by Tom Keller
I looked over at Bernd. His arms were crossed and he was stroking his beard.
"Excellent. Well done, Robert," he murmured.
The flame went out and I lowered the scepter. Then I remembered something he said. "Wait a minute. I thought this would only work for the one who leads. Isn't that what you said? So how can I make it work?"
He looked thoughtful for a moment and then answered. "Many things can alter such a claim. But the simplest explanation is often the case. Do you recall where you believed the creature's line to be from?"
"Yeah, like I said before, somewhere in France, why?"
"The wood is oak as is your line. Those same forests were home to this Were's line," he answered, acting as if that would explain it.
"So, what does that mean to me?"
"Did you not listen to what Cacilia said? he asked, looking irritated. "Maria was eldest, leader of the Dryads. You are her line."
"I heard her say eldest but she never said that she was the leader. How does that help me, I'm male, remember. That seemed to be the big deal breaker to Cacilia."
"Pfaa!" he groaned, looking flustered. "I had hoped to teach you slowly, when you were more prepared." He walked directly in front of me and pointed his finger at my face. "Hear this, Robert. You are descended from the first born. Male or female, it matters not. You are the rightful heir. The magic knows this even if the others do not wish to acknowledge it! The Dryad are Fae and the forest is their domain. The creatures within owe them their allegiance. That scepter was given to them by your line. You are Fae, do you understand now?"
Wonderful, I'd had a nice, fairly normal life, good job, money in the bank, and then, wham, everything changes. Oh sure, it sounds great, but I'm getting too old to watch my back for every Tom, Dick, or Fae upstart that wants to take me out. Oh yeah, I need that like a hole in the head. "Yeah, I get it. I'm some bastard king of the Faeries." Now I was gonna have to watch my back for real. I stood up and began pacing around him.
"The timing sucks Bernd. Why did this have to happen now? I'm pushing 50 and my knees are shot. I sometimes need glasses to read and I sure as hell can't kick butt and take names like I could 20 years ago."
"Stop thinking like a mortal," he said as he struck me lightly on the leg.
I felt an electric jolt pass through me. I started to say something but then noticed my hands. They were changing color and the skin had become tighter. I grabbed my face and it didn't feel right. Even my hair was longer. No, not longer, but there was more of it. The rest of me felt different, too. Stronger, wait a minute...not just stronger, younger! What the hell! I jumped up and ran back to the house and into the bathroom.
Looking at me from the mirror was a younger version of myself. I looked 25 years old! Young and with a full head of black hair (not that I was bald or anything but I had definitely receded a bit and had a lot of gray showing). I stretched my arms and legs and felt the difference the years had made.
Bernd walked up behind me, he didn't look angry anymore. "Yes, this is your true self, when seen as a Fae."
"Holy shit," was all I could say. "What am I going to tell my kids?"
"You need tell them nothing," he answered. "Do you remember what you looked like before?"
"Of course I do," I said, feeling my face and still in shock.
"Then remember," he said, taking my hand and pointing the other toward the mirror.
I stood there and thought about it. As I watched, my old face started to appear. Slowly, like I was watching a movie. In a moment I looked as I did before. But there was a difference, I still felt like I was in my twenties.
"While you remain in the mortal world it would be best if you appear as you do now," he said, letting go of my hand. "I hope it is enough that you now know your true self as a Fae."
I rubbed my now receding hair line and laughed. "I think I like the other me better."
But I was used to the old me and so was everyone else. Changing back and forth could be confusing. Bernd was right, better to look like this for now. Could Fae like Milagre and Meredith do this? It made me wonder what they would look like.
Bernd chuckled as well. "Perhaps, but it would give you away to more than just other Fae and that we must not let happen just yet. Danger still haunts you and there is still much you need learn."
Great, more danger, I thought to myself.
"Bernd, why do I still feel younger?"
"Your grandmother's spell made you appear to age normally. While you may not live forever, it would take much more than a mere 50 years for a Fae to begin showing the signs of aging that a mortal would have at this time. Your strength has returned as well. It was the spell that made you feel mortal."
"Is there more?" I asked, waiting for another ball to drop.
"More," he answered, "there is always more."
I followed him into the kitchen and we sat down at the table.
"I was not trying to deceive you, Robert, but I hoped that I could teach you properly. So much in such a short time must appear as quite a burden and there is much I do not yet know. The Mages attack on you and the fights with the Werewolves has made that burden even more difficult. Your powers are just making themselves known. It will take time to learn."
"It's certainly been a whirlwind," I commented. "So what now, what's my next move?"
"That, my young Fae, is up to you. I have opened the gap and you have taken the first step. But only you can decide your future. Fate has offered you a new beginning. But there is danger. You must be cautious. Reveal not your true self unless absolutely necessary. It will take time for the magic to develop to its true potential.
"No, Bernd. I mean what now? Do I have to do anything about this heir thing? I'm not sure of Cacilia and what if I don't want to be the leader of the Dryads? Do I have to watch my back every second? I had more questions, but that would do for a start.
"What do you want to do?" he asked as he stood there watching me.
