by Charley Case
“Open it?”
He gestured at it, and she opened the case and gasped. “Finn. A gun?”
“You said we may as well get you one. It wasn't a bad idea.”
“I was joking. I was frustrated about my training, that’s all. I…I don't have a permit to carry this.”
“It’s not a regular gun.” He reached into the case and pulled the pistol out of the black leather holster and showed her the various details. “See? Doesn't have a hammer or a magazine. In the hands of a Peabrain, this is, like, a replica.”
Penny leaned over from Mila’s shoulder. “Chi, chi.”
“Yeah, Penny. A magic pistol. It’s called an Ivar. Look, it doesn't even need ammo.”
“Then what good will it do me?” Mila raised her eyebrow. “I’m just a Peabrain, unless you forgot that little fact.”
He lowered a tight stare on her. “This gun is a great way to test your abilities. It uses raw potential magic. Unlike the circlet, it won’t pull for magic that’s not there. Plus, it uses a fraction of the amount the circlet tried to take. It will either work or not, but it shouldn't damage you. We can try it when we get to the lake. I thought it might be a nice addition to your arsenal.”
She accepted the pistol from him with a look of doubt on her face. “None of you have felt any kind of magic from me. What makes you think I’ll suddenly get some from somewhere?”
“That’s just it. We don't detect any magic from you, but you keep doing things that are clearly magical in nature.” He pointed to Penny. “Like randomly understanding Penny. That isn’t possible without magic. You can talk to bugs. Also not natural. You sometimes see through illusions, like at the house with the hounds or my tattoos.” He pointed to the side of his head. “All of those things require magic, Mila. And you do them, even if it’s only some of the time. There is magic in you. For whatever reason, we can’t detect it, but it’s there.”
Mila smiled. She tested the gun’s weight, then peered at Finn. “How is it possible?”
“Maybe a different kind of magic?”
Penny gasped, and Mila glanced at her. “What?”
“Squee, shir shi chi?”
Finn shrugged. “I don't know what kind of magic. Hell, could be something new, from the Earth, who knows. All I know is where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And you put off a buttload of smoke for someone not on fire…well, you know what I mean.”
“You two think I’m, what, something new?”
“Maybe. You could be. No point stressing over it though.” He put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “We’ll face it together. Who knows, you might like the ride.”
She gave him an uneasy smile. “Yeah, maybe.”
She didn't sound all that sure, but Finn trusted fate would work it out.
Chapter Twenty
Finn helped Mila attach the Ivar pistol to the back of her weapon belt. He made sure it was in a proper place for her to reach it or Gram without either getting in the way of her fetching the one she wanted. When the harness and holster were situated, Finn helped her into her puffy coat.
Another snore tore through the condo.
Finn grinned at Mila and walked to the couch. Remmy looked more peaceful than he had ever seen her. He hated to wake her.
“You know, it might be good to have her stay and look after the condo while we’re gone.”
Mila shrugged, looking at Remmy as she stepped next to Finn.
“Shir shee,” Penny said from her shoulder, before jumping up to Finn's for a better view.
“Penny's right. Remmy won’t want to stay away from her tribe.”
Mila bit her lip. “If they all came here, could we trust them not to steal everything, or destroy the place? I don't know anything about goblins. Is that a bad idea?”
Finn chuckled. “Not per se, but they can get rambunctious. I think Remmy could keep them in line, though, if she wasn't pranking us about her tattoos. Sounds like she’s respected by her tribe.”
Mila smiled at the sleeping goblin. “They all deserve a good shower and a meal. We built a locker room for this kind of thing.” She peered at Finn. “May as well get a bunch of goblins to test it out for us.”
“Okay, but if we come back and the place looks like they had a party for a few days, it’s because they did.” Finn reached down, grabbed Remmy’s big toe, and gave it a shake. “Time to get up, Remmy.”
