by Martha Carr
Shay laughed. “That’s a matter of opinion, but I’m glad you think so.”
Alison let out a contented sigh. “Then I’ll try and concentrate on all the cool stuff that’s going to happen at the school. It’ll be an adventure! And they’ll be a lot of kids with magic so I won’t be weird or strange.”
“Exactly.”
Shay resisted a snort at the domesticity.
Soon, she’d be flying with Brownstone to Virginia to drop the girl off.
How the hell had this happened?
The flight from LAX to Richmond International had gone smoothly enough, and finally they had reached the school.
They pulled into a side road and drove for a few moments, until finally an elaborate wrought iron fence with a gate in the middle blocked their way.
Brownstone slowed the SUV as they approached the fence, looking for some sort of security guard, and drove up to the gate. “They didn’t say anything about who to call. I assumed there’d be someone here.”
Shay laughed. “Maybe it’ll magically know who we are.”
The gates swung open as if pushed by invisible forces. No obvious mechanism was visible.
Magic after all, huh? Shay thought.
Several minutes later he parked in a circular drive surrounding an elaborate fountain resembling a burning phoenix. Shay helped Alison grab her single suitcase from the back and they headed toward the front of the main building, a Georgian-style mansion—or so Shay informed him.
They were intercepted by an older woman who called, “You must be Mr. Brownstone.” She smiled at the teen. “And Alison.”
“Am I...supposed to bow or something?” James asked.
Shay slapped a hand to her forehead, rolling her eyes. “Seriously, Brownstone?”
The woman laughed and extended her hand. “How about I just offer you my hand? I’m Eleanor Hudson. I teach magical history and basic spells here.”
They spoke for a while longer and finally the woman said, “Well, I do hate to be rude, but I’d like to get Alison’s orientation started. In the beginning, many things about the school may be overwhelming to new arrivals, so the orientation is critical to integration.”
After James and Alison had finished their goodbyes and Alison had left, Shay turned away and put her hand to her face.
“Problem, Shay?”
She snorted and turned back around, eyes slightly red. “Just the pollen in these Virginian trees.”
Brownstone nodded but wisely remained silent.
“C’mon, Brownstone,” Shay urged. “We still have a flight back to LA to catch.”
5
They were supposed to be on their way back to the airport. Instead, they ended up back in a parking spot.
“Problem, Brownstone?”
“We should check the place out more,” he rumbled. “To make sure it’s safe.”
Shay chuckled. “And what…verify that their griffin riders all have their licenses up to date?”
“They have griffins? Kids shouldn’t fly around on monsters.”
“I don’t know. Just saying.” Shay shrugged. “Probably. But what else? Gonna inspect some wands to make sure they are UL compliant?”
The bounty hunter grunted. “It wouldn’t hurt to look around a little more.”
Shay sighed. “No, it wouldn’t.”
They stepped out of the SUV and made their way toward a sidewalk. The density of students was decreasing.
Shay tried to wrap her mind around Brownstone’s paternalism. The truth was, he didn’t know Alison that well, but he’d thrown himself into making sure the girl had a bright future. Killing the Harriken might have started because of revenge, but it’d become something more.
It wasn’t like he needed to take care of the girl. He could have sent her into the system and let the government worry about it. He owed nothing to her mother.
But the man’s only concern seemed to be if he was good enough to help raise Alison, not if he should. The guy blathered on about keeping his life simple, but was now a foster parent to a half-Oriceran girl and holding onto a magical wish for her. That shit was many things, but simple wasn’t one of them.
What’s going on in your head, Brownstone? Geez, Carson, you should wonder. You’ve taken in a powerful gray elf who bested an Ice Witch and left her alone with Peyton. Who’s crazy now?
He pointed toward the road leading away from the circle drive. “That gate was a joke. I could climb it in seconds.”
“Yeah, except for the whole magic blocking-spell deal. It probably fries people or summons a dragon if they touch it.”
He grunted. “And the forest? You could hide a whole group of mercenaries in there.”
Shay laughed. “Yeah, and they probably have werewolves and jabberwockies in there, too, if not ferret archers.”
Brownstone shook his head. “No security’s perfect, not even in a government-sponsored magic school.”
“Not saying it is. I’m just saying you shouldn’t expect some sort of military-base layout at a school. At least here, there’s a bunch of people with magic and magical creatures. Short of sticking her in Fort Knox or the White House, I don’t see how she’s gonna be much safer.”
Brownstone nodded as they made their way to a narrower path leading between two of the smaller buildings. “You really think it’s safe?”
“Yeah, I do. We both did our research. Besides, it’s not like LA was kind to her, and if anyone outside this school knew her true heritage and what that meant, they might come for her. At least here she has all these wizards and witches to defend her.”
Brownstone frowned and nodded slowly. “Let’s just check things out a little more. Maybe I’ll find something all the wizards and witches didn’t think of.”
Shay chuckled. “No problem.”
Nothing wrong with an overprotective father. She could respect that, even if she hadn’t personally experienced it. The tomb raider’s smile faded, and she looked the opposite way.
