Return of the High Fae (Vegas Fae Story Book 1) (15 page)

"There are those in the government that know the Fae
exist. These beings monitor magic for them, or at least magic that would
threaten the government. It is rumored that many are half-breeds; humans, but
with Demon blood. Historically, they were persecuted by the mortals of Earth in
the old times, who thought them evil and unclean."

"Legend has it that some made pacts with the sovereigns
of the realms they resided in. Protection of the king's title and lands against
attacks by magic in exchange for a safe haven. They seek out those who would
harm their masters and report their findings. Governments today are no
different than they were then. Does it not make sense that they would employ
them to protect their interests from others?"

"I thought all Demons were evil. When you say
half-breeds, do you mean a physical half-breed, with a Demon and another being
as parents?" I hadn't considered such beings would exist or that the
government knew about the Fae, but it did make sense.

"Exactly, a union between a Demon and a mortal would
produce such a being. The universe is supposed to be in balance. If the Fae can
visit and live here, then it makes sense that Demons can as well. But they come
from the Underworld. A very different place than the worlds we know. But in
many ways they are similar to the Fae, so it does not seem unusual that they
would breed with mortals just as the Fae have. But I am not sure that evil is
the right word to describe them," Siegfried answered.

"I'm not sure I understand. If not evil, then what are
they? And how are they similar to the Fae?"

"If the Fae could war against each other over petty
trifles, then how can all Fae be good?" Siegfried pointed out, leaning
over toward me. "Demons are said to be no different. There are many types
of Demons, and some are indeed evil, but I am certain there are Demons who want
only to be left alone and live in peace. I do not know all their history, but
it is said that when the Gods first took up arms to battle one another, they
discovered the secret to summoning the higher Demons as warriors, opening a
long-closed portal to their lands. While many came because they were bound and
returned to their homes when the spell binding them was broken; others came
willingly, seeking new lands to conquer."

Siegfried paused a moment, then sat back in his chair,
looking at me intently. "As for them being like the Fae, they are
creatures of magic with similar lines and powers. I have been told the higher
Demons are great warriors and are considered formidable opponents."

"Great, this just gets better all the time," I
said, leaning back. I put my cup down and leaned toward him. "Now, I have
another problem I need to discuss with you."

"Another problem? You have had a busy week."

He had no idea.

"What can you tell me about Werewolves?"

"Werewolves?"

He started to say something about shape shifters but I
interrupted him.

"Sorry, I don't mean Werewolves in general. I meant the
ones that are local. Are there many and what are they like?"

"I know a few," he answered with a look of
concern. "Can you tell me what this is about?"

I told him about the incidents with Delia, both in the
street and at Danu's. I didn't get too specific about my power, or lack of
control of it, but I could tell he got the general idea. When I told him about
beating the Werewolves and taking the scepter, his eyes widened.

"You took that from one of the boys? But how...,"
he asked, shaking his head. "Wait; first tell me, what did the older man
look like? Are you sure he was his father?"

"Light skinned, about 6', 2" and well-built, with
dark hair and a beard... and the kid called him Dad," I answered.

"... and the Corvette was red. It must have been Ben
Turner. He's been a thorn in Martin's side for years. He has a boy about the
right age, also named Benjamin. But stealing the scepter? That is a bold
move."

"Ok, who are they?"

"Sorry, Robert. Martin Chibeaux is the pack leader of
the local Weres. Ben Turner is also a member of the pack. Their families have
been at odds for generations. He's been testing Martin for years now. He wants
control but doesn't have the strength, or the following, to challenge Martin.
But to steal the scepter, that is bold... and foolish as well." He shook
his head. "Turner's line is old, but not as old as Martin's. Nor is he
strong enough to lead. He is a fool." Siegfried slapped his hand on the
table. "What do you plan on doing with the scepter?"

"Find a way to return it most likely. But what about
this Martin? What will losing the scepter do for his position? I understand it
is supposed to be a symbol of leadership."

Siegfried looked thoughtful for a moment, and then answered.
"It is. But if it was common knowledge that it was missing I would have
heard of it before now. I doubt Turner has said anything, especially since it
is no longer in his son's possession. Martin will be searching for it on his
own. He'd never announce it publicly unless he had no choice. It may just be a
symbol these days but it is a potent one. While the loss would not end his
rule, it would be a sign of weakness that Turner could exploit."

