Demon's Web (9 page)

“He suspected something when we first started looking for Trin. He asked and I had to tell him the truth. He didn’t mind, though. I was rather surprised. He wanted me to be with you and help to keep you safe.”

“And your mother?”

“She still doesn’t know. Dad thought it was best she not have to worry about me while she is still so distraught over my sister. She is going to be upset as it is, when she learns I am leaving to live in the human world so I can be with you, before finding Trinity. She feels like she has lost one child as it is, to have me leave so soon will only agitate her further.”

Jasmine frowned. She hadn’t really been living in the Human Realm. Yet, this was not the time or place to discuss all of this.

“When will you be going to the Human Realm? When will you tell your mother?”

“As soon as I can. I wanted to talk to you first. I don’t know where you live or where I am going. I, honestly, wasn’t even sure you would want me.”

“Yes. I want you,” she said softly, looking up into those turquoise eyes she was so enamored with. “But you should know, I only live in the human world for short amounts of time. If I am there too long, I can be discovered.”

“Who is hunting you? Why? What am I going to be up against?”

“It’s a very long story and I will explain it all in good time. I promise.” She pulled back and looked around nervously. “I need to go. I am being summoned. Meet me in New Orleans in one week. Bourbon Street, the Cat’s Meow courtyard at midnight. I’ll explain everything then.” Jasmine leaned in and kissed his lips softly. “I promise. I’ll tell you all about my strange life then.”

“I will see you there at the appointed time. I will wait for you to tell me the whole kit and caboodle when we are together next.” Logan paused then took a deep breath. “I know I have never said it, but I want you to know, Jaz, I have fallen in love with you.”

Jasmine cupped his cheek and kissed him again. “I know.” She then disappeared from his arms and he was left standing alone in a fragrant garden of black roses.

Jasmine entered the small cottage in Faefardom, the realm of the fairies, which resembled a building the Flintstones could’ve been perfectly content to have lived in. It was about the only realm protected from detection, thereby keeping her safe from being discovered. Her grandmother, Archanidou, was waiting for her. Although normally such a visit would not cause an issue, the fact her grandmother was here waiting for her could be a concern. She realized her presence would not have been detected since she was in another realm and they would have realized she had left the sanctity of Faefardom.

“You were in the Nether Realm again, weren’t you, my child,” Archanidou stated without preamble.

Jasmine flushed. She should have known she couldn’t keep secrets from her grandmother. She wondered how long the woman had known. Archanidou answered the unspoken question as if she actually had said it aloud.

“I’ve only recently been made aware of your visits.” Archanidou, also known as Spiderwoman, pointed to the seat next to her. “I’ve seen Azamel and I have seen the toll it has taken on him to have lost his daughter. I can’t even imagine what Clarissa is going through. However, I take it they are not the ones you have concerned yourself with.”

“No, Nunohum.” Nunohum was the Native word for grandmother. “I went to see their son, Logan.”

“A good looking male. If I was younger, I might have gone after him myself. Alas, I am too old for the likes of him. He takes after his father more in looks, but has his mother’s kind heart and soul. He has the strength of both. I guess it has come time to let you go and live your own life. To be with him.”

“Is it safe? Someone took Trinity. Someone could still be after me.”

“It will never be safe for you, my child. You carry tainted blood inside which will always call to others. Sadly, it is not your doing but that of your mother’s, gods above rest her soul on the Happy Hunting Grounds.”

Jasmine knew the story. Had been given the knowledge of what power she held within and why others would always search for her. A stone once protected by the guardian, previously known as Clarissa, was destroyed in a dispute of the gods before Logan and her were even born. Archanidou sent her children to remove all the fragments of the crushed, broken gem to hide away. Jasmine’s mother took her entrusted small remnant to the land of the Faes. She buried it with her eggs, knowing she could protect it best there. One egg somehow developed around the sliver of gem that remained and became infused inside the life source, which grew within.

Time moves slower in the land of the Faes than in the human or Nether Realms. When Jasmine was born, her body absorbed the particle that remained by the egg. It became part of her bloodstream, part of her life force. As soon as Jasmine opened her eyes, the stone’s deep rich color, and a minute sense of the power, was discernable, giving off an orange-red color never seen before. Jasmine’s mother died shortly after her birth. Archanidou realized the specialness of Jasmine so she kept her in Faefardom in order to conceal her from those who would seek her out in order to obtain the power which flowed within her very veins.

Spiderwoman made Jasmine very aware that Clarissa, having been the guardian tied to the Gem of Avarice, would sense it within her immediately if the two ever met. Trinity, as the female descendant of the keeper of the stone, would also sense it, even if she was not trained. The gem would call to all who were commissioned with the duty to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. The only conclusion she could safely make was Trinity had been taken to try and locate Jasmine.

“I know, Nunohum, but how long do I keep hiding here? Somehow, someone sensed me and yes, maybe it was my own fault in doing so because I have left the safety of this realm, but I don’t fit here. I don’t belong here. The fairies have never accepted me, barely tolerated me.”

