The mystery man inhaled a deep breath, his thin chest protruding outward as if he was trying to prove something. When he finally let out the breath, he looked irritated. “You’ve done your homework.”
“That curious nature again.” He continued to stare at me with narrow eyes. “Look, I can’t do my job if you don’t give me something to go on. Some detail to point me in the right direction.”
“The devil’s in the details, Ms. Adams.”
Now it was my turn to narrow my eyes. Had he heard my speak of the devil comment earlier? “Speaking of said details, I couldn’t find any info on Athan Malek. Why is that? Does Athan Malek even exist?”
He laughed that otherworldly laugh again that made my insides want to curl up in knots. “Oh, I exist. You’re looking right at me.”
“Remember earlier when I said I’d throw you out? That wasn’t a threat.”
“This job I’m offering, it might get dirty. But you’re not afraid of death are you?”
Did he know about my Healer ability? It hadn’t been brought up, and I wasn’t ready to give away any of my secrets.
“Can I assume your silence means you’ll take the job?” he pressed.
“Answer my question first. Who is a man named Kellen?”
Defeated, the mystery man sighed. “He is an employee. He was also once a friend.” The mystery man inhaled a deep breath and then walked to the nearby game shelf. I assumed he wasn’t browsing for the newest version of Chaos Caliber. After tracing the boxes with his slender finger, he turned back to me. “The last time I saw Kellen and my necklace, as you so elegantly call it, he was heading north.”
“Do you think he’s in danger?”
“Possibly.”
“Just one more question.”
“My patience is wearing thin.”
My eyes narrowed as I studied his face for a sign that he was lying. “What does this have to do with my father?”
There was a twitch in the corner of his mouth like he was fighting back a grin. He looked up at me with the familiar ice blue eyes. “Kellen killed your father.”
5
I learn I have another father out there and then immediately find out he's dead.
Son of a bitch!
Could shit get any worse?
Wait, don't answer that.
Hell, I was gonna take the offer regardless of any connection to my birth father. I needed the money, and ten grand would buy an awful lot of game inventory. But for a brief moment, my hopes were up that I could learn more about the man that seeded my existence.
The thought of an affair gave the whole thing a sleazy feel to it. Was he a nice man—someone so sweet that my mother couldn't resist his boyish charm? Or, maybe he was wild and dangerous—his mysterious nature luring Jasmine to be rebellious. Or, perhaps he… Never mind. I don't even want to go there.
Whomever he was, now that he was dead, whatever I discovered about him would be second hand. That pissed me off the most.
“Zee!” I jerked my head around when Creep yelled my name. “We’ve got a winner!”
I rushed over to the Mortal Kombat tournament. The first of two rounds had just finished, and we had our first finalist. One more, and we’ll have our first ever A to Zee’s Mortal Kombat championship where the winner gets a fifty dollar store credit. I congratulated the finalist, a twelve year old boy who was deadly with Sub-Zero.
I made my way to the back of the store where we had pizza and drinks. Tony’s Crosstown Pizza was generous enough to give us a discount because of how many we ordered for game night. That, and because Gaylin was such a good customer. She took me there shortly after I moved back to Blackwood, and I agreed that it was the best in town.
Gaylin and her boyfriend, Jason, were guarding the food. “We’re gonna need more soon,” she said looking at the two remaining slices left.
There was something about Gaylin’s tone that felt condescending. I wasn't sure what would have caused it. I knew her when I originally lived here, and we've been best friends ever since I moved back to Blackwood. Heck, she even infiltrated the Dark Mages to get information for me. I would talk with her privately later—when all the craziness of game nights and ancient relics were behind us.
“On its way.” I had already asked Tony’s to deliver ten pizzas every hour for four straight hours. Money may have been tight, but I took care of my customers—many had already become friends. They wouldn’t get that at the corporate we have to push our warranty plan on you stores.
Spratlin came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “I just killed it in Mario Kart in between tournament rounds, can I participate next time?”
