Nightshade (17 tales of Urban Fantasy, Magic, Mayhem, Demons, Fae, Witches, Ghosts, and more) Read online

  Nightshade

  Seventeen original tales by some of today’s

  top urban fantasy and paranormal authors

  Copyright (c) 2015

  Contents

  The Agency by Donna Augustine

  De Facto by Annie Bellet

  Venom by Sarra Cannon

  Honeysuckle Memories: A Scarlett Smith Memoir by Selene Charles

  Spirits of Bourbon Street by Deanna Chase

  The Ghost & Mrs. MacKay by Kate Danley

  Full Moon Mischief by Debra Dunbar

  Dog Days of Summer by Hailey Edwards

  Atomic by C. Gockel

  Victoria Gardella: Vampire Slayer by Colleen Gleason

  Highland Magic by Helen Harper

  Contents May Have Shifted by Shawntelle Madison

  Illusions by Christine Pope

  Dying Night by SM Reine

  Brea's Tale: Arrival by Anthea Sharp

  Angels and Demons by Colleen Vanderlinden

  Dragon's Fury by Phaedra Weldon

  The Agency

  A Karma Prequel

  Donna Augustine

  Before Karma joins the agency, she is just another assignment handed to Fate from the Universe. But she’s destined to become more than that.

  PART ONE

  Normandy, France, 1350s

  When I stepped in front of the small house in Normandy, I was already pressed for time. I had an assignment across the pond in less than a few hours or the English might not win their naval war. They had to win, and I was the one in charge of making sure it happened. Even though I looked like a mortal man, I was Fate. I worked for the agency that ran everything, and by everything, I really meant everything. The entire workings of the Universe rested on our shoulders. We had it all: a Black Cat Lady, Murphy’s Law, Lady Luck…any term you might have heard of for the strange things that have no explanation, you could point to us.

  Just as I was getting ready to head over there, I got a last-minute assignment, to make sure some girl didn’t die from the Black Plague, as if I had time for this. As far as I was aware, she didn’t have any major stake in the balance of things that it should be so important for her to live. People were dying everywhere, but I had to go find this one and hold her hand through it.

  But I was here, so I was just going to get it over with. I pushed open the door and the smell hit me first. I saw the wrapped body in the corner, the most likely the culprit unless they had another corpse stashed away. Another body, not too far from the dead one, was still clinging to life, but just barely and not for very much longer.

  Four small children were scattered about the place, two huddled over a bowl of old food and the other two clinging to each other. They were all under the age of ten, and none of them saw me. They weren’t supposed to.

  I walked deeper into the house, looking for my assignment, and then I felt something, a strong energy coming from the corner. I looked over to see a small child clinging to a young teenage female, whose back was propped up against the wall.

  Her skin was pale, lips cracked with dehydration, her dark hair matted and soiled. None of that mattered, though. She was the most beautiful human I’d ever seen, and not because of her features or form. She had a life force that blasted you with warmth as soon as you got within five feet of her.

  The younger child gripping her, arms wrapped around the teenager’s waist, started crying. The sick girl lifted her hand and stroked the back of her younger sibling as she said, “I will not leave you. It will be okay. I promise.”

  It was true. She would live and it wouldn’t be because of me. Whoever had called me in for this assignment had been misled. I wasn’t needed here. The person I saw in front of me could overcome anything in her path just by her sheer determination.

  I needed to leave, and yet I found myself wanting to stay and watch her for a while, bask in the strength of who she was. I leaned against a wall and indulged myself until the last moment I could.

  PART TWO

  Maine Coast, 1850s

  I was just finishing up a drink in the dumpy tavern that housed the agency. No one but the employees knew the building’s true purpose or why it never had food.

  Bobby strolled in and took the chair next to mine at one of the few tables. “You’re going to see her today, aren’t you?” Bobby’s eyes squinted as he leaned back in his seat.

  I looked across the table at him, one of the three Jinxes who worked for the Universe. Bobby looked like a thirteen-year-old boy, not the thousand-year-old creature he was.

  I didn’t need to ask whom he meant. “Yeah, I’m seeing her.” I also didn’t need to ask how he knew either. I wasn’t the sharing type, yet somehow, everyone in the agency always knew when I had a job that would bring me into contact with her.

  “Why do you get so weird about her?”

  I shook my head. I didn’t have an explanation I was willing to share. “Where are your sidekicks? Shouldn’t you be getting drunk somewhere?” I asked, not caring to speak of my assignment.

  He kicked his small feet up onto the table. “We had to split up. Too many idiots, not enough time. Everyone’s been running their mouths lately and there’s been a real shortage of knocking on wood. Keeping us real busy and putting a serious crimp in my leisure time. So where you heading? Can I tag along?”

  I knew the only reason Bobby wanted to come was to see the mysterious assignment that made me “weird,” but I wasn’t looking for company, especially not today. “Not a good idea. These people are going to have a shitty enough day without you. They don’t need to be antagonized right before they die.” I might never have been a human, but I still had some compassion.

