Return of the High Fae (Vegas Fae Story Book 1) (9 page)

"Of course. Now that we are acquainted, I hope that
won't get in the way of business in the future." He turned to shake my
hand. "I look forward to seeing you again."

"As do I," I replied.

Hailey was pointing at the phone as I walked back to my
office. "It's Mr. Lagisto. Where do you want it?"

"In my office," I answered, then headed through
the door, plopped down in my chair and picked up the phone.

"Andy, that was quick."

"Quick! No shit! I want to know where that came from. I
can't get that prick to return my calls half the time and he walks in your
office and hands me a deal on a silver platter. Why didn't you tell me you knew
Cornwall?"

"It never came up. Besides Andy, you know I keep my
business dealings confidential." I figured it was better to play the part,
but I was hesitant about mentioning Milagre. Still, Andy was a good client. I
might not be thrilled about the "our kind" mentality, but I'm not an
idiot.

"Honestly, Andy, I think I caught Pontedra off guard
with the subpoena. You know how good he is at ducking folks. Plus, your client
has been around a long time so, I'm guessing the negative publicity of a civil
suit wouldn't sit well with his boss."

"Yeah, maybe," Andy muttered. "Either way,
that's one off the books. I guess I owe you a bonus as well."

"Always appreciated."

"Send me an invoice, and thanks."

"Anytime, Andy. Talk to you soon," I said as I
hung up the phone.

Fortunately, computers make owning a small business a lot
simpler than the old typewriter and carbon paper days. I accessed my accounting
program and whipped up an invoice for the subpoena service and the meeting. I
have to admit, I toyed with adding hazardous duty pay for battling wizards and
getting butt-stroked by security, but of course, I left that part out. Putting
the invoice in an envelope, I grabbed my coffee cup and walked out to the front
to face the inevitable questions from Hailey.

"Well?" she asked, as I dropped the envelope in
the outgoing mail slot. "I'm waiting." There was absolutely no way to
get out of it, so leaning against the counter, I gave her an abbreviated version
of the meeting and outcome.

"That's amazing," she said, after listening to my
story. "How did you pull that off? That's the first time I've ever seen
Cornwall come to a meeting at someone else's office, unless it was one of his
high and mighty clients. Us common folk have to go to the towers. That is, if
he'll see us lower life forms at all." She meant his offices at the Hughes
complex, where a lot of the big attorneys in town called home. She put down her
cup and leaned toward me, giving me the look my grandmother used to when she
wanted information out of me. "What aren't you telling me?"

"That's it Hail. Look, it's got to be because of
Milagre. Hell, maybe he figured he owed me a favor. Whatever the reason, I'm
not complaining." I poured myself another cup of coffee. "I have a
few more hours of paperwork and then I think I'll call it a day. How's your
workload? Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm good. Just some motions to finish and file.
There's a few subpoenas to get out, but I'll use the runners for those.
Besides, it sounds like you've already had a productive day," Hailey
replied, as she shuffled some papers and files on her desk.

"Looks like I can make the rent this month, that's for
sure. OK, back to work I go." I headed to my office.

Even with today's interesting start, the rest of the day was
just plain boring. It's like back when I was a cop. Mad dashes of adrenalin
laced excitement separated by long periods of monotony.

One other thing; the most important thing. I may have just
stepped into a world of magic and mystical beings, but the rent really did
still have to be paid. I tried using magic to win a few bucks on the slots but
it hadn't worked, so I figured I was stuck being a P.I., at least for a little
while longer. So, with that in mind, I returned my calls and did what was left
of my paperwork.

Finishing up just after 4:00, I said goodbye to Hailey and
went to my car. I left the office and headed for the freeway. I guess the
weather report was right after all. By the time I got halfway home, it was
pouring. The sun had already replaced the clouds by the time I pulled onto my
street. Welcome to the Las Vegas rainy season.

I unlocked the door and went into the house, putting my keys
and cell phone down on the counter. Opening the refrigerator, I grabbed a Diet
Coke and went into the back yard to sit on the patio. It had been a long,
strange week. I still didn't know what to think about it all. So I sat in my
rocking chair on the patio and watched as the last of the clouds parted.

Charlie, of course, took this as a sign. He walked over and
dropped a ball in my lap. This time I wasn't surprised when I heard
"play," as he sat there wagging his tail. I looked at him in his
usual playtime stance, eyes wide, tail wagging like crazy. I held the ball up
high and watched his eyes follow it.

"Do you want me to throw the ball?"

His eyes never left it, but I heard him say
"ball."

I don't know if "heard" is the right way to put
it. It's more like a wisp of something that appears in my head when he barks. I
tried some other words and ideas out on him. When I was finished, I had clearly
gotten some responses; ball, play, and happy, to name a few. He wasn't a great
conversationalist, but we could communicate. Things seemed to get clearer the more
we interacted.

Let me clarify something. Apparently, dogs don't think like
humans. I didn't get full sentences from him. What I got were concepts and
images that somehow became words. But who knows? Maybe the longer I worked with
him, the closer we'd get to a real conversation. That made me laugh. I know
I'll be in trouble when I come home and he asks how my day was.

