Chapter 42 - Sometimes life is an opening salvo.
December 30, 2005

Gemma shifted uneasily on the wooden kitchen chair, trying to imagine a scenario where she didn't get lectured like a child and wasn't grounded for life. But that was probably impossible. The whole thing was mucked up good and proper. Mum and Dad would be furious…and so disappointed. She should have kept the others home and let Mum handle it.

A mug of tea was set in front of her and she looked up. That tosser Silas Fraser was frowning at her and fiddling with his ridiculous knife. Stupid lad didn't know what he was really up against. She could have killed him in seconds if she'd a mind to.

Although she had to allow he probably wasn't all that stupid. It only took seconds for him to recover from the shock of Colleen's transformation. Wielding that hunting knife, he'd started giving orders. First he pointed at Cadmus and Colleen. "You two go home, fetch your mum and dad, and bring them to our place. You two," he added, waving the knife toward her and Finn, "are coming with us."

Colleen and the boys all looked to her to confirm the instruction, Cadmus straightening his shoulders as if he were ready and willing to fight. "Go on," she said, nodding towards the woods, hoping she sounded more calm than she felt. "Be quick about it. They won't thank us for pulling them away from home right now."

To express his displeasure, Cadmus transformed right then and there, snorting in disgust in Silas' direction, then turned and began running for home. Colleen gave Gemma a worried look and then did the same. Silas had hissed in a breath watching them. "Can you all do that?" he finally said in a quiet voice.

Gemma ignored him, but Finn nodded, then stopped and shrugged. "Well, Mum can't."

"Will I be able to learn to do it?" Jack asked in an excited whisper.

Finn shook his head. "It's not normal," he said. "We…"

"Shut it, Finn," Gemma growled at him. "You've already said too much."

Silas stepped back and gestured with the knife for them to start walking ahead of him. "We're going back to the house. You," he said, glaring at Jack, "can explain this to Mum and Dad from the beginning."

"Can I have my wand back?" Finn asked timidly.

Silas raised his eyebrows. "Not likely. Now move."

Gemma began walking, slinging an arm over Finn's shoulders, pulling him along. She'd seen his eyes well up and him manfully try to keep himself together. "Come on," she whispered. "In half an hour they won't remember this ever happened."

Mrs. Fraser, who had been hanging washing out on the line in the bright, cold sunshine, stopped and watched their procession with confusion. "Mummy, there was a big dog!" the youngest boy yelled as he ran up to her.

"Fetch Dad," Silas directed the second oldest boy who had hitherto been pretty silent. Gemma wasn't even sure what their names were. "Mum, Jack needs to speak with you about something," he added. "And these two are going to wait inside for their parents."

"Jack, what have you done?" his mother asked fiercely, grabbing him by the shoulders.

Gemma saw the boy tear up much as Finn had done. "Mrs. Fraser, there was a bit of a misunderstanding," she interjected. "It certainly wasn't all Jack's fault." She stopped in front of her and held out her hand, darting a glance at Silas. "My name is Gemma Walsh, I'm Keiran and Ellie's daughter."

"Oh my, yes!" the woman exclaimed, bypassing her hand to give her a quick hug. "I spoke with Ellie at the market just before Christmas. Why don't you come in and I'll make some tea. Jack is a good lad, but just seems to get himself in some scrapes that Silas and Ian never did."

She kept talking as she led them into the kitchen, flicked on an electric kettle, and started assembling the tea things. The Fraser's kitchen was similar to theirs. A huge stone hearth that had been fitted with a range dominated the room. Their table was just as old and tired looking, the scrubbed top knicked and battered. But the room was painted a deep blue, and abstract paintings of wildflowers accented the walls. It was a cheerful room, even if Gemma didn't feel particularly cheerful at the moment.

