Trickster (Angelbound Lincoln Book 3)

by Christina Bauer

“You can have all the oxygen you want,” says Quilliam. “But convince the demon girl to hand over her life force.”

  “No.” Although my air is running out, I’ve still enough to state that word with full solemnity. Maybe giving Myla’s spirit to the Contagion will kill him, but it would destroy her as well. There is another way.

  “I’d planned to sit here and watch you suffocate.” Quilliam rises. “On second thought, I’ll do the honors myself.”

  I lift my chin, all the better to give him access to my throat. “Go on.”

  What Quilliam doesn’t know is that Myla will send me fire. I have every faith in my girl. Myla won’t give up until she figures it out. The pain in my rib cage turns excruciating. Spots of white dance in my vision.

  I don’t have much longer.

  Quilliam strides across the room, pausing beside my chair. Little by little, Quilliam sets his hands against my throat. That’s when it happens.

  A ball of red light punches through Quilliam’s chest. And in the center of that sphere, I see Myla’s face.

  Beautiful.

  Myla must have gotten Peli to charge up that carving with her life force. Two emotions battle it out inside me. First, there’s the warm joy that I might live through this moment. That’s quickly followed by a second feeling. Namely, an icy fear.

  How much life force did Myla give?

  Is she all right?

  After the fireball punches through, there follows more flames. Igni. They speed into the room, filling the air with heat and light. A strange pulse of energy moves through me. Looking down, I see what could be a halo of red magic surrounding my body. It’s gone too quickly to be certain, though.

  Quilliam howls with pain, interrupting my thoughts. His cry mixes the voice of a living being with the distinct kind of squeal that happens when you place fresh logs on a bonfire.

  The illusion of the meeting room vanishes. Once again, I’m back inside the tree trunk. Wood crushes in around me. Igni press against my skin. Like before, the flames don’t burn.

  This isn’t helping my oxygen situation any. The spots in my vision spin faster. The pain in my lungs fades. Not good.

  Somehow, I manage to croak out a single word. “Wings.”

  Igni speed around my back, taking the form of wings made from flame. I have my own ceremonial wings, but in the after-realms, they don’t empower me to fly.

  Let’s see what happens in the Primeval.

  I call on my new wings. The muscle movement is natural, as if I’ve been flying my whole life. I picture my wings spreading wide. That’s just what they do. Even better, they burn through the wooden confines all around me.

  Somehow, my after-realm powers are merging with the unusual qualities of igni in the Primeval. Together, we’re tearing through the prison that is the Contagion’s trunk.

  My inner Guide knew it all along.

  I command my wings to beat. They do as requested, burning through wood along the way. A weightless quality fills my body as I move upward. It takes what little energy I have left, but I force myself to keep flying.

  Higher.

  Higher.

  Crash!

  With a great heave of effort, I break through the treetop. Clean air rushes into my lungs. I drink it in greedily. My vision clears. My chest ceases to ache.

  Even better, the connection with Aldred snaps. I no longer feel the dark craving for power that eats away at him. that freedom combines with my wings to make my body feel even lighter.

  Still, not everything has improved.

  Below me, the Contagion looms, his face twisted with rage. Long branch-like arms swing beside him. Smoke curls from the new hole I created in the top of his trunk.

  The Contagion is hurt, but still ready for a fight.

  I’ll give him one.

  “Fists, little ones.” Bits of igni break free from my wings to surround my hands with bright flame.

  Perfect.

  I soar down to the Contagion, my fists ready and wings blazing. Using the extra momentum from my flight, I punch into the Contagion’s side. A huge chunk of wood breaks free to whip across the ground. There it smolders to ashes.

  Myla stands nearby, her arms raised as she lets out hearty whoops of joy. That’s my future wife, ladies and gentlemen. I’ve sprouted fire wings and am taking down a tree monster. She’s doing her happy dance. How lucky can one man get?

  Pumping my wings, I arc in for another attack. As I swoop down toward the Contagion once more, I make a silent vow.

  This is for Peli’s family.

