Changeling Hunter

by Frank Hurt

  The steps weren’t any steeper than normal, so she didn’t think it was bathmophobia giving her resistance. If she thought about it long enough, Ember might have been able to make the connection between her psyche’s input and her body’s reluctant response. Probably best not to delve too deeply into that right now. Sooner started, sooner done.

  The door closed behind her, and her heart slammed against her chest. One sluggish step at a time, Ember willed herself deeper into the unheated sub-basement. At the turn of the stairs, the salty air was palpable. So, too, was the energy from the Ley Line.

  Ember had seen a Ley Line just twice before. Once, she went on a field trip with other candidate Novices at the Malvern academy. The candidates were allowed into the cavern three at a time, with an adult supervising. She was just a teenager then, but she remembered feeling rejuvenated from the magic energy. One of the other students had likened it to falling asleep in a tub of warm, melted chocolate. Ember found herself agreeing.

  The second time she had the privilege of seeing a Ley Line was when she was a bit older, and once again at Malvern Hills. She remembered that time feeling like she had just received a deep, full body massage after the best night’s sleep imaginable.

  This time, she found herself euphoric, her senses heightened. The sharpness of the briny air, the humidity clinging to her hair. The only sound was of her rubber soles padding against the last of the obdurate cement steps.

  A brick room opened into a cave whose walls were braced with molded, bronze trusses bolted to the stone floor. The small cavern held no artificial light, but as her eyes adjusted she saw that the walls, roof, and floor were a translucent azure. She extended her arms to either side and could touch both walls at once. The cavern at this Ley Line seemed small compared to the one at Malvern Hills. But then, I was so young when I visited it.

  The bronze bracing was molded with Celtic symbols, too difficult to make out in the dim, blue light emanating from the Ley Line. She traced the symbols with the pads of her fingers and wondered at how ancient this relic must be. It predated the founding of the Magic City—of Minot—she knew. What ancient civilization discovered this magic before us, before the Druws?

  Ember shook her head and closed her eyes. Quit stalling, and get what you came here for.

  She found the walls of the chamber had shelves carved into them. Leystones in various stages of recharge were arranged on the shelves, affixed mostly to gaudy-looking rings intended for Healers. There were others, however, mounted into bracelets, pins, and broaches. The pins, in particular, looked familiar to her, though she couldn’t remember why. Ember knew that the darkest Leystones were the ones holding the greatest charge, so she selected a pin the shade of deepest zaffre.

  She hesitated. The words of her oath—of the Investigator’s Creed—rushed from her subconscious. For the moment, she recalled her 22-year-old self, uttering the sacred vow:

  I, Ember Wright, do swear by the spirits of my ancestors that I will well and truly serve the Druw High Council and uphold The Council's Law in words and in deeds. I will do right to all manner of people after the laws and usages of The Council, without fear or favor, affection or ill will.

  It had been her life’s work, living up to the words of that creed. Wallace had found her when she was young, protected her from unknown enemies who sought to stamp out gifted Investigators such as herself. Inquisitors, she now knew her type to be called, before they were eradicated by those unknown forces, for reasons she couldn’t begin to know. Wallace had taught her, mentored her, encouraged her. Apprentice to The Legend himself.

  Yet here she was, breaking her oath. Turning her back on the pledge that she took. Turning her back on the values her mentor had helped instill in her. Am I really any better than Elton Higginbotham, betraying his oath to heal and help others to instead use his power to harm?

  Higginbotham. As much as she deserved self-chastising, she was motivated by helping others. He only harmed others, used them like puppets. Higginbotham was motivated for selfish reasons, self-serving reasons. She was nothing like that despicable man. So why am I thinking about that monster?

  Ember crouched down so her face was level with the stone shelf. Her eyes continued to adjust to the dim light. Her heart rate hammered faster as realization arrived. It’s the pin. It’s just like the one Higginbotham wears on his tie.

