Greetings all! I'm Shadowsanddreams and welcome to my Dresden world!
*lawyers stand up*
Shadowsanddreams-Quick! Roll disclaimer!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but Jane and Talin… and Fred the cat. Other than that I am just a poor retch who has a love obsession with dark chocolate and Pepsi.
Now, on with the show!
Chap. 2
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It wasn't long until Harry and his Beetle came around the corner and came puttering to a stop by them.
"Hello ladies, want to go for a ride?"
"On second thought, I think I'll walk," said Jane looking longingly over at Murphy's pristine monochromatic car then back at Harry's.
"Dressed for battle?" he asked seeing a charm bracelet poking out from under her coat.
"You of all people should know to come prepared."
"You guys are being paranoid" said Murphy shaking her head at them.
They both made a face at her, and for a moment she couldn't help but smile at their antics.
"I'll drive" said Murphy turning away to hide her own grin.
"No, there's two of us in one car" he said indicating Jane and himself. "That thing is my Beetle's grandkid and it can't handle two. I'll drive."
"Fine. Shotgun."
"Where?!" said Jane looking franticly around.
"Are you serious?" asked Murphy looking over at Harry.
"She's lead a sheltered life. What can I say?"
"Sheltered my ass… more like imprisoned," muttered Murphy.
Coming around the other side of the car Harry opened the door for her but as she got in he whispered "Just how long were you gone?"
"Which time? Every time I come back things change more," Jane whispered back. As she climbed in back she noted the large amount of dog hair and partially shredded seats. "This thing is made of iron… faerie proof transportation," she marveled to herself, at least it would get the job done.
The drive was a short one when it came to distance, but it was dinner time and the roads were packed with cars. The rumbling of the engine drowned out most of the noises around them but Jane was fixed on all of the buildings around. In the back seat she was pressed up against the window much like the usual occupant of Harry's car.
"You put your nose to the window you're cleaning it," called Harry glancing back at her.
"I'm not a dog," she said offhandedly still concentrated on the shining buildings high above.
"Good to know," he said more to himself. She's like a much prettier version of Mouse he thought pulling out into the fray of traffic. That got him thinking about how he had forgotten to tell someone to let the brute out…
They had arrived at Mac's tavern when the Blue Beetle wheezed its last as it pulled into a parking spot with a shudder. A groan sounded all around, they would have to get a cab to get back.
"No worries, we'll just put it on the Department's tab," said Harry getting out to see steam evacuate from the hood. Good thing he was working on a case now, especially since he still had to pay this months rent and now a mechanic.
"I'll see if I can get Paul to work on it," said Murphy eyeing it doubtfully.
They meandered over to the tavern's well greased door and stepped down into neutral territory. The table nearest to the bar and just out of sight from the door was taken. It was a good strategic choice for its occupants or maybe they just liked having a clear view of the entire tavern. The four occupants could be there to enjoy the scenery and if that was the case then the drinks they were sipping might be just wine, very red, salty wine. Jane wrinkled her nose. Red Court Vampires would drink you dry by paralyzing you with their narcotic saliva, a lot like a snake. The worst part was not the addictive drug for saliva, coy appearance and keen ability to kill you but after their lips touched your skin, you wanted them to. As if their speed and strength weren't enough to make you want to run the other way. The men across from the 'red' drinkers were the light to every dark aspect of the Red Court Vampires with just as much sex appeal. Even if everything about them didn't scream Summer, the hair of one had been tied back with ivy and his mostly open shirt was lined with more symbols of Summer. The other man had a scowl on and wore simple earth tones with only a single leaf to show his allegiance.
"Well then to business, who wants a drink?" said Harry setting his staff to the side.
Jane's eyes never left the ivy covered man's face. After a small millennia of time his eyes left those of the vampire hussy and shone with recognition; it was enough to stop her in her tracks. Blinking away her confusion, she shot him a warning which he laughed at and returned his attention to the suddenly adamant conversation that had sprung up at their table.
Even now damn him…
"Even now," she muttered disgusted with herself. Maybe coming here had been a bad idea after all… Taking a breath of air she risked a glance back at the table. He glanced her way, focusing on her for a moment then his gaze traveled behind her to her companions.
