Magic After Dark: A Collection of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Novels

by Margo Bond Collins

  The tent was an almost automatic instant structure, and just as instantly, not one. I snatched a piece of meat from the plate next to the rickety BBQ. It was enough to give me the protein I needed to hike through the night and eventually to the doorstep of Cole’s cottage, early tomorrow morning. Only mere hours separated us from the security of whatever had been tracking us.

  Kem stared at me. It was his compelling, dark eyes that transfixed me. I, like most breathing creatures, was mesmerized by them. “Go!” I shouted, and waved my arm outward toward the forest. “Seek and find, my friend. Seek and find.”

  His claws pawed the dirt before taking off in the near darkness. It would be another eight hours before we reached Coles’. Plamen and I packed up the campsite. We were quiet as we worked. As I rolled up the sleeping bag, I was grateful the next time I slept I’d be in a bed. We loaded our packs and continued in the same direction as Kem.

  The moon was high above us. Its brightness gave us little protection. I felt like we were in a spotlight. Plamen led our course. I followed and kept a lookout on our rear. Whoever had left the bird as warning had fallen off our tracks. Hours later, we rested. I ate a protein bar and took a few swigs of water.

  The terrain had gotten steeper. Jagged rocks jutted out from small hillsides. More than once I banged my leg on one of their sharp edges. As I stepped high onto a platform of earth, I felt the crystal in my pocket dig into my hip. The jolt blasted a gut wrenching thought through me. How could I have been so selfish? The entire time, I had thought of the brilliant plan to hide out at Cole’s, I never once considered we were leading the danger directly to his doorstep. He possessed no magical powers. Cole was a guy who had shown his loyalty to our clan once, a long time ago, and in return they accepted him as one of their own.

  I stopped on a steady rock just short of reaching the top. “Plamen, we can’t do this.” He was ahead of me. He stopped and turned at the sound of my voice. Even when I heard it myself, I sounded distant and unsure. “He could die.” He could die. The thought was on repeat.

  “Who?”

  “Endangering us is one thing, it’s what we’re meant to do—but not him—he didn’t do anything to deserve this—he’s an innocent—a convenience—we’re using him—leading death right to his doorstep—”

  “You’re talking crazy.” He came back to where I stood.

  I shook my head. “No, I’m not!” I hissed, angry he wasn’t latching on to what I was saying, trying to say. I tried again, “If we go to Cole’s, he could die.”

  Plamen positioned himself on a rock below where I stood, so we were eye to eye. He took hold of my upper arms. I looked away from him. “Look at me dammit!” I eased my gaze back to his. The fire that coursed through him was evident in his dark eyes. Red flames sparked around his pupils. “Jeta, you are not the leader of the Protectors because you question your instincts to do what’s right. You are the leader because you’re stronger than any of us and have never guided us wrong. Nor, have you ever put us or anyone else in danger.”

  “Not on purpose,” I countered.

  “Not ever. Cole is big boy, he could have said no if he wanted to.”

  All of it... he was right. I nodded and he released my arms. He stepped up onto the ledge and held his hand out for me. After a deep breath, I took it. He pulled me to him and wrapped his arms around me. Kissing the top of my head, he said, “It’s okay to be human you know?” After releasing me, I lightly side punched him. His laugh was rich with fearlessness and trust. There had been more than one occasion when I thought that he should have been my leader, instead of the positions we had now. He went on ahead of me. When he glanced over his shoulders, the fires in his eyes had dissipated.

  Rustling in the low bushes caused us to come up short. Kem came through the trees just beyond where Plamen stood. He was whimpering as he glided toward us. The moon glistened off his beautiful fur. I wanted to stroke him, settle the beast, until I saw what he held in his mouth. He dropped it at my feet.

  Another dead bird. I kicked it over on its back to see what gift was left for us this time. The crystal was mostly white with black and amber filaments spidering out in an angry display. It was an astrophyllite. Most used it to seek self-acceptance through well-being. I knew whoever intended us to find it, wasn’t wishing us to find our ‘soul’ purpose. This crystal could also be cursed. When given to the person who had wronged an ancestor, its purpose then wasn’t to help them seek well-being, it was to allow the dead who was wronged to torment the said tormentor until death met them.

