The Cardkeeper Chronicles: Books 1-5 (Complete Collection)

by A. C. Nicholls

  Struggling under my weight, I sat up and glanced around the room. Well, it was more like a chamber really. The walls were made of gray stone and there was a cold chill in the air. The little pools of darkness were saved only by the orange glow of nearby candles, where the flames rose high into the air like snakes from a basket. There was no way this was my own bedroom, and it was way too feminine to be the sleeping quarters of the Vault – my home base, for lack of a better term. So then, where the hell was I?

  “Hey there, stranger.”

  I started at the sound of the voice. It was soft and exotic, with subtle hints of controlled aggression. I leapt to my feet. Rubbing my eyes with the heels of my hands, I turned to see who it was. I suddenly felt like a lost little boy, stumbling into a war with little more than a toy sword. Not my best move.

  Lena sat in a chair beside the bed, thick ringlets of red hair sweeping down over her bare shoulders. She wore a silky, scarlet gown that exposed a significant amount of her cleavage, and parted at her legs, which were propped up on the bed. The color of the robe matched her perfect lips, which sucked teasingly on the butt of a cigarette held delicately between two stiff fingers. It was exactly how I remembered her, except I honestly believed I wouldn’t be attracted to her anymore. I thought those days were long gone, but the tingle in my testes begged to differ.

  “Cat got your tongue?” Lena said, grinning widely. God, those teeth were perfect. When they weren’t extending into long, curved fangs, anyway.

  “More likely a dog,” I said, adjusting the sleeve of my long, black coat. The chill on my skin intensified. “Do your boys treat every stranger like that?”

  “You mean the werewolves you attacked?”

  “Yeah, those.”

  Lena watched me in silence, rolling the smoke around her mouth with her red, wet tongue before blowing it out into a perfect ring. The smoke rose into the air like purple magic, before drifting apart and dissipating into nothingness.

  “I told them I wanted to see you,” I added.

  “Did you identify yourself?”

  “I told them I was a Cardkeeper.”

  Lena sat up, leaned over the bedside table and rolled the cigarette around the edge of the ashtray. The action displayed her breasts, but she didn’t seem to care. Besides, it was nothing I hadn’t seen before. “Ah,” she said calmly. “See, that was your problem. My wolves only know one Keeper, and that’s Keira Poe.”

  “Her time was up,” I said.

  “You killed her?”

  “No. She just ran her cycle. I’m the newbie.”

  Lena smiled at that, took one last puff of smoke and then stubbed the cigarette out in the tray. A thin line of smoke rose in its wake, protesting its demise as Lena extinguished it. She rose from her chair. “You must be very new to the job.”

  “Very much.”

  “So your visit here is…”

  “Professional.”

  Still smiling, Lena crept around the bed and took small, graceful steps toward me. I backed up as far as the wall would allow, refusing to get dragged back into this toxic dance between us. I mean, don’t get me wrong, the sex was great. Great. But that didn’t mean we were meant to be together. I’d tried explaining this to her before, but she didn’t want to hear it. Only now it seemed that a reunion might be in the cards.

  Lena pressed her body up against mine, pinning me to the wall like a butterfly in a display case. Her fingers touched my lips before sliding softly down my chest, leaning in slowly to kiss my bearded neck. “How come you never came back, Jacky-Boy?”

  “Don’t call me that.”

  “But how come?”

  “I had things to do.”

  She ignored that, kissing down my neck as her hand explored my body.

  “We need to talk,” I told her firmly.

  “Talking can wait.”

  “No.” Somehow, I found the strength inside me to step away from the wall, grabbing her gently by the shoulders and forcing her to step back. That slick maneuver was met with a look of confusion as she slumped onto the bed and covered herself fully with her robe as if she wanted to punish me by taking her feminine glory away. “We’re on the same side, but that doesn’t mean I want to go back there. I have some wrongs to right and I can live without the distraction.”

  Lena rolled her eyes. “On a path of redemption, are we?”