Respecting Brownstone for parental skills didn’t make any sense. They wouldn’t help him take down his enemies or gather useful information. It wasn’t all that long ago she wouldn’t have cared about something like that, and would have considered him weak for caring about some girl he hadn’t known for that long.
But there it was—she did care.
She shouldn’t. Getting too entangled with Brownstone wasn’t in her plans, but she couldn’t deny her growing respect for the man.
The trip around the school satisfied Brownstone that Harriken assassins wouldn’t be emerging from the trees anytime soon, but he kept frowning as they made their way back to the SUV and didn’t open his mouth as they started on their way back to the airport.
They were halfway back to the airport before he spoke again, which made things easier for her.
“What’s with the case?” Brownstone rumbled.
“Huh?”
“That silver case.” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “The one in the back.”
“Oh, that? Just something I picked up on a quick day job.”
They talked about the contents and the job for a minute and Brownstone shrugged. “I half-ass trust you.”
“Fair enough.”
He exhaled slowly. “Speaking of jobs, I kind of need your help.”
After he explained, Shay grinned. “Oh. Well, if someone is paying me, of course I’d be glad to help.”
“I never doubted it.”
Shay pulled out her phone and texted Brownstone.
I’m on my way to the front now.
You find your guy?
Yep. I’m richer now for no real effort.
It felt good to be back in LA and great to be $50k richer. The courier’d picked up the suitcase, and now Shay could relax until it was time for whatever job Smite-Williams had cooked up for the pair.
Shay navigated through the crowds, her gaze flicking from person to person. She could never be sure who might be in an airport waiting to ambush her, or Br
ownstone for that matter.
His big-ass F-350 sat outside in the loading zone. She shook her head and couldn’t understand what he saw in that relic.
She threw open the door and hopped into the passenger seat.
“Feels good to be in a real vehicle,” Brownstone said, flexing his fingers on the steering wheel.
Shay laughed. “I love my Spider, but not enough to marry it—unlike you and this fucking antique truck.” She gestured with a flourish. “I now pronounce you man and truck.”
“Quality never goes out of style, Shay.”
The bounty hunter’s phone beeped inside the console. He pulled it out and frowned.
“What?” Shay said.
“The Professor says he got our message, but he doesn’t want to meet tonight. He says you should call him, though, for some background info.”
Since he looked worried, she spent a few moments reassuring him. Finally she agreed to contact the man. “I’ll let you know if he tells me anything useful when I call him.”
She still needed some details anyway.
Brownstone nodded.
Shay settled on her couch before calling Dr. Smite-Williams.
“Good evening, Miz Carson.”
After the usual pleasantries had been exchanged, he got down to it. “Have you heard of the Green Dragon Crescent Blade?”
Shay agreed that she had and told him what she knew.
Smite-Williams clapped. “Congratulations, Miz Carson. You’re very well-informed.”
“So that’s what you want me to get? That blade, or the jade?”
“Aye, and soon. Within the next few weeks.”
They agreed on a price and Shay sighed as the called ended. More than a few of her kind had gone looking for the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, and none had ever come back alive. Some claimed the blade would destroy anyone who lacked the spiritual strength to wield it.
Shay would need help with this one. Unlike academics, she had a variety of colorful contacts and she would call around until she got what she needed.
First, though, she had a lot of research to do.
6
She shimmied and bounced to the rhythm with abandon, dancing with her girls. It’d been a long time since she’d felt so free.
Some old friends had talked her into going out for the first time in a long time. She had avoided them because she didn’t want to discuss her new career, but they’d finally convinced her she needed a night out.
Bella leaned close to Shay’s ear. “I think I need a break.”
After they’d reached the small table in the corner their friends were holding for them, Kara smiled at them all. “I have a little surprise.”
“I’ve got a new guy,” she caroled.
After they had heard every detail, Janelle sighed and shook her head. “I didn’t want to bring y’all down, but I kicked my man to the curb yesterday.”
“What happened?” Shay asked.
“Darius cheated on me.” Janelle pasted on a fake smile.
Shay leaned closer and lowered her voice, her eyes piercing. “I could go kick his ass.
Janelle laughed. “Oh, girl, you’re too much sometimes. Imagine little ol’ you going after Darius?”
She continued her litany of woe, and Shay reached her limit of bonding. She stood to leave and hugged each of them. “Thanks for all the fun, girls.”
“Don’t let those bastards at the university work you too hard,” Bella suggested with a wink.
“I won’t.”
Shay’s playtime was over. Tomorrow she needed to start her search for the Green Dragon Crescent Blade.
Having been a professional killer, Shay never relaxed whenever she was in a dark area where she could find herself in a potential ambush. She couldn’t help but think about how she might kill someone in a place like that.
When she spotted the man lingering suspiciously in the parking lot, she focused on him. After a few more steps she realized he was standing near Janelle’s car.
Wait, is that Darius?
