by JK Cooper
Bryanne pulled on one of the seats to stand, but Genn put a hand on her shoulder to keep her down. “Worse. It was a town full of Bandrui.”
“What difference does that make?” Kale didn’t sound like he was being rude, just curious.
Bryanne pushed Genn’s hand away and managed to get her feet underneath her, but she leaned heavily on the seat, out of breath. “It eats magic. We’re magic. It killed everyone. Men, women, children, everyone.”
Shelby caught on. “So, two buses overfull with magical creatures?”
“A freaking buffet.” Kale replied.
“Exactly.” Bryanne slumped into an empty seat. “It took five Fae warriors and ten Druids to bring the thing down after all the magic it consumed. They get bigger and stronger the more they do.” She glanced south, the direction they’d been traveling from. “We need to move and hope it loses the trail or its interest in us.” Her tone implied she wasn’t sure that would happen. “Or we find some magic, demon-killing arrows, stat.”
Athena followed her father through Houston. “Are you going to tell me what this surprise might be? It’s not my birthday, and ’m not a little girl anymore.”
Mareus chuckled. “Not a little girl, and yet she sulks at not being given more information. Convincing.”
Athena fought an urge to pout. You are the most powerful being on the planet. You can let him indulge in a minor fathering moment.
Ptyas nodded inside her. That is the kinder choice, though it could be debated that there remain a few beings more powerful. You haven’t even met a Drake.
She still wasn’t used to feeling another being’s movements and facial expressions, let alone another voice besides her own. Screw kinder. Sometimes it’s just easier to let my father play his games. He throws violent tantrums when I don’t.
Mareus stopped in front of a brick building with a neon martini glass with the simple phrase “The Spot” glowing beneath it.
The pulsing thump of base pounded through the thick walls and into Athena’s chest. “You’re taking me dancing? Is this some weird daddy-daughter bonding thing? Have you been reading relationship improvement books again?”
A dangerous, angry look appeared in Mareus’s eyes.
That was less kind, Ptyas said.
No kidding.
Mareus pointed at the building. “Where are we, my lippy daughter?”
Athena sighed. “A club.”
“Wrong. This is the swankiest, coolest club in the city.” Mareus led her down steps that brought them to a door, guarded by a velvet rope and one large man who looked like he could throw Athena across a room, even as a wolf.
“You do have an eye for the best, Father.”
He spun. “You have no idea what’s about to happen. Your sarcasm will taste sour soon enough.” Mareus stepped up to the man, whispered something and stepped back to Athena’s side as the door swung open.
It was then that Athena noticed the odd scent to the man. He wasn’t quite human. She didn’t recognize the mix of nuts, flowers, and musk. But the door took her focus away from the smells. Where the portal should have opened to a loud club full of fog, lights, and music, there stood a sheet of shimmering light.
“What’s that?”
“What? My rebellious daughter doesn’t know all?”
She blinked. “Apparently not.”
Mareus grinned at her and stepped through.
She followed.
Athena stepped from the humid street of Texas into a cool walkway lined with trees that sparkled with dangling pieces of metal and ghostly lights of every color. The air tasted like cotton candy and there was a musicality to the breeze. “Where are we?” She almost bumped into Mareus as she soaked in the wonder of the place.
He turned and put a hand on her arm, squeezing hard enough to sting. “Listen, this is important. Do not accept anything from anyone unless I say it’s okay. Do not eat or drink anything unless I say it’s okay. Do not thank anyone for anything. Try not to spill or be rude. And please refrain from killing anyone.”
She could smell the guards who had taken up defensive positions on the other side of the trees. They did not smell like any human she had ever encountered. There was no sweat, no rot between teeth, no overuse of perfumes or cologne. If anything, they smelled mildly of spices and flowers. “Where are we?” She repeated the question.
He spread his hands wide. “Welcome to Underhill, the home of the Fae.” He turned. “We’re off to Unseely Court.”