Spiderwoman reached over and took Jasmine’s hand in her own. “I know growing up here where you had few friends and only me as family was difficult for you. The Fae are not used to our kind. If you don’t have wings then you can’t soar with them, and that they find useless. As a result, you have been alone most of your life. I do not blame you for exploring away from this realm to find others just to talk to. However, you have been exposed. Nothing will change that. Nothing can reverse the knowledge you exist. Now, you can only prepare to face the challenge which awaits you as a result. If Logan is willing to be by your side to aid in keeping you from harm, I will rest easier knowing you have the comfort of another trained in defense. One who must care for you, for I can see within you the light you have for him and I cannot believe it would not be reciprocated.

“No more hiding, my child. It is time you live in the light and deal head-on the threat which has been looming since before you were born.”

Archanidou pulled two dream catchers from beneath her shawl. One was in the form of a necklace to be worn around Jasmine’s neck, the other a larger piece to be hung over her bed as she slept, wherever that may be. As Spiderwoman handed them to her granddaughter, she explained their powers.

“The one for your bed will protect you while you sleep, catching in its web all tendrils trying to locate where the miniscule sliver of stone still exists. You will have peace as you rest. The necklace, wear it at all times. It should block any who try to sense you, no matter the realm you are in. But, do not let the sunlight hit it, for it will absorb the sun and nullify the powers of the necklace. It will take the light of a moon to recharge it again. I cannot stop you from venturing forth, but I will be around should you need me. All you ever have to do is call to me and I shall be there as soon as I am able.

“I love you, my granddaughter. I always have and I always will.”

“And I, you, Nunohum. Always and forever, you have my love.”

Jasmine leaned over, hugging her grandmother tight. Realizing what she had to do, she then stood and went to pack what few items she possessed.

Chapter 8

Logan walked the streets of New Orleans looking for the Cat’s Meow. He had only arrived in the city a day before and was still getting acquainted with finding his way around. His mother had been none too pleased he was leaving for the Human Realm, even though she herself had instructed him to go. Of course, she told him before Trinity had been taken; before she lost her daughter to the unknown. Now, her son was leaving and, although she would know where he was, he wouldn’t be with her, he wouldn’t be under her protection or the sanctuary of the manor. He knew she was upset. He knew she didn’t know about Jasmine or that his father had told him to go and protect the woman he had fallen in love with.

Logan tried to explain he would not give up searching for Trinity. He would keep looking, but it wasn’t going to consume every moment of every waking hour for him like it had for her. If he wanted to make his mother angry, he certainly succeeded with those words. He felt awful he had hurt her like that. She was a good woman, a loving mother, and she didn’t deserve such unkind words. He had not seen her when he left. He would apologize to her the next time he saw her. When he found a place, he would invite her to visit and offer to let her add the woman’s touch she always bragged about whenever she re-decorated the manor.

As he walked down Bourbon Street, he saw the building just up ahead and quickened his pace. It stood on the corner, an opening within the wall facing Bourbon and St. Peter Streets could have originally been a door. It was half-walled with a wooden section reaching up to the back part of the stage, which contained a wildly painted piano. The other half-level opened so passersby could peer in at the show going on inside. A couple of women were on the stage singing some song he was unfamiliar with. They appeared pretty intoxicated and didn’t seem to care how off-key they were, but were having a good time and getting the crowd worked up regardless. He headed past the open corner to a narrow door guarded by a big male wearing a Cat’s Meow polo shirt and checking IDs as people walked in. His father had made sure he had all the proper identification materials he would need to live in this world, so he pulled his wallet out from his back pocket and removed the state identification card from within, showing it to the man who let him pass. Once inside he looked around quickly, trying to find access to the courtyard. It was not difficult to find as the place was not very big and the courtyard opening was just opposite the door from where he entered. Logan headed straight for it.

Another bar, entrance to the restrooms, a staircase leading upstairs and a couple of tables to stand or sit at were located in the small brick courtyard of the establishment. She was not there yet and he was slightly disappointed. He headed to the bar and ordered a beer, bringing it back to the table facing the two entrances from within the building.

Taking a sip from his beer, he played with the label. He was almost afraid she wouldn’t show, even though he berated himself for being ridiculous in the process. He kept looking at his time piece and then at the doors any time he heard someone approach, only to be disappointed as it was someone heading to the restrooms behind him or up the staircase to the second floor and outside balcony which overlooked Bourbon Street.

Logan had lined up five bottles of empty beers and was about to give up when he heard a couple approach. He glanced up, although he was sure it wasn’t her, only to see her with another man who was holding her hand. His heart sank immediately at the closeness of the couple. He thought she loved him and seeing her with another was like a slap in the face. Why did she ask to meet him if she was with someone else? How could she break his heart so easily?

The male led Jasmine to the only table occupied. He was only a little taller than Jasmine. Logan guessed about five foot ten inches, maybe eleven tops. He was lithe, athletic, even a bit wiry. He seemed very graceful and almost floated into the yard towards him. Did he catch a glimpse of gossamer wings on his back or had the five beers taken a bit of a hold on him?