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Chapter 2- A World Unveiled

“I left dinner for you in the microwave, honey,” came her father’s voice from his study when Rain got home.  It was after nine, but he never asked her where she had been, and was never angry no matter how late she was out walking.  For all he knew, she was out clubbing on a school night, yet none of this occurred to him. She sighed.  Sometimes Rain wished he would get mad, that would at least mean he had to pay attention to her.  Part of her assumed he just innately trusted her judgment, believed she was the upright person she actually was.  Most of her knew, though, that he hardly seemed to notice her lately and it never even occurred to him to worry.  However, she didn’t say any of this.  It would not faze him, and perhaps serve only to hurt him.  Above all things that was something which she was unwilling to do.

“Thanks, da,” she replied to her father Devon, unlacing her boots and leaving them by the door.  She did not want to track the autumn mud all over the valuable oriental rugs which ran throughout the house atop the original hardwood floors.  She poked her head into his study before going to eat, checking on him despite herself.   On most other nights she would have kept walking, but something about the strange events of the evening drew her to her father’s company.  Devon was a history professor, specializing in the Occult and Ancient Celtic Druidism.   He had graduated with a PhD from Harvard, though his degrees, of which he had several, meant little to him.  He was a humble man, quiet and reserved.  In Rain’s mind, he spent more time with his books than her, but she was alright with it.  Neither of them had ever been very social.  That had been her mother’s gift, and now she was gone.

“What ‘cha doin’, daddy,” she asked like she had when she was a little girl, having a more empathetic moment than she had in some time.  He was still a handsome man, her father, with neatly trimmed black hair and her jade eyes.  He had very aristocratic features which suited him as a professor.  She had inherited them, down to her long raven hair.  Perhaps it was this sameness which acted as a wedge between them sometimes, for both were introspective, analytical, and reclusive people.  Their very natures worked against them it so often seemed.   Yet for that, they shared a kind of unspoken closeness.   There had never been a time in her life when Rain’s father had not been there for her.   Even if he did not go to sports games or push her into one activity or another, he had always encouraged her to think for herself and be her own person.  He had always respected her uniqueness and taught her to see the beauty in all things.  They had no need of words, because their relationship went beyond such inadequate things.

The large room which served as Devon’s study was lined with book shelves, not an inch of wall visible.  A huge picture window dominated the East wall, shades closed so no one could see in.  He sat behind his antique mahogany desk, a relic of the Edwardian era, and looked up over a musty old book at his only child.  A very rare ghost of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.  “Well, my Wise One, if you must know, I’m cross-referencing ancient druidic ritual with the ritual way those three teens were killed last week.”  He set the book down and took a sip of his tea, motioning for her to come take the large leather chair in front of his desk.  He did not normally go into his work with his daughter, but the fact that she had shown interest prompted him to take the chance she had given him to bond with her.  He knew the moments were rare since the death of his wife, and he did not wish to loose this one. “The police called the College today and asked if I could help them, as I have expertise in the occult and the like.”  He shook his head.  “A grisly business, that.”

She curled up in the chair by him, knees to her chin which she rested upon them, and nodded.  “Yeah, one of the boys was in my advanced 11th grade Chemistry class this year.  I didn’t know him, not really, but it’s weird to think he was there one day and gone the next.  Life is so fragile sometimes… like so much glass.”  Automatically she thought of her mother, and knew her father was doing the same.  She thought it wise to press on rather than see the pained look she knew would come, cross his face.  “Anyway, did you find anything?”

“Well, yes and no,” he said, glad she had changed the subject.  Thoughts of Sasha were always very hard for them both.  His wife had been the meaning of his life, and trying to go on without her was almost more than he had the strength to bear.  However, he had Rain, and though she might not realize, she was more than enough reason for him to try and make a new life.  “There was a cult of Druids in the tenth century who believed that there were beings in the universe beyond humans… beings of great and pure magical power.  These were the Faery.  These same druids believed that they could open the door to Underhill with the sacrificing of Unawakened Faery blood.”  Devon noted her confused look.  “Underhill, sometimes called Alesya, is what they called the realm of the Faery, the Elf kin, and the like.  They believed that the Faery were born mortal, and then Awakened into their powers as full Fae.  So, if they killed those they suspected of being Fae, they thought they could harness that magic and its great power. ” When she nodded her understanding he continued.  “They believed that the world of Alesya lay right next to our own, these Celts, and they wanted to access that power, Awaken their own inner Fae if possible.  Here, let me read you this passage.”  He flipped back through the musty book in his hands and read:

