Devon Monk - Magic on the Storm

Yeah, well, that and the fact he had to be calm and centered to work all disciplines of magic. Guardian of the Gates. There was no one else as good at wielding magic as he. And the Authority hung their hope of keeping magic in the right hands, and used in the right ways-for good and life, not for destruction and death-squarely across his broad shoulders.

A responsibility he bore without complaint.

“Call Maeve and let her know,” Zay said.

“I’ll do that.” Terric dialed.

I reached over for Zay’s hand, but he pulled away. He didn’t look at me, just straight ahead, as if driving suddenly took all his concentration.

“Maeve?” Terric said. “There’s been a slight change of plans.”

“You know I’m right,” I said while Terric talked.

“No. I don’t.” He pressed his lips together, as if he wanted to say something more, but thought better of it.

“Zay-”

“Are you wearing the void stone?” he asked. All business now. No emotion. Okay, he was still angry at me. Too bad.

“Yes.”

“Are you going to carry a weapon?” Flat.

“Of course I want weapons. Did you think I was going to take him on with my bare hands?”

“I don’t know what you’re thinking.”

“I’m thinking you might have a machete I can use.” I said sweetly.

“It’s in the trunk. We’re meeting Shame. You can get it then.”

Terric hung up. “Well, that was interesting. Your teacher does not approve of the change in plans, but she understands our point. She’s sending out some people to double-check Chapman Square.”

“She’s not going to throw me out of the Authority for this?” I asked.

“She is giving you one chance, until morning, to draw Greyson in. If he doesn’t show up, you are to be taken to Maeve’s, where you will be under constant observation, or you will be taken to your apartment, where you will be under constant observation.”

“Nice to know I have options.”

“You’re welcome to try to negotiate with Maeve if you want,” he offered.

Right. Shut up, Allie. This was as good as it was going to get. And if we did this right, if we were very lucky, we might be able to take care of this problem tonight.

A dizzy flux of magic washed through me again. I broke out in a cold sweat and wiped at the top of my lip. I glanced at Zay, but if he noticed, he didn’t show it. The storm was coming, rolling closer, messing with magic, messing with me. I knew tonight would be our best chance to take Greyson down.

We drove to the meeting point, a twenty-four-hour diner and truck stop. Shame’s car was parked near the gravel back of the lot. Neither Shame nor Chase was beside the car. There wasn’t enough light for me to make out who was inside it. Zayvion stopped the car several parking spaces away.

“Coffee?” Terric asked.

“Please,” I said, “black.” I dug in my pocket for cash.

“I got it. Zayvion?”

“No thanks.”

“Back in a moment, then.” Terric slipped out and headed to the restaurant without a glance at Shame’s car.

Right. They didn’t want to be around each other. Zay and I were currently fighting, Terric and Shame had been avoiding each other for years, and not only was Chase Zay’s ex-girlfriend, but also, the guy she dumped him for was the murderer we were about to hunt down.

For cripes’ sake. Could we be any more dysfunctional?

“Zay?”

“I need some air.” He got out, slammed the door, and started walking toward Shame’s car.

He was just the lord of pissy tonight, wasn’t he? Fine. I was done apologizing for being right, for being strong, for being me. If he couldn’t deal with it, then too damn bad.

I got out of the car. Noticed, in a distracted way, that it was sprinkling. Started over to tell Zay to suck it up and deal.

Zay slowed. He stopped, bent, and looked in the back driver’s-side window.

Something was wrong.

I moved faster. “What?” I asked.

He held up his hand to tell me to stop, and I did. Strong, stubborn, capable, yes. Stupid, no.

He opened the driver’s-side door. An arm fell out of the door and Zayvion leaned in to catch the rest of the body that followed.

Shamus.

I jogged the remaining distance, around the other side of the car to see if Chase was in the other seat. I looked in. Nobody. I opened the door and the stink of used magic hit me so hard, I had to turn my head to take a breath.

I recited my mantra and set a Disbursement, muscle aches one more time. I was going to be a head-to-toe cramp once all these deferred prices hit me. I traced the glyphs for Sight, Smell, and Taste. My senses burst open. Magic had been used inside the car. The ashy remains of Impact stuck like a huge brown and red spider, pulsing against the upholstery of the roof. An overpowering mix of so many other conflicting scents made me think someone had cast an extra spell full of scents just to throw off any attempts to Hound. There were too many smells to sort quickly, if at all. In those smells I caught the edge of Shame’s blood and a hint of sweet cherry. Blood magic?

Tendrils of brown and red from the Impact hooked out the door and into Shame. Maybe in his mouth or chest. Zay had him on the ground, but was blocking my view.

I knew the signature of the spell. I knew who had cast this.

Chase.

Holy shit.

I straightened, turned a slow circle, looking for any sign of her, or which way she might have gone. A trail of magic, thin as a thread, spilled off toward the street. It was dissolving in the rain. I jogged across the back of the parking lot and through a row of bushes out onto the street beyond. The ashes of the spell ended. Chase had come this way. Whether she had continued down the street or turned around, Sight couldn’t tell me.

I shifted my attention to Smell.

I knew Chase’s smell-a musky vanilla perfume. I breathed in through my nose and open mouth, so I could get a taste of the air as well. Maybe just the slightest hint of vanilla, but the heavier smells from the truck stop screwed with the subtleties. I turned another slow circle, sensing for any hint of the way Chase had gone.

Nothing I would swear on.

Shit. I let go of magic.

Shame moaned. Zay was talking to him, telling him not to move. Shame, being Shame, was acting like a smart-ass.

“So you can kiss me? Not on a first date,” he said as I reached them.

“It was Chase,” I said.

Both men glanced up at me. Zayvion cursed.

“Chase hit you with Impact, Shame. Do you remember that?”

“Are you sure?” he asked. “We were just sitting here, waiting for you to show up. Well, not you, Beckstrom; you, Z., and then. .” He frowned. “I thought. I thought I was tired. Did I fall asleep?”

“It was Chase,” I said again to Zay.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“I’d testify in court. That was her signature.”

“Shame,” Zay said. “Chase hit you with magic. I think she Closed you so you wouldn’t remember.”

“Well, fuck that little bitch,” Shame said. “I’m going to have her roasted for that.” He pushed at Zay’s hands. “Let me up. I’m fine.”

“You’re bleeding.”

“Might be Blood magic,” I said.

“It’s just my mouth where I hit the steering wheel,” Shame said. “Plus I’m angry now. Does the body good. Move.”

Zayvion stood, one hand down just in case Shame needed it to stand. Shame took his hand and pulled up onto his feet.

“Fucking fuck fuck of a fuck.” Shame dug in his pocket for his cigarettes and lighter. His hands shook as he lit up.

“Eloquence, thy name is Flynn,” Terric said from behind us.

Shame didn’t even bother looking up. “Fuck you too,” he said around the cigarette.