Return of the High Fae Read online

  "Where to?" I asked as I put the car in gear and pulled out into the street.

  "Make a left at the next street, I work at Danu's."

  "Danu's, what's that?" I asked, turning down the street she pointed out.

  "You've never heard of it?" She was looking at me like the mere mention of the name was all I'd need.

  Here we go again. "Sorry, what is it?"

  "It's a bar, second building from the end, turn there," she instructed, pointing between two buildings.

  Cliché or not, Vegas really is my town. I was born and raised here. I went to school here. Hell, I worked the streets for 25 years here. I knew this part of town like the back of my hand and there was no way that place was supposed to be there.

  The front was just an antechamber with a heavy door. There was a wooden sign hanging outside like an old English Pub. Carved into the wood was the name, Danu's, and above it a caricature of a female holding a sword while sitting on a crescent moon that shone over a sea. The letters were white, the name and image appeared hand painted. It was between the old Las Vegas Fire Station #4 and a machine shop.

  I'd been down here hundreds of times over the years and I'd never noticed this place. But then, nothing made sense anymore so why should I be surprised.

  Delia got out of the car and looked over at me. "You coming in?"

  "Let me park the car. I'll be there in a minute."

  She closed the door and I pulled around next to the machine shop, still trying to figure out where the building had come from. I couldn't get all the way into the back, so I parked next to the fence and walked back to the entrance.

  I opened the heavy wooden door and walked into a small hallway. There was another set of doors about 5 feet into the place. I went through this doorway and took a look around. The place did look like an old English Pub. It was all wood and brick with a fireplace in the far corner that had lion's feet legs and a hardwood mantle. The hearth was raised and made of an antique brick. The bar was U shaped and looked like it came out of a museum. The stools and tables were of heavy wood and all appeared hand crafted. It was definitely unique.

  It was also quiet. There were only a few people in the place, assuming that they were people. I didn't recognize any of them. There was a young couple in a booth and a few others sitting in tables in groups of two and three. Delia was behind the bar talking to a blond haired guy. He reminded me of Siegfried in a way, but not as hardened. She waited till I was almost at the bar.

  "What'll you have?"

  "What do you recommend?"

  "Well," she announced, "we brew our own ale here."

  "That'll be fine." I responded, taking a seat in front of her.

  As she poured the beer from a tap, the blonde guy leaned over the bar and stuck out his hand. "I'm Bart."

  "Robert," I replied. "Nice to meet you."

  As he let go of my hand his expression started to change but before I could tell what it was he caught himself. It almost seemed like he had expected something more when he touched me and was surprised when he didn't get it. "I don't recall seeing you in here before."

  Well, at least he hadn't asked me what I was. "Nope, first time," I remarked as Delia placed a frozen mug down in front of me.

  "A new customer," he beamed. "Well then, allow me to buy the first round."

  Delia told me that she would be right back and the two of them went to the other end of the bar and began fiddling with some bottles. I couldn't hear what they were saying but by the way they glanced over from time to time, I assumed they were talking about me.

  The beer was marvelous; it reminded me of a Belgian beer called Chimay that's brewed by Trappist monks. But somehow I doubted that monks were involved in the brewing process here. As I savored my beer I went over the events of the last two days in my mind. I was just at the part where the naked Faerie, or Elf, or whatever she was had come in when I heard the door open and I saw Bart rush to the other end of the bar.

  "You're not welcome here," he said, loudly.

  Delia stood right behind him. She started to say something but never got a word out.

  "Back off, bitch!" A male voice yelled out. Oh great, another asshole. I started to turn to see who it was.

  "That's him, Dad. There's the guy."

  Damn, that's all I needed. As I looked towards the door I saw Mr. Beat It standing next to a tall, well-built man with dark hair and a beard. Shit, he was big.

  He took one look at me and started coming. "How dare you side with her kind over my boy," he yelled.

