Chapter 12

Twelve

" S o this is where Huge Douchebag lives…"

Bryn was a little jealous as he surveyed the large, modern cabin on the other side of the pasture. It looked like a luxury resort rich, suburban men visited when they wanted to cosplay as cowboys or ranchers, complete with a wide front porch and a row of rocking chairs.

They had left Georgetown the afternoon prior and spent the night at the Bluefield Inn, setting out about an hour before dawn for the last leg of their trip. The roads into the mountains were almost too wet and hazardous for the Range Rover Nox had borrowed, after weeks of wild, wet weather.

Nox was an experienced outdoorsman and had visited the area several times with his father and Clancy, but he couldn't drive a car, much to Bryn's astonishment and chagrin. Neither could Merlin so they had to suffer through Bryn's rusty driving and constant swearing as they lumbered along the winding road to the wilderness reserve's parking site. Merlin didn't seem to mind, pouring over a map and sipping steaming, spiked tea from a Thermos mug.

"Did you know, there are only a handful of sphagnum bogs in the United States?" he asked out loud, earning a knowing hum from Nox as he reclined in the passenger seat.

"That one out in Beartown Wilderness is a bear to get to, but man is it worth it!" he said, turning sideways so he could see Merlin and Bryn. "You can't miss it! It's surrounded by rhododendrons, wild cranberries, and hazel. Sphagnum is an ecological wonder, but it has loads of metaphysical properties. That bog is a witch's wonderland."

"It's almost as good as going back to the Old World," Merlin whispered dramatically. "A bog , in the heart of Virginia's most isolated and untouched wilderness. Too bad it's also a magnet for scientists and hikers," he said with a snort. "Hugh was never an outdoorsman, though, and thought of himself as an elder statesman and a sage. We're looking for a temple in the woods, not too far off the beaten path and one that won't draw too much attention."

The three of them chatted up the locals in the gas station and the general store and the rangers at the park and it didn't take long to find their quarry. "Hugh Douglas" was a retired conservative lobbyist and an avid hunter. Hugh had developed a small, forgotten parcel of land that he had inherited from a distant relative about twenty years ago. He kept mostly to himself but occasionally hosted old friends from the Beltway.

There was an undeveloped access road out to Hugh's place, but it was most likely being monitored so they had chosen to hike in from the opposite direction. Nox had spotted a designated camping area on the bend of a creek, just about a quarter of a mile away from Hugh's house.

"Not surprised about that," Bryn said, noting the American flag waving proudly on its post and the Trump banner hanging over the porch rail.

Merlin's face pinched as he shook his head. "He's blending in. I bet that if you ask any of his neighbors, they'll tell you he's a good upstanding citizen who just likes to keep to himself. No one expects evil if they believe his values align with theirs," he said with a pointed look.

He was definitely winded and Merlin's golden hiking ensemble was wilted and wrinkled. The sheer, shiny blouse and balloon pants had deflated, clinging to his wiry frame and making him look even smaller. He'd taken off his short velvet "hiking cape" about an hour after they set out and his little round head was dripping with sweat.

Despite Merlin's and Nox's insistence that he abhorred physical exertion of any kind and preferred the role of spectator, when it came to athletics, the old man had surprised Bryn. He scrambled over boulders and leapt over obstacles with relative ease, occasionally allowing Nox or Bryn to lift him or give him a hand up when they reached more advanced hazards.

Bryn had expected to be slowed down when they set off just after sunrise and had planned for more rest stops or to carry Merlin parts of the way. But Merlin understood that taking your time was always the smartest approach and the golden rule of hiking. In Bryn's book, at least, so he was feeling conflicted when they reached Hugh's cabin just before noon.

"We might make it back to Georgetown tonight after all," he murmured, wrinkling his nose. "Not that I'm in a rush. Take your time," he added and Merlin snorted at the cabin across the pasture.

