Faery Dust (Wildcat Wizard Book 2) Read online

  "I thought you'd be able to kill them," I said to Sasha.

  "Elves aren't easy to kill," she said, looking, maybe for the first time in many years, tired. Trying to fend them off had drained her, and I wondered how long it took for fae to recover from such things.

  "No shit? They'll be back, right?" I couldn't face them again, not now, and I knew if they tried something, if they had the strength, I'd be seriously screwed.

  "No, they won't come back," said Sasha, eyes distracted by Vicky as she bent to pick up the lid off the milk she'd dropped.

  "How'd you know?"

  "Because you closed their portal, broke it. It's not so easy to just come and go as you please. You need a strong tie to this world to move from there to here. Now you've destroyed theirs it will take time for them to build up to it again. Don't worry about it," she said, seeing my confused look.

  "Okay, I won't. Well, I will, but I'll try to worry quietly." The coffee gave me the slight edginess I so sorely needed, but it wasn't enough. Gallons of the stuff wouldn't give me what I needed, nothing could right now.

  "You did good, Arthur, I'm sorry I wasn't of more use. It was only because they tried to attack me that I could help at all."

  "That's okay, I understand. But I know you, Sasha, you came just so they'd attack you, right? You knew they'd want to hurt you and that meant you could fight back."

  "That sounds like a rather sneaky thing to do," she said, smiling and winking subtly.

  "Haha, crazy, right? But hey, I saved you! I got rid of them and sent them on their way. I protected you."

  "Yes, Arthur, you're my hero. You carry on thinking that if it makes you feel better."

  Vicky came and sat down and I said, "You know what, I will carry on thinking that." I had to get some sense of satisfaction out of this whole sorry mess, even if I was kidding myself.

  "Understand one thing, Arthur, this was a mere distraction. Elion's siblings are kids, juveniles in the elven realm. They were having fun, playing games. You were sport, nothing more. They heard of his desire for the Ræth Næg and thought maybe he was up to no good. But they don't understand the depth of elven machinations and treachery and deception, they were merely doing what they thought they should if they were adults. Plus, I believe they look up to him, hence the copycat clothing."

  "What are you talking about? They were all grown up, you could tell by the way they acted and spoke. And that female, she certainly had all the, er, assets of an adult."

  "You really don't know much about those not of this world, do you?" Sasha said, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

  "Guess not. So they were kids playing with the humans?"

  "No, they were juveniles trying to be mean to their brother because they were jealous."

  "Jealous?"

  "Yes, he is in the land of humans and many elves wish to be here, to interfere and have their fun away from the prying eyes of their own kind. Those two youngsters were merely acting up. Thought they could have an adventure and annoy their brother."

  "That's just great. They nearly kill me, and Vicky, and messed everything up, and they're just having a bit of a lark to pass the time."

  "I liked her makeup," said Vicky. "So that's it, all done?"

  "Not quite," I said, and fumbled with my pocket. I pulled out the Ræth Næg and placed it on the table. We all stared at it, but even Vicky refrained from picking it up.

  "Any idea what it does?" I asked Sasha.

  "None. Some things are full of mystery, as is right. This is powerful, but its secrets will remain hidden until the right time."

  "And when is the right time?"

  "How should I know? You humans have a strange idea of time, it's very confusing."

  I almost replied, but arguing with a faery about the merits of linear time opposed to the random mess they lived in was pointless and my head hurt enough already.

  A thought came to me, and much as I dreaded the answer I asked anyway. "Um, Sasha, if that was the kids, then what if the adults come looking for me?"

  "Then, Arthur, you are screwed."

  "Thought so." I sank into my chair and finished my coffee.

  "But don't worry," she said brightly.

  "No?"

  "No. You are of zero importance, Arthur. Nobody cares about you and your little games. The grown-ups have more important things to do."

  "Oh, right." Talk about hitting a guy when he's down.

