Magic Wild (Dragon's Gift: The Seeker Book 4) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Magic Wild

  Dragon’s Gift The Seeker Book 4

  Linsey Hall

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Thank you for reading!

  Excerpt Of Hidden Magic

  Author’s Note

  Acknowledgments

  Glossary

  About Linsey

  Copyright

  Chapter One

  Rain pattered on the dark cobblestones, and the smell of black magic permeated the alley. It had a distinctly rotten scent I knew I wouldn’t be able to shake for hours.

  And it didn’t help that we were hidden behind a dumpster.

  All in all, not my favorite way to spend an evening.

  A rustling sounded from the other end of the lane, and I pressed myself against the wall, glancing at my friend Claire. Her dark hair and dark leather helped her blend into Darklane, the part of the city that housed Magic Bend’s black magic users. The whole place was dark as coal, coated in residue from the shady spells that were common here.

  “Think that’s him?” I whispered.

  “Good chance.” She stood stock-still, her sword gripped comfortably in her hand, ever ready. The consummate mercenary.

  Her most recent job from the Order of the Magica was to hunt down a Telenec demon. He’d eaten the mayor and her husband. They’d both actually been real jerks, trying to enforce racist policies, but still…

  You shouldn’t eat people.

  So, the Telenec demon was going down.

  Claire had let me come along because I wanted to steal the Telenec demon’s powers. Telekinesis would be a handy skill to have, and I was committed to building my arsenal if I was going to win whatever battle was coming my way, brought by the Shadows from my past. Worry had been dogging me for the last week, a demon on my back that I couldn’t shake. I didn’t know what I was going to be up against, but fear that I couldn’t handle it was ever present.

  We’d tracked the Telenec demon through information from his colleagues and learned that he’d be visiting a secret gambling den tonight.

  So we were hanging out behind a dumpster, waiting for our prey to amble past. Lurking like two giant, smelly spiders.

  Finally, footsteps thudded down the alley. I exchanged a disgusted glance with Claire. We both valued sneakiness. This guy lacked it.

  From my vantage point behind the dumpster, I wouldn’t be able to see who it was till he passed by, so I reached out with my magic, feeling for his.

  At first, all I got was the very subtle scent of Claire’s power. It smelled like smoke and warmed my skin. Claire was part Fire Mage and part Hearth Witch, but the Fire Mage was stronger. I pushed harder, straining my senses.

  I was hit by the feeling of wind against my skin, though the night was calm.

  Definitely the Telenec demon, then. That was definitely a signature that would accompany the ability to move things with your mind.

  A moment later, he walked past the dumpster. I craned my neck, catching sight of his back as he strolled down the alley. He was tall, at least six and a half feet, and could have almost passed for human in his dark jeans and leather jacket. His horns were hidden by a mass of dark hair, but I knew they were small and black from the image I’d seen in one of my books.

  He ducked into a doorway about twenty feet down the alley.

  “Let’s move,” I said.

  “On it.”

  We hurried out from behind the dumpster, racing down the alley on silent feet.

  “Knock on wood,” I muttered as we sidled up to the door.

  Claire grinned at my superstition, then knocked on her head. I did the same, hoping the place wasn’t too crowded.

  We didn’t know what to expect in the gambling den. Recon had been impossible because it was members only, and we weren’t welcome.

  It’d have been better to nab him out in the alley, but part of the job was catching his partner, who was supposed to meet him here. Claire would take one, I would take the other, and we’d hope we didn’t get caught in something nasty.

  Claire sheathed her sword, but she’d have her fire ready. My blade was stored in the ether, but I probably wouldn’t need it. Not as long as I had my gift over ice.

  We shared a last glance, then I pushed open the door and strolled inside.

  Smoke choked me almost immediately. Not just cigarette smoke—though there were plenty of cigarettes—but some kind of heavy black smoke that hung in the air. For atmosphere?

  Not a fan.

  The place was small but crowded, little tables set up here and there with species of all sorts huddled around, each holding a handful of Enchanta Cards. The game was popular here in Darklane, though I didn’t know the rules. Thick mugs of dark beer were cluttered on tables, and the little bar at the back was manned by a supernatural who glowed faintly green.

  Heads turned toward us, confusion and boredom on various faces.

  I ignored them, taking in the room as I headed to the bar. We didn’t blend in here, but there was no reason to stand stock-still, staring like dopes. And the Telenec demon didn’t know Claire had been hired to find him, so that gave us an element of surprise.

  I stopped at the bar.

  “Are you meeting a member here?” The bartender’s voice was sibilant, his eyes a brilliant green. Snake shifter, maybe?

  “Yeah,” I said. “My friend Mordaca invited us.”

  She was a member here. It had cost a pretty penny to get her to let us use her name, but it satisfied the bartender, who nodded. “What’ll it be?”

  I doubted they served wine here, even my cheap boxed stuff, so I pointed to the single tap behind the bar. “Beer.”

