Dark Magic: Shifty Magic Series, #4

By Judy Teel

Betrayal. Secrets. War is coming…

Private Investigator, Addison Kittner, finds herself on her #1 enemy’s capture list and her friends on his hit list. To stop him, she has to work with her ex, the Alpha Were Cooper Daine, the last guy she wants to see and the only one she’s ever loved.

Add in a powerful vampire hungry for restitution--preferably violent, a hidden enemy that could cost all of them their lives, and a coven of dark magic witches determined to make her and Cooper’s existence very short and very painful.

Can Addison tap into her latent practitioner side and find a new power that could stop her enemy’s plans for revenge before it’s too late?

Eh, not so much.

Buy DARK MAGIC and experience the adventure today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bacon & Eggs Publishing
• Release date: May 24, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533781574

Judy Teel

–Teller of tales. –Blaster of boredom. –Creator of your next adventurous experience. Judy Teel was born in Virginia and moved to North Carolina just before middle school. She’s a fiction author and novelist writing in the dystopian urban fantasy genre. Her stories deliver mystery with some thriller elements, a kick-butt heroine with a large dash of snark in her, a bit more than a touch of romance with a guy that makes readers’ hearts beat a little faster, and a wild ride full of action and emotion from start to finish.

Book preview

Chapter One

Sparrow Creek, NC ~ 2033

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Have you ever wished life came with a switch? One flip and everything's good again.

Me too.

The practitioner, a short, bony woman with shoulder-length silver hair, shot another spike at me from a few yards away. I dodged the weapon constructed from fourth-dimension energy, hit the ground and rolled across the frost-covered grass as the energy dissipated.

I sprang to my feet, the sharp smells of sheered-off grass and ozone stinging my nose as they saturated the air around me and added to the stink of two hours of abusive fun. Yee-haw.

Close to the Virginia border, the small town of Sparrow Creek served as Mistress Raevinne's coven. I'd reluctantly agreed to stay here and master what I could of my practitioner skills before hunting down and killing Aedodra. Unfortunately, over three weeks had passed since Miller, Stillman, Marc and I had arrived from the mountains.

My progress was still non-existent. My teacher, Mistress Raevinne's oldest daughter, had quickly gone to the top of my hit list, and my impatience to get moving felt like a monster trying to claw out my nervous system.

Miranda hit me again with two more shots in quick succession. I leaped out of the way while I tried to channel energy from 4-D through my body and out of my palm the way she did.

Jumping out of the way of the first spike got me hit by the second, which glanced off my ass and sent an electric shock through me. It stung like hell and left a slice across the back pocket of my jeans.

Concentrate! Miranda screamed from the other side of Sparrow Creek Park.

I am! In fact, I was doing my damnedest not to shift and shred her into tiny bloody ribbons.

If only the three known paranormal races were nothing but a fantasy, like humans had believed only a short decade ago. If their races didn't exist, there would've been no war when the paranormal terrorists decided waiting for humanity to clue in wasn't worth the effort, but enslaving them was right up their alley.

I'd be living a normal life still clueless about what I was. I wouldn't have met Cooper and wouldn't have had my heart broken when a powerful pseudo-god decided tearing us apart was a nice way to start his plans for revenge.

The grief had almost killed us.

Springing to my feet, I dusted off my jeans and scowled at Miranda. She strode over to me radiating the same kind of determined energy as her mother, Alexandra Raevinne, a powerful practitioner and the coven leader.

Focus, she screeched. Channel the energy, focus it with your will and defend yourself.

I'm telling you I can't.

She sneered. Humans never can.

Sitting on the bench to the side, my friend, Falcon, and his ward, Chiwa, tensed while dozens of inappropriate responses pounded against my teeth, determined to be spewed. If only she knew the truth. I glanced at them, and Falcon gave a nearly imperceptible shake of his head.

I hated that he was right. No one here knew I was Demon-Were. In the mountains, I'd been outed to Bone Clan when I was forced to shift to save their lives.

Everyone who'd seen me agreed there was no reason to spread the news any further. People always wanted to destroy what they didn't understand. Didn't really want to be on the receiving end of that.

Again, Miranda said, her tone as sharp as the irritation snapping in her hazel eyes.

