“Detective Ley...” Twilight winced, “Hi.”
“Miss Rodgers.” The ill amused police officer replied with a slight nod, helping her get her things together when the Doctor released her from the hospital and put her on bed rest at home.
Jack had the uncomfortable feeling that the law keeper was watching him as he shifted uneasily for foot to foot, wanting to ensure that his friend got home safely or was, at least in safe hands before he headed off.
“I thought you were going to phone me when you had a lead, Miss Rodgers.” Ley started the moment the Doctor had left the room.
“I did.” Twilight pointed out, “I phoned up and let you know what I knew. I’ve been unconscious since Bones attacked me. I haven’t seen my phone since my friend used it to phone the ambulance.”
“Yet you managed to call Mr Frost.” She indicated Jack, who grimaced, having already known he was busted but not how.
“You can see him?” Twilight demanded.
“You are not the only Havenkeeper in England, Miss Rodgers.” Ley replied, “Nor is Mr Frost the only Immortal who regularly frequents our country. I am a member of the team assigned to clearing up the messes left behind by Immortals. Why do you think things like the chaos left behind when that drake passed through London never make it into the news beyond a passing mention of an exploding gas main? Why do you think that in this age of technological miracles, the immortals and everyone else can still pass themselves off as myth and legend? We do that. Every member of the team can see those who walk unseen.”
“Oh...” The librarian managed, wondering why she was not as surprised by that revelation as she should be.
“Once it was determined that you weren’t just crazy, Miss Rodgers, I was assigned to your case.” Ley explained, “They put me amongst the local police in order to prevent any authority issues, then I approached you.”
Twilight was not sure what to make of that. The knowledge that she had been played like a sap for as long as she had was uncomfortable knowledge indeed. Ley had been her contact for years. She should have guessed really. The detective had always let her get away with her excuses far too easily.
“So I’m just some assignment?” Jack glanced at his friend, concerned at the disappointment in her tone, “All those lectures on staying safe and being careful, were they just because you didn’t want to have to explain to your bosses if something happened to me?”
“Only to start with.” Ley allowed, “It was rather nice to work with someone who didn’t consider helping a ‘favour.’ Some Havenkeepers have an attitude problem.”
“What do you want from me?” Twilight questioned her, “Because I really just want to get home, read my grandmother’s journals and try and find those kids.”
“It’s obvious where the children are.” Ley pointed out. “Just ask the Fae to allow us through.”
“I was planning to try and talk them into letting Jack through on my way home, not that I know what happened to my leathers...or my bike...” Jack flinched as she asked, “What did happen to my bike?”
“It...uhhh...” Jack hesitated.
Your leathers were ruined.” Ley informed her, “The ambulance had to cut them off of you to get to your injuries. As for your bike, well I’m afraid we’ve yet to locate it. You did leave it running after all.”
“Thank god for insurance.” Twilight grumbled, “Guess I’ll have to get a taxi home.”
“I can drop you off and you can speak to the Fae on the way there.” The detective, or whatever she really was, half offered and half told her.
“They’re in completely opposite directions.” The librarian could not help but point out as she headed for the door, “I mean I was going to anyway, but...” She shrugged and winced as the movement pulled on her stitches.
Ley did not seem too bothered by the fact that she had to drive out of her way to get to the abandoned farm house at the outermost edge of the territory belonging to the denizens of the forest. She did not even mind, when it became obvious that the Fae in the woods would not reveal themselves with her around, that she had to return to the car.
It did not take long for Clara to arrive once the police officer had vanished and though she gave Jack a wide berth, she settled quickly on Twilight’s shoulder. “We heard what happened.” The tiny fairy spoke in her ear, her voice soft and concerned, “And everyone is glad you’re alright.”
“Mostly.” Twilight admitted, “Has that fear thing moved?”
“Yes.” Clara nodded, “Every night it stalks through the woods, bringing horror and darkness with it as it heads straight to your village or the nearby camp sites. We saw it, not more than twelve hours ago with a child.”
“Got to be Bones.” Jack growled as he paced, thinking. “I need to get in there.” He informed the tiny fairy Queen.
Clara looked him over, as if weighing him up. “You would not win in a fight with him. He would destroy you long before your ice could take him out. He would not even have to fight. Once you were paralysed with fear, you would be easy prey.”
“But Jack can’t be killed.” Twilight frowned, “So Bones couldn’t kill him...”
