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

by Margo Bond Collins

  The thin curve of the moon was bright above us. We sat in a circle around the fire. Traer was off to the side in the chair. The smirk vanished from his lips as I unwrapped the silk scarf from around the intricate box. His eyes never left the relic. I thought I heard an intake of breath, but I wasn’t sure who it had come from.

  Like most rituals, I, too, liked to start with a story. But, tonight’s would be a little different than the others I’ve told. “Many Black Moons ago, two sisters were born. Both were loyal. Both were brave. Both were gifted by the Irizat Luna. Both were very powerful Protectors. For years, they fought against those who wanted the relic for selfish needs and wants. One day, one of them was cut down. Killed so violently, her white soul turned black and vengeful. Even from her grave, her cries could be heard. For the sister who lived, it was awful. Not only had her heart been crushed with the loss of her sister, but the dead woman also became her most feared nemesis—”

  “She’s dead, hence, no threat,” Traer cut in.

  I glared at him. His lips were parted in an all-knowing grin. “The dead are usually more dangerous than the living, Mr. Sharp.” He may have had mad tracking skills, but his knowledge of what he hunted or who he worked for seriously lacked. “Like I said, you’re no Indiana.”

  He glowered and closed his mouth. I continued, “When the time was right, the dead sister swore to rise and claim her vengeance. That time is now.” I set my stare on Traer. “The dead sister, Lajaria, has risen.” I expected a smart-ass retort. But, he said nothing. “She is the reason one of our Protectors, our brother, is no longer with us. One day, we will have our peace.”

  It was time to perform the first ritual, the only one that would be done in the presence of others. “Tsura, would you please come here.” I opened the box. The beautiful vial lay inside. With the most delicate and careful touch, I picked up the Irizat Luna. The iridescent liquid was breathtaking. I stood, and handed the box to Plamen. “Please kneel.” Tsura did. I held the relic high in the air. The light of the moon kissed the vial. As it did, the liquid glowed and swirled. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes.” Tsura stood.

  “Hold out your right hand.” I twisted off the lid. On the underside was the small twisted, hallowed blade. On the tip was the iridescent liquid. I stabbed the blade into Tsura’s palm. She held back the cry from the pain I knew well. The liquid spread into the shape of a full moon. Her blood seeped out, mixing with the liquid until the magic took over. The circle in the center of her palm was alive with the Irizat Luna. “Now your wrist.” I dipped the tip of the blade into the vial. I dragged the blade along her wrist in an intricate pattern. I had no control of what the blade would draw. Only her magic knew. When the blade was done moving, a thin trail glowed under her flesh.

  The ritual was complete. She was gifted with her destined magic. “You have been gifted by the Irizat Luna. Your magic is only for the protection of our ancient relic.”

  She nodded once. “Thank you.”

  I put the vial back into the box and wrapped the scarf around it. I watched Traer and Tsura. Both were mesmerized. As the seconds passed, I thought I witnessed something surreal in Traer’s facial expression. Did my plan of late night story-telling and letting him witness the ritual work in turning him against Lajaria? When our eyes met, he gave me a look I could only interpret as... thoughtful. I still wasn’t ready to untie him, but could it be possible I had brought him over to our side?

  “It’s happening,” Tsura said. “I can feel my gift awakening.” Four heads darted toward Tsura. The several times I had performed the ritual, each of the participants had different ways and lengths of time when their gift developed. If Tsura’s was really happening, hers was one of the fastest.

  In seconds, the fire Plamen had lit, vanished. Nothing was there except for dirt. I stepped forward and waved my hand over the area. Heat licked my palm. “Ouch!”

  “What the—”

  Plamen was the first to catch on. “She can glamour things.”

  At first, I was so stunned the fire disappeared, it took several minutes to register what Tsura was capable of doing. Glamouring took skill and effort few possessed. The gift was rare and most would kill to have it. The fire was still very much there. When my head cleared from the shock of what she could do, I heard the crackle of the firewood and felt the heat from the flames.

  I glanced at Traer. He sat wide-eyed as he watched the fire come back into existence. The fire slowly materialized. Its wicked orange glow rose high into air.