“We are Faery, the forgotten powers of the ancient world.  Beings of magic beyond mortal understanding, we have built ourselves an invisible kingdom. We are everywhere, yet you have never seen us. We hide, not behind some fragile Masquerade, keeping out of the Mortal eye and world, but in plain sight, with the power of our Magic. We exist within a real world of make-believe where "imaginary" things can kill, and "pretend" monsters are real.”

“I do not know if this is actually supposed to be a quote from and actual Faery, or just someone’s idea of how a Faery might think.”  He sighed.  “Those Celts wanted to bring the Faery to them and take their power… through the Ritual of Unseelie, or Evil.  They hunted and killed any they thought might be Unawakened Fae still bound to their mortal forms and sleeping.” He paused and frowned, taking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes.  “I’ve also found some references to the ‘Lord of Vermillion,’ some Evil Faery Lord.  He seems to be their Master, though there’s little enough textual material on him for me to really make much of it.  So much of this is ancient lore and superstition that none of it can really be taken at face value.”  He smiled ruefully, setting his glasses once more upon his aristocratic nose.

Rain was fascinated, and found herself enthralled by his story.  Where she thought she would have laughed to hear her father talking about fairies like they really existed, she found that she was spellbound, drawn deeply into the story, desperate for more. “So let me get this right, there is an unseen world just beyond ours, filled with good and bad fairies, the Seelie and the Unseelie.  Some of those things live here in the forms of people, and have to Awaken to know who and what they really are?  And these Druids wanted to find those Seelie things and take their power in some evil ritual, or worse, for some high evil fairy?”  She tried to keep the doubt out of her voice, because what had seemed so believable to hear him say now seemed silly coming from her.

Devon nodded, giving his daughter a smile.  “That’s correct.  It is also written that these Fae, when they want to be seen by mortals, are unbelievably beautiful.  They often had over bright eyes, and are lovers of music.  Art, music, theater, anything beautiful draws them out.  Even most of the Unseelie are beautiful, though evil to the core.”

“And you believe these druids still exist and are killing people they think are Seelie Fae?”  Ranev asked with interest.  Her mind began to race as he described the fae, and she could not but be reminded of the beautiful boy from the cemetery.

“I think it is a possibility some nut thinks they can revive an ancient cult and use it as an excuse to kill innocent teens.”  He paused, regarding his daughter from over his glasses.  “Or… that perhaps it’s all real and they are actually working for a Lord of the Unseelie, doing his bidding for some vile purpose.”  He studied her as he spoke these words, so much like he had all during this conversation.  Though she could not have known it, this was the most important conversation they had ever had.  There is so much she does not know, he thought. I have longed to tell her, but at what cost?  What if I lose her?  Or worse, what if she looses herself.  Sasha and I both saw many driven mad when they could not come to terms with the truth… what of my beloved Rain?

For a long time Rain said nothing, but closed her eyes.  In her mind she could still hear the song which haunted her, and see the bright eyes of the beautiful boy in the graveyard.  Just the thought of him sent chills down her spine, though she could not imagine why.  It seemed ridiculous that her father could be seriously speaking of children’s tales like they were truth, and yet, she did not feel any of the appertaining doubt which she would have expected to assail her.  Rather, it was as if an obscuring mist were beginning to pass, though still she could not see into what the path before her led.  At last she opened her eyes to see her father regarding her very keenly.  Oddly, she did not flinch.

“I think mum believed that there was more to life than black and white, more than what we could really see and understand.  I think she was right.”

Devon raised a dark eyebrow.  “And to what conclusion has that brought you?”  He asked as a good scholar should.  He had always, above anything else, taught his daughter to be a free thinker, and to look for the truth beyond all deception, directly into the heart of matters.  It was the greatest gift he could give her, he knew, and the one which would serve her best in her life.  “What does your heart tell you, not just your head?”

