“Your mother’s bloodline traces back into Europe. She’ll have been looking for something from there, but she forgets that if you go back through mymaternal bloodline it’s a whole new ballgame.” Nik chuckled, rubbing his hands. “Man, I bet that got their knickers in a twist.”
“So, what am I, then?” Shaw asked.
“You and I have patupaiareheheritage.” Nik stood tall. The light behind him seemed to make Nik shimmer slightly, and Shaw rubbed his eyes.
“What are patupaiarehe?” Shaw asked.
“The Maori equivalent of fair folk.” When Shaw continued to stare at Nik blankly, his uncle sighed. “Elves. Basically human-like, but with red hair, pale skin and blue eyes. Their pale skin and eyes made them sensitive to sunlight and they preferred to be out at night. Although they’d be out and about on misty days, and we get those often enough. Aotearoa, land of the long white cloud, and mists, and rain. They’re also said to play a mean flute.”
“Sounds pretty good.” Shaw nodded.