FIFTEEN

Chaos. It was the only way to describe the scene that was playing out before her. Tish was screaming hysterically, as she backed into the shop towards her, hands reaching for whatever they could grasp on the sales table next to her. A dark-haired man was standing in the doorway with a bewildered expression on his face and Tish was throwing things at him. Anything really, whatever she could get her hands on. Heavy things. Solid things. Sharp and otherwise pointy things. Thankfully for him, her cousin had incredibly lousy aim.

“Who are you?” Tish screamed as an incense burner flew harmlessly past his ear. “And why are you naked?”

Seconds later, a blond-haired man burst through the doorway behind him. He hurled clothing at the man before taking up a shielding stance in front. “Why the hell did you turn human?” he demanded.

“I didn’t!” the man admitted as he struggled to hop into his jeans. “Honestly, I’m as baffled as you.”

Faith sat on a stool behind the counter calmly taking it all in. She’d been perusing the spell book their uncle had lent them, when the little bell over the shop’s door had tinkled, announcing her cousin’s return. That was when the insanity ensued.

“Nick?” She realized that she knew the naked man, that they had now crossed paths for the second time in as many days. “Holy, crap. You’re a werewolf.” She accused, as she hopped down from her stool.

Nick narrowed his eyes at her as he tugged his jeans over his hips. “May-be.”

Faith came confidently out from behind the counter as Tish moved to huddle fearfully behind her. “Oh, there’s no maybe about it.” She crossed her arms as she stood in front of him, a knowing smirk on her face. “You, Sir. Are busted.”

Nick pulled on his shirt. “But how—”

“There’s a sigil under the welcome mat, stupid. Come on, really? This is a magic shop. You seriously think we didn’t have protection?” She glanced over to the second gentleman. He was handsome and blonde and immediately familiar. “Don’t I know you?”

He shrugged. “I think we met at the Pitt. I’m Nathan.”

Right. That was where she knew him from. He was the guy at the bar that Allie had been interested in.

Tish was peeking at them from behind the safety of her shoulder. “You know these weirdos?”

“Oh, right.” Reaching behind, she pulled Tish to her side and slid a comforting arm across her shoulders. “Guys, this is my cousin Tish.” She pointed at Nate first. “That’s Nathan, and the previously naked one is Nick.”

“Yeah, sorry ‘bout that.” Nick shrugged, looking sheepish. “It’s a wolf thing.”

“And now that everyone’s been introduced,” she narrowed her eyes suspiciously at Nick. “What are you guys doing here?”

“Allie. We should be working together to find her.”

Faith shook her head. “That didn’t work so well for me last time.” There was a saying: once bit, twice shy. It summed up how she felt about things. Working with the triplets had been disastrous. She couldn’t make that mistake again. “Besides, Tish and I have got things under control.”

“Yeah, about that…”

She frowned. Tish sounded hesitant, and she turned to face her, but rather than make eye contact, her cousin was looking at the floor as she clasped her hands behind her back, swaying nervously. She raised her eyebrow. “Tish?”

“I’m sorry. I know I was supposed to get the fairy whisker, but he changed the price on me, and I didn’t know what to do…”

Faith closed her eyes, exhaled loudly, and brought her palm to her forehead. Dang. What were they going to do now? She couldn’t finish the spell without the whisker, and she had no idea where to get another. She couldn’t even be upset with Tish. She should have been the one to go in the—

Nick interrupted her thoughts. “Is that why you were with that demon?”

She opened her eyes in time to see Tish nod. “We needed a fairy whisker for the potion, and we—

“Wait. You met up with a demon?”

Again, Tish nodded.

Well, no wonder he changed the price. Demons were notorious for changing the terms of the agreement – that was why they insisted on contracts when making deals. Being infamous swindlers themselves, they always assumed others would do the same.

“Why go through a middleman in the first place?” Nick asked. “Wouldn’t it have been easier to go to the bazaar?”

She turned to stare at Nick and found Tish doing the same. She was about to ask, but Tish beat her to it.

“What bazaar?”

“Uh, you know, the faerie marketplace? If you need a fairy whisker—wouldn’t they be dead cheap there?”

There was a faerie marketplace? She and Tish glanced silently at one another, and she suspected that Tish was thinking the same. Why hadn’t their family told them of this? Nick was looking between them curiously, while Nathan had disappeared somewhere in the back of the shop.

Nick shrugged, a sly smile playing about his lips. “I could take you there, but since you don’t want my help…” He called to the back of the store. “Hey, Nate. We should probably get going.” Nathan wasted no time in joining him at the front.

