Magic Thief

by C C Sommerly

  It wasn’t very-well lit, but there were candles on the tables creating a soft glow over the diners. It was an intimate and romantic setting. Overhead were twinkling lights reminiscent of the night sky. Everywhere were plants. Large, potted tropical plants – palm trees, birds of paradise, and bromeliads. The same music I heard playing outside was louder here, but still soft enough to fade into the distance.

  The table she led us to was separate from the main seating area and nestled in between lush tropical plants. Unlike the other tables, this one had no chairs. It did have a thick rug under the table and plush floor pillows for our use.

  As soon as we were settled, a server appeared with chips, salsa, queso, and guacamole. I snatched up a chip. They were warm and freshly made. I loaded it up with salsa. My first bite of it was amazing It had just the right amount of heat. It wasn’t watery like some restaurants make theirs. The chips and salsa tell me a lot about a place. If they can’t make either right, then there’s no hope for the other food.

  Lochlan was watching me.

  “What?”

  “You really enjoy your food.”

  “And what’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Your eyes rolled back and you nearly moaned from eating a chip.”

  “So?”

  “I can’t wait to see how you react to the food.”

  I ignored him and tried the queso. It was equally good.

  “Will you let me order for you? La Cocina has some amazing meal platters. You can sample a little bit of everything.”

  “Sure.”

  Although, it did bug me to have no choice in my order. If it sucked, I was ordering a new meal.

  The waitress came over with two large, frozen drinks and Lochlan asked for the Gordo Special.

  “I didn’t realize we ordered drinks.”

  “They come with the meal. You’ll like it.”

  “You sure seem to be confident about what I’ll like.”

  “If you don’t like it, I owe you $100.”

  My first sip was a riot of flavors sweet and fruity, but with the harsh undertone of strong liquor. It made my tongue tingle and fizzed down my throat. It brought a warmth and bubbly feeling with it.

  “You’re right. I wish you weren’t.”

  We snacked on the chips, sipped our drinks, and made small talk. Within minutes of ordering, the waitress came back bearing a heavily-laden tray stacked with food. There were bacon wrapped shrimp, carnitas, fajitas, black beans, pinto beans, Spanish rice.

  The platter was set on the table and I quickly filled my plate. The food tasted even better than it smelled. A smoky taste underlaid all of the food and the spice was amazing. I may have moaned just a little.

  Lochlan looked at me. Oops, guess I did moan.

  Now that my initial hunger was satisfied my thoughts turned to Jennica. Where was she? Who had her? Was this part of her scheme to unblock her magic or convenient timing? I wanted to rage that she was gone.

  He cleared his throat. “I promised you some news.”

  “Yes, you did. Tell me about Jennica first.”

  “She was reported missing, as you know. They haven’t been able to find any traces of her. All attempts to determine her last whereabouts and traced her movements have failed.”

  “People don’t disappear. Even if you used a spell or portal, there would be residual magic.”

  “That is why this is so troubling.”

  “Don’t you think I know that.”

  He reached across the table to touch my hand, but I moved it away. I didn’t need him to coddle me. I wasn’t going to burst into tears or hysterics.

  “Marty, I’m sorry. I know she is important to you. They’ll find her. Miles said he’s taking on the case and he’s a good guy and darn good at his job.”

  “What about the maid?”

  “Miles told me that one of the Huntington’s missing maids was found.”

  “Really? Where was she all of this time? Can we talk to her?”

  “It’s not possible to talk to her. But that’s not all. The most unusual part was that he said that she was stripped of her magic.”

  “You can’t take magic from someone. It’s not possible. Are they sure she really had magic?”

  “The young woman is registered with the Mage Guild. She has barely enough magic to be considered a mage, but she was one.”

  “And why can’t we talk to her? And what do you mean was?”

  “No one can talk to her. They have her tucked away at the Guild.”

  “She’s in the Guild’s care? How can that be? She’s no longer a mage. Without magic, not only aren’t you a mage, you aren’t anything. Now that she’s in the Guild’s custody that girl will never see the light of day.”

  “That’s a bit harsh.”

  “That doesn’t make it any less true. Once the Guild has you, they don’t let you go. She’ll be studied as the freak people will consider her to be.”

  “Let’s agree to disagree on that. You have an unusually negative attitude about the Guild for a human.”

  Oh crap. I’d let down my guard and spoken to him like I would have Callie or Sterling. Does he suspect me of being more than human?

  “Do you think you’re less because you’re human?”

  “No, I’m fine just the way I am.”

  “Yes you are.” And he looked me up and down appreciatively. His mouth was quirked in a half smile that was sexy as all heck. God, what am I doing? Focus and ignore the yummy fae next to me.

  “So interviewing her is out of the question. Can we talk with the people that found her? What about your friend? Will he share any details?”

  “That’s the thing. She isn’t very coherent. He said she was raving about the drink and begging someone to not hurt her. She promised to take the draught. Oh, and something about the magic man. That his tattoos came alive.”

  “Tattoos?”

  “That’s what she noticed most – the man’s ink?”

