‘Shit. Give me the book,’ Orders Tara. Luna is about to object. ‘NOW.’ Quietly Luna hands over the book. Bridget follows everything, this is interesting. Tara just made Luna feel like a little girl. Her Grandma can be scary. Something she files away for later.
Tara quickly leaves through the book and finds the spell Luna chose.
‘Damn it. We released a creature of the underworld.’ Tara looks ten years older.
‘No!’ Luna snatches the book away. ‘Here.’ Luna points at some words in the book. ‘It says: other world.’
‘Under World. It says Under World.’ Luna squints. Oops
‘Who knows what we just set free in this world. Dear Goddess, please don’t let this come back to haunt us.’
‘She looked so innocent.’ Says Luna wistfully.
‘Those are generally the worst.’ Replies Tara with a voice full of doom. ‘No wonder Lucy wants this book back.’
Bridget and Moon quietly recede, and give Tara and Luna some time before they follow them to the house.
When Bridget comes into the hallway, there is shouting coming from the kitchen. Quickly she pushes through the door and sees that Bert, Ceri’s husband, has cornered Tara. He’s shouting at her. ‘I want my wife back! Why aren’t you helping her? Where ever she is. You’re all milling around drinking cocktails in that ridiculous bar of yours while Ron and Ceri disappeared!’ His face has turned bright red, normally he’s such a chill dude.
Bridget decides to take a chair next to Maeve, who’s also staying out of this. Tara’s stoic face doesn’t help the situation. ‘Say something!’
‘They’re in fairy. We don’t know where, so we can’t help them. They’re capable witches and will be back as soon as they can.’
‘FAIRY! Do you think I’m a child?!’ Steam is coming out of his ears now. Luna picks this moment to add some fuel to the fire.
‘Time is different in Fairy, it may feel only a couple of minutes to them, or maybe the other way around, it feels like years.’ Now Bert looks genuinely horrified.
‘You’re all crazy!’
Tara finally decides to turn on her motherly charms, she puts a calming hand on Bert’s arm. ‘You married a witch, you must understand that strange things can happen. Ceri must have told you.’ By the look she’s getting, it’s clear there is a whole lot that Ceri didn’t tell him.
‘I told Tom. That way, he knew what he was getting involved in,’ adds Luna. Tom holds up his hands in defense as Bert turns on him. ‘For the record, I didn’t believe you.’
‘Right.’ Bert is happy to have someone on his side. ‘Who believes all that.’
‘Well, it’s true.’ Tara finally shows some compassion. The poor guy, he didn’t sign up for this. ‘They will be back as soon as they can. In the meantime, we’re all here to help you with the kids.’ Slowly she ushers him to the door. Luna motions Tom to take him outside. Tom winks at Luna and throws an arm around Bert. ‘Come on buddy, let’s get some fresh air.’
Tara slides down on a chair, while Luna starts to make some tea. Diane flows into the kitchen, conveniently missing the ruckus.
‘We need to do something, Grandma.’ Says Bridget. ‘Diane suggested we steal the Dagger. It’s time to make a plan.’
‘Yes. Yes.’ Tara doesn’t try to show it, but the confrontation with Bert has gotten to her. She’s never before had to defend her actions. Ceri has not been truthful with him. She had let that slide, and now they have to deal with the consequences. Her youngest daughter has always been able to make her do whatever she wants, Tara had gone soft.
‘Grandma!’ Maeve calls her back to the here and now.
Luna puts fennel with chamomile herb tea on the table, to calm the nerves. The sweet scent already has a relaxing effect on them.
‘There is a binding spell in Lucy’s spellbook. If we can lure her out, we will be able to catch her.’ Offers Luna.
‘What do we do with her?’ wonders Diane.
‘I don’t think we should use her spells. Who knows what kind of effect they have!’ Bridget looks straight at Luna, but she doesn’t even blink. When she glances at Tara, she blankly stares ahead.
‘Why not, it’s a good spell. We only need time to steal the Dagger. I don’t think we want to keep her. We’re not a prison.’ Luna sounds convincing. They all nod. This makes Bridget instantly suspicious. Is her mother using her gift to convince them? The others seem to approve, and what other options do they have? She has no ideas herself, other than she feels an urgency.
‘Luna needs to lure her out of hiding with that spellbook. We snatch the Dagger and keep it safe.’ States Tara, as if it’s as simple as that.
