Elemental Blood: The Eldritch Files, #7

ONE

Please tell me I'm not seeing what I'm seeing.

Detective Crwys Holliard pursed his lips sideways as he bit his tongue. He knew what he wanted to say, but spilling his Dragon-wise assessment of the oddity in front of them to the very human Captain Prescott wasn't a good idea. So, he simply stated the obvious. It's a body. Er…and it's been half turned to stone.

A group of kids had discovered the rather unusual body early that morning while playing inside City Park. The kids noticed the body on the bank of the stream running under the park, but it couldn't be seen from the park’s paths themselves.

It was the end of November and the brutal heat of summer still lingered. At ten in the morning, the air already felt as thick as gumbo. The sound of cicadas, mixed with the smell of rotting plants added to the picture of end-of-Summer in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Captain Mildred Prescott rested her fists on her hips as she looked up at him. Thank you, Detective Obvious. Now I know why they pay you the big bucks. She gave a short sigh and pointed down. Detective Levi Tulose had been kneeling over the body, searching through pockets, and now he stood with a flat stone in his hand as Prescott spoke. "That's five of these, gentlemen. Five half-stone bodies. Either this is some kind of elaborate hoax or we have an epidemic on our hands. She looked at Levi. What's that?"

He held the stone out for Crwys and Prescott to see. I think it's the victim’s wallet. Or a very nice carving of one.

Prescott took it carefully in her own gloved hands and gingerly turned it over. Bag it with the rest of the items. Gonna have to use some of the padded boxes.

Crwys smirked as he glanced at his partner and spoke to Prescott, The ME hasn't been able to tell you anything on the other bodies?

She gave him a withering glance. In case you haven't heard, Miss Todd has refused to look at them. Insists she’s a medical examiner, not a stonemason. Luckily, Mr. Canon has stepped up, but he’s late starting his examinations. Prescott waved in the air. I'm heading back to the station. You three…eh… And with that, she walked away.

The third and newest member of their little team approached. Detective Tasoula Damali. Dressed in tight jeans and a white tank top, her badge hanging from a chain around her neck, the Detective presented a tall, shapely sight to behold, with dark hair and eyes and olive skin. Every available male in the station, as well as a few females, had already asked her out. But Tas, as she liked to be called, wasn't interested.

Tas pulled her purple latex gloves off with a snap and glanced behind her at Prescott's retreating back. Thoughts? She looked at each of them.

Levi shook his head. I've never seen anything like this.

I'm thinking it's a spell.

What, a half finished one?

No, Tas said. Well, I don't know.

Faerie Magic?

Crwys shook his head. No. This isn't Faerie.

So how do you know? Levi pinned him with a look.

Crwys pursed his lips. I've only seen this kind of magic when Purs were around.

Tas said, Can't be Purs. I thought they left when Katrina hit.

Crwys blinked at her. "You know that for a fact? Or more to the point, you know what a Purs is?"

I sure as hell don’t, Levi said.

Tas made a face. It's a type of Troll.

Levi laughed. You gotta be kidding me. You mean those monsters under the bridge or the kind from computer games?

Both are wrong. She looked at Crwys. Anyone who knows the flip side of this world knows about Purs. They're as old as magic.

Levi looked at him. You've seen these Troll Purs?

Yeah…but it's not what you're thinking, Crwys said, and since Tas had already opened the door, it might be a good time to entertain the idea. Though, he was very interested to know how Tas knew about them because all manner of Trolls were very secretive. Almost to a point of xenophobic. These aren't movie creatures. Not even the kind in fantasy films. I take it through your long life you've never encountered a Purs? He was addressing the Demon inside of Levi, the creature named Ashur, and one of Crwys's oldest friends. Tas took the knowledge that he was a Dragon and Levi, a Revenant, with a rather blasé attitude. No biggie. Runs into one of each all the time.

Levi's golden eyes darkened as his pupils filled the space and his face subtly changed as Ashur stepped forward to speak. Levi's voice took on a tonal duality as if the two were speaking at once in harmony. I'm afraid you will have to enlighten me, Azazel.

Don't use that name, Crwys said with mental force. He always bristled when the old Demon used one of his private names. Especially around humans. I told you I haven't figured out what Tas is yet.

Does she have to be anything other than a very intelligent human?

Hell yeah. Crwys cleared his throat. Purs, Risi, Trolls…they're pretty much Elves, in a manner of speaking. But they call themselves the Nisse nation.

Trolls are Elves? Levi didn't appear to be buying that as Ashur stepped back and Levi's face returned to normal, as did his voice. The symbiotic nature of the two of them always fascinated Crwys.

Tas made a snort-laugh. That’s like saying bunnies are horses.

No, it's not, Crwys said. You’re thinking in terms of human movie tropes. Fairy tales and legends, but all three of us know most of that’s just there to throw the smart humans off. He glanced at Tas. No offense.

None taken. She smiled.

We’ve already dealt with Faeries. Are they anything like you read about them in fairy tales or saw in movies? He looked at Levi. Are you anything like Bram Stoker's fiction? Nope. You have two types within your race, depending on their choices. Revenant, like yourself, or a Leviathan. So when I say they're all a type of Elf, I mean just that. They're all from the same stock, they’re just sort of… He shrugged. Different. Oh hell. He really didn't want to deal with Elves. Purs or otherwise.