  “Nothing about what you just told me sounds good. She was obviously kidnapped. Did Miles learn about what she had taken? Did a healer sense anything off? For all we know, they were forcing her to drink water, but I doubt that.”

  “We should visit the Mage Guild Headquarters.”

  “Must we?”

  “Yes.”

  “I didn’t want this to be just about work? I don’t know a thing about you. Don’t you think if we knew each other better, it would help us work together?”

  “No, I don’t, especially since this is a temporary arrangement. Can we leave now? I’ll take this food to go.”

  “Very well.”

  We didn’t talk the whole way home. Lochlan was mad that I didn’t want to be his best friend. I didn’t care. I had enough to deal with without adding his hurt feelings.

  14

  When I walked into the Agency, Sterling and Callie were chatting at her desk.

  “I’m glad you’re back,” said Sterling.

  “Why?” I asked.

  “Is that Mexican food,” asked Zander, who was just coming out of the kitchen.

  “Yes, here, have at it guys.”

  I placed the food on the desk and they descended on it like a pack of feral wolves.

  When they finished, Sterling clapped his hands together once to get everyone’s attention.

  “Something has come up with one of my cases. I may need to leave for a few days. If that happens, Marty’s in charge and we’ll bring in a part-timer.”

  “You never leave. Why leave now,” I asked.

  “Why is she in charge?” grumbled Zander.

  “Because she’s the only investigator we have. And, I just wanted to let everyone know about this possibility.”

  “Jennica is missing.”

  “Marty, oh Hun, that’s so awful. She’s so wonderful and we all got to know her when you worked her case,” said Callie.

  “What support do you need from us?” asked Sterling.

  “I’m not sure yet. The enfo
rcers have taken it as a case, but the thing is she might have willingly left.”

  “So, is she or isn’t she missing?” asked Sterling.

  “I’m nearly positive that she’s missing. She also made a blood oath with someone that could remove her block.”

  “How stupid? I like the girl, but what happened to common sense? She can’t be fixed.”

  “Zander can you be anymore mean?” asked Callie.

  “Why does no one take my side? I’m only saying what’s true. We all know it’s true.”

  “It’s fine, Zander. I get it.”

  “Marty, we can see about reassigning your cases or bringing on a part timer to help out.”

  “I appreciate that. I need to mention something else. It’s bothering me about one of my cases. Have of you heard about someone being stripped of their magic.” I asked.

  “You’re a jerk, Marty,” said Zander, who walked away.

  “I didn’t mean him. He’s a special case.”

  “We know you didn’t,” said Callie. “He’s been sensitive lately. With you guys gone so much, he comes to talk to me. The visit with the Sisterhood really threw him off. And, I think he wants to see about fixing his cure, but hasn’t made up his mind one way or the other.”

  “We’ll support him and help in whatever way we can,” I said.

  And, I meant it. Zander had done so much for me when he took me out of the fighting circuit. Street fighting was a bloody and dangerous way to make a living. Back then, part of me wanted to die. I was suffering from my magic being blocked.

  At that time, I was also dealing with the sudden loss of my father. His death ended my life as I knew it. If that hadn’t happened, I’d probably be married off to another powerful mage like some brood mare to sire the next generation of gifted mages. Daddy was big about bloodlines and ours was one of the purest, which made it magically strong.

  “Neither of you answered my question about losing your magic.”

  “Honestly, I don’t know. Until Zander had his ‘incident’ I never would have thought it was possible, but now we know it is,” said Sterling.

  “Supposedly one of the missing women I overheard Julia Huntington talk about was found without her magic.”

  “How terrifying. Is she okay?” asked Callie.

  “I don’t know. The Guild has her. Lochlan and I are going to go down there.”

  “Let us know how it goes,” said Sterling.

  “The other thing, I just wrapped up the fraudulent employee disability case.”

  “That’s good news. Prepare your final report and submit the invoice. Just curious, what was the outcome?”

  “He is badly injured and deserves some compensation. But, he can work and is very much working, but it’s from home. He’s making and selling potions, elixirs, and spells. There was an entire lab taking up a good portion of his house.”

  “What is he selling?”

  “Nothing illegal. I saw his list and what he was making. It was all standard with the exception of the relaxing elixir and calming potion.”

  “Thanks for the update. I better go check on Zander. I’ll keep you all posted about the trip. I’m hoping to get out of it,” said Sterling.

  “I wouldn’t mind some of that calming or relaxing potions. I’d be totally Zen.”

  “I’m sure people enjoy being blissed out,” I said.

  “Wanna hang out?”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Pajama party in my room.”

  I showered and put on my pjs and headed to Callie’s room. We hadn’t done a pajama party in months. Aside from the girl time, she always had a stash of junk food. So we’d gorge ourselves on junk, watch movies, and catch up.

  I walked into her room. She was in the middle of putting her hair up in pig tails and was wearing a neon-colored pajama pants set. She carried a bowl of popcorn on the bed next to her.

  “Romcoms?”

  “Sure, I could go for some romantic comedies.”

  We spent hours watching movies, laughing and forgetting about our worries for an evening.

