Return of the High Fae (Vegas Fae Story Book 1) (19 page)

"Sure, I'll hear what you have to say," he said,
doubt obvious in his voice.

Looking around, I couldn't blame him. I mean, here we were
in a dismal trailer outside of Pahrump, with a guy he's never met before. That guy
just killed two of his Weres, and now a hottie wearing old jeans and a brothel
t-shirt says she's going to tell his future. Not exactly a conducive setting
for a spiritual reading. I almost started to laugh again, and now it was
Diantha's turn to give me a dirty look. She walked to the kitchen and returned
with a glass jar containing some type of leaves.

At the same time Siegfried returned with the bowl.

"Place it here," she said, motioning a spot on the
small stand.

After Siegfried put it down, she reached into the jar and
removed a handful of leaves. "These are from the laurel tree," she
explained, as she crushed them and scattered them over the water in the dish.
Then she walked over to a shelf and lit some incense in a small burner. In seconds
the pungent odor began to fill the room. "Step forward and I will
begin," she said as she sat down on the stool.

Martin glanced back at both of us before moving a few a
steps in front of her. He still looked unconvinced.

Diantha closed her eyes and swayed back and forth for a
while, chanting something too quiet to hear. Then I saw her reach over and pick
up the dish. She looked down into it.

"I will require an offering."

No one moved.

It was probably cheating, but I removed the dagger I had
taken from her earlier and stepped forward. The blade was still stained with
the dead Were's blood.

"A blood offering?" she remarked, looking at me
curiously.

"I must know if he is worthy."

Martin started to say something, but was stopped by Diantha.
"Remain silent," she commanded. Then she looked back into the dish.
Slowly, a fog began to form, its source the dish in her hands.

I watched as she breathed in what looked like smoky fumes.

I didn’t see fog, or smoke, what I saw were tendrils of
magic. I wondered if Siegfried or Martin saw the same thing. She chanted for a
few more minutes, staring into the water, the magic flowing first into her then
toward Martin and back again. Suddenly, she looked up at me, her face one of
revelation. It lasted only a second before she returned her gaze to him. I
wondered what she had seen. She stepped off the stool and walked toward him,
her eyes glowing.

"Few could sail the desert sands in such perilous
times and find their way as you have. It has not gone unnoticed. Fear not your
enemies. You need but pray to the Gods of your forefathers and they will gift
you that which you seek,
" she proclaimed with outstretched arms.
"Blessed
by the Gods shall your reign be."
Seconds later she collapsed and fell
to the floor, writhing.

Martin didn't move, but Siegfried was at her side before I
was. Lifting her gently, she stilled, and he laid her on the couch. I walked
over to her and felt her head. It was hot but she was already coming to. I ran
to the kitchen to get her some water. By the time I returned she was sitting
up.

"You could have warned me," she whispered as she
took the cool cup and lifted it to her lips.

I didn't reply.

"What the hell does that mean?" Martin asked.

I stood up and faced him. "It means that this belongs
to you," I said. I pulled the scepter out of my back pocket. The leather
bag fell from the top as I pulled it out, and then I felt the magic kick in.

Martin stood before me, in awe, as I held it out and the
blue jewel glowed. "How...," he started to say. He never finished,
his eyes glued to the ever brightening jewel.

Once again, the magic altered my perceptions. Information
was flowing into me and I was struggling to process it all. I could see his
strength and character. He was a proud man who did what he thought best for his
kind, too few in numbers for his liking, and he worried about their future. I
felt the betrayal of Turner as well. History aside, it was like a knife in his
guts.

For a moment, I felt like a voyeur. It almost made me feel
guilty. I'd never asked for this God stuff and I wondered, once again, what I
had gotten into. I didn't have time to continue with that thought. As with the
Eye that I had placed around Diantha's neck; I felt something from this
scepter. It wasn't as strong as before, but I felt its wish to be returned to
Martin. I also knew that he had not known of its true potential or power. The
jewel showed me the wolf behind the man and I knew what to do. I placed it into
his hands and he held it up in front of him.

As he took it the jewel brightened and then flashed.

"This belongs to you, creature of the forest," I
said, remembering what Bernd had told me. "I offer the same as was offered
to your forefathers. This scepter of power proclaims your right to share our
lands and borders and strengthens your magic. Friend I name you, and
ally."

