The Devil You Know (Jacob Graves Book 3)

by Sean Stone

  ‘First up, the guns,’ she said. She grabbed two gold pistols from the case and placed them down on the table before me. She then grabbed six boxes of bullets, opened one and tipped a glistening gold bullet onto the table top. It rolled along the wooden surface until it reached the edge where I plucked it up in my fingers.

  ‘I thought it would be heavier,’ I said, bringing it up to my eye.

  ‘Gold is heavy, but with a little magic it can be made lighter. The last thing you want is a heavy bullet. It would never reach its mark.’ She pushed one of the guns toward me. ‘I coated them with gold too so that your gold-averted foe would have a hard time taking them from you. Although, if you’re shoddy enough to let him get that close you deserve to be disarmed.’

  ‘Fair point,’ I agreed, lifting one of the guns. I tested its weight in my hand. It was about the same as any other gun I’d handled.

  ‘I’ve supplied you with more than enough bullets to put a single target down. If you fail then I’ll be happy to sell you more but fair warning, I will never let you live it down.’

  ‘Noted. What’s next?’

  ‘Knives. One for your belt, one for your boot, and one for your sleeve, as ordered.’ She drew out three solid gold knives and laid them out in a row. Only the blades were gold and it was obvious on sight that they’d been sharpened to a lethal degree. The slightest touch would draw blood. I doubted the dullahan could bleed. The handles were solid black and not separated from the blade by a pommel. ‘Streamlined for throwing.’

  I lifted one up, marvelling at how light it was. ‘Magically lightened?’

  ‘Just like the bullets. Heavy weapons don’t travel far. Speaking of…’ She took out a small square leather pouch and tossed it through the air to me. I caught it and studied the high quality leather. Nothing but the best. Using my thumb I flicked it open and slid out one of the razor-edged shurikens. It had four curved blades in a circular formation.

  ‘Perfect little ninja weapon,’ I said with a smirk.

  ‘Better than that. They’re enchanted so you don’t even need to put them up your sleeve. Keep the pouch in your pocket and you can summon them at will. Once thrown they will return to the pouch. There are five in the pouch and unless you somehow manage to break the enchantments, five is more than you’ll ever need,’ she said with earned smug satisfaction.

  ‘Are there holsters and sheaths for these?’ I asked, nodding at the weapons she’d provided me with.

  ‘All here in the case. But before you sheath up and shuffle off, I’ve got one more thing for you. Don’t worry, it’s included in the original price. A gift for your continued custom.’ My hands wriggled with excitement at the mention of the surprise weapon I was about to be presented with.

  I watched with intrigue as Natalie reached back into the case and pulled out a small black baton. It was about six inches long and looked as deadly as a cauliflower. She grinned at my disappointment before stroking one finger along the edge of the black metal. The end of the baton irised open and a sharpened gold point shot out, extending into a five-foot long spear.

  ‘You beauty,’ I said passionately. ‘I mean the spear, obviously,’ I added. Natalie rolled her eyes.

  ‘It’s set up so that only your touch will activate it. And mine, of course.’ She ran her thumb down the handle toward the base and the spear retracted again. She handed the baton to me. ‘You can also activate it at will. Once you touch it, it will recognise your magical signature and allow you to mentally deploy the spear from a distance. Just in case you’re careless enough to let somebody take it from you.’

  ‘It’s been an absolute pleasure doing business with you, Natalie,’ I said with genuine satisfaction.

  ‘Money and weapons. My only pleasures in this world,’ she replied.

  When I left, the weapons were stashed away on my person, ready for use at a moment’s notice. They were only intended for use against the dullahan, but I wouldn’t hesitate to use them against anybody else who picked a fight with me. Or if I picked a fight with them. The best thing was that I no longer had to wear all the garish jewellery. I plucked it from my person and dumped it in the nearest bin. I’d held on to that tat for far too long.

  I’d walked only a few feet away from the shop when I heard the explosion. I whirled around in the direction the sound had come from. Everybody else on the street followed suit. Shopping bags hit the ground and confused voices filled the air as people tried to figure out what had happened. Sirens blared from several different locations as emergency responders rushed to the scene of whatever Magraval had just done. Whatever he’d just attacked, it was close. I had to get there before he vanished.

