“Hi Karli. It’s me…Vance.”
“Hi. Come on up.” I said as I buzzed him in.
I opened my door and could hear his footsteps in the stairwell. Was he jogging? He slowed down his pace when he reached the top and saw me peeking down the hall.
With a slightly embarrassed smile, he said, “Hi.” He grabbed both of my hands with his own.
“Hi. Please, come in.” I pressed my lips against his cheek and stepped aside to let him in.
“Can I get you something to drink?” I asked.
“Sure. Anything would be fine.”
I went to my fridge and grabbed two Coronas. I popped the lids and handed one to him. Feeling a little nervous, I took a large swig of my own.
“How was work?” I asked. “You look like you’re healing pretty fast.”
“It’s one of the many advantages of being a warlock. There’s nothing like a little healing spell to speed up the recovery.” He gave me a cocky smile. “Work was fine. I just wanted to get a few things out of the way before I came over. We’re still stuck in the same place. We don’t have any more leads to run on. My team is interviewing some of Leslie and Jordyn’s friends again see if they can find the connection between the two women.”
“So, you don’t think this was an attack on Leo?”
“No. Not at all. As you know, Leo went with me to see the only suspect we had. He’s never met the guy before. Upon looking into his background, we couldn’t find any connection either. The attacks could be random but my gut is telling me they’re not. I’m trying to figure out how they were connected, besides being co-workers. So far, I have nothing.”
“If I think of anything I’ll let you know.” I said.
“Thanks, I appreciate that.” He set his beer on the breakfast bar and moved closer. “Look Karli, you know I didn’t come here to discuss the case. Would you like to sit down?”
“Uh, sure.” He led me by the hand over to the couch. I took another sip of beer before setting it down on the coffee table.
“Okay, where should I start?” He said. “How about the obvious? I know that you are a fairy Karli, at least partially anyway. I saw you conjure dust not once, but twice. There’s only one way you would be able to do that. I’m guessing because of your age, your magicks are getting stronger and you acted on instinct when you did it.” You could say that again.
“Well there’s obviously no point in trying to deny it anymore.” I said defensively.“So, now what happens?”
“Karli, please don’t be upset. I’m not here to expose you. I just want to talk.” Sighing he continued, “Look, maybe we’re getting off on the wrong foot. I think you might feel a little better if I showed you something first.”
“What could you possibly show me that would make me feel better about this?” I asked.
“Watch.” He said. He sat up a little and closed his eyes. He closed his hand for a moment then lifted it over the coffee table, sprinkling something iridescent over the surface. Is that what I think it is? I looked down and saw a tiny figure sitting on the table where the dust used to be.
Gasping, I picked it up for closer inspection. It was a miniature crystal fairy! “How did you---”
“As you know I am a warlock,” he said. “But that’s not the whole story. My father was a pure blooded warlock. My mother was a halfling…..a fairy-witch halfling to be more specific. Her blood makes me one quarter fairy. I do not openly admit my Fae heritage or practice their magic because of the danger involved, just like you.
“But your ears aren’t pointed!” I squealed in shock.
“An elder once told me it’s because my blood was so diluted.” He explained. “The physical characteristics that mark someone as fairy only appear on halflings or pure bloods. Your ears are rounded as well. What about your parents?”
“My parents died when I was four. They were both pure blooded, like me.” I whispered.
He shook his head. “I don’t understand. Your ears---”
With tears falling down my face, I explained how Irina took me in after my parents’ death and raised me as one of her own. I told him how she had magically altered my ears and taught me basic spells and potions to help conceal my identity. I also told him about the grandmother that I’ve never met who still lives in Faerie, and Irina’s unsuccessful attempt to contact her.
“Wow, that’s rough.” He said.
“Yeah, well you get used to it I guess. You want to know the worst part about all of it though? I hardly know anything about my people or the magicks they possess. I’m supposed to have some of the most powerful magic around, yet I have no idea how to channel it. I can only conjure basic things. I’ve never even met another fairy besides my parents.”
“Karli, I could probably answer any questions you may have. I lived on Faerie for ten years, studying under a very powerful elder. She taught me how to harness all of my powers.” Oh my God, is he for real?