She’d never met the man, but she’d seen plenty of pictures. Given everything Janelle had just said, there was zero reason for the man to be hanging out in the parking lot waiting for her.
Yeah, this isn’t good.
Shay’s friend’s phone had beeped a few times over the night, but no one had paid attention to it since it was girls’ night. It wasn’t like they all didn’t get a lot of messages. Even Shay had gotten a lot from Peyton, not that she would tell her girls who’d sent them.
The tomb raider sighed and altered her course. She’d offered to handle boyfriend trouble earlier, so she might as well follow up on it.
“Hey, Darius,” she called.
The huge man turned toward her with a frown on his face. “I don’t know you. Get out of my face. I’m waiting for my girlfriend.”
Shay rolled her eyes. “That’s the thing. You might not know me, but I know you, and I know Janelle’s done with you.”
His lips curled into a sneer. “She’s not done with me until I say she’s done with me. Oh, so you’re one of her whore friends? You’re the ones filling her head with bullshit about being independent and strong? That why she hasn’t been answering me?”
“Leave now, asshole. Leave Janelle alone and stop calling her.”
“She didn’t block me. That means she wants to hear from me. She owes me anyway for putting up with her.” He patted his chest.
Shay snorted. “Listen to yourself. You’re the cheater, not her.”
“Can’t blame a man for wandering. It’s just our nature. She can’t bitch because I’m not a saint.”
“Okay, here’s the thing…you’re gonna turn around and leave right now, or something bad is gonna happen.”
The man stepped toward her, glowering. “Maybe I need to teach you some lessons like I taught her.”
Shay narrowed her eyes. “You’ve hit Janelle?”
“All I’m saying is that she needed to be taught some respect. Apparently still does.”
“You’re lucky she tolerated your abusive ass this long then, asshole. If I’d have known, I would have kicked your ass a long time ago.”
Darius lunged at her, and she grabbed his wrist and bent it back, then kicked the back of his knee. He went to the ground, howling in pain.
She maintained her painful wristlock and throat-punched him with her free hand. “Here’s how this is gonna go… I’m gonna let you go, and you’re gonna hop back in your car and leave. You’re gonna lose Janelle’s number and never go near her again, because if I catch wind of you sniffing in her direction I’ll add your balls to my collection. Understand?”
Tears leaked from the man’s eyes, and he nodded as he sucked in air. Shay released his wrist and took a step back, her body still tense.
Darius stumbled to his feet and ran in the opposite direction.
Shay grinned. “Little ol’ me took him down just fine.”
It’d been a long, fun night, but that didn’t make it any less exhausting. It was time for bed.
Shay slipped underneath her covers, humming to herself—and stopped as if she’d heard the Nuevo Gulf Cartel at her door.
Humming? What the fuck is this? I’m fucking happy?
Shay shook her head. The idea unsettled her more than facing down an ice witch or some stupid Russian frogmen. Then she relaxed and laughed.
She was happy. The unpleasant encounter hadn’t erased the great time she’d had with her friends. And that’s what they were at this point—actual friends. The same thing went for Brownstone, and even Peyton and Lily. All the evidence pointed in the same direction.
Shay had a real life now—and that meant she had something to lose.
7
The trip to Mexico had gone off without too much trouble. She’d needed to make a few stops and check in with a few people, and Brownstone had a hard-on to go after some necromancer bounty later, but they were almost to the location of the artifact.
Light caught
Shay’s eye, and she slowed the 4Runner before bringing it to a stop. She narrowed her eyes, staring straight ahead.
There were caves in the distance, obscured by dust. The faint semi-translucent shimmer in the air worried her.
“You see that, Brownstone?” Shay inquired.
“Yeah, I see it. Fucking magic.”
Shay slowly exhaled. “That must be the cloaking. From what I’ve read, you can’t actually see the caves unless you’re already looking for them and generally know where they are. Neat trick.”
Brownstone opened his door.
“Stop,” Shay called.
The bounty hunter turned to look at her.
“From what I’ve read, this place might have a lot of traps and shit,” Shay explained.
The field archaeologist slammed the driver door shut and took a deep breath, which she held until she passed through the magical field. There was no pain or discomfort, and she was still in her own shape.
She waved and hiked to the entry. Three different caves confronted her now. If she’d had any doubts about being in the right spot, the faded classical Chinese characters carved above the caves erased them. Despite the dry climate, the centuries of wind and dust had taken their toll.
“Seems like the right spot, at least,” Shay muttered. “Would be a good time to have Peyton in my ear or even Lily’s fifteen minute warning.”
The minutes passed as she painstakingly checked each hexagram with the help of an app on her phone. The hexagrams on the first two caves were normal, but over the right-hand cave, she found duplicates of the patterns for radiance and force.
Either the priests had gotten sloppy, or they had been trying to leave a clue that they thought only an educated Taoist priest could decipher.
Good enough for me, Shay thought, stepping toward the cave on the right. She pulled out a small flashlight and strapped it to her arm.
“Geez, guys, it’s like you moldy old assholes were trying to hide some powerful ancient magical weapon or something.”