  I picked up the bloodied stone and shoved it deep into my pocket, next to the others. Icy chills raked along my flesh. The hunter who was leaving the birds may not know what our path or destination was, but they knew Kem was one of us. I knelt, and patted him on his head.

  Cole wasn’t safe.

  None of us were safe.

  Protect the Irizat Luna. Inerique’s words tumbled again and again through my core.

  Flash

  It was early morning when Cole’s cabin came into view. I smelled Kem before I saw him. The stench of his damp coat was a combination of wet dog and earth. He nudged my leg as he came up beside me.

  “Kem.” His wolf ears perked up. “You are going to be the first to take a shower.” I dug in my backpack for his sweatpants. He ducked behind a tree and I tossed the pants in his general direction.

  “Thanks,” he said. “Early this morning I made a few laps around the perimeter,” he nodded toward the cabin, “I didn’t see anything of warning.”

  “That doesn’t mean it’s not present.” Plamen’s tone captured his facial features perfectly: harsh, lined, and guarded.

  I narrowed my eyes at him. “It’s Cole, our blood brother, he’s family, and, he’s helping us. I’m already stressed out, so just be grateful you big thug.” I slapped my palm against his hard chest.

  A loud crack thundered in the woods behind the cabin. Plamen’s hand was at the hilt of his blade in less than a second, as was mine; Kem growled. Another thwack splintered through the morning darkness.

  “I’ll go check it out,” Plamen said without waiting for a reply.

  Kem and I started for the cabin. The porch steps were only a few paces away when we heard shouting. Without shifting Kem ran toward the rear of the house. Drawing my knife, I followed. The scene was as humorous as it was frightful. Plamen stood face to face with Cole, each had their weapon of choice raised above their heads.

  “Jesus, fire-boy, relax,” Cole said in huffy breaths. He lowered his axe. “Just cutting some extra wood for my company.”

  I stifled a laugh. Shaking my head, I strode over to them. Plamen lowered his blade and with a remorseful expression, looked away from Cole.

  Wrapping my arms around Cole, I breathed out a long sigh. “It’s so good to see you.”

  He squeezed back. “God, I’ve missed you.”

  We released each other. Plamen’s head dropped to his chest before he looked back at Cole. “I’m sorry, man, the last few days have been Hell.”

  “No worries, my brother.” Cole held his hand out to Plamen. He took it and pulled Cole into his chest in a masculine side hug.

  The tense moment eased after that. The two men shared a few words and stepped away from each other.

  “Cole,” I said, “this is Kem. He’s a wolf-shifter. So, if you’re out strolling through your woods, please don’t shoot him.”

  Kem’s laugh was dry and without humor. They shook hands. “Nice to meet you,” he said.

  “Likewise. And, don’t worry, I’m not one of those crazy hermits who shuts out the entire world—going around shooting anything that moves.”

  “Yes, you are!” I argued.

  He gave me a sideways glance, cocked his head, and grinned. “All right, maybe a little.” Cole eased my backpack off. I felt as though more than the weight of the few overnight items had been lifted. It had been days since I’d felt safe, and as soon as we stepped foot on the porch steps I felt it.
The feeling that came over me was like the sun had laid a comforting arm around my shoulder.

  “Do you feel that?” I whispered.

  Plamen nodded.

  “What is it?” Kem asked.

  “Protection,” I answered. I glanced at Cole and smiled. This was the safest place for us to keep the Irizat Luna. Everything felt like it came together in that moment. I exhaled, and my body finally relaxed for the first time in what seemed like forever.

  Cole opened the front door and went on to explain to Kem, who was clearly baffled by the feeling he sensed, and my answer. “Since I’m only a mere, weak, country boy who doesn’t have ability to create magic, my gypsy family has put a protection spell on my cabin to keep out bears and bad spirits.”

