by K. F. Breene
He took a deep breath, staring at me. It was a reaction I hadn’t seen yet. I had no idea what it meant.
Slowly, he shook his head before eyeing the unicorn. “Okay.”
“Lovely. Go play in the meadow with little Max.”
“This is a female.”
“Little Lucy, then.”
I studied the spell around the unicorn and pinched the casing between my pointer finger and thumb. “Do I throw this, or gently let it go about its business?” I called.
“Use it like a normal spell casing.”
Impossible. This one actually had a spell in it.
After a glance behind me to make sure he wasn’t in eyesight, I dropped the casing into my pouch and rubbed my hands together. Time for real magic.
Palm aimed toward the unicorn, I swept my hand through the air. Fire sprang up, outlining the spell. I stepped back and created a thin wall of fire in front of me in case something went wrong and the spell exploded.
Focusing now, I felt the spell with my fire, managing the heat and intensity until it was happily eating away the magic like fuel. Not sensing any changes in the spell’s properties, I amped up the flame, burning away the magic.
“It is working?” Darius asked.
I jumped and ripped the wall of fire away. A glance behind said Darius had kept his word—so far, anyway—and wasn’t peeking through the hedge.
I let out a haggard breath and clutched at my rampaging heart.
“Yes, it’s really helping. Thanks.” After another glance behind, I quickly threw up a veil of fire and refocused on my task at hand.
I pushed the fire down toward the ground, where the spell wasn’t properly rooted, eating away the fringe. The air around the unicorn pulsed with color and light, making me smile, before it changed. Like a piece of paper consumed by flame, the spell oxidized before blackening and flaking away. The last traces of it sputtered before losing the fight and unraveling. Cold air gushed outward, ruffling the leaves and smacking harmlessly into my wall of fire.
I ripped the fire away, letting it shrink to nothing in midair. Heat pulsed through me, a glorious feeling. I wished I could use my true magic all the time.
The unicorn neighed, loudly, and stamped its foot. It swung that vicious-looking horn my way.
“Holy crap!” I bent, then dodged a hoof striking out. “You snapped out of that way faster than a human would.” It bit down at me, missed, and swung its head again. That brutal horn sliced the air right next to my face.
“Darius! Help! Darius!” I ducked away, but nearly caught a hoof in the chest. I dove and rolled, not sure what to do. I couldn’t very well fight the thing—if I did it harm, a whole faction of old vamps would come for me.
“I saved you,” I yelled, throwing my hands out. “I’m a good guy.”
It reared, clearly having no desire for discussion.
I threw myself back as Darius popped up by my side.
“What the hell took you so long?” I demanded, feinting like a boxer.
“I am here,” he said, putting a hand up. It took me a moment to realize he wasn’t talking to me. “I am here. Calm now. Your solino is safe. I brought Reagan to help you.”
Lucy wobbled through the brush, already much sturdier on her new legs. She gave a soft neigh and ambled toward food.
“This doesn’t look like it happened long ago,” Darius said quickly, putting a hand to my shoulder and backing us up. “We caught it early. That was lucky. Let’s leave now before she smells our scent on her newborn.”
When we crossed the meadow without being chased down, I asked, “Why didn’t the colt—or solino, I guess—run into the spell with her?”
“Size, probably, wouldn’t you think? A snare is only so big.”
I nodded, because yes, it did make sense—and I should’ve known that. Fatigue was dragging at me. Despite the pick-me-up of unicorn blood, using so much power in so short a time, not to mention sleep deprivation and hunger, had drained me. I felt weak and shaky.
I barely made it to the other side of the small island, which only took an hour’s walk. Despite my current issues, though, it wasn’t a big place for animals that size. I said as much to Darius.
“The Island of Eternal Light stretches north to south, mostly. It is not overly wide.” Darius nodded at a fierce-looking vampire, the first living sentinel we’d seen. “We found a magical snare and rendered it useless. Get a team and patrol the island. If you find anything, send word.”