Levi stared at him blankly.

Let me try, Tas said and faced him. Each race looks different. They're not tall and pretty, but some can be short and pretty. Depending on which kind.

So, how many kinds are there? Levi asked.

Four, Tas and Crwys said in unison.

Tas said, That we know of. The Jötunn, the actual Troll, the Risi, and the Purs.

Levi held up his hand. Which one does this kind of shit? He pointed at the body between them.

Purs turn things into stone, but I’ve never known them to do it halfway, Crwys said. If this is some type of Troll magic, then I’d say we’re going to run into the Risi. The Risi and Purs work together to protect their land. The Risi are the warlike and courtly kind of Elf…ah, Troll. Nisse. They form small packs, a lot like wolves.

Which makes me wonder, Tas said as she stared at the body, then moved aside as the people from the coroner's office stepped in to do their job. How long has Bastien's pack been in New Orleans?

Crwys shrugged. Not sure. Well, long enough for them to have hit an accord with the Wardens and the Witch's Parliament. Oh, I see what you're thinking. How is it a wolf pack has been here so long and we've never seen Risi activity before?

She looked a little confused. Like I said, the Purs left when Katrina hit.

Why is that a question? Levi asked.

Because wolves don’t get along with the Purs or the Risi.

Levi snorted. "Wolves don't get along with anything. Except themselves."

And Witches, Crwys muttered as his phone buzzed in his hip pocket. He fished it out as he moved away to let the people from the ME's office do their work. The face of his phone showed a quick text. N. CALIFORNIA. OREGON BORDER.

Sighing, he put the phone back in his pocket.

With this break in their conversation, Levi stepped in close to Crwys, but it was Ashur who spoke, Where is she now?

Northern Cali.

And you still won't bring her home? It's been two months.

Crwys looked at his friend with scorn. Why would I do that? I've told you and I've told Kyle a million times, she made her choice. And that choice wasn't me. Yet, that thought didn't stop him from wearing the ring he'd given her on a chain around his neck or make him want to touch it less.

Kyle doesn't buy it; neither do I. She's hurting. She's in pain. A lot of pain—something you know a lot about. She needs you.

No, he said aloud and moved away from Levi and his damn Demon. She doesn't.

Who doesn't what? Tas said as she came back to them, while the men left with the body bag on the stretcher.

Nothing.

Okay, well, Tas said. I've been thinking. Purs don't usually use magic on humans unless they feel threatened or someone steals from them.

Steals from them?

Nodding, she said, Exactly. They're very private. They keep to themselves, and they horde their land and protect it fiercely. Yeah, they enjoy war and battle, but really, they're a good people.

Uh huh, Levi said. That’s like saying a serial killer loves killing innocent people, but they really have a heart of gold. He put his hand on Crwys's shoulder as Tas walked a short distance away, looking at their surroundings. Can they do that to one of us?

Us?

Yeah, the supernatural crowd. Those of us not human.

Crwys smiled. Yes, they can. It just takes a lot of magic behind it.

Even you?

Even me. He checked his phone again. No more information came.

You know, if you're that angry at her, you shouldn't check your phone all the time.

Crwys pushed Levi away. Fuck you.

Tas appeared out of nowhere and swatted his nose with a plastic evidence bag. Watch your mouth in front of your elders.

Elders? Tas, you can't be any more than mid…maybe late twenties. I'm—he put his thumb against his chest—over thirty. Way over thirty.

I'm a lot older than I look, she said in a low tone, though her expression appeared more troubled. Crwys assumed it was this new case and not him guessing a woman's age, which he'd been told was a taboo many times by Sam.

Sam.

Damn her. Damn all Witches. Faeries. Vampires.

Just…

Damn.

What's wrong? Levi said.

Crwys opened his mouth to answer and then closed it when he realized his partner was asking Tas. The woman was walking around the area as if looking for something. When she circled back to them, she sighed. This just doesn't make sense. Purs don't reveal themselves like this. It has to be something else. She looked at the two of them. You’re sure it’s not Faeries? Maybe a Morrigan?

"Well, the Morrigan, 'cause there's only one of those, is deep inside of Alfheim living in a tree, Crwys said. I know this because Tzariene put her there a long time ago."

You know this, how? Levi said.

You hear a lot when you're hanging by your bones above a giant precipice. Crwys didn't smile. That ordeal at the hands of a crazy Faerie queen was still fresh on his mind and not something he joked about lightly. It had been one of the lowest points of his life, surpassed only by the moment he found Sam's engagement ring on the kitchen table. No note. No message. I'm still leaning toward this being Risi.

Is there any place we can learn more about them? Levi said. Question them?

The Nisse only show themselves when they want to, Tas said.

Then let's make them want to. Crwys turned and headed back to his Mustang as the others jogged to keep up.

What do you have in mind? Tas asked in a worried tone.

