The Ghost (Part Three)
Fic Title: The Ghost
Author:
hunters_retreat
Artist:
ladytiferet
Fandom/Genre: RPF
Pairing(s): Jared/Jensen
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 28,000+
Warnings: d/s themes
Summary: Thirty years ago, humanity was changed. The magic they scoffed at as nothing more than fairy tales and children's illusions was real and the barrier that separated them from that and the world of the fae came crashing down. In the wake of that phenomena, new government agencies were created to deal with the problems of magic in the modern world. Humans relied on the men and women of the DMI to protect them from the abuses of magic. But when Agent Padalecki finds himself in the middle of a
murder investigation with a civilian on his scene, he realizes it's not just any civilian. The intruder is the Ghost, a fae that even the high Seelie court fear. Faced with a murder investigation and a possible connection to a string of killings, Agent Padalecki must find a way to work with the Ghost to stop a killer before he can do the unthinkable; start a war between humanity and fae.
Art Masterpost: here
Jensen sat down beside the body, ignoring the police around him. DMI wasn’t at the scene yet but he knew they were on the way. The locals still didn’t have a single layer of protection against glamour and Jensen didn’t feel the least bit guilty about tricking two of them into going off and make out under the bleachers. He’d sent another to the coffee shop and was now happily sucking down the fruits of his labor. The officer had no idea he’d gone and was getting chewed out for not having the perimeter secure yet.
The body was like the others, two bullets in the body and one left on the ground beside it to show off the anti-fae markings. The body was found in an out of the way path in a large city park whose fence backed up against the high school. It was late at night and Jensen wanted to be anywhere but there. He’d been trying to get more information about active anti-fae groups from the court liaisons but they were reluctant to talk to him. They knew his form of justice and no one wanted to be accused of helping someone who took the law into his own hands, even if no one would ever dare accuse him of being a vigilante to his face.
He heard the commotion behind him and smiled into his coffee cup as the scent of iron stung his nostrils. He hadn’t seen Agent Padalecki since the night he’d gone to the nest and he’d left before even acknowledging what had happened. He wasn’t entirely sure what to do about the agent. If it was any other human, he’d have bedded him that night, taken his pleasure, and been done with it. He wasn’t like the others though. Padalecki was an ally and even though they had barely met, Jensen knew he was someone worth trusting.
That was more problematic than a little spilled semen between species. When Padalecki had shown up at the last murder he’d felt the way his magic was drawn towards the man. Magic was an instinctive art but more than that, humans were still learning that it was a living breathing medium that sometimes forced you to do things you would never do on your own. Like forging alliances you had no intention of making. If there was anyone in the world that was aware of the problems that could cause, it was Jensen. His parents had been a product of that sort of magical interaction and the world had suffered enough. He had no intention of letting his own hand be forced.
The thought didn’t keep his body from reacting to the proximity of the agent though, nor did his personal promise keep the shade he was using for his glamour from reaching out to touch the other man. He could feel the apprehension in Padalecki’s steps, could feel it echoing in the consciously steady pace of his steps and the way each heel dropped heavily to the ground. He felt a rush from the remembrance of the man’s pleasure. Even from the other side of the circle Jensen had felt Jared’s approach. He’d known the moment he realized the fae in the circle was Jensen. And he’d felt the moment Padalecki began to get excited by what he was seeing.
It wasn’t the woman’s screams that enticed him or the curve of her naked body. He’d been aware of Jensen approach, but it wasn’t until Padalecki realized it was Jensen’s shade that was delving into her flesh that he’d been truly aroused. Jensen still didn’t know what to make of that, but he wanted to make Padalecki scream, to hear him pleading and begging before Jensen turned his touch from pain to pleasure.
The funny thing was that Jensen hadn’t planned on going to the mansion that night. After three hours of stooping at the Queen’s feet though he’d felt the need to make someone else hurt. He’d needed to let his passions run free so he’d found a human he could play with. The woman was someone he’d played with before, someone who fed him information when she could, and he always rewarded her well for her service. He’d needed to find release and she’d needed her reward. The fact that Padalecki showed up was just coincidence but his timing had been perfect. Jensen had been trying to decide if he was ready to let her go or not when the agent had turned up. Jensen needed Padalecki to see what he was, to know exactly what his fingers ached to do to his sweet flesh. The scent of the man’s seed spilled at the edge of his circle as he’d been working his shade through the girl had been too delicious and Jensen had given in then.
He might have been able to put the moment off as nothing more than a need to take out his passions on another authority figure since the Queen was off limits - the logic was a bit of a stretch but Jensen was good at making things work for him - if he hadn’t felt the need to taste the agent so badly that he’d stolen his flavor from the lips of another. He could still taste him on his tongue and he needed more.
That need was why Jensen was staying put, not making the move he normally would have. Padalecki was the only person in years that Jensen felt he could trust to watch his back. It was terrifying and satisfying and all fucked up but he wasn’t about to mess the agent up with his base needs.
He was about to comment on the iron when Padalecki buried his knife in the earth beside Jensen. Padalecki’s body was tense as if he was ready to pull away at the slightest provocation but Jensen just turned his head slightly, smirking. “I was beginning to think the DMI had decided to leave this murder to the locals.”
He could see Padalecki’s scowl.
“Anything you can tell me while the others are on the perimeter?”
His voice was clipped, all business, but Jensen was expecting that. He didn’t know what had been going through Padalecki’s head in that circle. Did the man even know he had a taste for the darker passions? Was he aware of what a fae could do with the pleasure/pain connection, a bit of shade, and some experience?
“Same bullets,” Jensen said, deciding to play nice for now. His need to get Padalecki under his hands warred too strongly with his need to keep him as an ally and safe from that aspect of himself. “I was just getting ready to check the scene for signs of magic when your iron announced your presence.”
“Alright. Just tell me what you need.”
Jensen turned to look at the agent then, a smile on his lips as the agent began to sputter and, Jesus Christ he was blushing. “Oh don’t worry about that Agent Padalecki. I’ll let you know the moment anything … comes up.”
Yes, he knew his mouth got him into a lot of trouble but he couldn’t really regret it, not the way Padalecki’s eyes trailed to Jensen’s lips as his own mouth gapped open. He was obviously trying to find something to say to that, but nothing was coming to him and in the end he just walked away, eyes a wide sort of horrified expression to them.
