Chapter Text
(Erik’s Cell, cell block D)
The guard did his rounds banging his stick on the door “hey Demonic trash, dinner is at 5 get ready.” The guard said before he went two cells over and spoke to another inmate before Erik could respond that he wasn’t hungry.
Erik sat in his cell alone sitting thinking about what occurred as he picked at his scalp occasionally jabbing his palm with his horns, he fucked up, that was obvious he still felt justified in his actions, he didn’t want Cyrus killed, Was it a bit far? Maybe, but he didn’t want to lose His friendship with JC over it.
Now he had no where to go once he got out, his mother was dead, his apartment was repossessed along with all his junk.
Honestly he just wanted to make things better. He just didn’t know how.
“Hey, kid.” A voice said by his cell door.
Erik looked up to see a figure in a big cloak and hood covering his face standing there ominously,
“I heard you wanted to be immortal.”
Erik scoffed “not at the price it costs.”
“Oh don’t be like that Erik, I know that dumb fae told you a lie about how ‘potions and fruits of immortality only exist due to the death of an immortal.’ Bullshit.” The man said
Erik snapped at the man instinctively. “Fairies can’t lie.”
The man however wasn’t disturbed as he leaned forward and whispered. “She only knows about magick from this universe.” He said enticing the demon,
Erik stood up and slowly walked towards the cell and looked around the cell block.
No inmates or guards, which was worrisome.
“Where are-?”
The man brought a finger up to silence Erik. “There are no guards here.” He said
Erik shook his head no there were no guards here it was solitary confinement, he was left in this cell alone to rot he only met the guard once when he shoved him into the cell. After that he was just watched by cameras.
Erik nodded having a sudden feeling that something was wrong, very very wrong but couldn’t place it.
“Do something for me. And I will get you out of the cell, and give you immortality.” The man said
“Okay, and what’s that?” Erik asked
The man pulled a coin from his cloak it was silver but had no features,
“When you go to the fairy Cafae I need you to hide this in there. Someplace the fairy wouldn’t find, under a plant or something but it cannot leave the Cafae.”
“What is it?” Erik asked
“Something that will allow me to make sure that I can get what I need from that jick without limiting my form.”
The man passed the coin through the bars to Erik.
“Okay but how am I going to do it? I mean I’m in here and I’m pretty sure I’m exiled from the Cafae with magic I can’t even enter the door.” Erik said
The man just smiled “Oh Dear Erik. You already have.” He said as Erik grabbed the coin.
“Wait say what?” Erik stumbled before he fell to his knees in a splitting headache.
(flashback)
Erik looked at the street In Front of him was the famous Cafae latte run by the faries in the middle of one of the booths he saw JC. Away from the door but close enough that it wouldn’t be suspicious, he looked down at his hand and found the coin he was given. As he made his way into the Cafae,
Erik found a potted plant with a bright hibiscus and slipped the coin under the dirt before licking the dirt off his fingers he didn’t want the evidence on his hands. As he walked up to JC.
JC was reading something on there phone. And haven’t seen them coming
“I’m on break, if you want something go bother someone else.”
“Well fuck you too.” Erik said
“Holy shit Erik I haven’t seen you in ages.”
“Probably because I just got out of jail like a month ago.” Erik said as the memory ended abruptly.
Erik fell down in his cell coughing “what the-What the fuck did you do?” He yelled clearly not remembering that occurring.
The man looked down at Erik while the demon was looking up at the hooded man unfortunately Erik still couldn’t see under the hood.
“So in the potted plant with the hibiscus, good spot.” The man said amused
“You’ve held your end of the bargain, so will I.” The man said as he looked down at Erik “Stand up Erik.”
Erik stood up clearly put off by the fact the man knew his name and clearly had powerful magic on his side he didn’t want to fuck with.
“You want immortality? And to be free of this cell?”
Erik nodded
“Approach.” The man said Erik got up so close he was touching the bars of his cells and was basically nose to nose with the man, his face still a pure shadow to him.
“I grant your gift.” The man said before his smile turned sinister.
Erik gasped eyes going wide as his head drifted down and he saw a blade stuck in his gut. Erik lifted his head up to look at the man he whispered into Erik’s ear.
“I never said, you’d get it, Alive.” The man said, ripping the blade out of his chest.
Erik’s eyes rolled into the back of his head and he fell down bleeding out on the cell floor as the man walked away as if he wasn't even there.
After five minutes the guard came by and sounded the alarm of the death in the cell.
An ominous rainstorm and the crack of thunder came upon the prison suddenly and the wind howled like a maniac laughter.
The next day at the Cafae everyone was present JC was pumping out the snacks as if they were on fire, the entire morning rush was an hour long gauntlet, business was popular now but not by this much apparently there were people coming in from out of state to try there coffee and snacks now. As such it was all hands on deck, everyone was running around serving orders Bob didn’t have enough time to do any of the morning managerial paperwork so they had to do it at lunch,
As soon as the rush ended everyone was sitting in chairs shoes off for at least five minutes,
“I don’t think I’ve worked so hard in my life than that last hour.” Drek said
“Agreed that rush was much harder than expected I think I’m going to look into another barista after that, mean if all our rushs get that busy then I’ll definitely up your pay but for right now.” Bob said shaking her head before heading out back to finish the paperwork.
Husniya was on her phone while JC had stolen Nicole’s chair seeing as she was at school.
Rethu and Cyrus were cuddling in the corner it almost look like Cyrus was sitting on Rethu’s lap, while the dragon breathed hot air into his neck, it was so damn cute, JC was likely to take a picture,
However the baker was moving trays from the oven to the counter, when Husynia let out a gasp.
JC looked up “what is it?” They asked
Husniya tried to backpedal and say it was nothing, but they were not having it,
“It’s nothing,” Husniya said
Cyrus looked up from his dragon Girlfriend and put a light glare at her.
“Bull shit. What happened?”
“Well umm.” Husniya said trying to make an out for herself
What she didn’t expect was for Drek to swipe her phone.
“Hey!” Husniya said
JC laughed as Drek read the words on the screen
“There was a murder at the local prison.” The goblin said
“Prison gang life, does it say who?” JC said unemphatically.
