Coming to a stop, I let them carry on. Both of them slowed before they turned back to me. Two pairs of contrasting eyes watched me, waiting. Wringing my hands in front of me, I breathed deeply to stop myself from hyperventilating. I wanted to bury my head deep in a sandpit, suffocating in the process, just to drown out the bodies.
In two strides, Tinniel was next to me. “You need to–”
“Not worry!” Naz interrupted, pushing his brother away. They scowled at each other, Naz raising his eyebrows and holding out his hands to the side. “Were you really going to say that? The poor girl is only just finding out about her heritage, let her handle her emotions.”
“What was he going to say? I need to get a grip?”
Maybe he was right. Whatever he did to cut off his emotions obviously worked for him, maybe it would work for me, too.
“Come on,” Naz said, putting an arm around my shoulders. “As if you’d be able to be like my brother. He’s a snotbum.”
“Snotbum?”
We were closer to the gym now. Naz had done a good job of distracting me. The heaviness of his arm across my shoulders was a comfort, which was something I hadn’t felt for a very long time. Did I fancy the wrong brother?
“Yeah. When we were kids, he used to run around shouting Snotbum, Snotbum, stick in your hairy bum.”
The growl that rose up from Tinniel’s throat made me laugh. Yes, even though we were about to walk into the Gym of Death, I couldn’t help but giggle at the pink cheeks of the hard-assed man who shook his head at his twin.
“I hate you,” Tinniel muttered, waving away Naz’s fake exclamation of hurt and marching across the road, heading straight for the gym doors.
I swallowed hard as we followed him, the joking instantly forgotten.
“Brace yourself,” Naz whispered. “And remember the bounty hunter code.”
“The what?” I had never heard of such a thing, obviously.
His arm dropped away, his hands grasping the tops of my arms as he turned me to face him. “Our code is to kill only when our life is at risk. We take in our hit, never hurt innocents in the process. And always, always, have your partner’s back.”
Nodding, he let go of me and stepped through the doors behind Tinniel, jogging to catch up to him. I went too, my feet dragging a little slower than theirs. The code seemed fair, although why he was telling me, I didn’t quite know. I wasn’t going to become a bounty hunter.
“Doesn’t look like anyone has come in since,” Tinniel said as he peeked in the tiny window that led to the gym’s main room. “It’s exactly as she left it.”
Emotion pushed up through my stomach, making it roll again. I had to get a handle on myself. No, it wasn’t usual for a human to kill a bunch of burly men with a scream, but… if there were bodies still on the other side of the door, I had to accept that it had happened.
As the door opened, the smell of singed hair filtered up my nose. Gritting my teeth, I swallowed the bile that rose up my throat. How had I killed them?
Tinniel and Naz went in ahead of me, both treading carefully.
I looked around, checking that the men were exactly where I’d left them. Yep, all of them were dead on the floor. Fuck, what had I done?
“This is a normal day’s work for us,” Tinniel said as his brother went off to take a closer look. “In our world, thick skin is a requirement.”
“Your world.” My hands shook as I tucked my hair behind my ear.
Watching the movement, Tinniel licked his lips before taking my hand and squeezing it. Not with a soft kind touch, no. The bastard literally squashed it hard, almost breaking my knuckles.
“Ouch!” Attempting to yank my hand away, I shoved him in the chest. “What are you doing?”
Water popped into my eyes from the pressure on my bones.
Tinniel pulled me closer to him, looking down at me. “This is a reality check. You killed these men in self-defence. You are a witch, Lyla,” he whispered, pushing his face close to mine. “It’s time to embrace it and become who you were meant to be.”
A shudder started at the base of my spine and travelled over every muscle. Tinniel released me, his eyebrows raised. I stepped back, unable to absorb all of his intensity at the same time as trying to comprehend his words.
He was right, I had killed them in self-defence. Not only that, they had burnt to death at the sound of my scream. How was that even possible?
“You need to help me understand,” I said eventually.
Naz came back. “We’ll help you now that you’re willing to hear us.”
