Magic and Mayhem: A Collection of 21 Fantasy Novels

by Jasmine Walt

  The corridor is wide with six doors lined up on the left. Pressing my back against the wall, I creep up to the first door and point my flashlight and gun inside. The room is empty except for a bare cot pressed up against the wall opposite the door. I step in and peer behind the door to make sure no monsters are hidden, ready to spring out.

  I repeat this ritual as I move down the hall. In the last cell, I almost slip on something near the door and have to reach for the wall to balance myself. Pointing my flashlight down, I see a small pool of black liquid.

  “Ugh.” I run my boots against the floor in an attempt to get the shit off of them while I examine the pool closer. While I’m flicking my flashlight along the floor, I see something that makes my gut tense.

  Bits of hair and sheets of flesh are scattered throughout the black pool. I realize it’s blood. I follow the trail of hair, blood, and teeth and find a woman dressed in a cop uniform squatted in the left corner of the room.

  I say woman, but it’s more like a woman-thing. Something that used to be human.

  The woman-thing is slowly ripping her hair out with one hand, while gnawing on the other. Her fingers, long and bone pale, are ruined flesh sticks that look like they’ve been through the meat grinder.

  I gag.

  Her dead eyes snap over to me.

  I pause and wait.

  Her eyes roll back into her head, turning into oversized, milky white marbles. A low moan fills the room. The thing takes her fingers from her mouth and plants them on the floor on either side of her. I holster my gun and remove my trident. I snap it open to its full length and creep closer to her.

  Footsteps echo behind me. It tries to slide closer to me using her ruined hands. In one swift movement, I plunge my trident through her skull. She tumbles to the floor. Behind me, someone clears their throat.

  I turn to take in Juliet. She looks past me and nods. Another set of footsteps echoes from down the hall and, within seconds, Jameson and Stiles come up behind her.

  “The rest of the place is secure,” Juliet says. “Jameson, Stiles, get that body out of here. Richards, I need you to come to the main room for a minute. Then everyone can turn in.”

  I nod, press the button on my trident, then wait for it to shorten. As I put my weapon back in its holster, I step away so that Jameson and Stiles can remove the body from the room. I make my way down the hall at Juliet’s heels. Tripp, Lee, and Kiwi are already there. Kiwi and Tripp are on the circular desk, leaned into each other, sharing some conversation. Tripp looks up first, and then their muted voices stop and Kiwi straightens.

  I saunter over and lean against the desk on the other side of Tripp, then train my eyes on Juliet. She claps her hands.

  “Okay, people. The good news is that we’re making great time. This place is secure. We can eat and rest up here.” Her ice blue eyes flicker to me and she sighs. “The bad news is, something is on to us. Something that doesn’t want us to reach the crossroads.”

  Tripp straightens at this. “What’s onto us?”

  Juliet shrugs. “No idea. Most likely a witch.” Her eyes are still locked on my face. Her voice is matter-of-fact.

  “Why would you think that?” Tripp asks.

  She sighs again and doesn’t say anything for a few moments.

  “Because of the wraith attack,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest.

  Kiwi looks between me and Juliet. “Okay, you obviously know something we don’t. Why does a wraith attack tell you someone is on to us?”

  “Yeah, why can’t it just be what we expected? Monsters running around unchecked.” Tripp’s nose scrunches up.

  I shake my head. “Because wraiths don’t just run around. They’re conjured and sent after specific people.”

  Juliet nods. “He’s right. They hunt specific souls. As far as I know, a god can control them, or a powerful witch. Either way, something sent that hive after us.”

  I glance back over at her. For someone that hates my kind so much, she sure is schooled about our world.

  “So, what does that mean for us?” Tripp asks Juliet.

  She stares over at him and flips her hair. “We stick to the plan. But we stay alert. We have to assume that whatever sent the soul hunters has a few more surprises to send our way.”

  Tripp chuckles. “Doesn’t sound like much of a plan. Do what we told you, but look out for even more dangers than anticipated.”

  “Well, it’s the best option we have,” Juliet says.

