The Immortal Takes a Wife

by Pamela Labud

  “I guess there’s no way of knowing which side of the universe this bounty hunter falls on.”

  Matty grimaced. “It used to be so easy telling the good guys from the bad guys.”

  “Well,” Max said, “if you don’t figure things out soon, you’re not going to have to worry about it.”

  #

  “Nice day, huh?” Hawke said to the gardener, a young dwarf Warlock who’d been busy pruning the strawberry plants. He was out in the small garden, soaking up the sunlight, and trying to keep from panicking.

  “Yes, sir,” he said. Not even looking up from where he was cutting back the plant and pulling up weeds that had gathered at the base of the plants.

  “Right,” Hawke sighed. He couldn’t believe that he was stuck in this gawd awful place. It was his own fault. Going against Remmington had been a stupid move. He couldn’t save Daris because she didn’t want to be saved, he told himself for the hundredth time.

  The pressure was beginning to build up inside him again. The headaches were starting to come back again, too. Time was running out. Pretty soon he’d have to shift or die. And the last time he’d shifted, Daris had paid the price.

  “Dammit,” he said, rubbing his eyes. Pretty soon he wouldn’t be able to fight off the shift and if he went full on hybrid, the Warlock side of him was going to kick ass and take names. People were going to get hurt. And there wouldn’t be a thing he could do about it.

  Deciding that his foray into the garden wasn’t going to do him much good, Hawke turned to head back into the house. He was shocked to find someone coming up the walk and heading straight toward him.

  “Hello, Hawke,” Dax Remmington said to him. He was standing by the garden gate, arms folded and wearing a smirk. “Surprised to find you here.”

  “Drax,” Hawke said, his throat going dry and his knees feeling a weak. What are you doing?”

  “The question is, what about you? You were supposed to bring me Matty Hyland this morning. What happened?”

  Hawke rubbed his chin. “It seemed prudent to lay low for a couple more days, in case whatever destroyed Grogan comes looking for me.”

  “Still hiding like a coward.”

  Hawke shrugged. “I was going to call you.”

  “Right. Well, now you can save your dime.”

  “Quarter. It’s a quarter, now.”

  “Whatever. So, you going to hand him over, or what?’

  “Do you want me to get him now? Or, are you coming in to take him?”

  Remmington stood there for a moment. A thick bodied were-gorilla, he glared at Hawke for a few seconds.

  “I wouldn’t get too high and mighty if I were you,” Matty said from behind him. “You’re on private property, and the ephemerals don’t like anybody threatening their guests.”

  Hawke turned to see his bounty and said bounty’s twin brother standing in the doorway to the Inn, shoulder to shoulder. One light, one dark and both of them looking like they could cause some damage.

  But the real trouble came from the young woman who stood between them. Short, redhead, who wore a dark robe and sensible shoes, she definitely commanded a higher level of magic.

  Reaper.

  “What’s she doing here?” Remmington demanded.

  “That’s none of your business, underling. You’re out of your jurisdiction and you’ve no right to be here.”

  “See here,” he growled, “I’m collecting my prisoner. He’s got warrants.”

  “In Underworld, maybe, but not here. You’ve no power in Nocturne Falls.” She crossed her arms. “Unless you’d like me to get the local law enforcement involved, I suggest you leave?”

  Remmington stepped back. “You’d better think this over, Hawke. If you don’t take care of this, you know who’s going to pay.”

  Suddenly a burst of smoke popped up from the ground and when it disappeared, he was gone.

  “So melodramatic.” Max coughed.

  “I thought people stopped using smoke exits back in the sixteen hundred’s.” Matty said

  “Gentlemen, please,” the woman said. Moving to stand in front of Hawke, she lifted her scythe up in front of her. “Tell us your business here.”

  Hawke realized that this was one powerful Reaper and the last magical being he wanted to cross energy streams with at the moment.

