Magic Brew

by T. Rae Mitchell

  I get Zulu’s pain. If I hadn’t seen what Maddox did with my own eyes, I’d be defending him too.

  Nyx walks up to Zulu. “Do you know what he was before he was a vampire?”

  Zulu opens his mouth, but nothing comes out.

  “That’s right, you don’t,” Nyx says. “None of us do. That’s because Maddox didn’t want us knowing he used to be a warlock.”

  Zulu grabs his stomach, a pained expression forming around his eyes. “There’s no way he was a warlock. He hated those dicks!” Gripped by a sudden, convulsion, he doubles over, spewing a sickly glob of slime and bile. Fast on the heels, a newt slides out of his mouth, plops onto the slick puddle at his feet and skitters away.

  Sidestepping the nauseating slop, Nyx looks at Knox and Constantine. “Think about it. Only a warlock would be that obsessed with magic. My guess is, Maddox wanted back in the fold and was willing to do whatever it took.”

  Zulu wipes his mouth, looking like he’s ready to argue again, but Knox lets loose with a blast of flames. Looks like he’s totally refueled. “I’m gonna roast that backstabbing prick!” he snarls.

  We all jump back from the intense heat to avoid being scorched. Especially Zulu. He’s already had his eyebrows burned off.

  “I buy that you saw what you saw,” Constantine says to Nyx and me, “but I’m with Zulu. I can’t see Maddox turnin’ on us.”

  Zulu high-fives Constantine. “My man.”

  Constantine glances down, twisting one of the gold rings on his fingers. “Maybe the warlocks played you into seeing what they wanted you to see,” he says. He glances up at me. “You know what I’m talkin’ about, Edge.”

  I do. I’ve spun enough illusions with my Djinn powers to know not everything is what it seems. “Go ahead. Think what you want,” I say, “but what he did was real. Maddox shut me down so Rade could slice my neck.”

  Constantine studies me. “Say I agree it’s all true. Why all this fuss over you?”

  Nyx and Pandora look at me. Is this where the sisters drop the bomb about me being King Newyddilyn’s son? If they do, everything changes. Unseelie fae and demons don’t exactly party with Highborns. This will rip us apart.

  “Obviously the warlocks needed Djinn blood for the spell that brought the Wall down,” Nyx says at last. “With Edge being the only Djinn inside the Wall, they needed to get him to the ceremony. But first they had to make sure he couldn’t smoke out of there. The only way to do that was to strike a deal with one of us, and that someone was Maddox.”

  Nyx looks at me.

  I stare back, amazed she’s keeping my secret.

  Constantine leans against one of the bikes and nods. “Hate to say it, but Nyx is making sense.”

  “How come I’m the only one here who thinks Maddox is straight up?” Zulu says.

  “Because if you were even ten times smarter than me, you'd still be stupid,” Hurley says.

  Too out of it to catch on that Hurley just burned himself with that one, Zulu goes ape and lunges at him with everything he’s got. But he’s so weak all Hurley has to do is sidestep him. With nothing to grab hold of, Zulu flops on the road like limp linguini. This is pathetic, even for Zulu.

  Leaning down, I hold out a hand. He hesitates a few seconds before taking it.

  I pull him up, saying, “Look, I know how you feel. I didn’t wanna believe it either. I tried talkin’ myself out of it a dozen different ways. It wasn’t until Maddox told me flat out that he put this ward on me upside down so he could lock my Djinn powers away from me. Booker realized the truth and tried to undo it. That’s why Maddox snuffed him.”

  Like a balloon leaking air, Zulu’s shoulders sag and his chest caves in. “But he inked that mojo on you way back. I’m talkin’ when you were just a new jack,” he says, his voice barely above a whisper.

  “Yup, ten years ago,” I say.

  “Man, that’s whack,” Constantine fumes. “Dude’s been playin’ us this whole damned time!”

  “Hope that lowlife vamp shows his face again,” Hurley growls, “cuz I’m gonna make him so much deader than he already is.”

  “Get in line,” Knox says, his skin glowing red with heat and fiery sparks.

  The muscles binding up in my back and shoulders loosen. Everybody’s finally on side.

  “Save your fight for the trip back to Magic Brew,” Nyx says. “We’re gonna need it. Every gang in the city’s out for blood. The Bad Hats put a bounty on our heads. They want Edge alive and the rest of us dead.”

