Blood Hunt (Secret Magent Book 3)

by F. A. Bentley

  “I want to check in with Narani. And then, well, I have a feeling that between the were-beasts and these Magi that we’ve really kicked a cockroach nest so…

  “So you want to put your ear to the ground?” I asked.

  Itabimori nodded.

  “Don’t get killed stupidly,” I said.

  “Is that a crack I see in your dark brooding shell, Charles Locke?” Itabimori asked.

  “You’re imagining things,” I replied.

  By the time Cho finished reciting the story, Itabimori had long since vanished from view.

  “Did you get all that, Cazador?” I spoke into the receiver.

  “Barely. What is this?”

  “Our ticket to finding Xibalba. Get the Loremasters on it. As many as you’ve got on hand. I have a feeling that there’s a big scary clock hanging over all of this, and I’d rather not be late for any parties.”

  “Lawless idiotic demon monger, but your instincts are always on point,” Cazador said, very nearly complimenting me. “That’s what I was calling to tell you, Locke. Gelwer and Gogol held an emergency meeting with half the other Archmagisters. They’ve agreed that there’s to be a deadline on this mission. You have til the day after tomorrow to ensure Xibalba belongs to us.”

  I perked an eyebrow at this. He was lying through his teeth. “What aren’t you telling me, Cazador?”

  “Need to know basis.”

  “Could this possibly get any worse?” I asked him.

  Cazador laughed harshly into the phone. “I’m glad you asked. The news reports that Tropical Storm Carlos is forming out at sea. Meteorologists say it’s going to hit Cancun as a hurricane--”

  “The day after tomorrow?” I finished for him.

  I took his silence as a correct guess. “Finish it. Finish it fast,” he spoke at last.

  The call hung up. Perfect. I was in the mood for some solo brooding anyways.

  Picking out a nice spot in the sand, I sat and let my mind drift. Mundane vacationers and party-goers poured onto to the beach. First as a trickle but slowly growing into a flood. The less oppressive heat of the setting sun was a tempting offer for anyone who burned easily.

  Before I knew it, the beach was packed. Towels, folding chairs, volleyballs, and skin as far as the eye could see.

  “Buenos dias. Mind if I set up next to you?” asked a shrill feminine voice.

  “It’s a free beach miss-- Son of a bitch,” I cursed.

  “Wow Charlie,” Lis replied, her voice returning to her normal smug tone. “You must be waist deep in trouble to not notice me creeping up on you. What if I was an assassin out to get you?”

  Normally I would have had a reply prepped and ready, but unfortunately I was too busy regarding Lis’ swimsuit to counter attack. I had been expecting microscopic threads holding precarious scraps of cloth onto her body. I had been expecting some ‘please take me’ slingshot bikini, or at least a sexy two piece!

  Instead I stared in abject horror at Lis’ conservative, pitch black one piece swimsuit. Sure it had plenty of cleavage showing, and sure it had thinly threaded sides that showed off her flanks, but it felt like a betrayal of all that I expected from the she-devil.

  “You’re kidding me,” I demanded.

  “What’s wrong? Is it too much?” Lis asked all innocent like.

  “Too much clothing maybe,” I muttered in response.

  “So you admit you were looking forward to seeing me in something revealing. Shame on you Charlie, Lust is a Cardinal sin.”

  “Go straight to Hell. If you’re here to tempt or trick me hurry up and get it over with.”

  “What, not enough time to ease into it with small talk?” Lis asked, producing a bottle of sun block.

  Squirting a bit onto her long luscious leg, she slowly and sensuously began to rub it into her skin. Her lightly tanned legs shone in the dying rays of dusk. Eyes of molten bronze watched me with mild interest as her hands caressed up and down majestic feet, calves and thighs.

  “Ah. I get it. You chose that swimsuit because you know I have a thing for legs. Because the rest of your overly conservative one piece is like a blazing neon arrow pointing to my main point of interest.”

  “Impressive Charlie, you’ve got me all figured out. I actually came by to do more than taunt you though.”

