Winds of Change: The Realm Killer, #2

By C. L. Brown

To do list: Escape Kur and resolve relationship problems…without dying.

 

Chase's hundred-year sentence to Kur gave him plenty of time to mull over his failures. Finding out one of those failures has sent the woman he loved on a killing spree, makes serving his sentence impossible.

 

It seems his former flame has taken up the moniker, Legion. A ritual of blood and magic will help her ascend to the height of her demonic power. A task made easier by the coven of witches backing her.

 

To stop her, Chase will strike an unfavorable deal with a death goddess and survive the encouragement of her son. The wizard will have to confront his past failures and the cost of love in a high-stakes battle that may leave him a permanent member of the afterlife.

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Fans of Steve McHugh, Shayne Silvers, Cameron O'Connell, Faith Hunter, or M.D. Massey will feel right at home in this high-octane urban fantasy series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: C. L. Brown
• Release date: Jun 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223044734

C. L. Brown

C.L. Brown, a father, a papa, the dog-loving, gentle giant. A constant daydreamer who supports pizza being its own food group. A Tide fan behind enemy lines in Louisiana. An imaginative horror junky fascinated by the myths and legends of the world. He draws on them to create pulse-pounding tales with a diverse cast of characters who are every bit as dangerous as they are wondrous. Thus, he dwells in the machinations of dark urban fantasy. The dark urban fantasy Realm Killer series features Chase Ambrose, a snarky wizard with a propensity for creating enemies with the highest of the high and lowest of the low. It’s set in an alternate, modern-day world where gods govern an alphabet agency to keep humans, normies, ignorant of the supernatural’s existence. His Winds of Fury series, a dark urban fantasy spin-off of the Realm Killer series, features Molly Padia, known to the supernatural world as Molpadia. Molly is an ancient amazon and wind elemental, who lives in Albany, New York where she is rediscovering herself while failing to avoid supernatural mischief. The dark urban fantasy series The Doorman serves as a companion series that exists in the Realm Killer universe. Taya Freeman is a necromancer with talent that makes her an endangered species. New to the supernatural world, she has to contend with loa, voodoo magic, and the supernatural families of New Orleans. Check him out on social media or sign-up for his newsletter. https://www.facebook.com/ImaginationUnbound https://www.instagram.com/author.c.l.brown/

Book preview

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I’m sure the rest of Kur wasn’t this bleak. The Mesopotamian Underworld was a get-what-you-gave kind of place. The less of a dickbag you were in life, the better your chances of having a decent afterlife. However, I wasn’t dead, nor were the other prisoners in the colony.

The CeC apparently had a deal with the realm’s goddess. Ereshkigal allowed them to use this valley as a penal colony. An archaic city with paths carved into the cliff sides. Caves speckled the cliff sides, primitive housing. Based on the smooth interior walls, Earth Elementals or alchemists had shaped the domiciles. Crude wooden doors allowed everyone to have privacy. An overcast sky provided minimal light during the day. Smothered stars meant torchlight was the only means of visibility at night.

Becoming adept in fire starting was the first thing I did here. Fire provided a means for food, warmth, and protection. I had no desire to be trapped in the dark with my fellow inmates. The food here sucked but was nourishing. Eel and kelp like vegetation were the only thing on the menu. The river they came from doubled as a natural barrier, keeping us separate from the realm.

The prisoners had a sensible system in place for the natural water supply. Upriver was for drinking, fishing was further down, then there was the bathing area, with the final was the potty zone. Violating these zones would lead to someone, or several someones, re-educating you with fists and possibly dumping you in the ass-end of the river. I spent the first week venturing up and down its banks, searching for a crossing point. The damn thing seemed endless.

A strong swimmer might make it across. An unforgiving current lived in the center of the river. Jagged rock littered all but the bathing area. I’d witnessed a few failures. Hapless fools swept away and shattered against the rocks. With any luck, they died before reaching the potty zone, because…ew.

Surviving the river didn’t mean you were lucky. You’d still have to survive the Barren Forest. I wasn’t sure how barren it was. A thick fog clung to the place like a cloak. Then there were the gallûs, monstrous creatures that patrolled the forest. Of course, they were just hearsay. I had written it off as a story concocted by the CeC. But a story couldn’t explain the strange sounds that came from the forest.

This place was Destination Fucked.

Just being here made you mundane. No magic. No shifting. No preternatural anything, just human frailty. This was an advantage and a hindrance. My parents’ defense tutelage came in handy. It got me through the try-the-new-guy initiations. Magic would have made healing from those initiations easier.