Tish looked at her wide eyed and jerked her head in Nick’s direction. Her look told her not to let him go. They needed his help. Tish knew it and so did she. Faith sighed and willfully closed her eyes. Being stubborn, however, wasn’t going to get them what they needed. He got as far as the doorway when Tish hissed at her. “Faith!”

“Wait.” She turned to face him.

Nick hesitated, feinting confusion. “Yes?”

She glowered at him. Was he actually going to make her work for this? She dropped her shoulders in defeat. “Could you please help us?” she mumbled.

“I’m sorry, could you speak up?” He was trying not to smirk and failing miserably.

A sound, something between a growl and a groan escaped her throat and he laughed. She glared at him. “You are such a brat.”

“So I’ve been told. And yes, Faith. I would be happy to help you. Thank you for asking.”

“I’m guessing we’re no longer going?” Nathan was looking between them but addressing Nick.

“Nope.” He looked at Tish. “Do you want to come with me to the bazaar?”

Tish’s face lit up excitedly and she clasped her hands together. “I’d love to.” She turned to Faith. “Can I?”

Faith smiled and shook her head. “Like you said earlier, you’re an adult. You don’t need my permission.” She looked at Nick. “You’ll watch out for her?” It came out as more of a statement than a question, to which he nodded.

“Absolutely.” He held the door open for Tish who ran under his arm in her haste to get outside.

Nate scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. “And what about me?”

Nick shrugged as he stepped outside to follow Tish. “Sorry dude. The bike only seats two.” The door closed heavily behind him.

Faith’s eyes grew wide. “Wait! Bike?” But it was too late, they were already gone.

She looked to Nathan instead, who glanced back at her looking rather uncomfortable. He stretched awkwardly before reaching for the door handle. She narrowed her eyes. “And just where do you think you’re going?”

***

Outside, Tish found that she had to hustle to keep up with Nick. She barely came up to his shoulder and had to take three steps to just keep up with his two. He was leading her across the street, towards the coffee shop. “Are we stopping for coffee?” she asked surprised.

“Yes. But not to drink.” He held the door open for her, ushering her inside. There was a small line, and it was moving fast. Three baristas were working on concoctions behind a glass-faced counter housing an assortment of delectable looking treats.

When it was his turn to order, Nick didn’t order a drink. Nor did he order a pastry. Instead, he purchased a small bag of coffee beans. She thought it odd that he had stopped to shop before heading to the bazaar, but who was she to question him? Maybe he really needed coffee. She followed him back across the lot, through a number of tables that had been set up for patrons. It was cooler now, and but for a couple at a table by the street, all were empty. She came to a halt when he reached the street and stopped by a motorcycle. Turning, he offered her a helmet.

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Her eyes widened. “We’re going on that?” She’d never been on a bike before, and the idea made her nervous.

“Problem?” He was staring at her in earnest, eyebrow raised, and his intense look made the heat rise in her cheeks. Now that she actually had a chance to look at him, she found him rather handsome. She quickly broke their gaze, staring at the helmet instead.

“I guess not.” She said as he’d climbed on the bike, wearing a helmet of his own. “It’s just that I’ve never rode one before.”

“That’s okay, I’ll go over the basics, and I promise we’ll take it slow. My only real concern is that you’re not wearing much in the way of protection.” He began showing her where to place her feet, and explaining how to hang on, by using her knees to hug the bike, as well as where she could hold on with her hands. “Don’t lean as we turn, instead just turn your head to look over my shoulder as we do. Otherwise keep your body straight and relax.” He showed her hand signals as well. A thumbs up meant she was feeling ok. A thumbs down meant she wasn’t. And if she needed him to stop, she just had to tap him thrice on the shoulder or leg. His careful instruction made her feel a lot less nervous.

She climbed on, initially deciding to use the grab handle, but as Nick inched forward and suddenly braked before pulling into the street, she found herself grabbing onto his hips instead. She wondered if he’d made that little “bump” on purpose.

Looking back at her, he gave her a thumbs up. She nodded and copied the gesture, and then they were off.

As promised, Nick had kept the trip short. He had taken them towards the freeway, but instead of continuing onto the highway, he had parked on the side of the road near the onramp.

“So, tell me. What do you see?”

“What do you mean? It’s a freeway. An overpass… I guess.” She eyed the traffic as it sped by them.

“Yeah, but more importantly… it’s a bridge.”

“A bridge?”

“C’mon,” Nick reached out, took her by the hand and began leading her down the slope. There was a runoff canal beneath which was dry this time of year. “Now, be careful that you don’t fall for any of their mojo. The males are dumb as stumps, but the females can be quite cunning.”

