Legacy First Trilogy Box Set: Books 1-3 of the Legacy Series Page 17

  "Pledged our services?" I continued. "Who the fuck are you to say that? When did I pledge my services? I took your case as a human, not as an angel. You wanna go off and fight for eternity in an impossible battle, go ahead. Just leave Earth out of it."

  "Your sister-” he began.

  "My sister's decisions do not include me," I shot back. "We may be twins, we may have the same inherited power, be two halves of a whole and all that, but we are not the same person. Her decisions are hers, and hers alone."

  Jehudiel's wings flared an inch. Amaymon was instantly in human form, ready to pounce. I held my hand up, stopping him.

  "I'm not saying I will not take the case," I told the archangel. He relaxed an inch. "But I'm doing it for people like her," I said pointing at Abigail, who was still rooted on the couch. "People who are in danger and helpless against whatever is tormenting them."

  I took a breath to calm myself down. Don't blow this now, Erik.

  "If a Sin makes it to Earth and you guys want my help, then call me. Otherwise, go whine to my sister," I said. "If there are people in need, I will help, but in my way. But keep this plane away from your war, or I will become your enemy."

  I leaned in very close. "And we both know I'm the last person you folks want as your enemy right now."

  That hit home.

  Jehudiel's wings flared and he bathed the office in light.

  "I am Jehudiel, Archangel and Virtue." His voice shook every molecule in my body. "If you hinder our holy war you will be smitten."

  I remained unfazed. I mean, come on; I died, went to a pocket dimension, came back supercharged, died again and was saved, only to defeat a giant demonic progenitor using a unique combination of angelic and supercharged wizard magic. If he wanted to intimidate me, this guy was going to have to seriously up his game.

  "And I am Erik Ashendale, Wizard and Owner of Demonic Cat," I retorted. "I'm the only guy you assholes can depend on. So how about we stop this charade?"

  The archangel and I were now locked in a staring contest. A very stressful staring contest.

  "You'd do well to remember, mortal," he finally said, "that while we do need you, you are not indispensable."

  His incandescent wings flapped once and Jehudiel disappeared from sight. Nice way to get the last word in, I suppose.

  "You have a nice day, too," I yelled. "Asshole."

  "He can't hear you, Erik," Amaymon interjected as he wolfed down two burgers at once.

  "Whatever." I grabbed some food. "Fairy looking douche bag."

  "I know, right?" Abigail said. "I'm glad you stood up to him, Erik. Even though that guy is scary powerful."

  "Nah, I could've probably taken him," Amaymon said.

  "Sure you could," I said condescendingly.

  I started to count the money Jehudiel made appear on my desk and found a small envelope on top of the pile. I tore it open and a sharp piece of iron fell into my palm. It felt somewhat familiar. Inside the envelope I also found a Post-It note with a street address on it and sighed.

  That angel knew all along that I would want to do things my way. He set up the whole thing so that I would assemble my own ragtag team.

  But did I really want this particular guy on my team?

  I shook my head. I would have ended up exactly like him, lost and in trouble, if my mentor hadn't found me. Guess now it was my turn to return that kindness.

  I walked towards the front door.

  "Going somewhere?" Abigail asked.

  "Yeah," I said. I looked at the coat and decided against it. It was too hot anyway. Let the people stare: I was done trying to please everyone. I was doing the right thing and that was all that mattered.

  "I got a loose end to tie up."

  ***

  Jack the elemental was flung from across the street into an alleyway. This wasn't the most reputable part of town, which meant no one came here unless they had to.

  The angel’s directions had led me here, and all the confirmation I needed that I was in the right place was seeing the metal elemental going airborne and land on a pile of trash.

  "Jack, Jack, Jack," I said as I emerged from behind a corner and helped him up. "Always in a pile of crap."

  He looked at me with doe eyes. "Aren't you that wizard?"

  "No, I'm the Tooth Fairy, but I left my skirt at home," I shot back sarcastically.

  Jack rolled his eyes.

  "What happened?" I asked.

