by Logan Byrne
“I’ll never let you kill us,” Blake said, standing up. He clutched his side.
“Is that so?” the Minotaur asked, laughing.
“As long as I’m still standing, you have a reason to be afraid,” Blake said defiantly.
“Then I suppose we should stop you from standing then, shouldn’t we?” the Minotaur asked.
He started to charge us, slowly at first, then picking up speed. I clutched Blake’s arm, fearing the worst. I had no spells that could take him down, and no matter how badly I wanted to avenge Asher and the other cops in there, I was helpless. It was over.
Just as I’d given up hope, a figure appeared through the portal, robes flapping, and I saw a wand aim at the charging Minotaur. A bolt flew out, hitting him, and he roared, falling to the ground, sliding eight feet before stopping right in front of us. Just like that, he’d been taken down, and as the shadowy figure came near, I couldn’t help but smile.
“Looked like you both needed some help,” Mirian said, his wand still aimed at the Minotaur.
“He’ll hear about this,” the Minotaur growled.
“From solitary? I don’t think so,” Mirian said, and two other cops ran through the portal towards us. “He should be locked up for a while. Take him into custody right away.”
“Yes, sir,” the cops said, grabbing the Minotaur and teleporting out of the forest.
“Are you okay?” Mirian asked, looking us over.
“I’ll heal, it’s fine,” Blake said, groaning and holding his ribs.
“Lexa?” Mirian asked.
“She got hit pretty hard twice,” Blake said.
“I’m fine,” I said.
“Still, I want you checked out by medical once we get back,” Mirian said.
“And Blake doesn’t have to?” I asked.
“Werewolves heal, mages don’t. What were you thinking challenging him?” Mirian asked.
“He wasn’t like that before, he was the soul patch guy I’d been telling you about. He changed, his body, his skin, melted off him like something out of the darkest depths of a nightmare. He said his master gave him the magic for it. He kept talking about how great his master was and how sorry we’d be,” I said.
“Likely Kiren Nightstorm, if anything. At least one of his top minions is off the streets and in custody where he belongs,” Mirian said.
“What’s stopping him from bailing the guy out?” Blake asked.
“After what this creature did, it’s not going to be possible. Kiren knows this, or will know this, and he won’t risk political problems over somebody he can just replace,” Mirian said.
“Seems like we’re dealing with a hydra. One guy gets taken down, and two more pop up in his place,” I said.
“It’s never-ending,” Mirian said.
“We still have the creatures to rescue,” I said, pointing towards the track.
“They’ll be taken care of, I promise. I want you both to get out of here, though, and get yourselves checked out. That’s an order,” Mirian said.
I looked back at the track. The eerie quiet of the forest didn’t give any signs of life. The racing and the betting were over, and the creatures were going to be able to leave, be rehabilitated, and live out their lives. That was easily the best part for me.
I held onto Blake as we walked back through the portal, the fighting over. Dozens of people were tied up and waiting for transport to the precinct. Slot machines were broken, glass shattered all over the floor. There were bodies on the floor too, some ours, most theirs. It all seemed so senseless. It wasn’t supposed to happen this way. This was meant to be a raid, to seize the criminals and save those in trouble, but it turned into something much bigger.
I looked over to my right and saw a body bag on the ground. Two men were lifting it onto a stretcher. Asher. I watched them take him away. That should’ve been me. The last thing I talked to him about was that I didn’t want to go out with him, to give him a chance, even though he was nothing short of amazing to me. Would he still be alive if I’d said yes? Would I be alive? I didn’t feel alive, that was for sure. I existed in space and time, but I definitely wasn’t alive.
“We better get out of here,” Blake said, looking down and seeing the grief on my face.
We shuffled across the floor, skirting around the arrested, before going back through the portal and stepping outside. There were reporters outside, crowds of people wondering what had happened in a sleepy little antiques shop that was such a big deal. Cops had secured the perimeter and were keeping the peace.
I just wanted to go to sleep and never get up.
21
“Lexa, come in,” Mirian said the next morning after I knocked on the door to his office. “How can I help you?”
“I wanted to talk to you about a couple things,” I said.
“How come I have a feeling they’re about last night? Lexa, you should be getting rest and enjoying your time off, not worrying about something that is already done and over with. We arrested everybody, and we’re good,” he said.
“It’s not quite about that. It’s about Blake,” I said.
“Blake? What about him?” Mirian asked with a puzzled look.
“Last night, after he came through the portal, he saw that man, or Minotaur, or whatever he was about to attack me again. Something happened to him, he changed,” I said, twiddling my thumbs.
“As in his demeanor changed? That’s normal when you see somebody you care about in danger,” Mirian said.
“That, but I’m talking physical. He turned into something else, not like the normal werewolf he’s always been,” I said.
“Ah, that change,” Mirian said, walking over to his wall and pulling an old leather-bound book from his bookcase. “Was it like this?” he asked, opening to a page in the middle of the book and pointing to a picture.
“Yes, that’s it! That’s what he turned into,” I said, smiling, in disbelief that Mirian was confirming it and it wasn’t just in my battered head last night.