A crash of the door made me jump behind the men, my hands held out in front of me. Not that I would’ve managed to do much to defend myself with them there. They’d do it for me. Hopefully.
“Man, a smoke bomb went off in here. Who’s magic is it?” Zac tugged on latex clothes as he walked in, his thin nose scrunching up.
Synthia was right behind him, her long blonde hair flowing down her back. Seeing me, she headed over and clasped my hands. “Are you okay?”
The slight frown of her perfectly smooth forehead made me nod quickly. She checked me over, her eyes scanning every inch of me.
“You’re fine, no injuries.”
Naz went over to join Zac as he bent down and examined Ashley. My tummy churned again, forcing me to turn away and put my hand over my mouth. Tinniel was right. Ashley had come for me, meaning me harm. I had to find out why.
Straightening, I tugged on my big girl pants and clenched my hands into fists. I had been thrown into a whole new world, I had to embrace it. Or at least find out what was going on.
“It’s your magic,” Zac said, pointing at me. “You must have let it get pent up inside you, exploding when you were in danger.”
Taking a couple of tentative steps, I went over and crouched next to him. “How can you tell?”
Both of them stared at me, Naz going so far as to cock his head towards his brother, who was looking at another body.
“See?” he called. “I told you she was tough.”
“I think you actually said ‘she’s tough with a touch of human sensitivity that would need to be trained out of her’.” Tinniel didn’t even bother to look up from the dead man in front of him.
Cheek! Human sensitivity, who did he think he was? Although, Naz’s shrug was a confirmation that his twin spoke the truth. Why did it not surprise me that the pair had been talking about me?
“Don’t worry,” Naz said, patting my back. “We’ll make sure you get the training you need to be a kickass tracker witch.”
My mouth might have gaped open several times before I went to push up to my feet. Zac captured my arm, gently but firmly, forcing me to stay next to him.
“See this?” He pointed at a thin layer of black dust that lined the floor.
Running my finger through it, I flinched as I rubbed the gritty paste between my thumb and forefinger. “What is it?”
“It’s the residue of a heat blast.” Zac scratched his small chin as he looked at Naz. “She’s got the right blood, that’s for sure.”
“Right blood? Please don’t tell me, let me guess.” Closing my eyes briefly, I hummed and waved a hand over my face. “I’m a freak who will save the world with my blood because it contains some sort of ingredient that repels vampires and ghosts?”
When I opened my eyes, Naz smiled, rather bemused. Zac on the other hand, looked confused, his piggy facial expression a mixture of one raised eyebrow and one pulled low. Clearing his throat, he took up the apparently magical dust from the floor with a wipe of his gloved hand and put it in a see-through bag. “We have the evidence we need to press ahead with the hunt.”
Leaving us, he went over to Synthia, whispering something that made her look over to me. She bit her lip, suppressing a smile. Or at least, that’s what it looked like. The girl had an ever-changing expression, one minute happy and light, the next, contemplative. Not that I’d spent much time with her. Seeing the dead bodies around me, I had a
feeling that against my choice, that was about to change. I wasn’t a girly-girl. However, maybe having another female would help with all the testosterone in the air.
“What does he mean, hunt?” Tingling tickled my fingertips as I wiped them on my jeans.
“We’re bounty hunters, it’s what we do.” Ducking his knuckle under my chin, Naz stood and went over to his brother.
I chanced a glance at Ashley. My heart hurt as my gaze traced his unrecognisable face. He had been there for me through a lot of hard times in my life. And here I was, talking next to his body as if I hadn’t just charred him to death. Even though he had come for me, I would never allow myself to be proud that I’d killed him.
“Ignore them,” Synthia said, offering her hand.
Taking it, I let her help me to my feet. An instant burst of peace rocked through me, forcing a sigh from my lips. She had a powerful healing energy. I could sense it as soon as she was nearby. It was no wonder she was a good asset to the team. Or I assumed she was, anyway.
