by D. J. Dalton
“I’ll be your cover.”
After taking a deep breath, Keren looked at the procession of cursed creatures plodding down Church Street. An invisible fist clenched her gut. Three and Two had struggled with one cursed wolf. Now, she faced three wolves. And she didn’t know how tough the cursed bears were. The odds were against her. She took a deep, long breath. This had only two outcomes for her. Destroy the cursed creatures and save the Magic Underground or die trying.
Briggs wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. She let her head rest against his shoulder. “Are you ready?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He scooped her off her feet. When she turned her head to look at him, their noses bumped together. She felt his warm breath on her face. He licked his lips, then swallowed. “It’s easier to hold you like this.”
She leaned forward, letting her lips brush against his. Then she pushed the spiral, snake-tailed tattooed on her palm.
Keren’s eyes fluttered open. The adrenaline flowing through her dulled the fatigue and pain. She was ready for a fight.
“You can put me down.”
But Briggs held her tighter. His lavender eyes stared into hers as he spoke.
“I need you to know something.”
She put her finger to his lips as her eyes welled up with tears. While leaning her forehead on his, she whispered to him.
“Please, put me down.”
Without a word, he set her gently on the ground. She turned away before he could see a tear trickle from the corner of her eye. Briggs deserved better than someone responsible for the murder of hundreds of shifters. One day, she thought, he’d be happy with a wife and family and would be grateful for this moment.
With a ferocious yell, Keren summoned her magic. Light instantaneously burst from her body.
“I summon my army.”
All four creatures appeared. Their colors and detail were sharp as they tensed, waiting for Keren’s command.
The cursed creatures walked in formation, one wolf in front, followed by the bears, then the remaining wolves. She didn’t know when they planned to join the attack on Perfect Potions, so she had to act fast. If she took out one of the cursed wolves with a surprise attack, at least the numbers would be even. She chose which wolf to focus on, then sent her creatures in for the attack.
As Three slammed its fist into the ground, roots shot up, ensnaring the legs of the cursed wolf in the rear. While Two jumped on its back, tearing at its head with its claws and teeth. Before the arcanum handlers could react, Four shot a water jet into the group, severing all their heads. Now left without handlers, the cursed wolf stopped moving. Three ran up, taking the wolf’s bloodied head and, with a roar, ripped it from the body.
As a blast of fire shot toward Three, it held the severed head up, using it as a shield against the searing flames. Two lowered its horns, smashing into the side of the other rear wolf attacking Three. As Three tossed the severed wolf’s head into the air, One somersaulted, batting the head with its wing like a volleyball. The head jettisoned to the ground, crashing into the second rear wolf’s handlers. Once that wolf stopped moving, Three repeated the beheading process of the cursed creature.
Adrenaline flowed through Keren as she moved along the sidewalk, following her creature army. Tabitha trailed behind her, creating a living shield from the foliage to block her glow from the arcanum as much as possible while still giving her a clear view of the battle. Keren’s heart pounded. They had destroyed two of the cursed creatures. She took a deep breath, enjoying the triumph. Then, while gritting her teeth, she pushed as much energy into her creatures as possible.
Both cursed bears turned toward Three, shooting a dozen crooked, leafless branches from their backs. As Keren looked closer, the branches had pointed spear-heads. Four spun, pulling the continuous snow from Winter Wonderland and blasting snow jets at the pair, freezing the bears and their handlers in place. While Two shot a fireball, burning the spears in mid-flight. As Three stomped forward, it crushed each arcanum handling team under its feet. Then, after raising its fists, it smashed them into the bears’ heads. With a loud snap, the frozen heads cracked away from the bodies.
She pumped her fists in the air. To celebrate, she pushed more energy into her creatures. One somersaulted in the air as Four twirled in a circle. Three and Two stomped over the frozen bears’ bodies. She watched as the remaining cursed wolf crashed through a storefront window, it and its handlers retreating from the scene.
“Keren.”