The vampire nodded but didn’t head out. Apparently he’d get to it when he was good and ready.
Darius directed me back the way we’d come. “There is nothing more to see here at present. We’ll continue on to the Brink and start collecting more information.”
“Are you serious?” I trudged alongside him.
“What is the matter?”
“You must think humans are really clumsy if my stiff-legged lurch rings normal.”
“You’re tired?”
“So tired I can’t think of a sarcastic response to that question.” My toe hit a rock, and I stumbled. Darius’s hand shot out, steadying me before I fell on my face. “Thanks. Are you going to send in a replacement for that sentinel?”
“No. To use that entrance, the mage would have to go through land the elves closely watch. Only a fool would try to get by them.”
“Why, what will the elves do?”
“Question them. I will carry you.”
“So…only fools would get themselves into positions where they would have to provide answers?”
He bent and scooped me up into his arms. I didn’t complain, because if I did, chances were he’d throw me over his shoulder. “Have you spent so little time in the Realm?”
“Very little time. Almost none, actually.”
He put on a burst of speed that made me clutch his shoulders and nearly squeal in delight. Thrilling, running so fast. I wished I could do it.
“Elves are not a species to trifle with, even for us. They are brutal, when they want to be. Extremely powerful. It is never wise to put yourself in their path.”
“They rule the Realm, though. If they are oppressive, why don’t people rise up?”
“How often do people in the Brink rise up?” He ducked under a branch and swerved around a group of unicorns munching grass. “When you are on the correct side, the elves are fair, usually.”
“Which side is the correct side?”
“The one that bows to them.”
“Which side are you on?” I could already guess the answer.
He slowed as we reached the other side in record time. Gently, he put me down and waited until I was steady before stepping away. “Vlad’s.”
“My guess is, Vlad doesn’t bow.”
“Of course he does, as do we all—when we have to. That is why we still exist. But we won’t bow forever. The elves want to rid this Realm of the temptation of the unicorns, and, with them, us. They have not acted yet, but they will. When they do, we will be ready.” He looked down at the visible boot. He’d left the bait, his own kind, to save me. “Can you tell if she lives?”
“Well…I don’t know about lives, since she’s a vampire, but…” I grimaced at his straight face. Not the time for that sort of joke. “The short answer is…maybe.”
I wiped the back of my hand across my forehead and walked closer to the boot. Immediately, I could tell that it was a form of the freezing spell the mage had used on the unicorn, but with a burning type of twist, making it more powerful. I had this mage’s number now. After saying as much to Darius, I added, “If she’s alive, she won’t be for long. I’d wager her skin was blackening like yours did after you touched the first spell. The mage froze her before she died.”
“This mage knows us well.” Darius looked into his satchel.
“If he’s partnering with a vampire, then of course he does.”
“There is a difference between being told our traits, even seeing them, and knowing how to work a spell to fre
eze us at the exact right moment. He must know that it is taking everything in my power not to try and rip into that spell to see if she still lives.”
“I wouldn’t advise that.”
“My point exactly. This is the perfect bait, as you said. He is dangerous, this mage.”
“Okay. Let’s find him, then.”
Darius nodded and motioned at the path where the barely lingering residual magic was the only thing left of the barrier spell I’d taken down. “Wait there.”
I really didn’t want to.
Like a sulky teenager, I trudged onto the path of death where that overanxious serpent was probably still waiting for me to dip a toe in the water. I sat in the very middle with shifty eyes, half terrified the thing would catapult out and attach its face to mine. I didn’t have the energy to fight it off.
Muttering caught my attention, and I looked Darius’s way in time to catch him cracking open the final capsule in his cocktail. The spell sifted down onto the ones he’d already opened and crystalized, partially blocking the way. The other vampire probably knew how Darius worked, and would know how to edge around the area.
