Faerie Kissed

by Jaliza A. Burwell

  They’d have to cross at their own risk.

  Despite needing to be torn down, the bridge had character. Night had fallen hours ago, and the bridge became the perfect horror story setting. Weeds grew around it, vines trying to get a strong foothold along the side. Moonlight filtered through a hole in the ceiling.

  Definitely not a place many humans would come to, unless as a bad dare.

  Are we meeting a troll? Berry asked, the disgust clear in his voice.

  “Know any other fae who like bridges?”

  I do not think there are any fae who would like this bridge.

  “Apparently, there is one.”

  We walked down the bank, careful of the slipperiness of the dead leaves on the ground. With the snow melting, everything was wet. The temperatures had dropped, and I only remembered to wear a jacket because Berry had reminded me.

  They are gathering around.

  “Leave ’em.”

  I’m hungry. Berry managed to sound like a two-year-old.

  “And you’ll be able to eat. After we talk to Judah’s friend.”

  “You know Friend Judah?” A deep rumbling voice came out of nowhere. The ground practically shook with how deep his voice was.

  “He’s helping,” I responded, refusing to let his theatrics scare me. There was only one thing in the human realm that could scare me, and it wasn’t anything fae related. While they’d be the perfect nightmares for the humans, they didn’t compare to anything I came across in Faerie.

  “Then that makes you Friend.” The voice wasn’t as booming. Twigs snapped and leaves rustled before a dark shape rose from the river. It rose up and up. My eyes slowly adjusted to the new level of darkness. Details appeared. The fae did nothing to hide his true form. The more human-looking a fae’s true form without the work of glamour, the more powerful they were. It was like the magic knew that the real form of a fae’s body needed to adapt to look like a human’s and it helped the fae to blend in more.

  This fae had the basic shape: two legs, two arms, a torso, and a head. But that was all. His arms were long, bending at two different places. His feet were the same. Two crystal blue watery eyes blinked at me as he unfolded himself and stood tall. The troll was easily five times my height. Tall and gangly. Skin wasn’t something he had, instead looking to be put together with twisting red wood. Greenish-brown vines wrapped around his limbs, moss covering his chest and head. Long pointed ears, a long snout, a wide mouth, no lips.

  Not a troll at all. Something else.

  “Hello,” I said.

  “Hello.” He leaned over me.

  Berry growled in warning.

  “Puppy cute.”

  “Puppy protective,” I answered and rested my hand on Berry’s head to keep him from attacking. This was Judah’s connection? “Judah said you can help me.”

  “I help Friend Judah often.”

  That wasn’t really an answer. I frowned, wondering how to go about this. “You said I was a friend?”

  “Friend Judah’s Friend is my Friend.”

  The way he said it made it seem like Friend was a title, like Queen or King.

  “That makes me happy.”

  The fae tilted his head to the side. “Really?”

  I smiled. “Really.” Granted, it was because that meant he was more likely to help me than eat me.

  “What do I call Friend?”

  “Josie. And what may I call you?”

  “Alder.”

  Something ancient and heavy blanketed over me. Alder wasn’t a simple fae, not as simple as I thought he’d be. Not of high bred but there was age to him. If I cut his body, would I see the rings of his age like a tree? I looked at the way the red shown through the cracks of his skin. As a human, I had been working toward becoming a history professor. Funnily enough, I had specialized in Celtic history. So I knew that alder trees had a deep meaning. I just never thought I’d see a living one.

  “Judah spoke highly of you. He said that you know all of what is occurring in the city.

  Alder motioned to the water that glistened black. “Water connects everything. I know what Water knows. All elements are Friend. We talk. Especially Water”

  “I see.”

  “You wish to know something.”

  “I do. I’m looking for someone. Laikynn.”

  Alder didn’t say anything for a long time.

  I don’t like this.

  I curled my hand into Berry’s fur to comfort him.

  “Water does not know Laikynn.”

  “Okay. Does the water know what is wrong? What would be bad for the fae?” My question was too vague. I wished I knew what Laikynn was really up to so I could narrow it down.

  “Do you mean the disruptions, Friend Josie?”

  That caught my attention, and I straightened, trying my best not to look too interested but failing. This sounded like something I’d be interested in.

  “What are the disruptions?”

  “The walls are weakening. Spots all over the city. So many of them.”

  “Spots?”

  “Faerie will come if this continues.” Alder shuddered. “Faerie must not come. She is not kind. Nature and Faerie should never meet again.”

  I definitely agreed with him. He continued to repeat himself, becoming more distressed as he continued.

  “Alder,” I said in a calm voice. I didn’t want to know what kind of damage he could do if he was distressed and panicking. “Alder, that is why I am here. To help. Will you let me help? I need more information.”

  That did the trick and Alder fell silent. His eyes were so round and large as they blinked back at me. It felt like I was taking a dive into an ocean as I stared back at them.

  “What exactly is going on with these weakening spots?”

  “New ones appear every couple of days. Different spots,” Alder finally answered. His voice sounded distant. “Yesterday, a tear appeared.”

  “Do you know what is making them?”

  “Water does not. So I do not.”