"Well, Turner's an ass. So do you know this Martin guy
well? Is he a good leader?" I asked, since I didn't know anything about
him, or local Werewolf politics, for that matter.

"Martin has a good reputation among the Fae,"
Siegfried commented. "I've dealt with him on a few occasions and he takes
care of his people."

"Ok. I'd like to meet him if that's possible. I have
enough on my plate without me getting into a war with some Werewolves because I
have his scepter. But let's keep that info under the table for a while. No
sense making myself a bigger target."

"Perhaps I can make a discrete inquiry." He leaned
back in his chair and gave me a serious look. "Let me give the matter some
thought. Now, are you ready to tell me how you fought three Weres and defeated
them?"

I paused before answering and then decided if I was going to
include him in the bad things going on, I owed him the good things as well.
"Honestly, Siegfried, I'm still not sure. When they shifted it was like
something switched on inside me. I've tried to make it happen again, but so
far, except for one small test, it's only worked when I've been attacked."

"Well, I cannot say what the spell has hidden from you.
But consider this. First you defeat two of the three mages that attacked Mr.
Milagre. Then Meredith did not sense you when we met for lunch. Later you saw
the Faerie and then defeated three Weres. That is not the work of a simple Fae;
not even a Fae warrior. I do not know what you truly are, but it seems that you
are more than just a Dryad."

He shook his head, laughed and stood up. "You have
certainly made my life interesting. I will keep this conversation between us
for now. Mr. Milagre will want to meet because of what he has just learned from
your son. I will let you know if I discover anything else. Take care until we
meet again." He grasped my hand to shake it.

"Of course," I replied. "You do the
same."

"I will be in touch when I have learned
something," he added, dropping a bill on the table for a tip. Then he
walked out of the restaurant.

I finished my coffee as I thought about what he said. What had
I become? With no easy answer, I wandered out of the coffee shop towards the
casino. As I walked through it, I watched people as they played their games of
chance. I could feel the magic in the air swirling about: formed by the wishes
and prayers of the people and pulled out by the talismans and spells situated
around the casino.

A few players had talismans of some sort or another. A
rabbit's foot in the hand of one young man, an old coin in another, a lucky
necklace being worn by an old woman, things like that.

People seemed happy, but I guess that's how Milagre uses his
magic and makes a profit at the same time. It was strange. I'd been thrown into
this world of homicidal Mages, Faeries and battles with Werewolves, and all I
could think about at the moment was that there had to be a better way to use
the magic.

I guess I was being altruistic. What Milagre was doing was
no different than anything else the Fae, or humans for that matter, had done in
the past. It saddened me a bit, as I was again reminded that this world and my
old one were not so different.

Like I said, new found Fae or not, sometimes my job is just
boring. I spent the next couple of days catching up on mundane work. I hadn't
heard back from Siegfried, but since I still had casework coming in from
regular clients, I stayed busy. The rest of the time I did what normal people
do; went shopping, got gas and did the yard work. Even Charlie and Lucy were
quiet. To be honest, it made me kind of nervous. I couldn't shake the feeling
that it was just the calm before the storm. Even Bernd hadn't come around. At
least no one had tried to kill me in a few days. That was a good thing, right?

I had just finished mowing the lawn when my phone went off.
It was an email from Mal's database. It had found something. I accessed the
site from the computer in my home office. Reviewing the information, I learned
that someone by the name of Deborah Kent had paid a license fee to work in a
brothel in late 99.

What? I had guessed that she'd be a little old for that. As
I read the rest of the file, I realized that it was for some type of contract
employee, not a working girl.

The brothel I knew. It was named the Venus and it had closed
down about 10 years ago. It had been a popular place in the '60s and '70s and
had been located outside of Pahrump. Now closed; it hadn't been able to compete
with the more modern places that cropped up south of town. Big money had been
invested in those houses and places like the Venus had slowly faded away.

Thank God I worked with Hailey. Her rolodex just might offer
a name. I dialed her at the office. "Hail, it's Robert. Didn't you know a
few of the working girls in Pahrump?"

"Sure, I still have a few contacts. Why? What do you
need, or are you just lonely?"

