Origin Story

by Rowena Rede

  “Eh, it could be worse,” he shrugged and chugged straight from the bottle.

  Maya knew she had a lot of explaining to do and time was running out. The werewolf had thrown a wrench in her plans, a time waster and quite possibly a clue in this case. It was almost sundown, and her vampire witness would be up soon. She’d wanted to check out Apple’s apartment during the daytime, but maybe she could still fit it in tonight. There was no way she was sleeping until this case was solved now.

  She hoped she could count on Bert and Ernie when it mattered. She stared at each of them silently, hoping she could glean information from them psychically. Goddess she wished she’d been gifted in that way. Her aunt Demi was an empath, but psychics weren’t in her family line. The Morales witches were healers and curse breakers. Maya had been a shock to the family tree when she started showing elemental gifts. The first-ever in her family. Her father always claimed it came from her mother’s side. Stop, she admonished herself. She forced herself to swerve back on topic: Park Thatcher, William Ison, and this shit storm of a case. Her mother was a mystery she couldn’t and wouldn’t delve into tonight.

  Ison, who had moved from her desktop to the wobbly fold-out table in the far corner and made himself at home with his laptop, humming an unfamiliar tune and typing at inhuman speeds. He proved that he could keep cool under pressure with the attack and the quick action needed to patch Thatcher up. He wasn’t a bad shot either. He’d hit that wolf with mechanical precision earlier. He wasn’t bad to look at either. He could probably make it as an actor out here if he wasn’t in this line of work. Dark brown hair cut stylishly to frame his chiseled cheekbones and highlight his stunning blue eyes. He stopped typing long enough to write down some notes, ignoring Maya’s blatant staring. Unable to glean anything at all, she turned her thoughts to Thatcher.

  He was a dish too. She wondered if possessing devastatingly good looks was a requirement in the spy game. His sandy blonde hair and icy blue eyes could capture anyone’s attention. She hadn’t minded him walking around shirtless, but she was never going to let him know that. He was smart too, but didn’t like to let others know it. He used his charm and jokes while Ison used logic and calm. He wasn’t afraid to sacrifice himself for a mission either. Trying to wrestle with a werewolf wasn’t something many walked away from. He hadn’t even thought about the consequences to himself, he just reacted. Ison and Thatcher balanced each other out. No wonder their file was filled with accolades and successful missions. Maybe she could trust these two until she got her powers back.

  Thinking of her lost powers, she flexed her hands as if that would somehow jumpstart them or fill the void she felt whenever dwelled on their absence.

  “What does Iners mean?” Will repeated, drawing her out of her thoughts. “You didn’t answer earlier.”

  Maya snapped back to attention. Right, she should probably debrief them on the basics.

  “Oh, it’s nothing. It’s just something supernatural beings call humans.”

  “Do you think we’re boring?” Thatcher walked back into the office from the kitchen and seated himself on the shabby sofa he’d nearly passed out on earlier.

  Maya looked at him confused.

  “Well, I mean it’s a Latin word INERS which means mundane,” he took another drink from the tequila bottle she’d given him earlier. “Will isn’t the only smart one around here.”

  “Yes, that’s where the term came from. It’s just another way to say that you’re ordinary. Defenseless.”

  “Well, I don’t think we were too defenseless when we took out that werewolf.”

  Maya had to give credit where credit was due, but she didn’t have to like it. “True, that was extraordinary but without me, you wouldn’t have survived. Silver or beheading is the only way to take them out. Your bullets didn’t do a thing to it.”

  “I think they did a pretty good job distracting it while I stabbed it with your pocket knife.” Thatcher took another drink and smirked.

  He was baiting her. She knew he was, but she didn’t care. “That pocket knife has been in my family for over 200 years killing Lycans, and maiming vampires before Stoker even thought to write about them. Iron and steel encased in pure silver. Guaranteed to put a major hurt on anything that crosses your path. I’d appreciate if you’d show it some respect.”

