by P. A. Peña
“I am,” Virgil answered. “Is there something I can help you with?”
“Oh, I hope so. My name is Orlando. I serve the Newton estate as head steward. I’m afraid Miss Newton requires a hunter’s services.”
“What’s the job?”
“Miss Newton has recently attracted the ire of a nefarious individual and—”
“No, thank you,” Virgil said hastily. “Sorry if I got your hopes up.”
Orlando paused at the curtly response. “Pardon my forwardness, but you haven’t even heard me out.”
“I don’t need to. I never accept bodyguard work.”
“I see,” Orlando said as he moved next to Virgil at the bar. “If it’s an issue with money, I assure you, you will be well compensated.”
Virgil shook his head. “I don’t care about the money. That line of work tends to linger on longer than I prefer. I hope you understand.”
The nymph exhaled as he prepared to walk away. “I do. I’m sorry to have disturbed you.”
“Don’t worry about it, and I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
“As do I. I only hope we can find adequate protection before the witch makes her move.”
Virgil perked up as Orlando walked away. “Wait.” He stood, nearly knocking over his chair in the process. “Did you say ‘witch?’”
Orlando stopped and turned around. “That is correct. Quite a nasty one, in fact.”
Virgil grinned, unable to contain his excitement. “In that case, you have yourself a bodyguard.”
“Are you sure?” Orlando asked tilting his head. “I can’t guarantee just how long your services would be required.”
“Oh, I’m sure. If a witch is involved, I’m your man.”
Chapter 2
Virgil sat in the back of a black sedan alongside Orlando. The car was fitted with tinted windows, and it glided through the night like a hot knife through butter.
“Do you mind filling me in on the situation?” Virgil asked. “It’ll help me prepare for the job ahead.”
“Of course,” Orlando replied. “What would you like to know?”
“Well, for starters, do you happen to know who this witch is?”
“Does it really matter? An assailant is an assailant. Correct?”
“That’s true, but the more information I know, the better I can protect my client.”
“I see. Unfortunately, we do not know the witch’s identity.”
“How do you know this is a witch, then?” Virgil asked, tilting his head.
The nymph flashed a smile. “I assure you, we are dealing with a witch. We recently sent out a squad of hunters to handle the problem. We could only recover one of the bodies, but the corpse reeked of lost magic.”
Virgil frowned. “I imagine I’m not the only hunter hired for the job then.”
“Not exactly. We plan to hire a full protection detail for Miss Newton. About ten or so hunters in total. However, we’ve found that many hunters share your position on bodyguard work. We’ll continue to keep looking for additional help, but at the moment, you’re the first to agree.”
Virgil’s frown shifted to a grin. “That’s good.”
“I beg your pardon,” Orlando replied, as he looked over the eager hunter.
Virgil cleared his throat. “It’s nothing. You can call off your search for hunters. I’ll be all the muscle you’ll need.”
Orlando chuckled. “Is that so? That’s mighty brazen of you. If you’re looking for a higher payout, there are certainly less dangerous ways to go about it.”
“Like I said before, money doesn’t concern me.”
“Then what do you care about?”
Virgil paused as he turned his attention to the window. “It’s personal. I do have one last question, though. What has Miss Newton done to provoke this witch?”
Orlando expelled a quick puff of air. “And what makes you think Miss Newton initiated this confrontation?”
“Witches are nearly extinct and would sooner run than fight. If one is gunning for Miss Newton, I wager they must have a pretty good reason.” Virgil turned back to face Orlando, awaiting his answer.
The nymph looked at Virgil, shifting his lips to the side as he thought. “Let’s say you’re correct,” he began. “Is that going to be a problem?”
Virgil shook his head. “I have no sympathy for witches.”
Orlando frowned.
“Is something wrong?” Virgil asked.
“N-no,” Orlando said hastily. “But I’m afraid I must keep you in the dark. However, if the terms of the job are unsatisfactory, please refrain from accepting it. We will hold no ill will against you for doing so.”
