Return of the High Fae (Vegas Fae Story Book 1) (18 page)

She looked at me quizzically.

I spent some time explaining, again, what had happened to
the old Gods and the situation today as I saw it.

"I still don't understand," she responded, looking
around at the carnage. "What is different? You are a God. You have the
right to slay those who oppose you."

I could see that this was going to be difficult. It was as
if she had already forgotten the time she had spent in hiding and that this was
the modern world. "Perhaps that's true. But as I explained, I'm not ready
to reveal myself to the world just yet. You are one of the few that know my
secret. I'm going to have to ask you to bear with me for a while. Can you do
that?"

She was silent for a moment and then I saw the light bulb go
off in her head. "As you wish. What would you have me do?"

I could tell she liked the idea of being a confidante, but I
couldn't help but wonder what else she was thinking. I hoped she would keep to
her oath, at least for now.

"First, I need you to get some clothes on. Then we need
to talk."

She nodded and headed back to the trailer.

While she was gone, I moved my car closer to the trailer,
then dragged Mr. Beat It to a better position (at least for me). He was still
out cold. I went through his pockets and found a set of keys. So he had to have
a car somewhere nearby. I concentrated on the concept of his car and an image
appeared in my mind. It was parked on the other side of the old brothel. Damn,
that was amazing; maybe my magic was finally starting to work on demand!

Then I caught myself. Here I was trying to tie up loose ends
and clean up a crime scene. Did I mention I killed two people? Again? Of course
they did attack me first, and they weren't exactly people, but still. It's
times like this that the reality of becoming something else does not measure up
to the fantasy.

I didn't have long to ponder that, since Diantha chose that
moment to come out of the trailer. She was wearing another old pair of jeans
and a Venus T-shirt. I have to say it; this time she looked a damn site better.
There was still a little while before Siegfried would arrive. Time to get back
to reality.

"So how does it feel being back?" I asked. I
leaned back against my car with Mr. Beat It on the ground beside me. "Do
you have any idea what you want to do?"

She stopped a few feet in front of me. "I told you I
would serve you as I did Apollo. I will hold to my oath."

Damn, maybe she really did mean it. If so, this was
definitely a different person than the one I met earlier tonight. "Ok,
about that. I made you an offer tonight. Are you still interested?"

She looked at me questioningly. "But that was before
you gifted me the necklace."

"Look, let me put it to you this way," I said. I
moved closer to her. "I meant what I said earlier. This world is different
than the old one. Your oath is appreciated, but I'm not like that. I don't need
you to serve me as you did Apollo. What I need is someone I can trust. I'd
rather earn your loyalty than demand it, if you can understand that. Don't get
me wrong, I'll hold you to your oath when necessary, but..."

She crossed her arms and interrupted me, again. "You
are the strangest God I have ever met. You can do anything you want, yet you
wish to negotiate." She shook her head as if I was crazy.

Hell, maybe I was. "Think of it this way. A kiss is
much sweeter when freely given, wouldn't you agree?"

A smile crossed her lips. "I believe I do," she
said, as she put her arms around my neck and kissed me. "What next then,
my Lord?"

"First, you can stop calling me that. Just call me
Robert. Next, can you keep an eye on this idiot while I go check out his car?
We have some guests coming in a few, and I want to see what's in it. We're
going to turn all this over to them. Oh, and I may need your assistance when
they get here. Are you up to it if I need you?"

I thought I knew what Siegfried had in mind with the kill
two birds with one stone remark. But even so, it never hurt to have another one
your hands when you threw the first one.

"My powers have not been lost, if that's what you mean.
I will do whatever you need," she said. She looked again at the unconscious
Mr. Beat It and gave him a swift kick. "Are you sure I can't kill this
filthy beast for you?" She gave me a pleading look.

"I'd rather you didn't."

I told her what I needed from her. She was apprehensive at
first, it had been a long time, but she agreed to do her best. When we
finished, I walked down the dirt road about half a mile until I got to the old
brothel. The car turned out to be a van parked on the far side. It was not
visible from the trailer, or the dirt road that led to it.

