Shift (Strangetown Magic Book 2)

by Al K. Line

  She led us across a beautiful meadow in her usual utterly composed manner, her not talking much, us running and skipping about, picking flowers, all the time our anticipation building. I can still smell the flowers, see Robin's face all flushed with curiosity and astonishment at the chance to run wild, the twinkle in her eyes.

  This woman, the one that calls herself our mother, and who I keep being drawn to like a satellite around a planet, she led us to a huge hole in the ground and got us to climb down a ladder. We stood in the middle of this pit, and there we were. Two girls in their summer dresses, flushed with the joy of youth, a rare opportunity to have fun and nothing to do with magic that we both loved yet grew tired of because the training was all-encompassing.

  Details are recalled as if I were in my mother's position. I see us standing there all eager with our gangly limbs, knobbly knees, the beginnings of womanhood upon us, us unaware she was ruining our bodies forever. It's strange, these kind of memories, like when you look at a photograph and you can remember standing there, seeing yourself as you smile, although you could never have remembered it like that as you're the one having the picture taken. It's like you were behind the camera seeing the scene.

  So there we were, standing side by side, holding hands and waiting for our treat. Wondering why we were in the pit but trusting our mother, thinking maybe something cool was about to happen. But the ladder was withdrawn and the joy faded. I got this churning in my belly as the mirth vanished and then we were both scared, realizing that this wasn't how you had fun.

  Then the dog handlers came and my mother nodded at them. We shouted and screamed and cried and wailed as the dogs growled and the two men tried to control the rabid beasts. You could see their rib cages, and I understood that they were starving hungry and wild and ferocious. Scars and cuts on their bodies and snouts telling us that these were fighting dogs and that they'd rip us to pieces.

  But still we trusted her, didn't believe she'd let them into the pit with us, that she was teaching us a lesson of some kind. And then she said, "Throw them in," and the two men shrugged then quickly unclipped the leads from the dogs along with the muzzles and they each kicked their dog into the pit with heavy boots caked in mud.

  That's our mother for you, the kind of woman she is. The strength she has, the absolute will and fortitude. She is Witch Queen for a reason, and that reason is because she has utter confidence in herself, in her abilities. She will accept nothing but the best, especially when it comes to her children. Even if it means risking their lives in the worst way possible.

  I hated her that day, and the hate has never left. She has done worse over the years, much worse, and I'm sure I've forgotten a lot of it, but I remember that day. I remember the smell of the meadow, the summer dresses, the happiness I shared with my sister that turned sour. Mostly, I remember the look on my mother's face as she told two men to throw rabid dogs into a pit with her young daughters so they could prove they'd learned how to control the magic they were being taught how to wield.

  We killed the dogs, and I can recall the bloody aftermath as vividly as the look on her face. I see the dogs in the dirt, bodies blasted, holes in their hides exposing raw muscle. Them breathing heavily, panting with their tongues lolling out the side as they died. Robin and I crying, unable to look away as the animals shuddered, two starving creatures turned into something violent whether they wanted it or not. Sounds familiar, right?

  And she nodded at us, face neutral, no show of emotion, then told one of the men to lower the ladder.

  We climbed out with our heads bowed, gripping each other's hand so tight I wondered if we'd fused our bones together and never be apart again, sniffling and crying, but waiting for something. For praise even after the way she'd treated us. For a hug, for a smile. For something.

  "Let's go," was all she said before walking ahead of us across the meadow, the sun in front of her. We followed the silhouette of this woman through a meadow of flowers and grass, but the flowers had lost their beauty, and we had lost the last vestiges of our innocence, our youth.

  That day, more than any other, was to set the path our future would take. I have often wondered how it didn't make Robin and I closer, and in one way it did, but it also drove a wedge between us.

  I think that even to this day we have a fear of being together, being too close, as it could mean something bad will happen. That if we let our guard down and truly enjoy being close, then something will come along and ruin it, for good this time.

