And after I played the ocean’s strength, I began to play magic, welling it up to surround me, feeling it thread into every note, in every echoing sound the reverberated out of the metal shell. The magic grew, surrounding me as it swelled and spilled out of the notes—and then, I opened my eyes to find the living room was alive with dancing lights, in shades of pink and yellow, blue and green, and they darted around like dragonflies, crackling with the energy I had woven.
“Beautiful,” my mother whispered. “I’ve never heard anything so beautiful before. I had no idea you were musical.”
“I found this instrument when she was first being made—it wasn’t that long ago, actually, what…twenty years or so? And I fell in love with her. I realized I could make magic with her. And so, we began the journey together, with me figuring out how to weave the music into magic. Mostly, I use her for trance work, but there are times she’s helped me sort out spells.” I rubbed my hand over the metal. “I never play her when I’m wearing rings, because it could damage her.”
“You would fit so well within my society,” Kipa said. “In my homeland, music is prized. Bards hold magical battles by singing their spells. I can see you in the deep forests of the north, by one of the thousands of lakes, playing your music and weaving your charms.”
“Well, maybe I’ll bring her when we go to Kalevala tomorrow.”
“What’s this?” Phasmoria asked, perking up.
“We’re headed to my homeland tomorrow so I can introduce Raven to Väinämöinen, one of the Force Majeure. She needs to know how to perform a powerful spell because of—well, you tell her,” Kipa said.
I told my mother about what we had found out about the aztrophyllia that was attached to Lenny and how it had attacked me. “If I don’t dislodge it and protect him, he’ll die.”
“And if you do dislodge it, it may come for you. Have you thought about what to do in that case?” My mother didn’t seem entirely overjoyed about the idea.
“I need some powerful wards for the house to prevent it from gaining entrance. Best-case scenario would be to prevent it from ever entering the physical realm again. So maybe Väinämöinen can help me learn how to do that, as well.” That might be stretching good will a bit, but if you didn’t ask, you never got an answer.
“We should get to bed early,” Kipa said. “The journey to Kalevala requires going through a portal to Finland, and then through a portal there, which is actually in Mielikki’s Arrow.”
“Which portal will we be taking?” I asked.
“The one in the park next to Herne’s house. I let him know we were going, and he’s alerted Orla, the portal keeper, so she’ll be waiting for us. She’ll set the coordinates.” Kipa yawned and stretched. “I want to sleep tonight.”
Phasmoria frowned. “Well, if you’re going to Kalevala, I’m coming along.” She stood, picking up our plates. “I’ll put the pizza away and make sure Raj is fed. You two go on to bed.”
I gave her a kiss on the cheek as I passed. “Thanks…you’re a good mother, you know that?”
“No, but I’m a functional one,” she said. “I know I’m not the kind of mother that daughters hope for, but I hope that I’m the kind of mother that stands by her children.”
“You’re the mother I want with me when I’m in a jam,” I said. Sleepy, I rested my head on her shoulder for a moment, then motioned to Kipa. “Come on, Wolf-Boy. Let’s go to sleep.” As we headed into the bedroom, I thought again about my father, and how he was coming home. I didn’t know when, and I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but I fell asleep almost before my head hit the pillow, and I slept through until morning.
* * *
Early morning, Kipa woke me up by throwing open the bedroom window and letting the icy air invade the bedroom. I stared at him, blurry eyed. He seemed all too chipper and cheerful.
“What the hell?”
“Get up, woman! We have places to go and people to see.” He grabbed my hand and launched me out of bed. I grabbed for the covers but too late—I found myself standing in front of him stark naked, my nipples greeting the cold air with a high-and-mighty salute.
“It’s colder than a witch’s tit, and mine are proving it,” I grumbled, trying to worm my way out of his hold.
Kipa pulled me to him, wrapping me in his arms as his hands slid over my back and my butt. “Oh, woman, I love it when you talk that way,” he murmured, laughing. “Kiss me, wench, and then get dressed before I rethink our trip and bed you again.”
