Darkest Knight (13 page)

“In this case it’s not a
disease-carrying rodent,” Quin said. “Elmo is talking about a tribe of
adolescents who dabble in the dark arts.”

I nearly choked on my espresso.
“Teenage sorcerers in training?”

“It would seem so.”

Children and magic were a bad
combination. Especially teens, whose hormones already made them an emotional
wreck. Add unstable elements of unknown origin from the black veil and you
were guaranteed a tragic outcome. During my years as a thief I’d seen too
many kids meet an early end. A few I’d managed to save in time, but the
others were already lost to whatever cursed object they had in their
possession.

“The head rat, so to speak,
fancies himself a real sorcerer and when he heard about Xenia’s flying
charm, he couldn’t get his hands on it fast enough.”

“How did Elmo find this out?” I
asked.

“I have friends in high places.”
Elmo joined us at the ancient spool table that had more scars than I did. “A
winged faerie I know almost had a midair collision with him in LoDo’s
warehouse district.”

Uh-oh. That was bad news. This
guy’s open use of the charm could easily attract the Vyantara’s attention.
After all, I’d stolen it from the Canadian fatherhouse. It didn’t take a
genius to figure out how the charm got here.

“We have to get it back and
fast,” I told them. “Where can I find this guy?”

“Their nest is in an abandoned
theater on the north side of town,” Elmo said before biting into one of the
honey rolls that he baked himself. My mouth began to water. I hadn’t eaten
since we left Halo Home. “If it’s still there.”

“Why?” It alarmed me that I
might be too late. Again.

“The building is condemned.” He
washed down the roll with a swig of coffee. “The sewer rats are lucky no one
but a few of us from the green veil knows they’re using it.”

“What about the Vyantara?” I
asked. “Do they know?”

“Haven’t caught wind of any
around,” Elmo said. “If they’re here, they’ve managed to keep it
secret.”

Oh, great. More confirmation of
my suspicions. They’d probably already picked through the old fatherhouse
ruins so there wouldn’t be anything left for me to scavenge.

I drank down the dregs of my
espresso and winced at the aftertaste. “Where can I find this theater? And
who’s going to take me there?”

fourteen

QUIN PARKED THE CAR ON A SIDE STREET
about a block away from the old theater. No wonder it was condemned. A six-foot chain-link fence surrounded the building, which didn’t appear too bad from the front. A dilapidated roof, peeling paint and some loose boards made it look trashy but not unfixable. On closer inspection, however, the structure was a demolition waiting to happen.

“It’s not safe,” Quin said, his lip curled in disgust. “Even if the roof doesn’t cave in, the asbestos will kill you.”

I tapped my chin in thought as I studied the building. No lights on inside, which didn’t mean no one was there. I heard voices, five distinct ones. Three male, two female, and all were young.

“I’m going in,” I said, and took a step forward.

“Wait.” Quin touched my arm and I turned to face him. “You don’t know what those kids are capable of. You shouldn’t go in alone.”

“You think I should take Aydin with me?” I offered him a crooked grin.

“Very funny.” He brushed imaginary dirt from the sleeves of his coat. “It would be great if you could, but if they saw him—”

“There’d be panic and mayhem.” Making Aydin public would be a really bad idea. Most of the world thought monsters and magic were only found in movies and video games. They didn’t know there was a chance their next-door neighbor was a witch and little Johnny down the street could start howling at the moon on his thirteenth birthday. People believed what they wanted to believe, even if it meant denying the truth. It was human nature.

“Quin, I’m used to going it alone,” I told him. “It’s how I was trained. Not a big deal.”

His brows tilted in a worried frown. “Chalice…”

I held up my hand. “I have a plan.” I slid out the balisong from the sheath on my back. “And I have a knife.”

I peeled back the loosened chain link in the fence where dozens before me had done the same thing. My plan wasn’t to boldly march through the front door. I’d assess the situation first.

Stealth had always been one of my stronger skills so I had no trouble creeping soundlessly around the side of the building in search of a back entrance. A foot of snow helped muffle any sound I might have made. I listened to what the kids were saying.

“The spell book I found in my grandfather’s attic is awesome,” said a male voice.

“You don’t know how to get half those ingredients,” said one of the girls.

“Can’t be too hard. I can order ’em off the internet.”

Laughter.

“Like dried goat brains are going to pass inspection through the mail.” This from a guy whose adolescent voice cracked on every other syllable. I was guessing sixteen, seventeen tops.

