The Leira Chronicles- The Complete Austin Series

by Martha Carr

  Perrom looked at his father, surprised. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say so much in one breath. Ever.”

  Leira let the energy pull them over the Noatak River as salmon jumped through the air and large bears stood at the curve, swatting large paws looking for dinner. They swooped down over a ring of mountains as a large herd of caribou seemed to sense a disturbance and ran, thundering across the ground, coming to rest in a green and snowy field.

  “There’s one last important feature to this part of the world.” She could sense it before she saw the deep inverted dry basin. A kemana. The energy swelled up to meet her. She could feel it come over them in translucent waves.

  “Take me back to terra firma.” The general was leaning forward on his toes, his eyes wide open watching the Alaskan tundra below.

  Leira took a deep breath and pulled back on the magic, gradually bringing them back. Alan felt the same whoosh and the wind knock out of him as the dark green of the Texas sanctuary reappeared in front of him. He held perfectly still, taking sips of air, waiting to regain his bearings.

  “Best damn trip I ever took!” crowed the general. “Is that what it’s like to have magic?” A look of awe was plastered on his face. “Where exactly is that preserve?”

  “About three hundred miles north of Fairbanks.”

  “That’s pretty damn remote.”

  “Then we have your support.” The Gardener crossed his arms across his chest. The wariness still crept into his voice.

  “You already did as soon as I saw that poor animal, but I appreciate the dog and pony show. Not too many people do such a fine job of it. You said you would need more than one. Where’s the other sanctuary? I take it someplace tropical. I’m sensing a practical theme of sorts. I take it even magic has its limits.”

  “Always…” Leira gave Correk a meaningful sidelong glance. “If we can place animals in the habitats where they belong, less magic is needed.”

  “Arrangements have been made to secure a chain of smaller islands near Kauai in Hawaii. Completely untouched.” Correk kept an eye on Alan as he spoke. Alan was finally taking in a deeper breath, smoothing down his hair as he glanced at Leira. I know that look. Correk arched an eyebrow and lifted his hand ever so slightly, sending a small zing of energy to poke Alan in the back.

  Alan started and whipped around to see what was trying him on for size, surprised to find nothing there. “Are there invisible things flying around in this place?”

  “Invisible somethings.” Leira glared at Correk. “Play nice with the humans,” she whispered.

  Correk gave a small shrug and let out a satisfied sigh.

  “Completely on board with one caveat,” said the general.

  The Gardener tensed, his fists clenching.

  “We keep this to a small circle. I have some autonomy within the PDF and can give the nod to this project, especially since it involves magic, but this can’t become public knowledge. It would get tangled up in congressional red tape that’s worse than dark magic. Nothing can untangle it.”

  Perrom stepped forward putting out his hand, his irises focused on the general. “Then we have a deal.”

  The general didn’t waver and shook the Wood Elf’s hand, giving him a hard nod as the scales along Perrom’s hand flipped back and forth to a wrinkled peach and back to a smooth honey brown.

  “Fascinating…” said the general. “The world has so much more to offer than we ever realized.”

  “And we are the stewards of it all.” The Gardener got on top of the oversized lion as he raised his great head, the antlers raising up, scratching against the bark of a tree stand a few feet away. The Gardener gave the lion a gentle nudge as he turned and took off at a sprint through the woods followed by the bison, rumbling along behind him, the twinkle of light from the machinery in his belly providing a marker until they were completely enveloped by the forest.

  “Couldn’t have said it better myself.” The general turned around and took out his phone, checking his compass. “Basic compass was one of the best inventions ever. Made map making possible. Time to head home everyone. We have work to do. Need to double our efforts to stop these bastards in their tracks and dry up their supplies.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  “We’re here.” Leira ignored the skeptical looks on everyone’s face as they piled out of their cars, looking up at the tall metal blue, red and yellow sign with a curvy drawing of a woman on the side and two dice in the middle. Casino El Camino Bar and Grille. World Famous Hamburgers. Hagan got out of the back of the green Mustang and looked up at the sign, squinting, a scowl on his face. “I don’t normally haunt the bars on 6th Street. Too many kids and tourists.”

