The next-day, Tamyson finds Cork and I practicing glamour. Cork explains how to wrap the view around me and project it outward, making me seem to disappear. I feel tingly but otherwise; it doesn’t seem to be a problem. My glamour is ok when I don’t move, but I need to change the view I project as the surrounding scenery changes. At one point I stand in the middle of trees and ferns while still projecting part of the stream. I definitely stood out amongst the trees and this made Cork laugh at my attempts.

Tamyson nods his head approvingly, “You are powerful. Glamour and the ability to walk between are rare. At least for most. Spriggans are the only Fae that are always born with those abilities.”

Holding out his large slender hand in my direction, I grab it, taking the step with him leading us somewhere only he knows. We step into a swampy forest. Tall trees of Oak and Cypress, looking old as time, stand as lone guardians throughout the expanse of stinky moss-covered water. The air feels heavy, a thick misty fog, and it's hard to the sun in the sky.

“Grandfather, where are we?” I used 'grandfather,' hoping to connect with him.

He answers, “In the old lands; the lands of fens, glades and faerie mounds.”

Back in Europe again.

Tamyson stops us at the muddy edge of the water as the mossy water ripples. A hag slowly rises out of the water. Her thin, long stringy hair falls down her back. Her nose are two slits in her face, her mouth is unbelievably wide and full of pointy teeth. As she slides out of the water, I see a body so thin that I could see her collarbones and ribs. Her eyes show contempt for me but there is some curiosity.

In a rasping voice the hag asks, “Tamyson have you brought the girl? The girl whose blood broke the barrier between our planes and gave us our freedom?”

“Yes, Jenny of the Greenteeth. I have brought one of my blood to meet with you.”

Jenny continues to raise out of the water, leaning into my neck Jenny sniffs. Cork, to my immense surprise, growls in her face causing Jenny to rear back quickly.

“She has some protection?” Jenny hisses and grins. “I like that, this might be interesting.”

Tamyson answers for me, “Yes; Cork is protecting and teaching her. Gwen can step between and use glamour easily. The girl needs practice, but her power is very strong.”

Jenny’s hungry eyes stay locked on me. In her rasping voice she pleads, “Let me taste her blood. It has been such a very long time since I had powerful blood to taste.”

Tamyson looks thoughtful at this demand, “And what do we gain?”

What the hell? These two are talking about my blood as if I don’t have a choice.

Peg offered, “One of my daughters near Cave Croft will teach Gwen to make runes. As we did for witches during the witch hunts. We can teach Gwen protective runes to hide herself and more…”

Tamyson stops looking at Jenny and gazes at me, “Now, it is time for you to make your own decisions. Will you trade blood for knowledge?”

Heck, what am I supposed to say?

Trying not to look scared of the hag I ask, “First, how much blood? Second, can you do anything with it besides taste? Can you bind me or cast magic against me?”

Looking thoughtful Jenny said, “Yes; I can. However, I will oath to only taste the power. In return, you learn a protective rune or two. After that, bargain again with me or one of my daughters. Or… bring me a child. For that I would give much knowledge. It has been a while since I tasted child.” Jenny cackles.

Looking at Tamyson horrified, I expect to see the same horrified look at the thought of her eating or drinking from a child. But his face shows nothing but slight interest... like this is an everyday occurrence. He simply waits for my answer.

I need knowledge but is it worth bleeding for? Is this creature an ally I need?

Trusting Tamyson to have a good reason for bringing me to this hag I ask, “How much blood and from where?”

Licking her lips, Jenny's grinning reply doesn't make me feel better, “A simple slice on your forearm will suffice. I will drink from your arm.”

Cork sticks his head out, dropping his glamour so the hag can see him, “Teeth no… lips only Jenny of the Greenteeth. Make no more harm than is gifted.”

It hadn’t occurred to me she might bite down and use her teeth. Cork’s advice and warning to Jenny seems good enough.

Comforted by Cork, I ask, “Well Jenny, do we have a deal? A drink from the forearm, an oath to only taste my blood, no teeth or causing further harm to myself and a daughter of yours will teach me two runes of protection… is that correct?”

