Missing Magic

by Karen Whiddon

  "Why am I suddenly learning that I've been surrounded by Fae?" she asked.

  Good question. Cenrick watched the Oracle, waiting to see if she would answer.

  Instead, the Sorceress walked off, lost in her own thoughts.

  “We will stop whoever or whatever is doing this.” Touching his arm, Dee sounded fierce.

  “Yes, we will. And once we have, maybe Peter will become himself once more.”

  She nodded, no doubt hearing the words he didn’t speak. She probably hoped once Peter had been restored to his former self, he’d want her once more.

  He wondered why the thought made his chest feel so tight.

  “Now, can we go?” Looking up at him, Dee looked like a slender warrior ready to do battle.

  “Now, we can go.” He took her hand. When she leaned into his touch, even if ever so slightly, he knew she too felt the need for comfort.

  He couldn’t blame her. What had been done to his people was the stuff of nightmares.

  “Are you ready?”

  “Yes,” she answered, gripping his fingers hard. “I want my gun back. It’d better be where we left it.”

  They rejoined the Oracle, who’d remained on the other side of the pool.

  Without a word, the Oracle clapped her hands. “Go,” she ordered.

  And just like that, they went.

  This time, millions of stars rushed past them, and the wind roared before their feet touched solid ground.

  Back in the cricket-surrounded field, the night seemed much the same.

  Dee glanced first at the sky, then at her watch. “You were right. It’s working again, though I’ll have to reset it, once I find out the correct time.”

  “Probably not. All the time we spent in Rune was less than a heartbeat here.”

  She looked doubtful, but didn’t argue. Rubbing her hands together, she took note of the position of the moon. “Maybe you’re right. That’s pretty cool.”

  He smiled. “I know.”

  She turned a slow circle. “Now to find my pistol.”

  Though he couldn’t touch the metal, he helped her look.

  Finally, they located the weapon in the tall grass near where they’d been standing earlier. With a sound of satisfaction, she scooped up the black revolver and inspected it before slipping it back into her holster. When she’d finished, she rubbed her hands together. “All right, then. Well, it was nice meeting you.”

  She began to walk away.

  Stunned, he stared after her. Then, realizing she meant to simply go her own way, he ran after her.

  “Wait.”

  Though she glanced at him, she continued walking.

  “Didn’t you hear the Oracle? We’ve got to work together. I told you the truth, as you requested. You agreed to help me.”

  “Did I?” Stopping, she faced him, arms crossed. “Maybe I’ve changed my mind.”

  “You can’t.” How could he explain gut instinct. Perhaps he could – she was a cop, after all. “I have a feeling we can help each other. Help Mick and help my people.”

  Her expression didn’t soften. “You want us to become partners?”

  “Exactly.”

  Staring at him, her narrowed gaze gave nothing away. Finally, she gave a small shrug. “Fine. But if we’re going to work together, we’ve got to develop a plan.”

  “I agree.” Letting out breath he hadn’t even been aware he was holding, he nodded. “Any ideas?”

  “I was on my way to visit Jack.”

  “Jack?”

  “Yes, Mick’s significant other. Though they don’t live together, he and Mick are very close. If anyone can tell us what’s going on with Mick, he can.”

  He fell into step beside her. “Will he talk to you?”

  “Of course he’ll talk to me.” Her fierce voice seemed at odds with the vulnerability in her eyes. “Jack likes me. I’m Mick’s best friend.”

  “Were. You were Mick’s best friend.”

  “No, that’s where you’re wrong. I don’t toss away my friendships that easily. He’s in some kind of trouble and, though he won’t admit it, he needs me.”

  He had to admire her loyalty. They’d reached her car and she unlocked the doors, motioning him to get in.

  Slipping on his gloves, Cenrick did.

  Dee waited until he’d fastened his seat belt before turning the key.

  “Jack lives near downtown, in those new condos they built off the river. Twenty minutes max by car.”

  He settled back to enjoy the ride. “Maybe he’ll have something new to tell us.”

