by Charley Case
Finn grinned and dumped some in her cup as well. “That a girl. You never know what you don't like unless you try it.”
“So, what’s the plan for finding the Dark Star?” Danica asked, scratching at her bare ankle.
Finn frowned, leaning a hip on the counter and crossing his arms as he stared at the coffee maker, slowly dripping the black brew into the pot. “Not sure, but I think I’ll give Preston a call. Hermin mentioned that he had given the info about the tracking spell to him, and if I know Preston, he didn't sit on the lead. Maybe he has something we can act on.”
Danica snorted. “If someone would have told me, a few months ago, that my friends were going to be on a first-name basis with one of the richest men in the world, I would have bet the farm that they were wrong.”
“Preston is just a guy with means. The fact that he does what he can to help others with that means is what I respect about him. Shit, we have money, it doesn't change who we are on the inside.”
Danica raised an eyebrow. “You have money, I still have to go to work, eventually.”
Finn raised an eyebrow at her. “You have it too. We’re family now. Family takes care of one another. You did get the bank card from Penny, right?”
She blinked. “I thought that was for emergencies.”
Finn laughed. “As far as I can tell, everything we do is an emergency. We literally have an armband that makes gold. What are we going to do, run out of money?”
She chuckled. “Well, that’s true. I don't want to be a burden. I can work, so I should.”
“True. Hard work is a reward all its own, but never think you’re a burden. You lost an arm protecting Mila. I think you earned anything you want, in my eyes.”
The pot was full enough, so Finn pulled it off the hot plate and filled both their cups. He stirred the candies in, then slid the mug over to Danica.
She was messing with her prosthetic, still wrapped in a concealment spell. She stopped when Finn set the mug in front of her. Danica took a sip and considered the chocolaty sweet coffee. “It’s a bit like a vanilla mocha.” She smiled and took another sip. “Well, done.”
He held up his mug in cheers, and they both drank.
“I’m going to go take a shower,” Danica announced, standing up. “I may be tired, but I may as well not look like a monster as well.” She turned and headed for her room.
“Hey, Danica.” Finn stopped her. “Why don't you take the card and go on an emergency shopping trip.”
She raised an eyebrow. “What do you need?”
“Nothing in particular. I was thinking more for you. You’ve been cooped up in here for a week doing nothing but training. Think of it as a free test run for your new arm.”
She smiled. “I think I can do that.” She took a few steps, then turned. “Thanks, Finn. You’re pretty good at this family stuff. If I had a big brother, I would want him to be like you.”
Finn smiled. “You do have a big brother like me. It’s me.”
She chuckled. “I suppose you are.” She held up the mug. “Thanks for the coffee.”
“No problem.”
Finn stepped out onto the balcony, breathing in the cold winter air. It had snowed a little overnight, and the city was coated in a fresh layer of white powder, muffling the sounds of the town and making him feel like he was the only living being in a hundred miles. With a free hand, he cleared the dusting of snow from under the awning and metal chair before taking a seat.
Sipping at his coffee, he squinted at the brilliant morning light bouncing off the snow-covered rocky mountains. He took a few minutes to enjoy the peace before pulling his phone out and scrolling through the contacts and finding Preston Meriwether’s number. He hit the connect button, then put the phone on speaker, and set it down on the table, before taking another long drink of coffee.
After one ring, Preston picked up. “Finn. I was literally punching in your number to call you.”
“Well, that’s convenient,” Finn said, putting his feet up on the rail. “What can I do for you?”
“I assume you’re calling about this Dark Star business the Huldu brought to my attention?” Preston prompted.
“Yeah, they kept getting a hit on Boulder for some reason. Did you find anything?”
“We did.” It sounded like Preston was using his keyboard in the background. “I just got a report from my people. We had a few images of Hellena from the battle you fought out on the ice. The cabin has several high-resolution cameras, and a few were good enough to get facial recognition software working on them. But the Boulder connection was the key. We ran every image we had connected with the city; old school photos, yearbooks, employment photos, you name it, and we got a hit.”