When the silent Ian appeared a few moments later with his father in tow, Jack took a deep breath and began pouring out the whole story. Gemma decided within a few moments that his parents had been more aware of their son's odd abilities than they'd let on. Either that or they were the absolute epitome of the solemn, taciturn, northern farmers. The only indication either of them made during his recitation that showed they were overwhelmed with his tale was his mother sinking down into one of the kitchen chairs beside Gemma.

That was when Silas began passing round the mugs of tea, somehow managing to keep his knife in hand and aimed towards her. "Ta," she muttered sarcastically, pulling the cup towards her.

When Jack finished talking, his father looked at the other boys. "Are you confirming this?" he asked in a deep voice. Silas and Ian nodded.

The littlest one tugged at the wand Jack still had gripped in his hand. "Make my hat fly!" he piped up. "Show 'em!"

"Not just now, Robbie, eh?" his father said, sitting down and scooping the little boy onto his knee. There was a knock at the door, but no one moved. Finally Mr. Fraser nodded his head toward Silas. "Answer the door, and put that knife away. If they can all change the way Jack described I doubt your knife would do much good against 'em."

Silas clearly didn't agree, but did as he was told. He was back a moment later, leading Kieran and Joshua into the room. Gemma felt herself slump in relief seeing her dad. "Simon, I'm sorry this happened," Kieran said, stepping forward to shake Mr. Fraser's hand. He then ruffled Finn's hair and gave Gemma a once over. "Y'all okay? Just a little shook up?" They nodded. "Finn, why don't you and the other boys go out and play. Gemma and Silas can handle telling us what happened." He looked at Mr. Fraser. "That agreeable to you, Simon?"

"I'm not sure I'm in a position to negotiatie," the man said with a bewildered shake of his head. "I don't fully understand the story I've been told, and it was my lad that marched your kids over here at knifepoint."

Kieran looked at Gemma. To anyone else he probably seemed terribly intimidating, tall and solemn with that thick black beard and long hair pulled back into a ponytail. He looked like he'd be more at home on the back of a Harley than raising kids on a farm. But she would never forget the way he smiled at her the first day she met him, or how he started the adoption process before she even knew she wanted it. And even now, his eyes were concerned, but not angry. She wasn't sure she'd even have been able to put it into words before, but whether it was a Dad thing or an Alpha thing, she just knew Kieran would always have her back, no matter what.

"Jack has magic. And Finn and Colleen were worried that Jack might get hurt by the extra security that's been put up around the farm," Gemma said, straightening up and trying to appear perfectly composed. "They wanted to warn him to stay away for a bit. So I went with them, hoping I could get them to hurry along. They just…said too much. Silas started to get suspicious. And then Jack got ahold of Finn's wand and Cadmus started to go take it away from him. I'm sure Silas was only trying to protect his brother, but…so was Colleen. She got upset and transformed without thinking and knocked him down. And so Silas thought we'd best talk it all out here. Dad, I'm really sorry I didn't just tell one of you from the start and let you handle it."

Kieran was frowning and pulling at his beard. "Did you get nipped or scratched at all?" he asked Silas. Silas shook his head and Kieran waved Josh toward a chair, pulling out one himself. "Well then, it seems we have a good bit of explaining to do."

Kieran had just finishing helping Joshua and Xavier herd the last of the sheep into the pasture closest to the house when Cadmus and Colleen came tearing into the farmyard. After hearing their panicky and garbled account of what happened it took several minutes to calm them both down. He reassured them that he knew they didn't mean any harm, but yes, absolutely they were all in plenty of trouble and they would sort that out later. Since Ellie still wasn't back from the apothecary he asked Joshua to apparate him to the Frasers' house and be on hand to help him explain or obliviate if necessary.

While the nature of the their family's situation meant that friendships with non-magic people were always surface level at best, Keiran, Xavier, and Joshua had a friendly acquaintance with Simon Fraser, at least enough to be on hand for each other during lambing season and stand each other a drink at the pub. Simon seemed a quiet, reasonable man. He didn't get loud or combative when he was in his cups, and the other farmers seemed to respect him.

