by James, Ranay
“What you are asking me to do, Josh, is illegal under current law and custom. And even though I am technically not bound by the Treaty of the Sidhe Fae, the Maji have always respected it just the same. What you ask is the equivalency of slavery, basically stripping them of free will,” he said, tossing his pen down on the desk and then rubbing his forehead. So much for a diversion to rejuvenate him, he thought. This was not what he needed, yet he felt the pull out of loyalty and obligation. Some days it was not good to be the king. This was one.
“These are desperate times, Jacob. Twenty women have already died in unimaginable pain, a sacrifice to some ancient goddess.”
“Sanguine,” Jacob whispered the name of the goddess he felt most certain the sacrifice was offered. One did not speak her name loudly for several reasons, but mainly out of fear of summonsing her. It was not so much he believed in the gods and goddesses of the supernatural world, it was just good practice not to denounce them outright.
“I would think it would be justifiable for you to call your powers forth.” Josh was wondering if he would be able to protect Jamie from the same fate as the other women. They had all died horribly. All were sacrificed to a goddess whose name translated into cheerful or happy. It must be a sick joke, he thought. He just could not understand the connection there between blood sacrifices and the goddess named after of happiness.
“If I call my powers, not only would these Fae be bound to my powers, all would. Only the creatures with the highest level of cognitive ability would be left to their own free will. And even at that, if there is a weak constitution, any creature, human or otherwise, will not stand a chance. You’re an intelligent man, you can understand how it works, Josh.”
“Perhaps there is a way to channel it?” Josh was grasping for anything to persuade him.
Possibility, Jacob thought, but still illegal. Even more so, it was going against his moral code of conduct.
Josh knew Jacob held high moral standards and would never take advantage of his abilities, but Josh also acknowledged that these were neither normal times nor typical circumstances. They were on the verge of war with a people as old as the hills themselves. Based on his conversation with Jamie’s mother, the Sidhe Fae were a people in possession of powers and abilities that he could not even begin to understand. They were kept in check simply because King Kronos was still in control, demanding compliance of the treaty.
However, he did know that the rogues would not hesitate to utilize any means at their disposal to gain the upper hand. His training had taught him if you are reacting to a situation, you are losing. First, action was the only way to maintain and keep the upper hand in any confrontation.
Josh continued to push. “If this band were not rogues and hell-bent on civil war and the death of the rightful heir then I’d say you are right, but they are a rogue band and definitely hell-bent on the death of their rightful king’s heir.”
Jacob sat in silence, digesting the situation in which he now found himself ensnared, and pondered the seemingly lose-lose situation.
“Still I can't do it, Josh.” Jacob shook his head in disbelief.
The disbelief was not that Josh would ask him to help. That part made perfect sense to him, and it was flattering to know Josh would trust him as an ally in such a monumental task. No, the request was not what was giving him pause. It was the fact that he was actually considering the situation dire enough for his intervention on a greater level.
Josh sensed his hesitation. “Correct me if I’m wrong, Jake, but laws, whether magical, physical, or legal of the Underworld do not hold water here on this side of the portal. That much I do know. The treaty is the law here. And once you get them back where they belong, then the king can deal with them. Can we look at this as a policing action or basic immigration violation to send them back?”
As a general rule, humans and Maji did not interfere in the political affairs of the other creatures. Jacob pondered how most modern men and women were blissfully ignorant of the fact there was even another dimension to this earth. The only reason the Maji were now mainstreamed and accepted was solely based on two facts.
First, Dr. Sara Reed, a brilliant doctor and scientist who also was half Maji, had developed strong antibodies against some pretty nasty biological components used in biological warfare. Those synthetic antibodies were patterned after the Maji’s genetic resistance. It won her the Nobel Peace Prize.
Second was her genetic research and findings of the close family relationship to mankind. They were both Homo sapiens. The World Court had ruled favorably, giving them the equal standing with mankind. Both were considered top of the food chain. It was a decisive victory and one that had opened the eyes of the world. Given the genetic similarities, the human body tolerated the antibodies patterned after the Maji, and disease was declining at a record rate. Again, the same family tree just a different branch.
Until recently most humans did not want to know and preferred it that way, pushing aside the beliefs and understandings of generations long past, who understood and embraced the oddities of this earth. It was a simpler time. Jake sighed inwardly bringing himself back to the conversation at hand.
“So, Josh, answer this: How exactly do you fit into this potential civil war between the rogue Fae and their king? Why should you care about the political goings on of the Fae?” Jacob was very careful to sidestep Josh’s questions about their legal involvement.
“That heir also happens to be the woman I’m in love with, and according to her mother, I’m some sort of descendent of the ancient guardians and protector of this treaty. Don’t ask me what that is supposed to mean. All I really know is I cannot stand by and watch her be ripped apart by two opposing forces and just do nothing about it.”
Ahh, Jacob thought. He supposed wars had been waged for far less than love, only there was one small problem to Josh’s plan.
“And what is that?” Josh asked getting more frustrated by the minute.