“Don’t think so,” I replied. My friends knew the rules—no one was allowed to participate in the tournaments if they were employees, close friends, or sleeping with me.
He nuzzled my neck and said, “Oh, you’re such a tease.”
If there was one thing I wasn’t, it was a tease. I turned around in his arms to face him. I draped my arms around his neck. “I’ll make it up to you later,” then I kissed him.
Gaylin rolled her eyes, “Oh, geez. Get a room.”
Jeremy then appeared through the crowd with another guy following him. “Zee, I've only got a minute. They're crazy over there.”
Jeremy was running the Bomberman tourney.
“I wanted you to meet Dan.”
Dan was a thin guy with slicked-back black hair. He stuck out his hand and smiled, “It’s nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you.”
“I swear only half is true.”
He smiled and then Jeremy tugged on his hand so he would follow him back to the tournament. So much for getting to know Jeremy’s new boyfriend.
Ivy called out, “Pizza’s here!” as she entered the main store area from the back office.
Someone hidden behind a stack of pizza boxes followed close behind Ivy.
“Set them down here,” Ivy said as she grabbed hold of the boxes so they wouldn’t fall.
Once I saw who was behind the boxes, I smiled and walked over to greet him. “Tony! My man! What’r you doing delivering?”
We hugged, and then he said in his New York Italian accent, “Just takin’ care of my best customa.”
“Ah, I bet you tell all the ladies that,” and I winked at him.
“I wish,” he joked.
“What’s the extra one for?” asked Gaylin.
“Here, ya gotta try dis. Made it special for you.”
Tony knew my weakness—BBQ, ham, and pineapple. I was mainly a pepperoni and pineapple girl because not just anyone could make good BBQ pizza. When I first met Tony, he swore he’d win me over with his one day. He opened the lid and my mouth instantly watered. He’d been working on a new recipe. That first bite was heavenly. I closed my eyes as the sweet and tart burst of flavor from the pineapple mixed with the tangy BBQ sauce lit up my taste buds.
“Tony, man, you’ve out done yourself. This is delish!” I took another bite and said, “Will you move in with me?”
“Careful now, ya don’t want to get yourself in trouble.” Gaylin pointed to Spratlin.
“Oh, I’ll share with him.” I winked at Spratlin and offered him a bite of my slice.
His eyes rolled back in ecstasy. “Forget moving in. Will you marry us both?”
“Not sure my wife would understand that too well. Betta stick to the pie makin’,” Tony said.
I hugged him once more and thanked him for helping us give our gamer customers the best treat in town.
“See ya in an hour.” I loved how his accent made hour sound more like owwa.
Spratlin hopped up on the counter and called out, “PIZZA BREAK!”
Suddenly, the noise dimmed as gamers paused their games and dropped the controllers in favor of the luscious taste of pepperoni, sausage, and marinara sauce. My friends and I all helped get everyone refilled with food and drink.
A tall, skinny guy, maybe fourteen or fifteen said to me, “Zee, this is the cooles
t place ever.”
“Yeah, it’s nice to be able to hang out with other gamers and not be teased.”
I looked over at a young girl wearing glasses and a Fallout tee shirt who was hidden among the older gamers. “What do you mean?”
She looked down at her feet.
“It’s okay. We’re all friends here.” Whether that was literally true or not, I’d zap anyone with a weakened Lv 1 Electro Bolt who bullied one of my gamer kin. I don’t care if you’re the biggest geek or nerd on the planet, bullying would not be tolerated.
“The guys over at Level Up don’t like it when I enter their contests.”
She didn’t have to elaborate—my blood boiled at the thought of the discrimination in gaming, especially toward a young girl who could clearly hold her own against anyone in Call of Duty. I saw her playing earlier. She’s deadly.
“What’s your name?”
She replied, “Kimberly.”
“Kimberly, if that ever happens again, you let me know, okay?” I wouldn’t hesitate to hunt them down and embarrass them with my own shooter skills. Literally and figuratively.