  She gasped, sucking in briny air. His aura, his ridiculously strong mana…he’s augmenting it by wearing a Leystone. That’s how he’s able to inflict such a strong Deference Spell over so many people, for so many years. Somehow, he’s been able to hide that from others—somehow, they can’t see the Leystone he wears.

  Another piece of the puzzle fell into place, even as others appeared on the table. Her Investigator’s Instinct was heightened by time spent near the Ley Line. Wait…how long have I been down here?

  The thrill of discovering the latest puzzle piece was at once replaced by the reminder that she was where she shouldn’t have been, that she could be found at any moment. She shouldn’t have lingered—couldn’t linger longer.

  She made her decision and picked up the Leystone pin.

  When her skin touched the Leystone, Ember could literally see her aura brighten. Her fingers closed around the dark blue pin, and for a moment she would have sworn she felt the stone pulse as though it were alive. This pin was far stronger than the Healer rings she’d been granted access to as a massage therapist, the same pins she had grown up watching her mother use at the clinic in Malvern Hills.

  She dropped the pin into her purse, only to retrieve it and slip it instead into the front pocket of her pants. It felt safer there, closer to her.

  Ember hurried up the steps, leaving the chilly, salty air of the Ley Line behind. The bright lighting over the staircase made her squint. She touched the door and paused, slowing her breathing and listening. Cautiously, she pushed the door open and stepped onto the white, tile floor of the floor containing the medical center and morgue.

  Someone was down there with her.

  She heard movement coming from the medical center. Ember willed herself to stay calm, to act natural. I’m an Associate Investigator, working the Changeling Hunter case. I have every right and reason to be down here.

  She stepped over to the elevator and called the car. Her breath was shallow and rapid, despite trying to act normal. The doors opened and the elevator’s familiar, muted chime played. Ember tapped the “close door” button repeatedly until the doors slid shut. With a press of the “1”, she found herself breathing normally again.

  A nervous satisfaction drew the corners of her lips up. She combed her fingers through her golden hair, allowing herself a moment of triumph. Just a quick walk to my car, and I’ll be on my way to the Schmitt Farm. Gloria will use the Leystone to help my friends, and nobody will be the wiser.

  The elevator car stopped on the first floor and its doors opened to the lobby. A bearded mountain blocked the exit. Arms were crossed in front of his barrel chest, heavy boots planted in an uncompromising stance.

  Dennis glowered down at her. His lip curled into a snarl as he said, “I think you’ve taken something that doesn’t belong to you.”

  27

  I Know What’s Going On

  The six-and-a-half-foot tall changeling extended a meaty palm at the short, blonde woman. “Hand it over. Now.”

  “Smiley, I think you’re confused. Now get out of my way.” Ember tried to sound authoritative, but her voice cracked just a little.

  The scowl on Dennis’s bearded face turned into an ugly smirk. “Fine. Then we’ll do it your way.” His catcher’s mitt-sized hand grabbed for her purse.

  Ember saw it coming and shifted her weight as the big man moved. Her fists came up and she reflexively slapped his wrist aside. Despite the force she put behind her punch, his muscled forearm only swept wide a few inches.

  His eyebrows raised in surprise, his unfriendly smirk melting. The glower returned and he stepped into the elevator car
.

  She took a step back, coming up against the wood-paneled wall. There was no way she could counter him in a fight, especially in such close quarters. Ember briefly thought about tucking and rolling past him, but his wide stance stood in the door. She was trapped.

  “Let’s not do this here,” Ember muttered. “There are regular people in the lobby.”

  Dennis turned his torso, the veins in his meaty neck visible as he glanced over his shoulder. The elevator door tried sliding shut but bounced back when it found his boot in the track. Beyond, Ember glimpsed customers exiting the Magic City Spa.

  He turned back to her, his expression wary, suspicious that the mage was setting him up for a trap. Dennis stepped into the elevator and touched the “2” on the illuminated keypad. He never took his eyes off of her. When the doors slid shut, he growled, “I’m taking you to the Security Office to sort this out. If you so much as chant, I’ll take you down. Don’t think I won’t.”