  I was just getting to my feet when the world slowed down again. I watched as he came towards me. With every step his body changed, his clothes ripping away as a large wolf replaced his human form. I don't know what I had expected, but this wasn't it.

  I should have been scared but the power that overtook me earlier once again surged through me at the moment that he began to shift. My vision turned red again and I saw and felt everything that was happening around me. At first, it seemed as if someone else was controlling me but then I knew it was coming from within. I was accessing some part of me that had lain dormant. Something when he shifted had awoken it and information and power flooded my being. Damn, if only I could control it.

  I shouldn't have been able to do it. As he leapt towards me I raised my right hand and caught him by the neck before his jaws could snap at me. His momentum and weight forced me back a few steps but I pushed him forward and down. He yelped and blood splattered onto me as the force of my movement slammed him to the ground.

  I bent down over him, holding him down like a raptor examining his prey in his talons. I could sense the others in the room, frozen, watching us. Their faces registering shock, not believing what was happening. It felt like I was hearing their thoughts, how did he do that, what is he? The smell of his blood surrounded me and memories flooded in with it. Suddenly, I knew more about him then he probably knew himself.

  "Loup-garou," I heard my voice say. "Alsace, 300 B.C., Gaul, yours was once a mighty bloodline." Then I felt myself willing the wolf away and watched as he shifted back to human form, a look of utter surprise and defeat on his face. He was gasping for breath so I released my hold a bit.

  "How did you...," he choked.

  "You vex me," I hissed. Damn, I was using those old words again.

  "I warned your whelp," I said slowly, as I turned my head and nodded toward his son who by now was cowering against the wall by the door. "This female and this place are under my protection. If you or your kind comes near here again, you will die. Do you understand?"

  He struggled a bit before answering. "Yes," he said, weakly.

  "Do not think to confuse my compassion for weakness. Leave this place, now." As I said the word "now," I flung him toward the door.

  When he was done sliding he got to his knees, his naked human form bruised and bloodied. He looked over at me briefly, rubbed his neck, then he jumped up and grabbed the boy, pulling him through the doorway.

  As soon as they scampered out the door I felt the power withdraw. Damn, it had been such a rush, yet now I felt only exhaustion. It took me a moment to reorient myself. I stood up and went back to the bar, dropping into the stool. I heard shuffling behind me and I turned to see the other patrons leaving quickly, but quietly, whispering among one another as they made their way through the doorway. They looked afraid.

  I grabbed my mug and gulped what was left. Maybe they should be afraid, I know I was. I had no idea what was happening to me. Sure, it had saved me twice but I had no clue about how the hell to control it. Who knows what could happen the next time.

  Bart appeared across the bar from me, glaring. "I don't know how you did that but if I'd known Weres were after you I would never have let you stay."

  "Yeah, well, live and learn," I said as I pushed my mug towards him. I was too tired to care what he thought.

  "You shouldn't have brought them here," he persisted.

  "Bjartr, stop," Delia appealed. "It was my fault. I
never got to explain. He was involved because of me."

  "You? By the Gods, Delia, are you trying to start a war? What did you do?" He looked horrified.

  "Hey, back off, it wasn't her fault. If you want to blame someone, blame me. The two of them were pawing her, I couldn't let that continue," I said, angrily. Damn...these people, creatures, whatever they were. They were as bad as regular people, if not worse. "I've had enough. If that's the way you treat each other maybe you need a war!" I reached into my wallet and pulled out a twenty and threw it on the bar. "I'm outta here." I exclaimed, heading for the exit.

  When I got outside, I paused, making sure no one was waiting for me. I didn't have the increased senses that the rage had given me but everything looked quiet. I started to walk back to my car when I heard the bar's door open.

  "Wait," Delia begged, grabbing my arm. I stopped and turned towards her. "I'm sorry, Bart worries, it's just the way he is."

  "Yeah, well. With assholes like those guys, I can see why. But that doesn't excuse their behavior. Why do you put up with it?"

  "It's complicated, and difficult to explain. I can't understand how you don't know. Where have you been?"

