Thaumatology 07 - Eagle's Shadow

by Teasdale, Niall

  ‘Can’t have that,’ Lily said. Sitting beside the side door as they walked in through the arbour, Michael growled his agreement.

  He waited until they were inside and the door was closed before he said, Strange scent on wind.

  ‘Strange?’ Ceri asked.

  Like magic, you magic, and fire.

  Lily looked at Ceri, her eyes narrowing. ‘The dragon you sensed earlier?’

  ‘But in its real form? In the city?’

  Lily shrugged and started for the hallway, taking off her coat as she walked. ‘They won’t harm you and I want to be in bed with my two favourite people. C’mon.’

  ~~~

  Reaching across Michael to the nightstand, Ceri picked up the silver chain lying there and slipped it over her head before lying back between her two lovers. Lily’s arm slipped around her waist and then lifted slightly, and Ceri let out a soft moan as Lily’s fingers stroked over her nipple. But it was more tender than sensual and the fingers moved to pick up the amulet attached to the chain.

  ‘Do you feel different with it on?’ Lily asked.

  ‘No,’ Ceri replied. ‘Yes, maybe. I’m not sure.’

  No dreams, Michael rumbled. He sounded tired. After what they had been doing the last ninety minutes or so, he probably was.

  ‘There’s that,’ Ceri said. ‘It’s a little weird. It’s like I don’t have the dreams because I’m aware of them. When I put the chain on… I feel like I’m on the edge of understanding.’

  ‘Understanding what?’

  Ceri gave a soft chuckle; she was tired too. ‘I don’t know, when I understand I’ll let you know.’

  ‘I thought you hated enigmatic?’

  ‘That wasn’t enigmatic, I really haven’t got a clue.’

  Lily’s arm curled around Ceri’s waist and she snuggled up tight, settling her head on the pillow. ‘You will.’

  ~~~

  She was somewhere high again, but this time it felt different. This time when she looked down she saw a city of white marble gleaming in the sun. She felt content. She felt protective, and proud.

  She spread her wings and leapt out into the free air, swooping down toward the buildings below, looping once around a high tower before coming to land in a square. The transformation was a matter of an instant and she was walking on two legs. The people passing her nodded politely; deferentially, yes, but more from love than knowledge of her status. These were her people. Scholars, sorcerers, practitioners… seekers of knowledge. These were the citizens of the White City, and she was…

  Ceri opened her eyes. There was light in the room, enough to suggest the sun had risen, but that the sky outside was cloudy. How long had she been asleep? Less than four hours, at a guess, but Lily and Michael were still asleep and she did not want to disturb them by moving. It was warm and comfortable between their bodies and she had no desire to rise yet. She closed her eyes.

  The dream was still clear in her mind, but it had not really felt like a dream, and nothing like the ones she had been having. It had felt like a memory, but she had not been herself in it. Clearly it had been a dream so… She had dreamed of being Brenhines? She had dreamed of the land Brenhines had founded with Brenin; a place of learning which had existed long before mankind had had any form of civilisation. Ceri liked to refer to it as “Atlantis,” so where had this “White City” come from? Well, it had been white in the dream…

