Beginner's Luck_An Urban Fantasy Adventure

by J. A. Cipriano

  But once we got through the door, it was a completely different story.

  “Holy shit. How does nobody know about this place?” I said as I walked inside behind Zorah. There was definitely magic at work here, because the interior was easily four times bigger than the outside and a hell of a lot nicer. In fact, I felt a little dizzy at the abrupt change from shabby to sophisticated. The lights were low and pleasant, gleaming gently off polished wood and brass fixtures. Tables took up most of the place, and the small bar to the left had no stools. Apparently, they wanted their customers to sit down and dine like civilized people.

  Zorah gave a little shrug and waved down a figure standing off to the right. “They keep a low profile,” she said as the figure she’d summoned drifted over to us … literally. As in, he didn’t touch the ground, and he was kind of see-through. But he was wearing a nametag and an apron with a picture of a cauldron on it. “Hey, Jacques,” Zorah said like it wasn’t any big deal that our waiter was a ghost. “Can we get a booth?”

  “Sure thing, Zee,” the ghost said as he pulled two menus from a stand next to the entrance. “Good evening, sir,” he said to me and floated toward the dining room. “Right this way.”

  “Uh. Am I crazy, or is our waiter kind of … dead?” I said under my breath, letting Zorah lead the way. “Because he looks like a ghost, but I could be wrong.”

  Zorah smirked over her shoulder at me. “I believe they prefer the term ‘corporeally challenged,’” she said.

  “They?” I frowned and looked around at the few occupied tables and the two other waitstaff I could see. Everyone in an apron was semi-transparent and floating. “So, you’re saying all the employees here are … er, corporeally challenged,” I said. “Well, that explains why nobody comes here.”

  “I don’t see why that should stop them. Ghosts are people too. For the most part,” Zorah said, smiling at Jacques.

  The waiter nodded, stopped next to a booth and gestured. Zorah slid in first, and I sat at the edge next to her. “Can I start you off with a drink?” he said as he laid the menus down.

  “We’ll just have a pitcher of beer,” Zorah said, and then glanced at me. “I mean, unless you want something else.”

  “Beer works for me,” I said with a grin.

  Jacques drifted off, and I glanced at the menu without really looking. I was more interested in Zorah. “So, I guess you come here often?” I said. “Since you know the waiter and all.”

  “Sometimes,” she said as she smiled and stared at the menu. “It’s usually pretty quiet here. I like that.”

  “Really. Are you saying you’re shy?” I shot her a sidelong look. “That doesn’t seem like a very good trait for a Collector. Oh, wait, I mean ‘dream broker,’” I said, shaking my head. “You can give it all the cute names you want like corporeally challenged, but that doesn’t change what you are.”

  Her shoulders stiffened. “You don’t know anything about me.”

  “I know you’re a Collector,” I said. “You say it’s a long story, but I don’t see how there could be much more to it.”

  “Of course, you don’t see it. You’re human.” She sighed and looked at me. “Look, I’m not supposed to tell you anything about this,” she said. “That’s why I brought you here. Even this place isn’t as safe as it should be, but it’s a lot better than the Chute.”

  Well, at least I knew that was the truth. There were plenty of eyes and ears around, especially in the big casinos. “Okay, I get the point,” I said. “But you haven’t actually told me anything, have you?”

  Just then, Jacques floated over with a pitcher of beer and a pair of frosted plastic tumblers. “Are we ready to order?” he said.

  “I’ll have my usual, please,” Zorah said as she handed him her menu, and then looked expectantly at me.

  “Uh, yeah. I’ll have …” I skimmed the menu, trying to decide between the Cauldron Blackened Steak and the Big Bat Burger. “Hey, Jacques. Mind if I ask you something?” I said. “Why does a ghost need a job? I mean, I’d think you would want to enjoy your eternal rest, not go into customer service.”

  Jacques laughed. “Honestly, that whole eternal rest thing gets boring pretty fast,” he said. “And this job’s got great benefits. Like all the food I can’t eat.”