Virgil crossed his arms and took in a deep breath. His mind was flooded with doubt. The job was beyond sketchy, and with each passing moment, it grew shadier. Still. It was the first lead on witches he had gotten in months.
“I’m still in,” he said. “I would just like to be as prepared as possible, is all.”
Orlando smiled. “I’m glad we could come to an understanding. We should be arriving shortly.”
Virgil looked out the window as the car approached Newton Manor. The grand estate consisted of a limestone mansion and various other smaller structures. It was enveloped in a massive gate that erected high into the air, of which there was only one entrance. This was guarded by a security checkpoint in the form of a small shack and motorized blockade.
“Where are the guards?” Orlando said as the car pulled up to the blockade.
Virgil reached for the car door as he looked to Orlando and the driver. “You two stay in the car. I’ll check things out.”
“I will do no such thing.” Orlando exited the car as well.
With Orlando close behind, Virgil walked over to investigate the security booth. He peered through the window, but there was nothing but blood, and tatters of fabric spread across the floor.
“Oh dear,” Orlando said, his hand covering his mouth. “We have to check the manor. Miss Newton is in danger.”
“It isn’t safe here,” Virgil said. “Hurry back to the motel. I’ll secure Miss Newton, then rendezvous with you there.”
“I’m not leaving.” Orlando puffed out his chest. “I am the head steward of this estate. To abandon it in such a crisis would be an indignity worse than death.”
Orlando opened the window and flipped the switch to release the blockade. “Billiam,” he said as he approached the driver. “Once we reach the estate, I want you to remain in the car. We must be ready to leave the moment we retrieve Miss Newton.”
Virgil took to the air. “No. I’ll fly ahead and bring her back. It’ll be faster that way.”
Virgil flew off toward the mansion, not bothering to wait for a response. He approached the front doors, or rather, the lack thereof. Each of them had been battered open and were littered with damage. One hung on by a single hinge. The other rested in pieces on the floor. Splatters of blood dotted the pummeled walls and torn carpet.
Virgil steadied his mind and began his search. Even if Miss Newton was clinging to life by a thread, her aura would still be present in the world. It would barely be detectable, but it would be present nonetheless.
With each empty room, Virgil’s nerves stirred that much more. Apart from his own aura, he could only feel Orlando and Billiam.
Virgil made his way up the foyer stairs. As he rounded the corner, a bright light flashed down the hall. He rushed over as the white flare faded away, and burst into the room. The bedroom had been ransacked. A woman lay on the floor draped in a short shimmering pink bathrobe covered in blood.
“Orlando.” She grimaced. “Is that you?”
Virgil approached the woman, examining her closely. Something’s not right, he thought.
“Orlando hired me,” he said as he knelt down next to her.
Slowly, Miss Newton opened her eyes. They were teary and hemorrhaged, but what Virgil noticed most of all was how dull and hollow they were. He closed his eyes and focu
sed his mind on the woman’s aura. It was faint, but still more than enough to confirm his suspicions.
“M-Miss Newton,” Orlando whimpered as he entered the room. “What has she done to you?”
Orlando began to approach, and Virgil rose to his feet, turning towards the nymph. A mass of fire swirled around his fists. “Don’t come any closer,” Virgil barked.
Orlando paused, bewilderment clear on his face. “I beg your pardon?”
“You heard me.”
“We don’t have time for this,” Orlando said, taking a step forward. “Miss Newton is—”
Virgil closed his fist, and flames swirled around Miss Newton. Her body burned like coal in a furnace; however, she didn’t even blink.
“She isn’t real,” Virgil said, his glare piercing as he raised his hand to Orlando. “I’ll only say this once more. Stay back, or I will kill you.”
Orlando paused as he looked at Virgil. He then laughed, placing a hand on his hip. His entire demeanor switched. No longer was Orlando’s posture poised and elegant. Instead, he stood loose, his shoulders relaxed. “All right. All right. You win. Go ahead and turn the flames off.”