“That’s great,” Finn said. “So, we know who she is?”
“Well, that’s where things get interesting,” Preston said, a frown evident in his tone. “We did find a match for a Hellena Hess, but it doesn't make any sense. There was a professor by that name at the University of Colorado Boulder, and her employee photo matches perfectly. And I mean perfectly. She looks exactly the same as in the photo.”
“Well, that’s good, right? At least you know for certain it’s her.”
“That’s the problem. The photo was from twenty years ago. If this is the same person, then she’s in her mid-fifties but looks like she’s barely in her thirties. Granted, some people have good genes, but no one looks this similar after twenty years. Oh, and one more thing, according to every record we can find, she’s dead.”
Finn raised an eyebrow. “Dead?”
“Yeah. Died in a car crash twenty years ago. Drove off a cliff late one night, by the time they found her, it had been months, and there wasn't much left. The DNA samples matched her, though, so according to the state, she’s dead.” Preston took a sip of something and continued. “We did find a living relative still in Boulder, a Herman Hess, her brother. She also has a niece who’s a senior at the university, Herman’s daughter, Stephanie Hess. Other than that, we can't find anything. Parents are both dead, no cousins, just the brother.”
“Do you think it’s worth looking into? I seriously doubt her brother’s going to know where she is,” Finn said.
Preston was quiet for a few seconds. “I think it’s worth looking into. Even if he hasn't seen her, there’s at least some kind of connection. Besides, maybe they’re a lot closer than we think. Hell, she might be on his couch right now, healing away.”
Finn chuckled. “That would be nice and easy, so probably not what’s going to happen. I’ll head up there today and check it out.”
“Okay. I have my guys on standby if the shit hits the fan. Try not to tear the city down while you’re there? Boulder wouldn't be cheap to rebuild.” Preston chuckled.
“No promises,” Finn grunted, before hanging up.
Mila stepped out onto the balcony, her fluffy robe pulled tight against the cold, and a steaming cup of coffee in her hands. “Who was that?” she asked sleepily.
“Preston. We have a lead.” He stood, putting his phone in his pocket and turning to her. “How do you feel about a trip up to Boulder?”
She chuckled. “For a second, I thought you were going to name some exotic place. Boulder’s like twenty minutes away.”
Finn frowned. “I thought it would be at least a half-hour or more.”
“Not the way I drive.” She grinned over the lip of her mug.
Chapter Eight
Finn knocked on the little door to Penny's room that was halfway up the wall and sized for her. After a few minutes, and the sound of something crashing to the floor, the door opened, and Penny stood there, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
“Chi?” she groggily mumbled.
“We have a lead in Boulder. Not sure how long we’ll be up there, but you might want to pack a few things,” Finn said.
Penny looked down at herself then back up at him. “Shir. Shee?”
Finn chuckled. “I know you don't wear clothes, I was thinking more o
f your gadgets. The comms you brought up to the lake were helpful. I was thinking something along those lines.”
Penny's mouth made an O-shape, and she nodded before stumbling back and closing the door. A few seconds later, the large door to her room, beside the small one, opened, and she kicked a black duffel bag. “Chi chi.” She let out a huge yawn that ended in a puff of flame.
“You want some coffee?” he asked, picking up the duffel. “There’s a pot on the counter still steaming.”
Penny brightened at that and took two hops before flapping her wings and flying for the kitchen. Finn followed her across the dojo towards the living room.
Danica came out of her room, dressed in leggings and a stylish gray sweater that hung off one shoulder. Her hair had been blown out straight and shined golden in the morning light.
Dropping the duffel full of tech gear on the couch, Finn smiled at Danica. “So, you decided to go shopping?”
She nodded. “Yeah, I could use a little retail therapy. Plus, I need to get a few more pairs of leggings.”
