Wicked Folk

by Jamie McFarlane

  "There it is." Gabriella pointed at a glow of lights off to our right. I turned onto a gravel road, where a better maintained sign simply read 'Eppy Faire.'

  Cresting a hill, we got a good look into the forested valley below. Lights dotted the hillside where homes were nestled. A flattened area, separated from the trees, was lit up like a Christmas tree. My eyes traced the tracks of a small wooden roller coaster. Through the open window we could hear the thrilled cries of excited passengers. A man with an orange-tipped flashlight waved us down and pointed at a parking area already brimming with vehicles.

  "Put your sun visor down," Gabriella instructed once I'd stopped.

  "What?"

  "Didn't you read the sign? They'll put a bumper sticker on your car if you don't," she said.

  I dropped the visor and met her behind the truck. "What do you want to do first?" I asked. "I bet they have a fun-house. You know, where people try to scare you and they have mirrors that make you look grotesque."

  "I've never seen a movie where people went into a fun-house and didn't get attacked," she said.

  "That's why I love you," I said. "You get me."

  Gabriella stopped walking and turned to me. "Did you mean to say that?"

  "Say what?" I asked, still sporting a goofy grin.

  "You said you love me," she said.

  "Has there ever been any doubt?" I asked. "You're the woman of my dreams."

  "I'm not the only woman of your dreams," she said.

  "I know I'm sarcastic sometimes," I said. "But yeah, you're it for me."

  "What about Amak and Thea?" she asked.

  "Even when I was with Amak, in the back of my mind, I knew it was you," I said. "Amak even told me that was true."

  "She did?"

  "Apparently, we smell different when we're in love," I said. "She pointed that out several times. I think that whole Senwe Princess business was a lie. She knew it was you I wanted and stepped out of the way."

  "I like the way you see her," Gabriella said. "I grew up with a mistrust of trolls. Witches aren't immune to petty hatred and if there was ever a group that it was okay to demean, it was trolls. I see how that's wrong. Would you really have gone the distance with her?"

  "Nothing like talking about old girlfriends," I said, handing a couple of twenties to a teen manning the gate to the amusement park section of the faire.

  "Would you?" She pressed after we'd walked through the turnstile.

  "No idea. She shut it down pretty quickly after realizing my interest," I said. "I won't insult you by telling you I had no interest. She's a remarkable woman, but I'm a one-woman kind of guy and she wasn't available. After that, she just became a friend and I stopped thinking about her in that way."

  "You can turn it off? Just like that?" Gabriella asked.

  We'd been having this conversation in one form or another during the entire trip. It was the first time she'd been quite so blunt, however. "Is that what this is about? You're afraid I'll just decide to abandon you?"

  "You abandoned me," a familiar voice announced over our shoulders. Of all the people in the county I didn't expect or want to see, Thea was top of that list. Gabriella and I turned to meet her. "Have you had sex with her yet? I'm telling you, he's a love 'em-and-leave 'em kind of guy."

  "Thea," I said. "That's not fair."

  "Oh. You haven't, then," she said with a fake pout. "That's awkward … again."

  "What do you want, Thea?" Gabriella asked. "Besides making Felix feel bad."

  "Oh, I'm just messing around," she said. "I guess Felix here never told you about my lack of manners. I promise I'm done now. I just had a lot of pent-up anger and you're getting the sharp end of that stick."

  "Doesn't sound like you're done," Gabriella pushed back.

  Thea gave Gabriella a surprised look. "Kitty has some claws." She turned to me. "I approve, Slade. She's a keeper."

  "What are you doing here, Thea?" I asked.

  "Me? Oh, I guess Judy didn't tell you," she said. "I work here. I just broke up a fight over by the target range. Drunk townies and all. Tell you what, dinner is on me tonight." She pulled a couple of tickets from her pocket and handed them to me. "Ask for Jayce. She'll get you set up."

  "You don't have to do that," I said, trying not to take the tickets.

  "No. I've been rude. The least you can do is let me buy dinner," she said. "Maybe I'll see you over there."

