Finding Valor

by Charlotte Abel

  He cast a balance spell, a quick-reflex spell, a listen-up spell and a bright-eyes spell on himself before putting on his helmet. All that magic wore him out, but he was putting his life on the line every time he got on that bike. That didn’t mean he didn’t enjoy it.

  Hunter headed north on Interstate 15 with no destination in mind. Once he was out of city limits, he opened up the throttle and worked his way up the gears. At about seventy miles an hour he really got on it. The front wheel lifted off the pavement into a hair-raising wheelie. He held it for a good fifteen seconds before easing off the throttle and leaning forward to bring that bad-boy back to earth. No wonder Ms. Stephanie called it a crotch rocket.

  It took less than an hour to get to Mesquite. He pulled into a 7-Eleven to buy the biggest cup of that frozen red drink he liked so much, even though it always gave him a headache. A girl, sitting on the back of a motorcycle, was playing with her cell phone. Hunter tipped his head in greeting, but she didn’t even look up. Whatever was on that phone must be pretty fascinating.

  Hunter didn’t know enough about the different brands of motorcycles to know if hers was faster than his. But he wanted to find out.

  A guy charged out of the store just as Hunter reached for the door. He jumped to the side to keep from being knocked over. “Take it easy there, buddy.”

  The guy ignored him and yelled at the girl, “What the hell are you doing with my phone?”

  Hunter set his helmet on the sidewalk, ready to step in if the guy got rough.

  The girl stood up on the buddy pegs then swung her right leg over the back of the bike and hopped to the ground. “I was looking for that picture you took of us yesterday and found this.”

  She turned the phone around and glared at the guy. Hunter couldn’t help noticing there was an awful lot of pink skin on the screen.

  The guy’s eyes widened. “You have no right to invade my privacy.”

  Oh boy. Wrong thing to say.

  The girl’s energy field pulsed with equal amounts of grief and anger, while the guy just projected guilt.

  “No right?” The girl’s lips parted as she shook her head. “You cheated on me and you have the nerve to accuse me of invading your privacy?”

  “Look, Renee, it was just a one-time fling. It didn’t mean anything.” The idiot still hadn’t apologized.

  Renee’s face turned so red, it glowed. “If it didn’t mean anything, why’d you take pictures?”

  “It won’t happen again, I promise.”

  “You bet it won’t happen again. We’re through.”

  “Get back on the bike.”

  “Screw you. I’d rather walk to Vegas.”

  “Fine. Then walk. Nice knowing you.” The guy got on the motorcycle, revved the engine and took off down the highway.

  Hunter couldn’t believe it. They were out in the middle of nowhere. What kind of scoundrel abandons a pretty little thing like that in the middle of the desert? He touched her shoulder. “Pardon me, miss, but I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation. Can I give you a lift?”

  Renee blinked then looked at Hunter. Tears clung to the thick lashes framing her big, brown eyes. “I don’t know you.”

  “Is there someone you can call? To come get you?”

  She shook her head then froze. Panic lit up her energy field.

  Hunter never used magic to seduce women, and he wasn’t going to start now. But this girl was in trouble. He used the tiniest bit of power he could and cast a weak come-hither spell on her. Just enough to get her to trust him.

  She licked her lips and swallowed. “You don’t look like a serial killer.”

  “I’m Hunter.” He smiled and held out his hand. “And I promise you, Miss Renee, you’re safe with me.”

  Her smile lit up her face. “I don’t know why, but I believe you.”

  “Where would you like to go?”

  “Anywhere. Anywhere at all.”

  Hunter took Highway 169 to the east entrance of the Valley of Fire State Park. Renee’s arms around his waist felt…safe. She was a beautiful young woman, tall and thin, but athletic. Her straight black hair whipped around her shoulders and flicked his neck. He couldn’t help wondering what it would be like to have a normal girlfriend. Someone that wasn’t twice his age or married to someone else. Someone that didn’t look down her nose at him, even if she was knocked up with someone else’s baby. Damn it. He didn’t want to think about Kassie.