  Maybe that's why there are times when I can't stand to see her. Yes, she is annoying, with her calmness, her beauty, her airs and graces that I feel are an affectation—and yes, I know I'm judging her, and harshly—but I think that even if I'm not consciously recalling that day so long ago it's there in the back of my mind.

  Don't get too close, don't build up your hopes, don't think that you can just enjoy your sister's company. Because if you do, if you think for one minute you can have that, well, something nasty is gonna pounce and try to take it all away from you.

  Why this story? Why now? Because we are connected, that's why. I have two tattoos, one on each shoulder. One is a link to all Justices in Strangetown, the other is to my sister. Each can call or be called, can transfer basic information, telling me the location of other Justices, of my sister, if I am needed, even where, an image coming into my mind of what is expected, what I am needed for.

  The Justice tattoo is mandatory, and I believe just a way for Levick and those like him to keep track of us and know if we are doing our jobs or not. The other, the one that matches Robin's, was our attempt, no, our promise, to never lose the connection we have, even when so much tries to break us apart, including our own stubbornness and faults. It was calling to me.

  My sister needed me, and she may drive me nuts, infuriate me and make me want to slap her silly at times, but that's all surface detail. Because, when you get right down to it, she is the only person I truly love and I will stomp on anyone or anything that harms a hair on her annoyingly perfect head.

  We have been together my whole life, inseparable even when we've been at opposite ends of the earth. No way could a jungle stop me answering her call.

  So I picked up my pace and I went to answer my sister's request for help.

  Eek

  Why didn't Robin call me on the phone? I wondered how bad things were as I made my way as fast as possible through the strange new world. Leaves like oversized gloves wrapped themselves around my face, only my continual movement stopping them from getting a firm enough grip to ensnare me. Creepers whipped out of nowhere, stinging my arms and legs, and thick roots of fig trees hid beneath the cover of the forest, trying to snap my ankle and leave me there alone, a meal for the meat-eating forest.

  The temperature rose. I was sweatier than a Yeti in a sauna, and stank even worse. I dashed past astonished people, making them jump as they made their way through the undergrowth, but they looked just as bad as me. Exhausted and lost, unsure how to make it to wherever they were going.

  Then the next thing I knew I'd find myself out in the open, a small pocket of normality where houses were untouched and the street was clear, but surrounded by the dense growth that skipped a section of the city for some reason. I forged on, back into the nightmare, crouching, jumping, even swinging in places, feeling like Jane, my Tarzan running around naked somewhere, hopefully coming to his senses and knowing I wanted to speak to him.

  I found breathing hard as the air was so thick and heavy, the sweet smell turning sour, the stench of decay rather than the perfume of earlier. Already plants were dying, rotting away quickly with the cycle of life on fast-forward, everything condensed into a few days rather than years or centuries. Was it coming to an end after a single day? I hoped so, but knew it wasn't the case. Not judging by the fact the floor was crawling with saplings growing before my eyes and that some of the larger plants showed no signs of stopping growing, let alone dying.

  And then I was clear, in open sp
ace at the large plaza outside the town hall, entirely clear of the jungle that encircled it.

  It had to be because of the Strange from the Rift, that much was now evident. Maybe that explained the other pockets of untouched city? That they were places Strange had congregated or resided for a while, or still did? My house was an exception as I'd just moved in, not enough time for the repellent factor to have built up to be strong enough.

  The plaza had been home to endless Strange, lost, unsure what to do or where to go, only that they had to be somewhere so it was as good a place as any. Now they were gone. All that remained were the makeshift hovels, the washing stalls, and the oversized toilet facilities they'd set up to keep themselves slightly comfortable.

  Soldiers were dismantling what was still standing, but I ignored them, and ran to the fountain I'd tripped into what felt like a lifetime ago. I plunged my head straight in, gasping at the cool water, reveling in the drop in temperature. There were no Strange creatures swimming in it now, just the coins on the bottom, signs of wishes made—I hoped some had come true.

