Nicole Peeler - [Jane True 01] (27 page)

Hours later, when we finally called it quits, we were both too tired for
one last bath. More’s the pity, that.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

I
s that
it?” I asked, incredulously, staring up at the gigantic, but otherwise utterly
banal, McMansion.

We’d left the hotel midafternoon that day and driven the few hours north
to where the Alfar Compound was located. It was out in the middle of
nowhere—we’d driven for about forty-five minutes without seeing a single sign
of inhuman habitation before I caught my first glimpse of a very high privacy
fence topped with both barbed wire
and
spikes. After what felt like an
insanely long drive around the intimidating barrier, we’d finally pulled up to
a heavy-duty security gate. Ryu had talked briefly into a camera, and the gates
had creaked open. There was a long winding drive through heavily forested
grounds before we pulled up in front of
this
: a house that, except for
its gargantuan scale, could have been located in any recent suburban
development.

Ryu looked at me like I was crazy, and then barked out his funny laugh.

“Oops,” he said. “I forgot,” as he passed a hand in front of my eyes,
muttering something under his breath.

My vision wobbled and I blinked. For a terrifying few seconds my eyes
simply wouldn’t focus, but when my sight finally cleared, everything had
changed.

In place of the McMansion stood a construction that looked like the
product of a creative collaboration between Walt Disney, Tolkien, and M.C.
Escher. The overwhelming effect of the building in front of me was one of
size
:
It was both sprawling and very tall. But there was also something unreal about
it—something about the angles, or the proportions, or how everything fit
together that defied logic.

I shook my head, trying to focus on the details of the building. It
consisted of dozens of variously sized towers that were connected by either
large halls or open-air walkways. Overall, it was built of soft gray stone,
although quite a few of the towers appeared pink in the midafternoon sun. The
various roofs were, for the most part, the greenish bronze of aged copper or
made up of clear panes of glass. But there were individual towers or halls that
appeared to be slated or thatched. And there was one squat but very tall tower
that looked like it was woven together of trees. Steep stone stairs led up to
the main entrance, which was fronted by a formidable looking pair of oak and
iron doors.

I took a deep breath, feeling my brain quite literally adjusting to the
vision in front of me.
I think it’s giving me a headache
, I thought,
but
it
is
beautiful
.

“There’s a perpetual glamour on the Compound,” Ryu explained. “Because
you are so untrained, and it’s so powerful, you were affected. But from now on
you’ll see everything truly.”

I had a feeling he was being optimistic, but I managed to smile at him
nonetheless. I was extremely nervous, and my feet were already killing me. I
was wearing the black trousers outfit Iris had picked for me—high heels, boobie
belt, and all. I’d been practicing walking in the heels around the hotel, while
Ryu slept, and I didn’t think I was in danger of spontaneously tipping over
anymore. But neither was I traipsing about like Sarah Jessica Parker.

Perhaps I will never learn to traipse,
I’d decided.

“How can this exist out here?” I asked, trying to take in the sheer
scale of the sight before me. “How did they build it without anybody noticing?”

Ryu laughed again, putting an arm around my waist. “This Compound has
been here since before humans came to exist on earth, let alone in Canada,” he
explained. “Through human migrations, invasions, wars, and even urban sprawl it
has endured, safe behind its walls. Not even Starbucks has been able to find
it.”

Ryu smiled at me encouragingly and took my elbow to lead me up the
stairs but I resisted. Before I went in, I needed to know something that had
been lurking in the back of my mind since I’d first been chased by Anyan into
my cove and found out the truth about my heritage.

“My mother?” I asked, my voice raw even to my own ears as I finally
articulated the question that had been burning me up since Ryu had decided on
this trip. “Will I see her?”

Ryu paused, turning to face me. He brushed my bangs away from my eyes
with gentle fingers.

“The chances are slim,” he admitted, unsure of how I would react.
“Selkies are not normally a part of Court life. Their world is the sea. We land
lubbers only confuse them.”

My eyes closed as he said those words. If I was honest with myself, I
didn’t know if I felt relief or sadness. Part of me would give anything to see
my mother again, and meeting Nell, Anyan, and Ryu—and learning the truth about
myself—had made it seem like that might just be a possibility. But another part
of me was still so
angry
with her—an anger I tried to deny, but was
present nonetheless.

Ryu, bless him, merely waited quietly while I recovered myself. Opening
my eyes, I tried to force a smile that wouldn’t come.

“Well, I guess she couldn’t have known I was going to be here,” I said,
a bitter edge to my voice. “After all, she’s apparently been in bad reception areas
for the past twenty years.”

Ryu pulled me toward him in a long hug, a gesture that found me suddenly
fighting back tears. We stood like that for a good few minutes before his voice
rumbled through his chest into my ear.

“Jane, I know your mother’s leaving was incredibly difficult for you.
And I know that nothing I say will change that. But the thing about selkies is
that they need the sea as humans need sunlight.” He pulled back slightly,
lifting my chin so I’d meet his eyes. “A mere six years of having your mother
with you was nowhere near enough time,” he continued, choosing his words with
care. “But for her to have lived six years outside of the ocean must have been
a tremendous strain. I know that can’t make your pain go away, or make her loss
easier.” I’d never seen Ryu struggle for words, but he was struggling now. He
shook his head, as if giving up. “But she must have loved you and your father
very much to have survived on land for that long, even with the sea right
there. I want you to know that,” he finished awkwardly, waiting for my reply. I
leaned my forehead against his chest, letting his strength support me for a
minute while I digested what he’d said. Then I reached up to kiss the tender
little indentation where his clavicles met, and I put my arm through his.
Galvanized by his words, I was as ready as I’d ever be.