'You know their tricks and games. Time to use what you've learned instead of getting caught up in it again,' she chastised herself taking longer strides to catch up to Murphy. Taking her seat she turned to the cop and wizard on the other side of the table wondering if she had chosen the right side in this new war.
"Get sidetracked?" said Harry pushing a bottle of Mac's brew toward her. She pushed it back.
"I'll need my wits about me. It looks like I have been gone awhile," she said eyeing the two vampires. One was a girl, scantily clad in a black slip of a dress, who was physically young. The thing about vampires and fae is that they never are what they seem, for all Jane knew she was the master of the male sitting next to her but it didn't seem likely. She didn't have the cloths or decorum the elder man had and from the way she continued to display her fangs with each smile she must have been recently changed.
"Suit yourself. So, what kind of information do you have and what do you want as a trade?" started Harry pulling his staff to lean against the table. Easier access, even if this was neutral ground it didn't mean that they couldn't be dragged off said ground to be disemboweled.
Focus, thought Jane taking a breath.
"Answers for answers. I'll help you if you help me" she said to both of them.
"You as in both of us right?" asked Murphy. Jane smiled.
"Is that your first question?"
"What she means to say is, you want an answer from each of us for one of yours" said Harry quickly.
"Precisely."
"No"
"Ok"
"What do you mean 'No' we need her" said Murphy turning to Harry just as he turned to her to demand an explanation.
"We can't just agree to everything she asks" he told her flat out.
"Well, do you still think she will be as much help as you did at her house?"
He looked over at Jane who was smiling innocently over at them.
"Don't even think for a minute that I'm buying the good girl act. Fine. Agreed with exceptions on names, spells and deep dark secrets," he told her.
"Good, what did you do to piss off the Red Court?" she asked before they could get their thoughts together.
"I killed a powerful vampire before she killed me," he said glancing over at the other table. They were ignoring them for the most part. He took it as a bad sign; it meant they had something more important to talk about with a pair of Seelie Lords.
"What do you know about murderers that touch their victim and watch them die naturally? The victim was a twenty eight year old dancer and her nephew was the one who told police about his water friend. He said he had a cat but he wanted to get his sister a pony, so he traded it to a little man for a pony. He says he brought it home and was petting it when his aunt came to get him. He kissed her cheek and gave her a hug and before his eyes she grew old and died," said Murphy pulling out pictures of hoof marks on the beige carpet and the boy wearing mittens holding a dead daisy by a vase of freshly cut flowers.
"Poor lad" said Jane taking the photo.
"And?"
"She didn't just die of old age; she no doubt had water in and around her. Maybe some kelp or leaves in her hair?" said Jane as Murphy pulled more photos out showing her exactly what she had expected.
"Who did this?" she asked shaking the photos out of their case. The boy's eyes were staring at them from beside an old women, then another with him a moment later by a pruney corpse.
"I don't know who" said Jane.
"You must know something!"
"Do you believe in evil O'Knight of Chicago?" she asked looking over at the vampires then at the dead women's face.
"I have seen too much in my line of work not to believe" was her reply. Her face showed the unasked question.
"I just wondered if you knew what you were up against. I don't know many kelpies but this one has a flare for theatrics and a mean streak the size of the English Channel."
"What did it do to the boy?" asked Murphy looking over the pictures with her.
"It's my turn to ask" she said turning to Harry. "Tell me about the war, how it started and what the sides are."
"For now it's still a little sketchy which is why we should be nervous of the little chat that's happening over there," he started indicating the vamps and fae. "The Faeries were trying to stay out the war with the vampires and our Council, but for now we have safe passage through their lands which makes all the difference in the actual fight. The individual vampire Courts are a different story" said Harry with a hint of relish.
Hmmm… payback for not answering to my fullest to Murphy's question thought Jane. He definitely is watching out for her, even if he didn't always agree with her. Jane vaguely wondered what they had been through together that might have formed whatever it was they had now.
"Touché."
"What did it do to the boy?" demanded Murphy pulling her attention back to the young lad.
"If he really did pet the water horse then he has been cursed. He's lucky he is not the one on the floor, then again only time will tell for sure," said Jane sifting through her memories of the water beasts.
"What do they do?"