Virgil tensed, his eyes narrowing. “I’ll turn them off once you explain yourself. Of course, that implies I like your answer.”
“Fair enough,” he replied, raising his hands. “I suppose this looks pretty sketchy, but come on. You’ve got the sharpest aura perception I’ve ever seen. Better than some deities, in fact. I mean, do you sense any malice in my aura?”
Virgil remained silent, watching the nymph for the slightest bit of movement. He scanned his aura, and reluctantly quelled his flames.
“Thank you.” Orlando lowered his hands. “To answer your question, I brought you here to test you.”
Virgil paused. “What do you mean test me?”
Orlando gestured towards the door. “Why don’t we take a seat in the dining room? I’ll explain everything over a cup of tea.”
Virgil followed Orlando downstairs. No words were spoken as Orlando prepared the teapot. Virgil analyzed his every move, but despite his efforts, he couldn’t figure the nymph out. There wasn’t a drop of ill intent in Orlando’s aura. Even so, something about him lit Virgil’s nerves on fire.
“All right,” Virgil began as the two men sat down at the dinner table, a full tea set between them. “Start talking. Who are you really, and what are you testing me for?”
Orlando picked up the teapot and began pouring. “Friendly word of advice, kid. Try sticking to one question at a time. You’re more likely to get answers that way.”
“You’re stalling.”
Orlando smirked. “Just imparting wisdom.”
Virgil’s eye twitched. “You know, I’m about five seconds away from either leaving or burning your scaly ass to a crisp. You wanna guess which one I’m leaning towards?”
Orlando grabbed his cup of tea. “That’s not funny. We nymphs burn quite easily. Like grilled cheese. Easy to learn. Impossible to master. Dangerously delicious.” Virgil’s hands burst into flames. “Okay, okay. I got it. No more dicking around. You have to understand, though. It’s hard to resist when you Truesdales make it so easy.”
Virgil’s flames grew more turbulent. “You make it sound like you know me, but I know for a fact we have never met before.”
“Not you in particular, but your old man and I go way back.” Orlando coughed as he fiddled with his collar. “Seriously though. I’d appreciate it if you put the flames out. Not really a fan of being baked alive.”
“Prove it.”
“That necklace around your neck isn’t just some pretty tooth for show. It’s a Dragon’s Treasure. The Fang of Kayveon to be specific. It’s a catalyst used to amplify magic. It used to be Danté’s.”
Virgil scoffed, turning his flames up even higher. “Not good enough,” he said. “Anyone who’s heard of my father knows the Fang of Kayveon was his treasure.”
Orlando’s breaths were beginning to grow heavy. “Okay. How about this then? It wasn’t always his. It used to belong to a friend of his. A friend of ours. Once she died, he inherited the fang. He wore it every day until the day he died and then you inherited it.” Virgil fell silent, the magnitude of Orlando’s words overwhelming. “Okay, so maybe I guessed on that last part, but the rest is all true. Could you please—”
“S-sorry,” Virgil stuttered as he recalled the flames. He picked up his teacup and took a sip. Usually, he would have inspected it for poisons, but his mind wasn’t exactly in its usual state. “You knew who I was all along, didn’t you?”
Orlando steadied himself, taking a deep breath. “I did. Danté and I were friends for a long time. We worked more jobs together than I can remember. Of course, that was before I joined the Crusader’s Alliance.” Virgil sighed as he set his cup down and slid it forward. “Is something wrong?”
“No,” Virgil replied. “That just explains a lot. You’re a Crusader.”
“I am. In light of everything, I gotta say, you exceeded my expectations. Oh, and the name’s Orlando Knox, Queen of the Crusader’s Alliance. Diamond Division.”
Virgil’s eyes drifted towards the nymph’s fin. “Queen?”
“It’s just a rank. We’re not gender specific.”
“Whatever,” Virgil said with a shrug. “Just what does the Alliance want with me? I’ve always hunted within the bounds of the law.”
