The flames spread and threatened to engulf us. Shadow snarled as his coat caught fire. Even his neckerchief smoldered. He ripped them both off and cursed. God’s bloody wounds! Shadow’s’s neck was covered in the most hideous scars that I had ever seen. They were like the ones on his wrist, but even more terrifying, like his skin was melted down and reshaped by a crazed blind man. I looked away and pictured something beautiful for balance.
“We have to get out of here,” I said again. There was no way that the situation could sink any further into madness. The purple mist spread, lighting fires where it touched. Half of a Troll appeared from the mist, one bulging eye open.
Someone cried havoc and a side door flew inward. A nine-foot tall, monstrous Ogre charged in, taking part of the door’s frame with him. He could’ve been Arrock’s bigger, nastier older brother. In each hand was a club, and he smashed a swath through the crowd, killing gang members, honest spectators, and Grizzlemaw’s b’hoys. He left a writhing path of shattered body parts in his wake.
Behind the Ogre stepped two Goblins in leather aprons. They carried blunderbusses attached to leather pouches on their backs. Another Ogre came through, followed by another and a Troll that jumped up to the rafters and unstrapped the rifle on his shoulder.
With a mighty screech, a bald eagle flew into the room. He took roost next to the Troll and transformed. The creature was covered in splendid white and brown plumage, with a hooked beak and eagle’s head. In one hand was a saber, and draped across his back was the American flag.
“Artillery, fire!” the man-eagle cried. The Goblins pulled triggers and sprayed the room with glowing bullets. Hendricks waved his hands and the bullets coming our way swerved and hit the back wall. Several of Grizzlemaw’s b’hoys went down and some faded away.
Grizzlemaw took three bullets to the chest, but he shrugged them off like bee stings. He turned his attention away from us and toward the Goblins.
“Cadatchen, you bastard! Where are you?” Grizzlemaw lumbered forward, shrugging off another shot from the Troll rifleman.
“Infantry, advance!” shouted the man-eagle. The three Ogres stepped forward and raised their weapons.
In his rage, the massive Grizzlemaw could handle an Ogre, but his b’hoys weren’t as lucky. The Ogres beat his b’hoys back, while Grizzlemaw grappled with one Ogre and threw it to the ground.
Meanwhile, we used the smoke and fire as cover to hide behind the ring. Smokestack passed out from his injuries. Hendricks worked a spell to keep the smoke out of our lungs.
“So you’re a wizard too?” I asked Shadow, leaning in close to hear his answer. There was none. Drops of Shadow’s blood landed on my coat.
“Wizards?” Leenie ducked a piece of flying wood. “Yer all daft.”
The man-eagle let out a loud screech and waved his flag in the air. “Cavalry, charge!”
Leenie looked at the battle. “An’ I am too.”
“Cavalry?” Hendricks said. “This can’t be good.”
It wasn’t. From the barroom came the squeal of pigs. Four Redcaps armed with lances charged into the fray. They rode pigs covered in spiked barding. The hog cavalry closed the trap on Grizzlemaw’s b’hoys, and the slaughter was on.
A thick, white fog fell upon the room, billowing in from every window, door, and sundered wall. It quenched the fires around us and blended with the purple mist. Even I, an utter failure with magic, felt the tingle of power as it surrounded us.
That’s when Pop walked in through the broken wall.
“You are all under arrest,” he said with trembling fury in his voice. He raised his cane and a blue beam of light struck a weasel Pooka, freezing it in a block of ice. He moved the cane and the beam caught the entire Redcap cavalry, doing the same to them.
Grizzlemaw roared and slapped the Ogre in front of him out of the way. He lumbered for the exit, but his Ogre grabbed him from behind and wrapped a thick arm around his head. Pop fired a beam of gray light their way, wrapping them together in smoking bands of iron.
Shadow ducked down lower. “Damned Watchmage,” he creaked. One of his rings glowed, and his shape wavered. He shrunk and turned black and scaly. In moments, I was looking at a long, black, pit viper. The snake raised his head and nodded, and then slithered away.
“Hendricks, did you see that?” I turned to him, but he was staring slack-jawed at Pop.
