“I don't know,” Bryn said. “If this creature is as ugly as it sounds, I don't think I want to be mixing our bodily fluids.” She punctuated her remark with a grimace.
“You have two hours to acquire the target,” Warden Armitage announced. He consulted the sun, shielding his eyes from its midday glare. “Time starts…now.”
The group scattered in all directions. We immediately chose north because Bryn sensed a lack of water there. We weren't the only group with a water witch, though, so we had to rely on more than Bryn’s water affinity.
“Can I just say that this is the most fun I've had in ages?” Dani said, as we proceeded north on the nearest trail. “The only thing that would make this whole weekend better is Peter.”
“No offense but I’m glad Peter’s not here,” Mia said. “He’d be another reminder that I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“You don’t hear me complaining,” I said.
“I feel a little guilty that I get to have Gray with me,” Bryn said. “Not that we’re spending every minute together. Armitage would have both our heads for that. We’re lucky he’s as tolerant as he is.”
“You can't help who you fall in love with,” I said. “Besides, you two met before he returned to the AMF and before he took a job Spellslingers.”
“As long as we don't flaunt our relationship,” Bryn said, “the Board of Regents won’t give us any grief.”
“I’m not seeing any signs of our target,” Dani complained. “What if someone else finds it first?” She groaned. “What if Priscilla finds it first?”
“You know what, Mia?” I said. “One of the telltale marks of the mapinguari is the stench. If you work a little wind magic, we might be able to track it by scent.”
Mia’s eyes widened. “That's a great idea. Let's find a small clearing so that I don't knock us unconscious with falling branches.”
Dani laughed. “My head appreciates your thoughtfulness.”
“Seriously,” Bryn said. “I don't want to wake up with a bump on my head and the mapinguari curled up next to me.”
“It doesn't sound like the cuddling type,” Mia said. She gestured to our left. “I see enough space over there. Let's go.”
We entered the small clearing of birch trees and stood in a small circle, joining hands. Although Mia could command the wind without assistance, we learned early on that we were always stronger together. Mia began to chant softly and I felt the power coursing through my veins. It seemed a shame that we would one day work in four separate quadrants. We made a remarkable team. Even though I’d have a partner in the AMF, I had a feeling the relationship wouldn’t be the same as what I had with my roommates.
The wind picked up steam and swirled around us. Mia was literally in her element. I observed her calm demeanor and her assured posture. In most scenarios, she lacked the confidence of witches like Dani and Bryn, but put her in charge of a wind spell and she was a commanding presence.
My hair tousled in the breeze and a foul odor filled my nostrils.
Bryn coughed. “And I think we found him.”
I instinctively turned toward the direction of the smell. “I’d say about two miles northwest.”
Bryn nodded. “Makes sense. I’m not sensing much water in that direction compared with the others.”
We released hands and Dani unsheathed Revival.
“We’re not supposed to hurt it,” Mia reminded her.
Dani gripped the hilt of her sword. “No, he said not to kill it. He didn't say anything about not injuring it. If that's what it takes to capture it, then we need to be ready and willing to do what's necessary.”
Mia didn’t appear as comfortable with that possibility. Then again, she lacked Dani's warrior spirit. So did I, for that matter.
“I suggest we pick up the pace,” Dani said, and began to jog.
“The mapinguari is relatively slow-moving,” I said. “Speed is one of our advantages.”
“Good,” Dani called over her shoulder. “Then let's not waste it.”
We left the clearing and the trees thickened around us. I did my best not to get distracted by the beauty of the forest. It wasn't simply the trees that were mesmerizing. There were small slabs of granite amidst the towering trees. I started to wish that we could spend longer than a weekend here to soak up more of the scenery as well as the energy.
“Do I hear rushing water?” Dani asked.
The volume increased as we broke through the trees.
“Stars and stones,” Mia said. “Bryn, I thought you said there was no water here.”
Bryn stopped short. “I said there wasn’t much.”
We stood and stared in disbelief at the enormous chunk of sandstone. It had to be over twenty feet high and ten feet wide with a waterfall cascading from its top.
“This was formed by a very old glacier,” Bryn said, her gaze fixed on the monolith.
I stood perfectly still. Part of me wanted to genuflect in front of this ancient behemoth. No wonder this place was an energy vortex.
“This is one of the prettiest places I have ever seen,” Dani said. “Now I really wish Peter was here.”
A flash of movement atop the block of sandstone caught my eye. Although the color matched the sandstone, the sudden motion gave the mapinguari’s position away. I didn't sound the alarm straight away because I didn't want the creature to know it had been spotted. Instead I gave Bryn a gentle poke.
She turned to glare at me. “What was that for?” She jabbed a finger at the waterfall. “That's not very much water. It just seems like more because it’s vertical instead of horizontal. I said this was the best direction and it was the stench…” She paused and sniffed the air. “Oh, it's here, isn't it?”
Silently, I pointed toward the top of the block. The other witches nodded, understanding.
“Mia, can you give us a boost?” Dani asked quietly. The fact that the mapinguari had one eye meant that its other senses might be more acute to compensate.