Nick stopped when they were beneath the shadow of the bridge.

“Come out. Show yourself.” He demanded.

Moments later, a strange shadow appeared. As Tish watched, it slowly began to take shape and substance, until there was an exotic looking woman standing before them. She was wearing a flowing peasant’s blouse and long layered skirt, with tiny bells that tinkled as she walked. Her skin held only the slightest hue of green; her eyes too, were a deep olive colour, and her hair, black as the darkest of nights, flowed down her back.

She smiled happily when she saw Nick and approached him without hesitation.

“My, you are a handsome one.” Her voice was smooth and sultry. She reached up and grasped his chin as she inspected his face. “You will come home with me.” She announced. “You will serve me, and” she looked him over with a sudden gleam in her eye. “You will make many babies with me.”

She spotted Tish then as if for the first time and her eyes narrowed into sharp little slits. “You there, go away!”

“Okay.” Tish replied obediently. Her body turned without hesitation, and she began marching away, while the trollop sauntered off in the opposite direction gently swinging her hips.

Nick quickly reached back and snatched up Tish’s hand before she could get too far. He waited for the trollop to realize that she wasn’t being followed.

Eventually, she looked over her shoulder at him, a curious expression on her face. “What’s wrong with you? Didn’t you hear me?”

Nick continued to stare at her, until she retraced her steps to stand before him. She looked deep into his eyes and realization slowly came to her.

“Damn. You’re not human.”

“Sorry.”

“How very disappointing. I would have liked you as my concubine.” She sighed and wearily shook her head. “Well then, what is it that you want?”

“Entry to the faerie bazaar.”

“Humph. And what will you give me if I open the way for you?” She was still eyeing Nick hungrily.

“What do you want?”

She smirked at him suddenly, stepping even closer. “Oh, I don’t know…how about… a kiss?”

Nick was quick to respond. “Not gonna happen, sister.”

The trollop looked disappointed. She brightened suddenly. “Well then. Would you undress for me?” she asked shamelessly.

“What?” Tish spoke for the first time, finding her voice. It had taken a while, but she had finally snapped out of her daze. She shook her head. “He’s not going to—”

“Agreed.”

“What? You can’t take your clothes off?” She gaped at him.

“Why not?” Nick asked as he passed her his jacked and then stripped off his shirt, to the obvious delight of the trollop. He let it fall to the ground. “I do it all the time.”

Tish flushed a deep shade of pink, averted her eyes, and turned her back to him as he brazenly began to unbutton his jeans. She hugged the leather coat within her arms. Not again. Seriously? Twice in one day? What was wrong with this boy?

Tish stood with her eyes closed, feeling the heat from her cheeks. There was a long pause before the trollop spoke again. “That’s not exactly what I had in mind.”

Curious, Tish opened her eyes and ventured a peek. Nick was now sitting in wolf form and the trollop was staring at him with a disgruntled look on her face.

“Humph. Fine. A deal is a deal, but don’t think I won’t be watching out for you next time.”

The trollop moved to the wall of the bridge and began an incantation in Trollish as she held up her hands and made a series of graceful gestures. Tish watched as the wall of the bridge began to ripple and wave before her eyes. Nearby shadows seemed to be pulled to the area, and soon there was a dark opening where none had been before.

Niko stood, wagged his tail and headed into the doorway. Tish bent and quickly scooped up his shirt, sneakers, and jeans, glanced quickly around for more articles, before she turned and trotted after him. Once within the tunnel, she averted her gaze once more as she held out his clothes to him.

“I found your shirt and jeans, but I couldn’t find your socks, or your… ahh, underwear.” She hated the fact that she was blushing again.

Nick took his clothes from her. “Nah, you wouldn’t” he agreed.

“Oh. OH!” Tish was now scarlet faced and staring intently at her sneakers.

After a moment, Nick called out to her. “You can look now. I promise its safe.”

Tish glanced at him from the corner of her eye. Nick, now fully dressed, was grinning at her in amusement.

“C’mon” He reached out and taking her hand, led her down the tunnel before them.

“So, that was a troll?”

“Yep.”

“Funny, I’d never actually seen one before, but I thought that trolls were supposed to be ugly.”

“The males are often hideous.” Nick stated, agreeing with her. “I mean, toss your cookies so, but the females, as you’ve seen, can be quite bewitching.”