I tossed the van and found their wallets and keys under the
seat. The back was rigged with some type of animal cage. It was clean, but
still smelled of corruption. It made sense. The beast wouldn’t have been easily
controlled. I went through the rest of the van with a fine tooth comb, but
there was nothing else of interest there. After going through the wallets, I
sat there for a bit, trying to decide where to go from here.

Close to an hour later, I slammed the van door and started
walking back to the trailer. I turned when I heard cars. There were two SUVs
coming down the road. I stopped as the first one pulled up next to me. The
passenger rolled down his window. It was Michael from Siegfried's office. He
had traded his Armani suit for black fatigues.

"I heard you could use some assistance," he said
with a smile, as I waved the dust away from my face.

"That was fast," I remarked.

"Where do you need us?"

"Just around the corner there's a trailer. You'll see
my Lexus," I replied as I pointed the way. "There's one still
breathing by my car and two down in the yard. There's a girl, too. She's with
me."

"Siegfried is about 10 minutes behind us," he
added. He rolled the window up and the SUV's pulled ahead.

By the time I got back to my car, Michael's people were
already tagging and bagging the two stiffs. Diantha was nowhere to be found and
Mr. Beat It was in the backseat of one of the SUV's. One of Michael's people
appeared to be giving him medical aid. Damn, who'd of thought it? There really
was a clean-up team for these kinds of things.

Michael himself was stooped over the area where the beast
had fallen. He stood up and walked over to me. "The lady asked me to tell
you she was going to wait in the trailer. You're full of surprises, Mr.
Hoskins," he said.

"As are you, Michael, and call me Robert. I appreciate
the help."

We shook hands. Michael turned and looked around the
trailer, surveying the scene. I hadn't noticed it the first time I had met him,
but this time I could sense something magical in him. He was a lot like
Siegfried, but the scent was just a little bit different. Maybe they were
related in some way. My magic was becoming more consistent, but I still didn't
feel the intense information gathering ability that I had when I was in battle
mode.

"No problem. Siegfried told me to handle whatever you
need."

"I apologize for asking, but I'm curious. Do these
kinds of things come up often around here?" I asked with a smile, hoping I
wasn't being too inquisitive.

"You know how it is," Michael replied as he
shrugged his shoulders. "There's not that many of us, so it's not too bad
most of the time. The hardest thing is keeping the mortals out of it. But hey,
it is what it is." He eyed me curiously. "What's your beef with the
Weres? If you don't mind me asking?"

It was my turn to shrug my shoulders. "I've run into
these two before. I guess they didn't like the reception I gave them the last
time. They must have brought along the beast, thinking he would give them an
edge. Oh, I found a makeshift cage in the van they were driving."

We both watched as two of his people laid the body bags
behind the second SUV.

"That's going to have a few people asking
questions," he commented.

At that moment Siegfried, pulled up in his black Escalade.

"Back to work. Siegfried's going to want to see that
thing," he said, then walked over to the black SUV.

I watched as Siegfried got out of the Escalade and talked to
Michael. I was right about his two birds comment—there was a Were in the car
with him. This magic thing had its benefits. It had to be Martin Chibeaux. I
couldn't see him, but I could sense him. I trusted Siegfried, so I wasn't
worried. It explained why he wanted to know if I had the scepter. If anything,
the day was getting more interesting by the minute.

Siegfried leaned in and spoke to the Were as he was getting
out of the SUV. Chibeaux was a big man with dark brown hair that had a
smattering of gray above his ears and in his goatee. He looked at me briefly,
then walked with Siegfried to the body bags.

I popped the trunk of my car, found a long sleeve shirt in
my kit, and put it on. Then I removed the scepter from my briefcase and dropped
the leather bag the necklace had been stored in over the jeweled tip. I slid it
in my back pocket and covered it with my shirt. It stuck out a good bit, but I
hoped the shirt would help hide it. I had an idea in mind, but I figured it was
better hidden, for now. Grabbing the wallets and keys, I closed the trunk and
made my way over to the others.

Siegfried saw me coming and said something to Chibeaux. He
nodded and walked over to where Mr. Beat It was being attended to. Siegfried
met me halfway.

"Thanks," I said, and I shook his hand.

"You haven't seen the bill yet," he said with a
laugh. "But seriously, this problem aside, how did it go with the necklace
and the female?"

