Magic Heist

by Mary Karlik

  Ian squeezed the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. How had this gone so far off course? It was supposed to be a simple operation. Buy fairies, bring them back. Get an invitation to the auction. Now they were stuck with a slightly hysterical hostage and may have blown their chance at the big invite.

  He opened his eyes and looked at Hamish. “Where are the fairies?”

  The troll looked at his empty hands with a shocked expression. “I must have let go during the transport.”

  Layla cut a look at him. “You did what?”

  The troll backed up. “I had them. I swear I did. But you know how forceful that last spin was. Too many people on the chain.”

  Layla lunged toward the troll, but Finn was faster and pulled her back. “Let’s all take a deep breath.”

  “Does anybody have any idea what might have happened to them?” Ian shrugged out of his suit coat and tossed it on the back of a high-backed chair.

  The elf-woman tilted her head back and released a long, loud laugh.

  Layla struggled against Finn’s hold. “It’s a troll’s form of travel. Where will they land?”

  “Almost anywhere,” Hamish squeaked.

  Jack rubbed his cheeks until most of the glamour was gone. “Are you sure you had the box in your hand? You didn’t set it on the table?”

  The troll scratched the back of his neck. “I could’ve. I don't know. With all the commotion going on I forgot about them.”

  Ian looked at Theo. “Did you see anything?”

  “No. I’m sorry.”

  Ian pulled the coin from his pocket. “I’m going back.”

  Layla shook her head. “You can’t go alone.”

  “I’ll be just a second.” Before anybody had time to argue, he dropped the coin in his right pocket. The troll was right about one thing—the spin was much easier to handle with one person.

  As soon as the Grass Market stopped spinning, he ran to the White Hart Inn. As he neared the doorway, he saw the package through the window. The troll had left it on the table.

  The pub was more crowded than before, but the package seemed to have gone unnoticed.

  He eased his way inside to the table. There was a mix of elves and humans standing near the bar. One of the human voices had a familiar ring.

  He squinted through the darkness. He had to be imagining it. The voice couldn’t be… Ian picked up the package and edged closer to the men by the bar.

  The medium height human, the one with the dark red hair, handed a box tied with twine to one of the elves. On the side of that box tied with twine was the same big, red circle with the same letters—FGM. Ian leaned forward to get a better look at the man, but it was dark and smoky, and he couldn’t be sure.

  The man said something to the elves then looked around the pub. Ian stepped back into the shadowed corner and hoped he hadn’t been spotted.

  Keeping his eyes on the man, hoping against hope that he was wrong, Ian fished the coin out of his right pocket. It should have been an easy transfer from right hand to left. But his palms were slick with sweat, and he dropped the coin. It clinked onto the floor and spun like a top. Ian crouched in the shadows and grabbed the coin. All eyes turned toward him as he dropped it in his left pocket. In the second before the room spun, the man leaned forward and squinted through the smoky haze in the bar, and Ian knew beyond a shadow of a doubt now.

  That man was Assistant Chief Constable McIntyre.

  Chapter Twenty

  Layla stood in the center of the troll’s lounge—not moving, not talking, just staring while she waited for Ian to return. In less than five minutes, he blinked back into the flat in a crouched position holding the fairy box.

  “You got them back. Well done.” Layla’s words were casual as if she hadn’t been clutching her throat and holding her breath.

  Ian straightened and walked past Layla without acknowledging her. “Does this thing only show real time?” He slid the box on the coffee table.

  Layla’s wings were ruffled that he’d ignored her, but she let it go because clearly, he was in investigative mode. Something had happened.

  “Can you run it back like a recording?” Ian circled his finger in the air.

  Hamish walked close to the screen. “No.”

  “What did you see?” Buzzard’s tone was all business.

  “McIntyre,” Ian answered with his eyes still glued to the screen.

  Silence fell, and the room pulsed with disbelief.

  Was their chief a traitor? Everything inside Layla went cold. He knew where the fairies were, he knew who she was, he knew what Ian was. He knew it all. She tried to suck in a breath. Everything was frozen. Except her legs. They were wobbly, and her knees weren’t going to hold her. She plopped on the chair next to the sofa before she fell.