Two steps brought me within a foot of her. I towered over the middle-aged woman and scowled. If I say I can't, then I can't. You think I enjoy getting my ass fried?

Probably as much as I enjoy babysitting my mother's current project.

Turning, I stomped toward the park bench where I'd left a canteen of water. The back of my neck buzzed and I tensed, dodging to the left.

The temporarily solid spike of energy she'd shot at me grazed my right hip, finishing off the jeans and leaving a burning scrape of electricity behind. I kept walking and told myself absolutely no shifting allowed, but the urge quivered in my gut like a swarm of stinging bees.

In my Were form, her magical weapons wouldn't hurt me. My teeth would make sure of it.

Another spike of energy whistled past my head about a foot off the mark. Her anger was affecting her aim. I smiled. Two points for me.

If only I could show her the magic I could do. The ability to cut a slice between the 3-D and 4-D and step through, instantly moving from one location to another, hadn't been seen for a dozen generations.

My father, Mehk, had warned me that if the practitioners got wind that the gene had resurfaced, my freedom and possibly my life would be forfeit.

Yeah, the line to kill the hybrid freak forms to the left.

When I reached the benches, I grabbed my canteen and sat down between Falcon and Chiwa. Glaring at Miranda across the expanse of grass, I took a sip of cold water.

My thigh holster with the special modified Browning Falcon had made for me a year ago hung over the corner of the bench behind his head. If only I could justify shooting the bitch.

Chiwa cuddled the kitten she held in her lap and glanced at me sideways. Her dark cheeks still had the round, smooth curves of childhood, but when she'd turned thirteen she'd given up her braids for the more mature look of a shorter, stylish cut. Want to pet Samantha? she asked, holding the kitten up. It calms the nerves.

I scratched the fuzzy tuxedo cat under the chin and her purr intensified. The sharp stab of missing my own cat, Wizard, hit me unexpectedly and I frowned, pulling my hand away. My problems are bigger than a cat can solve, I groused.

Chiwa shrugged and went back to cooing at the animal, muttering something about ignoring the grumpy lady. I pretended I hadn't heard and entertained myself with imagining teaching Miranda what it felt like to be bullied Demon-Were style.

If looks could kill, Falcon commented, handing me my jean jacket.

He'd turned eighteen while I was gone and had started to lose the lanky build that teen guys have. The balanced planes of his face were defining themselves into a determined, square jaw and lean cheeks. He'd even changed his round, wire-rimmed glasses for black frames that gave his pewter gray eyes a piercing intensity that I wasn't used to.

At least his rusty-brown hair hadn't given in to growing up. It still stuck out all over the place like he'd just shoved his hand through it.

I put the jacket around my shoulders so I wouldn't get chilled as I cooled down and watched Miranda collecting her parka from the bench on the other side of the open area. "If looks could kill, I'd be done with this torture, and we'd start looking for Aedodra."

And get killed. Unless you can work up some bigger fire power.

I drank some more water. She's hated me since I got here. Why?

Here comes Maggie, Chiwa piped up.

We should call her Agent Stillman, Falcon reminded her.

The girl shrugged, secure in her particular view of truth and justice, as usual. She's not with the FBI anymore.

As Miranda left the training area, Stillman headed in our direction. Medium height with hair a calmer shade of orange than I was used to and now long enough to pull back into a ponytail.

Though I couldn't see it from this distance, I always kept in mind the scar that ran from her left ear to just short of her windpipe. It was nearly impossible to scar a Were. Only an epic fight could leave a mark like that and the fact that she'd survived said a lot about who Margaret Stillman was.

She stopped in front of us and planted her fists on her narrow hips. Her amber-brown wolf eyes glowed down at us. Are you even trying?

Not you, too. I capped my canteen and handed it to Falcon.

Stillman allowed a smile to flicker across her mouth. Let's spar.

Finally, an offer I could get behind. I shrugged out of my coat and tossed it over the back of the bench.

We faced off in the middle of the grass, balancing on the balls of our feet, ready to move in any direction. To Falcon, who was human, we were about to become two blurs of movement. Since Chiwa was a practitioner, she'd be able to follow some of the fight, but not all of it.

Where's Turner? I asked as we slowly circled each other. Turner was the young Were Stillman had apparently accepted as her ward. She still hadn't told me how that unexpected circumstance had happened. Did he go back to Lake Lure with Marc?