  “Okay. That’s okay.” I dug through the bag I brought with me, pulling out a map. I used a little magic to create a dim light source. “Can you tell me where the tear is and where the other weakening spots are?”

  “You will go?”

  “Yes. I will go.”

  “You are Friend. Friend Josie, I help. Faerie must not come here.” There was something haunting in that last sentence. What did Faerie do to Alder?

  “I agree. I don’t want Faerie here either.”

  The next half an hour, he helped me mark on a map all the spots of interest. I starred where the tear was. It was in Central Park, a spot off the beaten path that not many humans went to.

  “How do you know all the locations?” I asked.

  “Nature is important. Nature is what keeps Faerie away. If Nature is hurt, Faerie can slip in.”

  A weird image of Faerie and Nature fighting for control formed in my mind. It wasn’t as amusing as it should have been. In fact, it was downright scary. The two existences could be seen as sisters. But they were sisters with a very bitter rivalry going on. In the human realm, Nature won. In the fae realm, Faerie had. While they were different, they were also the same, which was why the fae felt comfortable with Nature. She was the kinder sister.

  “So weakening Nature where she is the strongest will help?”

  “Yes.”

  I rubbed at my right eye, exhaustion making my thoughts sluggish.

  “Make enough cracks in the strong foundation and it will all tumble down,” I muttered.

  A shudder ran through my body. That didn’t sound pleasant at all.

  “Alder, you are a smart fae.” I folded the map, already having it committed to memory. My first stop was to see the tear in Central Park.

  “Find the spot that flourishes. It will be there. Faerie disrupts the flow. Takes it, makes it her own, and adds more to it. Faerie likes beauty.”

  Heh. He is smarter than he looks.

  �
��Faerie is big on aesthetics,” I said diplomatically. “Goodbye, Alder.”

  “Will you return, Friend Josie?”

  “I will try.” I didn’t want to make promises I wasn’t sure I could keep.

  “Then until next time.” He receded back to the river, folding into himself. He disappeared completely, but I didn’t hear the splash of water at all. It was like he’d melted into it.

  I am going to find food. I will return before you make it out of here. Do not get lost.

  “You know I will be fine.”

  I know nothing.

  He loped off, using the darkness to shield his presence. I smiled, deciding to make fast work getting back out. The chances of me making it out before he returned were low. Berry wouldn’t take his time knowing I was on my own surrounded by unknown fae.

  Chapter Six

  Central Park in the middle of the night was not a safe place. There were a lot of hidden deals going on in the darkness as humans stayed in the shadows. Those who were brave enough to walk through the park so late did so with extra security. It was apparent with the way they held their hands inside their bags or in their pockets.

  This place is not safe. Too many humans who smell of blood.

  “Agreed. At least your presence keeps them away.”

  He growled. They will not touch you. I will bite their dicks off.

  “Berriar, where have you heard such things?” Shocked laughter escaped me.

  Did you not hear that woman with little clothing? She said it to a human man.

  “Please do not pick up bad habits from the hookers.”

  It sounded like a good threat, and she has barghest blood in her. She will enjoy herself doing it. Amusement filtered through. I am glad I got to try using the threat. It sounds effective.

  “It’s only effective if they hear you say it.”

  You have my permission to use it if anyone tries to hurt you. I will do it too. I won’t enjoy it like the barghest mutt, but I will do it.

  I laughed, leaning down to give him a hug. “You are a good familiar.”

  Just do not call me puppy like that tree did. I do not appreciate such foul names.

  I hid my face in his neck and laughed harder. Of course Berry would hate being compared to a dog. He was too proud of a familiar. Berry pushed into me and purred, loving the affection I was giving him.

  Finding the tear took a while. Alder wasn’t specific, only giving me an area to search. Central Park was huge. By the time we found it, I had hours before the sun rose. We worked through the entire night.

  This is not natural. Not meant to be. Berry continued his rant as I stared at the tear.

  It called to me, colorful magic twisting out of it and spreading out along the ground. The grass in the air was overgrown, the trees thicker and luscious. I stepped closer, the itch that I had become attuned to since coming to the human realm disappearing. A feeling of complete contentment settled over me. I felt like I was back in Faerie again.

  Do not get closer. Berry bit at my jacket and pulled back. When that didn’t work, he jumped in front of me and pushed back, effectively forcing me to step away from the tear.

  I buried my hands into his fur and used that to ground me as I blinked away the haze that had fallen over me.

  “I’m good.”

  Are you sure?

  “Yes. I’m good. I won’t get closer than this.”

  It is an addiction.

  “It calls to me.”

  That means it calls to others. We can’t stay here long. I can already sense them moving closer. These fae will not be accustomed to tasting Faerie. That is dangerous.

  “Okay, give me a moment. I need to shake that off.”

  Staring directly at the tear was a bad idea, so instead, I focused on its effects. The changes matched Faerie’s taste perfectly. There was a lot to take on, a new level of existence to everything within the vicinity of the tear. Grass had a sheen to it, brighter than normal grass. Each blade stood tall and thick. The trees were full of life already, despite it being early spring. There were still weeks to go before the leaves grew, but these looked fully bloomed already. A glow floated around the tear and it took a moment for the details to come through. A butterfly. Already changed to suit Faerie’s taste.

