Meta Marshal Service 1

by B N Miles

  “I know,” Elise said.

  “If we can’t catch him, the Medlar will take it out on you,” he said. “That’s not a threat, that’s just a fact. You know what the Magi families are like. A Dryad from your clan with this kind of power will bring down the might of all nine families, and I doubt your people will survive it for long. If we can catch him quietly before that happens, I think we might all get through this okay. But it’s a big risk.”

  Elise nodded, sipped her tea, and sighed. “But I don’t know where he is, not exactly at least.”

  “You have any guesses?”

  “We have safe houses,” she said. “Places where we take members that have gotten into trouble with the law or with other clans or packs. Places where we hide if we need to.”

  “And you think that’s where he is.”

  “It’s where I’d go,” she said with a shrug. “He knows the clan isn’t going to hunt him, not seriously. Jessalene was sent to try and reason with him, but that was as far as the council was willing to go. They know Ferric is dangerous, but they also want him to succeed. They’re just as willing to go too far.”

  Jared nodded and glanced at Cassie. She was frowning, but seemed sympathetic at least.

  “If you wouldn’t mind writing down those safe houses,” he said, and hesitated. “Does Jessalene know about them?”

  “No,” she said. “She knows they exist, but only a few of us know their locations.” Elise smiled a little and tilted her head. “I only know because I helped set half of them up.” She stood abruptly. It was fast and graceful, and reminded Jared that she wasn’t human. “I’ll make that list for you.”

  She walked into the kitchen, found a pen and paper, and began to write. Jared sat back sipping his tea and watched. Cassie was quiet and calm, staring placidly down at the table. He could tell she was thinking something, and almost wished he could read minds. But that was a power beyond him.

  When Elise finished, she brought the notepad over and place it down on the table then pushed it over to Jared. He caught it, glanced down, and frowned. “These are all in the city,” he said.

  “Best place to hide for a Dryad,” she said. “Lots of magic, not a lot of plant life. Easy to keep a low profile.”

  “Huh.” He turned and looked at Cassie. “Guess we’re going to my place after all.”

  She brightened. “I seriously can’t wait.”

  Elise smiled at them and lingered for a moment. “For what it’s worth, I am sorry,” she said. “If I knew the artifact would give Ferric the kind of power he has now…” She trailed off.

  “I understand,” Jared said. He wasn’t ready to forgive her, but he didn’t hate her or any of the council for letting Ferric off the leash. If he were in their position, he might’ve done the same thing.

  She nodded, turned, and left without another word.

  Once the door shut behind her, Jared turned to Cassie. “What do you think?”

  “She’s not lying,” Cassie said.

  “I agree.” Jared walked over and sat back down. Cassie got up and sat in his lap, pressing herself against his chest. Jared hesitated before wrapping his arms around her.

  “Thanks for what you did back there,” she said. “Whatever you did to keep me from going to prison.”

  “I didn’t do anything,” he said. “Lumi didn’t seem to care much about you one way or the other.”

  “That’s good.” She sighed, not sounding like she believed it. She snuggled tighter then got up and stretched before returning to her seat.

  “Looks like we’re returning to the city after all,” he said.

  “I can’t wait to see your bachelor pad.” She grinned at him. “Is it falling apart and grimy?”

  “You’ll see.” He tilted his head. “Do you want it to be gross?”

  “Of course not. I mean, I’ll clean the hell out of it if it is, but I’m just picturing a typical male space. So not all that concerned with aesthetics.”

  “I take offense to that. I’m very concerned with aesthetics. That’s why I keep you and Jessalene around.”

  She laughed. “Smooth.”

  “Thanks.” He cracked his neck and let out a sigh. “It feels good to just sit down for a few minutes.”

  “I know.” She stretched her legs. “I’m worried about that Medlar girl, though.”

  “Lumi?” Jared frowned. “I am too. You should’ve seen the mark on her. Deep purple-black. She’s powerful.”

  “Magi can see how strong other Magi are?”