“Technically, Josh, the Fae and the other magical creatures belong here just as much as we do. The Fairy people dwelled here hundreds of thousands of years before either modern man or Maji races walked the earth. For all we know we are the descendents of the Fae.”
“That’s total bullshit, Jake,” Josh scoffed. There was no way modern man was descendent of the Fae. He was not being biased or racist. He just understood from the conversations with Queen Brianna that the thinking and actions of the Sidhe were far removed from the behavior of the human race. There was no amount of evolution that would facilitate a change in a species to such a magnitude or that drastically.
The Fae were otherworldly.
If Brianna were correct, and he had no reason to believe she was wrong, the Fae are a banished sect from another world entirely. Much as the late British Empire used Australia as a penal colony, the Fae were banished and exiled here on Earth as the undesirable elements of an unknown planet called Glantuss Prime. She had no idea how long ago their people had first arrived.
“Well, maybe it is bullshit, but without that treaty, this is their realm, Josh, as much as ours, more so, if you got down to it.” Jacob was convinced that only time would tell if coexistence was possible. Humans were very possessive and alpha in their thinking. So were the Maji. It only stood to reason as they were very closely aligned genetically speaking. The only issue Jacob could see was the Maji were in danger of extinction. They were highly endangered and could end up disappearing off the face of the earth and joining the Neanderthal in the anthropological history books as a species that once was. As a people, they could not afford to be anything other than submissive and hope for the best over time.
“Possession is nine-tenths of the law,” Josh growled, making Jacob's point, “and from where I stand we hold the high ground in this turf war. The treaty does exist even if no one on this side, until recently, remembers its existence.”
Jacob was very familiar with the terms of this treaty the Fae signed with the humans thousands of years a
go. This Earth-changing treaty was brokered by the Wizards' Council of Nine between the Ancient Greeks and the Fae. The terms were granted by the three Wizards of Atlantis and defended by their faithful Brotherhood, who were thought to be a vanished sect of warrior scholars. They were brilliant and secretive, possessing gifts of their own which one might call unusual at the very least. Brilliant and secretive they were, but extinct, they were not. However, he was not going to share that with Josh just yet. He would share when the time was right. For this piece of the puzzle to be delivered, he needed to be face-to-face.
In Josh’s mind the law was the law. This issue was black and white. He did not give a damn about the treaty unless it suited his purpose. Right now the terms were to his favor in protecting Jamie and eliciting aid for her safety. He did not care from which direction that help was garnered.
“Tell me, what does the treaty say about any act of violence or aggressive behavior toward Sidhe-human mixed children like Jamie?” He did not wait for Jacob’s comeback. “I’m betting it states that a deliberate act of aggression will be met with like force. I won’t start it, Jacob, but I swear by my God, if this VanDarious, or whatever he calls himself, so much as comes close to my woman except to kiss the ground on which she walks, I’ll see that I finish it.”
Jacob heard the slamming of Josh’s fist into what could only be a metal door from the resounding metallic ping he heard coming through the phone.
That was going to cost him, Jacob mused.
“Now you are running on emotions, Josh. Back it down before you do something to further complicate and erode our diplomatic position. I did not say I would not help. I just won’t call my powers to do it.” Jacob stood bringing his full authority to bear. He heard, as well as sensed, Josh backing down. Good, he thought. “Josh, my friend, come to the Majinique Islands. Be my honored guest and bring Jamie with you. We can help to protect her. She will be a royal guest as the daughter of the Fae king. Humor me, my friend. It will look good on the résumé,” he said jokingly.
Josh softly laughed at the joke. Yet, he also understood if the Fae king knew the Maji willfully aided in his daughter’s protection, it might help with diplomacy if things came down to taking sides. It could not hurt, he supposed. Jacob was not the Maji king for being dense, Josh acknowledged, but he also understood the invitation was heartfelt. The added benefit of diplomacy was just that, a bonus.
Josh acknowledged they needed to sit and talk.
Jacob expressed his need for time to think this over and speak to his advisors on the Council of Elders. There were other allies to consider, and rash action could truly exacerbate the situation to all out war on both sides of the portal, something none of them needed.
Josh looked out the window again just in time to see Trey lean down to kiss Jamie.
“Damn it,” he mumbled. He thought he could handle this part of it. He was having serious doubts now that Trey was actually here and with her while he was up in her room contemplating how to maneuver back into her good graces. Maybe getting her away from Trey would be the smartest thing for both of them.
“All right, but be prepared, Jacob. Jamie is not speaking to me at the moment. And I’m not sure what she is going to say once she figures out I’m in Miami calling from her hotel room.”
“Then it should be a quiet flight.”
“I wouldn’t place bets, Jake. She has a way of yelling at me without saying a single word,” he sighed heavily, something he was doing a lot of lately between Jamie and Jesse.
Jacob’s laugh was ironic, full of understanding. Having a household full of females had taught him much about the fairer sex. Sara, his youngest daughter, by the age of two, had totally mastered the art of the cold shoulder accompanied by the most pathetic little pout. She had seven other masterful role models to emulate.
“Come as soon as you can make the arrangements. I’ll add reinforcements, but I really think she will be safe here.”
