Vicinus (Walking Shadows Book 3)

by Talis Jones

  “Maddy,” Arcas says, snapping me to attention. “Nyx and Castor are in place. Keep Osman occupied until further instruction.”

  “Sounds good,” I answer.

  “Hmm?” Charlie turns towards me.

  “The music,” I swoon softly. “It sounds lovely.”

  Looking apologetic he sets his latest drink down on a passing tray and takes my hands. “I’m sorry, I’ve given you no break from my work. Come on, let’s dance.”

  Resisting the urge to bounce excitedly I follow him through the crowd at the edge of the room towards the lively middle where couples and singles dance their hearts out. Charlie twirls me and though I occasionally trip over my own feet like an awkward baby deer we have the best time of the night and despite the rock in my stomach I manage to forget the job for just a moment. At least until a buzz of energy begins rippling through the room and a new rock drops right next to a rapidly growing collection.

  “What’s going on?” I ask Charlie.

  Rosy cheeked and eyes alight all he says is, “It’s almost midnight,” before tugging me towards the very center of the room beneath a massive crystal chandelier hung with little bunches of greenery and it’s so massive and dazzling I can’t tell if it’s an illusion or a real fixture.

  “Midnight?” I ask a bit thrown off by how quickly the night slipped past me. “Well I don’t know if you can tell by my very confused and ignorant face but ‘midnight’ does not answer my question.”

  “Tradition!” he winks, pointing up towards the chandelier, and just then people begin counting down from ten.

  “What tradition?” I try to shout over the noise but either he doesn’t hear me or he refuses to say until the countdown finishes and I get my answer.

  The moment the clock strikes midnight Charlie’s hands catch my face as he leans down and presses a kiss against my shocked lips. Somewhere in the back of my head I try to piece together what’s happening while another part of me hopes no one else sees and can tell Yosef.

  I have half a mind to push Charlie away but his kiss is…nice. Vaguely I note the contrast between both unexpected kisses today. Where Yosef’s was dark and possessive, an answer and a promise, Charlie’s feels a bit like how I imagine kissing a classic storybook prince might feel like. I’m not sure how to feel about any of that. Charlie, for me I think, would be a safety blanket – warm and inviting, safe and predictable, yet easily outgrown and discarded. Yosef is…he’s Yosef and only he can decide what that truly entails.

  Charlie ends the kiss and I mentally shake myself. I don’t need a relationship. I don’t need to choose between two options that may not be right for me. Charlie is my friend and Yosef is my home but I’ve survived this long as just Maddy and I see no reason to change that now.

  “What was that for?” I ask Charlie over the jovial cheers. “I thought that was a New Year’s Eve thing.”

  “Mistletoe,” he grins pointing upwards again.

  My eyes take in the greenery on the chandelier once more and squint at it unable to discern for sure if he’s right. Shaking my head I declare, “That’s the weirdest excuse I’ve ever heard.”

  “And midnight isn’t?” he laughs.

  “I didn’t say that,” I tease back.

  We settle into another dance when Yosef’s voice suddenly breaks the spell. “Maddy, don’t move.”

  Panic slices through me at his dark tone and for a moment I worry it’s in response to Charlie’s kiss. “What?”

  “He’s on his way,” Arcas rushes. “Dammit,” he curses furiously. “Do not move, Maddy.”

  “What the Hell are you taking about??” I whisper frantically gaining a very concerned look from Charlie.

  “What’s going on, Maddy?” Charlie asks worriedly.

  I hold up a hand to stay Charlie. “Arcas,” I snap with steel in my voice.

  “We’re not alone,” he responds. “They must’ve hired others in case we failed.”

  “Nyx and Castor?”

  “Yosef went to help them. Shit things are getting messy.”

  “Frocket?”

  “Already managed to slip out and is headed to our meeting spot.”

  “Arcas?” I almost whine needing to understand what is happening, what has gone wrong.