  "Time for me to go." Sasha stood, somehow making such a simple movement seem like a large budget TV commercial, so fluid and graceful were her movements, every slight turn and gesture perfect for a snapshot.

  "But you just got here," said Vicky.

  "And I was here earlier and we had our alone time, didn't we?" Sasha smiled and Vicky giggled. What was with these two?

  "I guess."

  "Wait, before you go, how are you with spying?"

  Sasha raised an eyebrow and I leaned across the table. Vicky did the same. If there was secret stuff going on then she wanted in.

  Five minutes later, I had all I needed to know.

  Nathan Again

  "You didn't have to wear those ridiculous sunglasses," I moaned. "And what's with the damn overcoat?"

  Vicky angled her head behind her newspaper, watching the comings and goings from across the busy street. Vehicles crawled past, choking the air and poisoning pedestrians and those in cars alike. Some people wore masks to stop their lungs being tainted, while drivers sat nose to bumper in the congestion feeling smug that they were in their metal tombs. They seemed oblivious to the fact that being in a car in a congested city was damaging their health more than those walking with or without a mask.

  "I'm being inconspicuous," whispered Vicky as she peered over her large sunglasses, managing to look so dodgy that she made me cringe every time I glanced at her. It didn't matter, we were in this rat hole of a major city for one reason only and Vicky looking like an extra from a fifties film noir movie was par for the course.

  There were smart folks going about their business, popping out from their cells, known as offices, for a few fast bites to eat before back to the grind, but there were also all manner of weird and wonderful people passing by. Vicky was just another person of no interest to those that lived their lives surrounded by concrete and noise and choking air.

  Nobody paid us any mind, in fact nobody looked at anyone. Our city, our home, wasn't like this. It was small in comparison, a center for gangsters and vampires and other strange folks, but nothing like the vast, gross metropolis we were currently in. Why no names? Because it doesn't matter. These places are all the same, give or take a few million people, and besides, names change, places get destroyed, and I like to keep you guessing.

  The journey took a few hours, Vicky driving while I slept, but the sleep wasn't refreshing, it was exhausting. I felt worse, not better, and the foul air was making me wish I hadn't bothered.

  Sasha's intel had been good, though. She knew pretty much everything about everything, and in a rare moment of benevolence, probably because I really had helped her out even though she'd come to save me, she'd shared.

  I knew Nathan would be back at some point, that he wasn't finished with me, and I hated being so in the dark about him and his damn activities. Sasha had given us a road and building name, so we sat on a bench and we waited and we watched.

  "Got you, you fucker," I whispered, and nudged Vicky who was looking in the wrong direction and probably couldn't see bugger all through her dark glasses. She lowered them and squinted where I nodded.

  "Nathan."

  "Yup." We watched as he took the steps slowly, resting heavily on his cane. Several people nodded at him with respect and moved out of his way. He ignored them. At the top of the steps he turned and glanced around but we were lost to the crowds passing by, and when a gap appeared he was gone.

  "You sure about this building?" I asked Vicky for the tenth time.

  "Yes, Arthur, it's not listed as MI6 but it's for the spies, the
top brass. Seems a bit weird that they go to work in an office building," she mused.

  "How do you think things get done? The bosses have to meet and give orders and have a base of operations, and now we know a little more about Nathan."

  "But what's the point?" asked Vicky.

  "The point is, he'll try to interfere in our business again, and the more we know about him the better."

  "Our business?" Vicky asked, so close to getting up and doing her terrifying mom jig I had to grab her arm before she blew our tenuous cover.

  "Yes, our business," I said, resigned.

  "Can't you just, you know, off him?"

  "What the hell is wrong with you? No, I can't just off him. Okay, I can, I could, but then what? Another, even nastier dude takes his place and makes it his mission to destroy us? No, better to deal with Nathan and find a way to get him off our backs."

  "So he's a spy, works for the government. You said that was what you thought he did. What's the point of this?"

  "Because now I know for sure. Come on, you can drive me home."

