The Merging Read online

“I’ve put up with a lot from you, Ian,” she said. “A lot. But this crosses the line, even for you!”

  I winced with each word. “Could you take it down a notch? I have a bit of a headache here.”

  “You have a headache?” She scoffed and looked around at everyone. Then she glanced down at the body of Reese and spun away. “Holy hell.”

  That was odd. She’d seen bodies before. Even ones that weren’t all in one piece.

  I looked down and noticed that Reese’s corpse was transforming. He was turning green and scaly.

  “Shit,” I yelled, picking him up and running as best I could toward the void.

  I had almost no energy left, but there was just enough adrenaline in me to launch his sorry ass at the black canvas.

  Just as he passed through, his eyes flashed at me one last time.

  Again, I collapsed.

  “What the hell was that?” Paula said, clomping over toward me.

  Fortunately, there was one person on my squad who had no issues going toe-to-toe with the CEO of The Spin.

  “If you’ll come with me,” Serena said, taking Paula firmly by the arm, “I’ll explain everything.”

  “But…”

  Serena gave her a stern look. “Don’t make me ask twice.”

  Paula wisely acquiesced.

  Chapter 42

  “And that’s all he said?” asked Zack.

  I was still suffering the post-effects of the Freeze, but the Directors insisted on being informed of the situation.

  “Yes, sir,” I answered tiredly.

  “Do you know who the ‘us’ is in Reese’s statement?”

  “I have no idea, O,” I replied to the mage. “My guess is that he meant the demon he was turning into before I sent him through Warren’s void thing.”

  O nodded, along with Zack.

  “Any casualties on the PPD side?” asked Silver.

  “No deaths, sir. Just bumps and bruises. We’ll be fine.”

  Zack leaned forward. “You do know how we feel about your using Freeze or any of your special skills, I hope?”

  “I do,” I said, “but when the fate of the world is at stake, you do what you have to do.” I then rubbed my temples. “And believe me when I say I dislike going into Freeze far more than you do, sir.”

  Having a pounding headache was nothing compared to the pain from a Freeze. Imagine a migraine mixed with the worst hangover you’ve ever had. Then tack on an earache, light-sensitivity, and a general desire to kill anything that aggravates you. Or, as Rachel succinctly put it after I’d explained the symptoms to her, “So, PMS?”

  “What is your plan now?” said Silver.

  “Warren is doing more research into demonology. His goal is to build up his chops so he can be faster to the punch should this happen again.” I took a sip of water. “The mages worked incredibly well together, but they’ve identified a few areas of improvement.”

  “What about your werewolf and vampire?”

  “They…” I started, but rethought what I was about to say. “We are going to start working on our training again, sir. We’ve grown soft over the years because things have been too stable. While I’m not a fan of what Reese did, the effect of his actions was a wakeup call for the Paranormal Police Department.”

  “Indeed,” agreed O. “EQK, have you any questions for Mr. Dex before we let him get some much needed rest?”

  “Have you named your gun yet?” the pixie asked in his tinny voice.

  I grinned. “Hadn’t really thought about it, to be honest. I’ve just been referring to it as Eagle—”

  EQK slapped his hand on the table lightly. “Lame.”

  “Does it really matter?” asked Zack.

  “Of course, you mental fallacy!” EQK shot back. “How can you go around shooting dicks off with a weapon that has no name?”

  “Hadn’t thought of that, sir,” I said as I took out the Eagle and looked it over. “Fine. I shall dub it, ‘Boomy.’”

  EQK clapped his hands and giggled some more.

  Chapter 43

  One of the only things that took the edge off these Freeze hangovers was a shot or two of whiskey.

  “I’m going to head out,” I said to Rachel as I stopped by her office.

  “Three Angry Wives?” she asked, referring to the pub I stopped at from time to time.

  I grinned at her, though it took some effort.

  “Wanna join me?”

  “I’d better not,” she said. “You know what seeing you in Freeze does to me. Add in drinks and that spells trouble.”

  I liked trouble, but being with Rachel in such a way anymore was a no-no. “Trouble is bad.”

  “Yep.” She then held up some papers. “Besides, I’m helping Warren go through some of these esoteric spells.”

  “No good?”

  “Let’s just say that I’m glad to have been born a mage and not a wizard.” She dropped the papers back on her desk and looked up at me. “Get some rest.”

  “I will,” I replied, nodding. “Don’t stay too late.”

  I said my goodbyes to the others and drove down to the pub.

  The bar was mostly full when I walked up and grabbed a seat, simultaneously indicating to the bartender that I wanted two shots.

  They knew me.

  “Mr. Dex?” said the voice of a man who looked to be in his early fifties.

  He was fit with black hair that had splashes of gray mixed in, and he wore a suit that signaled he was well-to-do. Adjusting my focus a bit more, I sensed that he was a vampire.

  “That’s my name,” I said before drinking down the first glass of whiskey. Then I said, “And you are?”