"I have no clue," I admitted. "Just a week or so I thought life was pretty good. Now, sure it sounds great, but I don't know anything about magic and I never asked for any of this. What do the rest of my, family, I guess we should call them, think? Are they going to be happy about this?"
"I will handle the others, for now," he answered. "There will be a reckoning but it need not be today. As to the magic, it is part of you. The magic will follow its true path and that path is through you. Do not fear. I will guide you. As to the rest, there is time to decide. There is still much I must learn before I can counsel you."
"What do you have to learn?" I asked, incredulously.
"It is too soon to know what you have become. But we will see how you progress. I can say no more."
This was too much to think about in one sitting. I wasn't really happy about the "for now" or "I can say no more" part either. But what could I do?
"Fine, we'll figure it out."
A smile appeared on his face. "Indeed! Now, it is late, you should rest." He stood up and headed towards the patio door.
I had a million questions, but there were a few things I still wasn't clear on and now was as good a time as any. "Wait, can you answer something else for me?" I asked before he could leave.
"Yes?"
"What's the deal with the Lil? I know what Siegfried told me, but you never answered my earlier question. Is there something significant there?"
"Ah, the Lilin, or the Lil, as they are often called. Tell me, why does this one interest you?" he asked as he walked back to the table.
Well," I stuttered, "I don't know." Ok, that wasn't very truthful. "Look, there was just something about her. To be honest, I'd like to get to know her better but she seems to think I'm trying to set her up or something."
"Another long story," he said as he hopped up on the stool next to me, his legs dangling over the seat. He made a motion with his hand and a pipe appeared.
I watched as he put it in his mouth and puffs of smoke began to drift lazily up around his head.
>
"Curious, actually it is. Out of all the people you should come to the aid of, that this one was a Lilin."
"Why is that?"
"Ancient enemies are the Lilin and the Fae. For centuries they battled one another. Near the end the Fae triumphed. There were but few Lilin that remained at the end of the last battle. Those few remaining sued for peace with the Fae. They would have been destroyed but the Elves intervened. Elves have always worshipped life, you see. Even so, many argued against it. One Fae lord held back, herself swayed by the Elves, and agreed to accept their surrender under terms. As she was one of the most powerful, and therefore influential, the others followed her decree.
"In exchange for their surrender, and their oath, the Lilin were bound by her words. They were allowed to live but little else. They were banished from the lands of the Fae and forbidden regular contact. Many fled to foreign lands. Many others became a servant class. Their ability to convert others was limited.
"After The Fall the Lilin scattered but even today they are still shunned by many of the Fae, although it is said that the Elves still watch over them. That is why she fears you. The pact that was made still binds them. She fears that you wish to trap her and by doing so rekindle the last war."
"Ok, but what does that have to do with me personally?"
"It was Demeter that decreed their fate. She was the Fae Lord who accepted surrender. Therefore, my young Robert, you are the only one that can change that fate as you are her royal heir," he answered with a grin.
"You're shitting me? Oh, she's gonna love me now," I groaned.
I thought about that for a second. If I held the key to their future, I could change the rules. But what about the original reasons behind the war? Would I be reopening the floodgates if I did that? I just didn't have enough information to know what to do. When it rains it pours. "Bernd, isn't this a bit too much of a coincidence? Everything I do keeps being linked back to the old Gods."
"As I said, the world turns. Never let it be said that Fate is not endowed with a sense of humor. And do not forget the scepter. You must decide if the true owner is worthy to have it returned."
Oh great, my first duty of office.
"I must go, we will talk more." He paused for a moment near the doorway. "Do you have a sword?"
"What...a sword, no, I don't have a sword," I answered, sputtering. "Who keeps a sword these days?"
"Hmm, can you wield one?"
"Yeah, I guess so, why?"
"You are Fae; magic is not your only weapon. Even you are not invincible, a good blade stops both fang and claw. Perhaps I can find one for you." Then he went through the doorway and was gone.
Just great, I thought to myself as I locked the back door. I should have known there had to be a reason my grandmother had made me take fencing lessons all those years ago. I grabbed the scepter and put it into my briefcase. Shit, now I had to find a way to deal with the Werewolves without getting killed.
It was getting late, but wouldn't you know it there was still one thing I had to do. I grabbed my keys and drove to the Wal-Mart for cat food and a litter box.
Chapter 12
I thought about staying in bed all day after my conversation with Bernd but I knew that that wouldn't accomplish anything. Besides, I actually had something to look forward to with both the kids coming over for dinner. So I headed down the stairs to start the coffee and then jumped in the shower and got dressed.
Filling a black Battlestar Galactica, the original series, cup, I grabbed the paper and went out back to enjoy the morning sun. Charlie was lazing on the lawn but there was no sign of Lucinda. If I remembered correctly, cats slept a lot during the day. I was sure she'd pop up when I least expected it since she had come from Bernd.
