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

by Margo Bond Collins

  “Even if they do come after me, I have at least a day head start on them. Besides, I can have this thing to you by tomorrow night.”

  I couldn’t hear what was being said on the other end of the line. Traer tossed the relic into the air. My heart slammed against my chest in fear of it falling and smashing on the floor. It slapped in his palm.

  “I’ll leave at first light.” He looked at his watch. “I should be in Rapture by eight.”

  My room at Cole’s materialized around me.

  The decision came as fierce and fast as it was final.

  Choices

  Plamen would never forgive me.

  My decision to leave without notice would crush his respect for me this time. If I didn’t expect at least that, then I was a complete idiot. A leader could only fuck up so many times before there was mutiny. This, would be that final time. Tsura came to mind. Her sleek style, hard body, and precision fast reflexes would be something I would miss out on working with; let alone watching her use her magic.

  I packed a few things in my backpack: a couple of days’ worth of clothes, toothbrush and paste, Chapstick or three, and something to write on and write with. I shoved the stones into the front of my jeans pocket. The small, thin dagger-like Kyanite poked my upper thigh and I had to readjust it. The crystals were cursed. But, somewhere in my sub-conscious I remembered vital information. Returning them to the one who placed the curse was the worst kind of curse. It was called the mirror effect. The curse would be stronger by tenfold, and reversed. Now that I was certain who put the hexes on the stones, it made perfect sense.

  The last thing I packed was the relic’s empty box. Not bothering with my makeup bag, I tucked it between clothes. I announced I was taking a shower. This trip would either make a fool out of me, a stupid hero, or be the death of me. None of them sounded pleasing. But, if it weren’t for me, the Irizat Luna would still be under our protection. I was the only one I would allow to risk my life to make up for what I had done.

  The hot stream of the water ran through my hair and down my back. I gathered a handful of dreads and poured shampoo on them, lathered, and rinsed. After running the razor over legs and underarms, I washed, rinsed, and got out. Since my weakened condition the last few days, no one would argue with me going to bed early. I also told them I would try to get in touch with my gift and contact Inerique. They were all lies and they ripped my soul in half.

  I changed into jeans and a shirt. The towel was drenched by the time I was done drying my hair. Even though my dreads were thin, they still held a ton of water. I looked at my cell phone. The charge was at eighty percent. I would like to have seen one hundred. But, eighty would be enough to get me to where Traer was. I brought up the internet app and searched for “Bank One” locations. There were three locally. But, I didn’t think Traer would stay so close to us. Trying to get inside his head wasn’t easy, but I put myself in his place. I’d want to get as far away from the Protectors as possible. If he went back on foot, where had his car been parked? It had to be on the same road Tsura had come in on. I searched for more locations of the bank north of here. There was a picture of one that looked similar to the one in my vision, not a small one-story branch, but possibly their headquarters. It was seven and a half hours from Cole’s.

  The time on my phone read nine thirty-three. I had to leave as soon as possible so I could find Traer and get the relic before he had a chance to leave the hotel. If he reached Lajaria before I got it back, the chances of ever saving the Irizat Luna were almost impossible. I still didn’t know what hotel he was in. But, if I could find the bank building, then position myself how I was standing in my vision, looking out the balcony toward the bank, I figured I’d have a pretty good shot at figuring out where he was staying.

  My underarms felt sticky. I was getting nervous and I hated the feeling. An hour later, instead of the chatter from the TV, I heard shuffling and muffled talking. The most difficult part of the plan was stealing Cole’s car keys. I had no idea where he kept them. The mudroom had hooks, and that’s where he kept the key to the basement. I’d check there first.

  I let another half-hour pass before I crept out of my room and down the hall. My footfalls were light as I made my way through the kitchen and into the small room beyond it. The hooks on the wall by the back door held several sets of keys. I fingered through them until I found one that read Chevy. I hadn’t seen Cole’s truck, only a covered vehicle parked in the open pole barn with other equipment. The fifty yards or so dividing the pole barn from the house would be of benefit when I started the truck and eased down his long drive toward the main road.