I found the back entrance with a door slightly ajar. I guessed it’s how the kids got in. Lifting the door slightly as I eased it open kept it from creaking on its hinges. I slipped inside and pushed the door back in place, then walked down a narrow dark hall to get closer to where the voices were coming from.

I found myself backstage behind a heavy curtain, where I peeked through an opening to see all five teens lounging on a pile of torn sofa cushions, pillows and stained mattresses with piles of dirty blankets all around them. It really was a nest. A couple of gas lanterns flickered on either side of the stage.

At first glance I saw the kids were bundled up in layers of sweaters, coats and scarves, which was a good thing because it was freezing in here. I wondered if their parents knew where they were and if they cared.

It wasn’t hard to identify the leader in this motley crew. He wore a long, red velvet coat that appeared to have been pilfered from a wardrobe of theater costumes. He sat slightly higher than the others, his stack of cushions molded into something like a throne. How cute. Boys and girls playing make-believe.

What wasn’t so cute was the way he waved the gray dove’s feather over his head, creating tiny white sparks that drifted down around him before lifting him up in the air.

The girl with the braces said, “Enough with the stupid feather, Evan. We know you can fly. Stop showing off.”

“Yeah,” said the boy wrapped so tightly around her that at first I’d thought they were one person. “Listen to Lilly. She knows what she’s talking about.”

Lilly gave him a peck on the cheek. “Thanks, Duster.”

Lilly and Duster were a mismatched pair. Lovely Lilly wasn’t so lovely with her pasty, pimply complexion and greasy brown hair that hadn’t seen a shampoo bottle in a while. Duster, on the other hand, was a teen’s dream, the prom king, and a rock ’n’ roll idol all rolled into one. I sensed something amiss. Looks weren’t everything, but seriously?

I sniffed the air and caught a whiff of musk and amber. A lot of musk. And I knew exactly where it was coming from: the seduction charm I’d intended to give one of the squires. This Lilly girl must have bought it off Xenia.

That left one charm still unaccounted for: a powerful wind charm that would literally blow someone away. The charm was a scarf that fluttered whether there was wind or not, and considering the layers these kids wore, it could be worn by any one of them.

The other couple hadn’t said a word because they were too busy sucking face. It was the longest kiss I’d ever seen. I hoped it didn’t progress to something more than a kiss, at least not while I was watching.

Evan floated down to his throne of cushions. “I’m bored.”

I did a mental eye-roll. He had a flying charm and a spell book and he was bored? Maybe I could add a little excitement to his dull life.

Stepping away from the curtain, I pivoted to head for a short set of steps that I assumed led beyond the stage to the seating area. Sure enough, several rows of folded wooden seats spread out in an incline beyond the stage. I popped the lever on my balisong to release the blade and walked out into the open.

I kept my eyes on the little group as I strode in front of the stage, making sure they could see me. My swagger displayed a cool confidence I needed them to believe. Being short gave me the advantage of looking younger than my age and I had no trouble passing for a teen among adults. Passing among other teens could be more challenging.

Everyone but the snogging couple had their gazes locked on me, their expressions surprised and annoyed.

“Who the hell are you?” Evan asked.

“Who the hell are
you?
” I asked back.

“This is our place,” Lilly said, her tone indignant. “You’re trespassing.”

I motioned toward the front of the theater with my blade. “According to the sign outside, you’re the ones trespassing.”

The three looked at each other.

I jabbed my blade in the direction of the lip-locked pair. “Don’t they ever come up for air?”

“Mind your own business.” Lilly pressed closer to Duster and he nuzzled her neck.

I shrugged. “Whatever.”

Lowering one of the seats, I plopped onto it and leaned back with my ankles propped up on the seat in front of me. I began cleaning under my fingernails with my knife.

“Leave,” Evan said, though he didn’t sound convincing.

“Make me.” I looked up at him through my lashes and sneered.

“Bitch,” he said, and smiled. I smiled back. One point for me.

I stood and closed my blade, sticking the knife in my front pocket instead of my sheath so they all could see it. If I needed to use it, none of them would have a chance to finish a breath by the time I snapped it open.

Sauntering down the aisle toward the stage, I swayed my hips and kept my gaze locked on Evan. He stared at me, his mouth slightly open.

“Evan, do something,” Lilly complained. “Get her out of here.”

Duster blinked and said, “Yeah, Ev, get rid of her.”

Evan stood and flashed an angry look at the two. “Shut up.”

I kicked a pillow out of the way so I could get closer to him. “Evan? That’s your name?”

“You can call me master,” he said with a snide smile.

“I don’t call anyone master.” At least not anymore.

