Murder by Magic Page 17

  Anastasia snarled, a sound that set Jessica’s teeth on edge. The woman lunged for Euros, clawing the air between them, the knife slashing the air. Jessica fired again, hitting Anastasia in the shoulder, but the round barely made an impact. The woman was possessed. In seconds, she was on the bed, reaching for Euros, the knife poised to strike.

  But then he was gone, and Anastasia was falling onto the bed, the knife slashing through the mattress. Jessica blinked. It was the mattress, not Hudson. He was gone, or invisible, or something.

  Anastasia shrieked, jerking the knife out of the bed. She turned, glaring at Jessica. Feeling like a deer in the headlights of an oncoming freight train, she willed herself to move. But it was if her feet were glued to the floor. With horror, she realized Anastasia was doing this, keeping her rooted to the carpet. The urge to look down, to see if the carpet was growing over her lone boot and her bare foot, holding her in place. But she resisted, not wanting to take her eyes off Anastasia.

  She blinked, and was on the other side of the room, her insides racing to catch up with her skin and bones. A wave of nausea swept through her, and she wobbled, before sliding down to the floor.

  “I’m here, Jess.” That was Euros, his voice coming to her from very far away. She focused on him, and saw he’d taken a stance in the middle of room. Startled, she saw his feet were off the floor, that he was levitating inches above the carpet. A sort of a bluish green aura surrounded him, shimmering waves that blurred his edges, made him look like a deathly angel in black. But he was her angel, deathly or not.

  If anything was deadly in the room though, it was Anastasia. She crouched a few feet away from Euros, teeth bared. Her face looked different, pointed, and Jessica could see the feral fox in her features.

  Jessica tried to stand, but she couldn’t. Then she realized that it was no longer Anastasia restraining her, but Euros – the feeling that wrapped itself around her body, the very same as when he transported them from one world to the other. She was furious at him for holding her back, but beneath the anger, she knew what he was trying to do.

  He wanted to protect her; to keep her safe.

  Bullshit. I can hold my own.

  But could she? Her hand throbbed, blood soaking through her sweater. Her fingers were numb, and she knew something vital had been cut. Everything in her body was out of alignment, her spine felt as if she’d been twisted into knots.

  Magic was a bitch.

  She wondered where Hudson was, what Euros had done with him, but it was a passing thought. All her attention was focused on Euros, and the feral creature that the woman was becoming.

  But Euros’ expression was eerily calm, as he hovered over the floor. Jessica watched, in awe, as he raised his arms to the side, then brought them together. The air crackled, the room filling with the smell of Sulphur. Between his hands, the air grew dense and solid, a growing glowing green ball.

  Anastasia flung herself at Euros. Jessica watched, mesmerized, as the woman became something else, something less human, but not quite animal. Whatever she was, it was terrifying. And amazingly swift, a blur of red fur and hair, and what could only be fangs.

  Euros’ response was swift, hands pushing the ball toward Anastasia. It struck the woman in the chest. For a moment, everything around Jessica froze; Euros, his black coat floating around his body, face calm, grey eyes locked on Anastasia. And the woman - or shifter - teeth bared, fingers curled into claws, rage distorting her fine features, stopped in mid-leap, as the ball of energy crashed into her body.

  Then the world exploded in a firestorm. Jessica threw up her injured hand, covering her eyes, wincing from the pain. Heat and light surrounded her, and for a split second she thought she would burst into flames. But then it was gone, the light and heat disappearing. She looked over her fingers, and gasped.

  Euros was no longer levitating. He was hunched on the floor, head down, breathing hard. Anastasia lay in a curled heap on the floor, face covered by a mass of tangled red hair. Jessica tried to stand, found she could, and moved toward Euros. Before she’d taken a step, Anastasia’s head shot up, her eyes fixed on Jessica. With a snarl, she flung out on hand, a bolt of white light streaking toward Jessica. Frozen, she watched it cross the few feet between them. In that space of time, Jessica knew she was going to die. She closed her eyes.