  She wanted to say, “I don’t need to chant to knock you out.” That’s what she wanted to say. Ember thought better of it and kept the wisecrack to herself.

  The elevator chimed its cheerful announcement as it yawned its maw open to the second floor. Dennis slapped his paw against the edge of the door and stepped aside. He gestured with his hand, his head tilted as he continued to watch her.

  Ember closed her eyes. His badger subform snarled at her, its hackles forming a razorback ridge along its back. She breathed in and walked off the elevator.

  The Security Office was nothing more than a cramped room immediately in front of the elevator. The place was too warm and reeked of stale coffee and body odor. On other floors above this one, the floor desk receptionist and breakroom claimed the space. Here, a handful of mismatched grey and beige steel military surplus desks nudged against one another. A wooden door labeled ARCHIVES was situated between the water cooler and a shared restroom. The walls of the windowless, poorly-ventilated office were arranged on one side with filing cabinets, the other with a bank of monitors, their screens split into six blocks—each displaying the view from a different security camera.

  Two changelings sat at the desks, facing the wall of screens. One of the changelings was an aging man who might have been wider than he was tall. His round midsection rolled over his waist, hiding any sign of a beltline. His security uniform was stretched around his torso, the buttons straining to contain its wearer.

  The other security officer was Debra. She blinked at Ember, then frowned when she saw who escorted her. “Hey, Ember. What’re you doing here? What’s going on?”

  “Oh, you know, I was just in the neighborhood. Thought I’d stop in and say ‘hi.’ Nice place you’ve got here.” She was pleased that her voice didn’t crack this time.

  Heavy boots shifted behind her, the elevator spitting out the giant hairball that was Dennis. The doors slid shut, and the elevator descended out of sight, the pit in Ember’s stomach descending in sync.

  “She stole my badge,” Dennis growled. “And she denied it. She won’t let me search her purse.”

  Ember chuckled, hoping her manner hid her nervousness. She suspected otherwise. “Of course I didn’t let you search my purse, Smiley. And I denied nothing.” She found his name badge and handed it over to him.

  The frown never left his face. “You slapped my hand away. You told me I was mistaken.”

  “I told you: you were confused,” she corrected. “And of course I slapped your hand away. You were pawing at me in the elevator, you brute.”

  “I didn’t paw at you!” He looked over at the round man at the desk. “Rodger, I didn’t touch her, I swear!”

  “Right. I’m sure you were just trapping me in the elevator to give me a big ol’ bear hug.” Ember shook the laminated card, the jaws of the chrome clip rattling. “Did you want this bloody thing back, or not?”

  Dennis snatched the badge out of her hand. He squinted at her and growled. “You stole it off of me.”

  “Stole it off of you, did I? That’s bollocks and you know it.”

  “You did. You stole it off me. In the lobby. When I was talking with Amee.

  “When you were harassing the poor girl, yeah?” Ember shook her head. “You, you’re such a suspicious man, Smiley. I found it laying on the floor of the elevator, and I was returning it to you.” She nodded at the round man, then at Debra. “Rodger, it was nice meeting you. Debra, nice workplace environment you’ve got going on here.”

  Rodger cleared his throat, then spit into a Styrofoam coffee cup. “Hang on a sec, Miss…”

  “Ember Wright,” Dennis offered.

  “Investigator Ember Wright,” Ember said. “What can I do for you, Rodger?”

  Rodger leaned forward with some effort. He wiggled his chubby fingers to loosen them up as he reached for his keyboard. His jowls jiggled as he said, “I’ll just check the access logs and clear this up. If it’s as you said, you’ll be on your way.”

  “If you can’t take me at my word, I think I should call my supervisor in.” Ember pointed to the phone. “Heywood should be here for this if one of his staff is being accused of a security violation don’t you think?”

  The fat man hesitated. Ember blinked and saw his animal subform appear behind her eyelids. She didn’t know why it surprised her to see that Rodger’s subform was a llama.

  Rodger cleared his throat as if he was going to speak. Instead, he reached for the Styrofoam cup and spit into it again. Caramel-colored saliva dribbled along the edge of the white cup, speckled with chewing tobacco. He resumed tapping at the keyboard. “Huh.”

