Cassandra Pendragon
I blinked in the harsh, artificial light and breathed in the stale, dry air. Airports surely weren't one of the things I had missed in the Middle Ages, but at least I had a few moments to think. Whatever that might accomplish. Not only was I very sceptic of my mind's ability to conjure up a neat solution, I was also distracted.
For one I didn't feel like myself. My tails had disappeared, the fluffy appendages had become much too large to hide them under a cloak, and my ears were crumpled under a dark, itchy beret. I had also donned a wide, woollen scarf to cover the lower half of my face. Plus I was wearing burrowed sunglasses. Indoors. All in all I felt like a failed hipster and the constant chatter all round, as well as the metallic announcements that made me flinch every once in a while didn't help either. At least nobody saw the need to chat me up, even though I felt a few heavy glances from time to time when bored business men strolled through the exit. But since it seemed to the whole world like I was picking up someone important from the airport, nobody bothered me.
Even Nancy had agreed to stay in the car. The girl had volunteered to drive me here and she hadn't kept her mouth shut for a single minute of the entire one hour drive, but when I had asked her to wait, she had agreed without too much moaning. Maybe she had realised how thin my patience had run.
Distractedly I scanned the blinking board displaying the recent arrivals until I realised that a private jet probably wouldn't be announced publicly. Sighing I straightened my shoulders and made my way over to a counter, where a young, tired and obviously bored attendant was filing her nails. I wrapped my knuckles on the hard plastic surface to get her attention, but she didn't even look up. Instead she asked in the most unfriendly voice she could muster:
"How can I help you, ma'am?" The beauty of the modern world. Millions upon millions of people, but still nobody gave a shit about anyone else. I used a tiny spark of power and replied:
"Sit up straight and look me in the eye, for starters." It was almost funny to watch her jerk and drop her file, but I wasn't done, yet. "Now, go into your registry and tell me if a private jet from England has already landed and if not, when they're due to arrive. Afterwards you can go right back to regretting your life choices, but if I, for whatever reason, have to turn to you again, I expect a different attitude or you can add one more thing to the exhaustive list of your mistakes. Have I made myself clear?" Would I have been as harsh if I hadn't been in a terrible mood? Probably not, but there was always a chance that it might actually do her some good.
She nodded mechanically, her eyes flying from my designer sunglasses to my expensive, borrowed boots, which had probably cost more than she made in half a year. "Of course," she stammered, "give me a moment." With much more professionalism than had been present before she quickly tapped a few buttons on her keyboard and even turned around her screen so I could see. "Here, a private plane from Heathrow has touched down a few minutes ago. Only one passenger. A Jane Smith. She should be out any minute now. Is there anything else?" From the weary way she ogled me it was more than obvious that she simply wanted me out of her hair.
"One more thing. Give me that pen." When she had I scribbled down a string of numbers on a spare paper. "If you're that unhappy with your job, call. It won't be any easier, but at least you won't be bored." I had given her Anna's number on impulse. For one, I was kind of sorry for how I had treated her and two, the witch was seriously understaffed with an entire coven of stubborn, ancient warlocks to handle. She could use all the help she could get and a gifted secretary would go along way. Provided the girl in front of me was actually clever enough to justify her behaviour.
Without another word I turned towards the arrival area and leaned against the metal cordon.
I didn't have to wait long. Another batch of business people and tourists, some chattering away in rapid Spanish, made their way through and then I saw a lonely, tall and slender figure. She was wearing skin tight blue jeans, a dark blazer over a frilly, white shirt and her long, straight black hair was tied up in a neat bun. She hadn't aged, but her sea green eyes were tired and the dark circles below were visible even through the touch of makeup she had applied. A small trolley rattled on the tiles behind her and when she looked around I raised my hand and pushed my sunglasses towards the tip of my nose for a few moments. Someone else saw the silver shimmer, but in the time it took them to blink I had already covered my eyes again.
With a few quick, elegant strides she made her way over while she nervously nibbled on her lower lip. "Hi," she blurted out when she reached me and her arms jerked awkwardly in indecision. Should she shake my hand? Kiss my cheeks? Maybe go for a hug? A genuine smile tugged on the corners of my mouth as I pulled her into my embrace.
