Birthright - Book 2 of the Legacy Series (An Urban Fantasy Novel)

by Ryan Attard

  I wanted to get out of that forest. I wanted, no, I needed to detach myself from that power. Never again, I thought. I will never experience that again, as long as I get the hell away from Trinity and Gil, and the mansion, and the whole can of worms. I would go back to the city and start fresh.

  Tenzin had inspired me to do what he did. I could wander around helping others. There were plenty of monsters around, might as well use my power for some good. God knows there were better warlocks than me, but they all did it for profit. Like my whole damn family.

  No, I decided, I will not be like that. I will not be a warlock. I will be my own person – just a guy with magic and a shiny sword. And I won’t make money my priority. I will carry out Tenzin’s legacy.

  Doing kindness for the sake of kindness.

  Heck, someone had to be the good guy, and I didn’t see anyone else stepping up. Someone had to protect the underdog. I will fight for them, making sure that monsters don’t take away their lives and families like Crowley and Dad did mine. I am powerful, and I will do the right thing.

  Not a lot of sixteen-year-olds say that. But as I said before, I don’t fall into the ‘normal’ category. It felt good to come to that conclusion – it felt right. This was my calling, and I accepted it.

  The opportunity came about two weeks later. Call it whatever you want: divine intervention, luck, probability.

  I call it catching a break.

  He was the owner of several clubs around the city. I distinctly remember him from my night escapades when I used to sneak out for a bit of fun.

  This club was more of a lounge, and it was crappy at that. The place looked like a mess-and-a-half, with termite-ridden furniture, cracked walls, and a paint job from World War One. He told me it hadn’t been used for years, decades even. He had inherited it, like he had with the other clubs, but it was too far from the populated areas and just too damn small. The owner was in a ton of debt already, so he couldn’t afford to upgrade it. Two clubs were enough, he had told me.

  So, he was looking to get rid of the place. He said it would make a nice office, if my standards weren’t too high. Only problem was, he couldn’t get rid of the place yet. Not when a family of poltergeists had taken up residence.

  And that’s where I came into the picture. I had told him I’d take care of it. He wanted to call Child Protective Services. I showed him Djinn. He told me all about the place and left me to my devices. Turns out, I didn’t need a friendly magic dog – I had a glowing magic sword.

  I’m not going to recount every single detail of the event, that’s for another time. But the gist of it is that I won and the poltergeists lost. Not that they had presented much of a challenge. Some of them tried to fight. Most just panicked. All were noisy. Why is it that guys who can’t handle themselves always yell the loudest? It’s just annoying. By the time I was finished with them, only an antique boom box remained, which had MC Hammer’s “Can’t Touch This” looping through it. I’m not one for rap music, but after the second “Stop! Hammer time,” I began to appreciate that eighty’s classic.

  Besides, it drowned the poltergeists’ incessant yelling, which was a bonus.

  The guy who hired me had been in league with the damn things all along. He had no money to pay me with, as he never expected me to make it out in one piece. So, I pinned him down, did a light show with Djinn, and demanded he change his ways or I’d come find him.

  The guy wet himself.

  Then I asked for payment. He had none. But he was a businessman, so he cut me a deal.

  “Take the place,” he had said. “It’s yours.”

  I remember looking around and wrinkling my nose. It was a piece of crap. But then again, I needed a place to stay, and nothing would be as glamorous as the mansion. I looked again with new eyes. This place was well suited for me. Like me, it needed to start over. It’s amazing what a little bit of perspective does.

  “I’ll take it,” I said as I threw him out. I remember spending a half-hour just staring at the place. But I no longer saw a dump. I saw the opportunity of a future. A base of operations, I thought. For the first time in weeks, a genuine smile stretched my face.

  Welcome home, Erik.

  43

  Now

  The twinkle in Sun Tzu’s small eyes was evident.

  “Doing good for the sake of it,” he said. Even from his seated position, he managed a slight bow. “My friend, you have earned even more of my respect today. I am proud of you, as I am sure your Master also is in the afterlife.”