  How do I answer that one? I couldn't tell her I didn't know about this world till yesterday. Shit, I still didn't even know what world I was in. "I don't get out much," was the best I could do. I started to walk away, but turned back. "Look, I'm sorry, it's kind of complicated for me as well. Listen, would it be alright if I came back, so we could talk?"

  "I don't know. It's probably not a good idea."

  I just tried to look innocent as she stood there.

  "Alright, but it'll have to be a night that Bart isn't here or if I can get away. Can I call you?" she finally said.

  That didn't sound too promising but I pulled my card out of my wallet anyway and handed it to her anyway. "I look forward to hearing from you."

  "I'll try," she whispered. Her face brightened and I might have seen her smile before she turned back towards the door, "and thank you."

  Chapter 6

  Word of advice: Just because you kick a Werewolf or two's ass when you switch into a superman or you can figure out how much change someone has in their pocket, don't get cocky. I still didn't know how this shit worked. On the way home last night I tried my luck at slots and lost $100.00 bucks for my effort. I couldn't wish my way into a pair, or even a cherry. Well, I should have known better than stop when I had been so tired, so much for my knowledge of magic.

  I sat there sipping coffee out of my terrifying space monkeys cup trying to wake up while I tried to plan my next move. I didn't have one yet, but I could hope. Up until last night I'd had a nice life. My kids were grown and doing well. Sure, I was divorced, but we still got along. Business had been steady and the money was good. I owned my house and my investments were paying enough to keep me happy. But it's one thing to have fantasies; it's another to wake up living in them.

  Ok, I'll admit it; some of it was pretty cool. I got to kick some ass and save the pretty gal. Of course, the pretty girl was a Lil, whatever that was. And I was pretty sure my name was mud in the Werewolf community, assuming they even had a community. But I knew enough about real wolves and read enough books to be able to guess they ran in packs and that did not comfort me. For someone who hadn't believed in magic until last night, I was knee deep in it.

  I needed answers. I figured Siegfried from the Neptune owed me something for saving Milagre's life. It would have been bad for business if his boss got whacked on his shift, so I started with him. I gave him a call and made arrangements to meet him at the coffee shop a little after noon.

  Milagre must know what he was doing. The place was way too busy for a week day. I parked in the garage, the public one this time, and hiked what seemed like a city block to the elevators. Once inside the casino I dodged the horde and made my way to the coffee shop, dropping Siegfried's name to the hostess.

  If there was one thing I liked about the place it was that it was old school Vegas. The second I mentioned Siegfried's name the hostess grabbed a menu and led me to an oversized booth in the back calling me sir several times on the way. In the old days they would have called this the executive area. Siegfried, wearing a suit, was talking into a house phone. He nodded as I sat down. Cups and glasses were set down in front of me and Siegfried's glass was refilled. Another pretty waitress took our order and Siegfried took another call.

  "My apologies for the interruptions, duty calls as it were. So, Robert, how may I be of service?" Siegfried asked as he hung up the phone.

  "I just had a few questions. Things have been a little chaotic since the other night."

  "How so?"

  "Let me lay some cards on the table, Siegfried. Maybe you can give me some advice or at least help me make some sense of it." I didn't want to get into too much detail, as I still wasn't sure where he fit in into all this but I had to start somewhere.

  "Certainly, how can I help?"

  A weird sensation pinged in my head as he answered. I turned around and saw Meredith coming out of a side door with another woman in tow. She looked surprised to see me. I could tell Siegfried noticed it also, but he hid it well.

  "Hello, ma'am," I said, rising as she approached.

  "Please sit," she replied, motioning at the two of us. "How nice to see you again so soon, Robert. Is everything alright?"

  "Yes, I just asked Siegfried to meet for lunch."

  "Wonderful, and how are you doing since we last spoke?"

  I wasn't sure how to answer. I certainly wasn't going to tell her everything. Once again, the truth was best. "Actually I've started seeing a few strange things. That's why I'm here. Thought I'd try and get some hints as to what to expect," I answered, hoping that that would satisfy her.