“I’m so glad you asked. One of my duties as a queen is to nominate a new applicant to take the Crusader’s Exam. You know. Keep young blood circulating into the organization.”
“I see. So this whole bodyguard charade is just your way of vetting potential applicants. If you couldn’t tell the woman was a fake, you have no business joining the organization. Right?”
“Not quite,” Orlando said as he took his cup and brought it to his lips.
“Then what is it?”
Orlando took a sip and set his cup down. “As I said,” he continued. “You exceeded my expectations, but I never expected you to perform as well as you did.”
“What does that mean?” Virgil asked, his eyes lowered.
Orlando held his hand out and three humanoid water forms appeared on the table. Two of them stood next to one another while the other lay on the table. “Normally, I would have merely judged how you reacted to the staged attack.” The water began to move, mimicking the prior events. “I never expect people to spot Miss Newton is just a conjuration of mine, but you were able to figure it out, and quite quickly I might add.”
Virgil remained silent and skeptic.
Orlando sighed as he waved his hand, dispelling the water. “Anyway, are you familiar with the Crusader’s Exam?”
“Familiar enough.”
“Well,” Orlando said, gesturing towards Virgil, “you should know that it takes an individual of incredible caliber to be considered for sponsorship. In all my years of running this test, you’re the first to ever decipher that Miss Newton is just a fabrication. Your ability to perceive an aura is uncanny.”
Virgil folded his arms. “I take it that means you want to sponsor me then. You want to serve me up to the Alliance and see if I’m fit enough to be their latest dog?”
Orlando pouted. “I wouldn’t put it like that, but I’m sensing a little bit of hostility here.”
“You say you know my family, right?” Virgil rolled his eyes. “There’s a reason my father never mentioned you.”
Orlando nodded. “Okay, I deserved that. Danté and I didn’t exactly end on the best of terms. Still. You have more raw talent than anyone I’ve ever seen. Sure, you’re rough around the edges, but with the proper guidance, there’s no limit to the amount of good you can do in this world.”
Virgil laughed before unfolding his arms and leaning forward. “And what about the people who the Alliance never has time for, because their problems aren’t the world’s problems? I think they would agree that I can do plenty of good in the world without taking orders from anyone.”
“That may be true, but take it from someone who’s been there before. You can do so much more when you’re more than just one man in the fight.”
“You know, you are terrible at convincing people to sign away their freedom. I don’t need or want to join some superhero team to continue doing the same thing I’m already doing.”
“Look,” Orlando began, “I get it. I used to be a hunter like you. Like your dad. Hell, your brother too. I used to think I was making a real difference in people’s lives, and one day, a hard truth made me realize I could be doing so much more. As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t do it alone. I joined the Crusader’s Alliance looking for allies to strike up real change, but do you know what I found when I made it there?”
Virgil sneered as he leaned back into his chair. “A leash?”
“A family.”
Virgil was taken aback. His mind filled with memories at the mere mention of that word. It was something he thought about nearly every day, but he hadn’t felt it since he was a boy.
“If none of that interests you,” Orlando continued, “then consider what the Crusader’s Alliance can do for you. If you become a Crusader, you’d have a near-limitless pool of resources to draw from. There’d be no more traveling aimlessly. No more wondering when or where your next meal is going to come from. No more risking your life for a payout just to make it one more day and do it all over again.”
“You make it sound so simple,” Virgil said, snapping back into focus on the conversation. “Tell me, what’s the difference between risking my life for myself and putting my life on the line for an organization where I’m just another drone in the hive?”
The room was deathly silent as each man looked the other in the eye. Orlando chuckled and reached into his suit pocket. “The answer is hidden right there in your question.” He pulled out an envelope and slid it across the table. “I can’t force you to accept the opportunity, but you’d be making a grievous mistake leaving an offer like this on the table. At any rate, I hope you at least accept this. Consider it payment for indulging me tonight.”