Bounty Hunters and Black Magic

by Kristen Banet

  “Witches,” Maxwell mumbled, probably to himself over his own thoughts.

  Easton knew a man who was hung up when he saw one.

  “Are wondrous things,” Easton added. “Really, though. I’m not here to make her think she’s getting a second husband. It’s all just convenient for the parties involved.”

  “For you, maybe. The hellhound?” Valen inquired, sounding somewhat disbelieving.

  “Remy has never considered, for as long as I’ve known him, settling down, either.” If one of them settled down, they both did. Remy and Easton needed each other, bound together by magic. Too much time or distance from each other would leave Remy a feral hound and Easton? He would just be alone.

  “All right.” The disbelieving tone never left the man’s voice.

  Easton focused on the road, shoving the thoughts of Adalyn, Remy, and Redstone out of his head. The night wore on as he tried to keep himself from thinking more about it. He failed spectacularly.

  He liked Redstone more than any other place he’d wandered through. He liked that there were no humans, always the most troublesome thing he needed to deal with. As for the Gate underneath him, he could strengthen the Gate back to nearly perfect. He wasn’t a full-blooded angel, so he couldn’t do much more, but he figured it was enough. Thanks to his dominion, the Gate was a good place to be. Gates weren’t just a place where the demons came out; they were also a place where the souls of the dead flowed into whatever hell realm they earned—and even some of the heaven realms.

  With his dominion from his father being death, he was in a very good spot, his power stronger than it had ever been. It was why he could do his teleporting, something he normally couldn’t do unless he was riding a death high.

  “Are they going to sho-” Valen sounded annoyed now. What kind of man got annoyed with demons? Apparently, whatever he was.

  A howl tore through the peace of the night and Easton chuckled. “They’re here.”

  “Was that your partner?” Maxwell asked, sitting up from his relaxed position at a far window.

  “Yes. He’s been out there keeping a feel for them. He’ll come in behind them and incapacitate anyone stupid enough to get off their horses. Maybe one or two who aren’t.” Easton felt a thrilled rush. He didn’t want anyone in Redstone to die, but every time he got into a fight, there was a whisper of his angelic powers in the back of his mind.

  If they do die, I’ll be much stronger.

  He ground his teeth, trying to shove that particular thought away. This was the problem with Redstone. He wanted power, more of it, more access to the sources he drew it from. It was a want he didn’t submit to, but one he had no choice in. He called it a death high for a reason. It was a drug to call power from fading souls on their way to the afterlife.

  He strengthened the Gate so less of that death leaked out and drove him mad. Plus, he really didn’t want to see his father, who could very well come check up on the Gate if it was too weak.

  “There they are,” Valen announced.

  Easton blinked, looking back out the window, trying to concentrate. Five riders were trotting into the town like they owned it.

  “Has the Anzu Gang ever rolled into here before?” he asked the others,

  “No. They are normally more active up north.”

  “Yeah, it’s where Remy and I started on their trail.” Easton was just curious, since the gang didn’t seem very concerned. The demons were relaxed, as if they didn’t expect any trouble. They kept riding closer and Easton could see Remy stalking them in the background, a shadow, his flames dimmed for the hunt.

  “What can Redstone do for you boys?” Valen called out when the demons hit the intersection.

  “We’re looking for a witch by the name of Adalyn Lovett. No trouble needs to be had. Just hand her over and we’ll move along,” the one in the front answered. Easton didn’t remember any of their names. Demons were a dime a dozen. Catch ‘em, turn ‘em in, move on. Names not needed.

  “Sorry to say, but you can’t have our witch. Adalyn, how do you feel about going with them?” Valen looked up, grinning.

  A shot rang out and slammed the demon in the forehead, sending him flying off his horse. Remy was already running for him, to drag him off the road and keep him. Easton pulled up his rifle, taking aim as well.

  “That’s a no,” Maxwell said loudly, a humor to his voice Easton had never heard before. Before any of the men could get a shot off, Adalyn fired three more times. He was jealous of the spells on her guns.