  While she leaned forward and focused on making her lungs work, Jack broke through the quiet. “We can’t jump to conclusions. There has to be an explanation.”

  Ian sat in a chair opposite Layla and untied the twine from the box and lifted the lid. “An explanation.” The four fairies were packed like Christmas ornaments with dividers between each of the glass globes. Ian carefully lifted one of the lads from the box, held it up, and looked at his team. “An explanation for why a box just like this one was passed from Assistant Chief Constable McIntyre to an elf?”

  “No.” Layla’s hand flew to her mouth.

  “Did the chief see you? Did you speak to him?” Jack looked at Ian with disbelief. The whole team wore that look, mixed with shock, disappointment, and a dash of hope that it was a mistake.

  “We didn’t speak.” Ian set the lad on the table and reached for the next globe. “But he may have seen me. It was a dark corner, and I tried to stay hidden. But there was a moment when I thought he was looking right at me. If he saw me, he didn’t show it.”

  Ian lifted each of the fairies from the box and lined them up on the table. “He could be working undercover.” His tone was thick with the hope that it was true. But in his eyes, Layla saw fear of what it meant if it weren’t.

  Layla leaned forward. “But why the surprise act when he found out about the fairies? Wouldn’t that have been the perfect time to tell us, to bring his team in on whatever he’s doing?”

  Theo looked at Buzzard. “You’ve known the chief the longest, what’s your take?”

  Buzzard ran his palm across his scalp and blew out a breath. “He’s good at what he does, and that means playing the part no matter who he’s trying to convince.”

  “I can’t believe the chief would be a part of this.” Ian swept his hand toward the globes. “But, until we know for sure, we have to assume the worst.” He took a few breaths. “So, let’s focus on moving forward. We have a job to do. It may have just gotten more complicated, but we’ll figure it out.”

  Ian turned toward the elf-woman. “What do you know about another human buying these?”

  “All sales are confidential.”

  Finn slid his sword from the scabbard. “Are you sure about that, lass?”

  The woman’s face paled. “However, you’re the only human who has purchased from me in months.”

  Ian gave Finn a stand down look.

  Finn put his sword away. “I don’t trust a word she says.”

  Ian nodded. “True. If she had a family, she’d no doubt sell them to save her own skin.”

  “Before we do anything else, let’s free these poor fairies.” Layla knelt on the floor by the coffee table and picked up one of the lads in the fairy globes. She looked up at the elf-woman. “I am in no mood for shenanigans. I’m going to ask you once. How do we free them without harming them?”

  The woman gave an exasperated sigh. “They’re not kept like the basic models Fauth traded.”

  Layla popped her wings wide. “Basic? You’re calling my sister basic.”

  The woman raised her brows. “Touchy. I’m calling the dragon’s techniques basic. I think he was more interested in torture.” She twisted her mouth into a
smile. “I think your sister would agree?”

  Layla tipped her chin. “Answer my question.”

  The woman looked at Ian. “This one is rather attractive for a human. Is he smart, too? Let him figure it out. Think about the shop and when your…” She shifted her gaze to Layla. “What is she? A lover? No, I think she’s your superior.” She giggled. “Imagine a dragon lauded over by a fuman.”

  Layla’s wings twitched, and she flicked blue sparks from her fingers.

  Ian looked at the elf-woman and smiled. “Layla superior? Aye. In many ways, she is definitely my superior. You’ll not use the word fuman again. Are we clear?”

  The woman flashed her long lashes at Layla. “Well, well. The dragon really does have a thing for the … fairy.”

  Layla ignored the woman’s jibes. “In the shop, the fairy took a breath as soon as she was free of the glass. But I don’t want to make the mistake of thinking it’s really that easy.”

  She held the dark-haired boy in front of the woman. “Tell me what to do. Leave nothing out. Remember I am a harvester. If the fairy is harmed in any way, you won’t live to get your next fix.”