  “Yeah, that must be awesome,” I said, grinning. “I’ll try the steak, medium well.”

  “You got it,” Jacques said as he took my menu. “Just call me over if you need anything.”

  As the waiter bobbed gently away, Zorah separated the glasses and poured them both full. “I bet you think all the Collectors are dark elves, don’t you?” she said softly.

  I raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t they?”

  “Most are. They consider it an honor to collect souls for … the master,” she said with a shudder. “But a few of us didn’t choose this particular job and never would have.”

  “Wait a minute,” I said. “Are you saying you were forced into service?”

  “I was bought, more or less.” She wrapped both hands around her beer glass but didn’t drink it. “I’m not a dark elf. I’m … something else,” she said, shaking her head as her expression turned bitter. “I can’t exactly tell you what I am, but I can tell you that this isn’t what we do. We’re a peaceful race, and we generally avoid humans. I have to say, I’m starting to understand why.”

  “Hey, we’re not all bad,” I said, already feeling kind of sorry for her, even though I wasn’t sure how much of this I believed. “I don’t know about the rest of them, but I’m pretty awesome.”

  That got her to laugh a little. “I guess I’m impressed that you wouldn’t sell your soul to me. Or Cayn,” she said. “I really can’t believe how easy it is with some people.”

  “Yeah, well, if I had to do it, I’d definitely make a deal with you over him.” I took a sip of the beer, glad to discover that it was smooth and ice cold. “But I’d never do it. So, how about you tell me about this master of the Collectors and how he ended up buying you?”

  Her lips thinned. “I can’t.”

  “There’s a surprise,” I said. “How much of an idiot do you think I am? I mean, Collectors tell more lies than demons. Do you really expect me to believe that you’re being forced to go around taking people’s souls?”

  She gave me a sharp look, and then sighed. “I guess I don’t expect you to,” she said. “All I can say is … well, look at me. It’s pretty obvious I’m not one of them.”

  I guessed she did have a point. And my amulet didn’t glow around her, so that went a long way toward proving that no matter what else she was, she wasn’t like the other Collectors.

  “Okay, fine. Maybe you’re not lying,” I said. “So, if you’re not going to spill the details of your sob story, why did you bring me here?”

  “Because, believe it or not, I want to help you,” she said with a sigh. “What you said about Cayn breaking the rules … it’s not good. I may be able to find out what he’s up to, but I have to know more about what happened with you and him and that trinket of yours. And then, maybe, we can stop him.”

  “So, you’re trying to save my life, huh?” I smiled and shook my head. “All right, then. I’ll tell you about it.”

  There wasn’t much to tell, really. I’d run into Cayn at the Oaken Barrel, one of my favorite small casinos because there was never any trouble, where he was aggressively trying to seduce one of my friends into selling her soul. Emma wasn’t quite falling for it, but she was close enough to interested that I felt like I had to intervene. And when I told the son of a bitch to go pound sand somewhere else, he decided to try making me his next mark.

  Eventually, he figured out there was no way in hell I’d bargain with him. So he changed tack, attempted to appeal to the gambler in me. He said he’d play me for a contract, and if I lost, I’d still get whatever I wanted in exchange for my soul. He wagered the roulette watch and a promise that he’d never come into the Oaken Barrel again if I won.

  He’d be
en so goddamned smug, so convinced I’d never be able to beat him, that I had to take him up on it. And he’d been furious when I won, but he gave me the watch and left the casino without any fuss.

  “I didn’t hear another word about it until a few days ago, when this half-demon set up a private game and then tried to jump me and take the watch after he lost,” I said as I finished telling her the story. “He said Cayn sent him to get it back. And then I find out about the deal Cayn’s offering to his victims. Obviously, something happened between the game and a few days ago that made him decide he needs the watch.” I shrugged and drained some of my beer. “I just don’t know what.”

  Zorah stared into her drink as if it was going to give her some answers. “I don’t know either, but I’ll try to find out,” she said, and let out a quick breath. “Cayn has to be stopped.”

