Imperative: A Quinn Larson Quest Read Free

hated the bastard who won Lucas’ seat. I may be a wizard but I have to pay property taxes and I wanted the money to be spent on the right things; the new guy had different ideas.
     
     
Chapter Three
     
     
    It was almost dawn and I had no idea what I could do to solve the fairy problem. Despite agreeing to wait until moon dark to try the new spell, I couldn’t stop wondering about it. The result was supposed to be changing cheap wine into a great vintage. I decided to just read it over once and see if there was anything we could get set up in advance.
    The trick seemed to be pouring the cheap stuff from a high enough point to allow the spell time to work. I was scratching out some possible distances to test when I heard something tapping on the south window. It had to be a Real Folk, because no human would make it through my wards – they would just change their mind about coming in. I put the paper and pen away before I approached the window. As usual, the basement windows were covered with tight blackout blinds and a layer of spelled paper. It keeps me safe from observation but allows me to hear anyone who tries to get through.
    I removed the paper and held a protective spell ready to go before I lifted the blind. A pixie dressed in strips of foil and pink embroidery thread was tapping on the glass with a five inch bobbin.
    “Finally, wizard.” His voice was creaky and familiar.
    Great, that was all I needed: Olan Merewater.
    “Come to the front,” I said. “I’m not opening the window.
    “Understandable.” Olan jumped off the sill and I saw the point of his bobbin bouncing away.
    I unlocked the front door and invited him in.
    “I have information,” he announced.
    My stomach clenched. “Why should I trust your information? The last time we talked you caused a fight with a bear spirit and left me to resolve it.”
    “Don’t whine it’s not attractive, you did survive after all. Look, wizard I have information that will save the humans. You know I have an interest in protecting the humans, right?”
    Olan had run afoul of the Pacific Coast Real Folk before I was born. “Yeah, I know the story. Is it true you caused the death of an entire village?”
    “No, it was not that bad. And it was an accident.” He winced at the memory. “But I did have to accept Raven’s punishment. Now I have to protect the humans for another four bloody centuries.” He climbed up the side of my favorite easy chair and sat on the arm. Preening his pink hair he asked, “Would you have any thistle tea?”
    I put the kettle on and looked around for a suitable cup. I found a screw top on the back of the counter and rinsed it under the hot water tap. “Okay, how do I know I can trust you? I did survive the last trick you played, but barely.”
    He shrugged. “How do you know anyone be trustworthy?”
    “Yes, but not everyone has your history.” I didn’t want to add to my problems, but Olan was right. He did have an interest in humans; maybe he was more afraid of Raven than interested in playing games. “What about the time you made Mark’s beer turn red and smell like blood?”
    “It was just a joke. It was still beer after all. Besides it was a very long time ago.”
    The kettle boiled and I made a mug of tea, pouring some into the twist top before passing it to Olan. “What is your information?” I figured it was worth hearing him out. It was up to me to decide whether I trusted it or not.
    “I was in the park and overhead two iris fairies. There’s a problem with their breeding. Well the problem is they aren’t breeding.” Olan cocked his head and looked at my bookshelf. “That’s rather attractive.” He pointed to the top shelf where I kept a few trinkets that held my protection spells. “It would be nice to get one of those as a present.”
    “I’m sure it would. Is that all you have to tell me.” I could make a replacement charm but I had a feeling Olan wouldn’t bother coming here just to tell me