Return of the High Fae (Vegas Fae Story Book 1) (22 page)

"What of the pact? Demeter allowed the Lilin to live,
but it is forbidden for your kind to comfort them. You cannot do this without
violating the terms and their oath," he said, looking at me as if that
mattered.

Screw that, I thought to myself. I started to say something,
then realized I still appeared as my Fae self. "Bart," I said.
"Take a good look at me."

In light of what we'd been through I don't think he ever
really noticed that I'd changed. His eyes widened as he finally realized who,
and possibly what, I was.

"Maybe you didn't hear what I said to the Demon. I am
more than just another Fae. I am the heir of Demeter and since she's gone, I
figure I can do whatever the hell I please."

I thought he was going to argue with me, but he remained
silent.

I picked Delia up gently and cradled her in my arms. Then I
started towards the door. Shifting back to my mortal self, I stopped and looked
back at him.

"Bart, you need to trust me on this. I'll do what I can
for her. Maybe I can do something for her people as well. Let Siegfried know
that we're safe." Then, carrying her gently, I walked through the doorway
and into the night.

I know I've said this before, but Bernd was right. Fate
certainly is endowed with a sense of humor. More importantly than that, I
couldn't seem to escape her—Fate that is. I pulled up to the gate, waiting for
it to open.

Delia, in the passenger seat, looked like shit. There was a
lot of blood, but at least she was still breathing.

I pulled into the driveway and opened the garage door. I got
out I lifted Delia up, and carried her in the house and gently laid her on the
bed in the downstairs bedroom. She was still covered in blood and Charlie was
frantic. I tried to calm him down as I called for Lucy.

She ran into the room and jumped on the bed. For a moment
she looked like a black cat you'd see in a Halloween cartoon, her fur standing
up and eyes wide open. Then she hissed. "Danger."

No shit, I thought to myself.

"Just find Bernd," I ordered. "Go, and don't
come back without him," I yelled, pointing toward the rear of the house.

With another hiss she bounded out of the room.

I did the best I could to make her comfortable, considering
she was still unconscious. I stripped off her clothes and cleaned her wounds
and body. I saw that the bleeding had slowed, but she was burning up, deathly
pale, and there was blood pooled around her eyes. I put a makeshift bandage on
the wounds.

Her blood had not been like the Mages, nor did it affect me
like the others. Her blood sang to me. Although I was trying to focus on her
wounds, her blood filled my senses with her lust for life. It also sang of a
tragic past. Life had not been kind to this Lil. I didn't feel any evil inside
her, and certainly no threat to me. Instead, I felt a sorrow for what had been,
and a feeling that things ahead were no better.

Well, perhaps I could change that. I'd have to see where all
this was going to lead.

Once I had gotten her as comfortable as possible, I just sat
there wondering how the hell I had gotten into this mess and what a second High
Fae meant. Of course, I knew it was bad. Hell, he'd killed several Fae already,
and I was certain I was gonna jump up a notch or two on his list.

The phone had rung several times while I was tending to
Delia. Looking at the screen, I saw that it had, as I expected, been Siegfried.
He was just going to have to wait another minute.

I looked over at Charlie, standing in the doorway.
"Charlie, come here, boy," I called. He ran over to me. "I need
you to guard the place. We could be in some deep shit here."

He stared into my eyes.

"We need to keep her safe."

He barked and I heard him answer. "Guard, watch,
protect," he said, then ran out toward his door into the yard.

I went to the kitchen and got out a large paper bag I had
saved from my last take out. Taking that into the bedroom, I placed Delia's
bloody clothes into it to preserve them. Returning to the kitchen, I started a
pot of coffee. Then I picked up my cell phone and dialed Siegfried.

"Hey, everything handled over there?" I asked when
he answered.

"It's being worked on. How is the girl?"

"She's still out," I answered. "One of the
dead guys is the same one that got away at the Neptune. I think you better get
someone to watch Milagre. I may have pissed someone off with this battle."

"Michael is flying out to meet him as we speak. He was
scheduled to return later this week but I convinced him to come home early. I
expect he will want to see you." There was a short pause. "He is
close to Bjartr and has an interest in this place."

"I should have guessed that when he called you so
fast," I said, feeling stupid for not putting that together.

"It might be best if you let us take the girl. This
could cause some problems with a few of the other Fae."