  “Tsura, that was incredible,” I said.

  Her eyes shifted from the now visible fire to me. She was as stunned as the rest of us. “Thanks. I... didn’t know.”

  “Most of us don’t,” said Plamen.

  We sat in quiet for several moments until Traer broke the silence. “What would happen if Lajaria performed the ritual?”

  It was a valid question. But, I had no exact answer. None of us did. “Her magic is black because of the way she died. The Irizat Luna, not knowing any better, would awaken the evil festering deep within her soul.”

  “Very bad things,” Plamen said in a deep undertone.

  “That’s not an answer,” argued Traer.

  Cole, our blood brother who possessed no magic, had a different answer, “Does it matter? Bad is bad. Why give her the power to do anything?”

  “She wasn’t always bad,” Traer argued.

  “And I bet you weren’t always a high-paid thief,” Cole countered.

  Traer opened and closed his mouth. He had nothing. “Point taken.” He tried to move his arms and winced.

  I wasn’t sure I could trust him, but something had changed in him. He glanced at Tsura. His gaze lingered longer than it should have, until it turned into a blatant stare. He was awe-struck.

  “Do you understand now why Lajaria can never get her hands on the Irizat Luna?” I asked him. He nodded, still dumbfounded by the beautiful dark skinned woman.

  People could change with one profound event in their life. Was witnessing Tsura’s magic come alive, his? I didn’t know. For some far away reason, I wanted to trust him; wanted to believe he was good—could be good. I’d let Plamen and Cole decide, their judgment was better than mine with people. “Plamen, do what you want with him.” I picked up the relic, went into the house, and down the hall to my room.

  I set the relic on the dresser and sat on the bed. Now, it was my turn to perform the Echo Ritual. I should have had Plamen here with me in case something went wrong. But, I wanted it over and done with. And, it was more important he dealt with Traer. I stared at the silk scarf. Standing, I went to it and unwrapped it from the around the relic. I opened the lid and took out the Irizat Luna. I sat back down on the bed next to the window. The light of the moon was enough to give the liquid its glow.

  My heart was beating so hard. I could die. In trust of what Inerique said, I removed the lid. A small iridescent drop was on its tip. The colors beneath my skin swirled in reaction to it. I set the vial on the bedside table. I said a silent prayer I wouldn’t die, and stabbed the blade into my palm. Immediate pain shot through my hand and up my arm. I dropped the small knife. A fierce burn radiated through every cell in my body. I stared at my hand. The once beautiful iridescent pool under my skin turned black. I clamped my other hand over my mouth to keep from crying out. Darkness crept from the corners of my vision before everything faded into blackness.

  I wasn’t sure how long I was out. The moon still shown through the window, which I took to be a good sign. Taking a moment to read my body, I noticed the pain had subsided. Afraid to look at my palm, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Remembering I’d dropped the lid, I felt around for it in the bedding. When I found it, I replaced it on the vial. Expelling every molecule of air from my lungs, I timidly turned my hand over. Gasping for a breath of relief, I saw the iridescent swirl brighter than it had been before. Something had changed, but I didn’t know what. I closed my eyes and tried to focus on my gift.

>   Nothing.

  Inerique hadn’t been sure it would work. Disappointed I couldn’t conjure a vision, still, I was grateful I wasn’t dead. Exhaustion like I had never felt before took me. Something wasn’t right. My eyelids felt as heavy as lead. My head lolled to the side. Was this what death was like when it took you? The Irizat Luna blurred before my eyelids fell closed.

  Pain like I had never felt woke me. At least, I thought I was awake. Dead? That seemed to be a very good possibility. My skull felt like it had been bashed in. I pried open my eyes. Muted orange melted the morning sky. I glanced around the room. The intricate box sat on the dresser, the lid still open. The scarf had slipped off and fallen to the floor. I dragged my gaze to the bedside table.

  The Irizat Luna was gone.

  Gone

  I sat up. Pressure raced up my spine to my skull. The pressure of pain was too immense. I raised my hand to the aching spot on my head. “Oww!” From the corner of my eye I saw red. Blood was smeared on the pillowcase. I looked at my fingers, sticky, half-dried blood coated the tips. I didn’t recall hitting my head. The last thing I remember was feeling very tired.