“Don’t ever lose the part of you that makes you who you are.” Letting go, Synthia smiled at me. “It can be really easy to turn off all emotions in this field. I don’t recommend it. Using your empathy will help you track those we need to catch.”
“Oh,” I said, moving slightly away. “I’m not sure about all this. I mean… look at me…” Waving a hand down at myself, I cringed at the tatty clothes and probably messy hair. “I’m not the bounty hunter type.”
A laugh escaped her lips before she tried to straighten her face. “As an intuitive healer, I can tell you that you are the bounty hunter type.”
About to deny her outrageous claim, – could she not see how awkward I was? – I froze when a heavy hand landed on my shoulder. Tinniel’s gentle guidance brought me round to face him. He held up a piece of paper, the edges burnt slightly.
“We think this is the order to kill you.”
Snatching it from him, I read the words. Yep, someone had written to Ashley, ordering him to make sure I didn’t leave his gym alive if I turned up.
“We think this has a connection to our hit,” Tinniel muttered, taking the note and handing it to Naz, who stored it in an evidence bag.
Whoever said curiosity killed the cat, wasn’t wrong. So, why did I find myself intrigued by their hit? Who were they after? And what did that have to do with me?
“Never did get that bollocks about the cats,” Naz muttered. “We can only explain more if you agree to work with us.”
“Can you not read my mind, please? It’s rude!”
As if I wouldn’t be tuning into everyone’s thoughts if I had the same ability. It must be incredible to hear what everyone was thinking.
Raising his eyebrows, Tinniel waved Naz away. “Trust me, you don’t want his skill. It’s made him incredible annoying.”
Well, I couldn’t exactly deny that, could I?
“You can deny it,” Naz chimed in, walking backwards. “I’m also very helpful and friendly. Not only that, I’m–”
“Not looking where you’re going,” I muttered, chuckling when he tumbled over Zac, who was on the floor, gathering more evidence.
They grunted, shoving at each other as their limbs entangled. I couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled up my chest, exploding from me.
The room fell silent, all eyes turned to me. Each one of them had their own shocked expression, except Tinniel, who actually chewed on the inside of his cheek in an attempt not to smile.
“That laugh…” Synthia said. “… It’s something!”
Err, I’d forgotten about my stupid laugh. Everyone who had heard it had taken the piss out of me because of it. It was a running joke wherever I went. School, work, the gym.
The gym. Okay, now my chest squeezed like a mo-fo. How could I laugh when there were dead bodies strewn around the place because of me?
“I have nothing to lose.”
My whispered words made Tinniel reach up. Before his hand reached my cheek, it paused mid-air, dropping as quickly as it had ascended. “No, you don’t. And yet, you have everything to gain. It’s not clear yet. But, it will be.”
Leaving me, he turned and gathered the others, talking amongst themselves about the evidence. I half listened as they answered specific questions about the scene, each giving their own input into a crime that had apparently been committed against me, not the other way around. This new world would take some getting used to, that was for sure.
“Lyla?” Tinniel called me over to them.
My steps were tentative, my heartbeat loud in my ears as I joined them. They watched me, each judging me based on the tiny bit of information they had about me. In the past, I would have cared very much what they thought about me. Now? Now I had no idea what was going on, just that I had to make a choice.
“There’s a lot I need to learn,” I said, even though they hadn’t asked me the inevitable question. “Like, who will train me? And how much will I get paid?”
What? So, shoot me. I could no longer deny that I was different. For years, I had felt it, and pushed it away. My mother had wiped my memory of the little things that had probably been ingrained into my mind. Answers were finally in front of me, which meant I had to either go on living in ignorance, or step into the unknown with a motley crew of weirdos.
I’d take the weirdos.
Chapter Seven
“I can’t believe I’ve agreed to this,” I said, tying my hair into a loose ponytail the following day.
Well, it wasn’t exactly a ponytail considering tons of blonde strands fell out, being too short, but it would have to do.