  The smug expression fell from the woman’s face. “I suppose the fairies-can’t-kill rule doesn’t apply to you.”

  “She killed Fauth,” Finn added.

  The elf tsked. “He was too dramatic anyway.”

  Layla narrowed her gaze. “Talk. Now.”

  “Oh, alright. It’s simple really. Our models are superior because you get a full shot of magic in a single kill.”

  Layla’s stomach contracted at the word kill. “Go on.” Tell us about how your way of murder is better than all other tactics.

  “There is a trigger on the bottom of the globe. Release it, and the result is a quick and painless death. The magic is spilled much like the red fairy. It will pool at the bottom, and a second latch drops the bottom out of the globe.”

  Ian raised a globe above his head and inspected the bottom. “How do we know which is which?”

  Layla set the globe she held on the coffee table. “I can do better than a latch.”

  She cupped her hands over the globe. The glass expanded as if it were being blown wider from the inside. When the glass was paper thin, it melted in a puddle on the table.

  The lad on the inside took a few deep breaths until color returned to his cheeks. He looked around confused until he saw Layla. Then his cheeks turned beet red. “You! You fuman. You did this to me.” He flew at her.

  She backed away. “I saved you.”

  “Just as you saved us from Fauth when Fergus was wearing the dragon costume?” His tone was thick with hate.

  Finn nodded. “Aye. She did. She killed Fauth.”

  The fairy looked around the room. “Humans? Of course. I’d expect no less.”

  Finn shook his head. “If it weren’t for her, your magic would have been sucked right out of your lifeless body.”

  The lad turned to Layla. “What’s he talking about? You’re a fuman. You can’t have magic.”

  “I do.” Layla sighed. “I’ll explain the whole thing, but I’ll no do it four times.”

  Finn knelt next to Layla. “I’ll get this one.” He placed his hands over the fairy wearing the blue dress.

  The lad flew toward the globe.

  Finn cut his eyes at the fairy. “Let me do my work.”

  The fairy backed off and watched as Finn freed the second fairy. “If Layla has magic, then why are you freeing us?”

  She’d had enough jibes from the elf-woman and the boy for one day. “Back off and be quiet.”

  Finn freed the other boy. He flew from the center of the globe and landed on the table.

  Layla set to work on the girl in orange. When the glass melted, she flew around the room with her hands clasped to her breast. “Thank you! Thank you for saving me.”

  Layla smiled. “You are free, but there are many who are not. I am Layla. These are my mates.” She introduced everyone except the elf-woman.

  The blue-dressed fairy introduced herself as Fiona, and the orange fairy was called Kaylee.

  Layla pointed to the first lad she freed and said, “I know you. You’re Robbie.” Pointing to the second boy, she said, “And you are Fergus. Both from my clan.”

  “We are from your sister’s clan,” Robbie corrected.

  Buzzard leaned toward the fairy. “I’ve had enough of you. Sit down and shut your mouth.”

  The boy did as he was told.

  Layla told the story of how she found her magic, freed the fairies, and killed Fauth.

  When she was finished, Fergus flew in front of her shaking his head. “You had magic all along. Amazing.” He landed in front of her. “Thank you for what you’ve done. I’m sorry you were treated badly. I’m sorry for my part in it.”

  A tiny part of Layla’s heart healed with that apology. “It’s in the past now.”

  He looked at his feet and back at her. “Did all of the fairies make it?”

  Layla’s eyes stung and then filled with tears. In a flash, the pain of her carelessness rushed back. “No. Isla did not survive.”

  Fergus bent over at the waist, and his wings dropped low on his back. “Isla.” He took a few breaths and looked up. “Did she suffer?”

  Layla swiped a tear from beneath her eyes and tried to speak. Had she suffered? She suffered while she was captive. She suffered with horror while she tried to stop Layla from breaking the glass. It was that look of horror that made Layla’s chest ache so much she couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t tell him that Isla died because she’d been careless.

  Ian moved next to Layla and placed his hand on her shoulder. “No. She didn’t suffer. It was a horrible accident.”

