A Magical Reckoning: Magic and Mischief Book 1

by N. R. Hairston

  In any normal circumstances this should have pissed me off, so I pretended that it had. “Thanks, new guy, you probably just got us set.”

  Getting set was just that, a setback. It meant instead of gaining books we lost them and started the next round with a negative number. A hard place to be in, unless we went blind or set our opponents.

  He winked, with a mischievous grin on his face, and I threw out the first card of the game.

  We were up eight books when they realized our deception. We wouldn’t be the ones being set tonight, not right now anyway. With spades, you went through as many hands as you could until the first team reached the agreed upon score. It wasn’t much to lose a hand. We all did that. What mattered was losing the whole game.

  Gordon looked at his remaining cards and frowned. “You got us. It won’t happen again, but yeah, you got it this time.” He took it with ease because that was the nature of the game. Whatever it took to win. That’s what I always said.

  Twist, one of Jinx’s floor workers, brought over another round of beer. Jinx was the owner here. This was also her home. I often wondered how she stood it sometimes, having a house full of gamblers every night. Knowing Jinx, though, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

  Twist, who looked to be about twenty-five, stood about five feet seven. Skinny as hell, he had piercings up his ears, on his tongue, lip, eyebrow, and chin. He had dark green hair, with red highlights on the tips and black-brown eyes.

  I pulled out a few bills and placed them in his hand. “Go ahead and bring another round. I believe these guys be thirsty tonight.” I laughed and saw Xavier’s lips quirk up in a small smile. I turned back to Twist. “Bring over some pretzels and meat skins. Let’s see if we can’t amp that thirst up a bit.”

  Twist nodded but didn’t move. Oh, I pulled out a twenty and stuffed it in the waist of his pants. I closed my mouth before I told him to go buy something pretty for himself.

  That wouldn’t have gone over well I was sure. He left and came back a few minutes later with a bowl of pretzels and a bowl of barbecued meat skins.

  He stood again without moving as if he expected me to tip him again. I gave him two dollars. “I can’t go broke, Twist. The twenty was good enough.” I wasn’t sure of success tonight, and if I didn’t win, I didn’t eat, and I didn’t pay my rent, so it mattered that I held on to as much as I could.

  He looked like he wanted to argue the point, but in the end, he just gave me a stiff nod and walked away. I turned back to the others. “He already got a twenty out of me. I thought that was being generous.”

  Gordon waved his hand at Twist’s retreating back. “Gave him about thirty dollars myself, tonight. He’ll be alright.”

  We played hard for a while. But when it came down to the last hand it was Xavier and me who were set. I looked over the score. If we went a blind ten and pulled it off, we could win, probably only by a book a two.

  Still, a win was a win, and with six thousand dollars up for grabs, I was willing to try anything. I put my hand over my eyes and then flashed both hands at Xavier to indicate what I wanted. He nodded his approval, and I marveled at how well we were getting along so far.

  “We’re going a blind ten. Go ahead and write that down.” I told Gordon, who was the scorekeeper.

  His eyes glistened with victory. No doubt he thought we couldn’t pull it off. I cracked my knuckles because that just made me want it all the more. He wrote down our bid. “Your game, baby girl.”

  We were going to lose anyway so why not make a last ditch effort? A blind ten was hard as hell to get, but it could be done. I’d done so plenty of times before, as had countless others.

  We were up eight, with two books still up for grabs. It was very much anybody’s game and the mood around the table was tense, as each one of us wanted to leave the table with that six thousand in hand.

  I threw out the three of clubs, now just needing my partner to have something to back it up.

  Xavier licked his lips, but didn’t say anything, only watched the table closely. Gordon threw out the ace of diamonds and my pulse started doing somersaults.

  I wiped the sweat from my face and sat up a little more in the chair. We really could win this. It was Xavier’s turn now. He already had the card he wanted to play out and face down.

  With no preamble he turned it over and tossed it out. Shit. He had the five of hearts. All it took was for Rail to have a higher club, which wasn’t hard when all I’d thrown out was a three. Or he could have a spade. Any spade would beat my book and win them the game.

