Not Just Another Fae (Vegas Fae Stories Book 4) (25 page)

"But why me?" Siegfried asked as he sheathed the
blade.

"He knew of you," I replied. "From Bernd.
Said he'd told the story of a great Fae Viking warrior that still lived, and
that this deserved to be where it could best be used. He said it was handed
down from his father and that he was the last of his line. He wanted you to
have it."

"I am honored."

"What? Nothing for me?" Michael asked, feigning
disbelief.

"Sorry my friend," I said with a laugh. "I
tried to find a gift shop down there; but the place has really gone to hell, if
you know what I mean."

"Always a bridesmaid, never a bride," he teased,
shaking his head.

We all laughed and went back to the table. We finished our
coffee and they told about the Demons they'd fought while I was away before the
two of them said their goodbyes. Lucius had been staying here since he'd
returned and I told him he was welcome to continue to do so. At least until he
figured out what his next move should be. Losing the Lilin part of him was
still confusing him, and he yet to make contact with them. He was still trying
to decide what to be, I guess. I think he was glad to have a friend around
until he sorted it out.

There was one more thing I had to do. I asked Diantha and
Lucius to wait in the other room as I summoned Sendy to let her know what had
happened. She appeared a moment later and I had her sit down. I told her the
story of her sister's role in Marissa's plan. She did not take it well,
although she forgave me for what I'd had to do. She knew what evil the dark Fae
had wrought on her family, as well as my part, although unsuccessful, to find
them. When we were done I called Mal and let him know what had happened, asking
him to keep an eye on her. She'd lost a lot since she'd decided to search me
out, and even though she told me she understood, and didn’t blame me for what had
happened to Maia, I only hoped she could forgive me for any part I might have
played in her loss.

After I sent her back to Mal, Lucius retired to the downstairs
bedroom and Diantha helped me clear the table. I'd been quiet after Sendy
departed, and surprisingly, so had she. When I finished getting the pot ready
for next time, I felt her snuggle up behind me.

"Do not be so melancholy" she said, whispering into
my ear. "There was nothing you could do but try. Even you cannot save all
the Fae. Now tell me of your meeting with Gaea."

"I guess I'm on call," I replied, after telling
her of the scythe and most of our conversation, glad for the change of subject.
I hadn’t mentioned the hero part to the others, but I figured I might as well
tell her. She'd pry it out of me one way or another. Besides, I was probably
going to need her for whatever was still to come. She particularly enjoyed the
story of Harrison's fate. She even made me repeat it several times. Not that I
blame her. Her eyes sparkled each time I described the carnival.

"Maybe I should have business cards printed up. Hero
for hire, or something like that."

"Why not," she agreed, her arms around me.

I turned to face her and she leaned forward and kissed me.

"Now, if you are done gallivanting with the Keres and
the Weres, perhaps you would allow me to give you a proper welcome home."

"Jealous?" I asked, kissing her back. That was one
thing Diantha wasn't.

"Hah," she replied, then led me toward the stairs.
"But I did miss you, perhaps a bit, and there is one more thing." She
took one step up the stairs and then turned and gently put my face into her
hands.

"You were my hero first." she said, and then
pressed her lips to mine.

I wasn't going to argue with that.

Tom Keller is a retired cop
and former computer forensic expert who's also spent time as a Federal Public
Defender investigator. Back in the early days he was a busboy, a cook, and a
shoe and real estate salesman. He's taught courses at the local Community
College as well as lectured to others in his field on a variety of topics. These
days he works as a P.I. in Las Vegas, Nevada. A place he's called home for over
40 years.

He had a website design
business back in the days when you still accessed the Internet by modem. He's
sold model airplanes and electronics on the web and eBay. He even had his own
TV show for a season or two (okay, it was really low budget, better call it no
budget, and it was on UHF for those of you that remember those kinds of things.
But, hey, it did snag a 2.0 share one episode). He collects toy space guns,
lunch boxes, and coffee cups, among other memorabilia. If he had a personal
card it’d probably say something like ‘specialist in generalities,’ or as his
brother would say, polymath.

Tom is still married to his
college sweetheart and spends his free time with his family and spare time
writing.
Not Just Another Fae
is his fourth book in the Vegas Fae
series. His other books are also available on Amazon.

Social Media:

http://www.facebook.com/tomsbooks

http://twitter.com/tomkellerauthor

Email:

[email protected]