Magic Hunters: The Operatives

by Fresh Book Deals

  Magic Hunters: The Operatives

  D'Artagnan Michaels

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Other LMBPN Books

  This book is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Sometimes both.

  Copyright © 2020 D'Artagnan Michaels

  Cover copyright © LMBPN Publishing

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  LMBPN Publishing supports the right to free expression and the value of copyright. The purpose of copyright is to encourage writers and artists to produce the creative works that enrich our culture.

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  The distribution of this book without permission is a theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like permission to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), please contact info@kurtherianbooks.com. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

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  First US Edition, May 2020

  Chapter One

  “So, you’ve got nothing for me?” Rika asked and stamped a cigarette out in frustration as her dealer gave her a half-hearted shrug.

  “The city is safer nowadays,” he pointed out and finished the last of his beer. “You and the other hunters have done your jobs too well.”

  “Manny, that’s stupid and you know it,” she retorted. “The reason Baltimore is crawling with hunters is that there is a nice, consistent amount of work.”

  “That one way to say, ‘a hell of a lot of monsters.’” He chuckled as he took a photo from his inner coat pocket. “You’ll think the way I do about it once you see this.” He flung the picture on the table.

  She glanced briefly at what looked to be a still image of a crosswalk and several people merely going about their lives until she noticed something odd heading into the alley near a coffee shop. With a slight frown, she picked the image up and looked closer to identify a man in a well-made black suit. He would seem to be an average businessman to most, but a telltale glimmer in his eyes was eerily discordant with his appearance.

  “Is that an operative?” she asked and looked at Manny.

  He gave another shrug. “He could be a number of things. That light in his eye means he’s got power so he could also be a shapeshifter or revenant. But I’ve heard things in the streets and you have to figure that with everything getting rather…ah, ‘clean’ around here, one of the orgs has made a stop here.”

  Rika folded her arms, leaned back in the booth, and shook her head. “Dammit, who is it? And why now? It’s not like Baltimore just became a haven for the freaks. It’s been this way for decades. Why are they poking around now?”

  “Beats me, Rika,” he responded. The man always had a very lackadaisical way of speaking but she could tell he was both honestly stumped and apologetic. “Something must have gone down to catch their interest. I haven’t heard anything about new cults coming through. There was some talk about new dens in the area, but they are far off and don’t seem to be anything more than imps and the like. Nothing that would finally warrant an ‘official’ investigation.”

  “Last call!” the bartender yelled. Manny held a hand up to summon a waitress and ordered a final beer. He looked at his companion, who ordered another glass of wine but in such a low voice that he had to repeat the request. The woman nodded and shuffled off as Rika placed one arm on the table and rested her face on it while she tapped the fingers of her other hand on the edge.

  “How long do you think it will be until something crops up?” she asked and braced herself for the worst response.

  “Who knows?” And there it was. She preferred to hear an estimation rather than nothing, and she felt anxious now. “The gigs have dried up so much that I’ve been talking to my other dealer pals. We’re thinking of setting up a group-share. If anything comes down the pipe, we’ll let each other know and see if we can get more gigs as a group.”

  “And you were thinking of telling me this when?” She sighed. The waitress returned with their drinks, and Rika took her glass and gave her a thankful toast as she downed half of it in one go. “You realize group gigs have to spread the payout, right? That means less for us—considerably less depending on how many guys you have lined up.”

  “Less is better than none, Rika,” he pointed out. “I’m sure you’ve got money stashed away like I do, but this is the second week without a gig. If this turns out to be a trend instead of a brief dry spell?” He took a sip of his beer and looked around the room. “Well, we’re gonna have to take our business elsewhere, or worse.”

  “Worse? What would that be?” she questioned and noticed that he frowned as if the answer was obvious.

  “Well, someone of your skills could probably find a place in one of the orgs,” he stated and tapped the picture. “But you don’t seem like the type who would want to become an operative.”

  Rika’s face contorted in frustration before she took another deep drink from her glass. “You’re right, I’m not. Besides, for a fancy gig like that, don’t you need a degree?” she inquired and finished her wine. “I already lost my chance at that.”

  “Right, Kharaz,” Manny mused, thinking about the academy. “Your little sister goes there still?”

  “Yeah,” she said with a nod and recalled her days at the school. “She’s one of the top students in her class from what I understand, her biggest problem being that she’s my sister.”

  Manny stretched across the table and patted her arm. “There now, Rika. I’m sure it’ll pa—”

  “I said, that’s enough!” The two were interrupted by a loud shout. They looked up, along with others in the bar, to where the owner, Jack, now stood beside the bartender and stared down a trio of punks who seemed to be demanding something. They wanted more booze, but from their staggering movements and loud, slurred speech, they’d had plenty. Jack was trying to make them see that.