  “Priori leaves a mark on our bodies,” Jared said. “Once you’re marked, you start being able to see the traces magic leaves.”

  “Huh.” She tilted her head. “Is that why you can feel my aura?” It reached out and brushed against him, sending a chill down his spine.

  “I think so,” he said. “I’ve never put the two things together before though.”

  “That has to be it.” She caressed his skin with her aura before pulling it back inside of her again. “They’re similar, you know. That mark is made of priori. Meta auras are made of the same stuff.”

  “Interesting.” Jared frowned at her. “How do you know that? I don’t think I’ve ever read that before, and—”

  He was interrupted by the front door banging open. Jessalene stomped into the space, looking furious. “Where is she? The council told me everything. Where is she?”

  Jared turned and stood up. “She left already,” he said.

  Cassie jumped up and walked over. “Oh, shit, Jessa. Are you okay?”

  “I’m going to kill her.” She seethed, glaring at the two of them. “She knew the whole time. She knew! And she didn’t tell me.”

  “We talked to her,” Jared said. “She feels horrible.”

  That seemed to deflate her a little bit. Jessa walked into the kitchen, took a bottle down from a cabinet, and poured a drink. She knocked it back in one go and glared at the two of them. Jared was impressed.

  “She should’ve told me,” Jessa said. “If she knew and approved of him this whole time… they sent me out there blind. Ferric knew my mother was on his side and was laughing behind my back.”

  “Don’t take it that way, Jessa,” Cassie said, walking over to her. “She wanted to do what’s best for the clan, but she didn’t want to get you involved.”

  “I got involved anyway. And now here we are.” Jessalene stared at the bottle, clearly weighing another drink, but put it away instead. “The council was no help. They fed me a bunch of bullshit.”

  “He’s in the city,” Jared said.

  Jessalene looked at him. “How do you know?”

  “Your mother. She told us the clan has safe houses in the city and gave us a list of them.”

  “Of course.” Jessalene’s jaw tightened. “Another fucking thing they didn’t tell me.”

  Cassie put a hand on her arm. Jessalene looked at the smaller redhead with anger in her eyes, but the anger melted away. “I just feel stupid,” Jessalene said.

  “I know, honey.” Cassie hugged her tight and Jared sat back down, letting the girls have their moment. When it was clear that moment wasn’t ending anytime soon, and lots of talking was going to follow, Jared went back into the guest room and hauled out their clothes. He got the car packed and everything set. By the time they were ready to leave, Jessa had shoved a bag full of clothes and essentials while talking the whole time.

  “Are we ready?” he asked.

  Both girls nodded. Jessalene looked miserable, but at least she wasn’t fuming anymore. Cassie held her hand and winked at Jared as they walked outside. Jared came out last, shut Jessalene’s door, and hesitated.

  “Lock?” he called out.

  She shook her head. “Nothing’s ever locked here.”

  “Bad security,” he muttered to himself.

  They all piled into the car and headed toward the city.

  34

  As soon as they got off the Schuylkill Expressway and cut into the heart of Philadelphia, Jared f
elt like he was home.

  He’d spent most of his life in and around this place. The Bechtold had holdings in the suburbs, which was their main base of operations, but they also kept apartments and houses throughout Center City. Jared spent a lot of time hopping from bar to bar, hitting up clubs, meeting women, scoring drugs. That was all behind him now, but they were still his memories.

  They crawled through the tight streets. Philly wasn’t built for cars, just adapted to them. He found a parking spot close enough to his apartment and killed the engine.

  “Here we are,” he said. “My neighborhood.”

  The girls got out, and he popped the trunk. They gathered their bags and started walking.

  “This is nice,” Cassie said.

  “Where are we again?” Jessalene asked.

  “Old City,” Jared said. “We’re on third and Spruce right now.”

  “Don’t they call this the Gayborhood?”

  Jared nodded and pointed up at a rainbow flag hanging from a streetlight. “Best neighborhood in the whole city.”

