Feral Magic
of us would have been happy in the long run.”“You guys still talk?”
He shook his head. “She avoided me after we split and then moved the following year. Something about her dad and a job.”
“What was it that made you like her?”
Zak flushed. “I don’t know. Why?”
“Just trying to figure out why you feel that way about me.”
“I, um, I don’t know. You’re easy to talk to I guess.”
“Most would disagree with you.”
“I just mean you’re real. You don’t try to be something that you’re not. I guess I just...like that.”
Vixin curled up next to their small fire. She stared at Zak and Zak stared at her. Two kids thrown into the trenches of hell and expected to survive. Together. They could tackle anything as long as they were together.
A tug on her magic jolted Vixin awake. A stick cracked, someone cursed, and Vixin was on her feet, daggers drawn before Zak even registered there was a threat.
Vixin wrapped her magic around their bodies and lifted them into the treetops. She slowed her breathing, straining to listen. Dawn approached, but she didn’t have enough light to see the features of the men who stomped through their camp.
One of them kicked the fire, sending embers soaring through the air. “We know you’re out there,” he called. “We’re not here to harm anyone.” He paused, waiting for a reply. Vixin held still as his eyes scanned the trees and passed right over their hiding place.
“We saw the fire,” he continued, “and thought you might need help.” Another pause. “You’re welcome to come with us. We have food, water, shelter.”
This might be easier than she thought.
Vixin let a few seconds pass before she responded in the feeblest voice she could manage. “Do we have your word? That you won’t hurt us?”
Zak gave her a desperate, confused look, but she winked at him and he nodded his understanding.
The man lifted empty hands. “You have my word.”
Vixin grabbed a vine and slid from the tree with Zak following suit. She ducked behind him, placing her palms against his back.
The bastard fell for it hook, line, and sinker.
“Just the two of you?” She nodded. “You’re lucky to be alive. You have magic at least, right?” Fishing for information already.
Vixin prodded Zak’s back and Zak replied. “I have a bit.”
The stranger peeked around Zak as if he were trying to get a good look at her. “There’s no reason to be scared. Come with us and we’ll get you settled in.” Vixin eyed their wrists, but they’d hidden their stones from view. “What’s your name?”
“Zak.” He took a step forward and shook the stranger’s hand. “And this is Vixin.”
“Sister?”
“Friend.”
He smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “She’s very lucky to have found you. Well, it’s best not to linger. A hot meal is waiting if you care to join us.” She gave Zak an affirmative squeeze.
“That sounds wonderful.”
Their leader, Rolfe, bombarded Zak with questions as morning shifted to afternoon. He lied with ease, forming a story that even she might have believed. When Rolfe directed the questions at her, Vixin dodged with the guise of a shy demeanor. A lamb who’d scarcely missed the slaughter.
The group of nine stopped for lunch and Rolfe kindly shared meat from his pack. She devoured it as if she hadn’t eaten in days, as did Zak. It was part of their story. Two lost souls wondering if they’d ever be safe again.
Just before nightfall, Vixin spotted their camp. A wall surrounded it, like many others, and sentinels patrolled the exits. She hadn’t been worried until now.
They were too alert, just like their last hit. And if their last encounter was anything to go by…
Vixin exchanged a nervous glance with Zak whose gaze lingered on the guards stationed by the front gate.
“Slim pickings this time?” A man called from the top.
Rolfe shrugged. “They can’t all be winners.” What the hell did that mean?
The heavy gate closed behind them and Vixin followed Rolfe through the town. Zak kept close, the nervousness in his gaze far from faked. She took in details, labeling each landmark as something that might help or hinder.
Rolfe led them into a three-story house and headed straight for the stairs. Her stomach grumbled with the smell of food. Hopefully they’d live up to that promise at least.
He opened a door on the third floor and gestured them inside. The smell of musty sheets hit her and Vixin resisted the urge to recoil.
“Weapons.” Rolfe held out his hand.
“Why?” Zak asked.
“We can’t have armed strangers in our midst.”
She took a tentative step behind Zak and pulled a dagger from beneath his shirt. Vixin stuffed it up her sleeve. “Will we get them back?”
“Not my call.”
Zak unbuckled his sword belt. “I thought we were coming here as allies, not prisoners.”
Rolfe smirked. “You’ll have to prove yourselves first. Obey and we’ll see about letting you walk around freely.”
“Obey?”
“You’ll have your orders shortly.” Vixin handed Zak her weapons and, in turn, Zak handed them to Rolfe. He eyed the two before slamming the door. A click followed a second later.
Zak threw up his arms. “Well that could have gone better.”
Vixin shushed him and pressed her ear against the door. She waited until Rolfe’s footsteps retreated.
“I assume you have a plan?”
Vixin shrugged. “No need for us to sneak past the guards now.”
“Right, did you intend on getting our weapons taken too?”
“No, but we have other weapons they don’t know about.”
Zak crossed his arms. “So. The plan?”
“We buy in and play the part. I’ll locate their warehouse then tomorrow night we’ll be out of here before they even knew what hit them.”
“And how do you plan on sneaking out with the