Wingless (The Lia Hunter Chronicles #1)

I met Levi on the edge of the Magic District an hour later. He raised an eyebrow at my new outfit, a pastel tea dress and kitten heels, my gun tucked into a hidden thigh harness but wisely chose not to comment.

“I can’t help but wonder what type of friend you have that resides in here, seraph.” He said instead, gesturing behind him.

I gritted my teeth at the nickname but I had given up hope of getting him to not say it. Glancing over his shoulder I took in the vibrant chaos.

Along the cobbled streets of the Witches Cauldron hung lanterns of every color. At night they would light up, encasing the street in luminous mystery. An eclectic group of people traversed the streets, ranging from tourists to black market dealers and they weren’t the only creatures that stalked the area. Magics flocked to the Cauldron, taking comfort in the thriving magic presence of the area. Here people didn’t blink twice if a gargoyle stomped past or a sea spirit slithered along. Alive and pulsing, the Cauldron, was like mould, growing in deadly silence, bleaching its way into the rest of the city.

When humans had discovered that magic was not only real but that Jaxai’s and hybrids were able to manipulate and use it, they freaked out. While some eagerly embraced the mysterious powers, learning everything about it and hiring those with magic to work for them, others shunned the magic users in fear. Eventually, when emotions settled, magic was granted its own unofficial home in Lower Manhattan. Nowadays if you were looking for anything magical the place to go was the Cauldron. Encompassing a dozen city blocks it housed all sorts of shops, some of them offering simple charms for tourists, others dealing in much more powerful magic.

I knew what Levi was hinting at, the Cauldron didn’t have the cleanest reputation and as a PeaceKeeper, I risked my job by associating with anyone who wasn’t on the right side of the law. But if it meant saving lives, I was happy to take that risk.

“Last time I checked it wasn’t illegal to have friends,” I answered sharply, narrowing my eyes.

Refusing to be intimidated, his arms folded across his chest and he raised that damn eyebrow again. I was seriously beginning to regret agreeing to partner up with him.

“I never said it was.” He replied evenly.

Our gazes held, a clash of green and gray and together we stood frozen, ignoring the ebb and flow of people around us. He garnered his fair share of awed looks, a few of the braver gawkers even stopping to snap pictures of the deadly looking Seraphim lord. No doubt he stopped traffic wherever he went with those gorgeous wings on his back. Finally, he let out a sigh, unfolding his arms, he gestured to the streets in front of us.

“Let’s go meet your friend then.”

Giving him one last searching look, I rolled my shoulders back before turning and leading the way into the bowels of the Cauldron. Levi easily fell into step with me.

“Hunter, an interesting surname.”

I wasn’t fooled by his casual tone for a second. Alarm bells rang loudly inside my skull and I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye. Something told me this man knew I had secrets, and he would stop at nothing to unearth them.

“So is Notos.” I shot back smoothly.

Stepping closer to avoid a pack of tourists, I got a close-up view of the surprise on his face quickly morphing into respect.

“I see you’ve done your research.”

Of course.

“Did you expect anything less?”

I’d scoured the Bureau’s files the second he and Jehiel had left the conference room. The file on him had been frustratingly small, the only solid data his name, title, and date of birth. The rest was a compilation of various rumors and whispered tales that flowed down the grapevine.

Lord Leviathan Notos, 29 years old, Duke of the South Wind. Captain of the Seraphim guard. Friend of the king. Storm bringer. Despite the fact he’d been raised alongside the hatchling king and been groomed from birth to succeed his father as captain of the guard, he’d hadn’t lazily fallen into the position. He was rumored to be twice as strong as his predecessor and infinitely more deadly. It was said when he used his magic it felt as if you were in the middle of a violent storm. When his white wings were sighted on the horizon, there was nothing you could do but pray to whatever god you worshiped for mercy. He was Jehiel’s hammer of justice, the person who swept in and enacted his king’s rulings with an iron fist.

He had quite a reputation. One that would have even the toughest adversary pausing at the mere whisper of his name on the wind. Looking into his emerald eyes, I had no doubt in my mind that none of the rumors had been fabricated or embellished. The barely leashed power that shone through his level gaze had my own magic rising, wanting to bare its teeth and prove I wasn’t easy prey.

“I admit, I underestimated you.” He admits quietly as we slipped into a side alley, leaving the upper layer of the Cauldron behind us.

Here in the back alleys and darkened side streets was where the real magic of the Cauldron lived. It was ruthless, unforgiving and everything always came with a price.

“I’d say you shouldn’t but it works in my favor,” I flashed him a grin edged in steel, “so please, keep underestimating me.”

He laughed a husky sound that made me feel like the alleyway walls were closing in. That made me feel as if I’d just made a huge mistake in taunting this man. A man who cloaked himself in rumors of power and magic. I could smell a hint of rain in the wind. Taste lightning on my tongue.