  “Jack out of the office this late? It must be serious,” Manny muttered and took another sip.

  “He probably needs backup,” she responded, slid out of the booth, and began to move toward the altercation. Manny’s hand stopped her and she looked at him and arched an eyebrow. “What?”

  “Do you really think you should head over there?” he questioned. His hand jerked away when intense heat emitted from her skin. He held both hands up. “I’m only giving you advice. At least take it outside. Jack might be grateful for the help but if you break too much, he’ll have to bill ya.”

  Rika nodded and her hands began to glow red. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Fire exploded and two of the punks were thrown through the glass window at the front of the bar. The last ran out the door in a panic and attempted to put out the flames on his shirt before he stripped it off and tossed it into the street. He helped the other two up and the three dashed madly away as Rika followed them out with a small ball of fire forming in her hand.

  Behind her, Manny quickly paid for the drinks while she bolted down the sidewalk after them. “I think you’ve made your point, Rika!” he shouted and nodded to Jack, who simply sighed at the broken window, shrugged, and nodded for him to follow her.

&n
bsp; The trio ducked into an alley and she turned the corner in time to see the last of them scamper in. She marched forward, but a loud yell and a flash of purple light erupted from the narrow side street. Bewildered, she approached slowly but kept her flames active. When she turned into it, she paused. The three fugitives had collapsed on the ground, their faces almost white with shock. A man stepped over them, his skin pale and hair even paler, and he wore incredibly dark shades despite it being almost two o’clock in the morning. He was dressed in a dark suit, one that was familiar. It took only seconds for her to identify him as the agent in Manny’s photo.

  Rika eyed him warily, her flames still burning, ready to see what he would do. For now, all he did was observe her in return. She finally looked at the now-incapacitated punks. “I wasn’t done with them.”

  “I apologize for getting in the way of your fun,” he said, his voice emotionless and rather hollow-sounding, “but we are pressed for time. I was hoping when I allowed your compatriot to get a photo of me that it would lead you to me while I took care of other matters.”

  “Wait, you allowed him to take that picture?” she asked. By this time, her drinking companion had caught up, slid in behind her, and looked at the stranger with a shocked expression.

  The operative nodded at him in acknowledgment. “He would not have the photo if I had not allowed it,” he stated and adjusted his cuffs.

  “Rika, who is this?” Manny asked and stepped beside her. A blade slid out of his jacket sleeve.

  “The operative from your photo,” she replied and nodded at the pile of bodies. “He took care of the punks and wants to talk.”

  “I want to give you a job,” he specified and moved closer. Rika held a hand up and let the flames sprout. Manny, however, held his arm up to hold her back.

  “He did say the magic word,” he pointed out and shifting his gaze from her to him. “Maybe hear him out and see what kind of gig it is.”

  “He’s an operative!” she said, leaned closer to him, and blocked their conversation with her arm. “Do you think it isn’t going to come with some kind of stipulation?”

  “Do you think it’s going to come with a fat enough payday to deal with it?” he countered and earned an eye-roll from her.

  “You will be well compensated,” the operative offered. “No strings attached.”

  “Really?” she asked as she approached him. “And why let him get a picture of you? Why are you looking for me?”

  “You and several others,” he corrected. “We need people familiar with the area and with some renown.”

  “What kind of renown?” she asked and folded her arms.

  “We need hunters.” He removed the shades to reveal silver eyes with no pupils. “Specifically, ones known for dealing with monsters—rather horrific and violent ones.”

  A small smile formed on her lips before she snapped her fingers and the flames disappeared. “That sounds like more fun that beating those idiots up. Tell me more.”

  Chapter Two

  Rika looked out the window of the car and stared as the city rolled by. There were fewer buildings as they continued to drive. They seemed to be heading out to the edges of town or maybe away from it altogether. The operative hadn’t been particularly helpful about filling them in when he offered a ride.

  “He hasn’t exactly been chatty since we got in, has he?” Manny asked as he leaned closer from his side of the back seat and moved his gaze from the operator in the driver’s seat to her.

  “What? Are you starting to get a little spooked, Manny?” she asked as she straightened and looked at her dealer. “You seemed excited earlier.”

  “I said we should hear him out,” he replied and frowned at her. “You’re the one who got all excited when he mentioned monsters. Should I point out it is a concern that these monsters are probably quite…uh, monstrous if an organization is looking for hunters to eliminate them instead of doing it themselves?”

