Magician Rising (Divination in Darkness Book 1)

by Renée des Lauriers

  Nikolai could relate to that silent pain—he’d felt it, too. The loss broke something inside him, and he’d had to live with those jagged edges.

  “Because she lost a son? But what about you?”

  “What about me?”

  “Why wouldn’t she want to live to see her other son?”

  “If you had met my brother, you’d understand.” Nikolai sighed. His brother’s shoes were too much for the likes of him to fill. Larger than life. Heroic. “He was always a better person than me. I was supposed to be the one killed, but he pushed me out of the path of the fire. Maybe if he hadn’t, he and my mom would be alive. But blaming myself for living won’t bring either of them back.”

  Her eyes were still sad, but Jun wasn’t crying anymore. “Thanks. For listening and stuff.” She sniffled, wiping her face on her forearm. “I guess we should go back to bunny tracking.”

  Her bag rustled. When Jun snapped it open, the rabbit popped up, front paws high in the air, like he was bursting out of a cake.

  “There you are! Can you take us back to our own time? But not stuck in that moment. Just back to the normal progression?” Jun asked the rabbit. “Right. Does that make sense?”

  The rabbit nodded vigorously in reply.

  Nikolai gazed out into the past. It was eerie, yet familiar. Soon to be out of reach. Somewhere out there, his mother was still alive—though probably still in diapers. He sighed. Nothing he could do would change her loss in the present.

  “Ready to try this again?” Jun reached for Nikolai, palm out. He took Jun’s hand and let her lead him back into the future.

  There was a faint pop like a bomb the size of an ant bursting and a rush of movement—the movement of decades passing by all around them. Then it stopped.

  Nikolai took a steadying breath before opening his eyes.

  They were still on the bench by the redwood trees. A guy walked by in artfully ripped jeans, Converse shoes and gauges. On the street was a Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

  Everything was still in black and white and shades of gray.

  Damn it.

  Still colorblind.

  Nikolai let go of Jun’s hand.

  He had found the magician, and she was more powerful than most. If she lost control, the casualties would be in the hundreds of thousands.

  The magician in question was currently looking around her campus. Her eyes still a bit swollen from crying.

  No.

  Jun had saved him twice from the creatures controlled by shadow, then she brought him back to their time. When, if she wanted to, she could have left him to die alone. She was a magician, but not his enemy.

  Besides, he didn’t kill innocent people. Jun, whatever her capabilities were, was innocent.

  The others wouldn’t see it like that.

  “Jun, you have to stop going to class.”

  “What?” Her eyes widened.

  Not even Nikolai knew if the others could be trusted. “I’m not going to do anything,” he said, “but I’m not the only one hunting you.”

  21

  Roman carefully applied a second coat of his lip balm, checking the rear-view window to make sure that it was even. You could never be too careful with skincare. He paused and fixed some hair that was out of place, frowning at the new strands of gray.

  A thump from the back of the van interrupted his preening and he scowled. Roman flipped a switch and turned the Turkey in the Straw jingle up as loud as it would go. Roman opened the divider to the back of the truck. He’d have to take care of this himself.

  Trussed up in the back of the ice cream van, their suspect was sawing his binds against the corner of the fridge unit.

  That idiot David hadn’t even noticed.

  Roman glanced at the empty playground they were parked next to. He grabbed the window—covered in stickers of strawberry eclairs, fudgsicles and ice cream sandwiches—and slid it shut.

  Roman reached down and pulled the gag out of Rick Abbot’s mouth.

  “Shhhh,” Roman admonished him, stroking Rick’s chin at knife point. “You wouldn't want me to have any misunderstandings, now would you?” Roman dug the knife deeper as Rick whimpered.

  Pathetic.

  “Now then, since I have your attention, what do you know about the earthquake?”

  “Nothing! I told you, I don’t know anything.”

  “I don’t think I believe you.” Roman grabbed his wrench, examining it in the light. Adjustable. Clean. Dinged in places, true. But still serviceable. “Let’s see if this jogs your memory.”