  I pulled out, shaking my head, letting the glorious water run down my body, impossible to get any wetter because I was soaked with the humidity.

  Taking in the plaza properly, I noted the soldiers, not as many as I'd expected, and several top brass, mostly glaring at the jungle while involved in heated discussions. There were piles of supplies, dropped by helicopter, but it was clear nobody really knew what to do, how to react to this.

  Maybe they'd leave. They certainly weren't doing us any favors, but it was doubtful, at least for now. There were locals, too, talking to each other, some Normal, others Strange, with small groups chatting with the soldiers who seemed pleased enough to have a distraction. There was a distinct lack of purpose, though, and I guess that was because they had no idea what to do. What could they do? Tell the jungle to go back where it came from, that the army was here so it better behave?

  My tattoo flared up again, the urgency increasing, so I walked up the steps to the building and frowned at the two soldiers who barred my way.

  "My sister's in there and she needs me," I said, wishing I had my usual Justice outfit on rather than looking like someone searching for a nice spot to sunbathe.

  "Doesn't mean you can go in," said a soldier.

  "Look, I'm a Justice, so is she. I want to speak to someone in charge." I showed them my tattoo and the other one said, "Wait here. What's your name?"

  I told him and he disappeared inside, leaving me with the other guy. We waited in silence, him looking professional, me looking anything but. Knowing I had to stay calm, and just to wind him up a little, I assumed the position, acting like I was guarding the place with him.

  A few minutes later, after an uncomfortable silence that was getting to me—I was ready to say something stupid just to break the tension—the soldier exited the building and said, "They'll see you now."

  I nodded and went inside, wondering if I was being extra stupid as Robin was in danger in here, or extra brave for not letting them intimidate me.

  One look inside and I knew I'd been extra stupid.

  Naughty Soldiers

  "You think I'm asking for it now, yah?" asked Robin, as an angry Lieutenant Major—which wasn't good as it meant there would be six hundred, maybe more, soldiers in Strangetown—red-faced and pulling at his collar, slapped a group of soldiers around the head one by one while Robin lifted her captive higher in the air. Veins popped along the length of her slender arm, looking all sweetness and smiles even as she shook the poor guy.

  "I'm so sorry about this, miss, I don't know what's come over them all. Right, you lot, outside and get to your duties. I want this plaza clean enough for you ugly, filthy, depraved beasts to eat your dinner off. Because you can damn well bet that's exactly what you'll be doing. You disgust me, the lot of you."

  He shouted, "Quick march," and even I had a hard job not obeying. They filed out, doing that funny stomping of the feet thing all soldiers seem to enjoy. He turned back to Robin and her captive. "And as for you, Private Thomas, I have a good mind to let this lady here, and she is a lady, snap your scrawny neck and be done with you."

  "I'm sorry, Lieutenant Major, don't know what came over me. I didn't mean nuffin' by it, really I never. Sorry, miss, won't happen again."

  "It better not," warned Robin, shaking her head a little so her hair tumbled just right. Seems like she'd got her composure back and was now coping with the heat just fine. Although, it was nice and cool inside, so maybe that would help.

  As the harassed Lieutenant Major waited rather angrily for Robin to decide the man's future, she lowered her captive a little so he was still off the ground but could look her in the eye, and said, "If you ever touch me again, or even think about doing it to another woman, I'll hunt you down and blast you with magic so that every inch of your skin peels away. And I'll make certain you'll be awake to see it happen. Understand?"

  "Yes, ma'am, sorry. I apologize."

  Robin flung him clear across the room. He hit the wall with a loud thud, but he got up, saluted to Robin, then the Lieutenant Major, and was out the door faster than Mack if there was free lava.

  "What was that all about?" I asked, not sure if I needed to be concerned or annoyed that she'd called me. I was a mess because of it and here she was playing with the soldiers.

  "Sorry, Swift, I thought it was gonna get out of hand. They kept fondling me. Me! Saying I was asking for it. One even put a hand... Ugh, never mind, I dealt with it. These men, they're all the same. Gross!"

