Kat Among The Pigeons Read online

  Son of a bitch. That had to be a fae in an animal body. You can always tell because they never get it quite right. This one showed all the signs -- besides the behavior improper for a badger, the animal had trouble walking on four legs and sat in a rather human style.

  Fae are magic made manifest into a form very like human bodies -- we are probably related, but no one knows there or how the break happened. Fae, however, can translate the solid form into its base magic and place ourselves into another shell. That's why there are tales of anthropomorphic animal gods -- they are fae in disguise. A fae can't use magic in the new form and has to set up to change back ahead of time. There are even tales of fae who took animal forms but when the return spell failed, they could never get back out.

  As soon as I stood, the badger took off. I wanted to know who was playing games. Taking an animal's body could do the creature harm. They sometimes lose a sense of themselves in the transfer, and I didn't appreciate someone doing something so evil to spy on me.

  "What was that?" David asked, watching the woods.

  "A badger. Nothing to worry about. I scared the poor guy." I'd be doing more than scare him when I found the person. "Worth the hike?"

  "Fantastic," he answered. "You all right?"

  "Fine. Soaking up the area for my writing. This is a lovely day to be here."

  He nodded and continued taking pictures, moving the camera several times as he searched out the perfect light. I kept an eye open for the badger. I wished a hawk or eagle would come by so I could talk to them. They are usually paranoid, secretive birds, but I've gotten good information from a few in the past.

  David shared a candy bar and some bottled water he found down in the bottom of his pack. I was beginning to think he carried a magic bag. We watched a few deer wander close enough to check us out. Normal deer, I am glad to say.

  Sometime after noon we headed back down the road.

  And that's when the bobcat sauntered out in front of me.

  "Trouble," she hissed in a bare whisper of sound. "Trouble in the --"

  She spotted David who had been lagging a few steps behind after a call of nature.

  "Human," she growled, and darted into the woods.

  Hell.

  "Wow. That was -- wow." David put down his backpack and pulled out a camera. "I'm going to be ready from now on."

  I wished I could say the same.

  We hiked back to the Endovalley road in good time. We saw no more bobcats, though David got a few other pictures along the way. He still had a 'kid in a candy shop' look.

  I pushed away my worries. The flux with The Edge was upsetting everyone. Maybe something odd got through -- that has happened, rarely, in the past. I'd return later when I could openly use my magic to find answers.

  I decided to enjoy David's company and stop worrying. We drove around the lower park area, discussing possible picture sites and what I would write about. The magazine allotted us about three thousand words and four pages. We'd have to start limiting things before too long.

  "Unless we write a guidebook," David suggested, startling me. "I mean after the article. You know this area well, and you have a special feel for the world of nature. Maybe we can consider something later. After the other work."

  "Yeah. Later, after everything else is done."

  After The Edge settled down -- yes, working on something else with him, especially later in the summer, might be a lot of fun. Though maybe we could do a section about winter activities, too?

  Oh yes, we could be spending a lot of time together in the future.

  We went walked through the picnic area again. The position of the sun had changed, and the quality of the light altered everything. David took more pictures while I sat at atop one of the tables, jotting down a few notes.

  "This place is different every time I come here. Always lovely and always different."

  "Yeah. I love exploring a favorite spot at different times of the day and different times of the year. Everything changes, from the light to the sounds. I have a college friend who loves to travel. Unfortunately, he'll never go back to the same place twice: Been there, done that. I took one trip with him, and never again. We drove each other nuts."

  "I imagine so. Come on. I'll treat you an early dinner."

  "I can buy. I have expenses paid, you know."

  "So am I." I laughed. "We can both get our own tickets at dinner. You ready to go?"

  "No. I'd love to see this place in moonlight. I think we better leave anyway."

  As we headed back into town, I considered one of the fancy hotel restaurants. Instead, I took David to the Bear Camp, a wonderful out of the way cafe with decor which could, at best, be called rustic.

