Of Gods and Fae (19 page)

"Oh, so you were attracted to me," I quipped.

"Yes," she said, reaching across and poking me
with a pointed finger. "Now let me finish."

"Ok," I said, mimicking pain.

"So then the Demon came and you rescued me again. I was
curious. As well as thankful," she added. "So I went to Olympus with
you to see what was happening. After that battle I knew you were truly what you
claimed. But the Elders became concerned, even after I told them about the
Dwarf, Bernd. So I was told to stay away from you.

"When I was called in later to see one of them, I
didn’t think anything of it, until they drugged me. But by then it was too
late, or at least so I thought. Then I woke up and found that you had rescued
me again. But then when you made me return with Lucius, I was afraid again, and
confused. But then he talked to me, knowing I'd been shunned and I knew that
things had truly changed."

"I though the slap did that," I said.

"Indeed it did. But to know that Lucius could ignore
the Elders gave me hope. Which is why I asked you to go to dinner, so we could
discuss this."

"And what about Rayna?"

"Rayna was a fool. Only her hatred of the Fae could
make her believe that aligning herself with such Mages was wise," she
replied. "I am not a coward, believe me. I am cautious because to be any
other way is unwise. As to the Fae or even my own kind, I fear no one,
individually. But I cannot win against them all."

"That all makes sense. But I'm still a little
confused," I said, pulling her a little tighter. "You still haven't
told me exactly where you and I stand."

"Well, my Fae knight in shining armor," she said,
getting up and walking around the table. She leaned over it and gave me a
passionate kiss before picking up her wineglass. "I suggest you take me
upstairs and find out."

Who was I to argue?

She was still sleeping when the phone rang so I slid to the
other side of the bed to answer.

"Mal, what's up?" I asked, I asked, having glanced
at the caller I.D.

"I hope I didn’t wake you but I think I may have
something on your search. You want to meet this morning?"

"Sure, why don’t you just have Sendy bring you by in a
half hour or so? Just start the coffee if you get here before I can get
showered and dressed."

"I can do that. See you then," he replied before
hanging up.

I put the phone back on the nightstand as Delia stretched and
then rolled over beside me.

"Anything important?" she asked as she kissed me.

"Mal's coming by with some info I asked him for,"
I answered, kissing her back.

"I don’t believe I've met him. Do you need me to
go?"

"Why don’t you stay," I said as I got out of bed.
"He's one of my best friends and I'm sure he'd like to meet you. If you'd
like to, that is."

"How long do we have?" she asked with a mischievous
look.

"A half hour or so," I replied. "I was gonna
take a quick shower. Want to join me?"

"Hmm…? A half hour… We can do that," she said as
she jumped out of bed and led me into the bathroom.

It was about 45 minutes later before we finally made it
downstairs to find Mal and Sendy already arrived and sitting at the table. Both
stood up when we walked into the kitchen.

"Hey guys," I said. "This is Delia. Delia,
this is Malcolm and Sendy."

"He is a human," she whispered in my ear.

"Yes, he is," I replied with a laugh. "But
don't hold that against him."

"I apologize," she said, turning to Mal. "I
meant no disrespect. I did not know that many of your kind knew of us."

"None taken," he replied. "Just enough Fae in
me to make that possible, or at least so I'm told."

"And Sendy is an Aurae. A Sky Fae," I added as
Delia sat down beside her. "Ok, then. Let me get a cup and then we'll see
what Mal's come up with. Anybody else?" I asked as I poured some coffee.
Mal fired up his laptop and then turned it towards me as I sat down.

"You remember when we were talking about that brothel
in the old Formyle area?"

"Roxies? Yeah, I remember, what about it?"

"Ok," he continued, pointing at a parcel map on
the laptop. "Here's the old rooming house, and over here is roughly where
the brothel actually stood before it was burned down, across the flood
channel."

"Yeah, I've been there before."

"Ok," he continued. "If you look closely,
you'll see the hotel parking lot ends here and you have this large desert area
between there and the expressway."

"Sure, you can see it when you drive by."

"Right, so I went there and I couldn’t find a blade of
grass on it, not even a weed was growing. Of course the actual spring where it
got its name is long since dried up, but hell, there should be something. It's
also been sold several times over the last 30 or 40 years yet no one has built
anything on it. Seemed weird so I had Sendy fly over it… well, I'll let her
tell you the rest."

"There is a spell over this land, my Lord," Sendy
said.

"A spell, what kind of a spell?"