Kane and Carlson were watching him a minute later and Jensen couldn’t help the smirk again as he realized Padalecki, while not afraid of him, seemed to be as affected by his presence as Jensen was by him.
“Evening boys,” Jensen said, not trying to ingratiate himself into the group. Of all the members of the team Kane and Carlson were the two that seemed the least likely to warm up to him. He was pretty sure Murray was trying to get on his good side but it was hard to say with his sense of humor. Beaver wasn’t exactly friendly but he’d at least asked Jensen’s opinion on a couple of things, a few of them not even part of the current investigation but problems he’d been trying to solve and wanted a fae’s opinion.
“If you don’t mind, I need you to bury your iron so I can check the body.”
They did as he asked, probably because Padalecki had already told them to. Jensen took a deep breath and focused on the body then, pushing aside the men and women moving around the murder scene. He couldn’t force away his awareness of Padalecki but he accepted that and worked around the space he was taking up in Jensen’s mind. He could feel the bleed through, the combination of something worked into the body. It was an odd combination of earth, wind, and fire and Jensen knew he’d seen the combination before. He just couldn’t remember where.
He cast his senses further away from the body and found the location of the spell work. It wasn’t far, another ambush like its predecessors. Jensen felt the press of the earth and fire and wind and stood up suddenly, looking straight to where Padalecki was standing.
He didn’t say anything but Padalecki turned to look at him as if he knew Jensen needed him. Jensen walked quickly to meet him in the middle of the scene. “We have a problem.”
“Please tell me we don’t have a copycat.”
“No copycat. It’s worse than that.”
“What is it?”
“Seelie.”
“What?”
Jensen took a deep breath as he tried to put together the sensation with a name but nothing came to him. “I’ve been around the person who did the spell casting. I don’t know who specifically, but I know where I came across them; The Seelie court.”
“So, we not only have proof it was a fae, but proof it was one of the Seelie court?”
Like any eyewitness statement in human law, Jensen’s word wouldn’t be enough to convict someone, but it would go a long way to making a case. Especially someone so feared by the fae.
“Yes.”
“Shit.”
“We need to see the Queen. I need to be there for an audience with the court to see if I can find the killer there.”
“Okay, when and how do we do that?”
“Contact your liaison. I could go to her now, but I’m sure you want it official?”
“The first time I go to meet the Queen of the fae? Yeah I want official protection before I step foot in the Glittering Halls.”
Jensen smiled for a second, stepping closer to Padalecki. “It’ll take more than iron, salt, and a little inside out work to protect yourself there.”
“Isn’t that why I’m with you, Ackles?”
Jensen took a step back and Padalecki seemed to realize the way his words could be taken because his eyes grew wider and his breath shortened. Jensen felt the pit of his stomach drop but even then he knew he couldn’t turn and walk away without answering the question. There was a tie between them, one that Jensen might have unknowingly started when he teasingly asked the human the same type of question when they met. It didn’t mean anything from a human, even with magic. It should mean even less from a void but Jensen had felt the weight of his words then. Now, with Padalecki asking for his protection - even in a teasing way - Jensen couldn’t say no and couldn’t deny that he wanted to make Padalecki his in some way.
He reached up, running his fingers through the agent’s hair before brushing his palm down the center of his face, fingers trailing over his features, down the bridge of his nose to stop momentarily on the soft flesh of his lips. He lowered his hand until it stopped over the agent’s heart and whispered softly as he worked the bits of shade into his words, leaving a mark on Padalecki that any fae could see. “You are under my protection,” the name came to him then as he pledged his life for the man. It was an old bond and not something he could have planned but it fit tonight and no matter how much he was fighting to keep this a professional alliance, his needs to keep Padalecki close were confusing his judgment until he was acting without thought. “Jared Padalecki, you are under my protection. Not human nor fae may harm you without facing my wrath. As I walk without fear in the fae realm and on earth, so may you. Do you take my protection?”
Padalecki licked his lips and swallowed hard as his eyes searched Jensen’s. He couldn’t help himself as his hand slipped up Jared’s chest to rest against his throat, fingers tightening ever so slightly.
“I accept your protection.”
Jensen felt his knees weaken at the impact of his words but he held himself strong. Few fae offered their protection to others and Jensen knew the risks it caused. He just hoped he didn’t live to regret it more than he already did.
“The question is does this mean you’ll protect me from you?”
The question wasn’t flippant and for a moment, Jensen was standing in the circle again, staring at Jared as he brought himself to climax on the edge of Jensen’s pain. He licked his lips, the taste of Jared still lingering in his memories. “I would never hurt you, Jared,” he reassured. “Not any more than you’ll want me to.”
Padalecki took two steps back and Jensen knew not to follow. He’d pushed too hard, followed up what had been too intense with an insensitive smirk but he didn’t want any of this and yet he still found himself acting in ways that he wanted. He knew he wanted Jared, wanted to claim him in any way he could, but it wasn’t a good idea. As a DMI agent he was too often taking on the fae and offering him protection was about as good a way of making himself a target as declaring himself King of the fae. He was, undoubtedly, the rightful King since the fae were more about raw power than political maneuvering but he never wanted to be in that position. He didn’t want the power and turmoil of ruling something as fluid as the fae and he knew that no one would follow him anyway. If he made a play for the throne, the stronger fae would ally them until Jensen was dead at someone’s hands. They might not be able to take him down on their own, but he could only stand against so many together.
By offering Padalecki his protection he might have just shortened both their life expectancies. He shivered as he felt Jared looking at him, eyes taking him in and heart racing as panic set in again. Only one thing would be more soothing to his soul and that would be to make Jared squirm with his own hands.
He took a deep breath and stopped that line of thinking. He had a case to solve and the Queen to confront as soon as Padalecki could work it out. He just had to remember it was work. It was all work and when it was done he would cut the connection between them. As soon as the job was done.
**
“Just keep your mouth shut, Padalecki,” Cortese said as she stared at Jared. “I know you’ve been to the court before but never like this. You are representing the DMI and your entire race. The Queen of the Seelie court rarely allows private audiences. If you screw this up it won’t be a demotion or a slap on the wrist. You asked to see her on her ground so it’s her rules.”