I had a million things going through my mind so it was hard to concentrate on the paper. I was getting something new thrown at me almost every day. I was hoping to keep my kids away from it but this murder and Milagre's attack would probably make that impossible. Even if I hoped that wasn't the case, I knew it was going to come up sooner or later but I just wasn't ready to give the King of the Faeries announcement just yet. The last thing I needed right now was too much time to think. So I went back into the house, cleaned up my mess, and then headed down to the office to find something to do for the next few hours.
I wasn't at the office long before O'Malley called me back. He said he had an hour or so to kill before the autopsy (yep, that's what he said, pun intended) so he was calling in my offer of a cup of coffee. He asked me to meet him at a popular cop breakfast spot called Mary's Diner on Decatur. I hopped in my car and jumped on the freeway. He was already there when I arrived.
Mary's is an old restaurant that's been around since the 60s. The décor probably hasn't changed much since then, either. The walls are filled with knick knacks and old photos of Vegas in its heyday. Advertisements of popular shows adorn the walls. Sure, they're a tad yellowed, but the place is always clean and the food's good. The coffee isn't bad either. I came in through the back door and met Ray already in a booth with a steaming cup in front of him.
"Hey partner," he called out, shaking his head from side to side as I sat down. "I've got Hoskins' coming outta my ass this week with that boy of yours coming in today. The kids tell you what was going on?"
"Nikki mentioned the electrocution when I called her, but that was it. All I know is what you told me and what was in the paper" I replied as the waitress came over. Technically that was true. I didn't have any proof that Milagre's incident was connected.
She poured me some coffee as Ray looked deep in thought.
"I guess they got a string of these working in the Southwest," he said. "Of course, I hadn't heard about them until just now and that doesn't make me very happy." He drained his cup and motioned to the waitress for another. "Listen, the autopsy's in an hour. I want you to tell your boy that I'm gonna be pissed if they try and cut me out of this. This asshole's mine and I'm not gonna stand for any Fed jurisdiction crap."
Ah, so that's why he really wanted to meet. Like I said, he doesn't like others getting in the way of his investigations. Fortunately, I knew how to handle that one. Now he was gonna owe me a favor and with the sudden complications in my life that was probably a good thing. I pulled out my cell phone and dialed Jay's number.
"What's up Dad? I just pulled into the courthouse," he exclaimed as he answered.
"I'm sitting here having a cup with Ray, he says he's gonna see you at the autopsy."
"Yeah, we're supposed to meet in an hour."
"He wants to know if you are gonna pull any jurisdictional crap." I glanced over at Ray as I said it. He just gave me a dirty look.
"Let me speak to him."
I handed Ray my cellphone.
They talked for a minute or two before he handed it back to me.
"Still there?" I asked as I put the phone to my ear.
"Yeah," he chortled. "You'd think he knew me better than that."
"Well, sometimes it just makes you feel better to hear it."
"I guess. Hey, I gotta get inside. See you tonight, all right."
"Sure," I answered as he disconnected.
"You happy?" I asked as I put my phone away.
"You know how the Feds are. At least I can talk to Jay," he answered.
"So what's the deal here anyway?" I asked, hoping he would share a bit of information.
He looked around the restaurant, acting as if he may not want others to hear. Fortunately, the place was pretty empty with the breakfast rush over. At first he said nothing. Then, as if deciding it was safe, he answered. "Rob, you know me. I've been a cop for over 30 years but I've never seen anything like this. Shootings, stabbings, hell, I've seen people killed with almost any weapon or household item you can imagine, but this one is different. Someone's got something new, and it ain't pretty. I want this bastard, Rob."
"I thought it was supposed to be lightning or maybe an electrical accident," I commented, remembering what Nikki had
told me.
"Yeah, well, those wounds were too precise to be anything but deliberate. I'm telling you, someone's developed something new." He leaned closer to me over the table. "Rob, I shit you not, this guy looked like someone shot him with a friggin ray gun right out of Star Wars." He straightened back up and picked up his cup. "Of course, nobody wants to say that, so it's an industrial accident or lightning...My ass. I just hope the autopsy gives us something. They're supposed to have copies from the other ones as well."
"That is weird, Ray. Come on man, there's got to be a logical explanation." I guess I could have asked if he'd checked to see if any dark Wizards could be behind it but I just didn't see where that would help.
Then he said something that surprised me.
"Well, I guess my grandmother could have been right and Dullahan do walk the Earth and shoot fire from their necks," he said, falling quiet for a long moment as if gauging my reaction.
When I didn't say anything, he continued.
"Hell, that's as good an explanation as any I've got. Anyway, I've got to be going," he said as he drained his cup, winking. "I have a few stops to make on my way. Oh, and thanks for calling Jay, I owe you one. Let me know if you hear anything," he added as he stood up.
"You got it, Ray. Be careful, okay?" I added.
He just nodded as he walked toward the doorway.
Hell, what was that about? He was closer than he thought, not that some Irish demon was stalking Fae, but it was as good an answer as any. Who were these guys? What had Milagre said? Something about trying very hard to make sure the two worlds didn't meet. It didn't appear that everyone followed that rule. I pondered that for a moment wondering if O'Malley's comments meant more than they seemed.