Kale supervised the siphoning of gas and transfer of supplies from one bus to the other. He gave commands to hurry things along and helped carry boxes of rations and bottles of water. Bubba helped too. Bottles, bags, and boxes flying from one luggage compartment to another like a scene from Mary Poppins.
Shelby released the Feral from the bus, the wolves frolicking amongst the trees while the work was done. More Feral arrived in the time they spent getting the bus ready. Kale felt them join the pack one by one. Kale guessed his pack was over two hundred strong now. Still no match for the Advent.
Skotha growled in his head. You do not have to face the Advent today. Save that worry for another day.
Kale growled back. You’re right. Today I just have to worry about a demon. Didn’t even know those were real this morning.
You did. You just don’t remember. Daeglan fought many. You and Mareus drove them from Alsvoira.
Kale froze, holding a gallon of water in each hand. “We did what now?” The shock drove the words out of his mouth.
Skotha didn’t reply.
You and Eira get all quiet sometimes when we’d rather you told us everything.
I’ve said more than I should have already. Knowing too much of the past locks you into one pattern of thinking, acting, reacting. You and Thyra are nimbler and more creative without it.
Kale set the jugs down in the compartment. That actually makes sense. Such a better explanation than the you-aren’t-ready argument.
You’re welcome.
Thanks, I think. Kale reached out through the pack link and gave a series of commands to his new sub-Alpha, to Shelby, and to the many Feral who would be loping along after his only remaining bus. Let’s hope we can ditch our demonic tagalong.
The trees that lined the path became smaller and smaller, exposing the stone walls beyond and the elven guards who kept pace with them on their parallel paths. They wore armor, but it did not hide the slim, angular grace of the two men or women. Athena couldn’t tell their gender, and it bothered her.
Soon they walked along a path that had become thick orange crystals with lights below, the trees on the edge of it only a couple inches tall, yet they resembled fully grown pine. Athena wondered if the air had narcotic effects or if the environment of the Fae was just that bizarre.
She probed her father for more information. “So, how did you know the portal would be there?”
He hummed as he walked, making her belief in the narcotic theory stronger. “The Fae love excess. You can usually find one of their kind guarding a door in the most lavish restaurants, hotels, and clubs in the world.”
“Can you tell me more about them,” she jerked a finger at one of the guards, “before we get where we’re going? Maybe dig into some of that Viersin knowledge?”
“You could always ask Ptyas. Did you forget about your own Immortal Wolf already?”
She shook her head. “No, I just thought it would be nice to hear from you.”
He eyed her appraisingly, perhaps gauging the sarcasm level. Finding it low enough he gave in to her request. “The Fae, before humans arrived on Alsvoira, were far different people. They were all logic and no emotion. More like Spock and his Vulcan kind.”
Athena’s jaw fell open. “You know who Spock is?”
Mareus’s eyes twinkled as he continued. “They had a hard time understanding human nature when it was dropped in their lap by the Goddess. Addiction, lust, anger, deceit, fun, games, joy, madness—these were all alien to the Fae.” He hopp
ed over a river that literally giggled at them. “They decided to absorb the vices and virtues, the extremes of humanity, in an attempt to understand, to relate.”
Athena thought of all the insane and illogical things she’d seen humans do, including herself and her father in that list. “Sounds dangerous.”
“Very much so.” Mareus stepped around a ring of toadstools. “They tied these extremes to their rules. In a way, all the Fae are OCD.”
Athena smiled as she resisted the urge to kick over the same ring of toadstools. “So, they like to count things and touch lampposts?”
Mareus stopped walking, turned, and fixed her with a serious face that froze her in her tracks. “Do not mistake this for the quirky detectives on your streaming videos. The Fae are dangerous and unpredictable. When they feel their rules have been violated, they lash out. When rules are followed in a certain way, they are required to lash out. Sometimes that violence is directed at themselves, and sometimes it is heaped on another. Do you understand?”
Athena stared at her father, looking for any indications of jest. She could sense a slight tremor of trepidation in him. He’s afraid of the Fae. What scares the Alpha Prime? Fairies?