Mia held out her hands and we formed a tight circle once more. Twenty feet was high, but I knew Mia was capable of it. She’d been practicing levitating to the top of the south tower at Spellslingers with a few other air witches. Apparently, they’d startled more than one occupant of the tower and were asked to provide warnings before they engaged in future extracurricular activities.
A gust of wind blew past us and the chill cut straight to my bones. A stronger influx of air quickly followed. I felt the pressure against my back as it wrapped around us like a blanket. It was a delicate balance—enough force to move us but also enough precision to move us upward rather than across. My feet slowly lifted off the ground and Mia gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. She knew I wasn't as comfortable leaving the earth as the others. It was tolerable with my friends connected to me, though. They gave me strength in so many ways.
We made it to the top of the sandstone, but there was no sign of the target. The mapinguari must have sensed our presence and fled the scene.
“There!” Dani said. “I see tracks.”
“We should separate,” Dani suggested. “If we each move in an arc, we can surround him before he gets any further.”
“Good idea,” I said. “But if you find yourself facing off with it, call for help. Don't try and take it on yourself.” I gave them each a pointed look. “I’m talking to all of you, not just Dani.”
Bryn saluted me. “I wouldn't dream of disobeying you, Mom. I wouldn't want to be punished.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “Your dessert would be the first to go.”
Bryn clutched her chest. “You are as cruel as you are beautiful.”
“She’s even upbeat and adorable when she’s threatening us,” Dani said. “Have you noticed that? I expect rainbows to shoot out of her wagging finger.”’
I groaned. “I cannot make rainbows shoot out of my finger.” Although that would be awesome.
“Spread out first,” Dani ordered. “Then we’ll start running. Don't hesitate to use a
weapon if necessary.”
“Only as a defensive measure,” I warned. “This creature hasn't hurt anyone. It's just a tracking exercise.”
Dani sprinted left before disappearing into the woods and the rest of us dispersed. I trekked over logs and around bushes, deliberately staying off the trail. It wasn't as though the mapinguari would use a manmade trail. I paused for a moment to soak up the energy around me. The air crackled with it. I crouched on the ground with my palms flat against the earth. My heart pounded as magic permeated my skin.
This seemed an ideal time to use my rune rocks. I pulled a handful from my pocket and sifted through them until I found the symbols for speed and strength. I dumped the other stones back in my pocket and rubbed my thumb over the symbols, performing a simple incantation. Magic sparked inside me and I took off.
As I raced through the forest, I made a mental list of possible spells to use against the mapinguari. The older spells were in Etruscan; they’d likely be the most useful against an ancient creature like this one.
A horrible smell smacked me in the face—the creature was close. I slowed my pace and heightened my senses as I headed up an incline. I knew it was capable of climbing trees, which meant that it could be lurking within striking distance of me. Not ideal with its sharp claws.
Up ahead I noticed the trees thinning out. If there was a clearing, then I could use it to do a sweep of the area. I froze when I reached the entrance to the clearing. I stood in stunned silence for a brief second before I tore my gaze away and retched into the nearest bushes. I prayed that what I’d glimpsed was an illusion, but when I looked back, the scene was the same. Bodies lay sprawled on the ground. There had to be at least ten. Had the mapinguari done this? If so, then it was far more dangerous than the wardens realized. I took a few steps backward, uncertain what to do. More bile rose in my throat as I braved a closer look at the bodies. They were twisted in strange positions and covered in short coarse hair. Shreds of clothing were strewn around them. Were they shifters? I took a cautious step toward them. I needed to call for help, but I didn’t want to alert the mapinguari to my presence. If it was capable of doing this, then I had no hope of subduing it, even with magic.
Leaves rustled behind me and my body trembled with fear as I turned to confront the sound. Something shot toward me and I reached for my wand, my speed amplified by the rune rock. I didn’t stand a chance though. Not when something else was even faster.
Chapter Four
A glowing lasso whipped around me and, for a brief moment I was too shocked to react. The golden rope burned my skin as it tightened around me and I cried out in protest.
“Don’t move,” a voice rumbled.
“Do I look like I can move?” I shot back. The more I wriggled, the more the rope singed me. “Get this thing off. It hurts.”
A man stepped into the clearing, holding the other end of the rope. At least he wasn’t the mapinguari. I saw the look of horror on his face as he processed the scene. “Holy hell. I suspected it was bad, but I didn’t realize it was this bad.”
“Please remove this rope,” I ground out.
“Why? So you can smite me, too? No thanks.”
“I’m a witch. We don’t smite.”
He cocked his head. “Really? And here I thought you were an angel coming to wreak your special brand of vengeance.”
“I had nothing to do with this,” I said. “I stumbled into this place and now I’m waiting for my friends to arrive.”
“So you can chow down together?” he asked, eyeing me closely. “A midday feast?”
“I’m a witch,” I said again, my agitation increasing.
“Some witches like the taste of human flesh,” the man said. My senses told me he was a werewolf. Maybe these bodies had belonged to his pack.
“That’s interesting,” I said, “because I live with an entire academy of them and no one has ever asked for a hot plate of human flesh in the cafeteria.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Which academy would that be?”
