by Martha Carr
“That’s sad. Can’t even look bored, much less menacing. I’m surprised you people can get laid low so easily.”
“You people? We’ve already started with the you people? That’s got to be racist, somehow. And I’m your people. Well, mostly.”
“Try taking that one to IA. I insulted the people who live at the end of rainbows. Green stars, pink hearts,” he said, doing a bad imitation of an Irish accent. “Blue moons.”
“I think it’s yellow moons. Who ever heard of a green star,” Leira said, blowing on the coffee. The steam felt good on her face.
“Uh huh. See who they decide to help.” He did air quotes when he said ‘help’, annoying Leira more.
“That’s exactly why I’m not trying to magic my way out of this. If I got caught it won’t end like a Disney movie.”
“I don’t know. It might. Seven dwarves. A witch out to get you.”
Leira sipped the coffee. “This is not department issue coffee. It doesn’t taste like burned leaves and it’s not plastering the inside of my throat.”
Hagan put his hand back up to the side of his mouth and whispered, “It’s my private stash. Don’t tell anyone.”
“For such a great detective…”
“Thank you,” he said, taking a bow.
“You’re not very good at being subtle with your own secrets.”
“Hey, no one’s found my stash yet.”
“Point taken.”
“Hagan, Berens, you’ve caught a case.” Captain Napora was standing in his doorway holding a file.
“Uh oh, this can’t be good. The Captain is handing out cases.” Hagan scratched the top of his head.
“Any day now,” said the Captain.
Hagan gave a half-hearted smile. “Right away, sir.”
“Someone important is dead.” Leira stood up slowly and took another large swallow of coffee.
“Or somebody died in a particularly inventive way.”
She put the mug down and followed Hagan across the room. The Captain handed Hagan the file, a grim look on his face.
“String of robberies with no suspects and until today, no real injuries to speak of. Today, a guard inside a jewelry store was fatally wounded. Gun shot. You’re going to help Thomas and Leakes in Robbery. This could use a fresh set of eyes. The basics are that a gang of three have been holding up high-end retailers in the more rural parts of Travis County where there aren’t as many witnesses or traffic.”
“So, not the Domain. I can never find a parking place there. I have to haunt someone with my car and follow them slowly back to where they parked,” Hagan said.
“They wear ski masks and say very little, preferring to let their guns speak for them. Very smooth. This isn’t even the first time a guard has tried to shoot it out with them. But every other time they were able to disarm the guard. No muss, no fuss. This time something went haywire. The guard got off a shot and may have winged one of them. One of the others reacted and shot the guard dead. They fled immediately and managed to leave no prints. Not even a drop of blood.”
Hagan glanced at Leira but she kept her eyes on the Captain. She knew what Hagan was thinking. Magic. Can’t be true.
“What kind of description did the witnesses give?” Leira took the file from Hagan and looked over the details. “It says there are ten robberies. That’s a lot. These descriptions are pretty vague. Medium height, medium build. No real accent. Some witnesses say they’re white and others swear they’re black.”
“Yeah, go figure. A crew of three finally figured out how to blend into the background in ski masks. They have the footage from the stores’ cameras and sure enough, average height, average build. Hard to say much else.” The Captain put his hands on his hips and smiled grimly. “I look forward to meeting these geniuses.”
“Understood,” said Hagan. “Come on Berens. Let’s see what we can dig up to assist our colleagues.”
The Captain went back into his office, shutting the door as Hagan and Berens walked away.
“Don’t say anything. Not in here.” Leira grabbed her leather jacket.
“I’m driving.”
“Not today.” Leira walked ahead of Hagan toward the door, the file under her arm. Hagan started to say something but Leira cut him off. “Not one word.”
***
“We go talk to the witnesses in the last robbery. It’s the best place to start.” Leira turned onto Ben White Boulevard.
“Maybe your funny friend can conveniently stop by,” Hagan suggested, waggling his fingers.
“That’s not how anyone does a spell, ever. Put your hands down. You are a decorated detective,” she said sternly.
“What? Did I embarrass you within the confines of the car? Nobody’s watching us, are they?” Hagan turned around and shouted into the back of the car, “Hey, if you are listening, meet us at the Rollins Jewelry store on Ben White near the Trader Joe’s. Can’t miss it. Big sign with a diamond on it.”
“It’s like you think there are tiny little elves hiding down there.”
“After everything I’ve seen lately that’s not so hard to believe. Besides, elves are often shown as very small. That had to come from somewhere, right?”
“Yeah, an ad exec who wanted to keep his job. Focus, Hagan. If you still didn’t believe in magic what would you see?”
“A very professional crew. Maybe former mercenaries. Disciplined. But…”
“No buts. We don’t start seeing magic everywhere. We didn’t wonder what weird shit was happening two weeks ago. No need to start doing that now.”
A traffic light was out near the highway on-ramp. Leira ran the siren for a few seconds, making it easier to cross over the intersection.
“You gonna call that in?” asked Hagan, already pulling out his cell phone.
“We already have an assignment. Go ahead, you call 311 and be the good citizen.”
“You can text it in. Much easier. Fine, have it your way. Not magic. I’m not convinced… hang on. These fat fingers, can’t talk and type.”