The blanket flew into the air, and the goblin went from sleeping to standing on the couch in a fighting stance in less than a second. “I’ll fuckin’ cut you!” The sweet innocent face had turned feral. Then she realized it was them and dropped into a crosslegged position, yawned, and rubbed her eyes. Her white hair stood up in all directions. “Morning already…” She yawned again.
Finn blinked, recovering from Remmy’s lightning reflexes. He barked a laugh. “We were hoping you and your tribe might stay here and keep an eye on the condo for us while we’re gone.”
Remmy stopped rubbing her face and stared at him. “You serious, boss? Not pullin’ my leg? Or my toe?”
Mila piped up. “Rules. First, everyone needs to shower right away and clean their clothes. I don't want to need a new couch because this one’s covered in grime. And, second, keep everyone in line. You can use the TV and the kitchen and what not, but stay out of our rooms and, for the love of god, don't even think about going into Danica's room. She will eat you alive if you mess with her stuff.”
Remmy nodded along as if all Mila’s rules were a given. “So we can stay?”
“Can you keep the place clean? And your people in line?” Mila asked.
Remmy popped up and gave them both a salute. “You know I can, boss and boss. If anyone gets out of line, I’ll beat their asses good. Pow!”
Finn nodded at Mila.
“Okay, then,” she said. “Your tribe can stay here.”
Remmy clapped her hands and grinned. “Thank you so much, boss! I’ll keep em in line. Promise.”
Remmy solemnly took Finn’s hand. They shook. Then she reached out and shook Mila’s hand too. “It’s a promise!”
“Now,” Mila said, “you should put some clothes on. I think we’ve seen about as much of your naked ass as we can take.”
“You got it, boss!”
Finn stood in the alley as Mila pulled the Charger out of the garage and into a fresh three inches of snow that had coated everything overnight. Even in that short distance, the tires spun twice.
Finn opened the trunk and dropped their bags in, making sure the duffel Penny made them bring was secure since the dragon told him it was full of delicate equipment. He had no clue how a tiny dragon could need so much stuff, but she was rarely wrong, so he did as asked.
Mila rolled the driver’s window down and stuck her head out. “This drive is going to be hell. I had snow tires put on, but this fucking car is too charged up for snow. We should take Danica's Forester.”
Finn held up a finger and dug into his bomber jacket. “I have an idea.” He procured a box of Charleston Chews and popped the top, dumping a few into his hand. Penny tapped him on the head from her spot on his shoulder, and he handed the box to her.
“That’s your idea? Have a Chew? Brilliant.”
He chuckled. “No, the Chews are a happy accident.” He pulled a piece of purple chalk from his pocket. “I was going after this.”
“How will that help?”
He smiled, still chewing, and bent to the closest tire. Finn made an intricate rune set, then closed his eyes and funneled power into it. Satisfied, he moved to the next. After a few minutes, he had rune-marked all four tires. He took the half-empty box of Charleston Chews from Penny and made a face at her. She stuck out a chocolate-covered tongue at him as he climbed into the car.
“Okay, give that a try.” He reached over his shoulder and fastened his safety belt.
She hit the accelerator. Rather than spin out like before, it rocketed forward. When she stomped on the brake, the car stopped immediately instead of sliding.
“What did you do? Oh, shit! Fuck me, that’s insane!” Mila stared out the windshield and grinned. “We stuck to the road like glue.”
“I bound the metal in the tires to the stone of the Earth. It has limits, and will only last a few days, but until it wears off, we won’t be slipping or sliding anywhere. Congratulations, you now have a snow-worthy muscle car.”
She bounced in her seat like a kid in a candy shop. “Holy shit, Finn. This will take some getting used to but it’s awesome!” She pulled onto the snowy street and gunned it. The Charger surged forward like they were on a summer highway. “When we stop to gas up, you’re getting whatever snacks you want.”
“I like snacks.”
“Chi chi!”
Chapter Twenty-One
When they stopped for gas and snacks on the edge of town, Finn caught sight of a white panel van pull in after them. He figured more bounty hunters, but kept his trap shut. He didn't want to scare Mila, and once they hit the open road, they’d leave the morons in the dirt. Or the snow, in this case.
