Shift - 02

by M. R. Merrick

  Anger and sadness tore through my veins. I clenched my jaw, held back the tears, and tried to contain the powers, but they were rising to the surface again.

  “Chase…” Rayna moved towards me, her hand gliding around my body and pulling me against her.

  The smell of fruit wafted through my senses and a warm breath blew against the back of my spine. A calm I recognized, but couldn’t place filled my body. At first I thought it was Rayna’s earth element, but as I looked up at her, I knew it wasn’t. She wasn’t pushing magic into me. She was staring down at me with sadness in her eyes.

  Water dripped down the walls and sparks shot out from some of the outlets where light bulbs had exploded. We both ducked in shock and the building’s alarm sounded.

  My body throbbed with pain, the elements having nearly torn me apart. I grabbed my duffle bag and Rayna wrapped my arm around her, pulling me to my feet.

  We coughed as black smoke filled the condo. I begged for fresh air as we moved to the hallway, but it wasn’t there. It was hazy with smoke, and we followed it to the stairwell through a small group of people.

  We followed the crowd and descended the stairs until we found the first exit. We pushed through the door that opened into an alleyway. The rush of people ran for the front of the building, and Rayna and I broke away from the group, moving in the opposite direction. We coughed and gagged as we were exposed to the clean air, slowing our pace as we neared the end of the alley.

  Cars rushed by on the oncoming street and I dropped to the ground, leaning against the building. I took deep breaths to calm myself, but a storm of emotions still crashed through me. The scent of apples and something more still lingered on the air, and with each breath, the smell grounded me.

  “Chase–”

  “Don’t,” I said. “Don’t tell me everything’s okay.”

  “I wasn’t going to. Everything is far from okay.”

  “What then?” I snapped.

  “I was going to say you’re right. He was wrong to keep that from us.”

  My pulse slowed and my breathing steadied. “You don’t think I was out of line?”

  “You were completely out of line. You tried to hurt Marcus…maybe worse. I’m saying you have a right to be angry, not to destroy our home.”

  I let my head fall back against the brick wall as sirens sounded in the distance.

  “You said something about a spell.”

  “What?”

  “At the cabin. You said you found a spell that could make the ring work.”

  “Oh, now that you're mad at Marcus you want to hear about it?”

  “My first priority was helping you shift. You’ve done that. Next is figuring out how to stop Riley. Marcus forfeited his opportunity to be part of that plan.”

  “Don’t be so hard on him. Give him a chance to explain.”

  “Either you’re in or you’re out. Either way, I’m moving forward without him.”

  Rayna stared blankly at me.

  “Well?”

  She sighed and shook her head. “Well, someone’s got to be there to make sure you don’t blow yourself up.”

  Ambulance, police, and fire trucks all roared up to the building, lights flashing and sirens blaring.

  I unzipped my duffle bag and pulled on a clean shirt. “We need to get out of here.”

  Chapter 24

  Rayna and I ran onto the next street. When we’d gained a few blocks between us and the condo, we slowed our pace.

  “Where are we going?” I asked, as Rayna took a turn down a street I didn’t recognize.

  “The Ouija Board.”

  “The what?”

  “It’s a magic store. We can’t do a spell without supplies or the spell book, can we?”

  “I thought Marcus had it.”

  “No, I only found reference to it in one of his books. Not that it matters. Everything we have is in that condo, which is currently filled with firemen and police. How are we going to explain all that?”

  I kept walking and didn’t respond. I didn’t have an answer for her.

  “I need the actual book to find the spell, and the store closes in an hour so we need to hurry. Unless you have a better idea?”

  “You’re the witch with the plan.”

  The Ouija Board was a new age shop that sat in the corner of a mostly abandoned strip mall. The front door was made entirely of glass and had iron bars across it. A bell clanged against the bars and we pushed through the beads that hung in the entry.

  The smell of incense was thick, but there were too many aromas burning at once to distinguish one from the other. Shelves and candles lined the walls: crystal balls, healing stones, and an entire shelf dedicated to Ouija boards.

  A short lady in her mid to late fifties approached us. She walked in quick, short strides and a small hunch forced her shoulders to slouch. Her hair was frizzy and gray with stripes of white running through it, and the afro-like hair was thick, bobbing as she moved.

  “How can I help you?” She spoke in a shrill, uneven voice. Her green eyes didn’t look at us; instead, they looked everywhere around us, the size of them magnified by huge lenses on black-rimmed glasses.

  “We’re here to pick up a new book and some supplies.” Rayna smiled.

  “Well, over here we have something new that’s very special.” The lady walked over to a small brown chest. The box was open and filled with different types of rocks like quartz, tiger-eye, and amethyst. “These just came in. They’ve already been sunlight charged and they’re ready for whatever incantation or meditation you might need.” The lady smiled, her thick lenses making her eyes cross as she tried to focus on us. “The books that go with them are just on the shelf below, dear.”

  I rolled my eyes and Rayna elbowed me. “Debbie, it’s Rayna. We’re here for an actual spell book and I need some very specific material.”