“You can bed me later, though it would be a lot warmer than standing here in the icy air.” I was about to ask him why he was in such a good mood, but then it dawned on me—he was going home. He was going to see his homeland, and that always brought a smile to his face. I relented. It wasn’t that I wasn’t looking forward to the trip, but being woken up so rudely wasn’t high on my list. “Okay, love, kiss me and then let me dress.”
He did, long and slow and sultry, my hair in his fist, and then he slapped me on the ass again. “Get dressed. I’ll go help your mother make breakfast.”
As soon as he was out the door, I shut the window and slid into my robe. Figuring out what I wanted to wear was easy. Kalevala in winter was even colder than Annwn in winter, and there would probably be even more snow. I opted for a thick pair of leggings, a pair of gauchos—long out of style but still in my wardrobe—their hem an inch below my knee, a turtleneck sweater over a cami for extra warmth, and a pair of knee-high lace-up boots that were flat-soled, non-skid, and waterproof, since we’d no doubt be wading through deep snow. I also packed an extra pair of socks and underwear in my backpack, along with some hand warmers that could fit in my gloves. Finally, I added earmuffs, and a ski hat that had purple and black stripes.
When I entered the dining room, I saw that Phasmoria and Kipa had made breakfast. Oatmeal with dried cranberries and brown sugar, and sausage, along with copious amounts of coffee. Raj came over and nudged me and I gave him a hug. I thought about calling Apollo to see if he could stay with Raj for the day, but then decided no, because if the aztrophyllia decided to return, Apollo wouldn’t be able to fight against him. His talents and powers lay in the Prince Charming department, not the fighting side. But…
“I’m calling Trinity to see if he’ll sit with Raj. He can fight against that creature if it returns or get Raj out of here if he needs to,” I said, pulling out my phone.
“Good idea,” Kipa said. “Trinity can take care of himself.”
I wasn’t sure if he’d answer—Trinity worked on his own schedule—but he picked up on the second ring. “Hey Trinity, I need a favor, if you have time.”
“What’s going on?” Trinity had one of those soft, seductive voices that always made me shiver. He was known as the Keeper of the Keys and the Lord of Persuasion. So he, like Vixen, was a Charmer, in many ways.
I explained what I needed and why, and he immediately agreed. “I’ll be over in half an hour,” he said. “Raj will be fine with me.” Trinity might be shady in a number of ways, but when he gave his word to me, I knew that I could trust him.
Feeling much more secure, I dove into my breakfast. Raj would be safe while I was gone. “Is there anything I should know about traveling to Kalevala?”
“Watch out who you piss off,” Kipa warned me. “Louhia comes from that area—though she’s in Pohjola—and there are a lot of sorcerers, bards, and witches in Kalevala. A number of them aren’t very nice.”
Phasmoria snorted. “Telling Raven to watch what she says in front of other people is a lost cause, and actually, after the other night in front of the Banra-Sheagh, I’m rather proud of that. But having said that, my daughter, Kipa knows his homeland the best. So try to watch yourself.”
I stuck my tongue out at her. “ ‘No more wire hangers!’ ”
She looked bewildered. “What did you say and why do I have the feeling that’s an insult?”
I laughed then. “Mommie Dearest. A movie. And it was sarcasm, not an insult. Yeah, I�
��ll watch my tongue. I don’t want any more problems than we already have.” I paused. “Say, you can’t take care of the aztrophyllia for me, can you?”
It was Phasmoria’s turn to laugh. “No, I can’t. My screech might do it in, but it would also kill your friend and I don’t think that’s your end goal.”
“True enough. My end goal is to keep him alive. I keep forgetting you’re not a one-woman army. Though sometimes it seems that way, and that, Mother, is a compliment.” I leaned back, staring at my plate. I had finished everything but I was still hungry. “Is there any more?”
Kipa laughed. “Yes, there are more sausages and more oatmeal, if you want.” He reached for my plate and bowl.
I handed them to him. “I do want. Thank you.” I turned to Phasmoria. “So, seriously, all joking aside, you can’t do anything?”
