by TR Cameron
Magic careened in the other direction as both Tanyith and Fyre attacked, but the man he’d called Aiden had already backed away with his shields raised. He laughed, then turned and ran. In the distance, she heard him yell, “Up here. They’ve killed Colin Todd.”
She exchanged horrified looks with Tanyith, then pushed her questions and worries away. “Fyre, ice both entrances. No one gets in here. Keep them up until I say otherwise.” He instantly moved to obey and she turned to Tanyith. “We can’t afford to be subtle. Blast everything that might contain it. The magic shouldn’t hurt the blade, right?”
He shrugged. “Who knows? It sounds logical, though.” He began to use force bursts to demolish vases, statues, and furniture. She did the same on the opposite side of the room. After a couple of minutes, voices from beyond the ice were interspersed by the sound of bullet ricochets.
“I guess ice is ice,” Cali said, “whether it’s magical or not. That’s handy. Take that, Zatoras.” She used a line of force to shatter the mirror over a dresser and noticed a glint when it spun from the impact. Excitement thrummed and she tiptoed forward, barely breathing, and tried not to hope. But there it was—the silver shard of her family’s sword, if their evidence was right, remained attached to its hiding place on the back of the rotating mirror. “I have it, Tay. Get us out of here.” She snatched a blanket from the demolished bed and wrapped her prize, then ran through the portal her partner had created. Fyre was through next, and the man stepped across and dropped his magic.
They stood together in the basement of the Drunken Dragons Tavern and grinned stupidly at each other. She knelt and set the fabric down, then revealed the blade fragment for them to see. Tanyith nodded. “It looks exactly right. I think we got it.” He sounded partly relieved and partly happy, but it was colored with anger. She looked at him.
“Who was that?”
He shook his head. “Let’s talk about that later. We don’t want to be here any longer in case they come looking. Stick to the plan.”
Cali nodded and opened a portal to New Atlantis, and they stepped through to what was currently the safest place on the planet for her, the estate of House Leblanc.
She and Tanyith had taken showers and changed into the more comfortable clothes they each kept in the mansion. Fyre awaited them in the kitchen, as did Emalia. A portal to the tavern showed Zeb seated on a crate smoking, and he immediately strode through to join them. Her great aunt passed coffee all around, and Cali set the shard on the table and unwrapped it.
The dwarf nodded at it. “So this is the thing that will free your brother?”
“Part of it. There are still more pieces and I need information from House Malniet, but this is a definite step in the right direction.”
Tanyith frowned and the older woman noticed. “What’s the matter?” she asked him.
He sighed. “Someone died tonight. We didn’t kill him but we’ll be blamed for it.”
Zeb growled with displeasure. “Who was it?”
Tanyith shook his head. “I’m not sure, but I think Aiden called him Colin.”
Cali nodded. “I heard Todd. So, Colin Todd or Todd Colin.”
“Either way, he’s one of Grisham’s right-hand people. I saw him a while back in a Zatora warehouse when I was looking for Aiden.”
Emalia interrupted. “Who’s this Aiden?”
He shrugged and laughed helplessly. “Ah, that’s the question of the moment. Aiden Walsh is the person my ex-girlfriend asked me to find. He’s an Atlantean gang member from the good old days. He’s also, apparently, another of Grisham’s closest people and the dude who killed our man with two first names.”
The dwarf frowned. “Wait. He killed his ally?”
“That’s what I saw.”
Cali sighed. “Yeah. Same here.”
Fyre, from under the table, added, “Yes.”
She shook her head. “So, it was a trap but not the kind we thought.”
Tanyith put his head in his hands. “It makes my brain hurt. Why the hell would he kill his own guy? And it can’t be a coincidence that we were there when it happened.”
“Not a chance. No, my guess is that he was aware we were coming and turned it to his advantage. Which begs the question of how he knew.”
Zeb drummed his fingers on the table. “This guy…was he kind of unimpressive looking? Way more powerful than it seemed he should be?”
“Yeah, sounds like a good description,” the man replied,
He nodded. “That’s how Vizidus and his wife described their attacker. Who also mentioned something about Grisham leaving town.”
“Holy hell,” Cali interjected. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying? This guy fed information to everyone? Played all sides against each other so he’d have the chance to kill the other dude?”
Emalia spoke and her tone carried the calm confidence of a teacher in a classroom. “The evidence fits but that doesn’t mean it’s the only possibility.”
The girl laughed and looked at Tanyith. “We need to get her and Nylotte into a room and see who comes out with their brain broken.” He grinned and her great aunt stared at her like she’d lost her mind. “Ignore me. It doesn’t matter. The important part is we have another piece of the puzzle. We’re one step closer to our goal.”
Zeb nodded in agreement. “That we are. So, what’s next?”
She yawned. “I won’t be able to drop this off with Alessand until tomorrow, so I guess it’s sleep for me. You’re all welcome to stay. Jenkins can get you situated.” She stood and stretched. “The portal service to the surface will be tomorrow morning. We need to find out what game Tanyith’s old friend is playing.”