  Roman cracked the wrench down like it was a whip. He loved that—the jarring impact of bone against the metal, how his hand became numb with the force of it. The smooth glide of the motion, the arc and loop of his swing. As it rose and fell, again and again.

  “What? Done already?” Roman asked the hollowed-out husk of the boy’s face.

  Roman lifted the wrench, now covered in blood, and scrutinized it. Finding no new dents, he wiped it clean on the suspect’s corpse.

  “Seems like this one wasn’t our elusive culprit after all,” he called over his shoulder to David. “Help me with this before it gets all over the floor.”

  Together, they hauled the body into the freezer. David hastily shoved some of the Chipwiches out of the way.

  “They’re our best sellers,” David explained, tossing them over the body. Two spots of red flecked his sleeve.

  What a shame. David had the right temperament. Too bad he was just so sloppy.

  “See, David? This is why I invest in water resistant shirts,” Roman said. It was doubtful that David would be able to mend his ways. People rarely changed. He’d do for now, of course. Before he became another liability.

  “Pistachio is going to be pissed that he has another body to process,” Roman mused. “Would you be a dear and pick up some sodium hydroxide? Home Depot should have some. Or Walmart.”

  “Why doesn’t Nikolai do any of the dirty work?” David muttered.

  “Nikolai is going by the rule book, and if he’s anything like his brother, he’s not stupid.”

  David made a noise of disgust in the back of his throat. Then nudged the freezer with his foot. “Is this going to be a problem?”

  “Hmm. People disappear all the time. Especially when there’s a magician around. Don’t worry, the more murders the magician has under his belt, the bigger the payout when we get him.”

  “Who’s next on the list?” David asked.

  Roman took out his cellphone and opened his Photos, then scrolled through pictures of Nikolai’s notes to a list of class names. Really, if Nikolai didn’t want the competition, he should have purchased a better lock.

  “Bailey Allen.”

  22

  The gyro wasn’t bad, actually. Just a pinch too salty, and the sauce would benefit from a touch of acid. But the flavors were there. It was fresh. Jun didn’t know why she had never eaten here before. Maybe she hadn’t noticed it. It wasn’t because her college’s food court was large. That wasn’t it. Right next door was Happy Dragon, lit up in flashing neon, with that siren call of fried wontons. If she had just gotten Kabob King on her lunch break weeks ago, she wouldn’t have had to deal with all this fortune and earthquake drama.

  A hulking figure blocked out the LED light. Jun swallowed. “What?”

  Nikolai pulled out the chair across from her and sat down. “It’s been two weeks. Why are you still working here?”

  “For the money, mostly. And the employee food discount.” Jun took another bite. She wasn’t going to let an over-muscled worrywart get in the way of her well-deserved lunch break. She had earned this.

  “You are way too accessible here. Did you know that you’re registered in the work study program? Do you know how long it takes to look you up in the system?”

  Jun took another bite. If Nikolai wanted her to pay more attention, he should have come when she was eating a crappier lunch.

  “Three minutes. It took me three minutes t
o find your name as an employee here.”

  “I’ve been fine. None of your friends has even ordered anything, and they wouldn’t recognize me even if they did.”

  “Because I told them that pizza is ruining my diet. I had to follow through with that, too. You don’t want to know how much kale I’ve eaten in the last week.”

  “Oh, heavens! You had to eat kale? I’m so sorry.”

  Nikolai gave her a dirty look, and Jun held back the impulse to stick her tongue out at him. She was a mature adult, after all.

  “Why don’t you have a new phone?”

  “Pickles needed emergency surgery. It ate up a good chunk of my savings.” Jun dropped the rest of her gyro onto her plate. The reminder killed her appetite. “Little guy lost his foot.”

  Nikolai lowered his voice. “Is that from the time thing?”

  Jun nodded. It could have been worse. He could have died. Chinchillas were fragile. They were lucky that the shock didn’t give her little buddy a heart attack.