  Plamen slapped a hand on Cole’s shoulder. “My dear brother, I believe the only protection you need is from your crazy ex-girlfriend.” Then, the most remarkable sound came, he laughed. It was the first time in days I had heard him happy. It wasn’t only a playful chuckle, but an actual full-blown laugh. Not that there hadn’t been a good reason for his stress. All of our nerves felt like they’d been through electric shock treatment for days.

  “I’m going to have to agree with you on that one,” Cole agreed, and laughed along with him.

  We followed Cole inside the cabin. It was cooler than I expected without air conditioning. Under the weight of the forest, the trees supplied a canopy of shade and camouflage.

  “I’m assuming you guys hiked through the night.”

  Kem said, “Yes, the last two.” Hesitating, he added, “You mind if I take a shower?”

  “Follow me.”

  They left down the hall. I took the Irizat Luna out of my makeup bag. When Cole returned, I said, “I need your most sacred hiding place.” He glanced down to see what I held and understood immediately.

  He nodded. Without words, I followed him through the kitchen into a small room. He took an oversized iron key off a hook as we passed. To the left, there was a set of stairs that led down. Behind the stairs was a door just tall enough for a child to fit through. It couldn’t have been more than four and half feet tall.

  “Is this where you keep your collection of captured fairies and goblins? “ I asked.

  He looked over his shoulder. A mischievous grin played on his lips. “I guess you’ll have to accompany me in to find out.”

  I nudged him in the side. “Lead the way my friend.”

  He inserted the key and turned it clockwise in a full rotation until metal clicks and clanks shifted and settled within the door. The bolt slid back. Cole left the key in place and twisted the unpolished brass knob. Blackness rose up in front of us. I felt like I was about to step into another realm. Hell, with gypsy magic, maybe I was. I dared not breathe. My chest was tight with anticipation. For a few stray moments, I lost the feeling of the Irizat Luna in my grasp.

  “Stay here,” Cole said in low voice, as if he might disrupt the dark. Cool air filled the space where he had just been. There were several creaks before a glowing light illuminated a downward spiraling staircase. I swayed. Steadying myself, I placed one hand on the railing and followed it down. Was he kidding? I had expected a storage closet or pantry. I stood frozen, as I stared into the vast room. My disappointment of not seeing any fairies or goblins derailed when I spotted the large safe against the far wall.

  I glanced at Cole who was watching me. No doubt, looking for my approval in my reaction. “It’s perfect.”

  “You need to have a key and the passcode to open it.” Fingering through a set of keys he took out of his pocket, he found the one he was looking for. Unlike the bulky iron key, this was small and circular with a protruding edge on top. After sliding the odd key into the slit, he punched a code into the keypad, turning the key as he entered the last number. Leaving the key in place, he turned a wheel on the front of the safe. A loud clunk reverberated. Cole pulled the door open. It was lined with hunting rifles, stacks of ammo, knives, and various other items needed for staying alive in the wilderness.

  “Maybe you should be the relic’s protector?” I offered.

  “No thanks. I’ll leave that job to the professionals,” he scoffed.

  I certainly didn’t feel like a professional. Hell, I kept the relic either under the floorboard or in my makeup bag. I might as well have left it out on my dresser.

  He moved aside a box of bullets. I set the Irizat Luna, still wrapped in the silk scarf, on the shelf. My hands were sweating, and the chilling feeling that came over me felt out of place and outlandish, but there it was. I didn’t like not being in control of the thing I treasured most.

  Cole closed the cumbersome door, turned the wheel in the opposite direction. The settling of the bolt gave me relief. He removed the key. Turning away, I started for the stairs.

  “You okay?” Cole asked.

  I was already half way up when I stopped. “Yeah.” I wiped my forehead and sweat coated my fingers. “It’s been a long few days. And there’s still something I need to do before I can rest.” Both reasons were true. But, neither was what had given me the unsettling feeling of dread—although, I wish they had been, instead of the gnawing in my soul. The iridescent liquid on my palm and wrist burned like it never had before. A flash in my mind reeled me back. I felt like I was falling. When Cole’s firm body was against my back, I knew I had been.