“Aren’t leggings like half your wardrobe?”
“You can never have enough leggings.”
“I think Mila would agree with that.”
“Agree with what?” Mila asked, coming out of her room, dressed for their trip in maroon leggings and a teeshirt.
“See? Barely see her in anything else.” Finn said with a wave of his hand at her legs.
Mila gave him a narrow gaze. “Are you going on about leggings again? I think you’re jealous that you can't get away with wearing them…in public, at least.”
Danica laughed. “Oh, man. I would pay good money to see him in leggings at the bar.”
Finn grumbled but didn't disagree. “Can you do me a favor, Danica?” He changed the subject.
“Sure. What do you need?” She said, wiping a tear of laughter from her eye as she sat on the small bench where their shoes were stored in little cubbies along the front.
“Kevin is going to be stopping by tomorrow to go over the plans for the building remodel. We just got a lead on the Dark Star, and we’re going up to Boulder to see what we can find. Can you meet with him and look the plans over and make changes if needed?”
She seemed surprised. “You want me to make changes? I figured that would be something you would want to approve.”
“I trust your judgment. But, if you wouldn't mind, can you call Remmy and make sure she and her tribe leader are there too? They’re getting a floor of their own, and I want to be sure it fits their needs. Let her know she can make any changes she wants, but that it has to be within reason. No golden toilets or anything crazy like that.”
“How long will you be up in Boulder?” Danica asked, zipping up a pair of calf-high boots.
“Should only be a day, but you know how things can go. Could be a few days.”
“Sure. I can handle looking over the plans. Hey, Mila. Do you need anything from the mall? I’m going shopping, and this big guy is footing the bill. So, it’s my treat.”
Mila considered, then plucked at her leggings. “I could use a few more pairs of leggings.”
Finn rolled his eyes and laughed.
Penny raised an eye ridge. “Squee shir? Chi chi shee.”
Mila put her hands on her hips and glared at Finn. “She’s right. You love the way I look in leggings. Quit complaining.”
“I do like the way you look in leggings.” Finn waggled his eyebrows.
Mila made a slightly disgusted face. “Creep.”
“I can't win.” Finn shook his head. “I just can't win.”
Mila came over and slapped him on the butt. “Oh, you won already. You got a very opinionated prize is all.”
The trip to Boulder took about twenty minutes, confirming Mila's lead foot. She was convinced that it would have been under twenty, but Finn had made her stop for snacks.
“You know we don't always have to stop for food,” Mila complained, eating a pretzel.
Finn and Penny both gave her a shocked look.
“You’re the one who ate a whole bag of pretzels. Penny and I only shared a box of Chews. Besides, it’s tradition.”
“I did not eat a whole bag of pretzels.” She slapped his leg.
Finn held up the bag and shook it. There were three pretzels left along with the salty powder. “You’re right. It wasn't a whole bag.”
She chuckled. “I can't help it. Ever since my magic has woken up, I can't get enough food. I’m always hungry.”
“Yeah, that happens. Magic still needs power, and food is a pretty good source.” He fished out the last three pretzels. “May as well finish ‘em off. Don’t want people to think you’re a quitter.”
Mila looked at the offered snacks, and Finn could see she was trying to come up with a reason not to take them, but eventually, she huffed and took them.
Finn chuckled and looked at his phone. “The map says the house is around the corner.”
Mila paused at the stop sign and checked the intersection before turning left down a dead-end street in the neighborhood they had been making their way through.
The houses were the small post-war ones that seemed to have been built by the hundreds overnight. They all had a large yard and detached garage beside identical floor plans. Finn read off house numbers. “202. 216. There it is, 224. Pull up out front.”
“There’s a car in the drive, he must be home,” Mila said, pointing at the newer model SUV parked in front of the garage. “What’s this guy's name?”
“Herman,” Finn said, watching the house for movement.
Mila raised an eyebrow. “As in the author?”
Finn shrugged. “I don't know what he does. So how do we want to do this?”