  "There's a lot of it going around," I said.

  "And you are?" asked the Lieutenant Major.

  "I'm Swift, Robin's sister. A Justice, same as she is," I added, hoping he understood what that meant. That we would never take orders from him. That we were some of the most powerful Strange there were, the job not given unless that were so.

  "I know that name." He paused for a moment, thinking. "Ah, you killed one of my men yesterday. But by the sounds of it he had it coming."

  "He did. And looks like my sister is a lot more forgiving than I am. You okay?"

  "Fine, but I feel dirty."

  "I don't understand it. Usually Private Thomas is as decent as they come, certainly not one to go molesting fine, nubile young women like... Damn, sorry, so sorry." He flushed scarlet, clearly not meaning to lick his lips and eye Robin up and down but unable to stop himself. "I need a lie down."

  "There's something going on," I said, sure this was no coincidence. "People are acting weird. Frisky. Like they can't help themselves. I think it's to do with the jungle, it must be."

  "How?" asked Robin, but I could see she felt it as well now.

  There was something in the Pool. A feeling, a randiness, like it was tainted by the disruptions it had endured. An overcompensation for the magic now available, and it was affecting Normals more than Strange, making them behave erratically, lose inhibitions. Or maybe like a drug, meaning they acted on thoughts they would otherwise keep to themselves. Following the base nature we all unfortunately have inside of us.

  Was this why Pumi overreacted? Why people were running around in the forest looking freaked and acting manic? I'd assumed it was the shock of the jungle, but maybe it was something else.

  "I think this Shift, it's—"

  "Shift?" asked the Lieutenant Major.

  "Yeah, it's what we're calling this, er, shift in reality. Anyway, this Shift must be affecting the libido, or people's aggression levels, maybe testosterone, and as the city heats up so does everything else."

  "Then it better not get any hotter," he said. "The last thing I need is for my soldiers to get distracted and forget their duties."

  "And what exactly are their duties?" asked Robin. "That's what I came here for, to discuss things, and to ensure there are no recriminations for my sister's actions and that your men will stay out of our way. Are you running things here?"

  "I am. My orders are to keep the peace, ensure everyone stay
s calm and is safe, and to investigate what's going on in this hellhole."

  "Oi, this is our home. We like it here. Just because it's different doesn't mean it's bad. And besides, we got along just fine without you lot interfering."

  "Us lot? I'm just doing my job. The decisions aren't down to me. It's all politics, you know that. If I'd had my way, we would have been here to help the moment the Rift happened, not once it went. Ah, you were involved in that, weren't you? I know who you are now. Swift, the woman that got the Rift to take the visitors away."

  "Yup, that's me."

  "I helped," piped up Robin, smoothing down her dress. The Lieutenant Major and every other person in the room staring at her curves and ample cleavage as she did so. Robin utterly unaware of the attention—believe that and you'll believe anything.

  The front of the building was suddenly no longer there, as if it had been pulled away by a giant's hand. We jumped back, and I pulled magic deep inside, drawing from the Pool quickly, ready to fight whatever it was.

  A head peered through the falling stone. "You all right? How's it hanging, dude?" asked Mack, looking first to us then the astonished Lieutenant Major.

  "Mack, will you stop knocking walls down. It's really dangerous!"

  "Take a chill pill, babes, your knight in shining armor, er, red scales, is here. Step away from the ladies, dude, they're spoken for."

  Then the shooting started.

  Time to Leave

  Mack turned at the sound, a deep frown on his face, unconcerned by the bullets slamming into his hide, not even leaving a scratch. Seems word hadn't spread yet that it was futile to shoot at demons.

  "I'd tell them to stop if I were you," I warned the Lieutenant Major. "Mack's a demon and there's no way they can harm him, but he sure as hell can hurt them."

  "What is with you people?" the harassed guy shouted, then screamed, "Cease fire."