“We would have been within our own Law to kill her for her crime, had we been in a position to mete out such justice,” Jess said. “But we would not deny doing so, had it been our blades that had ended her life.”
Riordan held up his hands in a placating gesture, “I don’t doubt that. I have never known the Elven Guard to be anything less than utterly honest.”
A residual tension left the room with his words, the praise going further with the two elves than the earlier reluctant apologies had. Allie fought the urge to roll her eyes at the ridiculousness of it; the detective had apologized and the Guard had still been in a snit about being treated rudely, but he gave them a rather offhand compliment and all was forgiven. Elves, she thought to herself care more about their honor than anything else. No wonder most people think they’re arrogant jerks.
“Are we certain that she died the way it looks like she died?” Allie ventured a question.
Smythe shrugged. “The autopsy shows a cut on the right side of her neck, fairly shallow, but it bled for a bit, and then her throat was slit, I think the M.E. used the word ‘forcefully’, from left to right.”
“Interesting,” Zarethyn murmured. “So someone held a blade to her neck, close enough to cut her and long enough for the wound to bleed in a noticeable amount. And then after some small time they killed her.”
“You think she was…what? Being questioned?” Riordan asked, his voice sharp.
“That would fit the evidence,” Zarethyn agreed.
“For what purpose?” Jess asked.
“Hmmmm,” Sam interjected. “That would imply whoever killed her wanted information from her first. That doesn’t make it sound like they were playing on the same team.”
Jess turned and exchanged a long look with his brother, who frowned. Riordan shifted, his chair creaking with the movement, “What? What is it?”
“You think this might be tied into whoever sent the gremlins?” Allie asked, and both elves gave her a quelling look. Jess’s voice in her mind was harsh “Allie do not speak of the Dark court to the police.”
“Of course not,” she replied, stung that he would assume she’d be so foolish. “But the police must know – must be told - that there were gremlins in their impound lot. And if the Dark court has agents here, for whatever reason, and that is tied to the shooter’s death, that’s important information.”
He looked unhappy but nodded slightly. “Yes, but they must be told with great caution and without any mention of the Dark court. If there are such agents and they are working against not only the Guard here but also the human police then of course the police must be warned”
Sam was watching them closely, obviously aware of something passing between them. Riordan however was oblivious to it, “What gremlins?”
“When I went and picked up my car at the impound lot today I found that you had a really serious infestation of gremlins,” Allie said.
Sam swore colorfully. “Well that’ll be a mess to clear out, the vicious bastards are hell to deal with. How many are there, do you know?”
“Oh, ummm, well. There were about, ummm, sixteen I think. But you don’t need to worry about it I took care of it.” Allie said, flushing as everyone in the room stared at her with looks ranging from shocked to disapproving.
“You…”Sam’s mouth moved but for a moment no sound came out; the usually flamboyant mage temporarily at a loss for words. He stood up, stepping towards Allie, which made Jess stand and step protectively in front of her. “You cleared out sixteen gremlins by yourself?”
“Well, not using magic exactly,” Allie said, wishing everyone wasn’t looking at her like she’d suddenly grown another head. “Gremlins are still Lesser Fey and like any Lesser Fey they respect elves and fear the Guard so I kind of made them think I was an elf, a full elf, and flashed my Elven Guard badge. And told them to leave, to go to a scrapyard where they wouldn’t cause any trouble that is. And they did.”
“You took an enormous risk,” Zarethyn said tightly.
“Not really. I mean I can see that it looks that way, but…” but I can’t explain this Allie thought miserably without explaining how I know so much about gremlins, “The point is that they weren’t there by chance. And if there is someone around trying to stir up trouble and using the, ummm, more dangerous Lesser Fey to do it, maybe they had something to do with Blackstone being killed. I mean that makes more sense than thinking someone in her own group would question her at knife point and then kill her after she shot at me.”
Riordan massaged his temples, “So what you are saying is that we don’t have one group acting here we may have two?”
“Possibly, but I think the real issue is the group behind the ritual murders. If Walters, Blackstone, and Standish are all connected and we know Standish is still at large and still in Ashwood, isn’t it logical to assume there’s at least one more person, someone who is helping him?” Jess said slowly. Allie hoped he was being sincere and not just trying to distract the police from the possible Dark court elves.
“Actually I think it’s glaringly obvious,” Sam said, sitting back down, his eyes still trained on Allie. Jess also sat with obvious reluctance. “The original group worked in a coven structure, with a single leader and more than a dozen followers, yes?”
“Yes,” Zarethyn agreed. “So you believe whoever revived the ritual also revived the coven?”
“If you want to put it that way,” Sam shrugged. “I think we made a big mistake focusing on the idea of a single killer from the beginning. Of course I wasn’t involved in the earlier investigation since I couldn’t identify either the magic or the ritual being used, or perhaps I could have offered this insight sooner…”
“Sam,” Smythe said, the single word a clear warning to the mage who winced and waved his hands in the air.
“Be that as it may,” he went on, obviously struggling to reign himself in. Allie wondered what the police had told him about the Elven Guard that had him trying so hard to behave himself. “My point is that it’s clear now that the three known suspects are connected, and where there are three I believe there are more. Certainly at least a rudimentary coven.”
