“What are you eating?” Shayla said with a laugh.
“St’awberries,” he replied. He held the half-eaten remains of his berry up, but Shayla declined it, still laughing.
“We need to go home now,” she said. She bent down to pick him up. “Tell Miss Claire goodbye.”
Will waved with his free hand. “Bye bye.”
Claire waved, and watched in tense silence as the pair left the garden. Sister Jackie was hovering in the distance, waiting to escort them back out of the school. When they were out of sight, Claire sighed and looked back at Danica. “Do I have to go back downstairs now?”
“That all depends on you,” Danica said. “Sit down.”
Claire sat on the bench Shayla had vacated. Danica perched on the brick border of the dry fountain. The low ledge put the taller woman just below Claire’s eye level, but she still somehow felt like she was looking up at a grim statue.
“Why did you leave?” Danica asked.
“I’m allowed when I turn sixteen.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
“I don’t want to be a part of this,” Claire replied. “You stole me from my mother. I never wanted this.”
“I don’t think that’s true,” Danica replied.
Claire scowled. “I remember it. They dragged me away from her. She was there crying the whole time.”
Danica shrugged. “If we didn’t take you, the Tenebrae would have.”
Claire threw up her hands. “Well that makes it completely better.”
“That’s not what I was talking about, and you know it,” Danica said. “You say you don’t want any part of this, but I’ve been teaching you for eight years now. When you’re not thinking of ways to put your superiors on the spot, you’re a good student. And how the hell can you tell me you don’t want to be a part of this when you helped those people the way you did? I know this town like I know my own reflection. You passed at least three shelters between picking up the child and going to the church. You could have tapped out at any point.”
“It seemed like the right thing to do,” Claire finally said, taken aback by Danica’s speech, which almost verged on complimentary. It was an unexpected turn from the stern older woman, to say the least.
“It was reckless and foolish,” Danica said. “Though it was morally sound.”
“Not that you guys care,” Claire said. “All you care about is the Balance.”
Danica narrowed her eyes. Then her lips betrayed a hint of a smile. “Claire, as I often remind you, you don’t know everything. Your ignorance is vast.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that the world is much more complex than you realize,” Danica said.
“Here’s what I realize: you guys wouldn’t have gone to help him or Shayla. Brother Lawrence at the shelter tried to talk me out of it. And in the end Shayla would be dead and Will would have been an orphan.”
“Are you finished with your self-righteous indignation?” Danica tilted her head. “Lawrence recognizes, like all of us do, that this is a long fight. One of us is not an equal trade for an ungifted person.”
“That’s horrible.”
“It’s reality,” Danica said. “And one day you’ll understand, though I wish you never had to. But the truth is that you dangled yourself in front of a witch who could have easily turned you to her side. You could have been overcome by your injuries and lost to us. And then all the potential for what you could become, for what you could someday accomplish, would have been lost.”
“What does that matter if we never try to stop them? If all we do is just pick up the pieces every morning?”
Danica smiled, her teeth flashing in the light. For a moment, that smile was an eerie reflection of Theolon’s sharp-toothed grin. “Like I said, Claire, you don’t know everything. This is a long battle.” She spread her hands. “I’m going to give you an option. Just for your information, there is an appropriate protocol for you to leave when you turn sixteen. You can’t just walk out the doors and—”
“I have free will, don’t I?”
“You were signed over to us,” Danica said. “And part of that contract means we release you when we choose.”
“Is it in the contract that you can lock me in a basement when you feel like it?”
“Actually, it gives us permission to discipline you as necessary, so yes,” Danica said. “I locked you in the basement because you had multiple bites from hunger-hounds and showed signs of poisoning. It’s standard procedure to isolate any agent of the Lumina who’s been bitten for her own safety. The school has limited options for isolation so I improvised. Your body fought it off on its own.” She shrugged. “If you’re expecting an apology for that, keep waiting. I’d give anything to have nothing to do but nap and read for a few days.”
“So what happens now?” Claire asked.
Danica responded by snapping her fingers. A burst of light surrounded her hand. When it had faded, a roll of papers was in her hand. She held it out to Claire.
Claire reluctantly accepted it, skimming the first page. Her name was on it in large print. Most of it was small type, but just under her name was Release from Allegiance. The bottom of the page had already been signed by Danica. “What is this?”
“This is the procedure. If you really want to leave, I won’t stop you. I’ll tell you a few things and then let you make your decision. The first is that the caravan you were so ready to throw in your lot with would have been a bad choice.”
“How did you…”
“Your roommate. Brother Lawrence called us on the radio to tell us you had refused to stay. He was certain you wouldn’t survive the night, so I spoke to Priscilla immediately. Based on intelligence from Murray House and some communication from over the river, that caravan counts a Tenebrae sympathizer among its travelers, and it’s fairly likely that you would have been auctioned off for the use of a Tenebrae witch later on their trail. But obviously, you were aware of that already.”
