Seducer Fey

by Cullyn Royson

  A delectable blend of regional Scottish accents sprinkled with other nationalities delighted Danny’s ears. She passed a member of the janitorial staff whose voice had a particularly deep intonation.

  When Aydan brushed against the same staff person, the glint of the janitorial keys, caught Cassidy’s eye as she watched him drop them into his pocket.

  “Do you know where they’re keeping the piece?” Danny asked.

  “No, but Gregory Andrews’ office seems like a good place to start,” Aydan replied. “Geez, this campus is huge.”

  The trio followed a digital tour of the school to Andrews’ office. Unlike many of the North American universities, this university hadn’t moved to the electronic locking systems on interior doors.

  “His office is locked.” Cassidy touched the keyhole with great interest. “If we break in we’ll get caught on camera.”

  “Excuse me sir,” Danny asked a faculty member who walked by. She affected a mixed accent like Eadowen’s, so she could better pass as a student. “Do you know where Gregory Andrews is?”

  “Ee’z uh meetin’ with May Savali,” he replied.

  “I have a professor appreciation card to dropoff,” Danny replied. “Could you tell me where to find him?”

  The man appeared to give her detailed directions to find Andrews, but his fast Scottish made her wonder how they both spoke the same language.

  “What?”

  “Where’re you from?” he said more slowly.

  “Uh, never mind. I understood,” Danny said, not wanting to blow her cover. “Thanks.” She rejoined Cassidy and Aydan, who had made themselves scarce during the exchange. “See, I don’t always need your help, Cassidy. Though I’m not sure what he said.”

  “Unfortunately, I can’t help you with that,” Cassidy replied.

  Aydan translated the detailed directions with ease. “So, it sounds like they’re meeting in a research lab,” he said. Cassidy gave him a skeptical, but impressed look. He winked at her and led the way across the elegant campus.

  Kicking a pebble in the courtyard, Danny decided she supported Cassidy and Aydan’s flirtation. Regardless, it still hurt like a monster clawing at her insides. She comforted herself with the slightly sinister thought of, well, if I help Aydan and Cassidy, no more Cassidy likes Taban. As she contemplated her friends, they looked back at her, she grinned innocently.

  “You look as cheeky as Puck from Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Aydan chuckled nervously. He held the door for his friends. They entered into a quiet corridor.

  “Hm, it looks like most people are at lunch,” Cassidy observed. “What’s wrong?”

  “I feel like we’re being watched.” Aydan glanced around and Cassidy dodged a lash from his braid. “I keep hearing footsteps that stop when we stop.”

  Holding up his hand to silence them, Danny jabbed her finger toward a door. “There they are.” Listening closely, Danny identified both Savali’s and Andrews’ voices.

  “The radio carbon dating shows that this piece is from the time period you mentioned,” Andrews’ said from behind the heavy door.

  “Would it be possible to expand the excavation near the site where this was located?” Savali asked.

  “Let’s discuss that over lunch with some of the members of the dig.”

  “That would be great I’m starved.” The sounds of shuffling and chair squeaking followed.

  Pre-emptively, Danny backed around a corner to hide. In case Cassidy hadn’t interpreted the entire conversation, Aydan wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her into a lab across the hall. Savali and Andrews walked into the hallway just as Cassidy and Aydan crouched behind the door. The latch to lock the door clicked. Ducking her head so her long hair fell in her face, Danny pretended again to be a student minding her own business. She bumped her elbow on the wall and felt a pulse of pain as though she’d broken it. Savali rushed to her when she heard the scream Danny was unable to suppress.

  “Hon, are you okay?” Savali said.

  Danny nodded.

  “You look familiar … were you at one of my lectures?”

  “What lectures?” Danny affected a Scottish accent covering her Canadian as much as possible. “I’m okay.”

  Reluctantly, Savali left Danny alone and walked down the hallway with Andrews.

  “They seem like nice people,” Danny remarked when she and her friends reconvened.

  “Yeah,” Aydan agreed. “They probably weren’t involved directly in my mother’s murder, but Eadowen suspects whoever is funding their research.”