“Will the trap do anything besides getting to know the mage’s magic, which I already have a pretty good handle on?” I asked, rising.
“I altered my plans for this spell, given your extraordinary senses.” I half preened at the compliment. He didn’t give them out often. Not without a slap in the face to accompany them. “The goal of this mix of spells is to attach a piece of tracking magic to the mage.” Darius picked me up again. Without warning, he started running. I did squeal this time, with a huge smile on my face.
“How do you hope to—”
“I am right here, Reagan. There is no need to shout.”
“Sorry. With all the wind whipping by us, I didn’t know if you’d hear. Anyway, how do you hope to attach it?”
“The spell is an intricate offensive one that should explode when another magic worker comes in contact with it.”
“One of those, huh?”
“Intricate, I said. I created it from a lot of different spells, so it should take hardly a moment for someone of higher-caliber magic to disable it. He will laugh at me, surely. I am hoping his ego masks his ability to notice smaller details, like that tracker.”
“If there is anyone who knows about egos, it’s you.” I laughed.
“Do humans find you humorous?”
We passed the first circular area. I could still see the disturbance of our tracks. That was a good sign. “Yes. Well, they don’t laugh out loud, but I’m pretty sure they laugh inside.”
A little over a minute later—by my rough timekeeping—we were passing the other circular area. “Wow. You really move. I’m starting to get a little jealous.”
“We need to plan what is next,” Darius said, ignoring me.
“Easy. Get those casings checked out and ask around about an extremely powerful mage. The latter should be easy. There is no way that much power has gone unnoticed.”
“I can arrange a meeting with my most trusted contact.”
“No.” I shook my head as we neared the Dungeon. “If he hasn’t told you anything by now, he either doesn’t know or is holding back—believe that. No, you hired me for a reason. This is what I specialize in. I can think of a dozen people to shake information out of. But first I need sleep.”
“You will sleep in my chambers while I attend to some business.”
I sure hoped that bed was as comfortable as it looked.
Chapter Eleven
“Did you leave your house in this state?” Darius asked from beside me as we stood on the sidewalk in front of my home.
My brow furrowed as I stared at my front door. It had been ripped off the frame, and leaned against the chairs on my front porch. The screen lay in my yard among the weeds, the metal framing twisted.
“Yes, I left my house with my front door torn off,” I said dryly. “Why, isn’t that normal?” I rubbed my eyes and sighed, because up until that point, I’d been nice and relaxed. My nap in the most comfortable bed ever made had been refreshing, and while the protein bar I’d dug out of my pouch wasn’t the stuff of dreams, it had taken the edge off my hunger. Darius had even carried me back to the Brink gate because he was in a hurry. This was not the welcome home I had hoped for.
This had been the first stop because I’d insisted on getting ammunition and changing, and thought I’d check Big C’s computer. Given Big C’s boost of magic and being in the mage community at all, I couldn’t help but wonder about his possible connection with the mage we were chasing. Maybe the computer would have something of use. I hadn’t checked all the files when I’d looked on it earlier.
Something occurred to me. “Did you question that mark of mine you stole? He was selling blood, right? Did he tell you where he got it?”
Darius’s shift was small but relayed his annoyance. “He was still unconscious from your efforts. We did not realize until it was too late that he didn’t have enough magic to cross into the Realm.”
“So you killed him.”
He shot me a glare. “It could not be helped.”
“You don’t have to tell me.” I threw up my hands. “I get it. Accidental death is a real bummer in my trade.”
In the distance, thunder rolled, promising showers. Cloud cover hid the moon, forcing the streetlights to work harder. Judging by the lack of people wandering around, I estimated that it was late in the night. I had no clue what day it was or how much time I’d spent in the Realm.
Black loomed within the doorway of my house. There was no telling if the person—or people—were still inside.
I inhaled and wondered which of my two recent enemies had paid a visit: the friends of that crazy mage, looking for his spells or vengeance, or the vampire who’d bonded him, looking for plain vengeance.
