“I did talk to the agent in charge,” Chis said. “He is going to fly in one of our few fae field agents. She should be able to sense if any of these three vamps have been under a compulsion of some kind. If so, they are going to go along with our plan.”
“We are about fifteen minutes away from Kaosium’s place,” Rolfe said, giving Chris the address.
Kaosium had an office and apartment in the same building in the downtown district not too far from my place and the police station. His secretary, a pointy eared fae, showed us in to his office. He was an inner circle fae and had good connections on both sides of the divide. His primary business was trade between the human side and Faerie. There were two nice leather chairs in front of his desk, I took one and Sarah the other, the guys standing behind us. Rolfe was letting me take the lead on this one.
I explained both the extent of the glamour I had seen the fae that had shot me and two other officers use, as well as what details I remembered of his shield that stopped Rolfe’s bullet.
“Our main interest is what fae could have accomplished this,” I said as I finished my recall of those events.
Kaosium was a typical fae of royal blood, perfect features, classic fae lines, slender and graceful. “Not I,” he said and for a fae of his bloodline it had to be the truth for a fae like that can obscure the truth but not tell a direct lie. “You are probably looking at not more than a dozen male fae from both Winter and Summer Courts that are strong enough to do that. None of them have I seen on this side of the divide recently.”
Damn,
I thought. We had hoped for a solid lead. Still, he had narrowed the field somewhat. “Any idea of who would have reason or motivation to do such a thing?” I asked.
“It’s got to be either a politics and power thing or a favor or boon that was granted,” he replied. “There is plenty of motivation from both royal courts to recover some of the footholds that were in place on this side prior to the fae wars. I suggest going to Faerie to ask the Queens for an audience, I am heading over in just a few minutes if you have a fae agent that can go with me. The Summer Queen is having a little party and just about everybody of importance in her court will be there. This thing with the kidnappings and murders is already starting to hurt my business. Even if most believe it is the vamps that are responsible, all supes are coming under suspicion and my goods are not such a hot item right now. Most of my local trade has dried up recently.”
“I can go,” I replied. “I do have some fae blood, after all.”
“Not just any halfling can penetrate the veil and the attempt would probably kill you,” he answered.
“We have a full blooded fae agent on the way,” Sarah interjected. “But she will not arrive until tomorrow evening.”
“It is not an issue,” I said. “I have been through the veil before.”
Now I had his attention. “I can sense the fae in you, Smith. But I can’t get a handle on your strength or lineage. If you make the attempt, I am not taking responsibility for what may happen.”
Rolfe had that look on his face again, both of curiosity and concern. “I’m ready,” I replied.
“Be it so.” That phrase was fae shorthand for putting the consequences on me and not him.
“You will need appropriate attire,” he said. “I probably have some samples of fae gowns here, they are very popular with celebrities and I do a good trade in them. Let me see if my secretary can kind something that may fit you.”
“Are you sure about this, Smith?” Rolfe asked. “I have no desire to lose another partner, and none of us can go with you.”
“I will meet you at the safe house later tonight,” I responded. “Please, don’t wait up for me.”
Kaosium’s secretary led me to the sample room. Sarah came with me, saying she would not miss seeing the gowns and she would assist me in getting dressed. I guess she was no longer upset about my vamp nature. There were several gowns hanging on a rack, most would be too small for me at first glance. There was one however that appeared to be designed to be a flowing, floor length gown, with the sides slit up almost to the hips and a deep V-necked back with matching V-neck front that might do. It was the color of Jade, my first name, and yes, it had my name all over it.
I would leave my weapons behind. Bringing metal of any kind into Faerie would set off alarms as would my bra and panties, human-made materials of any kind are forbidden. I had a feeling the dagger of darkness would pass through without notice but I just could not chance it. Karen, the fae secretary, was apologetic.
“I am sorry I don’t have any undergarments for you,” she said. “This gown does come with a pair of matching slippers that might fit you, however.”
They were open-toed.
A little short but would do,
I thought as I pulled the slippers on.
Naked in front of strangers again,
I thought,
what a day.
There was a full length mirror on the wall and I took a look at myself. The dress fit like a glove, and other than the length it was gorgeous. It had been designed to touch the floor but was just about ankle length on me. I had no complaints, at least I would not be tripping over it. The price tag was twenty grand. When I got back, I would be buying this one.
Sarah was carrying my clothes and weapons and promised to take the weapons back to the safe house with her, I simply could not chance them being left here. My clothes would remain however, so I could change on my return. The boys were staring at me as we returned to the office, even Kaosium had a slightly stunned look on his face.
“I think that will do just fine,” he said. Rolfe laughed and even Chris had a silly grin showing.
The door was directly behind Kaosium’s desk, perfect for an emergency retreat into Faerie if he ever came under attack. “You better hang on to my arm,” he said. “I don’t want to lose you in the mists.” Opening the door you could see a hallway, perhaps ending at the edge of those mists just a yard or so inside. Karen would close the door behind us.
“Be careful,” Sarah said.
“Later,” I replied and we entered the mists.
* * * *
As we walked, I held Kaosium’s arm and I could feel the world changing around us. I believe I had even less discomfort than he, it was frankly exhilarating. As we continued on, I instinctively let my fae nature take over, my eyes turned from a normal green to a deep jade, and my hair grew six inches in a matter of seconds. My ears became pointy and my eyes narrowed a bit.
Probably a combination of being a shifter, as well as a fae,
I thought, pretending I was not surprised at all about the changes I was going through. Kaosium could see some of this as we hit a few gaps in the mists, but he was focused on our path. I was noting the way for future reference. A shifter has a very good sense of direction, even in Faerie.