  “So, you do want to save my life,” I said with a smirk. “How sweet.”

  “Honestly, it’s mostly that I want to bring Cayn down,” she said. “I can’t stand that asshole. He’s the meanest, dirtiest, most fanatical Collector out there, and he should have been out of commission a long time ago.” She glanced at me and smiled a little. “But I guess saving your life is a good thing, too. You’re all right, for a human.”

  “Thanks for that glowing compliment,” I said, and lifted my glass. “Here’s to bringing Cayn down and saving my life as a side effect.”

  She laughed and clinked her glass with mine. “I’ll drink to that.”

  17

  After a pleasant but strange dinner with Zorah that left me with more questions than answers, I spent a little time walking the streets and looking for Alistair, to no avail. Eventually, I gave up and headed for Elias’s place. When I got there around nine that night, the party was already in full swing.

  Elias lived in one of the three actual mansions in the UV, with the other two belonging to Fezak, the goblin owner of the Chute and the five Council members from the city founders’ families. Each of the mansions had a distinct flair of personality or lack thereof. Fezak’s was supposed to be Victorian, but he’d painted it with so many garish, clashing colors that it almost hurt to look at. The Council mansion was just as austere and stuffy as the people who lived there.

  And Elias’s was Gothic all the way, with black shingles and arched iron windows, turret towers topped with gargoyles and decorative spires. Ravens felt compelled to roost on his roof, and if there were ever lightning down here, it would be drawn to flash dramatically around the place.

  The double front doors were thrown wide open, and a steady stream of people flowed in and out of the place, mingling and chatting, carrying various drinks that smoked, sparked, or flamed. I made my way through the crowd, greeting and waving and shaking hands, keeping an eye out for Mist. I was looking forward to stealing some time with her before I got down to partying.

  Finally, I made it inside the house and to the vast main room, which would’ve been a living room in any other place. But here, it was a grand ballroom. Just like he did for every party, Elias had pushed all the furniture against the walls to leave plenty of room for people to hang around, or dance if they felt like it, beneath the massive crystal chandelier. The music was pumping, the floor was packed, and so was the wide curved staircase and the balcony that circled the room. A few creative couples had floated themselves above the crowd to take a few twirls around the chandelier.

  I’d just spotted Elias and was making my way over to greet him when Princess spoke up for the first time today. I’m not sure you should be around so many people right now, she said in my head. Who knows how many of them are working for Cayn?

  “Good morning to you, too,” I said with a relieved smile. Joad had really taken a lot out of her with that damned Agony Orb. She’d barely eaten last night, and she’d been sleeping almost constantly. I was glad to hear her up and about, if a bit cranky. “You worry too much. That’s why I have the amulet, you know,” I said. “To keep people from sneaking up on me.”

  And it worked so well with that female Collector, Princess said dryly.

  “So, you were paying attention,” I said. “Well, apparently, she’s the exception to the rule.”

  I still didn’t know what to make of Zorah, to be honest. I wanted to trust her, but it was hard to believe her story when she claimed she couldn’t give me any details about anything. But for now, the one thing I did believe was that she wanted to take Cayn out of the picture. We definitely agreed on that.

  “Anyway, I’ll be fine,” I said to Princess. “How are you doing?”

  Tired, but mending, thank you, she said. I’m going to sleep. Just try to stay out of trouble, will you?

  “I’ll do my best,” I said just as I reached Elias and an older woman in a sapphire blue dress he was currently talking to.

  Elias looked at me with a furrowed brow. “Your best what?”

  “Nothing. I was talking to Princess,” I said, and nodded at the woman I didn’t know. “Hey, there,” I said. “I’m not here to interrupt, so carry on. I can wait.”

  “Actually, Elias and I were just finishing up,” the woman said with a smile. “For now, at least.” She winked at the necromancer and then extended a slim, bejeweled hand toward me. “I’m Leila Monro. And you are?”

  “Seth Wyatt,” I said, shooting a grin at Elias before I shook her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Ah, the prodigal son. It’s nice to meet you, Seth,” she said and then turned to Elias. “Tomorrow, then? I’ll be ready at six.”

