Aquarius, not now. You can’t atone for destroying our shop with excuses and—
“Dalara, someone’s lurking.” The agent moved his handgun toward the sycamore tree. “Freakish energy, too.”
“Yeah, I know. She’s harmless… I think.”
Ice-blue eyes gazed at the figure as Limere reached for his box mod, regretting his public location and the federal agent standing beside him. His eye pulsated as he leaned his head backward, releasing slow breaths to withstand the residual pain lurking throughout his body.
“You’re going to the ER.”
“Agent, I’m fine,” Limere insisted, huffing at Travis’s shaky tone.
“I’m not hearing Mye bitch tonight. You’re going.”
“There’s nothing anyone can do. I’m tired of hearing ‘Go home, rest and wait to die.’ Summary of the last five years of emergency room visits.” After a long pull on the box mod, Limere beckoned to the concealed figure. “Come on, Aquarius. Stop playing games and—”
“She’s gone.”
Limere stomped his foot against the dirt before pain lanced his eye. “Damn it, Summer! I don’t have time for games!”
“Summer?”
“Aquarius. Her real name’s Summer.” He emphasized the woman’s name after another smoke. “Her parents were hippie children. They have a son named Winter, for God’s sake. Who names their kid Winter?”
“The same kind who named you and Mye.”
“Hey, my mom watched cartoons a lot,” Limere answered. “My sister hates that movie with the talking silverware and the bookworm. Her middle name plays off of Mom’s name. She didn’t want her called Myra, that’s all.”
The nicotine did nothing for Limere’s frazzled nerves, but he ventured one last smoke before cramming the box mod inside his pocket. His eyes trailed around the park before gesturing to Travis, but the agent held his distance with the handgun at him.
“Travis, put the damn gun away. Keep your distance and head to the apartment.”
“You almost killed me,” the agent reminded him.
“No, that was the demon. But Aquarius won’t show if we linger.”
“Go alone.”
“I thought you wanted information about the Zodiac Cartel.”
“Time limit.” Light illuminated from Travis’s watch as his body shimmered. “Besides, Mye and Peters alone might get her killed. I’ll see you later, Dalara.”
Dark specks shattered around the agent as he vanished, leaving behind a trail of shattered energy akin to particles of cracked glass. Limere reached for a speck, but the particles vanished before touching his clammy flesh.
I’m stumped. How does agent man’s power grow if they’re siphoning his original element? The platinum light surrounding him plays a part, doesn’t it?
~An angelic element.~ Amusement played at the demoness’s voice. ~Or an ability to reverse time. It’s hard to tell since the elements are convoluted. Perhaps both, if the Mistresses cursed him.~
That would fall under technomancy, wouldn’t it?
~Some believe so, yes.~
Aren’t they extinct?
~A few linger… those who weren’t converted.~
Hmm.
~Summer’s lingering, along with the cat I loathe.~
Prolonged hissing drew Limere’s attention while he shuffled out of the park. Thumbs looping through his jeans, Limere chuckled when the black and white striped cat trotted by the mage’s side, growling underneath their breath.
“The cat teleported. How did you—never mind.”
As he stooped down toward the cat, Limere blinked at its gray eyes before stepping backward.
“I hope you’ve got a good explanation for why you’re stalking Sis as a cat, ’cause I’m not taking your side, Q.”
The cat huffed before swiping a multicolored paw at the mage’s arm.
“Look, I’m with you about the human. He’s a miserable son of a bitch. I wouldn’t miss him, but you’re not allowed to kill the rogue. Sis doesn’t mind his company and they identify with each other.”
The cat hissed before issuing a deep snarl.
“Fine, throw a tantrum, Q. But remember, you created this mess and left Sis. The longer you wait, the harder it’ll be to come back, and I pray I’m dead when Sis finds you.”
A small roar accented the cat’s opinion before he trotted off, tail thumping against the side of a tree as he strode away.
Limere glanced around before making his way to the streets, grateful for the creeping darkness, dim sunlight, and space to think about his predicament. He slouched as he walked, studying a set of women strolling down the sidewalk, chatting with each other.
