Ronnie: He doesn’t care. He’s helped us before.
Me: Meet you there.
I roll my head right on the pillow and find Archie dead to the world. I go into the bathroom to wash up and get dressed. When I’m finished, I tiptoe to his side and reach behind the headboard. I turn the key and remove the dirk from the glass case.
“What are you doing?” Archie asks in a thicker Scottish brogue.
I sit on the bed next to him, the dirk resting in my hand. “I couldn’t sleep any longer. We have no idea what powers this Tylwyth Teg has. I’m going to go early and check out the area.”
“Killing Nuada left you quite shaken. Are you sure you’re capable of taking the life of another fairy?”
“Fuck, yes. She took Ronnie and Derek’s baby.”
He sits up in bed. “That’s very true. But what happens if your PTSD is triggered? I should go with you.”
“You don’t think I can defend myself?”
He clasps my hand. “I do, but you’re a single witch, Gwyn. Fighting against a fairy with unknown powers. I almost lost you once. Please, let me go with you.”
I squeeze his hand. “Sure. But you need to get ready quickly. The sun is almost up. I want to arrive at the bog before the rest of the coven shows up. I could detect the magic there by increasing my energy level. Together, the two of us could analyze irregularities in the protective shield she’s placed over the water. We could prepare a more efficient plan of attack.”
“Aye. I’ll get ready in a jiff.” He jumps out of bed and darts to the bathroom.
“I’ll carry the dirk in my backpack,” I yell to him.
I empty most of the contents and place the dirk in the computer slot. As I slip my arms through the straps, I recall the moment I stabbed Nick Evans and shudder. Damn it, Gwyn. You can do this. You have no choice.
Archie parks his Tesla as close to the trailhead as possible. When we exit the car, the bitter air hits me like a block of ice. I pull up the hood of my puffer jacket, slip on my gloves, and we walk toward the trailhead.
“This polar vortex could have waited one more day to dip into Delaware,” he says, pulling his DUB beanie over his ears. “This fairy may be immune to the cold. That’s one shot against us.”
“We fought a fairy in frigid temps before. Remember?”
“Aye. You fought for Ronnie that night as well.” He grabs my gloved hand. “You’re a devoted friend.”
“I may have killed the Sluagh, but the coven fought as a team. I wouldn’t be here if they hadn’t.”
“And we’ll do it again.”
North Basin Creek Park appears frozen in time. Barren, lifeless, tree limbs reach out over the path as if they’re pleading for help. As we approach the bend in the trail, a woman with blond hair appears on the path quite a distance ahead of us.
“Shit,” I whisper. “I think that’s Alys Morgan. Who the fuck takes a hike on a day like this, so early in the morning?”
“Actually, I’m not shocked. If anyone were to walk in the park in freezing temperatures, it would be Alys—a woman with a stiff demeanor.”
“She’s gonna fuck up everything.”
“We’ll have to wait until she finishes her hike. I doubt anyone else will have the desire to brave this nippy weather.”
Alys disappears around the bend, but we continue on the trail, giving her time to get way ahead of us. Once Archie and I arrive at the bog, we can hide in the woods until she doubles back, unless she takes the loop, and then we won’t cross paths with her again at all. But how will we know for sure she’s chosen to return via the other side? Oh, who would believe her, anyway? A fantastical story about witches fighting a fairy in the water?
We turn the corner and nearly jump out of our skin.
“Why are you two following me?” Alys asks, a stern expression on her face.
I glance at Archie. “Uhh…same as you, I guess. Racking up some steps. I couldn’t sleep, so we threw on some clothes and headed down here. Didn’t expect to run into a member of the council in the woods.”
“I’m an early riser. Out here every day,” she says. She looks at Archie and her icy expression melts into an amorous smile. “Good morning, Dr. Cockburn. So nice to see you again.”
For fuck’s sake. We don’t have time for your flirting.
She squints at me. “I know you. You’re that cashier at Mystic Sage.” She turns her attention back to Archie. “I’m surprised a man of your academic stature would date a cashier.”
I roll my eyes and bite my tongue, resisting the urge to remind her we’ve met several times outside of Mystic Sage.
“Unfortunately, you know nothing about Gwyn. She’s a very accomplished woman. In one more semester, she’ll receive a master’s degree in Public Policy from Delaware University at Bearsden.” He smiles at me. “I’m very proud of her.”
Alys glances at me and smirks. “Well, if you don’t mind, I would like to finish my morning walk in solitude and silence.”
“We apologize for interrupting your ritual,” Archie says. “Gwyn and I will head back to the car and come back later when it’s not as chilly.”
I give Archie a what-the-fuck look. Did he forget why we came?
“Well, aren’t you so kind, Dr. Cockburn?” She bats her eyes at him. “We should chat sometime about your Scottish heritage. I’ve always been interested in learning more. Could we meet for coffee?”
He clears his throat. “I’m quite busy at this time of the semester. Perhaps, during Spring Semester.”
