True of Blood (Witch Fairy Series) (9 page)

This is getting ridiculous.  There’s no way I did that.  “So, let me get this straight.  Even though I have never done a magical thing in my entire life, suddenly I’m this super Witch who can heal someone instantly?  Sorry, I don’t buy it.”

Mom looks at me with a gentle expression as if she’s about to talk to a small child.  “Your powers were bound until after your seventeenth birthday, remember?  There was no way to tell how powerful of a Witch you’d be.”

I notice Kallen’s being conspicuously quiet as my mom tells me these outlandish things.  I’m sure he’s just dying to negate her theory.  “Will you please tell her that I had nothing to do with this?”

He still has the blank expression on his face.  “I do not recall much from before the Fae world was closed off from this one, I was quite young.  But I do not recall hearing of a Witch who was this powerful.  I do know that no one in the Fae realm ever tells stories of the pairing of a Witch and Fairy.”

The full meaning of his words hit me slowly through my exasperation.  I’m about to start another tirade about how impossible what they’re saying is when it hits me.  I turn back to Kallen and give him a hard look.  “What do you mean before the Fae world was closed off?  Wasn’t that supposed to have happened hundreds of years ago or was that another lie?”

His expression still doesn’t change.  “No, that was not a lie.”

This is too much.  “Are you trying to tell me that you’re like three hundred years old or something?”

“Three hundred and sixty seven.”  He actually said that with a straight face.

I’ve had it.  My brain is going to explode.  Who knows, maybe that’s what they’re trying for.  I just can’t figure out why they all want me to think I’m crazy.  Whatever the reason, though, it’s working.  “I can’t take any more of this inane conversation.”  Turning on my heel, I stalk out of the room and for the second time in two days I slam my bedroom door closed behind me.

Mom apparently isn’t willing to leave me alone this time.  Within seconds, she is coming through my wall.  I wish they made locks that could keep ghosts out.  I cross my arms over my chest and glare at her.  “Mom, I’m not talking about this any more today.”

“Xandra, honey, you can’t hide in your room and pretend that none of this is happening.  We need to make plans.  Your father is already having Aunt Barb and Zac get together what they need for an extended stay in Denver but we have to figure out what to do about you.”

I don’t pounce on the what to do about me part of what she said because talking about Dad and Aunt Barb reminds me of something.  “Why did Dad look scared when Kallen was healed?”

“Because when you were channeling your mana, your hair was blowing like it was in a strong wind and your aura was visible.  It’s green, by the way, with clouds of orange.”

“Great, the colors of my aura clash,” I mumble.  I can’t even get that right.  I sigh and sit down on my bed.  “Mom, why are all of you doing this to me?”

“Because seventeen years ago, I loved you too much not to bring you into this world.  And I’m very truly sorry that you are now suffering the consequences of that decision.”

Ghost mom guilt.  It doesn’t get any worse than that.  And when she puts it that way, I do sound kind of ungrateful about being born.  I look up at her and she looks so sad that it seems strange that there aren’t tears on her cheeks.  With another big sigh, I stand back up.  “What do you want me to do?”

She reaches out her cold hand and touches my face.  “You are a strong and powerful Witch, Xandra, and we need to teach you how to use that power.”

I have no idea what that is going to entail but it does sound better than physics.  “Is there going to be homework?” 

Mom smiles at me over her shoulder as she glides through the wall.  “Some.”

I feel a little embarrassed about my dramatic exit a few minutes ago and I can feel my cheeks turning red as I reenter the living room.  I have a hard time meeting Kallen’s cold green eyes.  He hasn’t moved from the couch and I’m not sure if that’s by his choice or if Mom threatened him.

After I sit down in the leather recliner that Dad used to love, Kallen turns his eyes to Mom.  “You don’t mean to keep her here, do you?”

Mom looks at him disdainfully.  “Where else would I teach her?”

“Maybe it’s not her Witch magic that she needs to concentrate on,” Kallen challenged.  Whoa, is he saying that I have Fairy magic, too?

Mom isn’t able to respond because Zac comes into the room with a full blown pout on his face.  “Mom, do I have to go with Aunt Barb?  I want to stay and see the Fairies.”

“There’s one right there and you can see they’re not that special,” I tell him with a simpering smile towards Kallen.  Good thing he can’t shoot Fairy darts with his eyes or I’d be in trouble.

Mom floats down and bends her legs so they don’t go through the floor until she’s eye to eye with Zac.  “Yes, you have to go with Aunt Barb.  You’ll be much safer there if the bad Fairies come back.”

His little brows come together.  “I thought Fairies were nice, like in the stories.”  I can’t help a snort which earns me another glare from Kallen.

“Just like all people aren’t nice, neither are all Fairies,” Mom explains with a warning look at me not to add my commentary.  “It’ll just be for a little while, I promise.”

“As long as she is here, you will not have peace,” Kallen says as he crosses his arms against his still bare chest drawing my attention to his strong arms and serious six pack abs.  He looks really good for a three hundred and sixty seven year old.  Unfortunately, he catches me checking him out and he looks at me disdainfully. I’m back to wanting to hit him again.

