Born in Fire

“If there is anyone who knows about egos, it’s you.” I laughed.

“Do humans find you humorous?”

We passed the first circular area. I could still see the disturbance of our tracks. That was a good sign. “Yes. Well, they don’t laugh out loud, but I’m pretty sure they laugh inside.”

A little over a minute later—by my rough timekeeping—we were passing the other circular area. “Wow. You really move. I’m starting to get a little jealous.”

“We need to plan what is next,” Darius said, ignoring me.

“Easy. Get those casings checked out and ask around about an extremely powerful mage. The latter should be easy. There is no way that much power has gone unnoticed.”

“I can arrange a meeting with my most trusted contact.”

“No.” I shook my head as we neared the Dungeon. “If he hasn’t told you anything by now, he either doesn’t know or is holding back—believe that. No, you hired me for a reason. This is what I specialize in. I can think of a dozen people to shake information out of. But first I need sleep.”

“You will sleep in my chambers while I attend to some business.”

I sure hoped that bed was as comfortable as it looked.

Chapter Eleven

“Did you leave your house in this state?” Darius asked from beside me as we stood on the sidewalk in front of my home.

My brow furrowed as I stared at my front door. It had been ripped off the frame, and leaned against the chairs on my front porch. The screen lay in my yard among the weeds, the metal framing twisted.

“Yes, I left my house with my front door torn off,” I said dryly. “Why, isn’t that normal?” I rubbed my eyes and sighed, because up until that point, I’d been nice and relaxed. My nap in the most comfortable bed ever made had been refreshing, and while the protein bar I’d dug out of my pouch wasn’t the stuff of dreams, it had taken the edge off my hunger. Darius had even carried me back to the Brink gate because he was in a hurry. This was not the welcome home I had hoped for.

This had been the first stop because I’d insisted on getting ammunition and changing, and thought I’d check Big C’s computer. Given Big C’s boost of magic and being in the mage community at all, I couldn’t help but wonder about his possible connection with the mage we were chasing. Maybe the computer would have something of use. I hadn’t checked all the files when I’d looked on it earlier.

Something occurred to me. “Did you question that mark of mine you stole? He was selling blood, right? Did he tell you where he got it?”

Darius’s shift was small but relayed his annoyance. “He was still unconscious from your efforts. We did not realize until it was too late that he didn’t have enough magic to cross into the Realm.”

“So you killed him.”

He shot me a glare. “It could not be helped.”

“You don’t have to tell me.” I threw up my hands. “I get it. Accidental death is a real bummer in my trade.”

In the distance, thunder rolled, promising showers. Cloud cover hid the moon, forcing the streetlights to work harder. Judging by the lack of people wandering around, I estimated that it was late in the night. I had no clue what day it was or how much time I’d spent in the Realm.

Black loomed within the doorway of my house. There was no telling if the person—or people—were still inside.

I inhaled and wondered which of my two recent enemies had paid a visit: the friends of that crazy mage, looking for his spells or vengeance, or the vampire who’d bonded him, looking for plain vengeance.

“I wouldn’t go in there if I were you.” Mince wandered over, cutting through my reverie. He nodded at Darius. “Hey, man.”

Darius stared at the newcomer, not returning the salutation.

Mince gestured toward the house, a half-eaten apple in his hand. “A few guys busted in there a while ago. I bet they’re still in there somewhere.”

“Did you call the police?”

“Do I look stupid to you? If I called the police, people would think I was a snitch. I ain’t no snitch.”

“How would people know you called the police if you made an anonymous call?”

“Anonymous call…” He made a face like that was the biggest farce he’d ever heard. He took a bite of his apple.

“Can you at least give me a little information instead of standing there like you’re waiting for a show to start? What’d they look like? For example, were any of them graceful and good looking? Like…too good looking…” That drew Darius’s attention. I was careful not to look at him.

Mince thought for a moment. “Two of ’em were smaller types. Useless. I’d take them down in a second. One was a bigger dude. Kind of fat, but you could tell by the way he walked that he could take care of himself. That’s the one I would look out for.”

“But were they good looking?” I asked.

“How would I know if they was good looking?” The crunch of his apple competed with a distant train whistle blowing.

“Were they carrying anything? Help me out, Mince. I want to know what I’m dealing with.”

“Well, if you keep standing here, they’ll be out to deal with you soon enough.” Mince shifted. “The smaller ones had bags. The cross-body kind. Kinda big, too. I remember wondering what they had inside. Kind of ratty, those bags. Their clothes were pretty nice. They looked like their wallets would be worth grabbing.”

“Not rich, though. Not like him.” I hooked a thumb toward Darius.

“Oh no. No way.”

They were most certainly mages, then. Mages who clearly thought I wasn’t a threat. I’d taken out their friend on his home turf, so they’d decided breaking and entering my house was a good idea.

Clearly I wasn’t dealing with the brightest bulbs in the ceiling.

I felt the emptiness where my sword should be. I could take them down quick-like with my magic, but I’d risked revealing myself to Darius once already, I couldn’t hope to get away with it again.

I glanced down at his satchel, stuffed with all the spells I could want. Spells that were color coded and marked, of all things. The only thing in my house that Mr. Money Bags couldn’t provide was that computer, and frankly, there were other ways to get information. Risking my life, or worse, my freedom, wasn’t worth an untested short cut.

“Right, then.” I rubbed my hands together. “Let’s leave them to it.”

“You aren’t going to go in there?” Darius asked in disbelief.

“I wouldn’t.” Mince took another bite of his apple. “Seems like they should’ve noticed you standing out here, though. Maybe they went out the back.”

“They probably did notice us,” I said. “But I’m with him.” I indicated Darius. “They have to know what he is. And they’ll know that you’re a human. I mean, you know, a law-abiding citizen.” I nodded at Mince. “They aren’t coming out here to force the issue. No, if they noticed us, then they’re probably waiting in there, in the shadows or behind something, staring out at us.”

“Oh shit…” Mince gave a little hop, like a cartoon turkey vulture, and started sidestepping down the sidewalk. “I’m not trying to get messed up in that. Have a good night.”

“He is a coward,” Darius said, staring at the darkened doorway.

“No he’s not, he’s smart. He doesn’t want to get involved. Neither do I. Let’s follow his lead.”

“You cannot leave strangers in your home.”

“I don’t have proof they’re even in there.”

“Someone is in there. I saw movement not long ago.”

“Well then, I hope they enjoy my horrible couches. C’mon. You can buy me breakfast.”

“Reagan, we can’t—”

“Look,” I said in a loud voice. “I know who they are, and I know what they want. They can keep looking, for all I care. They won’t find it. If they’re smart, they’ll bugger off. Otherwise, I’ll meet them soon enough, and they’ll go out the same way their friend did.”