She spun around, seeing Tabitha leaning against the wall. Her chalky face exaggerated the dark circles under her eyes. Keren glanced down, shocked by the pool of blood under Tabitha’s leg. When Keren tried taking a breath, her lungs wouldn’t expand, leaving her gasping for air. She couldn’t lose Tabitha, too.
“This is the end of the line for me.”
Keren took her arm, helping her to the ground. “You just need rest. You’re going to be OK.”
Tabitha patted her on the arm. “You need to finish what you started.” She leaned her head back on the wall, closing her eyes. “You can do this.” Then Tabitha went limp.
With shaking hands, Keren pressed her fingers to Tabitha’s neck. She felt a faint pulse.
“Hang in there. This is almost over.”
She stood, feeling exposed now that Tabitha’s shield no longer protected her. A trickle of sweat dripped down her face as she braced against the building for support. The potion was wearing off. That last energy push for the celebration must have depleted her supply.
Since the cursed wolf had retreated, and the warrior pack and fae had a solid defense against the arcanum, she could use the artifact again, even though it would render her unconscious for a few minutes, causing her creatures to disappear.
She sat down next to Tabitha and pressed her fingers to her palm. When nothing happened, she frowned, staring at the snake-tail swirl. She pressed her fingertips to her palm again. When nothing happened, she used her other hand, driving her fingertips into the tattoo.
Her stomach churned as she beat her hand on the ground. This couldn’t be happening. One cursed wolf could tear through Perfect Potion’s defenses, leaving the Magic Underground vulnerable to its rampage.
She jumped when a hand appeared in front of her face. Then cringed when she heard Quinlin’s voice.
“Having artifact problems?”
She batted his hand away, then glanced at Three.
“Don’t even think about it. My lieutenant is watching us from that upstairs window.” He motioned to the Howlin’ Moon. “He’ll kill your mom if anything attacks me.”
Keren got to her feet. She staggered as her legs wobbled beneath her. When he reached out to help, she curled her lip, recoiling from Quinlin.
“Don’t touch me.”
She stumbled into the street, looking at her creatures. Their colors had faded, and the edges of their bodies blurred. As she pushed her hair out of her face, she let out a dejected sigh. She had been so close to victory. It’s not your fault, she thought as her creatures regarded her, waiting for a command. She blinked tears away as she released them but held onto her magic. They turned to mist and dissipated into the air.
Quinlin strolled into the street with his hands behind his back.
“Let’s get back to our discussion earlier before we were so rudely interrupted.”
“We have nothing to discuss.”
As he walked in a circle around her, the sun caught the Amplification Disk, shooting a flash of light into Keren’s eyes. She blocked it with her hand.
“But we do. Decide. Are you joining me?”
“Never. I’ll defend my friends and family until I die.”
Her vision blurred, and the pain in her stomach was almost unbearable. With a sob, she released her magic.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Briggs
As Briggs crept through the downstairs of Howlin’ Moon’s Barbecue, he kept his eye out for Ordell. The puca had chang
ed into a mouse, scouting ahead for danger.
So far, they hadn’t run into any arcanum. But they also weren’t any closer to finding Ms. Stewart. Briggs knew it would devastate Keren if something happened to her mom. Promising to rescue her mom let Keren focus more on her magic and fighting the cursed creatures.
He grimaced, running a hand through his hair. Quinlin may have already killed Ms. Stewart. That left him to bear the terrible burden of telling Keren. No, he needed to be optimistic. He would find Ms. Stewart alive, and he would rescue her.
After what Quinlin did to Keren, lying and seducing her while all the while trying to kill her friends and family, he felt no constraints on what he would do to the sorcerer if he found him.
Then he froze, hearing Ordell’s high-pitched squeaks as he came downstairs. Once Ordell’s mouse form came over, he changed into his human form.
His horse’s ears were pinned back, and his breathing labored. “I found her. She’s upstairs.”
Brigg’s chest tightened. This was the question he dreaded. “Is she alive?” He heard his heart beating in his ears as he waited for Ordell’s answer.