  I smash through the Contagion’s body, time and again. The branch-arms try to grasp me, but they burst into flames when we touch. As more of the massive trunk breaks apart, something remarkable happens.

  The others who were consumed by the Contagion step free. They stagger out, their eyes glazed and bodies stiff. Yet they are alive. And they depart in the reverse order that the Contagion took them in.

  Aldred.

  Elyse.

  Spivey.

  Zoar.

  Rule.

  Of course, Rufus is already free. He’s woken up and waits on the ground, his chin resting on his front paws.

  As for the non-lion folks, most stand mutely in the wasteland, their eyes wide and mouths silent. For his part, Aldred folds his arms over his chest and glares daggers in my direction. I’ve seen inside his soul. He doesn’t categorize escaping with my life as a win. All Aldred senses is the pain of losing.

  As I pummel the last of the Contagion apart, one final figure steps out from the very base of the trunk.

  It’s Quilliam.

  The wizard raises his fist, ready to rail on about something. Before he can get out a word, his body freezes. Where once his skin color was golden, it now turns a charred shade of orange.

  Then it crumbles.

  Quilliam no longer just looks burned out, but his body also takes on the properties of ash. Little by little, bits of Quilliam fly away in the breeze, collapsing down until there’s nothing left but a small charred mark on the soil.

  Couldn’t happen to a better wizard.

  73

  Myla

  Some people will tell you the best sight in the universe is the human’s Grand Canyon. Others are fans of the Incaenda, which is Antrum’s magma river. More chat up the Spires—that’s supposed to Heaven’s finest city.

  Me? I’m a fan of watching my guy swoop around with fire wings while he punches the Contagion into dust.

  Good times.

  My guy lands. The moment his boots touch the wasteland, all the igni vanish. Lincoln is no longer the man with fiery wings.

  He’s just mine.

  Racing over, I check Lincoln’s shoulders and legs. “Are you all right?” I run my fingers across the body armor on his shoulder. Totally shredded.

  Lincoln frowns. “It doesn’t hurt any more.”

  “Well, your body armor looks like Swiss cheese, but the skin beneath is fully healed.” I lean in closer a closer look. “There aren’t even any scars.”

  Lincoln pulls his brows together; it’s what I call his thinking face. “Inside the Contagion, I saw red power around me and felt a surge of strength. I wasn’t certain, though.”

  “Red.” I nod slowly. “My carving turned red when Peli sparked it up.”

  “The healing power must have been yours.” Lincoln gives me one of those smiles where it’s like I hung the sun and moon.

  Not gonna lie. I love this look on him.

  Next it’s Lincoln’s turn to check me carefully. “Are you well? How much power did Peli take from you?”

  “Not much. I barely felt it.” I bob my brows. “Seems I pack a huge amount of energy into a relatively small amount of real estate.”

  Nearby, the other Contagion survivors sit around. Soft moans sound from their direction, followed by meaningful glances. They want answers. For his part, Rufus seems happy to have a nap.

  Well, they’re all alive, thanks to me and Lincoln. They can wait while
my guy and I catch up. Especially Aldred.

  I refocus on Lincoln. “And you made wings with my igni. Who knew?”

  “Who indeed?” A sneaky gleam lights up Lincoln’s mismatched eyes. He’s holding out on me. Meh. At this point, I’m just happy that Lincoln is here and unhurt. My guy can keep his secrets.

  Aldred stomps over because that’s just what creeps like him do. “You ruined this for me.” He pounds his chest with his fist. “Me.”

  “Yeah, we got that part.” I don’t say anything else, though. It’s clear Aldred wants to get into a fight about who ruined what. Not playing. There are two reasons for this. First, it’s a no-win battle. Second, it will irritate the earl far more if I stay silent and check my fingernails.

  Huh. Still clean.

  Aldred stalks into my personal space. “Kill me. You want to.”

  Lincoln moves so his body separates mine and Aldred’s. “Leave Myla alone.”

  I check the fingernails on my opposite hand. “I know you want me to attack you. Won’t happen. We—” and here I gesture between me and Lincoln for emphasis “—will take you down the Rixa way, my friend. That will be much sweeter.”