She shrugged.  “Nothing really.  It’s your case, Da.  However, I can’t help but believe in fairy tales.”  She smiled softly.  “I was raised on them.  You and mum used to read to me every night, always tales of magic and wonder, of good verses evil, and love immortal.  And…” she paused, biting her lower lip, “and we both know strangeness seems to follow me like a storm.  I believe what is unbelievable simply because it is so.  You always said, ‘the only thing that is absolute is that there are NO absolutes.’  What if all the fairy tales are true?  What if monsters really do live in the closet, that the tooth fairy does exist, and that every time you clap a fairy gets its wings?  All myths have, at their very core, a bit of truth.  Perhaps some have more than others.”   She stood up and yawned, noting that time had flown while they had been talking.  “It’s getting late, da, and I still have homework to finish for my Lit class.  I’ll see you tomorrow.”  She leaned over and placed a soft kiss on his brow.  “Don’t stay up too late.”

Devon smiled.  “’Night, princess.  Sweet dreams.”

But Rain did not do her homework and she did not go to sleep.  All she could think about was what her father had told her about the Seelie and Unseelie.  Had the beautiful boy in the cemetery been one of them?  Did she even believe in such things?   She did not sleep that night, mind drifting to some world just beyond the mists of her awareness.

“This world is only one of many…”

Devon watched his lovely daughter go up to bed, noting that she had skipped dinner, again.  He knew he should make sure she took better care of herself because she was looking a little pale today. But then, she always does lately.  I wonder if there’s something wrong she’s not telling me… or worse…  He pushed the thought away.  Rain was a good, honest girl, even if she was a little dark.  Devon knew, however, that that darkness was more a part of her than anyone could possibly imagine.  He knew that he had to let her be free, because if he caged her he’d only loose her when things began to change in her life.

The lights in his study began to flicker, and then went out entirely for a moment, only to come back on.  He was not surprised to see someone sitting in the chair Rain had so recently vacated.  He youth before him, or so he looked presently, had bright emerald eyes and wild raven hair.  The youth sat with fingers steepled before him, regarding Devon casually.  The professor knew full well the casualness was totally affected, for the creature before him was no boy.  He was Velorum, High Lord of the Dark Fae… and Guardian of his daughter though she never knew it.  This youth was as old as time, and more deadly than anyone could possibly imagine.

“Why am I not surprised to see you here this evening, my Lord,” Devon said with a wry smile.  The Fae always seemed to know when he was troubled, or worried about Rain.  Then again, Velorum had always watched over her when Devon could not, and the thought brought him a great deal of comfort.

Velorum shrugged his delicate shoulders, but did not return the man’s friendly smile.  His face was an impassive mask, and that did not bode well.  Though the Fae Lord was not necessarily the most social or jovial of creatures, he was always kind and friendly to Devon.  This distance and chill in him worried the professor.  “They know you have moved here,” Velorum finally said.

Devon went cold all over.  It was as if the blood in his veins was suddenly ice, and he felt like his heart would freeze in his chest.  “What?  How?  How could they know?  I told no one where I was going!”  The professor rose from his chair and began to pace, worry written clearly on his face.

Velorum moved no more than his eyes as he keenly watched the human he respected a great deal.  “I do not know now, my friend.  I assume they have found some means to divine it.  There are many forms of oracles in this world, especially for practitioners of the Dark Arts.   All I know is that I ran into Amethyst in the park while I was watching her this evening.  If he is here, then you can be assured his Lord knows you are here as well.”

The man sighed and threw himself back into his chair, resting his head in his hands.  “What should I do?”

“Nothing,” the emerald eyed Fae replied.

Devon looked up, weary surprise on his face.  “Nothing?”

“Honestly, there is nothing that you can do at this point.  The time draws near, as evident from the recent killings.  I know you know more than you told her… and more than you can ever tell the mortal authorities.  It is only a matter of time now, and once she begins to Awaken, only the Fae can protect her until she can protect herself.  I will do all that I can, my friend, I promise.  I always have.”  Velorum smiled softly, a far off look on his face, as if he were remembering something bitter sweet from long ago.

The professor tilted his head to one side, remembering that for all his power, the Lord of the Dark Fae could seem almost mortal at times.  “I know… I just wish there were something, anything, that I could do.  She may be more than I can ever understand; but she’s also my daughter, and I love her.”