  “Same for me,” Claire said.

  He nodded and turned, grabbing two glasses and pulling the beer tap.

  “I’ll keep an eye out.” I turned, leaning back against the bar and gazing around the room, trying to look bored.

  It was hard, though. The variety of species was huge—and most were the violent sort. Demons, monsters, possibly one vampire. I shuddered. There were so many people crowded into the little space, sitting or standing or making out in corners, that it was hard to spot my target.

  Claire thanked the bartender and paid, then turned and handed me a beer. She raised her drink to her mouth. “Find him?”

  “No, not—”

  My gaze caught on a man in the corner. His dark hair and pale skin were semi-obscured by the smoke. He had his elbows propped on a table and was having an intense conversation with another demon. My hand faltered, my beer stopping just short of my lips.

  “Holy fates,” I breathed.

  He was somewhat tall and looked almost exactly like my boyfriend. My heart raced, and the hair on my arms stood on end.

  Caden, Roarke’s brother. Who Roarke was currently hunting for. At this very m
inute.

  He’d fallen right into my lap.

  “Change of plans.” I set my beer on the bar. “I have to catch that guy.”

  “What about the demon?” Claire tilted her chin toward our target, who was on the other side of the room, now meeting with his buddy, a stocky demon whose skin looked like old shoe leather.

  “Shit.” I was Claire’s only backup. To bring both in, she’d need a hand. Torn, I glanced back to Roarke’s brother.

  He was turning toward me, as if he sensed my gaze. When his eyes met mine, they widened.

  My heart jumped. Before I could step forward, he leaped to his feet. The air around him shimmered briefly before his form turned into black mist. The ephemeral dust swirled in the air and disappeared, shooting out the door.

  What the hell? Frustration welled within me, beating its fists against my ribs.

  The shock threw the bar into commotion. People surged to their feet, chairs toppling as beer spilled. It spooked the demon we were after, and he bolted.

  “I’ll take him. Get the other!” I said. Caden was gone, but I still had a chance with the demon.

  We split up as my target pushed through the room, shoving people out of his way. I rushed toward him, unable to get a clear shot to throw an icicle. When he was right across from me, his gaze darted to mine, catching me headed straight for him.

  Confusion flashed in his dark eyes right before he waved a hand toward me, flicking his wrist in a weird movement.

  A table hurtled through the air, flying toward my head. I ducked just in time, but the demon sent a chair next.

  It slammed into my side. I stumbled.

  Damned telekinesis.

  By the time I righted myself, he was at the back door. He disappeared through it. I shoved past the crowd, having to deck a guy who stood belligerently in my way. His nose crunched beneath my fist, and he toppled backward.

  I leaped over him and raced outside.

  The alley was empty—not even a dumpster in sight, thank magic. The walls loomed high on either side, but the moon peeked through, reflecting on the damp streets. The demon sped down the alley, too far away for me to ever catch on foot.

  I called upon my magic, letting the chill of ice flow though me. When the power had filled me, I released it, sending a semi-frozen stream of slush toward him. It splashed against his feet, freezing instantly. It didn’t freeze him to the ground, but he tripped and stumbled, crashing onto his front.

  I sprinted toward him, lungs burning. As I neared, he scrambled upright, and I shot an icicle at his back. It pierced his chest, and he stumbled forward, landing in a pile.

  Panting, I jumped on him, flipping him over. The icicle broke beneath him. Blood pooled on the cobblestones. He snarled at me, but the sound was weak. He had fangs, horrible yellow ones, and I gagged at the thought of them tearing into the mayor’s flesh.

  “Why’d you eat them?” I couldn’t help but ask. It was just so gross.

  “Tasty.” He gurgled, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.

  Ew. “Well, you should have stuck to donuts.”

  He coughed, his chest jerking around the ice I’d send into him. As he gasped his last breath, I called on my Phantom form. My skin chilled, and my body turned the familiar transparent blue.

  His soul was ephemeral and felt like mist against my fingertips. It was a pale white ghost of a thing, and I pulled it from his body. It came easily, absorbing into me. The whole process calmed some of the worry that had been constantly niggling in my chest. Just this act of stealing his power felt like I was taking charge of my fate. For the first time in a week, I felt in control.

  I let his power sink into me, enjoying it. The breeze that was his signature rushed over me again, ruffling my hair.

  It was eerie, but I’d get used to it.

  I’d have to. This power was mine, now. Forever.

  Finished, I hopped up. My knees were cold where blood had soaked through my jeans. “Ugh.”

  Footsteps sounded behind me. I whirled.

  Claire sauntered down the alley, sword dangling at her side. “I see you finished.”

  “Yep. All done.”

  “Get his power?”

  I nodded. It had felt good. “I’ll test it out later.”

  I was worried about side effects. How could I not be, after everything that had happened? But I was going to need more powers if I wanted to survive whatever was coming for me. Since I couldn’t outrun my past, I needed to fight it.

