Dying to Meet You

by S. C. Stokes

  “What do you suggest?” she asked.

  “Let’s work out why he wants you, Kasey. If he’s wanting information, talking will buy us time. If he makes a move on us, we blow the cages and take our chances. Deal?”

  “Sure.” She shifted to make herself a little more comfortable.

  As she did so, she reached into her pocket and felt the cold but reassuring silver of the Shard of Odin.

  I’m not moving till he shows his face. This ends tonight.

  “So, Kasey, obviously you’ve given it some thought. Any idea why he’s after you? It could have something to do with your visions. What have you seen and who have you told?”

  “Why does it matter who I’ve told?” Kasey asked.

  “Because it helps us narrow down our choices. If we know what you’ve seen and who you’ve told, surely we can work out exactly why he’s after you.”

  “Makes sense,” Kasey admitted. She took a deep breath. “When I was at the Academy, I had loads of visions. Something about the concentration of magical beings there made them more frequent. I had visions every day. Sometimes they were about my classmates. One of them was afraid of the dark. Another had an abusive father. Once I had a vision of two seniors fooling around.”

  Collins nodded. “Go on.”

  “To start with, I thought being prescient was normal. I figured everyone with magic had visions, so I told my friends about them. At first, they thought it was funny, so I shared more of them. As soon as they realized how far reaching my gifts were, they became afraid.

  “People realized that by coming in contact with me, they were giving me a window into their life that they couldn’t close or control. So they shunned me. People didn’t want to be around me or even talk to me for fear I would learn something they didn’t want to share.

  “After that, I started keeping things to myself. Unless I thought it was dangerous, like someone’s life was at risk. Then I shared those with my teacher or the headmaster, just in case.”

  “Anyone else?” Collins prompted.

  “I saw a guidance counselor at school for a few months. Mrs Dalsorth. I shared a lot of the visions with her so she could help me deal with them. But once I left the Academy I left the world of magic behind and I stopped talking about them. I changed my name, I moved to New York. I don’t want anything to do with that world. I didn’t choose to be prescient. If I have a vision, I say nothing. I don’t want to destroy a second life.”

  “Hmm, being prescient is a marvelous gift, Kasey. Most magical beings would trade places with you in an instant,” Collins replied.

  “Feels more like a curse,” Kasey said. “Nothing good has ever come of it.”

  “That’s not true. If you are using your gift at work, I’m sure those insights will save lives. Think of the girls who are in protective custody now. Without you, they might all be dead. Your gift saves lives, and will continue to. If you use it wisely.”

  The thought cheered Kasey up as much as her current circumstances would allow. “Saving lives is great, but it was my gift that put them in danger in the first place.”

  “That’s only because someone must have shared something. If you’ve not shared anything since you left the Academy, something in one of those visions must be what Danilo is after. They must be what he wants to keep hidden.”

  “That’s easy to say but hard to break down. It’s like trying to pick a needle in a haystack.”

  Collins took a labored breath. “Not every piece of hay is worth killing for though, Kasey. Who likes who, and other embarrassing student gossip won’t result in an assassin hunting you down years later. You saw something, something worth killing for.”

  Kasey wracked her brain. “I got a fellow student busted for selling drugs. One of the seniors overdosed and almost died. When I visited her in the infirmary, I saw a vision. The student who sold them, Frank Halsetto, was expelled.”

  Collins shook his head. “Bigger Kasey. We’re looking for something bigger.”

  “Kristyl, one of my friends. Well, her mom was having an affair with a teacher. When I told Kristyl, everything fell apart. The school found out and Mr Janston was sacked. Unfortunately, he ran away with Kristyl’s mom and once more I was blamed for everything.”

  “That won’t be it Kasey,” Collins replied, shaking his head. “Did you ever see anything bigger? Maybe a politician or celebrity caught in some sort of scandal? Did you ever see anyone killed at the Academy and know who the culprit was? Did you ever have a vision about a business with shady practices? Have you ever seen a vision of the future? Money, murder, sex, or speculation. These are the sorts of things people kill for, Kasey. Did you ever see one of those and tell someone about it?”

