The Banshee's Desire

Chapter 5



Toby poured another glass of whiskey, loosened his tie, and leaned back in his office chair. Taking a long sip, he let the liquid coat his throat, enjoying the slight burn it brought. Any pain was better than what he'd experienced that day.

Matilda's funeral had been long and draining.

Who knew that she had so many friends? And they all wanted to share a personal story or two with him about her. Some he'd heard before. Others were new, but they all conveyed the affection that people felt for his crass, sharp tongued mother.

He sipped again, trying hard to ignore the lump in his throat that he couldn't seem to get rid of. No amount of alcohol would dissolve it and he'd tried. Oh, how he'd tried. Bottle after bottle, glass after glass.

A firm knock on the door got his attention.

"Go away," he grumbled. "Don't feel like talking right now."

There was a buzzing sound outside the door, followed by a pop as Gabe materialized in the room.

"Neat trick." Toby's voice was thick with alcohol and it took every ounce of effort he had to speak clearly. "Something your uncle taught you?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact." Gabe stared at his father, his dark eyes showing Toby far better than any mirror what he looked like right now. His son was disapproving, and that galled Toby.

"What do you want?"

"To talk."

"Not in the mood, right now."

"Tough."

"Tough?" Toby grunted. "Get out."

He drank down the rest of the whiskey and poured another glass.

Undaunted, Gabe sat in the chair opposite Toby.

"Glass," he said, and one appeared in his hand.

"Smooth," Toby sneered. "Bet the ladies love that."

Gabe picked up the bottle and poured himself a drink.

"No one's complained yet," he said.

"Look, I'm not in the mood to bond," Toby said. "I just want to be left alone."

"So Jacqueline told me." Gabe made a face of disgust. "She wasn't too happy."

"What else did she say?"

"That you were being an unbearable a*shole and I should go check on you before she decided to burn this f*cking bar down." Gabe smiled. "Her words. Not mine."

"She's such a lady."

"Some might call her that."

"You don't like Jacqueline much." Toby peered at his son. "Why?"

"She has too much power."

"She could argue the same about you."

"True." Gabe nodded. "But I think it's something more with her. I think me killing Eric has more to do with her dislike of me than the power I hold."

"And I have to live with you both."

Gabe's eyes narrowed.

"I haven't asked for your help."

"But you need it. Shut up," Toby said as Gabe opened his mouth in denial. "You know it's true. You got no place to go. Your mother's family won't ever accept you."

"And you?" Gabe sipped the whiskey slowly, but Toby could see that the answer was important to his son.

"I've always accepted you. Even when I thought you were dead."

Gabe fell silent, his dark eyes contemplative.

"I just wish I knew what was really going on in that brain of yours. What are your intentions? Will you stay around here antagonizing the woman I love or do you have other ambitions I don't know about? I think that's it. You have plans that you aren't ready to share," Toby said. "You and Jacqueline are both good at keeping secrets. You think I don't notice, that I'm too blind to see or something. But I see more than you know."

"Maybe we keep secrets to protect you."

"Bullshit. Secrets are always harmful. I've had enough of them."

"What secret do you think Jacqueline is keeping from you?"

"That's the problem. I don't know. But I can feel it. Something has happened. And I'm worried that--" Toby stopped speaking, catching the words, catching his fears before they slipped out.

"Worried that what?" Gabe pressed.

"Nothing. Forget it."

"Are you worried she might have something to do with Matilda's death?"

And there it was. The thought that he hadn't been able to articulate, not even to himself. It was just too awful to think about.

But was it possible?

That was the real question. Toby mulled it over, only half aware of his son's presence. The alcohol had finally wormed its way into his brain, clouding his judgment, loosening his tongue.

"What could she have done?" Toby muttered.

"Anything," Gabe said, his voice soft. "She's a banshee."

"If she helped Matilda pass over, she would have told me. But she hasn't. And I know she spent the night in the hospital room."

