Chapter 20 #2
She pressed a button and a few pages of type spewed from the nearby printer.
She reached over, then handed them to James.
“Sometimes it’s easier to sit with new info this way rather than stare at a screen.
” She patted his arm, then arched backwards to beckon me closer.
“I think we have to assume that going on all the evidence we don’t have, that your fella here has some Fae blood, quantity unknown.
Which is probably like several thousand or more humans in England alone, because we all know the Fair Folk are long-lived, prone to boredom, and often highly sexed.
James could even be a half ’n half considering his ears, but it’s impossible to tell.
Well,” she eyed me thoughtfully, “not impossible, but I think asking Volik for his help might be seen as inflammatory right now. He’s nice enough when things go his way, but he was well snotty when Charley stood up to him.
I’d rather not bother him unless we have to.
” She sighed happily. “I do wish I’d been there. Charley ain’t afraid of anyone, is he?”
I chuckled in agreement, watching as James folded the papers and stuffed them into a pocket of his jeans. I could tell he was listening intently. “What’s a half ’n half?”
“Someone like Charley’s mother,” I said. “Literally half and half, human and Fae. But I doubt you are. You don’t kill your technology, do you?” His eyebrows rose in a question. “I mean, your phone doesn’t glitch or blank, you don’t have any issue with bank machines, computers, games consoles.”
“Uh, no?” He looked mystified. “Is that a thing?”
“Oh yeah, babes, the Fae are known for not being compatible with Earth technology, although like with everything, there are always some exceptions.” Baxter cackled.
“You should hear Charley curse when his phone shorts out. Silver,” she shuddered “helps negate some of these effects. I’ll send you a link to buy some silver knickknacks to dot about the place, Eddie.
Give your fella here some protection from the frame of your delightful railway carriage.
Make sure you buy the good stuff, mind. No plate. ”
I tried to swallow the horrified gulp that threatened even as I shut down James’ immediate protest. “I might have to insist you dust anything we buy,” I said weakly, already knowing I’d hang silver charms from the ceiling if it helped him.
“And don’t think I haven’t noticed you no longer wear that necklace.
I told you, just keep it inside your clothing and I’ll be fine.
” I was glad I couldn’t sweat when I was nervous. Silver, in my sanctuary?
Baxter looked at me approvingly. “You’re a good ‘un sometimes, Edwin Marsh. Oh, sorry, James, I should’ve explained right away.
The Fae have some very particular weaknesses, not that we’re saying you have any…
Aha!” Her grin widened and her eyes lit up.
“I know. Up you get, lad.” She was halfway across the room before he followed, his expression curious.
“I nudged him as we climbed the stairs. “Pound to a penny, we’re headed for the scullery.”
Sure enough, Baxter was waiting with an assortment of heavy items. “Pick this up for me, sweetie?” Her tone was saccharine, but James wasn’t fooled.
“Why?”
“Fae experiment number one. There’s no catch.”
I glared at her over his shoulder because if it hurt him, my impulse would be to knock her perfect teeth out, blood sister or not. I didn’t want to influence his reaction in any way though.
James hefted the flat iron. “That’s heavier than it looks,” he remarked. Encouraged that he hadn’t so much as flinched, I suggested he turn it over. He did, then placed it back on the worktop. “Was I supposed to learn anything?”
“Try the bootscraper. I’d like it over by the kitchen door if you don’t mind, poppet.” There was a hint of thrall from Baxter now, which prompted me to grind my teeth. She flashed me a calm down look which had the opposite effect.
James returned, wiping his hands down his jeans. “Is that all?” He still seemed curious, but not in any obvious discomfort.
“I think we should try the kettle next. It’s been too long since I had a proper cuppa boiled on the range.
” James dutifully grabbed the cast iron monstrosity.
He lugged it through to the kitchen where he added water and set it on a plate of the massive range at Baxter’s request. He winced as he let go.
“I think I need to get fit,” he murmured. “Those things weigh a ton.”
“Give me your hands,” I demanded. James was thin, but he had well-defined muscles. I thought it unlikely those few items would make his arms sore.
He held them out. I flipped them palms up. “Baxter…”
“What the fuck?” Small blisters were forming across both his palms.
“Oops,” Baxter apologised. “I really didn’t think he’d react. Let me find Isher.”
“He’s with Trace,” I snarled, really upset with her.
“You should have—we should have checked after the flat iron.” I kissed his sore skin.
“Wash those thoroughly, darling. I’ll give you some of my blood and hope it heals you quickly.
” I paused. “The Fae are allergic to iron. Not only does it block their ability to do magic, but it will physically hurt them if they come into contact with it.”
“Oh.” He stood immobile, seemingly in shock. I dragged him to clean his hands, then sat him down.
“Swear to God, Baxter, if you’d made him tea brewed in an iron pot, you could have burnt his insides. I’m so fucking angry with you right now.”
James blanched, but sprang to her defence instantly. “Hey, it’s okay. Baxter didn’t think it would hurt. I’ll be all right after some of your blood. Won’t I?”
I took a deep breath to help stem the rage I felt towards my best friend, knowing I was just as, if not more, angry at myself than her. I exhaled slowly, then nodded at James. “I think so, but that’s not the point. It should never have got this far. Some of that’s on me.”
“Yes, it is.” Baxter’s whole body was tense and defensive. “Maybe it wasn’t my brightest idea, but I’m a tech god, not a herbalist or a medic. You could have stopped me.”
“I don’t like it when you two fight,” James muttered, the set of his shoulders clueing me in to his level of discomfort.
I sat down and pulled him onto my lap. “I’m sorry, love. We’re just worried about you. Here, from my wrist okay?”
“Sure.”
I began rolling up my shirt sleeve. Baxter, her face alarmed, shot across the tiles to slap my hand away. “The hell is wrong with you, Eddie? Could you not at least get the boy a glass of wine?”
James chuckled and his shoulders relaxed. “I’m happy with it this way. Seems a waste to dirty a glass. Edwin won’t let me drink much.” He shrugged. “He drinks my blood this way.”
“Yeah, but he’s a vampire. You know, scary bloodsucking creature of the night. You’re human. Humans drink tea and beer and stuff...” She trailed off, looking bemused as I slit my vein and pressed my wrist to James’ eager mouth.