“Yeah, she’s sitting in a chair. They have her hands tied behind they tied her and her feet to the chair.”
Briggs let out a long breath. “Is there anyone else with her?”
“Just that arcanum with the pinstriped suit. He’s staring out the window.”
While rubbing his hand over his chin, Briggs wondered how he would get past the arcanum. Then he looked at Ordell. He pursed his lips. Ordell’s been through so much already. Could he ask him to risk his life again?
“I know that look,” said Ordell as he sat on the floor. “You want me to do something dangerous.”
Briggs put his hand on Ordell’s slender shoulder. He had shown more bravery this past week than he’d seen from seasoned officers.
“Only if you’re up to it.”
The muscles in Ordell’s face tightened as he sprung to his feet. “They killed Broden and hurt Nadria. What do you want me to do?”
After reaching into his pocket, Briggs pulled out a ring with two keys. He dropped it in Ordell’s hand. “These are the keys to Ms. Stewart’s cuffs. I need you to chew through the ropes, then unlock the cuffs.” He looked around, checking to see if anyone had entered the room. When satisfied they were still alone, he continued. “Did you notice if there were any plants in the room?”
Ordell’s face dropped. “No, sorry.”
Briggs patted his back. “It’s OK. I’ll follow you upstairs. Try to be quiet.”
Ordell smiled. “Quiet as a mouse.” Then he changed to his mouse form. After looping his head through the ring, he bit the keys.
While nodding his head, Briggs smiled. “Smart, nothing to drag on the ground.”
After Ordell squeaked, he ran upstairs with Briggs following close behind.
About halfway up the staircase, Briggs had to slow down. The wooden stairs creaked under his weight, so he needed to be careful where he stepped. He stopped a few stairs from the top, crouching down next to the wall as he took in the room.
A large wooden table with five high-back chairs filled half of the room. Pictures of various full moons decorated the walls. Sitting under the window where the arcanum stood were two books.
Ms. Steward sat in a high-backed chair pulled to the side, her eyes locked on the arcanum at the window. Briggs couldn’t see Ordell. He guessed he was working on chewing through the ropes binding Ms. Stewart’s hands. When he noticed a five-foot potted cactus sitting in one corner of the room, a smile spread across Briggs’ face.
The seconds ticked by as sweat dripped down Briggs’ face. Depending on how thick the rope was, he could be here for a while before Ordell managed to chew through. He took slow, shallow breaths as to not alert the arcanum to his presence. Finally, he spotted Ms. Stewart’s arms jerk.
Briggs held his breath as the rope dropped toward the floor. That noise would certainly alert the arcanum. His cramped muscles complained as he readied himself to pounce. Just before the rope hit the floor, Ms. Stewart grabbed it, leaving it dangling a mere inch off the ground.
She brought her hands together on her lap as Ordell started chewing the rope binding her feet. After tucking the chewed rope under her leg, she picked up the cuff’s keys Ordell had dropped in her lap, then put her hands back behind the chair.
Suddenly, the arcanum turned. His eyes darting around the room until he spotted Ordell.
“Get away from her,” he snarled, stomping across the floor.
As Briggs heard the clank of two gold disks drop to the floor behind Ms. Steward’s chair, she raised her palms out to the side.
“Protegioum.”
A shield sprung to life, surrounding her and Ordell. While skidding to a stop, the arcanum had a look of confusion on his face.
Barreling from his position, Briggs drove his shoulder into the arcanum, sending him flying over the table and into the wall across the room. Keren’s mom dropped the shield long enough for Briggs to tear the ropes off her feet. Once she was free, Briggs pointed to the staircase.
“Get out of here!” he shouted.
Ordell changed to his human form as they raced to the stairs.
“Protegioum,” she said again, raising a shield around them.
Briggs tossed the chair aside, picking up the two gold disks. He placed one in each palm.
“Potestatenum.”