  “I’m here as a bounty hunter only, and that man is my bounty. I was supposed to take him in to Remmington but for some reason, I can’t bring myself to do it, just yet.”

  “Admit it,” Matty said. “I’m starting to grow on you.”

  “Hardly. The problem is, there’s something going on and until I’m sure it’s safe to do so, I’m keeping him under wraps right now.”

  “You know,” the other twin said, “You could go through proper legal channels. I’m betting the warrants on my brother have no validity. All you have to do is go to the courthouse and they’ll set you right. Remmington barely holds a license in Underworld.”

  “I’m just trying to get paid.”

  Holly moved closer and examined him head to foot. “I see it now. Very clearly

  “See what?” Hawke asked.

  “Bad magic. It’s all over you.”

  Her words were simple and stabbed him like a knife. Of course, she was right. Well, mostly right.

  “I’ve got it under control.”

  “Are you sure?”

  For that moment, it was just the two of them, circle of energy rising up around them. Hawke felt it tighten, like a snake, it coiled tighter and tighter until he thought he would suffocate.

  “Stop it.” He felt his own power lash out, breaking the imaginary bonds that held him.

  The woman stepped back, momentarily stunned, but she didn’t fall down. Instead, she moved closer. “Is this what you want? To hurt? To maim? To kill?”

  Hawke lost his breath. “No,” he croaked. “I never wanted any of this. I just want to be left alone.”

  She shook her head. “It’s not possible and you know it. You are what you are.”

  It was true, and Hawke knew it to the very core of his being. “What do you want from me?”

  A simple enough question on the surface.

  “I want you to leave. Nocturne Falls. Underworld. This whole plane of existence.”

  He swallowed. “I can’t. I won’t.”

  She looked at him then. “Then you need to prepare yourself. It’s going to get ugly.”

  “Lady, it’s always been ugly. That’s nothing new for me.”

  With that he moved forward, knocking back her energy field like it was made of lace paper and then past the onlookers.

  “Get yourself ready, Hyland. We’re going back to Underworld at dusk.” Once he was inside he let out a breath. “And the powers that be help us all.”

  Chapter Eight

  Fiona sat alone in the common room. The drapes were pulled closed and the lighting was dim, and she felt like maybe she’d been transported to another planet. One that was filled with silence and shadows.

  “Hey,” Matty said from the door. “Want some company?”

  Fiona looked up to see him, framed in the doorway, dim light silhouetting him and giving him an ethereal appearance. He was beautiful, she thought. Tall and lean, yet muscular, every angle of his body pristine.

  The truth was, even now, after the years they’d been together, he took her breath away. The Matty that she loved was still there and that cut even deeper into her soul.

  “I’m afraid I’m not good company right now. I might break into a dirge at any moment.”

  He chuckled. “I’ll risk it.”

  It had been an old joke between them. They’d spent a month on the ocean together. He’d loved sailing and for a time, when they were new, she’d loved everything about him. They’d sat up late one night, drinking rum and plotting the next leg of their journey by the stars, the way the sailors of old had once done. He’d accused her of being a
romantic and she’d accused him of being a drudge and he’d threatened to break out into a dirge.

  So many times, they’d laughed over their little joke. It had been a moment of joyful clarity in what had become so clouded and convoluted between them.

  What difference did it make now? She thought. Resigned, she patted the sofa seat beside her.

  “Then come at your own risk, mate.”

  He sank into the cushion beside her. Even now, she could feel the heat of him. It didn’t take her superior sense of smell to tell her he carried the heady scent of leather and spice after shave. She reveled in the essence of what was Matty.

  “We don’t have to give up on us, you know,” he said, in a velvet tone. “I mean, I know I’ve said this before. It’s never been truer. I love you, Fiona.”

  His words cracked open her old wounds like a chisel cutting through split stone. She was too tired to argue with him anymore. There was no hope.

  What was the point?

  And if she could recognize that, why couldn’t he?