  When they got back to Vegas, Hunter tried three different restaurants before he found one that would serve them without a reservation. He felt a twinge of guilt as he used the credit card Ms. Stephanie had given him, but it wasn’t like he was cheating on her. He was just taking a nice girl out to supper. He also bought a couple of tickets from a scalper to Mystère, his favorite Cirque du Soleil show. The tickets took most of the cash in his wallet, but the look of wonder on Renee’s face as she watched the performers was worth every penny.

  The come-hither spell wore off sometime just before intermission, but Renee didn’t seem to notice. She didn’t bolt. She didn’t jerk her hand out of his or move her head off his shoulder. Hunter would have loved to take her back to his apartment, and do nothing but hold her in his arms while she slept. But he’d already dodged two of Ms. Stephanie’s calls. He wasn’t any better than Renee’s cheating boyfriend. She deserved someone that could be there for her all the time. Someone that wasn’t entangled in an adulterous affair. They stood outside the theater, holding hands, until the crowd thinned. Hunter loved that he could gaze directly into her eyes, without looking down. He didn’t want the evening to end, but he needed to get ready for work. And for the first time since he’d started dancing for money, Hunter was ashamed to admit that he was an exotic dancer.

  “I’ve had a really nice time with you, but I need to take you home.”

  “Okay.” Renee dropped her chin.

  “Where is home?”

  “This is fine.” Anxiety, fear and sorrow poured out of her.

  “You don’t live here, do you?”

  “I’m from Texas.”

  “What are you doing in Nevada?”

  “My parents were trying to force me to break up with my boyfriend. I sort of ran away.”

  “Ah. I see. Was that the guy that ditched you in the middle of the desert?”

  She nodded.

  “Do you want me to track that scum bag down and beat the living daylights out of him?”

  “I just want to go home.” Her voice trembled.

  Hunter brushed a tear off her cheek then hugged her. He knew exactly how she felt. He wished he could go home.

  “Don’t cry. I’ll take you to the airport and buy you a ticket, okay?”

  “My folks will buy me a ticket home—and ground me for the rest of my life—but I could use a ride to the airport, if it’s not too much trouble.”

  “It’s my pleasure.” He’d be late getting to work, but some things were more important than money.

  ~***~

  Josh’s heart rate didn’t slow down until he hauled the pillowcase full of money into his room.

  Kassie followed him inside then pulled the door shut and locked it.

  Josh dropped the pillowcase when he saw the lacy bra hanging over the side of his laundry basket. He hooked a finger under the shoulder strap and lifted it up. Another memory flash, like the one in the kitchen, ripped through his brain.

  His hands tremble as he unfastens the tiny buttons on the back of Channie’s green velvet dress. Her creamy white skin glows in the moonlight…

  Josh dropped the bra and clutched his head with both hands as he sank to his knees. Even with his eyes shut, he could still sense the golden light pulsing out of his chest.

  “Josh!” Kassie knelt beside him and grasped his wrists. “What’s wrong?”

  “My head.” He gritted his teeth and tried to hold onto the image; but it was like trying to hold onto a puff of smoke. He panted through the pain until it faded enough for him to speak. �
�It happened earlier today when I saw a pan of cornbread, of all things. Both times, I got a glimpse of what might be a memory, but it doesn’t last. I can’t even remember the memory, and it hurts like hell.”

  “Maybe you should see a doctor.”

  Josh rubbed his temples. “No. The pain’s already fading. I’ll be fine in a few minutes.”

  “What if you’re having a stroke? Or an aneurysm or something?”

  “No. That’s not it.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I don’t know, I just do.”

  “I wish you’d at least call Hunter.”

  “I don’t know Hunter.” Josh sighed. “And I can’t deal with any more unknowns at the moment. I need time to sort out what I do know.”

  “That didn’t exactly make sense.”

  “None of this makes sense.”

  Stripper music poured out of Josh’s pocket. He pulled out his phone and frowned at the selfie of a young man posing in front of a mirror, wearing nothing but a banana hammock.

  Josh turned the screen towards Kassie. “Is that Hunter?”

  She nodded and licked her lips. “Yeah, that’s him.”