Drek scrolled down and his eyes went wide understanding why Husniya wanted to keep this quiet,
“Um.” Drek said which was a massive give away for everyone
“Who?” Rethu asked
Husniya sighed “I need to talk to Bob.” She said as she went into the back
“Erik got killed in prison.” Husniya told Bob from her office.
Bob sat up and turned to face Husniya. “How is Jennifer Charles taking this news?”
“What the fuck?! Are you shitting me?!” JC screech could be heard from the closed office door.
“I take it They’ve just been informed.” Bob said
“Most likely.” Husniya said
“Very well, please tell Jennifer Charles I wish to speak to them alone for today you are to take care of baking duties should JC decide to leave early.” Bob said
Husniya nodded and left allowing Bob to take a heavy sign, they had a good dislike for Erik, after what he pulled, but he didn’t deserve death.
Now they had to accept the fact he was dead.
A long while later. A lot longer than it should normally take to put the next batch of muffins, cookies and other such baked goods Jennifer Charles finally entered Bob’s office looking more tired and beleaguered than anyone, which is understandable seeing as one of their first friends just got killed.
“So bob what did you want to speak about?” JC asked?
“The news which I know you just heard of.” Bob said.
“Oh…yeah.” JC huffed as they sat down.
“Listen, just because Erik may have wronged us doesn’t mean that his death isn’t a tragedy, so what I want you to do, go home spend some time with Nicole, come back and we can figure this out.” Bob said
JC sighed and thought about it “well…”
“PTO.” Bob insisted taking out JC’s major argument,
JC sighed “Alright thanks Bob.”
Bob smiled “no problem, Tell Husniya she’s in charge of the baked goods when you leave, you can stay here while Nicole comes to pick you up or you can take the bus home..”
JC nodded as they were texting on there phone “already on it.” They said as they exited the office.
Bob sighed now they had to speak to Husniya.
Bob stood up to go speak to Husniya when she noticed a rush had started to pick up. She’ll be able to talk to them afterwards right now they had costomers to help.
Inside the potted hibiscus plant by the door under the dirt the coin that the hooded man gave Erik began to pulsate.
Husniya stepped in the office “yes you wanted to see me?”
“ close the door.” Bob said.
Husniya did so and sat down.
“Now this isn’t the favor so feel free to say no but I’m also willing to compensate you for the time, but If you wouldn’t mind I’d like you to see what you can dig up on Erik’s murder.” Bob said
“Oh I’m already on that.” Husniya said making bob backtrack
Bob looked slightly a gasp, “I gotta keep up on everything involved Cafae latte it’s my job, both from inside and outside.” Husniya said
“So as of now?” Bob asked
Husniya shook her head
“We don’t know what their motive was for the murder they could have been trying to get at JC? Or perhaps they wanted to test our resolve, or even let’s hope not try to find a chinch in the Cafae’s defenses, I know you don’t believe it but the U.S. still considers you an asset and will defend you if asked it’s why several protestes you did in the Fae rights movement you got released only after a week, others got freed months after.”
Bob nodded
“Half my job isn’t just keeping an eye on you it’s being backup if you need it I can easily call the office and get them to rain fire on whoever you so choose, if it’s determined worthy enough. Granted that will declare me compromised so it’s only a worst case scenario, but should you need it, it’s there.”
Bob nodded. “Still.”
“I’ll see what my husband can dig up.”
“Thank you Husniya.” Bob said
Husniya nodded and left the office allowing bob to go back to the paperwork.
JC sighed as they sat in the front waiting for Nicole when Caroline (Yarn granny) stepped in.
“Oh hello darling, are you okay? Your looking rather sad?”
JC looked up “eh it’s. I’m ok it’s just. Got some bad news, so i'm taking the rest of the day off.”
“Oh I'm sorry to hear that I wish you the best of luck.” She said
At that point Nicole walked into the Cafae,
“Hey you ready?” She asked
JC held up for work bag and smiled “yep.”
Nicole nodded “good let’s go.” She said adding a quick peck on the lips before turning around not seeing JC’s reaction
JC after the news of the death of Erik, and well, JC needed a destraction
“Thanks for picking me up, how was school today?”
“I didn’t have a lot of classes today it’s you needed me so I came,” Nicole said
“I’m sorry.” JC apologized
“Don’t be if I didn’t want to come and support you which I never would do by the way, I would have told you I can’t make it.” She said
JC sighed “yeah…it’s the fact the death is so sudden too I mean I don’t really care not after what he pulled but I mean.”
“You have a history together, it’s okay to get sentimental.” Nicole said
“Had. Had a history, I’m still trying to decide whether or not he’s made up for his crime at this point.” JC huffed
“Well unfortunately he’s not going to be able to put in a lot of effort from now on.”
JC winced and had the decency to look down at there feet guiltyly.
Nicole and JC drove the rest of the way in silence. As they stopped JC got out and turned around to talk to Nicole “thanks for dropping me off babe, I know you have to get back to work.”
Nicole was parking the car and had begun to climb out when she turned back “what are you talking about? I’m coming in with you.” She said
“Wait what?”
“While part time work doesn’t give a lot of vacation hours it does give some. At least for the rest of the day I’m staying,
JC smiled at there girlfriends kind heart “Thanks babe.”
“Go inside I’ll whip us up something to drink.” Nicole said
JC turned around as they opened there door “no magic.” They teased
“The only magic I’m gonna put in is love and support.”
JC let out a soft glare “I’m keeping an eye on you…” they said as they left the room.
When Nicole came in they found JC on there phone looking at something.
“What are you doing?” Nicole asked
JC shrugged “Eh I ran out of bad movie ideas for us to watch so Instead, I’ve decided to let someone else do the work for me, “Mystery Science Theater 3000.™”
Nicole blinked “we ran out of bad movies?” She asked
“Off the top of my head and what’s in the house, yeah.”
“Ah ok so then, what are we watching?”
Well I say it’s a toss up between Atlantic rim, Lords of the deep, and Ator.”