  Chapter Four

  WATCHING THE way Cenrick prepared to get into her car made Dee curious. First he pulled on long, black gloves. Then he adjusted his sleeves, making sure every inch of exposed skin was covered. He checked his trousers, or leggings, whatever they were, tugging them and tucking them into the top of his boots. She couldn’t help but notice everything was made of cloth – he wore no leather. Maybe he was allergic.

  Finally, he settled in his seat and fastened the seat belt.”

  She turned the key, still watching him. “What was all that? The gloves, the adjusting of your clothes, everything?”

  He looked a bit sheepish. “I can’t touch steel, so I have to make sure I’m well-covered.”

  “Oh. That makes sense.” She thought of Mick. He’d had similar, elaborate rituals, making him the subject of a lot of good-natured teasing over the years. “Mick used to do the same, though I never knew the reason why.”

  “One of the downsides to being Fae.” He glanced at her, his dark eyes bright. “I’ve been working for years trying to find a solution, some sort of antidote, without any luck. Fae and steel are incompatible.”

  “You know, I seem to remember reading something about that once, somewhere. Must have been in some fairy tale.” He grimaced. “Very funny.”

  “Sorry.” But she wasn’t. Wisecracks were a cop’s way of dealing with stressful situations. Finding out her best friend had been lying to her all along simply added to her frustration. Not that she’d let this Cenrick know that. The less he knew about her, the better.

  Biting her lip, she began backing from her parking spot. If she focused on Cenrick, she didn’t have to think too much about her own situation. “What about leather?”

  He gave her a blank look. “What?”

  “Leather. I noticed everything you wear appears to be man-made. Even your shoes are cloth. Do you have something against leather?”

  “It’s made from cattle and we don’t wear animal skin,” he said, as if that explained everything.

  She thought about Mick, remembering his extensive wardrobe. “I could swear Mick wore leather shoes.”

  Cenrick shrugged. “Maybe they were imitation.”

  Forcing herself to relax, Dee concentrated on the road. Driving felt good. Doing something, taking action. She felt empowered being on the move again.

  They stopped at her place. Pocketing the keys, Dee left him in the car while she ran in and grabbed a pair of Peter’s khakis and a t-shirt. She handed them to him through the car window and turned her back to give him privacy while he changed.

  Try as she might, she couldn’t keep from imagining him naked. All corded muscles and tanned skin, with his long dark hair and bedroom eyes; he’d tempt a saint into hell.

  Whatever else she was, when it came to sex, she wasn’t a saint.

  “All right,” he said. “I’m ready.”

  She sucked in her breath when she saw him. The t-shirt clung to his broad shoulders, accenting his narrow waist. With regular clothes on, his masculine beauty seemed otherworldly, more… Fae.

  Damn.

  She forced herself to remember what they were doing, and why.

  How would Jack react to her showing up unannounced and uninvited? She hadn’t seen him in awhile, but they’d always gotten along well. Though that had been before Mick gave her the brush-off. Normally, she’d call first, sound him out, but now she needed the element of s
urprise. She wanted answers, especially since she’d seen what happened to those poor Fae who had been Mick’s other friends.

  Was Mick involved in what had been done to them? Mick was too kind, too good-hearted to do something so ruthless, so evil.

  Bu then, Mick was also apparently an accomplished liar. She’d thought she’d known him, believed they were best friends. But not only had he pretended to be an orphan like her, he’d also pretended to be human when he wasn’t. And, when she needed him the most, he’d bailed.

  She had to wonder – how much did Mick know?

  Cenrick fell silent while she drove, staring out the window. After ten minutes, she realized it was a comfortable silence, similar to the ones she’d enjoyed in the past, riding around with Mick. As though she and Cenrick too were old friends. Odd.

  She sighed. Her connection to Cenrick was most likely transference, her putting all her feelings for Mick on to this stranger.

  Downtown bustled. Even in the summer, the trees were awash with twinkling lights. No matter the season, Sundance Square always looked festive. Throngs of people crowded the sidewalk, visiting the various bars and restaurants and movie theaters.

  Jack’s condominiums were part of the new, upscale, downtown development along the river, a trendy place for the upwardly mobile. She pulled into the covered parking garage, took a ticket, and located a spot between a Mercedes and a BMW.