As suspected, the bounty hunters lurked and watched, either gathering their courage or waiting for a less populated area to make a move. No one accosted them while they filled up on gas and processed foods. As soon as they were past city limits, Mila stepped on it. Finn had a grand time watching the van try to keep up, lose control, and spin off the road a half-mile behind them.
The Hellcat roared along Route 40. Mila kept the car around seventy and grinned the whole way. Finn couldn't help but smile at her exuberance and spent most of the trip watching her. They had been tail-free ever since the gas station, and he relaxed once they got halfway to Grand Lake. After a series of switchbacks, they broke through the low cloud cover and were nearly blinded by the sun. Mila put on a pair of aviator shades.
The roads were still covered in snow, but from its slushy composition, it had fallen hours ago before the thick clouds had poured into the valley and onto the plains beyond.
Mila pointed to a pulloff overlooking the valley they’d been climbing out of for the last twenty miles. “I need to stretch my legs, and the view from here has to be spectacular.”
They pulled into a snow-covered parking area at the side of the road. A big brown sign read BertHound Pass Trailhead. A small outhouse-style toilet and a standing board with information and trail maps were beyond the sign.
Mila shut the car off, stretching her arms across her chest a couple times. “Ready?” she asked, pulling the door handle and climbing out. She shivered and reached into the backseat for her puffy coat. “Got cold quick up here.”
Finn climbed out and stretched his back, feeling it pop in a few places. “Man, that feels good.” He groaned and noticed Penny doing the same thing while standing on the passenger seat.
“Chi. Chi.” She whipped her long neck, and it cracked all the way up.
The move always made Finn queasy, hearing so many vertebrae pop like popcorn. So, of course, Penny did it when he was watching. “You’re such an asshole,” he said, and she snickered, then hopped into the air and onto his shoulder.
Mila did some standing stretches, reaching down and pulling her nose to her knees, giving Finn an unintentional show…though the smile on her face told him it might not be unintentional.
He gazed around. They had risen above the heavy snow clouds in the city and enjoyed a clear view over the cloud tops. Finn sucked in a chill breath and reveled at the stinging cold in his lungs. A forest pine scent filled the air, reminding him of his magic.
The wet slushy noise of the occasional car crawling by on their way up the mountain was the only sound except for the far away whump-whump of a helicopter somewhere in the valley below.
Finn walked over next to Mila, who had her hands in her pockets, her hood down as she gazed with wonder over the majestic snow-draped mountain forests and billowing sea of clouds.
“Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?” she asked, a smile on her face.
He was about to say ‘yes, you,’ but felt it was far too cheesy and stopped himself. He peered over the vista, trying to recall a sight so amazing from his travels, yet nothing came to mind. “This is truly a magnificent ship. The entire thing is built to show off the wonders of the universe all in one place.” He sucked in another breath and closed his eyes, soaking in the sun.
The whumping of the helicopter grew louder, though still distant. Finn scanned the sky, but either it was obscured by the sun or the mountains were bouncing the copter’s noise. Something about it was odd, as if it were coming from below them. Finn strode to the edge of the pulloff parking area and searched over the side of the mountain. Thick white clouds clung to the rock a few dozen feet below, limiting what he could see, yet the sound of the rotors kept increasing.
“Must be someone who didn't want to drive through the snow.” Mila stepped next to him to peep over the edge. “Probably heading up to Grand Lake, too. Lots of well-off people have second homes there.”
“People like Preston Meriwether?”
She smiled, the aviators giving her an official look that fit her well. “I’m pretty sure there aren’t any other people like Preston.”
“You might be surprised. I bet a lot of wealthy people are magica—”
The muffled sound became a sudden roar as a Black Hawk helicopter shot up out of the clouds, hugging the mountain not twenty feet in front of them. Finn and Mila stumbled back, putting their hands up to block the snow and pebbles whizzing their way.