  I straighten and tap my fingers on the desk. “Did the wraiths attack Lee, Stiles or Jameson?”

  Juliet looks at me with a furrowed brow. “What?”

  “The wraiths. Did they attack them?”

  Juliet frowns, so I look at Kiwi, then Tripp, for an answer. Kiwi just shrugs while Tripp gives me a blank look.

  “Where is this going, Richards?” Juliet asks.

  I slide my gaze back over to Juliet. “I’m just betting they weren’t. Humans… they don’t tend to survive a thing like that. The only reason you’re still kicking is because you’re bound to me.”

  Juliet’s expression doesn’t change. Not that I expected it to. It never does.

  When no one speaks, I sigh and say, “I’m just wondering if you have a witch back at Compound Six… and if that witch has any ties to our group. And by our group, I mean those three motherfuckers.”

  I flash her a wide smile. Her face still doesn’t change, but I can tell I’ve given her something to think about. Well, it’s more that I can feel that I’ve given her something to think about. There is a quick stab of suspicion in my gut.

  She flips her hair, then claps. “I’ll look into it,” she says in the same polite tone she always uses. The one I can’t stand.

  She picks her pack off the floor and points to a door at the far right of the room. It’s set next to a wall with a large plastic window. I can’t make out what’s on the other side of the plastic.

  “We found some kerosene lamps in there. Pick a spot and get some rest. We leave at first light.” With that last command, she stalks away, down the far left hallway, where she vanishes into the dark.

  I’m not feeling too social so I give Kiwi and Tripp a small smile. “Night, guys.”

  Then I turn on my heels and head for the room with the kerosene lamps. After grabbing one, I head for one of the holding cells and slam the door shut behind me.

  The room falls into absolute darkness. I mean, I can’t see shit. I wave my hand in front of my face to prove it. I take my flashlight from my pocket, then set it on the cot where it fills the cell with a narrow cylinder of light.

  Then I peel the pack off my back, along with the trident, and place them under the bare cot. The yellow light from the lamp casts looming shadows on the peeling walls. The cot whines under my weight.

  I start the long task of removing all the weaponry I’m saddled down with:

  The two Browning BDM’s, the 870, extra ammunition and four ka-bar, fixed blade combat knives. Good thing the AR-15 is still in the car, or I might be at this all night.

  I know I’m supposed to stay dressed and combat ready, but fuck that. After the wraith attack I’m tired. I just want to feel normal for one night.

  I rip my protective vest off and toss it on the floor, then peel the tight Kevlar suit down to just below my waist.

  With a sigh of relief, I pick up my flashlight and flop down on the cot. The frame squeals its welcome. I turn off the light and try to drown in darkness. I lay back and pretend the mattress is comfortable. I try and hide from all the shit falling down all around me. But most of all, I try not to think. After a few moments, I let my eyes shut.

  My thoughts drift to Sadie, and I try and bat her face away. It bounces back like its being served by an enthusiastic tennis instructor. The fourth or fifth time her face fills my thoughts, I sit back up. Then, my door creeps open.

  I glance up. Tripp is there with a smile and dangling a lamp on two fingers.

  “Thought you might want
this, but I see you have one already.” He comes in without waiting to be invited. I guess after you carry a dude naked, there’s really no point in observing any social contract.

  “Thanks, man.” I rub my eyes with my thumb and index finger.

  “No problem.” He places the lamp next to the cot, then sits next to me. “You hungry?”

  “Nah, man.”

  “You okay?”

  I glance sidelong at him, then stare back toward the door. “I mean we’re in a world of shit, but other than that…”

  “No, I mean about Sadie.”

  I clench my jaw and try not to let anger bubble up in my gut. I can’t think of anything to say, and I don’t want to talk about it so I remain quiet.

  “Oh, tough guy routine, huh? Hot, but bullshit.”

  I clench my jaw tighter.

  “Kiwi is real messed up about it. She feels really…”

  I clear my throat and quickly change the subject. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

  “Um, what?”