  “You don’t have to lie to me Lis.”

  She chuckled at that. “I’m being serious actually. Proverbs, chapter sixteen line eighteen: Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. I gotta say Charlie I’ve noticed you’re kind of overdosing on confidence lately.”

  “That’s rich, a Devil lecturing me on pride?”

  “It’s true. You nearly died twice in a row cause you went in swinging against someone way bigger than you. Pride isn’t quite like other sins, you know. It’s hilariously insidious, and by the time it becomes obvious it’s usually too late to do something meaningful about it.”

  “I don’t tell you how to be a pain in my ass, so don’t give me lip service regarding my job.”

  “All full up on lip service from that snake girl then?” Lis asked.

  “Don’t start with me. You’re here to play a trick. Let’s hear it.”

  “Well, it’s less of a trick and more of a temptation.”

  My eyes followed her hands as she slowly embraced her legs close to her chest.

  “Explain,” I said.

  “It’s pretty straightforward this time, actually. I need to borrow your wand for a bit. In exchange, I’ll give you all the info I know about Xibalba. Wisdom in exchange for power. It’s up to you though to live long enough to make use of it. Deal?”

  I’d been working by the seat of my pants on this mission since the start, and it’d be a welcome change to actually be better informed than my enemies for once. That being said, without my wand I’d be unable to use magic.

  A grin slowly flitted onto my lips. I also nearly beat a were-jaguar to death without any magic though. I could surely manage without for a couple of minutes. Hell, with Itabimori’s spells and sheer synergy I’ll probably be fine even without my magic. As long as we laid low.

  I locked eyes with Lis and nodded. “Deal.”

  Chapter 20

  “Your wand then, por favor,” Lis said. “I’ll give it back as soon as I’m finished.”

  I handed her my magic stick. She daintily took it from my hand, and set it down next to the sun block. Gathering sand with her hands she made a sand castle. More like a sand mound really. When she finished shaping it up she crammed the wand into the top like a flag.

  “There we go. Looks much better with a wand sticking out of it. Now, about my end of the bargain--”

  “That’s it?” I asked.

  “Hmm?”

  “That’s what you’re willing to exchange your information for? Sand castle decoration?”

  “That’s right.”

  “Don’t you have your own wand? A loose twig nearby? Something? Anything else? You’re a terrible devil.”

  Jagged eyebrows furrowed. “I happen to really like your wand Charlie. Only yours is worthy to decorate my sand palace.”

  “Fine. Finish admiring your ‘sand palace’ and then give my wand back,” I replied.

  “Of course Charlie, I know how naked you feel without magic. I’ll be sure to give you back your wand as soon as possible,” Lis said.

  “And when will that be?” I pressed.

  “In exactly twenty four hours.”

  My heart fell. My brow broke out in a cold sweat.

  Let me explain something that might not be common knowledge. Mages aren’t very frightening without channeling devices. We don’t carry staffs, rods, and crystal balls around on us just for laughs or for the sake of fashion. Despite a sorcerer’s magical ‘gifts’, a focus is still required to channel the magic within us properly. Hell, even the mightiest arch mage would struggle to cast a fireball without the proper props.

  To add insult to injury, Supernaturals like Itabimori
and Narani rarely suffered from such a requirement themselves. After all, their whole bodies counted as a magical focus.

  I was such a fool. I knew Lis’ deal was too good to be true. This wasn’t lending the wand to Lis for a little while. It was going a whole day without my only magical focus.

  “So, this is your game,” I muttered.

  Lisistrathiel practically beamed at me with diabolical delight. “You bet.”

  “It’d almost be more merciful to kill me. How am I supposed to fight the Mabinoy and those were-beast thugs without my magic? Not to mention the Nagual!”

  “Job, chapter one, verse twenty one,” Lis said without missing a beat. “Naked came I from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away.”

  “And you’re even quoting the King James version,” I groaned. “God damn it.”

  “Now, now, I wouldn’t have asked for such a price if I didn’t think you stood a chance of not dying horribly,” she replied, voice a-drip with false sympathy. “Trust in my judgment.”

