by C C Sommerly
“Somehow that doesn’t surprise me.”
Slav was petrified and it was kinda funny. In the past, Slav always escorted me to the Dark Side’s entrance. I was shocked that he refused to do it now just to avoid a devil dog.
Lochlan looked at me questioningly, but wisely stayed silent. Slav controlled the only way to get in and out of the Dark Side. It was hidden behind a curtain in the rear of the store, so he needed to buck up and put on his big boy panties and let us in.
“Just go in,” said Slav.
Muffin ignored him, completely unaware of the fear the ogre was struggling through. He really was a weird dog. I still think his sense of people was off and was clueless about people’s emotions. I’d always thought dogs were more intuitive based on the phrase “dogs sense evil.” Shouldn’t he have some reaction to the ogre’s obvious fear?
“You sure don’t treat your contacts very well. First that guy you almost beat up in the alley and now you’ve managed to terrify an ogre.”
“You’ve heard the saying, “I put the fear of god into him.” Well, I put the fear of dog into him.”
“Real funny Marty. You’re lucky he didn’t have a heart attack on the spot. That’s literally the only time I’ve seen an ogre scared.”
“Guess I have a knack for bringing out things in people.”
“You’ve definitely got something, although, I wouldn’t call it a knack. Maybe beguiling? Beautifully head-strong? An earth-bound goddess?”
“Sure.”
“In all seriousness, your methods might not be illegal, but they tread on the edge of what is morally okay. If we stayed partners, it would be easier to help you avoid crossing illegal lines.”
“Lochlan, you’re only with me now because I have no choice. My stance on having a partner hasn’t changed. I work better alone and don’t want a partner.”
“Sterling would put me on more of these cases with you, if I wasn’t otherwise engaged with the djinn and my own cases. You know that right? If it wasn’t for all of that, it wouldn’t be so easy to get rid of me.”
So, Sterling was a traitor and had jumped aboard the we love Lochlan express? What happened to looking after me and having my best interests in mind? I didn’t need him forcing the fae on me.
I was trying to stay professional and being around Lochlan made that difficult to say the least.
19
We descended the stairs and were spit out into the Dark Side. Lochlan blinked a few times to catch his bearings and smiled.
“Aren’t you full of surprises? I knew you weren’t at a pawn shop to buy something,” said Lochlan, whose head swiveled around, taking in the city.
The first time in Dark Side was always jarring. It’s magic was the dark, dangerous, and intoxicating kind that tried to seduce you. It filled you with a giddy energy that begged to be rolled around in until there was no end and no beginning –just the beautiful darkness.
My own magic danced under the surface in response to the energies here. Did Lochlan feel it too? What did he think about the run down shops and dwellings that were clustered next to and even on top of the others? Does he think differently of me for being so well-acquainted with such a place?
This was a refuge for magic users that society deemed were threats and those who practiced dark magic. Most people wrongly assume dark magic was bad and light magic was good. I’d seen plenty of evil users of light magic and good users of dark magic. Magic is what you made it. But not your own, said a small voice in my mind, yours is the darkest there is.
We made silent progress. Lochlan was absorbed in the shops we passed – the voodoo priestesses shops and a necromancer dwelling. Some of the other ones were too horrific to do more than peek at and walk past faster.
“So where exactly are we heading? You seem to have a destination in mind.”
“I actually do. We’re visiting Garen, a rune mage first and then to Livinia’s shop. I’m hoping he has details about some special runes and Livinia, well, you’ll see about her. There’s really no explaining that woman.”
“Very well, lead the way.”
It Won’t Hurt Much, was the tattoo parlor run by Garen. It was conveniently located next to Livinia’s shop.
During my last visit to the Dark Side, I was kidnapped on my way back to the Top Side. Sterling even hired a tracker mage to find me and it failed because I was magically hidden. Garen found me bleeding on the streets just after I’d escaped from my kidnappers. He saved my life. Unfortunately, Sterling accused him of having some involvement in my disappearance. Yeah, not awkward at all. I’m not sure how he’ll react to seeing me now, especially since I’m here with a guy and Garen has a crush on me.
After The True One meeting, I knew where my kidnappers had held me and could follow-up on it. Not knowing who your enemies were is a risky thing and I didn’t believe in taking unnecessary risks. I had more than enough adversaries and didn’t need another one.
I knocked on Garen’s door. He opened it and gasped with surprise, which was quickly followed up by a wide and happy smile.
“Marty.”
My name came out like a sigh. I felt Lochlan step closer to me and Garen’s face changed. All the previous warmth was gone and replaced with a closed off and reserved expression. Muffin barked. Garen stooped down and held out a hand for the devil dog to sniff. To my surprise, not only did he smell the rune mage, but he even rubbed against him.
“Well, look at that. My dog is a traitor,” I said.
Garen was no longer focused on Muffin, but was staring behind me. I know he saw Lochlan, who currently had a possessive arm around my waist. Geez, he might as well piss on me to stake his claim. Muffin licked Garen, who laughed, breaking the tense mood.
“Come in. You wouldn’t come all this way for a social call,” said Garen. “And you’re in luck since my next customer isn’t for another thirty minutes.”
