by E. M. Moore
Frankie took a sip from a mug and inclined his head toward the window. “Took you long enough to come in.”
I swallowed and took a seat across from him. “I wasn’t sure I’d be welcome. Frankie, I just wanted to tell you that I feel terrible about losing him. I thought for sure we’d bring him back with us.”
Frankie sat back in his chair and smiled slightly. “Your faerie friend has already been here to explain everything. There was no time.”
“T--Green Eyes. He was here?”
Frankie nodded. “I’m not keen on his kind, but he told me how you were all caught off guard. He told me that you made him wait back at base so he wouldn’t get hurt and that’s when everything went down. He also told me you barely made it back. That he had to go get you.”
I nodded and looked down at my lap. “For whatever reason, Command only opened the portals to Elite Guardians. When Green Eyes noticed I hadn’t made it, he had to portal back on his own and get me.”
“So, it worked? Him transporting you like that?”
“I think it hurt him, but he did it. He was in the infirmary at Command for a week or so.”
Frankie drank the rest of whatever was in his mug and pushed it aside. He eyed me for several seconds. “So, tell me where we stand Guardian? We’ve lost the line at Stonehenge. There are rumors here that New Orleans is next.”
New Orleans? That would make sense. “We’re unsure of the target, but whoever blew up Stonehenge has said they will blow up more.”
“Any news on your brother?”
“None. Only that the people who have the bombs have him.”
“Do you think they’ll come here?”
I shook my head. “Not likely. There are other targets that would make more sense before focusing on Salem.” We were silent for a few, each taking in the enormity of the situation. Being outside of Command made the problem seem even more insurmountable. I was just a Ley Line Guardian in a semi-popular magical creature city. Frankie was just a Necromancer that moonlighted as a healer. How were we going to fight this thing? At least at Command, I saw other Elite, I saw the reinforcements they had. Here, it was as if we had no chance whatsoever. “Frankie, do you remember any rumors about people leaving Command, a break off of some sort?”
“Hmm.” He rubbed his chin and frowned. “I remember there being a lot of worried magical folk when General Etau took over. He is not a magical being sympathizer and has handed down harsh punishments in the past for magical beings and those that are sympathizers. Some may have even protested his rise to General, but I can’t say I remember anyone leaving because of it.”
“I’ve heard some people say it’s impossible to leave.”
“I might be in the same boat with them. Where would you go? Especially if you were like me? We’re always going to be policed so even if I was in Command and got out of it, I would never truly be out of it.”
That made perfect sense. It would be different for Guardians though. Maybe. At least, I’d always thought it would be. Not that any Guardian would want to get out of this gig. I loved being a Ley Line Guardian, but an Elite, I could see me getting sick of that shit quick. “Thanks, Frankie. I appreciate the talk and I’m still very sorry--”
Frankie held a hand up. “You did what you could. This wasn’t your fault. It is the fault of those who think they’re above those they rule over.”
I thanked the Necromancer for the talk, happy that he wasn’t pissed and hoping I could still count on him as an ally.
I tossed the keys in my hand as I made it back out to the Jeep. When I slid in the vehicle, Frankie was looking out the window. He wasn’t looking at me. I tried to follow his gaze, but realized soon enough he was just staring off into space. Finally, he closed his eyes, shook his head, and walked away.
He couldn’t have looked more lost if he tried.
Chapter Six
For the next stop, I pat my trusty messenger bag to make sure I’d grabbed the weyfinder. I was heading to Alibaster’s Bar to see what I could find out from him about any rumors of a subset of Command breaking off. Since Alibaster’s was a known magical creature hangout, I always took the weyfinder. Better to be prepared than not. Albie, the big bear shifter, was a friend, but that didn’t mean all his clientele were always fans of Guardians. Especially as of late.
