Lone Star Magic (6 page)

She didn’t move.

“Carly.” He moved closer, carefully grabbing
her foot and shaking her. She groaned. Despite his best efforts,
his body stirred. Bad timing. Awful as hell.

He gave her foot another shake. “Car—.”

The window imploded in a shower of glass.

Alrick threw himself on top of Carly,
shielding her with his body.

He looked up. Saw the long silhouette of a
man outside the broken window. Black coat. Long, scraggly gray
hair. The Warlord. Their enemy flickered and wavered. Not solid
yet. Yet.

Alrick yanked Carly off the bed. Her
terrified gaze flicked from him to the man outside the window.

While he carried his sword and bow, the
Warlord was not solid. Truly, Alrick had no defense against him
other than magic. And no way to know how to use it to fight such a
threat. Until he knew more, best to play it safe. In the space of a
heartbeat, he decided.

“Run!” Grabbing her hand, he pulled her along
after him.

They hit the front door without breaking
stride. Outside they’d be wide open, exposed, but better that than
trapped inside her small, frame house.

They ran for the fields, Kayo keeping pace,
running for the shelter provided by a shallow outcropping of trees.
TM saw them coming and trotted over to meet then, whinnying a
greeting. When they dashed into the small forest, the stallion
accompanied them, staying close behind Alrick.

Dropping to the ground, chest heaving, Carly
glanced back over her shoulder. “I don’t see him.”

Alrick looked too. He no longer sensed magic.
“He was not all the way here. That is why his shape flickered.”

“He broke my window. I’d say he was
definitely here.”

“Yes, temporarily. Astrally, not physically.
Traveling through time and space takes a great deal of energy.”

She narrowed her gaze. “Right. Explain this,
Mister Magic. Who the hell was that guy?”

Maybe this time, having seen with her own
eyes, she’d believe him. Despite her sarcasm. “The Warlord. He’s
the one who wants to kill you.”

“Damn. I was afraid you’d say that.”

“He’s a powerful enemy, though he travels
through time to reach you.”

“Through time? What?”

“The Warlord is from the future.”

Incomprehension danced across Carly’s mobile
face. “That’s what you said before, but I didn’t think you were
serious. The future,” she repeated. “Now I’ve heard it all.”

He ignored her last statement. “This is why
he cannot yet become solid. Time travel is difficult and requires a
lot of magical power. Not to mention the disasters such use causes
in your world.”

“Disasters?” She frowned. “What do you
mean?”

“Earthquakes. Tsunamis. Hurricanes. Volcanoes
erupting. Any time magic is used in your world, weather reacts. I
think this is why there was a rainstorm so soon after the fireball
and lightening bolt.”

She dragged her shaking hand across her
forehead. “That’s too much for me.”

“You’d better accept the truth. The Warlord
has not been able to turn his full might on you. But soon, he will
manage to bring his entire self here. Then, he will not trifle with
fireballs or exploding glass. He will use every weapon in his
arsenal to attempt to kill you.”

She sat up at that. “Weapon? You say he’s
from the future. Does he have ray guns or stun guns or what?”

“If he does, he cannot bring such things here
if they are made of metal or plastic. Items made by men will not
travel through time. This battle will have to be fought with
magic.”

She groaned. “More rules. Do you have some
sort of rule-book, like a board game?”

“No. They just are.”

“So you both know them? No one has to sit
down each side and tell them the rules?”

He decided to put it into words that she’d
understand. “If your country goes to war, do both sides know not to
use nuclear weapons?”

“Of course. Everyone knows once you do that,
you’ll have a… a… I see.”

“It’s the same with this. If the Warlord
wishes to kill you, he must do it with magic.”

“I don’t believe in magic.”

“Even now?”

She rubbed her eyes. “Shit, I don’t know. I’m
not liking this at all.”

Alrick crouched down next to her. He laid his
hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently. “I’m sorry.”

“Yeah. Me too. This whole thing’s
creepy.”

“I agree.” He kept his tone soothing. “You
must let me protect you. Only I have a prayer of defeating one so
powerful as him.”

“The Warlord. He’s from… where?”

