© 2014 Gem Sivad LLC. All rights reserved.

Blood Stoned, A Jinx story

Chapter Nine

 

Normally, I would have stopped Hunter from attending a healing. But we’d just been attacked by vampire bats, and at the moment, nothing felt normal.

As a matter of fact, after Hawk declared me the victim of choice for the blood-suckers, my protests weakened considerably as my independence took a back seat to fear.

I didn’t even argue when Lynx, Wolf, and Hawk tagged-along to Willow Springs. Hunter accompanied me into the saloon, but the other three beastmen remained close by.

“We’ll pick up supplies while we’re here.” Lynx and Wolf rode through the alley to the front of the building and tied up in front of the Willow Springs General Store.

Hawk remained in his bird form, perching on the roof of the apothecary next door.

As soon as we entered the El Diablo, I felt a wash of magic, signaling that we’d somehow tripped a spell. Since it didn’t incinerate us or keep us out, I assumed it to be nothing more than a notification charm. Someone wanted to know when the saloon had a visitor.

Maybe Mr. Mars set the ward. I was unaware of his dabbling in the craft.

Wait. Hunter put his hand on my arm and paused.

I have to admit, I was distracted by the mind to mind speaking and didn’t focus on external things until Hunter scented the air and growled.

I don’t know whether Langdon heard the noise or was alerted by the break in his ward, but he opened the door to his office. He looked healthy, robust in fact, filling the entrance to the room behind him. I immediately felt silly for having insisted on visiting the saloon.

Evidently the doctor made him better… Pain lashed my brain and I turned, heading away from Mars. I wasn’t needed. My hands didn’t so much as tingle.

“If you’ve come to help, you’re too late,” he called.

Reluctantly I turned around to face him. “Help who?” Puzzled, I stared at him. I didn’t remember him being that large or muscled.

“Sarah,” Langdon said gruffly.

“She was fine when we left her yesterday.” Hunter’s voice had dropped to a warning rumble and I felt his muscles tense, as if he were preparing to pounce.

“Well she’s not fine now. She’s dead.” Mars ignored Hunter and glared at me. “Why didn’t you stop in to see me when you were here? You were needed. Come into my office. Leave the escort behind.”

“Sarah said the doctor was with you,” I explained. Honestly, my head felt like it might explode any moment.

Hunter bumped his shoulder against mine. His touch seemed to reduce the pain in my skull and gratefully, I leaned closer.

“Maggie, who did you heal yesterday? Because whoever it was made you sick. Sarah said you healed the barkeeper.” Hunter put his arm protectively around me, hugging me against his bigger frame as he asked his questions.

The throbbing in my head eased, and regardless of our audience, I rubbed my forehead against Hunter’s chest for relief; immediately, my thoughts cleared.

Was it only yesterday? Sarah’s skeletal appearance and the wrongness of her aura flooded my mind. “She was sick and then she wasn’t,” I muttered.

This time even Hunter’s touch didn’t help. Bolts of pain weakened my knees and obliterated my feeble attempt at remembering the day before.

“I’m sorry to hear Sarah’s gone, but we’re leaving,” Hunter said gruffly. He kept me in his embrace and moved us toward the door.

At the mention of the dancehall girl’s name, prickles of heat skated up my spine. I squinted my eyes against the pain in my head and peered over Hunter’s shoulder, preparing to offer Langdon my condolences.

“She…” I had no memory of taking it from my pocket, and I don’t know how it came to be in my hand; but, suffice it to say, magical means or mundane methods aside, the amulet was in my palm as I gazed at the saloon owner.

A blast of heat seared my senses, burning away the cobwebs in my brain and letting me see through the glamour coating Langdon.

Hunter, look at Mr. Mars. Hunter grunted and I knew he’d gotten my message. His beast, too close to the surface, made a loud chuffing sound. But his human part was in control when he asked, “What’s wrong with him?”

Without getting closer I couldn’t be sure, but the husk inside the layers of charmed appearance bore little resemblance to the façade that had welcomed us. Landon clung to life but his essence had been reduced to an almost insubstantial wisp. Inside the shimmering fake presence, Mars reached out his hand.

“Help me,” he begged.

I had no idea how. I felt obliged to inspect him and would have stepped closer, but Hunter growled and blocked my way.

“This is just what I’m talking about,” I scolded, more anger in my tone than the situation warranted. After all, my hands dangled unresponsively at my sides. “You can’t say who I help and who I don’t.” At the moment, it seemed important to protect the capricious nature of my life even from my benevolent guardian.

“Mr. Mars is my patient. I need to examine him.”  As a matter of fact, I felt compelled to lay hands on him.When I would have wiggled free, Hunter hauled me up and slung me unceremoniously over his shoulder.

I couldn’t doubt any longer that the  bloodstone had a will of its own. The amulet launched itself from my grasp, fell to the wooden floor, and spun toward Langdon.

As soon as it came to a stop next to the office door, the shimmers of light surrounding the figure intensified, and instead of Mr. Mars reaching for me, I saw death.

And then, real or illusion, the image in front of me gave a resounding pop, the scent of sulfur filled the air, and  the El Diablo’s owner disappeared.

P.S. ( I hope you’ll continue to enjoy Maggie and Hunter’s adventure. Due to end of the year commitments, Jinx 2 postings may be a bit farther apart. Chapter Ten of Blood Stoned coming soon. )

Happy Holidays!

gem