“As much as I love surprises, I have a feeling I’ll need every advantage in order to keep up with you.” The words were a whisper in my ear. A coaxing dare. An invitation to play.

I’d always been a sucker for a good challenge.

Stopping, I turned to face him. Closing the distance between us until I could make out each individual coal lash around his burning emerald eyes. His wings spread, slowly curling around me until we were cocooned together. My heartbeat pounded a quickly increasing rhythm as I reached for my magic. I felt my eyes grow hot as I saturated the air around us with power. Not enough to give away my secrets, but enough that his own eyes lit up in response. A piercing bright green as his magic joined my own causing the air around us to crackle and hiss with power. It flowed over my body, dripped off my skin. His frame tightened in warning, muscles flexing in preparation for an attack, even as those wings pulled tighter. Drawing me closer.

“You want to play games Seraphim, that’s fine,” I said quietly, the words laced with power and deadly intent, “but I’m warning you now, I don’t fight fair and I play to win.”

His gaze flared brighter as he leaned down, our noses brushing.

“So do I.” He growled.

We continued to stare into each other’s eyes, the moment hanging in the air like honey. Slowly drifting away, leaving sticky remnants behind. Finally, I took a step back, his wings unfurling from around me to allow the movement. Neither of us spoke as the gap between us stretched, filling with things unsaid, possibilities unexplored. For now, this moment would be put aside but never forgotten.

Turning on my heel, I began our journey once more. Levi’s steady footsteps behind me, an unwelcome reminder of what had just occurred. Rational thought kicked in with a vengeance and I wanted to bang my head against the nearest hard surface.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I had just challenged a Seraphim lord. A man who could probably chew me up and spit me out with the barest amount of effort. And all over what, some weird flirty pissing contest? I needed to get my head on straight and hope that whatever had happened back there wouldn’t blow up in my face in the future. Knowing my luck it probably would, in the worst way possible. Rounding the corner I almost sighed in relief as the familiar store front came into view.

Madame B’s was located off the beaten path, requiring patrons to navigate the twisting maze of alleyways in order to find it. From the outside, it appeared to be just like any other down on its luck antiques store. A dusty window, a wooden framework in need of repair, and a peeling door crying out for a new coat of paint graced the storefront. Pushing open the door we were greeted by a gentle ringing of a bell. Incense perfumed the air, creating smoke filled pockets, which flowed in an ever changing dance throughout the store. The walls were lined with shelves, housing an arrangement of items equal parts strange and wonderful.

My eyes were drawn to a glowing blue jar resting between a stack of heavy looking tomes and an animal skull. The jar was filled with some kind of liquid, inside a thin reedy plant floated, emanating a pearlescent blue. Taro root, a very rare - and expensive – plant found only in the deepest parts of the ocean. When used right, the plant was capable of speeding up the healing process tenfold for both Jaxai and humans.

“Lia!” A soft voice called out in delight. Georgie, a college student who worked part time at Madame B’s smiled sweetly from across the stores counter.

“Hi, Georgie,” I replied.

Her eyes wandered to the right, lighting up in interest as she eyed the looming presence next to me. Levi, unaware of her scrutiny, surveyed the store with curiosity, a smirk curving his lips as his gaze fell on a glass case boasting to hold genuine Hydro talons. The counterfeit was obvious to anyone who knew their stuff but Madame B wasn’t above hamming it up for the fat-pursed so called ‘collectors’.

Turning back to me, Levi cocked an eyebrow and I gave him a shrug. I knew what he was probably thinking, that I’d brought him to some collector who didn’t know ground teńa seed from instant coffee, but he couldn’t be more wrong. I was looking forward to seeing the shocked look on his face when he realized who owned the store.

“She’s waiting for you out back,” Georgie said, interrupting my thoughts.

Her eyes still lingered on Levi, but her mouth refused to form the questions no doubt running through her mind. Madame B’s was well known for its discretion, offering complete confidentiality on all transactions.

“Thanks,” I said.

Walking past the counter, I brushed aside the beaded curtain sectioning off the back half of the store. Following the short hallway, I came to a stop before a final door, rubbing a finger across the butterfly design imprinted on the circular doorknob. Turning slightly, I looked up at Levi, restraining a laugh at the way he was hunched over in the tight confines of the hallway.

“Let me do the talking, okay?”

Eyes narrowed, Levi met my gaze. “We’ll see.”

What the hell was that supposed to mean?

Frowning, I turned back to the door, twisting the handle. The dark passage was flooded with light, blinding me for a moment. Cupping a hand over my eyes, I squinted until my eyes adjusted. Crossing the threshold, I stepped into a tropical paradise. Lush, green ferns tickled my arms, palm trees hung overhead, and flowers dotted throughout creating small explosions of color. Behind me, Levi sucked in a sharp breath, at the impossible sight before us. Weaving my way through the greenery, I followed the path, my eyes catching the flashes of movement in my periphery.