My stereotypical prison workout of push-ups, sit-ups, and shadow boxing ended. It was better to be prepared than need to and not be. I used a plastic bowl as a ladle to get a drink of water from a tin bucket. The only instruments of survival provided by my jailers. Thirst satiated, I stepped outside and sat on the stone next to the door.

A man invited himself to a seat next to me. You enjoy solitude, don’t you?

Of average height and stature, his complexion was a deep eggplant in color. A stark contrast to his bright ocher eyes. His white hair and beard were both long and in need of a good washing.

This isn’t a social club, I said, thinking I probably looked just as rough.

I’ve seen you around for the past few weeks. You haven’t made any friends here. Outside of hazing, you haven’t interacted with anyone. That can be dangerous in a place like this.

Hazing? I asked.

The run of challengers looking to increase their status or beat you into their services.

Everyone knows how that worked out.

Yes, but strength brings challengers.

I gave him a side-long glare. Is that a threat?

Just friendly advice. By the way, I’m Vesryn. He offered to shake hands.

I let his hand hang there until he got the point.

We sat in silence for a stretch of time. I pondered how much I missed social interaction. Here, I could only talk to Ambrose when asleep. He was still a psychotic prick. Our talks were more like lectures on how I could kill my way to the top of the pecking.

Vesryn was probably better company. Chase, I finally said.

You know the only way out of here is through the forest, right? Only those with a death wish would dare to enter.

I twisted to face him squarely.

Vesryn gave me a dismissive shrug. I’ve seen the pondering look in your eyes when you go to the river.

The elevator would be easier. I looked to the rear of the valley. A large circle of glyphs marked the ground where the elevator would appear.

You’d need to overpower guards who have guns and their magic or shifter abilities.

Good point, I said, sighing. A fight with the guards would be fool-hearted and unavoidable. The elevator only appeared when they brought someone in. Guns and magic gave them a decisive edge.

The ring of glyphs blazed to life as if it knew we were discussing it. A slit of light appeared a few ticks later. It gaped to reveal the inside of the elevator and its occupants. One guard kicked the prisoner in the small of her back. She pitched forward and face planted on the stony valley floor. Catching herself would have been a task since she was missing a hand.

We were five levels up. Too far up to hear what the guard said, but close enough to see the big loogie he spat at her. The welcoming committee moved in as the elevator closed.

Excuse me for a minute, I said, not bothering to look at Vesryn.

I made my way to ground level and weaved through the crowd. The four nutsacks harassing her were wendigos on the outside. Rumor was, they hadn’t changed their dietary choice since being here. Their muscular physiques and the disappearance of anyone who crossed them tracked with that.

Merle, the largest of them, wore a necklace of ears around his neck. It dangled when he knelt to get a better look at the woman. You’re gonna take real good care of us. Aren’t ya?

The woman headbutted the big bald bastard.

Merle dropped to a knee. Bran, his stubby sidekick, rushed in with a kick to her ribs. Jacob and Jack, the blue-eyed twins, doubled over with laughter.

Merle ran a thumb across his busted lip. Oh, she’s got fight in her.

Outnumbered and out-sized, I opted not to introduce myself. I pulled a rag from my pocket and tied it around my lower face. It was ninja time.

The twins were my first targets. I kicked out Jacob’s knee and caught Jack with a Muay Thai elbow to the temple. Bran spun, giving me an open target. He squeaked like a chew toy when I tried to kick his nuts into his throat. Merle, still on a knee, dodged my kick and spun to his feet. He scooped me up and drove me to the ground.

I locked my legs around his head, attempting a triangle chokehold. Merle countered by hoisting me up and slamming me again. Stars filled my vision. My lungs deflated.

Let’s see who’s for dinner. Merle grinned, flashing his grungy yellow teeth. He reached down to remove my makeshift mask. A stunned grunt escaped him, and his face went slack.

I rolled clear to keep the falling giant from crushing me.

Your welcome, Vesryn said, casually tossing a stone up and catching it.

I gathered myself and checked on the inspiration for my selfless deed. She slapped my hand away when I offered to help her up. I held my hands up in placation and backed away. Just wanted to make sure you were okay. I’ll leave you to it.

I don’t need or want your fucking charity, she hissed, grunting as she stood and dusted herself off.

Her voice. I took a few absent-minded steps back, frowning at her. It was one of the last voices I’d heard as a free man. A voice that should have been screaming in Hell, or somewhere equally dreadful. Maybe I was wrong. It was possible my time in this shithole had driven me a little nutty. She used her stump to swipe her hair out of her face. And my doubt about her died.

Natalie, I growled, tightening my fists.