  15

  Just what I wanted to see first thing in the morning.

  Lochlan was sitting on Callie’s desk and she was beaming up at him. So much for “girls sticking together”. She quickly forgot her promise last night to do just that.

  “Why are you here?”

  “Good morning, partner. It’s nice to see you, partner. I brought you some food, partner.”

  “Are you trying to bribe your way into my good graces?”

  “If I was, would a bribe work?”

  “Not at all. Keep your food.”

  “That’s not very nice or welcoming.”

  “I have no interest in being hospitable towards you. I want this case closed.”

  “Why are you being so hard on this handsome man, Marty?” asked Callie.

  I snorted.

  “I’m on my way out.”

  “To the Guild? I’ll drive.”

  “No, I’ll drive, I insist,” I said.

  Once we were settled, I did my best to ignore Lochlan. Seeing him in a casual environment really messed with me. It made him seem less like a partner and more like a potential romantic interest. How do I handle him now? My stomach was in knots and I dearly hoped he didn’t notice the sweat from my hands on the steering wheel.

  “So, is it men you don’t like, or just me?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You heard me. Your attitude towards me seems rather extreme. While, I try not to take things personally, I’m questioning whether this is how you always act or just how you act around me.”

  “I don’t act any different around you.”

  “That’s not what Callie said.”

  I was going to kill that traitor. How could she out me like that. What all did she tell him? After sharing a bottle of elven wine, the rest of the night was a drunken blur. I could have told her anything.

  “She’s wrong. Sorry to break it to you, but not everyone is taken with your level of hotness.”

  He grinned broadly.

  “You think I’m hot?”

  “You wish.”

  “You said ‘my level of hotness,’ so you aren’t completely immune to me. Is that what this is about? You’re attracted to me and don’t want to be? I won’t ever pressure you into anything.”

  “Can we just not talk?”

  “We seem to do less and less talking – unless it’s about the case. And, even then, you try to avoid it. Don’t you want this case solved? Don’t you want to us to find your friend?”

  “Yes,” I forced out through my clenched teeth.

  We made our way into the Mage Guild Headquarters. Lochlan didn’t grab a number and instead walked directly up to the receptionist. It was the same woman that I’d dealt with last time. She smiled at Lochlan.

  “The Guild Master is waiting for you. Just a moment and someone will be down to escort you up.”

  I gaped at him. How did he get special treatment? Actually, it was better that I didn’t know or ask. He’d just think I was interested in knowing more about him. Self-centered fae.

  A senior mage, in a golden robe, came to greet us. Lochlan and the mage clasped forearms. The older man affectionately thumped him on the back in the way that well-acquainted men do. Who didn’t Lochlan have an “in” with?

  “Lochlan, so good to see you. It’s been too long.”

  “Indeed it has, Seth. I remember owing you a pint.”

  “You do. I need to come collect on that. Come on, I’ll walk you to the Guild Master.”

  “Do you know anything about the rumor of a mage getting her magic removed?” asked Lochlan.

  Seth stopped.

  “That’s impossible. No, I haven’t heard about it.”

  “Well, you know how rumors are. Rarely are they the complete truth.”

  The mage’s response seemed genuine. Evidently, the news hadn’t made its way through the ranks. That only further backed up my theory
that the woman would be locked away for testing.

  I gave Lochlan a knowing look. He shook his head “no,” but still looked uneasy. Maybe, he’d finally starting to realize that the Guild wasn’t as honorable or benevolence as they wanted people to think. The mage completely missed the exchange since we were walking behind him.

  We stopped at the Guild Master’s door and Seth deactivated the wards.

  The Guild Master looked up from his writing.

  “Thank you Seth. I’ll take it from here.”

  Seth scuttled away. The older mage smiled at us, but it did little to reassure me.

  I’ve been here twice in less than a week, which totally went against my desire to lay low. And, now I was on Guild Master’s radar. And, if he truly suspected I was a threat, then he could have me truth searched and I couldn’t fight it. I’d be magically forced to only tell the truth.

  “So, what brings you two here?”

  “We were hoping you could help us with a case.”

  “We?”

  “Yes, my partner and I have a case and it has some overlap with one of your members,” said Lochlan.

  “I’d know if one of my members was involved in something unsavory.”

  “That’s what we were hoping,” I said.

  “We received word that one of your members was brought here in grave condition and with her magic stolen.”

  “Is that so?”

  “We’d like to speak to her.”

  “And why would I have someone here? As for the claims about her losing magic, having magic removed is impossible. I’m afraid I can’t help you.”

  “Can you help us with anything? Did you find out the information about the mage I came to you about?” I asked.

  “Valence is still looking into it. We will send word when we have something. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more assistance.”

  “Thank you for your time,” said Lochlan.

  “I hope I’ll be seeing you again soon, Marty,” he said.

  “Once you have the information I need, I’ll be back.”

  “I’ll hold you to that,” said the Guild Master.

  Lochlan and I hurried away. I moved enough down the hall that the Guild Master wouldn’t hear us. I stopped and pulled Lochlan aside.

  “He’s lying.”