At hearing that spell, Briggs threw himself to the side. The hair on his arms stood up as the energy blast skimmed by him.
The arcanum ran forward, his palms outstretched.
Briggs catapulted to the ceiling and ricocheted off toward the arcanum. His hands reaching for his wrists. At the last minute, the arcanum twisted, elbowing Briggs in the nose. With a grunt, Briggs fell onto his back, blood pouring from his broken nose. He slammed his palms into the floor, focusing his earth magic on the cactus. A thorny limb shot out, impaling the arcanum through the chest.
As Briggs stood, he used his sleeve to wipe blood from his face. He stared at the suspended body, shaking his head. He’s so young, he thought.
Thinking of Keren, he walked to the window to see how the battle was going. As he leaned forward, his hand touched the books. He looked down, recognizing one as a Book of Shadows, the other a grimoire. As he picked up the books, he noticed a name engraved in gold lettering, Marcus Turner.
“So, these are the coveted books,” he mumbled.
“Potestatenum.”
In those few seconds before impact, Briggs’ eyes shot to the arcanum whose shaky arms had barely enough strength to extend his palms. A wicked smile spread across his face, then his eyes closed, and his chin fell to his chest.
As the energy blast raced toward him, Keren’s smiling face flashed in his mind. Her long, chestnut hair tossed free in the breeze and her silver eyes danced with a carefree life. His heart clenched, knowing he’d never see her again.
Briggs’ reflexes caused him to bring the books up to block the energy blast. Upon impact, his arms collapsed, pushing the books to his chest. He felt as though a train had slammed into his chest as the power of the energy blast propelled him out the window.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Keren
The sound of shattering glass drew Keren’s attention. She let out a scream as Briggs skyrocketed from the second-story window of the Howlin’ Moon. A raven swooped in, snatching Briggs’ belt. Although it frantically beat its wings, Briggs’ weight was too much for the bird.
“Parioida fulmenten.”
A jolt of electricity zapped the raven in the breast. It spun out of control, crashing into a line of shrubbery.
When Briggs’ body made impact, Keren heard the sickening sound of cracking bones. He lay motionless, face down on the pavement.
Quinlin walked up to Briggs, tapping him with his toe.
“I think you should reconsider. Let’s look at the facts. Briggs being here means that he botched the rescue atte
mpt, and my lieutenant killed your mom. And your friend Ordell is lying in the bushes.”
Keren dropped to her knees. She dipped her chin while covering her face with her hands. Quinlin placed his fingers under her chin and lifted her head.
“Tell me, Keren. Who are you defending?”
She flinched as the sun’s rays reflected off the Amplification Disk into her eyes. With that disk, Quinlin could continue making cursed creatures. Her artifact’s power had run out. Without it, she wouldn’t have enough energy to fight an army of cursed creatures.
As she looked into Quinlin’s brown eyes, she knew she had to do something. Irrational thoughts of simply pummeling to death flicked through her mind.
Then her stomach churned as she heard the familiar roar of the cursed wolf. She watched as it lumbered back onto Church Street, then turn to face Perfect Potions.
An insane idea popped into her head. But she’d have to make Quinlin believe in her act.
“You’re right,” she said. “I’m a sorcerer and I belong with the Dark Guild.”
Quinlin squinted his eyes and smirked, giving Keren a side glance. “You’ve never been good at lying.”
She took a ragged breath. He was right. She was a terrible liar. In her mind, she blurred out Quinlin’s face, replacing it with Briggs.
“Since the day we met, we’ve had a special bond. When I have a problem or am in trouble, you’re there to help. When you wrap your arms around me, I feel safe and warm. It’s like nothing else in the world matters but you and me. I can’t imagine life without you.”
Quinlin blinked, then smiled. “I knew you felt the same connection.” He held out his hand.
Keren placed her hand in his, mindful not to cringe at his touch. When she swayed, he wrapped his arms around her. The hair stood up on the back of her neck, but she leaned her body weight into him, conserving her energy. He whispered into her ear.