Wizard in a Witchy World (15 page)

"Amak, Clarita. Go, now!" I'd momentarily forgotten I was channeling Clarita's power and was chagrined at the sudden loss of strength. Shaggy saw the opportunity and slammed into the shield, his pack joining him. The force knocked me into the doorframe and down to the floor.

Amak picked me up by my shoulders and pulled me to the side, slamming the door closed and inadvertently pinching off my connection to the shield. The whiplash of the improperly terminated spell washed across me like a violent sandstorm. My head reeling, I tried to stay attentive to the frenzied assault on the other side of the door. Amazingly, the door held fast.

Before my eyes adjusted to the darkness, an iron wall sconce flared to life with a bright yellow flame. It was followed by another sconce several feet down the passage and then another and another. The sequence continued, marching down a curving stone staircase. The whole thing reminded me of my recent incarceration in the witch's dungeon.

"You're trapped and you can't stay in there forever!" Shaggy yelled from the other side of the door, his voice muted. They'd given up on attempting to breech the door, for the moment, at least.

"Are you okay, Clarita?" I asked, ignoring him.

She shook her head to indicate she wasn't okay and held her arms up. I'd spent enough time babysitting to recognize the universal ‘pick me up’ request, which I honored. The child had to be far from okay. She'd watched her mother murdered and then been terrorized by werewolves.

"Gabriella is coming to help you. Do you remember her?" I asked.

She didn't answer, other than to bury her face into my neck. If it was Judy on the way, I would have been very confident that Clarita would receive much needed support and healing. I wasn't sure, at all, that the witches of Whyte Wood had the same nurturing capacity. Although, to be fair, they had been under extraordinary stress lately.

"Let's see if there's another way out," Amak said.

I followed her down the stairs, still holding Clarita in my arms. At the bottom, the stairs opened onto a stone hallway that had exactly one door. "Hopefully, that's our way out," I said approaching.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as a chill breeze passed behind me. I spun with Clarita still in my arms, trying to identify where the sensation had come from.

"Bad place," Clarita whispered.

I was inclined to believe her and pulled my hand away from the door.

"What's wrong?" Amak asked.

"Something's off," I said. "Clarita feels it too."

Amak raised her eyebrows, but didn't push. "Are you sure help is on the way?"

When I looked at my phone, I found I'd received twenty messages from Gabriella, the tone of which quickly escalated to panic. I hit the redial.

"Felix. Do you have Clarita?" she asked.

"She's with us, but we're trapped in the house," I said.

"We can't find the house. The address you gave isn't real. There aren't any houses on that side," she said.

"It's hard to see. It is on the west side, just down from Davenport, half a block or less."

"Shit. There they go." I could hear Gabriella's voice, but she wasn't talking to me. The sound of the truck's engine accelerating roared in my ear. "Joe. There's another one coming out." I pulled the phone out five inches from my ear as the sound of a collision nearly deafened me. It was followed by the insistent ding-ding-ding of a car door opening while the engine was still on.

"Gabriella, what's going on?" I asked, running back up the stairs.

"Joe clipped one of 'em, but three others got away on their bikes. The one Joe hit took off into the woods and he ran after her," Gabriella said.

"Can you drive the truck?" I asked.

"What? Why?"

"Drive the truck in. There's a house – big… old… surrounded by trees. We need to help Joe, but I have Clarita and I need to get her out of here," I said.

"I'm putting you in the cup holder," Gabriella said, which explained the clunking sound that followed.

I looked at Amak.

"I heard," she said pulling the door open. Apparently, it only locked from one side.

My arms were tired from holding Clarita, but I toughed it out and jogged through the house, exiting into the breezeway.

"I'm going after Joe." Amak said, bounding off into the darkness as bright vehicle lights illuminated the entry. I picked my way across the fallen iron fence and ran over to the truck where Gabriella had already jumped out.

"Clarita, I've been so worried," she said, rushing up and reaching for the small girl. If I'd been worried about Gabriella's bond with Clarita, my fears were now gone. Clarita never hesitated, but turned and latched onto Gabriella, who stroked her hair comfortingly.

"Get in the truck and lock it. There's still a lycan loose," I said. "If it's the woman, it'll be the gray from the morgue."

Gabriella didn't waste any time, but ran around to the other side of the truck, crawling into the passenger's side with Clarita. I backed the truck around and locked the doors. Before I could decide what to do next, the gray wolf ran through my headlights, only to be tackled from behind by a charcoal gray wolf with a white blaze on its chest.

