The Shadow Collector by Matthew S. Cox

Author:Matthew S. Cox [Cox, Matthew S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781948099387
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Published: 2017-12-18T06:00:00+00:00

ad’s announcement lets my mischievous side off the leash. Cell phone out and recording, I hurry over to the door and yank it open. Natalie jumps with a yelp, almost dropping an armload of white bags. Ashley goes stiff and wide-eyed, but doesn’t make a sound. Giggling, I hit stop on the video and back up so they can walk in.

Natalie playfully narrows her eyes at me. “You’re so lucky I don’t hit you with a tickle jinx.”

Eep. She got me with that once in school. Shiver. “You wouldn’t…”

“Hi!” Ashley zooms in, hugs me, and heads for the kitchen.

“Don’t startle enchanters. Especially when they’re carrying food!” Natalie hurries over to the kitchen table, leaving an aroma trail of Italian food.

“Ooh.” I jog after her.

She unpacks a chicken parmesan entree, a baked ziti dinner, and one order of spaghetti and meatballs… plus a large tossed salad. We pot-luck it, each taking a bit of everything… but I think she overdid it. We could’ve fed another three people with this much food. Ashley chatters excitedly about her time playing at the store, and asks what I did at work. I leave it at telling her I’m trying to figure out who started a fire that ruined some people’s homes.

The doorbell rings only a few minutes into our eating. I spin around in my seat and open the door with telekinesis, intent on shouting ‘go away’ at whoever’s bothering me, but it’s Tracy.

“Oh, hey.” I wave. “C’mon in. You eat yet?”

She eyes the door. “Umm. The door just opened itself?”

“Magic,” chimes Natalie.

Tracy’s carrying a couple Starbucks bags, I bet a bunch of unsold food they normally throw out. Well, that’s something. She sets them in my fridge and joins us at the table. We hang out for a little while after, the three of us in the kitchen bullshitting while Ashley monopolizes the PlayStation. Tracy grumbles that her boss is giving her a problem with her possible night school schedule, since she’d have to leave there at seven three times a week. Natalie suggests doing one of those online classes with no set schedule. Our conversation drifts around normal crap for a good hour or so before Tracy thanks us profusely for the food and watching the kid. Looking exhausted, she collects Ashley and heads home.

We stare at the door for a while in silence once they’re gone.

“That poor kid.” Natalie sighs. “Let me know if you need any help with her again. She’s so sweet.”

I raise an eyebrow. “She set up candles and tried to summon a demon. Not sure if she intended to kill that asshole, but… uhh. Kid’s got a little dark streak.”

“So do we all. If we’re pushed enough. So… what’s up?”

“Got a sample of some weird stuff I found at a fire scene.” I grab the phial and bring it over to her. “What do you think this is? I’m no mage, and even I can feel something on it.”

“Hmm.” She holds it up to the light, peering at it.

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