Mila considered. “You could go around back with Penny while I check the basement windows.”
Penny raised an eye ridge at them. “Chi? Shir squee.”
“I guess we could do that.”
“Yeah, knocking on the front door is a pretty good plan. I kinda forgot we don't know if he knows anything. Probably the civil approach is best.”
Finn chuckled. “Ready?”
They climbed out of the car and made their way up the concrete path that cut through the front lawn to the front door. Mila was out front, and Finn and Penny brought up the rear. Penny rode his shoulder but hunkered down to look less threatening.
Mila took a deep breath and rang the bell.
After twenty seconds she rang it again, but they didn't hear any movement in the house. Finn stepped to the side and cupped his hands on the front window, pressing his face to them.
“The lights are off, and it doesn't look like anyone is here. Kinda spartan too. Just a couch, chair, and TV. No pictures on the walls or anything.”
“Chi.” Penny tapped him on the head, her eyes closed as she sucked in a deep lungful of air through her nose. Her eyes snapped open. “Shir, shee!”
“Dark magic?” Mila asked. “You can smell that?”
Penny nodded. “Chi, chi.”
Finn sniffed the air and caught the edges of what Penny was smelling. “Yeah, I’m getting it too. She’s either here, or it’s been recent.” He looked around the dead-end street and didn't see anyone. “Let’s go around back and see if we can get in. This might be more of a lead than we bargained for.”
Mila nodded and lead the way around to the driveway. A chain-link fence between the house and garage had a gate that was unlocked. Finn opened it, scanning the backyard, seeing the trimmed yard and swingset somehow felt creepy in its ordinary-ness after smelling the tainted magic coming from the house. Like a monster in a pretty mask.
They passed a well-used gas grill and a neatly wound up hose dusted with a light coating of snow. Finn held Mila back from going up the steps first.
“Let me go ahead of you, just in case,” Finn said, protectively.
Mila pulled down the collar of her tee-shirt, the sun glinting off her mithril chainmail. “I’m good.”
Finn smiled.
“Still.” He positioned himself squarely in front of the backdoor.
“What do we do now?” Mila asked, reaching back and pulling Gram out, but not activating the sword.
“Now we knock. Really hard.”
Finn lifted a booted foot and slammed it into the wooden door.
Chapter Nine
The wooden door burst open, slamming into the wall hard enough the glass shattered and rained down on the ‘70s-ish linoleum.
“If he’s home, he knows we’re here,” Mila said.
Penny nearly gagged when the rotten smell of dark magic bled out. Finn's nose wrinkled, and even Mila gave a small cough.
“Dark magic for sure,” Finn commented, stepping inside, and pulling out Fragar, keeping the folded weapon at his side. “Herman?” he called, as he stopped in the dusty kitchen.
No answer.
“Looks like this place hasn't been used in months.” Mila wiped a finger across the counter, a thick build-up of dust and grime sticking to it.
“You smell that?” Finn asked.
“You mean something beyond the smell of rot? No, I can't really smell anything besides that.” Mila sniffed, just to be sure and almost sneezed.
“Chir shee,” Penny said, inhaling the air.
“Yeah. Death,” Finn agreed.
“How the hell can you pick that out over the general smell of nastiness?” Mila said, shaking her head.
“Your senses will sharpen with time. Give it a few months.” He sniffed a few more times, but Penny was the one who pointed to a door off the kitchen. “Agreed. Basement.”
They moved to the door, and Finn pulled it open. The smell of rotten meat hit them like a wall.
Mila gagged. “Ugh.” She put her arm up over her nose.
“You going to be okay?” Finn asked her.
She nodded and shooed him down the steps.
“I’m surprised there are no flies,” Mila observed.
“They must have been driven off by the dark magic,” Finn said, peering into the darkness.
“Probably. Flies are smarter than people give them credit for. Do you know how far away meat has to be for them not to smell it?”