No. Stillman feinted to the right and made a practice lunge at me. He's somewhere on the other side of the park where the forest starts.

We all knew Turner was a Were of some kind, but the way his black eyes reflected light like headlights made it anyone's guess what kind. Certainly nothing I'd run across before, and I'd seen plenty during the war.

The possibility that he might be another one-of-a-kind something had given me an itch that only answers could scratch. But in her usual frustratingly stubborn way, Stillman refused to spill. Maybe I could beat the information out of her.

Springing at her, I ducked at the last minute to grab her at hip level with both arms and spin her around to disorient and unbalance her. Unfortunately, my goal of then throwing her to the ground fell short of my expectations.

Stillman grabbed me around the waist in a grip that felt like two vices and launched me over her head.

I went airborne for a moment, and then my back slammed into the cold, hard ground and the air whooshed from my lungs. As I struggled to suck in another breath, I rolled to the side, and Stillman's goal of pinning me missed the mark.

Jumping to my feet, I sprinted for the other side of the circle, hoping to gain enough space to figure out my next move.

She tackled me from behind and we hit the ground, slugging it out as we landed. Welcome to the no-holds-barred world of Were sparring.

Landing a lucky punch to her nose, I managed to squirm away when she instinctively pulled back, and took off again. This time I paid better attention to my environment, using Chiwa's expressions as a guide to tell me when Stillman was almost on me. When the girl's brown eyes widened, I stopped and crouched on the ground with my head down.

Stillman flew over me, turning as she did and summersaulting across the ground in order to spring to her feet. I didn't wait. I pounced.

You're getting better, she grunted past the chokehold I had on her. But your emotions are still causing you to make mistakes. I shouldn't have caught you the first time. Where was your head?

Almost two months before, I'd been bonded to Cooper, which was a kind of mystical, chemical uniting of Weres who were destined to be mates. Circumstances had made Cooper the guardian of his orphaned niece and the temporary Alpha of Bone Clan. Not an easy scenario to step into, but as a bonded couple there were ways we could've made it work.

Except then the inter-dimensional piece of crap known as Aedodra had broken our bond, nearly killing Cooper and making me wish I were dead. At least for a while.

Stillman started to gurgle and I realized I'd tightened my grip past even Were protocol. I released her and fell back on my ass, embarrassed I'd let my emotions overtake me. Getting to my feet, I held out my hand to help her up. To my surprise, she accepted.

You have to let what happened to you and Cooper go, Addison.

Hearing it out loud made my heart cringe all over again, aching and broken. Sometimes I wished our friend, Luke Miller, hadn't told her what happened at Bone Clan.

Aedodra's like nothing you've ever fought before, Stillman added, brushing herself off. We have to be at the top of our game to confront him.

You don't think I know that? I knocked one of my logger boots against the other, dislodging a clump of turf.

Before we got here, Sparrow Creek Park had been a pristine expanse of tenderly cultivated grass, plants and trees, including a pond, a fountain and strategically placed benches and picnic tables. Now it looked like a battle zone.

Another possible reason why I wasn't a favorite in town, I realized.

Mistress Raevinne's coven not only owned Sparrow Creek town, but also nearly three-hundred acres around it and they'd obviously put a lot into the park. It was the first one I'd seen that looked like the ones from my childhood, before the paranormal terrorist war. Now there were even singe marks on the benches.

Are you two finished? Falcon called from the bench. It's getting colder.

Stillman and I headed over to him. Where's Chiwa? I asked him, wanting to focus on anything except my problems.

Got bored and left.

Or not. The teenager had a unique practitioner skill of her own, and she loved practicing it on people. Especially me.

I scanned the park around us and spotted her with her back pressed against a tree several yards away holding the kitten and watching us. I think she's trying to make the cat invisible too, I commented.

Falcon turned toward where I was looking and squinted at the leafless trees. Oh, yeah. Looks like the top half of Samantha's just floating there.

Chiwa's brow drew down and she headed back to us.

At least you're getting closer. Falcon said, focusing on her, which told me she was visible to everyone again.

I'm being tested on it next week. I have to do better than close.

Be glad your instructor doesn't fry you if you mess up, I complained.

One of these days you'll surprise her, Stillman said as we headed out of the park.