Mom gives him the warning look now and then brings her attention back to Zac.  “Zacchaeus, I need you to go get some of your things together that you want to take with you.  Not too much, just the things you really feel you can’t live without for a few days.”  She shoos him out of the room and then she turns to Kallen.  “My daughter and I can handle whatever your Fairy friends can dish out.”

“Including an exorcism?” Kallen asks snidely.

I jump up and point a finger at him.  “Don’t you dare threaten my mother!”

Kallen looks unfazed.  He completely ignores me and continues to talk to Mom.  “I am merely pointing out the course of action Maurelle and Olwyn will take.  Which would leave your daughter with no one to teach her all the things she should have been taught years ago.  She does not know even the most basic magic.”

Mom crosses her translucent arms.  “What are you suggesting?”

“That she is removed from this,” he pauses as he looks about the room with derision, “home and she goes into hiding until her magic is strong enough for her to defend herself.  She obviously has the power, she simply needs the control.”

“Hello!  I’m still in the room.  Don’t talk about me like I’m not.”  I really, really dislike him.  I don’t think he could be a bigger jerk if he tried.

Kallen brings his eyes to rest on me.  “I am assuming that it is not your decision whether you remain here or go into hiding.  Therefore, I am speaking to the person who will make that decision.”  I was wrong.  He could be a bigger jerk.

Mom narrows her eyes at him.  “And where exactly do you think she should hide and with whom?”

“As my blood is pure, not tainted as is Maurelle’s and Olwyn’s, I would be able to shield her presence from them.  I could even prevent them from sensing her Witch magic which is how you were so easily found.  It was simply a matter of following your particular flavor of magic.”

“You can taste magic?” I ask.

Kallen inclines his head and speaks as if he’s talking to a small child.  “It is simply a figure of speech.  I will try to be more precise with my words so you may understand their meanings.”  That’s it.  I pick up the throw pillow at the end of the couch and I take its name literally.  I throw it at him hitting him in the head.  He glares at me but doesn’t throw it back.

I turn to Mom to tell her there is no way I am going anywhere with him but she is completely still and looks stricken.  I don’t think she knew that Fairies could sense Witch magic.  Especially not Witch specific magic. 

“What have I done?” she asks no one in particular.

 
Chapter 6

“Mom, are you okay?” I ask. 

When she turns to me, there is real fear in her eyes.  “I led them right to you.  I should have given up all of my magic when I ran away with you but I thought if I was far enough away from my parents it would be safe.”

“It’s okay, Mom.  You didn’t know.”  I don’t like seeing her fearful.  She’s supposed to be the one protecting me right now.  I look at Kallen out of the corner of my eye and he’s watching Mom with self-assured eyes as the reality of the situation sinks in for both of us.  Maybe she can’t protect me.

“Mom, we can figure something out.  Maybe my magic is strong enough to repel them.”  I don’t believe this but right now I would say anything to wipe that look of fear off her face.

“Your magic is wild and untamed.  You would probably do more harm than good,” Kallen says as he continues to stare at Mom.

“Gee, thanks for the support and encouragement,” I say facetiously.

“I was not being…” he began.

“I know, that was my point.  Couldn’t you at least pretend to be a decent guy for maybe ten minutes or so or would that ruin your reputation in the Fairy homeland?”

He tears his eyes from Mom to look at me.  “Would you have me tell you lies?  I could paint a pretty picture where your mother somehow saves the day with her magic that does not begin to compare to that of the Fae.  I could tell you that you will all live out the rest of your lives, or afterlives,” he says pointedly to Mom, “in these mountains and there will be sunshine and happiness abounding.”

I try to ignore his condescension.  “Why are you so sure that Mom’s magic isn’t strong enough?”

“It is as I already explained to you.  Fairies have the ability to absorb a Witch’s magic if you will.  The more that is absorbed, the less that Fairy is affected by that Witch’s magic until it no longer has any affect whatsoever.  Maurelle and Olwyn may be tainted but they are older than I by several hundred years.  They are strong.”

“What do you mean by tainted?  And don’t roll your eyes at me.  There’s no reason why I should already know the answer.”

Kallen almost looks amused.  Wow, who would have thought that could happen.  “You are correct; the Fae world was closed many years before your time so there is no reason for you to be well informed of our history.  Tainted means that they have Cowan blood in their lineage.  It can be extremely difficult for a full-blooded female Fae to conceive when paired with another full-blooded Fae.  Some of the older Fairies chose to look to the Cowans as a way to ensure their Fairy blood was passed on and when the worlds were separated, they brought these children into Fae, but this tainted blood made the children born from these unions weaker.  Their magic is not as powerful nor are their Fairy senses.  That is why I can detect Maurelle and Olwyn if they are near but they cannot detect me unless I show myself to them as I did when they came upon you in the woods.”

“So, by tainted you mean they’re weaker.”  Look at me stating the obvious.