  Elias gave a muffled cough. “Yes, six will be fine,” he said with a stiff little bow.

  “All right. See you then.” She flashed a dazzling smile, and her fingers trailed along Elias’s arm as she walked away.

  I watched her for a minute, and then laughed when she was out of earshot. “See, I told you that you’re never too old to score,” I said.

  “It’s just business,” Elias muttered, but a small smile creased his lips.

  “Sure, it is. That was a real business-like wink she threw at you,” I said as I clapped the old man on the shoulder. “Hey, you haven’t seen Mist around, have you? I’m supposed to be her date tonight.”

  “No, I haven’t seen her yet,” he said, looking around at the crowd. “But since your date hasn’t arrived, maybe you could indulge me for a minute and follow me to the library? I need to know a bit more about what’s been happening with you the last few days.”

  I shrugged. “Sure, but I don’t know much about it yet myself.”

  “That’s exactly why we need to talk,” he said. “Come on.”

  I followed Elias around the back of the crowded ballroom to the short hallway past the staircase, where the locked door to his library stood at the end. He never left the room open with a full house, since his collection of books, scrolls, and tablets was worth millions by itself. He opened the door and ushered me inside, and then stepped through and locked up behind us.

  The circular room that contained the library was almost as big as the ballroom, with packed shelves of books covering every wall and reaching all the way up to the vaulted ceiling and its wasted skylight, since there was no sun down here. Tables and desks with individual lamps were arranged in a loose grid at the center of the room, and several overstuffed armchairs were positioned closer to the shelves. Overall, it was a room that demanded quiet reverence.

  Elias gestured for me to sit at the nearest table, and he took the chair across from me. “So, what’s the deal with this watch of yours?” he said. “And why is this Collector so desperate to get it back?”

  “That last part’s the one I don’t know,” I said. I told Elias briefly about the half-demon Blaze, and Arden finding out about Cayn’s deal with his victims. He already knew about Alistair. “As for the watch, I had Golar check it out. He figured out how it works, but he couldn’t find much more about it. Like, he doesn’t know what kind of magic it uses or where it came from.”

  Elias frowned. “That’s unusual and a litt
le worrying,” he said. “Golar can pretty much identify everything. What did he learn about it, if not its origins?”

  “Well, it shifts the user into alterspace for as many seconds as the spin lands,” I told him. “Unless it lands on zero, in which case it summons an invisible killer dog. Golar called it an alterhound, and I guess it ate his revenant.” I flashed a crooked smile. “Haven’t run into that particular problem yet, myself. Oh, and he also said the watch has a secondary function, that it’s some kind of combination lock. But he doesn’t know how to engage the function or what it’s locking.”

  “This doesn’t sound good, at all,” Elias said. “In fact, it sounds like you shouldn’t be using that watch for anything. You don’t know what else it might do, and what happens if you summon one of those creatures?”

  I shook my head. “It’ll be fine. I’d like to think I’m a little more skilled at combat than a revenant,” I said. “Besides, I’m honestly more worried about Joad and this bullshit about keeping me out of the tournament. I think he’s trying to get me picked up by the Enforcers, and Titus really has it out for me lately. He keeps showing up every time.”

  Once again, Elias looked incredibly uncomfortable when I mentioned Titus. “You’re sure about that?” he said. “I mean, that Titus is making it personal?”

  “Yeah, pretty sure. He called me a scoundrel,” I said with a grin. “But I kinda like that. Anyway, I’m not that worried about Titus. What I really want to know is why Joad’s so desperate to win this year.”

  “Yes, that is somewhat strange.” Elias seemed relieved to change the subject away from the Enforcer, which I thought was somewhat strange. But I wouldn’t ask about that right now. “I’d assume he really wants the prize. It’s some kind of luck pendant this year, isn’t it?”

  “That’s what I heard.” I stood and stretched, eager to get back to the party and see if Mist was here yet. “Maybe you could dig around, find out more about it? Fezak might actually speak to you.”