  The girls laughed. Jared had no problems living in the Gayborhood. It really was one of the nicest neighborhoods, and an up and coming spot for restaurants and bars. He wasn’t so insecure that he’d sacrifice good food to live somewhere else.

  His place was half a block ahead. He walked up the stoop of a well-kept brick row home, unlocked the red front door, and stepped inside. He turned off his alarm system as the girls came in behind him.

  “Holy crap,” Cassie said, looking around with wide eyes.

  “This is really, really nice.” Jessalene put her bags down and stepped into Jared’s living room. There was a television mounted above an antique fireplace with original tile work still around the mantel. His decor was simple and understated, mostly blacks and greys. The living room flowed into a dining room, which flowed into the recently renovated kitchen, with its granite counter tops and top of the line appliances.

  “Okay, this isn’t what I expected,” Cassie said. “Where are the bedrooms?”

  “Upstairs,” Jared said.

  “Wait, you have this whole building?” Jessalene frowned at him. “I thought you kept calling it an apartment. This is a house.”

  “I mean…” He trailed off, grinning. “I hate calling it my townhouse. So I just say apartment.”

  Cassie gaped at him. “You own this whole thing? Wait a second, are you—”

  “He’s filthy freaking rich,” Jessalene finished for her.

  Jared laughed and held out his hands. “Ladies, I’m from one of the oldest Magi houses in the entire world. Yes, I don’t get along with them… but I still kept their fucking money.”

  Cassie laughed, delighted and surprised. Jessalene just grinned and shook her head. “And here you are, working for the Marshals.”

  Jared shrugged and tossed his bag down on the dining room table. “I’m not working there for the money,” he said.

  “Why are you working for them, then?”

  He grinned at her. “The paperwork. Keeps me grounded.”

  Jessalene gave him an odd look but just shook her head. “You’re an odd one, Jared Bechtel.”

  “Thank you, Jessalene Dorvahn.”

  She smiled and walked over. Without speaking about it, Jared wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tight against him. He held her there, hugging her tight. He knew all of this was hard for her, especially after finding out about her mother.

  “I’m checking out upstairs,” Cassie said.

  Jessalene pulled away. “Wait, don’t. I want to pick my room.”

  Cassie laughed and ran up. Jessalene gave Jared a quick kiss on the cheek then ran after her. Jared sighed and shook his head before slowly following them up. He heard laughter from the second guest room and found them both in bed, laughing and lying next to each other.

  He lingered in the doorway and stared at them. Cassie, her beautiful, full body, her red hair, her excited grin. And Jessalene, taller and athletic, dark hair, intense eyes, full lips. They were both so beautiful, and Jared had no clue how he’d gotten so lucky to have them both tumble into his life.

  “Any room with a bed is fair game except for mine,” he said. “I’m on the top floor, back room.”

  “Good to know,” Cassie said. “Maybe we should just all sleep in your room.”

  “How big is your bed?” Jessalene asked.

  “Big enough,” he said, grinning at them. “I’m going to unpack. Get yourselves settled. We got some work to do.”

  Cassie sighed. “You’re always working.”

  “I know, it’s a curse.”

  “Can’t we just play for a little bit.”

  “You two can play all you want. Just shout if it gets really fun.”

  “Oh, I won’t need to shout,” Cassie said, grinning at Jessalene. “This one won’t be able to stay quiet if things get out of hand.”

  Jessalene laughed and struggled as Cassie jumped her and began kissing her face and neck and chest. Jared laughed and shook his head before leaving the girls to their games.

  He grabbed his bag, took it up into his room, and unpacked. It felt good to be home. He’d been outside of his routine for so long, and so much had changed in his life. Not so long ago, he prized his place because of the quiet and the solitude. His home was his escape.

  But now, he could hear Jessalene and Cassie laughing downstairs, and their presence filled his life. He couldn’t picture this place without them, and they’d only been here for a few minutes. It was strange how a life could change so quickly and so irrevocably, and yet there he was.

  “Jared!” Jessalene called up. “She’s not taking no for an answer.”