“Isn’t it possible it was just those three?” Smythe asked.
“Possible, perhaps,” Sam said, resting his chin thoughtfully on the dragon-head of his cane. “But then how is Jerry-the-slasher still loose? He can’t escape to regular earth and he can’t flee into Fairy. He must therefore still be in Ashwood and yet we have not even a whisper of his presence. Nothing. Radio silence. No I think that Jerry has friends, friends of the magical murderous ritual sort, and they are hiding him, undoubtedly so that he can continue to do their bloody work for them when the moon is dark again.”
“That doesn’t give us much time,” Riordan sighed.
Allie shook her head. “Don’t assume he’ll wait that long.”
“What do you mean my dear?” Sam asked, his voice casual, his gaze keen.
“I mean that unlike Walters he isn’t just doing this because he has to. He’s doing it because he gets off on it. Now that he has nothing to lose I wouldn’t be surprised if this becomes the only driving force for him.”
“How so?” Jess asked frowning.
Everyone was looking at her again and Allie fought the urge to look down, instead staring at a point on the wall to keep her head up. “I mean that he doesn’t have to worry about pretending to be normal, going to work, paying bills. He’s got nothing left in his life but completing this ritual and killing girls, and from the feelings he gives off, around the scenes of the kidnappings and bodies…” she shuddered feeling again that slimy emotional mix of lust, rage, and joy,” …if he was driven before I think he’ll be, I don’t know whatever beyond obsessed is now.”
“Then it essential that we find and capture him quickly, and root out any who may be aiding him,” Zarethyn said grimly. The others all nodded, unhappy but at least in agreement.
“Alright,” Riordan said, nodding slightly.
“Well, we’ll start pulling all the personal information we can get on all three of them and cross checking everything. It’ll be tedious…”
“If it would assist you detective,” Zarethyn said, looking thoughtful, “I will send one of the squad members I have assigned to this case, at Jessilaen’s discretion, to help you.”
“I’d appreciate that,” Riordan said, visibly thawing towards both elves. “We’re flat out trying to handle everything right now and this…it’s a lot of information, lots of details to go over. Another set of eyes would be a big help.”
Allie stood up with the others as everyone shook hands and finalized a plan to move forward with the joint investigation. It all left her head spinning. She found herself silently nodding and unable to follow what anyone was saying, acutely aware of how tired she was. She should have been thrilled at this turn of events, that the task force was reformed and that everyone was finally working together, but she wasn’t. She felt numb, as if her system had hit some point of critical mass in dealing with everything and couldn’t process anymore.
As they walked out of the police station a little while later, her mind was on an obligation she’d been putting off. She reached her car and hesitated, trying to decide if she should just go home or if she should tell Jess she had to do something else first….
“I have not had time to mention to you Allie, but I want to offer my congratulations,” Zarethyn said in Elvish, reaching out and grasping her shoulder. She felt his emotions filling the air around her and forced herself to remain still and not step away as he kept speaking. “I am very pleased to hear that you intend to talk with my mother about a marriage contract with Jess. I think it a very wise solution to settling the disruption caused by the uncertainty surrounding your relationship.”
“Oh, uh, well thank you,” Allie mumbled reflexively. “But that could be premature, nothing’s been accepted yet.”
The two elves glanced at each other, exchanging a cryptic look. Then Jess reached out and pulled her in close against his side, “She will not refuse you.”
His brother nodded in support, “She has been urging him to marry for many years. Although she may be willing to force him to it now to get the heir she wants she does care for him Allie; she knows he prefers you and I cannot imagine her standing in the way of his happiness if you ask for him.”
If I ask for him, Allie thought, the words echoing oddly in her mind. As if he were an object to be requested.
“I hope you will not be upset with me Allie, but mother is visiting the Outpost tomorrow and since I told her you were planning to ask for the marriage she would like to meet with you,” Jess said carefully.
“Oh, I…of course,” Allie fumbled out the words, caught totally off guard. They had only just discussed a possible marriage – her mind refused to think of it in concrete terms – and she had assumed she would have weeks at least to decide how to approach dealing with the situation. But since she had agreed to it, it seemed unfair to immediately turn around and try to delay.
Chapter 2 – Monday afternoon
Salarius watched Ferinyth pace back and forth like a caged animal and he wisely stayed out of the other elf’s way. The two Dark court elves had spent the first 48 hours after the girl was shot shadowing her every move, with Ferinyth pledging to take her at the first opportunity. That opportunity, however, never presented itself. The girl was perpetually surrounded by others, her Elven Guard lover barely ever leaving her side, and she proved impossible to get near. Finally in the dark hours of the morning of this, the third day, he had admitted defeat, and the two had headed back to the cheap motel they were staying at.
The older elf had accepted the situation with ill grace and was in a truly foul mood. He refused to eat or sleep, instead walking the length of the room endlessly, devising and discarding different plans to get to the half-elven girl they had been tasked to kidnap. Salarius hadn’t dared even speak to the other elf, after one brief attempt when they’d first returned to the room. He’d made the mistake of suggesting that after almost three straight days awake and hunting the girl they should try to rest and regroup and Ferinyth had picked him up and thrown him into a wall. After that Sal left him alone, keeping a cautious eye on the other elf and trying to measure his desperation as the hours ticked by.