This time when he drew me toward the steep ascent separating us from the
intricately decorated and incredibly imposing front entrance, I followed
willingly. I reminded myself to breathe, as we climbed, glad that I’d had the
foresight to swathe my heels in Band-Aids. If I survived this weekend in one
piece it’d be a pleasant surprise; if my feet survived these shoes, it’d be a
miracle.

The doors swept open before us as we walked into a beautiful front hall.
I was trying to take everything in, but it was too much. There was so much
light
that it overwhelmed my first impressions. My eyes were dazzled; little
flickering mage lights and enormous, man-sized candles vied with each other for
dominance, while the vaulted ceiling itself appeared to be glowing as if,
rather than a dreary November day, a brilliant summer sun was shining through
the skylights. My vision was once again on the defensive, struggling to adjust,
while Ryu led me forward into the depths of the Compound.

Another imposing set of doors—although these were more delicate, less
obviously defensive—separated us from our goal. And now that my eyes had gotten
used to the light, I could see why it was so blinding. The front hall of the
Compound was built entirely of white marble and mirrors—there wasn’t a single
drop of color except for four brilliant mosaics. Two were on either side wall
and two flanked the very grand interior doors on the central wall. One was a
green leaf, one a bright lick of flame, one a quivering drop of water, and the
last a cleverly composed gust of wind.
The four elements
, I thought,
peering around to admire the artistry involved in their creation.

We hadn’t yet seen a single soul. Nevertheless, I knew we were being
watched. I could feel eyes on me as manifestly as if they were fingers brushing
against my skin. My spine stiffened, pulling my small frame tight and pushing
my shoulders back. My chin lifted defiantly and I saw Ryu glance at me
approvingly, his golden eyes narrowed with anticipation.

As we strode the last few paces to the inner doors, they swung open and
I caught my first glimpse of the Alfar Court. All eyes were upon us as, to my
surprise, our arrival was announced.

“Ryu Baobhan Sith, Investigator,” a sonorous voice intoned. “Accompanied
by Jane True.”

Ryu squeezed my elbow as I faltered, guiding me down the center of the
long room toward what I could now see was a dais with two thrones. The beings
sitting on those thrones pulsed with a power so tangible that I had to walk
more purposefully—I was actually being physically repulsed by their strength.

In my peripheral vision, I caught glimpses of the other members of the
Court. They were clustered about in small groups, some watching our procession
with curiosity, others oblivious to anything except their own conversation. I
couldn’t let myself be distracted—I was really having to concentrate on moving
forward—but it was difficult to ignore the dazzling suggestions of color,
flesh, scales, and fur tempting my gaze.

And you were worried the belt was overkill
, my brain
snickered, as I caught a glimpse of a voluptuous female form clad in very
revealing and vaguely belly dancer-esque garb. Her tummy wobbled invitingly as
she giggled, and I nearly veered off our carpeted path toward her.
Something
tells me that one is a succubus
.
And I wonder what else is here
, I
thought, my mental voice colored with an admixture of apprehension and
anticipation.

As we neared the dais, Ryu dropped into a low bow beside me. Unsure of
what to do, I mimicked his bow. Sensing him straighten, I followed suit.

The beings before me were as cold, still, and perfect as marble. No one
would ever mistake them for humans. But, except for their obvious beauty and
preternatural calm, they weren’t overtly odd. They were smaller than I had
expected, although they were seated so it was hard to tell exactly how tall
they were. I think I’d assumed they’d be giants.

We waited, their gaze heavy upon us, for what felt like forever. Finally,
they spoke in unison, greeting first Ryu and then me. Their voices were low and
I shivered at the power pulsing through their tone.

Ryu bowed again, so I went ahead and did the same, wondering if this was
what church was like. The bowing made my belt cut into my stomach, so I hoped
there wasn’t going to be much more genuflection involved in tonight’s
activities.

I started, ever so slightly, as their heavy gaze swiveled from Ryu
toward me. The woman spoke, alone, this time. “Jane,” echoed her strange, grave
voice. She held her hand out toward me and I stepped forward to take it in
mine, having no idea what to do with it once it was in my grasp. To my
surprise, she shook, and after a second I shook back. We stood there shaking
hands for at least half a minute, like two executives closing a deal.

“Is this not correct human behavior for a greeting?” she asked, smiling
at me kindly.

“Oh, right, um, yes. It is, actually. Ma’am,” I stammered, totally at a
loss for how to act.

She turned to her mate, unhurriedly. “She is sweet, Orin. Do you not
think so?”

The male version of the woman turned his pale silver-eyed gaze toward me
and I only just managed to stop myself trembling. The queen still had a hold of
my hand, after all, and shuddering at the sight of her man was probably not the
most tactful response.

He looked me up and down, his expression unchanged. “Lovely, my Queen,”
he responded, eventually. His head swiveled slowly back to its original
position and I nearly smirked.
They’re not what I’d call hasty,
I
thought, as I watched the Queen take about five whole seconds to blink her
heavily lashed eyes.