by D. J. Dalton
“OK, thanks.” Ordell stepped outside to order.
After Ordell left, a strained silence fell over the room. Keren sat on the bed across from her mom, avoiding eye contact with Nadria. Quinlin wedged himself in the corner by the door. Nadria positioned herself on the far side of Mom’s bed, glowering at Quinlin. Two sat at the end of the bed, his massive head resting near Mom’s legs.
Ordell stepped back into the room. “Food should be here soon.” He plopped down in a chair. “So, I’m at a complete loss here. Can someone please explain what’s happening?”
“Did you see the news today?” asked Keren.
“No, what’s going on?” Ordell leaned forward in his chair.
“Remember that cursed wolf Three killed? Well, another one attacked on Princeton Street.”
Ordell’s face paled, his horse’s ears pinning to the back of his head. “That thing killed Broden.”
Keren slid off the bed, kneeling in front of Ordell. “It did.” She took his hands. “And this new one has killed more people.” She looked into his eyes. “But Mom said she can help stop the Dark Guild. She needs the papers we found at my house.”
Although his eyes brimmed with tears, his voice sounded angry. “I’m in. So, what do we do now?”
Keren didn’t hesitate. “We stop the Dark Guild before they hurt anyone else.”
“We can’t do it by ourselves.” Nadria stood. “We’re no match for the Dark Guild.”
“My creatures can beat them. Three killed a cursed wolf.”
“Do you know how you did it? How you made them real?” Nadria put her hands on her hips, facing Keren.
“No, not quite, but I can learn.” Keren looked at Two sitting on the floor next to her.
A knock at the door broke the tension. When Quinlin opened it, pizza aroma filled the room. Her stomach rumbled.
After signing for the food, he placed it on the bed. Keren passed the soup to her mom, then reached for a slice of pizza.
“Make one of them appear now.” Nadria challenged Keren.
“Alright, I will.” After taking a bite, Keren squinted her eyes, focusing on Two. Come to life, she thought. Two lifted its head to look at her, then laid it back down.
The room fell silent while Keren focused on Two. Then she sighed, putting her face in her hands.
“You don’t know how your magic works.” Nadria plopped on the bed next to Mom. Soup sloshed out of her bowl. “Oh, sorry, Ms. Stewart.”
“It’s OK, Nadria.” Mom blotted the spilled soup with her napkins. Then her voice hardened. “Keren, look at me.”
Mom waited for Keren to meet her eyes. “You said your creatures have elemental powers. You need to go to the Magic Council and ask them for help. They are the strongest of their races.”
“Who are the Magic Council and how can they help me?” More secrets. Mom had never mentioned the Magic Council before today.
“They’re the strongest of their races. If anyone can help you learn to control your magic, it would be them.”
“How do I find them?” Keren didn’t like the idea of involving anyone else. But again, Nadria had a good point. If she couldn’t summon her creatures on demand, she couldn’t fight the Dark Guild.
“Find Azalea, she’ll help you.”
Keren’s face dropped. She pictured the fairy on her back, potions rolling across the porch. While scrubbing her hand through her hair, she sighed. “Where can I find her?”
“Her store, Perfect Potions, is at Church Street Station. Ask her to take you to the Magical Underground.” Mom took Nadria’s hand. “Nadria can go with you.”
Nadria’s eyes widened. “I went there once with my mom when I was a kid. It was beautiful.”
Quinlin placed his hand on Keren’s shoulder. “I’ll go with you.”
Mom shook her head. “No, Azalea’s cautious. She doesn’t know you.”
For a moment, he tightened his grip. Keren winced at the sharp pain. After relaxing his grip, he said, “Then take my car. The inquisitors won’t be looking for it.”
Keren patted his hand. “Good idea. Thank you.”
Nadria rolled her eyes.
While unaware of the tension in the room, Ordell stretched. “It’s late. I say we continue this conversation in the morning.”
“I agree.” Nadria picked up her bag and headed to the bathroom.