You’ll find your father has many fears, Ptyas answered. Most run deep and are tied to legitimate threats to himself, his loved ones, and his race. He did terrible things on Alsvoira, but he did them for good reasons, at least in his mind. Do the ends justify the means? We have yet to see.
Should I be afraid of the Fae too, then? Athena asked her Immortal Wolf.
Most definitely. Try not to be offensive, condescending, cruel, angry, or disrespectful.
We are in so much trouble, Athena half-joked with Ptyas.
Yes, yes we are. He didn’t sound like he was joking back.
Kale stepped from the bus and shifted into his wolf, letting the armor shift with him.
Are you sure this is a good idea? Shelby padded up to his left. It’s not exactly the best time.
I promised him I would give him an hour a day to start. Kale let his emotions flow easily into her, not resisting her at all, like he had to on occasion as Alpha. He wanted her to know he was as conflicted as her about this. Do I go back on my promise, just because we have a little demon problem?
She sent comfort with her sarcasm. Yeah, just a tiny inconvenience . . .
He always loved how her comfort projections felt like a hug. He could almost smell her in it too. That lilac soap mingling with the essence of Shelby. Intoxicating. I know it’s kind of huge, but if I let the big things get in the way of a promise, then it becomes easier to let any excuse become a justification. I won’t be that guy.
Shelby nuzzled into him. I know. It’s why I love you, even when I want to bite you.
Oh? My girlfriend is so violent.
Just a nibble. He felt her link to the pack change. She’d given over to Eira.
Kale shook his head. Ever the example, even as she argues with me.
She felt it would make the decision you’ve already made easier, Eira spoke through the same link.
It does. He gave over autonomy to Skotha, sinking into the background to watch, listen, and comment if he chose.
Skotha and Eira loped into the woods around their makeshift camp, skirting the Feral, nipping at one another, laughing, and talking directly to one another. Kale felt a warmth grow inside him, hints of the bond he and Shelby had shared, but then it was gone, and he was in control once more.
What? No way was that an hour.
Skotha nodded. No, but it was more than I should have taken with all you must manage. I am thankful you kept your promise. That is enough for today.
Shelby came to his side, near silent. Eira wanted me to say thank you. She is proud of both of us. I can’t believe how selfless they both are. I’d have taken the whole hour with you, if roles had been reversed.
Kale met her eyes. He’d been wondering if he’d be able to show such restraint as well. Did you feel it? Our connection for a second?
She nodded, eyes sad. Yes.
Don’t worry. We’ll get it back.
She rubbed her furry face against his neck. I hope so. Giving up autonomy for an hour may be worth it, just to feel a fraction of the bond again. I’d give more.
Me too. He glanced to where the bus waited, blankets and tents dotting the pristine landscape around it. Back to work?
Yeah. We can’t stay long. Shelby looked off to the southwest. The demon is getting closer.
His eyes met hers. You can feel him? How far?
It’s hard to explain and hard to guess distance. He’s moving fast. She blinked her golden eyes.
Try.
She barked a laugh. Eira just said the same thing. He’s so hungry, so full of jealous rage. It feels like a vacuum, a void in my senses. Still a day or so away, I think.
Wow. He turned and began a slow walk back toward the bus. You’re getting stronger.
She grinned as she bumped his shoulder with her own. Have to keep up with my ever-evolving Alpha boyfriend who’s breaking all the rules.
She’s even stronger than she was on Alsvoira, Skotha added. I’m not sure what she and Eira will become.
I’m not sure if that’s as comforting as you meant it to be, Kale replied to his Immortal Wolf.
It was not meant as a comfort, just a fact.
Race ya! Shelby jumped, bounded off of Kale’s chest, and then sprinted down the mountainside.
Well, at least some things don’t change.
For now, Skotha replied.
Shut up, my friend. Kale grinned and broke into his own sprint, silently dropping the ultra-light armor so he could run a tiny amount faster and laughing at Shelby’s wolf face of surprise as he overtook her.