"I don't think so," I replied. "It's my fault
she got involved in this. I need to get a few of her things. Do you know where
she lives?"

"I do, but she may need special care...," he
started to say, but I interrupted him.

"I've got someone coming. How about swinging by her
place when you're done there and getting some clothes for her? Maybe you can
bring Diantha by to watch over her. I'd like to get a few hours of sleep and
I'd feel better if someone else was here."

"As you wish. I can do that when I'm finished here. As
for Diantha, I'm sure she will be available. Give me a few hours."

I could tell he wasn't happy, but hey, sometimes it's good
to be a king. "Call me when you get close. So much for a couple of days,
huh?"

I heard a grunt in acknowledgement and he disconnected.

After checking on Delia one more time, I grabbed a coffee
mug with a big yellow happy face and poured myself a cup. Then I sat down at
the kitchen table to wait. I must have fallen asleep as it took me a second to
realize that the phone was ringing. Still groggy, I answered.

"Yeah."

It was Siegfried. "We're down the street."

"I'll meet you outside," I said. I called Charlie,
hit the keys to open the gate, then went outside. Siegfried's black SUV pulled
into the driveway and stopped in front of me.

"I hope that's not your blood," he commented as he
and Diantha got out and walked toward me.

I had totally forgotten I was still wearing my blood-soaked
clothes. "The other guy looks a lot worse," I answered, trying for a
touch of humor.

"So I've seen," he replied as they both petted
Charlie.

Diantha came over to me and gave me a peck on the cheek.
"I see you have once again vanquished your foes, my Lord."

"Diantha, what did I say about the 'my Lord'
crap?"

She just rolled her eyes. "As you wish. Take me to this
mysterious patient I am to watch over."

She took my arm and the three of us went in the house while
Charlie loped into the backyard. We checked on Delia, then moved back into the
kitchen to talk. Siegfried looked concerned when he saw her condition, but
didn't say anything.

"You did not tell me she was a Lil," Diantha
commented, as she sat down at the table.

"Is that a problem?" I asked, looking at her as I
picked up my cup and filled it.

She looked like she was going to say something else, and
then changed her mind. "No," she replied.

"Diantha, what is it you want to say?"

"This is a dangerous action, my Lord," she said,
looking concerned.

"Yes, it could be. So if you want out, I'll have
Siegfried take you back to the Neptune," I said, deciding to be straight
with her and give her an out. "I won't hold it against you," I added.

Siegfried seemed amused, but turned his head so she could
not see the expression on his face.

Diantha sat quietly for a moment, gathering her composure, I
guess, then answered. "That will not be necessary. I have given my
oath."

"Fine," I said, the matter closed. "We have
other problems to discuss as well." I gave them the dime version of what
had happened.

"So, is it true?" Siegfried asked. "There is
another?"

"So the Demon said," I answered. "But at
least we know what's behind this, if not who."

"That does not exactly comfort me," he stated.

"Me either. You saw the bodies?"

He nodded.

"The one by the door was one of those that went after
Milagre. I'm sorry I wasn't able to save the other two customers. They were
inside before I realized what they were."

"Such things happen; even you are not all-knowing, nor
invincible, though you seem to be doing quite well against them."

"We may have gotten lucky there. The last one called me
a half-breed; apparently they aren't sure what I am." I got up and
refilled my coffee. "If nothing else, that gives us the advantage."

"For now," Siegfried replied.

"For now," I agreed, leaning back against the
counter. "Anyway, that doesn't get us any closer to finding out who is
behind this or even why it's happening. Have either of you heard of any other
High Fae or Gods still around since
The Fall
?"

They both shook their heads.

"None of the Gods have been seen in thousands of years;
that I can attest to." Diantha said, pushing back her chair and standing
up. "Believe me. I have searched for them, both in the Aether, as well as
on foot. After Apollo abandoned me I searched everywhere, but their presence
was gone from this world. I thought they had simply left, but now I am not so
sure. Perhaps they truly are all dead."

"Well, according to the Demon, there's at least one
more," I said.

"If that is so then he is not like you, he is
evil," she replied.

"That's what I'm afraid of...," I started to add,
but at that moment Siegfried's cellphone rang. I couldn't hear what was being
said, but by the look he gave me, he was surprised. I wasn't sure if that was
good or bad.