“Retreat!” Cried the man-eagle, and he transformed back into a bird and took wing. Pop raised his staff. A black cloud covered the eagle. It condensed into chains and the eagle crashed into a wall.
Pop rose into the air. His hair looked whiter somehow, like he had aged fifteen years since entering the saloon. The Troll rifleman fired at him, but the bullet halted midway, turned around, and blew through the Troll’s heart. The creature faded before it hit the planks.
“Ah, there you are,” I heard him say as he looked into a corner. He pointed and the rabbit Pooka that I saw before floated toward him, arms and legs flailing to no avail.
“It’s time to go,” I said to Hendricks. I pointed to the hole that Pop made. “Grab Smokestack.” Hendricks nodded, and we dragged Smokestack through the hole and into the November night. Leenie followed close behind, still clutching her broken bottle.
The entire street was covered with the white fog that came before Pop burst in. “Leave Smokestack in the alley and run,” I said.
“Will he be alright?”
“Better outside than in.”
Leenie started to protest, refusing to leave the man, but Hendricks took her hand and nodded. There was a long moment where nothing was said, but a whole hell happened. She rose with us.
We left right as Smokestack came back to his senses. As we ran off, I heard him sobbing, shaking his fist and wailing for the death of The Bloody Knuckle.
Nathaniel
Sniddlenose floated upside down in my binding circle, slowly turning from his flailing’s momentum. His ears flopped straight down. He tried to look me in the eye, but his position made that difficult.
“Sniddlenose, you have been a very bad bunny.”
“I’m so sorry,” he sniveled. “I didn’t mean to.”
“Yes, you did.” My hands shook, and I wanted nothing more than to wrap those hands around his throat. My anger surprised me, more than I’ve been in ages, if ever. He put my city in danger, but it was more than that. He disrespected me, and after all I’ve done for my Dwellers, I deserved respect.
I had to wait until he turned around to answer. “You’re right, I did. But it wasn’t my idea, I swear. Honor bright, I swear.”
I waved my hand and he spun like a top. I heard him moan as he whirled, and when I stopped him, his looked ready to vomit. “What honor does a rogue like you carry? How many years in Atlantis do you need until your debt is paid?”
He started to cry.
In the past, crying was the best way to break my temper. Jonas turned it into art when he was in his knickers and I found him with jam on his face or frogs in his pockets. I can’t abide hurting someone, but that was before Sniddlenose almost destroyed Henry Street.
I stamped the Watchmage’s Cane on the ground, raising purple sparks of Chaos. “You will tell me everything. Where did you get the port for the Fire Elemental? Who gave it to you, and why? If you don’t tell me, I swear I will dip you in molten iron an inch at a time.”
His rabbit eyes opened as far as they could. “I—it was a mageling.”
“A name, Sniddlenose. A name.”
“I…I don’t know. He was big and scary. He had horrible scars.”
I raised my hand. This time Sniddlenose flipped end over end, from floppy ears to cotton tail. A twinge ran through my back and chest.
I let him fall to the ground. “Anything else?”
“His voice it wa—”
“Pop,” said Jonas from behind, startling me. “We found him.”
I turned around. Hendricks looked like he had been dragged behind a wagon. “I didn’t hear you enter.
Hendricks, are you well?”
“Well enough,” Jonas said for the boy. “I think we met your mage.” He moved his head so that he could see Sniddlenose. “I see you learned how to question a suspect. Roundsman Leary would be proud.” Jonas said, though his expression showed disdain. “Did you know that there’s a dog with wings flying over the house?”
“I’ll explain that later. You know who unleashed the Elemental?” I leaned on my cane.
“Maybe. I think we know who killed Molly Hyde. His name’s Shadow McGuirk. He’s a thug for hire, and he fits this one’s description. Ugly, talks funny, turns into a snake.”
“You saw him change form?”
They nodded. “We were at the Bloody Knuckle,” Hendricks admitted. “He cast the spell there.”
I gaped. “What were you doing at th—”
“I’ll explain that later,” Jonas said. “We have to find McGuirk. He might still have the baby.”