Keren ate another slice of pizza, then cleared the food away. Talking about Broden had quelled Ordell’s appetite because he shook his head when she offered him a piece. She stood, turning to face Quinlin.
“I guess this is goodbye.”
He cupped her face in his hands. “For now.” He leaned toward her. Her skin tingled. He brushed his lips against hers, asking for permission. She stood on her toes, pressing their lips together. Fire exploded up her spine. She melted into him. She wanted more, but he pulled away. He smiled, then left the room.
Her body still tingled as she stared at the door. She wanted to be back in his arms, where life felt safe and calm.
Ordell cleared his throat as he waggled his eyebrows at her. “So, there’s more to the Quinlin story than you let on.”
She swatted his arm. “You get the floor.”
He shrugged, pulling the extra pillow and blanket from the closet. He fashioned a makeshift bead in the corner.
Nadria came out of the bathroom. A relieved look washed across her face when she noticed Quinlin had left. Keren didn’t know why those two had so much animosity toward one another.
Nadria crawled into the other bed while Keren checked on her mom. She was already sleeping. Much to her relief, Mom’s color looked better, and her breathing was smooth and regular. Sometimes parents do the wrong things for the right reasons. She tucked the covers around her, gave her a kiss on the cheek, then went to the bathroom to get ready for bed. When she finished, she crawled into the bed next to Nadria.
“Are they here, your imaginary friends?” whispered Nadria.
“Yes.” Keren reached for Nadria’s hand. “Just Two.”
“Good, that makes me feel safer.”
She leaned over, kissing Nadria’s cheek. “Good night”
Long after Nadria drifted to sleep, Keren lay in bed staring at the ceiling. Thoughts about magic, her creatures, and the Dark Guild drifted through her mind. She got up. After stepping over Ordell, she knelt by Two, who lay at the foot of Mom’s bed.
“Protect them.” Two lifted its head as the fire enveloping his horns grew brighter. She got up, tiptoeing outside. Maybe some fresh air would clear her mind.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Quinlin
Quinlin stood in the shadows, observing Keren as she leaned over the balcony railing, staring at the sky. She wore a long nightshirt, exposing her bare legs to the night air while the wind played with her hair. He walked over, standing close enough so their arms touched when he leaned over the rail.
“Well, hello there.”
She jumped, gasping for air. When she saw it was him, she relaxed back onto the railing and laughed.
“You startled me. And hi.” She smiled at him then went back to staring at the sky. “It’s so peaceful at night.”
As he rubbed his finger along the back of her hand, his heart raced. He breathed in her wild scent, wanting to kiss her. A mad, passionate kiss. One that claimed her as his own. But that might scare her away. He had to give her time.
“Yes, I like how this hotel sits off the road. It’s hidden from the bustle of the city.”
She sighed. “These last few days have been crazy.”
He noticed the bags under her eyes as he brushed the hair off her face. “You need rest.”
She nodded. “I know, but I can’t sleep. I lay there staring at the ceiling while visions of hideous monsters, magic attacks, and the Dark Guild battle in my mind.” She rested her head on his shoulder.
He took a deep breath, letting her essence envelop him. Warmth radiated through his entire body from where her head touched his sk
in. He rubbed her back. “You can join me in my room. We can talk until you’re tired enough to sleep.”
She snuggled into him as she wrapped her arms around him. “I’d like that.”
After taking her hand, he led her toward his room.
She stopped, frowning. “Isn’t your room next to ours?”
“No, they didn’t have adjoining rooms. But we’re on the same floor.” He pointed at the room in the corner. “I’m the one on the end.”
“What if something happens? They might need my help.” She pulled away.
A chill ran down his spine. He needed her away from the room. But even more, he needed her in his arms. “No one knows we’re here. If something happens, my room is just a few steps away.” He ran the back of his hand over her cheek. “Please, at least rest for a short while.”
She glanced at her room’s door, then back at him. He had to give her a slight push. “I have feelings for you, Keren, I want to help. Please, let me into your world.”
Tears brimmed in her eyes. “But I used you. You should hate me.”