  “Give it a chance, Hagan. You’re in the market for a new hang out.”

  Hagan crossed his arms over his belly and looked around, still frowning. “That’s not something you take lightly. A man’s home away from home takes years to find. You have to try a lot of places…”

  “How about we just go in.”

  “You didn’t do anything magical to the place, did you? That’d be cheating.” Hagan wiggled his fingers, both hands in the air.

  “Don’t ruin the moment with that. You know how I feel about magic hands.” Leira was resting her hand on the handle of the door, her other hand on her waist. “Come on, we need this after our last attempt at a get together. Besides, I saw how hard you took losing your man cave. That’s what they call that, right?”

  “Close enough.”

  The sidewalk was filled with people just starting their night, trying to get to the Roaring Fork or the Paramount Theater. Passerby weren’t really giving the Casino El Camino a second glance. Fine by me. Wait till Hagan gets inside… Leira felt a sudden sharp lurch in the center of her gut, knocking the wind out of her. The scar on her belly burned from the front straight to her back. She gripped the handle and gritted her teeth, focusing razor sharp on not letting the slightest bit of energy seep out. Not now. Not… now.

  She moved her head slowly, looking around for any telltale signs of the black mist seeping out of the sidewalk or swirling around her feet. The muscles in her neck strained as she worked at keeping at least a calm look on her face, her lips pressed together. I know what the fuck this is. This is gonna be a shit show. Her arm was pinned to her side, the other one still stretched out on the handle. Correk… Correk… His attention was caught elsewhere.

  He was getting out of the front seat of the Mustang and was looking back at the regulars parking their cars. He could hear them a half a block away.

  Leira turned her head back toward the door to the Casino El Camino and slowly shut her eyes. Please don’t let anyone come out of this door. Not now.

  Craig, Mike, Scott and Paul piled out of Mitzi’s small car stretching their legs.

  Paul arched his back, wincing. “Pretty sure something poked me in the back and laughed.”

  “That was me.”

  “What the hell were you poking me with?”

  “Like a damn clown car.”

  A sharp wind came up blowing dust and grit into Correk’s eyes as he squeezed them shut, rubbing them with his hands. A man in an expensive tailor-made suit brushed past Craig, shoving Mike to the side with his shoulder as he kept walking, his cufflinks glittering in the early evening sun. Charlie Monaghan was making a beeline up the street to the Driskill Hotel. His eyes were a dark black and his expression was blank as he marched toward his destination.

  “Hey, watch where you’re going!” Mike raised his arm, but Charlie kept going, not even glancing back at him.

  “Some people…”

  “Let it go. He looks late for an appointment.”

  “Still no excuse.”

  Leira felt the darkness ease as the pain along her stomach faded and she could loosen her grip on the handle of the door. What the fuck was that? She looked back at the street, shaken at the thought of the dark mist finding her out in the open.

  The regulars were still arguing amongst
themselves as Mitzi locked the car with a loud beep, doing her best to ignore them. “I played Abba the whole way so I didn’t hear them in the back.” Correk nodded trying to smile as he wiped his eyes again. He turned to look at Leira, the smile fading from his face. He stopped himself from running to her side and drawing attention to her. Instead, he focused on her energy and felt the traces of dark magic and the glittering trail it left, stretching up 6th Street, following the older man in the suit. Something about him looks familiar. Charlie was in the distance and didn’t look to either side. All that could be seen was his bobbing head and dark suit as he got further and further away.

  Correk looked at Leira as he worked on an excuse to break away and follow him to someplace where he could use magic, and learn more but Leira shook her head hard, staring resolutely into his eyes. Never wanted Perrom’s four-eyes so much before this moment.

