FAE

by Heather McAlendin

  on the table and waited for Gordon's arrival.

  Fiona had the feeling that this was not going to be an easy problem to solve. It

  was going to be a very long night. CHAPTER NINE

  The hot water pounded over Gordon's neck and shoulders as he tried to wash the

  dirt and memories of the evening away.

  “Now I've dragged poor Fiona into all of this when all she did was act kind to

  me.” He muttered.

  In the back of his mind though, Gordon thought Fiona to be a pillar of strength

  and femininity. Why she was even interested in helping was beyond him but he

  supposed there were those that were attracted to hard luck cases.

  Godfrey was gone and he felt invaded in his own home, almost violated. If he had

  succumbed to Fae's “glamour” would Godfrey still be alive?

  “God, now I feel guilty for not having sex with a faerie? Get a grip Gordon!”

  He quickly toweled off and dressed in a comfortable pair of faded jeans and a

  navy blue sweatshirt. He walked downstairs and stared at the spot where Godfrey's body

  had lay only a few hours before. His stomach lurched and he felt nauseous.

  “Okay, enough of this. I need to get out of here!”

  Gordon slipped his feet into a pair of loafers, grabbed his keys and cell phone and

  headed out the front door to his jeep. Moments later, Gordon was headed toward the north side of town. He was glad

  the roads were quiet as is gave him time to think. So much had happened so fast over the

  last few days. He almost wished for his dull, boring life to return, sans faeries and sans

  Fiona.

  “No,” he breathed. “I am glad I met Fiona.”

  His tires screeched to a halt when he realized he had almost passed by Fiona's

  house. Driving in reverse, he found himself in the driveway of a two story brownstone

  with a tiny rock garden near the front stairs.

  Before he even got out of the Jeep, he saw Fiona standing in her doorway with a

  big smile on her face. She was angelic looking under the outdoor lamp and the pink

  sweater she wore gave colour to her cheeks.

  “Wow,” Gordon exclaimed as he gathered his courage to get out of his vehicle.

  “She is so lovely.”

  Fiona waved as he got out his Jeep. “I hope you had no trouble finding the

  house?” She asked.

  “No, although I will admit I was so lost in thought that I almost drove right by.

  Your house is great!” “It suits me and Ling Mae just fine. I got it for a good price too. Please come in

  out of the damp. I just put on some tea.”

  Gordon nodded and followed Fiona up the stairs and into the house. It was

  decorated simply but tastefully, with brightly coloured pillows scattered here and there.

  A large, ancient looking map of Ireland hung on the wall, just above the fireplace in the

  living room. In the corner of the room were a play pen and a large basket of dolls and

  plastic toys.

  “I hope I haven't disturbed you and your daughter by something here Fiona. I

  didn't know who else to call and you said....”

  “I said to call me if anything out of the ordinary happened Gordon and I'm glad

  you did. I am so sorry about Godfrey.” Fiona placed her hand on Gordon's shoulder, the

  warmth that seeped through his sweatshirt felt good...too good.

  “I...uh...thanks Fiona. Can I help with the tea?”

  “Of course,” Fiona said brightly.

  Thankful for the distraction, Gordon went into the kitchen and help Fiona set out

  a tray with the tea and some small scones.

  “You'll love these Gordon. They are potato scones. They are my Da's recipe.” “They look great. Here, let me take the tray for you.”

  “Thank you Gord. Let's go into the living room.”

  The two glanced at one another until Gordon, embarrassed looked away, his

  cheeks burning and hurried into the living room.

  Fiona chuckled and followed closely behind him with the scones.

  “You can put the tray down on that table Gord, unless you want to hold it all

  night.” Fiona said gently.

  Gordon put down the tray and sat on the couch with his hands in his lap. “Sorry. I

  guess you can tell that being around a woman is not the most comfortable place for me

  to be. I suppose that is why I am alone so much. You all make me nervous!”

  Smiling, Fiona nodded her head. “Believe it or not I can relate, perhaps in a

  different way though. When I first moved here from Ireland I was very uncomfortable.

  With my flaming hair and accent, I stood out like a sore thumb and people are not

  always kind.”

  “But you are so beautiful and intelligent! I have never met a woman like you!”

  Gordon blurted out. Laughing softly, Fiona tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “Thank you Gord.

  But having fair looks does not guarantee happiness. I have been alone along time. I

  think some men find me intimidating, especially at the University. That is one of the

  reasons I adopted Ling Mae. She fills a big void in my life.”

  Astonished that Fiona could ever feel lonely, Gord sat back and looked at her.

  While he could understand that that mixture of Irish temperament and brains could scare

  some men off, he assumed that her looks would attract many suitors.

  “I assumed....well never mind. Most people think that because I am a published

  author that I must long for the lime-lite and accolades. I don't and at time I actually hate

  the attention that's why I created Erica Stone.”

  “I figured as much Gord but perhaps you could see it a different way. Those

  accolades are well earned. Your writing and the research behind it is impeccable,

  otherwise I'd never read your work.”