  Relaxing herself and settling to return to sleep, she ignored the incongruity. It had been a nice dream for once. She got few enough of those. Maybe if she went back to sleep she could have another.

  ~~~

  ‘It was weird,’ Ceri said as they relaxed after one of Twill’s Sunday lunches. ‘It was really real.’ She grimaced. ‘I can usually manage to be more eloquent than that. I mean, it felt like I was there, I was Brenhines flying down into the city.’

  ‘Dreams are often quite real while they’re happening,’ Twill said. ‘Afterward we notice the inconsistencies and the lack of reality.’

  ‘It still seems like it was real now though.’

  The fairy nodded and took a drink from her thimble. ‘You have no real situation to compare it against. Ask Ed what the place was really like.’

  ‘I’m not sure I want to,’ Ceri said, frowning.

  ‘Afraid it’ll turn out the same as your dream?’ Lily asked.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Alexandra remembers things from her ancestors,’ Michael said. ‘Something like a race memory passed down through pure-bloods.’

  Ceri nodded. ‘But I’m not a dragon, I just have a few chromosomes…’

  ‘Dealing with perception,’ Lily interrupted. ‘When we were talking to Ted about my meta-genetics, you said that the trisomy thing we have was to do with perception and stuff like that.’

  ‘True,’ Ceri said.

  ‘So perhaps you’re just tapping into some aspect of that. I’m developing my demon side and you have been developing your dragon side. Nothing to worry about.’ Lily smiled and sipped her wine, and Ceri relaxed even though she had not realised she was tense.

  ‘Or it could be just a dream,’ Twill pointed out.

  ‘Or that,’ Lily said, ‘and then it would still be nothing to worry about. What did you dream about when you went back to sleep?’

  ‘Sex,’ Ceri replied.

  Lily giggled. ‘That sounds far more interesting. Tell us about that dream.’

  Mayfair, January 30th

  Grosvenor Square was a pretty little piece of one of the many parks in London. Hoffman had probably seen it pretty early on since the American Embassy had been on one corner of it since 1938. There had been plans to move to larger premises on the other side of the park, but so far they had not come to fruition. However, that time had allowed the consular staff to put in some of the most impressive non-ward security measures Ceri had ever seen. In other words, getting into the embassy was slow and annoying.

  Everyone entering the building was checked by a small group of officials with dour expressions and surgically removed senses of humour. The one who accepted Ceri’s invitation looked at her and Lily as though he was examining a couple of slabs of rock and then let them pass without comment. But Ceri watched him and saw… the flickers of both lust and disgust flash across his features, the slight tensing of his body as he supressed the desire to act on either of those emotions, the small fish-shaped emblem on his lapel, a Christian symbol. She blinked as she walked on to the next stage, wondering where this sudden burst of perception was coming from.

  The next stage was a metal arch which you walked through, and then it went “beep,” and then an official took you to one side and talked to you while waving a wand of some sort over you. Ceri got the impression that you could walk through it without it doing the beep thing, but it was detecting metal and magic, and just about everyone attending had some small enchantment on their person. Ceri’s dragon amulet set the thing off. Lily triggered it just for being Lily. At least the officials on this side seemed to be human.

  ‘Your amulet is enchanted?’ the woman dealing with Ceri asked. ‘I don’t recognise the type.’

  ‘More of an artefact,’ Ceri replied. ‘It’s very old, a gift from a relative. She said it would give me insight.’

  The Secret Service agent frowned, but it was a curious frown. ‘Insight into what?’

  Ceri smiled. ‘You may be used to people actually telling you things directly, but they usually give me enigmatic statements and comments about experience being the best education.’

  ‘Well,’ the agent lifted her wand, ‘this thing isn’t flagging it as anything dangerous, and if you can hide a gun under that dress I’d be impressed. Go on in.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Ceri said and turned to see Ed Hoffman talking to the agent who was dealing with Lily. There was tension, insecurity; the agent was not sure about letting Lily in, but Hoffman was handling it. As Ceri watched, the agent nodded and waved Lily onward. Ceri joined her in a couple of strides, nodding grateful
ly to Hoffman as she passed him.

  ‘Her wand thing was giving her weird readings,’ Lily said, ‘and then she got a little funny when I explained why. Looks like Ed was expecting a problem though.’

  ‘I walked straight through,’ Cheryl said from behind them. ‘They did look kind of surprised. Those dresses really are amazing.’

  Ceri’s gown was back to displaying dragons, though they now looked more like the one on her pendant and her tattoo, angular, sort of tribal, and they seemed to have more detail. Lily’s was still displaying animated flames. ‘Looking good yourself,’ Lily replied, licking her lips. She was really good at making Cheryl squirm; only Carter was better.

  The gown Carter had got for his sort-of-girlfriend met all the criteria defined for it. It was in a sheer, white fabric and very tight from the waist down. The back was low and the cowl-necked front did a fantastic job of both hiding and showing off her generous bosom. And no, there was no way she could be wearing anything under it. ‘It’s a gorgeous dress, isn’t it?’ Cheryl said.

  ‘It’s a nice dress,’ Ceri said, ‘but it’s the woman underneath that makes it.’

  Cheryl flushed all the way to the top of her chest. Okay, so Ceri was not bad at it either. ‘You two are evil,’ Cheryl said.

  ‘I think they look angelic,’ Carter said. His arm slipped around his date’s waist as he stepped up beside her.

  ‘From recent experience,’ Ceri said, ‘I can attest that evil and angelic are not mutually exclusive.’

  ‘Point,’ Carter replied. ‘Shall we proceed? I’m in the mood for a glass of wine and some form of nibble.’

  ‘We all know what you want to nibble,’ Lily said, ‘and you’ll have to wait until you get her home.’

  ‘Do you think they have those sticks with pineapple and cheese on?’ Ceri asked while Cheryl went crimson.

  ‘Almost a certainty,’ Carter said. ‘They are obligatory at such gatherings.’

  ‘Pineapple makes my teeth itch,’ Lily said.

  ‘Luckily,’ Ceri said as she spotted a groaning buffet table, ‘I think they have stuff without pineapple in.’

  ‘Yeah, but I don’t recognise half of it.’

  ‘Allow me, my dear girl,’ Carter said. ‘It seems we have a selection of American specialities. Try the “buffalo wings,” but be careful, they’re usually quite spicy.’

  ‘Buffalo don’t have wings,’ Ceri said. ‘You’ll be telling me next that there’s a rabbit with antlers.’

  Carter chuckled. ‘Now that would be ridiculous.’

