The Scarlet Dagger

by J. E. Cluney

  “They are a stunning breed,” Camille agreed as she nibbled on a jam covered scone.

  “Hey, Luke, how’s things going with uni?” Cathy asked, focussing her attention on her brother.

  I felt his surprise, but he fell into a conversation with her about his studies, even asking her about her own.

  I smiled at how they had seemed to move past their issues. Sure, it wasn’t completely fixed, but they were on the mend. They were both trying.

  I glanced over at Camille, whose lips were quirking up at the edges tenderly as she sat quietly watching her two children.

  I could practically feel her quiet pleasure at the scene.

  I finished off my cheesecake, checking the time on my phone and deciding it was time to head to the arena to watch Ollie’s round with Million.

  “Well, have to love you and leave you though sadly. Ollie will be up soon enough, and we don’t want to miss it,” Lucas said with a sigh as he rose.

  “Of course! Go, enjoy the show,” Camille said, waving him off, but he bent over to kiss her cheek first.

  “Try to stick around for the final show if you can. Apparently, they’ve put a lot of effort into it. Real horses and shifters doing a show,” Cathy said, smiling pleasantly, and I nodded.

  “Will do,” I said as we strode off, and Lucas slipped his hand into mine.

  “I’m glad things are going so well with your family now,” I murmured as we navigated through the crowd. There were all sorts of stalls on offer, from homemade foods to handmade bags and clothing, to candles, pet gear, and even some potions.

  “Yeah, things seem to be going well. Cathy is trying, so I’m not going to ruin that. Sure, I can’t just forgive and forget easily, but I can work towards making things better,” Lucas said softly as he squeezed my hand.

  I leaned into his side, enjoying the contented feelings I was sensing within him.

  He’d missed being a part of his family before things had gone sour.

  We found our way to the arena, but the stands were too crowded, with people spilling down the sides and surrounding the fenced off arena.

  We found an open section where we could watch through the metal rails, and I checked my phone again for the time as the commentator introduced the next entrant.

  Ollie would be next.

  I watched as the horn sounded off and a black horse and rider shot out of the far side of the arena. They tore across the arena, swiveling around the barrels as the commentator went off and called the time as they dashed back to the starting area.

  I bounced on my feet as Ollie was introduced next with Million, and they mentioned how Million was off the track.

  “He’s got this,” Lucas said, although his voice was drowned out by the excited crowd.

  The horn went off, and Million burst from the far side, Ollie urging him on as they rocketed around the arena.

  Million was as quick as bullet as he did the sharp turns and shot around, his muscles quivering as Ollie rode him like a true pro, and I cheered as they flew back to the starting gate and the time was called. They’d been faster than the previous entrant.

  ‘Awesome work!’ I congratulated him mentally.

  ‘It’s all Million. He was raring to go,’ Ollie sent back happily, his sheer joy and delight flooding through to me. ‘I’ve got to put him back in the stall. I’ll come find you guys after.’

  I turned to Lucas, grinning as another horse and rider entered the arena.

  We watched a few more rounds, none of the entrants beating Million’s epic time, before we wandered off to have a look around.

  I checked out a few stalls before Ollie found us, complaining of being hungry, so we found a food van that was selling ribs and assorted cooked meats.

  Ollie ordered some ribs, and I decided to try some pork belly as we sat down at a shaded table.

  “Do you think you’ll win?” Lucas asked.

  “Nah, Million is amazing, but he’s still new,” Ollie said humbly. “I’m just proud of how well he did.”

  “You both did amazing,” I said, and Ollie smiled warmly as he moved to rest a hand on my leg.

  The food came out in record time, and we enjoyed it as the crowd bustled around us.

  “When do you find out the winners?” Lucas asked.

  “Around lunchtime, so I’ll head back to the arena then. They’ll be doing cutting and roping now. I thought about putting Million in for those, but we haven’t really practiced either much,” Ollie admitted as he made a right mess of the ribs, the sauce smearing up his cheeks.

