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Anita Pearl lived in a pleasant little ranch style home in a neighborhood full of similar homes, all twinkling with Christmas lights. Plastic deer with plastic holly leaves in their antlers crowded her tiny porch.
“I didn't know Othernaturals did Christmas. Or lived in houses like this,” Darci said.
“Lots of different types of Others. Some are very family oriented. A lot like humans. And by the way, Trudy and her triplets are part demon.”
She looked at him with wide eyes. “Really? What kind could they be?”
“Psyvamp. Once called a soul stealer. But Trudy is mature and can gain sustenance from food and her husband without causing any health problems to him.”
“What about her babies?”
“They eat regular baby stuff and also draw energy from Trudy.”
Trudy had seemed entirely human to her, though she did have that extra patina of spectacular beauty. Like a vampire.
Anita was about three feet tall, with slick brown hair and huge brown eyes. Her living room was decorated with greenery and a small tree surrounded by gifts filled a corner. A tiny brown man sat in a small recliner, asleep, with the TV remote in his hand.
“My husband, Henry. Please sit down. Now let me see her.”
Darci reluctantly handed the baby over.
“Mm hmm. Part Nixie. Those are like us–we're pixies, though Henry has some sprite blood. Part human.” She glanced at the couple. “You can tell by her size. She's much larger than a true nixie babe. But she's very young, probably only a couple of weeks old. You can tell because her umbilical cord has just recently fell off.” She touched the baby's bright pink belly button..
“What do we feed her?”Darci asked.
“Well, normally babies this age are still nursing. But canned cat food, tuna or ocean fish of course, makes a good formula. Just run it in a blender with a little cream to make it runny, and put it in a bottle. Probably eats every three or four hours.”
“Is there a book, like a baby book? And is there someone we need to contact, like an adoption service?”
“I do have a book. It's old, from when my own were children, but it gives all the basics. And, no, there's no legal authorities over Othernatural children. Just families and clans.” She went to a bookshelf in the dining room and returned with a thick book and handed it to Darci.
“‘Raising the Fey Child’,” Darci read. “‘With individual chapters for Nixies, Pixies, Leprechauns, Brownies, Seelies, Sprites, and Undines’. Wow.”
“And here is a web site.” Anita handed Darci a piece of note paper. “It has a forum, too, so you can ask questions and get advice there.”
“Do you have any idea who her mother might be? Or who might know?” River asked.
Anita shook her head solemnly. “All the South American fey are disturbed right now. Many are moving around, trying to find safe haven. And many fey children require warm water for half the day, in order to grow. Very difficult to provide when you're on the run. And since she's a half breed,” the little woman shrugged. “The tribe may have decided they couldn't raise her.”
“Why are the fey on the run? Are they in danger?” Darci asked.
“Yes.” Anita looked at her solemnly. “In South America the Necros has devastated the water folk communities. The Necros raiders are moving north. So the little fey are fleeing to remote places.”
Darci was silent for a moment. “I'm sorry. We are just starting to investigate that threat. I hope we can provide real protection to you and your family.”
Anita smiled at her and patted her hand. “You're a good girl.”
“Now, what's this about a water requirement?” River asked.
“Oh. Warm water. A bath or hot tub. They sleep in it.”
“Won't she be in danger of drowning?” Darci clutched the tiny bundle to her breasts.
Anita giggled. “They're like baby seals, honey. Or dolphins. And often mom and dad sleep wet, too. It's so good for the skin. And you don’t have to worry about hygiene, they don’t make messes in the water.”
“I have a hot tub,” River murmured.
Darci turned wide eyes upon him. “Great. Because I don't think my dad and Doris are ready for her.”
“How hot do you keep your water, Mr. River?” Anita asked.
“Uh, ninety eight point six.”
Darci rolled her eyes.
“That's just perfect. She'll love it. Just plop her in for a few hours, take her out when she needs fed, then pop her back in.”