“No.” He stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her. “You are precisely what I need in my life. I don’t hate you.” Without speaking again, he led her to his room. She walked with him, resting her head on his shoulder.
After he pushed the door open, he let her walk inside first. He couldn’t keep his eyes off her toned legs. Keep a level head. She’s not yours yet. “Take a seat. Anywhere is fine.”
Quinlin’s corner room was larger than the normal rooms. A plush couch sat across from the double dresser and a big screen TV hung on the wall. Instead of two double beds, he had one king-size bed.
“This is nice.” Keren flopped on the bed. Her arms splayed out in a cross. “And your mattress is so soft.”
Quinlin laughed. If she only knew he owned this hotel, and this was his room. No guests ever occupied it. The mattress was a special order from Saatva. “I lucked out I guess.” He laid on his side next to her, propping his head up with his hand.
She turned to look at him. Those mesmerizing eyes drawing him in. He ran his hand over her hair, letting his fingers glide to her neck. Touching her skin sent a heat wave through his body. The quickened rise and fall of her chest told him she felt their connection. His fingers trailed across her collarbone to the center of her chest, then down to her belly button.
“So.” He swirled his fingers on her stomach. “You want to talk?”
She shook her head, grabbing his shirt and pulling him toward her.
Their lips pressed together, hot and passionate. His hand trailed down the curve of her hip, running along the hemline of her nightshirt. Soft moans encouraged him to continue. He feasted on her neck, kissing every inch, feeling the blood pulsing through her veins. She entwined her fingers in his hair, arching her back.
He forced himself to pull away. “Are you OK with this?”
She swallowed hard, then nodded.
He stood up, unbuttoning his shirt, then tossing it aside. A slow smile spread across her face as she sat up, pulling off her nightshirt. They stared at one another. She reached out, touching her fingertips to his chest, sending an electrical pulse across his skin. As they leaned into one another, they locked in a fiery kiss. His head spun, drinking her in very essence.
Suddenly, Quinlin felt her convulse as a loud explosion rocked the hotel. Her body lit up, just like it did at the hospital. He shielded his eyes, temporarily blinded by the sudden flash. She tore herself away from him.
“Something’s wrong. They need help!” she yelled while pulling on her nightshirt. She raced to the door, clutching her stomach as if something had struck her.
He followed close behind as she bolted out the door. By now, the others should be dead. He’d be there to console her. All of this was for the best.
As he skidded to a stop, a smile spread across his face. A massive wolf with flaming ram horns stood in the doorway of Keren’s room. It repelled bursts of energy peppering Keren’s room by butting them with its head. This must be the fire elemental creature. He marveled at its power.
Then Quinlin startled, realizing Keren was running straight into the line of fire. He sprinted to the railing. When he glanced down, he spotted one arcanum lying motionless on the ground. Two other arcanum discharged energy balls in rapid succession. He tried to get their attention so he could reverse the kill order, but their focus was on the battle.
A Land Rover skidded into the parking lot, its lights and siren adding to the confusion. An inquisitor leaped out of the car, releasing a powerful roar. He smashed his hand into the ground. The parking lot’s asphalt groaned and cracked. Roots shot up, trying to wrap themselves around the arcanum.
They shifted their attack to the inquisitor. He bounded with incredible speed across the parking lot while using magic to direct asphalt chunks at the arcanum. Bloodied and weakened, the arcanum collapsed into the roots’ grasp.
Quinlin whipped his head back to the door. The astounding creature was no longer there.
“Keren!” That woman’s voice came from inside the room.
He followed Keren inside, stopping in the doorway.
“They know we’re here.” That woman struggled to get out of bed. He focused on her hands, searching for the telltale black spots. But that was impossible. She wore the cuffs, keeping magic from flowing to her hands. It had to have been Keren controlling the creature.
“I saw it again.” The puca sat with his back pressed against the wall. His trembling hands had the covers pulled up to his chin. “It was Two. It saved us.”