“Rune. The same place as I, but far in the
future.”

“Are you from the future too?”

“No. Rune co-exists with your world, on
another level or plane.”

“Then how do you know about him, if he’s from
the future?”

“A mage traveled from the same future to meet
with my father. He told us about the Warlord’s plans, and asked for
our help.”

“I still don’t understand. Why me?”

“For what you will do. You, or rather your
child, will be responsible for the saving of the world.”

“Child? I don’t even have a husband.”

“The father’s name wasn’t given to me. All I
know is one day, you will have a child. Your son will be
instrumental in defeating the Warlord and saving both mankind and
Fae.”

“Faeries.”

“Yes, faeries.”

She cast a look at him from under her lashes.
“And faeries really exit? Even now?”

“Ever since the dawn of time, Rune has
co-existed with your world. In the past, we intermingled more
frequently. But now, Rune has become isolated. Mankind has
forgotten us. So we rarely cross the veil.”

“Why they send you?”

“A strong Fae was needed. My father the King,
chose me.”

Her mouth fell open. “Shut up. Now you’re
telling me you’re a King?”

“I’m a Prince, in Rune. My twin brother and I
compete for the throne.” He kept his voice modest.

She looked dazed. He supposed he couldn’t
blame her.

“A prince,” she muttered. “If I hadn’t seen
this Warlord guy with my own eyes, I’d
know
you were crazy
now. This sort of sounds like overkill. Why send a prince to do an
ordinary Fae’s job. I mean, anyone from Rean can do magic,
right?”

“Rune. And yes, while anyone can do magic,
some are better at it than others. My father asked me to do it, as
a quest. Because I want to be named heir, I agreed.”

“You sure do have complicated delusions.”

He blew a breath out his nose. “`No delusion.
It’s the truth.”

“Is Rune different from here?”

“Yes. We don’t use machines, and live a
simple life.”

She eyed him. “That explains the weird
clothes. Are you Amish or something, or do you guys like pretending
to be medieval?”

He drew himself up with dignity. “We pretend
nothing. We like the way we dress. Rune is a beautiful place, much
more full of life than here. If you’d like, I can take you there
and show you, though you cannot stay.”

“Why not? If you can use magic there,
wouldn’t the Warlord find it much more difficult to kill me in
Rune?”

“You must fulfill your destiny.”

“Oh that’s right.” She made a face. “The
miracle baby I’m supposed to have.”

He took a deep breath, wishing he could find
a simple way to make her believe. “Your son.”

“Right. And my son will save Rune. How is
that possible? I’m not even Fae.”

“Obviously.” Alrick too looked longingly at
her house, which appeared to be undisturbed and magic-free. His
stomach growled as he pictured the sandwiches.

“Great. This just keeps getting better and
better,” she muttered.

Alrick decided to let that one go. “Let’s
return to the house.”

“Is it safe?”

He stilled, closing his eyes and using all of
his senses. “I believe so. I detect no magic.”

“You can detect it?”

“Yes. If you try, you can too.”

“Really.” She shook her head, walking away
from him.

He grabbed her arm. “I only give you
truth.”

“Oh that’s right,” she shook off his arm and
kept walking. “You cannot lie.”

“You’re mocking me,” he said quietly, keeping
pace.

“Look, I’m sorry. But the more you talk, the
less happy I am. I’m not really liking you right now.”

Her words stung. But they didn’t matter. “I
care not if you like me. Just permit me to protect you.”

On her back doorstep, she stopped and faced
him with her fists clenched, like she meant to hit him. “Look
Alrick, no offense. But all of this started about the time
you
showed up. It’s kind of hard not to feel like you
brought it with you.”

This, he had not expected. At all. He
muttered a curse in his own language.

Unfazed, she turned her back on him and
entered her kitchen. He followed, wondering why she had to make
everything more difficult. Kayo slipped inside before the back door
closed, staying close to Carly.

Pulling out a chair at the table, she was
about to sit when she apparently changed her mind. Instead, she
went to the fridge box on the wall and retrieved two metal cans.
Popping them open, she poured their contents into glasses, where
the liquid fizzed.

He simply stood where he was and watched
her.