He looked over at Jensen and couldn’t help but wonder about the words he’d spoke at their meeting the night before. Jensen wasn’t looking at him but it made Jared all that more aware of how focused Jensen was on him. He could feel something stirring between them and none of it felt good. Well, it didn’t feel bad but the fact that there was something between him and one of the Seelie was problematic in more ways than he could count. He figured it was problematic in more ways than he knew but he didn’t need to borrow trouble. Not with Cortese getting ready to walk him through the Glittering Halls and Jensen at his side.
“I do know how to behave myself,” Jared said with a sigh.
Jensen let out a quiet bark of laughter and finally looked up to meet his eyes. “What? I do.”
A tall, dark fae stepped out of the main doorway and Jared might have been caught up in the beauty of the man if he hadn’t paled next to Jensen. While the other fae was gorgeous with dark hair and piercing blue eyes, there was something cold about him as he stepped forward. He lacked the warmth that Jensen seemed to exude.
“The Queen is ready for the court liaison and agent. She did not say to admit you, Ackles.”
Jensen simply smirked, as if he’d known all along that his appearance would be denied. “I’m here with the agent, as you can damn well see.”
Jared wasn’t sure what was happening but the other fae looked back at Jared, looking closer at him until he pulled back, hissing. “You wouldn’t.”
“It’s a little late to tell me the things I would and wouldn’t do, don’t you think Thomas? Now, be a good lapdog and lead the way to the Queen.”
Jared watched the way the wisps of shade crept up around Jensen and how they began to slink across the floor to pull at Jared’s pant leg, bits of fiery orange twining with it. The other fae was surrounded in wrappings of dark blue and Jared suddenly wished he had the rest of his team with him. Whatever was happening between the two fae was more than Jared knew how to handle. He had no magic to deal with it, even if he could see it happening. He had a weapon, specially marked bullets that were supposed to be able to incapacitate a fae, but it wasn’t something he could bring to bear just yet. Especially not when they were still experimental and the guns they were supposed to be used with were still in a warehouse somewhere waiting for distribution.
“The Queen of the fae is waiting,” Cortese interrupted the two men. “I will not take responsibility for her reaction to that, so if you would please lead the way?”
Her words seemed to get through to the taller fae and Jared felt himself relaxing as he watched Jensen’s hands unclench. He took a step closer to the fae, not for protection but because he was certain that whatever happened was because of Jared. If there was ever a time to show support of the fae and their connection, it was now.
He let the front of his shoulder bump up against the back of Jensen’s shoulder, letting the other man know he was right there with him. Jensen turned his head slightly, looking at him with a smirk. “Nice outfit,” he commented, before taking a small step forward.
Jared realized his movement was on purpose and that he wanted to keep Jared a single step behind him. He also realized that Jensen was saying something when he mentioned their clothes. Something about the way he was dressed meant something.
It was his formal DMI uniform, black pants and button down shirt with a black tie. It was similar to military dress blues but the DMI logo - a shield with each of the five elements represented - adorned the pocket and Jared’s medals were pinned above it. He would have gone without, but Cortese had been adamant about making the best impression he could. Now, with the other fae’s reaction, he wasn’t sure it was possible.
Jared was willing to take a chance though and considering Jensen’s words the night before, Jared wondered if there was more to the protection Jensen had offered than he realized. He understood it had been something important when Jensen had stepped up to him, touching him in an almost ritualistic way, but a look from the other fae had been enough to piss him off enough that Jensen had been prepared to protect him. He had no idea what to do with that, other than roll with it and trust that Jensen wasn’t leading him to the slaughter.
“This way,” the other fae finally said as he walked through the doors.
The doorway was an ordinary French door at the Fae consulate building and though Jared knew it was simply a gateway to the actual realm of faerie, he’d never expected the change to be so abrupt. Where he’d been in a building full of dark, old world woods, heavy furnishings, and the trappings of the wealthy, the hallway he stepped into was a procession of autumn leaves and dancing grasses. The center of the walkway was soft grass and Jared felt the desire to push his shoes off just to let his toes feel the blades against his skin. The sky above could only be glanced at through the thick branches of aged trees and was a sparkling blue that made him want to run from the glade to find a way to see a clear view of the tantalizing sun. Along each side of the processional were the fae themselves, mostly the Seelie but a few Unseelie dotted their numbers as if on some strange court business. The beauty of the fae was legendary but never more so than in their own country and Jared could feel his heart race as he looked from one exquisite face to another. He didn’t see Jensen stop and butted against the other man slightly, stunned by his appearance. He looked at Jensen, his eyes catching on soft full lips before moving up to high cheekbones that should have been carved into statues. He was more beautiful than anything the Greeks had portrayed when they sought the nature of beauty in their works and Jared felt a pang that they had never known the nature of such a thing.
His eyes filled with tears as he watched the shade flow around Jensen, filling the space until Jensen turned his eyes to look at Jared. Green jade shimmered in the autumn light but Jared could breathe again suddenly. The concern that was in Jensen’s eyes shifted away as Jared swallowed hard against the lump in his throat. He nodded to Jensen, letting the other man know that he was out from under whatever glamour had tried to claim him.
When Jared looked back, the Glittering Halls were as breathtaking as before, but he wasn’t caught up in the illusion that he had been. He could appreciate the beauty without a need to become a part of it. Jensen began walking again with Cortese taking up position at Jared’s side with a questioning look. Jared didn’t understand it himself so he just shrugged. He watched the fae as they stood together and though he’d never heard anyone speak of colors, he realized that the fae were separating themselves into groups of colors. Those closest to the Queen’s throne were darker autumn colors of orange and dark reds and browns. There were concentrations of blues and greens, and yellows and pale greens and pinks thrown together in other areas. Their colors seemed to represent alliances within their ranks and it didn’t take much to realize no one was wearing the black that Jensen wore. No one but Jared, in his dark DMI uniform that had sent Jensen smirking when he saw it.
“My Ghost, I didn’t know you were waiting at the door. Perhaps you’ll tell me why you’re brining humans to my home?”