"The call for a banshee is strong. She would have been attracted to Matilda's soul."

"But why wouldn't she tell me if that was the case?"

"Good question." Gabe poured more whiskey. "Unless there was something about the passing that was unnatural."

"Unnatural?"

"I'm just thinking out loud."

"Hmm…" Toby murmured. "Unnatural."

"What if she couldn't control herself?"

Toby's temper flared.

"Are you suggesting that she murdered my mother?" He slammed the drink down. "You should go!"

Gabe stood slowly, unperturbed by his father's temper. He kept his gaze cool and level.

"Let me know when you're ready to talk rationally," Gabe said. "There are things you should know."

Without another word, Gabe snapped his fingers and disappeared.



****





A few seconds later Gabe reappeared in the hallway leading to the front room of the bar. He paused a moment, thinking about the conversation with Toby. He wasn't sure what he'd really hoped to accomplish with it, but now he had some valuable information regarding the path of Toby's thoughts.

Daddy dearest wasn't quite sure of his supposed true love, Jacqueline.

The seeds of distrust were already sown and it was up to Gabe to determine whether or not it would be smart to water them. He wasn't worried about retaliation from Jacqueline. His powers would protect him.

Jacqueline may be strong, he reasoned. But I'm stronger. So much stronger.

He squared his shoulders and went into the main room.

People were packed in the place, but the mood was somber, broken only occasionally by a boisterous laugh. Candles were lit around the bar and someone had placed Matilda's picture on the bar stool where she often sat. Flowers cascaded off the stool, streaming down to the floor.

Gabe looked around, observing the sad eyed regulars who'd come to pay tribute to Matilda. He'd not gotten the chance to really get to know her; yet, he couldn't deny that he felt some sadness at the old shape shifter's sudden passing.

His gaze flicked towards Jacqueline standing near the bar, a bottle of beer in her hand. What had she done to Matilda? He didn't really believe that Jacqueline had killed her.

But something had happened.

As he watched, Jacqueline's gaze lit up as someone walked in the door. Glancing over, Gabe took a deep breath at the sight of Angela. The long bandage running down her face made her look fragile and he fought the urge to go over and chastise her for being there. She should be home, resting.

But that wasn’t any of his business.

Still, he scanned her body, taking in the limp, the bandaged wrist, the sad look in her eyes matched by dark hollows beneath them. She hadn't been sleeping.

He watched Jacqueline hug Angela and whisper something that made the wounded woman smile. Together they scurried over to a back corner of the bar where the light was dim. Jacqueline looked his way and he knew without being told what she wanted.

Going behind the bar, he poured a glass of wine and brought it to their table.

"Thank you," Jacqueline said, pushing the glass towards Angela.

"Yes, thank you." Angela looked up at him and a little fire ignited in his gut. Even bruised and banged up, she was still beautiful. "My thank you is long overdue."

"Don't know what you're talking about," Gabe said, gruffly. "It's just a glass of wine."

"It's more than that and you know it." Angela touched his hand. "Thank you for saving me."

For a moment, he stared into her eyes, moved by the true emotion there.

"Like I said, it was nothing," he shrugged.

But even as his thoughts flashed back to that hellish night, Gabe felt anger prick at him. Bastard! Fortensky had no right to touch Angela, no right to even breathe the same air as her. If Jacqueline hadn't finished him off, Gabe would have done it himself.

Angela was the only reason he'd kept his mouth shut when it came to telling Toby about what Jacqueline had done.

Jacqueline gave a little gasp and then covered her mouth with her hand.

She looked at the empty space next to Gabe and then back at his face.

"Glad you're feeling better," Gabe said and hurriedly moved away. He could feel Jacqueline’s gaze burning a hole in his back though, and he had a pretty good idea about what she'd seen.

So the stories were true.

Half banshees were able to see the souls of the murdered.