  Within seconds, she found herself on the other side of the room, thrown against a dresser. Behind her, things crashed, the sound of breaking glass, pierced her ears. The scent of citrus and sandalwood filled the room, likely from broken bottles of cologne, or perfume. The wall where she had been standing was now gone, and she found herself looking into the room beyond. The edges of the wall were charred, smoking faintly.

  Anastasia made a sound, a sound so full of fury that Jessica was convinced that cry could kill. Euros materialized behind Anastasia, and threw his arms around the woman. He was several inches taller, and many pounds heavier, but Anastasia managed to move away from him. She spun around, and they stood, face to face.

  “You’re not going to kill me, if that’s what you think. I’m far too powerful for you, Gatekeeper. You’re weak. You, and the others…you’re all weak in mind, and in magic. Gatekeeper,” She spat out the last word. “Weakened by contact with the mortal world. Not pure, like me…not truly magical.”

  “You’re not pure, Anastasia. You’re pure evil. There’s no place for you, or your dark magic, in either the mortal world, or mine.”

  “That’s not for you to decide, Euros… not anymore. You are nothing more than a guardian of the portals, but once we have destroyed the portals, we will be free to do whatever we wish in this world, and in ours.” She glared at Euros, her eyes burning with anger. “What I will be able to do once the power of the grimoire is in my hands… no one will ever stop us again. Those of us who were long forgotten, who were banished from our world by those who thought themselves better than us… our birthright will finally be restored.”

  Anastasia laughed, a sickening sound, and raised her hand to her shoulder. The strange knife she’d held over Hudson suddenly appeared, the jagged blade glinting through streaks of blood.

  “You were given the choice Anastasia; whether to remain in the world of magic, or live amongst the mortals that you hate so much. You decided your own fate.”

  “Is that what you were told? That we chose to live in this world? A world that will never accept us?” Anastasia cackled again, her voice a piercing wail that shook the room. “You can’t really believe that we would choose such a thing? No…” She shook her head violently, a crimson wave of rage washed across her features. “We didn’t have a choice. Your world – and this one – rejected all hybrids. And we were banished; ripped from our home… but that’s all about to change.”

  Jessica could see that Euros had something in his hand, held in the folds of his coat, but he kept it hidden.

  “I’ve come this far, and I’m not going to be stopped by some silly Mage, and his human lover. It’s done…you’re too late. I’ve reconstructed the grimoire, and with it; I can blow the portals wide open once again, and take back the world.”

  “That’s not going to happen, Anastasia. If you were banished from my world, it was because of your desire for the dark magic. It was unwanted then, and it’s unwanted now.”

  Why wasn’t he blowing her out of this world with some magical thunderbolt? What the hell was he waiting for?

  Anastasia howled, and then lunged toward him. Euros brought his hand out of the folds of his coat, revealing what it was that he had hidden. Jessica tensed, waiting for the fire, the blue-green light, for magic to explode from his fingers. But she saw he held only a book in his hand. Then she saw the silver buckle, saw the cracked and worn cover, and she knew. It was the grimoire.

  When Anastasia saw what he held in his hand, she screamed in what sounded like agony. The momentum of her swing brought her forward, and the blade of the knife sliced though the book. Panic filled the hybrid’s eyes, and she stumbled forwar
d, before catching herself. With both hands, she desperately tried to pull the knife out of the book, but it was stuck; refusing to budge.

  The book began to glow, a deep ruby red, tinged with orange and yellow. It looked like a branding iron heating up over a raging flame, ready to leave its mark. Suddenly, the cover burst into flames, tendrils of fire racing down the blade toward Anastasia. She screamed, tried to pull away from the knife, but it was clear she couldn’t let go. Through the growing roar of the fire, she heard Anastasia’s words.

  “You will pay for this, Gatekeeper. This isn’t over.”

  The flames reached her hand, and her words were lost in a scream of agony, and the dull roar of the fire. Jessica suddenly felt herself drawn to the light. Magic no longer restrained her, and she moved closer. There was no heat from the fire, but she saw the skin on Anastasia’s hands crackle and split, blackening, as the fire raced up her arms. The flames leapt from her hands to her hair, and instantly the room was filled with the reek of burning hair. Through the flames, Anastasia’s eyes found Jessica’s. There was no regret, no humility, no humanity. Just rage and anger and hate. Jessica turned away.