  “Jeta.”

  His voice was breathy against my neck. The worry in his tone made me feel weak. I grasped the railing and pulled away from him. “I’m fine.”

  The image I’d had of Kem, crippled in the woods, hadn’t happened yet. I began to think I knew what my “secret” was.

  Warning

  I sat on the dark blue canvas couch and took off my hiking boots. Cole hadn’t asked me about what had happened and I was grateful. I wasn’t ready to talk about it with anyone, and might not ever be. He handed me a glass of water. Leaning back into the overstuffed pillows, I tried to wrap my head around what I’d seen. Or, at the very least, to see if I could extend it, find a way to prevent it. I took a sip of water. It was a nice change from the warm water we had while hiking.

  He sat down next to me. “You want to tell me what that was all about down there?”

  I glared at him. “I’m fine.” He settled back, keeping his heavy stare on me. Cole wasn’t going to let up. He ran his fingers through his hair, frustrated at my response.

  Plamen came from down the hall and sat in the chair across from us. “All good?”

  Plamen read my body language and knew not to push. A few things had run through my head. I could lie, tell him the truth, or stay silent. I glanced at Cole. He was clearly waiting for an answer I wasn’t ready to give or admit. I found a fourth option. I changed the subject. Reaching into my pocket, I took out the two crystals and set them on the coffee table. Chips of dried blood flaked off the blue stone onto the table. Coils of anticipation to put this behind us were wound tightly around my center. “I need to destroy these.”

  Realizing he wasn’t going to get anything from me on the topic, his eyes drifted from mine to the stones. The lines around his eyes changed from intensity to curiosity. With a lighter tone, he asked, “Want a hammer?”

  Relaxing back against the cushions, I shook my head. “I wish it were that easy.”

  “What is coating the stone?”

  “Blood.” I picked up the stone, went to the kitchen to wash it, then I retrieved from my bag the star crystal that was left in the death bird. When I returned, Cole held the Kyanite crystal, turning it over, studying it.

  “Where did you get them?” he asked.

  I told him what had happened the last couple of days, starting with the death bird and ending with Kem finding the birds in the forest. “Someone is watching us. They know our ways and beliefs... and our curses.”

  “Gypsies?” he questioned.

  Everything in my being told me it wasn’t our people. But, all the “gifts” that had been left for us had been what only a skilled
gypsy, with the magic of creating charms and curses, could do. “I don’t know,” I admitted. There was a time when I had faith in our people. That had changed the last time we were attacked for the Irizat Luna. It was four years ago, and I was young, only eighteen, but on that day I lost a part of me that was sacred. Sadness filled me until I blinked away the tears and remembered what I was about to do.

  I set the cleaned astrophyllite and the star crystal on the table. The sun had risen and found its way into the cabin. Its rays lit up the bright blue crystal. Shards of intangible blue light shown around the room. “Beautiful for something filled with so much evil,” I whispered. Destroying the curse wouldn’t be easy. “Do you have a white cotton cloth?” I asked Cole.

  He got up and left the room. I glanced at Plamen. His arms rested on the armrests and his long legs were stretched out in front of him. His dark eyes were blank and unseeing. “Why don’t you go get some rest?” I suggested.

  He slowly raised his eyes to me. Thin red flames rose in his pupils. His magic was seeping through his core. Plamen stood, walked over to me and kissed me just above my lips, next to the diamond stud piercing.

  “What was that for?”

  “Just for being you,” he answered in a tired, deep voice.

  I wasn’t sure I was worthy of anything right now, even a hint of a kiss. It had been seven days since the death bird first cried out, and we were all still alive. That had to be worth something, didn’t it? Unsure of whether anything—even as we went on the run, dragging my men through the forest, only to hide instead of fight—had prevented the inevitable; perhaps I’d only prolonged the outcome. The worry in my chest spilled over as Cole came back with a thin white cloth in his hand.