  We’d met the Shadows only a week ago when rescuing Draka. The ghosts from my past had been hunting me and had nearly succeeded in catching me. The learning that I was their “Queen” and meant to play a role in a deadly plot had been a real mind-screw. Since I didn’t want to be their creepy queen, I’d need magic to fight whatever they planned for me.

  “Just let me know when you practice. I don’t want to get hit by wayward objects.” Claire pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and snapped pictures of the demon’s body. She then knelt and fished around under his shirt collar. When she came up with a silver charm on a leather strap, she yanked it off him and stood. “Evidence for the Order.”

  “Of course.” Normally, the demon’s body would disappear back to his Underworld, so mercenaries were required to provide other evidence that they’d completed their work. But since I’d stolen the demon’s soul, his body wouldn’t disappear as normal. “You sure you don’t mind burning him?”

  “Not at all.” She glanced around the alley. When she was satisfied that no one was around, she held out her hands and shot a jet of flame at the demon.

  Her magic smelled strong and bright, like a campfire. But soon, the scent of burning demon flesh made me gag.

  “Yeah, better hold your breath.” She fed the blaze more flame. It was immensely hot, stronger than any fire I’d ever seen. Within twenty seconds, the demon’s body was entirely gone. The only evidence was a burn scar on the cobblestones.

  “Thanks, Claire.” If only all my messes could be cleaned up so easily.

  When we arrived at P & P after disposing of the Telenec demon’s body, the doors were locked. It was just after midnight, closing time, and Connor was inside sweeping the floor. Claire dug her keys out of her pocket and unlocked the glass door.

  I followed her into the warmly lit space that still smelled of baked goods and coffee. Cass and Nix sat in our favorite squishy chairs in the corner, polishing off their drinks. Chill music played over the speakers, something I’d never heard before—which wasn’t unusual, considering Connor’s eclectic taste in music—but I liked it.

  “Hey!” Cass called.

  “You look like you need a drink,” Nix said.

  “Do I ever.” And food. My stomach grumbled loudly.

  Connor looked up from his work, his dark hair flopped over his forehead. “Success?”

  “Yep!” For the first time, I called upon my new magic, letting it flow through me like a soft breeze. It was the weirdest feeling. I didn’t really know where to start with telekinesis, so I did what I always did with new magic. I envisioned what I wanted.

  It didn’t work.

  Instead of a chair shifting so that Connor could sweep under it, it flipped to the floor with a crash.

  I grimaced. “Looks like I could use some practice.”

  Claire patted my shoulder. “You’ll get there.”

  Connor righted the chair. “In the meantime, stay away from the glassware.”

  I smiled.

  “Help yourself.” He gestured to the counter where the day’s leftovers were laid out on plates.

  I spied a single slice of quiche and grinned. “Thanks!”

  Claire and I wove though the tables and set upon the food like wolves. I picked up the quiche and took a bite—no fork for this heathen, thanks—and Claire bit into a scone.

  “I never thought we’d get out of that alley,” she muttered around a mouthful.

  I swallowed the savory mushroom quiche. “No kidding. Had to
be hours.”

  “It was. Three.”

  I polished off the last of the quiche and slipped behind the bar, filling a coffee mug halfway full from the boxed merlot that they kept on hand for me.

  “Pour me one of those, will you?” Claire asked.

  “Anytime.” I filled her mug and passed it over.

  “Thanks.”

  We crossed the coffee shop and took our seats next to Cass and Nix. The plush leather chair enveloped me like a hug.

  “Successful job, then?” Nix asked.

  “Yep.” I sipped my wine. “Now I just need to learn to use the telekinesis.”

  “It’s a good skill,” Cass said. “It’ll come in handy.”

  “That’s my hope.”

  “The best you can do is stock up on powers, learn to use them, and stay alert,” Nix said. “We’ll figure this out.”

  “Weird thing, though,” I said. “I swore I saw—”

  Someone knocked on the glass door to P & P. I spun to see who would come at this late hour.

  Roarke and Aidan stood on the other side of the glass, both wearing dark jackets and blending into the night. They’d been on the hunt for Roarke’s brother, visiting a contact that Aidan had in Darklane. I’d tried to help find Caden using my dragon sense but hadn’t been able to get a lead on him. He likely wore a powerful concealment charm, which he’d need, considering he was on the run from the Order after escaping their prison.

  “I got it.” Claire hopped up and let them in.

  They stepped into the shop, both towering over Claire, who wasn’t a short woman.

  “Speak of the devil,” I said.

  “Not literally.” Roarke grinned. “Just the Warden.”

  They approached. Though Aidan was technically a good-looking guy by all accounts, I only had eyes for Roarke. My gaze was glued to his tall, muscular form. He looked like he wrangled demons for a living, which he did. His dark hair and eyes gleamed under the warm lights of the coffee shop. A grin curled his full lips as his eyes met mine.