  Footsteps sounded behind me. I froze. The door to the refrigerator opened. Light spilled into the kitchen, away from me. I inched closer to the wall and darkness. There was the sound of liquid splashing into a glass and then a container being set back on the shelf. The door closed and extinguished the light. Gulping and swallowing noises filled the silence. Then, the glass was set in the sink and the footsteps retreated to where they had come. I bent at the waist and breathed. My butt hit a broom or mop and it slid down the wall. I caught it before it crashed to the floor. Without breathing, I waited for the person to return. When they didn’t, I propped the metal pole in the corner. My nerves calmed and I went back to the selection of keys. I eased the set with the Chevy key off the hook.

  I made it back to my room without incident. What was I doing? Did I really think—was I even thinking clearly? Whatever had hit my head had made me crazy. Had I even thought all of this through? No. What I could and should do was very different and opposite from the plan churning in my head. Yeah, I could fight and hold my own, but could I take down Lajaria by myself, if it came to that? Another, no. Where was my fuck’em-I-got-this attitude? Had that, too, been stolen from me along with the relic?

  I told myself to shut up. I was over-thinking the entire plan. There were only three things I needed to concentrate on: sneaking out unnoticed, finding Traer, and getting back the Irizat Luna. Relaxing enough to focus on only those things, I felt better about what I needed to do. There wasn’t another way that I could live with.

  No goodbye note, no apology letter, I left nothing for anyone to be able to track me. I picked up my backpack and boots, and needed only thirty seconds to get down the hall, slide my boots on, and leave. I took a deep enough breath to last me until I got outside. I opened the door and stepped into the hallway. With long strides and determination I made it to the mudroom. I slid on my boots and opened the door just wide enough for me to fit through. The creak was minimal as I closed it behind me.

  I paused by the red sports car. I pulled out one of my knives and slashed two of Tsura’s tires. I hated to do it, but I couldn’t take the chance they would come after me. Which there was no doubt in my mind they would try.

  Then, I ran to the Chevy, tore off the cover, and prayed the key in my hand started the engine. I opened the door, jumped up in the cab, slid in the key and turned. The motor roared to life. I put the truck in gear and stepped on the gas. It was difficult to find the drive without the lights on, but I didn’t want to take the chance of anyone seeing them. The gravel and rocks crunched under the weight of the truck and I knew I was on the dirt road that led to the main one. The drive was narrow and very dark. When I thought I was far enough away from the house, I turned on the lights and pressed harder on the gas. A steep incline was directly in front of me—there was nowhere to go except for up, until I saw the main road. The front tires were on it before I realized. It was as dark as Cole’s drive; and it was unpaved. I made a right and breathed a little easier that I had made it this far without being detected.

  I knew I was going in the right direction when I saw a traffic light about a mile ahead. I came to a stop at the light. Not another car was in sight. I looked at the map on my phone and made a right. I looked to see what my next turn would be. I’d reach the highway in thirty minutes, then head north. My phone vibrated. Plamen. I threw it on the passenger se
at and ignored the call.

  “Dammit!” I slammed my palm on the steering wheel. I had hoped to get a few hours away before anyone noticed I was gone.

  My phone became a constant rant of vibrations and dings. I wanted to turn it off, but I needed the directions to the bank.

  I turned the radio up to drown out the irritating noises. Ignoring Plamen ate at my insides like acid. I had deserted my Protectors. Right now, I wasn’t their leader, I was on a suicide mission.

  The drive was long. I had stopped for gas twice and grabbed a few snacks at the gas stations to get me by. The night seemed to never end. It had been seven hours. If the calculations and directions on my phone were right, then I should be in the area in about a half hour. I glanced at my phone. Twenty-seven missed calls from various numbers, fifty-six texts from the same numbers, and twelve voicemails. I deleted all of them.