Jensen walked them up to the large dais where the Queen of the fae sat and knelt down on one knee. Cortese and Jared did the same. Protocol demanded that he only look up at her once she addressed him but he found himself unable to stop himself. On the dais was a large carved wood throne with the heavy drapings of weeping willow branches. The colors that surrounded her were like the colors of the sunset, but it was the queen herself who kept his attention. She wore a long gown of burnt orange that clung to her curves, feet bare as she sat with her feet crossed at the ankles, smiling down at Jensen. Her long auburn hair hung in waves down past her shoulders and her red lips were curled up in a small smirk. Chocolate colored eyes turned from Jensen to the liaison who was kneeling a step behind him.
“Hello Ms. Cortese. You haven’t come to see out halls in a very long time.”
“You honor me with your presence,” Cortese answered.
The Queen didn’t deny it but she was already dismissing the liaison, turning her eyes to Jared. He watched the way her eyes narrowed on him, and the way the court stilled around them as her gaze brought they eyes of the rest of them.
“You dare?” the Queen was looking at Jared but he knew the question wasn’t for him.
Jensen stood between the Queen and Jared, effectively blocking him from her view. “We have come because you granted us a private audience, My Queen. May we adjourn to someplace more private?”
“Out!” the Queen made a dismissive gesture with her hand and the ranks of fae around them began to disappear. He didn’t know how they managed to move away so quickly, if their disappearance was a matter of glamour or some trick but none of them used the shadows to travel as Jensen did.
Only a moment passed before they were left alone with the Queen and Jensen was looking around them, checking for anyone that might be waiting in hiding. Jensen whispered a few words and shade and fire left his hand, travelling like a cloud of smoke across the clearing and in a circle around them.
“You presume much, my Pet,” the Queen reprimanded.
Jared wasn’t sure what made him stand, but without the Queen’s permission he felt himself rising to stand at Jensen’s back. Jensen didn’t turn to look at him but Jared knew the fae was aware of his movement. The Queen was as well. She didn’t look at Jared either, but her lips turned down in a slightly frown.
“What we came to discuss was important, My Queen, or we would not have disturbed you or asked for a private audience. Since you granted such an audience, I was simply ensuring that it remained private.”
“You think one of my court would disobey me?”
“Not with your Ghost to make sure they don’t.”
Her eyes turned angrily away from Jensen and turned to Cortese. “You may rise, Liaison.” She said as she stood from her throne, walking forward to put her hand on Jensen’s arm. “So what have you come to see me about, Pet?”
“The investigation. There was another murder and we learned something new.”
“Perhaps your friend would like to talk. He dressed the part after all, didn’t he?”
Jensen took a step back and Jared was faced with the Queen of the Seelie court. They called her the Queen of all the fae, though her title was only for the Seelie. Her power was far reaching though and even the Unseelie heeded her law.
Her eyes swept over his body and though she was much shorter than he was, he felt smaller for her proximity.
“What do you have to say, agent?”
“Agent Padalecki,” he offered his last name. Jensen didn’t say anything but Jared could see the almost imperceptible nod that meant he approved of the level of respect he gave her, and the level of caution he took at not giving her his full name. “I have been working with Ackles to apprehend a murderer. We believe there are at least two individuals responsible, one using magic to hold the victims and the other who is actually pulling the trigger. One is human-”
“The other is what we’re here to speak with you about,” Jensen cut off before Jared could continue. “We have reason to believe that the second murderer is a fae.”
“No.”
“The murdered is Seelie court.”
“That’s impossible. The fae have no need to kill humans and no one among the Seelie would lower themselves enough to work with a human to do so.”
Neither the Queen nor Jensen seemed to think the insult merited any notice, but Jared watched the way Cortese’s lips drew up into a tight line and her eyes were pinched at the words. Jared had to bite his bottom lip to keep from smiling. Cortese should have been used to the way the fae saw humans after all her years with the liaison’s office.
The Queen looked at Jensen, giving him her full attention. “I won’t have you getting the court worked up over this. You will stop this investigation immediately. You’re services are required elsewhere and I am tired of your games, Pet.”
“Excuse me?”
The words Jensen spoke were quiet but a shiver ran over Jared’s spine and shade flittered up his spine as if Jensen needed the added connection to Jared to keep his cool.
“You bring a human here, a bound, protected human and talk to me of murdering fae?” The Queen asked. “I will not have you flaunting your strange obsessions. You will cease all investigations within the human world.”
Jared felt the magic moving around them before he saw the edges of Jensen’s shade push into the Queen. Her own magic - trails of earth and wind - moved up to protect her, but shade slipped between them just as Jensen moved in, fingers clenching around her throat as he pinned her to the back of her throne.
“I don’t tell you how to rule your kingdom. I don’t tell you who to exile or pardon. I don’t tell you where to hunt or when. Do not tell me what to investigate or not. I came for your help and I will have it. Leave the investigations to me and I’ll leave ruling the Seelie to you.”
The Queen’s eyes were filled with fear and Jared knew then what she feared the most. Jensen, in all his glory, was far more powerful than she was and the Seelie ruled by sheer force of power. She was no match for him and they both knew it.
Cortese was openly gasping as Jensen let go of the Queen’s throat and his shade began to crawl away from her again. Jensen turned to walk away then, and their liaison didn’t move until Jared grabbed her by the elbow and began pulling her after him. They were barely out in the hallway of the fae Consulate building when Jensen pushed Cortese up against the wall in an echo of the way he’d held the Queen.
“If anyone so much as breathes like they knew what happened there today, I will destroy you. There will be no body to find, and no one to wonder what happened. Not even the great Agent Padalecki will be able to find what happened to you.” Although he didn’t ask her, Cortese nodded vigorously. He stepped in closer and smirked. “If anyone finds out about this, I will kill you slowly,” she shivered and Jared saw the way shade wrapped over her wrists. “And I will enjoy it,” Jensen promised.
When he let her go, Cortese slumped against the wall. If she hadn’t been leaning there Jared was sure she’d have fallen over. Her face was pale but Jared knew she’d keep her silence. No one wanted the Ghost hunting them.
Jared was about to turn and follow Jensen when he felt an arm around his waist. Soft, whispered words crawled around his skin and etched themselves in his flesh, pulling him into the shadow world and away from the liaison to wherever Jensen was taking them to next.