With a hungry gaze at my arm, Jenny rasps out, “Yes, my oath and no extra harm. Next time, I shall not act as nice about harm. What is blood without some pain and fear?” The hag gives me a hungry look and I believe her. I believe her and hope to never see this hag again; I didn't want teeth marks.

Corked walks four-legged down my left arm as I lift it up in the air. Turning around on my lower forearm to look at me, he twists his tail and lays his spiked tail against my skin. Quickly puncturing the skin he scurries up my arm leaving a five-inch long slit.

“Ohhh…” This hurts!

Standing there at that muddy edge of swamp water, while holding my arm out, I hope I wouldn't faint. I look away, not wanting to watch myself bleed.

Because I wouldn’t look, I didn’t see Jenny’s rush forward. However, I feel her grip of steel. Glancing back, I catch her swift movements to suck and lick at my arm.

My body breaks out in sweat and I start to shake. I want to throw up. My head feels light, I sway and faint.

I wake to tiny slaps on my cheek. Breathing in the damp and pungent swamp air it is easy to remember where I am. With my arm still grasped, I feel the continuous sucking. Not wanting to faint again, I focus on Cork just in time for another slap.

“No faint silly treasure.”

I smile. My little guardian may look odd and a bit weird, but he watches over me, and I appreciate that. My smile doesn’t last long... this is painful.

Not looking in her direction, I tell her to stop. She slowly licks the cut one last time and releases my arm.

Cork scurries to my arm and rubs it. Amazingly, it closes. I feel the warmth flow through my skin and the pain eases. I sit up as Cork finishes and disappears back to my shoulder. He lets me feel his weight behind my ear and he pats me, letting me know he is there.

The now kneeling hag holds her head back with closed eyes, humming and sighing to herself. Feeling my eyes upon her, she lowers her head and looks at me. Her expression is one of eagerness and hunger. I scoot backwards and up to my feet. Standing next to Tamyson, I hope he might provide a sense of security.

Jenny stands and slowly comes close. “You girl, have strong blood; tasty and powerful blood… ahhhh.” She closes her eyes again for just a moment. Looking back at me, she says, “You and I will see one another once more, and I will have more of that delicious tasting blood.”

With speculation in her eyes Penny asks Tamyson, “And you, have you told her all the various blood that runs through her veins? Have you told her the different Fae bloodlines she carries?” Cackling she continues, “I am interested in knowing who chose her parentage.”

I look at him. “What is she talking about, what bloodlines? I have two Fae, some noble, and a bunch of witches in my bloodlines… right?”

“Yes.” Is the only answer I received.

Tamyson stops this turn of conversation. “Good day to you Jenny of the Greenteeth, until we meet again.” And with a slight bow, Tamyson places a hand on my elbow and leads us away. Away from that smelly swamp.

Tamyson brings us back to the manor and I am ready for lunch. I need food after fainting.

Circe, Jadis and I had decided that we don’t like eating in the large hall and decided the corner bank of windows in the workroom perfect for our meals together. I am surprised to see Alizon with my coven at the table. Tamyson follows me and our meal ends up being the five of us. My further surprise is the help. Corrigon doesn’t serve our food.

Strutting through the herbs and plants is a male fae. Short, thin, balding with an upturned nose highlighting his large nostrils. He cares a tray filled with food to our table. As he draws closer, I can see his ragged clothing. His fingers and toes are nubs instead of full length. He wears no shoes and tuffs of hair lay in patches on his arms and legs.

Dropping the tray on the table with a thud he says, "Here be yea food and tea." Then the wrinkled fae disappears back into the vegetation of the workroom.

Jadis whispers loudly to Tamyson, "Is he always like that and if so, why does he want to be here?"

"That be the Brownie way. Do not worry. They can be a grumpy lot but they grow to love their families and protect them fiercely. He asked to be here and will settle in as you three figure out how to run your household."