  “Savali and Andrews seem interested in making the world a better place with their discoveries,” Danny said. “It seems like we should be going after whoever is funding this project, not destroying the middleman.”

  “I’m open to better ideas,” Aydan replied.

  “I don’t like doing this either, but they can move on to other research projects. It’s not like we’re destroying their livelihood. We’re just inconveniencing them.” Cassidy wiggled the door handle. “Give keys,” she said, tugging on Aydan’s braid like a bell rope. “We can pass this off as one of the janitors gave us keys to use the lab.”

  “How’d you know Aydan had the keys?” Danny asked.

  “I’ve had plenty of experience with his abilities,” Cassidy grumbled.

  With a frown of disappointment, Aydan dropped the keys into her hand and they slipped into the room. Glass cabinets displayed artifacts from around the Celtic world. While Aydan and Danny searched methodically for the labeled piece, Cassidy used a light on her Ogham to search the cabinet frames. She located a handprint on the light layer of dust.

  “Is this it?” Cassidy indicated a flat, fist-sized stone with Latin inscribed in it.

  “That’s definitely what they were looking at.” Aydan checked the label then carefully inspected it through the glass. “Bad news. It’s not what we’re looking for.”

  “What?” Danny asked.

  “The date’s wrong and it’s not a journal; it’s a battle plan,” Aydan replied. “I can’t bring myself to destroy it on the off-chance that it is something related to us.”

  “That’s not a risk we need to take. I rewatched Savali’s lecture on my Ogham,” Cassidy said. “Savali found documentation of the journal at the University of Aberdeen. Maybe we’ll find something there.”

  “Be quiet,” Danny hissed. Everyone froze. A few seconds later a young woman entered the room the hem of her long dress swaying around her ankles. Fluffing her cropped orange hair, she inspected Danny with interested eyes.

  “Do you need one of those cabinets opened?” she asked sweetly in a subtle Irish accent. “I’m an aid for the archeology department, so I have the electronic code.”

  “Uh, no. We just …” Danny trailed off.

  “What’re you looking for?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Don’t worry.” The young woman put a finger to her coy smile. “I won’t tell. What’s your name?”

  “Ed.” Danny gave her rarely used alternative nickname. “We have to get going, sorry.”

  “You can call me Chay,” she giggled for no apparent reason. “I have a book I think you’d like, but it’s back at the library. If you don’t come with me, I’ll tell them that you stole the janitor’s keys.”

  Captured by their new acquaintance, they followed her toward the library. Chay stopped them at security and allowed them to say they’d found the janitor’s keys on the floor. The library towered over many of the other buildings on campus. Its modern architecture contrasted with some of the more classic buildings. Chay’s golden slippers padded across the polished wood floor.

  “Here you go.” She handed Danny a paperback from a shelf labeled young adult. “Don’t worry about getting it back. I’ll make sure the library gets a new one. It was nice to meet you Edana and friends.” She disappeared behind another bookshelf.

  “You too,” Danny called.

  “That was weird,” Cassidy said.

&
nbsp; “Oh, I don’t think her checking out Danny was at all odd,” Aydan replied. “If we’re lucky she was just being nice to us because she thought you were hot,” he said to Danny.

  “Have you mistaken Danny for Taban?” Cassidy asked. “Though, I guess she did give Danny a once over … a few times.” She intentionally flattered her friend, who seemed like she needed a pick-me-up. “You’re a fine lady, maybe we did get lucky.”

  “You’ve both got to be kidding. Besides, I think I’d rather be a guy than a lady.”

  “Do you want us to start using different gender pronouns for you?” Cassidy suggested.

  “Not yet. I really haven’t figured myself out.” Danny inspected the small paperback as they headed back to the train station. The book’s cover looked like a night sky, with constellations Danny didn’t recognize, traced into the stars. When she turned it over, the cover design continued onto the back with no words. She found the name of the book on the title page, The Moon Princess Was Wiser, by Eamon Baird.

  “So the Chay-girl was Irish?” Cassidy asked.

  “Yeah,” Aydan confirmed.

  “I feel so guilty not being able to tell the difference between Scottish and Irish,” Cassidy sighed. “I’m such an ignorant American, but I’m trying.”