  A lump formed at my throat, and I felt my cheeks flush. Damn old man was going to make me cry.

  The ever-empathic Amaymon, completely oblivious to our moment of sentiment, jumped up and down in his chair, wriggling his butt on the chair like a hyperactive five-year-old.

  “Oh, oh,” he hollered. “My turn, my turn. Tell him about when your sister brought me over for the first time.” He chuckled and leaned over to Sun Tzu. He draped one arm over the Asian’s shoulder and tapped him enthusiastically. “You’re gonna love this one, Gramps,” he said gleefully, completely ignoring the uncomfortable look Sun Tzu was giving him. “I star in this one.”

  “No, you don’t,” I shot back.

  “Yeah, I do.”

  “No, you don’t.”

  “Yeah! I do!”

  “You don’t!”

  “I do,” he insisted.

  “Dude. I’m a freakin’ adult,” I said. “Are we really doing this?”

  “Just tell the damn story.”

  “I will,” I replied. “Now, shut up, sit back and let the guy telling the damn story speak.”

  ***

  Approximately 8 years ago

  The place was still in shambles when Gil showed up. I had just put up a new door and started a paint job.

  Money was a problem.

  I did favors and jobs for people around the area. It seemed monsters and horrors were aplenty in this town.

  Sometimes, I traded my services for supplies, other times I earned enough money to buy what I needed. Word soon spread about some kid who took care of supernatural business. Most of the time, it was superstitious idiots who wanted a light show or just to challenge me. I got money up front wherever I could, especially if I thought they were trying to con me.

  The place was barren, not even so much as a picture or a stick of furniture. I’d bought a mattress for eight bucks and put it in whichever room or corner the paint fumes didn’t reach. I lived off two sandwiches a day, and in complete solitude.

  But I was happy. This situation was only temporary. I never lost sight of the big picture – this was my home and my own life. For once I was in control of what I did. From here on out I would call my own shots.

  So, you can imagine how thrilled I was when I thought I’d gotten my first client. The doorbell, freshly bought a couple of days before, rang, and I skipped through planks of wood and cans of paint to answer it. My first client. This was officially the start of my business. I opened the door to reveal my sister standing in the afternoon sun, holding a black cat in her arms.

  “Hello, brother.”

  My enthusiasm died faster than you could say ‘let down’.

  “Ah, hell.”

  “Happy housewarming.” She lifted the cat and literally threw it at me. The feline latched onto my arms with its claws as it let out a sad meow.

  “You brought me a cat?” I asked, confused, as I tried to keep the cat from tearing my shirt to shreds. It calmed down and seemed content with just curling in my arms like an infant.

  “What’s her name?” I asked.

  “I’m a guy, dude.”

  Gil wasn’t the one who answered me. I looked down at the cat. There was something about that voice, that cockiness. Where have I heard it before?

  I remembered the wooden carving of a cat, remarkably similar to the one in my arms. “Amaymon?”

  “S’up?” he said as he licked his paw. I held the cat in my outstretched hands.

&nb
sp; “You brought me a demon?” I asked Gil exasperatedly.

  She shrugged, hiding a grin. “You remember our deal with Mephisto? I can’t have two demons running amuck in one house, Erik. Besides, that thing’s a menace,” she said, glaring at the cat.

  “Meow,” the cat cutely replied.

  Gil glared some more. “Is that all you have to say for yourself?”

  Amaymon meowed again and a vein on Gil’s neck throbbed. I had to admit, the cat was scoring points like mad.

  “If you don’t want him, Erik,” she said. “I can always throw him in the nearest pool and leave him to drown. We technically upheld our end of the bargain with Mephisto. What happens to Amaymon is not our concern.”

  Amaymon shook violently and managed to wrap himself around my arm. I let go in shock, but he clung to my shoulder in despair.

  “Please. I’ll behave, I’ll behave, I swear,” he begged. “Just get me away from the psycho broad.”

