Eden's Pawn: Shadow Games Book 1

by C. B. Miller

Stanley rolled up the vellum sheet and slid the amulet over to me.

  “Make sure you wear this around your neck. It doesn’t like to be kept elsewhere.”

  “What do you mean, ‘it doesn’t like’?”

  Stanley smiled wordlessly in reply and tapped the ancient artifact gently.

  The amulet was nearly weightless as I picked it up. I hung it around my neck, thankful that my shirt covered it and its jagged construction didn’t cut into my skin.

  Stanley stood, his brows furrowed together, and his lips pressed into a thin line . “One more thing. I wouldn’t mention that you possess… the amulet to anyone. Not until you’ve had a chance to discuss it with Ms. Savage or myself.”

  “Does this thing have a name?”

  “Yes.”

  I waited for a moment for Stanley to say something, but instead, he bowed slightly and vanished. Taking his clue that our business was concluded, I stood up and left his office.

  I was halfway out the door when Annie called out, “Hey, you forgot something.”

  Puzzled, I turned around as Annie approached and held out a worn gray backpack.

  “That’s not mine.”

  Annie smiled, “I know. Stanley noticed how you were looking at the book section and selected a good starter for you.” She pressed the bag into my hand and walked away before I could object further.

  I flipped open the flap, and inside was a thick, aged, leather-bound book. The title was engraved in silver along its spine, written in an elegant script I didn’t understand. Closing the backpack, I slung it onto my back and headed out into the street.

  Chapter Seven

  I walked out of Stanley’s storefront, and I reached up idly to touch the amulet. It warmed against my skin for a moment.

  My train of thought was interrupted by a fist slamming into the right side of my face. The world spun to the left as my right jaw exploded in pain, and a blur of motion caught my eye as another fist collided into my ribs. A one-two shot to my kidneys sent me flying forward as another man rushed out from the alley towards me. He jumped, spinning in a circle, and kicked out. His heel connected with a crack, and darkness closed in at the edge of my vision.

  Power flowed through me, and the world snapped back into focus as the pain vanished.

  Two guys dressed in leather jackets and baggy jeans with rugged beards, unwashed faces, and their hair pulled back in manbuns were laying into me. They both had brass knuckles and steel-toed boots.

  But I am not going to go down to anyone in a fucking manbun unless it is Toshiro Mifune. Even though he’s an actor, he’s still a badass. These guys are wannabe ass clowns.

  ‘Life is not the movies. Fighting more than one person at a time isn’t a line of bad guys; if you don’t focus, you’re going to die.’. My teacher’s words came unbidden into my mind.

  Sunlight glinted off fire engine red hair as the man to my left sidestepped behind me. I let my patron’s power pour through me and kicked out behind me. More of my vampiric strength blow Red, I decided I would call this guy, grunted as my kick landed in his gut. The blow should have sent him flying, and I turned my attention to the guy in front of me.

  The man had a narrow face and frame that reminded me of a mosquito, and I dubbed him Skeeter. He jumped in the air and lashed out with a kick that sent his steel-toed foot whizzing past my head as I slid to the right.

  A flash of movement from my left was the only warning I had that my kick hadn’t sent Red flying away. He launched a straight punch at my face, and our forearms collided, sending his punch astray. Skeeter landed next to me, and as I spun to face Red, I lashed out with a low kick. I caught Skeeter’s heel, and his leg went out from underneath him, sending him crashing to the ground on his back. My gut twisted as Red slammed me in the gut. It felt like a sledgehammer hit me.

  Wights. Maybe shifters of some sort. Neither of these guys is human, though.

  Red pressed forward, putting his whole body into an upper cut that breezed by me as I twisted away. I stepped close, placing my knee against his with all my strength, causing his leg to buckle. It sent him off balance for a split second. I reached around his back and grabbed his shoulder, pulling him down to the ground as my other fist slammed into his temple. I pivoted away, letting Red fall to the concrete as Skeeter scrambled back to his feet.