Jane looked over at the little blond cop. For a moment the blonde seemed to stare through the photo, her eyes empty of any light. Just as quickly she snapped her gaze back to Jane's.
"You don't want to be doing that here" said Jane avoiding her eyes.
"Doing what?"
"Soul gazing" supplied Harry before Jane could answer.
"Who's side are you on?" she asked watching him intently.
"Why do you want to know?" he asked instead.
"This is answers for answers, not questions for questions. I have no side, like the solitary fae with no ruler but easily taken advantage of by either Court. I need to know where I should stand. I could just as easily join the fae."
"Take your own side and you'll always be on the right one for you" he told her taking a long pull on his beer. She smiled.
"Now who's the fae?"
"Not you. Your turn Murph."
Jane rolled her eyes. It was a cheap trick but fair non the less. She was generally interested in the case now but couldn't afford to let them know that. She still needed information on a war she may soon become part of. Murphy lost no time getting back into the puzzle about the boy and kelpie.
"What is the curse and how can we stop this thing from coming after him?"
Harry leaned over to give her a meaningful stare "A full and true answer if you please Miss Fae" he told her motioning for her to get on with it.
"As you wish Mr. Potter" she said imitating Harry's dark continence. Harry's lips quirked up into a grin.
Turning over a few select pictures she pointed to one of the boy.
"He has a withering curse; all that touches his hands will grow old and die before his eyes. A specialty of the fae. They find it funny that they can speed up our aging. To them we will die one day or the next, all the better for them to get to watch," she said looking at the old 28 year old. "Kelpies are fascinated with death, particularly drowning. Iron stops all fae, but you would be needing something more permanent because like sharks, these things won't stop once they've found something they like" she said looking up at them. "He's no safer on land than he is in water. We could try and summon the kelpie and kill the beast or challenge its owner to answer for what their servant has done. No Lord or Lady can refuse a challenge to their position," she said resisting the urge to check on the far table again. Some habits die hard.
"I should say so," came a voice in her ear. Her eyes darted to the empty table across the way.
And some habits are there for a reason.
Warm breath spread over her exposed neck and she turned sharply coming face to face with emerald eyes and tempting lips. Tearing her eyes away was almost painful but she pulled it off keeping a mask of near contempt on as she glanced over at Harry and Murphy. Damn, if they didn't move as fast as the fae had... Harry had a Red Court vampire practically straddling him in her attempt to bite or lick his throat, while her master stood back to watch. The second Fae Lord was eyeing her metal chopsticks from a safe distance near the vampire master.
"Greetings Lord Talin. Now get the hell out of my face," she told him starting to stand, unfortunately his broad ivy embroidered chest got in the way.
"Greetings Jane" he said kissing her cheek. Before she could register what had happened he kissed her jaw line and whispered "Stay out of this Jane-girl."
"I'll do as I please" she told his shoulder then pushed him back to help Harry with the girl vamp. Standing up she used all five and a half feet of her height to look as authoritive as possible. "This place is neutral under the Accords and recognized by all Courts. Get her off him or take it up with them," she nearly growled at the lean vampire male. He looked over at his protégé.
"She's only playing my dear."
"Oh really?" said Jane turning her back to Talin. She pulled out her chopsticks, letting her hair fall around her and clicked them together for effect. They were steel and silver on each end and they got the attention they deserved from the vampire girl and her master. She would not think about what reactions were going on behind her. "Let's play then."
The girls master looked her over and considered for a moment. She could have sworn she saw his eyes travel over her shoulder for a moment but his kind were too quick for her to be sure.
"Sasha, leave him. We have business elsewhere tonight," he called turning away from them.
Sliding away from him the girl hissed and rubbed her collarbone. A red welt just the size of Harry's staff end was puffing up as she passed Jane. Harry stood pulling his staff out from its anchored position under the table, easing himself off of Murphy and out of the booth.
"Let's play?" said Harry quirking an eyebrow.
"I'm not an expert on one-liners. That's more your style anyway," she shot back lowering her chopsticks. A voice spoke up behind her, "That's more like the Jane we know. Quick tempered and sharp tongued."
"No one asked you," she shot back not looking at him. That made it easier to concentrate at least.