  The exit where I needed to get off was next. My heart pumped wild blood through my veins. This was it. Bank, Traer, relic. I repeated those three words over and over. The bank was in a cluster of buildings in the center of the city. Its lettering was on all four sides of the glass structure. I cursed as I drove around the block and looked up at each side to see if anything stood out from the vision. Nothing. The streets were starting to get busy with the onslaught of morning rush hour. I headed away from the bank on a street leading toward what I hoped would be a hotel. When I glanced in the review mirror, I noticed antennas on top of the “Bank One.” I pulled into an empty parking lot and parked. Conjuring up my vision of Traer, I focused on the bank. Red lights blinked at the top of two high antennas on the left side. I got out of the truck and went to the street and looked back at the building. The antennas were on the right side. Jumping back in the truck I raced toward the street, hung a right, then a left, until I was facing the opposite side, the correct side of the building. I drove away from the building on Linton Street. There was a hotel on the left and right side. But, the one on the left was in direct line with the bank building. It had to be where Traer was staying. If he hadn’t checked out yet. I pulled in. Ignoring the valet, I scanned the cars. I had no idea what he drove. The only car I remember being odd, was the black sedan parked next to the Jeep at the motel where I had first seen Traer.

  Cars were lined in parking spaces along the front and sides. Black sedans were more popular than I would have liked. A ways down, I saw a black sedan that had been backed in. In the corner of the windshield was a sticker with a barcode. I didn’t know if that sticker was popular or what it meant, but I had only seen one other like it at the motel.

  I put the Chevy in park and stepped down from the driver’s seat. The death bird’s feather had become a reminder of what we were fighting for. Now, it was a warning. I pulled the feather from the bead in my hair and gently placed it under the wiper blade of the black sedan.

  Truths

  I waited in the shadows of the nearby parking garage and watched the black car. It was almost eight in the morning when I saw Traer. He wasn’t the only hunter. His hair was slicked back and he was clean-shaven. He wore jeans with a V-neck shirt and a jacket. He never was half bad looking, and cleaned up like this he looked even better. I kicked myself in the ass for even thinking such a thing. He was the fucking enemy. He was the one I abandoned my Protectors for. Traer paused when he saw the feather tucked under the blade. He glanced around. Then, pulled the feather out and threw it on the ground.

  I hoisted my backpack onto my shoulder, opened the door of the truck, and got out. Cole would have my ass for leaving his truck in the middle of some parking garage in some city I wasn’t sure the name of. But I didn’t have a choice. My rubber soled boots were quiet on the asphalt as I approached his car. He was putting his bag in the trunk. I picked up the feather and stood just out of sight on the other side of the raised trunk.

  When he slammed it shut and saw me, the look on his face was one I wish I could have had a picture of to show Plamen.

  “You dropped something.” I handed the feather to him. He didn’t take it.

  It took him a minute to shift from shock to his cocky attitude. When he did, he gave one hundred and fifty percent worth. “Hello, Jeta. I wasn’t sure you were going to recover from your concussion or whatever happened?”

  “I think you know exactly what happened. But, I didn’t come for a confession.” I shifted my backpack away from my knife on my hip. “I know it’s hard for you, but try for a moment, not to be an asshole.” His eyebrows shot up in surprise. I didn’t let him say anything. “Why don’t you make this easy for both of us and give me back the relic?”

  “You know I can’t do that.”

  “Oh, I’m sure you can, and you will.”

  “See, Jeta, that’s where you’re wrong. I really can’t. I promised it to somebody else. And, to tell you the truth, she’s a little bit scarier than you are.” He held up his hand with his finger over his thumb. “And she’s paying a hell of a lot more money.”

  “Do you think of anything other than yourself, or money?”

  He acted like he needed to think on the question. “No, not usually, no I don’t. See, I was an only child—”

  “I don’t care.” I slid my knife out of the sheath. “Traer, you will give me back the relic, or you will have a companion on your trip to see Lajaria.”

