Kindling Flames: Granting Wishes (The Ancient Fire Series Book 5) (3 page)

Cathren nodded her head, not really understanding him. “Then why do you always see leprechauns in green with those big top hats and black shoes with buckles?”

Patrick scoffed at her, slightly offended. “Tales get twisted over time.” Sighing, he picked up his drink and took a long pull from it. “Somewhere, our stories got mixed in with other fay.”

“So you’re not all into green?”

Patrick shook his head at the question.

“What about the gold and rainbows thing?”

Patrick laughed. “Oh, there
is
gold.” Slipping his hand in his pocket, he pulled out three large, gold coins and dropped them on the table. “But I don’t have any control over rainbows.”

Cathren looked at the coins in awe. Each one was nearly the size of her palm.

Patrick spun on his stool so he could lean his back against the table.

“What is true?” she asked as she touched the coins.

Patrick swirled his drink around and downed the bit that was left. “I make shoes.” He waved at the wall of supplies with his empty glass.

Cathren looked at the tools of his craft.

“I like hats.” He waved towards the darkened side of the room. “And I grant wishes when someone is lucky enough to catch me.” He sat the empty glass on the table behind him. “Most of the rest of the lore is a bunch of blarney.”

Turning, she considered the man sitting next to her. “Then what are leprechauns?”

He gave her a sidelong look and let out a deep breath. “We’re fay.”

She gave him an incredulous look.

Patrick considered her for a moment before beginning his explanation. “Lore has it that we are the offspring of an ‘evil spirit’ and a ‘degenerate fairy’. Not wholly good or wholly evil. I’m not sure how true that is, but I can tell you that we are magical beings from Ireland.”

“Ireland?” Cathren sat up straighter. That was the accent she could hear in his voice. She hadn’t been able to place it before. “What are you doing in Brenton?”

Patrick chuckled. “I followed the fairy queen when she moved her court here about a hundred or so years ago.”

Cathren’s eyes nearly bugged out at this. “A hundred years!” She squeaked. “How old are you?”

“A bit older than that.” Patrick chuckled. “I was young and dumb at the time.” He turned to look at Cathren’s surprised face. “Even though we’re solitary fay, we do crave the companionship of others of our kind.” Patrick twisted on his stool to face the table. Folding his arms onto the surface, he leaned his head down on them, looking at Cathren. “I got lonely in Ireland and came to be with the people I knew.”

Cathren picked her water bottle back up and took a long drink of it while trying to process this. She crinkled the plastic again as she sat it back on the table.

Patrick sat up, drawing her attention away from the bottle in her hand. “Enough about me, what about you?” He gave her a warm smile. “What makes you tick?”

Cathren looked at him, at a loss for words. “Me?” Her life seemed insignificant next to the story he had just spun. “There’s nothing special about me.” She shook her head and tucked her hands in between her knees again.

Patrick turned to face her fully. “There’s something special about everyone.”

Cathren shook her head, feeling foolish.

“Come on,” he pressed. “You have to give me something if I’m going to find someone to love you truly.”

Red colored Cathren’s ears. “Look.” She twisted to face him. “About that…” Cathren lifted her hands as she spoke to emphasize her words.

Patrick caught her hand and held it. “No arguments.” His fingers caressed her knuckles softly. “I promised to fulfill your wishes and I will.” He spun the gold chain on her wrist. “I am honor bound to do so and have been looking for someone that could make you happy. Since I botched the waffles thing so badly, I’ve been taking my time, trying to find just the right person for you.”

Cathren smiled at the memory of the waffles. “I don’t think you can help me find a true love.” She paused as she considered her words. “That’s kind of a personal thing.”

“Oh, I intend to do right by you.” Patrick sat taller on his stool as he held her hand. “Did you see the gentleman that left?”

Recalling the handsome man that had gotten into the black car, Cathren nodded.

“I was thinking he would be a good candidate.” Patrick looked thoughtful. “With a little persuasion, he could love you truly, and he would definitely see to your happiness.”