“Hmmmm. If we had two options we could put it as a tossup.” Nicole said
“Yeah…”
There was a reigning silience for about five seconds
“Ator?”
“Ator.”
They spent the rest of the night watching that and cuddling on the couch.
Outside of Saint Paul,
The hooded man found an abandoned Wearhouse outside of the city limits. Had anyone been looking they’d have seen nothing, the wards on the wearhouse were incredible. However to him it was tissue paper against a torrential downpour.
The man streachef out his hand flaying out his fingers and the door buckled under a unforeseen weight with a mighty crunch.
As soon as he stepped in the click of several firearms were pointed at his direction.
“I’ve just come to talk. Maybe give you a few gifts.” The man said
“You wanna give gifts go to the homeless shelter.” A gruff man from the shadows said
The man in the hood sighed
“I see your running a rather thin skeleton crew here.”
“And what you think you can be more of a help old man?”
“I can tell you where your lost lieutenant went.”
“We know he’s dead.”
The man stumbled “Well then, I bet you don’t know what did him in?”
“You mean the stupid fae they were dumb enough to capture?”
“Ok perhaps you do know what’s going on.” The hooded man admitted
The man snarled angrily “Of course I know of my operations, do you find me stupid, arrogant or blind?”
“Honestly speaking I find you all 3 of course you are a monkey and the gift of knowledge was never your strong suit.” The man said bluntly.
“You dare?” The man asked however the hooded man spoke again with a silver tounge that lapped up all the golden honey milk into their ears. Just like he wanted them to.
“but I bet you didn’t know exactly where they went wrong?” He said enticing them,
“We do.-.”
“Oh and don’t tell me you are aware of these mistakes because your making them right now.” The hooded man said
The man was about to speak up but a grunt behind him made him stop as he looked behind him before stepping to the side where the main kingpin of the Stone oak Coven sat masked in shadows.
The hooded man would taunt him with being done to death but it was effective, most magic operated on sight to sight limitations, or some equivalent handicap, fae you needed a name, human magic required ingredients, all of them both needed line of sight to be most effective, cut off that sight, either by scrying methods, or some other means and you’ve cut off the major sudden way that anyone can attack and off you quickly.
After all it was why he wore his hood. To keep away from that pesky all seeing eye.
“You speak from experience.” The kingpin said
“I speak from knowledge, enough that I can garenteed you rightful payback against the ones who caused this to you.” The hooded figure said
The kingpin smiled “tell me What’s to stop us from killing you after we get what we want?” The kingpin asked
“Try it.” The man said eagerly a warped smile was all that was seen under the hood.
The witches pointed their weapons at the hooded figure in a Mexican standoff waiting for the orders to fire.
The kingpin and the man were in a stairing contest. Trying to figure out the others goals
However there were only two people who were eager for something like that, fools, and people with something to prove, and while the hooded Figure looked the part of a fool he looked deeper.
A bluff,
No not a bluff, a test.
A test he nearly failed. But he was vain enough to admit it.
“stand down.” He ordered.
Each one of the witches lowered their guns.
“You say you can help us get payback?” The kingpin said as he sat back down.
“Tell us what my dumbass lieutenant did wrong.”
“Arrogance.” The man said as he snapped his fingers and a chair appeared from behind him allowing him to sit down crossing his legs comfortably.
“Your men went in there thinking they had the high ground, when in fact they didn’t.” The man said
“How does that help us?” The kingpin’s cronnie asked
The hooded man sat cheerfully ignoring the interruption and looking at the kingpin.
“Have you ever read the Art of War?”
“Should I have?”
“Yes…because as a crime family your in constant war…with the law, with other families, and with yourself.” The man said before he sat back.
“I said before your men were arrogant to capture the fae, I’ll explain now, your men when they captured Cyrus they put him in a fairy circle yes and in handcuffs, but they didn’t do enough, there should have been Seven Fairy circles with different sizes, the smallest being right around the exact chair he was sitting in. That would’ve prevented him from escaping for if he had been able to break out of one he couldn’t break out of all 7 until he would have been able to be subdued again.”
“We were given information that he was terrible at magic.” The cronnie said in argumentative fashion
The hooded figure looked over to him “and because you underestimated your enemy 15 of your enforcers are dead.” He said making his point and shutting up the croonie.
The hooded man looked over to the kingpin again and held up a single finger. “Fatal flaw number one. You underestimated your opponent, always consider that your opponent knows exactly what you know. Exactly what your plan is? And how your going to implement it, you need to have this contingency, plan for it and be ready to implement it at a moment’s notice, plans within plans. And expect those plans to be leaked, if you can have a functioning plan that can go off without a hitch despite being leaked it is a rock solid plan.” The man said
“I see.” The kingpin said nodding.
“However What about luck and protection spells?” He said
The hooded figure sighed “fatal flaw number two. Your overreliance of Luck and spellcraft,
“The term “luck runs out eventually is a very apt saying, you have no idea when it will only that it will and what’s better, Luck Will in fact run out the exact time you least want it to, that’s not at all including luck spells which are knows to be fillable already.”
“And what of protection?” The cronnie asked
The hooded man looked and noticed that the man had an amulet on his neck.
“Tell me is that a protection charm around you? Specifically a unicorn horn?” He said
The man looked down and held it in his hand activated it to full power as he answered being careful.
“Yes it is.” He said
“Hmmm.” The hooded man hummed as he raised his hand fingers pointed up towards the roof. Before twisting his hand one hundred and eighty degrees around.
A sickening crack was heard as the the cronies head followed the motion snapping his neck and falling like a sack of potatoes. The kingpin looked at his now dead enforcer stunned
“Rule number 2?” The man said
“Noted.” The kingpin wheezed out shitless.
This went on for a while with the hooded figure getting more and more angry as time went on before he was full blown ranting.
“…And lastly your using a RENTED Wearhouse do you know what that is?… A FUCKING MONEY TRAIL!!?”
The kingpin was having his men write down all the notes they could on how to boost their crime and credibility.
The hooded man stood up and vanished the chair.
“That is all I have to say on that matter, do these things and I swear you will be the dominant crime family in America.”
“Now, it’s time for you to give me my payment.” The hooded man said.
