by Martha Carr
Turner followed Correk’s look of concern he was giving to Leira. “She’s not anywhere close to being lost. Let me finish the tale. There are some things the books may have left out and were only told from one generation to the next. Never written down. Since the gates first opened however many millennia ago that was, humans have also existed, along with the Crystal and Kilomea and assorted Elves. We’ve all been here for a very long time. It seems we’re much better at wiping things off of planets than coming up with anything new. But I digress.”
Turner took off his bowler and scratched his head, his cufflink twinkling in the dimmed light. He put the hat back on and leaned on his cane, thinking about his next words. “All of those same beings have always had a hard time keeping it in their pants. This one slept with that one. There was a little horizontal boogie over there. A little knockin of boots over here. Before you know it, there’s a few Jasper Elves who are also a little human. Very important part of the story.” Turner pointed his finger in the air.
“Right around this time, the darkness was pushed back. Not the first time, but never in such a large way. The light was actually winning! First time in recorded history that the balance was so disturbed and for such an extended period of time. Not always a good thing. You’d think it would have to be, right? The Jasper Elves were free to try their hand at magic and could take their eye off the problem.”
“I know this part.” Correk could feel a slight headache from trying to hold back Leira. The backwash of energy she was putting out had run partially through him. Correk looked over at Jim to see if he was alright and saw his hands trembling.
“He’ll be alright. Helluva ride,” said Turner. “Might give him a nose bleed later, of course. Anyway, where was I? Right, the Jasper Elves! Fight between good and evil! Fucking epic stuff.” He shook his head. “The Jasper Elves did their version of flying too close to the sun and one by one they fused with the light. Poof! Gone!” He made a gesture like something blowing up with his hands.
“Why are you not more concerned about any of this? Are you always this calm in the face of…”?
“Death?” Turner considered the question, pursing his lips. “At a thousand years old I’d have to say yes.” He raised his shoulders, holding out his hands. “But in this case, there’s not as much to even worry about. Leira has something else going for her. That other part of the story and all that fucking around. Turns out human beings may not be magical but some of them are still a little something extra. An extra chromosome in the DNA of very rare human beings that normally does nothing.” He waved his hands and shrugged.
“No one would ever know they had it. Even if scientists found it they would think of it as a harmless anomaly. But when mixed in the soup of life with some magic DNA it springs to life and acts like a grounding for a magical being. Comes out in different ways. Can serve to temper some of these headstrong teenagers who want to use their magic for no good.” Turner grimaced. “Shows you there must not be much of that DNA around. So many kids playing with dark magic and now some of them are disappearing! In a Jasper Elf that twinkle of DNA managed to serve as a brake of sorts, speaking to the Elf and coaxing them back to their bodies.”
“It’s too late to give Leira a different DNA makeup.”
“You don’t need to. She already has it. It’s why she can pull off the things she does here on Earth before the gates open. But her will is strong. She’s managed to override the cautionary voice. Now, Jim over there. When you grabbed onto him, his basic humanity did what always happens with humans. It sought out that human part of Leira and bonded to it momentarily. That was the extra kick in the ass she needed to snap out of it. Now all she needs are lessons and a little tempering. Her best quality of running into danger is also her worst, if staying alive is crucial.” Turner let out a chuckle.
Correk wasn’t laughing. His face was still tight from the pain of the headache and from watching Leira slip away so quickly and powerfully. “She was even showing us where she was going.”
“Fuck, yes. That was amazing.” Turner slapped his leg with enthusiasm, smiling. “That was the human side of her wanting to share the experience.”
“Leira needs to learn how to listen to the human element within her.”
“The sooner the better. The way that girl finds trouble, it won’t be long before the magic takes over again and from what I saw, it’s starting to take the lead a little too much. Everything has its limits.” Turner patted Correk on the back. “Come by tomorrow. We’ll talk some more and I’ll teach you how to be in the right place at the right time. Till then, there’s a party going on over there. Enjoy it and raise a glass to old Larry. He fought well to fight back the darkness.”
Correk looked at Turner. “That’s why Leira didn’t go off the deep end at the battle. She had darkness to push against.”
“Now you’re catching on. Leira, come dance with me.” Turner held out his hand to Leira and helped her up as the troll jumped on to her arm and ran up to her shoulder. Correk plucked him off her shoulder and settled Yumfuck in his pocket.
Turner spun her around the room, creating a waltz that only they could hear as he steadied her magic, grounding her further.
“I feel fine. It was momentary dizziness.” Leira let Turner spin her under his arm.
“You are fine. There’s not a thing wrong with you. You’re learning something about cooperation. You have some big adventures ahead of you, I dare say, young lady. Because wherever there is this much light, darkness eventually comes calling.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Harvey Lansing got off the bus and made his way to work. It was the closest stop but still left him with a half a mile to trek before he could finally sit down for the day. The commute to and from was the hardest part of his day, especially by bus but his salary didn’t leave him enough for a car payment.