“I wouldn’t go in there if I were you.” Mince wandered over, cutting through my reverie. He nodded at Darius. “Hey, man.”
Darius stared at the newcomer, not returning the salutation.
Mince gestured toward the house, a half-eaten apple in his hand. “A few guys busted in there a while ago. I bet they’re still in there somewhere.”
“Did you call the police?”
“Do I look stupid to you? If I called the police, people would think I was a snitch. I ain’t no snitch.”
“How would people know you called the police if you made an anonymous call?”
“Anonymous call…” He made a face like that was the biggest farce he’d ever heard. He took a bite of his apple.
“Can you at least give me a little information instead of standing there like you’re waiting for a show to start? What’d they look like? For example, were any of them graceful and good looking? Like…too good looking…” That drew Darius’s attention. I was careful not to look at him.
Mince thought for a moment. “Two of ’em were smaller types. Useless. I’d take them down in a second. One was a bigger dude. Kind of fat, but you could tell by the way he walked that he could take care of himself. That’s the one I would look out for.”
“But were they good looking?” I asked.
“How would I know if they was good looking?” The crunch of his apple competed with a distant train whistle blowing.
“Were they carrying anything? Help me out, Mince. I want to know what I’m dealing with.”
“Well, if you keep standing here, they’ll be out to deal with you soon enough.” Mince shifted. “The smaller ones had bags. The cross-body kind. Kinda big, too. I remember wondering what they had inside. Kind of ratty, those bags. Their clothes were pretty nice. They looked like their wallets would be worth grabbing.”
“Not rich, though. Not like him.” I hooked a thumb toward Darius.
“Oh no. No way.”
They were most certainly mages, then. Mages who clearly thought I wasn’t a threat. I’d taken out their friend on his home turf, so they’d decided breaking and entering my house was a good ide
a.
Clearly I wasn’t dealing with the brightest bulbs in the ceiling.
I felt the emptiness where my sword should be. I could take them down quick-like with my magic, but I’d risked revealing myself to Darius once already, I couldn’t hope to get away with it again.
I glanced down at his satchel, stuffed with all the spells I could want. Spells that were color coded and marked, of all things. The only thing in my house that Mr. Money Bags couldn’t provide was that computer, and frankly, there were other ways to get information. Risking my life, or worse, my freedom, wasn’t worth an untested short cut.
“Right, then.” I rubbed my hands together. “Let’s leave them to it.”
“You aren’t going to go in there?” Darius asked in disbelief.
“I wouldn’t.” Mince took another bite of his apple. “Seems like they should’ve noticed you standing out here, though. Maybe they went out the back.”
“They probably did notice us,” I said. “But I’m with him.” I indicated Darius. “They have to know what he is. And they’ll know that you’re a human. I mean, you know, a law-abiding citizen.” I nodded at Mince. “They aren’t coming out here to force the issue. No, if they noticed us, then they’re probably waiting in there, in the shadows or behind something, staring out at us.”
“Oh shit…” Mince gave a little hop, like a cartoon turkey vulture, and started sidestepping down the sidewalk. “I’m not trying to get messed up in that. Have a good night.”
“He is a coward,” Darius said, staring at the darkened doorway.
“No he’s not, he’s smart. He doesn’t want to get involved. Neither do I. Let’s follow his lead.”
“You cannot leave strangers in your home.”
“I don’t have proof they’re even in there.”
“Someone is in there. I saw movement not long ago.”
“Well then, I hope they enjoy my horrible couches. C’mon. You can buy me breakfast.”
“Reagan, we can’t—”
“Look,” I said in a loud voice. “I know who they are, and I know what they want. They can keep looking, for all I care. They won’t find it. If they’re smart, they’ll bugger off. Otherwise, I’ll meet them soon enough, and they’ll go out the same way their friend did.”