  “Well, if anyone refers to us as ‘Americans’, I promise to throw a fit about being associated with United States-ians,” Aydan offered. “Donovan’ll meet us at the Antonine Wall soon.”

  Laying the book in her lap, Danny flipped through pictures of Tossachs National Park on her glasses. “The lakes are beautiful here.”

  “Did you know that the myths about lake monsters, like Loch Ness, originated because people would get caught in the kelp and drown?” Aydan inquired. “Sorry, guess I’m a bit frustrated. We’re not going to find anything at the Wall, but I don’t know what else to do. We’ll have to wait until tomorrow to head to the University of Aberdeen.”

  Fifteen minutes later, they stepped off the train and onto a field covered with white and violet wildflowers.

  “Where’s the wall?” Danny asked.

  “That’s it.” Cassidy indicated a mound covered by verdant grass.

  “Like I said, I don’t think there’s much we can do here, but here’s some sandwiches.” Aydan handed Cassidy a ham and cheese sandwich.

  “I like getting close to the ancient world.” Danny spun to get a full view of her surroundings.

  “I agree, I don’t think trying to get into the soldier’s head is a bad idea.” Cassidy took a bite of the sandwich Aydan had prepared, and nodded her approval. “What was the guy’s name? The guy who wrote the journal?”

  “Endymion,” Aydan replied as Donovan approached.

  “Endymion, as in the lover of Selene?” Cassidy asked. “I know it was a Greek myth, did the Romans use it too?” She referenced her Ogham. “Yes, they did.”

  “Find anything of interest bro?” Aydan asked.

  Shaking his head, Donovan showed his brother hundreds of photographs he’d taken on his tablet. Most were photographs of the dig, to which Savali and Andrews had referred, but some were artistic shots.

  “It doesn’t look like anyone was there. Did anyone see you?”

  “No.”

  “Those are really nice photographs,” Danny commented, making Donovan’s cheeks flush. “Why don’t you get some framed for your house?”

  Cassidy’s Ogham, which she had turned to silent during their university escapades, lit to inform her of a new message. “Five new messages from Taban,” it said.

  “My, he sure contacted you a lot,” Aydan commented dryly.

  “I swear I haven’t told him anything, but I didn’t think it would be a good idea to sever all contact.”

  “What is it about that guy?” Aydan ripped into his sandwich with his teeth. “Even I can’t stop thinking about him. As soon as he started living with us, it was Taban this and Taban that.”

  “I don’t know. There’s just something about him that … just sucks you in. No, that’s stupid. Let me see what did I say about him …” Cassidy turned to a particularly lusty page in her journal. In her head all the things she thought about Taban were dreamy, until she saw them on paper and realized how weird she sounded.

  “You look like you took field notes?” Aydan chuckled.

  “Yes. You read it.”

  “Isn’t this the same as the tattoo Taban has?” Danny pointed to the cover of her book at one of the constellations. “It kind of looks like a giant squid. Hey, just pretend Taban’s a huge tentacle monster. That should make him less appealing.”

  Covering his mouth, Aydan doubled over.

  “What’s so funny?” Danny demanded.

  “Aydan, would you like to explain to Danny why that’s so funny?” Cassidy asked glaring daggers at Aydan to show him she knew exactly what he was imagining.

  Gagging on his sandwich, Aydan waved his hand to show he intended to collect himself.

  “Hey Donovan, how did you deal with being around Taban?” Danny asked.

  “No blonds.”

  “Well, there you have it,” Aydan replied. “Donovan just assumes all blond guys are evil, even though he’s a dirty blond and Taban’s a brunette.”

  “Danny, pretend you’re Taban. I need to make sure I can keep my head, since I’m going to have to respond to these messages.”

  She and Danny attempted to role-play a flirtatious conversation. Cassidy practiced analyzing her whirlwind romance with Taban as she fed lines to Danny. Just as Danny leaned in to try another Taban-esque phrase, Cassidy noticed Aydan watching them intently, as he chewed on the knuckle of his index finger.

  “Oh, you want to see some girl and girl action?” Cassidy said, tapping Danny on the shoulder. Rolling up her sleeves, Cassidy approached him. Aydan, who hadn’t missed the conjunction Cassidy used, dashed off. They playfully chased him around the field.