  "That'd be great," I said. It was the bad thing about being around witches. They both knew I didn't mean it.

  "This is me … burying the hatchet," Thea said, miming throwing an axe to the ground before walking off.

  "She's not in a good place," Gabriella said after Thea was out of earshot.

  "Tilt-o-whirl?" I asked not wanting to focus on the negative.

  "Seriously?" Gabriella laughed nervously.

  "We can't come here without trying a few rides," I said.

  "Fine, but I'm not getting on that roller-coaster."

  "We'll see." I grabbed her hand and dragged her through the crowd.

  An hour later, my eyes were spinning - an after-effect of too many rides. It had been a number of years since I'd last enjoyed a carnival and I didn't have the endurance for it any more.

  "Should we find the fortune teller? Maybe we'll get lucky," I said.

  "What about the book-store?"

  "Let's find a map," I said.

  As it turned out, maps weren't particularly available, but the people of the fair were more than happy to point us in the right direction. Not surprisingly, there were two fortune tellers on the campus. Madame Celise was the closest, located right in the center of the bustling village just outside the gated carnival rides. The businesses along the street were all named and numbered on signs that swung from antique street lamps. The column of brightly colored rectangular wooden signs was separated by small chains that squeaked as we passed. The Madame's entrance was part of a two story row-house. We walked between flanking wind chimes to a large glass door which stood open. Inside, a picture window looked out onto the busy street behind us.

  "Come in, travelers," a smoky alto voice intoned from within the building. I looked at Gabriella and she returned an excited smile, clearly looking forward to the performance. Gypsy fortune tellers were well known for their show. I was on the fence as to whether that meant they really had an ability to see the future or were just good con artists. Believing that a person could constantly tell fortunes, day in and day out, was a bit of a stretch for me. It also seemed that magic might not want to expose the secrets of everyone quite so routinely. Those issues aside, I wasn't ready to put Madame Celise in either category just yet.

  "Travelers," Gabriella tittered quietly, picking up on the woman's quick observation.

  "Madame Celise?"

  Lit only by candle light, a woman's face peered at us over a glowing glass ball.

  "Please come in." She gestured to the chairs opposite her.

  "Your top is beautiful," Gabriella said, admiring the woman's fluffy white blouse that had gold and blue embroidered stitching throughout.

  "Greetings, Lady," she said. "You honor Celise with your presence." Gabriella quirked an eyebrow and suppressed the giggle forming in her throat. She was like a kid in a candy store. "Is it love that brings you to my table this eve?"

  Gabriella squeezed my hand harder, which I thought wasn't possible. "Madame, tell me of our relationship. Will it last?" she asked.

  "Allow me to hold your hands, dear ones," she said. "I will ask the spirits."

  We laid our hands on the table and Madame Celise picked them up into her own.

  "I tell you this for your safety," she said. "Do not release my hands while in the presence of the spirits. It is only through our contact that I'm able to provide protection. Do I have your solemn word?"

  We both agreed and just as we did, she snapped her eyes closed. Perfectly timed, four candles on the fireplace mantle behind her snuffed out. As a wizard and a skeptic, I desperately wa
nted to inspect the wall for modifications. I had to admit though, it was a neat trick.

  "Spirits, I call you for a most important question," she started, huskily. "Please answer our call. The Lady … " She popped open an eye and looked at Gabriella questioningly.

  "Gabriella," Gabriella filled in.

  "The Lady Gabriella has asked if her love for … "

  When the second eye popped open I answered immediately.

  "Felix and his love for her will stand the test of time … "

  At that point she started swinging her head around dramatically and pulling on our hands as she swayed back and forth - either humming or moaning, I wasn't completely sure. She repeated her question a second time and as she did, a light mist filled the room from floor level. Again, a neat trick.

  On the third chant, as her voice lowered, her eyes popped open. This time her eyes were featureless, her pupils no longer visible.

  "Be careful, my children, for the spirits are with us." She continued pulling us as she swayed in more or less a circular pattern, her long braided hair moving wildly from side to side.