“How many we assist you Lord Wahsawenn?”
The hooded man smiled “I need you to track down a few people.”
A few Weeks later Margert Nancy Johnson was huffing and puffing trying to use her magic to break Bob’s spell on her. She found the ruins of a dragon egg in Deluth and had used its eggshell and fluids found in it in the ritrual which had helped suppress most of the effects to the point she had aminomity again but the bad luck and fortune were still present she barely got out of that apartment alive before getting roasted.
Nancy sighed as she sat down in her safehouse too tired to do anything. She reached over and grabbed a rose off the side of the table and held out her other hand before biting down on the rose head the flower itself burst into flames with the heat singing her tounge lightly as a Cold beer flew into her outstretched hand.
She cracked ut open and used it to cool off her mouth.
“Fuck I hate doing that but I can’t do anything else today.”
“Well aren't you in luck.” A voice said by her door. revealing a man with an oversized hood
Nancy looked up and drew her gun “woah hold on how did you get here?”
“Its surprising how easily simple it is to break in when you don’t have a magical binding on your door along with the mundane one.” The man said before stepping forward
“As for who I am? I am a member of a reformed underground coven of witches from Saint Paul, we went by the name Stone Oak coven.”
“I’ve heard of you, but you lot are quiet ruthless I haven’t done anything to upset you guys have I? I hope I haven’t spoken to the wrong person or something.” Nancy said
“Oh no not at all, this is just a, friendly visit. I wanted to chat get to know you and see if you wanted revenge on a few enemies?”
Nancy nodded “I’m always down for some payback.”
“Great, here this is the location of one of our safehouse’s it’s an abandoned factory just outside of town. No paper trail, no lease we’ve put up a few shadow charms to keep people from snooping that’s all, that paper will allow you to cut through all that do not lose it.” He said
Nancy nodded and put the paper in her pocket
“So um. Who are we going after if I may ask also who are you and why are you wearing a hood?”
“All in good time little girl. Meet us first then we can explain what is going to happen.“ the man said as he walked away without another word to Nancy,
Jennifer Margaret valentine sat in her house watching the TV on there lap was tonight’s cold dinner. She wasn’t feeling hungry, infact she wasn’t feeling anything which was weird because usually sense her interaction with Bob she would get a-
“Oh why hello there?” A hooded figure said behind Jenny startling her making her nearly drop her food on the carpet.
“Who are you? What are you doing here-how did you get into my house?” Jenny asked
The man waved off her questions.
“Did you really think that you’d just get your little one off episode and be done and think that the story would have no other need for you?” The hooded man said as he fell down onto the couch
Jenny slowly blinked trying to process what was happening. Only three words came to mind.
“What are you?”
The hooded man smiled “Someone who can help get your powers back, if your willing to help me, by doing me a favor yourself.” He said
Jenny took a deep breath if this went sideways bob would definitely have her head for this, however sense she lost her powers she’s not being doing anything, with her mental health taking a turn for the worst.
Jenny nodded “what would you like me to do?”
The hooded man nodded with a wolffish smile and reached into his robes sleeve and pulled out an amulet with…was that a fairy wing?
“Put this on, do not take it off unless you want that interfering Fae Bob to find out about it and destroy it.” The hooded man said
Jenny nodded and hung it on her neck and under her shirt as she felt the power radiating out of it breaking bob’s spell on her,
“So what do you want me to do in return?”
“Come to this address and all will be explained.”
“Thank you. I don’t think you gave me your name.” She said
“I didn’t.” He said as he vanished out of thin air.
Jenny jumped back stunned “I thought I warded my apartment against teleportation.” She looked down at her new atrumaunt “I’ll have to check the wards.”
CIA safehouse: Location somewhere
Husniya and Asfi stepped into the lobby of the frankly overt “secret” central intelligence facility. Outside of [Redacted]
Husniya headed over to the handler of operation Tinkerbell and sighed
“Is there any update on the murder of Erik?”
“Yes but not so much we can pin down, at 4:45 Erik was sitting in his cell then at 4:50 he was seen visited by a hooded figure despite the fact he was marked as unapproachable in the system, and kept in 24/7 surveillance no one saw him come in, the hooded man stabbed him and fled there was no guards that witnessed this the only reason we do know this happened was because it was captured on CCTV,
“Have the guards been questioned?”
“All there stories are being reported as hearsay they claim they were in the area and had eyes on him up until he fell down despite the fact no guards are seen on the footage.” The handler said
“What do you think?” Husniya asked
“I think we might be dealing with another fairy.”
“Are you sure? they don’t have the ability to alter technology.” Husniya said
“But they can glamor themselves and others to slip past through security systems, it’s a tested method. Honestly if we had a crime syndicate of fae that were willing to get there hands dirty they would be unstoppable.”
“What should I do?” Husniya asked
The handler sighed “as much as I hate to say this I think we need to get bob involved. Talk to her nudge her into our findings without exposing yourself. Also hint at if she’s willing to intervene we’d be willing to sweep it under the rug as an act of good grace.”
Husniya nodded. As she left for the car. As Asif turned to the boss.
“Do you think she knows, that we know, that she’s told Bob about her alignment?”
“Oh most definitely not, but they are genuine firend so no bridges burned.”
“Yeah best keep it that way. Your dismissed.”
Husniya waited in the car as Asif came out and strapped his seatbelt in.
“So what did the boss want to talk to you about?”
Asif looked over then turned away too quickly “oh nothing.”
Husniya gave a glare to her husband. ‘Your not able to lie dear.’
Asif sighed “they know.” He said
“Know of?” Husniya asked
“They know about Bob.” He said before glaring back with a face they read ‘and frankly so do I.’
Husniya sighed “Fuck.”
“Relax, they aren’t pulling you out, they can see you’ve got a genuine friendship and want you to stay there so long as you nudge her along from time to time.”
Husniya sighed, “Understood.”
“alright let’s get home and set kwala up for her first day of school.” Asif said
The next day JC, Oscar, Husniya, Bob and Cyrus were on shift. ”so where is Drek today?” Husniya asked
“He’s working at the gym today.” JC said
Meanwhile Drek was working at the gym although he was considering putting in his two weeks at this moment.