She shrugged. “I could try, but I could also make it worse. I’m powerful, but some astral creatures are more than a match for me. Bean Sidhe—even the Queen—are not all-powerful. And we do have specific functions we use in service to the Morrígan, so it’s not like we’re out there tooling around the world. As I said, I could try, but I have a feeling things might go south, and that’s the last thing you want.”
“Right. Okay, well, I guess that doesn’t matter. I’m looking forward to learning something new anyway, if Väinämöinen will teach me. And I’m also looking forward to seeing Kipa’s homeland.” I paused as Kipa brought in my plate and bowl. The oatmeal was creamy, and the cranberries gave it a lovely tang that was countered by the savory sweetness of the brown sugar. And the sausages mirrored the brown-sugar flavor with an addition of sage and whatever else they used. All in all, it seemed like the perfect breakfast.
By the time we were done, Trinity arrived. He was his usual goth boy chic, with jet black hair pulled back into a braid and guyliner that made him look mysterious and sexy and yet, very slightly feminine.
He gave me a hug and waved at Kipa and Phasmoria. “Hey. Where are you off to?”
“Kalevala,” I said. “I’m going to meet one of the Force Majeure, if he’s willing to talk to me. If you could watch Raj, and make sure nothing comes through. There’s an astral creature called an aztrophyllia that attacked me the other night—”
“I know what those are. I’ve tangled with one before. I finally managed to kill it, but it took a lot of time and energy. Hey, I have something I’d like to ask your advice on, but it can wait.”
I glanced at Kipa and Phasmoria. Kipa was digging through his pack while Phasmoria was carrying dishes into the kitchen. “I have a few minutes.”
“Are you sure?”
I nodded, walking him into the living room away from the others. “Sure, what’s up?”
Trinity blushed—and I never knew him to blush. In low tones, he said, “All right, here’s the problem. I think I’ve met someone I really like.”
“What’s the problem with that? Unless…” I paused, wondering if his incubus nature had kicked in. “Is she married? Or…he?”
Trinity shook his head. “No, but that’s part of the issue. Not that she’s married, but the fact that… You know I’m half incubus.”
“Right,” I said.
“I really like this woman and I think she likes me. But what if I get together with her and then I… I’m a virgin, Raven. And I know that the incubus/succubus natures kick in—not necessarily at puberty, but the first time an incubus has sex. What if we get together, and then I turn into my father? That’s why I never slept with anybody—not because I didn’t want to, but because I’m afraid that I’ll turn into some gluttonous, greedy perv who won’t be able to sustain control. What would that do to a relationship?”
I managed to keep a deadpan face, but the realization that Trinity was a virgin, and the fact that he had deliberately avoided having sex because he was terrified his father’s nature would come out and turn him into a sex addict who used people told me just how much he actually did care about people.
“Trin,” I said, sitting down beside him and taking his hand. “I don’t know the answer to that, but there has to be somebody who can help you.” Then it hit me. “Sejun—my counselor. If he can’t help, then he should know someone who can. Maybe Ferosyn can help. I can call Herne and ask if he can get you an appointment. Ferosyn’s the most powerful healer I know.”
Trinity grimaced. “I guess. I feel like a fool. It’s hard enough to talk about my parents—given neither of them want anything to do with me. And to admit that, at my age, I’m still a virgin? But I’m so afraid of triggering something I can’t put back in the bottle.”
“I’ll call Herne and give him your number. Either way, it’s better that you know what might—or might not—happen.” I gave him a quick hug. “Thank you for trusting me. That’s a hard secret to carry around.”
Trinity leaned close enough to whisper. “Raven, you know that if it weren’t for Kipa, it would be you—don’t you? And if anything ever goes wrong between you, I’ll be here, waiting.”
I ducked my head. “I know,” I whispered back. “I will never hurt Kipa…but if things were different…” I let the words stay unsaid. Better not to dangle the hope of too much in front of a hungry man. Especially when that man carried a powerful lineage behind him. I cleared my throat and said, “I’ll talk to Herne for you. But now, we really have to leave. Thank you for taking care of Raj today.”