  “Coming from you Fiona, I will accept the compliment.”

  “I'm glad. Now let's figure out this problem you are having at home.”

  Gordon stared down at his feet for a moment then cleared his throat. “Yes indeed,

  a figment of my imagination that murders as quickly as a child having a temper tantrum. How do I get rid of her Fiona before she destroys me completely? I almost gave in

  tonight!”

  Raising an eyebrow, Fiona poured a cup of tea and took a long swallow. “Oh?

  Need I guess what she offered?”

  Gordon made no reply as he watched Fiona. He knew that she could tell what had

  almost happened.

  “I am sorry Gord. I won't be asking you about that. But it is interesting that you

  were able to break free. You have a stronger will that you believe.”

  “It doesn't feel like it at the moment. I could help myself but Godfrey died trying

  to protect me.”

  Fiona narrowed her gaze as a thought came to her. “Was there anything that she

  said or did that was different than last time?”

  Gordon scratched his head and nodded. “Well, after I rejected her and she killed

  Godfrey she freaked out. She behaved that a child being scolded. All of a sudden all the

  fire and anger was gone. She looked almost frightened and then she disappeared.”

  “Incredible! She called herself Fae?”

  “Yes, why?” Fiona jumped from her chair and left Gordon sitting alone in the living room.

  “What the hell?” He wondered.

  It didn't take long before Fiona came back with a large, warn leather book in her

  hands.

  “Here! I found it!”

  There was a loud thud as Fiona dropped the book on the
floor.

  “What is that?” Gordon asked.

  “It is a book handed down from my Mamo...Granny. It was hand written by an

  ancestor. Besides my family history, it has a thousand tales of faeries and leprechauns. I

  used to love reading it when I was a child. I just remembered where I heard the name

  “Fae” before!”

  Gordon was immediately intrigued and bent down closer to take a better look at

  the book. “It's amazing! A family treasure.”

  Fiona cocked her head to one side and shook her head. “I never thought of it that

  way. That is true and I can give it my own daughter when she is of age to understand.” Gently turning the yellowed pages, Gordon noticed a tiny script that did not seem

  to be written in English. Noting his interest, Fiona stopped his hand at one of the pages

  and smile knowingly.

  “It's called Ogham.”

  “What is?” Gordon asked quietly, trying not to focus on her touch.

  Placing her hand back in her lap, Fiona nodded toward the small writing that

  appeared on the edges of each page.

  “What you see written is the “so called” faerie language called Ogham. A least

  that is what my Mamo called it. Until I did a bit of research on my own, I always figured

  she wrote in Gaelic as a bit of fun. It's an ancient, basic elfin language that consists of

  bits of notches and crosshatching that only the elves or faeries supposedly understand.

  Sometimes it is combined with pictographs.”

  Staring at the tiny lines, Gordon was amazed that anyone human or otherwise

  could never make sense of it.

  “Can you read it?”

  “I used to be able to.” From the hesitation in Fiona's voice, Gordon surmised it

  had been awhile, perhaps since childhood. “Not that it is relevant to your faerie as she has not left any calling cards for you.

  Or has she?”

  “No,” said Gordon. “There wasn’t anything that I am aware of, but I was not of a

  mind to look.”

  Flipping a few more pages, Fiona finally stopped at some pages that were

  beautifully written in calligraphic hand. “I always loved these pages especially; the

  writing is so flowery and artistic.”

  Suddenly she stopped. “Here!”

  Fiona dropped to her knees on the floor and pointed at one of the pages, Gordon

  joined her.

  “What am I seeing?”

  “I knew I heard of or read about Fae, or at least what could be Fae!” Fiona said

  excitedly.

  Peering down, Gordon could not make heads or tails of what he was seeing but

  trusted that Fiona knew what she was talking about.

  “So,” he started. “What does this all say?” Fiona sat back and lifted the heavy book into her lap. “I'll try and give you a short

  synopsis. This particular story is one about the Queen of the Faeries; Maeve. It mentions

  here that Queen Maeve had many offspring, all female. One in particular is associated

  with being a “social faerie”, they can change appearance, size and shape whenever it

  suits them.”

  “That sounds like my Fae.” Gordon said with a touch or bitterness in his voice.

  “It's more than that Gord. It seems “Fae” was the oldest and most beautiful of the

  faerie princesses, but also the most mischievous.”

  “...she could steal a man's heart and make women weep...”

  “Queen Maeve did not agree with faerie or elfin interaction with the human

  world. She basically declared all humans as “wicked creatures and unclean,” but it was

  known that in her early reign, she had a dalliance with a human man.”

  “So, this Queen “glamoured” a human man?”

  “So it would seem and the unthinkable happened, she bore a child from this

  union.” Astounded at what he was hearing, Gordon jumped up and paced the floor. “How

  is that possible? I mean, if I believe even half of what you are telling me, how can that

  happen?” A sudden thought froze him in mid walk.

  “Fae! That child was Fae.”