The mage paused when his red smartphone rang, swearing when Aquarius’s name flashed on the caller ID.
He disregarded it, but a bubble notification popped up about the missed call. Seconds later, another one materialized with a few sentences.
“Meet me at Kilgore Falls before your race, Lim. Need to talk about Chelsea, Donahue, and your stupid Society crap. Thought it’d disappear when you walked, but Chelsea’s working with them to get back at your sister.”
The phone creaked as Limere squeezed it, limbs trembling at one of his greatest fears. When he skimmed across the street, Limere spotted his friend dressed in a large hoodie, blue jeans, and faded leather loafers.
Despite his pulsating eye, Limere shuffled to her, gasping after seeing her blistered face underneath the hood.
“Take me with you, Lim,” she said. “Donahue’s tailing me with one of those mages. I’ll answer stuff when we’re out of Charm City.”
Once Aquarius’s quivering voice quieted, Limere embraced the blistered woman and wrapped an arm around her shoulders before directing her toward an abandoned alleyway. The mage’s vision turned monochrome once he detected the intruder Aquarius mentioned.
Before shadow magic captured the two figures, Limere phased from view, covering Aquarius’s mouth before her cries could attract unwanted attention.
Trickling water greeted them after Limere appeared on top of asphalted pavement, supplemented by loud splashes from the waterfall nearby.
Aquarius’s body shook while he regained his footing, growling at a mossy rock and numerous tree roots branching out from the ground. He braced against a guardrail on the road before uncovering his companion’s mouth, shivering at the cool metal digging into his sweaty palm.
One quick glance around Kilgore Falls, the broken tree branches and falling leaves, calmed the mage, until he noticed a large sycamore tree blocking the middle of the road.
~Move the tree, but magic’s everywhere.~
Limere stayed quiet as he directed magic through his fingers and levitated the damaged trunk off the road, ignoring the twinges in his lower back and through his neck. After the silver magic dispersed, he held his temple again, hoping to rest for a few minutes.
“You alright, Lim?”
The mage nodded, hiding his discomfort. “Today’s been a screwy day. Nothing has gone right and I’ve smoked three joints this afternoon. I helped another mage, but now a shadow mage is trailing me.”
“It’s not here now, Lim.”
His companion’s gravelly voice interrupted the demoness from answering Limere’s sentence. Instead, Limere rubbed Aquarius’s shoulder to ease her tremulous form.
“Yeah, but it visited Kilgore Falls, Summer. Damn energy’s everywhere.” He waved a hand toward a region of the desolate forest with leveled trees. “They left a message here, and it’s not our territory.”
“That’s what happens when you partner with mages. Not saying you’re a bad example, but Chelsea’s lost her goddamn mind.”
Aquarius’s hoarse voice chilled Limere. As she cleared her throat, he saw her cough, hiding blood inside her fist. Aquarius almost succeeded until the darkened blood dribbled down her alabaster hand.
“Summer, what the—”
“Taurus and Chelsea destroyed your workshop.” The woman shoved her hands inside t
he black hoodie. “That woman—the redhead you dealt with years ago—she visited Chelsea and the others. She convinced them you’re dealing drugs and hiding your cut from them.”
Limere laughed, mouth parted after nervous laughter escaped his lips. “My sister wouldn’t allow—”
“I tried explaining that to Taurus, but… the redhead turned him into something perverted.” Her voice broke before her crimson eyes widened. “His skin’s blistering now. I mean, his veins show and he’s bound in darkness. It’s hard to explain, but nothing’s reaching Taurus now. He’s lost, Lim—talking to strange people only he hears. You know about these matters, so it’s not weird explaining to you.”
~Shame I didn’t curse that girl too,~ his companion stated. ~But your Latin bitch suffers more. It’s worth giving her visions she can’t change, eh?~
Celene handles it better, demon. Besides, Summer paid for remaining with the cartel. No point for additional punishments.
“The worst part is… he exchanged his shifter abilities for that dreadful power. Who would accept such a stupid offer?”
The mage’s head crept toward Aquarius before issuing a deep growl, startling the woodland creatures rustling in the bushes and shrubs. Tree branches rustled before an owl hooted in the background.