  Nikolai reached into his pocket and pulled out his cellphone, placing it in the middle of the table. “Here.”

  “Yes, you have a very nice phone.” Jun raised an eyebrow at him.

  “It’s for you.”

  “What?” Jun pushed the phone back across the table. “You can’t just buy me a phone.”

  “It was my fault that your old phone was destroyed. Consider this a replacement.”

  “But this is a new model. It’s, like, over a thousand dollars.”

  “It’s supposed to be waterproof and shatter resistant. I’ll send you a text if the others get too close.”

  The reminder of Nikolai’s team squashed Jun’s protests. And the phone logo was shiny—Jun could see her face in it. “I thought they didn’t know anything about me?”

  “Things are too quiet. They’re up to something.” Nikolai frowned. “Are you still going to go to class?”

  “I’m graduating in less than two weeks.”

  “You’re putting yourself in danger.”

  “You worry too much.”

  Nikolai shook his head at her.

  Fine. Let him shake his head. But she was fine. Lightness eased through her, settling in her bones. Things were different now—magic would protect her.

  “Well, I gotta get back to work.” She pocketed her new phone, resisting the temptation to check out the new high resolution in front of him.

  “You gonna finish that?” Nikolai pointed to the sad, forgotten gyro on her tray.

  “Have at it, kale-boy,” Jun said, jamming her Feelin’ Saucy cap back on and walking across the campus dining hall to get to work.

  Jun nodded to Alexa at the register as she grabbed the keys to the Crust.

  “That the guy who was giving you trouble?” Alexa nodded toward the table Jun just left.

  “Yeah, but it’s fine. We worked it out.”

  Alexa smirked. “You didn’t tell me that he’s hot.”

  Jun shrugged.

  Nikolai was currently inhaling the rest of Jun’s lunch. Not savoring it or anything. That gyro deserved better.

  “His six packs probably have six packs. I can tell.”

  “Um, yeah. I think he works out.” Now that he wasn’t a threat, Jun could admit it—there was something compelling about all that raw strength.

  “You say it like you’re not tapping that.”

  “I’m not.” How could she even describe her relationship with Nikolai? They weren’t enemies or acquaintances. He kept popping up in unexpected places, nagging her to be safe. “We’re just friends.”

  “You could try flirting with him.”

  “I don’t think he sees me like that.”

  Alexa muttered something that sounded like “oblivious” and “waste.”

  Whatever. Alexa could think what she wanted. Nikolai was following her around to make sure she didn’t cause a bit of mass destruction.

  Minutes later, Jun sidled into the Crust, inhaling the familiar smell of melted cheese and garlic. She turned the keys and switched on the radio. Jun took off her hat to adjust it and out hopped the white rabbit. He settled himself on the console and waved to Jun.

  “Why, hello there.” Jun smiled back, then gestured at the car radio apologetically. “Sorry about the commercials.”

  The rabbit thumped his hind leg, and the radio announced, “And now back to music, with Ellie Goulding’s ‘Lights.’”

  “Oh, sweet, I love this song!”

  Jun delivered the pizzas, her rabbit friend riding on her shoulder and occasionally on top of the pizza boxes.

  None of her customers noticed him. Not even Mr. Shattuck Ave., who dissolved into a fit of sneezes a minute into opening the door. He paid for the pizza and turned back inside awkwardly. Overall, it was a very excellent day.

  Class also went well, as soon as she managed to ignore the glares that Nikolai threw her way. Well. If looks could kill, she’d be in trouble. But they couldn’t. Jun would be fine.

  He texted her three times.

  If I see anyone from my team, I'm going to text you to run.

  You need to be more aware of your surroundings.

  You should try sitting closer to the exit.

  All this stress couldn’t be good for his blood pressure. Probably a good thing that he was adding kale to his diet.

  But the class ended without incident, like it had every other day for years.

  As the class let out, Jun slipped into the bathroom—ink smudges and knitting did not mix. Her latest project was silk wool and she was not going to risk it.