  The shocker stirs up a storm of swearing amongst the boys. I nod at the sisters as we wait for them to settle down. Pandora smiles, while Nyx’s expression stays all business. I wish the two of us could get back to where we were before Sienna came along, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon.

  Knox is the first one to pull out of it. “What’s the game plan?” he asks, looking from me to Nyx.

  “Yeah, you have one, right?” Zulu chimes in. “That’s why you got us up here?”

  I stare straight at them, even though I got them up here based on that useless meeting with Duil'dir. “Who do you think you’re talkin’ to?” I challenge them, at the same time trying to think of something to tell them.

  I’m coming up with a big fat zero.

  “We’ve got to get Edge and Zulu back up to speed first,” Nyx says. “We’re only as strong as our weakest links. Having two wounded soldiers isn’t helping.”

  I’m about to agree, but Zulu steps on my opening. “Glad to see someone finally sees the light,” he says. “Without Zulu to kick some ass, our chances of gettin’ home are skinny.”

  “Yeah, man, you’re all that,” Constantine says in his usual bored fashion. He turns a lazy gaze to me. “What do you need to get back up to speed?”

  “For starters,” I say, looking at Knox, “you gotta burn this ward off.”

  “Done,” he says, stepping forward with a hand glowing as red as forging heat.

  I break out in a sweat knowing how bad this is gonna hurt. Pushing back the sleeve of my jacket, I make a fist and hold out my arm. The second Knox grabs hold of my wrist, I bite down and look away.

  “What the hell?” Knox says.

  I look at my arm. Water and steam shoot out from under Knox’s palm. He lets go, staring at me with raw fear in his eyes.

  “Huh, that’s weird,’ I say, acting dumb about my new power.

  Knox’s startled expression turns to one of suspicion. “What’d you just do?”

  Brushing the water off my arm, I shrug. “What makes you think it was me?”

  “Well it wasn’t me,” Knox argues.

  “Oh, hold on. I know what this is,” Zulu says, giving me a sly, knowing smile.

  I stop breathing. I don’t like the look on his pasty face. Isn’t it time for him to throw up another newt?

  “This dude’s one of those–” He makes a loud gulping sound. “I’m good,” he says, holding up his hand.

  We all wait.

  After a few seconds, he says, “I know what you are, Edge. You’re a–” He groans, eyes bulging. Here it comes. Sticking his head between his legs, he hurls. Again.

  We all turn away, listening to the puke splatter and the newt hitting the pavement. When it’s over, Zulu collapses and passes out.

  Saved by the barf.

  Constantine kneels down and brushes his hand over Zulu to read his life force energy. “He can’t keep spewing his guts out like this. It’s killing him.”

  Losing another one of us–even Zulu–is not an option. “Nyx, can you shadow surf Zulu back to Magic Brew? India’s got to have something that can undo the Dread spell.”

  Nyx shakes her head. “I’d need solid darkness to surf all the way. Too much light in the city. But it doesn’t matter anyway. I already made the call. India doesn’t have all the ingredients she needs to help him. She said we have to find a white witch.”

  “Good luck finding one. I’ve heard they’re almost as rare as girl centaurs,” Hurley says.r />
  “There used to be a white witch at the Ghost Market,” I say.

  “Like when, a decade or two ago?” Hurley says. “And doesn’t the Ghost Market move around. How would we find it in time for Zulu?”

  He’s got me there. The Ghost Market changes up its secret location regularly. Of course, I’ve never had to worry about details like that. All I’ve ever had to do is think about being there and teleport my way in.

  Anguish appears off in the distance, pointing down the road, once again showing the way. Man, I’d really like to tear the angel a new one for sending me on that useless quest into the woods. I jerked my whole squad uptown for nothing.

  “Knox and Constantine, you get to ride bitch,” I say as I climb onto my bike. “Nyx, you and Pan grab Zulu, and surf him through the park. It’ll stay dark if you stick to the trees by the road. Keep as close to us as you can.”

  Nyx bends down to help Pandora lift Zulu. “So you have a good idea where the market is?” she asks.

  “Not exactly, but trust me, I’ll find it in time,” I say, attempting a cool-headed smile as I lie through my teeth.