  Kasey perked up. “I did see the future once… At least I think I did.”

  Collins forehead wrinkled. “What do you mean think? You don’t know? What did you see?”

  “I have had the same vision many times. I’m standing on a street when I hear an explosion. All around me people start panicking. The explosions continue as a thick oily green mist descends across the city. Buildings crumble and collapse under the strain. People everywhere are injured or dead. It was horrifying.

  “I kept seeing it, so I did some digging. Nothing like it has ever happened. Not in modern times, anyway, and the city was definitely modern. I thought perhaps it was a vision of something that hadn’t happened yet. More than a decade later it still hasn’t.

  “Sounds stupid, I know. Even for the prescient, seeing the future is rare. Seeing something more than a decade in the future is unheard of. My teachers told me it was just a nightmare, something that would go away in time.”

  “And did it?” Collins asked.

  “No,” Kasey answered firmly. “I saw it again on Monday.”

  “That must be it Kasey!” Collins exclaimed. “You saw it, the attack on New York City. That must be what they are after. What else did you see?”

  A chill ran down Kasey’s spine.

  “I didn’t say New York, Collins,” Kasey answered, staring at him. “I’ve never said New York… Not to anyone…”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Kasey stared at Agent Collins, but his face was impassive.

  The attack still lay in the future. There was only one way Collins could know that the attack was to take place in New York City. He had to be a part of the organization plotting it.

  Since seeing her vision Kasey had kept detail of the location to herself. She had not mentioned it to her teachers or anyone else at the Academy. Not even Sarah knew.

  Most importantly of all, Kasey knew she was right. The sickening knot twisting in her stomach told her she was right.

  In a moment of crystal clarity, Kasey understood what was happening.

  The spate of murders across New York City were not random or capricious. Nor were they the acts of some violent sociopath or serial killer. They were cleverly planned and meticulously executed to remove the one person who knew what was coming.

  Me.

  It seemed word of her vision had continued to spread. No longer was it simply an anecdote about a crazy young girl at the Academy. Someone had heard the story of the horrendous attack and recognized it for what it was—a threat to their carefully laid plans.

  To protect their interests, they had done the best they could to track her down. Using all the knowledge and information they could glean from the Academy, they had sent Danilo after her to silence her once and for all.

  Unfortunately for the other innocent victims, their passing resemblance to Kasey had put them in harm’s way. Whoever was behind the attack seemed willing to go to great lengths to assure its success. They were willing to kill anyone who fit their profile. Whether they were prescient or not seemed to matter little.

  In that moment, Kasey knew she was dealing with someone far more ruthless than a serial killer. Whoever was responsible for Danilo, they were the true threat. Not just to herself, but to all of New York City—and possibly the world.<
br />
  Kasey looked at Collins. In her heart, she knew who she was dealing with. “Danilo Lelac I presume.”

  Collin’s mouth twisted up into a sinister smile. “What gave me away?”

  “You knew too much, and you overplayed your hand,” Kasey replied. “There is no way anyone could have told you that the vision was of New York unless they were a part of it.”

  “I could have guessed,” Danilo replied, “After all, you live here in New York. It makes sense when you think about it.”

  “Only to a sociopath,” Kasey replied. “Most people flee from danger, not run toward it. After all, I fled the Academy, didn’t I?”

  Danilo reached forward and pushed open the door of his cage. It was unlocked. Getting to his feet, he stretched. The cage had been too small for his massive frame.

  Approaching Kasey’s cage, he loomed over her. “A crazy person or a hero. Is that what you see yourself as Kasey? A hero?”

  Her hand clenched around the shard in her pocket. She willed Danilo to step closer to the cage. “No, not a hero. I'm just a woman who wanted to be left alone. I left your world and made a new life. I can't help the visions. I didn't even know the attack took place in New York until this week. So, call it fate or destiny or serendipity, I don't care, but you… you made a horrible mistake.”