As he rechanted the spell he'd been using ever since he'd killed Derek, he wondered who she had seen: Derek or Eric Huston? And why had the spell suddenly slipped? It had been powerful enough to block her from seeing anything for almost four months.

He'd have to do some more research, review his notes.

Still chanting, he'd grabbed a broom for the storage closet and began sweeping up the stale popcorn that someone had spilled in the backroom by the shuffleboard. As he pushed the kernels along, he heard the back entrance of the bar open.

A little tingle crept along the back of his neck. Straightening slowly, he turned to see a man not much older than himself standing at the door. His gaze traveled the area slowly, taking in the mourners before it settled on Gabe.

The man smiled.

"You must be Gabe," he said.

"And you are?" Gabe's fingers twitched as he readied a defensive spell. Everything about this guy smelled of wizard. "This is a private party."

"Doesn't look like a party to me. Feels more like a wake."

"I'll ask again: who are you?"

The young man grinned revealing his perfect white teeth.

"Finneus Spark. I believe you knew my brother Derek."

"What the hell do you want?" Gabe's senses were on full alert and he wished Toby wasn't spending his time getting drunk in the office. His father had warned him the Spark family would likely retaliate over Derek's death. However, Gabe had hoped Toby would back him up in a fight.

Not that he couldn't handle Finn Spark.

The guy looked like he spent more time preening in front of a mirror than fighting.

"All I want is to talk. I have no interest in causing trouble," Finn said. "I had hoped to shake your hand if you'll let me."

"Why would I do that?"

"Because you killed Derek."

This was unexpected. Where was the anger? The desire for revenge?

Finn laughed at the expression on Gabe's face.

"I hated that son of a bitch brother of mine. When I heard he was dead, I cheered. I'm not here for vengeance if that's what you are worried about," Finn said. "In fact, one of the reasons I'm here is to let you know that as far as the Spark family is concerned, there are no hard feelings."

"And the other reasons?"

"There is only one." Finn leaned his head to the side, studying Gabe. "I wanted to speak with you about the half banshee I know that you and Toby are harboring. I'd like to give you a warning."

"A warning?" Gabe narrowed his eyes. "What kind of warning?"

"The Brotherhood is coming," Finn said, lowering his voice. "They want Jacqueline Huston more than ever."

"What does the Brotherhood want with her?"

"I'm not sure."

"You should probably move on then. The owner of this place doesn't care for members of the Spark family," Gabe said.

"And you?"

"I'm not a member of your family."

"The Spark blood runs through your veins."

"I haven't exactly been embraced by your kin. Derek wasn't very good at playing the part of stand-in-father either. My real family, the people who raised me, are dead." Gabe shrugged. "I have no interest in kindling any ties with the Sparks."

"Too bad," Finn mused. "I had hoped we might strike up a friendship. It would have pissed off my brother and I'm for anything that does that."

His eyes looked over Gabe's shoulder, lighting up with interest as he spied Jacqueline.

"Is that her? The banshee?"

"You need to leave. This is a private party."

"She's beautiful. I can see why Toby is so taken with her."

"It's time for you to go."

"I just want to speak with her. It will only take a moment," Finn started towards her.

"What part of get out do you not understand, Spark?"

Toby's deep voice caught Gabe off guard, and he realized his father had just materialized in the room. Allowing mortals to see your magic was frowned upon and Toby firmly believed in not breaking that code. Gabe figured he must have been drunk enough to forget the code, but not drunk enough to miss the buzzing energy belonging to a new wizard in his bar.

"I've got this, Toby." Gabe gritted his teeth. "It's nothing."

"Kid, I can feel the power vibrating off this guy. He's the one I sensed a few nights ago, too." Toby crossed his arm. "What are you doing around here? I already warned you off once."

"I'm Finn Spark."

"I'm Mr. I Don't Give a Shit. What the hell do you want?"

"I just delivered a truce to Gabe. I wanted him to know that the Spark family is not interested in pursuing revenge over Derek's death," Finn said, his cool composure broken by Toby's bluster.

