July 23, 2004
"Well, I am certainly glad we decided against going to the Caribbeans for our honeymoon, five witches there just got set on fire by the stake," said Frank, turning off the television.
"Just like I never thought Scotland would make an ideal destination to escape with you for a week. We live in weird times, that's for sure. I'm hoping we won't run into people I know, but if we do, so be it," said Coralis, closing her suitcase.
Coralis had heard that isolated tropical islands were popular destinations. As much as she wanted to pass for a normal person, she didn't want to be stuck in a remote area where she could be found and wouldn't be able to take Frank to safety if something was to happen. A lot of witches had been burned near popular honeymoon destinations and Frank didn't want to take the risk either.
"You mean running into people who could tell me stories about you?"
"You know those with stories to tell. The rest either hold grudges because I didn't play flyball for their national team, although they must be happy now that I am retired from the sport, or only remember me because of the Lord Meozo incident."
An hour later, they were on their way to the airport, in the destination of Edinburg. They booked a room in a small hotel located on the city outskirts without planning on any specific activity. After everything they went through during the past year, they only wanted to spend a week together without any distractions, to catch up with each other.
On day 3, in the morning, the Fullemon twins called her. She wanted to ignore the call but figured that knowing why she was in town, they wouldn't call her if it wasn't important. Seeing that Frank was at least wearing pants, she answered her hologram.
"SIS! How's Edinburg treating you?" said Erik.
"Good, but that's not why you're calling me. Spill."
"Very perceptive sis, you know us too well. We were about to head your way and were wondering if you were up for a little side adventure," said Henry.
"The only side adventure I should be considering right now is with my husband. Remember why I'm here?"
"Yes, we know, but hear us out. See, there is this mystical lens Gus and me want to acquire. According to lore, it could let us see and hear beyond all kinds of walls or barriers, through most standard wards. Can you imagine what we could do with that beauty?" said Erik.
Frank chuckled.
"Oh, I can imagine, yeah," said Frank as he sat on the chair's armrest next to Coralis, holding a cup of coffee.
"The perfect tool to ensure we aren't walking into a trap when going on a Fart in the Sea mission, or before going anywhere lately," said Erik.
"Let alone collecting information. You know we will be testing it against all types of wards," said Henry.
"I can, definitively, see how useful it would be for you guys," said Frank.
"See? Your man gets it. The problem is, we have to go in the middle of a goblin district, somewhere in the tunnel and sewer network of Edinburg, to meet with our contact and you know we don't fully trust goblins," said Henry.
"They won't dare try anything funny if you're with us," said Erik.
"Right, but I'm on my honeymoon, I can't just ditch Frank here for a side mission. I don't want to give him a reason to file for divorce."
Frank laughed as he got up to refill his coffee.
"Bring him with you. Even better if a human follows you, they won't touch him. They value their head on their shoulders," said Henry.
"You know what? I want to go," said Frank, sitting back on the armrest. "It sounds like something fun to do. I married an elemental, we shouldn't strictly be doing human stuff on our honeymoon."
"Fine then," said Coralis, looking at Frank, "but you have to promise me that you'll do as I say and keep touching me."
"Sister, that's how you threaten a man with a good time," said Henry.
Frank spilled his coffee, starting to laugh again. Erik sent the location of where to meet.
Coralis and Frank met with Erik, Henry and Gus in a shifter pub beyond the city limit.
"Almost like the good old time," said Henry when he saw Coralis and Frank entering the pub.
"I take that you guys used to come here often?" said Frank.
"Not to this one specifically, but when in London or meeting with them before going to the parents, shifter pubs are our go-to places for drinks. Since I moved in with you, I've been meeting them a lot less in shifter pubs," said Coralis as they sat at their table.
"Just like in Montreal," said Frank.
"Yes," said Coralis while her friends chuckled.
"Which makes me think, I don't think you ever took him to visit us in London," said Gus.
"For the same reasons I haven't been to my storage unit in London for years. Too many eyes looking me around these places."
At nightfall, they returned to the city. They took a taxi to a nightclub located in the eastern part of the city but didn't go in. When the taxi was gone, they walked around the block and turned into the alley leading behind the nightclub. The alley was barely illuminated. Between a dumpster and the wall next to it was a manhole leading into the city sewer network.
Erik went in first, followed by Gus and his brother. Frank followed and Coralis climbed down last, replacing the cover once her head was below the street level. She jumped down and removed her wrist binds and eyeglasses.
"I'll walk tail," said Henry to Coralis. "I prefer they see you sooner than later and that way, Frank can keep his hand on you while I make sure no one comes from behind."
Coralis nodded and they started walking down the sewers. After a few turns, Erik stopped and put his palm on the wall, which turned into a door.
"Here we are, the local goblins district," said Coralis, looking at Frank. "They will want to talk to you, but don't stop to talk to them unless we do. Piece of advice, try to hold your breath, as you won't like the pungent smell."
Erik opened the door, and they entered into a dark tunnel lit by flame torches. Frank was amazed by what he saw. He felt like he was in a live documentary about catacombs of the past and even if he heard a lot about them, he never saw real goblins. Like Coralis and her friends warned him, many gave him odd looks. Some of them never saw humans.
Along the tunnel, he saw a lot of small doors. They turned a few times until they arrived in a wide cave. In the middle of it was what looked like a fair market. Around the walls of the cave, were more tunnel entries. They entered the cave and immediately turned into the tunnel entry to their left. That tunnel was barely illuminated. Erik stopped by a door near the end of the tunnel and knocked.
A small burly goblin answered and let them in. They entered into a wide rounded room. Standing in the middle of it, was a goblin wearing a clean suit and his hair attached into a ponytail. His eyes brightened when he saw Coralis.
"Ahhh, Blue Thunder!" he said, stepping toward her to shake her hand. "I wasn't expecting to see you, but it's a nice surprise."
"I didn't know that you and Halkow knew each other," said Gus.
"Oh, we hadn't met yet, but she fought and killed a cousin of mine in Chicago. My cousin was involved with King Matthew's brother. Ten years ago, he backstabbed me on a very lucrative deal and nearly cost me my business. I cried tears of joy when I found out he died by her hands."
"Let me guess, that was during the infamous vampire war about 2 years ago?" said Henry.
"Yes, yes, that time. The traitor died and turned to ashes. I cannot discount you the item we agreed on, but I want to offer Blue Thunder a rare blade of her choice for half of what I would ask for. If she wants, of course."
"I'm interested in looking at what you have."
He led them to a hidden room left to the main door. Coralis and her friends were impressed by his collection of swords and knives. Halkow showed her a sword forged by djinns in the last 7th century in Japan.
"According to lore, it never missed its target."
Coralis took it to look at it. It was very lightweight and easy to handle. She glanced at Frank, who looked at it in admiration.
"I'll take it," said Coralis, thinking it would make a great additional home defence when Frank was alone.