  “It doesn’t look like things are going to go well for a while. Remmington was here earlier and he threatened Hawke. He’s gonna take me and I think I’m going to go with him.”

  “You’re going to do what?”

  “I’m going to give myself up. Max and Holly think it’s a weak case against me, anyways. Best for me to deal with this and you not become involved.”

  She pulled back from him. “So, that’s how you’re going to get out of this? You’re going to give up just so you can get away from me? Oh, that’s rich.”

  Fury swept through her like a five-alarm fire.

  “Wait, you think I’m doing this to get away from you? How messed up is that?”

  “Really? You think I’m to blame?”

  “I’m doing this for you, Fi. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  “Oh, right. You’re sacrificing for me. How kind you are.” She turned to face him. “Why don’t you admit it? You’d rather go to prison than be shackled to me.”

  His mouth fell open and it looked as if he were about to speak, but no words came forth. Instead, sadness covered his expression.

  “I’m sorry you think that,” he said at the last.

  As if she needed to be reminded of their strife. “It’s okay, Matty. I don’t blame you, not really. We’re just too different.”

  Unable to take any more, she started to get up but felt his hand on her arm.

  “Don’t…” he started but no other words came out.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, and she truly was. She paused, leaning forward, her weight shifted to her haunches, ready to launch herself from the sofa, waiting…for what, she wasn’t sure of. Anything, really. An angry word, a grunt, a growl, something that put the final latch on the door of their relationship.

  But nothing came, and letting out a breath, she rose to stand and not daring look back, less he see the tears gathering.

  Tears, after all were a sign of weakness. The last thing she wanted anyone, let alone Matty, to see, was her lack of strength.

  “Okay, then,” he said at last.

  There it was. Not only was the door to his feelings shut, but the blinds were drawn and the lights were out.

  Fiona gathered up the last shreds of her dignity and took, slow measured steps, first across the room, then pausing only to pull open the common room door. Stepping out into the hall, she pulled the door shut behind her, that final sound of wood against wood, door knob engaging, was the ending sounds of the last remnants of their life together.

  When she looked up, Hawke was standing at the opposite end of the hall.

  “Need a ride back to town?”

  She looked up at him, his long lean body, devilishly handsome brown hair and eyes the color of brimstone inviting her to come closer. Fiona knew the cost of what he was selling, and she wanted none of it.

  It wasn’t as if he was unattractive, he was. But, he did nothing for her. A hot guy with no appeal to her what so ever. No. He was not her type. She was more into the tall, lean guy with bleached blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, a crooked smile and a wicked sharp sense of sarcasm.

  “No thanks. I need to go on a run. I’m gonna go pack up my stuff, and head out.”

  “If you’d like, but it might be safer if you had a companion…”

  “Safe isn’t what I want, right now, thanks just the same. In the mood I’m in, let ‘em come at me. I could do with a little challenge.”

  “That bad, is it?”

  “Worse. Besides, there’s nothing in Nocturne Falls that I have to be afraid of.”

  “Right. Well, you’ve got my number if you change your mind?”

  She stopped up short. “Just how did I get your number?”

  He gave her a mischievous grin. “Oh, didn’t I tell you? I went through your things after we first arrived. I took the liberty of putting myself on your contact list.”

  “Really. Well, trust me, it won’t be in there for long.” With that she crossed her arms and stormed past him. “Some people have all the nerve,” she muttered under her breath. She didn’t let herself smile that tiny bit until she was well past him. In other circumstances the guy would have cracked her up.

  Sadly, that was not the case. Things couldn’t possibly have gotten any worse.

  She took the stairs, two at a time, and pulled open the bedroom door, and what awaited her on the other side, took her breath away.

  “It can’t be…”

  The woman she hated most in the world, sat on the bed and grinned up at her.

  “Hello, darling! So good to see you. Oh, you’re not still mad about me stealing Matty from you, are you?”