"You wound me," I said as I laughed. "I had a
call to return some property to a girl, that's all. Apparently she used to do
some work for the Venus. I was hoping you might know where to start looking for
her."

"Well, she'd have a license if she worked there."

"Maybe, but this one was apparently not a hooker."

"Hold on, let me check my files." There was a
pause and I could hear her rummaging around on her desk. "She could have
been anything. Let me see... ah, perfect! Mattie Truesdell. Mattie was a
manager there before they closed down."

She gave me Mattie's number. "Once again, you owe
me."

"As usual," I jested, as Hailey laughed.

"You bet your ass, and one day I'm gonna collect!"

"If this helps me find her, I will, of course, give up
some of my commission. Is that acceptable?"

"It's a deal!" she said as she hung up the phone.
Her rolodex had come through again.

I called Ms. Truesdell next. At first she was hesitant about
speaking with me. However, once I told her I worked with Hailey, she agreed to
meet with me. She gave me her address in Pahrump and we made an appointment for
the next day. I hadn't told her too much on the phone, just that I was trying
to return some property to the family of a client.

I spent some time doing computer searches of properties in
Nye County with owners by the name of Kent. Finding three, I printed them out,
figuring I would take them with me in case one of them was hers. Then I called
Siegfried to let him know I would be on Deborah's trail tomorrow. After some
discussion, he agreed to contact me in the morning to make arrangements for
William's additional peace offering.

With things looking up, I went back outside and played ball
with Charlie. Lucy decided to join us as well, although she just sat and
preened herself. After a while I went inside to clean up. I was getting ready
to jump in the shower when the phone rang. It was Siegfried.

"Siegfried, what's up?" I asked as I answered.

"I have that package from Mr. Harrison for you. Will
you be available in the morning? I can take it by your house, if that's
convenient. I have some early runs on the northwest side of town."

"That'd be great, know where I live?" I asked,
already sure what the answer would be.

"Of course. How does around 8:00 a.m. sound? I should
be finished with my other business by then."

"That's fine, just buzz me at the gate when you arrive
and I'll let you in."

"Excellent, I'll see you then."

I looked down at Lucy and Charlie. "Ok, you two, my
friend Siegfried is coming by at 8:00 in the morning. He's like the Fae, but
I'm not sure if he can talk to you like I can, so act accordingly." I
almost felt silly lecturing the animals, but I hoped they'd understand.

Lucy sat back, licked her paws and gave me a look like she
had already figured that out. Charlie, on the other hand, twisted his head and
looked up. "Friend?" he asked.

"Yes, Charlie, he's a new friend, but I'm not sure
he'll have time to play ball," I laughed. "I guess it's ok if he
thinks you're smart, though."

He started wagging his tail. "Friend is good," was
all he said. He trotted off to patrol the yard. Bernd's order to guard the
place was something he took seriously.

I spent the rest of the evening thinking. My life had
changed dramatically over the past couple of weeks. I needed to try and process
what had happened. Unfortunately, I didn't find any answers. My last thought
before falling asleep was wondering where the Dwarf was when I needed him.

The next morning, I decided to wear a suit in case I needed
to make an impression. I was just putting my tie on when I heard the phone ring
the gate alarm. Picking it up, I answered and buzzed Siegfried in.

Both Charlie and Lucy were waiting at the front door when I
went down to the front room. I opened the door and saw Siegfried getting out of
a black Cadillac Escalade. He was carrying a large satchel. Lucy stayed inside,
but Charlie immediately burst through the door to check him out. I didn't hear
a word from either pet, so I figured my comments to them last night must have
worked. It was still strange when they obeyed like that.

Charlie ran to Siegfried and stopped a few feet away.
Siegfried paused a moment, then knelt down and started talking to him. Charlie
stole a quick glance at me and I gave an imperceptible nod. He went over and
allowed the big man to pet him.

"What a handsome dog," Siegfried said, standing
back up and walking towards me.

Charlie followed, wagging his tail.

"Yeah, he is," I agreed and shook his hand.

"I'm surprised he didn't bark at me when I pulled
in."

"He knows if I let you in, you must be ok." I
motioned for him to come into the house.

"So he's well trained?"

"You'd be surprised at what he can do," I said,
laughing.

Charlie started to come into the house, but I stopped him.
"Charlie, check the yard." I hoped he wouldn't make me look bad, but
he immediately halted, ran to the gate, then took off around the perimeter.