  The room spun as I stood. I gripped the edge of the dresser before I toppled over. Finding my balance, I opened the door and went to Plamen’s room. I knocked. Without waiting for an answer, I barged in. “Plamen, I—”

  I swayed and reached for my head. I fell forward. Plamen caught me. “Jeta, what’s wrong?” His voice was frantic with worry. He lowered me onto his bed.

  “It’s gone.” I sounded so far away. Lost in a faraway land. Wandering through the ages like my ancestors.

  “What’s gone?” Plamen leaned over me. He touched the aching spot on my head. “You’re bleeding.” His firm body left my side. I drifted in and out. “Jeta, open your eyes.”

  I heard his voice, but it was faint and weak. Plamen never sounded weak. It had to be whatever was wrong with me causing him to be so out of character. I wanted him to stop worrying about my head. All that mattered was the Irizat Luna. “It’s gone,” I croaked. My lips were dry. I tried to lick them, but my tongue wouldn’t cooperate.

  “Whatever it is, we’ll find it. First, we need to get you cleaned up.”

  I heard another voice, and then another. I tried to open my eyes. Through slits, my blurred vision made out the outlines of a dark slim figure and a man, Tsura and Cole. I was semi-proud of myself I remembered their names. I wasn’t even sure of who I was. Skin, the color of mocha ice cream moved closer to me.

  “Jeta, what happened?”

  I tried to shake my head in an “I don’t know gesture,” but I think it looked more like I couldn’t get comfortable. “It’s gone.” I wanted to open my eyes wider to get a better look at who was in the room. One. Two... three. Four? There should be four I thought. Traer. “Where... is... Tra—”

  “Shhh.” Tsura’s voice cooed.

  I didn’t want to be quiet. I needed them to listen to me. I gathered every ounce of strength I could grasp on to. “Where is Traer?” I said, with as much force as I could muster. To me, I still sounded weak, but it was all I had.

  “He left early this morning,” Plamen said. “You were right with letting him be a part of last night. Showing him how powerful the—”

  “It’s gone!” My head thrashed from the impact of yelling those two simple, yet horrific and unfathomable words.

  Vision

  I don’t remember what happened next, or the rest of the day. Drifting from conscious to unconscious was exhausting. I didn’t know if the world was awake or sleeping, who was at my side when I came to, was it dreams or reality that plagued me, or how long I’d been out, hours, days? Once, I woke long enough to realize Plamen was the one babysitting me. Anger surged through me. Why wasn’t he out hunting the hunter? I eased into a sitting position. My head swam, but it was bearable. He held out a glass of water and I took it from him. My mouth felt like it was filled with sandpaper and cotton balls.

  I gulped down half the glass before he reached for it. “Easy there,” he said. It wasn’t enough, but I relinquished the water for now.

  I had a billion questions. “Did you find Traer?”

  He shook his head. “We have all taken turns looking in different parts of the forest. Cole spotted a few footprints several times, but all of them led nowhere. And,” he said reluctantly, “We were waiting until you were strong enough so we could derive a plan to get the relic back.”

  Ferocity boiled inside of me. “The Irizat Luna is gone, and you waited for me to get well enough so you could go after him with full force? Did I hear that right?”

  Defensively, he said, “What did you expect us to do? Leave you alone so you could drop into a coma. Then what use would you be?” He had never spoken to me like that before. “Jesus, Jeta,” he ran his hand through his hair, “you can be so goddamned thick sometimes.” He looked me in the eye. “I get we vow our lives to protect the relic, but I would give my life to save you over magic.”

  I was so taken aback, I had no response.

  “I have no doubt we will get the Irizat Luna back. But, we need you to do it.”

  That’s where he was wrong, but I didn’t correct him. “Where’s Tsura?”

  “She came back about an hour ago after canvasing the forest.”

  Pivoting in the bed, I lowered my feet to the floor. I got a whiff of something that smelled a lot like dinner. “What time—wait—”

  “You were out for two days. It’s ten o’clock at night, and it’s Wednesday.”

