A Life for a Life

“So over there is Angela’s place. She’s on retainer for WISP and makes all of our stuff for catching bad guys: the magical dampening cuffs, knock-out spells, the works. About once a month she comes in to recharge any equipment that needs it and occasionally brings in a new toy for us. If we come across any objects that our people can’t figure out the purpose of, sometimes she’ll let me bring it to her to look at. That takes bribery though, usually something sweet. Chocolate cupcakes are a favorite.”

It had been about a week since they closed the case of the emaciated corpses and Jess and Charlie were back in Abhainn where Jess was pointing out some of the shops and people she knew. They had been there so briefly before when Adair sent that late night 911 message that Jess hadn’t had the chance to show Charlie around or explain some of the rules to her.

Things had continued to be amicable between them as they went back to work. Beyond Jess asking Charlie to keep her soul seeing abilities between them, neither of them had mentioned it again. But Charlie had treated her no differently this week than the week before so Jess was feeling optimistic about their future together.

“So, can anyone with magic come here?” Charlie asked. Jess shook her head.

“Not anyone—there are rules. It’s not as strict as New York, I suppose,” Jess added, recalling their previous conversation about how very few people were allowed to enter the fairy realms where Charlie was from.

“Only people deemed trustworthy, who get invited by a resident of Abhainn, are told how to come here. You heard me say the spell to get in at the gateway, right? Well, there’s also a very specific piece of magic I put into the spell that you don’t know yet. Just saying the words won’t open the gateway.”

“Not just any resident can invite someone in, either,” Jess added. “It has to be someone important. Adair did it for me, she taught me the magic needed to open the gateway. Now I can bring anyone I want with me, but you’re supposed to stay with me at all times. You can’t go wandering around this place by yourself, though you wouldn’t necessarily get caught if you did. I don’t have a special mark or anything to identify me with, other than people just know me. Still, it’s a good idea to stick close because you could get banned forever if someone realizes you’re not supposed to be here and they do have a spell to enforce that one. So far the system works.”

They continued floating on the currents, Jess taking a long and winding route to Adair’s, which was their final destination. Occasionally they would go into this or that shop, introducing Charlie to some of the residents and making small purchases. They were leaving one such shop where Charlie bought a magical scrub brush that was supposed to clean your toilet for you when Charlie brought up another question.

“Did your last partner come here?” Charlie was surprised when Jess smiled.

“No, he didn’t much like coming here,” Jess answered with a grin.

“Why?”

“Well, he and Adair didn’t really get along, so to speak. I brought him along once for a casual card game at Adair’s. He won a lot and Adair thought he cheated. She cast a curse on him so that whenever he came to Abhainn, none of the magic of this place worked for him anymore.”

Seeing Charlie’s confused look, she was happy to elaborate. “I mean, the water temperature would become really hot or really cold. And stepping out of the water through a doorway is supposed to make you instantly dry and that didn’t happen anymore either. The shop owners would get pissed at him for leaving puddles all over the place and I imagine he wasn’t too comfortable either. He always swore to me that he didn’t cheat, but I never could convince Adair of that. Pretty soon he stopped coming and left me to handle it if a need ever came up in a case.”

Charlie laughed as they reached Adair’s apothecary shop.

“Eventually Adair might teach you the magic to come here, but until then, I can’t tell you. I would, because I trust you,” Jess said quickly, “but I would lose the trust of the people here and I don’t want to do that.”

“No, I understand completely,” Charlie assured her. “Besides, this way I can earn that trust for myself. I can come here with you in the meantime.” Jess smiled and they went into the store. As soon as they entered, they both inhaled deeply and Jess looked at Charlie with curiosity.

“I always smell trees and baking cookies. What do you smell?”

“Roses,” Charlie answered. “Like my mother’s garden. And underneath it, faintly, is...water? I know it sounds strange to smell water, but that’s what it is. It reminds me of summers going to the lake.” Charlie blinked as if coming out of a trance and looked at her feet, blushing. Jess smiled but didn’t laugh at her partner. That was Adair’s shop alright.

They walked to the back of the store where Adair was ringing up a six-foot-tall, green man wearing shorts but nothing else. He was an impressive specimen, with abs that looked sculpted from marble when he turned towards them to leave. Unfortunately, it also looked like his back was covered in a red rash and he frequently reached around to scratch at it. Jess could guess why he was visiting Adair today.

“Afternoon, ladies. The kettle’s hot for tea,” Adair greeted them. She led the way to the same table and chairs Jess had visited with her at last time she was here, which was already set up with several teacups and a plate of cookies, nice and proper. A whistling tea kettle sat on a burner nearby and Adair grabbed it as she went past. She poured water into the cups, which already had teabags inside them. Jess didn’t bother to ask what kind of tea it was, knowing that it would be delicious no matter what.

“The balance is starting to get better,” Adair said casually as they sat down. No beating around the bush today.

“That’s good to hear,” Jess said. “Do you need any help fixing things?”

“No, I think we’re doing fine, but thanks.” Adair blew on her tea to cool it before she turned appraising eyes on Charlie.

“You still seem a little off, though,” Adair noted. Jess looked between them with a frown.

“I feel fine,” Charlie protested.

“Nope, I sense something is missing. Lucky for you, I have just the thing. Stay here.” Adair didn’t wait for a response as she stood up. She disappeared behind a door while Jess and Charlie gave each other bewildered looks.

Adair was gone for only a minute before returning. She was carrying an orange and white kitten that was playing with a long lock of Adair’s red hair. Adair plopped the kitten in Charlie’s arms, where it began to purr as Charlie automatically started petting it.

“There, now all is right with the world again,” Adair said, stretching into her chair with a satisfied smirk. Charlie stared at the little fluff ball in her lap and smiled.

“Well Adair, when you’re right, you’re right,” Charlie answered, grabbing a cookie.

The End.

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