I left the very upset Sniddlenose floating and walked to a gold rimmed chest. Jonas and Hendricks followed.
“This should do nicely,” I opened the chest. Inside was a clear, crystal ball sitting on a bed of velvet. Unlike the amateurs in the Hellfire Club, I knew how to use it. In theory, anyway.
I set the ball on a desk and drew a rune on the side with my finger. The crystal ball glowed with an inner light and floated a half foot into the air. “Hendricks, I’ll need your help.”
I placed my hands on the ball, and told Hendricks to do the same. “I need you to visualize this Shadow McGuirk in your mind.”
The globe filled with blue fog, but that was all. I was afraid of this. Contact usually requires either agreement between the parties or something personal of the viewed. I lacked the strength to overpower this rule. Master Sol or one of the other ancient wizards could, but not I.
“Do either of you have anything of Mister McGuirk’s? A scrap of fabric, a coin that he held?” I knew I was grasping at straws, but there was nothing else.
Jonas took off his coat and gave it to me. “He bled on me. Is that personal enough?” He pointed to the blood stain.
“I hope.” I took the fabric in hand and pressed the blood stain to the crystal. The image of Shadow appeared in the center of the globe. He looked like a man that would kill a woman without a moment’s remorse. The image filled me with a great rage. I was ashamed that I let such a mageling walk unknown in my city.
I tapped the ball with a finger. The image fogged, and I felt a rush of air and the sensation of being pulled into the crystal. My consciousness raced along Third Avenue. Every push cart, oyster monger, and omnibus blurred into one until I stopped at Thirtieth Street. I rose in the air and through the window of a brick tenement.
I gestured to Jonas and he leaned in to view the image. It was a small, dirty apartment with open trunks filled with clothes. Shadow McGuirk was dressed for travel. He leaned over a cradle and shook a brightly colored rattle.
“Is this your man?” I asked. Hendricks nodded. I set my jaw. “He’ll pay for all that he’s done. I’ll make him suffer…”
I felt a hand on my shoulder. “Pop, he’s ours. We’ll get him.”
I turned to face him. “Why? He’s no match for me. I’ll roast him from th—”
“That’s what I mean. You’re off your chump,” Jonas said. “I’ve never heard you so angry. Listen to the things you’re saying. This isn’t you,” he continued. “We saw what you did at The Bloody Knuckle.”
“Respect comes from strength,” I said.
“You used to say otherwise,” Jonas answered.
“And I was wrong.”
“Look at that poor fella over there. You would never do something like that. You’re not that kind of man.”
I looked at Sniddlenose. He floated awkwardly in the air. His tears formed a puddle on the floor.
I have lived many years, even many lifetimes. I have seen people, cities, and even countries rot from the inside, the slow descent into something they’re not. Whether it’s the natural course of human events or a great calamity that upends their world, the end is the same. It’s so easy to forget who you are.
Ah, Jonas. You saved me from myself.
“I suppose he’s your man,” I said. “You’ll need something that can hurt him. Give me your pistol.”
Without hesitation, Jonas took out his Colt and placed it handle first into my hand. I stoked the Chaos energy inside of me and drew a series of runes on the barrel. It surprised me how weak I felt from a simple spell such as this. I felt my back teeth loosen in my mouth.
I handed it back to Jonas. “The enchantment will last a few days. It’ll allow you to pierce weak protection dweomers, and if necessary, harm Veil Dwellers.” I looked from Jonas to Hendricks and back. “Are you ready?”
“Yes,” they both said.
I asked them to put their hands on the crystal ball, and they did so. I traced a rune on the crystal and filled it with Chaos. The ball fogged, and I watched as Jonas and Hendricks were pulled into the ball and transported to the scene within.
Feeling weak again, I made the long trek up to my room. Were the steps always this tall? Was my breath always this labored?
I made it to the entry hall, but after that I had to call Geebee for help. She bustled to my side. “Are you sick?” She asked. “I’ve never seen you in such a shape.”
“I need to rest. I’ve overstepped the limits of my power.” I refrained from telling her that I may have sent my son off to death. I knew she’d worry. I was just as worried, but I had to trust him. I gave him all the help I could, raised him to be a strong and righteous man. He would have to do the rest. I whispered a prayer as Geebee helped me up the stairs.