He kept to himself, ambling along down the pavement, used to the stares he would get from small children and the occasional adult. The old man was stooped over so low he raised his chin just to see where he was walking. His gait was slow and labored as he made his way down King Street in Alexandria, Virginia on his way to his job as an accountant in a small firm downtown. His clothes hung off him at odd angles and the features on his face didn’t seem to be in exactly the right spots.
Still, he was content with his life and even happy at times. There is goodness in everyone, he thought. Time after time he was proven right. It took time for him to get to know his coworkers but he kept saying a kind word to whoever he passed and brought muffins on Monday, remembered birthdays with a card. He even left handwritten notes on the desk of anyone he saw going above and beyond their job or just being kind back to him. His gestures eventually won everyone over. They finally were able to see him.
I will bloom where I’m planted. It was his favorite mantra and he said it over and over again, hundreds of times a day. Life is good.
He came to the top of King Street and looked down at the Potomac River in the distance, gleaming in the light. This was his favorite part of his walk. All downhill with a view of the area. He could even see the top of his office building from there.
He loved the way the sunlight shone off the surface and on some days he even caught a glimpse of rowers and their slim, fast boats darting across the water. Everyone working in harmony together. He squinted, trying to see if there was anything in the distance today.
Something tangled with his large, orthopedic shoe, tripping him as he tried to hold on to his lunchbox. Harvey tumbled, putting out his arms, throwing his weight to the side so he could land in the softer grass. He rolled to his side in time to see the teenage boys, their lips curled in disgust as they pummeled him with their fists, throwing his lunchbox toward the street.
He was more surprised than scared. He didn’t even know any of their faces.
“Freak! Even the circus didn’t want you!”
“Lawn gnome!”
Harvey looked up surprised to see if someone
had actually recognized him. “Not a lawn gnome,” he managed to get out. “A royal Gnome.” But no one heard him. They weren’t listening.
He saw the swish of a black cassock in the background as he covered his head with his arms.
“What are you doing? Stop that!” The rector from nearby St. Paul’s Church came running, swinging a bat like he intended to use it. The boys scattered running in different directions but it didn’t matter. The minister was more concerned with Harvey curled up on the ground. “Are you alright? Can you stand?” He knelt beside him and heard Harvey still muttering something. He leaned closer putting his ear closer and pulled back, surprised. “Let me help you.” The minister knelt closer and held Harvey’s face gently, letting his eyes glow for just a moment.
Harvey’s eyes filled with tears. The good still found me.
The minister helped Harvey into his old Ford Fairlane and drove him to the Seminary. He called ahead to let the dean know he was coming and bringing a very special guest.
“I’m sorry this happened to you,” he said, glancing over at Harvey, leaning against his seat belt. One of his eyes was swollen almost shut and his hands were scraped.
“They were afraid of me. I could see it in their eyes. I’m not wrong, just different.” He tried to smile to reassure the minister but the bruise on his cheek was making it difficult.
“Astute observation. I recognized a couple of them. I’ll make sure they’re punished.” The minister could feel the anger bubbling up inside of him.
Harvey reached out and touched the minister’s arm. “No, please don’t. What will that add to anything? Can you find them and let me meet them? If all we do is meet anger with anger, no one wins. I may as well go first.”
The minister pulled onto Seminary Road, driving into the main entrance of the Episcopal Seminary, past the Slow, Children at Play sign. He turned to the right, driving down Deanery Drive behind Aspinwall Hall to the dean’s home just beyond the old cemetery. The dean was waiting for him when he pulled into the driveway.
They helped Harvey into the kitchen and sat him in one of the old wooden chairs with a bright yellow oil cloth seat faded from the number of bottoms that had slid across it. Harvey sat with his head resting on his hands at the table.
“Are you a Gnome?” asked the dean, softly. He looked up at the minister. They were risking nothing with their question, except looking cruel if they were wrong.
Harvey lifted his chin so he could see them better. The dean smiled at him to put him at ease. It had been years since Harvey had admitted the truth. “I am. I’m a royal Gnome from the Light Elves’ castle.” It was a relief to say the words aloud and have someone hear them.
The dean started and blinked his eyes, stepping back slightly. “A royal Gnome. It’s true. You did hear him correctly.” He looked at the minister who was attempting to dab at Harvey’s cut above his eye with a wet washcloth.
“What are you doing here on Earth? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a royal Gnome on Earth before.”
“It was an accident. Happened over sixty years ago. We were transporting powerful relics and something went wrong. Next thing I knew I was here. Had to make the best of it.”
The dean’s expression softened. “You fell through a portal. Have you met no one magical in all this time?”
The minister looked up at the dean. “He’s a royal Gnome. They don’t share their secrets with anyone. Would make it hard to sort out who’s who.”
Harvey winced as the minister wiped away a smear of blood.
“Sixty years…” whispered the dean. “Well, it’s about time you fell back through a portal. But we have to do this the right way. Call the PDF and get some kind of permission.”
“Maybe the Silver Griffins?”
“No, they don’t do portals as a rule and they might put the kibosh on the whole thing. Magic on Earth twists their panties something awful. It needs to be the PDF.”