The tunnel they were walking along was cool and only slightly damp. It had a clean earthy smell to it, was crescent-shaped and seemed to be carved out from the ground itself. The stone appeared old and worn, like it had stood forever. As if to punctuate this, she could see areas where repair to the tunnel had been made. There were some spots where entire sections had been replaced with modern-day brick and mortar. These areas stood out like scars against the rest of the wall, but it spoke to her that while the tunnel appeared to be old and abandoned, it had instead been carefully maintained.

She followed beside Nick in silence but kept glancing up at him. A question kept tickling the corners of her mind and she found herself having to ask. “So, uhm… Nick?”

“Hmm?”

“I was wondering why you didn’t… I mean, wouldn’t it have been simpler just to have kissed her?”

He gave her a sidelong glance as they walked. “Don’t ever kiss a troll,” he warned her. “To kiss a troll, is to kiss away your free will. I’d have been under her control the same way you’d been.”

“Oh, I see.” A chill passed through her as she recalled how creepy it had felt. How she had lost control over her body. It had only been for a short moment, but she had wanted to do whatever it was that the troll had bid her.

“So how was it, that she was unable to control you, the way she did me?”

“Well, for one thing, I knew what to expect. Even then, she was still very strong. I probably shouldn’t have let her touch me.”

She watched his face as he spoke. He was so genuine and unguarded in his responses. Was this perhaps, why she felt so comfortable being with him? Except for the times he got naked of course…

“I have to admit though. I wanted nothing more than to go home with her.”

She stopped short, forcing him to do the same.

“Really?”

He laughed. “Oh, yeah. Her pull was strong. You’d be surprised to learn how many men considered missing, have ended up as the concubine of a trollop. Ended up wasting their lives away in a stupor, until they become so old that she no longer has need of them, or until they’re replaced by a younger more desirable candidate.”

Nick began walking again, forcing her once more to follow.

“But why? Why would she do such a thing?”

“Well, I guess I can think of a few reasons. Protection, for one… companionship… breeding.”

“Breeding?”

“Oh, you’d be amazed at how many mixed-race children grow up unperceived among the human population.”

She thought that he must be kidding, yet his face still held that naked openness. “But how could that be?”

“Easy. Some are adopted by unknowing couples. A lot are changelings, often swapped at birth or sent home in place of still-born infants. From what you saw of her, she looked rather human; was quite beautiful in fact. Factor in some human DNA, and you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference. From what I’ve heard, most of them grow up not even knowing they’re half-troll. Oftentimes, they just feel different… like they don’t quite fit in, but they just can’t rationalize why they feel that way.”

“But why would they do that? Just give their children away like that?”

“Oh, well… I think it’s all part of a master plan to one day usurp the human race and secretly take over the world.”

“What?” Tish stopped in her tracks, shocked, until she looked up at him. Nick was grinning mischievously. “Oh, you are such a liar,” she giggled. “And a bad one at that.”

“Actually, I have quite a good poker face when I need it. But seriously though, doesn’t every mother simply want what’s best for her child? Passing as human opens up, well… not only a world of possibilities… but a whole new world for them.”

They had come to the end of the tunnel as they stepped out into bright sunlight. Where before the sky had been overcast and grey, it was now the brightest of blue with a scattering of fluffy white clouds. The air was warm and sweet with the fragrance of flowers and spice.

The pathway they walked was made of an intricately laid pattern of brickwork and Tish found herself thinking whimsically of the wizard of oz. Before long, they came to a crossroads, where a large old-fashioned signpost made of wood – like something she might see in a video game or an old-western town – and glowing with magical light, directed them to the different boroughs which surrounded the marketplace. In the direction they were headed was the marketplace and Faerie district. To the left lay the road to the Elven quarter and to the right, the Dwarven enclave. She realized with a bit of whimsy that the direction they had just come from had been labeled the Human realm.

Following the road, they soon entered a bustling marketplace where the street was lined on either side with brightly coloured tents, canopy-adorned stalls, and rustic umbrella-clad booths, each containing a wide variety of wares. There were tents full of colourful fabrics, brightly woven rugs, and a wide assortment of glittery, sparkling textiles. There were stalls filled with spices, herbs and fruit, and booths which sold all matter of drink and food. The air was rife with the smell of cooking as she passed vendors who prepared hearty looking stews, sweet smelling porridge and spicy rice dishes right on the street. It made her stomach growl in earnest as she realized it had been quite some time since breakfast.

She found herself looking longingly as she passed stall after stall, each seemingly brighter and fresher and more aromatic than the last. When she finally reached the end of the aisle of food vendors she looked up and realized that Nick was nowhere to be found.

Had he abandoned her while she’d had her head in the clouds? An uneasy feeling was creeping up her spine. Her heart began to race. How ever would she get home?