Blood Borne

by T. G. Ayer

  Darcy was studying me. “So you think he was trying to sabotage the Ni— I mean, sabotage one of us?” Her gaze shifted briefly around the diner, as though someone somewhere nearby would be eavesdropping on our discussion.

  I shrugged. “I really don’t know. I mean, how well do we know him, or his motivations? Ash mentioned something about how Horner was always one step ahead of everyone, like he can see the future or something. That got me wondering. But maybe it’s just me being suspicious because seriously, there’s been way too much going on in our crazy lives.”

  I leaned forward and pressed my face into my hands, elbows digging into the table as I massaged my temples. A dull throb had transformed into a soft roar, frustrating me to no end. This was not the time for headache.

  When I looked up, Salem was watching me, eyes filled with concern. I took a shaky breath. “Okay, so if we’re doing research on the Sharaita but also getting other shit done until our time runs out with the Nahra, where are we all at?”

  I looked over at Logan who nodded slowly. “I’m going back to Drakys for a bit, to check things out, and give Sienna a hand. There’s been another revolt, some attacks on outlying villages—”

  “Not to mention a little bit of political sabotage,” Kai said, one eyebrow curving in indignation. I hid a smile.

  “So the walker and the dragon are flying off to Drakys,” I said, glancing at Darcy. “What’s going on with Ward?”

  “I’m taking him to Drakys with these guys.” She cocked her chin at Logan and Kai. “Ward needs to reverse some of his magic. After that, we’ll figure out what to do with him.”

  I wanted to ask more but let it rest for now. Instead I said, “Can you come back home with me after this? I need a check up.” She nodded silently before we both looked over at the rest of the team.

  I nodded at Saleem. “What’s your plan? Going to keep Logan company?”

  He shook his head. “Not right this minute. I don’t think you should be left alone.”

  Kai leaned forward. “What happened?” Her voice was tight as she scanned my face before glaring at Saleem as my vulnerability was his responsibility.

  He smirked and then gave them a quick update on the attempt on my life, my sudden portal-opening act, and our near-death experience while attempting to return to the real world.

  I raised an eyebrow. “And don’t forget the fact that you’re now probably dying because of the time spent in Axiat. You’re toast unless we find a magical way to save your ass.”

  Saleem said nothing though Logan’s eyes went wide as he stared at my face. “What? Are we saving his ass again?” He looked over at Saleem, shaking his head slowly. “Seriously, dude. You need to quit hogging the limelight.” Though his words were teasing, his eyes revealed fear.

  Saleem snickered. “It’s not something I expected, I assure you.”

  “I did tell him not to come to me.”

  He glanced over at me. “It’s done, okay?” His tone was tender, as if he knew how much his situation worried me. “And it’s not your fault.”

  The team heaved a collective sigh. Then Kai said, “So what do we do about the djinn? How long does he have?”

  I pursed my lips. “No idea. Fathima is doing more research, and so is Nerina. I don’t have Horner in my corner so I’ll check in with Natasha to see what she knows. Maybe you guys can help too. Find out anything you can about Axiat, and how to save a djinn who is likely dying of magical poisoning from time he spent in the hell plane.”

  Kai nodded. “Didn’t even know a place like that existed.”

  “Yeah. Me either. Imagine my surprise when I conjured the portal.”

  Then Saleem chuckled. “She didn’t tell you she’s in huge trouble with Steph, did she?”

  Kai shook her head and Darcy looked at me and said, “What did you do to Steph now?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Geez. All I did was lose her Mini inside Axiat.”

  “You did what?” Kai whispered, eyes wide.

  I grinned at her. “I was driving it when I entered the portal to Axiat. Next thing I know, I’m thrown out of the car and its hurtling into the darkness with no hope in hell of catching it up. Anyway, even if I did manage to find it, I’d have had no clue how to get it home. Especially not with two assholes raining bullets down on me.”