I parked outside and brought out the ancient magical tool. I held the two sides of the tripod-shaped device and pointed the last side at the bar. The stone in the middle spun already. I saw green, blue, and a brilliant white light. Huh. There were humans in there too. Humans usually noticed that there was something off about Albie’s so many didn’t go in. On occasion, tourists might venture in if they were too trashed to notice the slightly off nature about the bar. That could be what was going down in there now.
I exited the Jeep and strode toward Albie’s main entrance. It was getting dark. The descending sun made the Atlantic Ocean behind Alibaster’s glow an eerie yellow-orange. Suddenly, the weyfinder vibrated heavily in my hands and a bright clear light shone like a hundred intense crystals. I barely had a chance to look down at the stone before getting hit on the head with something hard.
I stumbled forward, grabbing at the side of the building. My head pounded and I winced. Two figures surrounded me, pushing my back up against the cool cement of the side of the building. I grabbed for my Damascas and pulled it out. My reaction time was slow, though. The two looked at it and laughed.
I kicked out at the guy to my right, but I was so stupidly sluggish. He grabbed my leg and yanked, and I fell to the ground with a thud. I didn’t even have a chance to catch myself. The side of my body screamed as it impacted with the concrete of the walk.
A roar, louder than any crack of thunder, shook everything around us. Squinting, I looked to my left and saw a huge black shadow enter the light. The bear curled its lips and showed its fangs, bellowing again.
I slammed my hands over my ears. With the sharp pain in my head plus the growling, it was too much. Soon, two hands--human--scooped me up. I opened my eyes just a little to see who it was.
“Albie…”
“Shh, young one. I’m taking you in the back and getting you safe. Who the hell were they?”
I groaned as he placed me on a cold metal table. I felt the back of my head only to put my fingers in something wet and sticky. “Damnit. I’m bleeding.”
“A bit,” Albie said. “We’ll get you taken care of. Don’t you worry. We need ice and bandages.”
He made me lay on my stomach and looked at the back of my head. “It’s not too bad. Nothing that a little tonic from Frankie won’t cure.”
“I’ve got some. In my bag.”
A door opened and a breeze of chilly air hit me. When it did it again, Albie was by my side and pouring a little of the Necromancer’s elixir on my head wound. I felt better immediately. The confusion, the knife-like pain in my skull was evaporating. Thank god.
I looked over to find Albie gazing at my weyfinder. He’d probably never seen it up close. His gaze met mine and he smiled. “Pretty neat. You can tell what kind of creature it was who did that, can’t you? That’s what the rumors say anyway.”
“I can. But it wasn’t magical. They were human.”
“Human?” Albie’s brows furrowed. “What the hell for? Unless they were just two regular guys who saw you and decided they’d try and take you for themselves.”
“Lovely way of putting it.”
He was right, though. How could I let two humans get the jump on me? I’d really been slacking in my training lately, but that was no excuse.
“What I meant is that it doesn’t always have to be magical world related.”
“I don’t know, Albie. I guess not. In my experience, though, that’s never the case.”
“One thing’s for sure. Your fae friend is going to be pissed.”
I smiled and shook my head. Feeling okay enough to sit up, I grabbed the end of the table and pulled myself into an upright position. “The fae�
��yeah, he’ll be mad about this.”
“Not about this. At me. He was here not two days ago, asking questions and telling me I better look after you.”
I rubbed my head, confused again. “What? Green Eyes was here?”
“Yeah. He wanted information on something he told me not to tell you, so don’t even think about asking because if you even look at me with those big, beautiful eyes, I’ll probably give in. Then he asked me to look after you when you got back from headquarters. I didn’t realize you’d gotten back.”
“Just did,” I said. I didn’t bother asking about what Troian didn’t want me to know. I needed to trust him. And, since he was here asking questions, he was trustworthy. He was trying to help.
“He said if anything happened to you to call someone named Jake.”
That was…odd. I didn’t think Troian cared for Jake. “I have Jake’s number if I need it, but I’m fine.”
Albie looked unsure. I rolled my eyes. “I’m a guardian, Albie. I don’t need to be treated like fine china. This isn’t the first time I’ve been jumped and it won’t be the last. Now,” I held my hand out. “Give me my bag.”