  I stood. The room spun a little, then calmed. I looked down to see what I was wearing. An over-sized t-shirt and panties. “I’m going to freshen up. Will you get everyone together?”

  Plamen nodded.

  Seeing the empty box still on the dresser, I dropped to my knees. How could I have been so stupid and irresponsible? I wanted, needed the direction of Inerique, but I was too mortified to contact her. Having her faith in me falter wouldn’t be easy to come back from. I rose to my feet. Wallowing in grief and regret wouldn’t do anything to help get the Irizat Luna back. I drew in a deep breath and held it for a few seconds before I released it. I pulled jeans out of the draw and slid them on, and changed the oversized tee for a sports bra and tank top. I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth. My mouth tasted like something had curled up and died under my tongue.

  Plamen, Tsura, and Cole were in the den when I walked out. Two of them sat on the couch, Cole sat on the coffee table. Their huddled group broke apart as I stepped into the room. The scent of dinner was more evident out here. Cole had a knack for cooking, and the way my stomach grumbled, I wasn’t complaining.

  I pushed the hunger pains away as I addressed them. “First of all, thank you for taking care of me. I know I’m not the easiest patient. But, I want you to know I appreciate it.” The small group nodded and muttered welcomes. “Now, we can assume Traer stole the Irizat Luna, since he and it are gone.” They watched me, not only for direction and guidance, but I felt their stares as heavy watchman in case I would keel over any second.” I held up my hand. I glared at the three of them. “Stop looking at me like I’m some frail old woman.” All but Tsura looked briefly away. Her steely gaze challenged me. I had to admit, the bitch was growing on me. She, like me, wouldn’t let anyone out easy. There was also something else, loyalty. I think she’d call it something else, but it was all the same. There was also disgust I had let the Irizat Luna be stolen. Protectors had to trust each other. Our lives depended on it. She would have to learn to trust me in the days to come.

  “After I performed Tsura’s ritual, I performed an Echo Ritual on myself—”

  Tsura was on her feet. “You magic-hungry—”

  Plamen stood. “Tsura don’t. It’s not what you think.” She opened her mouth to argue something, and then decided against it. Plamen continued, “Inerique told her to.” Tsura eased back down. Her head cocked to the side questioning what Plamen told her. “Jeta’s gift hadn’t quite developed. It’s po
werful and we need it now more than ever.”

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “Visions.”

  I glanced at the mark in the center of my palm. The colors slinked around one another. “I don’t know if it worked, since I’ve been out for a couple of days.” I looked back at them. “After I eat and gain some of my energy back, I’ll try to see if I can... um... see something.” I knitted my brows together as I spoke. “Something like that.” Ignoring the worry in Plamen’s eyes, I asked, “What’s for dinner?”

  “Pot roast and potatoes,” Cole said.

  After dinner, I went to my room. Someone had washed the sheets and pillowcase. I picked up the beautiful, empty box. The touch of cool metal and glass sent waves through me of memories and obligations I swore to fulfill. The room started to fall away around me. The walls and door disintegrated into particles and blew away right before my eyes. I was left stranded on the only part of the floor left in the room. The box was heavy in my hand. I gripped it to my chest as I glanced from left to right and saw only emptiness... until I didn’t. New walls rebuilt themselves around me. They weren’t the ones that had been in my room at Coles. These were white, with pictures of palm trees and sailboats. Where the hell was I? A king sized bed was in the center of the room. I was in a hotel room.

  It wasn’t until I saw Traer pacing back and forth that I knew. I was having a vision of exactly what I needed to see. The Echo Ritual had worked. I tucked away the silent thank you for Inerique. He was in a hotel room. Out of the open balcony door I saw the tops of nearby buildings. A sign on one of them read, “Bank One.” I was deaf to the conversation he was having with the person on the phone. He held the Irizat Luna in his hand. Every few steps he paused and held the relic up to the light. I reached out to take it from him, but my ghost-like hand couldn’t make contact. It went through him. The look on his face was foreign. I hadn’t understood why he was frowning until the audio kicked it.