  From nowhere, a ghostly shape appeared, floating on the mists that had settled above the table. It was indistinct and moving in a lazy circle.

  "Tell us now, spirit!" she commanded and resumed her moaning. A low vibration emanated from the floor and all at once, just as she seemed to be reaching the end of her crescendo, everything stopped. There was no moaning or thrashing and the vibration was gone, even the little glowing slug that I was pretty sure was being projected from somewhere behind the curtains next to the window disappeared.

  "I have your answer, dear children," the woman, who couldn't be more than forty years old, said after slowly opening her restored eyes. The mists dissipated into small ducts low on the wall.

  "Tell us, Madame Celise. What did the spirit share with you?" Gabriella asked with no lack of drama.

  She slid a card across the table at us which showed her rates; ten dollars for a basic reading, twenty for a personalized reading and ten dollars for each person beyond the first. Tips were appreciated. I reached into my pocket and pulled out two twenties, figuring it should cover us.

  "I cannot be sullied by such mundane exchanges, but alas rents must be paid," she said. "Please leave your offering in the bowl." She nodded her head to a glass bowl that sat next to the table and I placed the bills in.

  She continued. "There is uncertainty in your future, my children. While there is no lack of true love, I see great conflicts ahead. It is only by staying true to each other that you will overcome these conflicts and realize the future together that you seek. Such is what the spirits have said and so it is true."

  Gabriella giggled and grabbed my hand. Who knew she'd enjoy visiting with a psychic so much. "Thank you, Madame Celise. Were the spirits able to share the nature of these conflicts?"

  "No, my dear, but you will know them for what they are when you face them. The spirits were quite adamant about this. I'm afraid your faithfulness might be a matter of life and death." Once again she spoke dramatically, much more than the situation called for.

  "A second question, Madame Celise?" I asked.

  "If it is within my power," she replied.

  I pulled two more bills from my pocket and placed them in her glass bowl. "Have you seen this man?" I handed her a picture of Agent Mulper.

  The woman held the picture between her hands and closed her eyes, opening them a moment later. "I have not, but danger surrounds him. You should proceed carefully."

  "Thank you, Madam Celise," I said. She returned the picture and gave a half-hearted smile.

  "That was weird," Gabriella said as we left.

  "Weird, how?"

  "She lied when she said she'd never seen him," Gabriella said. "She wasn't lying about the danger, however."

  "You're better than a lie detector," I said. "Best not show that skill to Special Agent Anderson."

  "Doesn't work on everyone," she said. "I'm surprised she was that direct. Witches are used to not being able to lie to each other and it is practice to prepare vague answers," she said.

  "How do you think she knew your title?" I asked.

  "It is a safe guess to call someone 'Lady.' Our reactions reinforced her responses," she said. "She really was delightful, wasn't she?"

  Not far from Madame Celise's, we found the quaint old book store. Where Celise's storefront had been bright and colorful, the bookstore was earthy. It was grounded with a worn wooden floor and tall shelves of books proudly displayed a huge inventory. Small reading nooks were sprinkled throughout, with comfortable benches and thick, albeit worn, pillows. I could see what Dolly liked about the bookstore as it catered to a wide variety of subjects.

  Gabriella guided me to a coffee bar she'd spied and we sat on a couple of stools while the barista brewed a latte for us to share.

  "Point us to the occult section?" I asked, after Gabriella purchased the coffee.

  He pointed. "Modern is G-10, historical is an aisle over. There's also a young-adult section at the end of G."

  "Young adult?" I asked of Gabriella as we walked back in the direction he'd pointed.

  "Kids have questions too," she said.

  I'd never seen witchcraft or wizardry as a religion. That's not to say I didn't recognize the religious implications of things like necromancy or even demonic possession. But basic wizardry seemed a lot more like tapping into a power within the earth that was part of nature, not a statement about a creator. I also knew better than to argue this position with most people, as it made them think I was nuts or worse - a heretic.