  Aldred narrows his piggy eyes. “What do you mean?”

  Ha. Like I’d just announce we’re taking Aldred to court for all his misdeeds. The earl has enough connections. He’ll figure it out on his own. Besides, we have bigger things to worry about right now.

  Ignoring Aldred, I look to Lincoln. “We need to check on Nat and Baptiste.”

  Peli scampers over to pause beside us. “Great idea! I have loved ones to visit as well.”

  With that announcement, Peli gets to casting another one of his orange colored spells. Before, the sight of Peli’s magic wasn’t exactly a signal for happy fun times. But now? A sense of warmth and well-being streams through me.

  Peli is about to be reunited with his family. It’s a beautiful moment.

  Until Aldred ruins it.

  “Halt!” cries the earl. Peli stops casting.

  What a dick move on Aldred’s part. Peli hasn’t really seen his family in forever.

  The earl marches up to me and Lincoln. “You’ve forgotten about the rest of us, haven’t you?” To emphasize this point, Aldred stomps his foot. I haven’t seen that move performed so perfectly since the first grade. Or maybe Lady Adair. It’s hard to keep track.

  I set my fist on my hip. “By the rest of us, you mean the ones you didn’t kill, right? Because last time I checked, Drunk Thrax Grandpa got stabbed and magically erased.”

  On a side note, it’s becoming very clear where Lady Adair got her big attitude from. These two hams are sliced from the same hock.

  Aldred turns to the other survivors, who are now clustered in a group. “She’s only joking.”

  I raise my hand. “Not joking.”

  Lincoln nods. “Agreed.”

  Aldred lowers his voice so only Lincoln and I can hear. “What will you to say? That I killed someone who doesn’t officially exist, and use your invisible monkey pal and a magic lion as witnesses?”

  “Dude, you’ve done so much awful stuff, Lincoln and I have a punch list of things we could bring to the Arbiter.” I pop my hands over my mouth in mock-surprise. Remember how I vowed not to say anything about taking Aldred to court? Change of plans. It’s just too tempting to watch him squirm.

  “Oops, did I say that out loud?” I ask.

  Aldred pales. “Arbiter? Have you gotten a codex to gather evidence?”

  Lincoln straightens his stance. It’s Prince Time. “We are not having this discussion right now. The priority is to check on Peli’s family, get the others home, and then head back to Antrum ourselves to ensure our loved ones are safe, in that order. Am I clear?”

  At this point, my semi-demonic heart goes pitter-pat. I may lose my cool chick card to admit this, but I do so love it when Lincoln gets bossy. Yum, yum.

  Aldred rounds on the other Marked Ones. “Great news! I have negotiated your safe passage home.” They all look pleased. Rufus yawns.

  I fight the urge to groan, but not too hard. A little baby growl escapes my lips. I lock gazes with Lincoln. “Promise me I’ll be there when one of us kills him.”

  “You have my solemn vow.”

  Peli tiptoes nearer. “Is everything all right? May I go ahead and open the gateways?” He bounces on all fours, clearly anxious to see his family again.

  “Go to town, Peli.” I can’t help but smile as I add six more words. “I can’t wait to meet them.”

  74

  Lincoln

  A minute later, a round gateway stands in the clearing. Peli’s family steps through. Nora is first.

  “You wouldn’t believe the day I’ve had,” she says.

  Peli beams. “Let me guess. The Contagion burst into the house and froze you?”

  “That’s it.” Nora narrows her eyes. “You look terrible. How long have we been frozen?”

  “A few hundred years.” Stepping forward, Peli wraps her in a big hug. It’s sweet.

  “Tell me you killed that wizard,” whispers Nora.

  “Absolutely dead,” says Peli with a chuckle. “With some help.”

  The twins leap through next: Mlinzi and Walinzi. As always, I have a hard time determining which one is speaking.

  “Daddy! Daddy!”

  “We got poked by the Contagion.”

  “But we woke up.”

  Peli kneels before them. “I missed you both.” His big blue eyes line with tears as he scoops them both into a hug. Nora joins the embrace as well. Not going to lie. I’m getting a bit misty myself.