“What lies have you been telling her, little Winter sprite?” Clara laughed vindictively, her tone viciously amused, “That you immortals are impossible to kill? Were you ever going to share the fact that is a lie with her?”
“What?” Twilight yelped, staring at her friend.
Jack scowled at Clara. He had not actually been planning on telling Twilight about that at all. She did not need to know that immortals who were wounded past the point that their enhanced healing could fix it would die, just like anyone else. It took a lot longer and the wounds had to be a lot more serious than for a normal mortal, but while they did not age or die, immortals who lost their heads, or suffered a blow that would kill them instantly, died just like anyone else.
“Jack, is it true?” The librarian demanded of him.
“Yes, it is, but it doesn’t happen very often.” The Winter sprite answered her with a slight huff. “We immortals don’t age or get sick like you mortals do, but we can be killed. It just takes either a very, very lucky strike or a lot of hard work.” He smiled at her, trying to be reassuring, “Don’t worry, I’m faster than Bones, have the full weight of my Season behind me and I’ll be in and out with the kids before you can say ‘jackrabbit.’ He’ll never have a chance to touch me.”
“You’re over confident Frost.” Clara snorted at him, “This creature is not like any of your kind we have met before. He is stronger, faster and you have to remember something rather important.”
“Oh, what’s that?” Jack looked ill amused.
“You won’t be able to move if he lays his eyes on you. His fear aura will petrify you, just as it does anyone else.” Clara scowled at him, “If we even allow you through the forest.”
“There are children, mortal children, in danger.” Jack snarled at the tiny fairy, well aware the fae did not think like the immortals. They did not care for the troubles of mortals, or believe that they should protect them like most of the Crystal Compass did. They normally loved children though, occasionally on toast.
“Do not think me unaware, Frost.” Clara snapped at him, taking off from Twilight’s shoulder and flying into his face, poking his nose with her finger, “I know what’s going on in the village, I have been dealing with invasions from concerned parents for days!”
“Then let them through!” Jack snapped as he backed up slightly, not appreciating her attitude.
“To do what?” The golden fairy demanded, “Wander around Bones’ territory, calling for their kids while Bones wanders behind them, laughing and invisible? Or worse, picks them off one at a time, until the humans decide to burn the whole forest to get rid of the monsters within it? There’s nothing they can do, so why take that risk?!”
“Both of you, stop it!” Twilight imposed herself between them, flinching as she pushed them both back. Both immortal and fae felt guilty as the student’s hand went to her side where Bones had dug his sharp claws into her gut and backed off.
“He started it.” Clara huffed, trying not to feel guilty.
“Well I’m finishing it.” The librarian could not help but wonder when she had become old enough to start acting like the parent in these situations. “We can’t allow Bones to keep kidnapping children. Please let Jack through, Nowell too when he gets here.”
“It’s not just my decision to make.” The fairy sighed, “But I will talk to Nadia and try. Be warned though, Frost, by physical age you’re still a child, I hold no responsibility if Bones eats you.”
“Bloody Bones...” Twilight paled and had to lean against the nearest thing, her legs going weak as she recognised the name now and the myth behind it. “We have to get those kids out of there, fast.”
“Go home, Havenkeeper.” Clara told her gently, “There is nothing you can do here, we,” She indicated herself and Jack, “Will handle this. I’m sure your friend in the car will get you there safely.”
“Then you’ll help him?” Twilight asked, her face still ashen.
“Maybe.” Clara shrugged, “But not if you don’t rest. We do still owe you for helping us to find our new home when the seaside castle was flooded.”
“Thank you.” The only mortal in the group smiled and nodded to her, “I’m heading to do just that.” She started to leave only to turn and look at her, “You haven’t seen Kuma, have you?”
“That dratted cat who thinks it’s fun to hunt my fairies and play with them?” Clara asked, causing Twilight to sigh as she nodded, not as unsurprised by that as she should be, “Yes, she’s currently stalking Bones’ scent. Our usual tricks don’t work on her, unfortunately.”
“Her humans have lost their child to Bones, so don’t disturb her. She’s dangerous.” The librarian warned.
“I’ll pass on the warning.” The fairy nodded before shooing her towards the car, “Go, rest. I’m sure Jack will tell you what we decide.”
Twilight nodded, turning to Jack. “If I find anything, I will try and contact you.”
“Thanks, Twi.” Jack nodded, smiling at her. “Take care of yourself, I’ll take care of the kids.”
“I know.”
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