After Cali and Fyre left, Tanyith looked across the table at Zeb. The dwarf’s expression was hard. “What trouble isn’t she seeing?” he asked bluntly
“From what I hear, Aiden Walsh is a certified badass with very little in the way of a conscience. On my rating scale, he’s scarier by far than the Zatoras, the Atlanteans we’ve fought, and probably whoever Cali’s facing here.” He shook his head. “This is not a good development.”
He nodded. “You think Walsh wanted her there so he could pin the killing on her.”
“I do.”
“To go to the police?”
Tanyith shook his head. “I can’t see that. No, he’s up to something else.”
Zeb shrugged. “Well, all we can do is keep our eyes open and be ready to roll with the punches. And all you can do is tell me what the hell is in that bag you’re fondling.”
He laughed and removed the velvet sack he’d taken from Grisham’s bedroom from under the table. When he’d first looked inside, he’d hardly believed it, and as the gems tumbled out, he continued to have problems accepting it as reality. “I call it scumbag tax and a bonus for finally finding damned Aiden Walsh.” Diamonds glittered on the table. He flicked one to his companion. “Start me a tab, bartender.”
The dwarf laughed and held it to the light. “This will keep you in stew and cider for quite some time, my friend.”
He separated half the gems and returned them to the bag, then stowed it in a pocket. The remainder, he pushed to Zeb. “For Cali. She’s more than earned it.” He turned and walked up the stairs to his room, keenly aware of the dwarf’s eyes drilling into his back.
I know. No amount of money will make up for me bringing my past enemies into her present. But I’ll be at her side to resolve it out no matter what, which is all I can do.
Chapter Thirty
On the surface, the Zatora Mansion was in disarray. Grisham was furious, as out of control as Ozahl had ever seen him. Every gang member had been called to the site and they worked to gather everything essential and shove it into numerous cars that had been assembled outside the entrance.
He’d concocted the story that they’d leave the building and now, it had come true. For some reason, that made him chuckle inwardly. Jack Strang stormed around angrily and he had the sense the huge man and Colin Todd might
have been friends. He hadn’t seen that coming at all. In fact, more ambient sadness about the man’s death permeated the house than he’d expected.
A more perplexing issue was that he wasn’t sure how much of Grisham’s anger sprang from the demise of his lieutenant, which made it difficult to determine the right time to suggest a big funeral. He’d pretended respect for the dead, put a mournful expression on his face, and used his magic to help the guards wrap his body in a white sheet and transport it to one of the vans. They had a funeral home connection, apparently.
The thing he found most frustrating was that the Zatora leader felt the need for security in numbers. He never left a room without Strang and at least two guards, and they managed to keep him from getting the man alone to plant the idea. Which meant he’d need to stay close too.
Ozahl pulled his phone out and summoned Lila and Dalton now that the dangerous action was over. They texted immediately and gave an eta that suggested they’d stayed nearby to be close at hand. Since he’d have to leave sometimes in order to keep the other balls he had in the air in motion, they could stay near the big man for him when necessary. He’d have to let them in on the next part of his plan in case the need arose to block a suggestion that wasn’t a big funeral.
Despite his frustration, he shrugged. It had worked out so far so there was no reason to think it wouldn’t continue to do so. He wanted to call Danna and let her know what had transpired, but he would do so only in an emergency unless he was in private, and privacy wasn’t an option right now.
A crash issued from the direction in which Grisham and Strang had headed and a loud curse that might have been from either of them followed. With a sigh, Ozahl put on a concerned frown and strode toward the noise while he tried his best to look sincere.
Across town, in the main room of the Shark Nightclub, the band was rocking hard, the crowd was rowdy, and Usha and Danna tossed drinks back in celebration. Word had come from the people they had watching that the Zatora mansion was in chaos, which they both took to mean the ploy with Caliste Leblanc had worked.
“When will you know?” the Atlantean leader asked.
The other woman shook her head. “There’s no way to be sure. My source knows his safety is the most important thing, so I imagine he’ll lie low for a while.” Which is unfortunate, because I feel like celebrating. “Doubtless he’ll need a fix before too long, which should bring him out from cover.” Heh. Well, we are kind of addicted to each other. The endgame seemed close for the first time in forever. While a fair number of steps still remained before they’d take their places among the Nine, the foundation was finally being set in place.
Her boss broke her mental wanderings with the snap of her fingers in front of her eyes. They both laughed. “Who are you thinking about?” Usha asked.
She grinned. “Who says it’s a who?”
“I’ve known you for a long time. It’s definitely a who. So, out with it. Is there a particular someone?”
A shock raced through her as she realized she’d stumbled into a pivotal moment with no clue it was coming. One of the big questions all along had been how to bring Usha in and how to use the gang for their own ends without losing connection to the woman she loved more than anyone save Ozahl. And there it was—a way to begin. She smiled. “Actually, there is.”
She nodded sagely. “How long?”
Forever. “A few dates. But it’s going well. I think it might be real.”
Usha hugged her quickly. “Good for you. But if he or she tries to take you away from me, I’ll have to kill them. Just so we’re clear.”