"Crap," I said, jumping from the vehicle. "
Lucem
." I stretched my hand forward illuminating the path the wolves' had taken. I followed the sound of growling, yipping and general all-out chaos.

"We have incoming." I startled as Amak caught me from behind.

"Where?"

"Shaggy doubled back," she said. "We need to defend the truck."

"Crap!" I spun and retraced my steps to Gabriella and Clarita.

We arrived only moments later to find a huge black wolf on its hind legs furiously attacking the passenger side. The truck's mirror was bouncing limply as Shaggy rammed the vehicle’s side over and over again. The door's glass wouldn't withstand the battering much longer and I could only imagine the terror Clarita and Gabriella felt within the cab.

"
Rhamno
." I reached with my hand and clawed at the air, drawing roots from the ground to entwine Shaggy's legs.

Peripherally, I saw a shape interrupt the truck's headlights, bee-lining for our position. Amak let out a roar, charged forward and met a red wolf in mid-leap. Their bodies seemed to meld together as they violently collided. Sure enough, the party was now complete. A third, light brown wolf entered the fray. He raced around Amak, intent on mowing me over. I wasn't sure if or how long the vine spell would hold Shaggy, but it no longer mattered. I had to deal with the incoming wolf.

"
Adoloret
." I fired a stream of fire from my ruby ring, but it gave out almost immediately. Fortunately, it diverted the wolf enough for me to twist out of its way. I was running out of offensive weapons.

"Get out of here!" I yelled, hoping that Gabriella would drive away.

The brown wolf regained his footing and turned back to me, snarling. My mind spun with possible defenses. I recalled that when holding Clarita, I'd been able to cast the shield spell without my ring. I'd filed the experience away, wanting to come back to it when I had time to experiment.

I dared a glance back to Shaggy. I'd slowed him down and he was spending his time tearing at the vines, but he was making progress. Amak seemed to be breaking even. The red and she were still engaged in what could only be described as a ‘fur ball’ in the full light of the truck's powerful headlights.

I felt, more than saw the brown lunge for me. "
Scutum
." I instinctively raised the shield, deflecting the wolf. The force of his attack knocked me back onto the bricks of the weed covered drive. The shield sent him sliding across its surface, his snapping jaws passing within inches of my head. I scuttled back as he rounded on me again.

A deep throated howl broke from behind the brown, freezing him in place. I used the distraction to give us separation, choosing to slide my butt on the ground instead of wasting time standing. Shaggy, free from the roots, jumped in beside his pack mate, bumping him to the side possessively. The message was clear. Shaggy had claimed me as his kill.

One glance in Amak's direction told me that she had enough problems of her own and wouldn't be providing any further help. My skin crawled as Shaggy lifted his huge head and howled. If his intent was to intimidate me, it was working. He lowered his head, looking me in the eye, issuing a challenge. I knew I should have lowered my own gaze, but I didn't think it would matter. Shaggy intended to kill and no amount of bowing and scraping would change that.

The brown circled to my flank as I gained my feet and I watched him tense to spring. My time had come. No shield would save me from an attack on both sides. I might deflect Shaggy, but Fred would certainly come in from behind.

"
Adoleret
." I concentrated on channeling power from the ground through the ruby ring. Time slowed to a crawl as, initially, nothing happened.  Shaggy flew through the air, his gaping maw ready to lock on. Too late and too slow, I twisted out of the way when I felt my spirit connect with the earth. A familiar sense of home flooded my body and I pulled at the well of concentrated energy that presented itself. A brilliant stream of flame erupted from my hand and splashed into Shaggy’s exposed breast. His snarling turned to yelps as he planted his paws on my chest and sprung away, knocking me over in the process.

I'd never channeled so much energy before. Most of it had come from the energy well I'd discovered and had simply passed through me. My own body's reserves were still depleting quickly. I rolled back to my feet and turned to face the brown, who'd backed off and was snarling from a distance, clearly concerned about being roasted. Shaggy, even though I'd scorched the fur from his chest, wasn’t ready to be done and warily paced in front of me, psyching himself up for another attack.

A barked command spurred the brown to action. He rushed from the side, while Shaggy charged. "
Adoloret
." I fired another impressive gout of fire, sweeping it in an arc that followed Shaggy. I caught his right shoulder and pushed my hands together, palms forward, channeling as much energy as I could summon. My personal reserves drained from my body like milk from a spilled glass. The effort, however, had not been for naught as Shaggy stumbled and dropped to the ground, the remains of his furry coat smoking. While I might have won the battle, I'd lost the war. I had nothing left for the brown. I fell to one knee, completely expended.