  “Rayna!” The piercing voice made me wince. “Why didn’t you say so?” Debbie locked the front door and led us through the store, passing row upon row of cheap trinkets. “Where have you been, my girl? It’s been ages since you’ve been in these parts.”

  “Life’s been busy.”

  “Oh, tell me about it.” She moved past the Employees Only sign and through another beaded doorway, walking down a narrow, unfinished hallway. She stopped in front of a small white door and smiled. She pulled off her glasses and a wave of magic fell over us. With a snap of her fingers, Debbie changed.

  Frazzled gray hair turned into long, thick chocolate locks. Her aged skin smoothed itself and her hunch straightened, making her inches taller. Small and wrinkled hands faded, and a more youthful counterpart appeared with long fingernails painted a shiny red. Her untamed eyebrows thinned into finely manicured arches above almond shaped eyes. She was pretty, and appeared now to be only in her early thirties.

  “Goddess, it feels good to be free. Let me tell you–nowadays, I get more mundane coming here looking for something supernatural, than I do real witches. What is the world coming to?” The shrill voice was gone, replaced by one that was smooth and even. She pushed the small door open and walked through.

  I had to duck to avoid hitting my head on the frame, but the door led into a large room filled with shelves. On one side, there were jars filled with animals and pieces of strange creatures, more crystal balls, and colorful jars full of powder and liquid. Across the room were book-lined shelves filled with aged, creased spines, and the room smelled of old pages. Weapons, cloaks, and armor were closed off in a thick steel cage.

  Debbie walked behind a long glass counter and waved her hands over the transparent case, filled with wands, stone ruins, and tarot cards. “Do you have anything specific in mind?”

  “I do. I need The Eleventh Dimension.”

  Debbie laughed and stared at us a moment. “Oh, you’re serious?”

  “Yes. I was told you had a copy. Is it still here?”

  Debbie’s eyes flickered back and forth between us. “Are you sure you want that one? It
's a rare and very expensive book. I usually don't sell those types to begin with, and when I have them, I reserve those for the more…experienced witches.”

  “It's not for me. I'm picking it up for Marcus. You know…research stuff.”

  Debbie idly tapped her nails against the glass counter. “Marcus isn’t a witch, dear. He may be able to do a trick or two, but this book requires a real witch’s power.”

  “Like I said, it’s for research.”

  After a long moment, Debbie sighed and disappeared through an opening behind the counter. She came back with a large, dusty brown book. It had a thick, leather bound cover, and its spine was wrinkled with creases. The leather on the front had a few small tears, and a single black strap bound it closed with a brass latch.

  “I have to warn you; the spells inside here are very advanced. Research or not, you’re not ready for this caliber of magic.”

  “Thank you for your concern, Debbie, but we’ll be fine.”

  Debbie tapped her nails over the book once more and nodded. “If you’re sure. Anything else?”

  “I need one tongue of giraffe, three boar claws, a leaf from a Titan Arum plant, one powdered bat wing, and a cup of cinnamon.”

  “Cinnamon?” I asked.

  “Hush,” Rayna replied.

  “Quite the grocery list,” Debbie said. “What’s on your agenda?”

  “Uh-uh. You know better.”

  “Can’t blame a gal for trying.” Debbie moved back and forth behind the counter. She returned with a large straw bag and tied it closed with a strand of black ribbon.

  “This one’s not going to be cheap. The Titan Arum alone is well over two hundred.”

  “Just put it on our account.”

  “If you say so, but please be careful.”

  “Promise.”

  We walked towards the small door again when Debbie called out. “Just use the back door, hun. I can’t go back out there. If I sell another Ouija board to a lady having a mid-life crisis, I’m going to curse someone.”

  Rayna guided me to the far end of the shop to a steel door. It had been painted red, but flakes of rust and chipped paint covered it. We slipped out the door and into an alleyway behind the shop.

  “Are you sure you can handle this?” I asked.

  “Don’t start. We just need to make one more stop at Revelations.”

  “Why there?”

  “Debbie wasn’t kidding. These spells take a lot of power. I need another person to draw energy from for this to work.”

  “I told you; I'm not working with that blood sucker again.”

  Rayna rolled her eyes. “I was thinking more along the lines of Tiki.”

  ********

  The club was packed as we sifted through the crowd, but we couldn’t find Tiki. Instead, we found everyone in the club eyeing us suspiciously. It wasn't uncommon for me to get unfriendly looks, but it seemed like everyone was staring.

  After the third Underworlder rammed their shoulder into me, I was happier than ever to see Willy, even if he was surrounded by a half dozen werewolves. One was Jax, and the other I’d learned was Jason. He was the ring leader I'd stopped from picking on Willy, but I didn’t recognize any of the others.

  As we approached the pack, I realized being a werewolf hadn’t improved Willy’s ability to dress himself. An unbuttoned blue flannel shirt had its front pocket hanging by a thread, and the faded red t-shirt beneath it had been washed so many times it was almost pink. His gray cords had been bleached, with splotches of creams and whites decorating them, and both pant legs were frayed at the bottom.