Weak moonlight peeked through the clouds, attempting to illuminate the street.
“I didn’t mean—”
“And I didn’t realize what transference meant,” he snapped. “She convinced me I’d protect Sis better. I didn’t know she—”
“Lim, please. I need to go before your family gets here.”
“Whatever.” Limere unlocked his phone and texted while he spoke. “The redhead is Angelique. She’s fucked with me for the last time, though.”
“Don’t tell anyone,” Aquarius pleaded. “Please.”
“Sorry, but there’s another rogue involved.” The mage continued texting, despite his comrade’s pleas. “He’s bound to my sister, and—”
“It’s always about Aviere, isn’t it?”
“Not now, Summer.”
“No. It’s always about her, never about dealing with your goddamn problems.”
“It is her problem, considering I’m the ultimate cause.” He pushed the send button, fingers twitching as he considered Aquarius. “If I hadn’t taken Angelique’s deal years ago, Sis wouldn’t—”
“Your sister needs to protect herself or hire better bodyguards,” Aquarius spat, hacking again. “Her blood’s infecting everyone and Donahue’s determined to market it as a lethal weapon. Killing her would save you, Limere. She wouldn’t suffer. Neither would we.”
“I’ve fought too long to just allow Aviere to die,” Limere said. “And she’s doing better. She’s learning to shoot guns again. Funny… it took a psychopath hunting her and another mage to induce self-defense training.”
“Perhaps there’s hope. But Taurus hurt me. Look.”
Aquarius lowered the hoodie and presented her face, running her alabaster hands through her bleached-blond hair. Strands of blue meshed with blond, but Limere’s chest constricted at the blisters on her face and the right side of her neck. Blackened flesh scabbed over some of her pale neckline, but Limere’s finger trailed over the darkened veins on the side of Aquarius’s face.
“How are you alive? Besides your vampiric blood, I mean.”
“I got your notebook. You know, that Book of Shadows you reference.” She passed him a torn page from her pocket. “They’ve shredded it, trying to replicate your serums and stuff. But the chemists they hired can’t comprehend them. And when they touch the pages, the text disappears. But I remember this page, Lim. I tore it before Chelsea did.”
He drove two fingers against the paper and handwriting appeared on the once blank page. A diagram appeared, supported by complex equations. A few English words displayed on the worn page.
However, a date caught Limere’s eye—something significant in his situation.
This is recent. Thank goodness. Without an essential component, they’ll never find out about honing Sis’s poisoned blood.
A giggle escaped her lips after he sighed. “So it’s important enough?”
“Yeah. Chelsea can’t market Sis’s blood as a biological weapon. And I have several books. I made copies of each in case this happened.”
“She tried. She’s tested it on people, and they explode. Combust. Some melt. Depends on what they are. It’s creepy.” She scratched her arms. “I’m surprised I haven’t exploded, Lim.”
“Summer, you and Celene need to stall it until we get a laboratory again.”
“Your woman’s not fond of me.”
“You’re mistaking Celene’s contempt for Chelsea. You’re fine. Just make sure you share the remedy with me.”
Aquarius wrung her hands together and Limere groaned.
“I’ll give you supplies, but I need you.” He tucked bluish-blond hair behind Aquarius’s ear, careful to consider her injuries as he moved. “I’m trying to prevent a shadow mage from stealing a federal agent’s magical aura, and I’m not sure if I’ll survive. So Cel will need your notes.”
“Don’t assume that!” Aquarius admonished, scratchy voice croaking. “I hate Aviere, but your sister needs you. I remember your mother’s death, you know.”
“Listen to me.” Limere gripped her shoulders as an unpleasant breeze whistled through the forest. “The Zodiac Cartel is being slaughtered by the Red Coat Society. They’ll use them, then kill them. In a way, it’s retribution. I’m getting what I deserve.”
Aquarius shook her head, crimson eyes glowing at his explanation.
“I won’t die without a safeguard for Aviere and Maurice. Other than Celene and Reese, the only person I trust is you. Maybe the mage with Sis… but I haven’t decided. The neurotic human is a coin toss, depending on who’s involved. Martinez is a wild card, and I can count on Marco and Darren, along with Armandi.”