  Suddenly, the room was silent. Jessica turned around slowly, expecting the worst, expecting a charred body, or a pile of ashes. Or nothing.

  But Anastasia wasn’t gone, or dead. She lay in a crumpled heap on the carpet, a carpet untouched by flames. Her clothes were clean, her hair, tangled and matted, but not a singed mess.

  Euros looked down at Anastasia, then turned to Jessica with a lopsided smile. “Not what you expected?”

  “What the hell happened? What was that?” She gave the still form of Anastasia a wide berth. “Is she dead?”

  “No.” Euros held out a hand, and she walked toward him. “She’s alive. She’s still dangerous, but only as a very angry mortal.”

  “She’s not magical anymore? Not a shifter?”

  “No. The grimoire destroyed her magic. She’s just a mortal now.”

  “Just a mortal?” Jessica smirked, but couldn’t hide the curve that lit the corners of her lips.

  Euro’s chuckled. “No offense intended, sweetheart. But this is the greatest punishment that could have been given to her. To live in this world, as a mortal… no judge, no prison, no man, will ever hand her a greater sentence than that.”

  Anastasia lifted her head. The feral edge to her face was gone, even though her green eyes burned with hatred, they were dulled somehow, lacking that bright brittle edge of madness.

  Euros reached down, and picked up the grimoire from the floor. The knife was still embedded into the book, the blade piercing the silver buckle.

  “This…” He held it out to her, but she backed away, as if he were offering her a snake. Glancing at the book, he smiled, then pulled it back. “I guess it’s better if I hang on to this.”

  “Where’s Hudson? What did you do with him?”

  Euros’ smile faded, and her heart sank. Shit, we were too late. He’s dead.

  “I brought him to a safe place, but he was near death. He’ll be in the same state when I bring him back. You should call for an ambulance. For her,” he pointed down to the ground at Anastasia, and then looked up at Jessica, his gaze resting on her wounded hand. “And for you. I’ll bring Hudson back here.”

  “He’s alive, though?”

  “Barely. She…” He nodded at Anastasia. “She hadn’t managed to kill him, but he’s not in very good shape. I have a healer working on him now, but he’ll need to be brought back to the mortal world soon, before the ambulance arrives.”

  “A healer? So, he’s in your world? That’s where you brought him?”

  Euros nodded. “Yes, the healer will keep him alive. We need to hurry though, Jess. Call it in.”

  Jessica nodded, and pulled her cell phone out of her pocket, thankful to see that the screen hadn’t been cracked, and that the phone appeared to be in working order. She punched in 911, breathing a deep sigh of relief when she heard the call go through. She quickly gave the necessary details, requesting an ambulance, and immediate back up.

  “But should I be here?” She whispered to Euros, covering the phone’s microphone with her finger to prevent dispatch from hearing her.

  “Yes, you should. This is your case – it was always meant to be your case… you can do this. You’ve already done it. Now take credit for it. I was wrong about you then… and I’m sorry.” He frowned, his eyes filled with sadness.

  The look on Jessica’s face was one of uncertainty, but she removed her finger from the microphone on the phone, and identified herself.

  Dispatch hesitated when she gave them her badge number, and she barked at the officer to hurry up, and send help. Disconnecting the call, and putting the phone back into her pocket, she looked at Euros and he could see that she was ready to deal with whatever came her way. The tough, kick-ass detective was back.

  “They’re on their way. Five minutes.”

  Anastasia groaned, and then struggled to sit up, wrapping her arms around her legs. She seemed tamed, almost docile, but Jessica wasn’t fooled. She reached for her cuffs, forgetting her hand was badly wounded. She cursed under her breath when the sharp sting moved up her arm, and she pulled her hand back.

  “Damn. Euros, I need to cuff her.”

  Euros nodded, then turned to Anastasia.

  “Hands behind your back.”