My coven and I exchange glances and then I shrug. “It’s one more strange thing to add to our list.” Jadis and Circe laugh in agreement.

Alizon interrupts our laughter with a warning, “Do not laugh at the fae for our ways. We are things of magic and old. You three must embrace the differences and learn to live among us.” Then he looks directly at me, “We expect you to represent Faerie.”

Nodding my head I change the subject, “Where are my mother and grandmother? When can I see them?”

With a shake of his head Alizon answers, "We do not know exactly. Maddie was to train with the druids and your grandmother is supposedly with the Wiccans repenting for her actions. I have not laid eyes upon your mother since the first night of our reunion."

Alizon continues, “I was told that the initial training with the druids is long and the initiates are secluded from outside influences.”

Concerned I say, “This bothers me. I know that I have kept busy, but I know mother would come to see me by now. It is a week since I last saw her.”

I ask, “Is there a way to check on my mom?”

Tamyson finally speaks up, "Cork, please attend." And to my surprise he did, appearing on the small tabletop we sit around.

Cocking his head to the side he chirps.

"Can your fellow Spriggans help in the search? I well know your haunt of Spriggans are masters of stealth. Will you send them to search?"

Cork slid his eyes sideways to me and replies, "Yes, Treasure need this. We help." And without another word he disappears.

I asked, "Haunt of Spriggans?"

With a slight quirk of his ram's lips he said, "Spriggans group as haunts and they enjoy gathering treasure and guard it well. As you are noticing as one of his treasures. They are mischievous... even by Fae standards. Don't let his quiet nature lead you to believe he is a serious fellow. But, he is ancient by our standards of measuring time. He is no longer the rascal of his younger years. His haunt is another story. Their moving here will be interesting for the witches and the local humans."

"Treasure? Like robbing banks and such?"

"No, whatever amuses them and they decide is a treasure. They are... eclectic in what they gather. Do not be surprised if items start appearing around the tower. With Cork residing here with you, his haunt will likely be around."

Circe jumps into the conversation with a word of caution, "If Spriggans steal and the witches find out they will be royally pissed."

Alizon comments, "They can get angry, but they agreed to Fae in their areas. Damiana wants as many fae as will move here. She doesn't seem to care which of the Fae come as long as they come."

Tamyson asks the three of us, "Do you understand why Damiana wants the Fae here?"

We all shook our heads, 'No.'

"The Fae are 'Magic,' and where we go magic will follow. We believe that Damiana wants our magic close to use it for her own purposes."

Alizon explains, "There is another aspect of our magic she may want for herself. Humans that live among the Fae do not age. This is a double-edge sword. If she only depends on Fae magic for eternal youth, she is forever tying herself to the Fae. She may want our proximity and the use of her own magics to help stop the flow of aging."

My father continues, "There is more to this than aging but this is a start to understanding Damiana's machinations."

Jadis asks, "What about our coven? Will we age? If we leave the Fae, will that kill us?"

Tamyson answers, "No, your coven bindings tie you both to Gwen. You two will age as she does. As long as she lives so do you both. You need not stay within Fae boundaries for youth. Because Gwen is three-quarters Fae, I expect her life span to last a long time by human standards. Abramelin developed the family for longevity but the addition of Fae blood has increased Maddie's and Gwen's lives."

Circe looks pleased and muses out loud, "Keeping Gwen alive keeps our youth for a much longer time?"

Jadis elbowed her, "That is so... not... cool!"

"Oh, I know that, but I don't see the reason we can't enjoy that perk. My magics will last much longer with youth." Is Circe's answer.

"Yeah, but it still isn't cool."

I try for optimism, "At least you two get something out of being tied to me. Now I don't feel so bad Damiana did this to you both. You are tied to whatever happens to me... that seems like a fair exchange."

“See, Gwen doesn't have a problem with it so I will enjoy this perk for as long as it lasts.”

My father's cryptic statement has us burning for answers when he says, "You will earn every year you spend with Gwen, there is so much more to learn." Then he stands and walks out.

Circe grumps, "That doesn't sound ominous or anything... right?"