  “Retreat! They knew we were coming!” one of the demons yelled. “Move! Go!” He turned his horse as Easton fired. The way the demon turned, the shot hit him in the shoulder, but didn’t dismount him.

  Gunfire lit up the night after that. Easton could see that the demons were hit hard, but unlike Adalyn’s lucky shot on the first, none of them could get the damn demons off their horses. She’d caught that one unaware. The others made sure they didn’t go down.

  As they were leaving town, Easton blinked into the road, still firing, making sure to get a few more hits in with his revolver. He whistled and Remy growled back at him, standing protectively over the downed demon.

  It was over fast, and Easton kept standing in the street, just watching the demons disappear into the darkness. He resisted the urge to chase them down on his own. They had one of the gang and that would help them catch the rest.

  “Well, that went just as planned!” Valen said, grinning.

  “It did,” Easton agreed softly. It should have made him feel easier, but for some reason, he didn’t. He looked to the downed demon, seeing his body already healing. The hole into his skull was closing up. Before Easton’s eyes, the bullet was pushed out and fell into the dirt. “Remy, keep him down.”

  “I’ll get the jail open to hold him. Hopefully the wards in there are still good,” Valen said, walking closer. “We got one, at least.”

  “I’ll redo the wards,” Maxwell offered.

  “I can help!” Adalyn called. Easton glanced up, and raised an impressed eyebrow at her. Her gun was still glowing, the smoke coming out the end magical as well. It gave off an unearthly, beautiful glow that lit her up in the window.

  She is something else. I have the feeling her husband was a lucky man.

  It took only half an hour to get the demon locked away in the jail and the wards refreshed so he couldn’t break out, nor could his friends break him out. They all settled back in at the saloon afterwards.

  “Okay, you all can head home!” Valen told everyone. “We got it from here.”

  “Good,” Forrest muttered.

  “Forrest, if the attitude doesn’t change, I’m going to ban you from the saloon.”

  Easton just took a seat next to Remy, waiting patiently for the locals to move on. He was pleasantly surprised when Adalyn took a seat on his other side. He wanted to pull her into his lap, but didn’t act.

  “That was easy!” she said with a smile. “So, you guys are going to take that one away from town?”

  “It’ll lead the demons away. They’ll want their man back before he’s banished too.” He stretched an arm around her chair. He liked doing it. For a moment, he could be somewhat possessive, have a small claim on the witch. He didn’t miss how she leaned in a little, probably subconsciously. She liked it too. “We’ll be out of your hair by midday.”

  “I don’t think you were ever in my hair. Well, maybe you were,” she answered, her cheeks turning a little red. He couldn’t stop a small smile himself. “It was fun having you. Valen, can I get a drink? I’m going to relax, then head home.”

  Without an answer from the unknown, a drink appeared in front of her. The same happened for Easton and Remy.

  “Thanks,” Remy called out. Easton just nodded a thanks to the big Russian. The accent made it obvious.

  “We’re going to stay here tonight, darling. Need to get ready to drag that guy out of here. We’ll come by to pick up our horses after the sun comes up.” Easton wanted
nothing more than to crawl back into her bed one more time, but he needed to make sure he and Remy had a plan, a solid one, for the rest of the mess. “It has been fun.”

  She raised her drink, and smiled one more time at him, then downed it.

  “I know what I signed up for,” she promised. “You boys stay safe out there.” She stood up and sighed. “Feel free to come back if you want to have another go. If I’m single, and I probably will be, you’re welcome.”

  “Thank you for the standing invitation,” he said, grabbing her hand before she could walk away. He kissed her knuckles. “I’ll be sure to remember it.”

  “Same,” Remy confirmed from his seat. “You stay safe, too, Mrs. Adalyn Lovett.”

  She pulled her hand away from him and waved, then walked out. He watched her go, wondering if he would take her up on that offer. “We’ll talk more about it tomorrow,” he said to the hellhound shifter. “Now, we have business to take care of.”