Drek at that exact moment was hanging terrified by the tree branch trying desperately not to get slashed by short sword like claws from 3 incredible old sphinx’s acting like kittens play fighting with each other while one was swatting at Drek and his cat toy like a piñata.
“Helllpppppp!”
“Ah okay then nothing to worry about them.” She said as she assisted with JC with making the food for the morning rush. After that was done but before JC started the prep work for the afternoon rush restocking effort Husniya started to make her way to Bob’s office.
“Wait where Are you going?” JC asked as she began spreading out gluten free flour upon the counter.
“I have to talk to Bob for a few.” Husniya said
JC nodded in understanding “yeah sure go I got this.” While Husniya left, JC kept an eye on them.
“Hey bob can I talk to you?” Husniya asked Bob in her office as she shut the door.
Bob looked up from paperwork “yeah sure sit down.” Bob said as Husniya made herself comfortable
“So what’s up?” Bob asked
“Well it turns out I’m not as stealthy as I had thought and so they know I’m compromised.” Husniya said
Bob spun her chair around to look at Husniya “does this mean you’ll be going away?”
Husniya shook her head “oh no no, they want me still here.”
“Because were firends?”
“Because were firends yes.” Husniya nodded
“Huh, about time they actually learned well I’ll tell you now that so long you want to work here you’ll always have a spot.” Bob said
“Thank you Bob, and for the search we believe it to be a fairy that did the deed.”
“A fairy?” Bob asked stunned
“Yes and if your wanting to look into this maybe to look out after your own interests, we won’t say no.” Husniya said
Bob nodded “let me ask around, I have a few people who might know things.
Husniya nodded “so I guess that-.” Before Husniya finished the door burst open as JC stepped in.
“Theres an…issue…up front…also we’re starting to pick up a second rush again.” JC panted
Bob looked to Husniya and nodded who nodded back and stood up. “Well I think that I’ve been wasting enough time let’s go back to work. Bob I’ll speak to you again later.” Husniya said as she left for the front
JC watches Husniya leave sipping some coffee before looking over to Bob “did that have just a bit of darker undertone for you?”
“Eh I wouldn’t worry about it.” Bob said
JC did not look convinced. As they too left for the front to help with the sudden rush.
[Wearhouse owned and operated by the stone oak coven. Now renamed. The Evergod coven]
The remaining members of the Evergod coven bout an estimated 25 or so sat around a table while the two newcomers were looking at the group tensely,
The leader of the Evergod coven stood up “so I assume we know why we are here?”
“Aside from the fact that we were invited by a mysterious hooded man we have no idea why we are here.” Jenny said
“I know of you, I said that before but i don’t remember the stone oak coven working in this side of town.”
“We don’t go by that old name anymore, our business associates do use it as an alias, but it is not associated with our physical persona, nor our higher calling.”
Jenny and Nancy looked to each other “so what do you go by?”
“We…are the Evergod coven!”
“The Evergod coven?”
“Yes named after me unfortunately no matter how much I tell them not to.” A hooded figure said walking in suddenly despite all the doors were shut and no one saw him walk in.
The man raised his hand and slowly lowered then as an orchestra director. As everyone who had stood up slowly lowered themselves back into there seats.
“What’s the plan moving forward?”
“The first question first, who here has had a physical Runin with our opponent?”
“And who is our opponent?”
“The fairy witch.”
“Wait you mean bob?” Jenny asked
“Yes indeed I mean her, she has something that I need, and therefore I intend to get do not worry none of you will be in the line of fire directly, only myself shall dispute directly with her as per story peramaters.” The hooded man said before spiraling into peels of laughter.
Jenny and Nancy looked to each other, “are you getting joker vibes from him?”
“Ah Mr joker a quote the funny guy really I say knows his stuff especially toxins…” the hooded guy said
“Ok horrifying implication aside what exactly is the plan for this?”
“Well aside the fact that you guys all need to learn how to hold your own, I can teach you the art that can give you the edge.” The hooded figure said
“Oh and that is?” The Evergod coven head asked
“Necromancy.”
Isn’t necromancy illegal?” Jenny asked
“If your willing to do all of these sorts of illegal activities yet necromancy is where you draw the line you have bigger priorities to sort.”
“Well america has a kill On sight for necromancers So.”
“That’s no excuse if anything that’s the perfect opportunity to become a lich.” The hooded man said.
“Wait what?” Nancy asked
“Yeah a Lich, that’s practically the final step of becoming of Lich, you place your soul in a container and preform a ritual suicide. That’s actually where most of the taboo of Suicide comes from. It’s not because people actually cared for human life it’s because they didn’t want people coming back as zombies or lich’s or thralls.” The hooded figure said
There was a tense silence as everyone thought about what was said. The hooded man looked more and more peeved about how idicotic everyone was being in this.
“Where the fuck Is your logic when you preform magic?”
“That…actually is a good question.”
“Would that be effective against bob?”
“I’m sorry what’s a Lich?” One of the Evergod coven members asked
“I also want to know.” Nancy said raising her hand.
The Cloaked figure looked over to Jenny the one person who didn’t look confused.
“I dabbled in Necromancy, to talk to my dead father for help every once and a while.”
The hooded man nodded, and began to dive into Lich lore.
“So a Lich is an undead sorcerer, who puts there soul into a container called a Phylactery, which grants them a sort of immortality, you have to constantly have to feed souls into the Phylactery to sustain yourself but you can have thralls and other summoned creatures do it for you.”
“So the immortality seems great and all but how will that help us against bob? I mean she’s still a fairy sorcerer and quiet a powerful one too and she knows our names or at least two of us. What’s to stop her from just cursing us from afar and stop this before it happens?”
“One this entire conversation is warding against scrying, yet another failsafe you failed to utilize correctly.” The hooded figure said
“And two?” Jenny asked
“Well Liches have no names, I mean they’re dead that have no use for them, some of them could go by a nickname or something but seeing as most of them are dead there is no reason for them to speak, to one another, so most that bob could actually do is hunt down the Phylactery and destroy it which if you hide it well enough will take centuries, again it’s why liches are so feared, infact most modern media of pop culture don’t actually portray liches, Saroun wasn’t a Lich even if he had a phylactery in the one ring, and snake-face-no-nose didn’t have either, he wasn’t dead just without a body, and a Phylactery has to contain the entire part of the liches soul, and you’ll know when it’s destroyed.”