  We got up and left.

  Nathan was a spook, just as I'd suspected. What use the information was I wasn't sure, but I knew the games with Cerberus weren't over, and any leverage was better than none.

  I coughed and spat out something black and gross. Time to leave this cesspit and go where the air was clean.

  What a Job

  We arrived at my home by early afternoon, and for the first time in years I felt like I could sleep and remain immersed in the mini-death until the sun rose. Vicky was all manic though, and insisted on coming with me. Meaning, either George or I would have to take her home later on unless she stayed over, and that wasn't a good idea.

  The job, unfinished as it was, hadn't been a total waste of time even if Elion failed to show, or pay, although I hoped with all my heart that both those things would come to pass, and soon.

  I'd discovered more about the vampires, met the First, and showed him what I was made of. I'd beaten down the elves, even if they were just kids playing games, and Nathan would hopefully think twice about interfering, at least for a while.

  What scared me the most, more than vamps and elves and trips to the Nolands, was Cerberus. Or, more to the point, Nathan. Cerberus was one thing, and they would be keeping close tabs on me even from a distance, but Nathan was not only near the top of the organization but had ties to serious undercover government shit. The amount of resources that meant he had would be staggering.

  He screamed spook, and now I knew. It didn't set my mind at ease, made me more nervous than ever, but underestimating your enemy is always a big mistake. Only time would tell where this all led, but for now I was too tired and too numb to care. Tomorrow was another day and there would always be more jobs. Nothing would stop me from doing what I did best. When the right thing came along I'd jump back into the fray and show them all that I had what it took to beat them at whatever twisted game they wanted to play.

  Why couldn't an honest gangster be left alone to do his work unmolested? It was criminal, haha.

  Once George finished telling me off, and I'd finished apologizing, she disappeared then came back, holding her hands behind her back and smiling broadly.

  "Tell me that's what I think it is," I said, hoping beyond hope I was right.

  "You deserve it, even if you missed dinner," replied my darling daughter, looking divine in a smart green three-quarter skirt and a black blouse with pearl buttons. Damn but she seemed to have grown into a woman in a day, how had that happened?

  George brought her hands in front and held up a fat roll-up. I smiled and took it from her then scurried to the back of the kitchen and dragged aside the large floor to ceiling doors. Vicky and George scowled at me from the other end of the room but I lit up and inhaled deeply, uncaring of their disapproval.

  Nicotine hit my system and I sighed contentedly. It hadn't been such a bad few days, not really. Life's all about adventure and we'd sure had that. None of us had died, at least not permanently, we'd had a few laughs, some tears, and got a few bruises, like a lifetime of experience all wrapped up into a tight ball of living. This was what it was all about, what else could I do?

  I puffed away, enjoying the afternoon sun and the sight of green fields until my cigarette was finished.

  Back inside, there was a knock at the door and George went to answer it. Obviously it would be nothing good, but Sasha's wards were as hardcore as you could get—nobody was getting in without us letting them.

  "Should I have a gun?" asked Vicky.

  "Why, have you got one?" I asked in a panic.

  "No, but you could get me a piece." Vicky looked at me eagerly, like it came with the job.

  "Absolutely not. You're trouble enough already."

  "Spoilsport."

  "We have visitors," said George as she came into the kitchen. She stepped aside to reveal one very large elf wearing a big hat. A mean looking pooch was standing beside him.

  "Hello, Arthur," said Elion with a smile.

  Looks Nice

  "Where the fuck have you been?" I said glaring at Elion.

  "Eh?" He placed his hat on the table and put a hand through his hair, pushing it back to reveal his ears. Vicky gasped and he smiled knowingly.

  "You got me in the middle of some serious shit here. What's going on with your brother and sister? What are you up to?"

  "Met them have you? They're, ah, a little moody, right? Just stupid kids, nothing to worry about." I scowled at him but he smiled back. "Like I said, just moody."

  "Moody!? I'll moody you?"