"The sooner we get this over with and return to civilization, the better. I just need to freshen up. I can't face Hugh Dùbhghlas in this state," he said in a low, scornful mutter.

"Do you think he knows we're coming or why?" Bryn asked Merlin as he turned from the cabin and went to his bag. Nox had placed it on a moss-covered tree stump and the Thermos of tea sat next to it.

Merlin shook his head as he reached for the tea. "The element of surprise only lasts as long as the arrival. He will know we are there because we are, whether we maintain the element of mystery depends upon you. I can spin any lie I wish but Hugh will know we're inquiring about a particular brand of mischief if we have a soul chaser with us," he explained.

"Noted," Bryn said with a wince, then nodded at Nox. "What're you thinking?" he asked as they turned, giving Merlin some privacy while they planned their approach.

Nox's eyes were narrowed and focused on the cabin. "How do you feel about snakes?" he asked and Bryn's face fell.

"Why…?"

"There's an…odor," Nox said, sniffing at the air.

Bryn took a long sniff and caught a melange of faint, albeit particular smells: propane and charcoal and burned wood, an extensive herb garden, a whiff of sulfur, melted metals… He smelled other dogs and the fauna of the forest, but nothing overwhelmingly serpentine.

"What is it?" Bryn asked nervously. He hated snakes.

"Snake worship," Nox whispered back, his face scrunching. "But not the cool kind of snake worship."

That earned a confused look from Bryn but Nox waved it off. "Snakes can mean lots of good things and who doesn't love an ouroboros? This is dark and demonic. You smell that sulfur?"

Bryn nodded. "Demons. Do you think there will be actual snakes?" he asked Nox and he grimaced.

"I think that half the attraction of snake worship is getting to hold them and have them as cool props. The Hindus have cows but you don't see them dancing around with heifers on their backs and waving them at people, you know?"

There was a soft click! behind them and Bryn heard Merlin dusting his hands. "I believe I am ready," he declared as Bryn and Nox turned back to him.

He was indeed ready, sporting a midnight blue velvet suit and cape. Stars and moons were embroidered on the fabric and his cane was topped with a large chunk of black kyanite. The cane looked more like a witch's broom with the dark, jagged crystal cluster and its ancient rowan and winding willow staff.

"Looking sharp, Merlin," Nox said as he offered his arm.

"Thank you, lad."

The three of them strolled through the clearing with Nox pointing out various trees and admiring the area around them.

"That bog isn't far from here, just a mile or two that way," he said, his finger swinging to the right. "Dad brought me up to Beartown to see it when I was a kid," he said, making Merlin chuckle wryly.

"I told you, Hugh chose this place for that bog. Too many tourists willing to risk their necks to see it, unfortunately, so this is as close as he dared to get."

Bryn paused and spun when he caught a very strong odor on the breeze. It smelled like a large wet dog. "Still plenty of bear," he said with a grin. "Bet that keeps the faint of heart away."

"Good," Nox said with a soft laugh. "I trust the bears more with this place."

Merlin cleared his throat, tipping his chin toward the cabin as the front doors opened and a tall, wiry, old man with a long dark beard stepped out. He leaned against a post, crossing his boots as he waited to greet them and Bryn thought that he looked more like a wealthy redneck than a warlock.

"Gentlemen," he said with a tip of his cowboy hat once they were close enough to hear him. His soul was as thick and black as coal smoke, dressed in a red plaid shirt and dark Wrangler jeans. The waist was cinched with a thick leather belt, the gold buckle almost as big as a license plate with a pair of big enamel American flags and the word ‘FREE' in red rhinestones.

"What's free?" Bryn whispered out of the side of his mouth? "Don't think I want whatever he's offering."

Nox smothered a snorting giggle. "Sometimes, patriotism gets in the way of nuance."

"Especially when it's merely a costume," Merlin said as they came to a stop and he nodded at Hugh Dùbhghlas. "He has a keen understanding of his neighbors and their norms."