Trinity held my gaze and it felt almost as though he were kissing me, but then the sensation dropped away and he said, “I’ll spare asking you why you’re heading over to the land of fire and ice until you get back, but I want to hear the whole story later.” He waved us toward the door. “Go on, now. I’ll watch over the place.”
“There’s some leftover oatmeal and sausages in the kitchen, if you’d like them,” Kipa said.
For a while, he’d been jealous of the friendship that Trinity and I had, but I had finally convinced him that, even if I was attracted to Trinity, I wasn’t going to act on it. Kipa had been there for me when I needed him, and we had such good chemistry and the love was there, and I couldn’t see throwing away what we had for a fling.
Because as much as I liked Trinity, I knew that was all it would ever be and I had the feeling that, after talking to Ferosyn, Trinity would confirm it. He was half-incubus, and one thing I knew about the incubi was that they had trouble forming long-lasting love relationships. Friendships? Yes. Partnerships? Not so much.
Once we were outfitted, we headed for the door. Trinity was watching cartoons with Raj, and everything seemed settled and in order, so I tried to leave my worries at the door, and we settled in my car for the trip over to the park next to Herne’s house. I texted Herne on the way, asking him to call Trinity, and then tried to put the gorgeous goth boy out of my mind.
Chapter Fifteen
Going through portals might be like stepping into a tornado and out again, but the effects weren’t necessarily cumulative, unless you went jumping through them one after another in a short period of time. So the trip to Kalevala wasn’t taxing, even though we’d been in Annwn the day before.
Finland was icy cold this time of year. We were nearing the Winter Solstice and the temperature had settled in around twenty-three degrees. It was snowing, and dark as pitch. Though it had been morning when we stepped into the portal, it was nearly nine p.m. when we stepped out of it. I glanced around.
“Where are we? And how far away is Mielikki’s Arrow?” I asked. “It’s freezing.”
“I called ahead. She’s sending someone to meet us,” Kipa said. “It’s too cold to walk. We’re in a park. This is Merikatu Street.”
I glanced around, trying to make out the lay of the land, but even the street lights couldn’t brazen their way through the blowing snow and the inky night.
“How do we address Her Ladyship?” Phasmoria asked.
Next to me, Kipa shivered, but I didn’t think it was from the cold. “You call her Lady Mielikki. Or Lady of the Hunt, or Queen of Fae. Pr
obably Lady Mielikki is best. She’s got a sense of humor, but don’t push it. And don’t make a mess in her office. She hates clutter.”
I snorted. “I can keep myself from throwing mud around.”
“I’m not kidding,” Kipa said. “Mielikki is a neat freak, for all her wandering she does in the woods. I think, though, Tapio will be relieved to meet you, if he’s around.”
“Why?” Then it dawned on me as to why Mielikki’s husband would be happy to see me. “Oh, that’s right. You made a pass at her right in front of her husband once, didn’t you?”
Kipa sobered. “Yeah, and it’s a mistake I’ll never make again.” At that moment, a black sedan pulled up, with tinted windows.
“What, are they vampires?” I tried to see who was driving but couldn’t.
“Yeah, don’t joke about that either. Mielikki doesn’t care for vampires, though she does rule over a number of the Leannan Sidhe, so…energy vampires she’s not so down on.” Kipa opened the front door and spoke to the driver for a moment, then opened the back door and motioned for Phasmoria and me to slide in. He rode shotgun. The driver was a muscular man in a chauffeur’s outfit who didn’t even acknowledge Phasmoria or me. I wasn’t sure what I had expected, but he wasn’t it.
The car glided through the streets, silent in the muffling snow. I could barely see anything through the tinted windows, but soon, we pulled into a parking lot next to a three-story stone building. The driver opened the doors for us, and motioned toward the building’s doors.
The first floor housed a medical clinic. Odd, I thought, because the first floor of the building the Wild Hunt was in also homed an urgent care clinic. We took the elevator to the second floor, stepping into the lobby of Mielikki’s Arrow, a sister organization to the Wild Hunt. The receptionist—a blond bombshell who reminded me of some Norwegian goddess—was sitting behind the counter. She smiled, and the entire room lit up.
Witching Fire: A Wild Hunt Novel, Book 16 Page 14