Bridget leans back and lets her family hash out a plan. Observation is an important skill she learned at the police academy. She leans back and follows the back and forth between the women.
FAIRY
Ron and Ceri are in trouble. The mob of angry fairies dropped them in some sort of blank space. A round white bubble, no sound or smell coming through. They can’t even see a door. And worst of all, it’s a magic-dead zone. They huddle together on the bottom of the orb shape. It’s so scary to be deprived of your senses. Thank goodness there is a soft light. For the first time since they entered Fairy, Ceri is really freaked out. She’s so used to feeling her magic, never before has she been cut off. It’s hard to describe, as it’s always there and as it turns out, she constantly uses and depends on it. Maybe not consciously, but now she realizes how much magic is intertwined with her life. Ron is awfully quiet.
‘Ron.’ No reaction. She turns to him and shakes him lightly ‘Ron!’ The sound is swallowed by the room. Even though she speaks very loudly it appears muffled. ‘Are you okay?!’
Ron turns towards her and shakes his head. ‘I’m sorry.’ And he bursts into tears. Great, just what she needs. An emotional brother. He’s always so strong and sure of himself, it’s a shock to see him this way. Why does he have to break down now? She gives herself a mental shake, it won’t help to lose her temper. Stay focused. First Ron needs to snap out of this mood. ‘It’s a reflex, that’s how magic works. We didn’t know they would react this way. I’m sure they will let us out soon so we can explain.’ He keeps sobbing. Hmmm, the understanding touch is not working. ‘Ron?’ He looks up, and she slaps him in the face. Shock and anger snap him out of it. ‘What the hell?!’
‘Ah, you’re back. We have no time to feel sorry for ourselves.’
As if on cue, a panel slides open, and a tall, slender fairy stands in the door opening. His golden hair almost touches the ground. In his hand, he carries a stick. On his back, hangs a curious looking machine gun. Not sure what it shoots, but it will probably be lethal none the less. ‘The Queen will see you now.’ His melodious voice has no trouble sounding normal in the orb. Awkwardly Ron and Ceri get up. The floor is hollow, but they manage to get to the door. With a sweeping motion, the fairy urges them to walk in front of him. They enter a hallway which looks like the inside of a branch of a tree. Bark texture and earthy brown, green colors, soon the hallway opens into several hallways. He steers them effectively to the right. They pass several fairies, but they avert their eyes. The hallway moves up and down in gentle slopes, and it feels like they’re walking for half an hour. Going left, right, left, hard to keep track. All those turns really affect their sense of direction. All of a sudden they’re standing in front of two enormous doors. The guard touches the door with his wand, and it opens without a sound. It reveals a gigantic room full of wonders. It is as if nature has met modern technology, but not like human technology which often looks hard and clunky. Here it flows and whirls. A true merger of magic and science. For a moment they forget their troubles and just stare at the room in wonder. The space is used in a three-dimensional way. Not only the floor, but also up and down. Little islands are floating around, and colorful fairies are gathered in different spots arguing somethi
ng. In between the islands are flexible roads that move as if they’re alive. You could look for hours and still not see it all. Their guard has no patience and shoves them forward toward the back of the hall. The wall is alive with real bees, they part as soon as they come close. The next room is a lot smaller but not less elaborate. The walls are decorated with natural art, made out of living things that form different images. The four seasons are clearly represented. In the middle of the room stands a huge tree like chair. Artificial light graces the branches and emanates a gentle light on the most beautiful creature you have ever seen. Once your eye falls on her, the rest of the room falls away. Queen Mab, they’re in serious trouble if they’re in the private rooms of the Queen of Fairy. Their mother would fill them with terrible stories about her when they were young. Tara was always worried they would travel to Fairy to explore.
‘Well, well, well.’ The most soothing and lovely voice of Mab reaches them. ‘Welcome.’
Unsure what is expected they both make a graceless bow. They’re very aware they will not live up to the expectation.
Mab turns her full attention on Ron. ‘You used magic in my city. That’s forbidden.’
Ron blushes. ‘I… I… didn’t know. I’m so sorry.’ He again bows in the hope it will help.
‘You know I could use a witch in my entourage.’
Ron looks scared. ‘My Lady, we have families. Please. I want to go home.’
Her beautiful face changes very briefly into something terrifying and dark. Ron takes a step back. Mab’s voice booms through the hall. ‘I’m the law here, not you, Witch. You need to pay for your crimes.’