The tall, skinny guy was about to leave the line with his refill of pizza and Coke when he walked over to the little girl. He offered her a smile. “You don’t have to worry about that here. When you get your pizza, why don’t you come join me and my friends?”
Now, that’s what I liked to see—everyone getting along and having a good time. Nothing wrong with a little friendly smack talk when letting go of a blue turtle shell to take the lead.
Kimberly nodded. “Okay!”
I called out to the guy, “Hey, I never got your name.”
“Steve.”
“Well, Steve, you just earned yourself another slice.” After he took the slice, I stuck out my fist. He bumped it with his. “See ya, ‘round, buddy.” Then he disappeared into the crowd.
The box I was serving pizza out of was now empty. I yelled out, “I need another pizza!”
Before I knew what was happening, Ivy yelled, “Coming right up!” and there was a pizza box hovering in front of me.
I said to Creep, who was standing next to me. “She’s been practicing.”
Creep replied, “Maybe one day she’ll learn something useful like fetching me a beer.”
“Ohhh, dude! You’re gonna get it.”
Ivy, never one to take shit from anyone—maybe that’s why she and I got along so well—opened a can of Coke and levitated it until it was over Creep’s head.
We were all laughing because we knew what was coming.
Ivy then looked at me, “Zee, I’ll clean it up,” then let the liquid fall all over Creep’s head. Creep was standing there, shocked at what had just happened. Ivy then said, “Hey, babe, how about some more pizza to go with it?”
Normally, I wouldn’t be happy about wasting a piece of pizza, or a Coke, but to see the look on Creep’s pizza-smeared face was totally worth it. I teased, “Careful what ya wish for.”
The door in the back SLAMMED!
Tony burst into the store. “Lock the doors! They’re everywhere!” His Crosstown Pizza shirt was ripped like something had slashed his arm, and he was sweating and heaving for breath.
Ivy rushed to him. “Tony, are you okay?”
“What is?” I demanded as Spratlin came and stood next to me.
“Demons. Bastards all over the square.”
I turned to Jeremy. “Lock the front door. Don’t let anyone leave.”
Tony slapped the table that held the pizzas. “My tire’s flat. When I finally got away,” he shrugged, “didn’t know where else to go.”
“You’re safe here,” Spratlin patted Tony’s back.
I looked at Gaylin. “Get him a Coke, pizza, whatever he wants.” Then, I turned to Spratlin. “Another Hell Hole?”
“Could be.”
“I found one in Mrs. G’s cellar yesterday.” The look on his face told me he was not only surprised but pissed that I hadn’t told him sooner. “I didn’t want to worry you.”
He still looked pissed, but his voice was normal when he spoke again. “Did you take care of it?”
“Yeah, no sweat.”
I glanced at the front of the store and then toward the back. Anyone who knew me knew I wasn't gonna stand around and let demons get away with hurting my friend. “Come on,” I said, and Spratlin and I took off through the back office.
Darkness concealed our movement as we crept down the alley between the two buildings. Demons were running around wild in the square throwing trash and then tossing the trash cans at cars. Fortunately, the square wasn't full of people since it was so late, and there were only a few cars. Most of the gamers at the store either car-pooled or rode their bicycles.
There was a beautiful gazebo that sat in the center of the square with benches and flowers all around. Two demons were pulling up the flowers and tossing them aside with no care.
Jeremy, Creep, Ivy, and Dan rushed up behind us.
“Bastards are gonna destroy the whole square,” I said.
Jeremy asked, “What's the plan, boss?”
“Who’s guarding the door?”
Jeremy shrugged. “Gaylin.”
Great. If a demon gets in, she'll apologize for the mess. I turned back to the destruction going on in the streets. “We've gotta find that Hell Hole.”
“It could be anywhere,” Spratlin pointed out.
Ivy overheard us. “There's a Hell Hole?”
