by B N Miles
“Oh great,” he said. “I think you’re an addict.”
She grinned and shrugged. “Is that coffee?”
“Help yourself,” Jessalene said, her face a bright crimson red.
Jared looked at the girls and smiled. He never planned for something like this to happen, and this little relationship was growing so fast… but it felt good. He’d been alone for so long, just barely clawing himself out of the emotional and near-physical grave he’d dug years ago. But now, he felt alive again for the first time in a long time.
“We need to go back to the river,” Jared said. “Wyatt wants to meet us there and debrief about everything. I have some questions about what that glove can do, and if you two can come up with more, we might have a chance at cracking this.”
Cassie nodded. “Okay, that works for me.”
“I have some thoughts,” Jessalene added.
“Good. But there’s one other thing.” He frowned. Cassie leaned up against Jessa with a smile on her face. “He asked for you two in particular.”
“He did?” Jessa frowned at him, but Cassie didn’t seem surprised.
“I mean, he knows we’re helping,” she said. “So of course we should come. We were there last night.”
“True. But he also warned me about the Medlar. They’re directly involved in this investigation now.”
Both women went still. “How?” Cassie asked.
Jared kept forgetting Cassie didn’t seem to know anything about their world. “They’re one of the nine ruling families, and the nine controls the Meta Department. It’s sort of an open secret that they direct most policing operations, including the Marshal Service.”
“And the Medlar in particular have a direct interest in this case,” Cassie said, nodding.
“There are a lot of unanswered questions,” Jared admitted. “And I’m uneasy about bringing you two with me. The Medlar won’t be happy with you, Jessalene, since you were involved with Ferric. Although I’m not sure they know the full extent.”
“I’m not concerned,” she said. “So long as our pact holds.”
“It does, and I don’t need a pact to protect you,” Jared said.
She smiled at him and nodded.
“But then there’s you,” Jared continued, looking at Cassie.
“What, little old me?” She batted her eyelashes and grinned again.
“Seriously, Cass. You’re involvement has always been tenuous. If you go there and they decide to ship you back to Max…” He trailed off.
“That was always a risk,” she said.
“But it’s not one I’m willing to take. I want you to stay here.”
She shook her head. “I’m coming.”
“Cass—”
“Listen,” she said. “If we’re going to do this, the three of us, then we need it to be real. I can’t be left behind just because you’re worried about me. I’m made of tougher stuff, remember?”
“I remember,” he said, smiling. “I’ll do what I can to protect you, if it comes to that.”
“I know you will,” she said. “But don’t worry so much about me.”
Jared sighed and shook his head. He was nervous and didn’t like not knowing what the Medlar were going to do.
But he was a Magi. That was something he kept forgetting. He was a member of a minor family, but that still gave him some rights and privileges. If he needed to use his family name to protect Cassie and Jessalene, even if it hurt him to do so… he would.
“There’s just one last thing,” he said.
“What’s that?” Cass asked.
“Breakfast.” He stretched a little. “Who’s cooking?”
“I will,” Jessalene said with a laugh. “You two go sit down.”
Jared kissed her cheek then walked off and sat at the table. Cassie lingered in the kitchen and the two girls began to talk in low tones about something, probably dissecting his conversation with Jessalene earlier.
That didn’t matter. He wouldn’t have kept that from Cassie, anyway. He only wanted Jessalene to have a choice in whether she stayed with them or not. Last night might have been rushed, but the bond wouldn’t be too intense, not yet at least. She might still be able to turn back if she wanted.
Jared hoped she didn’t want that, but he’d give her the option.
31
After one huge meal of pancakes and bacon, they got into Jared’s car and headed back out to the little river park.
Jared was nervous but resolute. He wouldn’t let the Medlar or anyone else send Cassie away or threaten Jessalene. He had no clue how he’d stop them if that’s what they wanted, but he was prepared for the possibility. His mind was spinning through scenarios as he parked his car in the familiar lot. Both of the girls were uncharacteristically quiet on the drive over.