Velorum rose gracefully, his movements as fluid as a cat’s. “You have done more than I could ever have asked of you; and Sasha too.  My kind has not forgotten her sacrifice, nor ever shall.”  He was quiet for a long moment, head tilted regarding Devon with those bright eyes of his.  “She saw me in the cemetery this evening,” he said finally, a brief smile flitting across his ever-young face.

Devon’s eyes widened.  “Rain saw you?”

The Fae laughed softly, “Indeed she did.  I have been watching her all her life, guarding her, and this is the first time she has ever seen me.  I was playing my flute, as you know I have a wont to do when I’m thoughtful.”  Velorum leaned back in the chair, and rested his delicate chin on his folded hands.  There was a look of such gentleness in his face, a look Devon had never seen there before.  He was reminded how much the Lord cared for his daughter, and how much he too had sacrificed for her all these years, even unto being exiled from his Court because they suspected him of being a traitor.  “I will not deceive you,” Velorum continued, “I have awaited the day she would hear my song once more and see me for truth, though now that this day has come I know that there are things which can no longer be avoided.”  The softness faded to be replaced by an old sorrow on his face, and the Fae looked more his age.  It never ceased to amaze Devon how quickly the Lord could change, and was reminded very much of his fay nature.

The professor nodded.  “I know, my friend, and I wish there was something I could do to aid you, but I know I cannot.  That path is yours alone, yours and Rain’s.  I accept that, though I fear it, and I fear for her.  I love her so much, and sometimes it’s hard to forget she was never mine in the first place.  I knew from the start this was a temp job, but I love her too much to just let her go.”

Velorum rose, and turned to leave, heading for the darkness of the hallway.  He paused and turned as he reached the doorway, looking back at Devon.  “Part of her will always be your daughter, my friend.  She will always remember you and love you, no matter how many ages might pass.  Such is her fate.  All I can do is promise you that I would die before I saw her in their hands… because… because I love her too.”  He smiled wistfully.  “I always have.”  With that, he stepped into the shadows and vanished.

Description
Chapter 2- A World Unveiled

“I left dinner for you in the microwave, honey,” came her father’s voice from his study when Rain got home.  It was after nine, but he never asked her where she had been, and was never angry no matter how late she was out walking.  For all he knew, she was out clubbing on a school night, yet none of this occurred to him. She sighed.  Sometimes Rain wished he would get mad, that would at least mean he had to pay attention to her.  Part of her assumed he just innately trusted her judgment, believed she was the upright person she actually was.  Most of her knew, though, that he hardly seemed to notice her lately and it never even occurred to him to worry.  However, she didn’t say any of this.  It would not faze him, and perhaps serve only to hurt him.  Above all things that was something which she was unwilling to do.

“Thanks, da,” she replied to her father Devon, unlacing her boots and leaving them by the door.  She did not want to track the autumn mud all over the valuable oriental rugs which ran throughout the house atop the original hardwood floors.  She poked her head into his study before going to eat, checking on him despite herself.   On most other nights she would have kept walking, but something about the strange events of the evening drew her to her father’s company.  Devon was a history professor, specializing in the Occult and Ancient Celtic Druidism.   He had graduated with a PhD from Harvard, though his degrees, of which he had several, meant little to him.  He was a humble man, quiet and reserved.  In Rain’s mind, he spent more time with his books than her, but she was alright with it.  Neither of them had ever been very social.  That had been her mother’s gift, and now she was gone.

“What ‘cha doin’, daddy,” she asked like she had when she was a little girl, having a more empathetic moment than she had in some time.  He was still a handsome man, her father, with neatly trimmed black hair and her jade eyes.  He had very aristocratic features which suited him as a professor.  She had inherited them, down to her long raven hair.  Perhaps it was this sameness which acted as a wedge between them sometimes, for both were introspective, analytical, and reclusive people.  Their very natures worked against them it so often seemed.   Yet for that, they shared a kind of unspoken closeness.   There had never been a time in her life when Rain’s father had not been there for her.   Even if he did not go to sports games or push her into one activity or another, he had always encouraged her to think for herself and be her own person.  He had always respected her uniqueness and taught her to see the beauty in all things.  They had no need of words, because their relationship went beyond such inadequate things.