"Great. You've delivered the message."

"I also wanted to speak with Jacqueline Huston."

Toby glanced at Jacqueline who'd stood and was staring at them.

"No."

"I mean her no harm. I'm just curious about her."

"Curious?" Toby grunted. "Like your brother, huh? Curious enough to try and use her for yourself?"

"I'm not Derek."

"Good for you. Apparently, you're as dumb as he was though. You can't follow simple directions." Toby's voice rose. "Get the hell out of my bar!"

The tone brought Jacqueline over, a worried expression on her face.

"Toby, what's wrong?" she asked, putting her hand on his arm. "You okay?"

"I’m out of whiskey. I'm not okay."

Finn's smile oozed charm as he flashed it at Jacqueline.

"We'll get you more, babe," she said, ignoring him. "Come with me."

"Not till this guy leaves," Toby said.

Jacqueline looked at Finn and frowned.

"My name is Finn. I believe I've gotten off on the wrong foot with Mr. Williams." Finn stuck out his hand. "It's my pleasure to finally meet you."

Jacqueline stared at his hand a second before turning her attention to his face. Gabe thought he saw just the tiniest shade of green creeping into her eyes as she studied Finn.

"I saw you at the hospital the other day. You were at the nurse's station. I don't know what your intentions are, but I take it you've been snooping in Galesburg Falls for a few days if Toby knew you were here," she said, softly. "But you really should go. Death waits for you if you stay here."

The smile on Finn's face faded.

"I can sense the magic in you and I'm sure you know what I am," Jacqueline continued. "But more than that, I can see a dark outline around you, the mark of Death. It isn't wise to linger here when there are two powerful wizards just waiting to unleash their magic in your direction."

"And you, my pretty banshee?" Finn asked. "What kind of power are you waiting to unleash?"

Her smile gave Gabe the shivers.

"You don't want to test me," Jacqueline said. "It wouldn't be in the best interest of your health."

Toby swayed on his feet then. Gabe wasn't sure how much of the conversation he'd been able to keep up with, but his drunken state of mind was just the distraction they needed. He grabbed Toby and slipped an arm around his shoulder.

"C'mon, Toby. Finn is leaving," Gabe said.

"Damn right he is," Toby muttered. "Damn Sparks. Haven't they caused enough trouble over the years?"

"Spark? You're a Spark?" Jacqueline asked Finn.

"Yes and I'd love to speak with you about a few things that might be important to you in the coming weeks. Toby's life could very well depend on it. The Brotherhood is planning to take serious action against him. I can help." Finn produced a card out of thin air. He handed it to her. "That's where I'm staying. Feel free to call me any time."

With a nod, Finn Spark strode out of the bar.

Jacqueline stared down at the card.

"Do you think he's right, Gabe? Is Toby in danger?" she asked. "From who?"

Gabe shrugged as he supported Toby.

"The Brotherhood, maybe?" he suggested.

"Screw those guys," Toby said. "Nothing brotherly about them. And what were you saying? You saw him at the hospital? Did that Spark a*shole hurt my mother?"

"No, honey, it was nothing like that," Jacqueline soothed.

"Yeah? Then what was it like? What aren't you telling me?"

"Shhh…let's get you back to the office," she soothed.

Jacqueline tucked the card in her pants pocket. Slipping an arm around Toby, she helped support him through the bar and into his office. He fell on the couch in the corner and began to snore.

"Poor baby," she whispered, stroking his hair.

"Are you going to call Finn?" Gabe asked.

"It's a risk I may have to take. He said the Brotherhood was going to take action," she said, looking down at Toby.

"Did you really see the mark of Death on Finn?"

"Yes," she whispered. "I just hope that I'm not the one who's supposed to cause it to come true."

Gabe said nothing, but his mind filled with all kinds of dark thoughts.

There were heavy decisions coming.

And coming soon.