He tossed it and I took out the cell phone Jake had given me at Command. I found his number--the only number in the address book--and typed out a text:
I was jumped. Bump on the back of the head but fine. No need to freak.
I held the screen in Albie’s direction and smiled after I sent it. Not five seconds later did the stupid phone ring in my hands. I still had the screen facing Albie. “It’s the Jake guy,” he said. “Wait…Jake. Our Jake?”
“That’s him.”
Albie smiled and pulled the phone from my hands. “Jake, hey, it’s Albie. How are you, man? This is crazy.” He paused. “Good, g--” His mouth snapped shut and his gaze went to mine. “Yeah. She’s fine.” He paused again and then smiled. “Yes, she’s really fine. I’ll drive her home.”
Albie shook his head and smiled at the phone. When he saw me with my hand still outstretched, he placed the phone back in my grasp. “Jeez, girl, how many guys do you have hooked on the line? And how come I’m not one of them?”
My face blazed. “Jake’s my friend. You know that. Always has been.”
“Well, I’m under orders to take you home.”
“Take me home? I drove.”
“Yeah, well, now I am.”
He flipped me up over his shoulder, grabbed my bag, and was outside all before I even registered that I should have been protesting this. I smacked him in the back only to wince. Jesus. He was jacked. “I can walk.”
“Following orders, Cas. You can be mad at Jake when we get back to your place.”
“Jake’s coming to my place? I’m a Guardian myself in case you can’t remember. I can handle a little bump on the head.”
Albie opened the passenger door and slid me in cautiously. Then, he went around to the driver’s side and attempted to slide in himself. He had to push the seat back before his huge body would fit. “I’m guessing Jake and Green Eyes are just worried with your fragile state of mind. What with your brother missing and all.”
My blood boiled. “I don’t care who you are, Albie. If you use fragile again to describe me, I will end you.”
His big bear laugh echoed in the Jeep for a few blocks. My threats weren’t very intimidating to a huge, old bear shifter.
We hadn’t even pulled all the way into the driveway and Jake was there, outside the Jeep, waiting. Albie jumped out and they did a short bro hug thing, but Jake scooped me in his arms and carried me into the house, setting me on the couch. I told him to put me down the whole time. I was fine. My god, I wasn’t a porcelain doll. Guardians got hit in the head all the time, right?
Jake propped my head up with a pillow and brought me an ice pack. Albie smiled over us, eyeing both Jake and me at different times. “Jake, I’m fine. Really. Albie was right there. They caught me off guard with the blow to the head so I was a little out of it, but Albie roared at them like Godzilla and they were out soon after.” I looked at Albie and smiled. “Thank you. For everything.”
Albie nodded and dropped my messenger bag by the couch. “I’m glad I was there. You’ll tell the other one, right?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes. I’ll tell him.”
Albie stood and headed toward the door. Jake stopped his hovering and went with him for a moment. They shook hands and Jake thanked him again for looking after me. I thought that was a little much, but whatever. Jake pulled up a chair and sat next to my head. His arms, shoulders, neck, everything was tense. He cracked his knuckles. “Who was it?”
“Humans.”
“Humans? Are you sure?”
I sat up a little more on the sofa. “The weyfinder doesn’t lie.”
He reached over and almost grabbed the weyfinder, but thought better of it. “The stone turned-”
“A brilliant clear light. Like a flashlight. You remember. Different than the Wiccans, which is white.”
“I remember,” Jake said.
“The light flashed just before they hit me over the head. The light…” I shook my head.
Could it be? I ran through the clip of Damen in my head wondering if I was piecing the clues together the way I was supposed to. He said ‘they’, whoever they were, wanted to step out into the light.
“What’s going on in your head, Cas?”