‘But… but… it was just a little spell.’
Ceri takes a step forward. She knows that they won’t get away unless they do something Mab wants. This is bad. How did they end up here? Mab usually doesn’t bother the humans.
‘What can we offer you?’
Mab attention swings to Ceri, she snaps her fingers, and all of a sudden, Ron and Ceri can see all the others in the room. The Red Rider, the Ferrymaster and—
‘Freya!’ cries Ceri and she feels the trap snap shut. This must have been a setup. The wheel of fortune is on its way down. Her heart sinks.
‘You know…’ Mab’s voice is back to her charming self. ‘Tara and her sister used to travel Fairy together when they were young. Such gifted witches. They came and visited with me regularly. It was always fun to see them. One day that stopped. It might have had something to do with them luring one of my trusted consorts away. After he finally came back, I had no use for him anymore.’ With a careless gesture, she waves towards a fairy in the far corner, he looks aged which is unthinkable for a fairy as they’re immortal, and his wings are clipped. His emerald eyes seem to bore into Ceri, it’s unnerving. ‘As you can see his fate is sealed, but your mother and aunt never paid their price. I know they have used the ways through Fairy every now and then, but this time I got word that you were coming, and I was prepared.’ Ceri glances at Freya, who looks very pale and evades her eyes.
‘We are not our mother, and I apologize for her behavior. But you cannot expect us to carry her burden.’ Mab is right in front of Ceri. Startled, she wants to take a step back, but Mab has grabbed her chin and studies her face. None of the humans had seen Mab move.
‘Please, let my sister go.’ Ron found some courage. Mab casually shuts him up with a flick of the wrist. He stands frozen. ‘I’m not interested in you. I think you’re boring. But this one.’ She lets Ceri’s face go. ‘I like you. Did we meet before?’
‘No Ma’am, I would have remembered.’
Mab laughs, ‘Maybe I should keep you.’
Ceri starts sweating, she doesn’t want to stay here, what about her children. Her mind races. She needs a solution. ‘I offer you a favor. I’m not my mother, but I’m willing to take some responsibility.’
‘Ceri, NO!’ shouts Freya before the Ferrymaster shuts her up with a hand over her mouth.
Mab cocks her head. ‘A favor.’ She lets that role off her tongue. ‘How generous of you. One, however, is not going to cut it. Five favors.’
‘Two.’ Counters Ceri.
‘Three.’ Smiles Mab.
‘You have to let Ron and Freya go. And I want to be able to go home and see my family if I’m not needed.’
‘Have you ever made a bargain with a fairy before?’
Ceri shakes her head.
‘You’re pretty good at it. Please remember though, that I’m the Queen.’ Mab drapes herself back on the throne.
‘I’ll accept your bargain. You stay here for the first favor. Then you can go home until I need you again. You will do them without question and drop whatever you’re doing when I summon you. Agreed?’
‘Agreed.’ Says Ceri.
Mab snaps her fingers and Ron and Freya are gone. Ceri is scared, she’s terrified.
‘Come, sit my child. Let us talk business.’ Ceri slowly makes her way to the chair that has grown out of the ground next to Mab. While the aged Fairy looks on with dread.
PART 6
EIGHT OF WANDS ‘RESULTS’
‘You may never know what results come from your action.
But if you do nothing, there will be no result.’
—Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
NEW ORLEANS
Tara felt her body relax as Freya and Ron came back through the tree. Until she learned Ceri made a deal with Mab, the fairy queen. Things are quickly going from bad to worse. Bert isn’t taking it very well that Ceri isn’t coming back anytime soon. It feels like a déja vu, back in the kitchen with Bert shouting in her face. She can’t blame him, and she isn’t able to comfort him either. Her history with Mab doesn’t bode well for Ceri. Bert’s words wash over her, while her mind wanders. Whatever possessed Ceri to do that? Ron said she did it to save them. That clearly didn’t sit well with him. To be always so in control and then to be protected by your little sister. Luckily, his wife Selma is smart and caring; she’ll get him through this. Freya just pretended nothing was wrong, but behind her eyes, panic was bubbling up, and she couldn’t wait to go home. What did she have to give up? They will only find out if they ever need that memory. That’s so scary about it, you have no idea what has gone missing.
‘I’ll go to the police!’ This snaps Tara back to the present.