  I scowled at her holier than thou attitude. “Only an idiot would leave you to judge anything.”

  I must have caught her completely off guard, because before I knew what was happening, Lis had burst into a long, loud fit of laughter.

  “What’s so funny?” I asked.

  “Have I mentioned how much I like you, oh apple of my eye? You really know how to make me smile,” She managed between further peals of laughter. “Alright, I’m in a real good mood now. Ask me anything. My heart is ready Charlie.”

  “Tell me about the pantheons then. The Supernatural scene? What is Xibalba really anyways? In fact, tell me anything I can make use of now that I don’t have a lick of magic at my disposal,” I said.

  Lis laid back on her beach towel, raising her arms up to cradle her head.

  “Well, the short version is that there isn’t much of a Supernatural scene left.”

  “Why not?” I asked.

  Lis leveled a dirty look at me. “Ask your baby sitter.”

  Cazador?

  “Conquistadors,” I replied. “The pantheons were broken up by them, I take it?”

  “Mostly. Between the missionaries and the plagues that wiped out a whole lot of the populace, most of the faithful were either convinced to play for different teams, or were sent to the after world ahead of schedule.”

  “And without people worshiping, or at the very least spreading knowledge of the gods in folk tales, the divine die out.”

  “Correct. Even the Supernatural landscape has been altered forever. It’s one big ghost party if you try to Cross Over. The Quetzalcoatls and a few other of the more reasonable gods survived, but other than that? Nothing but ruins. Half forgotten names.”

  “Reasonable gods?” I asked.

  “Oh, you know,” Lis said, a diabolical grin parting her lips. “The ones that didn’t survive strictly on a diet of Mortal suffering, fresh blood and daily sacrifice.”

  Chapter 21

  It’s easy to forget how hungry for mortal flesh the local deities had been. Especially when their remaining offspring are as reasonable as Itabimori. I pursed my lips and let the she-devil continue.

  “Mesoamerican Divinities weren’t the nicest bunch,” Lis said. “Say what you want about the European Pantheons but at least Zeus kept his shenanigans to extra marital affairs, and Thor to bashing out the brains of other Supernaturals.”

  “That would explain why Tlatani and his cronies are so hard core in their transmogrification. They probably have to be,” I said.

  “An apt deduction, Charlie. Half the old school Mesoamerican blood magic, especially the Aztec junk, is partly fueled by the target’s own suffering and life essence.”

  “Charming. What about Xibalba?” I asked.

  “Literally means ‘Place of Fear’,” Lis supplied.

  “This just keeps getting better and better. What should I be worried about?”

  “It’s hard to kill divinity, you know. Harder than you think. Even with their heads cut off or their hearts pierced, beings with divine sparks are like weeds. Unless they’re pulled up by the root they can sometimes make miraculous recoveries,” Lis replied.

  “Who should I be worried about then?”

  “Charlie, you’re not actually planning on going to Xibalba, are you? No one’s found it because it’s not just impossible to track down, but is probably chock full of things that are better left unearthed. And I’m not the type of gal that lets sleeping dogs lie lightly,” the she-devil said.

  I shook my head, “I don’t think I have a choice. The Nagual called it a race to see who gets there first. He’s quick and elusive and powerful. But if I get to where he’s going to be, I can prepare and--”

  “And take him out?”

  I nodded. “That’s the plan. What can I expect from Xibalba, Lis?”

  “There’s a paling cast on it to make it magically undetectable. Even I wouldn’t be able to figure out what goes on down there. That’s how it stayed hidden so long. There’s also going to be a million and one traps and tricks to it. Walls of darkness, spikes, scorpions too I hear. Only other being that might give you trouble is Hun Came. Or at least whatever minions of his that managed to survive without the constant sacrifices.”

  “Hun Came?”

  “Hun Came: One Death. God of the Underworld and arguably rebirth according to some accounts. Lord of Xibalba. I doubt he’s in a position to hassle you though. Supposedly he got killed by a couple of mere mortals a couple centuries ago. If you can really kill a God of Death and Rebirth.”