The park was packed with MetaDept officials. Several vans, squad cars, unmarked vehicles were parked in the lot, and officers were scattered all over. There was a boat in the middle of the river and Jared watched as a diver tipped over the side and into the water.
“Wow,” Cassie said. “Okay, this is serious. You guys have manpower.”
Jared smiled at her. “It’s the MetaDept. What did you expect?”
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “But this…”
“A major Meta incident happened here last night.” Jared pushed open his door. “Honestly, we’re lucky we haven’t already been interviewed a hundred different times.” He hesitated before getting out and looked back at them. “This will be a long day.”
Cassie nodded and took Jessalene’s hand. “We’ll be fine.”
“Yeah,” Jessa said. “Just worry about yourself.”
Jared smiled at his girls and got out of the car. He didn’t know when he’d started thinking of them as his, but the thought came to him so naturally.
As soon as he stepped foot on the blacktop, he spotted Wyatt marching over toward him, followed by a heavy-set man wearing a suit. “There’s the man of the hour,” the heavyset man said. “My name’s Detective Bruce Wracker. Call me Bruce.”
Jared shook his hand. “I’m Jared Bechtel.”
“Good to meet you.” His eyes swung out toward the river. “Looks like a lot happened out here last night,” he commented. “Seems to me that you’re lucky to be alive.
Jared tilted his head then looked over the heavy detective’s shoulder at the trees surrounding the river.
They were ripped to shreds.
It looked like a bombing raid had been dropped on it. Chunks of bark were missing, trees upended, and some shattered. Shards of wood were all over the place. Huge rents had been dug up in the ground, probably from Ferric’s electricity, but Jared didn’t remember that happening.
The place looked like a war zone.
“Looks worse in the daylight,” Jared said.
Detective Wracker laughed, but Wyatt gave him a stern look.
“I’m glad you got out, son,” Wyatt said, turning back to Jared. “Detective, mind if I have a moment with my Marshal?”
“I’d like to question him when you’re done,” Detective Wracker said. “But go ahead, talk all you want.” The Detective nodded and walked off, already barking orders at some uniformed police.
Wyatt crossed his arms as Cassie and Jessalene joined Jared. The four of them walked slowly away from the mass of people, angling toward the water.
“What the hell happened here last night?” Wyatt asked, his voice soft.
“I told you, sir. We tried to stop Ferric from retrieving the artifact, but we failed.”
He shook his head. “It looks like you tried to blow the damn place up.”
“That was Ferric,” Jared said.
Wyatt frowned. “He’s a Dryad. No offense to you, Jessalene, but Dryad magic doesn’t exactly do this.”
Jared stopped walking and faced his Captain. “He wasn’t using Dryad magic.”
Wyatt cocked his head. “Of course he was,” he said. “You must be confused.”
“No,” Jared said. “I’m not. He wasn’t using Dryad magic, unless Dryads can call fire and electricity.”
“They can’t,” Jessalene offered.
“That makes no sense,” Wyatt said. “Everything I’ve been told about that artifact suggests it amplifies a Meta’s magical abilities.”
Jared took a deep breath and looked out at the river. Its slow flow reminded him that this river would be here before him and would be here after him. It would exist for a long, long time, snaking across the landscape, a source of life, a source of power. “What if it is?” he asked.
“You just said he wasn’t using Dryad magic,” Wyatt answered.
“True, but the glove could still amplify his magic. It’s just allowing him to touch the priori in the same way that Magi do.”
All of them were silent for a long moment…except for Cassie.
“What’s the difference?” she asked.
Jared glanced at her, raising one eyebrow. “Come on. You have to know this.”
She grinned sheepishly. “I mean, it has to do with how every Meta can use a different ability, right? Something like that?”
Jared nodded. “Humans can touch the priori and shape it to their will. There are a set number of memgrams, but humans have a very wide range of control and ability. I could summon fire and electricity, for example, but only Imps can summon fire, and only Plethoak can use electricity, so far as I know.”