But it was another thing entirely to have to bring the man up to speed on the fact that there was a magical community that secretly exisited within their world. Keiran slid into his chair, trying to guage how receptive the Frasers were going to be to any of it. If what Cadmus said was true, and Jack was also magical, they might appreciate knowing they had other people nearby who knew what they were going through. They might also be panicked and repulsed by the idea that their nearest neighbors were werewolves.

"So," Keiran said, drawing out the word slowly, "were either of you aware that Jack had magic?"

Simon snorted, shaking his head. "I thought he was just a more rambuctious lad than the others, always getting into mischief."

His wife, Rachel, shrugged helplessly. "Not in a million years would I have thought something like that about our Jack. I just never saw such a one for being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"He tried to tell me, but I didn't believe him at first," Silas volunteered. "Thought he was just showing off. But…then he did things. Made a tree branch start sprouting, even though it's December. And he told me to run at him like I was tackling him in rugby, and…he just appeared on the other side of me or something. And he made his hat fly through the air using that magic wand or whatever it was that Finn had." He ran a hand through his hair and sat back in his chair with a sigh. "Then the girl changed…" Silas hesitated and looked apologetically at Gemma. "That was a wolf, not a dog," he said, glancing at his father. "Robbie called it a dog, but…she changed into a wolf. That's…that's why I pulled the knife on them. And the other brother did it too, before they ran off home."

Keiran couldn't help but chuckle as the boy looked at him nervously. "Can't say I blame you for that, kid," he offered reassuringly. He caught Gemma trying to hide a smug sort of smile. Couldn't blame her for that either. One knife wouldn't have done him much good against four werewolves. But he would have to deal with her later… letting the younger ones get into this mess. She talked big, that feisty teenager of his, but she was still a kid in many ways.

"Are all of you magical?" Simon asked in disbelief.

Keiran shook his head. "I'm not. Neither is Gemma. And neither is Xavier's family. But the rest are."

"Finn said all of you could change except his mum," Silas contradicted, shooting another glance at Gemma.

"Ah. Well, that's a different issue," Keiran sighed, glancing at each Fraser in turn. Things had gone pretty well so far. He looked over at Joshua. "Maybe we give them the same choice you gave Matthew Roberts? If someone from the school will be here in the next six months or so anyway…" His voice trailed off and he shrugged.

Joshua nodded. "Worth a try," he said softly.

"Well, here goes nothing I guess…" He paused and pulled on his beard. "To start with, there is such a thing as magic and people that are somehow born with the ability to use it…" He talked, and talked, and talked. He confirmed Jack's insistence that there was a special school he could attend, and that someone from the school would be contacting them at some point. And then he went back to the beginning and told them the story of the first war and what happened to Joshua and his siblings. He talked about living on the reservation and how their family was a mix of magic users and non-magic users, and why they had come back to the UK. And now finally, he got to why they were adding more protective spells to the farm and why the children had felt it urgent to let Jack know. It had taken a long time, as Rachel kept interrupting to ask for clarification on things. Simon sat there, arms crossed, listening intently and not saying a word. When he finally stopped talking, Rachel sighed, shook her head, and in true British fashion, got up to make more tea.

Everyone else had returned from their errands shortly after Keiran and Joshua left. Kreacher had arrived first, much to Ana, Leo, and Connor's delight, and they helped him get settled into a small room that Daisy tacked onto a corner of the kitchen. Remus and Artemis had given a hasty, whispered explanation to the adults of what had happened at their house. Daisy then called Isabel, who had left that morning with George to finish prepping for her final concert in New York tomorrow night, and filled her in. Colleen cried her way through lunch, and Ellie finally gave her a potion to help her calm down and sleep for a bit. The whole mood of the house was pretty subdued, and Cadmus didn't even grumble when asked to keep the children entertained in another room while the adults gathered around Remus' phone to hear Gareth's press conference via Sirius' phone.