  “Hey let’s not get into it right now. Clearly, we’re all dealing with a shit ton of new information here and haven’t had time to process it. We all had a hand in killing that monster and Thatch, Maya saved your life. Without her, you’d be dead by now. That thing took you out with just a scratch. Imagine what else is out there. “

  Both Thatcher and Maya stared at Will. He had a valid point. They both sulked in silence until Maya started laughing.

  “I can’t believe this is my life,” she giggled, “Tricked into working for a fairy prince with two humans who have no clue what’s going on and we fought a GODDAMN Werewolf in the daytime, without a visible full moon!” She was near hysterical now, tears streaming down her cheeks, her bruised ribs on fire from laughing so hard.

  “Wait what about a fairy?” Thatcher asked, concern in his voice.

  Maya stopped laughing and wiped tears from her face, “You didn’t know about any of this at all did you?”

  “Our boss. Isn’t just a billionaire playboy. He’s a prince. A Fae prince to be exact. Beings that you don’t mess around with lightly. His sister, Apple, the internet influencer that went missing is a Fae Princess. If we don’t find her, his family will make sure we’re held accountable and made an example of for the next unfortunate employees tasked with finding her.” She pulled at her hair in frustration and waited for questions from the peanut gallery before she volunteered any more information.

  Ison didn’t skip a beat and immediately dove in with questions. “If he’s so powerful, why did he hire us? I mean Fairies have magic, plus I assume the whole billionaire prince thing holds sway with the supernatural folks just like it does with us regulars.”

  “I don’t know why he hired you guys. I mean, the files they gave me on your service history is pretty impressive for humans. As for me, I’m a special kind of witch. I’m an Elemental. We’re so rare that if we were animals, we’d be on the endangered species list. Possessing an active power like that can make you near-invincible in this world. Earth, Air, Fire, Water, total control over any of those elements could be beneficial in so many ways. I can harness Air itself and bend it to my will, I can take the very air out of your lungs if I wanted and then with a breath give it right back to you,” she balled her hands into fists and flexed a few times before continuing. “At least, I could. Until an incident on a job a few weeks ago. I’m pretty much useless now.”

  “I’m guessing they don’t know that. Unless you’re good at witchy stuff too,” Thatcher chimed in, nursing the tequila thoughtfully and looking nonplussed. Maya wondered if he ever got concerned over anything.

  “No, they don’t. Mr. Oberon’s associate didn’t seem like he was happy to be doing business with me anyway. He was very abrupt. If I hadn’t been so focused on the loss of my powers and more focused on my craft, I would have had this place warded up and he wouldn’t have tricked me into making a contract. If he finds out that I’m powerless, the consequences could be dire. I could be accused of lying to a fae. That’s an extreme offense to them,”

  “Why can’t you just back out?” It was a simple solution and Ison had every right to think it was a good answer. She wished it was as simple as that.

  “A contract with a fae is binding. It’s a magical contract. You break it, then you’re at their mercy. Fae love to sling curses and I’d rather not end up with cloven hooves for feet, or trapped in another dimension, or worse.”

  “What about Will and me? If we walked out would we be cursed too?”

  Maya stared at Thatcher as if he’d just solved the meaning of life.

  “Holy shit, you’re a genius!”

  “Wait, what? Me? Nah, Will is the
genius, I’m the field guy.”

  “No! You wouldn’t be cursed. Fae follow rules to the nth degree. They are forbidden from magically binding humans to contracts without their full knowledge. Thanks to too many A Midsummer Night’s Dream, scenarios come to life, there was a council held and a decree that Fae must deal with humans on human terms. No magic.”

  Will chimed in, “I see. We’re supposed to do the legwork because we can deal with stuff that supernaturals can’t. Curses, charms, and whatnot?”

  “Only if we’re dealing with other Fae. All the races have their own laws and bylaws. It’s a tricky maze to navigate. Iners are lucky in their ignorance. You get to walk around oblivious to all of this, unless someone invites you to be part of it. You might be immune to a contract with Oberon and his associates, but once this job is over, you’re part of the crowd. Once you become aware of everything that’s out there, you can’t go back. You’re subject to magic and all her forces thereafter.”