  "Block me for a minute." I stepped around her into the aisle. There was a quick way to look for magical books and a slow way. The recent development of my eyes glowing when I cast my wizard's sight was hard to mask, but I'd be able to pick up on magical books very quickly. "Altum Visu." I waved my hand in front of my eyes and felt the familiar burning sensation that accompanied the planar view.

  "May I help you?" A man's voice asked from behind us.

  I turned away as Gabriella moved to intercept. "We're just browsing, but I would be interested in any texts you have on Hinduism."

  "This is occult. Hinduism is two aisles over," he answered. "Here, I'll show you."

  I worked my way down the aisle, scanning through the books. I could see residual energy on the books and a small amount on the shelves. The energy was transfer, common for mundane objects that had come into contact with people who were magical. I worked my way around the corner and into the young adult section.

  "Whoa." A boy looked up from his seated position. When I'd scouted the aisles I hadn't considered a kid sitting on the floor. "Your eyes are on fire."

  I held my finger up to my lips. "Don't tell anyone, it's a secret." His aura was bright blue with streaks of magenta and sparkles of yellow flashing around his hands and eyes. I imagined he had latent magical talents and wondered if he had a mentor or if he would ever even discover his capabilities.

  The book he held was another thing. The same greasy mud green covering as was on Petaluma's crawled all over it and was surging onto the boy's hands.

  "What do you have there?" I whispered, feeling creepy that I was keeping my voice down while talking to a child in a book aisle.

  "Just a book."

  "Tobin? What are you doing back here?" A woman's voice asked.

  I plucked a book from the shelf and turned my back to the approaching woman.

  "Look at this book I found," he said.

  "Finis," I whispered, dropping my wizard's sight.

  "Great, bring it along. We need to get going," she said.

  I turned and placed my book back on the shelf. Tobin looked at me, no doubt confused that my eyes were no longer glowing.

  "His eyes. They're not on fire anymore," Tobin said, pointing back at me. I looked to the woman and then back down to the boy. I hated throwing him under the bus, but wasn't about to have this conversation. I also wasn't about to let hi
m leave with the book. I shrugged apologetically at the woman.

  "I'm sorry, he has quite an imagination," she explained. From the sound of her voice, it hadn't been the first time she'd had to make excuses for him. I wanted to explain to her that it wasn't going to get better, but it wasn't up to me to out her son's emerging magic.

  "Kids who read are a blessing," I said. "No apology necessary."

  I flicked my finger, using my capability to manipulate small objects and forced the book out of his hands and to the floor. Before he could bend to pick it up, I cast a quick spell – "Scutum." I raised a shield over the book which harmlessly deflected his attempts to pick it up.

  "Tobin, stop messing around," the boy's mom scolded.

  "I'm not!" He looked at me accusatorily. "I can't pick it up."

  "I don't have time for this, Tobin," she said and grabbed his hand, dragging him down the aisle. He looked back at me and I mouthed 'sorry' back at him. He wasn't impressed and stuck out his tongue, which caused me to chuckle.

  "Is that one of them?" Gabriella asked, nodding at the book on the floor.

  "Yes," I said. "It was trying to slime that boy."

  "He couldn't have been older than ten," she said. "What would someone want with him?"

  "He’s a latent," I said. "Not overly powerful, but he certainly has something."

  I looked at the title of the book, not yet willing to pick it up. It read – 'Spirit's Guide – A Warlock's Intro.'

  "What are you going to do with it? We can't leave it here, but it could be dangerous," she said.

  "Only one way to find out," I said. "Stand back."

  "Felix, don't," Gabriella backpedaled.

  I reached for the book and it felt as if my hand had come in contact with gelatin, not quite firm but not quite solid either. The feeling dissipated quickly as I turned the book over in my hand and inspected the colorful dust jacket. It was then I realized I was just looking at a stupid kid's book, way beneath my dignity to be reading. I couldn't imagine why a person would find it interesting. The feelings mixed with embarrassment for even considering a child's book. What would people think of me for choosing such a book as a grown man? I hastily set the book back onto the shelf, not caring if I'd found the correct location. I couldn't be associated with it any further – what if someone had seen me holding it?