Garen led us to his side room. It was the same room where my sacrifice to Livinia, a.k.a., the chinchilla had escaped. It felt different this time.
“So what brings you here?” asked Garen.
“I wanted to check if you heard back from the other rune mages about the shadowy tattoos that move.”
Garen started pacing and didn’t stop as he started talking.
“You never said anything about shadows before. That’s different than the moving runes you described.”
“Does that mean you can help us?” I asked.
“I’m not sure. Let me check a book I have. I’ll be right back.”
He came back carrying a dusty and ancient tome. The title was faded, but the letters I could make out didn’t look like English.
“You have a copy of the Book of Shadows?” asked Lochlan.
“You’re familiar with the dark arts, then?” asked Garen.
“Not familiar. There aren’t enough lifetimes to truly be familiar with it. But, I have a passing knowledge of it. I didn’t connect that to what Marty saw, but it makes sense,” said Lochlan.
“Are either of you going to explain what you both know that I don’t? And since when do either of you dabble in the dark arts, Lochlan?” I asked.
“Rune Mages are practitioners of the dark arts. That’s how we use blood and symbols to grant people access to the spells, powers, and protections of the runes we tattoo on them,” explained Garen.
“I already knew that. How does this relate to the shadow runes or whatever it is we’ve seen?” I asked.
“Before I give you my thoughts on that, can you tell me more about the mage wearing these runes?” asked Garen.
I squirmed. I wasn’t about to spill my guts and tell him how monstrous my father was. And, I knew nothing about his recent activities. I’d tell him what I could. Hopefully, Lochlan noticed my intentional omission of certain details and take the hint that I only wanted Garen to know parts of the story.
“This mage is someone we’ve encountered again recently. He’s a strong magic user and has magic similar to what the Crimson
Fiend had.”
“That’s very bad,” said Garen.
“He was surrounded in shadows that blurred his body and mingled with the runes. I think that’s what made them move or appear to move,” I said.
Garen took a deep breath. “Okay, what do you know about shadows and the Shadow Realm?” he asked.
“Nothing beyond the obvious. I’ve always known shadows to be the protections of people and objects that are cast in light. Something tells me there’s a lot more to it than that.” I patted Muffin, so Garen didn’t see the lie in my eyes, “And, I don’t know a single thing about the Shadow Realm,” I said.
Garen opened the book in his hand and paged through it before stopping.
“I’m going to read you a passage that I believe you need to hear, but before I do, I’ll need a blood oath from each of you. I want you to swear to never speak of what I reveal from this book or about the shadows.”
“Yes,” said Lochlan without hesitation. Did he always have to be the agreeable one? This was important, but I didn’t want an oath keeping me from using this information against my father.
“That’s a bit extreme. Why do we need a blood oath?” I asked.
Even as children, all supernatural creatures were warned against the spilling their blood and the risks with doing a blood oath. Blood held so much more than the iron-rich nutrients that fueled our bodies. For any supernatural, it also contained the source of our magic.
By swearing this blood oath would bind Lochlan and me from speaking of whatever Garen told us. If we broke this oath, there were dire consequences, which usually resulted in death.
“It’s one hundred percent needed. I wouldn’t be asking if I didn’t think it was. I know you’re not comfortable with this Marty. And, I hate making you feel that way, but this is how it has to be,” said Garen.
Lochlan pulled out a knife and slit his palm, Garen and I did the same. We repeated the ritual words that created the blood oath. Please don’t let me be making a mistake.
“The Book of Shadows was written during a time of turmoil and bloodshed. It was entrusted into the care of a select group to preserve this knowledge, so it wouldn’t be forgotten should the shadow threat rise again.”
“Why doesn’t anyone know this?” I asked.
“Because as much as the book was written in case this started happening again, the writers of the book hoped it was a time that would never come to pass. It’s been thousands of years and as time passes, the fear lessened. It makes people complacent.”
“Are you saying this book talks about this mage?” I asked.
“You know books aren’t that obvious, Marty. They leave a trail of bread crumbs to follow. Here is the passage I thought of: ‘When the bindings of the world weaken, a great evil shall rise. The merging of shadows starts the beginning of the end. And, the shadows shall rejoice in the reign of unleashed darkness.’ With more time, I can find more references. I’ll keep checking.”
“What about the shadows at the Sisterhood?” I asked. I figured they were different since they weren’t the true shadow creatures according to Zander. I wanted to rule out that connection.
“Since when do they have shadows. Are you sure?”
“I couldn’t be more sure. I was covered in scratches and bruises.”
The doorbell rang.
“And, I’m out of time. I’m sorry, but that’s my customer. There are no good or safe shadow creatures. If they have something like that, then I’d steer clear of them. If I find anything else, I’ll send word.”
“Thank you,” said Lochlan, who fast-walked me to the door.
A stunning woman with an angelic face stood with her hand raised to ring the doorbell again.
“Oh, pardon me,” she said.
“It’s fine,” Lochlan reassured the woman. “We were just leaving.”