  “Yeah, see, that’s not going to happen either.” He glanced down at my knife. “You bitches with those blades need to calm down a little bit. Fucking hormone overload.”

  “Blades and hormones have nothing in common. But, blades and protecting the relic have everything in common.” Without causing a scene, I needed to get into the car with him. Taking him down in the parking lot wouldn’t be a wise idea. I came as close as we had been in the hallway at Cole’s. I tipped the knife up to the front of his pants. His breath hitched in his throat. He was wide-eyed as he stared at me in disbelief. “You and me are going for a ride, do you understand?” I slipped the blade from his belt loops down to the bottom of his zipper, possibly nicking his very important part. I didn’t care one way or the other; I just needed to prove my point.

  When he said, “Get in.” I knew I had proven my point. I did. When we were both in the car, I hadn’t anticipated his speed. He had a gun pointed at my temple in a nano-second. “Give me your knives,” he demanded, with a slick smile. I slid my knives out, tempted to slice his throat, but I didn’t know where the Irizat Luna was. And, I needed him for that. I handed him the knives.

  I asked, “Where are we meeting her?” He ignored me. “Let me guess, a little place called Rapture.” His head spun to me. He looked at me in disbelief that I knew of such a place. “I know of it quite well. Rapture is where all the magic happens.”

  For hours we drove. Every so often, I would glance at him trying to detect where he had the Irizat Luna. It was so small, he could’ve hidden it anywhere. For fear of breaking the irreplaceable vial, I kept my hands to myself. We went through a fast food drive-thru and we stopped to get gas once. I had to go to the bathroom, but I didn’t dare, for fear of Traer leaving me on the side of the road, or at a truck stop. And, I had no doubt he would. We had one more hour to go before we reached Rapture. The conversation was minimal. When we did talk, the conversation was filled with jibes and sarcasm. He threw his charm in here and there. Especially when he asked me if I dated anyone, if I’d ever been married, and wanted children. I answered his questions with vague answers, and sometimes I lied to keep it interesting. “Oh, yes, I do date. Going to the gun range, maybe a concert, a knife show, or picking strawberries. Children, of course, four please with a cherry on top.” I even gave him names for each of them. He knew I was lying when I answered that question. I think he came to the conclusion I wasn’t mother material.

  Then, he asked me about magic. The car was silent for a while after he said the one word “magic.” And, that was all it took. I could talk about magic all day long with any stranger, or any asshole, apparently. He wanted to know more about the Irizat Luna, an
d the story I told at the fire the other night. God, that night seemed like forever ago. Plamen had been right about one thing, Traer was interested in the story; it just hadn’t been enough to keep them from stealing the relic and selling it to our enemy.

  I had questions of my own. I turned in my seat to watch how he answered them. “Do you know what she wants the relic for?”

  He shook his head. “No, and I really don’t care.”

  “You should!” I sat back in my seat frustrated.

  “But that’s the thing, I don’t give a shit. If I cared about any of the relics I’d have a horde of them. And, I prefer to horde money. Some prefer power and magic, mine is simply the evil dollar.”

  “How much money do you actually need? You drive a shit car that looks like a rental. Which by the way, is easy as hell to find—”

  He cut me off. “By the way, how did you find it—me?”

  I glanced at him and gave him one of my own sly looks. “You’re not the only hunter.”

  He glared at me. Then he asked more seriously, “Really, though, how did you find me? And, where are the rest of you?”

  The second question stopped the beating of my heart for a brief moment. I ignored it and the pain it caused. “Actually, it wasn’t as difficult as I thought. I had a vision of you.”

  “A vision?”

  “Yes, that’s my gift. It hasn’t developed for years, because apparently I haven’t needed it.” I blew out a breath. “I speak to the dead. Actually, only one woman. She guides me on how to keep the relic safe.”