The large room which served as Devon’s study was lined with book shelves, not an inch of wall visible.  A huge picture window dominated the East wall, shades closed so no one could see in.  He sat behind his antique mahogany desk, a relic of the Edwardian era, and looked up over a musty old book at his only child.  A very rare ghost of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.  “Well, my Wise One, if you must know, I’m cross-referencing ancient druidic ritual with the ritual way those three teens were killed last week.”  He set the book down and took a sip of his tea, motioning for her to come take the large leather chair in front of his desk.  He did not normally go into his work with his daughter, but the fact that she had shown interest prompted him to take the chance she had given him to bond with her.  He knew the moments were rare since the death of his wife, and he did not wish to loose this one. “The police called the College today and asked if I could help them, as I have expertise in the occult and the like.”  He shook his head.  “A grisly business, that.”

She curled up in the chair by him, knees to her chin which she rested upon them, and nodded.  “Yeah, one of the boys was in my advanced 11th grade Chemistry class this year.  I didn’t know him, not really, but it’s weird to think he was there one day and gone the next.  Life is so fragile sometimes… like so much glass.”  Automatically she thought of her mother, and knew her father was doing the same.  She thought it wise to press on rather than see the pained look she knew would come, cross his face.  “Anyway, did you find anything?”

“Well, yes and no,” he said, glad she had changed the subject.  Thoughts of Sasha were always very hard for them both.  His wife had been the meaning of his life, and trying to go on without her was almost more than he had the strength to bear.  However, he had Rain, and though she might not realize, she was more than enough reason for him to try and make a new life.  “There was a cult of Druids in the tenth century who believed that there were beings in the universe beyond humans… beings of great and pure magical power.  These were the Faery.  These same druids believed that they could open the door to Underhill with the sacrificing of Unawakened Faery blood.”  Devon noted her confused look.  “Underhill, sometimes called Alesya, is what they called the realm of the Faery, the Elf kin, and the like.  They believed that the Faery were born mortal, and then Awakened into their powers as full Fae.  So, if they killed those they suspected of being Fae, they thought they could harness that magic and its great power. ” When she nodded her understanding he continued.  “They believed that the world of Alesya lay right next to our own, these Celts, and they wanted to access that power, Awaken their own inner Fae if possible.  Here, let me read you this passage.”  He flipped back through the musty book in his hands and read:

“We are Faery, the forgotten powers of the ancient world.  Beings of magic beyond mortal understanding, we have built ourselves an invisible kingdom. We are everywhere, yet you have never seen us. We hide, not behind some fragile Masquerade, keeping out of the Mortal eye and world, but in plain sight, with the power of our Magic. We exist within a real world of make-believe where "imaginary" things can kill, and "pretend" monsters are real.”

“I do not know if this is actually supposed to be a quote from and actual Faery, or just someone’s idea of how a Faery might think.”  He sighed.  “Those Celts wanted to bring the Faery to them and take their power… through the Ritual of Unseelie, or Evil.  They hunted and killed any they thought might be Unawakened Fae still bound to their mortal forms and sleeping.” He paused and frowned, taking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes.  “I’ve also found some references to the ‘Lord of Vermillion,’ some Evil Faery Lord.  He seems to be their Master, though there’s little enough textual material on him for me to really make much of it.  So much of this is ancient lore and superstition that none of it can really be taken at face value.”  He smiled ruefully, setting his glasses once more upon his aristocratic nose.

Rain was fascinated, and found herself enthralled by his story.  Where she thought she would have laughed to hear her father talking about fairies like they really existed, she found that she was spellbound, drawn deeply into the story, desperate for more. “So let me get this right, there is an unseen world just beyond ours, filled with good and bad fairies, the Seelie and the Unseelie.  Some of those things live here in the forms of people, and have to Awaken to know who and what they really are?  And these Druids wanted to find those Seelie things and take their power in some evil ritual, or worse, for some high evil fairy?”  She tried to keep the doubt out of her voice, because what had seemed so believable to hear him say now seemed silly coming from her.

