Eden's Pawn: Shadow Games Book 1

by C. B. Miller

  “Who’s that?” I tried to hide the fear in my voice as I spoke, but my words came out brittle. Alex glanced up at me, her mouth contorting sideways, before returning her focus to the picture.

  “That’s Mercedes. Why?”

  “We’re sure that everyone else was killed earlier this week, right?”

  “Yes.” Alex’s eyebrows raised, “why?”

  “Because I met her yesterday morning at Eden’s Garden. She was looking for a tattoo.”

  Chapter Twenty

  “That’s not possible.”

  Alex rushed down the hallway. I walked after her, not wanting to fight the fatigue slowing me down. I needed to conserve the energy I did have for later. Hopefully, it was going to be enough for what was to come.

  When I reached Alex, she was standing over the body of a woman, her face flushed as she let out a tirade of curses. I leaned up against the doorway and waited for her to finish. She ranted for a bit and finally upended the folding table, dumping the corpse to the ground. The wet thud of the body hitting the marble floor echoed, turning my stomach for a moment.

  “That seems a bit unnecessary.”

  “The fuck it isn’t. That bitch!” Alex roared.

  I opened my mouth to reply but killed the smartass remark before it could escape. “What do you need?”

  Alex’s head whipped up as she looked at me, her eyes wide, naked fury dancing across her face as she froze. “What. Do. I. Need? What do I need? What the hell do you think I need! I need to find that whore and rip her pretty little head from her shoulders.” Her words dripped with venom. Frost formed on the edges of every surface in the room, and I could see my breath in the air as the temperature plummeted in the room.

  She was losing control.

  I held up my hands, “That is a given. What I’m asking is, what do you need right now?”

  “Oh, I’m pretty sure I need that.”

  “We can’t kill her right this instant, but is there something we can do right now that would get us closer to finding her? Like some sort of locator spell or something. Maybe she left a strand of hair?”

  Alex let out a barking laugh. “We could only be that lucky that she was clumsy like that. Besides, it really doesn’t work like that.” She let out a heavy sigh.

  I waited in silence while she paced the room and began to calm down. A minute or two passed when the last of the tension finally fled her shoulders. She walked up to me and put a hand on my shoulder, avoiding my eyes.

  “Thanks. I appreciate you doing your best to calm me down without saying ‘calm down.’”

  “Has telling anyone to calm down ever worked?”

  She laughed and squeezed my shoulder, “I guess that’s true. Still, thank you. Let’s get some food, and then I’ll wake Rebecca. You’re going to need to eat.”

  As if on queue, my stomach gurgled, and a hunger I haven’t felt since my high school days gripped me.

  “Shouldn’t we wake Rebecca first? She probably needs the food.”

  “I’m not sure I want her awake quite yet. I don’t know If you noticed, but there’s something wrong with her. The spell I placed on her will keep her asleep, more like a hibernation, really. I’m hoping it’ll slow down whatever change is happening to her, and she doesn’t need to see the inside of my home.”

  “Seems legit. That works for me.”

  We left the room, and she led me into a kitchen that could have served a mid-sized restaurant. A table large enough to seat ten people dominated the far while, while chillers, freezers, and everything else imaginable a chef might need filled the rest of the room. Six or seven people could comfortably work in here and never bump into each other.

  I watched Alex as she pulled out two dozen eggs, several packages of bacon, hash browns, and more. “Is there an army I don’t know about hiding around here?”

  Alex gave me a knowing look and winked. “This mostly is for you. Trust me, you’re probably going to want more, but I can only cook so much at a time.”

  I raised an eyebrow, “I feel like you know more than you’re telling me.”

  “Of course I do.”

  I groaned in frustration and stood. “At least me help. I know my way around a kitchen.”

  Alex peered back over her shoulder, “Sit back down and chill. You’ll just get in my way. Also, don’t get used to this – I only cook when necessary, and the dish duty is yours.” She pointed at the dishwasher. Taped to it was a note stating when the service guy was coming to fix it.

  “No one in a house of mages could magic up a fix for the dishwasher?”