  When we neared their table, the pack all turned at once. They rose from their seats and sniffed the air, low growls rumbling past their lips. I reacted and pulled at my elements, but I’d forgotten where we were. Revelations was enchanted with spells, preventing violence and magic. The moment my magic sparked, a shockwave blasted through my core. I stumbled and winced from the energy, catching myself on an empty stool. I took a breath to compose myself and continued forward.

  “What are you gu–, guys doing here?” Willy met us halfway and sounded panicked.

  “What, is this a werewolves only bar now?” I asked.

  Willy glanced over his shoulder at the glaring pack. “That’s no–, not what I meant. Please don’t cause anymore trou–, trouble for me.”

  “We’re not here to cause trouble; we’re looking for Tiki.”

  “He le–, left about an hour ago.”

  “Damn,” I said.

  “He probably went back to what’s left of the condo. I guess we’ll check there first.” Rayna added.

  “What’s left of the condo?”

  “Don’t worry about it. Have a good night with your pals,” I said, making my way back towards the door.

  “Bye…” Willy's voice trailed off.

  I turned around and saw the sad look on Willy’s face. I stopped and tried to give him a reassuring smile. “You could always come with us…if you want. We could really use you right now.”

  “I…” he turned to look at the pack, watching his every move.

  “Can't. Right. I get it. I’ll see you later then.” I turned back around to find Vincent’s golden eyes looking up at me, and a chill ran through my body.

  “I’m not in the mood tonight.”

  “Now is that any way to greet a friend?”

  “You’re not my friend. Now move.”

  “Chase, relax,” Rayna warned.

  “I simply came to say hello and deliver a friendly piece of advice.” Vincent’s seductive smirk turned into a creepy smile.

  “If you came over here just to threaten me, I promise you, it’ll be your last.”

  Vincent released a warm and deep laugh. “Please, Mr. Williams, when I make a threat you’ll know it.” He let the smile play over his pink lips as he stared up at me.

  “Then what do you want?”

  Vincent placed a single hand on my shoulder, leaned in, and pushed his mouth up next to my ear. I tried to pull away, but his grip tightened, pulling me against him. The smell of blood and death was thick on his breath. “The Underworld knows your secret. This may be the last chance you have to accept my offer,” he whispered.

  Anger thrust through me and I grabbed Vincent by the collar. The moment I touched him, the shock tore into my body again. I grunted through gritted teeth and released him uncontrollably. I made a fist and winced as the last of it left my body.

  “You’re lucky we’re in here right now.”

  “That anger is an inconvenience, Mr. Williams. You should try and control yourself better.”

  I clenched my fists and turned as the giant bouncer stepped up beside me. He glared down at me with empty black eyes. “That’s twice. It happens a third time tonight and you get a lifetime ban. I think you should leave before you lose your last chance.”

  I turned back and Vincent was gone. He was back across the room in his regular booth. He let his fangs drop from his gums and flashed me an arrogant smile.

  “Let’s just go.” Rayna ushered me forward.

  I tore my eyes away from Vincent and glared up at the bouncer. He followed behind me as I moved for the exit, handing over our weapons as we walked outside. He slammed the steel door and I ran up the stairs into the alley.

  “I can’t wait until the day I get to kill him,” I said, kicking loose gravel down the alley. The night was in full bloom and shadows littered the streets, the red and blue light of Revelation’s signs flickering behind us.

  “What did he say?”

  “He said the Underworld knows about the ring, and this was my last chance to accept his offer.”

  “He’s just being Vincent, trying to get under your skin.”

  “Well, he succeeded.”

  “Don’t worry about him. Besides, how would the Underworld even find out?”

  “I wouldn’t put it past him to tell them all.”

  I jumped as the metal door behind us opened and music pounded into the alley
. I turned, but didn’t see anyone come out. The door slammed shut, cutting the music off again and leaving goose bumps riding up my arms.

  “It’s getting late. Let’s go home for the night. If Tiki’s not there, we’ll find him tomorrow.”

  “Forget it. I’m not going back there. Not if Marcus will be there.”

  “First of all, it’s his house. Second, he said he wasn’t sure if he’d be back tonight or sometime tomorrow. And third, don’t be so childish. Yes, Marcus may have made a mistake, but are you so perfect?”

  “May have? He did make a mistake. A big one. And this is different.”

  “How is this different? He made an oath to your mom. You of all people know how important that is to him, and you should respect that.”

  “Whatever. You can go on without me.” I walked down the alley and onto the street.

  “Don’t walk away from me, Chase!”

  I turned around and faced Rayna as she came up behind me.

  “What do you want me to do?”

  “I want you to come home.”

  “What home? I don’t have a home.”

  “Yes, you do. You know that.”

  I sighed and looked away from her. The condo wasn’t my home. It was a vacation. A temporary leave from wherever I was supposed to be.

  “Where else are you going to go?”

  “I don’t–” The shuffling of footsteps cut me off. Brock stepped out of the shadows with a few hunters I didn’t recognize following behind him. His bright red hair was freshly trimmed into a square buzz cut, making the green of his eyes stand out. A single scar covered his left eye and ran down his freckled cheek, scrunching as he smirked.

  “Long time, no see, brother,” he said. His muscles bulged and his shirt was so tight it barely covered the belt holding up his pants.