Asking the one guy who might know about them, seeing as he's good with search engines. He glanced back. "We're going to see Ivan at Bell, Book and Candle." It would be his first visit to Sam's shop since her disappearance. The first time he'd spoken with Ivan or Kyle in two months, even though Ivan sent him daily updates. He dreaded stepping foot inside the shop because he knew he'd sense Sam. Feel her absence.

A month ago, he'd moved out of the apartments above the store and into Ina's old house, which had become Sam's when Ina was found dead. Though Inamorata Devonshire had died a long, long time ago. At least there he could sleep, even if it was in fits and stops. Too many nights waking in a cold sweat, reaching for her against icy sheets.

Crwys unlocked the door and everyone piled in, with Tas in the back. He was silent as he pulled the Mustang into morning traffic and focused on the case in front of him. The half-stone bodies of innocent humans, once again caught up in the darker world.

He just hoped he could come up with a plan on this one before Prescott turned those bodies over to the CDC and exposed the Purs.

And that darker world they all lived in.

TWO

:I told you this wasn't a Dragon.:

Shut. Up!

I really, really didn't need Arcana's bitching at that moment. I was too busy concentrating on where my Elementals were, directing their attacks and making sure Bastien's wolf didn't get caught in the fray. To be honest, I was getting tired of arguing with the voice in my head. Literally. She didn't comment again but did lend her power where I needed it.

What irritated me more than anything was…she was right. It wasn’t a Dragon.

It was a Griffyn. I had no idea they existed, but given the experiences in my life this past year, I shouldn't be surprised. And it looked just like a Griffyn would look in my imagination. Lion's back end, tail, body, and neck; front feet and head of an eagle, with huge feathered wings. The colors were muted since it was still night in Oregon, and I was concentrating more on its beak and extremely large talons.

Just then, those talons caught Bastien's wolf as he lunged from the side. His yelp of pain tore at my heart and pissed me the hell off. Enough of this stupidity. I called on Arcana to give me full power.

And she did.

Bastien rolled to my right and didn't move. I couldn't go to him yet. I faced down the snorting, squawking beast, and with my hands out at my sides, I let the red sparkling power of Arcane flow from the center of my chest, over my shoulders, down my arms, and cumulate in my hands. Black, bubbling balls of smoke formed in each of my upturned palms. To me, the power did little more than tickle, but to the Griffyn? Oh, he sensed it all right and started to take off into the sky.

Maybe I should have just let it go. Maybe if I weren’t so pissed and disappointed I would have. But my companion was hurt, and it wasn't his fault. It was mine. And I planned on making it right. "I am a child of the wandering wilde. I command the sky, the sea, the Earth, and the sun. With the power of my will, so will it be done!"

The Arcane released and I felt it as the two balls of black, sparkling power wove around each other before they collided with the Griffyn, just as it became airborne. The thing shrieked and fell to the ground, writhing in the grass before me. Whatever revenge I sought, or whatever hatred or anger I had, evaporated as I watched my Arcane Power tear the magnificent beast apart.

I did this.

:Then fix it!:

I…I don't know how! I felt my Elementals as they rejoined me, coming close to me to reenergize. I was a part of them and they a part of me, now that I'd performed the binding ritual. By doing that, I'd grounded them in this world and made them powerful. Very powerful.

We took down a Griffyn…

-You have to hurry, Samantha,- said Belenos, my Fire Elemental. He appeared as a Salamander, about the size of a basketball, with whips of fire and smoke about him.

Arcana stop it!

:You have to stop it!:

Dammit it all. I ran toward the writhing Griffyn and gathered my Elementals to me. Together, we reined in the devastating power of the Arcane. I could feel her trying to help, but getting caught in the flow. I sensed Coventina, my Earth Elemental, to my right, in the shape of her battle-ready Gnome. Zephyros, my Air Elemental, had his arms around my middle, stabilizing me, acting like a ballast. And above everything, ready, was my Undine, the mermaid Sionna.

Once we were in sync, the Arcane fire died quickly. Sionna dumped cool, rejuvenating water on top of the Griffyn as it lay on its side. I dropped to my knees when I saw the charred, featherless remains of the Griffyn's wings, as well as the smoking, raw skin of what had once been the lion's hide.

I did this.

I wrought this kind of destruction.

Again.

The Griffyn had done nothing wrong, except object to my attacking it…because I thought it was a Dragon. And not just any Dragon…but her. Sweet God Mother…I don't know what I'm supposed to do anymore.

It was my Arcane that answered. There had been a time when she would wrap her ethereal arms around me and comfort me. But after two months of driving my Elementals forward in pursuit of the Dragon that killed my mother…there was very little adoration left. What took its place was biting commentary and condemnation.

:Heal her.:

Her?

:If you don't heal her, her children will die.:

Oh damn. This was a mama Griffyn. I put my hands to my mouth. Oh shit…I nearly killed a mother. Just as my mother had been killed. Taken her from her children, just as my mother had been taken from me.

chérie,> came Bastien's voice, soft but strong through the link. He might have been wounded, but the wolf’s ability to rejuvenate always amazed me.

I shut off that link and crawled close to the panting, charred creature. It seemed death and agony followed me everywhere I went.

I sensed Bastien