  “You can handle yourself,” he called down.

  “I’m serious.” Laughter followed by a little struggle. “She’s insane. Help!”

  He smiled to himself, shook his head, and went down to help his girl.

  35

  It was getting late when Jared and Cassie sprawled out on his couch downstairs. Jessalene sat at the dining room table with her laptop, wearing reading glasses and frowning at the screen.

  Jared held a book in his hands. He was flipping through the pages and stopped in a few places. He read the descriptions and the effects, closed his eyes, and ran through the memgram without snapping it into place. When that was done, he moved on.

  “What are you doing?” Cassie asked him.

  “Studying.”

  “I see that.” She tilted her head. “Studying what?”

  “Magic.” He held the book up.

  “Bechtel Grimoire.” She frowned. “That looks more like a textbook than a grimoire.”

  Jared laughed. She had a point. It was an oversized paperback, the pages old and worn, but it had been printed within the last ten years. The cover was a soft blue, and the text was in white. To any casual observer, it’d look like some generic business self help book.

  “We stopped binding our books in human flesh a while ago,” he said. “It got a little expensive.”

  Cassie grimaced. “The price of human leather has really gone up these days, huh?”

  “Exactly. We’re all in on the modern print-on-demand era these days.”

  “So what’s in there, anyway?”

  “Spells,” he said. “Memgrams. They’re what allow me access to the priori and help me shape its effects.”

  “Huh.” Cassie tilted her head. “If you need those, how come Ferric could just… do stuff?”

  “I don’t know,” Jared answered, feeling uneasy. “That’s part of why we need to get that artifact back.”

  “So you’re studying for the next fight, huh?”

  Jared nodded. “I used to know this whole book start to finish, but it’s been so long. I was always good at shields, so they came back easy. I’m going to need a lot more than shields if I want to have any hope of keeping up with Ferric.”

  “You don’t have to worry about that. You have us with you.” Cassie leaned her head against h
is shoulder.

  “I know. But I’m tired of making you run out and do all the dirty work.”

  She grinned up at him and batted her eyelashes. “But I do so love the dirty work, my darling.”

  He laughed, kissed her, and turned back to his grimoire. There were so many memgrams, some of them proprietary to his family, and so many of them he’d forgotten. He was tempted to touch the priori now and get a little actual practice in, but the girls seemed content and spent already, so he figured he’d better not.

  “I keep meaning to ask you something,” Jared said, keeping his voice low. Jessalene was staring intently at the computer screen and making little marks in a notebook.

  “What’s that?” Cassie asked.

  Jared hesitated. “When a Magi sleeps with someone, the priori that’s spent—”

  “Feels amazing. Yeah, I know.”

  “Right, but it also forges a bond.”

  “You mentioned that. You were worried about it with Jessalene.”

  He glanced at her. “She doesn’t seem too effected. Which makes sense. It takes a few… you know, attempts, before it really takes hold. But she’s been nicer to me, a little more affectionate. She’s not so far over the deep end yet that there’s no turning back, but there’s a change.”

  Cassie frowned and looked at her. “I noticed too.”

  “I’m going to give her a chance to walk away from this before it’s too late. But with you…” Jared looked at her again.

  She smiled up at him. “With me, what?”

  “There was no change. You were the same.” His frown deepened. “I don’t understand it.”

  “Oh, that’s simple,” she said. “It’s because I already knew.”

  He leaned back. “You… what?”

  “I knew you’re my mate.” She frowned. “Is that not what you call it here? Weres do this thing, it’s a pack thing I guess. We call them fated mates.”

  “No, I’ve heard of it, I just didn’t know you…” He took a sharp breath.

  “The moment I first saw you back in that transport,” she said, her voice soft. “We were loaded up by this mean old fat guy. Shoved us in the back, locked us up. Then the accident happened, Ferric got out, and I just… waited. I don’t know why. That’s when you crawled back and I knew. It hit me out of nowhere, I mean, I knew it was possible that I might feel it one day, but it was like…” She trailed off.