  “You’re right. Bounties first,” Remy agreed.

  They got busy making their plans as they heard the marshal begin cussing up a storm with Valen across the bar, then storm out.

  17

  Adalyn

  Adalyn lay in her bed, staring at her ceiling, unable to find any sort of tiredness. She couldn’t turn her mind off.

  It’s been an eventful few days. Everything went fine tonight, and that’s it. They’re leaving, Maxwell will probably leave, and my life will go back to…whatever it’s supposed to be.

  She didn’t really like the idea of that, but she knew better than to hope for anything else. She left them the standing invite back, but she didn’t think they would ever take her up on it. She just couldn’t resist it, though. There were no feelings there, but she loved the way they treated her, what they could do to her body.

  I’d be okay with them showing up every few months, if that’s how it works out. If they ever decide to come back.

  “ADALYN LORELEI LOVETT!”

  She jumped, the quiet of her home shattered in an instant by Maxwell’s furious roar. He’d even said her full name. She scrambled out of her bed, her own anger already spiraling out of control as she directed it at the door, which flew off its hinges. She could fix it later.

  “Maxwell, you do not get to come into my house screaming like that, do you fucking hear me?” she screamed back. She pulled her robe to her and swung it on as she stomped down her stairs. “What in the gods’ names is your problem?”

  She found him standing in her entryway by the front door, glaring daggers at her. She stomped up in his face, looking up, refusing to back down. She had no idea why he was mad, but he damned sure didn’t have the right to barge in screaming for her. He didn’t even look scared at the destruction of her bedroom door.

  “I should arrest you,” he growled. “I should have you in handcuffs and take you back to the Society of Magic.”

  “Excuse me?” she snapped, jerking back at that. “Why?”

  He pulled a letter out of his chest pocket and held it up. “I sent in information about what I remembered of your spell, the one you used to banish that demon? I got a response before dealing with the gang tonight, but just got the chance to read it. Would you like to know what it says?”

  Oh shit.

  Her anger deflated quickly as she realized how screwed she was. “Did you tell them it was me?” she asked softly.

  “No, I didn’t, and you’re damn lucky I didn’t. I can’t believe you. Black magic? Really? You must have made a fucking blood pentagram to get this to work. Are you insane?” While her anger had deflated, his hadn’t.

  She stepped back, knowing there was really no argument she could give him to lessen the rage. “I have to protect Redstone,” she said softly, trying to keep eye contact with him. “No one else is.”

  “It’s bad enough when someone does black magic without approval. It’s bad enough, since the power of those spells is alluring and dangerous. It’s worse by tenfold when a wild magic user does it. You know this, Adalyn.” He stepped closer, making her step back again. “You know this sort of thing can backlash too. What if something had gone wrong and you opened a door for things to get out of Hell?”

  “I can’t tell you anything I haven’t already, Maxwell. I’m just…doing what I think I need to do.”

  “That absolutely doesn’t excuse this,” he snarled. “Don’t pretend it does.”

  “It absolutely does,” she retorted, feeling her anger come back. “Does Redstone not matter to you? Does a Gate to Hell not matter to you or your bosses? Really? It matters to me. I’ll do anything I can to protect this town, Maxwell, and I mean that. Arrest me. Leave them defenseless. They all just want to move on with their lives and pretend like he’s not going to come back, but we both know he is. Beelzebub will get what he wants. I’m going to be ready.”

  Or maybe I’ll get him before he even gets the chance.

  “William would be furious. He would be so angry with you, Addy.” Maxwell shook his head, looking at her with something akin to disappointment. That knocked her back down again. She didn’t know how William would feel about it. She had no idea. It was never something they had talked about, black magic. “I can’t with you. There’s a lot I’m willing to overlook, but I can’t…” He turned away and she tried to touch him. He jerked away. She should have known this was coming. Black magic was dark and dangerous. One had to have approval from the Society of Magic to perform it in a restricted area, and it was all regulated and only done in emergencies or for research.