  Arcas takes a deep breath then makes a decision. “There are people here to kill Osman. Yosef was on his way to come to you when he had to help the others and staying put is no longer a safe option. They’re heading your way. Maddy, you have to get out of there now.”

  Chills race down my spine but I grab Charlie’s hand and look him in the eye. “Do you trust me?”

  “Y-yes?” he stutters trying to read me.

  “Then follow me or you’re dead.”

  It’s my turn to drag Charlie around the party and I do my best to not look as panicked as I feel. Weaving our way to the front I worry about how long it might take to fetch his car when I catch sight of a character I can only describe as downright unsavory no matter what he’s wearing to blend in and immediately tug Charlie in the opposite direction.

  Too late. He locks onto us and tries to follow.

  We shove our way between half-drunk revelers, some whistling and laughing at our rush, until a gunshot has Charlie cursing and we drop to the ground.

  In one breath the room has shifted from celebration to pandemonium.

  “You okay?” I shout.

  “Just a graze but damn,” he hisses.

  Yanking him back onto his feet I slam through a pair of doors that open to an empty hallway not part of the ball besides to allow a reprieve from the noise and a direction towards the bathrooms. Behind me more gunshots ring out and we pick up our pace unsure of whether to keep running or hide.

  “Maddy,” Arcas orders calmly. “There’s a storage closet three doors down on your left. Get in there. These trigger-happy jackasses are coming your way.”

  Throwing open the door I shove Charlie inside and snap it shut sealing us in darkness.

  “The auto-light sensor must be broken,” Charlie grumbles.

  While he searches for a manual light switch I feel my phone pulse and withdraw it from my pocket in surprise. The screen informs me of a message from Yosef, though I don’t remember putting his contact into my device or giving him mine. Then again, it’s Yosef. Relief fills me because a message means he’s okay and he’s got a plan. Tapping the message open my palms break out in a sweat at the little words stabbing themselves into my gut.

  <>

  Kill him first?? It seems clear enough that the goons ruining the party are after Charlie and not to chat kindly with him, but something about the phrasing turns me livid because I know, I know it means Charlie was the target all along. Sure, steal some documents, but kill the messenger for a bonus? Fury shakes my bones though for a moment I consider.

  I could do it so easily. We’re trapped in a small dark space, Charlie trusts me, and without a thought I could unsheathe any one of several blades hidden on my person including the jeweled piece holding up my hair. I could do it. If this is what it takes to keep my family…I can do it…I have to do it…

  Except I can’t even stand KJ setting out mouse traps.

  Charlie finds the light and my eyes recoil momentarily from the sudden brightness. There must be evidence of my thoughts on my face because he freezes, suddenly wary.

  “Maddy?” he asks softly.

  I can do it, I tell myself one last time before letting out a heavy breath because I can’t. I can’t do it and, more importantly, I won’t.

  “We need to get out of here,” I tell him and Arcas both.

  “Hall is clear. Head towards the south exit, they’re not looking that direction,” Arcas supplies quickly.

  Normally I need music for this sort of thing. I panic and lock up without it. I try to summon a tune in my head and only realize I’m humming out loud when Arcas pipes the same song through my earpiece to help me.

  “Oh dear blue sky I dance down the stre
et and sing as we meet what a glorious morning to be…”

  “You’ve got this, Maddy,” Arcas promises and I can even hear the hint of a smile behind his worry. “The music is only going to you so don’t worry about it bothering anyone else. Just focus and do what you have to do.”

  Opening the door slowly I scan the hall and confirm the intel before grabbing Charlie’s arm and dragging him out with me pulling us into a run. Suddenly a body barrels through a swinging door and I throw a knife into it before my brain can catch up with my instincts. Charlie stares over his shoulder, mouth agape.

  “What if that had been an innocent guest?!”

  “It wasn’t,” I growl. I’ve been put through enough training exercises for that sort of thing to hone my instincts sharp but what overtook my aim just then was that extra something the white coats gave me. A reminder of horrors, I tried to repress its existence, but tonight it’s an asset and I let it hum freely through my senses.