  Now that I didn’t have to hold back, I kicked low like a soccer player into Red’s side. It lifted him up into the air a few feet, nearly hitting Skeeter as he tumbled through the air away. Skeeter rushed forward before my leg came down, and I pivoted, twisting enough that I ran full speed into another kick to his chest.

  Air exploded from his lung as the kick caught him, and he stumbled, trying to catch his breath. I closed the distance, striking him repeatedly in the face and throat until his eyes rolled into the back of his head and fell. He hit the pavement with a thud, and Red was back on his feet, scowling at me as he rushed forward.

  Red leaped into the air, his arm cocked back into a haymaker, and I stepped forward, blocking his arm with mine as he swung and sent my open palm smashing into his chin. His head rocked back, and I delivered another strike to his chest as he shakily landed. I pushed him, and he fell backward on his ass, glassy eyes staring up at me.

  “Who are you? What do you want?”

  He rose to his feet slowly, shaking off his disorientation in the process. He smiled, revealing a yellow, gapped tooth maw and spat a tooth out at me . “ You’re gonna pay for what you’ve done. That’s all you need ta know.” Red brought his hands up into a boxing position and shifted forward in half steps.

  “Whatever, man,” I replied and raised my hands into a defensive stance.

  He lunged forward with a jab, and I shifted to the side as I caught his wrist, pulled, and twisted in one smooth sequence. My other hand slammed into his elbow, and his arm bent into a ‘U’ in the wrong direction as it snapped. Red didn’t cry out in pain or react as he swung with his other hand across his chest at me. I batted it out of the way and sent my knee into his side, a grim feeling of satisfaction filling me as I felt a few of his ribs give way.

  He twisted to face me, his right arm dangling uselessly at this side as he blocked one of my strikes. His previous confidence evaporated as he took a step back, and I followed. I feinted towards his face and sent two quick strikes to his gut. Red brought his arm down in a clumsy low block, deflecting my next strike, and I took advantage of the opening as I drove my fist into his nose. Twin jets of crimson sprayed out as his nose flattened against his face. His eyes crossed before he slumped to the ground in a heap.

  I looked back at Skeeter, relieved to see him still unconscious on the sidewalk. Nearby, a man stared at me, a cellphone in his shaking hand.

  I shrugged, “They jumped me, brother.” I said before I turned to walk away. Several voices started yelling behind me, and I ignored them as I broke into a sprint.

  Justified or not, the last thing I needed was to interact with the police. It was hard enough sometimes as a black man to deal with them when violence isn’t involved. I didn’t need the headache of dealing with the legalities of defending myself.

  Skeeter pulled himself up to his knees as I turned the corner and kept running toward The Grey’s domain.

  I need to pay more attention.

  Something gnawed at my gut, making me feel uneasy as I raced down the streets of Chicago. I was being followed, watched, or maybe even hunted, but I didn’t know by w or what they wanted. It was doubtful that those wights were locals, but it didn’t make sense that some out-of-towner vampire would target me specifically. There was another possibility, one which didn’t sit right with me. It could be someone inside Eden’s brood. Vampires are not notorious for their loyalty, but they did tend to only make what they considered to be winning moves. If this was an inside job, the most likely candidate was Sunshine. Because if anyone was going to topple Eden, it would be her trusted lieutenant.

  Still, that seemed too obvious.

  I pou
red on the speed, grateful for the extra endurance that came from being a wight, as I felt the need to reach somewhere safer than being out in the open. Who knew how many other wights or lackeys were out looking for me, but they would all think twice before tangling with a mage. The Grey’s home rose in the distance, and as I was about two blocks away, a petite blonde woman strode out from an apartment building and stood in my path with her arms crossed.

  “Well fuck.” I whispered as I ran forward.

  Chapter Eight

  She tapped her foot and smiled as I slowed to a stop, reminding me of a schoolyard bully from my childhood. Everything about the way she watched me as I drew closer made me feel like I had kicked her dog, and she was ready to dispense justice. Righteous fury poured from her in waves, and I halted. It wasn’t the narrowed eyes, her crossed arms, or the clenched jaw that alerted me to her displeasure. It was magic. Her magic

  A cold shiver ran down my spine. The type of power rolling off her was familiar. It was decidedly vampiric.

