Return of the Fae (2 page)

“That’s what you said yesterday. At this rate, we’ll be retired before you finish,” Derek grumped.

“Sorry, what can I do? My business needs me, even if I’m a witch.” Parris kissed her sleeping Pomeranian on the top of the head when she passed by the couch. “Make sure you let Dragon outside.”

“I’m not a dog babysitter,” Derek called after her.

As she walked the tree lined streets from her condo toward the bar, Parris felt light. Almost giddy. Sure, she’d spent the morning learning fairies, elves, and trolls lived in the world around her, at least she hadn’t been subjected to meeting one. She crossed the street and whispered, “Leprechauns, I wonder if they’re real too?”

“Of course they’re real. Unless you’re Irish, they’re kind of nasty little things.” A small girl stood, as if she was waiting. The child wore a flowing summer frock, more suited for a tea party or church than playing on the sidewalk. Her hair hung past her shoulders, the blonde wisps sparkling in the sun but Parris thought she saw a tip of a point on the girl’s ears. Parris smiled, her reading was affecting her mind, yet something seemed familiar about the child.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?” Parris glanced down the street. None of the neighbors were outside, strange for mid-day. No one walking their dog, or hurrying to work. Just the two of them.

“You asked about Leprechauns. I answered your question.” The little girl twirled around a light pole. “I’m glad we can talk again. It’s been lonely.”

“Do I know you?” Parris frowned. Was this one of her neighbor’s kids?

“You used to.” The girl put her hand into Parris’ and started walking. “Come on, I need to tell you some things.”

Parris followed. “I don’t remember meeting. What’s your name? Do you live around here? Your parents could be looking for you.”

The little girl stopped and looked up into Parris’s eyes. “I don’t have parents. Like you now.”

Fear gripped Parris, freezing her in her tracks. “Who are you?”

“I’m Toki.” The girl pulled on Parris’s hand. “Come on, we should keep walking or they’ll see us.”

Toki’s real?
Parris started walking again with her imaginary friend who she hadn’t seen since she was five.
Of course, why not
. At least their path took them toward the bar. “Who will see us?”

“The humans, silly.” Toki stared at her. “You still don’t know. I thought they trained you in fairy practices early?”

“I’m just starting my training.” Parris pulled up short. “You’re saying you’re a fairy and while I’m walking with you I’m invisible?”

Toki shook her head. “Witches. You always want to know how magic works. Yes, I’m a fairy. I’m invisible to humans when I want to be. You’re invisible when you’re holding my hand or touching me. Hiding in plain sight makes it easy to have conversations the other world wouldn’t understand. We don’t have to be invisible but its easier keeping up the shields when we’re moving. Walking isn’t a requirement, only a good idea.”

“Oh.” Parris didn’t know what to say after that.

“You don’t remember me?” Toki’s voice sounded quiet, forlorn.

“I remember my imaginary friend. I didn’t know…”

“You didn’t know I was real. A fairy.” Toki laughed. “Smile, it could be worse. You could have been assigned a troll. They aren’t a bit fun. All business. And they stink.”

A voice called out of bushes near the apartment building. “Hey–You try living under a bridge and see how clean you smell after a few hundred years.”

“Sorry, Henry.” Toki raised her eyebrows. “And they’re very sensitive.”

“A troll lives across the street?” Parris glanced at the building in horror.

“Actually, he’s watching. We’ve been taking turns minding your house, ever since
he
started showing up.”

“Ty? Derek? I think they’re okay.” Parris felt foolish. She believed a fairy telling her the men helping her weren’t trustworthy.

“No, not the witches. They’re nice. And hot.” Toki winked.

“That is freaky coming from a five-year-old child.” Parris shook her head.

“I may look five but add a few hundred years and you have my real age. Or at least I think that’s my age. You’re the one who decides what you see when you look at me.” Toki smiled.

Parris decided changing the subject a better option than thinking of Toki’s real age and physical projection. “So who are you watching for?”

“He’s been outside your house for the last two weeks. He’s young, but not.” Toki frowned. “He’s like a witch, only more. I’ve never seen anyone like him except the night your parents died. One like him watched outside your house that night too.”

Coven X. A chill ran through Parris’ body. Could her long lost relatives have found her already? Desperate, she wondered what could she ask Toki about the coven to give Ty and Derek what they needed? Apparently, telling them she got the information from a fairy wouldn’t be a problem. “What does he look like? What’s his name?”

“Some things I can’t tell you. It’s against the rules. All I can say is he’s there. We’re allowed to watch and act to save you if he makes a move.” Toki shook her head. “I should have seen this coming when your folks were killed. I thought the watcher had been sent from your dad’s side of the family.”

“We know about the other coven. Or at least The Council does.” Parris wondered about giving away Council secrets. The book clearly said she could trust the fairy assigned to her. She read this morning about the inter-agency agreement between the two species.
So weird, totally weird.
“So you’re assigned as my fairy? What does that mean?”

Toki shot her a look bordering on frustration and impatience. “Look, you need to read the book. After you’re done, you can ask me anything you don’t understand. I can’t answer open ended questions like that. Somebody needs to teach you these things.”

Parris sighed. “Believe me, they’re trying.” She would check in with April then start reading the book she’d stashed in her oversize purse. “I’ll take it more seriously, I promise.”

“Good, because I’m worried.”

“About what?” Parris glanced down at Toki who’d stopped walking. “I can’t ask that, can I? Too open ended?”