“The fact that they responded to gunfire with gunfire suggests ordinary humans who took a lot of precautions trying to make the robberies as smooth as possible.”
Hagan leafed through the folder. “They also seem to have figured out what days each store has the most cash on hand. Inside man?”
“Would have to be.”
“Hey, we’ve been partners for a while. We’re even friends, maybe family, right?”
Leira pulled into the parking lot of the strip mall. The jewelry store was tucked into a corner on the far left side next to a store that sold different flavors of olive oil.
“Go on,” she said, eyeing Hagan suspiciously.
“Well, I get the whole, I can’t do anything that will draw suspicion, but what about something no one will notice? Okay, not work related. How about a robotic lawnmower for your old pal? Hear me out!”
Leira was shaking her head and rolling her eyes as she turned off the engine. “Why robotic? Wouldn’t I just make a normal lawnmower do all the work? Skip the robotic part.”
“That works!”
“Not doing it.” Leira got out of the car, still shaking her head. “Besides, that’s probably the only kind of exercise you get.”
“Harassing me about my weight or my exercise is part of my marriage vows, reserved solely for Rose’s pleasure.”
Leira smiled. “Sorry, my bad.”
Hagan stopped on the sidewalk in front of the Starbucks. “Coffee first?”
“Always.”
“After you.” He held the door open, still talking as Leira did her best to ignore him.
“It would be like a dream come true. Sit on my ass from the comfort of my lounger right by the big window in the back and watch that sucker fly! Hey, that’s a good idea too.”
“In what world would a flying lawnmower be a good idea?” Leira moved up in the line with Hagan close behind her. “Two ventis, one with a shot of foam.”
“I could
see it,” said the cashier.
“See, he gets it,” said Hagan. Leira raised an eyebrow at the young man and slid her card to pay for the coffee. An older woman slid two coffees in front of them. “The one on the left has the foam,” she said.
Leira took her cup and headed for the door. “Yeah, and the same guy thought piercing his nose was a good idea.”
“Yeah, I saw that. Do girls like that kind of thing?”
“Not this one.”
“What if it was just every other mow?”
“What if you just paid someone to do it for you? Mmmm, coffee.”
“Rose handles the finances. She already said no. Much the same arguments, plus we’re saving for a trip to Hawaii.”
Leira stopped in front of the jewelry store. “Look, you realize this is all deadly serious, right? I have to be careful. People disappear forever for less. My mother, for one.” She winced when she said those words.
“Hey, kid…”
“It’s okay. We’re going to get her out. The funny fellow, whose name is Correk by the way, Bert if you’re around the crowd at Estelle’s.”
“What…”
“I panicked. Gave him another name so I wouldn’t have to explain. He has that same high forehead like the Muppet? There’s a steep adjustment curve with all this. Fuck! How did we get here?”
“From the looks of things, you were always here,” he said. “Now, you have answers, maybe more.”
“Other thing is, I don’t know enough about what I can do or how to do it. I can’t be sure of unforeseen consequences. What if the lawnmower kept going down the street and ran over someone?”
Hagan recoiled, squeezing one eye shut, trying not to picture what that would look like. “That would take a lot of explaining. Fine, I’ll stick to my riding lawnmower.”
“Riding? You were bitching about a riding lawnmower?”
“Hey, that still takes effort! Come on, let’s get in here. Figure out what our average but clever felons have been doing and catch these sons of bitches.”
***
A small group stood in a circle on the top of Shiprock, a rocky outcropping over fifteen hundred feet high situated all by itself in the open desert of San Juan County, New Mexico. The ground was considered sacred by the local Navajo and never open to the general public, but there was nothing general about this gathering.
It was a mixed lot of magical beings whose ancestors came from Oriceran thousands of years ago and stayed, mating with the local population of humans. Two were rogue witches who were briefly part of the Silver Griffins, a few more were half Light or Wood Elf but could pass for locals on Earth, and some were from the Crystal tribe, but without the magic from Oriceran had reverted from being covered in crystals to a more human appearance. Still, they preferred the coldest climates on Earth and the heat of New Mexico was making them surly.
A few were even said to have Atlantean blood in them from the only magical tribe that originated on Earth. They never tired of pointing that out. They came from different parts of the globe to pool the recesses of the magic they had stored in different relics and artifacts.
Even though they were all very different, they had one thing in common. They believed in the rise of Rhazdon and that his magic would unite the magical community again. And this time, they would win.
They were gathered on the top of a large kemana, holding hands around every artifact they had saved in their closets and attics, pulling them out of old boxes and drawers, waiting for a day like this.
The vibrations from the explosion in Chicago were felt as far away as Missouri and every magical being inside of the radius took note. Most brushed it off and went on about their day. These things happened and the Silver Griffins would get to the bottom of it. There was a proper and orderly system. Best to not get involved.
But there were others who had met in secret for generations who longed for a different ending. A rebirth of Rhazdon’s movement and the purity of magic and the right beings to follow his teachings.