“Oh,” Cassie said, understanding dawning on her. “Right, okay. That makes sense. So you think the glove is letting a Meta use magic like a human?”
“Exactly,” Jared said, looking at Wyatt. “Have you ever heard of something like that?”
“No,” he said, looking troubled. “I haven’t. And now I think I understand why the Medlar are so keen on getting this thing back. It upends the whole balance.”
“Or lack of balance,” Jared said quietly.
Jessalene was visibly uncomfortable. She walked away a few paces then turned back. “This makes no sense,” she said finally. “We get our powers from our god…so how could Ferric possibly use a power that wasn’t bestowed on him? I mean, it’s just…unnatural.”
“I don’t know,” Jared said. “But we need to find him and get that glove back.”
The four of them were silent again for another long pause before Wyatt let out a breath. “Well, that explains the state of things around here. I’m guessing Ferric unleashed a lot of power.”
Jared nodded. “Almost more than I could handle, sir.”
“Better get studying then, son.” Wyatt gave him a flat look. “You’re still on the case.”
Jared frowned, surprise creeping into his voice. “Really? I thought for sure the Medlar would send their own Magi and take over.”
“Oh, they’re sending their own, all right. But she’s only joining your little investigation here.” Wyatt’s eyes flipped over to Cassie. “And I should warn you that her status is up in the air.”
“Sir,” Jared said. “With all due respect, Cassie’s not going anywhere. I need her for this investigation.”
Wyatt raised an eyebrow. In all his years with the Marshals and under Wyatt’s command, Jared had never once questioned an order or pushed back too hard. “I’m not sure you need anything,” Wyatt said. “And it’s not up to me.”
“Cassie has been an invaluable asset. I wouldn’t have gotten here without her. In fact, I’d probably be dead a few times over.”
“I believe you,” Wyatt said, glancing at the Shifter girl. “But regardless, this is all above my head.”
Jared nodded, looking annoyed, but didn’t argue further. Wyatt gave him a long look then turned to Jessalene. She was pacing a few feet away. Grass was growing around her feet and small river vines were curling toward her. Jared felt her aura lapping up against his skin and he knew she was disturbed, likely just realizing what Ferric’s display of power the night before really meant.
“Ms. Dorvahn,” Wyatt said. “If you have any guesses about where your cousin might’ve run to, we’d love to hear them.”
“I have nothing but guesses, Marshal,” she said. “But I’ll do my best to come up with something.” She stopped pacing and looked at them. “I need to speak with the council.”
Wyatt frowned at her. “I’m not sure I can let you go do that right now,” he said.
“It’s important. If they understood the power this artifact is giving Ferric, they might…” She trailed off.
Wyatt sighed and rubbed his temple. “Please don’t say in my presence that your council is actively hindering my investigation. I really don’t need that paperwork on top of the fucking mountain you all have built for me.”
“Then I think you should go for a walk, Marshal.”
Wyatt sighed and looked at Jared. “Get it done,” he said and strode off.
Jessa watched him go for a moment. “He’s right, you know,” she said.
“About what?” Jared asked.
“The council. They don’t want you to find Ferric. In fact, I think some of them are helping him.”
Jared’s jaw clenched. “I thought—”
“I wasn’t sure,” Jessalene said quickly. “And I’m still not. There are divisions in our clan, divisions that weren’t there before the Magi came and began tearing your land into pieces.” She tensed, anger flowing through her. Her aura licked against his skin like dry ice.
“If you need to talk to them, go,” Jared said. “You can take my car.”
She frowned at him. “I don’t know if it’s a good idea right now.”
“Do what you need to do. The faster we can get a lead on Ferric, the faster we can bring this to an end.” Jared stepped toward her, his voice low. “I promise, I won’t let them do anything to you. Just do what you can.”
Jessalene nodded and met his gaze. “I’m with you,” she said.
“I know you are.”
Without another word, she turned and walked off. Jared watched her go. Cassie stepped up beside him and he felt her snake a hand through his arm and lean her head against his shoulder. “She’s pretty shaken up,” Cassie said. “I don’t think she really realized what Ferric was doing last night.”