That surprised me. Siegfried was more concerned about the
necklace than he was the dead Werewolves. How often did this kind of thing
occur? Then again, it made sense. Siegfried was a warrior and as such, was
probably used to things like this happening. On the other hand, Diantha was
potentially quite a prize.

"She's willing to come with us, for now. We need to get
her a place at the Neptune to start with. She'll also need some help with
paperwork and other things to bring her up to date."

"That can be arranged. So you've convinced her to work
with us?"

"Let's just say I made quite an impression on
her," I answered. "She considers the deal we made personal. I hope
Mr. Milagre won't have a problem with that," I added.

"He trusts you, as do I. As long as you aren't thinking
of going into competition with him in the casino business, I doubt there will
be an issue."

"We should be good then," I said. I gestured
toward the SUV. "What about Chibeaux? How's he taking me killing some of
his pack members?"

Siegfried turned to look at him, not commenting on the fact
that I already knew who he was. "He didn't say much until he saw the
creature and confirmed that Turner's son was involved. Apparently he was
unaware of its existence. That is not a good thing for a Pack Master,
especially with the other problems within their group."

I shook my head. "I wouldn't think so".

"I did not tell him you have the scepter. He is
nervous. He knows Turner's people are moving against him and does not know where
you fit in all of this. He has requested my assistance should they attempt
anything outside of pack law. He is well thought of by the Milagres and has
assisted me in the past. For those reasons I had to agree. Do you plan on
returning the scepter to him? The Fae community is small and the attacks still
worry me. It would not hurt for you to become allies. Whether this was a
foolish move by the youngsters or instigated by Turner himself; these events
could turn some of the Weres against you."

"Good point," I said, as I clasped his shoulders.
I felt a smile coming on; that idea was looking better and better. "Let's
go cement an alliance."

I started walking toward the Pack Master, not sure whether I
should feel good or bad about what I was going to do. Siegfried didn't know
what I was becoming, but he was about to find out. I just hoped Diantha was
everything she was cracked up to be.

"It would be best...," Siegfried started to say,
as we walked towards the SUV.

"I have an idea," I interrupted. "Introduce me,
and follow my lead."

Siegfried raised his eyebrows. "As you wish," he
replied.

Chibeaux stepped away from the SUV as we walked up.
Siegfried stepped between us and introduced me. I didn't know diddly about
Werewolf culture, but I was guessing that I had to get some formalities out of
the way if I didn't want another enemy. But I still took a less than subtle
approach.

"Mr. Chibeaux," I began. "Siegfried has
informed me that this attack was not sanctioned. Considering that fact, I hope
this meeting can alleviate both our concerns."

Both Siegfried and the Pack Master seemed surprised at my
opening. I thought I glimpsed a hint of anger flash in Chibeaux's expression as
I spoke. I didn't need magic to sense that.

"I also wish to apologize to you," I continued.
"I had a prior run in with these individuals and I am sure that had I come
to you sooner, this altercation might have been avoided."

My apology seemed to soften his mood.

"Their actions were unacceptable," he said.
"It is forbidden to attack other Fae without provocation or sanction. Can
you tell me what happened?"

"Of course," I answered, and then gave him an
overview of our encounters, starting with the incident when I first met Delia.
I purposely left a few items out.

"All this, and over a Lil?" he asked,
incredulously. "I can understand Turner's anger at the bar, but this? An
unsanctioned attack? And they brought a beast as well? What else is going on
here?"

"That I can't answer." Well, at least not yet.
"I didn't find anything of value in their van." I handed him the
wallets and keys. "This was everything that was inside. It's pretty clean,
but there is a large cage in the back. I assume it was for the creature."

As he took the items, I asked him about the Turner kid.

"He's unconscious but alive," he told me, looking
concerned. "Things are moving faster than I anticipated."

He turned to Siegfried. "Even with his son involved,
Turner will try to use this to his advantage. This may be pack business, but
politics is politics, especially when outsiders are involved. I may still need
your people if he tries to make a move outside the law. I'm going to have a
difficult time without the..." He stopped suddenly and looked at me. I
could have sworn he was sniffing.