Daisy felt suddenly very weary as she lowered herself into an armchair near the fireplace. So much had happened so fast, and all the uncertainty was exhausting. The wolves were very quiet, as if they too were watching and waiting for the other side to make their move. Catherine had come home for a lunch break before finishing her split shift, and served as translator. Daisy was grateful. She didn't think she'd be able to focus well enough to do it.

Gareth did an excellent job giving his speech outlining all the upcoming changes and then fielding questions from the press. And the questions and remarks seemed positive, particularly regarding nationalizing the mines and Señor Valiente's campaign to relax laws regarding No-Mágicos. There was a flurry of voices when Gareth introduced Deirdre as his fiancé, and a few appreciative whistles. Then Deirdre's soft voice could be heard telling the press she didn't speak Spanish, but was trying to learn. Then questions were bounced from reporters to Gareth or her and back regarding who she was and how they met.

Daisy smiled to herself as she listened. Gareth was so good at what he did. Clever and quick with words, who he was at his core still managed to shine through. No matter how wealthy or powerful he might be, he liked and cared about people. And that was as obvious in how he bantered with reporters as it was in how he handled his employees and looked to the future of the company.

The wolves and other warriors began to crowd into the room, disappear for a few moments, and then appear again. Daisy could feel something stirring. Her own wolf came close. Then a dozen different scenarios all flashed through her mind. She sucked in a breath, watching the images. What was Valentina going to choose? She couldn't possibly attempt all those attacks, could she? Her chest felt tight and she clutched at the baby in her womb protectively. "Okay, I won't try to ignore or push away the fear," she whispered, tears stinging her eyes. "But this feels really bad. Please help."

As the press conference ended, Gareth shook Cesár Valiénte's hand a final time and escorted Deirdre off the platform. Lina felt her phone begin to buzz and clicked her earpiece. "Go ahead," she murmured as she shepherded the pair down the steps and to a waiting van in the parking lot. They climbed in and disapparated back to his beach house.

"Eight-three-ought-two reporting in," the Cockney voice in her ear said. "Target has been seen entering the flat."

"Maintain your position," she said as Sirius met her in the parking lot. "If possible, take her down when she exits the building."

"Understood. I—oh bugger," the voice hissed, and then the sound of running feet. "There's been an explosion from inside. I'll try to contain it."

The call dropped and Lina muttered a curse. She tried to call back, but there was no answer. She caught sight of Severus and Eglantine headed her way and waved for them to hurry as she dialed the number for Noel's partner, Zoe.

This call was answered immediately. "Ma'am," the woman gasped into the phone, "Noel was able to contain the explosion. It took out the target's flat and the ones adjacent, but from what we can tell they were empty. No casulties that we can find. Target escaped."

"Understood. Clean up as necessary. Usual story." Lina hung up and took a deep breath. "Sirius, get Remus on the phone and tell him they need to lock down the farm. Valentina has just blown up her flat and bolted."

Sirius thumped a fist against his mustache and pulled out his phone. Severus arrived leading another man ahead of him, his limp, glazed over appearance indicative of someone under the Imperius curse.

"I noticed him during the question and answer session," Severus said stonily. "He was speaking into a phone, but he wasn't paying enough attention to the press conference. He kept looking over at us." He handed her the mobile phone.

Lina quickly patted the man down and retrieved his wand, shoving it into one of her pockets. She pulled up the list of numbers the man had recently dialed, and then made a call from her own phone. A chirpy young American voice answered. "What's up boss?"

"I need you check a phone number," she said sharply.

"Sure thing! I'll give it the works…" The voice continued cheerfully, listing all the things she could possibly find from a phone number.

"Ashley, please, shut up," Lina finally snapped. "I do not need an itemized statement of the information you could conceviably find from just a phone number. I do not need you to extol the virtues of hacking or preach a sermon on how we are in the computer age and soon No-Maj technology will supersede magical ability. I get it. I hired you. Just get me the bloody intel."

