Chapter 9 The Dead at Night #2
“Nothing in life is guaranteed or fair.” Artur tried to smile, but it came across more of a frown.
“We’ve got to get you out of this business. It’s not steady or reliable enough for an income. I’m quite certain there are better vocations for your abilities.”
“Untrained power, remember?”
“And a stunning amount of it, I might add.” I tapped his table with one finger to emphasize my point. “Trust me, between Elena and me, we’ll come up with something. I’m bound and determined to reverse this unwarranted ostracization.”
“Thank you, Cesar. I have looked up to you for so many years. I feel like I’m in a dream, a fantasy, sitting here with you.”
“Dreams are powerful things. We can make them realities. Witches be like that.” I decided then and there that Artur deserved so much more from this community, and I would help him achieve better status. “I think the first thing we need to do is —”
The lights flickered up and down the alley way.
“Fuck,” Artur mumbled. “Here we go.”
“Stay calm.”
“I’m not ready for this.”
The temperature in the alley dropped ten degrees as shadows became dense and the darkness impenetrable.
Ice crystals formed on the cobblestones.
Crackling, like the crinkling of plastic gift wrap, surrounded me.
As I glanced around, trying to determine the source of the sound, a branching bolt of ice grew across the cement blocks that made up the casa behind us.
“It would seem Efraim has harnessed quite a bit of power,” I said in a hushed tone to Artur. “Be cautious, but most importantly, stay vigilant. Don’t speak unless you’re spoken to.”
A cloaked figure appeared several tables away.
I removed the bag of dog teeth, emptied the sac into my hand, and spread the bones around us.
We were alone in the lane, except for an undead creature of unspeakable powers coming toward us. The other vendors had scattered.
I could sense Artur beside me as every muscle in his body had tightened. The wafting energy of his aura intensified the fear both of us were experiencing.
“Don’t piss yourself yet. It’s a deadly creature, yes, but we’ve got the upper hand. Remember that.”
“Fuck my life,” Artur whispered.
“I won’t deny I’m petrified, too. This isn’t a situation to be treated lightly.”
As the beast came closer, the night air nipped at our skin. The descent into cold happened so fast I’d swear frostbite would have been possible. Here. In the tropics. That was some dark, vile magic.
The entity turned to us, its cowl obscuring the face, which just might have been for our benefit.
“Evening, Ephraim.”
There was a hesitation, a pause, as if my knowing his name shouldn’t have been possible.
“Cesar Aguilar.” The voice—raspy, cold, and unnerving—skittered across the table like a spider on the hunt. Artur’s hand found mine and gripped my fingers in a death clasp. He shook uncontrollably. “You have what is mine.” Simple words that carried a heavy threat.
“So I have been told, and yet, I purchased the gem. In fact, I spent quite a bit to obtain the stone. It’s not something I’m willing to just hand over.”
Its hand smacked down on the surface of Artur’s table. Ice crawled out from underneath, coating the sales area in a slick black sheen of pure crystal.
“It is precious and has been in the family for decades. It belongs to us. I demand you relinquish it.” There was a flash of unearthly light that shone from within its eyes.
Like a warning beacon.
Gripping the pouch of banishment powder that was concealed within my robes, I steeled myself and found the courage to act defiantly.
“And if your family set it out in a box for Artur to find and sell, then what of that? Why would your family leave prized possessions out in a box to be found by gods knew who? Hmmm? What does that say for the loyalty of your family?”
The thing hissed.
“Stop taunting me. Hand me the crystal. It is not yours.”
“No. I purchased it. It’s mine.” I pulled out the bag and slipped it into Artur’s fist. I had to assume he was carefully, and as quietly as possible, opening the satchel.
“You are a stupid man for thwarting me—or attempting to.” The wight lashed out, and before I could react, the fiend’s bony fingers were around my neck. “Give. Me. The. Stone.”
“Artur!” I gasped. Ice dug into my skin, crawling into my veins. Traveling down my neck toward my heart. “Now, Artur.”
There was a flash like gunpowder flaring as white powder rained over us in a cloud, but a warp bubble—air that had been distorted—washed over me and pushed up against the wight.
The undead creature crumpled into itself, and then blinding white light blossomed around us, sending everything and everyone hurtling backward, as if a bomb had been set off at our feet.
Once again, my head hit the cinderblock walls of the building behind me. Searing hot pain erupted behind my eyes as spots flashed like the blinking of Christmas lights.
But this time, I didn’t pass out.
Instead, I collapsed into a heap at the base of the wall, with Artur halfway slung on top of me.
It took a few moments for us to unravel ourselves, steady our bodies, and shake the ringing from our ears, but as soon as the surroundings settled, we stood up.
The overhead light flickered a few times and then shone bright and steady.
As soon as I looked up, the rest of the alley sprung to life as the lightbulbs blinked back on.
Hesitant vendors peeked out from behind windows and closed doors, and as soon as they determined it was safe, they ventured out.
Glancing around, they stared in our direction—critical, judging.
Within moments, new customers swarmed the other tables, haggling over prices, inspecting items for sale, and demanding better deals, yet no one graced the table I stood in front of.
It was as if the nocturnal visitor had never appeared.
As if we hadn’t just banished a creature of the night.
I glanced over at the man who stood beside me.
He looked pale and sweaty.
“I beg your pardon, but you don’t look well. Are you okay?” I asked, concerned for the younger man.
“Cesar, are you all right?”
“I’m sorry, who are you?” I furrowed my brows.
“Oh no. No, no, no.” My companion took the crook of my elbow into his hand and steered me away from the table. “I think maybe we should get you home.”
“But it’s such a lovely night.” I took his hand and pulled him close. “I’m an old man and I shouldn’t be left alone. Why don’t you walk with me instead.”
I put my arm around the handsome man’s waist and took him away from the alley.
“I should put these things away—”
“You won’t be needing them.” I smiled at my new friend. “Let’s go to a place I know. They have the best tequila and delicious chiles en nogada.”