"Keep me informed," I heard him say when he
disconnected a short time later. "Well, I think you will find this
interesting. A body has been discovered around the corner from Danu's. The
local police are already on the scene."

Oh, oh, I thought to myself.

He must have seen the concern on my face. "Don't worry,
there is nothing to tie it to Danu's. Besides, even if they could see it, there
is nothing to find."

"Then what is it?" I asked, sitting back down at
the table.

Siegfried continued. "That was one of our sources at
the local PD. The body is that of Ben Turner."

One of their sources at the local PD? That was the second
time he'd mentioned sources like that. Only Homicide would know who the victim
was this soon. Suddenly, that comment about the Dullahan by O'Malley didn’t
seem so unusual. Had he been feeling me out? Damn! I'd known him most of my
life. Then again, I'd never known any of this before now. I would have to find
out more when I got the chance. I got back to the issues at hand.

"Turner? Why doesn't that surprise me? That explains
how they tracked me. He had plenty of reason to hate me. He knew about my ties
to Danu's and knew what I looked like. But what was his connection to the
Mages?"

"That I do not know. Whatever it was, it was not enough
to save his life."

"How did he die?" I asked, wondering if he was
killed before the attack, or after.

"His skull was crushed, not a simple thing to do to a
Were," he answered.

"The Demon could have done it. We'll have to be extra
careful until we know who else is involved." I turned to Diantha.
"Would you be able to, what's the word for it, divine something?"

"I am sorry. I cannot see into the past," she
answered with a sigh.

"Oh well, I had to ask. Anything else I need to
know?"

"Not at the moment. We may have more to go on after the
Mage's bodies are examined," Siegfried said, shaking his head.

"Ok. Look, I'm tired and we're not going to solve
anything else tonight. Let's continue this later." I turned to Diantha.
"You're good staying here tonight, or at least what's left of it, right?
I'd like you here in case she wakes up and I don't hear her."

"Of course, my Lord. That's why I came," she
answered with a smile.

I ignored the "my Lord" comment. I seemed to be
doing that a lot tonight. I got up to go check on Delia. They both did the same
and followed me into the bedroom. She didn't look any different, but at least
she didn't look any worse. I heard a sound and turned towards the door.

"Bernd is here," I heard him say.

"About time you showed up," I said in a not so
pleasant voice.

"I came when I was needed, as you should have known I
would," he remarked, giving me a disapproving look. He walked in the room
and took in the scene.

Oh shit, another Fae Faux Pas on my part, I guess. Not that
he didn't deserve it.

There was sudden hush and both Siegfried and Diantha fell to
their knees. I heard Siegfried say "Einn Dvergar" with astonishment,
as Bernd walked over to him.

"Please Siegfried, son of Olafr, rise. Your deeds are
well known to my kind," Bernd said, helping the tall man to his feet.

Siegfried seemed in awe that the Dwarf knew who he was.

Then Bernd turned to Diantha.

"Rise priestess," he said. "There is no need
for ceremony here. Long past are the days of old when such reverence was
necessary, or expected. Come, let me pass and inspect your injured
comrade."

Diantha didn't say anything, but she stood up and backed
away. I noticed that her eyes remain downward as if she was reluctant to look
upon him.

"Fader," Siegfried replied, as he stepped back as
well.

Bernd turned and walked into the bedroom where Delia was.
His head barely reached the top of the pillow-top mattress, but with a single
leap, he was on the bed examining her. When he finished he jumped off.

"Well?" I asked when he didn't say anything right
away.

"The wound is deep."

"That much I know. I was hoping it was starting to
heal," I said.

"On the surface, that is true, but this is the mark of
a Demon's blade. Such blades are deadly in this realm and their wounds not
easily cured. Her Lilin is weak," he added as he stood there. When I
didn't say anything else he continued. "Tell me first of the battle and
what else has transpired."

I gave him the short version, including learning what I was
and the Demon's claim that another High Fae was involved.

"Much has happened, I see, but of this Demon I have
heard," Bernd said. "If he was bound with the assistance of a High
Fae, then things are indeed dark; and there is still the other matter."

"What other matter?" I asked, not sure where he
was leading me.

"She is of the Lilin and to heal her would go against
the terms of surrender decreed by Demeter."

"But I'm asking you to. Besides, I thought you said I
could change that," I countered.