  She reached for the faucet and gasped.

  Tendrils of darkness twisted out of the drain, reaching for her.

  Jun backed away, heading slowly to the exit.

  The darkness drifted into the shape of a hand that stretched out to her. The index finger curved, beckoning. More black tendrils flooded out from the drain, obscuring the bathroom like smoke.

  Jun pressed herself against the door as the shade loomed closer.

  She knew exactly what it wanted.

  Go to the shadows.

  Jun rushed out of the bathroom, only slowing when she was sure that thing wasn’t following. Not that running would help.

  She hadn’t left the creature behind in that space where time stood still.

  This time her fortune wouldn’t be ignored.

  23

  Nikolai sighed as he put the phone to his ear. She wasn’t going to like this.

  She answered on the first ring.

  “Jun, your boyfriend is in the hospital.”

  “That sucks for him.”

  Nikolai paused and raised an eyebrow. She was practically hysterical when trying to save her rodent. Nikolai was expecting tears or shock or something.

  “I don’t have a boyfriend,” Jun said in a bored voice.

  “That guy who sits in front of you in class?”

  “Bailey’s not my boyfriend,” Jun said in that same disinterested voice. Then she swallowed. In quick, worried tones she asked, “Wait. What do you mean he's in the hospital?”

  “It’s in the campus newsletter, since his dad’s a notable alum.”

  Nikolai heard clicking in the background. She was probably searching it up. Good. He didn’t want to explain that Bailey had three broken ribs that ended up puncturing his lung.

  Jun gasped. “Oh, my God! It says he was mugged? That’s really messed up! Who would do something like that?”

  “My roommates.”

  “What?” Jun sounded startled.

  “I found a UC Business ring left on the counter. Solid gold.” The ring was distinctive. Nikolai had noted the style of it when Bailey walked into the back aisle to flirt with Jun.

  “But why Bailey? He’s totally innocent. The guy is about as suspicious as sliced wheat bread.”

  “That’s what I need to find out. I’ll call as soon as I get more information. Any chance that you’ll take my advice and lay low?”

  “Not with finals in
a week and a half.”

  Why did she have to be so fucking stubborn? Nikolai tried not to think about Evan. Clumsy. As magic as mud. How his face was beaten bloody and his teeth knocked out.

  Or Bailey, unconscious back in his hospital room.

  “You’re putting yourself in danger,” Nikolai reminded her.

  “I’ll be fine. I’ll finish up and it’ll be like I was never even here.”

  Nikolai swallowed down all the arguments that had already failed.

  Something crashed in the background. “Shit,” Jun said. “Got to go.”

  She hung up.

  Nikolai shook his head.

  Something was off about Jun’s reaction to danger, and this wasn’t the first time he’d seen it. She had no caution with a man-eating sphinx. Hell, she’d reacted the same way to him. Oddly indifferent at times, like when he’d kidnapped her. Her reaction didn’t seem like something she had control over. In fact, she didn’t even seem aware that anything was wrong.

  On his way out of the Emergency Room parking lot, he walked around an ambulance. The paramedics inside were eating takeout with the windows open. It smelled amazing.

  Nikolai probably could have snuck away more and picked up a burger or whatever. But he always seemed to have more important things to do.

  He balled up the custodial uniform and tossed it in the dumpster, after checking to see that he was out of range of the security cameras.

  His team wasn’t operating according to standard protocol. Nikolai already knew that. And many teams viewed the rules as suggestions rather than guidelines. But there was something off.

  Roman had eased up pressure. Stopped texting for updates. Had gone quiet.

  Nikolai didn’t like it.

  Back at Durant Ave, Nikolai peered into the common area, listening. No light on in any of the rooms. He knew from experience that Roman and Pistachio snored. At any rate, it was midday. The others were out.

  Alone, then.

  What were they up to?

  Nikolai grabbed a banana from the counter, next to Bailey’s ring.