Author:
hunters_retreat
Artist:
ladytiferet
Fandom/Genre: RPF
Pairing(s): Jared/Jensen
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 28,000+
Warnings: d/s themes
Summary: Thirty years ago, humanity was changed. The magic they scoffed at as nothing more than fairy tales and children's illusions was real and the barrier that separated them from that and the world of the fae came crashing down. In the wake of that phenomena, new government agencies were created to deal with the problems of magic in the modern world. Humans relied on the men and women of the DMI to protect them from the abuses of magic. But when Agent Padalecki finds himself in the middle of a
murder investigation with a civilian on his scene, he realizes it's not just any civilian. The intruder is the Ghost, a fae that even the high Seelie court fear. Faced with a murder investigation and a possible connection to a string of killings, Agent Padalecki must find a way to work with the Ghost to stop a killer before he can do the unthinkable; start a war between humanity and fae.
Art Masterpost: here
Jensen sat down beside the body, ignoring the police around him. DMI wasn’t at the scene yet but he knew they were on the way. The locals still didn’t have a single layer of protection against glamour and Jensen didn’t feel the least bit guilty about tricking two of them into going off and make out under the bleachers. He’d sent another to the coffee shop and was now happily sucking down the fruits of his labor. The officer had no idea he’d gone and was getting chewed out for not having the perimeter secure yet.
The body was like the others, two bullets in the body and one left on the ground beside it to show off the anti-fae markings. The body was found in an out of the way path in a large city park whose fence backed up against the high school. It was late at night and Jensen wanted to be anywhere but there. He’d been trying to get more information about active anti-fae groups from the court liaisons but they were reluctant to talk to him. They knew his form of justice and no one wanted to be accused of helping someone who took the law into his own hands, even if no one would ever dare accuse him of being a vigilante to his face.
He heard the commotion behind him and smiled into his coffee cup as the scent of iron stung his nostrils. He hadn’t seen Agent Padalecki since the night he’d gone to the nest and he’d left before even acknowledging what had happened. He wasn’t entirely sure what to do about the agent. If it was any other human, he’d have bedded him that night, taken his pleasure, and been done with it. He wasn’t like the others though. Padalecki was an ally and even though they had barely met, Jensen knew he was someone worth trusting.
That was more problematic than a little spilled semen between species. When Padalecki had shown up at the last murder he’d felt the way his magic was drawn towards the man. Magic was an instinctive art but more than that, humans were still learning that it was a living breathing medium that sometimes forced you to do things you would never do on your own. Like forging alliances you had no intention of making. If there was anyone in the world that was aware of the problems that could cause, it was Jensen. His parents had been a product of that sort of magical interaction and the world had suffered enough. He had no intention of letting his own hand be forced.
The thought didn’t keep his body from reacting to the proximity of the agent though, nor did his personal promise keep the shade he was using for his glamour from reaching out to touch the other man. He could feel the apprehension in Padalecki’s steps, could feel it echoing in the consciously steady pace of his steps and the way each heel dropped heavily to the ground. He felt a rush from the remembrance of the man’s pleasure. Even from the other side of the circle Jensen had felt Jared’s approach. He’d known the moment he realized the fae in the circle was Jensen. And he’d felt the moment Padalecki began to get excited by what he was seeing.
It wasn’t the woman’s screams that enticed him or the curve of her naked body. He’d been aware of Jensen approach, but it wasn’t until Padalecki realized it was Jensen’s shade that was delving into her flesh that he’d been truly aroused. Jensen still didn’t know what to make of that, but he wanted to make Padalecki scream, to hear him pleading and begging before Jensen turned his touch from pain to pleasure.
The funny thing was that Jensen hadn’t planned on going to the mansion that night. After three hours of stooping at the Queen’s feet though he’d felt the need to make someone else hurt. He’d needed to let his passions run free so he’d found a human he could play with. The woman was someone he’d played with before, someone who fed him information when she could, and he always rewarded her well for her service. He’d needed to find release and she’d needed her reward. The fact that Padalecki showed up was just coincidence but his timing had been perfect. Jensen had been trying to decide if he was ready to let her go or not when the agent had turned up. Jensen needed Padalecki to see what he was, to know exactly what his fingers ached to do to his sweet flesh. The scent of the man’s seed spilled at the edge of his circle as he’d been working his shade through the girl had been too delicious and Jensen had given in then.
He might have been able to put the moment off as nothing more than a need to take out his passions on another authority figure since the Queen was off limits - the logic was a bit of a stretch but Jensen was good at making things work for him - if he hadn’t felt the need to taste the agent so badly that he’d stolen his flavor from the lips of another. He could still taste him on his tongue and he needed more.
That need was why Jensen was staying put, not making the move he normally would have. Padalecki was the only person in years that Jensen felt he could trust to watch his back. It was terrifying and satisfying and all fucked up but he wasn’t about to mess the agent up with his base needs.
He was about to comment on the iron when Padalecki buried his knife in the earth beside Jensen. Padalecki’s body was tense as if he was ready to pull away at the slightest provocation but Jensen just turned his head slightly, smirking. “I was beginning to think the DMI had decided to leave this murder to the locals.”
He could see Padalecki’s scowl.
“Anything you can tell me while the others are on the perimeter?”
His voice was clipped, all business, but Jensen was expecting that. He didn’t know what had been going through Padalecki’s head in that circle. Did the man even know he had a taste for the darker passions? Was he aware of what a fae could do with the pleasure/pain connection, a bit of shade, and some experience?
“Same bullets,” Jensen said, deciding to play nice for now. His need to get Padalecki under his hands warred too strongly with his need to keep him as an ally and safe from that aspect of himself. “I was just getting ready to check the scene for signs of magic when your iron announced your presence.”
“Alright. Just tell me what you need.”
Jensen turned to look at the agent then, a smile on his lips as the agent began to sputter and, Jesus Christ he was blushing. “Oh don’t worry about that Agent Padalecki. I’ll let you know the moment anything … comes up.”
Yes, he knew his mouth got him into a lot of trouble but he couldn’t really regret it, not the way Padalecki’s eyes trailed to Jensen’s lips as his own mouth gapped open. He was obviously trying to find something to say to that, but nothing was coming to him and in the end he just walked away, eyes a wide sort of horrified expression to them.