It was no surprise to me when huge paws caught me in the back, knocking me to the ground. The fetid stink of dog breath assaulting my nose as he snarled, standing on my back, his mouth inches from my ear. He was communicating domination as he prepared to rip into me.

Without warning, I was flipped over as the charcoal-coated wolf plowed into the brown's side and ripped him from my back. I tried to sit up, but only managed to pull my elbows beneath me. Daphne, the light gray, was back. She placed her paw possessively on my thigh. Her intent was clear. We would wait to see the outcome of this final battle. Shaggy had transformed back to human form and lay naked and unconscious - or dead.

The fight was quickly over as the charcoal wolf pinned the other to the ground, latching his jaws around the brown's neck. For several long moments, the two stood locked together, the charcoal wolf growling menacingly. Finally, the light brown whimpered and relaxed.

"What's the play, Slade?" Amak asked, approaching.

"Not sure. What of the red?" I asked.

"He found my silver blades offensive, I guess," she said, looking at Daphne, who was still pinning my leg to the ground.

"I think the charcoal is Joe," I said. "I'm hoping he can pull it together."

As if hearing me, the charcoal wolf lifted his head and howled. Daphne relaxed and removed her foot from my leg and sidled up next to Joe with her head lowered. The light brown carefully slid out from under Joe, showing the same deference.

"Looks like there's a new sheriff in town," Amak said as the three wolves ran off into the darkness.

The sound of sirens filled the night as police cruisers poured onto the property.

I lifted my head from the plain steel table as Dukats entered the interrogation room I'd occupied for the last six hours. Turns out the police aren't an ends-justify-the-means organization and my appearance at yet one more crime scene was just too suspicious.

"Do you want to explain this?" The green hanging folder she tossed onto the table neatly slid to a stop in front of me.

"What is it?" I asked, picking it up. Lieutenant Iveta Dukats was a skilled interrogator and I was sensing a 'gotcha' moment.

"You didn't tell me you owned the house where Clarita was being held," she said.

"Maybe that’s because I don't," I said.

"That's not how the trust document reads," she said.

I opened the folder. The trust charter was mostly nonsense to me, but there was no mistaking that my name was listed next to several others with a reference to the property at 230 Happy Hollow.

"I've never seen this before," I said. "Where'd you get it?"

"That's not how this works, Slade," Dukats said. She had a severe face, framed by short-cut straight black hair. She leaned across the table and projected an aura of intimidation. "I ask the questions."

"Sounds like I need to talk to a lawyer," I said.

"You're not under arrest, Mr. Slade. I'd just think you'd want to clear your name," she said.

"From what?"

"Two murders, a kidnapping and a missing police officer. You're in this, Slade, I just don't know how deeply. But mark my words, I will," she said.

I wanted to sigh, but instead I took a deep breath. "Look at it from my side, Dukats. You get an anonymous tip that I'm involved in Benita Barrios' murder and then at six in the morning, come up with this paper that says I own the house where Clarita Barrios was being held. Don't you find
that
suspicious?" I stared defiantly back at her, our faces less than a foot apart. "And you got your killer. Haven't you checked his DNA or whatever you do?"

"We're not talking about him. We're talking about you," she said.

A knock at the door broke the tension, although I sensed a flash of anger from her at the interruption. She pushed back from the table and stalked over to the door, opening it a fraction. A young officer spoke in low tones and I watched as she received whatever the news was with sharp nods of her head.

"You're free to go, Mr. Slade," she snapped, turning back to me.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"Officer Lozano corroborated your story," she said. "Understand me, I don't believe in coincidence. You're wrapped up in this and I'm going to find out how. Officer Pandry will escort you out." She opened the door wider and nearly bowled over a young, uniformed officer who had the misfortune to be standing in her way.

I sighed in relief. Joe had figured out how to turn back into his human form, which gave me hope he wasn't the total loss his grandmother believed.

Pandry stepped into the room and placed a manila envelope on the table containing my house keys, phone and wallet. I wanted the document Dukats had shown me, so with a quick twist of my hand, the door handle wiggled. Pandry darted a look at it and as he did, I folded the papers from the file and slid them surreptitiously into the manila envelope.