Claire’s stomach churned.
“Second, I have always told you that free will means that you may choose your path. It doesn’t mean that all paths are equal and good. After what has happened, you would have to be a fool to deny that the sun has illuminated a path for you. While you’re stubborn and dangerously naïve, you are strong, Claire. Young as you are and still uninitiated, you held your own against a pack of hunger-hounds and survived an encounter with a Tenebrae witch. Your body managed to burn off a dose of hunger-hound poison that would have had others at death’s door. While a part of me wants to tell you it was luck, I know it wasn’t. Not entirely. If you complete your training and get your attitude in check, I have great faith in what you will become. But at the end of the day, it’s your choice.” Danica reached into her pocket and extended a pen to her. “All I ask is that you do it correctly this time instead of sneaking around. If you still want to break your ties, then sign your name and deliver the papers to the office. I won’t press the issue, and you’re on your own. I do hope you’ll stay, but I won’t force you.”
And with that, Danica left her alone in the garden. It was pleasantly quiet and warm there on her own. The stillness was comforting, unlike the unsettling quiet of the night. How much of what Danica said was true? Was she just trying to convince her to stay, or was there something ahead for Claire?
Toying absently with the white beads, Claire pondered. Three days ago, this would have been an easy choice. Now everything was different.
She couldn’t let go of Danica’s comment, buried in her admonishments. This is a long battle, Claire. What had she meant? Was it possible that one day they’d fight back?
What she did know was that it was unlikely her entire failed escape had been a matter of coincidence and luck. She’d had plenty of time alone to play through the events again while confined to the south wing. Even if it had turned out that the familiar’s reappearance was Alyxaura’s trickery, it had led her to Shayla. Whatever twists and turns she had t
aken to get to this end, Will and Shayla were safe. She had survived, and all of it began with the decision to take the flares to the shelter instead of dumping them. Choosing her duty to the Lumina had resulted in turning down the street that led her to Will and Shayla. Was that divine guidance, fate, or something else?
Claire had won plenty of things in her time at Golden Rose. She hadn’t been beaten in a race for over a year. That was a good feeling, to cross the finish line and know everyone else was looking at her back. But that didn’t compare to the lasting warm glow she still felt from seeing Will and his mother. She’d never been so certain of anything as the knowledge that she’d done the right thing for them.
This wasn’t a lifetime commitment. If she changed her mind, she could still go, but some restless, striving part of her was finally quiet. Setting her jaw in determination, Claire tore the paper in half and shoved it into her pocket.
It was only an hour until sunset, and there were things to do before the night took over.
-7:30 – one hour until sunset-
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Before Magic by GK Derosa
Prologue
I was not a cheater. I didn’t have a single unfaithful bone in my body. I was certain of that. And yet… One night and one terrible mistake changed my life in ways I could never have imagined.
Chapter One
New York City, 1981
Pop!
Pop!
Pop!
The crack of gunshots reverberated across the vacant room. Even with the ear protection, the sound vibrated across my eardrums. I’d been here for too long. I holstered my weapon and pushed my safety glasses up, resting them on top of my head. Yanking the earmuffs off, I reeled in the training target. The black and white silhouette was splattered with bullet holes. I scrutinized my work. Not too bad. Most were clean kill shots to the head.
I shook out my shoulders, the tension centered on my neck and shoulder blades. I glanced at my watch; I’d been shooting for over an hour. No wonder I was sore.
The hair on my nape bristled. I spun around, my fingers itching to unholster my gun. “Who’s there?” I scanned the empty shooting range with every nerve on edge. There was a reason I was a good police officer; I had impeccable instincts, and every cell in my body was telling me I wasn’t alone.
I pulled my gun out and crept to the next shooting station. I peered over the divider, my finger steady on the trigger. Nothing. I released a breath and lowered the weapon. Maybe Sofia was right. I had been working too much. I turned toward the exit, and a black blur sped out the door.
What the hell?
I sprinted after the shadow, but by the time I reached the doorway, whatever it was, was gone. Or had never been there in the first place. I shook my head out. I’m definitely losing it. No wonder the older guys messed with the recruits telling them this place was haunted. Luckily, I wasn’t new, and I certainly didn’t believe in ghosts.
I turned back to my station to retrieve my backpack. I still had an hour until my shift started, which meant I had plenty of time to grab a bagel and another coffee. I was training a rookie today so I was definitely going to need the caffeine.
A door slammed and I jumped, whirling toward the entry. My hand was halfway to my holster when a big guy in fatigues walked in, his lips pressed in a tight line.
My eyes must have been bugging out because he shot me an apologetic smile. “You cops from the 9th precinct are wound too tight.”
I chuckled. It was true. My eyes scanned over the stranger. He was a big blonde guy with a chest the size of a bull and arms to match. I had to look up to meet his clear blue eyes, and I wasn’t short at six feet. “How’d you know I was from the 9th?”