Toki shook her head. Her eyes brimmed with tears. “No, the question was fine.” She released Parris’s hand and faded. “Someone is trying to kill you.”

Chapter 2

The assigned Fairy Guardian has limitations. She cannot do your homework. She isn’t allowed to clean your room and can’t tell you the future. Especially when you’re asking about serious concerns, like birth, death, or marriage. Focus your questions on a specific subject and make sure the fairy can answer with a yes or no, these practices will give you better results. Remember, most of all, never tell the fairy your secret name.–The Academy of Witchcraft Manual. Volume 3, page 142.

Ty pulled his Mercedes onto a parking spot in front of the bar. Four hours with Matilda, Parris’ grandmother, and they’d only started breaking the forgetting spell. He’d left her searching through her old spell books, hoping she’d left herself a clue. If she had, she’d hidden the clue well.

When he’d called to check on Parris and Derek, he’d found Derek had been unsuccessful in getting the woman to focus. Parris had bailed. Again.

She needed to prioritize, like him. First thing in the morning, he’d checked in at the law office, placed a few phone calls, delegated other tasks, and finished his work. He was a freaking lawyer. Parris needed to learn to let April handle management of the bar for at least a few hours a day.

Pushing through the heavy wooden door, he caught a whiff of her, reminding him of the first time he’d walked through The Alibi’s door and discovered one rogue witch with no clue about who she was or what she could become. The smell of chamomile, thyme, mint, and a surprising touch of vanilla, mixed with a slight scent of sulfur now meant Parris. Anytime, anywhere. Even in this dark, dive bar filled with spilled beer odors and lingering cigarette smoke. Parris, his soul mate.

The thought sent chills up his spine. He’d been struggling with the idea of Parris since they’d met. When he realized the strength of their connection, he’d been ready for the commitment.
 
After his research uncovered she’d been born to First Bloods, both in and out of The Council, he’d questioned their union. Now that The Council had issued an edict for him to train her in her powers, he’d pushed his feelings aside. Right now they had business. Serious business that would keep her alive and her grandmother safe. Now was not the time to imagine stripping off her black cotton sundress and taking her right on the bar.

“Hey, Ty.” April waved at him from behind the bar. “You want something? Soda, beer?”

“Coffee.” He walked toward the table where Parris sat, an open book in front of her. Slipping into the chair, he frowned. “You shouldn’t be reading here.”

“A fairy told me today I needed to study harder. She said my life is in danger.” She paused as Ty’s coffee was delivered.

“Thanks.” Ty smiled at April but when he saw her face, he frowned. “You okay? You look like you haven’t slept in a week.”

“Mid-terms.” April shook her head. “Why I ever thought I could take fifteen credits and work full time, I’ll never know.”

“I should be here more, helping.” Parris touched her arm.

April put her hands on her hips. “No. You hired me to manage the bar. I just got a major promotion. You hanging here all day tells me one thing. You don’t trust me.”

“Seriously, I’m not that much of a mother hen, am I?” Parris blushed.

“Cluck, cluck. Look, I know you love this bar, but you have to let me do my job. Let me prove I can manage everything.”

“If that’s what you want.” Parris finally took a breath.

“So, you’re going to leave right after Mr. Wonderful here finishes his coffee?” She raised her eyebrows. “Maybe go have lunch together, like a date?”

“I can do better than that.” Ty asked, “When is she due back on the schedule?”

“Monday morning – day shift and payroll.” April’s attention diverted to the opening door, and she waved at the entering couple of regulars.

“You won’t see her until then,” Ty promised.

“Guys, I’m sitting right here.” Parris held up her hands in surrender. “Fine, I’m out of here unless you need me. Like today.”

“I promise I won’t call until I look everywhere for the missing boxes. I can’t believe I didn’t see the stack in the alley.”

When they were alone, Parris told Ty the highlights of her conversation with Toki. “So a fairy and a troll are guarding the house. They say someone is watching us.”

He frowned. “Another witch?”

“Toki said yes and no. What good is having a fairy attached if she can’t give you a straight answer?” Parris shut the book and finished her club soda.

“There are rules to follow.”

“So I’ve heard.” Parris looked over at April who chatted with a young man sitting at the bar. “You think she’s okay?”

“I think you trained her well. The bar is in good hands.” Ty sipped his coffee. “Relax.”

“She looks worn out. I mean, she’s always taking too many classes. Maybe taking on more responsibilities came too fast.” Parris kept watching her second in command.

He tapped her hand with one finger. “She’s fine. You want a reason to worry.”

“I do not.” Parris’s eyes flashed with a touch of anger.

He smiled. There was her spark. He changed subjects before she turned the fire on him. “Your grandmother says hello.”

Parris started. “I’d forgotten you went to see her. Could she break the spell?”

He shook his head. “The woman is good. Her spell has more twists and turns than any I’ve seen in the last ten years. She’s almost…” Ty paused, Robert’s face popped into his head for the first time in a long time. He needed to talk to his mentor and teacher. The man had more than a few tricks up his sleeve.

Parris laid her hand on his arm. “What?”

Ty grinned. “I think I thought of someone who might help. Last I heard, he lived in Cincinnati. Feel like a road trip?”

“We’re going to Ohio?”

“Why not? April said your schedule is clear until Monday. That gives us four full days, time to work with Robert and see if he can find your name. Until we know your secret name, you’ll be useless in training.” Ty finished his coffee and stood. “Come on. Let’s get some provisions.”