"Lead on," I said, picking up the envelope.

The floor we were on looked much like any other office setup, manager's offices next to the windows and short-walled cubicles for the worker-bees. I caught Lozano's eye from across the room as I followed Pandry. He looked even rougher than the day before, his beard thicker, his eyes still bloodshot. Dukats and another plain clothes officer had pinned him in a cubicle and were questioning him. I didn't envy the morning he was set up for.

Once I made it to the street level, I pulled my phone out. I had messages from Amak and Gabriella. I dialed Gabriella back.

"Where are you?" Gabriella asked, not bothering with a greeting.

"Downtown at the police station. Lozano just showed up and sprung me," I said. "Where's Clarita?"

"Child Protective Services," Gabriella said. "I'm on my way over to pick her up now."

"Is she going to live with you?"

"I'm Clarita's godmother, Felix. Benita named me as her next of kin," she said.

"Were you that close?" I asked.

"Not really, but Benita didn't have anyone else. Clarita's a great kid and now she needs me."

"Gabriella, I need to say something that's really been bothering me. I'm sorry I freaked out at you about your boyfriend. I pushed something you weren't ready for," I said.

"Where's this coming from?" Gabriella asked.

"You've lost your sisters and now all this with Clarita. I was selfish. I'm sorry," I said. "I took advantage of you in a weak moment and then got mad when it didn't go my way."

"Thank you, Felix," she said. "Just so you know. It wasn't entirely one-sided."

Shit. I totally didn't need her to say that. We had a nice clean break. I'd cleared the air, said my sorries and was willing to leave things alone.

My mind spun with what to say next and I grabbed the only thing I could come up with. "You get breakfast yet?" I closed my eyes, shaking my head at my stupid response.

"Aren't you tired? You can't have gotten more sleep than me and I'm running on two or less," she said.

"Yeah, sorry," I said. "I'm not thinking straight. Call me after you get Clarita back to your house. I want to know you're both safe. Okay?"

"Will do." She ended the call.

I pulled up the car service app on my phone and sent a message to Angel. I didn't think she'd be up and going at six in the morning, but I felt loyal to her. I was surprised when she responded almost immediately, giving me an ETA of fifteen minutes.

I sat on a bench at the bus stop and read my messages from Amak. It wasn't much, other than she'd finally lost Joe's trail at three in the morning and, not finding me, had returned home. I worked at composing a synopsis of what I'd learned and sent it off. For reasons I couldn't immediately put my hands on, I didn't include the information about my supposed ownership of the dilapidated mansion on Happy Hollow Boulevard.

AMAK: Glad you're coming out okay. Feel like dancing tonight?

ME: Not sure. I'm exhausted. Headed home for sleep.

AMAK: Want me to tuck you in? I could be by in thirty minutes.

A small part of me thought that sounded like a good idea, but I knew better. I hadn't been getting much sleep and it was getting to me. At this point, I was just happy I wasn't going to wake up in the drunk tank next to Gorby again.

ME: Not this time, sweet cheeks. I need some real rest.

AMAK: Your loss.

ME: I'm sure I'll hate myself tomorrow.

I must have nodded off as a high pitched car horn startled me awake and I looked up to see Angel. She’d pulled up in front of the bus stop.

"Wakee, wakee," she called through the open window.

I smiled and slid into the passenger's seat. "Wasn't sure if you rolled this early or not. Thanks for coming to get me," I said.

"Only for my best customers," she said, patting the side of my leg. "Where to?"

"Home would be great," I said.

It was a short drive from downtown, but it didn't stop my eyes from closing along the way.

"Are you expecting visitors?" she asked as she pulled up.

A jolt of adrenaline soured my stomach and my eyes flew open. It took me a moment to recognize Andy's work truck.

"Just having a little work done," I said. "Thanks again, Angel. You’re a life saver." I gave her a generous tip.

As I approached, I heard the sound of a drill-driver setting screws in the garage. I poked my head in and found Andy hard at work.

"You're getting an early start, aren't you?" I asked.

Andy looked up from his work and held his hand out to shake. "Didn't quite finish last night. Figured I'd get to things before work this morning."

I shook his hand. "All done on the apartment, then?"

He reached into his pocket and handed me a ring with keys and my credit card. "All set. I'll do a final coat of paint before I leave this morning, but otherwise you're ready to go."

"Thanks for getting on it so quickly," I said.