“That could take a while. Government likes their paperwork. Remember, we’re not supposed to even know about them.”
“He’s waited long enough. I do know a shortcut we can take. Make things easier for everyone. I’ll call Leira Berens.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Leira wanted to play this one by the rules. “At least try.”
“That is supposed to be the very definition of our jobs. We don’t decide who gets to bend them. Entirely different department.” Hagan drummed his fingers on his desktop. He was resisting the urge to get up and go get something out of the machine.
Leira eyed him suspiciously. “What is up with you?”
He was just grateful Lois wasn’t there to read his mind and shoot peanut M&Ms over to him. His stomach growled and he rolled his eyes. “Doing the health thing again. Rose insisted and she’s the brains of our operation.”
Leira hooted. “True that. Can you eat anything right now or are you over the limit for the day already? Not judging.” She held up her hands.
“I’m supposed to be learning to hold out for mealtimes. So far, I’m about one and three.”
“When did you start?”
“Yesterday.”
Leira stared at him, shaking her head. “Okay, moving on. Let’s see what good we can do in the world today. Would be a nice change of pace to help someone out.”
“Instead of locking them up. Boy, I’ll tell you this dogged race to get to places first…”
“That’s where you’re such an asset.”
“Don’t blow smoke Berens.”
Leira gave him a dead fish look. “Don’t get sensitive on me. You’re good at looking at all the puzzle pieces and figuring out what the other player’s next likely move is gonna be. Reason we’ve managed to beat the corporations to the punch so many times.”
Hagan rolled his eyes. “You need a loan, Berens? Trying to get me to babysit the troll? Tell you what, I’ll loan you… what do I have in my pocket?” Hagan pulled an old leather wallet out of his back pocket, flipping through it.
Leira arched an eyebrow and sat back in her chair, letting him play it out.
“Oh hey, I have two twenties. Seems this waiting around to eat is working for my budget too. I’m not babysitting Yumfuck. He turns up enough as it is. Should probably save these two twenties to pay his tab somewhere. You could have my Subway Sandwich card. One more and you get a free one.”
“You done? It’s coming back to me why we don’t trade too many compliments.”
“That was all you. I did not say anything nice.”
Leira gave a crooked smile. “I stand corrected. Let’s call the general. This should be an easy one.”
Hagan shook his head. “That’s usually the first line in what turns out to be a great big shit show. Hello hell.”
“A little hell goes with our job, don’t you think?”
“How was that shindig for your friend? Everybody get their magic on?” He waggled his fingers.
Leira made a point of looking at her phone. “Don’t do the magic hands.”
“You didn’t even look up.”
“I know you. The tribute was a trip… Hello general?”
Hagan started to say something but realized Leira was avoiding looking at him. That’s not like her.
He waited till she hung up the phone. “Rule four.”
“What? Were we in mid-conversation and I missed the first part?” Leira got up and stretched. She had taken to doing a lunchtime five k around the complex when they stayed in town.
“Rule four,” he said more evenly.
Leira stretched again as she remembered rule four. She stopped and looked at him, holding very still. “Tell your partner everything. No half measures.”
Hagan pointed a large, meaty finger at her. “Never seen you break that one before. You even told me about the little hairy guy before you’d figured out this whole damn magic crap. I knew all about your mother. You even came to me when your grandmother was trapped inside clear Jello. That means this one has to do with you.”
“Next words out of your mouth better be the unabridged truth.” His thick brows were drawn down and he was breathing a little hard. “Don’t treat me like we don’t have trust between us.”
Leira gave him a dead fish look but said the words anyway. “Fuck. Okay. I turned on the juice a little too hard and almost vacated the premises.”
“What the ever-living fuck?” Hagan got up abruptly from his chair, rolling it backward as he hitched up his pants.
“You have been losing weight.”
“Not now! I actually appreciate that one and it’s about time you noticed. But not now! For the love of Pete…” He paced behind his desk, his eyes widened. “You almost die and don’t think to mention it. What would rate a morning mention? Anything that happened to anybody else?”
“I can see that you’re a little mad.” Leira leaned her elbows on her desk. “I’m sorry. That was a bad call on my part.”
Hagan threw his arms up in the air and sat back down. “We run toward magical bogeymen every day. Never know what kind of weird shit we’ll find. A black mist tries to get us or a seven hundred-year old hag plots to take over two worlds and blow up a gym.” He held up two fingers. “I’m right there with you. The one thing that always makes me think we have a chance is not your magical abilities.” He waggled his fingers but Leira pressed her lips together, staying quiet. “It’s because I trust in this. This partnership. Don’t fuck with that.” He looked at his computer and started typing, filling out a report without saying another word.
Leira watched him for a minute. “I do trust you.”
Hagan didn’t look up and kept on typing.
“I thought we weren’t doing the feeling thing,” she said.
Hagan cleared his throat.
Leira looked up at the ceiling. Good time for a portal or a fireball. She looked back at Hagan. “I don’t like to talk about things I don’t have a solution to… yet.”