By surviving her teaching methods, if nothing else. Which I would. Because as long as I never had to face Cooper again, I knew I'd be okay.

We travel to Sparrow Creek tonight, Mistress Raevinne commanded as her granddaughter, Erika, bandaged up her injured arm.

You can't risk leaving Bone Clan compound, Cooper dared to growl at the elderly woman — a practitioner powerful enough to do some serious damage to him if she wanted to.

If he’d tackled her a second later, the assassin's bullet would have torn through her heart. When the next shot nearly hit him, he'd picked her up and raced through the woods with her on his back to get her to safety. Not something either of them was interested in repeating if they could avoid it.

Mistress Raevinne tucked one of many stray and frazzled strands of her silver-white hair back into her braid. Which is why you shall accompany me.

Cooper stopped pacing and stared at her, his heart stuttering as the familiar pain cut through it. I...no.

It is your duty to protect your clan and your niece. Addison is the only one who can get through to Lord Bellmonte. She must explain what really happened to his nephew and convince him to call off his assassins.

She lifted her uninjured shoulder, a purely Gaelic movement that indicated her conclusions were obvious. You are therefore obligated to guarantee that she does.

Marc and Stillman are excellent bodyguards. My couriers can have a message to them within the week.

The Archon must be brought to our side. These petty battles between our races cannot be allowed to work to Aedodra's advantage.

Erika tied off the bandage and started putting away her supplies. Their doctor had been training her over the weeks she'd been with Bone Clan. In private, he'd told Cooper that Erika was the best natural healer he'd ever seen.

You'll be bruised and sore from landing on Alpha Daine, she told her grandmother. I've left Epson salt in the bathroom for you to use in your bath tonight, as well as one of my special salves.

Mistress Raevinne shifted her attention to the young practitioner. You shall accompany us as my personal physician.

Erika's hand faltered in the act of reaching for the roll of bandages. I'd be honored, Nana Rae.

From the little Cooper knew, the personal physician to the coven leader was a fairly powerful position in the coven hierarchy. One only given when trust had been earned. With Erika there and Stillman and Marc to protect you, it's best if I stay here and—

My word is final. Mistress Raevinne leaned forward and picked up her cup of tea using the hand of her uninjured arm. You best go and pack. Both of you.

Cooper locked his gaze on her and tried to get his emotions under control. I can't see her again. I don't think I could bear it.

Mistress Raevinne handed her almost full cup of rose-scented tea to Erika. This has grown cold.

Playing along, her granddaughter dutifully took the cup, retreating to the kitchen. As she closed the door behind her, Mistress Raevinne leveled Cooper with a stern look, though something suspiciously like sympathy flickered through her dark eyes.

Cooper decided he'd imagined it. He'd known Mistress Raevinne a long time, and she was more than the leader of her local coven. How much more, he wasn't sure, but he understood clearly that practitioner leaders at her level were never sympathetic. Not when the greater good was at stake.

That was why she'd sent Addison away for training. And why later she'd told him it was for the best that Aedodra had severed the spiritual connection between Addison and him. He clenched his fists tighter remembering that moment.

That kind of loss was never for the best. He missed Addison every day, and he suspected that he would for the rest of his life. The vicious ache in the center of his chest would always be a reminder.

The attack on us by Lord Bellmonte's assassins has made it clear that something must be done, Mistress Raevinne continued, watching him with her sharp, intelligent eyes. If he believes we are responsible for the disappearance of his heir, that misconception must be rectified. By your own admission, the girl is the only emissary who has a chance at succeeding.

Then I'll go alone. You'll stay here where it's safe.

I will not. The Council must be informed of what has happened. We must make plans. We must prepare for the worst.

You mean for Aedodra, he said, unable to stop the snarl of hate in his voice.

She nodded. Exactly so. We don't know when he will strike, or what form it will take. He has inhabited a member of the Bellmonte line for a reason, and it's imperative we understand why. That is key.

Do you still believe Jacob Laswell and his sister will help us?

I don't believe they will be our enemies, but that is all I'm willing to commit to. She called to Erika and the girl came back in with the tea. We will leave in the morning, she told her. At the Lake Lure coven we shall commission a cart and horses. Then, when we reach Hendersonville, we shall take the train.

Mistress— Cooper started to protest over using such