Recently, rumors were flying around their circles at dinner tables and card games and standing by the soccer fields at children’s games, that there was a new high priest rising up to take Rhazdon’s place. He believed everything Rhazdon had taught and even was said to have skill at dark magic.
A twisted hope sprang up, weaving itself through groups spread out over the Earth, bringing them together in ever closer circles. Then the explosion happened and those closest to it knew it was all true
An artifact from Oriceran that carried great powers, both light and dark, was brought to Chicago. The most powerful kind of artifact that could be used for something magnificent and dangerous.
They wanted to open a gate, between the two worlds centuries early. It would stay open, but be hidden from everyone but their own kind. Those who believed in the teachings of Rhazdon.
This time it would be possible to find their new leader, this high priest, and join forces. A new darkness would begin and this time, on both worlds.
They joined hands around the pile of artifacts and relics that were purposefully arranged so that the energy would continue to combine and connect outward toward the circle.
Each hand grasped the one next to it, and the energy began to flow faster around the circle, building in intensity, flooding the members of the new cult. Their faces glowed, first pale gold, building to a dark royal purple. A feeling of bliss came over them, a few even giggled, unable to contain themselves.
But everyone held even tighter, determined not to break the ring of energy. Slowly, small embers appeared around the pile, racing around it in the sand. A blue light expanded upward, throwing off a hot wind powerful enough to knock someone off the rock formation if they got too close.
The heat intensified as the artifacts and relics were picked up by the wind, swirling into the blue haze, melting into pure energy. Rivulets of glowing, metallic blue liquid flowed out toward each member of the circle, seeking them out. A young half elf cried out, trying to pull her hands away and run but the others held on tighter. The energy seeped into their feet, crawling through their veins and settling into their bones.
A vision appeared in each of their minds. The same vision.
“The necklace is in Chicago,” said the young elf, wonder in her voice. She could feel the surge of power. The blue fire subsided, gradually disappearing back into the ground. The artifacts and relics were gone and in their place the rock beneath their feet was cold to the touch, scattered with small crystals littering the ground. Everyone in the circle let go at the same moment and went to fill their pockets with the crystals. Small pieces of energy they could use later that worked like an energy balm. The user only needed to be magical and hold it tightly in their hands for a burst of temporary energy, enough to pull off one good spell.
“We should get going,” said an older male Light Elf. His face was aglow with a blue inner light, much like everyone else. A younger Light Elf stared at him in wonder. “The glow wears off in a few hours,” he said. “The energy will too after a few days. There isn’t a lot of time. We’ll need to gather together again and hit the road.”
“Not everyone,” said a half-Crystal man. “We should ring the city with followers. That way if the Order manages to escape with the necklace, there will be others waiting to stop them. Besides, it will be easier for us to slip through unnoticed by the humans if we don’t march in there like a brigade.”
“Then we have a plan.”
“And a mission.” The Light Elf’s eyes glowed blue and he smiled as he looked out over the dark vista.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“Thank God! A day off!”
“Why does this feel like the first day of school?” Leira was driving the green Mustang toward Lavender Rock. “You didn’t need to bring snacks this time. Twenty miles doesn’t count as a road trip.”
She looked over at him, happily using a Twizzler as a straw in a Dr. Pepper.
“That can’t be good.”
&nbs
p; “I imagine just as good for you as all of that coffee you’re constantly drinking.” He slurped the bottom of the can.
“Coffee is a national treasure.”
“Mine!” chirped the troll, sitting on Correk’s leg. Its little hands reached out, tiny claws digging into the Twizzler. Correk let him drag it away. He looked up in time to see Leira glare.
“I’m not fighting a troll over a licorice stick. I have my limits,” he said.
“I was beginning to wonder.”
“Besides, I bought the big box at Costco. I have hundreds left.”
“You keep this up you’re going to need a bigger portal to get back home.”
“Light Elves have amazing metabolisms. Like hummingbirds. We burn fuel at a very high rate.”
“Twizzlers and Dr. Peppers are not fuel but that does explain a lot about my own ability to eat and stay in shape.”
She turned on to the gravel road into McKinney State Park. The road wound back to the right till it reached an oversized lavender-colored crystal spread over three acres. Lavender Rock.
The sides jutted out, making a natural staircase to the top that was flat and fairly smooth, and big enough to lay out a blanket and relax or hang out with friends. Leira pulled into the small lot parking the Mustang off by itself.
“Are we planning for a quick getaway?”
“I’m still not used to this whole idea of magical people everywhere. I’m not sure how I feel about being surrounded by them.”
“You’ve been surrounded by them your entire existence. That would be true if you were completely human. Oricerans stayed behind after the gates closed thousands of years ago. They made a home here and their descendants do their best to blend in most of the time. Your dentist could be part dwarf, or the lady who bags your groceries could be part Dark Elf. Humans have a hard time with the smallest of differences amongst themselves. We find it’s better to stay hidden when on this planet.”
“But the gates are going to start to open in my lifetime.”
“Your lifetime, I predict, will turn out to be longer than you imagined, and then some. But yes, there are only twenty years or so till the gates start to very gradually open again and Earth will be introduced to a rise in magic, whether they like it or not. Eventually, nothing will keep the two worlds from becoming enmeshed.”