Kane and Carlson were watching him a minute later and Jensen couldn’t help the smirk again as he realized Padalecki, while not afraid of him, seemed to be as affected by his presence as Jensen was by him.
“Evening boys,” Jensen said, not trying to ingratiate himself into the group. Of all the members of the team Kane and Carlson were the two that seemed the least likely to warm up to him. He was pretty sure Murray was trying to get on his good side but it was hard to say with his sense of humor. Beaver wasn’t exactly friendly but he’d at least asked Jensen’s opinion on a couple of things, a few of them not even part of the current investigation but problems he’d been trying to solve and wanted a fae’s opinion.
“If you don’t mind, I need you to bury your iron so I can check the body.”
They did as he asked, probably because Padalecki had already told them to. Jensen took a deep breath and focused on the body then, pushing aside the men and women moving around the murder scene. He couldn’t force away his awareness of Padalecki but he accepted that and worked around the space he was taking up in Jensen’s mind. He could feel the bleed through, the combination of something worked into the body. It was an odd combination of earth, wind, and fire and Jensen knew he’d seen the combination before. He just couldn’t remember where.
He cast his senses further away from the body and found the location of the spell work. It wasn’t far, another ambush like its predecessors. Jensen felt the press of the earth and fire and wind and stood up suddenly, looking straight to where Padalecki was standing.
He didn’t say anything but Padalecki turned to look at him as if he knew Jensen needed him. Jensen walked quickly to meet him in the middle of the scene. “We have a problem.”
“Please tell me we don’t have a copycat.”
“No copycat. It’s worse than that.”
“What is it?”
“Seelie.”
“What?”
Jensen took a deep breath as he tried to put together the sensation with a name but nothing came to him. “I’ve been around the person who did the spell casting. I don’t know who specifically, but I know where I came across them; The Seelie court.”
“So, we not only have proof it was a fae, but proof it was one of the Seelie court?”
Like any eyewitness statement in human law, Jensen’s word wouldn’t be enough to convict someone, but it would go a long way to making a case. Especially someone so feared by the fae.
“Yes.”
“Shit.”
“We need to see the Queen. I need to be there for an audience with the court to see if I can find the killer there.”
“Okay, when and how do we do that?”
“Contact your liaison. I could go to her now, but I’m sure you want it official?”
“The first time I go to meet the Queen of the fae? Yeah I want official protection before I step foot in the Glittering Halls.”
Jensen smiled for a second, stepping closer to Padalecki. “It’ll take more than iron, salt, and a little inside out work to protect yourself there.”
“Isn’t that why I’m with you, Ackles?”
Jensen took a step back and Padalecki seemed to realize the way his words could be taken because his eyes grew wider and his breath shortened. Jensen felt the pit of his stomach drop but even then he knew he couldn’t turn and walk away without answering the question. There was a tie between them, one that Jensen might have unknowingly started when he teasingly asked the human the same type of question when they met. It didn’t mean anything from a human, even with magic. It should mean even less from a void but Jensen had felt the weight of his words then. Now, with Padalecki asking for his protection - even in a teasing way - Jensen couldn’t say no and couldn’t deny that he wanted to make Padalecki his in some way.
He reached up, running his fingers through the agent’s hair before brushing his palm down the center of his face, fingers trailing over his features, down the bridge of his nose to stop momentarily on the soft flesh of his lips. He lowered his hand until it stopped over the agent’s heart and whispered softly as he worked the bits of shade into his words, leaving a mark on Padalecki that any fae could see. “You are under my protection,” the name came to him then as he pledged his life for the man. It was an old bond and not something he could have planned but it fit tonight and no matter how much he was fighting to keep this a professional alliance, his needs to keep Padalecki close were confusing his judgment until he was acting without thought. “Jared Padalecki, you are under my protection. Not human nor fae may harm you without facing my wrath. As I walk without fear in the fae realm and on earth, so may you. Do you take my protection?”
Padalecki licked his lips and swallowed hard as his eyes searched Jensen’s. He couldn’t help himself as his hand slipped up Jared’s chest to rest against his throat, fingers tightening ever so slightly.
“I accept your protection.”
Jensen felt his knees weaken at the impact of his words but he held himself strong. Few fae offered their protection to others and Jensen knew the risks it caused. He just hoped he didn’t live to regret it more than he already did.
“The question is does this mean you’ll protect me from you?”
The question wasn’t flippant and for a moment, Jensen was standing in the circle again, staring at Jared as he brought himself to climax on the edge of Jensen’s pain. He licked his lips, the taste of Jared still lingering in his memories. “I would never hurt you, Jared,” he reassured. “Not any more than you’ll want me to.”
Padalecki took two steps back and Jensen knew not to follow. He’d pushed too hard, followed up what had been too intense with an insensitive smirk but he didn’t want any of this and yet he still found himself acting in ways that he wanted. He knew he wanted Jared, wanted to claim him in any way he could, but it wasn’t a good idea. As a DMI agent he was too often taking on the fae and offering him protection was about as good a way of making himself a target as declaring himself King of the fae. He was, undoubtedly, the rightful King since the fae were more about raw power than political maneuvering but he never wanted to be in that position. He didn’t want the power and turmoil of ruling something as fluid as the fae and he knew that no one would follow him anyway. If he made a play for the throne, the stronger fae would ally them until Jensen was dead at someone’s hands. They might not be able to take him down on their own, but he could only stand against so many together.
By offering Padalecki his protection he might have just shortened both their life expectancies. He shivered as he felt Jared looking at him, eyes taking him in and heart racing as panic set in again. Only one thing would be more soothing to his soul and that would be to make Jared squirm with his own hands.
He took a deep breath and stopped that line of thinking. He had a case to solve and the Queen to confront as soon as Padalecki could work it out. He just had to remember it was work. It was all work and when it was done he would cut the connection between them. As soon as the job was done.
**
“Just keep your mouth shut, Padalecki,” Cortese said as she stared at Jared. “I know you’ve been to the court before but never like this. You are representing the DMI and your entire race. The Queen of the Seelie court rarely allows private audiences. If you screw this up it won’t be a demotion or a slap on the wrist. You asked to see her on her ground so it’s her rules.”