  Apparently oblivious to the heavy emotion hanging in the room, Robbie stood and walked around the table as if he was the only one who mattered. “There are just the four of us here. If you really saved hundreds of fey, where are they?”

  Ian answered. “They’re safe. We’ll take you to them soon.”

  In a flash, Robbie threw a spell at Fiona. His dark purple flow hit her in the chest, knocking her back. He rotated his hand, and she rose in the air held suspended by his magic. “No. You’ll take me to the portal now.”

  Layla fairy-sized and flew next to Robbie. “Stop it, Robbie.”

  “I can’t kill her, but I can hurt her. I will unless you get me to that portal.”

  Layla stretched her arm out, ready to fire her magic. “You need to know that I’m a harvester. And if you continue, I’ll show you pain.”

  Robbie released the girl and fluttered his wings with frustration. “Then tell me how to get to the portal you came through.”

  Fiona dropped to the table and curled in a ball while she caught her breath. Kaylee flew to her and held her hand.

  Buzzard shook his head at Robbie. “You’re a sad excuse for a fairy.”

  Finn glared at Robbie. “The portal Layla came through was destroyed. You’re going to have to wait until we find another one.”

  Robbie slammed his wings against his back. “Figures. You rescue us from one prison to trap us in another.”

  Fergus flew to Robbie. “What’s wrong with you, man? We’re out of the glass, and we’re alive. What does it matter if it takes a little longer to find our way home? We’re safe.”

  “It matters to me.” Robbie flew a circle around Layla. “If you’re so powerful, you should be able to get us home.”

  Layla’s heart pounded in her chest as her memory took her back to the last time Robbie flew around her. She felt the pain of the rocks and mud as he slung it at her naked body. She heard the names they called her.

  “Layla? Are you alright?” Ian’s soft voice was like a lifeline. She grabbed hold and let it drag her from her memories.

  She flew away from Robbie and human-sized. “I am now.”

  Fiona recovered and charged Robbie. “Leave her alone.” She hit him in the chest with both hands sending him tumbling backward. “You’r
e lucky to be alive.” To Layla, she said, “There are many from my clan who’ve gone missing. I’d like to see the other fairies you rescued.”

  Kaylee nodded. “So would I.”

  Layla’s heart sank. “Of course. Unfortunately, we can’t take you just yet. There is something we must do here first. It should only be a day or so wait.”

  Ian flashed a big grin at Layla. “And speaking of our task, I’d like to have a word with the team.” He nodded toward the far corner of the room.

  “I don’t want to leave the elf-woman unsupervised around the fairies.” She looked at Finn. “Freeze spell?”

  “Just bind her magic. It’s kinder.”

  Layla shot the woman with a bind spell, and the group convened in the corner.

  Ian looked at Buzzard and Jack. “Did you get any information on the Trident Elves?”

  Buzzard answered, “Not much.”

  “They have everyone shaking with fear.” Jack shook his head. “It’s run by a golden elf called Meaban. Apparently, he’s as nasty as any we’ve dealt with.”

  Hamish sucked his teeth. “Nasty doesn’t even begin to describe him. He’s clever, ruthless, and extremely dangerous.”

  Buzzard smiled. “That just adds to the fun.”

  Ian glanced at the fairies and back. “We need to keep those fairies safe and away from our hostage. But we also need to focus on the wand.”

  Theo looked at the elf-woman. “We can take turns watching her. I’ll take the first watch.”

  Ian scanned the flat. “We’ll set up our command center here. I think we should all stay in one place.”

  Layla nodded. “It makes sense. Besides, the wards are strong, and the coin is set for here.”

  “Wait a minute.” The troll stood at Ian’s elbow. “This is my home. You can’t just take over and make it a command center. I won’t have it.”

  Buzzard looked at the little man with a bored expression. “Says the man who helped Fauth.”

  “I was under his power.”

  “You weren’t when you broke into Ian’s flat,” Layla added.

  “Aye. But I am part of your team now. I got you an introduction to the elf over there.”

  Ian cocked a brow. “Aye. And as part of the team, you won’t mind letting us use your flat.”