  We’re almost at the exit when battle cries suddenly rend the air.

  “Maddy!” Arcas shouts and I flinch at the sound.

  Shoving Charlie into a corner with my shawl I slide out more blades from their hiding places and aim for exposed skin rather than waste time on what could be armor resistant to even the sharpest knife. Losing my last blade they close in and I dodge a hook to my left countering with a sharp jab before kicking the bastard hard enough to make him fall. Whirling I grab a tray from an abandoned service cart and smash it with all of my strength against the next attacker’s head.

  While they re-center themselves I quickly pull one of my knives from a victim and plunge it into the charging bull’s throat before tearing it back out and squaring off with the last man standing. Our eyes remain locked on one another as we keep our bodies light and ready to strike, deciding whether to move first or prepare to block and counter.

  Just as the ugly mug breaks the moment and steps forwards, Charlie smashes a vase over his head sending him down to the ground out cold. “Damn idiot,” he spits. “You’re lucky this vase is an imitation!”

  I stare at him. “Really?”

  “The original is a priceless piece of art and history!” he defends himself.

  With a roll of my eyes I take back my shawl then grab his hand and sprint for the exit hoping nothing else decides to pop up and stop us. Fresh air slaps my face and I breathe it in gladly allowing myself only three seconds of peace before turning to our next step.

  “Maddy look out!” Charlie shouts.

  Whipping around I yank off the little bundle of holly and gold pinned to my dress and fling it at the attackers rushing from the opposite end of the alley and shove Charlie to the ground as it detonates with an ear-ringing BOOM. Refusing to look at the mess in its wake I tug Charlie back onto his feet and fixate on escape.

  Dashing to the street I place my fingers to my lips and let out an ear-splitting whistle. A taxi screeches to a stop in time for me to shove Charlie inside and throw myself in beside him.

  “Where’s your hotel?” I ask him sharply.

  Charlie shakes his head a bit to gather himself and gives the Android directions before turning his wide eyes back towards me. “What the hell was all that and why did you just rupture my eardrums for a cab?”

  “I’ll explain once we get to the hotel but assuming you noticed the goons out for blood chasing us then you’ll understand that I didn’t want to risk taking the time to order a car with my phone or wait around for the valet to bring around yours.” I narrow my eyes, more angry with the horrible turn of events than with him. “Excuse me for saving your life.”

  I turn in my seat in time to see guests fleeing, fire lighting the night, gunshots shattering the music, screams overtaking the chaos, and the beautiful Christmas tree out front going up in flames.

  Merry Christmas, I think with a rueful shake of my head.

  Part Three

  Do You Hear What I Hear

  Seventeen

  Charlie’s hotel isn’t far enough away for my liking but we smile at the concierge who says nothing of the blood on my dress or the tear in Charlie’s suit and take the lift, arriving in his penthouse suite in mere seconds. The silence is what raises the hairs on my arms and prickles my senses.

  “Where are all of your fancy bodyguards?” I ask softly though I go for a teasing tone I’m not quite sure I manage. Once the words slide out I’m struck by the thought even more sharply. “In fact, where were they back at the party?” This time suspicion laces itself into each word and the frown forming across my face.

  “They aren’t really my bodyguards,” he shrugs stepping into his space with confidence, seemingly oblivious to whatever is setting off alarms in my senses. “Welcome to my humble abode!” He smiles and spreads his arms out wide.

  “What is wrong with you?” I ask. “You do realize we were just attacked, or rather you were attacked and we only just managed to escape. You should be freaking out or at least muted with a heavy dose of how serious things are right now.”

  “He’s not upset,” Yosef answers in a deadly calm and I jump. His unexpected presence has me truly on edge, even more so with the weapon held in his hands. His own invention, sort of like a chunky handgun but with a DNA target lock so even if you dive out the way the ammo will shift course to follow. Seeing as how he was hiding here waiting for us, he definitely had time to find a sample of Charlie’s DNA. Yosef steps out of the shadows, gun aimed point blank at Charlie. “Because he got what he wanted and without having to even ask.”