Shitty lighting and third-world living conditions aside, this place was livable. Plenty of time for cardio and strength training, and I had the physique to prove it. The food wasn’t the best, but you always knew what you were going to eat. Sure, you had to defend yourself at a moment’s notice, lest you end up someone’s lackey or—even worse—someone’s cuddle buddy. Either of those would have been preferable to seeing Natalie.

Of all the fucking afterlife’s they could’ve sent you to. There is literally a plethora of them, and you wound up here. I paced back and forth, ranting like a madman. It’s like some asshole god made it their life’s mission to drive me insane. Then it hit me. Natalie’s arrival may have been a gift. I’m going to break your goddamn neck.

Vesryn stepped in and grabbed me. Easy there…Perhaps this is something you should discuss elsewhere. Vesryn motioned to the four meat heads on the ground.

They were still trying to gather their faculties but would be up soon.

I yanked free of him. Keep her the fuck away from me, I growled. One of the twins tried to get up. I punted him in the face as I stormed off. Fuck! I screamed, waving for the crowd to get the hell out of my way.

Grunts followed by apologies and frantic footsteps signaled Vesryn’s approach. You aren’t really going to leave her?

You bet your grungy little ass I am, I said.

Whatever her offenses are, leave them in the past.

That festering cunt is the reason I’m here.

Vesryn hastened his pace to walk next to me. Yet, here she is, stuck just like you.

Not a good thing. In fact, it makes this place even less desirable.

Vesryn let out a sigh. Children act so rashly when upset.

Did you just call me a chi— I stopped dry when I looked at Vesryn. He’d swept his hair behind his pointed ears. An Elf? That explains it.

Faelings were at the apex of life spans. Think millennia, not centuries. Vesryn was calm about things, because he had undoubtedly lived long enough to be passed flipping out; a bridge I hadn’t crossed yet.

Dark elf, to be more precise, Vesryn said.

I opted not to respond to the obvious. Light Elves had pale complexions. What I found odd was the lack of markings on his face. They should have been on his cheeks, chin, and nose. I knew this and a wealth of other things. Freeing my magic had opened up a supernatural library in my mind. Were his markings tied to his magic, and therefore blocked here?

Vesryn shook his head. You’re being rash.

There’s nothing rash about it, I said, continuing my rant. That woman has tried to kill me, and people I care about, on multiple occasions. I should have let those assholes have her.

But that’s not the type of manling you are, is it? Vesryn said.

You’re right. I’d rather kill her myself.

Not what I meant, but I understand what you’re saying. Just remember, everyone here has done their fair share of nasty things. Some of those things have become regret.

I don’t regret a single thing I did to put myself here. It was all done for the right reasons, just not in the fashion the CeC would’ve liked.

We all know straying from the establishment’s guidelines will always lead to persecution.

Screw the man, I muttered.

To each his own, Vesryn said, shrugging.

Realizing Vesryn had taken my statement literally, I cleared things up. No, it means to hell with the establishment.

Vesryn nodded thoughtfully. Manlings have such a strange way of saying things.

I guess we are an odd bunch. I sighed, coming to a halt outside my cave. This has been fun and all, but I just took a beating and need to lie down.

Bidding my newfound acquaintance farewell, I retired for the day. Merle had given me a wicked set of bruises. The pain would ail me for at least a week. I eased into bed, clearing my mind so sleep could take me.

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Ambrose strolled up to the barrier that imprisoned him in my consciousness. How does it feel, being in a prison?

Are you still bitching? You’re living in a paradise compared to the archaic hole I’m in. I’d stay here with you if I didn’t have to worry about some sketchy bastard killing me in my sleep.

Yours is real and not some mental construct.

I suppose being able to exist in a world that was real had its appeal, even if it was as dreary a place as Kur. Still, he had a poolside view of a lush tropical paradise and a bachelor pad.

Would you prefer this? I asked.

The serene view shifted to a barren mountaintop sprinkled with dead trees and rocks. Fire and ice rained from the sky. A thin mist filled the air, causing Ambrose to choke. I held this landscape in place for a solid minute before changing it back to his dreamy abode.

You infantile bastard, Ambrose snarled.

I didn’t think so, I said, answering my question. I can visit with you and change the landscape each time, making your prison a different vile place every time, without being subjected to its harsh elements. Now. Can we please not revisit this?

You have learned much since being freed from the Enochian lock, Ambrose said.

"Yet, you keep coming up with pop quizzes that you end up failing."

Ambrose shrugged, unconcerned, sipping the amber-colored liquid from his glass. What you view as a failure, I view as a learning experience.