  “I like a challenge. Plus, it’s not like we were doing anything else tonight,” she reasoned and turned her gaze out the window again. “Besides, it’s better to make some money than none, right? I noticed you aren’t giving your other dealer buddies a call now that we have a gig.”

  “We don’t have it yet, technically. He hasn’t given us more details,” Manny pointed out and leaned back. “And he said he wanted you specifically, so it’s not like he was looking for more.”

  “Me and several others. Who do you think that could be?” she wondered and sighed when small droplets of rain splattered the glass.

  “Eh, my best guess is a specialist team. Organizations like running with a crew. My guess is that whatever they have in store, they want options.”

  “What do you think I will be?” she asked.

  Manny stroked his goatee as he considered the question. “Your specialties are fire magic and disenchantment. You probably have a reputation as a tough girl with an attitude, so muscle?”

  “You would be correct,” the operative answered and finally broke his silence. The car slowed as they entered a parking lot. “You shall find out more if you get to the meeting.”

  “If?” Manny questioned. The car halted outside a large abandoned building that looked like an old factory or something similar. The operative got out and took the few steps required to open Rika’s door. She stepped out and studied the building as Manny exited cautiously.

  “I wasn’t expecting anything fancy but this seems rustic,” she stated and glanced at the operator.

  He turned to them. The man wasn’t normal, even beyond his appearance. His movements were incredibly stilted. When he turned to look at them, it felt like he’d spun in place as if he were a marionette emulating normal motion.

  “This is not the meeting destination. This is where you will take your test,” he stated and moved forward.

  “Test?” she questioned and hurried after him.

  “Yes. As I mentioned, you are one of a number of candidates for this mission. You got the honor through reputation, but we like to work with more exact measurements in our company,” he stated and linked his hands behind his back. “If you wish to join the mission, you will enter the factory. Inside is a trial. Pass, and you will be taken to the meeting point. Fail, and one of our correspondents will do their best to pull you out. If that happens, you will be unable to join the mission.”

  “Wait, ‘do their best to pull you out?’ What the hell are you talking about?” Manny demanded and stepped behind the operative. “That sounds like there is a chance she could die in there.”

  “Isn’t there a chance for her to die under normal circumstances?” the operative asked and focused on the dealer. “It is up to you to decide. Well, her. I brought you along so we might discuss hiring terms should she pass the test. Or to help her recover if she should fail.”

  Rika chuckled and studied the dealer with raised brows. “How’s your healing magic, Manny?”

  “As it always has been—decent,” he replied as he walked past the man to where she stood. “It’s up to you, Rika, but doesn’t this strike you as weird? And what about this test? What could they have waiting for you?”

  “I don’t know so let’s ask,” she replied and raised her voice for the operative to hear. “Hey! Can you give me any idea about what I’m going to have to do here? I’ll tell you right now that I’m a terrible decorator and wet nurse.”

  “Neither of those skills is necessary,” he stated and turned to them with his hands still clasped behind him. “I am not entirely sure of what your test will be. I was sent to find you and bring you here. The one administering the test is a different agent.”

  “That’s helpful,” Manny muttered with a roll of his eyes.

  “That being said, I can offer a potential scenario. As your dealer suggested, you are one of several hunters being brought in for their skill in the elimination of threats as ‘muscle.’ We’ve seen and heard good things about your abilities with fire magic. Your auxiliary abilities with disencha
ntment would also prove helpful. My guess is that you will have to take on an enemy that requires you to use those skills.”

  “Is that all?” She sneered. “No gauntlet to run? I don’t have to show my ability to strategize?”

  “No gauntlet or anything extravagant. We lacked the time to put such a course together,” he explained. “Strategy is up to you, but I believe you are well prepared. I doubt you would be a successful—or living—hunter otherwise.”

  “I would like to take that as a compliment but it sounds like he’s reading stats off a baseball card.” Rika sighed, looked at Manny, and gave him a shrug.

  He returned the gesture. “You’re the one who has to walk in there. If you get through it, I’ll make sure neither of us has to worry about work for half a year, at least.”

  “That’s why I keep you around,” she stated and winked at him as she began to approach the factory. “Make sure you remember I like the high life when you’re making the deal!”

  With that, she strode to the large factory door, grasped the metal handle, and forced it open, despite it being slightly skewed away from the lining above. It was quite dark inside, and she held up a hand and flames appeared. She moved several yards into the building but listened intently for anything suspicious.

  The first thing that fit the description of a test was the door slamming behind her. When she turned, it was gone and only a metal wall remained in its place. She moved beside it, placed her hand against it, and increased the power and temperature of her flames. It began to burn through, but the wall was thick with nothing outside it.