  The woman stared at Jessica with a mix of anger and disbelief. “You will pay for this.” Anastasia thrust her chin at Jessica, but then turned her head to the side to direct her words at Euros, who was standing behind her, cuffing her hands. “You think by taking away my magic that you have stopped this?” She rose to her knees, putting her hands behind her back. “There are others. Others just like me, who want to return to our world, and not to have our future be dictated by the likes of Gatekeepers. You think that because the grimoire has been destroyed, it will stop us? Mark my words; they will find a way.”

  “Then we will find a way to stop them, too.” Euros replied, his eyes locked on Jessica’s face. His lips curved into a smile, before he quickly slipped the cuffs over Anastasia’s wrists. The sharp click of the handcuffs locking, filled the room. Then he pulled the woman to her feet.

  The wail of sirens cut through the silence. Euros stiffened. “I have to bring Hudson back now. The ambulance will be here any minute.”

  Jessica nodded. “Okay. And then you should…” Tears glistened her eyes, threatening to spill, and she took a deep breath, willing herself to get it together.

  “Get myself away from this place? I know, sweetheart.” Euros shot her a knowing smile, before handing Anastasia over to Jessica. Then he turned away, facing the bed.

  Jessica watched him, over Anastasia’s shoulder, as a blue light appeared, circling Euros, growing brighter and brighter. In seconds, it was though the light exploded into a million tiny pieces, the room washed in hues of blue and green. Euros extended his arms to the side, as though he were controlling the beams of light, forcing them into a spiral current. Then the color changed to the brightest white and yellow, and it was like trying to stare into the sun.

  Jessica closed her eyes briefly, the light too bright for her eyes, and when she managed to open them again, she saw that Hudson was on the bed, his chest rising and falling, and she breathed out a sigh of relief. Euros was right; Hudson would make it. Then it dawned on her, the realization that Euros was gone. Her partner. Her friend. The man that she still loved with all her heart.

  With Anastasia in front of her, Jessica made her way to the doorway, looking back at Hudson, before walking out of the room, headed to the front door of the condo. Glancing at Euros’ handiwork, she shrugged. Let them think she broke down the door to gain entry. She’d need an explanation, anyway.

  “Do you really think a Mage can ever truly love a mortal?” Anastasia’s laugh was harsh. “You’re delusional. Just as delusional as he is believing that he’ll ever stop the others. They will open the portals, if it’s the
last thing they ever do… and they will kill every one of the Gatekeepers.”

  Jessica’s blood ran cold, but she ignored the woman. It was over. Euros had helped her solve the murders, they saved Hudson’s life, and the portals were safe. She didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, or if Anastasia was telling the truth; that there were others just like her, waiting in the shadows, wanting to pick up where she left off. If that were the case, she would deal with it, just like Euros said. And he would be by her side.

  From the hall, she heard the ambulance crew arrive on the scene, the bang and crash of the elevator opening, someone shouting directions; which way to go. Jessica forced Anastasia ahead of her, keeping one hand on the chain of her cuffs, the other was tucked against her chest, a dull ache webbing its way through her body. The bleeding had stopped, or at least slowed down, and she kept her hand pressed tightly against her.

  A man, dressed in white, suddenly burst through the door, followed by a couple guys pushing a stretcher. Behind them, were three uniforms. And bringing up the rear, was Fisher. Jessica heard his voice before she saw him.

  “I should have known it would be you, Sharpe, in the middle of something you shouldn’t be in. You go AWOL, and end up at a murder scene.”

  Jessica ignored him, breathing a sigh of relief when Derek suddenly appeared in the doorway. He caught her eye, raised one eyebrow in a silent question. Jessica shrugged. Then Derek looked at Fisher out of the corner of his eye, before his gaze returned to Jessica.

  “Sharpe. Looks like you stopped another murder from happening in this town. Great job.”

  Fisher glared at Carter, then turned his beady eyes to Jessica. “Okay. What you got?”

  “Anastasia Kane. She tried to kill David Hudson. He’s been stabbed multiple times, but he’s alive.”

  “And you know for certain that this woman… Anastasia Kane, did it? You got any witnesses?”

  “Yes, I do. I’m the witness.”