Do you ever get a buzz from drinking, or do you just like the flavor? I asked, genuinely curious.

Neither, although its taste is palpable. Then again, I’m not sure if the flavor is accurate since it’s derived from your perception of its flavor.

You won’t be getting any updates on that or anything else, I said flatly.

That damn mental block. Ambrose sighed, then finished his drink in one gulp.

"One-way relationships are unhealthy." I folded my arms across my chest. Ambrose thought it was okay for him to be privy to my thoughts and memories, while I remained in the dark about his—not cool.

I’m open to showing you whatever it is you want to see, Ambrose said eagerly.

The problem with that is you’re only showing me your perspective. Forgive me for not trusting that. But whatever you did led to you being locked—

I shot up in bed. My brow furrowed as I listened for what woke me. Silence had me thinking I was hearing things. Then I heard it again. A scream intertwined with sounds of a struggle.

No one else is going to get involved and neither should you. I laid back down and closed my eyes. The ruckus continued. Damn it, I cursed. Vesryn had me dead to rights. I wasn’t that kind of manling.

The scuffle gained clarity once I was outside. A few unscrupulous individuals skulked about the torch-lit night. None seemed interested in the noise or the cause of it. Stupidly, I went against the grain and sought the cause of the trouble. I found it in a room on the next level down.

Old-locker-room funk assaulted me the instant I opened the door. Two grimy bastards were busy trying to take certain liberties with a woman, who was vehement in her protesting. I couldn’t blame her. Besides obvious reasons, neither man looked to have taken advantage of bathing—ever.

Hold still, bitch, growled one heathen. He punched the woman but failed to take the fight out of her.

"You’re making this really hard," said the other, giggling with depravity.

My presence went unnoticed as the struggle continued. Anger roiled within me. Rapists were the crust at the bottom of an abandoned shit-filled toilet. They, and any asshole who would hurt a child, deserved to spend all of eternity impaled on a searing spike with little demonic cherubs nibbling on their sensitive bits.

I was fresh out of red-hot spikes and cherubs, which was too bad—for them.

There wasn’t a snazzy opener. No, Please stop. Not even a warning. Only justice in the form of pure unadulterated violence equal to the heinous act they were attempting to commit.

My roundhouse kick caught Mr. Depravity squarely in the head. I yanked his pal up and banged his head against the wall until it was gory red.

Fucker! Mr. Depravity snarled.

I still had no words for him, only more of what his friend received.

Bastard tried to threaten me from his knees. I’m gonna make y—

My foot met his crotch with vomit-inducing velocity. I lunged clear of his upchuck. He stumbled to his feet, clutching his balls. In possibly the worst move ever, he charged me. I sidestepped him, grabbed the nape of his shirt, then snatched him head-over-heels to the floor. He splashed down into his puddle of puke.

I gave his crotch a few more stomps, then focused my wrath on his chest. His sternum crunched beneath my foot. Blood spewed from his mouth, splattering my pants’ leg.

That’s not gonna come out, I said.

I can’t say why, but I felt the need to watch him struggle to breathe through blood-filled lungs. Taking life was not something to be relished. So, why did I enjoy hearing his last few gurgles?

Perhaps my time here had changed me, unknowingly making me every bit as violent as those I isolated myself from.

Movement caught my attention.

The woman pulled her pants up from where the two shit stains had pulled them to her thighs. She winced, struggling to right herself one-handedly. Because she only had one hand.

God really was testing me.

I waited until she’d fixed herself before approaching. She sat up, placing her hand on the floor to support herself.

Natalie, I said in the meekest tone I could muster.

She looked up as if just realizing someone else had entered the room. Bruises and a few cuts covered her face, along with a black eye. Kur had given her a rough introduction. Natalie reacted the way you’d expect someone who’d just survived a sexual assault. She scurried away until the back wall held her in place.

Hey…hey, I held my hands out in a mollifying gesture. It’s okay. I edged a little closer, staying just out of reach as she used the wall to get to her feet. I won’t hurt you, but you need to come with me now. We don’t want to be here when the bigger assholes show up.

Natalie’s eyes, filled with anger and doubt, locked with mine for an intense moment. She darted at me faster than I could act. To my surprise, her attack was a hug. A tight embrace, and…she was trembling. I kept my arms wide, refusing to hug her.

In Earth Realm, Natalie was a stone-cold murderer. I knew this from the personal experience of being in her crosshairs. Now, she held on to me like I was her only lifeline, quietly crying. She was simply someone thankful to have a savior.

Grasping that, I hesitantly returned her gesture. My embrace tightened as my comfort level grew. Natalie’s trembling became settled, and her crying became uncontrollable sobs.