  20

  You’ve Been Pinked

  WE’RE TAKING THE TRANSVERSE THROUGH CENTRAL PARK when Anguish lands on top of the arched overpass up ahead. The dark angel’s wings spread to an intimidating span of twelve feet or more. Both arms are up, gesturing for me to come to a screeching halt.

  Signaling for Hurley to pull over, I ride my bike up onto the sidewalk and come to a full stop. Constantine shifts on the seat behind me. “What’s up?”

  I don’t have an answer. I figured we’d make it out of the park before I got other directions. Don’t know how we got so lucky, but I guess the Ghost Market must be here in the park.

  Hurley pulls up with Knox behind him. He didn’t want to ride with me. He’s still freaked about his fire turning to water–a mystery I’m sure is on everyone’s minds.

  “We’re here already?” Hurley says. “Man, that’s gravy! So where is it?” He looks around with a little too much excitement. I suppose that’s because he’s never been to the market.

  A shadow beneath the overpass deepens. Nyx and Pandora step out of a misty cloud of darkness, each holding one of Zulu’s arms. He’s still out, his head lolling to one side, knees nearly scraping the ground.

  I cut the engine, motioning to Hurley to do the same. Without the loud rumbling of the demon bikes, the normal city sounds return, along with a very out of the ordinary sound. “You guys hear that?” I ask, listening to the calliope music coming from the other side of the stone wall lining the transverse.

  “Sounds like the carousel,” Nyx says.

  I glance around for Anguish, startled to find the angel standing above us on the wall, pointing into the park. I look at the girls. “Stay here with Zulu while we check it out.”

  Nyx and Pandora let us go without an argument, but they don’t look happy about staying behind.

  The four of us climb the wall up onto the hill backing the carousel building. Lights pour from the open partitions near the front. Normally the carousel would be off and locked up tight this time of night.

  Taking it slow, I lead the others down the hill, my senses on high alert. Generally the cloaked entrances to the Ghost Market are found in back alleys, abandoned subway tunnels or deserted buildings. The carousel at Central Park is way too busy and out in the open. The immediate area would be tagged heavily and I’m not seeing any of the green glowing codes indicating the market is nearby.

  The music grows louder as we near the front entrance. Rounding the corner, I cautiously look in. The rising, falling shadows of the horses race over the smooth concrete. Brightly painted circus horses blur by beneath colorful carnival lights. Everything seems normal enough, other than the creepy fact the merry-go-round’s on when it shouldn’t be.

  “Where’s the market?” Hurley asks as he, Knox and Constantine line up beside me.

  “Don’t know yet. But I’m pretty sure it’s not here,” I say.

  “Maybe the place is haunted and there’s a bunch of ghosts riding the horses,” Constantine says, openly amused by the thought.

  Knox nudges his chin at the carousel. “There’s one now.”

  Too uptight for jokes, I turn to leave.

  Constantine whistles. “Now that’s my kind of ghost.”

  I glance back at the carousel just as Sienna sails by on one of the horses. The moment she sees me, her eyes fill with pure terror. Something’s majorly wrong here.

  “Whoa, it’s Edge’s new fatal attraction,” Hurley says as the ride takes Sienna out of sight.

  “Nice. You bagged that hottie?” Constantine says with way too much surprise.

  “Someone’s been a busy boy tonight,” Knox adds.

  “Busier than me,” Hurley complains.

  Every muscle knots with tension as I scan the dark field and surrounding trees, looking for the trouble I know is about to rain down on us. “Guys, shut up,” I say through clenched teeth.

  Constantine slaps my hurt arm, driving the pain in deep. “Hey, go ahead and own it, man. So what if she’s a gullie. I’d tap that.”

  Something darts out of the darkness, hitting Hurley from behind. His pained expression turns angry as he reaches up to feel the back of his head. “What was the hell was that? I’m bleeding!” he snarls.

  Adrenaline floods my limbs. I back up inside the building, searching the dim landscape for movement, seeing nothing.

  All at once a loud buzzing layers over the nerve-racking carousel music. Constantine’s suddenly lifted up into the air. Knox shoots a stream of fire out in front of him, lighting everything within a thirty-foot radius. Slight forms blur away from the flames, lightning quick, but not before I glimpse the glint of dragonfly wings.