‘Please Bert, that won’t help anyone.’ Tara finally tries to calm him down, quickly she glances at Luna, no words are needed. Luna moves next to Tara, while Maeve, Bridget, Tom, and Wes still sit at the table having their breakfast.
‘You have to calm down Bert,’ stresses Luna, the timbre of her voice calming everybody in the room. Immediately, Bridget’s hair stands up on the back of her neck. She turns towards the conversation.
‘All will be well.’ Luna puts a comforting arm around him while he starts to calm down.
‘Luna, NO!’ Bridget jumps up. But Luna doesn’t hesitate.
‘Go home, take care of the kids. It’s perfectly normal that Ceri will be away for a while.’
The others at the table nod their heads in agreement, also affected by the words.
Bridget is too late. ‘Bert, wait.’
He ignores her and leaves the kitchen.
Bridget turns on Luna. ‘How could you?’ and then to Tara ‘You made her do this! There are rules! We shouldn’t cross this line.’ Tara only sighs and sits down in the first available chair.
‘What would you have done? You know very well we can’t let him go to the police or stir things up. This way at least he’s content. It’s all so stressful for him. It’s for the best.’
‘It’s wrong. You know it’s wrong. It’s not for you to decide for him.’
Wes gets up and throws his arm around Bridget. ‘Let it go, honey. Come have some breakfast. Bridget shakes off his arm. ‘You’re siding with them?’
‘Oh,
come on, these muffins are to die for.’ Disappointment shows all over Bridget’s face. She turns around and storms out of the kitchen. Wes is torn between going after her or joining the rest.
‘She’ll be back. Here, have a muffin.’ Maeve holds up a blueberry muffin, his favorite. With a last glance towards the door, he sits down.
Bridget calls her dogs and takes them outside. Happy to have her to themselves the dogs run around her and give her comfort. It’s always been the best way to calm down and clear her head. There’s Nothing like the unconditional love of the dogs. Moon licks her hand, she crouches down to give him some love and the others join in. Before she knows it, she’s laughing. The dirty feeling of Luna’s magical voice leaves her, and the sun and the dogs touch her heart. This is what magic is about. Love and positivity, what is happening to her family? The biggest shock is the ease of Tara’s involvement in this. Although she has started to heal the bond with her mother, this is a stark reminder that she needs to keep her objectivity, turn on her cop mind. Her mother is still using her dark gift and Tara might be a sweet Grandmother, but it’s important not to forget she’s a powerful witch with lots of secrets. Slowly she makes her way through the wooded area. Mulling over the events.
Tara is standing at her bedroom window when Bridget makes her way back to the house. Bridget’s confident stride makes her smile. She’ll be perfect as the next guardian. Tara is pleased that Bridget was the one able to resist Luna’s voice, it says a lot about the witch she’s growing into. Also, it’s good she has such a strong moral compass. Tara isn’t proud of herself for asking Luna to take care of Bert this way. It’s just that she’s tired, so tired. To be young again and to have endless energy. Pleased with her choice of successor, she turns away from Bridget and glances at Seamus. He doesn’t look pleased at all. ‘Please don’t judge me, what choice did I have?’ Seamus’ face shows very clearly what he thinks about that nonsense. ‘Ceri is a strong witch, we have to trust her.’ Seamus is very upset about this and turns away from her. That really hurts, and Tara can’t stop the tears from forming in her eyes. Slowly one after the other teardrops fall, but Seamus doesn’t turn back. The tarot card on her altar seems to call her, carefully she makes her way over, feeling her aging bones. Seamus has always supported her through thick and thin. All those years he never made her feel she did anything wrong. Never questioned her about the choices she made for their children. That he turns away from her now is like a dagger through her heart. Pensively she picks up the six of cups. Nostalgia. Time to move on, Seamus is not here anymore, and the magical portrait is great, but it’s not the same as having him here. She’s here, and she needs to make the decisions, and sometimes they’re hard and have unpleasant consequences. So be it. She’ll do anything to keep her family safe. With a practiced move, she puts back the six of cups, fans out the cards and let her left hand move back and forth over the cards until one card draws her attention. She pulls it from the deck, and with anticipation, she turns it around. A sigh escapes her lips, finally something positive. The eight of wands, a bird of prey dives down in between eight wands. Things are going to move quickly. Any which way, it will lead to some results— good or bad, but better than waiting, any decision is better than no choice. Feeling slightly more optimistic, she puts the card on her altar and when she turns around Seamus is smiling at her again.
The Dagger Page 23