  “Gross.” Josh accepted the call. “Hunter?”

  “Is Channie there? She ain’t answering her phone.”

  “She’s not available.”

  “Damn it.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Old man Ker—Belks is missing.”

  “Who’s old man Kerbelks?”

  “This ain’t no time for jokes. Nobody’s answering their phones. I had a bad feeling about old man Belks. I knowed Channie’s momma wasn’t gonna take too kindly to y’all running off with the Book of the Dead, but I didn’t expect her to kill the old man.”

  “He’s dead?” Josh finally figured out that ‘old man Belks’ must be Channie’s dad.

  Kassie gasped then mouthed, “Who died?”

  “His pickup’s in the driveway. The bitch’s Lexus is gone. And the house reeks of black magic.”

  “I see.” Diego had mentioned that Hunter was a magician…no…mage. He’d called him a mage. “And you think Channie’s mother killed him?”

  “Well, what do you think?”

  Josh glanced at Kassie. Her face was pale. She didn’t need to hear this conversation. “I need to call you back.”

  Kassie grabbed the phone out of Josh’s hand and put it on speaker. “Hunter, this is Kassie. Josh doesn’t remember anything about you or Channie or her parents. And Channie left with her mother.”

  “Shit. Oh…sorry. Pardon my language. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  Hunter hung up without another word. Kassie handed Josh his phone. “Hunter may be a lousy boyfriend, but he’s a good friend. You can trust him.”

  “If you say so.”

  “I do.”

  Josh’s phone rang again. This time it was a normal ring-tone.

  “Hey, Dad. What’s up?” Josh cringed at his overly cheerful tone of voice. He left his phone on speaker so Kassie could help him out if Dad asked him something he didn’t know, but should.

  “It’s Liz.”

  Josh could tell from the broken sound of Dad’s voice that something was horribly wrong. “What happened?”

  “Someone attacked her.”

  “Is she okay?”

  “I don’t know. I’m on my way to the hospital. They said it looks like someone threw acid on her.”

  “Which hospital? I’ll meet you there.”

  “She’s in intensive care. They won’t let anyone in her room but me. I don’t want to sound rude, but I need to focus on Liz right now. I might need you and Channie to watch Elijah for me this weekend if Marge has to work.”

  “Of course.” Josh didn’t think it was the right time to tell Dad that Channie was missing. “Whatever you need.”

  “I’ll call as soon as I know anything.”

  Kassie pulled her phone out of her purse. “I’m texting Mom to let her know I’m spending the night.”

  “You don’t have to do that. I’m fine.”

  “Your stepmother is in the hospital. You can’t remember the past six months of your life, or your wife. You are not fine.” She yawned and stretched. “Besides, I’m too tired to drive home.” Kassie rubbed her baby bump. “This little guy is already wearing me out. I can’t imagine how hard it’s going to be once he gets here.”

  “You’re keeping the baby?”

  “Of course I’m keeping the baby!”

  “Sorry. I didn’t know.”

  “I’m so tired of everyone telling me I have ‘other options.’” Kassie’s eyes filled with tears. “I thought about adoption, but the first time I felt him kick, I knew I couldn’t go through with it. I hate Eric. But I love this baby so much already.”

  Josh wrapped his arms around her and pressed her head against his shoulder. He wanted to tell her not to cry. That everything was going to be okay, but that’s not what she needed. “You’re going to be a great mom. And you don’t have to do it all alone. I don’t know anything about babies, but I’m here for you. Whatever you need, all you have to do is ask.”

  ~***~

  As soon as Hunter finished talking with Josh, he texted Ms. Stephanie. Family emergency. Gotta go.

  She called him just as he climbed onto his bike.

  “Hunter? What’s wrong?”

  “I got a lead on one of my missing brothers. I gotta go check it out.” No way was he telling her about Channie. He needed to get the hell out of the Belks’ driveway before someone called the cops.

  “Just call the police.”

  “No!” Crap. “I cain’t. He’s in trouble with the law.”

  “Does this trouble have anything to do with the young lady you took to dinner last night?”