  Rail’s nostrils flared, and a bit of smoke discharged from his nose. Jaw tight, he threw out the ten of diamonds. It was just what we needed! I tried to hide my excitement, but there was nothing better than a hard-earned win. Even better that we’d actually gone a blind ten and pulled it off.

  Since I’d won the last book, it was still my turn. This was it. The card that would determine it all. Either we’d walk away six thousand dollars richer or three thousand poorer. My nerves jumped, making my hands clammy and wet.

  I blew out a long breath and then just threw the card out. It skirted over to Xavier who stopped it from hitting the floor and placed it in the middle of the table.

  The seven of hearts stared up at me, and my pulse started doing jumping jacks. Now I just needed it to be enough. Gordon wiped a hand across his face and then tossed out the ten of hearts, beating my seven into the ground with a stick.

  Not good. I looked at Xavier. He pointedly ignored my panic and threw out the three of spades. Whew, but we still had one more to go. If Rail had any spades higher than a three we were done for.

  Twist came to clear our empty bowls away and I stuffed another five in his pocket, to show my appreciation. Rail communicated something to his partner that I couldn’t understand, cut his eyes at me, and then tossed the eight of hearts.

  It would have won them the game had it not been for my partner’s three of spades sitting proudly on the table. Yes! Inside I was singing, but outside I tried to play it cool.

  We’d pulled off the near impossible and I sucked in a deep breath, loving the feeling of invincibility that came with that. Xavier’s face never changed expressions, so it was hard to know what he felt. I gave him the once over, and heat pooled in my stomach as I wondered if he’d like to celebrate with me later.

  His eyes locked with mine, and I raised a brow in silent invitation. He nodded, and I thought we were talking about the same thing, but I couldn’t be certain.

  Even if we weren’t, I’d made more than enough to pay my bills for the next couple of months, and that alone was a reason to celebrate.

  Twist came back, and I tossed him another twenty just for the hell of it.

  Gordon stood and punched me playfully on the arm. “Good game, baby girl. We’ll beat your ass next time. Don’t worry about that.”

  I smiled smugly. “I’m not worried. I got your money in my hand. What’s there to worry about?” He shook his head, a small twinkle in his eye.

  Rail stood as well. He leaned over and placed a quick kiss on my forehead. “Gonna tell Aaron about this new partner you got here.” He crooked a finger at Xavier.

  I laughed good-naturedly. “Tell him. Maybe next time he won’t be so quick to flip that door knob.” He laughed, shaking his head and then he and Gordon headed over to the bar.

  That left just me and Xavier. My temperature rose just thinking about the things I would do once I got him home. “You ready?” I asked, anxious to enjoy the rest of my night.

  He stood and put his money in his pocket. “A drink first.”

  A marvelous idea. I motioned Twist back over. “Four whiskey shots and two bottles of beer.”

  Xavier waited until Twist was out of sight before he raised an eyebrow at me. “You trying to get me drunk, darlin’?”

  I opened my mouth and then closed it, because yeah, I was trying to get him drunk, but to be fair, I was trying to get myself drunk as well. “I’m trying to do so
mething,” I mumbled.

  He still heard me. I could tell from the way his eyes shone, and his lips curled ever so slightly. That look had me breathing hard in anticipation for later.

  Twist came back with our drinks. Xavier and I each went for the whiskey first. We knocked our glasses together and then downed them in one gulp.

  The liquid was bitter and burned liked hell, sending a warm sensation down my throat. I shimmied a bit, then smacked my lips, letting out an Ahhh for good measure.

  I picked up the second drink. We knocked them again, then threw those back, before slamming the glasses down.

  His eyes held amusement, and I could tell he was enjoying this as much as I was. We picked up the beer bottles. He tilted his my way. “To the game.”

  I didn’t care too much about the game at the moment, but I respected his words. I tilted mine back at him. “To tonight. We can call that a game too.” I watched him closely to catch his reaction.