  Alex shrugged and moved like a whirlwind through the kitchen as she prepared food. For someone that claimed to only cook when necessary, she had the comfort and ease of someone who liked to cook. She could easily win a number of the cooking shows I was addicted to.

  The first bite of food confirmed my theory that she not only knew how to cook like a pro but enjoyed it. She watched me as I took my first bite of everything, grinning as I shoveled food in my mouth. Everything was delicious, and while it was just standard Midwestern breakfast fare, it put every greasy spoon and dive food joint I knew to shame. She had been right, too. I felt like I was feeding a bottomless pit as I ate plate after plate of food. My stomach grumbled, the twinges of hunger only partially sated, as I cleared the last plate of food. Partially satisfied, I realized that I felt energized and more like myself.

  If I could have another serving of eggs, bacon, and … toast.

  I looked up at Alex, “I take it this is a side effect of the Nihilist blade then?”

  She nodded, a faint smile on her face as she took a sip of coffee.

  “It’s not always going to be like this, is it?”

  She made a non-committal noise behind her mug and glanced up. “You’ll be fine as long as you get second breakfast.” Alex stood up with a long stretch. She moved next to me and put a hand on my shoulder. “Dish soap is over there. I’m going to check on Rebecca and get her ready while you clean.”

  I rolled my eyes and pushed the empty plate away.

  “Hey, I’m not going to grow hair on my feet and stop needing shoes, right?” I called out.

  “Only if you screw up the dishes.”

  I was arms-deep in suds when I heard footsteps racing towards me from the hall. I whirled around and summoned Ekurzakir’s Judgment to my hand as Alex ran into the kitchen. Her forehead was wrinkled as she skidded to a stop.

  “Don’t worry about the dishes. We’ve got to go.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  The worry lines around her eyes deepened, and she pivoted back toward the hallway. “It’s Rebecca. I can’t wake her, and she’s feverish. We need to get her to The Grey. If he’s not behind this, he might be able to help.”

  I ran alongside her through the halls and upstairs, “Able and willing are two different things.”

  “If he can, he must help. It’s his thing.” Alex said with confidence.

  “And if he’s behind it?”

  “Then she’s lost, and all we can do is avenge this atrocity.”

  ***

  The gate to Markus’s estate swung open as we approached, and I guided my car slowly through the access road to the four-car garage connected to the imposing dull gray house. The entire complex took up almost a city block on each side, which I hadn’t noticed during my previous visit. The only splash of color was on the walkout balcony surrounded the third floor, covered by a multitude of hanging plants I didn’t recognize. Their vibrant greens stood out against the dullness of the building in the morning sunlight.

  Markus stood in the doorway, watching us as the car pulled to stop next to an old beat up Volkswagon Bug. Dressed in his customary blue jeans and anime tee shirt. He nodded once as Alex got out of the car and waved before glowering at me. Markus came up to meet us as Alex, and I got out of the car.

  “Let me see what you have here before we go any further,” he said softly.

  I opened the driver’s side
back door and backed away. Markus covered his mouth and nose with his hand as he leaned in as Rebecca’s smell wafted out. Her sweat was pungent with a hint of something sweet and had only grown stronger as her fever grew during the car ride. Alex moved to stand beside me as we waited for Markus to finish his examination. A few minutes passed by before he finally backed out of the car. His entire face was downturned as he looked at us and shook his head despondently. It looked like the weight of his years had finally caught up with him at this very moment as he came closer.

  “She still alive for now, but I’m not sure if I can save her. I’d have to know what I’m up against first, and I’m afraid to say, this is a first for me.” His voice was grave as he stared back at Rebecca.

  “I was kind of hoping you would know Magister,” I replied. Alex and I shared a look, and her faint shrug told me she was just as unsure if he was telling the truth or not as I was. He appeared genuinely concerned to me, but after working in the corporate world and with vampires for the last decade, I learned to trust actions more than words.

  “Let’s get her inside and talk then.” Markus folded his hands together and walked past us without a look. His eyes were distant, unfocused while whispering something under his breath as he walked inside.