  #

  “I’m such a loser,” Matty said, leaning back into the couch. After that morning’s episode in the garden, he’d spent the day alone. Matty hadn’t seen Fiona all day, and Hawke had left after lunch. Said something about trading in his SUV.

  So, Matty had spent the day alone, depressed because he knew he was losing Fiona.

  Of course, she wants to cut him loose. Why wouldn’t she?

  “Is there anything you require, sir?” The gnome/butler said, suddenly appearing beside him. Three feet tall, pointy hat notwithstanding, he had slicked back silver hair, a full gray beard and mustache and was dressed in butler’s attire. He looked as if someone had taken a footman and put him in a hot dryer without the fabric sheet and shrunk him to half of his original size.

  The gnome must have been around two hundred years old, as his wrinkles had wrinkles.

  “Not unless you can get my girlfriend back.”

  “I’m sorry, sir, but she has left Branson House. Is there anything else you require? A cocktail, perhaps, or massage. We even have aroma therapy.”

  The irony of the moment wasn’t lost on him. Nocturne Falls was a magical place, and he’d lived a very long time walking among men alone. To come to this place and find others who were as different, as he was, had been welcome. At least in the beginning.

  “I’m good,” he said.

  With that, the Gnome nodded once and then disappeared.

  Leaning back on the sofa, Matty closed his eyes. He remembered his first days here, how he’d gotten into trouble with the local police, and had ducked into a small boutique and right into the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. And, he’d seen a lot of women.

  “Excuse you,” she said, her voice a low, sexy brogue. “You need to watch yourself.”

  He was so enthralled by her presence that he almost missed the fact that already, her wolfish veil had begun to fall. Thick, crimson hair, eyes the color of brimstone and a face that was both inviting and dangerous.

  “I apologize.”

  “You should,” she snapped. “Clumsy oaf.”

  She started to turn away, but he slid around to stand in front of her. “How about I make it up to you? A cup of coffee, perhaps? Or, something a little stronger. You know, coff
ee, tea or… me?”

  He wriggled his eyebrows at her and caught just the hint of a grin tugging at her beautiful mouth.

  “Really? First, you almost knock me down and then you hit on me?”

  “I’m not a man who likes to take the long road.”

  “Obviously.” She shook her head. “You’re cute and all, but I’ve just come off of a bad relationship, and I’m not looking to hook up.”

  “Right. Coffee it is, then.”

  Her mouth fell open and she gaped at him. “You’re really too much.”

  “Aren’t I? So, come on. What do you say? You and I, a latte, caramel, whatever you prefer?”

  “Howler’s, and I’m in the mood for a margarita.”

  “Done.”

  He started to turn around and saw the police car pull up. Hating to miss a chance with this woman, he coughed and ducked his head down. “Is there a back door to this place?”

  She said nothing, but only shook her head and pointed to the back of the store.

  That had been their beginning, and Matty couldn’t help but wish they were brand new again. How much fun they’d had together, how many times they’d come so close to the altar, and how many times he’d broken promise after promise to her.

  Well, no more. He was going to get her back and he was going to marry her. Just convincing her of it was another matter entirely, but he wasn’t going to give up.

  Just then there was a knock on the door. “There you are,” Max said. “I’ve been calling and calling. Do you have your phone on?”

  Matty patted his pocket. “Uh, no. I must have left it in the bedroom.”

  “Well, you better get it. Trouble has just hit town and it has your name on it.”

  A stone of dread settled in Matty’s stomach. Of all the problems he was having right now, his ex-ex-ex-girlfriend, Tasha Reynolds was not a complication he needed at the moment.

  “Does Fiona know she’s here?”

  “Know? Fiona invited her out to lunch.”

  “Oh, wow.”

  Max shook his head. “I can’t imagine the two of them together, but I just got the call from Reaper-girl, and she’s doing what she can to keep them civil.”