"I am not sure. It is one of forgetfulness as well as
sight. As I approached it, it was as if I forgot why I was there. Then, when I
fought the loss of memory, the land faded from view. Whoever cast it does not
want the Fae to know it is there. As I did not want to be discovered, I did not
stay long. Whatever power lays over this small piece of land, it is very
unsettling."

"What is interesting is that it didn't have the same
effect on me," Mal said. "Maybe I don’t have enough Fae in me but
when I was there I was able to see it and walk through it with no problem. What
I'm thinking is that whatever it is it doesn’t work the same way on humans as
the Fae. Fascinating, right?"

"This looks promising. We need to find out more about
this kind of spell," I said aloud. "Lucinda, where are you?"

"I am here," the cat answered, jumping on the
table.

"I need more information. Can you find Bernd?"

"He will come if he is needed," she answered.
"But you should know that these types of spells are of the old ways. Water
from the Lethe, the river of forgetfulness was often used to cast them. Seek
out Meredith, she will know of such things." Before I could ask more, she
jumped from the table and went out the doggie door.

"Is she always like that?" Mal asked.

"Pretty much," I replied. "But at least we
have a place to start. Let me set up a meeting with Meredith and a few others
and then we'll put something together to check it out. In the meantime, see if
there's anything else you can find out about the area. I know about the Roxie's
fire but maybe there's some other history that might tie in."

"Sounds like a plan," said Mal.

"Ok, so I'll call you with a place and time."

As the meeting broke up I turned to Delia who was saying
goodbye to Sendy.

"Glad you stayed?"

"It was interesting. I seldom, how should I say it?
Just
socialize
with Fae, let alone humans, even if you were discussing
problems. Do you think your friend has found the enemy's location?"

"It's kind of a long shot but it's possible. At the
very least someone doesn’t want the Fae to know what's there. Do you want to be
involved?"

"Yes, last night's episode has made this personal. I
would also recommend that you include Lucius. He is a seasoned warrior and may
have some insight in this type of battle.

"Good idea. So what's on your agenda for the rest of
the day?" I asked as I poured another cup of coffee.

"I have a lot to think about. I also need to talk to Bjartr
about the Elders. Perhaps it would be best if you take me back to Danu's?"

"I understand, I need to get on this spell thing
anyway."

I picked up in the kitchen and then we jumped in the car and
headed to Danu's to drop her off. On the way we had a brief discussion about
where we stood as it related to the change in status of the Lilin as well as our
personal relationship. As to both, we'd just have to see what the future would
bring.

****

I'd called Siegfried from my car and asked him to set up a
meeting with Meredith and Eddie Milagre. I figured they were my best source for
magic spells. Eddie was supposed to be one of the best at casting them, and
since they were Water Fae, they might even be familiar with the river of
forgetfulness.

As usual, I drove into the Neptune's Landing's back gate and
then parked in executive parking. Grabbing the elevator I went up to the
management level and headed into Siegfried's office. He was talking to his
secretary as I walked in.

"Ah, you're here," he said. "Let's head over
to Mr. Milagre's office, I believe Meredith is already there."

I followed him out and around the hallway into Milagre's
office. Eddie was already there, seated behind his desk with Meredith on the
leather couch across from it. They both stood as we walked in.

"Robert, how nice to see you again," she said as
motioned me to sit down beside her. "Siegfried says you may have found
something interesting."

"Actually, it was Malcolm who found it but I think it's
worth following up. Sooner, rather than later, I believe." That said I
went over what Mal and Sendy had discovered, adding the information about the
Dragon and the collar I had previously learned and the Elf's desire to see her
rescued, if possible.

"Are you sure that it only affected the Fae?"
Milagre asked.

"Well, Malcolm said he walked the area and experienced
none of the effects that Sendy mentioned. Although he does have some Fae in him
it must not be enough to trigger the forgetfulness she experienced. But I can
only assume that that's the reason."

"We must remember that it was the Dwarf that expanded
Malcolm's senses. He is still, for all practical purposes, just a human,"
Siegfried added.

"Yes, that is true," Meredith said. "It is
not uncommon for humans to possess small quantities of Fae blood based on their
heritage. There was much intermingling in the old times. But they would need a
fair amount for it to become dominant and be recognized by most other Fae.
Bernd's spell would not alter that."

"Let's assume that's true," Eddie said. "So this
area has a spell that is invisible to humans but makes the Fae forget it is
even there. Very unusual, and troubling."

"Why's that?" I asked.