“She thinks it’s unnatural,” Jared said. “Using magic that wasn’t intended for them. Metas are…well, they’re not like humans. Magic is a part of them.”
“You don’t have to tell me that,” Cassie said and her aura licked against Jared’s skin before retracting again.
He smiled at her. “Right. I forget what you are sometimes.”
“I know. I’ve been so good about keeping my aura tucked away for you.”
“You don’t have to do that,” he said. “If you don’t want to, anyway. Most humans can’t feel it.”
She shrugged. “I don’t mind. I can tell it’s hard for you so I don’t mind keeping it close.”
“Thanks,” he said with a little smile. “But I’m getting used to it.”
Jessalene got into his car and they watched her pull out. Nobody moved to stop her and Jared held Cassie’s hand for a long moment before Wyatt came back over.
“Where’s she going?” he asked.
“Needs to talk to her council,” Jared said, dropping Cassie’s hand. He knew he probably shouldn’t flaunt his relationship with her. Wyatt made no comment on that. “She thinks they’ll help.”
“We’ll see,” Wyatt said, watching the car go. As Jessalene disappeared around a turn, another car pulled into the lot and Wyatt let out a breath. “Here she is,” he said.
“Who?” Jared asked but he knew already.
“Come on, let’s get this over with.” Wyatt marched over to the parking lot. Jared hesitated then followed, with Cassie bringing up the rear.
32
The three of them stopped a few feet away from the simple black car. It was a tasteful sedan, clean but not fancy. A woman stepped out, short and thin, with dark hair pulled back into a tight bun and a form fitting dark business suit. She wore flats, and her ice b
lue eyes swept across the lot, a vaguely annoyed expression on her face. She looked right at Jared and sauntered over.
She was a Magi, Jared could feel it. The priori left a mark on humans after long use. It was almost like an aura, except it wasn’t as personal or focused, and couldn’t be controlled. This woman’s mark was deep and dark, almost purple-black. Jared was almost stunned by its intensity. She must’ve touched the priori thousands or millions of time, and he could only guess at her power.
“Are you Marshal Jared Bechtel?” she asked.
Jared nodded. “Yes, ma’am,” he said, although she couldn’t have been older than twenty.
“Lumi Medlar,” she said, extending her hand.
Jared shook. “Nice to meet you, Magi.”
“You as well.” Her expression didn’t change. “And you must be Captain Shears.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, shaking her hand. She was half his age but Wyatt’s entire demeanor shifted around her. “It’s good of you to come out here.”
Her eyes flipped to Cassie for a brief moment, then away. Jared felt Cassie stiffen and move closer to him.
“Looks like a lot of priori has been unleashed here,” she said, frowning. “Marshal Bechtel, if you wouldn’t mind briefing me, I would be very appreciative.”
Jared glanced at Wyatt and his Captain just nodded. “Of course, Ms. Medlar.”
She began to walk down toward the destruction. Wyatt caught Jared’s arm before he could follow.
“Careful,” he whispered, and let Jared go.
He didn’t need a warning. Despite her age, Lumi’s mark suggested she was an incredibly powerful Magi. Jared’s mark might’ve been like that once, or at least closer, but now he was sure his own looked nothing more than a shadow to Lumi’s eyes. And if the Medlar family had sent her on a task as important as this one, he was sure she would be more than capable.
“Stay here,” Jared said to Cassie. “I’ll be back.”
She nodded and didn’t argue.
Jared walked down after Lumi and caught up. They didn’t speak as the Medlar Magi lead the way. They stepped through yellow tape and she began to pace around the scene of the fight. Jared hung off to one side, watching her carefully. She bent down in some places, frowning, touching the ground. She ended up by the river, her hands behind her back, standing straight and staring at the water. Nobody spoke to her or bothered her, although a lot of the plainclothes cops gave her some odd looks. Jared hung back for another minute or two before joining her near the water. He gave her a few feet of distance between them and looked out at the divers combing through the water.
