by Dodge, Lola
The next of Blair’s books was Guide to Deathly Companions. I’d thought I was getting another spiel about Servants until I cracked the cover and found an encyclopedia of magical creatures associated with death.
Cats and bats, owls and rats—that info was pretty standard.
My fingers froze on the page with a hand-drawn picture of a gigantic black bird.
Battle crow.
Appearing as heralds of battle, or to wallow in the resulting carnage, battle crows feed on death and deathly energies.
Gabi had a battle crow at the cryptid clinic.
Right now.
And If they fed on deathly energy…
Could I offer myself as a meal?
Fingers shaking, I grabbed my phone to message Gabi and Blair. What if I fed my death magic to the battle crow?
I sucked in short breaths, waiting for a response.
Uhh… A second message bubble hovered while Gabi typed.
Blair responded faster. Yes! They can suck up death magic. It probably wouldn’t even hurt.
I bit down. Probably?
Gabi’s message finally came through.
This battle crow is cooperative, but she’s pretty much a war god. As much as she’s grateful we’re healing her wing, she’s still in pain and might be too cranky to help. Then again, your magic might heal her faster…
Was Gabi more worried about me or the crow? I typed fast. I’m willing to at least ask. If she’s not interested, I’ll disappear.
I wondered what “cranky” meant for some kind of birdly demigod, but I was willing to take a risk for the chance at a quick fix. There’d be no faster way to find my normal.
We can give it a try. Gabi messaged. But you’d better come over too, Blair. Mom and I can handle the crow, but not the death magic. We can’t let Anise get hurt.
Now? I’d sprint over if I had to.
As soon as possible. Gabi responded. She’s healed enough that she’s antsy to get home and we can’t hold her if she decides to fly off.
Be there soon. I knocked back my chair.
“Where you going?” Wynn snapped up, instantly alert. No blurry eyes or groggy wake-ups for him.
“To Gabi’s clinic. They have a cryptid that might be able to help me.”
“And the mannikins?”
Oops. I’d forgotten for a sec. “If this works, the mannikins won’t be after me anymore.”
Wynn’s eye twitched.
I bounced on my toes. “I can’t stay cooped up forever.”
I had an actual chance to cast off this magic and it didn’t involve zombies or embracing death. How could I shy away?
Wynn didn’t argue, but he knocked back his stool a little too hard, dripping the trademark aloofness that shouted his irritation. I sighed. It was always one step forward, ten steps back with him.
Ignoring Wynn’s consta-glower, I headed to grab a jacket.
I wanted to bake again a lot more than I wanted to get along with him.
When I went to look for my car keys, Wynn already held them in a fist. At least he wasn’t pushing back on taking this trip, but I’d still rather drive.
I hopped in the passenger seat and kept my mouth shut. Arguing would only make the trip take longer.
Gabi’s family lived out toward the ski valley. We drove out of town until we hit the old blinking light—a four-way stop in the middle of nowhere.
A man stood on one of the medians, holding a cardboard sign. Something about the bulky set of his shoulders tickled my memory in a sickly kind of way.
When he flashed a fanged grin, my stomach dropped to the floor panels.
Girrar.
The creepy maybe-vampire who wanted to “make a deal.” He tossed his sign and jumped into the road. Holding out one palmful of gold nuggets, he waggled his other finger, gesturing for me to roll down the window.
That wasn’t how panhandling worked.
“Wynn.” I gripped the edges of my seat.
He floored the gas so hard the tires squealed and we tore away from the stoplight. Girrar followed a few steps down the road.
I shivered and ducked my nose beneath the hood of my jacket. “Is he going to keep bugging me forever?” My instincts screamed that Girrar wasn’t the kind of mannikin who’d keep taking no for an answer.
“If he does, I’ll handle it.”
The certainty in his voice helped me ease my shoulders down away from my ears. “We’ll take care of it.” It wasn’t like I couldn’t defend myself—but I had to hesitate using my full firepower until I was sure my magic was under control.