Keren plopped on the bed. Her eyes focused on the entrance to the bathroom. She mouthed the words, ‘Thank you.’ He stared into space, trying to find Keren’s vision.
At that moment, the inquisitor stormed into the room, pushing Quinlin to the side. The unexpected momentum made him trip over the bags on the floor and stumble into the nightstand.
“Briggs.” Keren rushed to the inquisitor, throwing her arms around his neck. Was this a boyfriend? Quinlin clenched his teeth. She spoke into his thick neck. “How did you find us?”
“You have cell phones and you’re in the middle of a magic battle… again.” He stressed the last word. His eyes betrayed his genuine feelings for her. “The entire precinct is going crazy trying to find you. I had convinced the chief to let me take your mom into protective custody. He almost changed his mind after this stunt. What were you thinking?” Then his eyes landed on Quinlin, and he frowned. “Who are you?”
Before Quinlin answered, Keren spoke. “That’s Quinlin. He works at the hospital, and he’s helping us.”
The inquisitor eyed Quinlin’s bare chest, then glanced back at Keren. His jaw clenched as he pursed his lips. Quinlin, wanting to stay on the good side of the inquisitor, pretended he was afraid. He gave a wave and a weak smile.
“Briggs.” Keren drew the inquisitor’s attention. “I have to get to Ms. Oakdove. She’ll help me learn to control my magic. My imaginary friends, they’re real. I can summon them.”
While cocking his head, Briggs raised a single eyebrow.
“It’s true, she can. And she’ll need to learn how to control them,” said that woman. “The arcanum have discovered how to create cursed creatures imbued with elemental magic.” Nadria helped her off the bed. “Based on what that creature did on Princeton Street, they have far more power than shifters. We have to get the Book of Shadows back so I can locate the curse they’re using. Then, with luck, we can destroy the cursed creatures before they annihilate all shifters.”
Keren put her hands on Briggs’ cheeks. “Please, help us.”
Briggs squeezed his eyes shut, taking a deep breath. When he opened them, he gazed into Keren’s eyes. “Tell me what you need me to do.”
While standing on her tiptoes, she kissed him on the cheek. Quinlin let out a rumbling sigh.
“We need a place to stay tonight. Tomorrow, Nadria and I will go see Ms. Oakdove. I’d like you to keep the others safe unti
l we get back.”
Quinlin cleared his throat. The thought of being confined by this inquisitor turned his stomach but staying with this group gave the Dark Guild an advantage. “I want to help.”
“Are you sure?” Keren moved to him, caressing the side of his face. The burly officer glared at him. Quinlin took her hand and placed it by her side. He edged away from her. “I’m sure.”
“Alright. I’ll call you when we get to Ms. Oakdove’s.” The hurt in her eyes stabbed his heart.
“No calling on your personal phones.” He held out his hand. “I’ll hold on to them.” With reluctant grumbles, everyone handed Briggs their phones. Before Briggs came around to him, Quinlin opened his phone, selecting the auto-wipe security application.
A server stored backups of everything on his phone so he had no worries of losing data. It would be easy to restore it to a new phone. Once the shifter took possession of this phone, he didn’t want it back.
Briggs dug in his pocket, pulling out a different phone. He handed it to Keren. “I bought this on my way to pick your mom up at the hospital. It’s a burner phone. They can’t trace it to you. I’ve programmed in another burner’s number. I have that phone. This is the only way we will communicate.”
He stepped out the door. “Get dressed and packed. We’re leaving for the safe house in ten minutes.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Keren
A few decades ago, Church Street Station was the fourth largest tourist attraction in Florida. That was before the big amusement parks created their own night life entertainment districts. With people flocking to the new venues, the Dixieland jazz era-themed clubs offering live jazz, blues, country, and top 40 music at Church Street Station struggled and eventually closed.
That’s when the magical races stepped in. They embraced the area, giving it their own twist on entertainment and shopping. Live theaters and art galleries replaced the bars and taverns. Fairies setup shops, selling magic-infused tourist paraphernalia, and shifters and pucas welcomed guests to specialty restaurants.