  “I don’t like that,” I whispered to Alex.

  She waved it off, “Don’t read too much into it. Mages can be an eccentric lot. Just keep your eyes and ears open, ok?

  “Sure.”

  Alex helped me pulled Rebecca’s limp form out of the car, and carefully, I carried her into Markus’s home. Something pressed into my forearm, and I looked down at Rebecca’s still unconscious form. Other than her shallow breathing, she hadn’t moved in my arms. A twitch caught my eye, and I paused.

  Something about the size of a coin was crawling under her skin.

  Alex stopped, realizing that I had fallen behind. “Something wrong?”

  “Yes, but no time to explain. I’m right behind you.”

  Alex quickened her step, her footfalls hushed by the thickly carpeted floors. We passed several rooms, and I followed her into an entertainment room. Markus paced the length of the room, still muttering to himself, and didn’t notice our presence as we entered. Alex pointed at the futon couch lying flat next to the wall and tenderly laid Rebecca down.

  “Oh, hey. There you are.” Markus said, his voice higher than normal. His eyes were clear and focused on us, while his foot hung in the air as he paused in mid-step. His hand came up to his chin and stroked his thin salt and pepper beard. He skipped a step and moved over to the futon to stand next to us.

  The seriousness returned to his tone as he continued, “There are three things I can think of that would cause her particular condition. The yellowish blood is a ringer. Unfortunately, they are all worse than the last.”

  I pointed at Rebecca’s face, “Does that mean anything to you?”

  “Shit.” He drew out the curse, and a lump solidified in my throat. Markus’s shoulders slumped even further than their normally relaxed position, and his expression went blank.

  Alex tensed, perking up at his sudden change in body language. “Markus, what does that mean?” She said slowly, her voice wavering in the process.

  “That doesn’t sound good.”

  “That’s because, son, it isn’t.” Markus shook away his bleakness, and his face tightened as he watched the slow rise and fall of Rebecca’s breathing.

  “What’s the issue?”

  “Of the three things I mentioned before, this is the worst possibility. Not because healing her will be difficult. That will be the easy part. It’s what comes after that you must do.”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “What is it?” Alex murmured.

  “An Aezzai infestation. If we’re lucky, it hasn’t bred successfully yet.”

  Alex sucked in a breath, and I looked at both of them and waited for an explanation. “Um, excuse me. What’s an Aezzai infestation.”

  Alex’s eyes opened wide, and her hands covered her mouth. A soft blue glow engulfed Rebecca. It began to pulse slowly, gradually quickening while we watched. I glanced at Markus, questions at the ready when I noticed that his eyes were closed and there was a faint smile on his face. Alex relaxed, and her hands drifted to her sides as the glow brightened. The rapidly oscillating glow forced me to avert my eyes. A brilliant flash of light filled the room, leaving spots in my vision.

  A melon-sized bulge writhed in Rebecca’s gut, and she shifted uncomfortably on the couch. Rebecca moaned as the movement in her belly intensified. I took a step forward, and Markus blocked my way his arm. We watched as whatever writhed underneath her flesh squirmed closer to the surface. An inhuman scream pierced the air as a tiny human face poked through her skin. Two chitinous claws pushed apart the tear in her flesh, and Rebecca’s belly deflated like a balloon as the bulk of it emerged. The thing had a hairy spider body the size of a dinner plate and a human-like head. It scanned the room, looking for something with its twelve eyes. A set of fangs jutted from its mouth as it mewled.

  A rush of air blew past, and a staff appeared in Markus’s outstretched hand. He cried out, “No!” as it leaped at Alex. She flicked her hand forward, and the air in front of her shimmered into existence for a split second before the creature smacked into it.

  The thing, an Aezzai, I guessed, stuck to the shield. All eight of its legs gripped the nearly translucent barrier as it bit down into the shield. The shield vanished, and as it fell to the floor, the Aezzai doubled in size.

  “No magic! They eat it!” Markus yelled. He brought his staff down in a double-handed strike, narrowly missing the creature as it hopped to the side. It hissed and skittered toward Alex, who had backed away a few steps.

