Magic Thief

by C C Sommerly

  “Is that who we are here for?”

  “I can’t tell from here, but I could see him making a bonehead move like the hood.”

  “We can take turns watching. It will seem odd if I stay in this position,” he said.

  “Not any less odd than arguing with the bar tender or being drugged to loosen up for your date.”

  He smirked, but the light hearted look was quickly replaced by a steely one.

  “I’ll see what I can do to make up to you for that. He will not do that again; I’ll make a point of it.”

  “Actually, don’t. This way, he’ll owe me.” You never know when having someone owe you a favor will come in handy.

  “What he’s doing is illegal and it could get someone hurt or killed. He shouldn’t even have drugs like this in his possession.”

  “Then, give him a stern warning, but I want that favor.”

  “Sometimes, the way we reach our goal is just as important as achieving it.”

  “Sure it is.”

  One of the bar maids went to the hooded man. He waved her away. The fastest way to make enemies in a bar is not spending money when taking up a table. Amateur.

  I flagged Lars over. I needed something to absorb the drugs and alcohol.

  “Do you have an antidote?”

  “No, but food should help, here’s a bar menu?”

  He dropped it on the bar. I glanced over it, quickly locating my selection and placing my order.

  I ignored Lochlan, while fighting off the potion’s effects. I really wanted to curl up and sleep.

  Several minutes later, a heaping pile of pulled pork nachos, lathered with cheese, pico de gallo, black beans and a homemade salad.

  Lochlan’s hand snaked out to grab a nacho, and I smacked it away. I didn’t share my food, like ever. I might not use my magic, but the energy I expended keeping it locked up was just as exhausting as using it. And, I hadn’t eaten dinner. Lochlan could get his own.

  I was feeling a little better with some food, but I needed to get home in case the food didn’t absorb the potion.

  Lochlan watched me eat and tried another time to steal a chip. I whacked his hand hard. He got the hint this time.

  “Enjoy your rabbit food.”

  “Nothing wrong with salad.”

  “If you’re a rabbit.”

  A strangled scream broke through our debate. The hooded figure was writhing in pain, as a man stood before him, his hand outstretched.

  The bouncers rushed towards both men. The attacker threw something at the bouncers, who shrieked and fell to the floor, slapping their exposed skin.

  “Wolfbane,” one of them cried.

  The hooded man had stopped screaming and lay slumped over the table, a growing pool of blood from underneath him.

  Lars vaulted over the bar. Lochlan and I rushed forward, but Lars got there before us. He grabbed the attacker by the back of his shirt, hauling him away from the injured man. Before Lars could do more, he was airborne and fell against a table, which broke under his weight. He stayed down.

  “Bar fight,” someone yelled and chaos ensued.

  Lochlan and I fought our way to the attacked and injured man. Just within feet of reaching him, the attacker disappeared in a cloud of smoke. I reached for the injured hooded man. Jasper’s bloodless face stared vacantly at me. A dagger was sticking out of his chest.

  “We need to call this in,” said Lochlan.

  “I’m not calling anything in.”

  The last thing I’m interested in was gaining the enforcers attention.

  “Have you no compassion? Didn’t you know the man even to the smallest degree?”

  When I didn’t answer, he gave me a disgusted look.

  “I’ll take care of it and our tab. You aren’t needed here.”

  8

  I woke up feeling like my head was stuffed with cotton and my mouth drier than a desert. What a night. It went downhill so fast. The only positive thing was that I didn’t have to deal with Lochlan anymore.

  I still needed to tell Sterling about last night’s epic fail. I was failing more than succeeding these days and it was frustrating me. He wasn’t in when I came in and I was in no condition or mood to wait up for him. Besides, there was nothing either of us could do last night. It would have just worried Sterling and he’d be up all night stressing about it.

  Quickly getting dressed and armed, I made my way downstairs. Callie was at the reception desk, feet propped up and looking as poorly as I probably did.

  “Rough night?”

  “Probably about as good as yours.”

  “That handsome fae was something, Marty. What I wouldn’t do for some alone time with him.”

  “Ah, he’s overrated and not the best of company.”

  “Wait a sec, are you? Did you go out with him? Better spill.”

  “Let me get some coffee and I need to fill in Sterling as well.”

  “Oh pooh, then I won’t get the good details. You always leave those out when Sterling’s around.”

  “Treat me to a BAM burger and I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”

  “How can you think about a burger at 8 a.m.?”

  “Why not?”

  “Fine, but it will be lunch. No getting out of this, Marty.”

  “I wouldn’t think of it.”

  In the kitchen, I fortified myself by slamming back the luke warm coffee. Once again, someone had turned off the coffee pot. I armed myself with a second pot of the sludgy coffee and heading to Sterling’s office. Callie followed quickly behind me.

  “Yes,” said Sterling upon seeing us enter.

  “I need to explain – ”

  “Her date,” said Callie.

  “You barged in here first thing this morning to tell me about a date? Took long enough and I really don’t need to hear the details.”

  I glared at Callie, who just smiled broadly – completely unaffected by my anger.

  “Actually, not quite.”

  “So was it or wasn’t it a date?” asked Sterling.