The jewel flashed brightly as I spoke, then dimmed.

He seemed mesmerized as he held it, but I saw him nod
ascent. I stepped back, and I felt the magic within me recede. Finally, he
lowered his hands. "What the hell are you?" he asked, moving his eyes
from it to me.

I
really
hate that question.

"I would like to know as well," I heard Siegfried
whisper as he came up behind me.

Martin was still staring at me. "... and how did you
get the scepter?"

"Only a God could do such a thing," Diantha
proclaimed, as she got up from the couch.

Oh, great, I thought to myself. She had even phrased it
without calling me a God directly. Never let it be said she wasn't crafty.

"First, as to the scepter, I took it from the first
Weres I met when we fought. Since it was my ancestors that gave it to yours, I
couldn't return it to you without being sure you deserved it."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" he
asked, his face an expression of annoyance.

I felt the magic calling and I raised my hand; the staff
began to glow again. "Answer that yourself. You now wield the power."

Martin held the scepter up. The annoyance turned to
surprise, and then to understanding. "I'm sorry, I never knew," he
muttered. "All this time I thought it was just a symbol. I never believed
the stories." Then he looked at me hard, the scepter still glowing.
"You are a God!" he said, and he started to kneel.

Shit! Not again, I thought to myself. "Martin, please,
just stand up. What did I say? You're a friend and an ally, nothing less."

"But...," he started to say, as I pulled him to
his feet. I was seriously hoping that this was not going to become a regular
occurrence.

"No buts. Listen, all of you." I turned to make
sure all three of them were listening. I pointed at each of them as I spoke.
"Diantha, I have your oath, but the rest is still true. Siegfried, you are
my friend and kin, nothing less. Martin, I merely return to you that which was
already yours. When you experience what the scepter will do for you, you'll get
an idea what I feel like these days."

I glanced at Siegfried. "Have you told him of the
attacks?"

"Yes," Siegfried answered. "He has promised
to lend trackers if we need them."

"Good. Diantha, I'll explain when we head to Vegas. You
two already know, someone's out there killing Fae. We have enough on our plates
without complicating our lives with talk of Gods. Besides," I added.
"I've got enough enemies. I don't need any more by throwing a wrench in
the local hierarchy."

They didn't look convinced. Martin appeared weary, but he
nodded in the affirmative. Siegfried slapped me on the shoulder. I guess that
was enough for now.

I left Martin in the trailer to rest for a few. Diantha was
watching over him. He might have been a Werewolf, but the scepter was a different
type of magic. I figured that between what the magic could take out of you the
first time you experience it and discovering that the scepter was more than
just an heirloom, he needed some time to process. Hell, I could sympathize.
Outside I stopped at the base of the stairs.

"An interesting performance," Siegfried said,
walking up and standing next to me. "I wonder what you have become."

"That makes two of us."

"Diantha seems to think you are a God. Are you?"

I stepped back and sat down on the stairs. Siegfried moved
to sit next to me. "Damn, Siegfried. Things have moved so fast, I don't
really know what I am anymore." I told him what Bernd had said about my
lineage and that Diantha had called me both God and High Fae. Then I joked
about calling myself a bastard king. I don’t think he found it funny.

"What do you plan to do?" he asked, watching me
intently.

"I never asked for any this and I meant what I said. I
don't want to be king of anything. The last thing I need is folks like Milagre
and the others thinking I'm going to try and take over. We have enough problems
without me threatening the status quo."

"What you want and what will be may be out of your
control," he stated. "As I have said, the Fae are ruled by strength;
strength in magic. And you, my friend, appear to have that in abundance. You
will have to tread lightly. I cannot guess how the others will react to this
knowledge."

"What about you, Siegfried?" He startled me when
he laughed.

"I will not betray my duties to Mr. Milagre, but I do
not abandon my kin. I, too, am your friend and ally. That has not
changed." He slapped my leg as he stood up. "I believe it will be
interesting to see where all this leads. Besides, as you have said, we have an
enemy that must be stopped. We will need more of your magic, if what he has
done in the past is any indication."

"Well that's a fact," I replied as I followed him
back into the trailer.