“Come on,” she said finally. “Eat. I got you
a cola.”

Six steps carried him to the table. The chair
scraped as he pulled it out. He sat. She slid one of the glasses,
still fizzing, across the table to him. “Here you go.”

Still wary, he took a drink. Bubbles filled
his mouth. He swallowed quickly, covered a sneeze, and placed the
glass carefully on the table.

“You didn’t like it?”

He shrugged, trying to ignore the way his
eyes were watering. “I’m not sure. What is it?”

“Cola.”

The name meant nothing to him. Instead of
questioning her further, he reached for the sandwiches. Grabbing
three, he stuffed half of the first one in his mouth.

Ambrosia.

Kayo evidently thought so too. He watched
Alrick with the intent stare of a master hunter. Ignoring the dog,
Alrick kept eating.

Carly waited until he’d finished chewing the
last of his second sandwich. “Are you sure you can keep me safe?”
She looked at him over the top of her bread. “This Warlord guy
looks pretty bad-ass.”

“Here? No. He’ll only attack again. Each
time, he’ll grow stronger. I think it’s best we leave.”

“Leave?” Horrified, she dropped her
half-eaten sandwich back on her plate. “I’m not leaving. No Name
Ranch is all I have.”

Kayo whined. Carly passed him the rest of her
sandwich, which he ate in one gulp. “And Kayo and TM.”

Desperate measures made for desperate
promises. “We can take the dog and the horse with us.”

“No. I’m staying here.”

Frustrated, Alrick grabbed another sandwich.
“The next time he comes, we might not get away so easily.”

“I’ll take my chances.” She pushed herself up
from the table, disappearing into another room. In a moment, she
returned with a long, wood and metal object. “Liam left me his
father’s old rifle.”

Alrick eyed the thing. “Is that a
weapon?”

“Yes.” She grinned. “Works great.”

“You said you’d never kill, even to eat.”

“Self-defense is different.”

“Do you know how to use it?”

Her smile faded. “Liam showed me once. But
it’s been a couple of years. I’m not sure I remember.”

He was shaking his head even before she’d
finished talking. “Shooting a man is not the same as aiming at
targets. A weapon – of any sort – is useless unless you’re entirely
comfortable with it. You’re not. Leave the rifle here. He’ll turn
it against you.”

“You know, that’s what everyone says about
knives too. Try and use one to defend yourself, and your attacker
can stab you with it. That won’t happen. This is a Winchester. A
gun. This Warlord guy will never get close enough to turn it
against me.”

“Do you use it as a club?”

“It’s a gun,” she repeated. Then, when he
still shrugged, she elaborated. “It shoots bullets. Sort of like a
bow and arrow. The bullets are made of metal and cause a lot of
harm to a body.”

Alrick crossed his arms. “He has magic. Your
gun will be worthless against him.”

“Magic.” She blanched, but set her weapon
down. “Great. So much for my attempt to regain control of my
life.”

HE COULD well understand her desire for
control. Alrick hadn’t felt in control of his life ever since the
Mage appeared and his father had decreed Alrick must cross the veil
and save a human woman’s life.

He reached for the last sandwich and
hesitated. “Do you want this?”

“Go for it. I’ve already had two. That’s my
limit.”

Then, as he was chewing, she asked, “You
really think he’ll come here again?”

He answered with a look. No words were
necessary.

“There won’t be much left of the place if he
keeps it up.” She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table
and her chin in her hands.

Alrick swallowed, resisting the urge to pat
his stomach. “He won’t stop until you are dead.”

“Or you.”

“Or me.” He frowned. “You still don’t take
this seriously.”

She started to answer, then apparently
thought better of it. “I’m trying. Really. But I think you both
have the wrong person. I’m just—.”

Kayo barked. He leaped to his feet and ran to
the kitchen window, growing more and more agitated. Still barking,
he ran into the living room.

Alrick jumped up. So did Carly.

“What now,” she groaned. “Don’t tell me this
Warlord guy’s back already.”

“He can’t be.” As they moved into the living
room, Alrick kept his body in front of hers, like a shield. “Using
so much magic in such a short time period will have serious
repercussions.”