Voices echoed in the night.

I immediately recognized the voices of Merle and his gang of cannibalistic minions. It sounded like they were still a few of levels down. They would find this mess in no time. I scooped Natalie up in my arms and made a hasty retreat.

In my cave, I showed her the bowl of water and gave her a rag to clean herself up. I’ll step outside to give you some privacy. Just knock on the door when you’re done. I left, not wanting things to get any more awkward than they already were. Several minutes passed where I stood post like a sentinel.

Finally, there was a light tap on the door. I paused, giving her a chance to step back before entering. The distance would serve us both good. After all, this woman had tried to kill me. I walked in and froze.

Natalie stood at the back wall. She had her arms crossed, holding herself and refusing to meet my gaze. This surprise left me speechless. So much for not making it any more awkward. I closed the door without taking my eyes off Natalie. She shifted from foot to foot in silence.

Eh, we should try to get some sleep and figure things out in the morning, I said, sounding unsure.

Natalie gave a subtle nod and went to sit on the floor.

Wait, I said, louder than intended.

Natalie straightened, her eyes still downcast.

Sorry, I didn’t mean to yell. You can take the bed, and I’ll crash on the floor. I waited until she was in bed before having a seat with the wall at my back. It wasn’t the most comfortable position, but I doubt it mattered. Neither of us would do much sleeping. Natalie had her fresh trauma to haunt her. I had the old trauma of her trying to kill me, which is why I opted to leave the torch burning.

My nose twitched from the faint scent of smoke. At some point, during the night, sleep had come for me. My eyes fluttered open and locked on the tendrils of smoke from the burned-out sconce. Then they focused on what was in front of me and bugged.

Natalie was standing over me. And she was naked as a newborn babe. I lost a beat, staring up past her under-boob into her maple eyes. Words evaded me again.

It’s alright, Natalie said, her eyes fixed on an unseen spot nowhere near me. I know how things like this work.

I scrambled to my feet, hugging the wall. What in the actual…fuck?

I owe you my dignity and my life. Both of which I owe you twice over. With all I’ve done to you, most people would have let things happen to me, or done things to me themselves.

Guess you’re lucky I’m not most people, I said, using my fingertips to lift her chin so our eyes could meet.

Do with me as you like, Natalie muttered. Her voice trembled as she cut her eyes to the floor. She was nothing like the women I’d known. She seemed…broken.

Look at me. I waited for her to do so before speaking again. You don’t know how anything works. I don’t know what you’re used to, but let me make myself clear. I am not like them or like you.

Finished with my little pep talk, I stepped around her and grabbed the sheet from the bed. Natalie was speechless when I handed it to her.

I don’t understand, she said, no longer averting her eyes.

Were you not listening?

No…I mean yes, but…the way you looked at me, Natalie stammered.

In my defense, it’s been over a month since I’ve seen a woman with all her teeth who wasn’t batshit crazy. That said, just because I spend a few hours showering a stripper with money, doesn’t mean I wanna sleep with her.

Are you saying you don’t want to, because you think I’m dirty?

No slut-shaming, I said, wagging a finger. What I’m saying is just because a woman is hot doesn’t mean I want to bump uglies with her.

Natalie’s cheeks glowed, and she looked unsure where she should look.

I sighed and shook my head. Will you stop it?

A knock at the door interrupted our uncomfortable banter. There weren’t words to express how thankful I was to have an exit from this conversation. I didn’t even bother to ask who it was.

Vesryn careened to look behind me. I’m glad to see the two of you worked things out. Although, I’m not sure I agree with the method.

I hung my head and took a deep breath. The two of you are going to be the death of me.

He doesn’t want me, Natalie said.

You’ve tried to kill me and my friends several times.

Then why is she naked? Vesryn asked.

My shoulders sagged. Tell ya what. How about you come in, so I can tell you a story.

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What started as unlikely associates had become my roomies. Three weeks had turned us into a loose-stitched family. Both tended to get on my nerves. Vesryn was an optimistic chatterbox. Whereas Natalie’s submissiveness made me uneasy.

I always thought having a personal minion would be cool. Now that I had one, I found it extremely disturbing. Finding things for Natalie to do was becoming torturous. Vesryn eased the tension by giving her something else to focus on.

Damn it! Natalie cursed, rubbing her rear after Vesryn whacked her with his makeshift staff.

Keep your guard up. Vesryn grinned. He lowered his stance and rested the length of the staff across his shoulder. Raising his free hand, he motioned for Natalie to bring it.

The faeling didn’t take it easy on Natalie. His tactics pushed her through the