  Just up the street an older Chevrolet pulled up to the curb and parked, doing a perfect parallel park on the first try. The door opened and the young Wizard, Ernie stepped out, the silver streak cutting a large swath through the middle of his dark hair. An older Wizard got out of the passenger side and looked around, taking in Correk and Leira down in front of the bar. “We need to get going. Our target is not far but we could lose him if we don’t hurry.”

  “Hang on, they’re calling. Hello, this is number two hundred and one. Yep, we saw him. There’s others in the area. Leira Berens is here. No, no shit, Peter. You’re not supposed to talk like that over official airwaves. I don’t think she wants your number. Besides, she’s with that tall, geeky Elf. You know, the one from the bowling alley. This is how you got yourself stuck on answering phones in the first place.”

  “Hang it up!” The Wizard was getting testy. Never easy training the new ones even if they did survive the world in between.

  “Gotta go! No, I’m not getting her picture. Hanging up now.” Ernie hung up, sliding his phone into his pocket and glanced back at Correk and Leira as he took off after Charlie Monaghan, the older Wizard right behind him.

  Craig gave a shudder and pulled his vest’s collar closer around his neck. “Whew! Just had a chill run down my back. That was weird.”

  “It’s spring, dude. Cold happens.” None of the others seemed to notice the remains of the darkness.

  “You need to air out those dogs of yours once in a while. I could smell your feet the entire ride.”

  “That was not me.”

  “Quit your complaining. You guys could have driven yourself.” Mitzi’s mouth was pulled up on one side and she was busy giving all of her passengers the side eye.

  “Mitzi, we’re buying your beer tonight.” Craig grabbed her by the shoulders, smiling. “Thank you for driving us.”

  Scott elbowed Mike. “Right, yeah, we’re buying your beer.” He put his hand up to his face and whispered to Scott. “But I’m taking an Uber home.”

  The women got out of Cassidy’s blue Dodge minivan, parked just down the street clapping their hands and chattering amongst themselves.

  “Love road trips.”

  “Not much of a road trip from Rainey Street. More of a short jaunt.”

  “Take my picture under the sign. Can you get it all in? Stand further back.”

  “Oooh, let me get in there too.”

  Estelle slid out of the front passenger seat and walked up, taking a long look around as she lit a cigarette and stood near the curb.

  Correk watched the street as the other men gave up and went on inside. He saw the two Silver Griffins and felt himself tense. This is getting to be a crowded street. Who was that man?

  “I can use a beer and a burger. After you…” Mike held open the door, waving in his friends as a couple holding hands slid in behind them. The man had a tattoo of an ancient battle down both arms and the woman had roses tattooed along her neck.

  Leira waved at the women, trying to get them to move along. “It’s like they’ve never been on 6th Street before.” Correk stayed by her side, a wave of anger rolling through him. I failed her. I didn’t even sense it.

  “I’m fine, really. Let it go. We’re here to have a good time. Whatever it was, it’s passed.” Leira watched Estelle blow perfect round O’s as she looked up the street sensing the trail of dark magic that still lingered. Can’t check it but I know you’re there. Leira shook out her hands and brushed her bangs off her face. “No work tonight if we can help it. I’m going to have to insist on that. Besides, too many regulars hanging nearby.”

  Estelle looked up at Leira and gave her a wink as she blew out a long stream of smoke.

  “You think Estelle is okay? I mean, she’s family to me. All that smoking.”

  “That’s at least one thing I can do for you tonight.” Correk looked to see if the women were paying attention to him but their backs were turned to him and Estelle was looking out at the street. He pulled in enough energy, shading his eyes to hide the light in them and let the magic slowly roll up and around Estelle.

  “What are you doing? That’s kind of a creepazoid move. If she ever catches you.” Leira was shaking her head at him. “Stop before she finally proves she’s some kind of magical force we never heard of and turns you into a frog.”

  “Still not magical and no ill effect from all those cigarettes. Not a bit.” He pulled back the magic and dropped his hand, watching her. “Like a force of nature.”

  “That’s not human. Not a single bad something?”

  “Not a one. Don’t know what to tell you. She’s the exception.”