Wynn nodded and readjusted the rearview mirror. There was nothing around but trees, shrubs, and the setting sunlight when we hit the sign for the Taos Veterinary & Cryptid Clinic.
We turned off and rumbled down a long, gravel road until the house and outbuildings came into view. The land’s wards weren’t a solid boundary, but they hit me layer after layer, building up as we drove.
The magic fell around my shoulders like fluffy blankets—calm and tranquil. Probably how they kept scared animals and mythical creatures from freaking out.
The house was a cute, two-story farmhouse with blue shutters and sprawling gardens that were mostly bare trellises and withered vines this time of the year. A few of the barns were bigger than the house, and more little outbuildings than I could count scattered around the property.
Gabi popped out the screen door and waved from the porch. Wynn parked us in a patch of packed dirt next to a row of three other cars. I headed straight for Gabi. “Is the crow still here?”
“She is.” Gabi skipped down three steps and led us along a garden-tile path toward the outbuildings. “I’m not sure how much longer. She’s been antsy to leave the past few days.”
“She’d only be interested in feeding on my magic, right?” I drew the line at offering flesh, blood, or any body parts a giant mythical bird might find tasty.
“Just magic. We’re keeping her well-fed. Rats by the bucket.”
I bit back a gag. “Great.”
Strange cawing and trumpeting noises slipped out of the barns and sheds we passed, but it smelled like hay and farm animals, reminding me of the county fair.
The one I’d burned down. I clenched my fingers tight. I would not set any of Gabi’s home on fire. “Where’s your mom?”
“Waiting with the crow. Blair had to duck out of a service, but she’s on the way.”
“That’s okay. I’m sure we can handle this ourselves.” Gabi’s mom was both a witch and licensed vet, and I couldn’t have Blair on call all the time to deal with my problems. Especially if she was busy with actual work.
Gabi led us off the path, heading for one of the medium-sized sheds. “The crow’s a few units down, but we shouldn’t show up empty-handed.” She pulled a massive keyring from her jacket pocket and picked the right key on the first try.
The inside had a dry, fishy smell that made my nose wrinkle. Gabi flicked on the lights, revealing a storeroom packed with dog food, bins of hay, and banks of humming chest coolers. When she grabbed a steel bucket, bile rose in my throat.
Rats by the bucket…
Blech.
I took a step back, not wanting to see what she was scooping out, and my back bumped into Wynn. I made the mistake of catching his eye.
“A battle crow.” His voice was flat.
“Is that a problem?” He was making it sound like one, but what did it matter if we had to work with a battle crow or a baby dragon? “I’m taking any help I can get.”
“We’ll see.” He smoothed along his gauntlet, and just the way he stood was tenser than his usual aloofness. He gave off this tight, focused energy that made it look like he was about to jump into a cage fight.
I was going to ask if there was something he needed to tell me, but I caught a whiff of Gabi’s rat bucket. The rats weren’t frozen. Just chilled. Refrigeration did nothing for their stink. My throat locked up and my eyes watered. I tucked my nose into my jacket.
/> “Sorry, Anise.” Gabi held out the handle. “You’d better carry this in.”
I took the handle and held the bucket out as far from my body as I could, but dead rats were heavy and my arms started to shake. There was no escaping holding the bucket at my side.
It reeked like rat poo and rigor mortis.
I tried to breathe through my mouth, but then the stench clung to my tongue. Another gag contracted my throat.
Gabi and Wynn didn’t flinch.
Were they superhumans? Because blech again.
I thought nothing could be worse than that smell until I felt the tingle in my fingertips. Magic chilled my whole arm to the bone and whips of greeny smoke curled down, reaching out to the carcasses.
Stop that. I tried to pull the magic back the way I would my flames, but the smoke didn’t listen to my commands. It seeped out, waving and caressing the rats with a weird sense of familiarity that echoed inside me.
My magic liked the dead rats. Wanted to spend more time with them.
It took everything I had not to drop the bucket and run. Forcing my fingers to keep gripping the handle, I followed Gabi. At least the battle crow would be able to see what kind of magic I was offering?