The Fae had absolutely no dominion on the rightful lands of the Maji. He had seen to it the islands were east of the Prime Meridian, forbidden territory by the treaty. To enter their boundaries would be considered an open act of aggression, placing the Maji on the side of righteousness. Would VanDarious and his group consider this? Probably not, but it might slow him down.
During his conversation with Josh, his assistant placed a box marked urgent on the corner of his desk, then quietly closed his office doors.
Slicing the box open, Jacob was faced with the doll of his youngest daughter, pulled into pieces and covered in red paint to signify blood. It was a very clear message to Jacob’s mind.
“Stay out of this fight.”
It did not get the desired response.
Chapter 33
“Do I even stand a chance?” Trey asked as they walked in comfortable silence down the beach with the bodyguard discreetly tagging behind.
She stopped for a moment and listened to the surf before answering. “Trey, you are a great friend and I do care for you,” she said never looking up only watching the water squish up out of the sand between her toes.
“I hear a but in there somewhere,” he interrupted bringing her eye to meet his, brushing aside the blond strands blowing across her face in the morning breeze.
She hesitated, looked away and then back again. He was her friend and she loved him dearly. She really wanted to give him the answer he wanted to hear. Yet, it was not fair to give him false hope. He would be a great companion for her. He was gentle, mature, understanding. He could take care of her in all aspects save the one that mattered the most.
She shook her head. “I’m sorry, but no. Not like that.”
She watched the emotion play across his face. “Then why are you here with me? Why call me? You could have gone anywhere in the world.”
She could hear the frustration in his voice, and she did not blame him for his anger.
“Maybe, I needed a friend, Trey. Someone to be with who just let me be me.”
He watched her face for a moment seeing that was what she really did need from him. He was here to serve her, and if that was all he could have then he would take what he could get.
“Fair enough.” Trey turned again to continue their walk. “So,” he asked after a moment, “what is exactly going on between the two of you?”
She let the question hang, giving thought to his query before answering. “He doesn’t want me in his life, and I’m not going to stay where I’m not wanted. Not much more to tell,” she shrugged.
“Ahh. So, I suppose the bodyguard the sheriff still sees fit to supply is all because he wants to keep tabs on your vacationing habits?”
That comment made her laugh softly. Trey was such good company.
“His mind is not that inquiring, Trey. He’s under contract is more like it.”
It was easier for her to accept it was professional rather than he really still cared. If she let herself be hopeful and it turned out to be purely professional, as she really suspected, then the remaining pieces of her heart hanging on by the tattered shreds of her dignity would turn completely loose.
Trey had stopped again. Her back was to the hotel which was still within sight, but now off in the distance.
“Jamie, you are young and beautiful, brilliant yet naive. I am going to do something and I want you to just play along. Consider this an audition for a Broadway play. Go with the part, play it to the fullest,” he gestured flamboyantly.
“All right,” she agreed puzzled, but compliant to his request. She trusted him.
Trey stepped in, pulling her arms around his neck, and held her closely. She knew he was going to kiss her. She did not resist. He kissed her softly at first. Then deepening his kiss, Jamie felt his love for her and she let out a small cry of grief. What was wrong with her? Why could she not love him? She tried to will herself to love him and poured herself into that kiss. If only she tried hard enough, she thought, perhaps she could feel the same about him as he felt for her.
Breaking away, Trey’s face hardened. “The man is a fool.” She saw him looking over her shoulder. “I would love you and accept you, Jamie, no matter that I know you do not love me as deeply. You could be happy with me. That I can promise, but you must choose and do so quickly,” he demanded placing his forehead to hers then placing a small kiss there.
“Trey, there is no choice to be made here. I care deeply for you, but I won’t live a lie. And Josh has made his feelings very clear.” She placed her head on his chest. He was a comfort to her torn and bleeding emotions.
“Turn around, Jamie.” He took her gently by the shoulders and half turned her body. “Now, tell me, what do you see?”
“Josh?” she cried his name softly. Then quickly she looked back at Trey for direction. “Get me out of here. Now!”
“No. You must face this, Jamie. You are being a coward.” He forced her to stand her ground. Trey understood Josh was not angry with her. Josh was angry with himself and probably with him about now as well. She was seeing something completely different.
“He detests me. Just look at his expression, Trey. And I refuse to be his punching bag.”
Trey snorted at such an absurd notion.
“Oh, my sweet, sweet Jamie. No way is that the face of a man who is looking for a fight, at least not with you. That is a man who still cares. And were I to bet, you could ask the world of him and he would lay down his life to deliver.”
She looked at Trey and then back over her shoulder at Josh, then back to Trey.
“It is your choice. I will support you whatever your decision. You can stand and fight, or run and wonder the remainder of your life.” He still held her shoulders.
“I do not deserve you,” she whispered, throwing her arms around his neck while her tears streamed silently down her cheeks.
“No, neither one of us deserves you, my princess. You deserve so, so, much more than a mere mortal past his prime or the warrior about to find his.” He kissed her again softly not caring at that particular moment if Josh drove his teeth straight down his throat.