  The restaurant choice proved a good decision. The waitress, Marylyn, knew me and a couple of the rangers greeted us. I introduced David. The friendliness of the place felt better than anywhere else we could have gone.

  We both ordered big hamburgers, fries, cokes and a platter of onion rings. We had a nice, wonderful companionable meal.

  Although during dinner I noticed David's space cadet side. Twice he didn't answer to his name and I touched him on the arm to get his attention. He acted chagrined both times.

  "Sorry. Guess I'm not used to company. I live by myself, and I spend way too much time inside my own head."

  "Yeah, I know the feeling."

  "You have Cato and Shakespeare. I should get a pet, maybe. I've always been partial to cats. They're pretty low maintenance, right?"

  "Depends on the cat." We talked about pets and other responsibilities.

  We were having a wonderful meal.

  And then disaster struck in the form of my cousin Aletta. I didn't even notice her arrival until she stopped right behind my chair and I felt magic. I turned around with a start. She wore a mid-calf slinky black dress with more material below the waist than above it. A perfect brilliant cut emerald pendant rested against her pale chest. The gem glowed with a touch of power from the other side. Pale, thin, with dark-haired styled to perfection: she'd drawn attention, including David's.

  "Aletta," I said. She finally glanced my way and gave one of her imperious little nods. "What are you doing here?"

  She slinked her way around the table -- far too overdressed for this crowd and a few of the locals smirked. She slid a chair perceptively closer to David before she sat.

  "I came to visit you, of course, cousin," she said, stressing the last word. "I just knew you would be here. You are, after all, predictable. When I didn't find you at home I had the taxi driver drop me off at this quaint little place."

  Damn. I suspected someone in the family had sent her to help me out during the trouble with The Edge. I did not want Aletta hanging around while I worked with David. She already gave him a steady stare of her dark, almond shaped eyes. She looked like desire made real . . . ah, of course. A shift of my hand and I could feel the power of her glamour spell.

  "I suggest, cousin, that you turn it off," I said to her.

  "Kitty, whatever are you talking about?" she asked with a perfect smile.

  I gritted my teeth and didn't snap at her for calling me Kitty. David looked a bit confused, but the reaction came from the glamour she wore, which clouded the mind. Oddly, Aletta didn't need the spell. She really was quite beautiful, at least in the physical sense.

  When I lifted a hand. I would have used magic to counter hers but she finally sighed and let the glamour fall; all except for a tiny whisper of power which I thought might be part of her.

  I didn't appreciate having Aletta here. However, if the others sent her, I didn't have any choice. Maybe I'd already botched things up. I knew something wasn't right in this area. Maybe she could help get things sorted out and leave, which would be fine with me.

  Aletta, unfortunately, showed no signs of going away right now. She nibbled at David's French fries and listened with badly feigned interest to our discussion about work. Mostly, though, she studied David. I found that annoying in the kind
of proprietary way I knew I didn't have any right to feel.

  But even so. . . .

  Dinner, which had been nice, turned strained. David didn't act interested in Aletta, despite her attempts to turn the conversation back to her.

  "We'll be heading out at about seven in the morning," I said as we finished the meal. He somehow paid for mine before I could stop him. He grinned with delight, too. "We'll take a much longer hike tomorrow now that I know you can handle it."

  "Oh, how kind of you to make such judgments," Aletta replied, getting a touch snide. She'd always hated when people ignored her.

  "I assume you are not an outdoors person?" David looked her over as though he only now noticed the dress.

  She blushed. I'd never seen Aletta embarrassed before, which almost made up for her ruining a very nice meal.

  "I used to hike sometimes," she finally admitted and her voice lost some of the usual haughtiness. "I admit I haven't in a long time. I don't get to this area very often."

  "There are other trails in the world." I wished very much she would go find one right now.