  “Help!” Aydan called to his brother.

  Donovan took the opportunity to take a seat and turn up the volume on his tablet. Laughing, Cassidy turned Aydan’s hat backward and Danny spun him around.

  “You read slash fiction about me,” Aydan accused.

  “That’s right, you still have to show me that,” Danny said.

  “You’ll love it,” Cassidy replied. “In all seriousness Danny, how are you feeling about us?”

  Danny sighed. “I still like you, but I’m just glad you’re honest. I’m trying to see you as a best friend, and a sort of adopted sister.”

  “Anyone who’s your friend is lucky to have you, Danny. I’m honored.” She embraced her.

  “Ow. Watch the elbow.” Danny rubbed the place she’d bumped.

  “Sorry.”

  “It’s fine. The endorphins from the jogging actually decreased the pain.” Danny gave her friend a good squeeze. Then they both turned and glared at Aydan, who threw up his hands innocently.

  “Right now, I’m admiring the respect and trust in your beautiful friendship,” he said. “You wanna chase me for that?”

  On the bus back to Cassidy’s hotel, Danny perused the book Chay had given her, while Cassidy and Aydan looked up recent research at the University of Aberdeen—their planned stop for the next day.

  ***

  “Are you all set for the night?” Aydan asked in the hotel lobby.

  “Yes, I’m sure I’ll be fine,” Cassidy replied. “I need to sleep off the jet-lag. Take care.”

  “Message Rona-Mom: Today I visited the University of Glasgow. Then I frolicked in front of the Antonine Wall with some fairies.”

  Taking the ten of diamonds out of her bag, she watched the silver light play across the card. She meditated about life as a Roman officer. What was it like to meet the fantastic GF and where had the journal gone? The earrings Taban had given her clanked against her neck as she threw her Ogham on the bedside table. She drifted off to sleep.

  A sharp tap at her window abruptly awoke Cassidy with a start. Instinctively, she touched her Ogham to tu
rn it to ‘awake mode.’ Rubbing her eyes, she saw a shadowy silhouette through the misty glass. She promptly squeezed her eyes shut, but when she looked again the outline was still there. The figure rattled her window, causing the old latch to slip out of place. Frightened, she grabbed the lamp off of the bedside table and held it in front of her. She looked down at the lamp, set it on the floor, and assumed a fighting stance.

  CHAPTER 19

  SWEET TENTACLES

  I HAVE TWO OPTIONS, she thought. I can try to push whoever it is out the window, or I can use one of the defensive maneuvers I know and pull them in. I wish I was as good at martial arts as Danny. I’m just an amateur and I haven’t done Aikido in ages. Okay, calm down.

  The figure opened the window with a creak. Cassidy darted forward. Using knees and fists, she struggled in the darkness in an attempt to push the stranger out of her room.

  “Cassidy, it’s me,” Taban said in her ear.

  Surprised at hearing his voice, Cassidy fumbled. He pressed against her to get into the room, and instinctively she used his momentum to propel him to the floor by twisting his wrist. He tumbled to the floor, crashing into the lamp Cassidy had originally intended to use for a weapon.

  “I’m not here to hurt you,” he cried, guarding his face with a pitiful expression.

  A cloud gave way to bright moonlight, and she was forced to look into his wide blue eyes. Shivering in her camisole, Cassidy allowed him to stand. He shut the window, leaving a trail of muddy shoe prints.

  “Are you cold?” He pulled her into his warm embrace. The insecurities he’d highlighted during their night under the moon, flooded into her mind. Somehow a thought that she was lucky to have his attention, because she wasn’t worthy or special slithered into her mind. She visualized a page of her journal and imagined that she wrote the toxic feeling down to figuratively read it.

  “What are you doing here?” She pushed away from him. To her surprise, he let her go without hesitation. This was unfortunate because it gave her no immediate reason to fight.

  “I had to see you.”

  “Why? You …,” she started to say. What did he do … ugh … there is no blood fueling my brain, Cassidy thought. “You betrayed their trust.” She avoided his eyes, though she knew that was the worst way to assert power.