  His eyes promised things I hoped his goods could deliver on. “Tonight.” He said roughly.

  We guzzled our beers and then slammed those bottles as well. It felt good, freeing even, to have someone on the same level as myself. I wondered what he was like in bed. A fire lit in my lower regions; man, I couldn’t wait to get him home.

  We stood, and I led the way out the door. The cool night air hit us as soon as we stepped outside and I slung my arm around his shoulder in an effort to keep us both warm.

  We’d probably walked about six feet when the wind picked up and knocked us both into a brick building.

  My arm hit hard, sending ripples of pain from my shoulder to my fingers. It felt like someone had punctured it with a sharp blade, and I held it tightly to me in an effort to soothe.

  Xavier looked a little ruffled but shook it off, his eyes scanning the street for the next attack.

  The empty lot across the street had an assortment of rocks, and I called one over to me. I bounced it back and forth, ready to smack whoever upside the head for fucking up my night.

  Trash cans were set on curbs up and down the street. Which meant tomorrow was trash day. Xavier held out his hand, and one of the lids rumbled and flew toward him, turning into a baseball bat midway.

  I blinked, impressed. Telekinesis along with transmutation made for a powerful combination. I could only imagine the things we could’ve done in the bedroom. It didn’t matter right now. I’d rather have him by my side in a fight than just in my bed for one night.

  He looked at my rock. “Want me to make you something pretty, darlin’?”

  I threw it in the air, ignoring his condescending remark. “I’d rather you make me something deadly.”

  He waved his hand, and my rock became a long, curved, shimmering blade. I snatched it up, and swung it back and forward, trying to get a feel for it.

  These types of swords were rare and cut with a precision so great they could split a hair follicle down the middle. It was a little heavy, but the more I handled it the lighter it became.

  The wind lurched again, knocking our weapons from our hands and flinging them across the street. We immediately shifted so that we were back to back, alert for anything.

  Twist stepped out of the shadows and I almost called out to warn him, until he got closer and I noticed the strength of his walk and the determined glint in his eyes. I shook my head as if that would clear the sight of a deranged Twist in front of me. “Twist! What the hell are you doing, man?”

  Wind whipped around him blowing his hair back and making his shirt and pant legs flap. “Give me your money.” His voice came out hard and flat.

  He was an idiot. We were telekineses. It only took a second to call our weapons back. He puckered his lips, probably ready to blow them away again, but I raised my hand and lifted him in the air, I used the other hand to squeeze ever so slightly on his heart, stopping him from any sudden movement.

  His eyes popped and his legs kicked, trying in vain to break my hold on him. “Why the fuck do you need my money? I’ve been tipping your ass all night.” I really wanted to know. What did Twist mean by trying to rob me? Someone who knew who he was and where he worked.

  He made choking sounds and clutched at his chest frantically. “Why do you need my money, Twist?” I repeated.

  Xavier gave me a look that said I should know better. “Let up on his heart, darlin’. He might be able to answer if you do.”

  Oh. Yeah, there was that. Feeling a little silly at my oversight, I loosened my grip enough for him to speak. “Twist?”

  “My... sis… sister,” he said, gasping for breath.

  I eased off some more. “What about her?” I knew his sister, Laurel. I’d even hung out with her at Jinx’s a couple of weeks ago. Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen her in a while. I usually ran into her at least two or three times a week, at Jinx’s or one of the other places we both frequented.

  We weren’t really friends, just two people who like the same places. She’d sat down at my card table one night a couple of weeks ago and after the game, we’d gotten together with a few others and decided to hit the town.

  She was all right company. Not too bad one way or the other. Still, she was someone I knew and had hung out with recently, so it mattered to me if she was okay or not. “What happened to Laurel?”

  “Kidn… kidnapped. She’s… been… kidnapped… I need ransom money.”

  I clicked my tongue. Something didn’t add up. Twist was a floor runner. Who in their right mind would assume he had the money to pay off a ransom? I applied more pressure to his heart, making him choke and gasp for air. “Try again.”