Siegfried stopped and took a long look back at the hitching
post. "Well, this is interesting. Do you get many that arrive on
horseback?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I like to be prepared," I answered with a grin.

As we walked in, Siegfried commented on the wooden floors
and ceiling beams. I gave him the short version of the history of my house.

"I tried to keep as much of the original as I could. I
know the distressed look is in fashion, but I can honestly say these floors
came by it naturally."

"You did an excellent job restoring the place. It's a
nice change. There is so little history left in this city."

"Yeah, we do tend to implode everything," I
quipped, noting the tendency of most old hotels being destroyed to make way for
the new ones.

We sat down at the kitchen table. Lucy followed, keeping an
eye on the satchel. After we sat down, Siegfried opened it and removed a
package. Lucy jumped up and placed her paws on the opening, trying to peer
inside.

"Lucy, relax," I said, as I reached around and
pushed her aside.

"And a black cat. You do have interesting
friends," Siegfried said, placing the package on the table. "This is
from William. $50,000.00 in $100.00 dollar bills. Mr. Milagre hopes that will
be sufficient to make her happy."

"I think it'll work," I said, as I moved the
bundle to my side of the table. "Does he need a receipt?"

"I don't believe that will be necessary."
Siegfried said with a smile. He started to reach toward the satchel again, but
Lucy moved to intercept his hand. "Have no fear, little one. This is a
gift for your master."

I was surprised when Lucy backed away. I also noticed she
wouldn't take her eyes off Siegfried's hands. So much for her being low key. It
was also obvious to me that Siegfried had some understanding of my companion's
abilities.

Siegfried removed a larger package and placed it on the
table. Removing the leather wrapping, he took out what appeared to be another
seax. This one was a little different than the one he showed me the other
night, but every bit as detailed.

"It's incredible." I admired the craftsmanship as
he removed it from the scabbard and held it up for me. It was a beautiful
weapon, single edged with oak leaves and runes inscribed on the blade. The hilt
was made of a dark hard wood wrapped in leather. The pommel was silver, shaped
like a ball, with a raised oak leaf on the top. The quality of the workmanship
was amazing.

"This one was crafted by my family, as is the one I
carry. This is a magical weapon, designed for fighting evil. It is my gift to
you." Siegfried handed it to me, hilt first. "The blade and pommel
are made of a variety of metals that are deadly to the Fae, as well as other
beings," he said.

"I'm honored, but why?" I inquired as I accepted
the blade from him.

"First, you saved my employer and by doing so prevented
dishonor to me. As I said before; by doing so you have placed yourself in
danger. You have also become my friend. This blade may protect you when others
cannot. Although in the old times they were worn in the front, at the belt,
this one can be worn under the shoulder, concealed." Siegfried unbuttoned
the top of his shirt and pulled it aside to show the one he carried.

"I don't know what to say."

I slid the blade back in the scabbard. It hadn't been very
long since my situation had been revealed. In that short time Siegfried had
become the closest thing to an ally and friend I had, outside of Bernd, in the
Fae world. But this was unexpected. I almost felt guilty that I had not trusted
him sooner.

"Say that you will wear it," he said simply.

"It will be an honor to wear such a blade," I
replied. I removed my jacket and Siegfried helped me put the seax on in the
same manner as he carried his. The holster was designed to be easily pushed
forward and the blade removed. The fit was perfect. I could hardly tell it was
there.

Charlie took that moment to come into the house and drop a
ball at Siegfried's feet.

"Charlie, not now," I said. "Sorry about
that. He loves to play."

Siegfried picked up the ball and tossed it down the hallway.
"It's fine. Well, would that I could stay, but I have other duties,"
he said, while Charlie ran back with the ball. He turned to Lucy. "Keep
watch over your master, little one," he said as he petted her.

I'll be damned if she didn't purr!

Then he turned back to Charlie. "You as well," he
added as he tossed the ball again. "I must go."

I got up to walk him out.

"Be safe, and carry the seax. We can discuss things
further after your trip."

"Good idea. Thank you again," I said as we walked
outside to his car.

Once he left I went back into the house, grabbed my coat and
gun, as well as the package Siegfried had dropped off, and headed out to my car
for my trip to Pahrump.