Eire of Hostility

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  Jane struggled to open her umbrella in the cold and heavy February rain as she ran out of the school doors and toward the car park. Only a few other students had made it to the exit before her on that wet Wednesday afternoon; she darted past them with a smile on her face.

  Under a large black umbrella, Macklin stood next to her little car, watching with a crooked grin as she ran toward him. Jane stopped just before she collided into him; they gave each other a quick peck on the lips and said simple hellos with twinkles in both of their eyes. They then hurriedly jumped into her Fiat, both to escape the rain and to avoid any hoots or calls from the other exiting students.

  "So," Jane said while she caught her breath and started the car, "care to go sightseeing again today? It's supposed to keep lashing for a bit, so that might slow us up." Before Macklin could offer a response, she looked into the back of the car and said, "Hang on, where's Mix? I gave you my spare so neither of you would have to stand outside when the weather is pure shite. You wouldn't need a brolly then." He just sat and smiled at her, so she added, "Well?"

  "I'm just waiting for you to run out of breath," Macklin said with that same smile. "I can explain it all, but let's get away from your classmates and any prying eyes first. Turn left, that is... north, when you leave the lot. I'll direct you from there."

  Jane slipped her car in gear and said, "Alright, we're moving, so tell me what's going on if you please, Mr. Macklin O'Malley."

  "To begin with," he said, "remember to keep calling me simply Mac; my given name is a bit off for your society, and I don't want to stand out any more than I already might."

  "I know, I know; I'm working on it," Jane said with a grin as she pulled out of the school car park. "It's just that your full name is so... charming, like. Macklin, Macklin, Macklin; see, it just flows out, like a fine wine... or a big cup of Lyon's, maybe."

  "I'm glad you like it, but just Mac for now, please." He wiggled his fingers in front of the heater vents, amused by yet another Verden gadget, and then quickly regained his train of thought. "I've had a very interesting and informative day today while you saw to your studies. I spent a good part of my time visiting with your sister and her mate; they were very helpful. Oh, just ahead, turn on that lane."

  "Where are we going? We're still in the village," Jane asked with a casual curiosity.

  Ever since the week before, when Aldritch told them that danger would visit in autumn, Jane gradually became her formerly spirited self. She knew roughly when bad things would come, and there wasn't much for her to do about them until then. Besides, she was told that her play room would keep her hidden and safe. There was no reason why she couldn't harbor others in there with her. It wasn't a permanent solution, but she had no other concept of how to deal with any danger, other than meeting it head-on.

  Macklin - Mac - had told her that direct confrontation wasn't a wise idea for most humans, as well as many fae. October was months away so why worry about it, she thought. Crying into her pillow with fret and fear wouldn't change anything. Until then, Jane had her family and she had time. Most importantly, she had Mac.

  "The white house with the tan brick," Mac said as he pointed to the right side of the lane of little houses, "pull into the drive."

  Jane turned in and stopped just off the lane, even though the paved driveway led back to a small garage on the small residential lot. To the left of the drive sat a bungalow, square in shape. From her vantage, Jane could see that the short front lawn and front of the small house were well maintained. "Am I supposed to know whose gaff this is?" she asked.

  "I would hope so," Mac said as he handed Jane her umbrella, "because I just moved in."

  "You did what?" she exclaimed as she turned to him; he was already stepping out of her car. They raced the short distance through the chilly rain and into the bungalow. Once inside, Jane tried once again to get answers. "Alright," she said as she shrugged off her wet coat, "what's this about? You're not squatting, are you?"

  Mac grimaced as he took her coat to hang on a peg. "What does that ugly word mean?"

  "It means I'm asking if you're legally living here, or maybe you decided to just use this place for a while," Jane's eyes noticed the lack of furnishings, "because it's currently vacant."

  Before Mac could answer, Mix sleepily padded out from the bedroom and bumped into both of them; it was the pet's version of a warm greeting. They both gave the big animal some affection in return. Jane was still scratching Mix behind his floppy ears when she turned to Mac with a questioning look.

