Wild Wild Hex: A Hexworld Short Story by Jordan L. Hawk

Author:Jordan L. Hawk [Hawk, Jordan L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-10-25T18:30:00+00:00

XI.

“So they really mean to rob a train?” Rafael asked as they settled around the campfire that evening. “That’s ambitious, even for Mason Bone.”

They’d untied Mrs. Sabot, given her Enoch’s pain hexes, and then high-tailed it out of there before she could release any of the brothers who might be inclined to revenge. Rafael kept a lookout from above for anyone following them, but it seemed the Sabot clan had decided not to push their luck any further. While they traveled, Enoch gave Rafael the basics of what Sabot told him.

Enoch tended the horse, while Rafael built a small campfire and heated some frijoles and tortillas. Cowboy fare, but it would keep their bellies full. Coyotes yipped and called in the distance. The sky stretched velvety black overhead. Enoch drew a deep breath of the night air that smelled of mesquite and the smoke of their fire.

“That’s what Sabot said, and I don’t see why he’d lie. Sending me to chase my tail would only bring me back on his ma later.” Enoch left the horse and sat down by Rafael.

“When and where is this train they mean to rob?” Rafael passed Enoch a tortilla.

“Tomorrow is the when, and the one o’clock train from Bitterwood to Resurrection Ridge is the where. According to Sabot, it’s carrying the payroll for the silver mine in Resurrection Ridge. Tens of thousands of dollars.”

“That’s a lot of money.” Rafael frowned. “It’ll be in a safe, behind both hexes and locks. They must have some kind of plan.”

“Or a man on the inside, the way they did with the bank.” When Rafael looked away quickly, Enoch winced. “I’m sorry. You said he was a friend.”

“He was.” Rafael sighed. “Just a naïve young man who thought the life he had was too constrictive. I’m sure working with outlaws sounded very glamorous to him.”

Something about the wistfulness in his tone made Enoch ask, “Were you…?”

“Sí.”

No wonder Rafael had been willing to bond in order to get revenge. “I’m sorry.”

Rafael shrugged, a ripple of graceful movement. “So am I. You were talking about the train.”

“Right. According to Sabot, they’ll board the train in Bitterwood. They’ll all be disguised as ordinary travelers.”

A frown creased Rafael’s handsome face. “And then what?”

“I assume they’ll wait until they’re between stations to make their move. Sabot didn’t seem clear on the details.” Enoch finished off his dinner and licked his fingers. “By that time, he was coughing up a fair amount of blood. I don’t know if he was clear on very much of anything other than drowning in his own fluids.”

“Hell of a way to go.”

“True enough.” Enoch hesitated. The firelight gilded Rafael’s handsome face, flames reflected in his burnt umber eyes. “With every robbery, you risk going the same.”

Rafael let out a soft snort. “Are you going to talk me into abandoning my wicked ways?”

“No sense in not trying, so long as I’ve got your attention.”

Rafael leaned back, stretching out long, denim-clad legs. “What about you? Chasing down hardened criminals isn’t exactly conducive to a long life.

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