We played ball for an hour or so. Let's face it. With a dog
like Charlie, we could do this all day and he'd never get bored. The look he gave
me the few times I made a bad throw was interesting. Everyone's a critic and
now my dog is, too. Yep, life was definitely getting weird.

I sat back in my chair and threw the ball in the pool. I
knew this would give me a few minutes while he swam. Whatever had happened to
me opened up senses I had not been able to access before. I still didn't know
how to go into full mode, like I'd done with the Werewolves, but maybe that
would come.

Charlie came back and dropped the now wet ball in my lap.

"I don't know what to think anymore, buddy." I
said as I looked over at him. I ran my hands through my hair and tried to get a
handle on what was happening to me.

Charlie laid his wet head in my lap and looked up at me.
"Sad?"

"No." I said, patting his head. "Just confused.
I'm not sure you can help me with this one, but I'm glad you're my
friend." I rubbed his head and just tried to relax.

Suddenly, Charlie lifted his head up and walked a few feet.
"Friend?" I heard him say. I could swear it was a question.

"Yes, Charlie, you're my friend." I said as I
watched him.

He came toward me, getting excited, then trotted to the area
behind the pool. "Friend," he said again, and went to the oak tree
I'd planted in the yard when we'd first moved in.

The oak was one of two saplings I'd gotten from my Aunt
Cacilia. I planted one in the front and this one in the backyard. They were
saplings from my family's home in Bavaria and I had planted them in memory of
my grandmother. Oaks don't grow that fast, so they weren't huge, but they were
healthy and I loved the way they made the yard look.

I watched as Charlie started barking and wagging his tail at
the tree. Suddenly it began to shimmer. A golden glow surrounded the bottom
part of the tree and someone materialized. Well, it was more like they popped
into existence. It was a woman in late middle age. She had dark hair with
streaks of white. She was dressed in a white top with a shawl draped around her
shoulders and a pleated dress. It took me a moment to realize who she was. It
was my Aunt Cacilia.

"What the hell?" I stuttered as she walked toward
me.

I looked at Charlie. His tail started to droop, but then it
sprang back up. He gave me a look, one that almost said danger, but I didn't
hear anything in my head. Maybe he was smarter than I thought.

"Robert," she said, her eyes meeting mine.
"Robert, I do not know how this could happen. I will have to explain some
things to you now." She walked over to me and sat down. "We were only
trying to keep you safe, you must believe this." She leaned forward and
put her hand on my arm. "But first, I must know what occurred. Tell
me."

"Aunt Cacilia? What the hell is going on? How did you
get here?"

"Relax, Robert, all will be explained. But please, tell
me what has happened so far."

"Relax... damn it!" I started to get up and then
thought better of it. I mean I did need some answers. "Fine... I'm
sorry... it's just been an insane week and now this! What do you want to
know?" My mind was in a thousand places at once.

"You must start at the beginning."

So I told her the whole story. Almost. After what could only
be a warning from Charlie, I left out the fights with the Werewolves. Something
didn't seem right, so I held back that bit. I told her about the attack at the
Neptune and some of the rest, including being able to understand Charlie when
he talks to me. When I was finished, she stood up.

"This is troubling. We had hoped to spare you from such
things."

"Spare me?" I repeated. "Spare me from what?
What the hell is going on? Wizards, wands, magic spells and potions. I feel
like I've stepped into a bad movie! Or is it some alternate reality?" I
walked over to the BBQ island, grabbed a beer from the refrigerator, popped the
top and sat back down. Taking a large gulp, I continued. "I had people
shooting at me with wands that I ended up having to kill. Now I've got family
popping out of trees. I would really like an explanation."

"It is a long story," she said.

"Well, I've got plenty of time. Let's hear it." I
took another drink and waited.

"I will have to start with some history," she
began. "It seems you've heard a bit of it but I will tell you more.
Especially as it relates to you and your situation." She leaned forward
and looked directly at me. "In the beginning, the world was a different
place. Many creatures of the Fae roamed the earth. Nymphs, Trolls, Sprites,
Dryads, fair creatures and beasts you have heard of only in myth. They were all
here when the world was young."

"It was a wonderful place. Creatures of the land, sea,
and sky moved over the Earth. For the most part, life was good. The Earth
provided for them and they protected it. Oh, I don't mean to say that all was
perfect. There were minor squabbles here and there. There always are, you see.
But for the most part, it was peaceful. We even got along with mortals in the
beginning. I suppose it was too good to last."

"What do you mean?" I asked. "What
happened?"

"It is difficult to explain, but when man came, we
changed. He saw us as Gods and began to worship us. Although we were no better
than he was, some of us began to believe they were better. As they were more
powerful, they placed themselves above those with less power. That led to wars
and battles for dominion over others. Dark creatures began to challenge us.
This was
The Fall
and it was a bad time for us. Many of us perished, or
just faded away. Earth's history is full of these stories. They call them myths
and legends, but believe me, they are based in fact. It couldn't last, although
we did not learn the truth until much later."