  Everyone chuckled and then Logan said, “You certainly live an interesting life, Agent Morgan.”

  I smiled wryly. “I try to keep things fun and entertaining. Otherwise you guys will get bored. Consider it a duty of friendship.”

  Laughter rang out around us and for another moment, there was a small haven of friendship and camaraderie.

  And it ended too soon.

  Logan cleared his throat. “Okay, so I’ll have Sienna dig up whatever she can on the Nahra and on this plane of Axiat. Kai, Darcy and I will head over to Drakys and see where we stand regarding the rebellion. I’m hoping the place is still standing when we get there.”

  Kai looked pained at his words but she only said, “I’ll check with my father, and also see if I can send word to Mom and Grams. I’ll also send a message to Cassie. See if she knows anything.”

  We shuffled out of the booth and headed for the door. Out in the sunshine, we said our goodbyes and went in two directions, Logan and Kai to his motorcycle, and Darcy remaining with Saleem and me since she and I still had to talk.

  29

  Darcy and I had returned to my place and were sitting sofa in the living room. Saleem had also come home with us, and had promptly headed up to the bedroom to get some rest. He’d looked a little grey and I was beginning to worry about his health. We really needed to figure out how to help him stay alive. There was no way in any of the hells of the DarkWorld that I was about to let the djinn die.

  Not on my watch.

  Darcy shifted on the sofa to face me, her expression questioning as she smoothed tendrils of blonde hair away from her face. I said, “I need you to do a quick scan on the barrier that’s containing my memories. I had another memory jump into my head today so I know something is going on inside there. Plus, I figure it’s best to know what the deal is before you head off to Drakys.”

  She nodded, though her eyes were on my face, expression penetrating, as if she was trying to figure out if I was holding something back. The woman knew me all too well what with having delved inside my mind so many times. She knew I’d downplay anything that happened, even if it was bad.

  At last, she suggested, “I can come back to check on you if you need me to.” Her tone was serious enough that I knew I couldn’t say no.

  “Thanks,” I said, relieved even if that was the last thing I wanted to do. I shrugged. “I’m hoping I won’t need to bother you. But for now, I have to know what’s going on in there,” I said, tapping my head with my forefinger.

  Darcy smiled, though from the tight strain to her lips I knew this wasn’t something she enjoyed doing. It must be hard on her, especially when she had to deliver bad news to people she cared about. I mentally crossed my fingers and prayed she’d have no such bad news to deliver right now.

  I could do without more bad news, thank you very much.

  She waved me back and I relaxed against the sofa, resting my head on the soft cushioning. Darcy placed her fingers on my temples and took a slow breath. Her eyes shifted from focused on me to a dreamy, distant look.

  Thankfully, I didn’t need to do anything other than close my eyes because if she’d expected me to relax and calm myself, that would have been impossible.

  To be honest, I would have trouble calming myself enough to access the ether right now, considering how tumultuous my mind was.

  Moments passed, and though I felt nothing, I guessed she was doing something inside my mind other than popping in to have a quick look. It was always strange when the mindmelder delved inside my brain. I expected to feel something, as though someone was poking their finger around inside my grey matter.

  It didn’t take long before Darcy straight
ened and blinked, her gaze focusing on my face as she tossed her blonde ponytail back over her shoulder.

  She took a breath and said, “The ward around your memories, the magic that was threaded through your mind, it’s falling apart slowly. I’ve erected a few protective walls where I saw your mind was in danger of injury. Nothing invasive. Just a small buffer so you won’t be knocked out if any of them split apart all of a sudden.

  “What could happen then?”

  “You could pass out. Or worst case scenario, you could have a brain aneurysm and possibly become catatonic or even die as a result. There’s no telling how your individual physiology could respond when a magical spell goes bust.” I was silent at her words, digesting the reality slowly. Darcy continued, “I can see where some of the network of magic has broken and faded away so that would mean there are portions of memories you’ve regained over the last few days.”

