Black Magic Outlaw: Books 1 - 3 by Domino Finn

Author:Domino Finn [Finn, Domino]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blood & Treasure
Published: 2017-06-13T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

I slid the new burner from my pocket and dialed Milena's number, as promised. She picked up on the second ring.

"Tell me everyone's okay," she pleaded.

My tension eased at her voice. "Everything went perfectly, actually. Seleste is free again. Reunited with my mom and dad."

"Dios mío, Cisco. You really do have power."

"Things manage to work out once in a while."

She laughed, the relief palpable over the line. "By the way, Rodrigo called. Your car's ready. He towed it back to my abuelo's house. The keys are in the mailbox."

"Good to know. I was getting tired of walking." Or running, really. "How much do I owe you?"

"You can pay me back by picking up the tab tonight. I have a feeling it's gonna be a big one."

"Tonight?" It was still the early evening.

"Our date, silly."

I grumbled. Amazing what a harrowing few hours can do to your memory. "You won't let this go, will you?"

"Not a chance. You've done enough crime-fighting for one day."

"I'm not Batman."

"Seriously though. You just told me Seleste isn't in trouble anymore. Isn't that worth celebrating?"

I didn't want to admit it, but she had a pretty good point. "Look, there's still something I wanna do. Let me call you back."

"Fine with me. The night is young." Then she hung up before I could object any further.

I didn't blame Milena, but she didn't get it. There was too much happening right now. So much more left unfinished.

Then again, it surprised me how much hearing her voice lifted my spirits. It was psychological commiseration. And it made sense. Milena and I had both experienced the same loss. The same pain. The isolation it created was a familiar cloak. When I took a moment to look beyond myself, I realized she was strong-arming me into a date for the very same reason. Milena needed a friend. Someone from back in the day. Someone to help make her whole.

I got that. I just didn't know if I was qualified for the job.

I trudged back to her grandfather's house. Walking was slower than driving. There was too much silence (and Spanish wraiths are dismal at small talk). The peace gave me too much time to dwell on things. Milena's feelings. The conversation with Seleste. The awful last moments of my family's life. I'd always known my parents were worried about my spellcraft. My life was now the ultimate I-told-you-so.

I shook the thought away. Some things can never be fixed. My parents would at least know better now. And Seleste, my sweet sister, had never doubted me. In a way, that made her death hurt most of all. She'd been the youngest. The baby of the family, but with the biggest prospects. As the big brother, I'd failed in my job to protect her.

My good deed today was little comfort when it was me that had put her in that position in the first place.

Again I found myself combating claustrophobic guilt. I was a master of shadows, but this one would always tame me.

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