The Lure of a Traitor

by F. L. Jordan

  "Call me kid again and I'll kick your ass," Natalie playfully punched him lightly in the arm before stepping aside. "Anyway, this is Sergeant Zachariah Hail. Hail, meet Sergeant Michael Davies."

  "Hi," Zach stuck his hand out towards the man, slightly surprised by the overly firm handshake that ensued.

  "The infamous Hail," Michael laughed, "do you know this girl here has a major cr-"

  "Hey Mac!" Natalie stepped on Michael’s foot as she shouted to the barkeep, "Two ciders and a couple of greasy lambs!"

  "You got it, hun," he called back, rolling his eyes at their antics. "Your table's open, by the way."

  "Thank God," she sighed, "I was worried you gave it to someone new."

  "What in God's name is a greasy lamb?" Zach asked, trying to hide his disgust.

  "Guinness stew," she started walking towards the corner booth that she'd long ago claimed as hers. "Oh, Copper, what do you want?"

  "Any fish on the menu that isn't fried?" Zach answered for the dragon as he stuffed his hands in his pockets. He was clearly uncomfortable.

  "Does he like crab?" Mac called from behind the bar. "Or clams? Just got a fresh shipment in."

  Copper looked genuinely excited. Natalie guessed he didn't typically get things like that at home. Zach's indecision confirmed it.

  You pick, Zach told the little dragon.

  Can I have both? Copper was taking full advantage of the situation.

  "Copper," Natalie asked, "have you ever had clams?" He shook his head, "Then I'd go with the crab. Less slimy."

  Ok, I want the crab, Copper vibrated with excitement on Zach’s shoulders.

  “Alright alright, calm down,” Zach chuckled at the little dragon’s enthusiasm, though he knew he’d have to adjust his dinner plans for the night. “Crab, please.”

  “Raw or cooked?” the bartender asked. “I know the little critters like either.”

  “Cooked,” the last thing Zach wanted was for Copper to get some food borne bacteria.

  “Hey Lieutenant,” Natalie turned instinctively to face the officer that called to her from the bar, “got any clue what’s going on with the new street drug? It’s nasty.”

  “That’s what we’re looking into today,” Zach admitted. He’d also responded to the call of his former position.

  “Nat,” Michael turned to her, his expression grim, “we figured one of your girls would know about it, but they won’t talk to us.”

  “I’ll make some calls,” Natalie stated casually.

  “Your girls?” Zach asked.

  “Yeah,” Michael spoke freely, “Natalie here headed our Magic Defense Department. She’s got ears all over the city.”

  “And in some seriously spooky covens!” the officer on the bar chimed in once more. “She’s a scary lady, dude. Honestly, you got the best partner in the world.” Natlie moved to correct him but Zach spoke first.

  “Seriously?” he was baffled. “Why wasn’t any of that in your file?”

  “My previous captain didn’t deem it important information,” she shrugged, continuing towards her table as Mac brought their food out, “Let’s eat.”

  Michaels’ radio squawked to life and he turned to the others, “Looks like lunch is over for us boys, it was good to see you, Natalie.”

  “Be careful out there,” she waved to them as they left.

  As she and Zach sat, the bartender set a plate of steaming soft shell crabs on the table. Copper slithered from his human’s shoulder and tentatively started gnawing on one. Natalie thanked Mac and continued to watch the small creature as she sipped her cider.

  “He’s so different from Slag,” she stated softly, “but then again, he’s probably never gone through starvation.”

  “No,” Zach felt around the table until he found his glass, taking a long drink of the surprisingly sweet liquid, “he hasn’t. Copper had to have table manners or my dad wouldn’t let him eat with us.”

  “I see,” Natalie’s smile faded when she saw just how much he’d drank. “Hey, slow down on that cider. You only get one.”

  “That’s truly a shame,” he smiled as he hunted for his spoon, the alcohol giving him a buzz almost instantly due to his empty stomach, “because it’s really good.”

  “I’d have to agree,” she slyly pushed the utensil under his hand. “If you want, I can bring you back for dinner sometime.”

  “Ms. Lock,” he smirked, “if you’re flirting with me, I’m going to tell you now that I’m not interested.”