"Such spells were often used to protect small Fae areas
in the past. But I am not aware of any that targeted Fae. Usually they were
used to ensure that humans were unaware of the Fae's presence. Not the other
way around."

"There is another issue," Meredith divulged.
"The location of the rivers of Hades have long been hidden from the living
and few know of their location. If such was used to craft this spell then the
waters were stolen by one that should not have been able to access it. Siegfried
has told us of your Aurae. Can you ask her to join us? I would like to examine
her to see if this spell is indeed as you believe."

Meredith had done something similar to me when I first found
out what I was so I didn’t hesitate. I called on Sendy and moments later she
appeared. She was nude, of course, but since everyone was Fae no one seemed
surprised.

"My Lord," she said as her wings folded up into
nothingness and she slipped a shirt she'd brought up over her head.

"Sendy," I replied. "This is Meredith and
Eddie Milagre. Siegfried you already know." I turned to Meredith.
"This is the Aurae, Sendy."

All three bowed their head as I introduced her.

"Welcome," Meredith said. "Sendy, I was
wondering if you could help us?"

"Of course," she replied after seeing my subtle
nod of agreement. "What can I do for the Lady of the Water?"

"Robert has told me of your visit to the site that
Malcolm discovered. I would like to see it through your eyes, may I?'

She looked at me warily.

"It's ok," I said as I stood. "Meredith is an
ally and she has done the same with me."

"As you wish, then," she replied. "What is it
that you would have me do?"

"Please sit beside me," she answered, patting the
seat where I had just been.

As Sendy sat down Meredith turned towards her and grasped
her hands. "Now, tell me what you saw and felt."

Sendy told her the story, Meredith asking the occasional
question. When she was done, Meredith let go of her hands.

"Thank you, my dear." Meredith said as she stood,
then turned towards me. "It is as you believed, the spell was indeed
crafted from the water of forgetfulness."

"It also confirms that Marissa is behind it,"
added Eddie.

"Why's that?" I asked.

"For such a spell to be crafted requires that the water
be gathered at its source, the center of the Underworld," he replied.
"Since
The Fall
that way has been closed to all except the Lady of
the Nereid. Only since the return of the High Fae could another do such a thing."

"And since neither you nor I have travelled to the
Underworld that leaves only the enemy," Meredith added.

"That figures," I said. "What about the
Demons?" Siegfried had told me that Demons lived in the Underworld. Good
or bad that could be a problem.

"There are many gates in the Underworld, Robert,"
Meredith said. "Where the rivers converge is by the gate of Hades. That
place can only be entered by the dead. Demons do not reside there although
there may be other dangers."

"We have no choice. If she did lure a Weredragon here then
the rumors of her searching for a Dragon all those years ago are true,"
Eddie continued. "Now we must assume that she found it. It would explain a
lot about the wounds suffered by those attacked." He turned to Siegfried.
"If such a Were has been captured we must free it if we can. But know
this, if we cannot do so it must be destroyed, no matter the cost to the Elves.
That is too much of a danger to leave it in the enemy's hands. We have lost
enough Fae as it is."

 "Much as I hate to say it, you’re right," I
agreed. "But what about the forgetfulness spell?"

"That can be overcome. Meredith can explain."

"That is true," she said. "There are ways to
counter the effect of the river's waters. I am more concerned with how to get
in safely. The spring that once flowed there is long dried up and Sendy has
said that no trees grow on this land. You will have to go there in person and
find a way through the barrier."

"I believe I can craft something that will work,"
Eddie replied. "We have used similar spells in the past. But I, too, will
need some of the water from the river Lethe to do so. Meredith?"

"I will go, but Robert must come with me," she
answered as she looked towards me. "We will need to gather water from both
the river Lethe and the spring of Mnemosyne for this to work."

I nodded in agreement.

"Siegfried," Eddie said. "He should not go
alone. I don’t believe we should wait on this, either. Put a team together.
When they return with the waters and I have crafted a counter spell, I want you
ready to go with Robert."

"Agreed," Siegfried answered, then turned to me.
"Your friend Malcolm seems to know much about the area, it would be
helpful if he could assist me in planning."

"I'm sure that's no problem," I replied. "Sendy,
can you ask Malcolm to help and then take him to Siegfried?"

"Of course," she said. "Where shall we
meet?"

"Come with me," Siegfried replied.

As they left the office I turned to Meredith.

"When do you want to go?"

"Now is as good a time as any," she said.

"Then let's do it."