  I frowned, rubbing my hands up and down my thighs. “I only remembered a couple of things, though.”

  Darcy shook her head. “No, the net is breaking apart but you won’t be aware of what you have access to right now. Not unless you deliberately think about it. There is an almost endless amount of information that our brains retain but they don’t tell you they’re there. Not until you try to access it, like if you try to think of something, it’s just there. So in the same way, a whole bunch of what was blocked off is now available to you. And you’ll only know it’s there when you try to recall that particular thought or memory.”

  I raised my eyebrows. “I see. That’s complicated. And impressive. Which I shouldn’t be saying considering it’s my mind that was fucked with, but I guess it’s the truth of the matter.”

  Darcy smiled and shook her head. “You just take it easy and don’t try to force yourself to remember anything. It may injure you if you push too hard.”

  “Is there something in the block on my memory that would make you say that?”

  She shrugged. “I couldn’t really tell, but it's a precaution that many mindmages would use if they are told to. Like if the info they want to block is important and the main aim is to keep the details under wraps. But if they were told worst-case-scenario, if the person does recall that information there is potential for trouble, then they would be requested to include a safety switch.”

  “Safety switch? Like a total memory wipe or like turning the person into a vegetable?”

  Darcy nodded. “Both, and also a third option.”

  I let out a long breath. “Of course. A kill switch.” Her expression was sad but she didn’t reply. I bit my lip. “Wow, I mean I know this stuff is dark and whoever uses mindmages to do their bidding must not have the best of intentions all the time, but killing someone just to keep what’s in their mind from ever being revealed? That’s just…dark.”

  Darcy laughed. “Come on, Mel. It’s the same thing as assassinating a person who knows too much. Only the supernatural first port of call is to block the information. Killing is the last resort.”

  I rolled my eyes. “And I suppose I should be grateful the whoever blanked out my memories was considerate enough to let me live?”

  Darcy smirked. “Maybe? But there is also the possibility that whatever is in your memories is important, and that you yourself is important. Someone out there chose to leave you alive for a reason. If you weren’t all that important, it’s possible you would have been eliminated by now.” She shrugged, her expression saying she hadn’t wanted to tell me that but she did anyway because she owed me the truth.

  I blew out a breath through pursed lips. “Goddess help me. I guess I suspected that would be the case but having it said aloud…well, it kind of boggles my mind as well as making a heckuva lot of sense. I just wish I knew where this power is coming from and why I even have these abilities. Oh, and not to mention what it has to do with Ari and her friggin’ abilities. My head still hurts when I think about the moment when I realized who she was. Seems like nothing I know is real anymore. But, for what it’s worth, I’m trying to put on a brave face and be normal. Handle everything that comes at me as if I know what I’m doing.” I smirked although I knew my deepest frustrations had come through as I’d spoken.

  Darcy had the grace not to make me feel worse. Instead, she patted my arm. “I’m glad you’re keeping it together. It’s not easy to deal with this type of crap on top of everything else you have to face. Tell me, how is you control of your powers coming along?” Maybe she was changing the subject, but the question was appropriate enough, especially if she was also trying to learn more about how my power worked if only to help me.

  I shrugged. “So far, it’s just instinctive. But I do think I’ve figured out where the power comes from. After having to defend us in Axiat, I’ve begun to understand the nuances of how to generate more power. I just need to work on figuring out what else I can do, and how long I can use my ability at any given time before it drains away, or drains me of my own energy.”

  The mindmage pursed her lips. “Just try not to implode your brain while you’re at it, okay? I’d like you to remain living and breathing so I can see what’s happening inside that head of yours.”

  “Oh yeah? Only interested in me as a specimen, huh?” I said archly, trying not to smile.

  Darcy’s eyes widened. “Of course not. The Ni’amh needs you to help save the universe too.”

  I snorted. “At least I matter for something, right?” I muttered to the sound of Darcy’s chuckles.