  Charlie’s hands are raised in surrender but the smirk across his face doesn’t match and that feeling of alarm increases to a burning itch across my skin and I let out a small whimper before gathering myself. “Yosef, what are you doing?”

  “Saving your life,” he says coldly though the anger focuses purely on the man between us, never taking his eyes off of him for a moment.

  “What?” I feel so confused I don’t even know where to begin especially with the added tension of Yosef being dead set on killing Charlie. “Look, just put the gun away. Charlie’s not armed and you need to explain to me what the hell is going on right now.” The shock from his message earlier resurfaces and transforms to sudden anger riding the highs of the adrenaline still holding tight to my veins.

  “I don’t know why those guys were after Charlie or why you wanted – want – to kill him, but how dare you ask me to kill him. You know I don’t do that! And I told you Charlie is my friend, you really think I’d go against who I am to kill a friend??” Tears form in my eyes at the gall of his request, the betrayal of it.

  “It would’ve been self-defense, Maddy,” Yosef grinds out. “And you’ve killed before under that title.”

  “I hate killing, Yosef! You know that!” I angrily swipe tears from my cheeks. “Just because I can and have doesn’t mean one day it won’t break me. You really think I would toss away who I am to slit my friend’s throat and collect the bounty?”

  “You’re not listening to me,” Yosef growls impatiently. “He isn’t your friend. It would have been self-defense.”

  “Self-defense? Are you serious right now? He isn’t even armed!”

  “Show her!” he yells suddenly and it’s startling enough that I shut right up.

  “I don’t know, I was enjoying this little spat between you two,” Charlie frowns with mock disappointment and as he does so he waves his fingers and I can actually see the tendrils of electricity curling around them like hungry flames.

  A deep swallow wrenches my throat and my voice floats out as a murmur. “What is going on, Charlie?” Both of these posturing idiots know more than I do and right now I feel like a bunny caught between two wolves ready to battle for territory…I don’t even know if that’s a thing they do but I feel that way all the same.

  “How about your friend here puts his weapon down first?” Charles suggests.

  “How about I cut your hands off first?” Yosef counters.

  “How about you both start talking
right the hell now!” My feet finally unstick from the floor as fear melts into a more mobile incense. I move away from them both but stop between them forming a triangle and keeping a kitchen counter between us that I hopefully won’t need to duck behind as a shield.

  “Yosef,” I manage mostly calm though an edge of hysteria adorns the words, “why are you trying to kill Osman?”

  “At first for the money,” he smiles and I recoil from it. I know who he is and what he is, but there’s always a part of me that hopes he’ll change, that they’ll all change. I’ve always fooled myself into believing they only preyed on the devils in the city but Charles is my friend…though as I take another settling breath I realize that right now my senses are on high alert because of him, not Yosef who still radiates safety. “And then,” Yosef continues, “because I found out who he works for and I swore to you that you’d never go back. Ever.”

  “Charlie?” My voice breaks and I’m afraid he’ll answer. I’m afraid time will keep moving forwards like it always does and force me to confront a new path, an old path that still haunts my dreams.

  “I could kill you before your little toy could stop me, you know,” he warns, or boasts.

  “So long as you go down for the effort,” Yosef returns unphased by the threat. “Now fuck off with the theatrics, twinkle fingers, and tell her who you are.”

  Charles’ face darkens but to my surprise he lets out a breezy little laugh and lowers his arms. “Only because I was planning to and you and your little crew could prove quite useful. Come, have a seat.” He settles himself onto a plush looking couch, his arms spread across the back, legs crossed.

  Yosef doesn’t shift his aim for even a second, just pivots to follow Charles and put himself between us. “Thanks, but I’ll stand.”

  “Suit yourself,” Charles allows amicably. “First of all, I know who you are Maddy Sinclaire. Who you really are.”