  Even now, she could remember the rush of power, the way it had wound her up. It had felt like a wonderful high. A small part of her whispered for her to go banish the demon in the jail, just to have that rush again, and that it was the right thing to do.

  “Maxwell-”

  “There’s no justifying this, Adalyn. None. There are other ways to protect the town.” He turned back to her, glaring. “There are other ways, including just sending me a damned letter and saying you needed help, that you wanted help. Or talking to Tobias and Valen. You did this behind their backs. Valen is down in the saloon, upset that he missed it. I bet Tobias won’t be too pleased when he gets back.”

  “If they failed to help W-” She was trying to remember all her excuses. If they couldn’t help William, how could they help her? She knew she could do it, and none of them would get hurt. She lost William, and refused to lose her friends, even Maxwell. Even fucking Forrest, who wasn’t her friend, but he was someone’s husband, someone loved him.

  “I should handcuff you now and get it over with,” he groaned, walking back to her front door. “I’m going to help the bounty hunters. I’ll deal with you when I get back.”

  She knew her jaw dropped open as he walked out. He’s giving me a chance to run for it. He’s legally bound to arrest me and he’s giving me a chance to run.

  She didn’t move for a long time as she watched him walk away, jump on his gelding, and ride down the path back to town. She refused to feel guilty over her decision to use black magic, but she couldn’t smother some of her regret. She should have just told him, told all of them, so that it wouldn’t be a surprise. Maybe then they would have understood her reasons or even given her a chance to explain better.

  Too late for that now. This is what I get for keeping secrets. I should have known he’d try to find out more about the spell. He was always a curious man, especially with magic. He always wants to know what’s possible, and I had done something he didn’t know.

  She closed her front door when Maxwell was finally out of sight.

  “I’m not going to run,” she muttered to herself, walking into her kitchen. “I’m going to protect Redstone, damn him. By any means necessary. I’m going to avenge William. He can take me away from Redstone when I’m dead.” She waved a hand to get a glass down from her cabinet.

  The glass shattered instead.

  “No. Not right now,” she said, closing her eyes. An argument, a severe change in her emotio
ns, the conflicted feelings warring in her chest, a strange few days from demons to bounty hunters, and Maxwell. The perfect recipe for her magic deciding to fry.

  She collapsed at her dining room table, rubbing her face. She bravely tried her magic again, safely using a spell instead of a nonverbal command. The bowl she tried to levitate on her counter flew up, hit the ceiling, and broke into a dozen pieces.

  “Fuck.”

  Adalyn stayed in her house the entire night, never able to find sleep. When dawn broke, she was sitting on her porch with a glass of water, bored with it all. She didn’t have anything to do. With her magic on the fritz, there was nothing she could do. Potion work would be too dangerous. Making a bath would be an hours-long affair she wasn’t in the mood for. She wasn’t hungry, so there was no reason to wander around the kitchen.

  Instead, she pouted and plotted. With her magic deciding it wanted to go on strike, she needed a plan on how to keep Maxwell from arresting her. As the hours passed, her regret faded.

  I’m right. He’s mad because he knows I’m right. Honestly, why would I have asked him for help? He disappeared on us. Tobias and Valen? Why would I let them get hurt over this again?

  No, she refused to believe she was wrong. He’d caught her unaware, unready for the argument. Next time, she was going to be ready.

  She finally gave up with just sitting on the porch and walked to her barn, whistling softly for Dark Prince to come to her. She entered it and groaned.

  The bounty hunters’ horses were still there. Remy’s pretty buckskin mare and Easton’s appaloosa gelding. They nickered softly at her and she decided to feed them quickly. Dark Prince snorted indignantly at the gelding when he entered, but didn’t cause any other drama. She had a feeling he knew he was the bigger, better horse. Also, the only horse with balls. She knew it was something he was proud of.