Hugh pushed away from the post, a toothpick tucked into the corner of his lips. "What brings the mighty Merlin Oglethorpe all the way out here? To what do I owe the great honor and esteemed privilege?" he asked with a grand, sweeping bow. "And his ‘pupil'?" He eyed Nox with a hostile sneer before giving Bryn a once over, raising a thick black brow at Merlin.

"In the neighborhood?" Merlin attempted with an eye roll. "I was sent to inquire about the alarming number of sluagh in the Beltway. You wouldn't be behind that, would you?"

That got a hard grunt from Hugh and he shook his head. "Not me. What would I want with them and why would I care about what's going on out there?" he asked coyly. "Keep quiet and mind my business, that's always been my motto."

"And what business is that these days?" Merlin quizzed him, just as coyly.

Hugh took the toothpick out of his mouth and flicked it at Merlin, sending it flipping through the air before it landed at their feet and made a soft, sizzling sound. "That's my business but it doesn't have anything to do with the sluagh," he said and Merlin hummed loudly.

"I'm sure it doesn't. What about banshee or aos sí? Should we expect to see more trouble from those as well?" His tone was smarmy, making Bryn snicker as Hugh rolled his eyes.

"I've got better things to do than send an army of peons to harass the humans of the Beltway."

"They're lying!" a cold voice hissed before Bryn noticed a small bespectacled child peeking around the door, hiding in the shadows.

Merlin flinched but quickly recovered, smiling cheerfully as he stepped forward. "Well hello, little boy! Didn't see you there!" He sounded more like a grandfatherly leprechaun with his soft Irish lilt and was utterly charming as he reached into his pocket. "I think I have a sweet in here!" he said excitedly and pulled out a classic swirled rainbow lollipop. "I'm sure your…grandfather won't mind," Merlin added with a daring look at Hugh.

He shook his head and the "boy" staggered onto the porch, leaning on a cane as it dragged its left leg. Whatever it was, it was not a child, but an abomination with mottled, pale gray skin and empty black sockets where its eyes used to be. But it was the emptiness that had Bryn rearing back and gasping. It had no soul and Bryn couldn't help but recoil at how wrong the child was. There were small, swirling moats, buzzing like gnats around its head. Bryn thought they were bugs and attracted to its filthy gray pajamas, then suppressed a snarl when he realized they were trapped souls.

"Easy!" Nox whispered with a firm tug on the back of Bryn's hoodie but Hugh had noticed.

He shooed the damned changeling back into the house, staring Bryn down from the top step. "You have your pets and I have mine, Merlin."

"Pets?" Merlin countered as he turned to Bryn. "Would you take commands from me?"

Bryn didn't bother to hold back and howled with laughter. Truly howling as he tipped back his head, then shook it as he wiped his eyes. "Don't see that happening."

"It is…unconscionable, what you have done!" Merlin hissed at Hugh, leaning forward on his cane. He was seething, his nostrils flaring as he stared Hugh down."

"What is it that you think I have done?" Hugh returned. He laughed as he went back to leaning against the post. "I can't be the only one who's taken in a changeling. Could you turn away a creature no one wanted, that had been thrown away?" he asked sadly, shaking his head. "I think not!"

"There is a line!" Merlin replied. "One you have always ignored but this time, you have gone too far."

"Not this time. You're the one who's come too far and crossed the line." Hugh shook his head and pointed in the direction they had come. "Y'all go on now. You don't want any trouble."

Bryn's neck craned. "That's not why we're here but if you're offering, I might be interested," he said and went to meet him, but Merlin held out a hand, blocking Bryn.

"I sense a trap." He scanned the porch and the cabin's facade. "He's been expecting or hoping for something for a while. This place is cursed and guarded with dark, foul magick," he warned.

"It's gross," Nox confirmed, raising a hand and scanning as he drifted to the right.