Once we were out of hearing range, I rounded on the fae. “What’s your deal? About that –” the words lodged in my throat. Lousy blood oath. It blocked me from saying anything.
“You know what we heard. There’s a connection even if we can’t share the information with the others. We need to act on this, dawdling while he makes those love-struck puppy eyes at you is pointless.”
I smiled. Lochlan was jealous and it thrilled me. Seeing my reaction, he made a growl.
We went to Livinia’s house, and as always, she opened the door before we knocked.
“Hurry up. Sure took you long enough. Why must you always wait until it’s almost too late to see me?” she muttered.
Lochlan looked confused as Livinia left us and went into the house. He’d either get used to the diviner’s ways or he wouldn’t. His comfortability was a non-issue at this point.
“What are you waiting for?” she asked.
We followed after her and she walked deeper into her house, confident that we’d follow her into the ritual chamber. She didn’t stop until we reached her blood-stained altar. It looked the same as every time I’d visited. There was a dragon-boned dagger that she used as an athame, a bowl for the blood, and other herbs for spell casting.
“Why do you seek me out?” she asked.
“Don’t you already know?”
“Don’t be pertinent. Why?” asked Livinia.
“I need an amulet to repel or protect me from demons,” I said.
“Hmm …,” she said as her gaze shifted to Muffin. “Ebony, it’s been a while,” said Livinia.
“Actually, his name is Muffin.”
“Is that what you’re calling yourself these days? If one such as this came to you, then you need this amulet more than you know. You are on a very dangerous path.”
I shivered at her words and goosebumps spread over my arms.
“I don’t have the offering.”
“I’ll do it for free,” she said.
Livinia always required a fee because there was a price to the magic she used. And, that price was a living sacrifice. Last time, I’d sacrificed a chinchilla – one of my favorite animals. It was unpleasant to say the least.
Her offer to help without payment scared me more than anything else. What did she know that I didn’t? And, how did she know Muffin?
“Before you launch questions at me, I’ll tell you nothing. This is your path to walk and your burden to carry. I cannot interfere. Even creating this amulet for you could be seen as assistance.”
“We are grateful for your help,” said Lochlan – ever the charming diplomat. He was right. I should be grateful and I was making a muck out of the situation. There’d be time later to puzzle through what Livinia was and wasn’t saying.
“Can you help me, old friend?” asked Livinia.
Since when did she call me “friend,” but that thought was crushed when Muffin left me and knelt next to the altar. What is he doing? He nuzzled against Livinia before holding out his paw. She took it and held tightly. Livinia sliced down with her athame and blood spilled out into the bowl on the ground. Lochlan held me back with a restraining hand, or I’d have attacked her for injuring my animal.
“Easy there. I took what was freely offered. No harm will come to your companion. Look now,” she urged.
I did as she suggested and saw that the wound was already closed. Not a single mark remained to show Muffin was ever injured.
Muffin return to my side and Livinia went to the altar to work her magic. The scent of incense filled the room and she hummed, while tossing in herbs and other ingredients into the bowl.
Her chanting increased in tempo and sound. She threw a handful of herbs into the bowl. The blood sizzled and smoke filtered up from it. My ears popped, not in a painful way, but it was still unsettling.
A triumphant Livinia held up a small, colored stone roughly the size of a large coin. As she carried it to me, its colors shifted from blues to greens to yellows and even purples. It was beautiful. She tied a string to it before handing it to me.
“This does more than protect you from demons. It also keeps you safe the next time you encou
nter the Dark One.”
That certainly got my attention. On the last visit, I’d ask her to help me find Jennica. We found out that she’d was kidnapped by magic thieves. Until then, none of us knew that you could steal a supernatural’s magic. During that visit, Livinia had a vision and in it a spider or what she called “the dark one” was a threat to me and overcoming future challenges was a matter of life and death. I believe my father is the Dark One. What was he mixed up in and how bad is it for the world?
“You may leave now,” said Livinia, who bustled us out the door with more questions than answers.
I guided Lochlan and Muffin back to the Top Side. As before, Slav nearly passed out from fright when he saw the devil dog.
The amulet was warm against my chest and rather than provide comfort, it brought only worry and fears bubbling to the surface.
20
One trip down, another to go. After hearing what Garen and Livinia said, I’d need to get answers from them. The Sisters were keeping secrets – ones that could get Zander or the rest of us killed.
“You’re quiet. Don’t tell me that you’re nervous about seeing the Sisters,” said Lochlan.
“Oh please, I could kick their creepy butts, half blind and missing a hand.”
“So, why are you so quiet?”
“I’m worried about controlling myself. The last time I was here, they tried to kill Zander. Cassandra told him about the curse and said only he could break it. Now, we find out those harpies sent a djinn after Zander and he’s trapped in the Djinn’s Domain. Not to mention the revelations from the Dark Side. So, yeah, I’m quiet because there’s a lot on my mind.”
“I have an ace up my sleeve in case they aren’t forthcoming with information.”
“Spill. What do you have?”
“Nope, I can only reveal it if they don’t cooperate.”
“You’re no fun.”
“Oh, I’m lots of fun if you’d give me a try.”