  I turn my head slightly to look at him. “Out there, with Juliet. That there might be a witch back at C6.” I shake my head, angry with myself. “I should have kept my damn mouth shut.”

  Tripp’s face wrinkles in confusion. “Why?”

  I peel my eyes away from him and shrug. “Just seems like… the witch is one of us. I’m afraid Juliet will retaliate. I hope I didn’t help.” I drop my gaze to the floor. “Seems like a dick move is all.”

  Tripp crosses his legs and sighs. “Well, what else were you supposed to do? We have enough to worry about without worrying about some wayward witch on our tails.”

  I laugh, but it’s a chopped off sound. Not a bit of humor in it. “Wayward, huh? What if it’s just someone trying to stop us from saving these…” I clench my jaw again. “These people?”

  There is a long stretch of silence after my question. Finally, Tripp clears his throat.

  “Are you saying you don’t think getting this cure is right?”

  I laugh, another bitter, humorless sound. “I don’t know, man. Maybe I don’t. Nah, I don’t think it’s right. They did this to us. To themselves.” I turn my face away from him and stare at the wall. “But it is what it is.”

  There is another length of silence. Then, Tripp laughs and claps my shoulder. I try not to wince away from the pain. He really needs to watch that shit.

  “I call BS.”

  I turn back to him. His eyebrow is lifted. It makes him seem like he thinks he’s clever. Like he just figured something out. Before I can say anything, he goes on.

  “I think that you’d be here, doing the right thing, even without Sadie hanging over your head.”

  Now I laugh like I’ve heard a damn good joke. “Well, you don’t know me very well.”

  Tripp stands, exacting a squeal from the cot. “Whatever, beauty. Maybe you just don’t know yourself well enough yet.” He pulls something out of his pocket and tosses it to me. I glance down at a pack of crackers in brown wrapping. “In case you get hungry.”

  As he heads for the door, I clear my throat. “So, you think we’re doing the right thing?”

  He turns around, and I raise my eyebrow at him. “Is that why you’re here?”

  He stares at me for a few moments, then nods. “Yeah. Yeah, I think we’re doing the right thing.”

  My nose wrinkles. “Why?”

  He shrugs. “What the hell else are we supposed to do? Watch the world go to shit?” He smiles. “Goodnight, Pike.”

  I nod at him as he makes his way to the door. It snaps shut behind him. I open the dark brown packet by its serrated top edge. Inside are two wheat crackers. Without thinking, I stuff them into my mouth. Keeping my mind on the act of chewing helps keep the shit I don’t want to think about at the back of my mind.

  When I polish off the last bit of cracker, I crumple the wrapper up in my hand and shove it into my pack. I pick up my flashlight, aim it at my pack, and try to locate the one box of matches I have stuffed somewhere inside. After only a few seconds, I give up and lay back down on the cot.

  I try to close my eyes, knowing that I’m not going to be able to sleep. About what I guess is five minutes later, I prove myself right. I stand up, grabbing my flashlight, , and leave the holding cell. I swing the flashlight beam out into the hall, splashing the chipped walls in yellow light.

  I walk down and into the main room with the circular desk. The room is washed in silver light. I glance out the front glass doors and consider going outside, before deciding against it. Instead, I stroll around the desk and saunter down the middle hallway. No idea what I’m up to. All I know is that I need to be up doing something that will distract me from the racing thoughts in my head. Walking seems as good an activity as anything else.

  I come to the end of the hallway, turn around, and start to leave. A low muttering from the door on my left catches my attention. I glance over and notice a pale yellow glow coming from the crack in the door. With a frown, I wonder if something could have snuck in here. I peer back down the hall and consider going back to the cell to get something quiet—a knife, maybe—when the muttering gets a little louder.

  As I inch toward the door and place a hand on the knob, my heart shoots off.

  Please don’t be something that can kill me.

  Shoving the door open, I utter a silent prayer that the door doesn’t creak. For once, the gods actually listen, and I enter the room noiselessly. I spot a desk with a lantern perched on top, and as I approach, the light throws my shadow onto the wall.