  Gil tsk’ed, and that vein throbbed again. She searched in her pocket and extracted a silver pendant with a ruby.

  “Your call, Erik,” she said, dangling the pendant like a hypnotist’s pocket watch. Judging by the power I felt from that thing, it was probably the key to this demon’s powers. Whoever controls that controls the demon himself.

  I snatched it from her. “I’ll keep him.”

  Possibilities were already going through my head. A demon familiar, particularly one who owed me a huge favor like saving his life, would be extremely helpful. That is, if I could keep him in check. At the very least, I’ll stop talking to myself.

  I invited Gil in. She wrinkled her nose at the smell of paint, but said nothing. She didn’t even complain when I sat her on a cardboard box and took another as my seat while using a third to hold our coffee mugs. Amaymon had found a bag of Doritos and ripped it open.

  “Nice place,” she said. I heard the sarcasm emanating from her voice.

  “I know,” I shot back.

  Her eyes narrowed. “So. Rumor has it that a superhero has appeared in Eureka. Some teenager with a glowing blue sword and a Ghostbusters act.”

  “I tried to get Spiderman, but the flights from New York are a bitch,” I replied.

  “What the hell are you doing, Erik?” she asked seriously.

  “Oh, you know, just the usual,” I replied nonchalantly. “Started a business, killed some monsters, saved the day. Just your run-of-the-mill superhero stuff. Minus the spandex and cape.” I leaned forward.

  “Why the questions, Gil? You got a problem with my newfound independence?” I asked darkly.

  “I don’t give a damn what you do, Erik,” she said coolly. “It’s not like you’ll be interfering with my business ventures.” Her eyes darkened. “They, however, may not share my opinion.”

  “They?”

  “Yes. They. The authorities. The big guns. The ones truly in control.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?”

  She let out a chuckle. “Listen up, brother, because I am only going to say this once. I may even be killed for revealing their existence, but I suppose you have earned the right to know. Think of it as a peace offering.”

  She fidgeted in her seat. “Do you remember when Mephisto once mentioned laws for the magical world?” I nodded. “At the time, I thought it was only a set of command rules, like a code of ethics, to keep us from spiraling into chaos. But I was wrong. There exists a council of ten wizards who have set rules in place. They roam the plane, always vigilant.” Gil visibly shuddered.

  “They are called the Grigori — a council of ten wizards, each powerful enough to level a city if he so wished. These are the people who set the standards for magic users as well as the limitations. They created these laws and summarily deal with anyone who refuses to toe the line. No one knows what these rules are, or how far their limitations go. I suspect their laws only apply to the most dangerous corners of magic. Public knowledge may inspire certain lunatics to vie for the attention of the Grigori by attaining such power. But I do know one rule – the existence of the Grigori must never be revealed.” She smiled. “That is, unless it is by a member of the Grigori themselves.”

  My eyes widened. “So, you’re a member of the Grigori council now?”

  “Not quite,” she replied. “More of an honorary member. Our ancestor, who led the assault on Hell, was one such member. All the Heads of Household, even our father, held an honorary position amongst the council. It was the Grigori who set the rule that warlocks are not to alter other planes of existence. Some time ago, a council member extended me the offer of honorary membership. But like our ancestors, I intend to become a full-fledged member.”

  “Awesome,” I said sarcastically. “You wanna join a team of super executioners. Good luck.”

  “These are the wizards who control and regulate all others. They are the sculptors of continents and puppeteers of civilizations.” A twinkle was in her eye. “I want to be the most powerful I can be without resorting to the unscrupulous methods of our father and those before him.”

  “Huh. Yeah, like that can happen,” I said sarcastically.

  “It can and it will,” she said vehemently. “Because I will it so.”

  “Look at you, already got the attitude of a… what was it?” I said mockingly.

  “Sculptor of continents and puppeteer of civilizations,” supplied Amaymon.

  “What he said,” I continued.