He pointed at my backpack. I slung it off my shoulder; my badge was peeking out of the side pocket. This guy had eyes like a hawk to be able to read that from across the room. “Are you a sniper or something?”
Now he laughed. “No, I was just gifted with incredible vision.” He stepped forward and held his hand out. “I’m Bradley.”
“Damian. Nice to meet you.” His hand clamped down on mine, and I had to grit my teeth to keep from wincing. “So are you a cop?”
“Yeah. I used to be in Manhattan but I’m upstate now. It’s much less stressful. I’m here for a few weeks on leave visiting friends.”
I nodded.
“What had you so freaked out when I walked in?” He cleared his throat. “I couldn’t help but notice.”
“Oh, it was nothing.” I stared at my feet as heat seeped up my neck and into my cheeks.
“It didn’t seem like nothing.” His eyes peered into mine as if trying to pry the truth out of me.
“I thought I heard someone in here. But I was wrong.”
“You know this place is haunted, right?” A sly grin crept across his lips.
“Funny.” I adjusted my backpack and shoved my hands in my pockets. “You know, I may look young, but I’ve been on the force for over two years now.”
His bright eyes widened. “Wow, they’re really taking them young now.” He glanced around the room, years of training evident in his stance. “I’ll let you in on a little secret…”
“What’s that?”
“I do believe in ghosts—and other things.”
For a moment I was sure he was joking, but then my eyes met his and there was nothing funny in his gaze. Electric blue pulsed in his irises. It was almost unnatural.
Okay, it was definitely time for me to get out of here. “Right. So Bradley, I have to get going, but it was interesting meeting you.”
He stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out a stack of cards. He handed me one before I could refuse. “I do some PI work on the side if you ever find yourself in an unusual situation.”
Unusual? The only thing unusual was this guy. “Sure.” I grabbed it and shoved it in my backpack. I raced out of there as fast as I could.
***
I pulled the cruiser up to 42nd and Lexington. I’d told the kid to wait for me by the hot dog stand at 8:00am on the dot. A lanky young guy with a spanking new cadet uniform waved as he stuffed the last bite of a pretzel in his mouth. He hurried over to the car and jumped in.
“Officer Spiros?”
I gave him a grim nod, trying to look as intimidating as possible. I didn’t have anything against the kid; it was just the way of the world. My T.O. had done the exact same thing to me, and this guy would do it to his recruit a few years from now.
He stuck out his hand, a big cheesy grin stretched across his face. Dark blonde curls spilled out from underneath his cap. “I’m Theodore Grant, but you can call me Ted.”
“How about I just call you Rookie?”
His smile faded. “Okay.”
“You ready for your first day?”
He stared at the radio on the dash, his fingers twitching to press the buttons. “Yes, sir.”
Traffic outside of Grand Central Station was chaotic, as usual. I glanced over at my new partner, his eyes lit up with excitement, and a pang jabbed me in the chest. I’d been in his shoes only two years ago. A lot had changed in that short time. Being a police officer in New York City hardened you, and for a second I wanted to remember the young boy I was only a few years ago.
I flipped on the siren, and the blue and red lights flickered to life. I pushed my foot down on the gas, and the Chevy’s engine roared.
“Hold on Rookie, we’re getting out of this traffic jam.”
His lips split into a big toothy grin.
That’s the way I liked to remember Ted. Not the way I saw him last.
Chapter Two
It had been a hell of a day. I jammed the key into the door of our Lower East Side apartment, hoping the super had
fixed the water heater. All I wanted was a hot shower and to fall in the arms of my fiancée.
I stepped into the dark apartment, and my heart sank. I could see the entire 300 square foot studio from the doorway. Sofia wasn’t home. I threw my stuff down on the floor and went into the kitchen. Turning on the light, a pink post-it note on the refrigerator caught my attention.
Hey babe,
I’m at the hospital for another twenty-four hour shift. One of the ER nurses called out. I’ll miss you tonight!
Love, Sofia
P.S. One month until the big day!
I grunted and grabbed a beer out of the fridge. I popped the cap and took a chug as I checked the faucet. Ice cold. Damn it! I sniffed at my undershirt and grimaced. A mixture of sweat and smoke lingered in my nostrils. Maybe it was a good thing Sofia wasn’t coming home tonight.
I slumped down on the couch and flipped to my favorite late night TV show. It was just what I needed to forget about the day. Of course our first call of the morning would have been for an apartment fire. And of course my rookie would have tried to play the hero. Ted had landed himself in the hospital on his first day out and landed me on a one-week unpaid suspension.
It was just a little smoke inhalation, but I was responsible for him. I’d failed.
I tilted my head back and chugged down half the bottle of beer. This was the last thing I needed with the wedding right around the corner. How was I going to pay off that credit card with one week less pay? I raked my hands through my hair and groaned. Even Johnny Carson wasn’t going to be able to cheer me up tonight. I sucked down the last of my beverage and headed back to the kitchen.
Moonlight Rising Page 18