Once inside, we grabbed Diantha's things and carried them
out to the vehicles. Martin was going back with Siegfried and I would take
Diantha. We agreed to meet at the Neptune.

"What about the trailer?" I asked Siegfried as we
stood in the dirt road.

He grinned as he took something out of the back of the SUV
and carried it inside. "I believe there is a problem with the propane
system," he said as he came out a minute or so later. "We should go.
It is better that we are well away before anything else that can attract human
attention occurs."

That apparently handled, I got into my car. Siegfried
followed me to Pahrump, then we took the highway back to Vegas. I knew things
were about to get even more interesting. Too many folks had seen the aftermath
of what had happened. I was sure I was safe from regular people, but the Fae
were too close a community to keep many secrets from. I'd just have to see how
this hand played out.

The ride back to town with Diantha was anything but boring.
She was a little irritated about the scepter. Apparently, between its magic and
the blood from the dagger she'd gotten quite a jolt. She thought it was another
test. I didn't have the heart, or the inclination, to correct her.

I also got quite a history lesson from her. Well, her
history at least. You'd think someone like her would have lived the high life,
but to hear her tell it, it wasn't that great; at least not for the last 15
centuries or so. Even during the conflict between the Fae she'd done ok. But
when they started to disappear, things got a bit dicey. Just because you can't
die and you heal fast, doesn't mean you don't feel pain. All this took a moment
to sink in. It's easy to forget that she's over 2500 years old.

Then there was the Church. Things were difficult enough for
a woman in those times, let alone a prior Oracle. She hadn't expounded, but
just reading between the lines it wasn't a pretty picture. She eventually came
to the new world, America. There had been few Fae here, so she didn't have them
to worry about, but times had still been hard. Even so, she'd survived. You
could go a long way when you were young and beautiful in those days. Being
intelligent and devious didn't hurt either; As long as no one else knows,
anyway. Those were her words, not mine. But there was a downside. Laws didn't
protect women much in those days, so there had been some rough patches. She didn't
seem to have any regrets, though, except for losing the necklace. That part
still nagged her.

While I felt like she'd keep her oath, I wouldn't put it
past her to try and find a loophole. You didn't need to be a lawyer to see that
she'd already been thinking about it. Oh well. One more thing to keep an eye
out for. I'll just add it to the ever-growing list.

When we arrived at the Neptune, I followed Siegfried into
the VIP parking lot (I didn't have to use my borrowed card and code this time).
We pulled into adjacent spots. Martin got out of the SUV and walked over to me
as Diantha and I exited the car.

"Thank you. Siegfried told me how to get in touch with
you. I guess I owe you for the scepter. I already told him I'd keep this quiet.
I think I understand our relationship. I won't forget."

"Listen, you don't owe me anything. Although handling
Turner would be a favor I'd definitely appreciate. I really don't want to be
watching my back all the time."

"Trust me; he's at the top of my list. I look forward
to working with you in the future." He took off toward the other side of
the lot after waving goodbye to Diantha.

"That's it?" she asked, as she walked around the
car towards me. "You could have had anything you wanted from him."

I shook my head. "What did I say? It's a different
world, remember? Besides," I added to placate her. "He won't forget
me. Plus, the scepter's magic is tied to me."

She started to say something, but Siegfried came over to us
before she could reply. "I have someone making arrangements for Diantha.
They are having a suite prepared. Mr. Milagre is off property, but Meredith
would like to meet with both of you."

Things were moving fast now. Time to go with the flow.
"Sounds good," I replied. "Diantha, will a suite work for you?
Oh, I almost forgot," I said, going to the rear of my car. I popped the
trunk and got the package containing the money I had for her. Walking back, I
handed it to her.

"Fifty thousand, as we agreed."

She opened the envelope and fanned the cash with her fingers
without removing it.

"Don't you want to count it?" I asked.

"I trust you, my Lord," she answered with a
giggle, stuffing the envelope in her pocket.

"Hey, what'd I say about that? Call me Robert."

"The old Gods were so much easier to understand,"
she declared, winking at Siegfried and linking her arm in mine.

He chuckled at her remark. We followed him to his office,
where the young woman I had seen the night of the incident with the Mages was
already waiting.

"Diantha, this is Laera. She will see to your needs."