Jonas
My hearing came back to me moments before my sight, and I heard a familiar song in a near indecipherable growl. I first produced me pistol an’ I then produced me saber, I said ‘stand and deliver, for I yam a bold receiver…”
Hendricks and I appeared about ten feet behind Shadow. He stood over the cradle, shaking a rattle and warbling. A young woman in homespun clothes stood over the stove, stirring a pot of something white.
“Deceiver,” I said to Shadow. He spun around and reached for his barker, but I already had mine in hand. “It’s ‘I am a bold deceiver.’ Not receiver.”
Shadow McGuirk slowly raised his hands and cursed. He gestured to Hendricks with his head and narrowed his eyes. The woman screamed and bolted out the front door. I let her go. Shadow was the one I wanted.
I cocked my Patterson before he could try anything. “Don’t even think about magicking your way out of this. Step away from the baby.”
“You think my man’ll give ya a better deal?” he garbled. “This’s my contract.”
I tapped the copper star on my vest, which I had moved from the inside to the outside. “Municipal Police.” I smiled as the color drained from his face. “That’s some cold coffee for ya, isn’t it?”
He nodded, and he smiled a strange, sad smile. “Sad. I was lookin’ forward to headin’ out west.” His empty eyes fell back upon Hendricks. “Is he one too?”
“I’m Watchmage Hood’s apprentice. You’re overmatched,” said Hendricks. “You might as well surrender. I promise my master’ll show mercy.”
“Watchmage,” he spat. “Smokestack should’ve never trusted a scrawny prat like you.”
“You haven’t stepped away yet,” I said. “Please do. This gun fires by itself sometimes.”
He spat out a flurry of words, but his ravaged throat garbled them so that I couldn’t understand.
“Speak English, dammit!” I said.
He took a breath and spoke slowly. “We can still deal. You get the baby and let me go. You’ll never see me again.” He took three steps away from the cradle and gestured toward it. “I saved your damned life, you owe me.”
Hendricks pointed an accusatory finger toward Shadow. “You killed Molly Hyde.”
“Who?”
“Molly Hyde,” I said. �
��She was the Vanderlay’s wet nurse. Leenie’s sister. You turned into a snake and bit her.”
“Never knew her name.” He looked to Hendricks and shrugged. “Never cared.”
“You’re a monster.” Hendricks spat.
“Yep,” he said. He faced me with slumped shoulders. “I liked you. Even if you are a leather’ead. But if you’re gonna take me to the Tombs, I might as…”
One of his rings flashed, and his form wavered like heat coming off the sidewalk. I fired, but he was no longer there. Something struck my head—I heard it more than felt—and I fell forward. I twisted and landed on my side, in time to see Shadow draw and point his gun at Hendricks. I cocked and fired again, but the barker’s back-kick knocked it out of my awkward grip. It slid under the baby’s cradle.
“I never liked you,” Shadow said as he faced down Hendricks. There was a bang and flash. Shadow fell backwards over a chair and landed on his rump. His barker slid across the floor.
Hendricks’ cross glowed white. “I never liked you either.” He drew something in the air, and ice began to creep up Shadow’s legs. Shadow grimaced and made a sideways movement with one hand. One of his rings flickered, and the ice shattered.
I crawled over to Shadow and grappled his legs. He kicked and his boot gave me a glancing blow. I held on and crawled on top of him, pinning him beneath me.
“Grab his hands,” shouted Hendricks. “I’ll get the baby.”
I grabbed his left, but he punched me in the mouth with his right. My eyes crossed, and he disappeared again. “Dammit!” I shouted as my fist hit the wooden floor.
I scrambled to my feet and turned around. Hendricks and Shadow were toe to toe, and Hendricks—to my surprise—was giving him the better of it. I suppose he learned something at the Bloody Knuckle after all. He snapped Shadow’s head back with a flurry of lefts and rights. A haymaker caught Shadow in the jaw and floored him.
The Watchmage of Old New York (The Watchmage Chronicles Book 1) Page 18