Read Missing Magic for Free Online

was a wondrous
place.
    With the shadows of the ancient forest behind
them, and the palette of color stretched as far as the eye could
see, it might be easy to overlook the gold-cobbled path that wound
up the hill to the glittering fortress which Cenrick called
home.
    As she did as he’d asked, she tugged at one
ear with nervous fingers. She turned, her amber gaze darting here
and there, taking it all in. Now she saw the scarlet butterfly
there, the sapphire dragonfly warring with another the color of
turquoise. Now she took in the massive oak forest, the carpet of
grass, the splash of the flowers.
    Watching her, he knew what she’d say next.
The heady perfume of this fragrant meadow had caused many a female,
human and Fae, to exclaim in delight.
    Instead, she sneezed. Once, twice, then
again, with explosive force. Then cursed. “Damn allergies.”
    For a startled moment, he simply stared.
Then, dragons help him, he laughed.
    Sniffling, wiping at her nose, her smile had
completely vanished. “Amused, are you?”
    “Yes.” He grinned at her.
    She sneezed again. “I don’t know why.
Allergies aren’t any fun.” Her eyes were red. She wiped at them.
“My eyes are running. Can we get out of here, away from all these
flowers? Otherwise, I’m going to be really miserable.”
    A woman who didn’t like flowers. This one was
different, that was for sure.
    “Sure.” Indicating the path, he motioned for
her to go before him. “After you.”
    She glanced at her watch, narrowing her
watery gaze and squinting at the dial. “Damn thing stopped working.
I just replaced the battery too. It must have been defective.”
    Peering at her wrist, he shrugged. “I’m
surprised it even crossed the veil with you. That’s unusual.
Mechanical things seldom cross to Rune, and when they do, they
don’t work. Your watch will probably be just fine, one we get back
to your world.”
    “Ok,” she sighed. “I’ve seen Rune. You’ve
accomplished your purpose – I now believe you’re a Faerie. I’m
still not sure about Mick, but I believe you.”
    “Why aren’t you sure about Mick?”
    “I’ve known him all my life. We’re both
orphans. If he had family somewhere, anywhere, I can’t believe he
wouldn’t have told me.” She shook her head.
    All her frowning had made a tiny frown line
appear in her brow. Cenrick caught himself about to smooth it with
his finger.
    “Also, I can’t believe Mick’s a… that
Mick’s…”
    “Fae?”
    “Right.” Spreading her hands, each time she
looked at him, her gaze skittered away. “Mick’s… Mick. He’s a cop.
My friend. Human.”
    He simply arched a brow.
    “What the difference anyway?” she finally
asked. “This place looks like Oregon, sort of. And you – and Mick –
both seem normal. Other than his good-luck, that is.”
    “We are beings of magic.” Struggling to find
the right explanation, Cenrick watched her for signs of disbelief.
“Our people live at the grace of yours.”
    “Explain.”
    “As long as someone, somewhere believes in
magic, we can exist. Man, woman, child, it matters not.”
    “So you’re saying you have… powers.”
    He put his answer as simply as he could.
“Yes. We do. Would that upset you?”
    “No.” Her direct gaze told him she spoke
truth. “I’m only angry because Mick and I told each other
everything.”
    “He didn’t tell you this.”
    “No.” Sadness mingled with her fury. “I’ll
never understand why not.”
    “We’re forbidden to do so, unless we have
good reason.”
    “Like now?” she asked.
    “Yes. Like now.”
    “Why are you so convinced he’s human?”
    Her answer was simple, direct and to the
point. “Because he’s not beautiful.”
    Not beautiful? Then he realized what Mick
must have done. “No doubt he disguises himself. Most Fae do this,
in order to live normally in your world.”
    With a nod, she continued to scan the beauty
around them, her face impassive. She jiggled her leg, tapping her
toe, shifting