FREE SPIRIT
Chapter 4
A quiet evening in ...
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The aroma of a Bobby-special roast lamb dinner circulated around the table, as four satisfied figures sat in convivial silence around four practically licked-clean plates. A throng of empty beer bottles on the table were joined by a half empty bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, hastily purchased from a nearby gas mart.
"So," Bobby stifled a soft burp and turned to Leylaani; "so, you gonna tell us about this hunt you're on?"
"Well it's certainly an odd one," Leylaani smiled, taking a sip of the wine.
"Ain't they all," Bobby grunted in reply.
She nodded in agreement before responding; "four guys," she began; "all in their forties, all died in similar and very odd circumstances."
"How so?" asked Sam. Leaning forward over the table, he rested his chin on his clasped hands in a position that Dean recognised well as his 'you have my undivided attention' pose.
"The first death was back in Hawaii," Leylaani replied; "a workman, about a month ago. Witnesses claim a freak mini-tornado blew him off the roof he was repairing."
"Well, that's normal," stated Dean, dryly.
"Then there was another about a week later, in Southern California; a driver swore that a gust of wind blew the victim in front of her car."
Pursing his lips in thought, Sam glanced across at Dean and Bobby.
"Since then, two other guys, one in Boise Idaho, and the other in some godforsaken little burg in Wyoming, killed by freak wind attacks," Leylaani concluded with a tiny shrug.
"You can get tablets for that," Dean grinned, snorting with stifled laughter as Leylaani kicked him under the table.
"Anyway," she continued, making a supreme effort not to laugh at Dean's highly inappropriate joke; "there was a fifth victim, right here in South Dakota, but this guy survived. "
Sam's head canted in interest; "oh yeah?"
"Yeah," she agreed; "I went to see him at the hospital a couple of days ago. He'd been walking his dog, and claims a whirlwind no taller than him lifted him off his feet and threw him into a ravine. He only survived because the river was so high."
"Three puzzled faces regarded her in bemused silence until Dean spoke up."
"Yep," he nodded; "I'd say that's freakin' weird."
"Bizzare, huh?" she shrugged.
"Got any ideas?" Bobby chimed into the conversation.
"Well, yes … and no," she replied hesitantly. "This is going to sound completely cuckoo, but I'm thinking sylphs."
"Sylphs?" Dean repeated; "wow; I haven't got a clue what one of those is."
Sam's face looked equally blank.
"Sylphs?" Bobby queried; "as in air spirits?"
"Yes, Leylaani replied, "except …"
"What?" Bobby looked concerned.
Taking a deep breath, she exhaled, her shoulders slumping in defeated frustration.
"Well, I'm not sure though, because all the lore I've ever read on Sylphs - air spirits - is good," she sighed.
The brothers glanced at each other and shrugged.
"They're generally regarded as a type of faerie, an elemental – a spirit of nature," she began, pausing as Dean's nose wrinkled in disgust.
"We've had dealings with faeries before," he snorted; "fluttery, glowing douchebags, the freakin' lot of 'em," he folded his arms across his chest; "how d'we gank these friggin air ... whateverthehells they are?"
Rolling her eyes, Leylaani continued; "in many cases I'd agree with you, but Sylphs are generally regarded as one of the gentler and more benevolent types of faerie," she explained; "they are, it's said, the children of the west wind, and like the west wind they're mild and temperate. They're most active during the spring and summer, and rest during the winter. On winter days when they do venture out, they bring mild and pleasant weather with them. They carry the birdsong and spread the pollen. It's said their song is a song of life, of freedom and pure joy."
She sat back and reflected on her words.
"These things are about as vanilla as it gets," she announced finally.
The three men glanced at each other quizzically; "why on earth would something like that be attacking and killing people then?" Bobby asked no-one in particular.
"No idea," she replied with a deep sigh; "absolutely no idea."
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Sam considered Leylaani's words for a while before speaking up; "any link between the vics?" he asked.
"Apparently yes," she replied; "I did a background check and it seems they all went to the same school.
Given that they're all a similar age, they must have all been there around a similar time; perhaps even knew each other."
"What school," Dean asked.
"North Ridge High," she replied; "it's about six hours from here."
Dean placed his hand on hers; "okay, we'll go check it out tomorrow."
"You're doin' nothing," Bobby's gruff voice spoke up; "you're doin' nothing but resting, princess."
Sam sat back, hiding his grin behind a raised hand.
"Oh, bite me," Dean snorted; "nothin' wrong with me." He glanced round at three pairs of eyes fixed on him.
"WHAT?" he snapped; "I don't care how freakin' nirvana these things are, she's not facin' those smartass airy-fairy dicks without some decent backup."
Leylaani grinned, playfully punching Dean in the bicep; "hey, Captain Caveman, I think I can manage a few wisps of warm air." She pointed to herself; "hunter remember?"
Dean stared at her, distinctly unreassured.
"Anyway, Bobby's right," she continued; "I heard all about your misadventures in the last week, and seriously, d'y think I didn't notice you wincing and groaning when you hugged me earlier?"
"It's nothing," Dean huffed, waving his hand dismissively; "jus' a few bumps and bruises."
"Hmmmm … that's not what I heard," she replied; "about both of you," she added staring pointedly at Sam whose amused smirk suddenly dropped."
Both brothers turned and glared at Bobby who looked unrepentant.
"Look, you boys are both beaten up, you both need to rest," Bobby announced on the back of a long sigh; "but if I'm honest, I'm not keen on the idea of Leylaani facin' those damn faeries alone," he was quick to add.
"Why don't all three of you take it easy for a coupl'a days?" he cajoled; "the school'll still be there, an' you'll be fresher and fitter. In the meantime, we can check out a few more details."
He paused; "what'dy say Leylaani?"
"How can I refuse?" she smiled; "I could hardly come on a social visit to three hunters and not expect them to muscle in on my job!"
"And you're right," she added; "won't do any harm to look into this a little more; I hear you've got a good library in town."
Bobby smiled; "yup. Got an ever better one here," he added smugly.
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Leylaani watched sympathetically as Dean rose to get up from the table and stifled a gasp. Slyly wrapping an arm around his chest, he tried to look as casual as possible, and failed parlously.
Reaching out, she gently pulled him back down into his seat.
"I can help," she said softly.
Dean cocked his head curiously.
Leaning in toward him, she placed her hand on his shoulder, whispering in his ear; "remember that massage at Mau Loa?"
As Dean's eyes lit up with glee, both Sam and Bobby leapt up from the table as if it had suddenly developed a communicable disease.
"I got dishes to do," snorted Bobby, feverishly gathering up the used crockery.
"Yeah, I got to … uh … just, yeah," grunted Sam, absently scratching the back of his neck; "need a hand?"
He paused for a moment
"Hey Bobby, you got that spare blanket – looks like I'm on the couch tonight."
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tbc