  We must go.

  “Hold on.” I kneeled, resting my hand into the ground. Pushing magic into it, I felt it out. Nature was there, but she was weak, hurting. Seething too because of the new force that was taking over. The ground itself was warm when it should have been cool and wet. Magic thrummed through the ground and when mine touched it, some of it changed course, coming for me. It hit me, feeling like an electric shock. I gasped and jumped back, breaking the connection.

  But it was already too late. My body felt charged, humming with the excess magic. It whirled through my body, demanding to be put to use. I fought with it, forcing it to listen to me. My skin ached against the pressure as the magic tried to burst out of me to do as much damage as it could.

  “This is dangerous,” I whispered, finally containing the new surge of magic, tucking it away safely to be used later. If I had been weaker, it would have killed me or used me to do its bidding.

  “Looks like someone beat us here tonight,” a high-pitched voice said. I turned to the direction of the voice as a lanky woman stepped out of the darkness. Her green eyes glowed, fixed on the tear.

  “Word is getting around.” A shorter male fae came out, standing next to her. His attention was on me instead of the tear. I shivered, hating the feel of him. He was darker than his companion.

  “I suggest you leave,” the female fae said, finally looking at me. “We have claimed this area.”

  “Really?” I looked around. “I don’t see your name. Anywhere.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “I’m not in the mood for games.”

  Berry growled at my side. Now would be the time to use the threat.

  “Not yet.”

  “Who are you talking to?”

  I grinned and motioned to my familiar. “Him.”

  “The dog?” The fae came closer, eyes narrowed. “No, that isn’t a dog.”

  “Aren’t you a smart one?” My sarcasm slipped through. “He was just telling me how hungry he was.” I looked down at the man’s crotch to make my point. “I don’t think you have enough meat to curb his hunger though.”

  Oh, I like that insult.

  Pink covered his cheeks. “Bitch.”

  Oh, I must have hit too close to the truth. I shrugged off his threat. “I’ve been called worse.”

  “Kill her,” the woman said. The two of them shed their glamour, turning into something a bit more ethereal. The woman had leather wings on her back, and a tail whipped around dangerously behind her. The man grew taller, his skin graying, elk-like horns growing out from near his ears.

  I want him.

  “You can have him. I’ll take the princess.”

  We dropped our own glamour. Berry grew bigger, his head as high as my chest. His body thickened, his eyes glowing. His ears grew longer, his muscles expanding his body into something more monstrous and stronger. His battle form.

  My skin paled, the golden lines on my skin glowing as magic surged to the surface. My ears burned as they became pointed. My eyesight sharpened.

  Magic burst from the woman and I raised my hand, catching her magic. It stung as it moved through me, but I adapted, twisting it into my own magic. Since I’d been born a human, it made making my own magic naturally difficult. I made some, but not as much and as quickly as others. My strength came through taking other magic and making it my own. Faerie had made it so. I could draw on it from other attacks, making them useless, or from the air, ground, anywhere. If magic were in something, I could claim it as my own.

  In the human realm, it was harder, the magic not as prevalent like in Faerie. That was what most of my charms were for. They were storage. I wasn’t going to waste them on these fae, so I used the female’s magic instead.

&
nbsp; Her eyes widened as I sent a wave of magic at her. She flew back, smashing into a tree. The tree snapped against the impact and fell.

  A snarl came from my left as Berry charged into the male fae. The two of them tumbled on the ground. The male fae howled and I had a feeling Berry followed through with the threat. I wasn’t going to look too closely to check.

  The air whistled and I dove to the side as leaves brushed against my skin. The female had thrown a part of the tree at me. She snarled and ran at me. The ground underneath me shook, trying to knock me down.

  I rode out the movement and grabbed the female when she slammed into me. We fell to the ground. I twisted my body so that I landed on top. I wrapped my hand around her neck, choking her out as my other hand went to above her heart. Magic slammed into her, making her body buckle.

  She wailed and another one joined her as the male did the same. I felt it as her heart shattered within, becoming useless.

  Her body went limp, her eyes glazing over as life left her. I jumped to my feet, Berry at my side.

  Are you okay?

  “She’s small fry compared to what I had to deal with.”

  Look.

  I gaped as the body melted into the ground, the earth swallowing her whole. The same was happening to the male fae too. “Shit. This is too much like Faerie,” I said.

  It is her doing, but she isn’t here. She does not have the control to actually be here.

  “Consider that a blessing, friend. We better get back. I’ve seen enough.”

  A twig broke and I whirled around, expecting another fae.

  It was worse though. So much fucking worse. The one thing I feared in the human realm was right in front of me.

  The last three people I had ever expected to see stood before me, faces pale, eyes massive, disbelief written all over them. The one in the center was the tallest, black hair over brown eyes. A strong body peeked out from underneath his clothes; his body had been honed to be a weapon. The military did that to a person, chipped away at their bodies until all that was left was a hardened body familiar with violence.