  “It wasn’t a real date.”

  He smirked and Callie jumped up and down.

  “Really? So, I was attacked on my way to the bar by that fae.”

  “The same one that wanted a partnership. Are you sure it was him?”

  “I know who I went out with?”

  “What did you want to tell me about the date?” asked Sterling.

  “I kinda have a partner, a temporary partnership.”

  “You have a what? I must have misheard you.”

  “No, you didn’t. Also, Jasper showed up, but so did the mage. Before we could do anything, the mage killed Jasper and disappeared,” I said.

  “So, we got nothing and now a dead man.”

  I grimaced. It did sound bad.

  “I’ll visit Julia Huntington and see what I can get. I can also follow-up at the Mage Guild Headquarters.”

  “What about the rest of your cases?” he asked.

  “Not as much progress made on those as I’d like. I also need to chat with the associates of Mr. Bolden’s daughter.”

  “Callie can follow up with the Guild. I need you out there on the street working these cases. And, we owe Miss Huntington an update. Get something for me, today.”

  “I will.”

  Callie and I left the office.

  “Lunch at 8 a.m. isn’t looking so bad,” she said.

  “If I’m going to catch Miss Huntington, I need to get an early start.”

  “Don’t forget me.”

  “I won’t.”

  “I’m serious, Marty.”

  “I’m always serious when it comes to food. I’ll be there.”

  Julia Huntington graciously permitted me to visit her primary residence in Uptown versus their country cabin protected by the flames. The drive to the Huntington’s Uptown residence didn’t take too long. I didn’t see any of the Devil Dogs in the yard, but I still proceeded to the door with caution. I knocked on the door and waite
d. No dogs barked, so it must be my lucky day. It opened and I recoiled from the tall, ageless creature that answered the Huntington’s door. It was hairless with skin stretched tightly over its bones and eyes that were sunken into its skeletal face.

  The creature stood unmoving and unbreathing. It just stared at me as I stared at it. This was only the second time in my life I’d seen one. The other time was one that my dead father owned. Bone men, like this creature, were extremely rare. Part of it was that they were super expensive, but the main part was that they barely survived being created. The process to make one was shrouded in secrecy and involved a dark form of blood magic.

  I forced my face into a neutral expression. Why did the Huntington’s need a protector like a bone man in their employ? What were they protecting that they needed such a formidable body guard? If it attacked me, I couldn’t defeat it. No mortal could. I might with my magic. As I thought that, the box of my magic rattled. Darn magic, why must you fight me?

  “I’m here to speak to Julia Huntington.”

  He looked away from me, not even making eye contact as he started closing the door.

  “Miss Huntington isn’t taking any appointments.”

  “It wasn’t a request.”

  That got his attention, his dark eyes bored into mine. I forced steel into my spine at the chill I saw in the creature’s gaze. I couldn’t back down now, so I put my hand on my sword. His eyes followed the movement, narrowing at my unspoken threat.

  “I see. If you’ll follow me, Miss – ”

  “Martin, just Martin.”

  “Very well, do keep up. I cannot guarantee your safe passage should you veer into areas of the residence you haven’t been cleared for.”

  “Oh, Frank, are the enforcers here already?” asked Julia as she swept into the room, looking distraught.

  Who calls a bone man, Frank? It was such a normal and human name for such an extraordinary creature.

  “I thought you were someone else.”

  “It happens. Is there something I can help you with?” I asked.

  “Yes, you can leave.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I cannot have you here at the moment.”

  “I need to talk about the – ”

  “I will come see you. Please don’t come back here.”

  Frank and Julia marched me to the door as if they expected me to revolt and refuse to leave at any moment. Just as we reached the door, someone banged with the knocker.

  “Oh bother,” said Julia. “We can’t have them find you here. Quick, hide in the closet.”

  With surprising strength, she forced me into a small closet near the front door. It smelled of cedar and some floral scent. And, it was dark, with only a small sliver of light coming in from under the door. Things with this woman just got weirder and weirder.

  “Miss Huntington, the Chief sent me over. I’m Enforcer Barnes.”

  “Yes, come right this way. Thank you for coming so quickly,” said Miss Huntington.

  “I’ve been told you need to report a missing employee. I’ll need to ask you some questions. Is this a good time?” asked Enforcer Barnes.

  “Not missing, abducted,” said Miss Huntington.

  What on earth? Why risk the attention of the enforcers when I was investigating her missing necklace? An, now she had missing staff?

  “I couldn’t help but notice the vehicle in front of your house. If you have company, I can come back,” said the enforcer.

  “No, that won’t be necessary. I’m sure it was someone loitering.”

  “Then we will help you remove it from your residence.”

  “Oh that won’t be necessary,” said Julia.

  “I insist.”

  “Frank, you may leave us. I believe you have some things to throw out,” said Julia.

  So, she wanted to throw me out and have my car impounded. Why did we take this case? I hope we get to the point where we don’t need to take clients like her on.

  “Can I get a name of this person?

  “Gertrude.”

  “And what did you employ Gertrude for?”

  “She was part of our housekeeping staff.”

  “Was? Miss Huntington?”