“It’s a different form for werewolves, a more primal form that has more strength and power,” he said.
“Well then, how come this is the first time we’re seeing this? Why isn’t he always like that?” I asked.
“It’s not something that a werewolf shifter can control. It’s a state of being that only occurs when that shifter experiences high stress, usually when he sees somebody he cares about in mortal danger. Adrenaline overcame him, and his anger reached a point so high that his natural, primal instincts kicked in and turned him into that. It’s perfectly safe, though, at least for the shifter. Not so much for whatever it turns its focus on,” Mirian said, crossing his arms.
“So he turned that way because of me?” I asked.
“Precisely. You should be honored, to be thought of that highly by him,” he said.
“I had another question. What was that spell you used on the Minotaur to stop him? I couldn’t stop him at all, and then you shot one spell and he was down for the count,” I said.
“You mean Rigormorio,” he said, nodding.
“Is that related to—”
“No, it isn’t related to that spell, it’s more like the stronger, older brother to Pacificate. It’s meant for stronger foes, beasts usually, that won’t respond to Pacificate. I’m sorry for not teaching it to you sooner, I’ve been so busy and haven’t quite been the best mentor as of late,” he said.
“Speaking of that, how is the camp?” I asked.
“Everybody is well, moving along as normal, hoping another incident won’t happen like before. Chancellor Pote asks about you five, how you’re doing and how you’re progressing,” he said.
“Has she had any visions?” I asked.
“Not as of yet. They haven’t been as strong over the past year. I think there’s some kind of interference with her, but we haven’t been able to figure out what. It’s like somebody is blocking her,” he said.
“What about the other students? Are any of them coming
here soon?” I asked.
“A few, within the coming months. They’ve almost graduated from their schooling. Talking about graduation, yours is coming up soon, is it not?” Mirian asked, smiling.
“From recruit to a full-fledged officer. I can’t believe it,” I said.
“I can, you’ve shown your true spirit as an officer and I couldn’t be any more proud of you than I am already. I see you doing great things, Lexa,” Mirian said.
“I feel like I never gave you a proper thank you for recruiting me into all of this. If it weren’t for you, I’d still be swiping crappy magical items and trying to resell them for a few shillings. You saved me,” I said.
“You saved yourself by agreeing to trust me, a perfect stranger intruding on your home, and coming with me to a new place, with new people, who you weren’t sure you could trust. I knew there was a chance you’d relapse, leaving and going to your old ways, but you didn’t. You didn’t, happily,” he said.
“I thought about it, and it wasn’t easy, but I’m glad I stayed. I saw a higher purpose for myself, something much greater than being a pilt living in a seedy motel with only a few shillings to her name. I just wanted to say thank you,” I said, reaching in and hugging him.
“It’s my pleasure, Lexa. Now I order you to go get some rest, hang out, and heal yourself before work unfortunately starts up again for you. Did you see the medical team?” he asked.
“Yes, Mirian, I went and got checked out,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“And?” he asked.
“Perfectly fine, just was a little shaken up. Nothing broken,” I said.
“Good, but I still want you to rest. You’ve worked too hard already as a recruit. Now get out of here before I make you leave,” he said, walking around his desk and sitting down.
I shook my head, laughing a little, before walking out and down the hall. Britta had told me earlier this morning that they were having a funeral for the fallen officers this Sunday night. I had slight reservations about going; death and funerals always kind of freaked me out since my parents’ passing, but I knew I needed to suck it up and go for my friend. He gave his life for me, and the least I could do was be there for him in death.
There was a knock on my door Saturday night as I stood in front of the mirror on my closet and brushed little pieces of lint off my pants. I was nervous. This was the first real date I’d ever had, and I wasn’t quite sure how to react or what to say or do. Britta tried giving me pointers; she said to do as much listening as I did talking, and that it didn’t need to be serious if I didn’t want it to be. She said I could use it as a way to get to know Blake better without necessarily getting together with him. There was no pressure.
“Wow, you look really beautiful tonight,” Blake said, smiling as I opened my door.
“Don’t keep her out too late,” Britta said, from her desk.
“You’ll have to excuse my mom, she’s not cool,” I said, smiling.
“I have dinner reservations, not at the cafeteria. We should get going,” he said, his hands in his pockets.
“Dinner reservations, huh? What kind of salary are they paying shifters these days?” I asked.
“Enough to afford to take a pretty girl out on a date,” he quickly retorted, always knowing how to lay on the charm. We got some looks as we walked out of the precinct—none of them bad, though I didn’t think many cops dated each other. I guess it could make things messy if you broke up or had a falling-out. Mixing business with pleasure wasn’t always bountiful in the end.
“Are you feeling okay?” I asked as we walked down the street, the location of the restaurant a secret from me.
“I am, I healed nicely and I’m going back in the field on Monday. How’s your head?” he asked.
“Fine, there was no damage done. I still can’t believe what we saw,” I said.
“Are you going to the funeral tomorrow night?” he asked. “I heard about what happened, wasn’t sure you would be able to go.”
“I am, I feel like I need to be there. It’s not that I don’t want to go and be supportive. I don’t feel forced to go, but I wouldn’t be walking on this street with you right now if it weren’t for what happened,” I said.