It was obvious enough to Sal that they would simply have to wait until the girl relaxed her guard and then seize the ideal moment. There was no way to force that timing and hope to have any success. But there was no reasoning with Ferinyth at the moment. Sal rather hoped that he would work himself into exhaustion and pass out.
*****************************
After finishing up the second meeting at the police station Allie had met with Brynneth for a healing session, which left her feeling relaxed but even more tired. The morning had felt as long as an entire week and Allie would have preferred to just go home, but her conscience pricked her, reminding her that she still hadn’t gone to see Bleidd. So with more than a little reluctance she drove to the medical clinic that served as a small hospital for the residents of Ashwood, resigned to doing her duty as a friend. She parked as close as she could get to the building, remembering Jess’s anger that she was wandering around alone, and trying to be as safety conscious as possible. She also put as much effort as she could spare into blocking Jess from her mind and awareness, wanting a layer of mental privacy for at least the next little while.
To her surprise she ran into Jason at the entrance. He was still wearing his fire department uniform, but a quick glance at the bulky hand held radio at his waist showed it was turned off. Allie decided he’d just gotten out of work; it must be a lot later then she’d realized.
“Hey Jase,” she greeted her roommate distractedly, licking her lips and glancing past him towards the receptionist’s desk. “Are you here to visit, to ummmm, see him?”
Jason nodded, “I’m glad you’re here Allie. He’s been pretty down about being stuck here, and being hurt. It’ll mean a lot to him to see you.”
Allie looked away, feeling a surge of shame and fear. She did not want to be here, did not want to see Bleidd. They had been friends for ten years but did he hate her now for what she’d done to save him? She was terrified of finding out, and she could feel her stomach churning as she thought about it. He had almost died because of her, and he might hate for that as well. She swallowed hard; in her mind she ran over all the worst case scenarios, from icy silence to him screaming at her until she fled the room. “Right well, can you show me where his room is?”
Jason gave her a strange look, but gestured for her to follow him and headed off into the building. With her feet dragging Allie followed, full of a growing sense of dread. She went back and forth in her head as they walked, first berating herself for not having come sooner, then for coming at all. Finally after a short ride in an elevator to one of the upper floors and a walk down an antiseptic smelling hallway he stopped in front of a door. They stood there for a few seconds and then with an impatient look Jason gestured her forward.
Allie stepped up and tapped lightly on the closed door of the hospital room, more than half hoping there would be no answer. To her disappointment after just enough time to make her think maybe he was asleep or didn’t want visitors Bleidd’s voice drifted through the heavy door, “Enter.”
She hesitated and Jason leaned past her, turning the handle and pushing the door open before shoving Allie in. She stumbled, throwing her arms up to catch the door on the backswing before it could hit her in the face. Taking a deep breath and bracing herself she stepped fully into the small room, while Jason stepped back, obviously planning to wait in the hall. The door closed under its own weight behind her with a thud. Almost reflexively her eyes went to Bleidd where he lay in the wooden hospital bed. The white blanket was pulled up to his chest and his black hair was loose, falling down over his chest and arms. But she could still see the bandages wrapped up and over his right shoulder, glaringly white against his fair skin. Thinki
ng of the terrible injury caused by the bullet made her swallow hard, the polite greeting she’d been ready to say dying on her lips.
He was staring out the window when she walked in, but as the silence drew out he finally turned towards her, his green eyes chill and his expression hostile. Her heart dropped in that first moment but then he clearly registered who she was and his entire demeanor changed, his eyes lighting up like the sun shining through the leaves of a tree, his lips curving in a wide smile. His voice was low and slightly hoarse, but eager, “Allie! Come in.”
She saw him struggling to sit up and she rushed over, her instinct to help overcoming her discomfort. “Wait, let me…”
He gave her a wry grin, but settled back down, watching her walk across the room towards him eagerly. She could feel his emotions as she approached, like a cloud surrounding him: frustration, embarrassment, happiness, love. She ignored that last, not wanting to think about his feelings towards her right now. She had enough insurmountable problems in her life without worrying about that one. Part of her was nearly deliriously relieved that he didn’t seem to be angry at her; she had almost convinced herself that he wouldn’t even want to see her, considering that she was the reason he was here.
She reached the bed and fumbled to get it into a sitting position; after nearly a minute of futile effort she gave up. Looking around she spotted a cabinet labeled ‘linens’ and limped over to it, relieved to find several extra pillows. Turning back towards the bed with her find she blushed at the amused look on Bleidd’s face. It suddenly occurred to her that she probably should have just asked him if he knew how to reposition the bed, but at that point she decided it was better to act like she’d wanted to get the pillows the whole time. His grin widened as she reached his side and she realized she’d have to help him sit up to get the pillows behind him. Could I possibly have made this any more awkward? Allie thought trying not to look as flustered as she felt. Then out loud she said, “Ummmm. If I help you can you sit up?”
Into the Twilight: a Between the Worlds Novel Page 6