  I saw a great plume of smoke rising up just a couple of blocks away. I ran toward it, racking my brain to try and remember what was over there. An iced hand gripped my heart as I realised what Magraval had attacked. No, I had to be wrong, I told myself as I ran down the street. Even he wouldn’t do something so heinous. I threw pedestrians out of my way as I hurtled toward the disaster. Angry voices called after me but I paid them no heed. I skidded around the corner and saw the destruction that awaited.

  The ruined remains of the building were engulfed in rich orange flames that climbed high into the late morning sky. Most of the building was already gone, blown to pieces by the attack. Screaming, writhing bodies were strewn around the area. Even the blue, metal fence that ringed the building now stood warped and melted. The sign above the gate was hanging lamely, barely clinging on, like many of the victims, but the words were still readable: Bumblethorn Primary School.

  Chapter Seventeen

  I pushed through the rapidly gathering crowd and forced my way to the gate. As soon as my fingers touched the metal the gate fell away from the fence, clattering on the tarmac, not that anybody could hear it over the noise of the madness around me. I averted my gaze as I stepped around the blackened body of a child. He couldn’t have been older than ten. A cold fury brewed within me that I fought to contain. Losing my cool would stop me from thinking clearly. I needed to be clever if I was going to catch Magraval at the scene.

  I strode across the playground, ignoring the bodies of the dead, as I searched for any sign of my quarry. One of the bodies groaned and I realised that not all of them were dead. That was why Magraval had attacked a school. It wasn’t just to invoke the rage of the citizens of Sangford, it was to make me choose between chasing him and saving the children who weren’t yet dead.

  I dropped to my knees next to the wounded child and rolled her onto her back. Scorched and filthy pigtails hung from her soot-covered, bloodstained face. Her eyes rolled my way.

  ‘It’s okay, sweetheart. I’m here to help,’ I assured her. Only I had no idea where to begin. Half of her leg was missing and there was a massive gash along one arm.

  ‘Doul-daspar,’ I said as I placed my palm on her shoulder. The girl shuddered as the magic passed gently through her, easing her pain. Her ragged breathing calmed, but her panic did not.

  ‘What’s hap… happening?’ she asked, her voice shaking and staggered.

  ‘Nothing we can’t handle,’ I said softly, smiling despite the whirlpool of devastation inside me. ‘I just need you to lay here and be as still as possible. Can you do that for me?’ I slipped off my belt and began wrapping it around the end of what was left of her leg. It was the only thing I knew how to do and I hoped it would help until the paramedics arrived.

  She nodded, attempting a smile of her own. ‘Yes, sir.’ I’d never been a soppy person, my emotions had always been fairly suppressed, but seeing that little girl try to smile back at me despite having lost a limb, and probably half her friends, was heart-shattering. I resisted the urge to promise her that I would kill the person responsible for this. That vow would have to remain silent.

  ‘Do you hear those sirens?’ I asked. Sirens were getting louder and coming from just about every direction. The girl nodded. ‘They’re coming to help. Just stay strong for a few more minutes. As soon as the
y get here you shout for help. Do you mind if I go? I need to catch the person who did this?’

  She nodded again. ‘I hope you get him,’ she said.

  ‘I promise I will.’ With a parting smile I stood up. Pedestrians were entering the playground now, seeing if they could help in anyway. They were all moving tentatively, in need of a leader. That wasn’t going to be me. Seeing them absolved me of any guilt about leaving the children. The kids had plenty of help now. I was needed elsewhere.

  The building was a hazardous inferno so there was no way Magraval was inside. Even if he was here was no way I would survive going inside. I walked quickly around the burning building and I saw him. Another of those green portals had opened in the wall of the building across the street. Magraval was in the process of stepping through, one leg had already made the journey into the green gateway.

