They sat holding each other for several minutes, Jill letting relief wash over her as she continued to hold Mae close.

  “We should tell the others,” Mae finally whispered. “This does change things.”

  Jill swallowed. “Yeah. Let’s go tell them.”

  Twenty minutes later everyone sat in the living room again, warm green tea at hand, taking in Jill’s story. There was a long silence.

  “This would not be the first time siblings have strove against each other,” Kravis said with a shrug. “Myth and folklore are rife with such tales.”

  “This changes our plans,” Mae said. “Jill can get us inside the Arneson home.”

  “The danger is great,” Mirallyn pointed out.

  Jill rolled her eyes. “The danger is going to be great no matter how we get inside. Hell, we’re in danger right now sitting here.”

  Mirallyn frowned. “Yes. In truth, now that the immediate threats have passed, I am beginning to fear that Kravis and I are too close to the mage’s stronghold. They might sense our magic.”

  “But not Jill and I,” Mae said. “I think we should stay here. It’s so close that they may not think to look for trouble.”

  “And it would allow you and Jill to scout out their home,” Kravis said, “but Lady Mirallyn is right about her and me.”

  Mirallyn leaned forward, thoughtful. “Yes. Though as Kravis said, you could scout. Jill’s ability to see magic is passive. It should not trigger any of their defenses, and she will be able to spot any magical protections on the grounds.”

  “I still don’t like the idea of splitting up,” Mae said. She turned to Jill. “What are the odds that your brother might show up? Would he come by here on his way to the Arneson party?”

  Jill thought about it for a minute. “I think we’re safe. I doubt he’d bring a woman out here in the winter, not when he has a condo in downtown. I can’t see any other reason for him to stop by.”

  “I’m glad he wasn’t here when we arrived,” Mae said.

  Kravis nodded. “Yes. That would have made things…interesting.”

  “Do you think the hounds have told Hodgins or the Arnesons we’re here?” Jill asked. Mirallyn shook her head. “No. I think they don’t have full control over the hounds anymore.”

  Kravis gave her a long, questioning look.

  “Mae commanded them to leave and they followed her orders,” Mirallyn said. “That means something, though I do not understand what or why.”

  Mae yawned and blinked. “Maybe understanding will come after a decent night’s sleep. We haven’t been attacked yet. I’m inclined to sit tight until we get into that mansion.”

  “Agreed,” Jill said, yawning back at Mae. “I think I’m really ready to go to bed.”

  She and Mae bid the others good night, leaving Mirallyn and Kravis in the living room. They climbed the stairs again, going back into the bedroom. Jill hesitated at the door.

  “What?” Mae asked.

  “I—my family is the enemy. Are you sure—” she was cut off by Mae placing a finger on her lips.

  “I’m sure. Now come to bed, Miss Hall.”

  Jill followed Mae to bed, settling next to her. “So…” Mae kissed her, gentle and soft kisses on her lips, chin, cheeks, over her eyes and back to her lips. “Mae…”

  Mae pulled her closer, bringing Jill’s head to her shoulder and wrapping Jill in her arms. “Hush. Let’s just sleep tonight.”

  “Mae. Thank you.”

  “For?”

  She closed her eyes as Mae ran fingers through her hair. “For not wigging out about Robert.”

  Mae chuckled. “Jill, honey, there are so many things I could be freaking out about that I’ve decided to just go with it, no matter how weird things become.”

  “That seems like good advice,” Jill murmured. She sighed and let the feel of Mae’s fingers in her hair and the rhythm of Mae’s heartbeat lull her to sleep.

  Monday, 30th of October

  Dear Wall,

  Hot tea, oatmeal and pads with little wings were the highlight of my morning. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to cry from frustration and embarrassment, or laugh at how incredibly absurd my life had become.

  Chrysandra was sweet, patiently explaining to me what’s happening to my body and what to do. We talked for a long time this morning, Chrysandra and I.

  They’re going to try to switch us, her spirit into my body, mine into hers. She overheard Ilona and Robert talking about it. They think Chrysandra is mostly unaware of her surroundings, so they talk in front of her.

  They’re really stupid sometimes.

  I told her it seemed like an awful lot of magic would be burned up trying that. She nodded. I asked her if she remembered what happened to her, what it was that killed her body. She still doesn’t know. I think she may never remember. It must have been something awful. Mr. Hodgins must want Chrysandra alive for some reason, and it can’t just be to keep “Mother” sane.

  Then it hit me. You see, if Chrysandra’s spirit and personality is in my body, they can control her and use my blood to get to my mother, and through mother, the rest of the Court.

  I looked at Chrysandra for a long time, trying to decide if I still trusted her. I finally asked her a question that had been bothering me for a couple of days.

  She doesn’t know who her father is, but I do. It only makes sense, and now that he carries my blood, I can sense him in Chrysandra as well. I know she’s been dead longer than I’ve been a captive. He must really love her, to convince his peers to burn enough power to keep Chrysandra going, not knowing how he was going to save her in the end.

  And then I stumbled into the human world, giving Hodgins the perfect opportunity to both save his daughter and finish destroying my people.

  I’m so stupid. I have to escape before he makes the transfer, though that means Ch
rys will—well—die.

  I’ve set the last trigger phrase. Thank you, words, for your help.

  Mae held her mother at arm’s length. “I want you to promise me you’ll be careful. We know Rhyania’s people are all looking for you, and the hounds are still out there prowling.”

  Mirallyn nodded. “We will be quick. In and out of faerie before anyone can detect us. I know a place we can hide.”

  “We’ll stay at the lake house until Halloween.”

  Kravis joined them then after taking the opportunity to scout out the location and make sure no one was watching the property. “It seems safe enough here, though I dislike your proximity to the mage’s stronghold.”

  Mae nodded in agreement. After listening to Jill’s explanation last night, she was more than a little worried that Robert Hall might drop in on them unannounced, but the lake house still seemed the strongest position from which to stage their raid and rescue mission. Behind Mae, the bell on the streetcar rang. She turned to her mother. “Stay safe,” Mae said. “Stay hidden from the hounds.”

  “I shall, and I have my own Champion to guard me,” she said, nodding toward Kravis, who was standing by the streetcar’s red door. Her mother paused, giving Mae a pensive look. “Daughter, promise me you will not do anything foolish. I desire Fay’s rescue as much as you, but if you find yourself overmatched, swear you will retreat.”

  “Promise.” The bell rang again. She pulled her mother close and kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll bring her home.”