  He didn’t care as he dug in happily, and I just chuckled as I finished off my pork belly.

  “Apparently they have a big show afterwards?” I noted.

  “Yeah, some horse show with both normal horses and shifters. The real horses will be marked with blue paint spots on their rumps,” Ollie explained. “I’ve been told they’ve organized a good one.”

  I nodded as I settled into my seat, soaking up the cool breeze in the shade.

  For a moment, all our worries were forgotten.

  We returned to the arena just before midday, and we found a spot near the fence as the last few rounds of cutting were done. I watched the horses and riders work hard to cut cows out of the herd, and Ollie had to explain the idea behind the event for me.

  I still couldn’t quite understand it, but I enjoyed watching.

  The commentator called the riders to return to the stalls of their horses while the judges worked out the winners of all the events.

  “Good luck!” I said, beaming at Ollie as he headed off, and Lucas and I waited patiently as other riders exited the crowd to head over to the stables.

  “So what now?” I asked as a horse and rider entered the arena, putting on some fancy dressage show for us while we waited. The horse pranced around, doing some fancy side-stepping and high trotting type movements on the spot.

  “They’ll inform the winners so they can get their horses ready and bring them out for the awards,” Lucas explained.

  “What sort of awards?” I asked.

  “I think medals mainly, and cash prizes,” Lucas said.

  I smiled softly, reaching out to Ollie so I’d know as soon as he knew who the winners were.

  A few minutes passed before a wave of pride and excitement washed through me from him.

  They’d come third!

  ‘Congratulations!’ I sent him, my other mates even popping in mentally to commend him on the awesome effort.

  I grinned like a delighted child as Lucas wrapped an arm around me, and we watched the dressage show finish up as the commentator prepared everyone for the announcement of the winners.

  The winners of the barrel racing were called out, and they entered the arena leading their horses, in single file.

  I bounced on my toes as Ollie and Million strode into the arena, and Million swished his tail like he was flaunting himself, holding his head high.

  They stood in a line as one judge handed out their medals and hung ribbons over the horses’ necks.

  The commentator called out the prize money, and I gaped, glad Ollie had won himself three hundred dollars. First place had taken home one thousand.

  The crowd roared and applauded, and the second-place winner’s horse startled a little, stomping and pawing as they tried to walk backwards.

  The rider got her horse under control though, and the three winners exited the arena with a final round of applause.

  ‘I’ll take him back to Pop’s float, and he’ll take him home. I’ll come find you guys afterwards. Hopefully, I can catch the whole show,’ Ollie informed us.

  I knew Bob had dropped Million off, and I’d seen him and Penny as we’d wandered around.

  They would both be so proud of the pair.

  Million had come a long way, and he’d behaved himself so well in the arena, much less antsy than I’d expected. Perhaps he was a little diva, soaking up the attention from being in the spotlight.

  The winners of the ropi
ng and cutting events were called, and I clapped for them as well.

  Ollie joined us just as the cutting winners were leaving the arena, and the commentator informed us a show would be starting in ten minutes, so we were welcome to grab a bite to eat or drink before it started.

  We chose to wait patiently instead, and I spotted Camille and Cathy wandering through the crowd as I gazed over my shoulder.

  “Pop was super proud. Penny was smothering Million too,” Ollie said as Lucas asked about their response. “Penny really thought Million was a lost cause. She’s so glad she was wrong.”

  “He’s amazing,” I cooed, and Ollie wrapped an arm around my waist as he kissed my cheek. “I’m so proud of you both,” I murmured as I turned my head, giving him a soft kiss on the lips.

  “Love you,” Ollie murmured as he pulled back and nuzzled my nose.

  I smiled softly as I lapped up the love I was feeling from my two mates as we waited for the show to begin.

  Music started playing as horses began pouring into the arena, trotting in perfect sync as they did laps of the arena.