  ‘Rabole!’ I shouted as I charged after him. He began turning to face me when my spell slammed into him and flung him through the air. He landed on the pavement, his dark suit ripping as he skidded along the ground. ‘You murdered children you twisted bastard!’ I screamed, as I positioned myself between him and his portal. He was going nowhere this time.

  He chuckled as he began to rise, but I wasn’t about to let him get up to face me.

  ‘Morivar,’ I snarled, unleashing the killing spell. His hand flew up, projecting a barrier that blocked my spell just in time. His glamoured face twisted with loathing as he stood to face me, safely behind his shield.

  ‘Is that the best you can do?’ he said with disdain.

  It was time to enact the near-suicidal attack I’d been planning. Magraval had certainly earned it now.

  I drew in a deep breath as I pulled in the energy around me. So many buildings filled with electricity. So many vehicles brimming with delicious energy. And all of it was about to go through me. ‘Morivar!’ I screamed at the top of my lungs. The spell flew out of me projecting a torrent of raw unbridled power. The torrent burned brightly casting a red glow between us. It smashed into his shield and Magraval took a step back. He had to raise both hands in order to keep his shield intact. I’d anticipated that he would do that. I kept pulling in more energy from my surroundings, converting it into the power needed to fuel my spell. I screamed as the magic tore through me causing my whole body to shake.

  Magraval was reciting something. I could see his lips moving but I had no idea what he was saying. His arms trembled as he struggled against my power. He took another step back. For the first time since meeting him I saw concern on his face.

  I was winning.

  I ground my teeth together and doubled my efforts to pull in power. The energy within me engorged. My scream turned from one of effort to one of agony. It felt like thousands of teeth were stabbing into my insides, feeding on my organs. But I continued. The trembling seized my whole body and I knew I would not be able to hold it for much longer. How was his damn shield so strong?

  Magraval wavered on the spot. He splayed his legs quickly to try and keep himself up but it was no good. One leg collapsed under the strain and he fell to his knee. Still, he kept his hands up, maintaining his shield. As he struggled against me his power waned. His silver eyes were growing dim, losing their shine. His entire face seemed to be sagging. The blackness of his glamour was turning to more of a grey colour. His glamour was slipping off. He couldn’t afford to use his magic on his glamour anymore, he was diverting more power into fighting me. And yet, he didn’t seem to be drawing power from our surroundings. That would’ve been the easiest way to fight me, to steal the very energy I was relying on.

  He was unable to convert energy. Either he was not a wizard, or he had Clausateum.

  I could see people gathering in my peripheral. This fight was even more intriguing than it would usually have been because it was taking place right next to a school that had just been blown up. I could hear a helicopter whirring around overhead. Whether it belonged to the police, the hospital, or the media, I did not know. Nor did I care.

  I gulped down air as I continued to siphon the energy I needed. I was so close now. Something warm and wet ran over my lip and dripped off my chin. I flicked my eyes downward and saw red. My nose was bleeding. Terrific.

  The buildings around began to spin and I staggered. I tensed my body and forced myself to continue. I would not allow him to escape again. With another scream I sucked more energy into my body. The crowd that stood watching us screamed and ran and then I saw why. The helicopter that had been hovering overhead came plummeting out of the sky. It smashed into the road some way behind Magraval. The vehicle exploding on impact sending a shower of fiery metal fragments into the building next to it. People ran out screaming as the building quickly caught alight.

  Magraval turned to look at the madness behind him and with a final push I broke through. His shield smashed and my torrent of power tossed the Prime Wizard up into the air. He wasn’t up there for long. His body smashed into the floor face first and he lay still.

  I lowered my hands, marvelling at my victory. His glamour was gone. His face was buried in the road. Blond hair was scattered around his head, hiding anything that would have been on view. I had him now. I stepped forward and then my body gave out on me.

  ‘No…’ I mumbled as I fell weakly to the ground. The concrete met me in the unfriendliest way. My nose cracked and blood spurted across my face. Muscles across my entire body spasmed as I tried to pull myself up, but I could hardly move at all. I was using more energy than should’ve been possible just to stay conscious. Magraval was already pulling himself up. I dug my fingers into the ground and tried to haul myself onto my knees but even that was beyond my capabilities.