  His head started doing the slightest bob. “So it’s going to go that way, huh?”

  “Yep.”

  “Damn, you get all the cool shit while I’m just breaking wagon wheels and spilling drinks.”

  Bobby tended to be full of it. The Jinxes loved their job.

  “See you later,” I said as I got up to leave, anxious to see her again after so long.

  ***

  The door appeared out of nowhere just as expected, with a guard on either side in a complete set of armor. I’d arranged it for a block away from the tavern behind the local stables. Sixth Sense appeared beside me, not as expected.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked him.

  “Looks like we’ve got some overlap on the assignment. Figured I’d catch a ride with you,” he answered.

  “How’d you know I was catching the doors here?”

  “How many times do I have to remind you of my position in the agency?”

  “Enough said.”

  The doors swung open, and at first, the only thing we saw was a crashing ocean.

  “You need a little adjustment there, guys,” I said.

  The guards, who never spoke, looked back over their shoulders. Suddenly the landscape seen through the door spun until a wooden deck and mast appeared. The guards straightened again.

  “You know, I didn’t check one time and ended up in the middle of a Roman pool,” Sixth said.

  “They’re still new. It’s only been a couple of thousand years. It’s better than before we had them. Remember when the Jinxes got a hold of a door and had a field day running in and out of an Egyptian funeral? Or when they shot over to Norway? Whole country believes in trolls now.”

  Sixth
eyeballed the guards. “Fine. I’ll give you that, but isn’t it past time for a wardrobe change?”

  “Better than the toga stage,” I reminded him. We both did a little shudder, remembering just how the guards looked with more flesh on display.

  I stepped forward. “You coming?”

  “Of course I am.”

  We stepped onto the deck of the schooner, the crew walking around us instinctively avoiding the spot where we stood, although they weren’t aware of either of our presences.

  Sixth gave the ship a look around before he started talking. “Nice boat. Not as nice as that tea clipper they just made, the Cutty Sark, but solid. Cool name, too. Cutty Sark. They should name a drink that. Maybe a scotch. I like that stuff. I might have to do something about that.” A large wave pounded into the ship and Sixth made a face. “But I really don’t like any boat enough to deal with this rocking shit. What’s your gig here?” he asked, suddenly all business as the waves kicked up.

  I looked at the crew and shook my head.

  “Oh man, seriously? You should’ve told me before I took the same door!” He made a loud groan. “Now I remember why I never double up on jobs with you. How many?”

  “All but one.” I heard Sixth let out a curse or two, but my attention was already shifting to the one person who would live.

  “Yeah. Well, I knew there would be one, because she’s my gig. No reason to do my job if she wasn’t going to make it,” Sixth said, clearly disgruntled about the night’s coming events. “I’m going to go take care of my job so you can do…whatever it is you have to,” Sixth said, and headed below deck.

  I gave Sixth a few minutes’ lead before I joined him below in her cabin. He was standing over her sleeping form, his hand resting on her head. It was only nine p.m. but with little to do on the boat, she’d fallen asleep early.

  Sixth straightened and stepped away from her then motioned that he’d be on deck.

  I walked over to her bed, knowing she wouldn’t hear my footsteps. Her hair was red this lifetime around. Flaming, gorgeous, larger-than-life red like I’d only seen on a handful of humans before. It was so fitting for who she was.

  “Time to wake up,” I said, and trailed a finger down the soft skin of her cheek and then glided it through her hair.

  She stirred and her eyes fluttered open. Just for a minute, they met mine and I thought she saw me, but then her gaze moved past. A sigh flowed out from somewhere deep within. I wanted her to see me, but that wasn’t my role in her life.

  She rose from the bed disoriented. The storm was kicking up, and she walked around the room until she made her way over to her trunk that contained her entire life’s belongings. Lifting the lid, she picked up the first dress on top, the lightest one she owned, and not placed there by accident.

  She started to let the nightdress slip from her shoulders, and although I wanted to see her naked, I left the cabin. I wouldn’t betray her trust, even if she never knew who I was.

  I found Sixth on the deck, leaning on a rail and watching the waves as I made my way to him.

  “Kind of a shame. I know the waves are rough, but the boat looks really well made,” he said.

  “It is,” I replied, watching for her at the hatch to below deck. Once I saw her come topside, I turned to Sixth. “You ready?”

  “My work is done. Do your thing.”

  I walked over to the mast and swung my fist into it. With a loud crack of thunder, it went down. To the crew, it appeared to have been hit by lightning. They’d have nothing to stop them from careening into the rocks off the Maine coast now.

  She jumped at the crash and I watched her move to the railing, not to jump but to find balance. Once I saw her secure herself, I began the final step in my assignment.

  I took in a deep breath and then let it go. The winds kicked up violently and sent the ship crashing into the rocks and then bouncing off them. The damage was done, the hull breached and the ship destined to sink.

  The deck erupted into chaos as the crew realized their impending doom. The shore within sight a mere couple miles away, they started to jump into the rough waters. She didn’t hesitate, but followed them in just as I knew she would.