  “Something like that.”

  A silence fell in the room, during which my sight fell on the open door at the back. I considered calling it a day, buttoning up my coat and just leaving. At this rate we weren’t going to come to any kind of arrangement, but then again, I probably wouldn’t make it to the front door without being mauled to death by my angry ex-lover’s wild dogs. I felt inside my pocket for the Sword of Lucada. My fingers stroked the hard metal, reassuring me.

  “Tell me,” Lena asked, rising from the bed and crossing the room, where she lit a splint from a candle and used it to rekindle another, “what’s the real reason you’ve come here? You obviously haven’t come to be with me one last time, and I did hear you say that you didn’t want to fight. So then, what is it? Have you come to slay me, Jacky-Boy?”

  “It’s nothing like that.”

  “What is it then?”

  I blew out a breath, sighing as I sat on the edge of the bed. From that vantage point I caught a glimpse of myself in the nearby mirror. I needed a haircut – it made me look scruffy, which wasn’t fitting for a man in his thirties. “I want to bring peace between you and the vampires.”

  “Ha!” Lena dropped the splint as she laughed, quickly stomping it out on the thin, tattered rug before it could set it ablaze. She bent over and swept it up, placing it to one side as she smacked her hands together like she’d just played with sand. “You do, do you?”

  “I think it’s about time.”

  “Yes, my love. Keira Poe thought the same thing. Do you know how hard she tried to make it happen? For hundreds of years this war has been haunting us all. Your predecessor did the impossible by bringing the werewolves and Cardkeepers together. But now you want to just swoop in and tie up the remaining conflict. Is that it? Don’t tell me you have some kind of hero complex.”

  I showed Lena my teeth, wincing at the sound of Keira’s name. In my own way, I loved that girl for helping me along my path, but there was nothing I hated more than being compared to her. After all, we were very different people. “I’m not Keira Poe. Actually, I don’t even want your help with all this.”

  Lena’s smile dropped. “Then what do you ask?”

  “A promise.”

  “Of?”

  I hesitated before meeting her gaze. “I want you to return to the shadows. The vampires will do the same. After that, we can all live free once again. It will be like there was never a war in the first place.” I ignored Lena’s humored expression and rose to my feet, placing my hands on her shoulders. From there, I stared deep into her eyes, compelling her with the strength of my conviction. “It really is as simple as that. You go, they go. Job done.”

  Lena turned her head to one side. “It’s not that easy.”

  “Believe me, it is.”

  A hurry of wolves passing by the open door attracted our attention as they stormed across the hallway outside. I suddenly remembered where I was – right in the middle of the enemy’s den. It was lucky that Keira had formed this truce between our species, as I likely wouldn’t have made it past the front door otherwise. Perhaps being compared to her wasn’t the worst thing after all. She’d created a legacy. Now all I had to do was to live up to it.

  Lena finally returned her gaze to me. She placed the palm of her hand against my still-aching cheek and kissed me softly on the lips. Her mouth was warm, her lips tasting like cherries. “Get rid of the vampires and we will keep to ourselves. That is my only bargain.”

  “And that much is a promise?”

  “It’s a promise.”

  I sighed against the disappointment of the compromise. A reluctant agree
ment to retreat, from one of the two leaders. Now, if I could only get the leader of the vampires to agree to the same terms, my job as Chicago’s Cardkeeper would be a lot easier. Somehow, I got the sense that it wouldn’t be that simple. If it was, it would probably have been done already.

  On the wings of her oath I made for the door, rushing for my exit before she could renege.

  “Not going to say goodbye?” Lena said from behind me.

  I stopped and turned to see her curl her lower lip like a young girl in a tantrum. It was endearing in its own way, but as hard as it was to refuse that beautiful woman, I had to keep my mind on the job.

  “Maybe I’ll be back,” I said.

  “When?”

  I shrugged. “When the vampires back down.”

