The vice-principal sat behind her desk. Her mouth hung open. She was staring into space, her glasses slightly askew, but otherwise seemed unharmed. She wasn’t alone in the room. Standing at the window with his back to Brendan was a tall, slight Faerie in a finely tailored, shimmering blue suit. His chestnut hair hung loose over his shoulders.
“Ah,” the Faerie said musically, without taking his eyes off the vice-principal. “You are here. How lovely.”
“What’s going on?” Brendan demanded. “Who are you? What have you done to them?”
The Faerie turned lazily around to face Brendan.
Tall and lean, he radiated power, setting Brendan’s nerves jangling. It was like standing next to a massive electrical transformer. The Faerie’s face was beautiful, but there was a cruel twist to his smile as he gazed at Brendan with coldly amused brown eyes.
“You’re… ”
“Lord Pukh.” The Faerie smiled, bowing deeply. “At your service, Brendan Morn.” Without waiting for Brendan to respond, Pukh spread his arms and did a little spin. “What do you think? It’s an Armani. The fabric and workmanship are not quite up to my usual standard but the Humans have certainly made strides.”
“What have you done to them?” Brendan demanded again. He felt ridiculous and powerless next to Pukh, but he tried to keep the fear from his voice.
“Don’t worry.” Pukh waved dismissively. “They are quite safe. Their senses are fogged with glamours. For them, the moment is frozen. They will remember nothing. They’ll wake up quite refreshed, in fact. Your concern for them is touching, though. Like a child caring for his pets.”
“They aren’t pets,” Brendan said angrily. “They’re people.”
“Well, I’d disagree with you there, I’m afraid. They make a mess everywhere they go. They are ignorant of the true nature of the world, like animals. And I must say, they have a very unpleasant stink. I’m sure you’re used to it by now, having lived among them for so long.”
“They are cute,” a childish voice lisped. Brendan whirled to see the tiny female Faerie who had ridden at Pukh’s side the night before stroking the hair of the secretary, Miss Conacher. “So fragile.” The stroking hand sprouted long, razor-sharp claws and she drew their tips along the secretary’s vulnerable throat.
“Stay away from her.” Brendan took a step to intervene, but suddenly his wrist was clamped in a powerful grip. He turned to find that it was the tall, silver-haired Faerie he’d seen at the head of the Wild Hunt the night before.
This guy was fast. Brendan hadn’t even sensed his approach. He was just there, looming over Brendan with his silver head brushing the ceiling. Brendan looked up into the cold grey eyes and saw no spark of Human emotion. He’s a Warp Warrior, Brendan thought with some dread.
“Don’t touch me,” Brendan said evenly, grateful that his voice didn’t crack.
“Lugh! Maya!” Pukh’s voice intervened. “Don’t be rude. These are Brendan’s people, though why he should consort with People of Metal when he is a Prince of the Fair Folk is quite beyond my understanding.”
Brendan ignored the comments, though inside he seethed with anger at the insult to his friends and family. “Why are you here?”
The Faerie sauntered around the desk toward Brendan. “Why, to see you, of course. You are the talk of the Faerie world, young Brendan. Everyone wants to know about you. Even I, in the Hidden Kingdom of Tir na nOg, have heard of you. The Faerie who prefers the People of Metal to his own Folk.”
“You shouldn’t be here. My Human friends and family are off limits.”
Pukh’s eyes darkened. For an instant, Brendan saw something reptilian stir behind the beautiful mask of his face. Just as quickly, Pukh composed himself, and the darkness passed. “You really can’t expect to tell me what to do, Brendan. I am quite simply beyond your ability to command. But you needn’t be so angry.” The Ancient Faerie smiled and chucked him under the chin as if he were a little child. “I merely wished to see what you found so attractive in this Human world. Frankly, I understand how a sentimental attachment might develop, but look at these creatures.” He threw out an arm to encompass the school. “You aren’t like them. As I said, I don’t know how you can bear the smell.” Pukh laughed lightly.
Brendan clenched his fists in rage. Pukh was one of the most stunning people he’d ever seen. His presence inspired awe. When he’d first entered the room, Brendan had been tempted to fall to his knees like a supplicant. Yes, Pukh was beautiful, but his words sickened Brendan.
“I’ll say this again because you didn’t seem to hear me the first time: they aren’t pets. They are people. My people.”
Pukh laughed again. “Then why am I here? I have come to judge you at your Proving. I thought this meant you wanted to be a member of your true family and a part of the Faerie world. Am I wrong?”
Brendan didn’t know what to say. Pukh was right. The Ancient Faerie smirked, seeing he’d scored a hit. Pukh opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by the arrival of Greenleaf and Kim.
They barged into the outer office ready for a confrontation. Lugh and Maya instinctively interposed themselves between the new arrivals and Pukh.
“Leave Brendan alone,” Kim snarled, her stick levelled.
“This is an outrage,” Greenleaf spat. Brendan had never seen his teacher show such strong emotion. He looked ready for physical violence, his grey eyes alight with fury. “Release these people immediately.”
“No need for hysterics,” Pukh tutted, leaning back against the desk and crossing his arms. “They aren’t in any discomfort.”
“You know this is not permitted, interfering with Humans in any way. Even you in your isolated little princedom are aware of the Pact and the rules we must follow if we are to survive.”
“I was there when the Pact was struck, lest you forget, Greenleaf. We fought on different sides on that day, but I hope you’ll let those old grudges rest. Just as you and your sister have set aside your differences.”
Greenleaf didn’t answer. With a barely perceptible nod from Pukh, Lugh and Maya stepped aside, allowing Greenleaf and Kim to join Brendan.
Kim turned to Brendan. “Are you all right?” Her face was full of concern. Brendan was reminded of the kiss last night and blushed.
“I’m fine. We were just talking.”
“Good.”
“Disperse this glamour immediately and get away from here,” Greenleaf demanded.
Pukh stood up to his full height and his head seemed to brush the ceiling. Underlying the exquisite face was dire threat. The temperature in the room dropped as if a window had been opened onto the frigid winter. “You have no power to tell me where to go or what to do,” he said, his voice heavy with menace. Brendan took an involuntary step back, disgusted by his own cowardice.
Pukh seemed to sense he’d tipped his hand a little too much. The darkness faded from his face and the atmosphere lightened. In the blink of an eye, the cheerful smile returned to his perfect mouth. “Let’s not fight, my friends. I beg your indulgence. I am not accustomed to the Human world and perhaps I overstepped my bounds. This Clan Gathering is a happy occasion. Let’s not spoil it with recriminations, hmmm?”
Pukh casually stepped between Kim and Greenleaf and walked out of Ms. Abernathy’s office. “Come along.” He gestured and his mismatched companions fell in behind him. Maya brushed past Kim and sneered. Kim returned the sneer with interest. Kim and Greenleaf followed the trio warily with Brendan bringing up the rear.
Out in the main hall, Pukh paused and looked about him at the students standing looking blankly into space. He shook his head. “So this is where the People of Metal teach their children? A school they call it. How can they have such places and still remain so ignorant of the world all around them? They know enough to destroy the Earth but not to sustain her.” He sighed theatrically and strolled toward the doors at the end of the hall.