"Hi, there," I replied and breathed in her scent. There was a hint of sweat after the hours she had spent cooped up on a plane and the sweet taste of an expensive perfume, but underneath I could still smell the rolling hills and untamed sea of her island home. Apparently she hadn't changed much, despite the trying circumstances. "How was your flight?"
"Good. I've gotten my license a few months back, so I can fly myself. It's almost meditative. If you want to, I can take you along some of these days." She pushed me back and her gaze roamed over me with unveiled curiosity. Then she pouted. "Where are the tails?"
"Hidden," I chuckled. "Let's get out of here and I can finally change back. I had no idea how much I rely on them when it comes to keeping my balance. I've almost face planted on the way in."
"That I'd have loved to see. I…" she looked around surreptitiously, "are you alone?"
"Nancy is waiting outside, but yes, I am. Why?"
"Here. I wanted to give this to you without any prying eyes close by." She fumbled with one of her zippers and produced a small, black box.
"That's not a ring, is it," I asked, entirely oblivious of the innuendo. I had simply enough to carry with the one I already wore.
"I'm not proposing, if that's what you mean," she laughed, albeit a bit forcedly, and extended her hand. "And it's not. Why don't you have a look yourself?"
Curiously I opened the small, warm box and found a heavy, golden brooch inside. It showed three red roses with silver thorns, the coat of arms of the Montrose family. "That's… that's your family's seal, isn't it? Why would you want me to have it?"
"I'd love to tell you a romantic story, but that'd be a lie. Truth be told I need your help and I need you to keep that thing safe. How much do you actually know about us?"
"Not that much. Your lineage was bestowed after the war of the three kingdoms, around the year 1650, wasn't it?"
"Quite so. 1661 to the first earl of Montrose, to be precise. For special services to crown and country, which roughly translates to being a rather accomplished necromancer, who didn't end up on a stake for his troubles, but in the king's pocket instead and wielded his arts for Charles the first. That's all water under the bridge, or at least it should be, but… there's no easy way of saying this. Somehow my ancestor, the "Great Montrose" has returned. And… well, he's after my head, that brooch and probably his title. Ah, he's also damned hard to kill. Fire doesn't do the trick. Believe me, I've tired." I blinked, I swallowed back my laughter and then I chuckled anyways.
"Splendid. This day just keeps getting better and better." I retuned the box and covered her hand with mine. "But sending a lost necromancer back to his grave seems kind of easy in comparison to everything else. You don't need me to guard your treasure. I have to admit, though, I'm curious. I can feel its magic, there are some potent enchantments on that brooch. Maybe that's why your great great granddad wants it back. But that's beside the point. Keep your heirloom. I'm certain we can find a way to ensure its safety. And yours, for that matter. Just… how long has he been haunting your home?" She frowned in concentration while she counted the days.
"Close to two weeks. It began with the usual signs. Cold spots. Flickering electricity. One night he simply appeared in the castle, wandering the hallways. You know me, I didn't hesitate. I blasted him with everything I had on hand, but he was back the next night. With a vengeance. Apparently he didn't appreciated being set on fire. That's why I've been staying in London." She turned to stow away her trinket and I linked our arms, leading her towards the exit. On the way we drew quite a few glances, but they didn't really bother me and Jane seemed more than used to it.
"Hmm, I might have an idea or two what happened. It's just strange that an actual figure from history appeared. A few hours ago I met a giant from Greek mythology and Anna has been yapping about several other myths come to life, but that's the first time I've heard of a real person making it back."
"You've found them," she immediately asked. Apparently Nancy's name hadn't registered before. "What happened? Why didn't they answer any of my calls? Wait. A giant? An actual, friggin, real life giant?"
"Unfortunately yes, snakes for legs and all. Long story. Probably the same which caused you to have your dear gramps prowling among the tombstones. Can we maybe discuss this somewhere else? Over a bottle of wine perhaps? Who knows, the twelfth time might be the charm and I might finally get tipsy."
"Were you trying to get drunk? Not because of me, I take it."
"Not really. Admittedly, Lucifer might not have wanted to deal with you while sober, but you were a true pain in the ass from time to time. Me? I don't remember everything and I'm actually looking forward to get to know you… again." Under my breath I added: "one of the few things that don't make my skin scrawl right now." With a pneumatic hiss the revolving doors opened into a mild, starry night. Goosebumps erupted on my arms when the air conditioned atmosphere turned into a humid, exhaust fume filled breeze and the noise of distant, packed overland roads assaulted my ears again.