  "Oh, right," he said, understanding her expression. "No, I'm not entering without permission. Look, I even have a key," Mac explained as he pulled the metal key from a pocket and held it by its plastic casing. Putting it away, he said, "I suppose it would be prudent to use it now and again. All the same, this is property that your sister's mate, Brody, owns. Among other things, he made this available to me."

  Jane squinted in confusion. "Among what other things? Why do you need this? Except for Kate - and Brody's cousin, so I hear - no one can see you come and go. If I have it right, you can also go anywhere you want, so why would they set you up in your own little gaff?"

  Mac gestured to the small dining area, where a rickety card table and two wooden folding chairs sat. "Let's sit and I'll explain everything."

  He began telling of Kate and Brody looking for him that morning; Kate saw Mac's aura on the school grounds and called for him. Mac gave Jane a quick reminder of how fae-sight differed from the gift of sight; they both could detect even hidden fae, but Kate could only decipher emotions by colors and intensities, whereas Jane could only see the true form of a manifested fae. He remarked that Jane's sister must be proficient with her gift, being able to recognize a being by their aural pattern. Mac hadn't mastered his own gift of sight to that degree yet.

  Kate invited Mac back to their car; her affable mate awaited him, as well as warmth and the smell of dogs and leather. She and Brody were happy with themselves for correctly guessing where Mac might be, but made little mention of it. They assured him that she, Jane, would be safe in a crowded school, and that they had matters to speak of with him. Mac said he was initially reluctant, but decided to trust the couple as she did.

  Once back at the cottage, Brody and Kate took turns explaining to Mac the need for a cover story and some items that he might need for practical purposes. Essentially, they offered to provide rationale for his continued presence.

  Mac needed a simple and fictitious background; a reason for him coming to Ballaghadaere, and an explanation for whenever he might show himself ambling around the village. Mac, admitting his ignorance, said that those were logical aspects of Verden existence he hadn't thought of. He further agreed that those questions might need to be answered sooner or later, since he might become a common sight.

  With Mac's public image in mind, Brody made the first of many contributions. After the fae explained that he could alter his manifestation to anything he was familiar with - which currently was only the outfit they'd seen him in - Brody gave him clothes. They certainly wouldn't fit him, but he could study and emulate them for his own appearance; it would seem odd for him to be always being seen wearing the same items. After Brody's graces came to fruition, his already-considerable physique slightly expanded to accommodate his great strength. The apparel that no longer fit was offered.

  He and Kate then regarded Mac's true form and said with strange grins that they admired his kilt; the young fae admitted to Jane that he was confused by human humor. She replied off-handedly that they were just envious that he could look so good in it.

  Mac went on with the retelling of his morning. While he sat comfortably in the couple's living room, with a large fire in the hearth and their faithful pets lounging nearby, the generous humans had more gifts for the appreciative fae. The simpler items consisted of a leash for Mix, a set of plastic cups, plates, utensils, and housewares, as well as some spending cash. Mac had no conce
pt of currency besides Lore barter; he showed the folded wad to Jane, who said with wide eyes that it was plenty.

  He then mentioned that Kate gave him a box of foods that required little or no cooking; the flavored oatmeal and some of the soups looked unappetizing, but Mac said he'd try them. The couple also gave him a plastic cell phone, and had hand-written directions for its use; they even had already set a few vital numbers to speed dial. Mac showed Jane the phone as he talked about it, an older style flip phone that had no external metal that would irritate his skin.

  When Jane suggested that some of Mac's money be used to at least buy a proper table, he said there was no need. Basic furniture sets - seating, dining, and bedroom - had been ordered by Brody and Kate, and would arrive by the weekend.

  Mac told Jane that the topic led to Kate asking if fae actually slept, and more questions then followed from both of them. Yes, fae slept, sometimes for a blink, and other times for Verden days. No, fae had no use for toiletries; bodily evacuations weren't necessary, fae had no dental issues, nor did they sweat. Food wasn't a necessity, but many fae preferred it to subsisting on glamour. And, yes, fae were much more resistant than humans to temperature and weather conditions, especially so in their true forms. Just as Mac saw in Jane's aura, so too were Brody and Kate envious of those innate fae advantages.

  While Mac got two pears from the icebox and offered one to Jane, he mentioned the last things Kate and Brody had given to him. They said with store-bought items out of the way, the more important gift was given: a cover story.