The matte black chopper had no markings whatsoever on it. It leveled even with them and presented its broad side. Four men in black tactical gear pointed rifles their way from the open side hatch.
“Hands up or we open fire!” a voice said from a loudspeaker. “Back away from the edge. Don't even think about running. Nobody can outrun a bullet. Understand?”
Finn raised his hands and felt Penny slide out of sight down his back. He watched Mila start to reach into her coat, presumably for the gun, and he shook his head. She reluctantly raised her hands, and they both stepped back.
The Black Hawk swooped to the side and set down. The four shooters piled out followed by three more. They all kept their rifles trained on them as they spread out in a semicircle. When they were covered, an eighth man stepped out, also wearing tactical gear and an air of being in charge. He kept his rifle at his side on its strap as he marched toward them.
“You’ve got a lead foot, missy. When you lost us in the city, we had to scramble quick.” He had a southern drawl and had to shout over the whine of the turbines. “Lucky for us, by then we knew you were on 40 with very few turnoffs. Imagine my surprise when you stopped here to enjoy the view, giving us the perfect opportunity.”
“Who the fuck are you?” Finn shouted, drawing a smile from the man.
“Doesn’t matter. You’re coming with us. Between the two of you, you’re a cool fifteen mil for me and my boys. Pretty good pay for a half-day’s work, if I say so myself.” He pulled out a pair of handcuffs and dangled them from one finger. “No funny business now. Oh yeah, and there was something about a lizard…”
Penny poked her head over Finn's shoulder, baring her teeth.
The man took a backwards step. “The fuck is that thing?”
“Armor?” Finn asked Mila.
“On,” she replied.
“Do it, Penny!” While the merc commander was blocking his men’s line of fire, Finn dropped his hand and grabbed Fragar.
Penny opened her maw and blasted the man with dragonfire, then launched at the closest merc on the right, spreading her wings and sending another jet of fire.
The commander beat at the magical flames. He spun and sprinted for a snowdrift, then dove into it, sending up a gout of steam as the flames flash-boiled the snow. The rest of the mercs hesitated. Half of them went to help their commander. The others were faltered by the impossibility that an actual dragon had set two of them on fire.
A loud thump resounded from Finn's right. A net fired f
rom a cannon-like gun wrapped around Penny in midflight and sparked with electricity. The little dragon hit the snowy ground in a tangled heap, out cold.
That was it. These fools were going to die.
Fragar held high, Finn bellowed and charged.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Penny’s unconscious body was wrapped in a net pulsing with electricity. A merc with a remote turned off the shocking feature and approached to retrieve the dragon.
Mila willed her panic away. She was the only one of them who could take a bullet, provided it hit her torso. She reached into her coat for the Ivar pistol and pulled the weapon out, praying she had the power to use it. Targeting the merc stooping by Penny, she pulled the trigger just as those aiming at Finn unleashed a barrage. The roar of seven rifles all but deafened her, although it wasn’t nearly as deafening as the silence from the Ivar. The gun didn't even hiccup.
Bullets ricocheted around Finn, and the dwarf blocked one with the flat of Fragar, then he was on the first man. The axe came down and sliced the merc’s automatic rifle in half. The soldier stumbled backward.
Mila stuffed her useless weapon into its holster and pulled Gram out. She whispered the power word to extend the golden blade.
A merc coming her way stopped when he saw the blade unfurl. Mila leapt at him, swinging the sword for all her worth. The man raised his gun to block the blade.
Mila used the momentum of the deflection and spun into a reverse heel kick. Her heel slammed into the side of his head, catching him on the cheek, and he flopped to the ground.
Mila almost pumped her fist. She had actually done it! She wanted to scream with joy, but a second merc hit her from the side, and they both struck the ground. Gram skittered into the snow as air vacated her lungs. She saw spots, then she felt her arms wrenched behind her. In the time it took for her to coax air back into her lungs, she was hauled to her feet with her hands ziptied behind her.