Chapter 8

Shane had only been gone a few minutes when Maeve hesitantly picked up the phone, dialing a number she had memorized months before, but until now, had been too reluctant to use.

“Grey Detective Agency, how may we be of service?” the voice on the other end of the line asked politely.

“I would like to speak with Meredith Gentry please,” Maeve replied.

The voice on the other end of the phone asked cautiously, “Who, may I ask, is calling for her?”

“This is Maeve Reed, the Conchenn, asking for Princess Meredith NicEssus,” she stated, using the sidhe titles deliberately.

“Oh!” the voice exclaimed.  “Please hold, Ms. Reed.”

Half a minute passed before the phone clicked and another voice stated, “This is Meredith.  How may I help you, Ms. Reed?”

“I have a two-fold task for you, Princess Meredith.  Will you meet with me?”

The Princess, curious, replied, “Yes, of course.  When and where?”

“My mansion, this evening, at your convenience.”

A slight pause, then, “I’ll be there at 8.  See you then.”

“Yes.  Until then,” Maeve sighed, hanging up the phone, and moving toward her bedroom to prepare herself for a visit from a newly uncovered princess of the Unseelie Court.

Back in West Hollywood

Shane stepped inside the house, dropping her keys into a bowl sitting on a small stand by the door.  “Hey, Jenny,” she called.  “You home yet?”  Not receiving a reply, she walked into the dining room that had been taken over as Jenny’s writing room. 

Jenny had fallen asleep, her face resting on the edge of the table, her dark hair draping over the keys of her laptop and cascading back down either side of her body.  Trying to wake her without startling her, Shane brushed her hair away from her face.  At that small touch, she felt a surprising glimmer of magic just beneath the surface of her skin.  Pulling back, she shifted her vision briefly to see Jenny’s aura.  It was a bright green color limned with metallic accents and an occasional glimmer of black around the edges.  “Oh, Jenny…do you have any idea where you come from?” she wondered to herself.  Gripping her shoulder she gently shook her awake.