"Not too far!" Merlin ordered in a tight whisper and Nox obediently returned to his side.

Hugh's dry, scratching laugh made Bryn's teeth itch. "Let him go, Merlin. I ain't scared."

"Name a time and a place, if it's a face-off you want," Merlin countered with a hard snort at Hugh. "But I will not be walking into a trap and I would never risk losing these two, they're far too precious. Not for that monstrosity or whatever else you've spawned to lure us here."

"Sounds like you're scared," Hugh said as his gaze pinned Merlin's.

Bryn grunted and shook his head. "I think we're good," he said with a glance at Nox.

He nodded, putting an arm around Merlin. "About time we were leaving. I wanna swing by that bog and bless it," he said, wiggling his brows at Hugh and causing his lip to curl.

"Get that trash of yours out of here, Merlin."

Nox answered with a cocky smirk as his arm shot out to catch Merlin before he could charge at Hugh. "When the time comes, I'm going to make you eat those words. Literally!" Nox vowed with an ecstatic gasp. "And you will see the light. Until then, I'm going to take my friends back to Georgetown and let the others know we were right about you."

That got a reaction out of Hugh. He went to leap at Nox, but drew back when Merlin held out his cane. "They are waiting to hear from us. Did you think you could trap us or kill us and no one would notice?" Merlin laughed, then waved at Nox. "He isn't just my golden child. He's the Attorney General's as well and he will give Nox's beloved, Agent Grady T. Nelson of the FBI, carte blanche to turn your life and this compound inside out. If you are not concerned about the other witches who will come for your ass when they find out I'm missing," Merlin added, his perfectly drawn brows rising expectantly.

"Get the hell off my property," Hugh muttered through clenched teeth.

"Gladly," Bryn said and gave Nox a nod, signaling that it was time to grab Merlin by the arm and steer him away.

They calmly strolled back the way they had come, pretending to enjoy the scenic afternoon. "That was very well done, gentlemen," Merlin said out of the side of his mouth once they were on the other side of the pasture. "He would have had me at the end if you hadn't held me back, but I think we managed a dignified retreat."

"We did, but what the hell was that?" Bryn asked once they reached their camp by the creek.

Merlin pushed out a disgusted snort. "Exactly what I had feared, an undead changeling."

"I kind of assumed," Bryn replied. "But why is he so different from Everly? Why isn't he regenerating? What happened to his soul? Everly has a soul," he said but Nox shook his head.

"Everly didn't really die. His soul had let go because it was tired. But his heart didn't stop long enough for his body to start decaying before you brought his soul back."

"That child was a corpse," Merlin agreed with a shiver, looking thoroughly repulsed. "Its soul left it long before it was resurrected and I fear that may have been intentional on Hugh's part. All that was left were the traces of fae mischief, no pesky soul to tame to his will."

Bryn scrubbed his face, worried. "You mean he dug up a changeling child so he could make that?" he asked and Merlin gave him a hard look.

"I pray that is the case because the alternative is—" he swung back to the cabin and looked like he was ready to storm across the pasture for another go at Hugh. "We must find out where that child came from."

Nox nodded in agreement. "After we get back to Georgetown. I doubt Hugh would have let us leave if you hadn't mentioned the Attorney General or Nelson and the FBI. But he knows we're after him now and he's probably already found my address," he predicted and Merlin scoffed.

"You are Lennox MacIlwraith , for gods' sake. Every witch on this side of the country can tell you where the MacIlwraiths live. You've only ever lived in one place, and it's no secret who you live with and who Nelson works for. The internet does work out here and he probably has Netflix." He rolled his eyes, gesturing for them to gather their bags. "I reminded Hugh because I suspect he's figured out who else might be staying under your roof. I wanted Hugh to know that we hadn't left the place unguarded."

Bryn made the connection and swore as he threw a backpack over his shoulder and grabbed Merlin's bag. "We have to get back! He knows about Everly."