  “I don’t have to justify my actions to you, Erik,” she replied coolly. “But you are missing the point.”

  “Yeah? What would that be?”

  “I mentioned that a Grigori member personally contacted me. Doesn’t that strike you as strange? I mean, sure, an invitation of such merit is not something done over the phone, but they do have messengers and errand boys,” she said.

  “Get to the point, Gil,” I said impatiently.

  “The point is, brother,” she said, “that your actions with dad and Crowley and all this ‘save the innocent’ drivel has put you on their radar. The council member was here because of you. It was only out of courtesy and luck that he stopped by the mansion first.”

  “Really? How is that lucky?”

  “Because I accepted the invitation,” she replied with glee. “This entire area is officially under my jurisdiction now, including you. Which means, if you mess up, the Grigori will come after my head before coming after yours.”

  “So, what am I supposed to do, ask for your permission before doing something?” I asked as my temper started rising. Here she goes, trying to control my life. Well, I wasn’t having any of it. “I don’t care about any of this crap, Gil. I’m gonna do my thing – if the Grigori’s got a problem with that, let ‘em come.”

  Gil rose to leave. “Even if it means endangering your sister?”

  “I know you, Gil,” I replied. “You’re smart, smarter than anyone I know. I’m sure you can cover your ass.”

  She smiled. “Thank you. I will not interfere unless I have to. And remember, this conversation never happened.”

  “Grigori who?” I said as I walked her to the door.

  She turned toward me. “You know, you make one good warlock, Erik. Pity we are in this situation.”

  “Yeah, pity,” I replied. “But you’re wrong on one thing, Gil. I’m no warlock.”

  “Oh?”

  “I’m just a guy with a glowing sword and a Ghostbusters act,” I replied. “Say hi to Satan for me.”

  I shut the door in her face and smiled. Erik, one. Gil, zero.

  It felt good to be a badass.

  44

  Now

  I settled the glass back down. It was completely empty. There were still a couple of shots left in the bottle, but they did not call out to me.

  “After that, it was pretty much history,” I said. “Amaymon and I took cases, helping out wherever we could. Then, nearly a year ago, Jehudiel showed up and told us about Abi. I found out about the Sins and the angels warring against them. This
is the prologue of a war between Heaven and Hell, and my sister chose the Heaven side.”

  “Do you intend to make the same choice as Gil?” asked Sun Tzu.

  “You mean, do I intend to side with Heaven or Hell?” I asked. “No. My side is this one, Earth. If the tables were turned, and Heaven was the one who wanted to conquer, then I’d kick their asses just the same.”

  Sun Tzu said nothing, but nodded. There was no judgment in his eyes.

  Only respect.

  And there it was, my life story, finished. A myriad of feelings went through me, and something like a panic attack threatened to overtake me. I was so distracted by the whole thing that I didn’t feel Abi sneaking up behind me.

  “Guess who?” she said as I felt her hands on my shoulder. My hand was already on Djinn’s handle but the sound of her voice saved her from getting stabbed. I turned around, ready to reprimand her, and saw nothing. I felt her hand on my shoulder, the heat coming from her body, and heard the sound of her breathing and stifled giggling, but I couldn’t see her.

  “What the–”

  She appeared suddenly, making me jump in my seat. The damn redhead was laughing her head off.

  “Not cute,” I said as I tried to maintain some dignity.

  I failed.

  “You should have seen your face,” she said in between laughs. “So, what do you think?” she asked once her laughing fit ceased. “I learned a couple of tricks.”

  “Yeah? Like what?” I asked.

  “I’m part succubus, right?” she answered. “Which means I can play around with minds and make them all foggy and lusty. But because I’m a hybrid and can use magic, I can take that a step further. I can make the mind my area of effect. So, I can create illusions, mess with senses, send messages, read personalities and,” she said with glee, “check this out.”

  She pointed at the table and concentrated. One of the bottles levitated a quarter of an inch before wobbling and pathetically toppling over.