A tense silence follows for a moment then the leader of the coven stood up and spoke.
“All in favor of becoming liches say Aye?”
No one opposed.
“Alright so here’s what we do.” The hooded man said as the conversation turned to lichdom.
“So the case of what should we use as a Phylactery?”
“Well in all honesty, anything. While pop culture doesn’t portray liches in terms of Saroun or Voldemort, the one thing they do get right is that anything can be used as a Phylactery.“
“Ok so then I assume we are all going to become liches?”
“I guess so. So then what’s the first step of becoming a Lich?”
“First you need to learn necromancy.” The hooded man said
“Soo where do we start with that?” Nancy asked
“Right here.” Jenny said bringing out a tomb labeled ‘Necromancy 101’ and slid it onto the table.
“Unfortunately I could only find one copy and it’s heavily censored so I’ll have to teach you the reminder,” Jenny said
“I can remove the censorship from the text just give me a second.” The hooded hand said as he reached out from under his cloak to reveal a boney hand which touched the book before wavering his hand over the table and 7 other copies of the book appeared.”
“There now we can return the original one and not be investigated for theft,” he said
“Alright well let’s get reading.” Jenny said as she picked up her book and started to read.
“While you do that i have things I need to do. Good luck.” And with that the hooded man vanished without a trace.
A while later Nancy had a question for Jenny,
“Hey Jen? It says here that Lich’s have to consume souls in order to continue existing that’s gonna be a massive give away to us from bob.”
“Yes however most Lich’s specify into Necromancy, and give there thalls soul trap so they can have them consumed souls for them without having any risk.”
“So what about the skills we already know?”
“Well I assume some of you know how to control people’s thoughts.” Jenny said who was adapt at the love spell one of the more common useage’s of said ability.
And thus the training began and slowly but surely the plan came together.
(At Cafae latte)
“Thank you have a good day.” Bob said as she waved the last customer out for the lunch rush.
“JC Nicole is here!” The fae announced
JC poped out of the back shocked “babe? Um what’s wrong you look worried.
“I decided to try to divine part of the future because I got this feeling of something terrible happening soon, and i don’t recognize it.” She said
“What sort of things?”
“I don’t know but I know it involves Death.”
Bob turned to Nicole “are you sure that’s a serious accusation.”
“I’ve done mutiple spells and each and every time I’ve gotten something associated with death, at the very least. The first was a skull and crossbones, the next was a boney hand rising from the ground, and ending with a gravestone.”
“Yeah that’s kinda clear cut.” Cyrus hissed
“So what are we going to do?” JC asked
“Nothing.” Bob answered.
“Nothing?” JC asked
“There isn’t much we can do, divination isn’t a cut and dry magic so we can’t go to the cops with probable cause. And for the same reason we can’t actively go after said entity, we can defend ourselves but we can’t do much else.”
Cyrus huffed “fucking Government.”
Nicole sighed “I’ll start making protective charms but I’m not sure how effective they are going to be especially because I’m out of unicorn horns.”
“Probably not a lot, seeing as we are facing down something wanting to kill us. And in the worst case, death itself, so they won’t be that effective but it’s better than nothing,” Cyrus said
Nicole nodded and left.
Unknown to everyone the old Cafae spot that was turned into a used bookstore in the back had a small section of scrolls one of them was from the far lands which fortold prophecy’s of its residents, and at that moment the scroll glowed and text appeared on said scrolls.
“Due to the fae’s inaction…the shadowy depths of dark creep ever closer, and the reign of the dead come forth, all hail the Evergod, for his righteous path, burns his foes and those in his way with no regard for their allegiance, and thus the destruction of the mortal world is all but certain say for one.”
The old man working at the used book store saw a flash of light out of the corner of his eye and went to investigate the light thinking it was a robber or worse he raised a shotgun as he began clearing the back of his store.
He got to the room in the back where all and ancient and dangerous books were and lowered to see what was making the light.
He found the scroll and the new passage that had appeared on the paper. The old man sighed, “fucking kids not willing to take there own actions.” He said as he got up and began to leave grabbing a duffel bag from above one of the bookshelves and he began packing stuff, several rifles, knives, enough ammo to arm a battalion, and several spell books that would allow him to survive on his own, such as food craft, medical stabilization, and a few combat spells like a basic fire spell.
With that done the old man sighed and took out a can of gasoline and began to start dousing the floor with it covering all the books and papers, in each and every room leading to the back door out into the ally where no one would see his escape into the night.
The old man grabbed a zippo from his pocket and struck a light. About to burn the place to the ground when the front door opened.
“Hello!!?” A cheery voice echoed
The old man sighed flicking the lighter closer and dropping his back with his hand held up on a 9mm behind his back as he approached the front entryway.
Inside was a figure hidden under a large hooded cloak,
“Ah here you are old man, I was worried that you might not show up.”
The old man looked at the man wearily “can I help you?” He asked his grey hair hiding his question as poor hearing,
“Oh let’s not beat around the bush grandpa, I’m interested in what you got to sell.” He said as the man reached out and levetated a book towards him and opened it up,
“After all, the saying goes, knowledge is power. And what’s better than a grand observatory of knowledge, than a library or bookstore like this?”
“What do you want?”
“Well I just told you? The store, after all it’s a crime to lose such knowledge in such an… accident isn’t it?” The hooded man said as he drew the empty Gas can towards him lying next to him empty and looking at the man who was standing more fearfully now.
“I’m about to close so whatever you want you can have.” The old man said
“Yes yes I know, your closing the doors, permanently, after all we don’t want the secrets that hidden here to be found out do we?” As the hooded figure laughed.
A gunshot rang out into the night.
An hour later it was reported an arson attack had occured on the property of the used bookstore burned to a crisp, only one body had been found had been unabled to be identified.