  “Okay…. okay. I’ll… tell… I’ll tell you… just… just let me down.”

  I dropped him immediately, not caring about the hard thump his body made when it hit the ground. He came shakily to his feet, holding his chest, and shrinking away from me.

  Xavier placed the bat under Twist’s chin and lifted his head with it. “Talk.” His voice came out low and gravely. Chills popped on my arm because, for the first time tonight, I realized just how dangerous this man could be if pushed. I really wanted to make him release that inner beast but knew now wasn’t the time.

  Twist deflated like a stuck balloon. “I owe Biles money. He took my sister until I can afford to pay him back.”

  Xavier and I shared a look. Him questioning, and me pissed. Biles was the lowest of the low. Scum that preyed on the weak and profited off the backs of those less fortunate.

  Why the fuck hadn’t Twist gone to Jinx for a loan if he needed one? Why borrow from a notorious ball breaker who didn’t care who he hurt?

  They say great minds think alike and Xavier proved that with his next words. “Twist, Twist, Twist.” He sounded like a parent correcting a wayward child. “We both know who you work for, so try again.”

  Twist hung his head low. “Who do you think I owed the money to? I borrowed from Jinx. Got a few pay advances. She threatened to fire me if I didn’t pony up.” His voice lowered. “So I went to Biles for the money. Only I couldn’t pay him back, not with his two-hundred percent interest rate and all.”

  I stared hard at him, wondering how he could be so foolish. “Really Twist? Really? Are you on drugs? Why the fuck did you need so much money?”

  He didn’t answer, and so I guessed I’d hit the nail on the head. “Well, I like to eat and pay my rent and utilities. That’s where my money’s going. You’re not getting it. But I like Laurel enough, so If you want, I’ll help you get your sister back.”

  I gave Xavier a what are you going to do look. Because I was pissed that my night with him would be cut short. He wasn’t a regular at any of the gaming houses. Which meant I’d probably never see him again. Unless….

  “I’ll help.”

  I didn’t even try to hide my shock. “You will?”

  An easy smile spread across his face, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “That what you think of me, darlin’? That I could just walk away from a woman in distress?”

&
nbsp; He sounded almost offended, but seriously I didn’t know him like that. I mean, I was ready to take him home, but that’s what’s called a no strings, one-night stand.

  I licked my lips for what could have been, then straightened. Oh well, the more help, the better, I guessed. Plus, he was a transmutater, which could really come in handy.

  I released my hold on Twist, still alert in case he decided to go for broke and try me again. Xavier removed the bat from under his chin and we both waited for him to give us more details.

  Twist’s eyes glistened and he sniffed and wiped his nose. “I don’t know where they’re holding her. But I have a couple of clues back home.”

  Shit, tonight was veering way off course, but sometimes you just had to roll with it. “Fine. Take us to your home. Show us what you’ve got.”

  2

  Twist lived in Liberty View. Liberty View was an apartment community that was often judged as roach and rat infested, rundown trash. Having a few friends who lived there, I knew most of this to be lies.

  In fact, the only truth was the roaches. Liberty View did have roaches, but they weren’t in every apartment, probably not even in half. As for the other part, I’d never seen a rat in any of the residences I’d visited, and they were far from rundown.

  People saw what they wanted to see. Liberty View had two large playgrounds for the kids. It offered multiple after school programs. Its basketball court was built specifically to help the children channel their energy. Also, many volunteers from the community gave up their time and money in an effort to help keep the neighborhood safe and the little ones engaged.

  Still, perception was everything. So, the stigma that the people of Liberty View were part animal and not worthy of the most basic of human rights wasn’t going away anytime soon.

  That’s why it wasn’t even surprising that the police had swept Laurel’s kidnapping under the rug. That’s what they did when you came from Liberty View.

  A woman was missing, yet I hadn’t heard a word about it. No news outlets had covered it. No newspapers had picked it up. No one had been around to question me.