I looked at my friends. I'd only been a witch for a few months, and now I was keeping secrets from them. Shit. “Yeah, we found one the other day. Thought it was a fluke.”
Ivy replied, “Those are serious.”
“So I gather.” We needed to stop with the chitchat and act fast. As much as I hated to say it, there was only one way. “Split up!”
Everyone went their separate ways—some sneaking behind store buildings and down other alleys so that we could surround the town square. I took position in front of my store—someone had to protect those innocent kids.
I took cover by Tony’s car putting it between myself and the crazy demons. I let loose an Electro Bolt, and a demon splattered all over a brand new sedan parked a few feet away.
A raggedy-looking demon ran by me yelling, “The Blue Devil, the Blue Devil! Beware the Blue Devil!”
What the hell was that all about?
There was no time for questions. That shithead demon threw a metal trash can through the window of the store next to mine, then he turned around and shot Tony’s car.
“My car!” yelled Tony who was standing near the front of the store alone.
I then zapped the trashcan demon with a Lv 3 Electro Bolt and fried its ass.
A Fireball whizzed by me. It left a dark burn mark on the brick wall in the alley between my store and the next one. The demon who shot it was readying another one.
“Tony! Look out!”
I took off running and grabbed him as a Fireball landed square in my back. The force from the shot blasted us through my store window, shattering it. I, once again, met Mr. Death.
Guess shit could get worse.
6
I must have been reborn quickly because the fighting in the town square was still in full force when I awoke. Tony lay on a bed of broken glass next to me. He was moving, which meant he was alive.
My store window, however, not so much.
Fuck.
My body ached not only from the After-Death but from the shards of glass piercing my back. Unfortunately, there was no time for a relaxing hot bubble bath with Spratlin or a shot or three of tequila to ease the pain.
“Somebody help him up! And get these people out of here!” I demanded as I walked out through the gapping hole in my store to rejoin the fight.
“I wanna help!”
I turned around to see Steve climbing out of the broken window.
“Me, too!” said one of his friends.
A few others also gathered around us with magic surfacing
in their palms.
Before I could argue, a young girl’s voice made me spin around. Kimberly had taken a stance behind the blood soaked sedan and appeared to be making the ground shake and conjuring spears that shot up from the ground impaling the demons.
I didn't know if I should cheer or run. “A girl after my own heart.”
“She's an Earth Mage,” Steve said as he came up next to me.
“She's got more self-control than I do. Those bullies are lucky she didn't fuck them up.” I smiled, for a moment forgetting the destruction going on around us. I turned back to the gamers behind me who said they wanted to help. “You guys, stay with her!”
I spotted Spratlin slip down an alley across the square from my store, and I ran after him. He threw quick Water Beams at three different demons behind a building, and they made a reddish brown mess all over the wall and ground.
“Having fun without me?”
We continued down the back side of the buildings.
“How's it going out there?”
“Oh, the usual. Demons throwing shit around causing damage. Blasting me and Tony through my store window.”
He startled me when he spun around. “What? Are you both okay?”
“Yeah, we're fine. A few cuts and bruises.” I held up my left wrist to show him my newest life scar. “Lucky number seven.”
“Damnit, Mackenzie.”
“I couldn't just let him die!”
He ran his hand through his shaggy hair and then roughed it up like he was getting rid of pent up frustration. Luckily, there were no demons around to take advantage of him losing focus. I understood his frustration of not knowing when my next sacrifice would be my last. The thought scared the shit out of me, too, but whether I viewed it as a curse, or not, I had a responsibility as a Healer.
“I know. It's selfish of me to think otherwise,” he said.
That sounded more like the upstanding mage and son of a councilman that I was used to.
“Promise me you'll be careful.”
“Always.”
He kissed my forehead. He forgot one important element to being a Healer. Not to put too fine a point on it, but I do ultimately have the gift of choice. Although, instincts are difficult to fight. Most of the time, I don't even think about it.
Rogue Witch (Daughter of Darkness Book 2) Page 3