Nancy hadn't parked far away. The black limousine shimmered in the bright, artificial light of a dozen buzzing neon tubes overhead and music was wafting softly through the opened driver window. On our way we passed a cloud of cigarette smoke from a handful of cabbies who used their break to the fullest, but aside from the aforementioned tourists, who were trying to convince one or the other of the drivers to resume their service, the arrivals zone was surprisingly empty. Maybe it was the time. It was almost 3.30 am after all.
When we reached the car Nancy got out, her long, flowing blonde hair shimmered like a halo around her head and she held a small bottle of sparkling wine in her hand. A pick me up after Jane's flight. With a broad smile she approached the brunette, arms spread wide.
"Long time no see," she chirped and tried to hug the Brit, but unfortunately Jane was having none of it.
"It wouldn't have been, if you had picked up my calls," she replied tartly while she tried to sidestep the chipper witch. "What happened? Did you lose your phone? Hardly imaginable, considering how regularly you've been posting on social media."
"Are you stalking me," the blue eyed beauty laughed and simply forced the smaller woman into her embrace. "You should have told me, if you missed me that much. Of course I'd have made time for you. But what's gotten your knickers in a twist? You know stuff comes up. Why the sour face? It's not like we've ignored you on purpose."
"I know," came the muffled reply. The blonde was padded excessively. "Otherwise I'd have kicked your ass instead of complaining. Could you let go, please? Suffocating me won't make it better."
"Sorry," the other laughed, but didn't move an inch. "Sometimes I forget how stuck up you can be." While they were bickering I slipped into the car and started removing my disguise, if you could even call it that. With a content sigh I allowed my tails to spread over the entire back row and massaged my ears after they had suffered for what felt like ages under that blasted beret. I could have removed them the same way I had altered my tails, since I had gained control over my life force fiddling with my appearance had become a walk in the park, but I hadn't wanted to. Somehow they were even more important to me than my tails. Maybe just as important as my wings.
When I was done I pressed a button and lowered the window. "Could you move it already? It's getting later and later and some of us still have work to do. Did you only offer to drive so you could catch up with Jane?"
"No," Nancy pouted, but did as I had asked. "I also wanted to get to know you, but the one word replies you've been giving sort of put a dent in that particular plan. Honestly, you look younger, but you're just as grouchy as Lucifer." Lucifer would have smacked you seven ways to Sunday by now, I thought, but didn't comment. Enabling her would only lead to further delay and I had already lost two hours. Well, I say lost, but it wasn't like I had a particular plan to follow. Take control of the transcendent forces ravaging Gaya and possibly Earth, considering the giant and the phoenix who had found their way here recently, shove them into hell and pray for survival wasn't exactly a plan. More like a recipe for disaster.
The doors thudded close and a wave of perfume scented air made me wrinkle my nose. One was fine, but two girls in the same confined space was a tad much for my senses. "Do I smell," Jane asked bluntly as she scooted closer, her eyes glued to the flowing waves of silver between us while Nancy wriggled in behind the wheel.
"Not really, but my senses are much better than I sometimes want them to be." I hesitated for a moment before I added: "am I going to get a coherent sentence out of you before we've dealt with the obvious? Yes, I am a half breed, yes, I do have tails and fox ears, no you can't touch either. Anything else I've missed?"
"Do you also go in heat?" Of all the things… brushing her off would probably lead to even more questions so I opted for an honest answer while I tried to ignore the blatant sniggering from the front as the engine came to life with a deep hum:
"By all means, do ask whatever you like. It's not the first time we've ever met in person, is it? Me, personally? No. My race? Every few years, depending on the moon." I wasn't going to explain the whole immortals are barren part. Maybe once I managed to get alcohol to work properly again.
"I thought… aren't you a fully fledged fox hybrid?"
"Just as much as Lucifer was a human. I'm an angel, first and foremost. My body is pure magic, more or less. Disappointed?" The brunette shrugged, her sea green eyes sparkling.
"A bit, but I've never been one to shy away from a challenge." Oh boy.