Danna laughed. “I’ll make sure he knows. I don’t imagine it’ll scare him off, though.”
The other woman ordered another round of drinks from the bar and when they came, lifted her glass in a toast. “To your happiness. May you get everything out of life that you want.”
She clinked and drank. And may you want everything we’ll offer you.
Miles away and far, far down, Patriarch Styrris Malniet stepped into Shenni’s private office with a smile. He was very well dressed in a charcoal suit with a pale green shirt that buttoned to the neck and a pendant in place of a tie. It had a black face with a silver hook upon it, and the sharp lines and wicked barbs made the symbol seem inherently violent.
The severe features of the leader of House Malniet conveyed the same impression. His short dark hair was perfectly combed, his angular cheekbones made his face seem long and disapproving, and his thin body seemed nonetheless ready to strike like a whip. He radiated more calm menace than anyone she’d ever met.
But he was only one of the Nine, and she was the Empress of New Atlantis. Her dress was designed to impress. It clung to her figure in scarlet with black accents and left much of her chest, her arms, and most of her legs bare. She rarely wore high heels but today, for him, she had selected the pair she liked best. Also as a boon for him, she sat in one of the side chairs rather than putting the desk between them. Only a small table would separate them once he joined her.
It was a breach of etiquette that he did not kneel but only bowed and kissed her hand before he sat. That had been the tradition in the first Atlantis and if pressed, he would doubtless claim to simply follow the oldest rules of their culture. It wasn’t a reason for action on her part but it was worth notice.
After he had taken his seat, Gwyn entered with drinks on a tray—heavily spiced dark rum with a single ice cube for them both. The tumblers were the finest crystal, discovered in one of the many shipwrecks that surrounded the city. The rules always permitted her first choice from salvages, and while she usually took only a personal low-value item, these had spoken to her.
Her visitor sipped and finally broke the silence. “Empress. Thank you for the invitation.”
She chuckled. “Oh, so formal, Styrris. I appreciate you coming.”
The edge of his thin mouth quirked. “As if I had a choice.”
Shenni shrugged. “It is one of the privileges of rank, as you well know, Patriarch.”
He nodded. “So, I presume this is not purely a social visit?”
“You presume correctly. Tell me, what are your plans where Leblanc is concerned?”
Styrris shook his head slightly. “Upstarts. They will be destroyed—properly this time.”
She took another sip and looked at him from under a lowered brow. “From what I hear, accomplishing that has proven to be a challenge. And all know that yours is not the most…populous house.” His alleged fertility issues were a source of instant irritation for him as she well knew, and she enjoyed darting across that line whenever she interacted with the man. Privileges of rank indeed.
The man shrugged. “We have extended relatives to draw upon. They will be adequate.” The way he said it was an invitation.
One she accepted. “It so happens that I think I can help you with that situation.”
“In return for what, Empress?”
Shenni smiled. “Your assistance in a game I’ve undertaken. I have other options but there’s a certain poetic justice to finishing House Leblanc now that the last scion of that house has appeared.”
He chuckled. “Shattering their heirloom sword wasn’t enough for you?”
She finished her drink. “It was but a start, my friend. I’ve thought lately that nine is too many. Fewer houses equal more power. Are you interested?”
Finally, a true smile spread across his face. “I must admit that I am.”
“Excellent,” she said and sent a mental message to Gwyn. “Let’s talk over dinner about which houses should remain and which should suffer an unexpected demise.”
The End
The story doesn’t end here. Continue fighting the chaos in Enchanted Twist!
Magic Ops
If you enjoyed this book, you may also enjoy the first series from T.R. Cameron, also set in the Oriceran Universe. The Federal Agents of Magic series begins with Magic Ops and it’s available now at Amazon and through Kindle Unlimited.
&
nbsp; FBI Agent Diana Sheen is an agent with a secret…
…She carries a badge and a troll, along with a little magic.
But her Most Wanted List is going to take a little extra effort.
She’ll have to embrace her powers and up her game to take down new threats,
Not to mention deal with the troll that’s adopted her.
All signs point to a serious threat lurking just beyond sight, pulling the strings to put the forces of good in harm’s way.
Magic or mundane, you break the law, and Diana’s gonna find you, tag you and bring you in. Watch out magical baddies, this agent can level the playing field.
It’s all in a day’s work for the newest Federal Agent of Magic.
Available now at Amazon and through Kindle Unlimited
Author Notes - TR Cameron
March 4, 2020
Thank you for reading the sixth book in the Scions of Magic series! I had a ton of fun writing this one, although I was sad not to manage to include any giant creatures for Cali to fight. Maybe next book.
We’re nearing the end of this part of Cali’s tale. The series is planned to end with book eight (which means things are going to move fast for Cali and company from here on out!), and then I’ll be on to something else new and exciting with Martha and Michael. I hope you’ll come along for whatever adventure is next!
I’m finding myself in a strange place this spring. I’m not sure if it’s all the ambient stress of political season or what, but I’m seeking comfort in gaming, reading, and other media more often than usual. I’ll be sharing some stuff on Facebook about that, including some of the quick-hit brain candy I’ve been enjoying most.
