Victorian Days & Nights by: Elsbeth Magic & Mayhem in Victorian England

Chapter 5

Rachael sat down on the burnt grass holding her head. Like most of the others, she appeared to be unnaturally affected by the sight. Below the hill, overlooking the Thames stood an abandoned factory. What was out of the ordinary was that everything around the warehouse for dozens of yards was dead. There was no life, no plants, no animals, nothing at all. However, it’s not just the lack of life that concerned the magi, but somehow its mere presence was verging on breaking an ancient pact.

Looking up, Rachel grimaced at her twin sister. As much as she loved and missed her sister, for her to suddenly appear was an ill omen. Brigit was the Society’s intermediary between the mortal world and the Otherworld of the Fae. Showing up unannounced stating that the Fae were ready to start a war put the already unnerved Society into the state of panic. Most Fae had long passed into Tir Na nág, the Undying lands, but those that remained were ancient beings having very little use for the mortal race as a whole. The consequences for those beings to leave their ancient hiding places would be disastrous for the modern world.

Osgar rubbed his head. ‘Unnatural…why all the fuss with the fair folk, Brigit? I would expect them to be more upset with the new rail line being laid up towards Manchester.”

Brigit grimaced; the laying of the railroads was an endless nightmare for the remaining Fae. Unbeknownst to most, the Society spent great lengths at manipulating the directions some of the rail lines would take. “Your right, Osgar, but this is different.” If it wasn’t the rail lines, it was the telegraph; no wonder most of the Fae fled the world.

“In what way?” Rachael smiled as her sister began to rub her head.

“I don’t know but this is old. In addition, the Fae are being unusually quiet, even more than usual, about the details.”

From atop the hill the group looked down at their leader who was already half-way down the hill. To no one’s surprise, the only one who didn’t seem bothered by the warehouse’s aura was Lady Kinsley.

With a small wave of a hand, Erin threw her senses out. She frowned for a moment none of it made any sense. The magics now cast by humans were nothing compared to the Fae but this magic touch was neither. However, what happened here was most definitely a magical event. It was if the gates of Tartaros were left opened. The very thought made her shiver. “The magi was neither human nor Fae.” There were other powers best left forgotten. If they were involved then a war with the Fae would seem like an afternoon rugby match at Sandhurst.

Bridget nodded. “I thought so as well. What I surmise is that the pact might not even be between the humans and Fae...however.”

“However, they expect us to take care of it, correct?”

“Typical.” Osgar growled. The Fae were difficult to understand even at the best of times. They were so ancient and non-human. Their thoughts were so different most members of the Society were impressed that Brigit had not gone mad.

Erin took several more steps down the hill, as if she was taking a leisurely stroll through Trafalgar Square. Reaching a set of stairs, she suddenly stopped. “Rebecca, please take your sister and speak with Professor Hopkins. I am positive he would be delighted to observe this phenomenon. Have him bring a full team down to ward the site as well. He may study it ...” Lady Kinsley raised a finger in the air. “However, no one may enter the grounds without my permission. “ The Wards would keep almost everyone from approaching the site. Elemental watchers would report if anyone with power decided to visit the warehouse again.

“He won’t be liking that.” Osgar smiled looking down at Lady Kinsley. He took a few steps forward but stopped, the feeling of lethargy pulled at him. By sheer strength of will, the former Sergeant remained upright.

“No choice, really.” Rebecca grimaced. Why did it sap everyone’s strength and why was Lady Kinsley unaffected. Looking up she caught her sister’s eye, she too was thinking the same thing.

Osgar’s eyes opened wide as Lady Kinsley started to walk down the stairs. “You’re not thinking of going down there are you, my Lady?”

Surprised how far she walked beyond the group, Erin stopped her descent and looked up at Osgar. “Perhaps you’re right, Sergeant, that might be exceedingly unwise.”

Once again, she paused in her movement forward but thankfully, Lady Kinsley finally turned around and began to walk back up the hill.

Osgar asked, pleased that Lady Kinsley was returning.“So you’re thinking this has something to do with our new friends?”

Erin frowned. "Perhaps, I agree there is too much happening at once to be mere coincidence. How it all fit together is the issue that needs to be resolved and quickly."

“Whatever this is why does it affect us in this way?” Rebecca slowly picked herself up off the ground. Thankfully, her sister was close, as the Irish mage almost sat back down. “Seems to be affecting me most of all.” Turning her head, she looked at her sister. “Why me and not you, dear sister?”

“Living with the Fae has certain advantages.” She wouldn’t say she was totally unaffected. Perhaps part of her was still human; it was difficult to tell sometimes. Once identical twins, Bridget was now more like younger sister. Bridget had scarcely aged since heading off deep into the ancient woods of Cornwall. Besides her lack of aging, she was also getting this unworldly look to her, a complete opposite to Black Jack who appeared to be in his sixties but was in fact not even thirty.

“Too many pieces.” Lady Kinsley mumbled to herself as she gave the warehouse one more look then turned away. Once again, this felt familiar, but it was as if it was a memory that wasn’t hers.

Authors Notes: A special thanks to djkauf for a little elvish editing. If you like the story please leave a Kudos, if you have the time I would love to hear from you. Thanks to all for reading! - Elsbeth
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