  ~~~

  ‘It’s a fascinating idea,’ President Wilson said, ‘though if we were trying to implement it there would be a few political issues to sort out, Barclay.’

  Macbay nodded. ‘I realise that, sir, but wouldn’t it be better to view this as an opportunity? Tighten trade links with the Nations.’

  Ceri watched them talk; her part was over unless they needed additional information. Cheryl was better at speaking politician so Ceri had just added details when required. Now Ceri let her suddenly acquired ability to observe fleeting details take in the flow of enthusiasm and doubt.

  ‘I can see your point,’ Wilson replied, ‘but you know it won’t be easy.’ His eyes shifted to some point over Ceri’s shoulder, which irritated her because it would have been rude to look.

  ‘I bring you the science, sir,’ Macbay said, ‘it’s up to the administrative staff to make it happen.’ Both men were enthusiastic about the idea of getting power out of the still very active Trinity site, especially into the southern states. Wilson was also concerned, almost scared. Ceri thought it was something to do with the political aspect of setting up the line.

  ‘You’re doing the trial this spring, Doctor Tennant?’ Wilson asked.

  ‘The current plan is to go over to Amsterdam on the thirteenth of May. If all goes to plan we’ll have power generation by the nineteenth,’ Cheryl told him.

  Wilson nodded. ‘If I get in for another term, we may be able to do something.’ He smiled at Cheryl and Ceri. ‘Thank you for the information, ladies. It was a great pleasure seeing you again, Doctor Brent, and making your acquaintance, Doctor Tennant.’ He bowed his head in farewell.

  ‘A pleasure to meet you, sir,’ Cheryl replied.

  ‘Nice seeing you again,’ Ceri added before turning to locate Lily and Carter. Her eyes fell on Vice President Levy and his wife chatting to someone on the other side of the room. It might not have been him Wilson had been looking at, but Ceri suspected it had been.

  ‘They’re over by the buffet table,’ Cheryl said. ‘Again. Has Carter addicted Lily to those chicken wings?’

  ‘I know they are,’ Ceri said. She realised she did. Her gaze had swept over them and she had taken it in past a dozen people she did not know, but could have pulled out of a line-up. Covering her disquiet with a grin she added, ‘Those things are kind of more-ish.’ They started off toward the table.

  ‘Not if you’re wearing a white dress.’

  ‘I am wearing a white dress.’

  ‘A white dress that doesn’t clean itself.’

  ‘Okay, you got me.’

  ‘She does?’ Lily said. ‘Cool, can we do a foursome?’

  ‘Why are you constantly trying to get me in bed with Carter?’ Ceri asked her.

  ‘Because he’s cute when he blushes and it’s the only way I know of getting him to do it.’ Lily smiled sweetly; Cheryl looked as though she was enjoying Carter’s discomfort a little too much.

  ‘Haven’t you ever been tempted?’ Cheryl asked. ‘She’s a very attractive young woman.’

  ‘I’m constantly tempted,’ Carter said, ‘but I have some limits.’ His brow creased. ‘Is something wrong, Ceri?’