  “Mere mortals?” I asked.

  “Don’t get too excited. The brothers that did him in had more than bit of divinity in them. And literally a lifetime to plot revenge. Reminds me of those two girls you were with. Snakey and the cute puppy girl,” Lis replied.

  I perked an eyebrow. “Goodness gracious me Lis, is that another a hint of jealousy I hear in your voice? No need to get territorial just cause another snake is hanging around me.”

  Lis smiled dangerously. “I actually think you two make a cute couple, thank you very much. Just don’t forget that there’s a difference between me and her.”

  “And what difference would that be?”

  Lis hooked a finger into my collar and dragged me to within an inch of her face. Sharp teeth waited in ambush behind full red lips.

  Her hot breath washed over my face as she whispered, “Itabimori’s a snake. I’m a serpent.”

  I made a mental note not to pry deeper. A flick of the she-devil’s finger released me from our intimate face to face.

  “The only other bit of trivia I can think of is that Xibalba used to be a sort of Underworld for Supernaturals as well as Mortals,” Lis said.

  “I think I understand. Because of it’s deep connection with the dead it only makes sense that--”

  “That any Teotl you’ll find there is sure to be inclined towards death,” Lis finished for me. “You’re welcome Charlie.”

  I had my mouth open to thank her when my cell phone rang. I held up a finger to Lis and clicked accept.

  “Locke,” I spoke into the phone.

  “You had better be thankful. We’ve deciphered what you’ve given us,” said Cazador.

  I let out a sigh of relief. “Finally, good news. Upload the coordinates to my phone. I’ll get on it right now.”

  “Don’t squander my efforts, warlock,” came the reply. “And don’t forget the deadline.”

  “Sure thing, mom.”

  Cutting the call there felt like shutting a bunker door after tossing a grenade inside.

  “Now, where were--,” I replied, turning to see nothing but thin air.

  “--We?”

  “Charles!” cried out a familiar voice.

  My head craned to the side to see Itabimori, shaking her hand energetically. Her breasts did the same. “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “That costume guy’s thugs were in a truck heading out
of the city, but,” the snake woman hesitated.

  Costume guy? “The were-beast cult,” I said.

  “Yeah. But I lost them.”

  I narrowed my eyes and looked up the coordinates on my phone. “I think I know exactly where they’ve gone. Care for a ride? My treat this time.”

  Chapter 22

  Few people realize just how much light pollution there is in the world until they’re forced to tail a group of were-beast cultists into thick jungle. Without any lights there are only the stars and the moon to offer any vision.

  My BMW i8’s four wheel drive was a godsend in the rough road, and even then I very nearly went off the trail a couple times. Why you ask? Because when you tail a truck full of magicked up college kids eager to murder you on sight, you have to kill the headlights.

  “What are they doing so far out in the wilderness?” Tab asked from the passenger seat.

  “Cho called it the Sunken Shrine. A temple built on marshy ground that had partially sunk into the earth and become hidden. It’s the first leg on the way to Xibalba.”

  “Your guy got back to you?” the snake woman chipped in eagerly.

  “Despite some huffing and puffing. You didn’t have to come with me by the way.”

  “Yes I did,” she replied haughtily. “You’re going to get your butt kicked. I can tell.”

  “Woman’s intuition is a scary thing. I’ve got a fair warning for you though,” I said.

  “A warning?” she asked.

  “I can’t use any magical power right now.”

  Itabimori looked horrified. “Why not? Are you okay? Did you get hurt again?”

  “Deal with a Devil. Information more valuable than peace of mind right now.”

  “It’s going to be worth it though, right?” Tab asked.

  I offered her a wry grin. “Who knows?”

  It was just a thin light to begin with, but it eventually grew and grew in the middle of the swampy jungle. A great fire blazed in the distance, like someone was planning a great big cook out.

  “I see. The were-beasts weren’t going here. They were coming back here.”

  I broke off of the truck’s trail, and slowly inched forward in the BMW until I could just make out the edge of the camp.