I just wanted these weird sensations gone because there was no universe where I’d enjoy spending time with rat corpses.
“Ready?” Gabi paused at the double-doors of a wide, one-story barn, her hand on the handle.
“Yes.” I needed to lose this bucket as soon as possible.
“Follow my lead and listen to my mom. Keep your voices calm and level, and don’t make any sharp movements. All you have to do is make your request and we’ll go from there. If we tell you to get out, back away slowly and don’t make eye contact. Got it?” She glanced from me to Wynn.
I swallowed. “Got it.”
We followed Gabi inside and she shut the door behind us. I squinted, trying to find the light in the almost-darkness, but she didn’t reach for a switch and I suspected the windows had been blacked out.
“This way.” She grabbed my sleeve, leading me across a barn floor covered with stray pieces of straw.
We passed horse stalls, but none were filled. The only sound was a rustling that echoed from one end of the building. By the time Gabi pulled me to a stop, my eyes had adjusted.
“Anise.” Gabi’s mom, Vanessa, hurried to squeeze me into a hug. She wore a puffy jacket over maroon scrub pants. “You’ve brought an offering for our guest?”
My gaze swept past Vanessa’s shoulders, then up. And up. And almost up to the ceiling.
I’d been picturing “giant” crows dog-sized. Like a terrier or maybe as big as a well-fed chocolate lab.
The battle crow perched on a log in the big paddock at the end of the row. Its talons were foot-longs and the top of its head reached between the rafters. Shoulders as wide as a truck with lustrous black feathers that sucked in darkness.
My spit dried up.
That was one biiiiiiig bird.
“Bring the bucket closer.” Gabi nudged my shoulder.
I took a jerky step forward, almost spilling my rats. The battle crow titled its head, giving me a closer look at its chainsaw-sized beak. Its eyes glittered and its gaze fixated on me with human, or more-than-human, intelligence.
I swallowed, trying to re-wet my mouth. I set the rat bucket within pecking distance and forced myself to stand up straight but kept my eyes lowered.
“These are for you.” I gestured to the rats, keeping my movements smooth and slow. “I was wondering if you’d be interested in feeding on my death magic. It’s not really mine, exactly. I want to get rid of it. Um. And you can have it. If you’re hungry?”
Request not smooth, but it was a start. I glanced up, checking the crow’s reaction.
It had lowered its head again, but it wasn’t going after the rats. The crow peered past me.
Toward…what, exactly?
I crept out of range of that monster beak and shot a puzzled frown behind me. What had stolen its attention?
The crow was glaring at Wynn.
Not at Gabi or Vanessa. There was no question. It was fixated on Wynn.
He’d pulled a long knife and matched the crow’s stare dead on.
Was he insane?
“Wynn.” I tried to keep my voice low and calm, but a hint of urgency slipped through the cracks in my gritted teeth. “Stop it.”
“I won’t be the one who backs down.” He pulled out a second knife. I wanted to smack my forehead. Or better yet, smack him. Who’d start a knife fight with a mythical creature the size of a bus?
It had us screwed on size alone, let alone magic. The four of us combined probably only had a thimbleful of power compared to this thing.
“Wynn,” Vanessa spoke like she was reasoning with a guy about to jump off a bridge. “I need you to put those knives down and back away.”
“I can’t do that.” Wynn kept staring.
The crow lowered its body again, and its talons cracked into the log. I winced as the wood creaked. It was getting ready to rush him.
I sidestepped, trying to keep myself out of its wingspan while I edged toward Wynn. By the time I made it to his side, the crow’s wings had started to spread.
Preparing to swoop. Preparing to dive. Preparing to rip and rend and remove our souls like squirming worms fresh from the battlefield.
Its broken wing was still bandaged, but I doubted that gave us an edge.
The only way we’d win this fight was not starting it. I tugged Wynn’s arm, trying to pull him toward the door, but his feet stayed planted.
“Why are you doing this?” I tugged again, throwing my weight into it.
He barely swayed. “Ask her that question.”
Braver than I’d ever be, Vanessa stepped between Wynn and the crow. “Has he angered you, Wise One?”