He looked over at Jensen and couldn’t help but wonder about the words he’d spoke at their meeting the night before. Jensen wasn’t looking at him but it made Jared all that more aware of how focused Jensen was on him. He could feel something stirring between them and none of it felt good. Well, it didn’t feel bad but the fact that there was something between him and one of the Seelie was problematic in more ways than he could count. He figured it was problematic in more ways than he knew but he didn’t need to borrow trouble. Not with Cortese getting ready to walk him through the Glittering Halls and Jensen at his side.
“I do know how to behave myself,” Jared said with a sigh.
Jensen let out a quiet bark of laughter and finally looked up to meet his eyes. “What? I do.”
A tall, dark fae stepped out of the main doorway and Jared might have been caught up in the beauty of the man if he hadn’t paled next to Jensen. While the other fae was gorgeous with dark hair and piercing blue eyes, there was something cold about him as he stepped forward. He lacked the warmth that Jensen seemed to exude.
“The Queen is ready for the court liaison and agent. She did not say to admit you, Ackles.”
Jensen simply smirked, as if he’d known all along that his appearance would be denied. “I’m here with the agent, as you can damn well see.”
Jared wasn’t sure what was happening but the other fae looked back at Jared, looking closer at him until he pulled back, hissing. “You wouldn’t.”
“It’s a little late to tell me the things I would and wouldn’t do, don’t you think Thomas? Now, be a good lapdog and lead the way to the Queen.”
Jared watched the way the wisps of shade crept up around Jensen and how they began to slink across the floor to pull at Jared’s pant leg, bits of fiery orange twining with it. The other fae was surrounded in wrappings of dark blue and Jared suddenly wished he had the rest of his team with him. Whatever was happening between the two fae was more than Jared knew how to handle. He had no magic to deal with it, even if he could see it happening. He had a weapon, specially marked bullets that were supposed to be able to incapacitate a fae, but it wasn’t something he could bring to bear just yet. Especially not when they were still experimental and the guns they were supposed to be used with were still in a warehouse somewhere waiting for distribution.
“The Queen of the fae is waiting,” Cortese interrupted the two men. “I will not take responsibility for her reaction to that, so if you would please lead the way?”
Her words seemed to get through to the taller fae and Jared felt himself relaxing as he watched Jensen’s hands unclench. He took a step closer to the fae, not for protection but because he was certain that whatever happened was because of Jared. If there was ever a time to show support of the fae and their connection, it was now.
He let the front of his shoulder bump up against the back of Jensen’s shoulder, letting the other man know he was right there with him. Jensen turned his head slightly, looking at him with a smirk. “Nice outfit,” he commented, before taking a small step forward.
Jared realized his movement was on purpose and that he wanted to keep Jared a single step behind him. He also realized that Jensen was saying something when he mentioned their clothes. Something about the way he was dressed meant something.
It was his formal DMI uniform, black pants and button down shirt with a black tie. It was similar to military dress blues but the DMI logo - a shield with each of the five elements represented - adorned the pocket and Jared’s medals were pinned above it. He would have gone without, but Cortese had been adamant about making the best impression he could. Now, with the other fae’s reaction, he wasn’t sure it was possible.
Jared was willing to take a chance though and considering Jensen’s words the night before, Jared wondered if there was more to the protection Jensen had offered than he realized. He understood it had been something important when Jensen had stepped up to him, touching him in an almost ritualistic way, but a look from the other fae had been enough to piss him off enough that Jensen had been prepared to protect him. He had no idea what to do with that, other than roll with it and trust that Jensen wasn’t leading him to the slaughter.
“This way,” the other fae finally said as he walked through the doors.
The doorway was an ordinary French door at the Fae consulate building and though Jared knew it was simply a gateway to the actual realm of faerie, he’d never expected the change to be so abrupt. Where he’d been in a building full of dark, old world woods, heavy furnishings, and the trappings of the wealthy, the hallway he stepped into was a procession of autumn leaves and dancing grasses. The center of the walkway was soft grass and Jared felt the desire to push his shoes off just to let his toes feel the blades against his skin. The sky above could only be glanced at through the thick branches of aged trees and was a sparkling blue that made him want to run from the glade to find a way to see a clear view of the tantalizing sun. Along each side of the processional were the fae themselves, mostly the Seelie but a few Unseelie dotted their numbers as if on some strange court business. The beauty of the fae was legendary but never more so than in their own country and Jared could feel his heart race as he looked from one exquisite face to another. He didn’t see Jensen stop and butted against the other man slightly, stunned by his appearance. He looked at Jensen, his eyes catching on soft full lips before moving up to high cheekbones that should have been carved into statues. He was more beautiful than anything the Greeks had portrayed when they sought the nature of beauty in their works and Jared felt a pang that they had never known the nature of such a thing.
His eyes filled with tears as he watched the shade flow around Jensen, filling the space until Jensen turned his eyes to look at Jared. Green jade shimmered in the autumn light but Jared could breathe again suddenly. The concern that was in Jensen’s eyes shifted away as Jared swallowed hard against the lump in his throat. He nodded to Jensen, letting the other man know that he was out from under whatever glamour had tried to claim him.
When Jared looked back, the Glittering Halls were as breathtaking as before, but he wasn’t caught up in the illusion that he had been. He could appreciate the beauty without a need to become a part of it. Jensen began walking again with Cortese taking up position at Jared’s side with a questioning look. Jared didn’t understand it himself so he just shrugged. He watched the fae as they stood together and though he’d never heard anyone speak of colors, he realized that the fae were separating themselves into groups of colors. Those closest to the Queen’s throne were darker autumn colors of orange and dark reds and browns. There were concentrations of blues and greens, and yellows and pale greens and pinks thrown together in other areas. Their colors seemed to represent alliances within their ranks and it didn’t take much to realize no one was wearing the black that Jensen wore. No one but Jared, in his dark DMI uniform that had sent Jensen smirking when he saw it.
“My Ghost, I didn’t know you were waiting at the door. Perhaps you’ll tell me why you’re brining humans to my home?”
