burning mountain, and trooping fairies on the move.”
Branwyn nodded. “And a covenant requiring a tithe to Hell. Yes. What about it?”
“I’ve just been thinking about it. She really believed that stuff—it wasn’t just stories to her.”
“People ‘really believe’ all sorts of stupid things,” Branwyn said. “At least she had the excuse of being born a long time ago.”
“You mean, before we knew it was all stupid things?”
Branwyn’s eyes narrowed. “Before people were educated enough to question what they were told. Are you leading up to telling me that Zachariah was stolen away by fairies? Because he’s about forty years too old for that.”
“No! I’m not. And he’s not that old. I’m thinking about angels, actually, and not because of Zachariah. Angels and demons and why so many people believe in them. But they don’t believe in magic. How does that make sense?”
“Doing as you will creates a bigger burden on the conscience than doing as you’re told.” At Marley’s questioning look, Branwyn sighed and continued. “People want a higher power to blame, so they don’t have to be held accountable for their own actions and decisions. The strength and authority comes from outside them. Magic, of the wizardly variety, represents personal responsibility. So that’s the fantasy.” Branwyn’s mouth twisted in disgust. “It’s the same reason big corporations are so popular.”
“But you don’t believe in magic or religion,” Marley pointed out.
Branwyn took a bite of her veggie burger, chewed it, and swallowed. “Or big corporations. That’s because I don’t need a metaphor to help me take responsibility. I believe in me.”
“It isn’t just because religions encourage the faithful not to believe in magic?”
“Personal responsibility. But while we’re on the subject... Penny called me this afternoon. I went to see her after work. She’d been crying.”
Marley lowered her gaze. “What was wrong?”
“Well, apparently you told her that her new boyfriend was using her to get to the kids, for one.” Branwyn paused for a moment and then went on.
“And thinking over her date last night makes her wonder if it was true. She said it was ‘too perfect.’ Actually, she said it was ‘more perfect than she deserved,’ but this is Penny, so I ignored the latter bit.” She frowned. “But he called while I was there, and she... transformed. Talking to him made her happy like I’ve never seen before. It was strange.”
Marley chewed on her lip again. “What was she like, after?”
“Happy and confused. She said Jeremy told her she had a higher purpose in his organization, which she laughed at, but... I could tell she really liked the idea.” Branwyn scowled. “I think Lawyer Jeremy’s pulling Penny into a cult.”
Marley eyed her friend and thought of a group of happy, well-dressed young people. “I could believe that. What did you say to her?”
Branwyn looked irritated. “Nothing. That sort of accusation makes me sound like an overprotective mother. But I’d love to prove to her that the bastard is just using her.”
“Break her heart for her own good, you mean.” Marley shook her head. “I’d rather he just... went away.”
“Me too!” chirped Lissa, who was listening intently.
Marley gave her a look. “You go play with your sister.”
“She’s listening too! Right, Kari?”
Kari, dangling a makeshift fishing pole before Neath, said, “Right! Fairy lawyers!”
Marley rolled her eyes and dug out a pair of picture books from her hastily packed luggage. When she’d settled the twins on the other side of the room with Lissa reading aloud to Kari, she returned to Branwyn.
“Did you see that guy outside? Dark hair, loitering outside the building?”
Branwyn perked up. “I did. Is he one of the bad guys?”
Marley made a face. “You’re as bad as the kids. And I don’t know. He says he isn’t. I’m not afraid of him like I should be,
Branwyn nodded. “And a covenant requiring a tithe to Hell. Yes. What about it?”
“I’ve just been thinking about it. She really believed that stuff—it wasn’t just stories to her.”
“People ‘really believe’ all sorts of stupid things,” Branwyn said. “At least she had the excuse of being born a long time ago.”
“You mean, before we knew it was all stupid things?”
Branwyn’s eyes narrowed. “Before people were educated enough to question what they were told. Are you leading up to telling me that Zachariah was stolen away by fairies? Because he’s about forty years too old for that.”
“No! I’m not. And he’s not that old. I’m thinking about angels, actually, and not because of Zachariah. Angels and demons and why so many people believe in them. But they don’t believe in magic. How does that make sense?”
“Doing as you will creates a bigger burden on the conscience than doing as you’re told.” At Marley’s questioning look, Branwyn sighed and continued. “People want a higher power to blame, so they don’t have to be held accountable for their own actions and decisions. The strength and authority comes from outside them. Magic, of the wizardly variety, represents personal responsibility. So that’s the fantasy.” Branwyn’s mouth twisted in disgust. “It’s the same reason big corporations are so popular.”
“But you don’t believe in magic or religion,” Marley pointed out.
Branwyn took a bite of her veggie burger, chewed it, and swallowed. “Or big corporations. That’s because I don’t need a metaphor to help me take responsibility. I believe in me.”
“It isn’t just because religions encourage the faithful not to believe in magic?”
“Personal responsibility. But while we’re on the subject... Penny called me this afternoon. I went to see her after work. She’d been crying.”
Marley lowered her gaze. “What was wrong?”
“Well, apparently you told her that her new boyfriend was using her to get to the kids, for one.” Branwyn paused for a moment and then went on.
“And thinking over her date last night makes her wonder if it was true. She said it was ‘too perfect.’ Actually, she said it was ‘more perfect than she deserved,’ but this is Penny, so I ignored the latter bit.” She frowned. “But he called while I was there, and she... transformed. Talking to him made her happy like I’ve never seen before. It was strange.”
Marley chewed on her lip again. “What was she like, after?”
“Happy and confused. She said Jeremy told her she had a higher purpose in his organization, which she laughed at, but... I could tell she really liked the idea.” Branwyn scowled. “I think Lawyer Jeremy’s pulling Penny into a cult.”
Marley eyed her friend and thought of a group of happy, well-dressed young people. “I could believe that. What did you say to her?”
Branwyn looked irritated. “Nothing. That sort of accusation makes me sound like an overprotective mother. But I’d love to prove to her that the bastard is just using her.”
“Break her heart for her own good, you mean.” Marley shook her head. “I’d rather he just... went away.”
“Me too!” chirped Lissa, who was listening intently.
Marley gave her a look. “You go play with your sister.”
“She’s listening too! Right, Kari?”
Kari, dangling a makeshift fishing pole before Neath, said, “Right! Fairy lawyers!”
Marley rolled her eyes and dug out a pair of picture books from her hastily packed luggage. When she’d settled the twins on the other side of the room with Lissa reading aloud to Kari, she returned to Branwyn.
“Did you see that guy outside? Dark hair, loitering outside the building?”
Branwyn perked up. “I did. Is he one of the bad guys?”
Marley made a face. “You’re as bad as the kids. And I don’t know. He says he isn’t. I’m not afraid of him like I should be,
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