Devon nodded, giving his daughter a smile.  “That’s correct.  It is also written that these Fae, when they want to be seen by mortals, are unbelievably beautiful.  They often had over bright eyes, and are lovers of music.  Art, music, theater, anything beautiful draws them out.  Even most of the Unseelie are beautiful, though evil to the core.”

“And you believe these druids still exist and are killing people they think are Seelie Fae?”  Ranev asked with interest.  Her mind began to race as he described the fae, and she could not but be reminded of the beautiful boy from the cemetery.

“I think it is a possibility some nut thinks they can revive an ancient cult and use it as an excuse to kill innocent teens.”  He paused, regarding his daughter from over his glasses.  “Or… that perhaps it’s all real and they are actually working for a Lord of the Unseelie, doing his bidding for some vile purpose.”  He studied her as he spoke these words, so much like he had all during this conversation.  Though she could not have known it, this was the most important conversation they had ever had.  There is so much she does not know, he thought. I have longed to tell her, but at what cost?  What if I lose her?  Or worse, what if she looses herself.  Sasha and I both saw many driven mad when they could not come to terms with the truth… what of my beloved Rain?

For a long time Rain said nothing, but closed her eyes.  In her mind she could still hear the song which haunted her, and see the bright eyes of the beautiful boy in the graveyard.  Just the thought of him sent chills down her spine, though she could not imagine why.  It seemed ridiculous that her father could be seriously speaking of children’s tales like they were truth, and yet, she did not feel any of the appertaining doubt which she would have expected to assail her.  Rather, it was as if an obscuring mist were beginning to pass, though still she could not see into what the path before her led.  At last she opened her eyes to see her father regarding her very keenly.  Oddly, she did not flinch.

“I think mum believed that there was more to life than black and white, more than what we could really see and understand.  I think she was right.”

Devon raised a dark eyebrow.  “And to what conclusion has that brought you?”  He asked as a good scholar should.  He had always, above anything else, taught his daughter to be a free thinker, and to look for the truth beyond all deception, directly into the heart of matters.  It was the greatest gift he could give her, he knew, and the one which would serve her best in her life.  “What does your heart tell you, not just your head?”

She shrugged.  “Nothing really.  It’s your case, Da.  However, I can’t help but believe in fairy tales.”  She smiled softly.  “I was raised on them.  You and mum used to read to me every night, always tales of magic and wonder, of good verses evil, and love immortal.  And…” she paused, biting her lower lip, “and we both know strangeness seems to follow me like a storm.  I believe what is unbelievable simply because it is so.  You always said, ‘the only thing that is absolute is that there are NO absolutes.’  What if all the fairy tales are true?  What if monsters really do live in the closet, that the tooth fairy does exist, and that every time you clap a fairy gets its wings?  All myths have, at their very core, a bit of truth.  Perhaps some have more than others.”   She stood up and yawned, noting that time had flown while they had been talking.  “It’s getting late, da, and I still have homework to finish for my Lit class.  I’ll see you tomorrow.”  She leaned over and placed a soft kiss on his brow.  “Don’t stay up too late.”

Devon smiled.  “’Night, princess.  Sweet dreams.”

But Rain did not do her homework and she did not go to sleep.  All she could think about was what her father had told her about the Seelie and Unseelie.  Had the beautiful boy in the cemetery been one of them?  Did she even believe in such things?   She did not sleep that night, mind drifting to some world just beyond the mists of her awareness.

“This world is only one of many…”

Devon watched his lovely daughter go up to bed, noting that she had skipped dinner, again.  He knew he should make sure she took better care of herself because she was looking a little pale today. But then, she always does lately.  I wonder if there’s something wrong she’s not telling me… or worse…  He pushed the thought away.  Rain was a good, honest girl, even if she was a little dark.  Devon knew, however, that that darkness was more a part of her than anyone could possibly imagine.  He knew that he had to let her be free, because if he caged her he’d only loose her when things began to change in her life.

The lights in his study began to flicker, and then went out entirely for a moment, only to come back on.  He was not surprised to see someone sitting in the chair Rain had so recently vacated.  He youth before him, or so he looked presently, had bright emerald eyes and wild raven hair.  The youth sat with fingers steepled before him, regarding Devon casually.  The professor knew full well the casualness was totally affected, for the creature before him was no boy.  He was Velorum, High Lord of the Dark Fae… and Guardian of his daughter though she never knew it.  This youth was as old as time, and more deadly than anyone could possibly imagine.