  Danilo Lelac smiled. “What was that?”

  Kasey’s voice was quiet but firm. “I left your world, but you dragged me back in. Now you will have to live with the consequences. Rest assured, you won't have to wait long, and when I'm done with you, whoever sent you is next.”

  “Done with me. Kasey?” Danilo’s voice echoed his disbelief “You're insane. Do you have any idea how many people I've killed in my career? I am the Golden Wolf and you're an Academy drop out.

  “You’ll not be done with me, but I’ll be done with you. Now tell me what I want to know, or others around you will start to pay the price of your poor judgment. Starting with your parents.”

  To demonstrate his point, Danilo walked over to the table and picked something up. It took Kasey a moment to realize what it was–her cell phone. Danilo began punching out a text.

  “Hey, just having a bit of a hard time lately. Any chance you and Dad could swing by my place? I could really use a chat.” Danilo spoke in a mocking imitation of Kasey's voice.

  Kasey shook the bars of her cage. The last thing she wanted was for her parents to be brought into harm's way.

  Her phone vibrated.

  “Oh, would you look at that,” Danilo said with a grin. “They're on their way. ‘I'll be there in half an hour.’ How sweet. The ball is in your court, Kasey. What they find when they get here is up to you. My employer wants to know exactly what you saw in your vision. Tell me or I swear I'll still be here when they arrive and tomorrow the police will have three bodies instead of one. Your choice.”

  Kasey seethed with frustration as she beheld the man who not only had killed four people but now threatened the life of her family and her own. Kasey tried to hide her hands that were shaking visibly.

  “Oh, fancy that?” Danilo remarked. “I guess you feel some fear after all. Bishop seemed to think you are unshakable. Glad to know you are human. Don’t worry, fear is a natural reaction to your current circumstances.”

  What Danilo didn't know was that the trembling wasn't fear. It was rage. She had only felt this mad once before and she had put John Ainsley in the hospital as a result.

  There will be no hospital for you Danilo.

  Kasey calmed her mind and focused her thoughts on a singular idea: the cage surrounding her. “Ffrwydro.”

  At her command, a wave of arcane energy surged out of her like an angry storm.

  There was the tortured shriek of steel on steel as the cage twisted and contorted before snapping altogether. The metal bars showered the apartment in a storm of shrapnel. Danilo dove over the nearby sofa to take shelter.

  She rose to her feet, the arcane energy slithering back into her.

  No sooner had the apartment gone still than Danilo was on his feet, with his gun in hand, pointed directly at Kasey.

  Kasey stared down the pistol’s barrel, but this time, she was ready. Not caring how the Arcane Council felt about her actions, she let loose. “Dwrn yr awyr!”

  The concussive force struck him in the chest and threw him into the wall. His gun skittered across the floor of the apartment.

  Kasey scrambled for the weapon. Danilo shoved away from the wall and charged after her.

  With a triumphant cry, Kasey dove for the gun. She grabbed it and pointed it up at him.

  She pulled the trigger.

  Click.

  In desperation, she pulled the trigger three more times.

  Click. Click. Click.

  Danilo laughed. “It’s not even loaded Kasey. I don't need a gun to kill you.”

  Before she could react, he dove on top of her.

  She tried to roll free, but Danilo was too quick. They tumbled across the apartment floor, fighting each other for the upper hand.

  Kasey gasped as Danilo grabbed her by the throat. She let out a savage kick, driving her foot into the gunshot wound in his side.

  I bet he’s regretting doing that now, Kasey thought. Danilo must have wounded himself to dispel any suspicion after the apartment ambush.

  He groaned in pain and Kasey used the opportunity to roll free. As she did so, she crossed paths with one of the steel bars of her cage. Grabbing the piece of steel, she sprung to her feet.

  Danilo rose to his feet, but Kasey was waiting. With all her strength, she swung the steel bar at Danilo.

  The bar struck home with a satisfying crack. Danilo was knocked backward onto the floor.