As we approached our destination, two double doors with the Summer Courts royal seal in the middle flanked by two guards armed with fae swords, Kaosium told me the plan.
“I will make your introduction to the Queen,” he said. “All guests approach the Queen as they arrive. I have a date waiting for me, so unfortunately you will be unescorted after that but looking as you do, I don’t think it will be difficult for you to find an escort. I will let the Queen know of your needs. When I finish, simply say, ‘I so petition.’ She will either answer you now or shelve your petition for later consideration. Whatever her answer, do not protest, or your life will be forfeit.”
“I understand,” I replied.
The doors opened and we entered the court. Straight ahead of us was the Queen and her entourage, she alone sat while the others stood. A pathway for guests arriving led straight to the raised dais where she was seated. There were a few guests ahead of us, I believe we were on time or maybe even a few minutes early but the room was already pretty crowded, On one side of the path, tables of food and drink. On the other, a floor for dancing with musicians already warming up in the corner. It was a huge place, many chairs and smaller tables lined the walls. Trees and flowers were growing through the floor in several places, making my shifter side happy as well.
It was our turn. I saw the Queen looking at me as we approached, trying to place me, not succeeding.
“Kaosium at your service my Queen,” Kaosium said and bowed. “This is Smith,” he continued. “She is a member of the paranormal division of the southern Capitol’s police force and would like to petition you for an audience. She hopes your knowledge and expertise will aid them in their quest to solve the murders and kidnappings taking place in Winston.” He glanced at me.
“I so petition,” I said.
I could tell the Queen was very interested. “Are you a member of Summer or Winter Courts?” she asked.
“Neither,” I said. “I reside on the other side of the divide.”
“What is your lineage?” she continued. I had to be careful in my response. I could not lie in Faerie, there was too much fae blood in me to even try it.
“I do not know who my parents are,” I replied, which was a truth.
I could see her thinking. “I will consider your petition,” she said. “I will approach you with my answer when I have decided. In the meantime, please mingle with our other guests and enjoy your time in Faerie, it is my guess that you may have a relative or two among the inner court.”
She had given me a compliment, a hint as to being pleased with my appearance. I was pleased, as well. “Thank you, my Queen,” I replied and we moved to the side to make room for the other guests who had arrived behind us.
“Have fun,” Kaosium said, looking towards a little fae beauty staring at us with a slight scowl on her lips. “Try not to get yourself killed,” he added, walking away.
Chapter Ten
I looked around the great hall and noticed a group of men gathered around some swords laid out across the tables. I love swords. I was drawn to that and had no intention of not taking a look. I stopped slightly outside the group of men and observed their conversation. It seemed there was a game being played. A man was examining each sword and making a guess as to who had forged them. There were perhaps twenty swords along the tables and as I watched, he guessed two correctly, the owner of each sword groaning and acknowledging the truth of his guess.
He must be an expert,
I thought,
kinda like me.
There were two stacks of gold on the table, it seemed this was a group bet. The man making the guesses was about halfway to winning with just ten swords to go. The present one had him stumped however.
“Is it allowed that I provide assistance?” I asked. I just could not resist. I loved swords and this was a fine collection of some of the nicest ones made in Faerie over centuries if not millennium.
“Only if you have a stake in the bet,” the man whose sword appeared to have the guesser stumped said. He was obviously one of the high-ranking members of the Queens circle having the Royal Crest on his jacket. The guesser also had the Royal Crest.
“I have nothing on me,” I replied.
“I see that you are unescorted for the evening, allow me to be your escort then, and I will allow you in on the bet,” he said. I could see the others would allow this, even the one doing the guessing, who looked at me quizzically.
“And nothing is expected other than my company?” I asked. It is always important to get the rules spoken when dealing with the fae. “I can’t stay long as I am expected in the human world at some point tonight.” I would stay until I had the Queen’s answer.
“Of course,” he answered. I could see he was interested in me but gave me the impression of being a gracious and generous man.
“I accept the terms,” I replied.
“My name is Diocletus,” he said. “The man you are going to help in the guessing is referred to as the Queen’s Blade.” He proceeded to make introductions all around.
“My name is Jade,” I said. “People on the human side just call me Smith.” For some reason I felt it was important that my first name be used here, I don’t know why.
The Queen’s Blade handed me the sword he was looking at, a question and a hint of a smile on his lips. “I bet you know this one,” he said. “Otherwise you would not have joined in the bet.
“Maybe I just wanted a handsome escort,” I replied and they could hear the truth in that as well. “It was forged over a thousand years ago by Erngot, a student of one of the great fae metal-smiths, called Alexus.
“That is correct,” Diocletus said. “How about the next one?”
I proceeded through the remaining blades, not even touching most of them, for an expert some of them were obvious. The better fae metal-smiths all had some unique things about them and it was pretty easy to call. The next to last sword concerned me however. This one belonged to a younger fae, from his looks Royal, but fairly new to the Court. I picked it up and handed it to the Queen’s Blade, who had graciously allowed me to call the previous swords even though he had a stack of gold at stake.
“The answer would appear to be obvious, but I am concerned that it may just be a fake, a copy of the original, designed to look like the real thing. I think it would probably be suitable only for practice, not for real fighting.”
“You have a good eye,” the Queen’s Blade said. “Yes it appears to be a fake. I am afraid you have been cheated on this one he said handing it back to the younger fae.” Then he asked me, “Do you practice, Jade? Perhaps he would allow you to keep it since I have a feeling he no longer wants it.”