"No normal Fae could do what you did to these Weres."
He pointed to the body bags. "Beasts like that are killed at birth because
they are almost always uncontrollable if allowed to live. You are more than you
appear."

That was an understatement.

"Siegfried has told me that you are Fae and also tells
me that I can trust you."

"I'd like to think so."

"Things were much simpler in the old days," he
remarked. "There aren't a lot of us in the Valley, let alone the new
world. There was a time when pack business was kept private. Now it's
impossible. There are too few Fae here for us to remain apart. I didn't know
any of the Dryad were here, but my line has a long history with your clan. I
understand you are also an investigator, maybe you can be of assistance as
well."

Finally, he'd given me the opening I needed.

At that moment Michael returned, and whispered something to
Siegfried, who nodded. Then he turned to Chibeaux.

"We're ready to remove the bodies. I assume you want
them kept for a tribunal. Turner will be taken to one of the healers. Do you
have anyone to guard him, or should I take care of it?" Michael asked
Chibeaux as two of his men moved the body bags to the other SUV.

"Yes to the tribunal. As for young Turner, can you
handle it until I send someone over? And I want this kept quiet until I make
the proper arrangements."

Michael glanced over at Siegfried. I saw him give an almost
imperceptible nod. "I'll see to it personally," he said and waved to
the driver of the SUV. Then he said goodbye and got into the vehicle that
Turner was in.

We stood silently as they drove off.

I turned to Siegfried. "Where will they be taken?"

"There are agreements among the clans for this type of
situation," Siegfried replied.

"Good," I said and then turned back to Chibeaux.
"I understand you have a problem. What can I do to help?"

Chibeaux hesitated for a moment. "Something has been
stolen from me," he began. "It's just a symbol used in ceremonies,
but an important one. I thought Turner had taken it, but now I'm not so
sure."

"Can you tell me what you lost?" I asked as I glanced
at Siegfried. I almost felt guilty… almost. I was going to return it to him,
after all.

He didn't say anything, but I could tell he was curious
about where I was going with this.

Chibeaux looked around, but there was no one else to hear
us. "It's a scepter, given to my line ages ago and passed from father to
son. For that reason alone, I want it back. Turner has always coveted it."
He held his hands about eighteen inches apart. "It is about a foot and a
half long, made of oak, with a sky blue jewel." Then he gave me a
quizzical look. "It's interesting that the Dryad should show up now.
Historically, the scepter symbolized my line's alliance with the Dryads of our
original home."

I was afraid for a moment that he suspected me.

"But maybe it's just fate. Will you help me?" he
asked.

I couldn't help it; I started to chuckle, then caught
myself. "I have heard that fate has a sense of humor. But seriously. I
believe I have a way to answer some of your questions. Come with me."

I turned and led them toward Diantha's trailer. It was time
to forge an alliance, as well as make a statement. Bernd had said to use the
magic sparingly, but I was hoping that a little extra now and then was ok.

I led them up the stairs to Diantha's trailer. I knocked,
and entered. She had replaced the stool in its original location and was
standing by it when I came into the room. She didn't say anything, just watched
as I stood inside the doorway and motioned for Siegfried and Chibeaux to come
in. Even in her jeans and t-shirt, there was something special about her, and
it wasn't just her looks.

"Diantha, this is Siegfried and Martin." I paused
a moment as they nodded. "Gentlemen, this is Diantha, a priestess of the
old ways. I believe she can be of assistance."

She walked forward and greeted them. "Ahh... a warrior
and a wolf," she remarked, then turned toward me. "How may I serve
you, my Lord?"

I watched Martin as she stepped forward. He may have been
skeptical of the old ways remark, but she definitely had his attention. Of
course, being gorgeous didn't hurt either. "Martin has lost something. I
was hoping you could help him."

"As you command," she answered.

I gave her a cautionary look but she just rolled her eyes.
Reaching over to the wooden stand next to the stool, she picked up the metal
dish and handed it to Siegfried. "I will need you to fill this with spring
water. You will find a pool outside behind the trailer."

He took the dish and went outside. Then she turned to
Martin. "I have bathed in the spring water and can do as commanded. Are
you willing to hear my words?"