  “Come on.” She waited for Cenrick, tapping her foot impatiently. When he reached her side, she locked her car and took off, adopting her normally brisk stride. Beside her, he walked silently, as though his feet didn’t touch the ground. She wished she could master that trick, walking without making any sound.

  The double glass doors sparkled. They pushed them open and stepped onto the elegant carpet. Once inside the building, they rode the elevator to the thirtieth floor, Cenrick still silent. He’d pulled off his gloves and untucked his pants from his boots. He looked relatively normal – except for his size and unusual way of moving.

  She pondered this for a moment. He moved like a large, predatory animal, even though he was a big man. With him at her side, she felt protected – like she had a bodyguard. She wasn’t sure she liked feeling that way. An unsettling feeling for a cop, certainly. But, strangely reassuring for a woman.

  Once they reached Jack’s floor and walked quietly down the patterned, carpeted hall, she pointed to number 3331. Even the doors in the building were elegant, with gleaming brass fixtures and ornate, scrolled numbers. “There’s Jack’s place. I’m going to ring the buzzer, alone. I want you stay out of sight of the peephole.”

  “Why?”

  “He doesn’t know you.” She shrugged. “And in case you’re right about Mick and Jack knows something, I don’t want to alarm him. Let me handle this.”

  Cenrick nodded. For the first time she noticed he looked pale. Actually, his skin tone appeared slightly green, as though he was on the verge of puking.

  “Cenrick? Are you all right? What’s wrong?”

  “Sorry.” He took a shuddering breath. “Now I’m the fish out of water.” Dragging a hand across his mouth, he narrowed his eyes. Perspiration beaded on his forehead. “I don’t like this place.”

  She glanced around their elegant surroundings. “Why not? This is the best place to live in town. What’s not to like?”

  He shrugged, giving her sheepish half-smile. “The space – it feels confining in here. Like being in a giant beehive. Not natural. I’m Fae. I need space.”

  The big guy was claustrophobic. Interesting. Dee filed that information away. “I’m sorry. This shouldn’t take too long. Maybe you’ll feel better once we’re inside Jack’s place. It’s very spacious.”

  Keeping an eye on Cenrick, she rang the doorbell. Once, twice, listening for a response. She waited, tapping her toe on the carpet. “Hmmm.”

  Cenrick leaned against the wall, his eyes closed. Even from ten feet away, she could see he was perspiring profusely.

  She rang once more, keeping her finger on the buzzer. Finally, she admitted defeat. “Still no answer. Just our luck. Jack’s not home.

  “Maybe he’s over Mick’s.” He straightened, frowning. “I hope he hasn’t met the same end as some of Mick’s other friends.” ?”

  “I doubt Jack’s Fae.” Still, despite her denial, her stomach burned. What was up with Mick?

  “Jack could be Fae.” Cenrick continued. “Mick seemed to choose to hang with others like himself.”

  “He hung out with me. Not everyone is Fae. Some of us are just plain humans.” She turned her attention back to the buzzer, trying one final time.

  Nada, zip, zilch.

  A door opened two doors down. A tall, elegantly dressed man emerged, glancing at them. “Looking for Jack?”

  “Yes.” She smiled, recognizing him from one of Jack’s numerous parties. “He doesn’t seem to be home.”

  “He never is.” The man shrugged. “I haven’t seen him for a couple of weeks.” Wearing expensive slacks and a well-cut jacket, he walked towards them. “I guess he’s just busy, busy, busy. Like we all are.” Smiling, he eyed Cenrick appreciatively.

  “You don’t have any idea where he might be?” Dee asked.

  The man shook his head, his gaze touching on her with disinterest, before rocketing back to Cenrick. “None whatsoever. Maybe he decided to do some traveling. He always wanted to see the Caribbean.”

  She sighed. “Thanks.”

  Too busy fighting his claustrophobia to notice the other man’s blatant invitation, Cenrick leaned against the way, his eyes closed.

  The man continued past. He lifted his hand in a casual wave, giving Cenrick one last, lingering look before he turned the corner. A moment later, they heard the ding of the elevator opening.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yes.” Cenrick exhaled. “Though I’ll be better once we’re back outside.”

