The meeting broke up shortly after Cate told us what she was thinking. Maeve faded into the shadows, Cate went home to research her part in the plan, and I’m pretty sure to give Lionel another lecture. I went home to sleep and recharge my batteries. The damage from last night was almost healed, so a good night sleep would store up new energy.
I hoped this ominous feeling would dissolve into my dreams.
Our agreement was to meet in the park at dusk. I got there a little early and while I waited I tried to find a fairy, but no one was about. I had hoped to get a chance to find some blood. I didn’t have any worries about finding a spell to undo the work Fionuir had done on the amulet. I had two choices. Overlay a spell or wash away her spell. My preference would be the latter. I hated to think that the spirits of those murdered Druids being used to power a spell. They should be at rest, or freed.
I sat on a bench close to the entrance of the park. I could see the three drug dealers back in their spot. They paid no attention to me.
I saw Cate cross the street and enter the park. She was wearing black again. All black. It didn’t seem to suit her but I guess if she liked it I could get used to it. She joined me on the bench.
“I found what I needed. I have a spell strong enough to put all the Sidhe asleep. It will be only for a short period. But you should have time to get in and grab the amulet.”
I had no doubt she would do her part. I was worried about me. That damn obligation. Would it think putting them to sleep was a direct harm? What if someone fell on a sword and killed themselves. I really wanted Cate to be out of it, but she needed to cast the spell so I could enter the court and take the amulet back. “I wish we had someone else to cast the spell. I would feel better if you were out of harm’s way.”
“Don’t be an idiot.” She laughed. “I am not going to pass up this opportunity.”
I started to argue, to tell her that I didn’t want her to be in danger. That I would rather the Sidhe carry on rather than have anything happen to her, but before I could get out a word, Olan flapped into view.
“Have you saved the world yet?” He asked as he landed on the back of the bench.
I told him our plan.
“Sounds perfect. Nothing to go wrong in that plan.” Olan cackled a laugh.
“Okay, bird. What do you suggest? This is the first break we’ve had, and we’re doing our best. What more can we do?” I was done with Olan not helping. It was bad enough he couldn’t just stop the Sidhe and fulfill his debt to protect the humans, but he kept sniping at our attempts.
Olan started pacing the back rail of the bench. “It usually is wise to have a backup plan. What if the Sidhe don’t fall under the spell?”
“The spell should work. It was in the great book of artful war spells,” Cate said.
Olan pecked at her hair. “So, we are warring with the Sidhe. How do you think a spirit wizard will fare in war?”
“Stop that.” I pull the tress out of his beak. “We aren’t at war. I can work with this.”
Olan made a sound that I would have sworn you needed lips for. I felt dismissed. He paused his pacing and looked at me, his beady eye drilling into my soul.
“Witch Witherspoon.” Olan turned to her. “Do you know for certain you are able to cast the spell?”
“In the book it says the last time it was cast was in the war between Vampires and Kobolds. The Kobolds hired a witch named Ursulina to avert a battle. She cast the spell at the peak of the full moon and all vampires within a hundred yards fell asleep for two hours.”
Olan clacked his beak. “That is not what I asked you.”
She cleared her throat. Annoyance flushed her cheeks. “Ursulina is my mother’s aunt. My great aunt, I suppose. I contacted her to ask her what the key to the spell was. She told me.”
He hopped a little closer to her. “And what is that key, girl?”
I didn’t like Olan questioning Cate. “Why do you need to know?’ I asked before she could answer. If she was going to answer that is.
“It may be of importance. I have been in this world longer than either of you youngsters, perhaps I know more about spells than you.” His tone was wounded as though he hadn’t been interrogating Cate, just offering suggestions and help.
Cate sighed. “I cannot tell you what the key is. It is a secret kept to my family. I can tell you that it won’t be dangerous. Or rather it won’t add to the danger. The key is available and within my power to use. I have used it before.”
Olan bobbed his head. “What if the amulet isn’t where Maeve said it was?”
“Do you think she lied to us?” I had considered the possibility that Maeve was setting us up, but since she seemed to have sufficient motive to support us I had already dismissed the idea.
“If not, perhaps it has been moved,” Olan answered.
“We can’t do anything about that,” Cate snapped at him.
“No, but if this plan of yours, relies on Quinn’s ability to find the amulet and get out fast, perhaps it is a good idea to think of a way to deal with it being moved or hidden.”
It didn’t help that Olan had a point. “I could look for a recognition spell.” I had a few in my books.
Cate shook her head. “No, one of the criteria of the spell is that no one can cast another within the range. If they do, they will fall asleep.”
Olan laughed. “Ah, so finally we start to get to the nub of it. So, tell us what the spell will do, girl.”
Cate looked down at her lap.
I tried to make her feel better. “Hey, don’t be upset. I know spells have rules and constraints.”
“Thanks, it’s not that. I was just thinking them through.” She patted my arm. “Okay, the spell allows me to specify a species. I will set it to make every Sidhe in the range fall asleep. I’ll make it fifty yards to cover the building and a half block. It also constrains anyone casting a spell within that range. You can continue a spell that was cast but not cast one.” She looked at me. “Do you know any spells that you can cast first and continue?”
“No. If I cast any of my spells while the Sidhe are aware, they’ll know. And, that will just make them come after me faster; probably while we’re trying to remove the spell.” I thought for a moment, to see if I could figure out a way to sneak a spell. “I’m worried that if they know I am seeking, Fionuir will grab the amulet, fall asleep with it in her hands and I won’t be able to take it out without hurting her.”
Olan hopped onto my shoulder. “So, that is what you promised? Not to harm Fionuir. What is the penalty?”
He was right. This obligation went much further than my oath. Spirit wizards can’t kill but harm is a grey area. One many of us take advantage of. “If I have to break her fingers to release the amulet, it’s pushing my oath too far. Besides, I hate hurting anyone.”
“Is it permanent, this obligation?” Olan asked. I could almost see the wheels turning in his mind. Now he was being helpful, I was reminded of how tricky he could be.
“It doesn’t matter.” Cate slid closer to me on the bench. “We are not going to make Quinn break his oath. We don’t need to.”
I liked the warmth that filled me when she started protecting me. “Olan, if you can’t be of help, then you can be quiet.”
He crept closer to my ear and whispered into it. “What about that obligation? There is something, I can tell. What complications will it bring?”
“None for anyone but me.”
Cate shook her head. “Look, Olan. If the spell doesn’t work, Quinn won’t go in. If it does and the amulet isn’t there, he can look for an hour before there’s any danger of the spell wearing off. If it’s really not there, we’re in no worse a situation than we are right now.”
“Who else will be there?” Olan hopped off my shoulder as he spoke. “Who be there to cover your back if something goes wrong?”
Cate shook her head. “It’s too late to get anyone else involved. We are going to do this tonight. Look at the moon.” She pointed and I saw the moon rising, swollen into its full roundness.
I turned to Olan. “You could be there.”
He coughed. “I am worried that the Crow is around. It may be that she might try to interfere. I thought I would be as far as possible from the court and try to entice her away.”
I laughed. “And you are worried that we aren’t taking enough precautions.”
Olan flew away, cawing.