Brushing aside a low hanging leaf, we finally emerged into a small clearing. At odds with the untamed shrubbery surrounding us, a delicate table was positioned in the clearing, tea cups and a steaming kettle were laid out on the glass table top. Seated in one of the three chairs was Madame B, directly opposite her was a strangely dressed man with green skin and hair, smoking a pipe. On the top of his head was a boater hat, with a red and white polka dot ribbon trailing from it. His shirt was a random collection of different kinds of fabric sewn in a seemingly random pattern. Over the top of it was an old fashioned bright orange coat, which was dripping water from the coat-tails. His webbed hands were delicately curled around a fine porcelain cup. He was a Vodník, a spirit from Czech mythology that traps the souls of people who were drowning in porcelain teacups. The fact he was sitting here casually having tea was more than a little disconcerting. He took note of our entrance with a quick flick of the eyes before turning his attention back to Madame B.

Madame B, or as she was more commonly known Madame Butterfly, was a living legend. A huge presence within the Jaxai community, she was one of the strongest Gaians alive today and occupied a seat of honor within the Gaian clans. Although her real age was unknown, it was widely known that Madame B had been around for a long time. A fact that wasn’t reflected in her appearance, her black skin still holding the smoothness of youth, was covered in dozens of white butterfly tattoos. Some said each tattoo represented a kill from her days as a spy. Others said they peeled off her skin and came to life.

Madame B’s eyes swung towards us, the vibrant green whispering of untamed jungles and lush green fields, of wild animals, and barely leashed power. Shivers ran down my spine, as my brain screamed warnings of danger. A welcoming smile curled her lips, and I forced myself not to take a step back. Although we’d known each other a long time, I was still cautious around the Gaian.

“Lia, don’t you look lovely.” Madame B said. Her voice was like a light but had an underlying core of steel. Her approving gaze made me glad I’d made the effort of dressing up.

“Thank you, B,” I said, taking in her own elaborate outfit.

Covered in layers and layers of material, the woman would look more in place at an eighteenth-century ball, than modern day New York but I wisely kept my mouth shut.

The Vodník rose from his seat, reaching out he grabbed Madame B’s hand bowing low over it.

“As always, it has been a pleasure.” He croaked, his voice a strange mixture of human and frog.

“I’ll see you next week shall I?” She asked with a soft smile.

“I would not miss it for the world.” He replied.

He swept past us, his cold black eyes meeting mine for a moment, coating my skin in a slimy feeling. He disappeared into the greenery behind us and I turned back to Madame B, repressing all the questions I knew she would not answer.

Clearing my throat I gestured to Levi, who stood silently behind me. “B, this is-”

“Lord Leviathan Notos.” She interrupted. Surprised, I gawked as Levi gave her a small bow.

“Madame Butterfly, it has been a while.” He said smoothly.

“Not long enough, perhaps.” She replied, her lips pulled into a tight line.

“Wait,” I said holding up a hand, “you two know each other?”

Levi flashed me an amused grin, “As the captain of the king’s guard and a Lord, I meet many dignitaries.”

“Yes, how is the young king these days,” Madame B asked with a sickly sweet smile, “still clutching at your coattails?”

Levi stiffened, his grin slipping behind a stony mask. “He is doing fine.” He said rigidly. Taking a breath, some of the tension left his shoulders and he flashed her an equally fake smile. “He sends his regards. I’ll be sure to let him know your sharp tongue hasn’t dulled with age.”

Holy crap.

My head flicked back and forth between the two as they traded barbs. Madame B’s eyes flashed in anger, her brow creasing into a dangerous frown. Closing my gaping mouth with a click, I jumped in before the situation grew worse.

“Well, seeing as you two know each other, I guess introductions aren’t necessary. Why don’t we sit down and have some tea?” I shot Levi a pointed look of warning.

Frowning he crossed his arms, before giving a short nod. Madame B, ever the lady, pouted slightly before snapping open a fan and waving an arm at the free seats.

Gratefully, I sunk into the chair, happy to be off my stinging feet. Immediately, a couple of butterflies flew out of the surrounding forest, landing on my shoulders. I ignored their presence, already accustomed to Madame B’s tiny followers. It didn’t escape my notice that they skirted carefully around Levi.

“So dear, I assume you’re here to talk about those terrible murders?” She asked softly and I could tell the sadness in her voice was genuine. Despite the bad blood that seemed to exist between her and Levi, I knew Madame B had a kind heart.

Picking up the teapot, I sloshed some of the liquid into Levi’s cup and mine. Grabbing the sugar, I added four heaped spoons and downed the contents in a series of quick swallows. Setting down the cup, I met two startled faces.