  Here. This moment. It’s what we fight for.

  The twins have been doing that kid-thing where they scrunch up their faces during the hug. Now both open their eyes and scan the scene. Their chatter strikes up once more.

  “Who’s the lion?”

  “Why are the weird people here?”

  “How come that old guy’s so fat?”

  And then, in unison: “Can we go home now?”

  Peli chuckles again. “We can certainly go home. After I take care of everyone who helped me, we’ll do just that.”

  “And I am not overweight,” grumbles Aldred.

  Peli steps away from his family and raises his hands. A spell is doubtless about to begin.

  “Before you start,” I say. “May Myla and I have a word?”

  Peli jogs over to us. “Sure.”

  Myla and I discussed this beforehand. It’s always good to have your scenarios set up. “We wish to return home,” I state. “But not before we’re certain that you’re all right. What will you do now?”

  A slow smile rounds Peli’s mouth. “After this, I might become the Simian Wizard King. Seems like the job’s open. And the newly freed apprentices will certainly need some guidance.”

  Myla shoots him a thumbs-up. “Good plan.”

  Rufus lopes up to our group. “Please know that I won’t be returning to Antrum. I’ll remain and help my people heal.” Rufus glances at Peli. “Perhaps I’ll even help the future Simian King.”

  “Were you eavesdropping?” asks Peli.

  Rufus gives one of his lion-yawns, which show off an enormous number of teeth. “I have excellent hearing.”

  “And you’re tricky,” says Peli. “We’ll get along well.”

  With that, Peli opens the gateway and sends the others home. Elyse requests that she be dropped off somewhere called Viking Village Towne. It’s an historical recreation community with a repetitive name that’s located outside Akron, Ohio. Not sure how she found out about the place, but they seem to welcome her without question.

  For his part, Spivey asks to be dropped off at a DIL community on the outskirts of Hell. It’s mostly Whinus demons like him, so that’s a good start. Plus DIL stands for Demonic Insect Lovers. Spivey is set for life.

  Me, Myla, Rule, and Aldred… now we’re the only ones left. Peli opens a fresh gateway. Inside the window-like center, a scene appears: the Acca
cavern in Antrum. Back to where we started.

  “Not sure why we had to go last,” grumbles Aldred.

  At this point, Myla’s tail takes charge.

  And by takes charge, I mean it punches Aldred in the gut.

  “Nice work, boy.” Myla pats the arrowhead end.

  “Oooooooooow,” moans Aldred. “I was viciously attacked.”

  Myla rolls her eyes. “Don’t get near the tail, don’t get punched by the tail. As a super important demon hunter, I’d think you’d know this.”

  I pat the arrowhead end, too. Myla’s tail really is a treasure.

  Peli opens his arms wide. It’s his way of saying, give the monkey a hug before you go. So that’s what I do. Meanwhile, Myla and Peli’s tails share a modified high five.

  A sense of satisfaction warms my chest. Peli has his family back, not to mention Rufus along for extra support. My little orange friend should be more than fine.

  I take Myla’s hand. “Ready?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Together, we step though the gateway.

  Antrum, here we come.

  75

  Myla

  Lincoln and I step back into the Acca cavern. After the gateway vanishes behind us, I take a moment to I scan the cavern.

  Huh.

  When Lincoln and I left this place, it was totally empty, except for Octavia and the statues of Nat and Baptiste.

  Not so any more.

  The audience has returned. Everyone stands in neat rows. Any signs of panic are gone. Lady Bentford is back as well. Now that old bat waits beneath Aldred’s yellow canopy, alongside the minstrels that had been following Aldred around the Primeval.

  Hold on, there.

  My skin prickles over with surprise. In all the excitement, I’d completely forgotten about all the thrax Aldred was dragging around the Primeval. How did they return early?

  Octavia steps up to our group, which still includes Aldred and Rule. “So nice to see that you’ve all returned safely.” She looks to Aldred. “We received your messages. Everything is in place.”

  “Messages?” asks Lincoln.