“Why am I not surprised to see you here this evening, my Lord,” Devon said with a wry smile.  The Fae always seemed to know when he was troubled, or worried about Rain.  Then again, Velorum had always watched over her when Devon could not, and the thought brought him a great deal of comfort.

Velorum shrugged his delicate shoulders, but did not return the man’s friendly smile.  His face was an impassive mask, and that did not bode well.  Though the Fae Lord was not necessarily the most social or jovial of creatures, he was always kind and friendly to Devon.  This distance and chill in him worried the professor.  “They know you have moved here,” Velorum finally said.

Devon went cold all over.  It was as if the blood in his veins was suddenly ice, and he felt like his heart would freeze in his chest.  “What?  How?  How could they know?  I told no one where I was going!”  The professor rose from his chair and began to pace, worry written clearly on his face.

Velorum moved no more than his eyes as he keenly watched the human he respected a great deal.  “I do not know now, my friend.  I assume they have found some means to divine it.  There are many forms of oracles in this world, especially for practitioners of the Dark Arts.   All I know is that I ran into Amethyst in the park while I was watching her this evening.  If he is here, then you can be assured his Lord knows you are here as well.”

The man sighed and threw himself back into his chair, resting his head in his hands.  “What should I do?”

“Nothing,” the emerald eyed Fae replied.

Devon looked up, weary surprise on his face.  “Nothing?”

“Honestly, there is nothing that you can do at this point.  The time draws near, as evident from the recent killings.  I know you know more than you told her… and more than you can ever tell the mortal authorities.  It is only a matter of time now, and once she begins to Awaken, only the Fae can protect her until she can protect herself.  I will do all that I can, my friend, I promise.  I always have.”  Velorum smiled softly, a far off look on his face, as if he were remembering something bitter sweet from long ago.

The professor tilted his head to one side, remembering that for all his power, the Lord of the Dark Fae could seem almost mortal at times.  “I know… I just wish there were something, anything, that I could do.  She may be more than I can ever understand; but she’s also my daughter, and I love her.”

Velorum rose gracefully, his movements as fluid as a cat’s. “You have done more than I could ever have asked of you; and Sasha too.  My kind has not forgotten her sacrifice, nor ever shall.”  He was quiet for a long moment, head tilted regarding Devon with those bright eyes of his.  “She saw me in the cemetery this evening,” he said finally, a brief smile flitting across his ever-young face.

Devon’s eyes widened.  “Rain saw you?”

The Fae laughed softly, “Indeed she did.  I have been watching her all her life, guarding her, and this is the first time she has ever seen me.  I was playing my flute, as you know I have a wont to do when I’m thoughtful.”  Velorum leaned back in the chair, and rested his delicate chin on his folded hands.  There was a look of such gentleness in his face, a look Devon had never seen there before.  He was reminded how much the Lord cared for his daughter, and how much he too had sacrificed for her all these years, even unto being exiled from his Court because they suspected him of being a traitor.  “I will not deceive you,” Velorum continued, “I have awaited the day she would hear my song once more and see me for truth, though now that this day has come I know that there are things which can no longer be avoided.”  The softness faded to be replaced by an old sorrow on his face, and the Fae looked more his age.  It never ceased to amaze Devon how quickly the Lord could change, and was reminded very much of his fay nature.

The professor nodded.  “I know, my friend, and I wish there was something I could do to aid you, but I know I cannot.  That path is yours alone, yours and Rain’s.  I accept that, though I fear it, and I fear for her.  I love her so much, and sometimes it’s hard to forget she was never mine in the first place.  I knew from the start this was a temp job, but I love her too much to just let her go.”

Velorum rose, and turned to leave, heading for the darkness of the hallway.  He paused and turned as he reached the doorway, looking back at Devon.  “Part of her will always be your daughter, my friend.  She will always remember you and love you, no matter how many ages might pass.  Such is her fate.  All I can do is promise you that I would die before I saw her in their hands… because… because I love her too.”  He smiled wistfully.  “I always have.”  With that, he stepped into the shadows and vanished.