  Ceri shook her head as if clearing it. ‘I’m… seeing things… differently, not like “seeing things.” Tiny expressions, little details, stuff I don’t remember noticing before now. It’s a little disconcerting.’

  ‘Insight,’ Lily said, nodding toward Ceri’s chest.

  Ceri looked down and then lifted the amulet hung around her neck. ‘Oh,’ she said. ‘Yeah, of course. This started when I started wearing this thing.’

  ‘You could take it off,’ Cheryl suggested.

  ‘Yes, I could.’ Ceri’s gaze swept the room. There was something… ‘I think it’d be better if I didn’t. For now.’

  ‘You’re seeing something here?’ Carter asked, his eyes scanning the room.

  ‘I don’t know. Something seems off and I can’t put my finger on what it is.’ She looked thoughtful for a second and then came to a decision. ‘Lily, pass me some of those chicken wings.’

  ~~~

  ‘That is an interesting necklace,’ Huanglong said.

  Ceri turned and blinked at him. ‘A present,’ she said, ‘from a mutual acquaintance.’

  ‘I heard she was in town.’

  ‘She gave me this a while ago, the first time we met.’

  ‘But you were not wearing it at the ball, or that club.’

  ‘I was having some uncomfortable dreams, she suggested this would help.’ She watched him. He was actually easier to read than most humans; probably because he was not used to hiding his emotions. Annoyance, maybe even real anger. And disgust, though what it was aimed at was harder to figure out. ‘It did,’ she added.

  He seemed about to say something when his eyes flicked over Ceri’s shoulder and, a second later, Lily’s arm slipped around her waist. ‘I must be going,’ he said. ‘I’m leaving early in the morning.’

  ‘Have a good flight back,’ Ceri said, but he was already walking away.

  ‘He’s got distinctly less charming,’ Lily commented.

  ‘I’m not sure whether he was annoyed at me wearing the amulet, or at Gwyn for giving me it, or…’ She shrugged. ‘I don’t know. He’s possibly arrogant enough to think I shouldn’t be wearing it.’ Her eyes narrowed. ‘They’ve gone. Him and Mei. They’ve left the room.’

  ‘Going early.’

  ‘He
said he was going home early tomorrow…’ Ceri shrugged again.

  ‘Good evening, ladies.’ Ceri thought she had heard the accent on some old film, maybe Gone with the Wind. She turned and saw Levy and his wife standing behind them. He was all smiles and bright eyes while she had the more professional look of a political animal. ‘I didn’t get the chance to talk to you at the ball and when I heard the good Doctor had invited you tonight, I just had to say hello.’

  Ceri smiled back, trying to make sure it reached her eyes. ‘Good evening, Vice President.’

  ‘Ah, so you know me.’

  ‘You were pointed out to us at the ball, sir.’

  There was a flicker in his smile; wondering what had been said about him and who had said it. ‘No need for introductions then, Doctor Brent. I understand you’ve been briefing the President on some form of power generation system.’

  ‘That’s right. We’re running a trial of it this spring on the continent. Generating electricity from the German Rift via an artificial ley line.’

  ‘My,’ Angelica said, ‘the Good Lord surely did smile down on you. So attractive and so intelligent.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Ceri replied, ‘but I tend to believe it was genetics rather than any form of deity.’

  ‘Well, child,’ Angelica replied, ‘you may not believe in Him, but he surely believes in you.’

  ‘I didn’t say I didn’t believe,’ Ceri replied.

  ‘We have plenty of evidence to suggest the existence of your god,’ Lily supplied.

  ‘I read something about angels defending the land before Christmas,’ Levy said. ‘I should have thought that was a great source of faith…’

  ‘Not really,’ Ceri broke in. ‘They were defending us from other angels.’

  ‘Fallen ones, no doubt,’ Levy said. ‘The Devil has his angels as well.’

  ‘The one I spoke to said he had always followed the will of his Lord.’

  Angelica looked surprised. ‘You spoke to an angel.’

  ‘Two,’ Lily said. ‘The local one was nicer.’

  ‘Gadriel was more emotional,’ Ceri said. ‘He had more of a personality. He even feigned compassion. You’re right, he may have been Fallen. There’s some debate on the matter in theological circles.’