  “That part makes sense. She’s the exception to just about every rule.”

  “Gribbet.”

  “Too soon.” Leira gave a crooked smile. “I still want you by my side in any kind of fight.” Leira held up her fist. “Come on, fist bump. Yeah, it’s a thing. Hold up your fist.”

  Correk smiled and held up his fist as Leira bounced her fist off his, and opened her hand wide, pulling it back. “Kapow….”

  “That’s awfully close to Hagan’s magic hands.”

  “Not even.”

  Correk did his best to shake off the feeling of darkness that still lingered. He looked up at the metal sign. “Ambitious. Burgers known round the world. You would have thought we’d have heard about them on Oriceran. What? Why are you poking me?” Correk frowned and held out his hands to defend himself from Leira. “I’m happy to be here. Always willing to try a good burger.”

  “That’s been well established.”

  Estelle looked unfazed by the swirl of activity around her. Her cat-eye sunglasses with the sparkles in the corners were planted firmly on her face and dramatic dark brows drawn on just above them. Leira noted that Estelle had broken out the bright red lipstick and some of her taller platform shoes. Her red bouffant was as usual, firmly in place.

  “Estelle looks like she came to play hard tonight. There have been plenty of days when she’s been my inspiration to go kick some ass and believe in a better day.”

  “I’m glad she was there to stand in the gaps.”

  “Okay, enough of this. The dark willies have passed. Party on, come on.” Leira opened the door as Estelle stubbed out her cigarette and picked up the butt, following behind them.

  “I thought we could use a break and take a night off from rock ‘em sock ‘em world battles.” Leira stepped into the darkened bar despite the bright sunlight outside. She stepped aside for Hagan to come through, followed by Correk and Estelle. “Welcome to Casino El Camino…” Leira held out her arms in a grand, sweeping gesture.

  Correk watched Hagan turn in a circle, a smile growing across his face.

  “This was very nice of you to find him another dark, questionable bar with I’m assuming its own charm.”

  “And then some. He’s going to wonder why he stayed so long at Barfly’s when this place existed right on 6th Street. I did some checking around to find it. Look at the place, it’s perfect!”

  There were gargoyles of every size placed strategically around the room, so
me hanging from the top of the bar. Correk smiled at Leira, an eyebrow arched. “Reminds me of a pub Perrom took me to in the Dark Forest.”

  “Just wait…”

  In the center of the room was a fountain of a stone Aztec skeleton statue with water pouring out of his head. The bar was fairly empty with a few tables filled with millennials in various stages of piercings and tattoos mixed in with some who could remember Nixon and Agnew.

  “Upstairs they show old B movies and this juke box plays music I didn’t know I had to hear till I found this place and stayed way too long.” Leira’s words all ran together in her enthusiasm and her hands danced around as she talked. Correk felt himself relax even as he scanned the bar looking for any possibilities of trouble.

  Leira followed his gaze. “Relax. You’re here with two agents and one crafty old broad and at least one retired Marine. The building is secure. You can enjoy yourself. Now, look at this jukebox! There’s a song in here by the only blues guy to get in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for playing the harmonica. The harmonica, dude. Fucking blows my mind.”

  “Great, I’ve been around you so long that I feel better when you’re swearing. It’s like a thermometer at this point.”

  “There’s even a single from Jackie Venson. Best young blues guitarist in Austin. Saw her at the One 2 One Club.”

  Hagan was up at the bar leaning over someone’s shoulder looking at their plate in front of them. “That’s one burger?” He bit his lower lip. “Looks pretty good.”

  The man was wearing a short-sleeved shirt despite the season and his muscular arms were covered in tattoos of an olive branch with olives on one arm and doves in flight on the other. He put out his calloused hand to Hagan and said, “Take a seat. This joint’s been waiting for you. What are you misting up there? Are those tears? I feel ya. Had the same reaction when I found the place.”

  Correk nudged Leira. “It’s like you gave him an early birthday present. Look how happy you made the big man.”