  It figured the one time I didn’t have my daggers or a gun and only had a magic sword at my disposal, I couldn’t use. I cursed and ran after it. The Aezzai changed directions suddenly, scampering to the left as I kicked. My foot sailed through empty air, skating across the ground, and I hopped forward of my back leg, turning my missed kick into a short jump and pivoting as I landed. I halted as Markus chased it to the corner of the room.

  It dodged several blows by Markus as he jabbed at it with his staff. It was quick, but Markus was surprisingly proficient with the weapon as he smoothly shifted from one attack into another. The staff whirled around him in a blur of controlled strikes and didn’t leave enough room for me to join the fray.

  A low growl rumbled through the room, and I reflexively stepped back at the sight of a reddish-brown werewolf where Alex had been a moment before. She was watching Markus as he kept the aezzai confined to the corner of the room and snarled in frustration.

  “You’re a werewolf too!” I cried out.

  That would have been handy knowledge to have. I hadn’t heard of were-anything mages before, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t impossible either. The Conversion supposedly stripes mages of their power when they become vampires, and yet I know of a vampire mage.

  “No, I just shapeshift. A lot.” Alex replied smoothly. She crouched, poised to pounce at any moment.

  Markus wasn’t slowing down, and neither was the aezzai as they kept up their dance. There was no way that he could keep this up forever, and both of us were more likely to get in the way than help if we got in closer.

  “Wait, he said they eat magic, right?”

  “Yes, why?”

  “I have an idea.”

  I ran to the door and slammed it shut. If this didn’t work, I didn’t want its escape to be easy. Stretching my hand out, I called forth Erukzakir’s Judgment. A heartbeat later, the blade appeared in my hand, and I twirled it with a flourish as I settled into a ready stance. With the blade brandished in front of me, I called out. “Markus, I want you to back away and hit him with magic. Anything, you can.”

  The aezzai leaped at Markus, and his staff connected with a glancing blow, knocking it back into the corner. He continued his onslaught, barely keeping the cre
ature contained as it struggled to find a way past him.

  “While this might be a newborn, they are intelligent. They understand everything we say too.” Markus yelled.

  I hadn’t expected that. I underestimated the Aezzai, thinking it was some super-effective instinct hunter. Not an intelligent foe.

  “Why would you want him to grow in strength?” Alex tilted her head and turned her burning gaze in my direction.

  “Trust me. When you see the opening, go.” Alex tilted her head further, and her jaw dropped slightly. Ignoring her, I turned back to Markus. “Do it. Before you slow down any further.”

  And get hurt.

  I let the unspoken words sink it. Markus was an excellent warrior, and his staff work was some of the best I’d ever seen. Still, he was starting to slow ever so slightly, and the aezzai was growing bolder with its moves second after second. It sucked that I couldn’t explain the plan, but we were running out of time, and if the damn thing could understand us, the element of surprise I was counting on would disappear.

  A few seconds passed, and I was beginning to lose hope that Markus would do as I asked when he dropped back two steps and lightning erupted from his staff. The azure bolts of electricity slammed into the aezzai. It paused as the magical energy engulfed it, and the aezzai began to grow again.

  Alex leaped over Markus and raked it with her claws. The Twin sets of claws tore into its growing body, yellow goo spraying from it. She buried her paws into the aezzai’s body and violently pulled them apart, ripping the creature in half.

  She stepped back from its corpse as its internal organs spilled onto the carpet and began to steam. Alex closed her eyes, and her body shifted back, clothes and all. Her arms were still covered in the aezzai’s remains as she turned around to look at us.

  “Eww.” She said and shook her arms, sending drips of yellow goo flying.

  Markus shielded himself. “Hey now, don’t do that.”

  “Sorry, but it’s sticky and cold. Like I stuck my arms in a vat of snot or something.” She brought a hand up above her head, eyes closed, and paused. Opening one eye, she found Markus kneeling next to Rebecca while he examined her. “I probably don’t want to use magic to clean myself off either, do I?”