She ended the call and shot Severus a pained look. "Save me from twenty-year old hackers. In case you weren't aware, the world is changing and we are basically dinosaurs." Taking a deep breath, she looked over the man Severus had dragged with him — young, scrawny, wearing flashy new robes. "Looks like she paid him in advance. Gareth and Deirdre are already back at the house. Let's take him there and find out what he knows."

Gareth felt as wrung out as if he'd run the perimeter of the reservation ten times over. He ambled slowly down the dirt road, hand in hand with Deirdre, toward the house. He could feel the weight of the small vial of the anti-anxiety potion in his pocket. It was a relief to know it was there and a relief to know he hadn't needed it so far today.

"You were brilliant," Deirdre said softly, squeezing his hand. "Some of those reporters were practically fawning over you."

He snorted and wrapped an arm around her waist. "You were brilliant," he argued. "Beautiful, poised. You really did it all perfectly."

"I'm glad it's over," she sighed, and then laughed and made a face. "But it wasn't as awful as I'd feared with you there the whole time," she admitted.

"Good. Now I guess we just wait and see what Lina's people come up with, if Valentina makes some sort of play after she hears about it."

The pops of several apparations sounded behind them, and they turned to wait for the rest of the group to catch up. It was instantly obvious that something was wrong. Lina was striding forward militantly, her face scowling, and Snape had a man at wand-point pushing him ahead of him down the road.

Gareth squinted. Surely not…but it was. Juan Carlos, his dealer. But something was wrong with him. He was marching forward like a robot, staring straight ahead. "What's going on?" he asked.

"Severus noticed him at the press conference," Lina replied. "We're going to use the Veritaserum spray, and I have someone checking his phone."

"His name's Juan Carlos," Gareth offered reluctantly. "I don't know his last name. He's a potion supplier. And he doesn't usually wear dress robes. He's usually trying to look inconspicuous."

Lina studied him for a moment with that stern, scrutinizing look she sometimes had. "Good," she nodded. "Better for us that she used someone she was already in business with, after a fashion. It will make tracking down their shared contacts faster."

They quickly walked to the house and gathered around the dining table, the man sitting there, staring at them all, silently compliant. "Let's get on with it, he's giving me the creeps," Gareth said, disturbed by the dull, glazed eyes in the hollow face.

Lina began asking questions, translated to Juan Carlos by Snape. The man's response was monotone has he told them Valentina had paid him to watch Gareth and report to her what he did. When he informed her of the press conference his task was to buy new robes, attend, and relay what was said. He thought it was an easy way to get some extra cash.

"He needed drug money," Deirdre interjected softly. "Or potion money, whatever you lot call it. Look at his eyes. If he weren't magical I'd be looking for needle marks."

Gareth didn't want to look at his eyes. He could only imagine how often he'd looked like this man, vacant and staring, unaware of what happened around him. "Okay, so she's been watching me, we already assumed that," he said, getting up from the table and going to the kitchen to make coffee, something to keep his hands busy. "And now she definitely knows about the press conference."

"She blew up the flat in London and scarpered," Lina said quietly. "I got a call. She also burgled or had someone burgle Remus and Artemis' house. Hopefully we can use this bloke's phone to track where her calls were coming from, because Remus' address book was stolen. She potentially knows how to find everyone."

Gareth's phone rang in his pocket, and he grabbed for it, half noticing his hand was trembling. "Hello?" he said, not even looking at the screen.

"I think you need to come home." Daisy's voice was soft and shaky. "I don't know exactly what she's going to do, but…it feels like that game, Battleship? I think she's going to try different things and see what hits. I saw a travel center…people running around screaming. If she can stop you from leaving the country…"

"Okay," he said, feeling the fuzzy roar begin in his ears. "We'll get there as soon as we can." He said good bye and hung up, staring at the others, fumbling for the vial of potion in his pocket. "Daisy says we need to get out of Peru."