  "Them," he answered, pointing forwards.

  I followed his finger and saw a trio of hulking thugs walking up to us carrying batons.

  "Three jokers with sticks?" I asked him. "That's your trouble?"

  "Hey, you. Nerd," called out the first one. "Get away from that guy unless you wanna get pummeled."

  Electricity crackled threateningly from his baton.

  "Oh. Cattle prods," I said, completely ignoring them, and talking to Jack. "That would nullify your metal." Then I turned to them. "Hey, that's my trick. Get your own method."

  They had no idea what I was talking about, of course.

  "So, let me guess," I said. "You owe these assholes some money."

  Jack nodded. "Their boss."

  "Figures. They look too dumb to count."

  I took out a roll of bills and chucked it at one of them. "Take that to your boss and disappear," I said.

  The lead gorilla's eyes squinted. "We still wanna beat this guy up. He's some kinda freak."

  I extracted Djinn. "Fuck off."

  But I knew they weren't going to fuck off. In fact they did just the opposite and charged at me.

  One of them dove towards Jack and the two struggled with each other.

  The other two whipped their prods at me. Here's the thing: I don't use magic against regular people. In my mind it just isn't fair. And having fought asmodaii, demons, and all sorts of monsters, these guys weren't even a quarter of the challenge.

  My sword sliced through the cattle prod and I lashed out with my leg. I caught the guy squarely in the chest and he dropped like a stone, wheezing and hacking on the ground.

  The other grabbed my neck. I blocked, kicked him in the groin and smashed Djinn's pommel on his head.

  Game over.

  Meanwhile, Jack and asshole number three were still tussling with each other. I rolled my eyes. These guys were supposed to be thugs. The least you would expect was for them to have some knowledge of fighting.

  I lifted my leg and brought the heel down on the thug's shoulder. I heard a bone snap as the guy gasped. He fell down, moaning and writhing in pain. My leg felt funny. I saw shadows drifting off and the sole of my boot flapping.

  Great.

  My powers were going haywire again thanks to that boost I received on the ship. I guess that's the price you pay for superpowers these days. This meant I had to retrain myself from stage one again. Maybe that was why Jehudiel wanted me to take Jack under my wing. If I trained him from scratch, I would be retraining myself in the basics as well.

  I helped Jack up. "Come on. You owe me a new pair of boots by the way."

  Chapter 30

  Jack let out a whistle as we both entered my office. "Damn, you must have one hell of a cleaning crew," he muttered.

  I headed straight for the kitchen. "Make yourself comfortable," I called out as I looked for some soda. I returned with two cans only to find him at my drawer, toying around with something metallic.

  "Were you ever going to use these again?" he asked.

  He held up a broken gun slide, the remains of one of the guns I had destroyed years ago. I didn't have the heart to return it back to Bobby.

  "Nah, those are busted," I replied.

  "No, I can fix this no problem," he said with a frown. He rummaged inside the box and mumbled to himself. I felt him use trace amounts of his powers, manipulating the metal on a molecular level.

  "There, it's done," he said handing me the gun.

  I put my soda can down and checked the weapon. It was fully functional with all t
he nuts and bolts working perfectly.

  "How did you do that?"

  "Figured it's the least I can do after I busted up your office and all that." He shrugged. "I'm good with metal. I guess this power is good for something."

  That gave me an idea. I motioned for him to sit down and offered him a soda.

  "How would you like a job?" I asked.

  He cocked an eyebrow. "You want me to repair every gun you break?"

  "No," I said. "But I know a guy who's a blacksmith and he's getting too old for it. He's always whining about wanting an apprentice to carry on the shop. Sounds like something you would be good at."

  "As long as it's metal, I'm good with it," he replied.

  I believed him. I've seen him in action. He only lost to me because he didn't know how to use his powers, and had the strategic mind of a duck. But with some training he could be something.

  "Anything to get off the streets," he added. "But I want to know more about myself. What my powers are, how to use them, that sort of thing. The stuff only you can help me with."