“You can’t.” Burning hands grabbed Limere’s face. “Lim, don’t do this to Maurice. I like Maurice. He’s a nice guy. I considered dating him till he pined for another woman.”
“I know.”
“You said yourself he’s not cut for your mobster life, right?”
“I don’t have a choice. Someone’s setting us up, one by one.”
The finality of his statement caused Limere to scuff his feet against the blacktop, kicking at loose pebbles on the roadway. Rigid fingers touched the safeguard in his rear pocket, but Aquarius’s hot hand brushed against his.
“You knew they’d act sooner or later, Limere. The Underground or Donahue—it’s a cycle one can never leave.”
“I’ve enacted my contingency plan. It’s tough with Aviere’s partners, but Martinez and Marco are setting up the arrangements. If everything’s played out right—”
“Stop.” Bengay reached Limere’s nostrils from Aquarius’s rosy fingers. “One of us—we’ll survive. Stop doubting yourself, Lim.”
A skidding car further down the road stopped Limere from taking Aquarius’s hand to his heart. “I’m not, but Reese and Aviere need someone if anything happens to me. I taught you and Celene everything I learned.”
The skidding increased as the car dashed up the street. Limere closed his eyes before shaking his head and sniggering.
Karyn. But there’s another vehicle with her, so I’ll end this here.
“I’m not working with your stepsister,” Aquarius declared. “We don’t understand each other.”
“Your loyalty is with me, so it transfers to her.” His hands dropped to her injured shoulders and Limere recoiled when Aquarius shrank backward. “You recall the safe house, don’t you?”
She nodded.
“I’ll send you to Darren. Tell him what happened—he’ll arrange someplace for you to go along with a vehicle. Call me when you get settled and don’t drink any human blood. You’ll go insane.”
“Limere, I—” Aquarius’s lips quivered again when she whispered, voice gruff. “Thank you.”
“Don’t make me regret befriending a vampire, Summer. Promise you’ll try staying sane. We don’t need two supernatural beings attacking my sister, eh?”
“Drinking her blood is like tasting flat grape soda and I’m sick afterward.”
“Summer…”
“What? You remember high school. You conned me into it while you were high.” The wounded vampire crossed her arms, her voice reaching wispy pitches as she made her point. “But I understand. I’ll leave Aviere alone.”
“Good.”
Silver energy conducted through Limere’s fingers as he channeled it through his friend, swearing under his breath when a car door banged behind him.
“The chest underneath my desk contains what you need. Good luck.”
Twigs snapped as Aquarius shimmered away and Limere moved his baseball cap down as Maurice straightened his suit. Each man stared at the other, but Limere turned to the cloudy moonlit sky, rubbing the lump in his throat. The fiery touch of Aquarius’s finger trailed over his lips, replaced by the scent of Bengay, which upset his stomach.
The mage ignored the loud churning sounds his stomach made and waited for Maurice to speak, wondering what his brother-in-law overheard.
“You’re trustin’ a half-crazed vampire with a delicate mission, Limere. You sure you know what you’re doin’?”
“Well, more than Sis,” Limere admitted, thinking of Aquarius’s injured face. “She has no faith in me.”
“Nah, baby girl’s lost control of things, and she’s not—”
“Aviere will improve, but not if everybody’s babying her.” The silver box came out of Limere’s rear pocket, but his moist fingers barely grasped the container. “It’s our responsibility to make sure she’s safe and sound, Reese. Mom raised Aviere to make her own choices, even if she disagreed.”
“You feel like me.” A fist banged against Maurice’s chest. “This ain’t goin’ to end well. Someone won’t last.”
“Then get ready.” Limere clutched Maurice’s shoulder. “If I go, Sis might—”
“Aviere will survive. But you knew the Zodiac Cartel would go after you, sooner or later.” Prideful gray eyes beamed before swinging his head toward Karyn’s approaching Stingray. “You’re honorin’ your word, so I reckon I’ll give you a chance. Ain’t like you meant for Reggie to get whacked by them.”
Drift: The Renegades Saga: Book Two Page 15