  She gave me a skeptical look, but she didn't inquire further. "Well, please let me know if I can help. Bill this to my account," she said to Siegfried, and then turned and walked away.

  Siegfried took a drink and watched her make her way through the restaurant. When she exited to the casino, he returned his gaze me. "Interesting, she did not know you were here."

  "...and your point is?" I asked, wondering what that meant. I knew they had cameras everywhere but I doubted surveillance knew everyone that came into the place.

  He looked around cautiously before leaning over the table. "Perhaps we should continue this conversation later. Some things are best not spoken aloud," he whispered.

  Now that comment was interesting. I had thought he was Milagre's boy. Had I had missed something?

  Straightening up, he gestured to the waitress. She returned with our food and refills and we ate while we talked.

  "So tell me, what exactly have you been seeing?" he asked.

  I told him about the winged Faerie girl at Darlings.

  "Hmm, winged Faeries are not uncommon. Nymphs and Faeries are known to be attractive to humans, though they cannot see their true form as you did unless they wish them too. Still, they are easily influenced. Did you notice the crowd after her performance?"

  "No, why, what would I have seen?"

  "It depends, if she was just using her magic to seduce, then nothing. But some beings feed on the desire of others. If the crowd appeared weak or confused, she may have been a Succubus. They can appear as anything. But since it was only because of your magic that you could see her true form I doubt that is the case."

  "I never know such things existed. What else is out there?

  "Ha, the world of the Fae has many beings. Even I do not know them all," he told me as he chuckled. I must have looked dejected because Siegfried stopped laughing. "I am sorry, Robert. It is easy to forget that this is so new to you. I have been of both worlds since I was born. Let me give you an overview. We can discuss more when we meet again."

  "That would be great," I admitted.

  "First, there are humans and then there are the Fae. Just as humans are different shapes and colors, so are the Fae. All magical creatures, with the
exception of Demons and a few others, such as the Lil, are said to be of the Fae."

  "There are Demons...and what's a Lil?" I interrupted; here was something I could at least relate to. Well, not the demon part, but I did want to know what a Lil was.

  "Yes, there are Demons. But do not think of them as humans do. They are not minions of the devil, although some are indeed evil. Think of them as a separate race of beings."

  Well, that helps, not!

  "Ok...and the Lil?"

  "The Lilin are another separate branch. They are related to both human and demon kind. They are the descendants of an ancient being, Lilith. You have heard of Vampires?"

  "Of course, who hasn't?" I answered, trying not to look excited. Was she a Vampire? Wait, I hadn't seen any fangs. Besides, aren't Vampires supposed to be stronger than Werewolves?

  "The Lilin are the beings behind the legends," he continued, "but they are not dead nor do they bite their victims with fangs. It is said that the Lilin and the Fae once battled one another for dominion of the Earth. I am not familiar with the entire tale, but eventually the Lilin were defeated. Most of the Fae still regard them with disdain," he explained. "There are actually several in the area, but you need not fear them. It is forbidden of them to drink of the Fae."

  "That's a good thing." I think…it also explained something about the rules, but a bloodsucker?

  "Indeed," he agreed, glancing at his watch. "As I said, there are many creatures in the world of the Fae." He began using his fingers to keep track. "The Were are shape shifters, Faeries, Dryads like you from the oak, Meliai from the ash, Nereids from water, like the Milagre's." He stopped and laughed again. "There are just too many clans to count."

  "I can see that," I said with a smile.

  Ok, so he thinks I'm a Dryad, whatever that entailed.

  "Here in the new world the Fae are sparse, but in this area there are a few clans that have made their presence known. Due to this there is significantly more activity between the Fae than would be normal. It is the magic that attracts them here. I do not know if that helps but suffice it to say that I will help you on your journey if I can." He got that serious look again and leaned forwards a bit again. "Others will offer the same," he whispered, scanning the room with his eyes. "Be careful who you trust."