  The afternoon sun struck her golden hair, and it hit me that if she was one of the Ancients, vampires rumored to be so old and powerful that even the sun no longer consumes them immediately. If that was the case, there was no hope for me but to do whatever she wanted. Or, more likely, she was a very powerful wight. One that I didn’t recognize, which also meant she wasn’t from around Chicago.

  I looked around for somewhere to run, but construction blocked off the other side of the street, and a small crowd was forming around the duo I left on the ground behind me.

  Here goes nothing.

  I strode forward, smiling broadly, and spread my arms wide like I was going in for a hug, “Finally! There you are! I’ve been looking for you everywhere!“ I called out.

  She titled her head and opened her mouth, “Wha-”

  I darted around her and opened up my gait into a full sprint while tapping into the well of vampiric power. Each stride ate up the pavement, putting yards between the stunned woman and myself. The Grey’s ten-foot tall wrought iron fence was less than three hundred feet away when the woman pulled up next to me, easily matching my pace.

  “I do love a good chase. Thank you for making this interesting.” Her menacing grin widened as she effortlessly pulled ahead by a tiny bit. “Let’s slow down for a moment and get to know one another.” Power ran through her words and tried to reach into my mind and force me to comply. The command pressed against me just long enough for me to notice the attempt before dissipating. Her eyes opened wide when I gave her the finger instead and gained a step on her.

  My heart pounded in my chest for two reasons. I’d been running for the last mile at nearly full speed, and wights lack vampire’s ability to mess with minds. Their ability to influence the thoughts and emotions of humans wasn’t complete, but it always had some level of effect. Every rule has its exception, and for some reason, I was immune. That immunity hadn’t disappeared when Eden imbued me with a portion of her power, turning me into a wight.

  She blew past me faster than any human could possibly run and blocked my way, standing in front of The Grey’s gateway. Its wrought iron bars loomed menacingly above her as I closed and slowed to a stop a few feet from her.

  “Well, let’s start with a name. Hi, I’m Kaedin.”

  “MacKenzie. Nice to meet you.”

  MacKenzie held out her hand, and I stared at it like it was covered in my parents’ blood.

  A trap or not, social customs are a good way to avoid fighting or at least delaying the inevitable. This was an opportunity to size her up and maybe learn what I’m up against here.

  I grasped her hand in a firm handshake, prepared for her to pull some sort of sneak attack on me. Instead, MacKenzie clasped a warm, firm hand with my own. Her grip was strong, and in the few moments we touched, I felt the restraint in her grasp. At any moment, she could have crushed my hand or thrown me into the street. She might even be capable of ripping my arm off and then beating me to death with it.

  I was pleasantly surprised and supremely worried all at the same time.

  “Have to admit, I didn’t realize that it was you earlier.” She sighed, and her shoulders sagged.

  “You know me?”

  “Yes, and it is going to make the rest of this so very awkward. We have some things to discuss.”

  What is this woman’s deal? Who is she working for? And why does she know who I am?

  I raised an eyebrow, “OK, then, let’s talk.”

  The slightest hint of a southern accent escaped her lips, “That is much appreciated, Kaedin.”

  She chewed on her lip, grimaced, and blew out a long huff before looking directly at me.

  “I work for Jamaal.”

  I waited patiently for her to continue, and her face went slack. She blinked a few times and then stared at me with her mouth hanging partially open.

  “I am going to assume I should have heard of this Jamaal fellow?” Waving a hand, I motioned for her to continue.

  “Right then. Jamaal is one of the elders working out of Nola. New Orleans.”

  “and that him being an elder in such an old city makes him something of an ancient badass then?” I continued to give her a blank expression, but my stomach was in knots as I considered the implications of her words.