  I spotted the rows of horses with blue spots on their rump, others with no markings.

  They pranced in an incredible choreographed dance, some of the shifter horses lying down and normal horses leaping over them. Magical fireworks exploded overhead, turning into a vibrant array of colorful horses galloping over the top of the arena.

  The horses all raced around the arena, leaping in perfect sync over imaginary jumps before splitting off into two lines.

  They lined up, standing to attention across from one another, facing each other and making an aisle.

  A single shifter horse, a stunning black horse that Ollie informed me was a Friesian, trotted down the center of the aisle before rearing at the end. All the horses followed suit, rearing in almost perfect sync before falling down and standing to attention once more.

  Another lot of fireworks shot off, and an iridescent herd of horses filed down the aisle before plunging into the air and galloping over the crowd.

  They exploded into glitter as the music grew in a crescendo, and all the horses reared up again, turning in a circle on their back legs before darting off in patterns around the arena. More fireworks exploded along the edges of the arena, and assorted colorful horses shot through the air, racing the real horses and shifters before leaping upwards and exploding in the air.

  I just watched in mesmerized awe as the show wrapped up, all the horses dashing back through the gates at the far end as one last vibrant firework show went off with rearing horses and a big ‘Thank you’ message.

  “That was epic,” I breathed out as the crowd applauded and whooped.

  “They did well,” Ollie agreed as Lucas just nodded in appreciation.

  The crowd began to disperse, and I sighed as I turned away from the arena, eyeing the bustling crowd carefully.

  That odd pull washed over me, and I pursed my lips as I nudged Lucas, informing him I was going to find a quiet spot to see what Walter wanted.

  My chest tightened as I eased through the crowd to the toilet block I’d seen, and I slipped inside, locking myself into a stall as I slipped into my void. No need to have anyone worried by my black eyes.

  I eased into the darkness, watching as Walter manifested before me.

  “Allison, I come bearing news,” Walter stated as he gave me a brisk bow before righting himself.

  “We could use some good news,” I admitted.

  “I’m afraid it isn’t good news,” Walter said with a sigh, giving me a dismayed look.

  Wonderful.

  “What have you found?” I asked, forcing the distress from my voice.

  “My father will be making a move soon. Mabel reached out to me. Her future sight kicked in, and her predictions have changed. Something has altered the future she originally saw. Nothing is ever set in stone. Maple Grove may be in danger,” Walter informed me with a pained look.

  “Does she know what he’s planning? What can we do to stop this? Can Ollie sort this out by finding the dagger?” I fired off my own questions as the panic welled up inside me.

  We thought we had time.

  But not anymore.

  “The dagger is needed. We’re not sure what he’s planning yet. Mabel is struggling to see, but she knows it involves his need for power. She did say the way to find the dagger will be revealed extremely soon,” Walter said with certainty.

  “Good. That’s good.” I sighed, a wave of relief washing over me. That was a step in the right direction at least.

  I frowned as a ripple of distress coursed through me.

  “I will come to you as soon as I find out more. You must go,” Walter said firmly as he faded away.

  I pulled out of my void, flinging the toilet stall door open as the distress and panic grew.

  Ollie.

  I darted out of the toilet block, reaching out to Lucas and Ollie.

  Ollie was over by the stables, as he’d accidentally left his phone there, and Lucas was headed to him quickly.

  ‘Ollie, what’s going on?’ I asked him as I ran, pumping my legs hard as I ran in the direction of the stables. The crowd had thinned, and most people were packing up and calling it a day.

  Ollie didn’t respond, and a wave of fear rolled through me as I gritted my teeth, my heart hammering.

  Something was seriously wrong. I could feel his swirling emotions of pain, panic, and fear.

  ‘He’s convulsing,’ Lucas said, his tone distressed.

  I ran even faster, my throat constricting.

  What was happening? We needed to get help.

  ‘I’m trying,’ Lucas hissed as I finally reached the stables and darted inside.