"Miss Diantha, would you come with me to my office? I
have a few things to discuss with you. It shouldn't take more than 5 or 10
minutes,'" Laera said, she gestured for Diantha to follow.

Diantha gave me a quick glance, then accompanied Laera out
of the room.

"She's going to discuss accommodations and get a few
housekeeping items in order. I think we should go over a few things while we
wait for them to return," Siegfried said, as he sat down at his desk.

I knew what was coming, so I plopped down in one of the
chairs.

"Meredith knows some of what occurred. I needed her
approval, due to the circumstances of your call. She should be here when
Diantha returns. I'd appreciate knowing how much you plan on telling her."

He looked concerned. Siegfried was one person I wouldn't
cause grief, at least not any more than I already had.

"I'm gonna tell her the truth, Siegfried, what else can
I do?" Well, at least a version of it.

He looked relieved.

"What can you tell me about the political situation? I
mean the Fae political situation. What am I up against?"

"As I have said, in our world, strength in magic is
power. The Milagres are the most influential Fae in the state, if not the
country I believe you have met Mr. Cornwall. His is an ancient line but he sees
his role as an advisor. Do not misunderstand, he wields considerable influence,
but he prefers to stay in the background."

Yep, that's a lawyer for you, I thought to myself. I asked a
few follow up questions and then he continued.

"Martin has some power. He will earn more now that you
have returned the scepter and he knows its potential. As to the rest, there are
a few other clans in the area that wield some influence..."

We were interrupted by a knock on the door. Before Siegfried
could say anything else, it opened and Meredith came into the room. Diantha was
behind her. She came into the room with Laera following her.

"Laera, refreshments for our guests," Meredith
said, motioning to her. "Bring coffee, soft drinks and some assorted
pastries."

"Would anyone prefer something stronger?" she
asked, looking over at Diantha.

"Red wine, a nice vintage," Diantha said.

"Of course," Meredith replied and turned back to
Laera. "My private reserve for our newest guest as well."

The girl nodded and left the room.

"So, this is the famous Oracle. A pleasure to finally
meet you."

"Mine as well," Diantha replied.

"I will have Michael workup some papers for you. Do you
wish to remain as Deborah Kent?"

Wow, talk about a Faerie underground.

"List her as my mother. I would like to go back to
using Diantha again."

Meredith sat down on the couch next to the desk.
"Excellent. I am sure that can be arranged."

"Will I be staying here long?" Diantha asked.

"That will be up to you," Meredith answered.
"Assuming you wish to remain in our employ, we can find a suitable
off-site residence for you. It will take a week or so to finalize your
identity; after Edward approves, of course. I hope that will be
satisfactory."

"My agreement is with my G—," she started to
announce, giving me an 'oops' look that I just knew was staged. But hey, it
might work to my advantage, so I didn’t say anything about it this time.
"Excuse me, with Robert. If he is satisfied, so am I."

"I see," Meredith said, turning to me. "Will
that be satisfactory then?"

"Of course it is. Although her agreement is with me,
she has agreed to use her abilities as part of her employment with you. I
didn't set the terms, but I'm sure you can come up with something that will be
agreeable to both parties." Damn, now I was starting to sound like a
lawyer.

"Fine. Edward can discuss terms when he returns.
Consider yourself a guest until we can negotiate a proper agreement," she
said, turning back to Diantha.

Diantha didn't answer, but she looked pleased.

"Now then Robert, I would like to discuss a few things
in private."

Siegfried stood up and motioned to Diantha. "Please use
my office. Diantha and I can wait outside for Laera to return."

"That will not be necessary, Siegfried. I believe it
would be better if Robert and I talked in my office." She looked back over
at me. "Will you join me?"

"Sure," I answered as I stood up. "Siegfried,
Diantha, I'd like to talk to you before I leave."

"We will be here," Siegfried replied.

I nodded and followed Meredith out. Passing Laera in the
hallway, Meredith told her to leave the food and drinks with Siegfried; she
also mentioned that she and I were not to be disturbed. I followed her into her
office which was next to Mr. Milagre's.

"Please sit," she said as she closed the door.

