The large black town car made its way through the streets, gliding along smoothly despite the evening rush of traffic. Being the Xanatos's personal car, the windows were tinted within an inch of being straight up blacked out, making the city lights they passed look like dim and unfocused versions of themselves from the inside. From the outside, the windows reflected back the brightly shining city lights without allowing anyone even a glimpse inside.
Some were practical, normal car detailing products that had been placed at Xanatos's request.
Some were pure magic.
Owen Burnett had put that particular spell in place himself, as he had with every other land, sea, and sky vehicle that Xanatos owned. He had pledged his service to Xanatos many years ago, and took his responsibility seriously.
Part of that was making sure that those who trusted him were kept as safe as possible from outside threats.
He glanced in his rearview mirror at the two females in the car now, their heads bent close in conversation, and smiled his secretive smile. The human and the gargoyle looked so much alike it was a wonder that there hadn't been someone already raising the alarm.
They probably would have a long time ago, Owen knew, if he hadn't worked a little of his magic on them as well.
Oh, sure, he owed David Xanatos a lifetime of service, but Owen felt the need to still work a little magic here and there.
And, as someone who was a fae but living as a human, he knew what it was to feel as if he were living in two worlds but a part of neither.
Perhaps that's why he felt such affection for the young hybrid in the back seat.
He had given her a trinket a few months ago, as she began growing so rapidly and wanted to spread her wings… so to speak. Knowing that it would be impossible to avoid Nayeli and Elisa being in the same place forever, he had shamelessly used one of Alexander's training sessions as an excuse to create the small charm bracelet that Nayeli wore on her wrist and had given it to her upon her return from the near disastrous trip to Australia.
At that time, it had been a simple, thick chain with a kangaroo charm on it.
She had added charms as she went, one here and one there, but it was the bracelet itself that lent her its power. Anyone who knew her before she placed the bracelet on her wrist would still see her as she was. Anyone else would be able to see a vague resemblance, but it would lend just enough of a fae glamor that it wasn't as obvious at first glance. The effect was stronger if the two were in the same room.
He hadn't told them about it yet. He knew the detective and her feelings toward all things fae magically altered, and he knew she'd just insist that Nayeli take it off.
He hoped it would be enough.
It had helped Nayeli as she began her informal training with the Gargoyle Task Force.
But tonight?
Nayeli was going to be out front and center tonight.
Here was hoping that simple bit of magic would be enough, he thought, making the turn into the large circular drive in front of the United Nations building.
{+}+{+}+{+}+{+}+{+}+{+}
While the others had probably followed from the air, Elisa had asked to ride with the nervous Nayeli.
Nayeli was playing with her charm bracelet, turning it around and around her wrist. She'd occasionally stop, trace the shape of a charm with a taloned fingertip, and then begin the process again.
Elisa knew that this was something that Nayeli had wanted to do. She'd seen the light of excitement when she'd originally found out about the meeting with the UN Delegates, then the determination when she'd learned what was at stake.
That didn't mean that Nayeli wasn't nervous, Elisa thought with a frown.
"Hey," Elisa said, covering Nayeli's hands with her own. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Nayeli said with a sigh. "It would just be so much easier if I knew what they were going to ask."
"I know," Elisa said with understanding. "It would have been so much easier to prepare, if we did know. But," Elisa gave her daughter's hands a supportive squeeze, "the others weren't wrong, you know. You're smart, you think fast, and make people listen to you. I've seen it myself, more than a few times. Want some advice?" Elisa asked as the car began to slow in front of the building. "When you're able to, don't hesitate, and don't overthink it. Speak from the heart."
Nayeli gave Elisa a bright smile and leaned forward to give her a big hug.
"You're going to be amazing," Elisa said.
As they ended the hug, Elisa looked up to find both Goliath and Brooklyn landing outside the car. She leaned back and ran her fingers over Nayeli's brow as both she and Goliath had done since the day she'd been born.
"You're up," Elisa said with a sigh. "I'll see you soon."
"Thanks for the ride, Owen," Nayeli raised her voice to her favorite fae.
"You are welcome, Miss Nayeli," Owen answered formally, making Nayeli roll her eyes.
"Not that I didn't appreciate the ride, but can I follow Dad and Brooklyn home?" Nayeli asked Elisa.
Elisa sighed. "Alright, but you stay with your dad."
"Yes!" Nayeli almost shouted, bouncing on her feet and making Elisa laugh.
Before her mother could change her mind, Nayeli closed the car's door and waved as she hurried towards her father and Brooklyn.
Elisa watched as they turned to begin their approach of the building before asking Owen to go ahead and begin the trip back to the castle.