“Persuasion?” Cathren didn’t like the sound of that.

Patrick rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand soothingly. “Just a little suggestion.” He shrugged. “You’re a pretty girl. Very sweet. Just a little push to get you two started should be enough. But…” His words trailed off.

Cathren could see a hint of doubt in his eyes. “But what?” she pushed.

Patrick let out a long breath. “Master Darien hasn’t always had the best luck in love.”

“Master Darien?” Cathren repeated.

Patrick rubbed his free hand into the back of his neck. “Well, he does have a few other quirks about him.”

Cathren cocked her head, questioning him. “Like?”

A pained look crossed Patrick’s face as he went on. “Umm… he’s a vampire,” he said sheepishly.

“
A vampire
!” Cathren gasped in shock. “You wanted to hook me up with a
vampire
!” She tried to pull her hand away, but Patrick held it fast.

“Master Darien is a very good vampire,” he defended his friend. “He hardly ever bites anyone anymore.” Petting her hand, he tried to calm her outrage down.

Cathren tugged on her hand, trying to get it free of Patrick’s grasp. “But he’s still a
vampire
!”

He held it firmly, trying to soothe her.

“And what do you mean, he hardly bites anyone anymore? Is he a
reformed
vampire?”

“No.” The answer came from the darkened doorway. They both turned to look at the man stepping in from the main shop.

Cathren’s eyes ran over the new arrival. His rich, brown hair was elegantly cut, and brilliant green eyes sparkled out of his handsome face.

“I don’t hunt my food because it takes too much of my time.”

His voice was warm and brushed against the inside of her skin. Cathren shivered in response.

“Master Darien.” Dropping Cathren’s hand, Patrick stood up from his stool.

Cathren watched as the vampire pulled something out of the pocket of his dress slacks and tossed it towards Patrick. Two green stones sparkled in the air before Patrick caught them.

“And I better not find out you were cheating,” Darien growled. He stalked towards the pair and stopped just far enough away from Cathren so he wasn’t crowding her. “This is the girl you wanted me to take out?”

Cathren could feel his eyes sweep over her before turning back to Patrick.

“You know I don’t have time for romance.” Darien said. His voice held a note of exasperation. “I barely have time to socialize at all.” Turning back to Cathren, he held out his hand in a friendly manner. “Forgive me, I’m Darien.” He smiled.

Cathren didn’t see any pointy teeth in his mouth, so she took his hand for a nice shake.

“I’m sure you’re a nice girl, but I’m a very busy man. I wouldn’t be very good boyfriend material.” He released her hand and looked over at Patrick. “Now, Patrick here, if you can get over his odd habits, would make an excellent romantic companion.” Darien smirked at him.

Patrick sneered. “I think you’re spending too much time in your office.”

“Probably.” Darien shrugged. “But, I enjoy what I do.”

“Are you really a vampire?” The question slipped out of Cathren’s mouth before she could stop it. She covered her mouth as Darien turned to consider her. “Sorry,” she said, horrified that her thoughts had slipped out uncensored.

A smirk curled the edge of Darien’s lips “Yes.” Sharp fangs flashed in his mouth as he spoke.

Cathren’s mouth went very dry, and she swallowed the fear rising in her.

“It was a pleasure to meet you.” Darien turned to look at Patrick. “The night is getting late, and I really must be going.” He held his hand out for the fay to shake. “See you next time, my friend.” Releasing Patrick’s hand, he headed to the door.

“Kian,” Patrick called as he scooped up the three coins from the table.

The vampire stopped and turned back to see what the leprechaun wanted.

The gold rang as Patrick tapped it on the table before slinging it at his friend.

Darien’s hand came up and caught the coins before they could smack him in the chest. He looked at the gold and raised an eyebrow in question.

Patrick shrugged. “I was cheating.”