  “I guess I should have read the contract before I signed it then. I was just happy to have gainful employment again.” Thatcher groaned as soon as the words came out of his mouth. “Son of a bitch. I bet they’re the reason we got burned!”

  Maya nodded her head in agreement. If Oberon wanted these two for a job, he was going to acquire them any way he could. He certainly had the connections to do it.

  The sun was low in the background now, the natural light in the office was fading fast. “Hey, guys, we have an appointment due to come in at sunset. A vampire. I need to get this place ready for him.”

  Thatcher and Will looked at each other, concern in their expressions. “Say that again,” Will was on the edge of his chair. Maya got up from her desk and took her tequila back from Thatcher. “Might want to sober up buttercup. Make sure your wound is covered well. It’s going to be a draw for our guest.” She took a drink from the bottle, emptying its contents and tossing it into the nearby wastebasket. “If you survive the interview, you owe me a new bottle of tequila.”

  Thatcher sent a silent SOS toward Ison, who shrugged his shoulders helplessly. He had a point. Until this afternoon, none of this was real. The only monsters they’d ever seen were human or created in a lab. This was like living in a horror movie.

  Maya began collecting various objects and passing them out. She tossed them each silver chains with pentagram charms, “Silver and Iron are a necessity. They cover a broad range of creatures. I suggest wearing silver at all times. Not only is it a repellent, but it’s a weapon. Most creatures are sensitive to it. Iron is another one. Specifically, useful in dealing with Fae races. Since this case is dealing with Fae royalty, let's keep that in mind.”

  Both men put the necklaces on and tucked them into their shirts. Maya continued handing out party favors, giving thatcher a wooden spike. “Vampire lore is pretty straightforward. Wooden stake to the heart, and beheading. Silver can wound or bind them.”

  “Just call me Buffy,” he grinned as he playfully tossed the stake in the air like a baton.

  “I can cure a wolf scratch, but if a vampire gets a hold of you, you're gone in seconds. There’s no saving you. They kill you or they turn you. It’s that simple and that serious. If you’re really unlucky, they take a liking to you and thrall you. They’re not romantic heroes to fall in love with no matter how much you think they sparkle.” Maya wasn’t sure if the direness of this situation was getting through to Thatcher.

  “Okay Maya, we get it. We ready for our, Interview with the Vampire.”

  She rolled her eyes and replied, “Park Thatcher, I shouldn’t have to remind you that I’m a witch and I know a lot about poison.”

  Merle the vampire was an interesting creature. Tall and lanky with red hair and freckles, adorned in faded jeans and a button-up shirt, cowboy hat in hand. Not one thing betrayed his identity as a supernatural predator. Until he spoke.

  “Been a long time since I been around proper virgins,” he remarked from the doorway when he saw Ison and Thatcher.

  Maya smirked as Ison held Thatcher at bay with his arm. “Merle, don’t bait them. I know what you’re trying to do.”

  Merle grinned, “Sorry ma’am I just can’t help myself. I do love making blood boil. Tastes like a nice hot cup of soup when you get someone nice and riled.”

  “Well, rest assured you won’t be feasting on anyone in my office. Now, you know the rules. I’m inviting you in, but the second you violate any etiquette, I’m rescinding the invitation.”

  The vampire shrugged his shoulders, resigned to the fact that he wasn’t going to be feasting on fresh blood any time soon.

  Maya stepped back from the doorway and made a gesture inviting Merle in. “Come in Merle, have a seat by the window. Merle stepped in and handed her his hat. Maya rolled her eyes and tossed it on her desk. Why did every creature insist on formality? It was exhausting.

  As Merle sat down, Thatcher and Ison moved in closer, instinctively forming a barrier between the vampire and the exits. Maya fought the urge to remind them that if a vampire wanted out, it would, and very easily. They needed to look like a cohesive unit until this interrogation was over. There was safety in numbers and Maya didn’t have time to waste.