“What do you want?” Lilly asked.

“Magic,” I said.

The group went silent. Even the spit-swapping couple stopped long enough to look up at me.

“I have some magic.” I reached out to run my index finger down the front of Evan’s coat. “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.”

Lilly chuckled. “Yeah, right.”

I glared down at her and focused my senses on what I could scope out. An edge of the seduction charm—a bronze brooch in the shape of a rose—peaked out from the collar of her coat. Through her sweater I saw a coin-size birthmark on her stomach. Listening hard, I detected a fluttering little heartbeat in addition to hers. She was pregnant.

My heart gave a jolt, but I couldn’t let my surprise or my pity show. “Is the baby his or someone else’s?”

Lilly gasped. “How did you know?”

I grinned. “Magic.” I cocked a hip and added, “Cute birthmark. Wish I had one shaped like a butterfly wing.”

Lilly scowled and clasped her hands over her belly. “Stop it.”

“Awesome,” Evan said with an approving nod. “What do you know about me?”

Scanning him up and down I let my gaze linger on his face. “What did you do to the guy who stabbed you in the cheek with a pencil?” I saw pieces of lead still embedded in the scar.

His smile wavered. “No one knows about that.”

“I do.” I studied the healed puncture wounds on his neck and sought out the scent for where it came from. “If you’re going to be someone’s blood doll, you better make sure they’re a real vampire first.”

He fingered the scar. Staring vacantly, he whispered, “He promised to make me one of them.”

“You got bit by a dude?” Duster asked.

Evan scowled. “He told me he was vamp, promised to turn me.”

Duster laughed. “That’s so lame, man.”

“As for you,” I said, turning my attention to Duster and staring at his crotch. It took a few seconds to see what I was looking for, but well worth the wait. I smiled. “Your swimmers ain’t swimmin’.”

He frowned and stared down at himself. “What?”

“They’re DOA.” I looked at Lilly, then back at him. “At least now we know for sure whose baby it isn’t.”

Duster snorted. “Lilly and I haven’t been together long enough. Besides, it doesn’t matter. I love her no matter whose baby it is.”

“Oh?” I stared down at the rose brooch Lilly wore and swiftly crouched beside her to snatch it out from under her coat. “How about now?”

Lilly screamed. “Hey! That’s mine! You have no right—”

“Pretty.” I held the charm close to my face as if studying the petals. “I think I’ll keep it.”

Lilly tossed Evan a pleading look. “I paid for that with my own money, Evan. It’s not fair! Make her give it back.”

“You want it back?” he said to her. “Take it yourself.”

She was starting to stand up when Duster abruptly pushed her away from him. “What the hell are you doing so close to me?” A look of disgust distorted his handsome face. “Ugh. Get away.” He scrambled on hands and knees until he was on the other side of the stage. “I need to gargle with bleach now.”

Evan laughed. “Wow, that’s some powerful charm.”

I tucked it inside my coat pocket.

“Babe?” Lilly pleaded. She stepped toward Duster and he held his arms over his face as if to ward her off. “You told me you loved me.”

“I must have been drunk.” Duster stood and stomped his way to the edge of the stage. “I’m outta here.” He hopped down and trotted down the aisle toward the exit.

“Wait!” Lilly ran after him.

The other couple had soundlessly watched the unfolding drama and looked uncomfortable. They stood and walked arm in arm down the stage steps.

“Bye!” I called to them with a wave of my hand.

They said nothing.

“So…” Evan took a step closer to me. “You’re psychic?”

“Something like that.”
Not even close
.

“Can you tell the future?”

“Mmm-hmm. I think you and me might have one. Together.” I leaned forward so my breasts pressed against his chest. Desire flashed in his eyes and I knew my distraction was working. I slipped my hand beneath his coat as I rose on tiptoe to bring my lips closer to his. My fingers crawled lightly over his chest to his pocket, where I felt the feather.

I pinched it between thumb and forefinger and gently lifted it out.

He grabbed my wrist. “They warned me you’d try something.”

Evan squeezed so hard I had to let the feather go.

“Who told you?” I asked, alarm squeezing the pit of my stomach. I felt sick.

“The people I want to impress.” He put more pressure on my wrist as he crouched down to retrieve the dropped feather. “They came looking for this, said you’d stolen it from them. Told me I could keep it if I caught you and turned you over to them.”

The Vyantara. Just what I was afraid of. My free hand grabbed for the blade I’d tucked in my pocket, but it was gone. Evan dangled it in front of me. “Looking for this? You’re not the only thief here.”