“The light? Damen said in the clip that whoever was doing this didn’t want to stay hidden. I immediately thought he meant someone paranormal because that’s who we hide, right? I mean, that’s where my mind jumped to. But then he said they wanted to step out into the light, which was a weird choice of words. I know Damen is philosophical and all, but stepping out into the light in that scenario didn’t make that much sense. They’re hidden and they want to step out into the light. It was a message that only I would get. What if he’s talking about the weyfinder and how the stone turns a brilliant clear light with the humans?”
Jake stood and paced the room. Our poor Oriental rug was getting a beating these last few weeks. We’d have to replace it when all of this was over. He didn’t speak for a little while, rotating between rubbing the back of his head and whispering to himself. I let him be before I spoke because I wanted to see if he’d come to the same conclusion I had. Could the humans be behind all this?
I should say, I tried to wait. After a few minutes of him not saying anything, though, I couldn’t stand it anymore. “Jake. What are you thinking?”
He came over and sat next to me again. “I’m just trying to think of motive. I get what you’re saying. That all fits perfect, but when you try and think of why the humans would want to blow up Stonehenge, or why they would want to not be hidden? I’m not seeing it. They’re not hidden. We’re hidden.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know either, but it’s worth a shot. It’s the first—and only—thing we have to go on.”
“No, we have the Command breakoff.”
“And Sasha and Cappy are working on that. This is a clue that Damen may have sent me. If we want to at least pursue it, we should go to Stonehenge. I’m not saying we’re going to find anything there, but what’s the harm?”
Jake scratched his jaw. Dark stubble grew there like a shadow as if he hadn’t shaved in a day or so. I hoped he was taking care of himself and that Command wasn’t running him ragged with all the drama going on.
Hmmm. The bomb.
“Jake. We just assumed it was a magical bomb, but what if it was a human-made bomb. Or what if the humans commissioned it? Has anyone considered it?”
“Etau’s taskforce, remember?”
“That’s a waste of time. Sasha said they’re probably just a farce anyway. I think we need to go to Stonehenge.”
“We can’t take the portals.”
“I guess we’ll have to take regular transportation then. A plane out of Logan it is.”
Jake sighed. “This is going to be so tedious. Unless…have you heard from the fae? Maybe we
can hitch a ride with him?”
“I haven’t seen him since the other night. Do we really want to ask him to do that again? It didn’t end so well the last time.”
“Yeah, but we’re not going into an active fighting zone anymore. We’re just gathering evidence.”
“But-”
“And I’m sure he’d do anything you asked him to. You have to see that he likes you, Cas.” He took a deep breath and leveled it out. “And not just in a fae way where he’s trying to pull one over on you. I think he genuinely likes you.”
I was not going to talk about boys with my brother’s best friend. Just…no. No way. “I don’t have his number.”
“I do.”
“From what?”
“From back when Etau told Sanders and I that if we didn’t get the fae to his council meeting it was our asses on the line.”
“Call him then. I guess. Remember, he doesn’t want to know anything, but maybe he’ll hitch us a ride there if we don’t tell him what we’re trying to do.”
Jake shook his head, pulled out his cell phone, and pushed a couple buttons. He held the phone to his ear. I could hear the tingy ringing, but Troian never picked up.
“You could…call him?” Jake suggested.
“You just— Oh, you mean call him. No way. I’m not going to call him for this. That’s just…terrible.” I shook my head, remembering the pained look on Troian’s face when he’d been called in my presence. He’d said it only hurts that bad when he’s trying to hold on too tight. “I’m not doing that to him for this. We can fly there, Jake.”
So, it was settled. I pulled out my cell phone and booked two tickets to the UK while Jake pouted.
Chapter Seven
I paced the living room waiting for Jake to come back through the portal. He didn’t care for my suggestion of just leaving with me. He wanted to get permission first. Another strike against being an Elite. You couldn’t just go when you wanted to. Then again, I wasn’t really supposed to just leave either, but desperate times called for desperate measures, and I was always in the ‘Better to ask for forgiveness than permission’ camp. Yeah, Jake didn’t like it when I suggested that either.