Blushing slightly, I shrugged, “I didn’t get a chance to eat breakfast.”

Madame B used the end of her fan to slide a plate of biscuits across the table and I gratefully chomped one down.

“I’m not going to ask how you know about the multiple murders,” I said with a raised brow. A coy smile curled her lips. “But I was hoping your little spies might have picked up something.”

Raising a finger, a butterfly left a nearby flower, fluttering to a stop on top of the new post. Madame B looked at the insect lovingly. Gifted with incredibly strong telepathic abilities, she was capable of connecting mentally with the insects, often using them as spies to gather information.

“They’ve heard whispers. Rumblings, in dark corners.” My gut tightened and I flicked a glance at Levi. His eyes flashed in worry, his mouth pinched into a tight line.

“I have searched for the one killing these poor Seraphim, but unfortunately my pets haven’t been able to uncover that particular mystery. However,” She drew out the word. I leaned forward in my seat, eager to hear her what she’d discovered. “I have managed to discover a player in the game.”

“Who?” I asked, ignoring her annoyed look at being interrupted.

“Quinn Pratley.”

Her words echoed through the still silence of the room. Quinn Pratley, the owner of the popular nightclub Black Ice and a Hydro Lord. My heart began to race, and a feeling of unease soured the tea in my stomach. First the Seraphim King and now a Hydro Lord, I had a bad feeling I was in way over my head. I turned to look at Levi and just managed to stop from flinching at the sight of his furious scowl.

I’d bet my favorite pillow that Levi also happened to be acquainted with Quinn and that they weren’t friends.

“What’s his involvement in the murders?”

“I cannot say for sure,” She said with a frown, “all I know is that he has been consorting with the most unfavorable people these days.”

“Do you know who these people are?” I asked, my gut tightening in apprehension.

Madame B leaned forward, her eyes alight with sadness and anger. I waited with bated breath, unable to help leaning forward myself.

“Purists.” She hissed, the word leaving her like it was a curse.

With a sudden jerk, Levi pushed up from his chair, causing me to jump in surprise. He turned to Madame B, giving her a quick bow before striding towards the door. I took a second to shake off my shock before standing as well.

“Thanks for the help Madame B.” I said quickly, “You know how to reach me when you think of how you want me to repay the favor.”

It was dangerous owing such a powerful woman a favor. But I knew Madame B was smart enough not to demand anything impossible of me. When she cashed it in, it would be for something only I alone could help her with.

Turning on my heel I started to follow Levi when a hand snaked around my wrist holding me back. Shocked, I turned to look at Madame B, noting the glazed look in her eyes and the way her face was pulled into a serene mask. My whole body tingled in awareness, another rare and useful talent Madame B had was the ability to predict the future, she wasn’t able to control it but her predictions were scarily accurate. Even though I knew what was coming next I still balked at the multilayered tone of her voice.

Dark things approach child.

War is brewing and soon a battle will rage to end it all.

At the center, a flightless angel, her wings plucked too soon.

My heart pounded, a cold sweat beaded on my skin. I tried to pry my hand free but her grip only tightened.

Part of both worlds, she will unite the races and bring a great change.

Though she cannot fly, from the sky she shall fall.

Her sacrifice will decide the fate of all.

Blinking, the glazed look left Madame B’s eyes and she looked up at me questioningly. Chest heaving, I quickly jerked my hand free and backed away.

“Lia?” Madame B asked, concern tingeing her tone.

Dread sank razor sharp teeth into my stomach. Calling on years of suppressing unwanted feelings I mercilessly tamped down on the emotions churning through me.

“It was nothing.” I forced out through a dry mouth. “I need to go catch up with Levi.”

Spinning around I tore out of the room like the dogs of hell were on my heels. Bursting through the door, I quickly navigated my way through the store, tossing a startled Georgie a quick wave before practically crashing outside.

Levi stood outside, a cell phone pressed tightly to his ear, his eyebrows slanted in a fierce scowl as he listened to whoever was speaking on the other side of the line. He eyed me as I tumbled out of the store.

“I’ll be there in ten.” He said sharply, before disconnecting the call. His gaze skimmed over me. “Something has come up. I need to leave.”

“But what about Quinn?”

“We can visit him later tonight at his club. Midnight, Black Ice, I’ll see you there.” Without another word, he unfolded his wings and with a strong push took off into the air.

For a moment I lost myself in the beauty of watching him fly. At the effortless splendor of those wings in motion. All too soon he disappeared behind the buildings leaving me standing alone in an alleyway, dazed, half terrified from Madame B’s prediction, and still gaping at the sky.

Snapping my mouth shut, I rolled my shoulders back and took stock of my situation.

Yup, no matter how I sliced it, I was well and truly fucked.

Fantastic.