Darien laughed and tossed the coins in the air lightly testing their weight. “Fair trade.” Toying with the gold, he turned his attention to Cathren. “Never trust an unbound fay unless they give you their word. And then, only trust them to the letter of their promise, not necessarily the spirit of it.” His eyes dropped to her wrist and the golden band there. “Then again, you did manage to bind this one pretty nicely. You might do all right in this world.” With that, Darien turned and disappeared into the darkened shop. The chiming of the bell told them both that he had left.

“Wow.” Cathren said. She stared at the darkened doorway, absorbing what had just happened.

“Come to think of it.” Patrick looked thoughtful as he reclaimed his seat. “Master Darien probably wouldn’t be a good choice for your true love.” He turned to look at Cathren. “You would practically have to live in his back pocket to have any chance of a relationship with him. He does tend to bury himself in that business of his.”

“What does he do?” Cathren asked. She couldn’t think of any type of business that a vampire could run.

“He’s the CEO and owner of Ritter Enterprises.” Patrick shrugged as if it was nothing.

Cathren nearly fell of her stool at this news. “
Darien Ritter!
” Everyone that lived in Brenton had heard his name before. Not only was he the owner of the largest corporation in the area, but he was a big contributor to the local community.

Patrick chuckled. “You would never have guessed that of him.”

Shaking her head numbly, Cathren worked to reorder her world. Her mind churned over the last few minutes. Something Darien had said grabbed at her thoughts. “What are your little quirks?” she questioned Patrick. Darien had mentioned something about him having some. “You don’t like, eat children, or use their blood to dye your shoes or hats, do you?” She looked around the shop at all the sharp tools lying around.

“Good heavens, no!” Patrick sat taller on his stool. “It’s the Redcaps that use blood to dye their hats and clothing.”

Cathren’s mouth fell open as he went on.

“Darien was probably referring to my lifestyle.” Patrick nodded as he thought. “I tend to spend a lot of time on my own.” He shrugged again.

Cathren just sat there blinking, unable to process any more strangeness. “I think I had better get going.” She slowly slid from her stool.

Catching the distress in her voice, Patrick grabbed up her hand before she could bolt. “Cathren.” He stood up and held her hands up to his chest. “Please don’t fear me for what I am. I know it’s unusual, but I’m really not a bad person.”

His heartfelt plea eased some of the uncomfortable feelings racing around inside of Cathren. She studied his blue eyes for a moment before letting out a long breath. “Of course not.” Just the look on his face assured her that he would do what he could to make her comfortable in her altered world.

Patrick’s smile lit up his face. He raised her hands up and kissed the knuckles. “Thank you.” He squeezed her fingers gently in gratitude. “I promise that you won’t be sorry.” He bounced on the balls of his feet as he spoke. “I will work hard to find you just the right true love.”

Cathren shook her head at him, but couldn’t keep her amusement from showing. “Seriously.” She pulled her hands down from where he held them to his chest, but didn’t take them out of his grip. “You really don’t have to do that.” She squeezed his hands, trying to emphasize her words.

“No, no,” he insisted. “I made a promise, and I intend to keep it.” He smiled warmly at her. “But what Master Darien said is right. It is getting rather late.”

Cathren sighed. “And I do have to work tomorrow.”

Patrick swung around to her side and tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “Then let me see you to your car.” He led her into the darkened shop. “Will you be okay driving home by yourself?”

“I’ll be fine,” she reassured him.

Giving her an understanding nod, Patrick escorted her out to the street. “Please be careful.” He opened her car door for her and held it so she could get in. “Night can be a dangerous time.”

After what she had just discovered of her world, she would never look at night the same way again. She nodded as she climbed into her car.

“Until we meet again.” He bid her farewell and shut her door.

Cathren’s mind churned as she drove home. She couldn’t fathom how things such as vampires and leprechauns could have gone unnoticed by the world for so long. A soft laugh slipped out of her. Of course the world noticed them. Their stories and legends were scattered about everywhere. The real question was—if vampires and fay were real, what else was?