  Elion looked at me strangely. "What does that mean?"

  "Shut up. They've been trying to kill me for... Hell, I don't know how long. I'm too tired to think straight. They're convinced you're trying to get them, go back home or something. What are you playing at? You could have told me."

  Elion looked confused, then a smile spread across his face and he laughed.

  "What's so bloody funny?"

  "They always were paranoid. I told you, I told them, I like it here. I don't want to go back home. I want nothing to do with their power plays and their politics."

  "So what, they got it wrong? You didn't want the belt to help take them down, go back?"

  "No, of course not! My brother and sister are old enough to get some funny ideas in their heads, but they're harmless enough."

  "Harmless!? Ugh, never mind. So where were you? I, we, could have done with a little help."

  "I took Caesar for a walk, didn't I girl?" Elion patted the war dog's massive head fondly and she growled happily.

  "A walk! You've been gone for days."

  "Arthur, in case you haven't noticed, she's a big girl. She needs lots of exercise."

  "Seriously?" I asked, incredulous.

  "What? I took her for a wander, but we ended up in the Nolands and you know what time's like in some of the places in there. You lose track."

  "Lose track, I'll lose track of you." Elion gave me a funny look again, and so did Vicky. I definitely needed to work on my one-liners. "So, you aren't up to anything? You just left me here with the belt and went for a stroll?"

  "That about sums it up," he said happily. "I assume by this that you got it?"

  "Of course I bloody well got it, I'm The Hat."

  "I helped too," said Vicky, smiling at Elion and stepping forward.

  "I'm sure you did," Elion replied with a pretty smile.

  "Here, take the bloody thing," I said, pulling the belt from my pocket and handing it to Elion.

  He reached out with powerful yet delicate fingers and took the Ræth Næg, clenching his fist around the soft leather. "Aah, I can feel the power." He nodded to me and smiled, then took it in both hands and stretched it out, testing the strength by snapping the leather like a whip a few times. "Nice and strong," he said, the tips of his ears flushing with pleasure.

  "Um, yeah, okay. So, what does it do?" I was dying to know. It had been a tough time getting
it, much harder keeping hold of it, and with Cerberus keen to get it, and Elion willing to hand over a cool million, there must have been serious magic locked within.

  "Bet it summons a dragon or something," said Vicky, fawning over Elion, looking like she was gonna strip down and ask him to ravage her on my kitchen floor. Ugh, gross.

  "Haha, wouldn't that be something."

  "Just an amulet then?" I asked. "A way to protect yourself during battle. Or will it help you to get home, to break your banishment?"

  "I told you, I have no wish to return to that life, much less where my own kind wallow and play their ridiculous games. No, this is my home now, and here I will stay."

  "Come on, tell us!" screeched Vicky, hopping up and down and ready to pop.

  "Yes, what does it do?" yelled George, almost as excited as Vicky.

  "I have absolutely no idea." Elion called, "Caesar," and the enormous, terrifying beast padded over and sat beside him to his left, drooling over my tiles, eyes gleaming with immortal violence as deep as the pits of hell.

  "What? Why did you want it then? Why pay so much?"

  "Because Caesar deserves something nice, and you never know, maybe one day I'll discover the secrets to the Ræth Næg."

  With that, Elion undid the buckle, put the belt around the dog's thick neck, and fastened it. He stepped back and admired his familiar. "What do you think? Looks nice, right?" Caesar wagged her tail, Elion patted her on the head, and I just stared, open-mouthed.

  George giggled, Vicky swore, I opened and closed my mouth a few times.

  "We went through all this just so you could get a new collar for your dog?" I asked, not sure whether to laugh, cry, or stab him in his perfect throat.

  "She deserves the best. Plus, I knew it would help you, Arthur. Has all this not been worth it? You have a lot of money, which I have already paid into your account by the way, and you have shown your enemies you are not to be trifled with. Plus, it dealt with those brats, which was nice."