  I smiled. "Sure thing."

  We bumped cans and sealed the deal.

  "Hey, what about me?" Abigail came down the stairs, followed by Amaymon in cat form.

  "Succubii don't use magic," I said.

  She beamed at the cat. "Do you want to tell him or shall I?"

  "Tell me what?" I asked.

  Amaymon cleared his throat and sat on top of the banister so all of us had to look up to him. He must have loved that.

  "A succubus does not have magic, this is true," he said. "However, Abigail is still a human, technically speaking. She has a Core, the source of magic which all humans have. When she becomes a succubus this Core usually dies out and it’s bye bye magic. But not in this case."

  He paused and looked at the three of us. "Usually it takes a strong magical boost or trauma to forcefully awaken someone's Core. That what happened to Abigail when she was attacked."

  "But she's already got the succubus DNA in her," I said.

  "That is true. But Lilith awakened her Core—her human Core—which means that now Abigail can use magic. I'm not sure what is gonna happen next year when she comes of age. If that happens at all."

  "What do you mean?" I asked.

  "Abigail is the first ever witch-succubus hybrid," replied the feline. "On one hand, she could lose her magic and become a full succubus. However, and this is more likely, she may never actually become a succubus. She would still have the hunger and the power, just not on that level. She most likely won't need to kill. However, this possibility is only certain if she uses her magical powers—her human magical powers—as much as she can."

  Abigail was actually vibrating as she beamed at me. "Which means that I have to learn magic. And use it. Like, a lot."

  Jack sprang from his seat. "Hi, I'm Jack," he said beaming.

  Oh, the poor, smitten bastard.

  She shook his hand. "You a wizard?"

  "Elemental," Amaymon supplied.

  "I can manipulate metal," Jack added.

  "Oh, cool, show me."

  I grabbed Jack's shoulder. "You guys can play with each other later."

  "She's way outta your league, bro," said the cat. "Although you guys make for an interesting love triangle."

  "Shut up," I said.

  The cat ignored me. "I mean, I can see Erik and Abigail humpin' off, but Jack must have one solid rod. Get it? ‘Cause he's a metal elemental."

  "Shut up, Amaymon, or I'm getting a pet coyote," I said dragging Jack away.

  "You were right," I heard Abigail whisper to the cat. "It is easy to mess with him."

  And that was that.

  Twice a week Jack would come over for basic training, along with Abigail. The poor kid really was out of his league, but hey, she was a succubus. Driving men out of their mind with lust is what they do.

  And speaking of driving men out of their mind, Abigail had managed to get herself a job as my secretary.

  No, I don't know how it happened.

  Yes, Amaymon was involved.

  As he had so tactfully pointed out, I had no idea how to do my accounts, and had the manners of a caveman. A hot babe—as Amaymon kept referring to her—would apparently make clients feel better. She was good for business. Again, his words not mine.

  What's more, he offered her the spare bedroom upstairs until she could get an apartment of her own. She wasn't going back to college and instead settled for evening classes and online education. She wanted to focus on her powers first. That was when the cat had become very generous.

  Who are we kidding? That pervert is never letting the hot secretary leave.

  There was also some discussion over how competent a teacher I can be.

  "Don't screw 'em up," Amaymon had said.

  "I can teach them!" I had retorted.

  "Sure you can," he replied condescendingly.

  "Put a sock in it, Captain Negative."

  "Aye, aye, Sergeant Deluded."

  "One more comment outta you and no more belly rubs."

  "Please, teach us, O Enlightened One."

  That ended that argument once and for all.

  The three of us sat on the floor, with the cat prowling around us. The couches and coffee table had been pushed aside, giving us an open area. We started off with some mediation to strengthen their flow of energy.

  "Oum." Amaymon occasionally oversaw our lessons and made it his mission to interrupt at every possible second.

  "Oum." He made a really wet hacking noise. "Fucking hairball."

  There was only reason I tolerated him. If they could concentrate through his crap they would learn faster, and be better prepared for the real world, where there were plenty of distractions everywhere.