  She laughed heartily, “Get over yourself, you’re not that cute! I’d rather join a convent than involve myself in another office relationship.”

  “Amen to that,” he moved to take a bite of his stew.

  “Oh! Blow on that,” Natalie warned. “It’s hot.”

  “I’m not an invalid, Lock,” Zach was instantly annoyed, this was the key reason he didn’t like eating around others.

  “I know,” Natalie smiled, taking a bite of her own food, “just looking out for you. Isn’t that what we do as partners? Look out for each other?”

  He paused, a smile pulling at the corner of his mouth, “Yeah. Something like that.” He shook his head slightly and took a tentative bite of his stew, delighted to find that it was delicious. He’d have Copper look up the calorie count later.

  The dragon watched with interest as he munched on his own meal. Not only had Natalie managed to make Zach smile, she’d gotten him to break his diet and slow down on the alcohol. Copper observed intently as she did small things to make Zach’s experience easier; pushing utensils into his hands, tilting the soup bowl slightly so he could get his food easier, pushing his glass into his fingers. She didn’t have to do any of it, and she clearly sought no praise for it. She was just being kind to him. As the meal continued, Copper became determined to make the two humans spend more time together.

  Zach, Copper spoke loudly as they headed back towards the station, laying happily in his human’s lap.You should invite Natalie and Slag over for dinner tomorrow.

  You want another dragon near your hoard? Zach gently felt the little dragon’s face, Are you feeling ok?

  I can hide it, Copper hadn’t thought about it, but no, he didn’t really want another dragon near his prized sparklies. However, it was the perfect excuse to get Natalie near Zach outside of work.

  Zach shook his head. Maybe it was the good food, or the slight buzz he’d gotten from the cider, but the little beast’s idea sounded fun. Zach hadn’t actually had fun in a very long time.

  I don’t have anything planned, Natalie’s voice echoed in his skull. Unlike last time, he found the experience pleasant. It was like having a secret code that literally no one else could crack.

  “Then that settles it,” he laughed a little, leaning his head back to relax. “Dinner is at 6:30. I’ll give you the address when we get back to the station.”

  “Sounds good,” Natalie winked at Copper as she drove. She wasn’t sure what the intelligent dragon was up to, but she’d play along.

  Chapter 8

  “I want her as my partner,” Zach blurted out after Natalie had left their briefing session with Captain Levit. Zach reigned in his urge to smile as he heard the man nearly choke on his coffee.

  “You want a partner?” the man must have spilled some, because Zach could hear him swiping at his shirt.

  “Yes,” he was adamant. “She’s not only insanely knowledgeable about magic, but I learned today that she has many valuable informants within the community.”

  “This doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that she beat you in a sparring match does it?” Captain Levit was rightfully suspicious.

  “No, but that was insightful as well,” Zach admitted. “She’s highly skilled and has no business being a damn meter maid, Mark.”

  Copper was also stunned. Zach had refused a partner even before losing his sight, What are you doing?

  I want to use her contacts, Zach admitted, and if I have a partner, I can get out on the streets again.
We’re not going to solve this case sitting in that damn office.

  You’ve got a point, Copper relaxed. His human was playing an angle. This was typical Zachariah Hail behavior, he just hoped it didn’t mess up his plans to make Natalie Zach’s friend.

  “I’ll agree with that,” the captain stated. “Fine, I’ll place her with you for a trial period, that way you’re not stuck together when you inevitably piss her off.”

  “Thanks, Cap,” Zach waved and turned to leave. He’d been given a lot to think about that day and he planned to use the last hour of his shift to map out his thoughts.

  ~*~

  Natalie shoved the rest of her apartment into the back seat of Eli’s car before returning to the building one last time to check her mail. Slag was sitting upon her shoulders just as Copper sat on Zach’s. The little dragon was super excited to meet the creature she’d seen on the billboards in town. She’d always thought he was pretty.

  What’s he like? Slag asked as Natalie sifted through her junk mail, finding one piece of interest.

  Just like his owner, she stated as she opened the envelope, happy to see that her application for mythical creature ownership had been approved. Cocky, stubborn, likes to try and intimidate others, and absolutely gorgeous.