  She sighed. I almost believed the act. "I'm rarely some place where I could get away. I know -- my own fault." She gave a wave of her hand toward me before I could speak. Rings glittered in the light and her fingernails looked perfect. I wanted to hide my hands, bandaged finger and all, in my lap.

  David nodded and turned to me. We began discussing what we needed for the next day.

  Aletta got bored and began to tap her finger on the table.

  I had seen the same move recently.

  Badger.

  I suddenly suspected who had taken over the poor animal. We would have plenty to talk about later. No one in the family approved of using animals except in dire circumstances. The magic scrambled their brains and some of them couldn't begin to survive on their own again. I suspected the badger was doomed. Aletta possessed considerable power, but she lacked subtlety.

  David and I finished our plans. I'd have tried to prolong the evening if Aletta hadn't arrived. I wanted to deal with her as quickly as possible and enjoy tomorrow without watching every animal for signs of possession.

  "I'll take you to your car and you can head to the hotel." I saw Aletta's eyes widen. She, doubtless, would have lured David into her own bedroom by now.

  "Where are you staying David?" she asked with a smile.

  Damn, damn, damn. My mistake.

  "The Zamond Inn," he answered.

  "That's wonderful! So am I! Can I get a ride with you?"

  "Sure," he replied. I didn't hear any enthusiasm in the word. Aletta could use enough magic that by the time the two got to the hotel she' make it look as though she'd been staying there, too. Damn.

  We left, heading out into the late afternoon sunlight. A slight breeze had picked up and I hoped Aletta felt the cold, though she would use a spell to counter it.

  Aletta damped down on all her magic when we reached the car. She obviously didn't know Pela had created the vehicle for me, and I wasn't going to tell her. I didn't mind making her uncomfortable on the ride. Served her right. She sat in the back, looking unhappy. David and I discussed more of what we would do tomorrow as we drove back to my place.

  Once we reached the house, Aletta slinked her way out of my car and over to his, running a finger over the door in obvious pleasure. She adored luxury.

  "I'll see you in the morning," David said. "I'm looking forward to tomorrow."

  "Me too." I smiled and felt far better than I had since Aletta arrived. Some of my reaction to her had been childish, born of years of dealing with her need to get all the attention. Just the same, she truly wasn't David's type.

  He got into the car, unlocked the door for Aletta, and the two of them drove away. I waited a couple minutes, and then I got back into my car and followed.

  The family reunion wasn't quite over yet.

  Chapter Five

  I drove slowly to the Zamond Inn, trying to temper my anger before I faced Aletta. I parked at the far end of the lot where I hoped I would be out of view of the patrons and workers. I didn't want David to think I followed them.

  Music drifted over from Performance Park and I glimpsed a kayaker working her way down Fall River, which ran right along the edge of the property. A little too cool, I thought, but the water moved swiftly with spring melt; she skirted along without a problem.

  I sat on the car hood, waiting about ten minutes before I did something I'd never done to anyone, human or fae. I sent a Summons.

  This is my place of work, assigned to me by the clan, which means I have both responsibilities and powers. One of those powers is the Summons -- an ability to call someone before you. For a human the Summons comes as a nagging feeling, making them think they want to go somewhere. For fae, though, it's like a voice shouting in their head, demanding attention. I made this one especially loud and strident.

  Aletta stormed out of the hotel, stomping across the lot. She'd already kicked off her shoes, let down her hair and changed into a pale gray silk blouse and black pants so tight she probably painted them on. She looked as disreputable as she was ever likely to.

  I stepped away from the car. No reason to let her know the car's secret.

  "What were you doing in the mountains playing badger today?" I said before she could speak.

  I caught her off guard. "I don't have to tell -- I don't know what you are talking about. How dare you summon me! You haven't the right --"

  "This is my place, Aletta. Unless you're here to replace me? Want to stand guard on The Edge tonight? I'd be glad to give the work over to you." I purposely glanced to the hotel.