  Dennis stepped forward. “What’d you find, Rodger?”

  Ember noticed that Dennis was staying between her and the exit. He was a little too good at his job.

  “Says here that your card was used to access the sub-basement.” The bearings in the old office chair cried for mercy as Rodger slowly turned to face Ember. “What were you doing at the Ley Line, Investigator Ember Wright?”

  Ember stammered, “I…I went to the lower level to visit the morgue. I didn’t go to the Ley Line. I’ve never been there.”

  “The access logs say otherwise,” Rodger reached for his cup.

  Dennis sounded triumphant. “We should check the security footage.”

  The walls of the small office started closing in around her. Her palms were sweaty, and she felt a bead of sweat trickle down her spine. Ember’s gaze flicked around the room. If I’m fast enough, I might be able to clap my hands together and tag Dennis with a Sleep Spell. Rodger won’t be able to get out of his chair in time, but he’s right at his desk; if they have a lockdown alarm, he could get to it. As to Debra…

  The tall, athletic woman with tempered bronze eyes met her gaze. Debra leaned forward and moved her lips. It took Ember a moment to hear the words. “Alright, that’s enough, I know what’s going on. I should’ve spoken up right away. I’m sorry, Ember.”

  It was Barnaby who insisted an Inquisitor’s life is a solo existence. Ember’s throat was dry, constricted. Blood pounded in her ears. She watched the long, dark-haired woman, the one she only recently declared to be her friend.

  Debra nodded once and repeated, “I’m sorry Ember. Rodger, I did it. I took Dennis’s name badge and used it to access the Ley Line. It was me.”

  28

  Always With the Drama

  Rodger turned his head so quickly, his jowls continued moving even after he said, “Debra, you did?”

  “You did?” Ember and Dennis both repeated, simultaneously.

  “There must be an echo in here.” The tall changeling woman ran a finger over her brow, collecting strands of dark hair to tuck behind her ear. “I’m the one who used Dennis’s key card.”

  “That’s a violation of rules, using someone else’s badge,” Rodger weaved his chubby fingers together over his stomach. “You know that.”

  “I do, what can I say?”

  “I’ve never had to write you up for anything before.”

  �
�I know that, too.” Debra straightened the basket of pens and an inbox on her desk. She kept her focus on the spartan desk as she spun the lie. “It was an accident, using Dennis’s badge. I was finishing up rounds this morning and I stopped up here for coffee. You know the girls downstairs are so snooty, how they don’t like it when we use their breakroom—”

  Dennis and Rodger both grunted in acknowledgment.

  “—so I came up here to grab a cup and take a break. Dennis was in the john, you weren’t at work yet, Rodger.”

  “I had…I had stuff to do,” Rodger’s said defensively.

  Debra held a hand up. “None of my business. You’re the boss, Rodger. Anyway, I was feeling kind of bummed out this morning—I don’t like to admit it, but sometimes I get a little depressed when I think about my Dad’s health situation—so I went down to the Ley Line to perk myself up.”

  The chair groaned as Rodger shifted in his seat. “You know that’s not allowed, Debra.”

  “I know,” Debra kept her gaze on her desk as she continued shuffling items around. “I guess that’s why I used Dennis’s badge to access the Ley Line. He had it on his desk, and I knew he’d be in the john for a while, probably working his crosswords like he does, so I took it and headed downstairs.”

  “I can’t believe you’d do that,” Dennis crossed his arms. He looked down at his co-worker and adopted an indignant tone. “You’d shift the blame onto me?”

  “Hey, I know I was wrong, okay?” Debra clenched her jaw, flexing the muscles in her neck as she did. “I figured I’d have it back before you even knew it was missing. But I guess I dropped it in the elevator and forgot it.”

  Rodger stabbed a stubby index finger at Dennis. It looked like a Vienna sausage with a fingernail. “How did you make your rounds then without your badge?”

  “I…uh…I went down to the lobby and—”