Theo woke to the usual hum of humanity below him. Salt Lake wasn’t the busiest of cities, but it had its ebbs and flows. He had a moment of happiness before he remembered his brother was dead, and he was banished from Underhill. The hum grew louder. Are they trying out a new mixer?
Fizz blew through the wall above his bed, throwing plaster and splinters across the room. The wisp bounced off the far wall and collapsed to the floor with a puff of blue flames and a fizzling sound that meant exhaustion and had been the source of its name.
Theo pushed a chunk of plaster off his chest, stood, and dusted off his clothing. He looked out the hole in his wall into the stairwell and then out into the street beyond. “The landlord won’t like that.”
Fizz fizzled a reply that sounded like, “Not my problem,” to Theo.
“Fine. I’ll take care of it this time.” He altered the entropy in the room until the broken pieces wanted to be in the same location they had been before Fizz’s sudden entry. Dust, splinters, brick, mortar, plaster, and old paint that likely had lead in it, all crawled over each other to climb up the wall. The holes filled and repaired themselves. “But, if the pipes explode downstairs, know it was your fault for making me use my magic to fix your mess.”
Fizz chirped a high-pitched note of agreement that made Theo smile.
“What did you find?”
Fizz danced over the wooden floorboards, laying down layers of soot to form a picture. It drew an image of a bus with mountains in the background. The accuracy of Fizz’s soot images always astounded Theo. He could make out the license plate number and individual trees on the mountains.
“A bus? Really? The demon crossed dimensions, vibrated through stone, climbed to the surface, and hopped on a bus?”
Again, a high note of agreement.
“That makes about as much sense as a pixie with a ponytail.” Fae aversion to imperfect knots made it unlikely. “Demons are drawn to powerful magic. They feed on it. They’re parasites, not Greyhound customers.”
Fizz bounced on top of the bus in its drawing, insistent.
“Okay, let’s say there’s magic on that bus, hypothetically. How is there enough to entice a demon away from the buffet of magic that is Underhill?”
Fizz let out a mi
d-tone questioning note.
“You don’t know?” Theo sighed. “Fine. Any better landmarks than those mountains? That could be anywhere.”
Fizz let out a low, negative, almost offended tone.
“I know, I know, your images are always perfect renditions of what you’ve seen. Sometimes I wish you had words though.” Theo pulled out his phone, snapped a pic, and did an image search. It took longer than he liked, but the results came back with a close match near Fruitland, Utah. “Wait? Are they close?”
Fizz sang and bounced happily.
“Are they headed this direction?”
Again, Fizz bounced and sang.
“Well, that’s convenient.” Theo’s alarm sounded. He glanced down. “Why did I set my alarm for seven in the morning?”
Fizz hummed an annoyed tone.
Time reoriented around Theo as he realized his mistake. “It’s night, huh? Wow, I’m an idiot. Crap! I have a DJ gig in half an hour. Help me get ready, Fizz, if you have the energy.”
His Will-o’-the-Wisp rose and began making his vacated bed.
Theo sighed then chuckled. “Not what I had in mind, but I’ll take what I can get.” He ran to the tiny bathroom to take the quickest shower. “Set out my clothes, will ya?”
A positive note.
“Thanks, Fizzlet. You’re the best.” He knew the wisp would most likely set out some bizarre combination, like a wetsuit, a dinner jacket, and a Halloween mask, but keeping Fizz busy made for fewer broken mugs. The wisp didn’t always repair them perfectly. Half of Theo’s cups, mugs, and glasses leaked.
Athena took deep breaths as the Will-o’-the-Wisps sniffed her face. It took everything in her not to slice one of the balls of blue fire in two with her scythe as they invaded her personal space and bumped against skin. Mostly she was curious what would happen if she did. “What are they doing?”
“Making sure you are who you say you are,” Mareus growled behind a face full of his own wisps. “Let them finish. Then we can enter.”