“Let me go and I’ll tell you,” I replied. This lasso was going to leave red, angry marks on my skin.
“No can do, sweetheart,” he said. “I’m with the League and it’s my job to contain magic in this world.” The League of Local Paranormals were the first responders to magical acts in the human world.
I bristled. “Please don’t use terms of endearment on women you don’t know. It’s inappropriate.”
His expression shifted from suspicion to amusement. “You’re standing in the middle of twelve naked dead bodies and you’re lecturing me on what’s appropriate?” He whistled. “That’s a lot of chutzpah in one tiny package.”
I stiffened. “Please don’t comment on my physical appearance either. Also inappropriate.”
“Callan? Did you locate the source?” a voice called. A woman emerged from the trees and came to stand beside him. Although he was tall, she was nearly a head taller with well-defined muscles and a strong chin. I had no doubt she was an Amazon. “Great Goddess! It’s a massacre.”
“I found this one at the scene,” Callan said, tugging on the lasso for good measure. “She’s a witch, Mona,” Callan said. “From Spellslingers.”
“I told you there was commotion in multiple areas,” Mona said pointedly.
“The proper paperwork was filed,” I told them. “We’re allowed to be here.”
“I doubt you filed the necessary paperwork for this.” Mona gestured to the dead dozen.
“I have no idea what happened,” I said. “Like I said, I was tracking a creature as part of a training exercise and ended up here.”
Mona’s lip curled. “What’s that awful smell? Have the bodies been here long enough to rot?”
“It’s not the bodies, it’s my target,” I replied. Above our heads, a tree branch shook and three heads snapped upward. The mapinguari peered down at us from the highest branch of the oak tree.
“What the hell?” Callan said.
“How could you not sense that thing, Callan? You’re a werewolf.” Mona gave him a look of disdain.
“That’s the creature I was tracking,” I explained. “The mapinguari. I told you it’s an academy exercise.”
Mona folded her arms. “And how do we know you didn’t order this creature to tear apart these twelve people?” She took a closer look at the naked bodies. “Men. Twelve men.”
Callan approached the nearest corpse. “They look too young to qualify as men. This one here doesn’t look a day over eighteen.”
Mona leaned over to examine the body. “Are we sure they’re completely human? Why do they have this weird hair?”
“I don’t know,” Callan said. “We’ll have to wait for the lab report.”
I couldn’t bring myself to glance at the bodies again. Once was enough. I kept my gaze fixed on the mapinguari. “I need you to release me so that I can capture Mr. Tree Hugger up there.”
Mona frowned. “You’re standing amidst a dozen corpses and you’re worried about what—your grade point average?”
“No,” I said slowly, “I’m worried about what that mapinguari will do to me if it attacks while I’m tied up like livestock.”
Callan cast a sidelong glance at his partner. “Thoughts?”
“Shouldn’t there be a third member of your team?” I asked. It was my understanding that the League worked as a trio.
“He’s coming,” Mona said. She rolled her eyes. “He’s not as in shape as he ought to be.”
“Cut the guy some slack,” Callan said. “He had knee replacement surgery.”
“Which a werebear shouldn’t even need,” Mona shot back. “He should be able to heal the knee without Terrene medicine.”
“A werebear?” I queried. “I thought the League trios needed at least one magic user.”
“Depends on the location,” Mona said. “Our office is short-staffed, so we take what we can get.”
On cue, a large man burst through the trees, looking like a human-shaped refri
gerator. He favored his left knee as he rushed over.
“Took your sweet time, Kendall,” Mona said.
Kendall ground to a halt when he spotted the bodies in the clearing. “Gods have mercy.” Then he sniffed the air and grimaced. “They look too fresh to stink like that. Is it poison?”
“No,” I said. “You smell that guy.” I inclined my head toward the mapinguari in the treetop.
Kendall folded his thick arms. “Well I’ll be a mapinguari’s uncle. I’ve never seen one of those up close and personal. Only in books. What’s he doing here?”
“It’s allegedly a training exercise,” Mona said, before I could get a word in.
Kendall scratched the back of his shaggy brown head. “So these fellas aren’t actually dead?”
“Oh no, they’re dead,” Callan said. “The lady here says it’s a coincidence.”
Kendall seemed to notice me for the first time. “Is that so? And who might you be, cutie pie?”
If I could have moved my hands, they would’ve been on my hips. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Callan smirked. “She doesn’t like terms of endearment.”
“She doesn’t like sexism,” I corrected him.
“We need to deal with these bodies,” Mona said. “Secure the perimeter.”
“Not until we’ve taken care of Donkey Kong,” Callan said, gesturing to the oak tree. “We can’t risk him contaminating the scene.”
“We also can’t risk him fleeing in case he’s responsible,” Mona said.
“If you think he’s responsible, then what’s this one doing in the lasso?” Kendall asked.
“I had to take precautions,” Callan said. “She was standing here looking at them. What else was I going to do? We can’t just release her. It’s against protocol.”
“Let me out of the rope and I can secure the area,” I said. “I’m an earth witch. I can create a ward around the clearing.”
Outwit: Spellslingers Academy of Magic (Enforcer of the East Book 1) Page 4