  Hunter thumped his forehead with his fist. How’d she find out about Renee? “No.”

  “Do you remember our agreement, Hunter?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Hunter cringed. Ms. Stephanie didn’t like him calling her ma’am. It made her feel old. “I didn’t bed the girl. All I did was feed her.”

  “And take her to a show?”

  “Yeah, that too. Look, I’m sorry, but I really do have to go.”

  There was a long pause, then a heavy sigh. “I’m very disappointed, Hunter. I thought you were enjoying our arrangement.”

  “I was. I mean…I am. Can we talk about this when I get back?”

  “Good-bye, Hunter. I’m going to miss you.”

  Hunter stared at the blank screen on his phone then shoved it in his pocket. That ‘good-bye’ sounded awful serious. He should’ve been upset, but all he felt was relief.

  Traffic between the Belks’ house and his apartment was heavy so it took him a while to get home. He parked his bike in one of the visitor’s spots in front of the office. It wouldn’t take long to grab a fistful of hundreds and a change of clothes. He left his helmet on and took the stairs two at a time.

  The hair on the back of his neck stood on end when he noticed the door to his apartment was slightly ajar.

  Hunter pulled as much magic as he could handle out of his power-well and stepped inside. He didn’t detect any foreign energy.

  The flat screen television was gone. So was his laptop computer. He wouldn’t miss the computer; he’d rather use his phone for email anyway. But the TV? Damn.

  “Oh no.” Hunter ran to his room. His closet door was open. His pillowcase was gone. He sat on the edge of his bed and dropped his chin to his chest.

  He had a little less than a hundred dollars in his wallet, not enough to buy a plane ticket on such short notice. At least he still had the credit card Ms. Stephanie had given him. He grabbed a backpack, threw in a change of clothes and headed for the airport. He didn’t think things could get any worse—until the pretty lady at the United Airlines ticket counter took out a pair of scissors and cut his shiny, black MasterCard in half.

  ~***~

  Josh had another mini-flashback when he crawled into bed
. But it was the same as before. Pain. Flash of light. No lasting memory.

  He put his earbuds in and scrolled through his playlists. His breath caught when he found one labeled, “Our songs.” The first few notes of the first song triggered another flashback. He yanked the earbuds out and waited for the pain to fade then tried it again with the second song, and the third. After the fourth, he gave up. If he could remember the flashbacks, it would be worth the pain. But this was pointless. He checked the time on his phone. One thirty.

  He felt as if he’d just fallen asleep when stripper music blared out of his phone. He’d forgotten about Hunter. “Hey.”

  “Can you come get me?”

  “That depends. Where are you?”

  “Starbucks. At the Twenty-ninth Street Mall.”

  “What are you doing at the mall?” Josh pulled his phone away from his ear long enough to check the time. It was only six thirty-eight.

  “I ran out of gas and money. I’m stranded.”

  “You drove here? From Vegas?”

  “It’s a long story. Are you gonna come get me or not?”

  Josh held his phone to his ear with his shoulder and stepped into his jeans. “I’m on my way.”

  “You think you’ll be able to recognize me?”

  “I don’t know. Will you be wearing something other than a black speedo?”

  Hunter laughed. “I forgot about putting that picture on your phone. But that’s what you get for picking stripper music for my ringtone.”

  “Does it bother you?”

  Hunter sighed. “I’m a dancer. A highly skilled, exotic dancer.”

  “Same thing.”

  Hunter groaned. “How long’s it gonna take you to get here?”

  “About fifteen minutes.”

  “Can you bring a gallon of gas with you?”

  Josh had no trouble picking Hunter out of the early-morning caffeine junkies. His look screamed “Vegas.” Sun-bleached hair; tanned skin; leather jacket over a super-tight t-shirt with three half-naked men and the words ‘Her Lady’s Pleasure’ screen printed on the front. His artfully ripped and faded jeans looked like they’d been sprayed on. Snakeskin boots and a heavy gold chain around his neck completed the look. But it was the energy he felt radiating off the guy that set him apart. It was similar to what he felt around Diego’s sons, but stronger. Much stronger.