The crow’s monstrous caw echoed down to my nerve endings.
“Oh shit,” Gabi’s soft whisper broke the following silence. She moved to tug Wynn’s other arm. “You have to get out of here. Fast.”
Careful not to catch us with his knives, Wynn nudged us both away. “I’m not backing down.” He didn’t turn away from the crow for a second, but he pitched his voice to me. “You need to take cover.”
“Take cover?” While he stood here alone? “You’re crazy.”
“Now, Anise.”
Gabi was already creeping backward. She flicked her gaze sideways, directing to me to the horse stall open behind me.
I should duck away. My magic wasn’t going to be much help.
Whether I’d already frozen or I was just that stubborn, I couldn’t bring myself to move. The only card I had was putting myself in danger.
Maybe then Wynn’s brain would start to work again, and he’d realize how stupid he was acting.
I conjured flames to my fists, even though cold green wisps shot through my power. “I’m not leaving.”
Wynn growled low in his throat. “You—”
I couldn’t hear the rest.
The battle crow hurtled into flight.
Seven
A caw reverberated so loud that my eardrums screamed. Wynn body-slammed me. I caught a mouthful of hay as we ducked and thunked and rolled.
Sharp feathers scored across my back. I barely heard the rip of my jacket tearing as the crow’s wings beat against the walls and ceiling. Wynn dove again, covering my body, jamming my face into the floorboards.
My teeth knocked wood, but the sting was nothing. Too much adrenaline pounded through my body. The walls screamed and hay spun around in a tornado.
Wynn leaped to his feet.
The crow had passed us. Now It hopped back, coming for another pass and no less threatening. Wynn cocked back his arm, ready to throw a knife.
What was his problem today?
We did not kill mythical creatures.
I grabbed his elbow just as Gabi and Vanessa jumped in front of him. They clasped hands and started to glow in a pure, green light
that reminded me of fireflies. Each woman held up her free hand.
Tranquility and calm poured off them. Wynn’s muscles relaxed and so did mine.
The crow shook its head and ruffled its wings. Was the calming magic taking? I held my breath, digging my fingers into Wynn’s arm, just in case he snapped out of the spell.
The battle crow let its wings settle. It cawed again, softer this time, and insistently butted its head against the door.
Gabi and her mom rushed forward, still holding hands. Together, they started to open the double barn doors.
With a last screech, the crow plowed through the half-open doors, knocking them off their hinges. I sagged and let out a huge breath, finally letting go of Wynn.
“She’s gone,” Gabi called.
“What were you thinking?” I whirled, ready to lay into him.
He’d lost his knives in the tussle and stood with fists balled so tight his knuckles cracked. His glare swung to me, backing me up a step.
“You—” Wynn’s voice choked off.
He dropped to his knees.
“Wynn?” Time slowed as I reached out to him. His eyes pinched. And his skin was too white. Too pale. Too wrong.
I caught his shoulders before he face-planted, but he was too heavy to hold up. He fell, pushing me back down to the floor.
And my hands felt wet.
I lifted one away from his shoulder.
Blood.
Talon marks cut through the fabric of his shirt.
Deep, deep cuts.
I glimpsed the frayed flesh and my head spun, suddenly dizzy. “Vanessa!”
“Get your father.” Vanessa pushed Gabi toward the door and dove for Wynn. “It’s okay, Anise. Let go. I’ll take care of him.” Her calm voice barely reached me.
I crawled out from under him, but I couldn’t bring myself to back away. I could only stare at the blood and the wounds.
Put yourself in danger?
Who was the stupid one?
Of course, he’d saved me. Wynn always saved me.
Rapid footsteps thudded through the barn. The man who had to be Gabi’s dad hurried to Wynn’s side with a massive med bag. He wore glasses and a Dartmouth sweat suit.
Gabi followed behind him, but she ran straight at me.
“You’re shaking.” She pressed her palm to my forearm and her cool magic seeped into my blood. Calming. I sagged so much I had to rest my head against her shoulder.