  "I am not here to do your work for you!"

  "Then you must be here to work as my assistant," I replied. She still wore the emerald necklace, and when my eyes fell on it, she shoved the gem beneath her blouse, as though she thought I would steal it. Petty little child -- she had always fixated on the word mine from the time she could speak. "If you haven't been sent as an assistant, I'd have to believe you came for a visit, and I'm not that stupid, Aletta."

  "I don't have to tell you anything." Her face flushed and her eyes narrowed in anger. "I'm not answerable to you."

  She spun and did something which took me utterly and completely by surprise. She waved her arm, opened a door to the fae world -- and blatantly, right there in the parking lot, crossed over.

  The door closed. A wind blew through the lot, scattering leaves. I blinked, stunned. She should never have used the magic so openly in the human lands.

  In fact, she should never have been able to do something so powerful with nothing more than a wave of her arm. Her actions unsettled me more than anything else had today -- more so than the nuthatches and pigeons, or the feel of magic in the air.

  Though maybe the extra magic was all it took. Maybe she, like nearly every other fae, had better control over the power than I did and the extra magic in the air made it easy for her to do something so incredibly powerful with so little effort.

  I got into the car and headed straight home. In the twilight, I could see an occasional cat skulking along their solitary paths. I stopped to talk to a couple, but they wouldn't come near me. The cats obviously didn't want to be bothered tonight.

  I checked the mailbox at the end of the driveway. A small recorder sat inside wrapped in a hastily scrawled note -- Richard from The Rookery had recorded one of his parrots so I could play the sounds for Shakespeare. I damped down my powers and shoved the device into my pocket as I drove the rest of the way to the house.

  I stalked to the porch and threw open the door, startling Shakespeare who began to shout various lines of poetry.

  "Quiet," I said. Apparently the tone got through to him. He settled on his perch, pretending to sleep.

  "Bad day?" Cato asked, peering around the corner from the kitchen.

  "Aletta is in town."

  "Oh." He had met Aletta and shared my feelings toward her. "What does Miss Perfection want here?"


  "I don't know. I need to contact home to see if someone sent her. She did something odd. Maybe I pushed her into making the door. But I want to know what brought her in the first place."

  "If she shows up at the house, I'm going to go camp down at mom's place," Cato warned.

  I nodded with understanding as I sat down on my favorite chair, a big comfortable brown recliner. I leaned back, trying to ease some of the kinks out of my shoulders while preparing to reach home.

  Did I need to cooperate with Aletta? I would for the safety for others. However, I was not going to stand by while she played games with David. And no, that wasn't my personal interest in David making me feel this way. I would be angry if she used her magic to manipulate any human, whether using a glamour or anything else.

  I finally relaxed enough to get the spell fixed in my mind. I worked my way through the pattern to contact my father or anyone else at the clan house across The Edge. This should not have been hard, even for me.

  But tonight getting a connection proved to be impossible. I tried a half dozen times, breaking out in a sweat on the last effort, before I conceded to yet another defeat. The Edge felt odd again; I could sense the power in the ether as though streamers of magic lanced through the air. I couldn't catch hold of them and they put out interference, adding one more frustration to the day.

  I took a warm, relaxing shower, which I consider one of the best inventions mankind has ever made. Oh, I love a long bath sometimes, but a shower with the right temperature and pulse of water can ease any problems out of muscles.

  I sensed Aletta returning to Estes Park, ending the hope she would stay away after I had annoyed her. I had a link to her since I did the Summons, though it wouldn't last long.

  Ah well. At least David wasn't impressed with my oh-so-perfect cousin.

  I pulled on a big, warm robe before I went back to the living room and ferreted the recorder out of my jacket pocket. Deb and Rich kept a number of parrots, macaws and other big birds at The Rookery. They were more than glad to help me out with Shakespeare. I had asked for sounds I could play for him in the hopes when he heard other parrots he would 'remember' his own language.