  “Merle, let’s cut to the chase. You’re busy, I’m busy, what can you tell me about Apple Oberon’s disappearance?”

  The vampire lazily stretched his arms above his head, then ran his fingers through his messy red hair. “Well, now could ya offer a fella a drink first? I do better when I ain’t parched.”

  “Sorry, all out of red stuff, could I offer you some holy water on the rocks? From my dad’s stock, you know he liked to get his straight from the Vatican. Authentic and pure.“

  The vampire slumped in his seat. “Rude,” he muttered under his breath.

  “Now you were about to be helpful,” she crossed her arms and waited.

  “I suppose I was. The princess is a friend of mine. She treats me with hospitality and has a genteel disposition, unlike some I have visited of late.” He made a point to glare at Maya in case she didn’t understand his tone. When she didn’t respond, he continued.

  “I was at her home when she was kidnapped. I would have protected her if I could, alas I was unable.”

  “So, it was during the day then. Did she have any security detail at all?”

  “Her brother always offered but she refused it. She liked being independent to an extent. Preferred to live among us without airs.”

  “So you can’t give us any details about the disappearance because you were asleep. Why are you here then?”

  Merle stood up, Thatcher and Ison closed in. The vampire held up his hands in surrender. “Easy boys, if I wanted to dispatch you, I could do so before you even blinked. I want to help.

  My enemies are numerous and my allies are few. I would prefer to keep what I have and perhaps offer you something in which to put myself in your good graces.” Merle’s Appalachian drawl was hypnotic. The more he spoke, the easier it was to like him. He was a silver-tongued devil alright. Maya glanced toward Thatcher and Ison, glad to see they were still alert and standing guard despite the vampire’s eloquent protests.

  “So, how are you going to help?” Thatcher spoke up this time, wooden stake prominently displayed in his hand. Maya was impressed at his bravado despite having the disadvantage of being Iners.

  “If one of you would be so kind as to fetch a vessel with a good lid on it, I would offer you something that would most definitely be of service in your quest to find my dear friend.”

  Maya wasn’t about to leave the room, nor was she about to send Will or Park in search of anything. Merle was playing nice now, but the second there was an advantage, he would take it. Vampires were just as tricky as Fae and even more predatory than wolves. She scanned the office until she saw the perfect container.

  “Will could you hand me that tequila bottle from the trash. It should suit our purpose just fine,” she forced the confidence in her voice, sure that Merle detected the unease in h
er voice and body. Will tossed the bottle to her, she caught it without batting an eye.

  “Nice reflexes darlin’ now open it for me please,” Merle coaxed her. Normally she would have kneed a person in the nethers for calling her “darlin”, but she knew her limits with a vampire. As soon as she opened it, the vampire opened his mouth and unsheathed his fangs. She didn’t react, though she wanted to. She held the bottle with both hands, forcing herself not to shake. Her natural fight or flight response was screaming at her to run.

  Thatcher and Ison tensed up, ready to strike. Merle raised his wrist to his mouth and ripped open the flesh of his arm. “You’ll want to make haste and collect as much as you can. The wound will be closing up in seconds, darlin’”

  Despite her fear, Maya did as was suggested and held the bottle to the dripping wound. Vampire blood was thick and nearly black. It congealed quickly and was turning into goo almost before she could scoop it into the bottle. Merle was correct. Before she could blink twice, his arm was healed with no trace of ever being violated.

  “How is that going to help us?” Will asked, curiosity getting the better of his common sense. Merle cocked his head, detecting Will’s similar southern drawl and smiled.

  “The witch knows what the value of my blood is. Feel free to ask her after I make my leave. If you’ll excuse me, I must exit, I’m feeling peckish and you wouldn’t like me when I’m hangry. I’ve suddenly been put in the mood for southern comfort food.”

  Maya capped the bottle and returned to her desk, retrieving Merle’s hat and offering it to him as quickly as possible.

  “Thank you. Rest assured your gift will be put to good use. We’ll find her,” she was solemn now. The weight of what Merle had given her was heavy.