As I sat down she walked to a cabinet behind her desk and
removed what looked like a large scallop shell. She placed it on the coffee
table in front of the leather couch where I sat. Returning to the cabinet she
removed an urn shaped pitcher and placed it on the table as well. With that done
she sat down beside me. "It appears that I misjudged you. For that I must
apologize."

"Misjudged me? What do you mean?"

She folded her hands in her lap. "I did not recognize
you for what it seems you truly are. Your grandmother must have been very powerful
to have wrought such a spell." She reached over and picked up the pitcher,
pouring water from it into the scallop shaped bowl. "Still, I must be
sure." She turned to me. "This is water from my home. Will you join
me?" she asked, as she reached out for my hand.

I took it and she moved it over the bowl. Smiling, she
dipped our hands into it—and then we disappeared.

I had never felt the magic kick in that fast. There was just
a flash and I was no longer in her office. My senses were in overdrive, as I
took in what could only be described as a sea shore. Whoa, I wasn't in Kansas
anymore. Hell, I wasn't even me anymore, I realized, looking down at my hands
and feeling my face and long hair. I was standing in the water facing a sandy
beach in front of a grassy area. Behind me was the sea, the waves lapping at my
ankles. There was something else, to, I was nude.

Well, shit! It was a good thing I was in my Fae persona, I
thought to myself. I mean, at least I looked good naked.

It only took a moment to realize that with the change in my
appearance also came the magic. This was definitely not the human world. I
could feel the magic all around me and I knew that this was all Fae. I could
hear and sense animals and birds all around me. It was incredible! The creatures
were so much more alive than I had ever felt them to be before.

I took stock of my surroundings; beach, lapping waves,
animals and birds, some small trees and grasslands. It looked like somewhere
out of a travel brochure. I was in a cove. To my left was a rocky outcrop that
reached into the sea and to my right was more beach that ended in some kind of
forest.

Was this the Fae world? Well, if Cacilia and Bernd could
travel using oak trees, then I guess Meredith using water shouldn't be a
surprise. I looked around. I didn't see anyone or even sense anyone, for that
matter. Where the hell was she?

There was a gurgling sound and I turned around to see
someone coming out of the water. Why, I wondered, did so many Fae look like
elves out of stories? This one looked to be in her mid-30's and she was
beautiful. She had long black hair, deep blue eyes with a hint of green and
pointed elfin ears. It didn't hurt that she was nude, either. She had a strong,
taut body and firm medium sized breasts. I would have done a double take had I
seen her walking down any street. Then I did do a double take. It was Meredith!
First Diantha and now Meredith; this Fae switcheroo thing was going to be hard
to get used to.

"Are you just going to stare, or will you hand me my
clothes?" she asked with a smile.

I looked over to where she was pointing and saw a sea green
wisp of gossamer fabric on the beach next to her. I picked it up and handed it
to her.

"Welcome to the Nereid realm," she said, as she
slipped on what I now saw was a tunic. She stared at me for a moment, as if she
was sizing me up. Maybe she was. Then she sat down in the sand, gesturing for
me to do the same. "You have never been in the Fae lands, have you?"

"No. First time," I said with a nervous laugh.
"Would you happen to have another one of those robes handy?"

She stifled a grin. With a wave of her hand, the surf came
up and deposited another tunic on the sand at my feet. I slipped it on. It
wasn't much, but at least I felt covered. She turned and gestured toward the
grasslands. "I was there, you know. At the end, when the High Fae fought
amongst themselves."

"I had no idea..."

"How could you? It was so long ago. Oh, I was young
then; much younger than you are now. I watched my mother die, defending her
Lord from Loki's armies. It happened right there," she said, pointing to a
spot not far from the beach. "Not much later Neptune himself was gone and
we were left to fend for ourselves."

"I'm sorry," I replied.

"Don't be. I don't blame you, and that isn't why I
brought you here. But I am Lady of our clan. That is why your coming concerns
me. Not for me, but for my people. It has taken us a long time to recover from
those dark days, and I would not wish for them to return. So I must ask you,
why are you here and what do you want?"

I wondered how to answer that as we sat back down. "You
know as much as I do." Ok, not entirely true, but a guy's got to have his
secrets. "Besides, you invited me here and you were the one that
discovered the damaged spell. Hell, I didn't believe a word you said until
Charlie started talking to me."