  Anyone could claim to be an Elder, or that they work for one for that matter. It’s a lot easier to punk out the lower rungs of vampire society with that type of boast, but that is how neophyte vampires get stuck in a box for a decade or two. It’s a grave offense to pretend you work for an Elder or be one. I wasn’t sure what the penalty was for a wight dumb enough to do so.

  Problem is, I don’t think she’s lying.

  There are certain protocols that are being ignored here, which didn’t surprise me. My unease grew as I put things together, the packs disappearing, and the information I learned earlier from Shirene with MacKenzie’s appearance had to all be related.

  MacKenzie pursed her lips together for a moment and huffed before she straightened her back and brushed stray hairs from her face.

  “Good looking and quick on the uptake. I do like that in a man.”

  “I’m pretty sure not more than sixty seconds ago you were threatening me and probably were going to just beat me into a pulp. I’m not sure if you are hitting on me or if this is just your version of mind games.”

  MacKenzie’s eyes gleamed, and she loomed forward, “Oh my dear, I am still threatening you. And it is a little of both.” She batted her eyes at me in a comically exaggerated way.

  Vampires possess a certain mania when displaying their emotions, switching from one to another in a heartbeat, and it looks like her emotional regulation was similar. Or maybe it was just an act to keep me off balance. Still, threatening me was pointless. Eden didn’t like it when someone else broke her tools; that was her job.

  “Since you know who I am, you do know who I work for, correct? One Savage, Eden Savage. And since we are name dropping, you know who Segane Montifeli is, too, right? Last I checked, neither of them was very keen on foreign influence in their territory. Especially unannounced actors.”

  MacKenzie flashed a genuine grin at me, and her hands dropped to her side as she relaxed her stance. The jitters in my stomach lessened in response. “Yes, Kaedin, I’m very aware, but job duties as assigned as they say. Let’s just say I am a fan of diplomacy, and out of respect for your patron, I’m willing to listen to your side of the story.” She smiled wider, “I really hope I like the answer because I really don’t give a rat’s ass about Eden or Segane. Neither of our bosses is here and if beating the truth out of you is what needs to happen, I assure you that is what is gonna happen.”

  “My side of what? I have no idea what you are talking about.”

  “Why did Eden have the Manticores killed?”

  Manticores… Nigel’s pack.

  “She didn’t. I was there to check in on them. No one’s heard from them in a week, which normally isn’t an issue, but his pack
makes the fifth to vanish in the last month. They were gone when we got there.”

  Things clicked into place, and I thought back to the feeling of being watched last night. If she was the one watching us and wasn’t involved in their destruction, who was?

  Her jaw clenched for a moment, “What do you mean gone?”

  “As in, no one was there.”

  “We heard fighting.” MacKenzie’s voice deepened as she enunciated each word.

  “The Manticores were gone, yes, but there were things inside. Two gargoyles. I don’t know what to call the other things.”

  “Describe them then.”

  “They were just standing there, facing the bay window. We thought they might be zombies when they turned to attack, but I’m pretty sure they were still living. Those things were liquid on the inside like I don’t know pus-filled sacks of human flesh.” I shook my head and wrinkled my nose in disgust at the memory.

  MacKenzie’s eyebrows lifted a little. “How many of these… things were there then?”

  I held up five fingers.

  “I see.” She brought a hand up to her chin and didn’t try to conceal the fact she was looking me up and down.

  “So Skeeter and Red work with you?”.

  “Skeeter? Red?” She turned her head to the side slightly like she hadn’t quite heard what I said and then laughed . “I get it because they are idiots. Well, they are idiots, and they work for me. By extension, they work for Jamaal. I’m sorry, but you understand, right? No hard feelings; it certainly wasn’t personal.”

  Sadly in the world of vampires, to say alliances and treaties were mercurial was putting it lightly. For a bunch of immortal beings, they lived in the now. Momentary betrayals, renegotiations, and blood feuds were all par for the course. They carried grudges, but if making up with a blood enemy to meet an immediate goal was necessary, you can bet a deal will be offered up.

  “Yeah, I get it, but it’s not forgotten either. You understand?”

  She nodded.

  “Good, so why were you at Nigel’s then?”