The Cafae latte crew was shocked none so more than Bob for while Bob had no longer called that specific spot “her domain” there were a shit ton of enchantments on and around the property to prevent stuff like that from occuring.
Bob felt off about the situation but unfortunately when she went to investigate the location the police turned her away.
Bob sighed as she was barred from doing anything, however Bob stayed at the Cafae waiting for a chance to inspect the building itself.
Finally the police moved away without taking an ambulance mind you so no bodies were present. That night after they shut down, Bob climbed into the rubble of the old building.
As soon as she passed into the burned out husk of a building she the pulse of magic she had inbeued into the walls signaling that indeed this location was still considered home to the Fae.
That made this personal, this was a personal attack on Bob herself. The fae could not let this go. It seemed that Cyrus would be able to have some fun after all.
Just as bob was about to leave she felt a crunch under her feet and noticed a shimmer. A spell hidden from law enforcement. It was so hard to find even bob nearly missed it. But now knowing it was there she dispelled it
The entire room changed, handing from the ceiling was the old man who she had sold the place to. Blood dripping from his corpse tge blood flowing on the ground casting a large message.
‘Glad we can speak face to face… we’ll mostly, I’d knew you come. You had to investigate your domain. No worries none of your echantments have been removed. Just simply overpowered and the building destroyed to its foundation. I know you know exactly what this is and I’m here to confirm it. Yes I am threatening you, yes I have plans, and if you interfere with them, I will be forced to take action,
But of course this is you, and I know you, better than you know yourself. And I know …you won’t stop unless I do something drastic…’
As bob finished reading she went to lower herself to investigate the blood itself and when she did so the bloodlit up signifying a spell. Bobs had just enough time to looked shocked as a massive explosion occured sending her flying into the next building over sliding down and stoping yo rest on the wall slouched on it and the rest of the building being destroyed.
Bob tried to get up but her legs was too shakey she had to wait for a minute as she tried to catch her breath.
Bob felt a sudden and harsh burn in her gut as her eyes widened. She looked down to confirm her worse nightmare.
An iron rod from the building had been sent flying and implanted her through the gut. It burned her cauterizing instantly but still burning her. She tried to get a grip on the Iron rod with her apron but the rod was too long and was stuck through said apron. She however wasn’t losing any blood her burned skin had prevented her from losing said blood but that doesn’t mean she was safe if she didn’t get this out, she might pass out from said pain and lead to a whole mess of physiological issues down the line.
Bob had started to fall into desperation as the pain began to get overwhelming burning her hands in the effort to physically pull the rod out of herself. Unfortunately the rod was robbed so it hurt more. And has lost too much of her strength since.
Bob felt her hands weaken and fall slack at her sides as she tried to push off the wall but again her strength just made her stumble.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw a lone figure in the night. No other features but a large hood thrown over its head.
She blinked and the figure had seemed to get closer but she couldn’t tell her head was getting fuzzy and the pain was blinding, another moment abd the figure was closer.
Finally the figure was above her. Again nondescript body and only a head with the only visible skin being the mouth and the bottom of the nose.
Bob tried to reach out to get the person to help her but her arm fell limp she couldn’t even contain her glamor anymore which fell away revealing her true fairy form.
“Look at you, the most powerful sorceress of the fairies brought down so easily, I had thought I’d of needed to use more tools to take you down.” The figure did. It speak but bob heard the voice in her head which frightened her. Telepathy was a very powerful if popular form of magic and used a lot of training to master it. And this figure had used it effortlessly.
The figure reached down to her and brushed away a tear. “Hush there bug, you won’t die here you won’t even have any scaring left, the story requires your involvement, I just need you out of the way for a bit, but that does mean I have to do this.”
The figure grasped the iron rod tightly and Bob had a glimmer of hope that he was going to pull it out no matter how painful it was going to be she’s put up with it.
Unfortunately the figure was worse and drove it deeper into her making her blood spill the back wall as he drove the rod through her out of her and cracking the wall as well driving in through that as well pinning her to the stonework, now she was fully stuck.
“Goodbye bug. Be seeing you.”
Bob watched as the man walked out of eyeshot down a back alley and vanish from sight before the pain, and trauma overwhelmed her and all she saw was black.
The hooded figure went back to the Ever gods cult hideout and found many of the soon to be liches waiting for them.
“Where have you been sir?” One of the desiples asked
“Taking care of our fairy problem. Now we have a slim window, so I suggest we use it carefully, are you ready to preform the ritual?”
Everyone nodded
“Very well. By tonight waining hours you will have ascended to become more that your mortal form could ever imagined, be impervious from death, and no one could control you by your true name, have each of you gathered a sacrifice?” The man said
The others nodded
“Very well let us descend into the depths and go forth towards the future we demand.”
(At Bobs house)
Cyrus sat in one of the leather chairs in the library trying to focus on his reading, but he couldn’t, the boss hadn’t come home yet nor even texted him saying she was going to be late. Something that she would have done if something like this was to occur, and she’s several hours late.
Cyrus was fully capable of taking care of himself, but it’s just on the thresholds of being an adult in fairy terms and he still cares for the boss.
Deciding that his reading wasn’t going anywhere he took off his headphones and sighed figuring out what to do as he looked out into the night sky.
Suddenly his phone buzzed and him being so wound up his nearly jumped out of his skin unfortunately it was only JC. Not the boss.
Disappointed but trying his damsent to hide it Cyrus answers the phones
“Hey JC.” He said
JC who had called to talk about ideas for new recipes for tomorrow noticed the change in Cyrus’s voice.
“Are you okay?”
‘Fuck.’ Cyrus cursed his inability to lie
“No not really.” He said sighing
“What’s wrong?” JC asked
“I don’t wanna talk about it…” Cyrus said before finally crumbling
“The boss isn’t back yet and normally she’d at least text me to say she’d be staying out or something but no word.”
“Want me to rally the others and form a search party?”
Cyrus sighed “no, it’s already too late and we have no idea where to start looking anyways.”
“Ok do you want me to call or text the others and get them ready for tomorrow?”