  Do you think he’ll like me? Slag was worried, she’d never had much interest in making friends before. All she’d focused on was finding a human.

  Yeah, but he might be a dickhead at first, Natalie recalled her own experience with Hail. Just show him you’re not going to be bullied and I think you’ll be fine.

  I can do that, Slag swished her tail, accidentally smacking Natalie in the face. I’m sorry!

  No worries, Natalie laughed. You’re learning. Let's go home. I’m tired.

  As they stepped out into the dim light of dusk Natalie found a surprising sight. The young man who had abused Slag only a few nights ago currently sat on the hood of Eli’s car, absently destroying the paint with his pocket knife. Natalie, knowing the boy wouldn’t come alone, concentrated on the magic auras around her, locating five other gang members who hid in the alley. This is not what she wanted to deal with tonight.

  “Think you can fuck with the SPs and get away with it, huh?” the cocky teen stood, dragging his blade across the hood of the car. Eli was going to be so upset.

  Slag clicked her flint at the boy, an impressive arch of green sparks leaving her mouth. Natalie calmly patted the creature and sighed, “You know, I’m not really a fan of the SPs. All you seem to do is run around with a measuring stick trying to figure out whose dick is the biggest.”

  “The fuck did you just say to me?” he instantly drew his wand and aimed it at her. “You got an awfully cocky mouth for some old bitch who’s outnumbered.”

  “Oh, yes,” Natalie gave the boy her best bored expression. “Like that helped you so much last time. Could the five of you please come out of hiding? I’d love to see your faces so I know who to arrest tomorrow for assaulting a police officer.”

  “You’re a PD pig?” the boy snarled at her as the others stepped into view, laughing and cracking their knuckles. She looked them over with disinterest. They were grown men. They should have a little more class.

  “Oink oink,” she taunted the boy, a sly smile creeping onto her face.

  “You’re a traitor to your own kind,” one of the men growled.

  “Let’s hang her high in the city center,” another suggested. “Give those pigs a clear message.”

  “Or,” she took a step towards them, “you can go home, and I won’t kill you.”

  They laughed and mocked her as the boy put his wand away, “Get her.”

  Natalie sighed and dropped the blocker she’d long ago placed on her aura, allowing it to spill out in full force. The strength of her magic brought all six of them to their knees. Two of them began bowing to her, begging for their lives as the others simply stared in absolute horror. Satisfied that they had gotten the message, she replaced the blocker and walked up to the teen.

  “Give me all of the money in your pockets, kid,” she held out her hand to him. “You’re paying for the damage to the car.”

  “Y-yes,” he stammered, digging into his pocket with shaky hands, “m-my Queen.”

  “Also,” Natalie counted the bills, not too surprised to find that the boy had well over three thousand dollars on him, “my dragon feels that you were quite rude to her the other day. She and I agree that you deserve a punishment for your actions.”

  The boy begrudgingly nodded, afraid to speak. His eyes pleaded with Slag to be merciful. She wasn’t.

  The remaining gang members watched in horror as Slag lept from Natalie’s shoulder, dragging the screaming boy into the very alley he had beaten her in. Natalie was surprised by the tiny beast’s strength. She recalled Amber’s tale of how Copper had killed several thugs while in the field. She had so much to learn about her new companion.

  After a few minutes of viciously shredding the boy’s flesh, Slag let loose a mighty burst of green flame. Satisfied with her sentencing, she trotted happily from the alley, leaving the boy’s lifeless body to burn. Slag leapt into the air, causing the other gang members to flinch away from her as she returned to her human’s side.

  The little creature had only ever wanted a human that would love and care for her. She never imagined she’d find the White Witch Queen. Slag felt powerful, dangerous even, and she liked it. The malicious lizard sat proudly on her perch and challenged the other men with her eyes, daring them to move.

  Natalie bound the remaining gang members with a spell of secrecy and climbed into the car. She was shaking as she tried her best to calmly drive away. She was worried. It wouldn’t take Agram long to come sniffing for her. She always came around after Natalie used her magic.

  That. Was. AWESOME! Slag’s excitement pulled Natalie from her thoughts. The beast was bouncing frantically around the passenger seat, positively vibrating from the rush of her kill.