"Ah, but I'm willing to bet you want to ask a few things of me yourself" he continued angling himself into her line of sight. She tried not to look at him directly, she was already on edge and trying not to show it, but it came out in her words anyway. So much for control, she thought, I'm in the company of humans for less than a day and I'm already losing my grip.
"If the price is right and you answer to your fullest" she muttered deciding to take the bait. They needed information that she couldn't give, but why did he have to look at her like that? It made her want to give in and go away with him to live in a dream, which made it all the more infuriating that she didn't have the same effect on him. She stopped herself, erase that thought. I'm going to get over this even if it kills me. Which it might, she thought noting the dagger at the other Fae's side.
Harry watched her carefully. She seemed conflicted about something, at the most inopportune moment too. He glanced over at Murphy who was looking over at the other Summer Lord as he stood behind Talin. He seemed to be waiting for something…
"And why should I do anything else?" laughed Talin looking like Shakespeare's Puck every minute.
"That's right. You do owe me a favor," considered Jane, her gaze flickering over to the other fae man then over to Murphy.
"That I do," he practically purred.
"Then I request a private audience with you," she started shaking her wrist ever so lightly. Her charms jingled merrily to reassure her. "We need information on a subject of Summer," she continued focusing on a particular charm on her bracelet. A small pebble on her bracelet hummed for a moment then went still, effectively binding her to this realm. Sometimes it's the paranoid ones that make it through the fray she thought idly.
"No time like the present," he grinned at her.
"Actually now's not a good time. We're actually in the middle of something," she said gesturing behind her. Talin frowned at the mortals behind her. This was already not looking good…
The other fae spoke up "You dare to deny Lord Talin-"
"Let it be, we also have things to do," interrupted Talin stepping away from them. "I'm sure Jane has places to go, and people to see," he continued focusing on her for a moment. She felt a mild pull on her shoulders but her charm cut it off before it became apparent to the others. She always had been good at predicting his next moves, unfortunately that meant he knew just as much about her.
"Talin I never knew you were the jealous type," she said brushing off imaginary dust from her jacket. Her knees were weak from the energy it took to maintain her spell, if it came to a fight she would need some time to recover from this first.
He faltered for a moment then regained his flippetant nature.
"It's becoming more and more apparent how much we don't know about each other; how different we are," he said evenly.
Ouch, struck a sore spot, she thought. I might regret this later but so help me, I am not going to let him toss me into Faerie just to teach me a lesson. She squared her shoulders and he crossed his arms, each a picture of resolve.
"Look, I know where to find you and you know where to find me. So I'll see you then and there, not before and nowhere else," she told him directly. Somehow this crazy plan is going to work, she thought pulling herself together. She looked up at him for effect and to show that she could, but as usual it was a bad idea. A strand of hair had been pulled from its tie, slashing his perfect features but not marring them in the least. Damn him. Her nails dug into her palms to prevent them from brushing it out of his eyes. He noticed her tense and she immediately lost whatever ground she had managed to win as he smiled knowingly.
"So that's how it's going to be Jane-girl. Then I will be seeing you on the morrow," he said pulling a little of Jane's Irish brough into his speech.
"Yeah, in that place with that guy, at that time!" continued Harry. Being ignored by a powerful Fae Lord is not a terrible thing for a person to be, but he couldn't help himself. Murphy jabbed him in the ribs.
Talin turned to face him.
"Harry Dresden, you are not spoken of kindly in my court. Jane will be welcome home of course, but you and the lady knight may stay in your realm."
"I'm still standing right here and like hell I'm going back," she glowered in his general direction.
"You thought differently when we were younger."
"I was young, stupid and reckless."
"As opposed to now, when you're not?" he responded looking her over. She blushed and he grinned all the wider.
"Quit stalling and leave," she grumbled crossing her arms self-consciously.
"Is that an order?" he said going still.
Jane glanced up into his eyes for a brief moment then quickly away before she got caught again.
"No," she told the floor.
"Good, then I'll take my leave. Good evening and until we meet again," he told them, then turning on his heel he turned his back to them and strode out of the tavern without a backward glance. The other lord followed him turning back only to say in a deep Irish brogue "Until we meet again may God keep you in the palm of his hand." The blessing was marred by his sneering face and pointed teeth.