“That might honestly be for the best.” Cyrus said as he hung up
“Come on boss, where are you…” hoping she would come home soon and was just out get laid and had forgotten to tell him about it ahead of time.
The next morning there was no such luck as Bob was still not home. Cyrus now getting worried called JC to begin the search party.
“…We’ll begin at the Cafae, and work our way outward.” Cyrus said
“Hey um Cyrus…check the news.” JC said
Cyrus flipped the channel on and felt his blood run cold.
“JC…grab everyone. Hurry.” He said as he hung up and flew to his car driving off as fast as he could.
They arrived at the location of the old Cafae lattie and found it a massive pile which was not how it was before.
“What happened?” JC asked getting off the bus. The second Rethu and Oscar showed up
“I came as soon as I heard any luck?” Rethu asked before glomping Cyrus into a hug.
“Heart please not right now later yes but I’m doing all I can right now to not freak out.” Cyrus admitted
Rethu pulled away and nodded
“We should start looking no telling where in this pile Bob is.” Oscar said
“Guys I found her!” JC yelled as everyone turned around and ran to JC’s location
“Where is- oh no!” Cyrus gasped holding his hand to his mouth.
“Oh fuck.” Rethu cursed as they pulled Cyrus into a one armed hug.
“Damn…what a way to go.” Oscar muttered
Cyrus fell to his knees as Rethu picked him up and held him letting him cry in her shoulder’s
JC however had not given up on Bob as they tried desperately to search for a pulse.
Eventually they found it.
“Guys she still alive!” They said
That snapped everyone to attention as Cyrus rushed forward
“JC can you-Argh!” Cyrus cursed as he accidentally touched the iron rod.
“JC sighed I don’t wanna move her less she actually starts to bleed. I hate to admit it but the iron rod probably saved her life it seared the flesh and prevented her from Bleeding out.
“But the trauma and and burning. She could’ve been like this all night.” Cyrus said
“Look I’ll get In touch with Patrick and Janine maybe they can swing by with tools and help cut her out.” Rethu said
JC stood up “I’ll do it you watch over Cyrus he’s been frightened all night.” They said
The dragon nodded and took hold of Cyrus and acted as a stress blanket.
JC got on the phone to call Patrick.
“Ello.” The wearwolf said
“How close are you to the cafe right now?” JC asked cutting any small talk
“What happened?” Pat asked
“Bob got impaled by an iron rod and is passed out we can’t get her off of it.” They said
“I’m on my way how’s Cyrus?” Pat asked
“So far as I can tell catatonic. But there with Rethu.”
“Fuck I’ll be there as soon as I can tell Janine for me she’ll join in to.”
JC nodded and hung up
“Well?” Cyrus croaked
JC jumped hearing Cyrus’s voic so hoarse and scratchy was not normal.
“Pats on his way and I believe he’s going to bring power tools to.”
Cyrus nodded and curled back up into rethu who used her wings to loop around Cyrus to pull him in tighter.
Still didn’t help that they could still hear Cyrus crying as the only backdrop.
JC looked over to Oscar who was fiddling with his phone.
“What are you doing Oscar?”
“I’m going to call emergency services that way once we get bob out the ambulance will be able to take her-.”
“Flying Is quicker.” Rethu said
“Well yeah but.” Oscar started
“We’re gonna fly.” Cyrus said leaving no room for argument.
Oscar seeing no reason to argue closed his phone and sat still twiddling his thumbs.
JC huffed “what the hell is taking Pat so long?”
“I assume that he has yet to arrive?” Janine said behind JC
“Gah!” They startled
The vampire looked at Bob and hissed “how long has she been like that?”
“We don’t know.” JC asked
Janine approched and went to inspect the body and the wound.
“Well she doesn’t have any iron poisoning so she can’t have been here that long.
“Iron poisoning?” JC mouthed to Oscar
“If a-
“If a fairy is exposed to iron for too long. Or large quantities of iron is introduced into their bloodstream they basically get poisoned from it your veins feel like they are on fire which essentially they are as they are being burning while the iron circulates the body. It’s not normally lethal but under a grievous wound it’s possible.” Cyrus said
Rethu put a hand on there head while Janine checked the back of Bob.
“Fuck!” She hissed
Everyone turned.
“What is it?”
“She speared clean though. And the rod is embedded into the wall. We won’t be able to pull the rod out of her we have to pull her off the rod.” Janine said
“That’s likely to cause more damage.” Cyrus argued
“I know!” Janine snapped “I’m trying to figure out what to do.”
At that moment Pat arrived in his truck.
“Where the hell were you!” Janine snapped
“I didn’t have a rotary saw at my house so I had to go to the store to get one. Battery operated. Move.” Pat said as he approched Bob.
“Hold the rod im going to try to cut as close to Bob as possible that way we don’t have a risk of adding damage to her when we pull her off.”
JC sighed “Cyrus do you want to?”
“Don’t you dare.” Cyrus growled
“Fair enough. Do you want me to open the Cafae or?”
“Honestly we can keep it closed for this one day.” Cyrus said honestly not to bothered by the Cafae far more focused on Bob at this point.
“And done.” Pat said as Janine tossed the iron rod aside.
“Grab one or her legs and arms.” Pat said as Janine got on the other side of bob.
JC went around and grabbed the rod sticking out behind her.
“I got the rod.” They said
“3…2…1…pull!” Pat said as they pulled Bob off the iron rod. Once off they began to wrap the wound with gauze.
“Alright let’s get her to the hospital who’s driving?” Pat asked as he looked around to see a fully formed dragon infront of him.
“Oh okay then, here’s Bob we’ll meet you at the hospital.”
Rethu flew off with Cyrus cradling Bob in his arms.
The flight was a quick 30 minutes but to Cyrus it felt like hours. Until they came in sight of the hospital,
Rethu expected to do a slow landing as to not startle everyone inside.
Only for Cyrus to jump off instead
“Oh you insane fairy!” Rethu snarled in draconic. As she transformed into her mostly human form which was capable of carrying her wings and flew down to open the door to the ER.
“We can use some help!” Cyrus yelled
A gunnery came moments later and took Bob into the emergency room.
Now they could only wait.