Jensen walked them up to the large dais where the Queen of the fae sat and knelt down on one knee. Cortese and Jared did the same. Protocol demanded that he only look up at her once she addressed him but he found himself unable to stop himself. On the dais was a large carved wood throne with the heavy drapings of weeping willow branches. The colors that surrounded her were like the colors of the sunset, but it was the queen herself who kept his attention. She wore a long gown of burnt orange that clung to her curves, feet bare as she sat with her feet crossed at the ankles, smiling down at Jensen. Her long auburn hair hung in waves down past her shoulders and her red lips were curled up in a small smirk. Chocolate colored eyes turned from Jensen to the liaison who was kneeling a step behind him.
“Hello Ms. Cortese. You haven’t come to see out halls in a very long time.”
“You honor me with your presence,” Cortese answered.
The Queen didn’t deny it but she was already dismissing the liaison, turning her eyes to Jared. He watched the way her eyes narrowed on him, and the way the court stilled around them as her gaze brought they eyes of the rest of them.
“You dare?” the Queen was looking at Jared but he knew the question wasn’t for him.
Jensen stood between the Queen and Jared, effectively blocking him from her view. “We have come because you granted us a private audience, My Queen. May we adjourn to someplace more private?”
“Out!” the Queen made a dismissive gesture with her hand and the ranks of fae around them began to disappear. He didn’t know how they managed to move away so quickly, if their disappearance was a matter of glamour or some trick but none of them used the shadows to travel as Jensen did.
Only a moment passed before they were left alone with the Queen and Jensen was looking around them, checking for anyone that might be waiting in hiding. Jensen whispered a few words and shade and fire left his hand, travelling like a cloud of smoke across the clearing and in a circle around them.
“You presume much, my Pet,” the Queen reprimanded.
Jared wasn’t sure what made him stand, but without the Queen’s permission he felt himself rising to stand at Jensen’s back. Jensen didn’t turn to look at him but Jared knew the fae was aware of his movement. The Queen was as well. She didn’t look at Jared either, but her lips turned down in a slightly frown.
“What we came to discuss was important, My Queen, or we would not have disturbed you or asked for a private audience. Since you granted such an audience, I was simply ensuring that it remained private.”
“You think one of my court would disobey me?”
“Not with your Ghost to make sure they don’t.”
Her eyes turned angrily away from Jensen and turned to Cortese. “You may rise, Liaison.” She said as she stood from her throne, walking forward to put her hand on Jensen’s arm. “So what have you come to see me about, Pet?”
“The investigation. There was another murder and we learned something new.”
“Perhaps your friend would like to talk. He dressed the part after all, didn’t he?”
Jensen took a step back and Jared was faced with the Queen of the Seelie court. They called her the Queen of all the fae, though her title was only for the Seelie. Her power was far reaching though and even the Unseelie heeded her law.
Her eyes swept over his body and though she was much shorter than he was, he felt smaller for her proximity.
“What do you have to say, agent?”
“Agent Padalecki,” he offered his last name. Jensen didn’t say anything but Jared could see the almost imperceptible nod that meant he approved of the level of respect he gave her, and the level of caution he took at not giving her his full name. “I have been working with Ackles to apprehend a murderer. We believe there are at least two individuals responsible, one using magic to hold the victims and the other who is actually pulling the trigger. One is human-”
“The other is what we’re here to speak with you about,” Jensen cut off before Jared could continue. “We have reason to believe that the second murderer is a fae.”
“No.”
“The murdered is Seelie court.”
“That’s impossible. The fae have no need to kill humans and no one among the Seelie would lower themselves enough to work with a human to do so.”
Neither the Queen nor Jensen seemed to think the insult merited any notice, but Jared watched the way Cortese’s lips drew up into a tight line and her eyes were pinched at the words. Jared had to bite his bottom lip to keep from smiling. Cortese should have been used to the way the fae saw humans after all her years with the liaison’s office.
The Queen looked at Jensen, giving him her full attention. “I won’t have you getting the court worked up over this. You will stop this investigation immediately. You’re services are required elsewhere and I am tired of your games, Pet.”
“Excuse me?”
The words Jensen spoke were quiet but a shiver ran over Jared’s spine and shade flittered up his spine as if Jensen needed the added connection to Jared to keep his cool.
“You bring a human here, a bound, protected human and talk to me of murdering fae?” The Queen asked. “I will not have you flaunting your strange obsessions. You will cease all investigations within the human world.”
Jared felt the magic moving around them before he saw the edges of Jensen’s shade push into the Queen. Her own magic - trails of earth and wind - moved up to protect her, but shade slipped between them just as Jensen moved in, fingers clenching around her throat as he pinned her to the back of her throne.
“I don’t tell you how to rule your kingdom. I don’t tell you who to exile or pardon. I don’t tell you where to hunt or when. Do not tell me what to investigate or not. I came for your help and I will have it. Leave the investigations to me and I’ll leave ruling the Seelie to you.”
The Queen’s eyes were filled with fear and Jared knew then what she feared the most. Jensen, in all his glory, was far more powerful than she was and the Seelie ruled by sheer force of power. She was no match for him and they both knew it.
Cortese was openly gasping as Jensen let go of the Queen’s throat and his shade began to crawl away from her again. Jensen turned to walk away then, and their liaison didn’t move until Jared grabbed her by the elbow and began pulling her after him. They were barely out in the hallway of the fae Consulate building when Jensen pushed Cortese up against the wall in an echo of the way he’d held the Queen.
“If anyone so much as breathes like they knew what happened there today, I will destroy you. There will be no body to find, and no one to wonder what happened. Not even the great Agent Padalecki will be able to find what happened to you.” Although he didn’t ask her, Cortese nodded vigorously. He stepped in closer and smirked. “If anyone finds out about this, I will kill you slowly,” she shivered and Jared saw the way shade wrapped over her wrists. “And I will enjoy it,” Jensen promised.
When he let her go, Cortese slumped against the wall. If she hadn’t been leaning there Jared was sure she’d have fallen over. Her face was pale but Jared knew she’d keep her silence. No one wanted the Ghost hunting them.
Jared was about to turn and follow Jensen when he felt an arm around his waist. Soft, whispered words crawled around his skin and etched themselves in his flesh, pulling him into the shadow world and away from the liaison to wherever Jensen was taking them to next.