Kallen inclines his head.  “No, by tainted I mean they are lesser.”

I shake my head in disgust.  “You are so full of yourself.  I haven’t seen anything about you that would make you such a superior being.  A jerk Fairy is still just a jerk.”

Kallen ignores me and says to Mom, “Will you ignore the truth and leave her here damning all the Cowan to a world of servitude and pain?”

I roll my eyes.  “Really?  Dramatic much?”  I turn to Mom.  “Mom, less than an hour ago, you didn’t trust Kallen enough to let him in the house and now you’re going to believe every word he says?”  Turning to Kallen, I add, “I seriously regret talking Mom into letting you in.  We should have left you out there with the hole in your side.  You haven’t even said thank you for being healed by us lesser beings.”

If I didn’t know better, I would almost say he looked a little contrite.  “You are correct, my apologies.  I thank you both for the kindness of healing me and your hospitality for allowing me into your home.”  Wow, was that a glimmer of humility shining out of his dark soul?  Nah, couldn’t be.

A thought hits me.  “If Fairies are so much more powerful than Witches, then how did a Witch better your king and banish him back to your world?”

“He had the help of a powerful Sheehogue.  We choose to honor all life forms, even lesser ones.  The Pooka treatment of humans was unacceptable.”

“Gee, your compassion and sensitivity overwhelms me.”

Ignoring me, he continues, “A powerful Sheehogue obtained hair from the tail of King Dagda when he was in his animal form.  She used this hair and hair from the Witch king to create a binding spell so neither king could use their magic.  They were reduced to using their physical strength and endurance.  The Witch king was the stronger of the two and King Dagda was forced to return to Fae embarrassed and angry.  You can understand, I am sure, why his return to this realm would be accompanied by death and destruction after being humiliated as he was.”

“You know what you haven’t explained?” I ask hating to admit that it’s taken me this long to think of this.  “If this King Dagda was supposed to be the only one who could come to this realm, how are the three of you here?”

A shadow falls across Kallen’s face but is gone before I can even be sure it was there.  “When your mother lay with the Fairy King,” he begins and I am icked out about the thought of Mom ‘laying’ someone.  Oblivious to my discomfort, he continues.  “The exact terms of the blood oath became murky.  It became possible for someone in possession of a physical aspect of King Dagda to enter this world.  But each time he does this, it weakens his own magic.”

“You mean like his hair?”  Okay, I think I’m finally catching on to how this stuff works. 

Kallen inclines his head in acknowledgement of my statement. 

If that’s the case, then I think maybe we did make a huge mistake by letting Kallen into the house.  “Okay, then that explains how Maurelle and Olwyn got here.  I’m assuming the king gave him some of his hair or something.  But how did you get here?  It doesn’t seem likely that he would have given you anything to come here and try to protect me from those two.”  My voice is accusing and angry and I take an unconscious step to put myself between him and my mom.

“The same Sheehogue who created the binding spell was able to send me through to this realm without the knowledge of the King.”

“How convenient.  So this
Sheehogue
just happened to still have a piece of the king just laying around?  It seems that the king would have been pretty careful about keeping all of his
physical aspects
to himself.  And wasn’t he pissed at that Fairy after it bound him like that?”

“He was not pleased but he had agreed to the binding spell.”

“Huh?  Why?”

“Because he was confident that he would better the Witch king.  It was a great blow to his ego that he was not able to do so.”

“And even though you hate humans and Witches, you took it upon yourself to come here and save us all?”  Right, like I believe that.

“As I said, Maurelle and Olwyn are strong even with their tainted blood.  It had to be a true blooded Fairy who followed them to this realm.  I took the burden upon myself.”

I roll my eyes.  “You are such a liar.”

Mom finds her voice again finally.  “Xandra, we can’t discount what he’s saying just because we don’t like it.”  She turns to Kallen.  “Would you be willing to take a blood oath?” 

“That would, of course, depend on the oath.”

“Would you be willing to protect Xandra as you would your own life?” Mom asks him.

Without hesitation, Kallen says, “Yes.”

I am so not liking where this conversation is going.  “Uh, Mom, what are you thinking?”

She turns to me with sad eyes.  “I am thinking that the best way to protect you may be to let someone stronger, someone who knows the ways of the Fae, protect you.”

“Mom, no!  I’ve known him for what, a day?  I’ve known you my whole life.  I would rather take my chances with you than with someone who so obviously hates me like he does!”

Kallen lifts his brows.  “I do not recall telling you that I hated you.”

I give him a dirty look.  “Maybe not in those words but it comes through loud and clear in everything else you say.”  Turning back to Mom, I plead with her.  “Please, send him back outside and let’s do what you were always planning to do.  You protect me.”

Mom looks torn and she’s having trouble meeting my eyes with hers.  “I think his plan may be better.  I need to discuss all of this with your father.”  And then she disappears through the living room wall leaving me standing there with my mouth hanging open in shock.

I don’t know whose life I’ve fallen into but this can’t possibly be mine.