  Lena smiled, but it wasn’t the same charming smile she’d been giving me these past few minutes. It was one of dreadful knowing, like she held a great secret that only she knew. Finally, she cleared her throat and raised a hand, waving me off. “Then I guess this is goodbye.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  I had nothing left to do but return to the VHS store. Of course, it wasn’t really a VHS store – that was only a front, but whoever’s idea it was to put an obsolete product as the face of our hidden business was a genius. In this day and age, very few people would bother us. It was safer that way, for them and for us.

  Inside, a small bell jingled and I coughed at the first sign of dust. Bringing a closed fist to my mouth, I approached the counter and shook hands with the frail old man behind it. “Evening, Stanley.”

  Stanley was getting on in years, and it showed in his wrinkled face. Although the blue in his eyes still sparkled, the life was draining from him. Loose sags of skin dangled from under his chin as he spoke. “Good evening, Mr. Hannigan. Do you require a portal?”

  “Please.”

  Without another word, Stanley pushed back his wheeled office chair and struggled to his feet. I held out an arm, which he took, and escorted him through to the stock room. I had no idea why they’d assigned somebody so old to portal duty in the store, but I’m sure the Elders had their reasons. If nothing else, I trusted him.

  As soon as we passed through the red curtain at the back, Stanley stooped forward and raised his trembling fingers. It took a few seconds for him to mimic a wide circle into the air, but by the time he was finished there was a burning red fire hovering before him. Stanley moved aside, and I thanked him before heading into the portal, emerging on the other side with the same awed feeling I had every time I stepped through.

  As if by magic, I stood in the valley between a range of snow-capped mountains. The cold wind bit my exposed skin, although pain paled against the strength of my immortality. In the distance, a looming tower known as the Vault awaited me, and I hurried up the dirt path, urgently seeking advice. I’d need counsel if I wanted to extract the same promise from the vampires that I’d been gifted from Lena.

  Before I knew it I was inside the Vault, dashing up the stony spiral staircase toward the Grand Hall. There was only one door that took my attention, stopping me in my tracks. I pushed it open and leaned against the wooden doorframe, gazing across the circular room at the arsenal of magicards. Keira had told me all about them – about how I now had the ability to equip one. Doing so would grant me the power of the mage trapped inside, but as with everything, there was also a downside; if overused, the mage’s soul would begin to transfer into my own body. I didn’t like that idea, to be honest. It all seemed far too personal for me. I was quite happy sticking with the Sword of Lucada, a gift from the King of the Imps, though my admiration for Keira Poe was undying. How she went thirty years using these cards was beyond me. Wherever she was, I hoped she was getting the vacation of a lifetime.

  Starting at the sound of footsteps behind me, I kicked myself away from the doorframe and spun around to find Dalton, the Elder of Chicago’s Vault. As per usual, the hood of his robe covered his face, leaving me with nothing more than a chin and a pair of dark eyes to look at.

  “Sir Jack,” he said, bowing slightly.

  “Sir Dalton.”

  “Where is your robe, boy?”

  Enough with the robe already. Keira had already grilled me for not donning one at the door. Apparently it was a sign of disrespect not to wear one, but as I always said, wear what you want unless it’s a costume party.

  “I forgot,” I lied.

  “Well, don’t forget again.” Dalton cocked his head. “Come.”

  I cleared my throat nervously and fell in beside him. Together, we circled up the steps and arrived at the Grand Hall – a gigantic spacious room with marble pillars and a great fire burning in the center. At the back of the room was a dark area that led to the Sacred Temple of R’hen, but we Keepers were forbidden from entering. The magic that held this place together – the magic that somehow managed to fit an entire castle within the confines of a slim tower – was simply amazing. I had a feeling I’d never stop being this impressed.

  Dalton swept around and stood by the fire, staring down into the embers as if entranced. I followed, stood beside him and stared with him. I had to admit, the dancing flames hypnotized me. I could see why he enjoyed it so much.

  “How is your first month going?” he asked.

  “Okay.” I shrugged. “I haven’t really done much.”