  “Yes and being part human and part faerie would give anyone in her situation

  cause to consider herself an outcast. Apparently many thought Queen Maeve a fool for

  keeping the girl and many offered to help “dispose” of the “abomination.”

  “Good God!” Gordon said uneasily. “I can see why she would be rebellious. She

  didn't really fit in anywhere.”

  “Do I detect a wee bit of sympathy Gord?”

  As Gordon took another sip of tea, he contemplated his answer. “Not really

  Fiona, perhaps empathy.”

  Reading further, Fiona ran her finger down one of the pages before stopping.

  “Here may be why she is present in our world Gordon. Upon her birth, the faerie circle

  decided to take away her ability to conceive. She'll never have her own children Gordon,

  Fae is barren!” Gordon glanced across at Fiona, uncertain as to what to say or think. All this was

  too much out of the realm of possibility.

  “So she is here taking revenge on her mother and the faerie circle by doing the

  one thing she had been forbidden to do; associate and seduce a human male. That's why

  she acted so odd earlier today. I bet they have discovered where she is.”

  Nodding in agreement, Fiona placed the book back on the floor. “You are

  probably right. But I still don't understand what she needs from you. It is not as if she

  can bear a child with you.”

  Shuddering, Gordon stood up and walked toward the living room window and

  stared of into the darkness. “Heaven forbid.” He said quietly.

  “Do you know if Mrs. Quinn left any documentation or books at the house after

  she moved out. Something she failed to collect?”

  “Why” Gordon asked in an exasperated voice. “What would any of that do?”

  “Perhaps she left a diary, a letter, anything that may reveal what she knew about

  Fae and perhaps had something to share about dealing with her. It seems she has only

  reappeared to you and only after the old woman passed on.” Gordon turned to regard Fiona when suddenly a hopeful look came across his

  face. “As a matter of fact, there is an old chest in the basement. I always meant to give it

  to her or a family member but I had almost forgotten about it. Maybe something in

  there can help!” Grasping Fiona’s hand Gordon stood up and walked toward the door.

  Fiona smiled and looked deeply into Gordon’s eyes for the first time. What she

  saw there was hope and excitement and it made her heart beat faster than it had in

  months. Men never seemed to treat her as an equal and Gord, although shy, respected

  her. A small cry from upstairs brought her back to the present and she quickly let go of

  Gordon’s hand. “I need to check on my wee one. Gord promise me that you will call if

  you find anything at all.”

  Gordon smiled back at her and nodded as he walked out the front door. “I

  promise.’ He said. Hesitating, Gordon spoke quickly before losing his nerve. “Fiona?”

  “Yes?” She responded quietly.

  “When all this is over May I take you to dinner? I mean you and your daughter?”

  Gordon’s heart felt as if it would beat right out his chest as he waited for an

  answer. He wasn’t entirely sure why this moment seemed the time to leap out of his

  comfort zone but it was out there and now he waited. Fiona smiled sweetly and nodded in agreement. “Of course,

&
nbsp; we would like that

  very much.”

  “Great!” Gordon nearly skipped down the front stairs. For the first time in years

  he felt a surge of excitement and purpose. This felt better to him than his first novel

  making the best sellers list. Now if he could only find the information to get rid of Fae! CHAPTER TEN

  It was midnight by the time Gordon made his way up the familiar driveway to his

  home. A twinge of regret poked deep within his chest as he recalled Godfrey's death

  only a few hours earlier. Life had changed so fast and Gordon knew Godfrey would

  approve.

  “I am just sorry it had to be this way for you my friend. You could have gotten to

  know Fiona better. I think you'd like her daughter too. You will never be forgotten.” A

  tear trickled down Gordon's face and a brief flash of anger coloured his cheeks. Shaking

  it off, he walked to the back of the house.

  Making his way to the back door, Gordon noticed a gleam of light coming from

  the yard.

  “Oh God no,” he moaned. “Not again!”

  As quickly and quietly as possible he hurried to the garden.

  Nothing. No light. No movement. No sound.

  “I'm spooking myself now.” Gordon whispered as he entered the house. He

  breathed a sigh of relief as he clicked on the light and walked down the creaky set of

  stairs leading to the cold, damp basement. Gordon's basement was no more than a glorified root celler. It was cool and dark

  and smelled of dirt and musty wood. A large box of new potatoes sat in one corner and

  few bottles of red wine lay sideways on a wooden shelf.

  Finally, Gordon found what he had come for, a large brass edged steam trunk

  with a worn latch.

  “You finally came back.”

  A cold shiver crept up Gordon's spine as he recognized the silky, seductive voice.

  “Fae.” He said firmly without turning around.

  “I missed you. Have you come back to help me Gordon? Have you decided to

  forgive me?” Fae's voice was melodic and soothing.

  Gordon took his time straightening up and swallowed a deep breath of air before

  clenching his jaw as he turned to face his ethereal visitor.

  Fae was once again dressed in white and looked delicate and feminine and so

  vulnerable. Even though Gordon knew she had basically cast a spell over his senses, a

  part of him wanted to hold her and just get lost in the moment.