  “Gabriel,” he replied. “You may call me Gabe.”

  I eyed him again and nodded. Then I dropped the second shot of fire down my throat.

  “What can I help you with, Gabe?”

  “I believe it’s me who can help you, Mr. Dex,” he answered while standing up and gathering his things.

  I turned toward him. “And how’s that, exactly?”

  “The mage who attacked your city today is just the first in a line who are coming.” He pulled out a few twenties from his wallet and set them on the bar. “There will be flashes of more.” He’d said the word “flashes” somewhat dramatically. “You will need to be prepared for them.”

  I wanted to ask him how he knew about this, but there was something about him that seemed familiar. There was also an air about him that said he knew what he was talking about.

  “And you can prepare me?”

  “No,” said Gabe. “Only you can do that. I’m merely here to lend support when and where I can.”

  He started to walk out.

  “And you plan to do that by leaving?” I called after him.

  “I’ll be around,” he said over his shoulder. “Just keep your eyes open, Mr. Dex.”

  The door closed behind him and I turned and grunted at the bartender for another shot of liquid joy. She delivered it and I stared into the small pool of amber whiskey for a few moments.

  Did I know someone named “Gabe” or “Gabriel?”

  His face seemed so familiar, but that could have just been due to his being a vampire. Most of them were attractive, after all.

  No, there was something more to it.

  I just couldn’t place it.

  And what was with the “flashes” bit?

  Finally, I shrugged and then drained the shot glass as the edge started coming off of my headache.

  “Probably just some asshole,” I whispered while rubbing my temples. “Probably just some asshole.”

  Thanks for Reading

  If you enjoyed this book, would you please leave a review? It doesn’t have to be a book report… just a line or two would be fantastic and it would really help us out!

  Tap for review links and to see my full book list!

  Get FREE Stories!

  Join my mailing list and pick up a couple of free stories, both of which include audiobo
ok versions!

  www.JohnPLogsdon.com

  John P. Logsdon

  www.JohnPLogsdon.com

  John was raised in the MD/VA/DC area. Growing up, John had a steady interest in writing stories, playing music, and tinkering with computers. He spent over 20 years working in the video games industry where he acted as designer and producer on many online games. He’s written science fiction, fantasy, humor, and even books on game development. While he enjoys writing lighthearted adventures and wacky comedies most, he can’t seem to turn down writing darker fiction. John lives with his wife, son, and Chihuahua.

  Christopher P. Young

  Chris grew up in the Maryland suburbs. He spent the majority of his childhood reading and writing science fiction and learning the craft of storytelling. He worked as a designer and producer in the video games industry for a number of years as well as working in technology and admin services. He enjoys writing both serious and comedic science fiction and fantasy. Chris lives with his wife and an ever-growing population of critters.

  Thanks to The Merging Reader Team!

  (listed in alphabetical order by first name)

  Aaron Paden, Adam Goldstein, Adam Saunders-Pederick, Allen Stark, Amy Robertson, Andrew Greeson, Antoinette Hilton, Beth Marsch, Bonnie Dale Keck, Brandy Dalton, Caroline Watson, Carolyn Fielding, Carolyn Jean Evans, Cassandra Hall, Charlotte Johnston, Dan Sippel, Davina Noble, Debbie Tily, Del Mitchell, Denise King, Diann Pustay, Hal Bass, Helen Day, Ian Nick Tarry, Jacky Oxley, Jamie Gray, Jan Gray, Jef Ball, Jennifer Reinhardt, Jess Thorson, Jessica A. Lopez, Jodie Stackowiak, Joe Simon, John Debnam, Kate Smith, Kathryne Nield, Katya Gordon, Kevin Frost, Laura Thomas-port, Louise Thompson, Lynette Wood, Lynne DeBoer Moody, Marie Boucher, Marie McCraney, Mark Beech, Mark Brown, Martha Hayes, MaryAnn Sims, Megan McBrien, Mike Helas, Natalie Fallon, Noah Sturdevant, Noel Hera, Pam Elmes, Patricia Wellfare, Paula Pruitt Jackson, Paulette Kilgore, Penny Campbell-Myhill, Ruth Nield, Sandee Lloyd, Sara Pateman, Sarah Newton, Scott Ackermann, Scott Reid, Sian Johnson, Soobee Dewson, Stacey Mann, Stephanie Claypoole, Stephen Bagwell, Tara Parry, Teresa Cattrall Ferguson, Wendy Schindler.

  Crimson Myth Press

  Crimson Myth Press offers more books by this author as well as books from a few other hand-picked authors. From science fiction & fantasy to adventure & mystery, we bring the best stories for adults and kids alike.

  www.CrimsonMyth.com

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the authors’ imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2017 by John P. Logsdon & Christopher P. Young

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form.

  Published by: Crimson Myth Press (www.CrimsonMyth.com)

  Cover Art: Jake Logsdon (www.JakeLogsdon.com)