  “Yes, I know. I should assign you a mission to locate some new magicards. As long as they’re out in the world, I feel unsafe. You can do that for us, Sir Jack. Follow the cards and retrieve them, and then store them safely in the Vault.”

  “Actually, I had something else planned.”

  Dalton craned his neck but said nothing.

  “I’ve paid a visit to the werewolves. I’m hoping to end this entire war between them and the vampires. The alpha has promised to back down, if only I can persuade the vampires to do the same.” I suddenly had an image of the head vampire – a completely fabricated appearance of a large man with thick locks of hair and overly large teeth. I shook it from my mind, dismissing it. “That’s why I’m here, sir. I want your permission to pursue this.”

  “I see.” Dalton made a soft humming sound, as though he were meditating. “It certainly would impress me if you could pull it off. This approach is somewhat different to that of Lady Keira’s. You see, hers was always the way of violence, albeit warranted. Now that we have the favor of the wolves… Yes, yes, I could see this working. You are, of course, aware of the dangers? This is a potential suicide mission even for the most gifted of mages.”

  “But I’m not a mage.” My hand went to my pocket, touching the sword.

  “An experienced swordsman?”

  I nodded.

  “Nonetheless, your confidence could be your downfall.” Dalton stepped away from the fire, turning my way and wringing his hands together. “We Elders have always dreamed of peace. If the vampires and the werewolves were to find a mutual agreement, it could benefit us all greatly.”

  “So I have your permission?”

  “Indeed, but you also have my caution. The vampires are far more hostile than the werewolves, and won’t hesitate to tear you apart if it came to it. You will have to arm yourself and be prepared for defense, but at the same time remain humble.”

  I considered the risk, but my ambition led the way. No matter the danger involved in the mission, there would always be something at the back of my mind urging me to carry on. I guessed that was the way of the Cardkeeper; to fight on in the face of every challenge. To do what was right in spite of what it might cost. If I wanted to be remembered long after my days, a feat like peace was sure to make that happen.

  Dalton returned to the fires, the glow lighting up the sides of his face as he stared lifelessly into them. “Then I wish you luck, Sir Jack.”

  “Thank you.”

  “And Jack…”

  “Yeah?”

  “Next time I see you, be sure to wear a robe.”

  I grinned, turned on my heel and made for the door, t
hinking through my next move. Whatever I did next, I had to make sure I watched my back. My will to live was never exactly at its strongest, but I had to stay alive until all this was over. I could see my own legacy dangling before my eyes. All I had to do was reach out and take it.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  I knew very little about vampires, and even less about how to reason with them. What I did know proved valuable. For instance, I knew that they hated salt, and although they were considerably light-footed, they were as vulnerable against bear traps as bears were. If I couldn’t make good use of those facts, then I didn’t deserve the sword in my pocket.

  The traps were the first to go down, right around the perimeter of the vacant skate park. At this time of night, all the dangerous creatures were out – not to mention the even more dangerous humans. But with all the reports of vampires around this area lately, I considered it a good place to set up as my post, laying down milk to lure the bloodsucking bastards out of hiding. See, vampires love milk and I planned on using that information to my advantage. Some speculated that it was the smell of it, while others claimed that it was due to their lack of vitamin D, hence their translucent skin. I didn’t really give a rip, as long as it meant they’d come running at the opportunity to guzzle some cow juice.

  I laid out some drinking glasses that I bought at a bargain price in a nearby Walmart. The milk itself was actually more costly than the glasses, but it didn’t break the bank. After a trip to a hunting store for the traps, and the Sword of Lucada tucked away in my pocket, I had everything I needed to bring the fight to me.

  My lure was in place and my traps were strategically positioned around the skate park. I sat at the top of a halfpipe and sprinkled table salt in a perfect circle around my body – a protective ring that the creatures could not break. Thankfully, the winter air wasn’t quite strong enough to carry the salt with it. It was my first tiny victory in the many battles to come.