  Magraval wobbled ahead of me, back on his feet. He flicked his hair back over his head. As he ran his long greyish fingers through his hair I saw his skin blacken once more as his glamour returned. ‘Ah, the cavalry is here,’ he said softly, though I had no trouble hearing him.

  I saw Monroe and Simon leading a bunch of Orchids our way but they were too far away to stop him now. Magraval pulled another of those raisin keys out of his pocket and dropped it at his feet. A portal opened up beneath him and he vanished before he could even wave goodbye.

  I closed my eyes in defeat and let myself slip into unconsciousness.

  Chapter Eighteen

  I woke up in my own bed feeling marginally better than when I’d fainted. Though my body was no longer trembling, it was void of energy. My room was totally dark. The curtains were closed but I could see that it was dark outside. I’d slept all through the afternoon. Exhausting the minute energy I had, I pulled myself into a sitting position. I’d been stripped down to my boxer shorts, hopefully by Drew. I couldn’t see who else would have done it.

  I flicked on my bedside lamp and saw my clothes neatly placed on the chair at the edge of the room. My sparkly new weapons had been neatly laid out on the dresser next to the chair. I rubbed my forehead with the palm of my hand. I had a slight throbbing headache. Nothing a little potion wouldn’t fix.

  ‘Drew?’ I called out, astonished by how feeble my voice sounded.

  Footsteps approached from beyond the door. Then the door swung open and Drew stood in its place. ‘You’re awake,’ he said quietly.

  ‘Obviously. I wouldn’t have called you in my sleep.’

  ‘Smart arse,’ he growled. He plonked himself in the chair paying no attention to the expensive suit he was now crumpling with his backside. To be fair, it would need washing anyway. It must have gotten filthy being that close to a burning building. ‘What do you remember?’

  ‘Erm…’ I thought back to the school. ‘The school blew up. I fought Magraval. A helicopter fell out of the sky, bizarrely.’

  ‘It fell because you sucked the juice out of it.’

  ‘Of course.’ I’d been pulling energy from everything around me, I should have considered the helicopter flying around, but I was a little preoccupied at the time. A pang of guilt hit me as I thought about the occupants
who definitely had not survived. The helicopter had exploded on impact.

  ‘It was a news crew. So at least it wasn’t a hospital chopper. Pretty much every car, building, mobile phone and smart watch was sucked dry by you. Circuit boards in the buildings closest to you were completely fried. You’ve shut down pretty much an entire block of businesses.’

  ‘I didn’t mean to,’ I said. I’d known I’d be sucking the power out of places, but I hadn’t anticipated causing any damage.

  ‘Your own phone is dead. It won’t charge. You’ll have to get a new one in the morning.’

  I nodded my understanding. ‘What about the kids?’

  ‘More bad news. 253 dead. 39 injured.’

  ‘Fuck,’ I said on an exhale, burying my face in my hands.

  ‘That’s not on you, Jacob. You couldn’t have stopped it,’ he said in a rare moment of empathy.

  ‘I know, but it’s just…’

  Drew shifted in his seat before continuing. ‘I hope this has proven that you’re wrong once and for all.’

  I lowered my hands and faced my uncle. ‘No. My plan was working. I nearly had him. His shield shattered. He was on the ground.’

  ‘Yeah, congratulations. If you’d had just one other wizard with you then you might have been actually won. But that’s not what I’m talking about.’

  ‘Then what are you talking about?’

  ‘Your theory. That Magraval is Samuel. Say what you like about Sam, he did plenty of bad things, but he was not capable of this. He would never kill children.’

  ‘You’re right. The Sam we knew would never have done it. But we’re taking about a man who is barely even human anymore. And it’s been fifteen years. People change. For better or worse, they change.’ I could see my uncle was about to explode again so I delivered my next point quickly. ‘But I was wrong. It’s not him. I noticed something when I was fighting Magraval. He wasn’t drawing energy to convert into magic. That would have been the easiest way to beat me but he didn’t do it. So, either he’s not a wizard or he’s got Clausateum. Neither of which apply to Sam.