Deep Roots (Iris' Atlantis 2)

I excused myself for fresh air soon after Bramble left. I walked into the afternoon sun where sweat broke through my skin almost immediately.

Not all of it because of the heat.

The elven presence made me nervous. I breathed in. Then exhaled out. I almost felt like I breathed their aura in lungfulls. I had stretched the clear minded state as long as it lasted. My ability to stay submerged was spent.

The old men around their table had turned to a card game of some sort and didn't see me sneaking around the perimeters. I went behind one of the sheds. Then collapsed against the red painted building. For long moments I simply breathed.

It had been perfect. It had Plume's gestures, his voice, his details, his way of intentionally letting his sleeve slip to showcase a flashy watch. His high heels.

But not his aura.

There was simply the elven presence where I still felt I was drowning, even if the sensation was muffled now that I had come away from the mirage that was not my nephew.

After a couple more minutes of breathing, I dialed the only number I could think of calling.

Heartbeats passed. Somewhere in the bushes a woodpecker was searching for food. It seemed to be knocking in rhythm with my heart.

A pleasant man's voice on the other end answered my questing.

"You've reached the Queen's personal number. She is currently sleeping, but don't hesitate troubling me instead, I guarantee her will is my will."

"I... I, ermm... I would like to report a missing vampire."

"You'd what?"

I repeated what I had just said.

Then I elaborated:

"I was supposed to meet with Plume in a small town here up in the mountains. He never appeared. Instead I met... I don't know what I've met. It looks and acts like him, but has no aura... I think it might be an elf."

The line stayed quiet for a long moment. Then the male voice returned.

"And when did this happen?"

"Right now."

"So... You were supposed to meet with a vampire in the early evening somewhere far from any town...? And in his place you are meeting with something else?"

I bit my lip. Well, now that did sound ridiculous.

"Could you maybe just forward it to Mo? That I never saw Plume."

"Sure. I can do that."

After a few more questions and answers, he closed the call and I closed my eyes.

That call could have gone better.

I slid down against the rough wooden planks. I felt absolutely drained and had no idea what to do next. Where was Plume? And how was it possible his image was talking inside the pub? Had he ever reached his destination, or disappeared on his way? And what was this plot with a decoy in his image?

I supported my forehead against my kneecaps. Then I searched with my bare hands the earth, hoping I might be able to draw the smallest amount of energy from it as I had done by the altar when I had magically healed the scratched hand.Anything to clear my head.

I closed my eyes to better concentrate.

Suddenly the elven presence came to sharp focus.

I jerked my head up.

Plume's empty image stared down at me. It had Plume's bag flung over a shoulder and his wooden high heels held in one hand.

Before I could gather myself, my heart skipped a beat and I knew my eyes widened. Then I had the polite smile fixed back in place.

"I am sorry. The heat got me."

I rose up.

Plume's evil twin didn't move.

"I heard the call," it said. "How did you know?"

It cocked its head slightly, wearing Plume's openly curious expression. My stomach clenched. The elven aura came from all around. This was just a hollow projection of the entity, not its core. Just an image it wanted me to see.Or so it felt to me.

"Where is he?" I asked, instead of answering.

"Oh, the model? I think he decided to have coffee instead. The nearest cafeteria is some twenty kilometers that way." It pointed behind itself into the thicket.

I doubted that.

"Oh, come now, uncle. Plume is fine. If you want, I can show you what happened to him?"

And suddenly the being was close enough for me to touch it. It pressed Plume's hands on either side of my head nailing me against itself and the shed.

I almost expected the sight of fangs with gathering venom. Instead it only flashed me an even toothed smile. It didn't smell like Plume who was almost scentless. Up close the scent coming from this specter was green, moldy almost. There were flowers in full bloom mixed in that scent. The scent–like the presence–was overwhelming, seemingly filling me and confusing my head until I felt I might faint.

"Tell me, Uncle, what would you be, if you weren't yourself?"

The contacts melted away in his eyes, revealing a gaze that reflected the pale blues of the afternoon's cloudless skies. As if there had been two small holes in his eyes and I could see the firmament behind his gaze.

"Tell me, would you be a snake? Could you imagine being a prince far from his homeland? Or a raven, free in the open skies?"

Then it leaned in and kissed me, pressing lustful lips on mine. I felt cold seeping in, radiating from the contact point. And my mind became suddenly clear and focused.