  Then, halfway through the lesson, the phone rang.

  "I hear bells. Am I in Nirvana?" asked the cat. He looked around. "Nope. Still in this shit hole."

  I ignored him as the others just laughed and answered the phone. "What?"

  "See why you're needed?" Amaymon whispered to Abigail. "He's got the manners of a water buffalo."

  "Erik, it's Roland." I waved them silent so I could listen to the cop.

  "I'll be there soon," I said and put the receiver down, before turning my attention back to my students. "There's a couple of poltergeists scaring off mourners at the cemetery. It shouldn't take long."

  Poltergeists weren't dangerous—annoying as hell, though. I grabbed my stuff and turned to see my two students staring at me like I was Santa Clause and had skipped their names on the list.

  Like I said, poltergeists aren't dangerous. They might even make a good training exercise.

  "You follow my every order to the letter, got it?" I said as I waved a finger at them.

  They nodded fervently.

  "Fine. Come along," I said with resignation. "Amaymon, you come as well. In case it gets too out of hand."

  "What's in it for me?"

  I smirked. "I'll make sure Abigail never gives you another belly rub. Ever," I added threateningly.

  He immediately stood up on all fours. "Your orders, Sir?"

  A few days ago I had found Amaymon's weak spot and was having the time of my life making him do what I wanted.

  I watched my team get ready and we headed for the door. It felt good, having people to rely on, having friends. It felt like my little world was growing and, for once, it was all going to be just fine. As long as we stick together, nothing could take us down. I had allies and friends, and for the very first time in my life, I had family. And I knew they all had my back.

  Something told me I would need the help of each and every one of them. We only won this round by sheer luck, a bug in Lilith's system. Both Amaymon and Mephisto made it clear that a fully powered Sin would be much tougher.

  Tougher than any of us, actually.

  So we had to be ready for the next one. And the one after that. Until the world can breathe safely again. This is our world, our home, and it's
up to us to protect it. That's our job, our calling. We'll keep everyone safe, sometimes for a fee. Wizards need to eat, as well.

  But we always do the right thing, for the right reasons. Of that, I was sure.

  I smiled.

  Okay, universe. Whatever you got in store for us next, bring it on.

  We're ready.

  BIRTHRIGHT

  Book 2 of

  The Legacy Series

  RYAN ATTARD

  Chapter 1

  “You may not like it, Abi, but we do have a protocol.”

  My voice was dulled by the hiss of rainfall. Not that it mattered. My apprentice stormed in front of me, intent on proving she was right by stomping her feet and staunchly ignoring me.

  My name is Erik Ashendale, and today’s pain in the ass was my apprentice slash secretary, Abigail.

  Arguing in the rain is not fun. Arguing with a person who is plainly ignoring you is annoying. Arguing with a witch-succubus hybrid while carrying a gym bag full of equipment and getting soaked to the bone makes you want to blast said hybrid with a fire bolt.

  “Really, Erik? Protocol?” she yelled against the rain. She reached my office and took shelter under the small archway, waiting for me to unlock the door and let her in.

  “Just because it’s not written down doesn’t mean it’s not real,” I countered.

  “Is this the same protocol that tells you it’s okay to kick down doors, blast walls open and sink entire cruise ships?”

  I saw her smirk as I fumbled for my keys. I didn’t like that smirk. That smirk meant she thought she had won. I opened the door and walked in. “So I’m a late convert to the whole ‘think before you leap’ mentality, but that doesn’t mean I’m wrong.” I looked at her as she stripped off her jacket and tried to squeeze water out of her naturally red hair. “We could have both been in serious trouble.”

  “Oh, come on! They were vampires. Easy prey,” she said, waving her hand dismissively.

  I closed my eyes and tried not to explode in a tirade. She knew what to say to make me angry and she was hitting all the right buttons.

  “Abi,” I said, a dangerous note in my voice. My apprentice had quickly learned how to decipher my vocal tones. She stopped playing with her hair and faced me, all cockiness gone. “What was the situation?”