  Damn, it’s the Pink Ladies–vicious pixies who win a lot of rumbles just by sheer numbers alone and speed of attack.

  “Try that to my face, you fugly harpies!” Hurley yells, his voice a deep growl as the Oni demon takes over. “You won’t get away with it next time!”

  Constantine drops in front of us. His legs crumple beneath him like a broken doll. The three of us inch closer as he stares blankly past us. Knox bends down, bringing his flaming hand closer to him. His neck is slick with blood. The ruthless bitches sliced his throat open.

  Grief knifes into me, boiling my blood, turning me inside out.

  “Where are they?” Hurley snarls. “I’m gonna squish every single one of those bugs if it’s the last thing I do!”

  “After me,” I say, directing all my pain into the storm swelling in my chest.

  Knox charges up a fireball the size of a basketball. “Not before I fry them into crispy–”

  His voice is lost within a sudden loud buzzing. The pixies swarm at us, slamming in from all sides. Disoriented, I hit the ground as a bunch of them pile on top of me. They’re small like Nyx, but really strong. Five or six of them grab hold of my arms and legs. Thrashing and kicking, I try to break free. I can’t get loose. Their iron grips carry me deeper into the building. I manage to get in a few good kicks and punches, none of which helps. When one goes down, another takes her place before they finally set me on the floor, holding fast to my arms and legs.

  The carousel’s going round and round beside me. I strain to catch sight of Sienna, but I don’t see her. I’m hoping they leave her alone now that she’s served her purpose. It’s clear the Pink Ladies used her to ambush us.

  I can’t see what’s going on with Knox and Hurley outside, but I hear them fighting and shouting. Pixies are screaming, some no doubt getting roasted by Knox, and at least a few must be getting their wings ripped out by Hurley.

  One of the pixies leans over me. Her head’s shaved on the sides. The strip of long hair on the top of her head is pulled back in a ponytail, streaked with magenta, turquoise and purple. Her bottom lip is pierced with three small, hematite hoops and her wide blue eyes are rimmed with coal-black eyeliner. Like most pixies, she’s a
fine-boned beauty, but right now all I see is ugly.

  She grabs me by the jaw, squeezing as she brings her face close to mine. “So you’re the Djinn everybody’s so interested in,” she says, her breath warm against my face. Her eyes light up with an inner fire as she licks my mouth.

  I twist my face away, pressing my mouth shut in a tight line. I can’t let any of that mood-altering pixie spit slip past my sealed lips.

  “Hold him still,” she says to the others. She must be the gang leader. I can tell she’s used to dishing out orders.

  Two pixies grip my head, digging their polished black nails into my scalp like talons.

  Straddling me, she tightens her grip on my jaw. Pain knifes into the bone, forcing my mouth open. She’s on me fast, her tongue catching hold of mine–swirling and probing forcefully. Her saliva’s even sweeter than Nyx’s, thick as honey and slightly salty as it fills my mouth. Without wanting to, I gulp reactively. As the sweet fluid slides down my throat, every pleasure center opens up like someone slipped one of India’s horny potions into my drink.

  My body suddenly goes mad with lust. I’m stunned. I shouldn’t be having this kind of reaction. Dumb body. Where’s that nice high I had when Nyx kissed me? Hell, I’d even settle for turning into the world’s biggest asshole right now.

  She grinds her hips over me, slowly, rhythmically, stepping up the sexual ache in me to an unbearable level–overriding my brain and every concern I had before this moment. My body’s quivering, arching up against her. I’m kissing her back, gulping her spit like a man dying of thirst.

  Then she pulls out of the kiss, stroking the piercings in her bottom lip down the length of my neck. Tingles shoot through me. I’m throbbing all over. I want her more than I’ve ever wanted anyone, but the other pixies are holding me down. I can’t grab hold of her and satisfy my cravings.

  She sits up, looking down at me with a teasing smile. Her wings are sticking straight out, vibrating and stirring up a tiny breeze. “Do you want me?” she asks.

  “Yeah,” I pant.

  She gestures to a couple of pixies standing near the carousel. They flit onto the merry-go-round, disappear among the blur of undulating horses and reappear with Sienna. Lifting her off the ride, they land in front of us. Sienna’s hands are tied. Pain splashes across her face when she sees me lying underneath the sexy pixie.