  30

  Darcy had just left when my phone rang, the screen blinking Ash’s name and making my stomach tighten. I swiped to accept the call.

  “Hey.”

  “Hi, Mel? I have something for you.” That was Ash. Down to business instantly.

  “What is it? You got a hit on those elements?”

  “Yep. And more than just a hit. It’s called Hennya. It’s a unique blend of toxins originates from Gilshara, an underwater jungle in the Atalantean realm. And it just so happened I got a ping from the system saying we have an alert set up on that specific location in reference to a dealer who is illegally distributing the toxin across the realms.”

  “Interesting. I’m assuming this is a black market dealer so the toxin is also available for legal sale?”

  “It is. But just not in our realm. It’s too potent for humans although supernaturals have a benefit from medicinal use under strict supervision.”

  “What’s it used for?”

  “Sedation mostly. It’s considered addictive as well to certain species, and deadly to others. Which is why it’s so controlled. There’s still a lot that needs to be understood about the way the drug interacts with the varying physiological structures of the supernatural races. Far too dangerous to be available on the black market with any random person having access to it.”

  “Sounds like it. So where do I find this distributor?”

  Ash cleared her throat. “He’s holed up in the Melinus quarter, in the Atalantean realm. He won’t be easy to find but I fished something out of our system that would help you get to him. One of our agents who is undercover in the Solanus region knows this particular dealer. I sent a message to see if he can arrange a meet for you. I’ll let you know what he says, but in the meantime, you should probably get going. Access to Atalanta is limited and I’m not sure you’d just be able to jump yourself over there. They’re big on security.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Not to mention the fact that I can’t breathe underwater?” I said, eyebrow curving even though she couldn’t see me, though she could most definitely hear the sass in my voice.

  Atalanta was the homeworld of a supernatural species technically referred to as mermaids. Interaction with them was limited and had remained so for centuries. There was a time when they did visit the EarthWorld, and probably engaged in travel to many of the other realms too. History labeled the mermen and their cities and peoples as parts of myth and legend but they had most definitely lived among us.

  And as with human nature, t
he merpeople were eventually driven away, their cities destroyed by fishing and oil-mining, the water polluted, making it hard for the race to make their homes within the seas of our world. The colonies that did still live in the EarthWorld were small enough to have been entirely forgotten. Thankfully they had mastered their abilities to walk among the mortals, which meant it wasn’t entirely necessary for the whole population to evacuate back to their homeworld.

  Ash chuckled. “Drop by the lab. I have a potion you can take that should help you breathe underwater if you really need to be there physically. I suggest you use it as a last resort and just project as long as you can.”

  I nodded to myself. Projecting was definitely going to be my first choice. “Your cocktail have any special after effects?”

  “Yeah. Gills,” she said, snickering. “And I have to warn you. They take a while to go away.”

  “A while as in?”

  “A few days. Sometimes a week,” she replied carefully.

  “Okay, then,” I replied, groaning. “Gills are most definitely a last resort.”

  Ash chuckled. “Right. Let me— Oh, nice timing.” I heard a ping of an alarm on Ash’s end and prayed it meant my luck was turning. Then she said, “That’s the UC just confirming the meet. I’ll text you the time and place now. And your little potion will be in your mailbox waiting for you. And Mel? Just promise me that you’ll be careful? We can’t let anyone know that you’re there, which means if you get caught, it’ll be a bit of a political disaster considering you’re an agent of the SHC.”

  “Okay. I hear you. Be careful and don’t get caught or I’m on my own. And thanks, Ash. I owe you,” I replied and we said our goodbyes and ended the call.

  She was taking extra precautions, making sure I wasn’t seen in her lab to pick up this special potion. Which made me wonder if she’d procured it legally from the Elite Agency stock or was she breaking the rules in order to help me? As potions went, it didn’t sound like something one could get one’s hands on easily.