  “Come on, then.” She started off down the hall, keeping an eye on him. “That guy thinks Jack’s on vacation. It’s possible, though I doubt it, since he and Mick usually go together.”

  “When was the last time you saw him?” Though he kept pace easily, Cenrick still looked uncomfortable. He’d untied his shirt, exposing more of his gleaming, muscular chest. Catching her looking, he gestured. “It’s hot in here.”

  She felt her face heat, trying to remember what they’d been discussing. Jack. Focus on the topic at hand. “I haven’t seen Jack in awhile, which makes no sense. Unless,” a thought occurred to her. “They broke up. Maybe that’s why Mick’s been acting so weird. Losing Jack might be enough to send Mick off the deep end.”

  “Wouldn’t you know?”

  Surprised at the question, Dee gave Cenrick a rueful smile. “Once, I would have. Until a couple weeks ago, Mick told me everything.” Catching herself, she amended her statement, “or very nearly everything.”

  Hearing herself speak the words, Dee was struck by a sense of loss so strong she nearly staggered. How could Mick have hid so much of himself from her? How much of what else she knew about him was false?

  And Jack. Was Jack Fae too? Had he succumbed to the same mysterious illness as Peter and the others, becoming the ones the Oracle called soulless? Cenrick had said the damaged Fae were all Mick's friends. But how could she tell which were Fae and which were not. Looking sideways at Cenrick, she saw only an extremely handsome man, but not someone unmistakably magical like one of the elves from Lord of the Rings.

  And Mick? He looked like any other cop she'd ever worked with. A regular guy. Hell, most people didn't even know he was gay, never mind a Faerie.

  They reached the elevator. Cenrick pushed the button. “Let’s go. I need some fresh air.”

  While they waited, she continued her train of thought out loud. “If Jack left, Mick would be devastated. That would explain the way Mick suddenly stopped going to happy hour, or hanging out in clubs.”

  “Maybe.” Cenrick didn’t sound too certain. “But I’d think that since yo
u are his best friend, he’d confide something like this to you, wouldn’t he?”

  She refused to let her shoulders sag. “You’d think. But then, he didn’t tell me he was Fae.”

  Was Jack Fae too? Had he succumbed to the same mysterious illness Peter and the others, becoming the ones the Oracle called Soulless? Cenrick had said the damaged Fae were all Mick’s friends, though she hadn’t seen Jack.

  How could she tell who was Fae and who wasn’t? Looking at Cenrick, she saw an extremely handsome man, but not a magical being. Not someone unmistakably magical, like one of the Elves on Lord of the Rings.

  And Mick? He looked like any other cop she’d ever worked with. A regular guy. Hell, most people didn’t even know he was gay, never mind a Faerie.

  The elevator finally arrived. Once they’d stepped inside, she studied Cenrick, looking for obvious hints she might have missed. She saw nothing. “How come you don’t have wings?”

  That got his attention. He stared at her. “What?”

  “Wings. I thought faeries had wings.”

  He snorted. “Not in real life. Some human invented that. What brought this up?”

  “I can’t believe Mick is Fae. I couldn’t tell and he never told me.”

  “Why would he? Most Fae come to the human world to live a normal, at least by your standards, life. Mick was left there by accident, but by the time he found out he was Fae, human seemed more normal. He wouldn’t have wanted to risk it.”

  The elevator stopped at the fifth floor. No one got on. Again, she punched the L button for Lobby.

  Cenrick sighed, drawing her attention. Studying him, with his amazingly broad shoulders and rugged, sexy features, she grimaced. “You know, I can’t see any family resemblance between you and Mick.”

  Mick was… ordinary looking. Average height, average build, sandy-brown hair, regular face. Cenrick, on the other hand…

  He brought Conan the barbarian to mind, even dressed in his wrinkle-free khakis and tight-fitting, t-shirt. Talk about the ‘it’ factor. This guy had it in spades.

  “Different sides of the family.” He shrugged, his face carefully blank.

  Cop-face, she thought, wondering why. She studied him again, trying for her usual detachment, but the feminine side of her couldn’t help but appreciate him.