"It was the arrogance, you see. Many used magic as if
it was the air itself, never realizing that it would not last forever. As they
fought, they used up much of the magic and destroyed many of the things that
could replace it. So, the magic waned, and most of us had less and less power.
When
The Fall
occurred we were no match, even for the humans, who always
outnumbered us. Then even man forgot about us for a time and the magic dwindled
even more." She lowered her head.

"Wait a minute. There is obviously still magic, or how
did all of his happen? I am not sure I understand."

"Hand me that bottle," she said as she stood up.

I did as she asked.

She took it and held it up in front of me. "This bottle
contains liquid."

I watched as she emptied what was left in the bottle,
pouring the beer onto the deck.

"Now it does not. The bottle, once full, was like the
earth when it was young; full of magic that we could access and use in our
daily lives. As we fought, we drained the earth of its magic, just as you drank
the liquid that once filled this bottle."

"Okay," I said. "If the bottle was empty, it
must have been filled again, or none of what has occurred could have
happened."

She put the bottle down on the table. "Exactly. But it
takes a very long time to replenish what was lost. Magic comes from all around
us; the trees, the water, and especially the belief of man. It has taken many
years for a semblance of our past abilities to manifest itself. That is why we
have been so cautious. Never revealing ourselves unless it was necessary, for
fear of further losses. That brings us to you and your situation."

"What exactly is my situation?" I asked, hoping to
finally discover what was going on.

"When the magic dwindled, we distanced ourselves from
others who would threaten us. I suppose we also did it to hide. We had to do
this, as well as take other measures to protect ourselves." Cacilia sat
back down, continuing to talk.

"We've seldom involved ourselves in the mortal world
since
The Fall
; but it and our world are intertwined. The forests near
our home have sheltered us since those times and we have always strived to
protect them. We are daughters of those trees and we must protect them to
protect ourselves."

"One moment," I said. "I thought you said the
magic came from other places, not just the trees."

"Indeed it does, but the primary source of our family's
magic is the trees. Just as the primary source for your new friend is the
water. That is where we derive our power from. The ability to harness the rest
comes from that source." She pointed to the oak tree in the yard.
"Why do you think I sent you those trees? Through them you are still part
of us. We can use them for other things as well. This you have already
seen."

"All right. I have seen all that," I agreed,
looking over at the oak tree. "But where do I fit in with all this?"

"This will be difficult, my son." Her face became
solemn and she grasped my hands again. "As you know, Maria, your
grandmother, loved you very much. It was her decision to place you under the
spell that both protected you and hid your magical line. She did this
willingly, although I can tell you now that it came at a great cost."

"I am not sure I understand," I said. "At
what cost?"

Cacilia stood up, and turned away from me, looking toward
the oak tree. "Her immortality," was all she said.

"What?" I cried out. "What the...? Why would
she do that?" I stood up and turned towards her. "That doesn't make
any sense!"

It had been a crazy week, but this was more than I could
take. I still didn't understand half of what I'd stumbled into and all the
explanations and magic stories in the universe didn't compare to the thought of
losing my grandmother.

Charlie chose that moment to go back into the house. He
could tell I was upset and you know how dogs are. They think when you get angry
that you're mad at them. I guess he calmed me down, because his act of bowing
down and slinking away made me stop and compose myself. It also made me realize
I had tears in my eyes.

Cacilia looked back at me. "Robert, I'm sorry. I know
all of this is new to you, and in some ways, beyond comprehension. But rest
assured, what Maria did for you, she did willingly. Please sit," she said,
gesturing back towards my chair.

"As I said before, we are daughters of the trees.
Descended from the first Nymphs to roam this world; we are of the world of the
Fae. When I said immortality, I did not mean that we cannot die. Just that we
seldom die naturally. We die in wars and from calamities. Some of us die if the
tree that we are bound to dies, although sometimes we can live on if that
happens. We can also be killed by another, which is why we are so careful. When
Maria passed on to you what was needed to shield you, she passed on all her
powers to close the circle. In doing so, she allowed herself to become mortal,
doomed to die a natural death."

"But why would she have to do that? What could have
made her do that? I mean, I didn't even know about this until today. This
doesn't make any sense at all."

"She had to do it, Robert, to protect you."

"Protect me from what?"

"Daughters of the trees, my dear Robert. Daughters. Our
power is passed from mother to daughter as was first decreed by Demeter
herself. It was her will."

"Are you saying I should have been born a girl?" I
was still confused. "I mean, don't the men in our family have any
powers?"

"Not exactly, and yes, they have some. But the line
that passes the purest blood must always be passed from firstborn to firstborn
and that has always been a female until you were born. It is not this way among
all the clans, but it was in ours. Until your mother changed all that."

"Okay, okay, so mom had a boy. I still don't know what
the big deal is. What? Am I tainted or something? How is that my fault? And
what did she have to shield me from?"

"Tainted, an interesting word. But in truth, many did
consider you an abomination. One that, some argued, could not be allowed to
continue. So, simply put, it was felt by many that you should be put to
death."

"Put to death! What the hell kind of people kill
innocent children just for being born? Wait, forget I said that." I was
learning fast that this world wasn't really much different than the one I was
used to, and I told her so. "So in reality you, or I guess, we, are no
different from anyone else, huh?"