"Kelli said you found Clarita last night. Nice job," he said. "Darn shame what happened to her mom."

Unconsciously, I reached for my tender cheek where I'd been forced into a wall the night before. "Horrible," I agreed.

"Kelli's upset, says she wants to move. You know Benita's mother got killed too," he said. "They was all friends, y’know. Benita, Kelli and Gabriella. Thick as thieves. Got together after work and all that."

"I'm headed up for sleep," I said. "Thanks for getting to this."

"Christmas is coming. Appreciate having the work."

I jogged up the exterior stairs to the apartment and inspected the newly installed door. Andy had done a great job. With a coat of white paint, you'd be hard pressed to know it had been damaged. I waved my hand and opened the lock.

Ideally, I'd have enchanted the door with a shield, but I just didn't have the energy. I flopped on the bed and caught a whiff of Amak's bawdy perfume. I smiled just before passing out.

***

I rolled over and looked up at the ceiling. The October sun was low in the sky and without looking at my phone, I put the time at somewhere after three. I'd slept over eight hours and if not for needing to go to the restroom, I'd still be asleep. I rolled out of bed, did the needful and grabbed the plastic bag with Mrs. Willoughby's frozen cookies. When I got to the kitchen, I turned on the kettle and sat at the table, enjoying the quiet moment as much as I did the sweet cookies from Mrs. Willoughby.

I was surprised to see a text message from Gabriella. I'd figured she had her hands full with Clarita.

GABRIELLA: Still looking for breakfast?

She'd sent the message forty-five minutes ago.

ME: Offer still good? I just woke up.

GABRIELLA: Sure. Chatty Katty's in thirty?

ME: I'll be there. You sure they'll let me in?

GABRIELLA: Yes.

A shower, shave, and fresh clothes gave me a sense of renewed energy. I chose a dark-collared shirt over my standard t-shirt and splashed on a small amount of cologne. I was in dangerous territory, having started something with Amak, but rationalized I was simply going to get something to eat.

With leather coat in hand, I walked out the new door, surprised at how much better I felt after eight hours of uninterrupted sleep and a shower. It couldn't hurt that Shaggy was in jail, either. A nagging feeling that things weren't finished loomed over my afternoon. My visions had always come to pass.

The parking lot next to Chatty Katty's was full and I had to park down the street. Late afternoon seemed an unusual time for a restaurant to be this busy, but I'd agreed to meet Gabriella, so there was no turning back.

"Felix Slade!"

The foyer of the house was packed with people waiting for a table and I heard Mari's voice well before I saw her. Not deterred by the crowd, she maneuvered her way to me and I wondered if we were in for another showdown.

"Gabriella asked to meet me here," I said hesitantly.

Mari's hands shot out and she pulled me in for a warm embrace. Ordinarily, I'm not a hug-an-acquaintance type of person, but part of Mari's magic was the ability to sincerely communicate a feeling of belonging and acceptance. As I returned her embrace, I caught the eye of an elderly gentleman. He looked on approvingly, no doubt enjoying the overflow of Mari’s gift. It was no wonder the home-turned-restaurant did so well.

"You do clean up well, my boy. And you smell so good!" She stepped back, holding me by my shoulders. I shifted uncomfortably as we'd become the center of attention for most of the patrons at the front of the restaurant. "The girls are already here. Right this way." She pulled me through the crowd.

As we walked, a fist-sized explosion of colorful lights quietly erupted a foot above a table to my right, catching my attention and slowing me down. The woman at the table clapped her hands together and bowed her head slightly as I passed. I nodded in response as Mari tugged me along. The scene repeated itself as small displays of fireworks lit many of the tabletops along our path and people stopped what they were doing, turning in their chairs to watch our progress.

"Here we are, Mr. Slade," Mari said, louder than I felt was necessary given the amount of attention we'd already garnered. Gabriella stood up and embraced me. As usual, she smelled amazing and was dressed in a dark red sweater that hung over form-fitting jeans.

"Sorry about all that," Gabriella whispered as we separated.

"How sweet," Mari said, beaming at us. "I just knew it."

I looked at her for clarification, but she seemed oblivious, so I sat in the plush bench seat opposite Gabriella and Clarita. Our booth was at the back of the house and looked out at the greenhouse garden in full bloom. I recognized many of the varieties of plants, having used them in my own enchantments. There were even more I couldn't easily identify. For a moment, I envisioned myself in the garden with my shoes off and toes sunk into the rich soil.