Tinniel turned towards me as he tied his own luscious locks into a bun on the back of his head. He had asked me if I wanted a lesson in magic. Of course, I couldn’t turn down any request from such a nice man, – okay, handsome man – not if I wanted to get to the bottom of my messed up life.
“As a sorcerer, we’re similar,” Tinniel started as he crossed the room to the wooden table, laden with intricate items I had never seen before. “We used to use potions, concocting many spells to aid in just about anything. Nowadays, we have specific powers. Skills that we’re born with.”
The room was tucked at the back of the club, far too normal for my tastes. It was so modern, I had assumed it was a kitchen when I’d first walked in. There was a bigger area with padded walls off to the left-hand side of the table and kitchenette units. Some cooking occurred here, but whether it was food, was anyone’s guess.
“I suppose Naz’s skill is listening to thoughts?”
Inclining his head, Tinniel indicated that I should join him. I tiptoed across to the table, eyeing the tarot cards, the incense burner and a bundle of dried sage.
“Most witches are connected to Mother Earth’s magic. You’re more likely to cast spells in order to channel her divine power, almost bend it to your will. That’s why you use items to help contain it.”
I had no idea why he spoke as if I was the one casting spells. I had never even thought witchy thoughts, let alone learnt how to spell abracadabra correctly.
“So,” I said, picking up a carved wooden wand. “I could use this to fry your brain? Like Harry Potter?”
Taking it from me, he put it back down and shook his head. “No, your magical weapon of choice will let itself be known. You’ll… what are you doing?”
A thrill of energy shot down me as my fingers danced over the blade of a sword. The silver was slightly tarnished, a yellow colouring bleeding at the edges. Several symbols were engraved on the metal, running down the centre of the gorgeous weapon. “I like,” I muttered, smiling to myself as I picked it up and balanced the solid heavy handle in my palm.
“You’ve got to be kidding me?”
My fascination dampened as I raised the sword towards the man who was supposed to be encouraging me. “What are you saying? I’m hot enough to handle this baby, thank you very much.”
“You’re a tracker witch,” he said, waving his hand above the rest of
the items. “Shouldn’t you choose a map or something?”
Frowning, I swiped the sword in front of me, using my training as a kickboxer to bounce on my feet and move around. My first swing of the heavy object wasn’t as hard as I’d first imagined it would be. The blade sliced through the air, barely missing Tinniel’s shirt. Ah, maybe I could accidently on purpose cut the shirt off?
“He’s got ten thousand of the same shirt,” Naz shouted as he pushed into the door, dragging a holdall on the ground behind him. “I say go for it.”
Tinniel growled low in his throat when he saw his brother. I kinda regretted that I hadn’t taken the opportunity to carry out my plan, but when Naz’s expression grew serious, I completely forgot about undressing the moody sorcerer who now stood straighter, waiting for his brother to talk.
“I missed him by one minute.” Naz almost threw the bag towards Tinniel, breaking out a Snickers bar from his pocket in the process. “He left a calling card.”
Leaning the tip of my new sword – yeah, I’d claimed it – on the floor, I watched as Tinniel bent down on one knee and unzipped the bag. A groan escaped him, the sound loud in the otherwise silent room. Was I witnessing my first ever bounty hunter thing?
“Nice sword,” Naz said, chewing open-mouthed.
“Why, thank you,” I replied, picking it up and spinning it. The handle moved freely, almost falling straight out of my palm. I had to grab it with two hands, catching the blade just before it hit the floor. “She’s called Beauty.”
“Beauty?” Naz screwed up his nose. “That’s not very original.”
“Of course it’s original.”
“You can call your magic Beast. Then you’ll be in harmony, both weapons balancing each other out.”
Warmth skipped up my spinal disks, making me shudder gently. I loved Naz’s way of thinking, it was quite similar to my own. Not that I’d come up with the name Beast for my magic, considering I didn’t really completely believe that I had magic. Yeah, denial was my middle name. But, I liked the idea of the two weapons, if they were real, balancing each other out.
The Witch & the Bounty Hunter (Federation of Magic Book 1) Page 7