"And to you, all the better to crush you in," she growled at him as they disappeared behind the door. She didn't have to roll over and play dead for Lord Talin's laky. He may have been a Lord but he wasn't high enough on the totem poll to deserve her fear and respect. Not that many had her respect to begin with…
"I think I know your name" said Harry watching her try to shake off whatever spell she thought she was under. She jumped, forgetting they were still behind her.
"Oh really?"
"Judging from that, it must be Jane Doe. No way that guy is going to help us after that," said Murphy putting the safety back on her gun.
"Ha ha. He'll help us," she paused looking at the doorway "he has to. I know him too well."
"It's going to take a lot more than knowing him to get him to help us Jane" said Harry shaking his head.
"You said he owed you a favor," started Murphy trying to follow along. She really hadn't read many fairy tales to know what to expect.
"More than that, I know his name" she said keeping her voice down.
Harry choked for a moment on his drink. He swallowed hard and stared at her for a moment while Murphy's gaze shot between them.
"His name?"
"If you have the name of a magical being, full and true, you have power over them. They become your vengeful slave, obedient to your every word," she said looking back at the photos then over at Harry.
"How would you get a hold of one of their names?" asked Murphy.
"Not easily. Think of this Murph, It's all about information. Ali Baba had open sesame, we have a name, he also had forty thieves after him, we've got powerful, not to mention immortal faeries after us and they don't like to be told what to do," said Harry. Jane looked grimly over at Murphy as it began to dawn on her.
"And how did you manage that?" demanded Murphy looking back at Jane squarely.
"Long story. I'll call him if we have no other option" she said firmly. Once again she dodged the question, as though the fae encounter brought back all of their tendencies. Harry floundered for a legitimate reason to know how in God's name she found out a Fae Lord's name! He only knew how to call a few pixies and their leader Tootoot.
"Alright. Back to the reason we're here. How are we going to find this thing?" asked Murphy looking between the two. Clearly she was feeling like a third wheel in this new development.
"You need to get a sample of the water on the victim and mittens for the boy. Don't let him touch himself or anyone else with his bare hands" she answered enjoying the change of subject.
"Consider it done. The sample is in the lab now for testing. They are trying to determine which body of water in the area she may have been drowned in" said Murphy pulling out her phone.
"Not in here if you value your phone" said Harry looking over at the shinny little device.
"Well, it's about time science caught up. I was going to cast a search spell to find the kelpie's home but it looks like you have everything in hand" said Jane surprised at the new advance in technology.
"The kelpie must be quite a runner. I don't know of any bodies of water in the immediate area" said Murphy looking back at the pictures on the table.
"Murph, a magical horse that drowns its victims for kicks doesn't need to be a fast runner" said Harry helping her sift through the pictures for bodies of water.
"Then how?"
"What part of magic don't you get?"
"These fae alter the time for those they are affecting, taking the women's potential life years to feed its power, and then drowning away the last moments their victims have. All the clocks were probably off in the house" continued Jane pointing to one behind the boy. Murphy looked over at Harry as he bent over to get a closer look at the spread of pictures near Jane. She felt a sharp twinge as she looked over at Jane. They have so much in common she thought. They both lived in a completely different world and they understood each other, Jane was a bit bipolar in some of her tendencies, like a four year old in the back seat, seasoned fighter moments ago and now a doom and gloom teen. Somewhere they might find a bit of common ground, a fight could turn into a lovers spat and I would lose him. Murphy shook her head to clear that last thought and tried to focus on the task at hand as she returned her gaze toward the picture in front of her. Suddenly she sat up straight.
"She's right" said Murphy looking at the military time at the bottom of each picture. One clock said 3 AM and the one on the wall said quarter to ten.
"I know, and I think I know how the thing got her. Look here," he said pointing to the picture of the living room. The chair was facing away from the living room and nearby crescent grooves were pressed into the carpet. Their was dust on the chair but not on any of the others.
"It came up behind her while the boy had her distracted" breathed Jane in horror.
"The boy was bait for his aunt," confirmed Harry sitting back. They looked at the little boy in the picture again, this time they saw the guilt that was in his eyes.