  “Yes, she’s not here now.” This was first time since the enforcer showed up that Julia sounded frustrated.

  “And why is it that you think this employee ran away?”

  They didn’t sound like they had moved any further away from my hiding spot. Julia must be pissed that I was hearing all of this.

  “Because there is no way she wouldn’t want to stay. We treat our staff very well and they are paid handsomely for their service.”

  “I’m not here to question that. When was Gertrude last seen?”

  “No one is sure.”

  “Is there someone who can answer that?”

  “It’s not my job to know all the details about my staff. We employ fifty people. I can let you speak with the house mistress,” she said. “And, two of my staff are missing, not just the one.”

  “I appreciate your suggestion to speak with the house mistress. I will definitely do that, but I want to speak with you at the moment. I’m curious, is there any reason why you only reported this second maid? You do realize that the first forty-eight hours someone is missing is crucial to finding them?”

  “How would I know that? I’m not an enforcer or a criminal?”

  “I didn’t say you were either. Did these two go missing at the same time?”

  “No, it’s been a week since the first maid, Sally, went missing. Then, this morning, our house mistress told me that Gertrude was also missing.”

  “Can you explain why you suspect these two were abducted and didn’t leave of their own free will?”

  Miss Huntington sputtered.

  I wanted to laugh. He had her there. So, this is what she didn’t want me to know. Miss Huntington sure had a problem losing things.

  “Because Sally had given notice. She was going to be married in Quito City. We assumed that she went early and weren’t worried. But, when the second maid went missing, we suspected something was amiss. Then, we received a letter from her intended. In it, he requested permission to get her in person. It was supposed to be a surprise.”

  “I see.”

  “Mr. Barnes, I’d prefer if we can chat somewhere more comfortable then my foyer. If you’ll follow me,” said Miss Huntington.

  Their voices trailed off as they moved away from my hiding spot. It was just me and the bone man. He sure was taking his time. I tried the handle, but it was locked. Where was he? I needed to get out of here before my car was taken away.

  The closet door opened and I lurched back slightly. The sudden light after being in the dark was hard on my eyes. Once my eyes adjusted, I saw the bone man’s arm stretched out to me.

  I really don’t want to grab it. I didn’t want to be in his presence, let alone touch him.

  “Hurry now, it’s time for you to leave.”

  I forced myself to grab hold of his hand. As I did, the floor fell out from under me and the force of the portal forced him down with me.

  I plummeted down into water and sank deep under the water. The dark, brackish water churned about as I swam my way to the surface. At least I hope it’s the surface. It was slightly less dark than the water around me.

  Gasping on fresh air, but the smell was putrid. I could even taste the disgusting water on my lips.

  I looked for the bone man. If I was stuck in some weird and potentially deadly place, then, I needed whatever allies I could get.

  As far as I could see was open water. I cursed. Now what?

  From the side, I saw something break the surface. The bone man’s white head was a stark contrast to the dark waters.

  I swam towards him.

  “Care to explain how I went from a closet to this?”

  “You weren’t spelled to roam the house unaccompanied.”

  “Are you serious?! Who has a portal or whatever brought
us here in their closet? And I wasn’t roaming, Julia pushed me in there.”

  “We must hurry to shore before the Mernin find us. They sense prey in the water by vibration.”

  And we made quite a splash.

  “Which way and do you know where we are?”

  “Nowhere you’d ever want to be. If you like being alive, I suggest you hurry.”

  He started swimming and I swam after him. I’m not sure how long we were in the water just swimming. My arms burned from the exertion and my legs were rubbery. Sheer force of will was the only thing keeping me going.

  The bone man suddenly stopped. He gestured me to him, which was an awkward motion in the water. As I drew close, he put his hands to his lips to silence me. Then, he pointed at something ahead of us. I couldn’t see anything except a vague shape of something floating on the water.

  As we got closer to the shape, I felt a sudden chill in the previously warm water. A spray of water shot out from the object and it made some sort of keening noise. The sound stoked a primordial fear much like a lion’s roar does. I wanted to do nothing more than to swim away.

  The bone man once again stopped me. He made some chittering noise and the thing in the water splashed even more. I couldn’t understand the bone man’s sounds, but whatever it was, it was affecting the water creature. His sounds got louder and almost insistent, or at least as insistent as chittering can be.

  “I wasn’t sure that I’d be successful. Approach cautiously,” said Frank.

  I still didn’t know what he was talking about, but I’d follow his lead for now. We swam over and the shape changed as a large serpentine head came out of the water. It opened its mouth and hissed. Not the amusing hissing of a cat, but the sound of an annoyed predator. Its head was easily five feet wide. And its neck was larger than most tree trunks. The bone man had found us a water dragon.

  “How good are you at holding your breath?” he asked.

  “Good enough.”

  “This is our only chance. Just remember to breath deep each time and don’t panic.”

  “What?”

  “Grab one of its scales.”

  Larger plated scales extended from its back. They looked like a shark fin, but these had sharp points.

  The bone man grabbed a fin. As soon as I grabbed one, the water dragon took off. It plunged us deep into the water. I kept my eyes closed.