  “No, shut up! You don’t even know him!”

  My eyes dart left, toward the sound of the voice, and I find a figure huddled in the corner. She’s facing the wall so I shine my flashlight onto her back.

  She freezes.

  “Kiwi?” I ask in a measured voice. “You alright?”

  She doesn’t turn around, so I glance around the room, hoping to find someone else. And I don’t.

  Woman is definitely crazy.

  “Who ya talking to?” I ask, pivoting back to her. I try to sound casual.

  She whirls around and levels me with those pitch dark eyes. I gulp and try to keep my face neutral.

  “No one,” she says with a hiss.

  She raises her hand to shield her eyes, and I realize I’m shining my flashlight in her face. I lower it.

  “What the hell are you doing up, anyway?” She crosses her arms over her chest.

  My mouth opens, but I can’t think of anything to say.

  “And why is your chest all out?” She sounds annoyed as she stalks toward me. Without thinking, I back up until I hit the wall.

  “Uh, I… it got tight.” I shake my head to clear it. “Wait, you’re avoiding the question. Who the hell were you talking to?”

  She glares at me and I meet her gaze, unblinking.

  “My sisters.” She shrugs, like what she just said wasn’t crazy as hell, and turns away from me. Then, she hops up on the desk and adds, “You should get some sleep.”

  “Yeah, so should you, crazy. What do you mean, your sisters?”

  She actually smiles. A small, almost sexy and impish grin. She raises her chin. “You want to help me with that?” It comes out with a purr.

  I raise my eyebrows. “Come again?”

  She pushes her chest out. “I could use a little help getting to sleep. Do you want to help me?”

  There is a tingle of desire in my man stick and have to fight not to roll my eyes. So don’t want to go there. Not after what she did to Sadie. Not after I’ve just confirmed she’s crazy.

  “Uh, I don’t know if we should go there again, cra… Kiwi.”

  “No?” She hops off the desk and sashays toward me.

  There is no denying her strange beauty. She wraps her arms around my waist and kisses my chest. Another tingle, more persistent than the first, dims whatever arguments I just had in my head.

  Then she steps back and starts to peel her suit away from her body.


  “Um.” I raise my hand to block the view. “I don’t know…I’m gonna have to ask you not to do that,” I say, while I still have blood in my smart brain.

  Instead of stopping, she tilts her head and bites the corner of her mouth. When the suit hits the floor, my jaw lands with it.

  She’s naked, walking back toward me.

  “Pike.” She stands on her tiptoes and presses those full lips against my ear. Her breath comes out heavy. “I want you to fuck me until I can’t think.”

  I remember there were several good reasons I don’t want to do this. I can’t, however, remember any one of those reasons. I can only lean down and wrap my arms around her waist. I press my face against her neck. She smells like grime and gunpowder. It’s hot as hell.

  “You sure about that?” I ask before dragging my lips along the crook of her neck.

  She shivers in my arms and clings to me tighter. I take that as a yes and pick her up, then walk across the room with her and sit her gently on the desk.

  I pull away and she looks at me for several seconds, before hopping off the desk. I open my mouth to ask where she’s going, when she tangles her fingers in the fabric of my suit. I’d almost forgotten that it was still hanging at my waist. She peels it away from my body slowly, lowering herself down in front of me as she does. When the suit is around my ankles, I step out of it and watch her lift herself back to standing.

  I let my gaze fall up and down her body, then nod at the desk. “Get yo sexy ass back up there.”

  She smiles and slowly does as I ask her, sliding one butt cheek, then the other up onto the desk. I saunter forward and place a hand on each of her thighs. As slow as I can manage, I trace my fingers up and down her smooth legs. Her nipples grow hard.

  I have to swallow because she makes my mouth water. I lift my hands and run a few fingers up her stomach and cup one breast.

  I lean forward to whisper into her ear. “No hitting this time.”

  I feel her nod, then I pull away and bend my head over her right breast, the one I’m cupping. I give it a squeeze and gently place her nipple between my teeth.

  She gasps and rears back.