  I gasped, collapsing beside Ollie as his body shook and spasmed.

  Lucas was waving a purple glowing hand over him in an attempt to assist, but I could feel his distress because he couldn’t do anything.

  Whatever was happening couldn’t be fixed, even by warlock magic.

  “What do we do?” I choked out as Ollie’s eyes rolled back in his head and his body lurched towards the ceiling.

  “I don’t know,” Lucas growled out as he looked around. We were completely alone here.

  Could anyone help him anyway?

  I gasped as Ollie’s bones began to crack as he writhed, and he groaned and shook as he tossed his head.

  “Ollie.” I reached out, despite Lucas warning me it could be dangerous.

  I entwined my fingers into his, opening myself up in hopes that perhaps our mated bond could do something. Anything. I was out of ideas.

  I cried out as a powerful energy burned through me, making my eyes dance with golden lights as Ollie’s hand gripped mine like a vice.

  Lucas cursed as he reached over to help me, but Ollie’s hand released me just as quickly.

  Something hard and shocking slammed into my body like an invisible wave, and I shot backwards, landing hard on my back with Lucas beside me, the wind knocked from me as I gasped. My body tingled as I rolled onto my side, gaping at the golden magic swirling off Ollie and sending out small shockwaves.

  “What the fuck is that?” Lucas groaned as he rolled over as well.

  The magic was beautiful, but I focused on Ollie’s writhing form, my eyes widening as his skin began to peel off in places.

  Beneath it, a strange scaly layer of skin was being revealed, one that glistened gold like the magic.

  It reminded me of a snake, and I tried to sit up in an attempt to help Ollie as he cried out.

  The power knocked me back down, pinning me as Ollie’s body contorted, his skin peeling off on his hands as strange talons extended from the tips.

  His teeth were sharpening to points as he tossed his head wildly, and I looked to Lucas in panic.

  His expression was just as terrified and scared, and I whimpered as I reached out, my hand finding his as the power continued to hold us down.

  “Allison!”

  I turned my head, s
pying Marcus gripping the stable door as he attempted to enter.

  “Ollie!” I cried out, wanting him to help Ollie more than me.

  Marcus’ hair was ruffling in the energy waves as he tried to flit to Ollie, but he struggled against the power.

  I turned back, staring at Ollie, who had more scaly golden skin than his human skin now, and two odd lumps were forming on his head.

  What the hell was happening to him?

  Marcus cursed as another powerful shockwave exploded from Ollie, and I shielded my face as the waves of golden magic washed over me.

  The heavy feeling over my body vanished after a moment, and I peeked out from under my arms.

  The golden magic was gone now, and Ollie’s body looked to be returning to normal.

  Although he wasn’t moving anymore.

  “Ollie!” I cried out as I scrambled forth.

  Marcus was beside him in an instant, checking him over as Lucas and I reached him.

  “He’s alive. Just looks to be unconscious,” Marcus said, sighing in relief.

  “What happened though?” I murmured as I stroked Ollie’s face, the scaly skin that had replaced half his face now reverting back to his normal lightly sun-kissed skin.

  “No idea,” Lucas admitted as he shared a lost look with Marcus.

  “We need to get him to a hospital or something. Do we have one?” I asked.

  “We have a medical center here in Maple Grove that treats supes,” Lucas said, nodding.

  “He needs help,” I stated as I gently held Ollie’s limp hand.

  The pair nodded as Marcus scooped up Ollie’s unconscious body.

  My chest tightened as I fought back the fear and uncertainty that wanted to overtake me.

  What was happening to him? Was this related to his blackout too?

  A portal opened up, and Marcus stepped through instantly.

  “Go with him. I’ll make sure that anyone who saw the magic is dealt with. Although I don’t think anyone apart from us did,” Lucas said with a sigh. “I’ll join you right after.”

  “Okay,” I murmured, my voice shaking as I stepped after Marcus instantly.