  You can’t tell anyone, Slag, Natalie warned, the world wouldn’t respond well to knowing the Queens have returned.

  Why? The dragon was genuinely confused. You’re amazing.

  Even dragons knew about the fabled witch queens. Stories of their magnificence had been passed down through the generations. An elder alpha had once told Slag about how the great giant dragons of olde had been cursed by one of them for being disloyal. This curse was supposedly the reason why dragons had shrunk in size over the years.

  Humans believe that the world will fall to ruin when the Witch Queens return, Natalie explained, if they find out what I am, I’ll be killed.

  Slag’s excitement vanished instantly, overpowered by her desire to protect her human, I’ll keep the secret. I promise.

  Natalie nodded and they drove home in silence. Eli was waiting for them with Chinese take out and sushi. Slag tackled the raw fish and rice instantly, devouring her meal as the humans talked.

  “Get everything packed up?” Eli asked as he handed Natalie a carton of chicken and broccoli.

  “Yeah, here,” she dug the cash from her pocket, “Some ghetto gang banger ruined your paint job. I chased him down and made him pay for the damage.”

  “Aw man,” Eli pouted, “I just got that car.”

  “Sorry,” she shrugged, digging her chopsticks into the steaming box of food.

  “At least he paid for it, here,” he handed her a slender white gift box, “I got you something for your birthday.”

  “Eli, you didn’t have to get me anything,” Natalie took the present slowly, if he bought her jewelry she was going to deck him.

  “I know,” he smiled excitedly. “Just open it.”

  She did, gasping as she folded back the tissue paper inside to reveal a beautifully carved snow white wand, “Eli!”

  “It’s made of Acacia and Ash,” he beamed at her, “The shop keeper said it was the highest quality wand in her store, and only suitable for a witch of extraordinary talent. She almost wouldn’t let me buy it. Do y
ou like it?”

  Natalie set her food down and dared to touch the ornate stick, gently lifting it from the box like a delicate porcelain doll. The moment her fingers touched the wood the wand responded, melding to perfectly fit the contours of her hand. The specialized object acted like an antenna, gathering and focusing her power with ease. Natalie blinked away a few tears and shook her head in disbelief.

  “Eli,” she looked up at his stupid beaming face, “it’s beautiful. How much did this cost?”

  “Cost means nothing,” he stuffed a nugget of General Tso’s chicken into his mouth. “You’ve always wanted a dragon and a wand. Now you’re complete. It was the least I could do. Besides, a proper witch needs a proper wand.”

  “I want to test it out,” she looked around, spotting the last piece of sushi on Slag’s plate, “Slag, back up.” The dragon eagerly obeyed, wanting to see more of her human’s magic.

  Natalie recalled a duplication spell, and gave the wand a little flick. To Slag’s utter delight, thirty pieces of sushi appeared on the nearly empty tray before her. Natalie laughed nervously. She’d only intended to create three duplicates. She was used to forcing her energy through the cheap bamboo hairpin. The quality made wand took to her power so well that it magnified it. She was already trying to remember the concealment spell that would allow her to keep the wand at her side without others knowing.

  “That spell would be useful at the hospital,” Eli laughed, amused by the little dragon that was currently hogging out on the newly conjured food. “We’re always running out of stuff.”

  Natalie held up the wand and spoke a single commanding word, “Auferte.”

  “Where’d it go?” Eli blinked in confusion as the wand disappeared before his eyes.

  “I put it away,” she grinned and hugged him, “Thank you so much, Eli.”

  “You’re welcome,” he hugged her back, it meant the world to him to see her happy.

  They’d always had each other’s backs growing up. When they were children, she’d protected him from his grandfather’s wrath and he’d treated her wounds. Eli had begged his parents to give her a home when his grandpa had kicked her out, smuggling extra food to her when they weren’t watching. After his parents kicked him out for choosing to practice medicine instead of partaking in their messed up religion, Natalie had let him stay with her at the coven until his schooling was finished. When she’d endured a miscarriage at the hands of her ex and gone septic, Eli had been the one to care for her. They may not have been siblings, but they stuck together like a devoted brother and sister would.