  It was a hard thing to watch as one by one, the sailors flailed in the rough ocean, but I’d seen worse, set other more devastating events into motion. There was only one swimmer I was worried for.

  Sixth motioned to her. “You just going to stand here? She’s not looking so hot. My job is going to be a waste if she doesn’t make it.”

  That was when I realized Sixth didn’t really see it. He didn’t know who she was. “She’s got this. She’s not going to need me.”

  “Seriously? Look at those waves. The guys are getting picked off like fleas,” he said with obvious doubt.

  “Yeah, he’s right. She’s going down,” a new voice added from behind us.

  “Death. I should’ve figured you’d be here,” I said. “But you’re both wrong.”

  “No skin off my back. I’m here for my own thing. Got a fighter in the muck with a one-way ticket. Why didn’t you guys give me a call? I was wondering why it took so long to get a damn door. I was almost late. I swear, ever since the guards got that armor they’ve been arrogant as fuck all.”

  Sixth laughed. “I’m glad, arrogant or not. I couldn’t stand to look at them before. Didn’t call because I figured you were still out partying with Lady Luck.”

  “Nah, she bailed on me. Wanted to go get laid,” he explained.

  “I swear, she puts us to shame. She spends more time horizontal than the rug in my kitchen,” Sixth said.

  The two of them continued their conversation as my attention was invested almost solely in her.

  “I don’t think she limits herself to one position, or one place. Remember last New Year’s?” Death asked.

  Sixth laughed again. “Yeah. Still trying to disinfect my ceiling.”

  Death’s hand came and landed on my shoulder. If I weren't from the same agency as him, that might have been the closing curtain for me. “If she were my job, I’d bail her out.”

  I shook my head, never losing sight of her. “No. She’ll make it and she’ll be stronger for it. She’s going to need to be tough.”

  Sixth leaned on the railing, looking at me intently. “I’d ask why, but I know you well enough that if you were willing to spill, you would’ve.” He straightened up. “Okay, I’m catching a door out of here, because this boat’s making me sick.”

  “What about you?” I asked Death.

  “I’ve got to go in. That’s one of my fighters right there,” he said, pointing to one of the stronger guys who looked like he might make it to shore.

  He leapt over the side without warning. Swimming in clean strokes as if it were a tranquil pool, Death reached the guy who was fighting hard to make it to the shore.

  He got close to him, and it didn’t take long before the sailor’s arms started looking tired, his head ducking below the waves for longer and longer before he finally didn’t come back up. Death turned on his back and gracefully swam to the coast.

  The boat broke apart around me, except for a six-by-six piece of decking I stood on that floated calmly behind her toward the shore.

  Someone in upper management wanted her to live, and I’d been sent here to make sure she did. Just like I had before. And again, I knew she wouldn’t need me.

  She dragged herself up onto the coast, her sodden dress dragging along heavy in the wet sand until she collapsed just clear of the roughest waters.

  My makeshift raft landed on the coast, and I walked over to her prone form as the waves lapped at my ankles.

  She turned onto her back, her breathing ragged. Her eyes drifted open, the night stars reflecting in them as if she held the Universe itself within her.

  She thought she was alone. I should’ve let her stay that way, but I couldn’t. Not this time.

  I knelt beside her and pressed my lips to hers, crossing the line of what was considered my job
and bringing her to full awareness of me. For just one moment out of the eternity of her existence, I wanted her to see me.

  She gasped and pressed weak hands to my chest. I moved back slightly.

  “Who are you?” she asked, calmer than she should’ve been.

  “Someone who’s been watching out for you for a very long time,” I told her, and then forced myself to leave her side.

  PART THREE

  South Carolina, Present Day

  I stood in the back of the courthouse as she tried the case. It was her. I would’ve known her anywhere. She was amazing, still with a charisma I’d never seen before in a human.

  It had been a long time since I’d seen her. I’d avoided looking for her, knowing I’d have a hard time leaving her be. Yet she ended up here, practically in my backyard, trying a case in the very county in which I lived.

  As I watched her in front of the jury, the excitement that filled me at seeing her was short-lived. Something was wrong. There was a shadow clinging to her fate. She was going to die soon.

  Everyone died. I knew that. Death wasn’t the end. I knew that too. But it might be for her. Something was telling me I had to get her out of here, and soon, or she’d end up in danger.

  I walked outside the courtroom, knowing that dabbling in a human’s fate when not on assignment wasn’t allowed. This was outside of my authority. I needed to leave her and the situation alone.

  I couldn’t. Instead of leaving, I only made it as far as the trees outside the building as I propped a shoulder on bark and waited for her to leave the courthouse.

  A muscular young man came and stood beside me as I waited. He could’ve been my brother if either one of us had been human.

  “How’d you know I was here?” I asked Cutty.

  “I might be retired, but how many times do I have to remind you of who I used to be?” he replied. “Why don’t you put a word in with management? If anyone has the pull to get someone on board, it’s you.”