“What exactly did happen? I heard about Asher, about his death, but nobody has really talked about how it happened. I’m not sure anybody but you knows,” he said.
“He jumped in front of a death spell to save me,” I said, looking down, trying not to get choked up. I’d replayed that scene a thousand times since. It even haunted me when I closed my eyes, playing over and over again like some kind of horror film on repeat. I couldn’t shake it.
“Why would he do that?” he asked.
“I’m not sure he even knew what it was, to be honest. The only thing I can think of is that he thought it was some other spell and was trying to deflect it. He had his wand against his chest, but the spell can’t be deflected. But maybe he did know, I don’t know. All I know is that I’m here and he’s not, and it’s not fair,” I said.
“Well, for what it’s worth, I’m glad you’re here,” he said.
“Can we talk about something else, please? I just don’t want to think about it any more tonight,” I said.
“Of course,” he said.
We arrived at the restaurant, a small bistro with tiny two-person tables inside. Candles lit the tables with a cozy and romantic aura that brought an ambiance to the room it wouldn’t have otherwise. “Have you ever been here?” Blake asked.
“I haven’t, and you?”
“Not at all. I thought we could experience it together for the first time,” he said, pulling out my seat like a gentleman.
“Good evening, I’m Cybil, and I’ll be serving you tonight. Are we celebrating anything special tonight?” a woman wrapped in purple cloths asked.
“A first date,” Blake said, smiling happily.
“I see, then we’ll have to make sure it’s a good one, won’t we?” she asked, smiling creepily. Her expression didn’t sit too well with me. “I’ll get you some water while you look over the menu.”
“This place is nice,” Blake said as she walked off.
“I have a bad feeling about her,” I said, keeping my eyes on her as she walked towards the back.
“Not everybody is out to get you, Lexa. There are honest people out there, you know,” he said.
“I know I’m not being paranoid, Blake. I think we should leave,” I said.
“We’re staying, it will be fine. Now relax, and let’s have a good night,” he said.
My wand was on my right hip, facing the window, out of the woman’s view. I had it at the ready in case anything happened, and I was sure something was going to. “Here we are, fresh water for the table,” she said, coming over and setting down two glasses of crystal clear water in front of us.
As she set them down, her arm reaching over the table, my eyes widened. I saw something glisten from inside her sleeve. “What’s this?” I asked, grabbing her arm and tightening my grip.
“Let go of me! You have no right!” she yelled, trying to yank her arm away.
“Lexa, what are you doing?” Blake asked, trying to intervene.
She struggled, the item loosening as she struggled, and I grabbed it, pulling a small vial of shimmering silver liquid from inside her sleeve. “I’m crazy, huh?” I asked Blake as I held up the vial.
“That isn’t mine, I have no idea what’s going on,” she said, back-pedaling.
“You were trying to poison us,” I said, standing up.
“Like I said, it isn’t mine,” she said, stepping slowly backwards before bumping into the bar behind her.
“Reveal yourself, or face the consequences,” I said, whipping out my wand and holding it to her neck.
“Go ahead, kill me, it will only strengthen us,” she snarled as my wand pushed into her throat.
“Who are you?” Blake asked, his eyes beginning to glow.
I flipped her around and pulled down the t
op of her cloths. There was a moth tattoo between her shoulder blades, the image slightly faded. “Duskhowler,” I said, and she laughed.
“You’re all going to fall,” she cackled, as if insanity had begun to seep in.
“Call it in and have somebody come and take her,” I said, and Blake pulled out his phone.
“You’ll never win this fight, hag. So long as there are good officers like us around, your fight will be fruitless,” I said, my wand still poking into her neck.
“You think I targeted you because you’re a part of M.A.G.I.C.? Oh, my dear, my dear young mage, you’ve got it all wrong,” she said, a devilish twinkle in her eyes causing a shiver to run down my spine. There was no way she knew we were a part of the resistance. How could she? Nobody at the precinct knew, besides Mirian, Xelia, and a select other few, so how could she? I’d never even seen her before.
Two auditors teleported outside, wearing trench coats and fedoras, before coming inside the shop and grabbing the woman. “Good job catching this one. We’ve had her on the wanted list for about six months now. Looks like you’re going down, aren’t you, Tiria?”
“I’ll bide my time until I’m freed. I’ll be greeted as a queen inside your walls,” she said as bags seemed to form under her eyes, her appearance changing. “Goodbye, girl,” she said as the auditors took her out of the shop and to the precinct.
“So, about that. It looks like our date has been ruined,” Blake said, letting out a deep breath.
“How about we go get some sausages and go somewhere I like to go when I need some air?” I asked.
“You’re willing to show it to me?” he asked.
“Yeah, I am,” I said with a soft smile, figuring if I could trust anybody with this spot, it was him.
“So how did you know she was going to poison us?” Blake asked, taking a bite out of his sausage after we walked away from the food cart.
“I saw something in her sleeve, and I just got a bad feeling about it. I took a shot in the dark, but it paid off,” I said.
“I think you were born to be a cop. You should test for the auditors,” Blake said.