  First was Mac's background. In an earlier chat, the fae mentioned that he had visited a Verden location to hunt mundane game - a place now called Ard Forest Park, up in County Donegal. Brody said to use that; Mr. O'Malley, whose parents had moved south to Cork once he was finished with secondary, sold off his cattle to travel a bit. Kate said that a simple story was best. Jane saw through the words her sister used; she really meant that an uncomplicated lie was the easiest to tell, but decided that Kate's phrasing sounded more tactful.

  After taking another bite of his juicy pear, Mac explained that Brody said he'd hired him if anyone asked. Brody would say - if it ever came up - that Mr. O'Malley came with good references and had a variety of skills and experience. The job entailed anything from assisting with the donkeys to helping deliver supplies to Brody's new business venture. Even though Mac offered to do those chores, they weren't actually required; it would simply explain his infrequent but continued appearance around the village.

  Jane was truly impressed after hearing how much Brody and her big sister had done, knowing the effort and costs were partly for her sake. The other part was gratitude for Mac's protection, and his oath. She thought it was a right deadly thank you.

  Jane noticed that Mac had a troubled look after he finished his story of a surprising morning. "Mac," she said as she leaned closer, "did I miss something? It sounded like you had a brilliant day so far."

  "Yes, I did," he replied as he put his hands over hers, "but I didn't exactly tell all of it. There was a bit more, but I'm not sure what to make of it."

  Jane set her half-eaten pear aside and placed her other hand on top of his, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Then tell me, and maybe I can help. It's the least I can do."

  Mac looked into her honest, forest green eyes, and noted the gold flecks in them. He gave her a half-hearted smile, but then looked down to their joined hands. "It was after I was presented with so many gifts. Your sister patted my hand, gave me a warm smile, and then walked off to one of the rooms down their hallway. Left alone with Brody, I was curious about his grace, so I asked him about it. He led me out to his covered patio and picked a loose stone from the low retainer wall that surrounds it."

  "Did he make a shape out of the rock, like he did for me?" Jane asked with keen interest.

  "No, but I would rather have seen that." Mac held his pear core in his free hand and looked at Jane. "Brody held the stone in his fist like this for a moment. Even from under the material of his sports jersey, I saw his large forearm muscles bulge. Then the color of his hand turned grey. I quickly realized he had the gift of stone, as you already know; it is a rare and potent ability among fae. Brody then simply crushed the rock in his hand, pulverizing it to small gravel in one quick, powerful squeeze."

  "Savage," blurted Jane in an awed tone.

  "When Brody's hand began returning to its normal color," Mac continued, "he looked at me while he dusted his hands together. I saw unwillingness and regret in his aura, but also resolve. He told me that because neither your sire nor brother knew who I truly was, then it fell to him to say some difficult yet necessary words. He first told me that he liked me, even though we hadn't known each other long at all. I returned the sentiment, and meant it. He is an admirable human. He also said that you and I look good together, and that gifted sight wasn't needed to see that we make each other happy."

  Jane's beaming smile added to her slight blush. "That's nice to hear. I do hope I make you as chuffed as I am. I hope you never regret the choices you made for me."

  Mac held her hand firmly and matched her warm expression. "Jane, if you could only see my aura right now, it might hurt your lovely, dancing eyes."

  Jane's cheeks reddened to a deeper shade, but she said, "I still haven't heard anything that would cause the frown I just saw."

  The reminder made Mac's grin droop. "Brody then told me that if I hurt you or force you into anything, or break my oaths despite their own penalties... he would... He said it would make him 'stone-angry'. It was an obvious reference to the crushed rock at his feet." Mac let out a sigh. "Jane, I normally have nothing to fear from humans, but Brody wields the power of a venerable troll. By his aura, I knew that he was both rueful and forthright with his warning. How can I make him see that I have nothing but respect and affection for you?"

  Rubbing his hand, Jane answered with a wry grin, "My sweet, magical man, you shouldn't take it too deeply to heart. Brody is just watching out for me, as you are. Be yourself and there'll be nothing to worry about. Then again," she said with a smirk, "if you fuck up, you better leg it."