  To Kasey’s horror, Danilo simply shook off the blow. “You really have no idea what you are dealing with do you?” He turned onto his stomach and rose to his feet. “My people have lived in the harshest climates this world has to offer. We have fought tooth and claw for centuries just to survive. You don’t stand a chance, Kasey. You never did.”

  His arms began to swell, as did his chest. Danilo, or Collins as Kasey had known him, had always been large but Kasey watched in silent amazement as he grew before her eyes. His shirt tore apart as it failed to contain his burgeoning physique.

  The pallor of his skin darkened to a golden brown as his jaw distended. In seconds, the transformation was complete. Kasey found herself face to face with the beast she’d met at Hudson Road.

  While she had known what Danilo was, watching the transformation had mesmerized her. “Oh…”

  Kasey’s sentence was cut short as Danilo let out a bellowing roar that shook the apartment.

  The Golden Wolf leaped forward.

  Kasey sidestepped but Danilo was quicker, delivering a punishing backhand. Kasey tumbled across the room.

  It was times like this that made Kasey wish she had stayed in the Academy. Battle Magic and Dueling weren’t really subjects the Academy labored over with its younger students. Had Kasey finished her senior years she would have been able to take both. With Kasey’s love of martial arts, it was the only subject she had had any interest in, but she wasn’t going to endure the personal hell of the Academy just to take them. She would just have to improvise.

  “Pêl Tân,” Kasey shouted as she stretched out her hand toward Danilo.

  A swirling sphere of fire coalesced above her hand before soaring across the living room toward him. Danilo sidestepped the ethereal assault, but it still struck him in the shoulder.

  He howled as the flames seared his skin and set his golden mane alight. Ignoring the wound, he charged at Kasey. He struck again, his deadly claw arcing toward her stomach. Kasey had seen the after effects of such a blow. It was the attack that had killed Lincoln Strode. She half-jumped, half-tumbled over the lethal claw.

  The razor-sharp talon caught her in the thigh. It sliced straight through her favorite jeans and into her leg.

  Kasey gritted her teeth against the pain and collapsed
to the floor as her injured leg refused to take her weight.

  Danilo seized the moment and pounced. He swung at her again. She rolled out of the way, but he trapped her to the floor. He snapped his teeth scant inches from her face.

  She grabbed Danilo by his throat as she strove to keep the snapping jaws at bay. It was a losing battle and she knew it. He drew back his paw for another strike. There was nowhere to go.

  Kasey panicked and uttered the first spell she could think of.

  “Dwrn yr awyr!”

  Danilo was too close to dodge the blast and it caught him dead in the chest.

  His claw found nothing but air as the blast threw him straight up. Kasey smiled in satisfaction as Danilo struck the roof, splintering the plaster. Then he began to fall, right back at Kasey.

  “Oh, gravity, you bitch.” Kasey reached for her pocket as Danilo plummeted toward her.

  The Golden Wolf readied his claws as he descended toward her.

  Kasey watched as the mass of teeth and claws raced toward her. She ripped the Shard of Odin out of her pocket and pointed it at Danilo.

  “Af pvi at Odin!”

  The spear rang, its ancient magic activated once more. The shard shot out into a wicked point, the elegant inscription carved by Odin himself rose to the surface.

  The Golden Wolf began to flail, but it was too late. Ignoring the pain in her leg, Kasey raised the spear toward the falling Werewolf. With grim focus, she drove the spear home. Danilo howled as the spear plunged straight into his chest, impaled by his own weight.

  The bulk of the falling Werewolf knocked the air from her lungs. She rolled on to her side and dumped Danilo onto the floor.

  He groaned but didn’t move.

  She yanked the Spear of Odin free and struggled to her feet.

  Danilo lay on his side. Worried that it was a ruse, Kasey used the spear to roll the Werewolf onto his back.

  A low growl escaped his mouth. As he looked up at her looming over him with the spear, he raised a claw to try and fend her away.

  It was a feeble attempt. The Spear of Odin had done its work well and Danilo was fading fast.