Warlock: The Beginning (Chapter 1)

Noon. What a God-awful time. The sun is blinding, it's hot, and humans are everywhere. I should still be asleep, but I have a job to do. I'm a bounty hunter, security escort, and all around go-to guy when dangerous things happen. My slogan, 'When shit hits the fan, the Warlock is your man.' I know it sounds corny, but that seems to be what catches peoples attention. Plus, humans are more likely to not be immediately terrified if some corny slogan is involved.1

You see, I'm a warlock, which is a rare thing these days. Warlocks are a race of magic-users that have almost gone extinct. Unlike most magic-users, you can't learn what we do. It's embedded in our blood. Most magic uses incantations and rituals; mine, on the other hand, is more along the lines of directly shaping my will. Thats where most of the distrust comes from, now that I think about it. Since my magic is so different, people get uneasy around it. It's bad enough with Otherworlders, but humans are the worst.2

Ten years ago, a woman by the name of Mary Johnson was working late for a crime lab when she stumbled on an interesting discovery. One of the victims, while looking, and claimed, to be thirty-seven, had a scar that tested as almost fifty years old. It was a phenomenon that had the medical and scientific communities dumbfounded. As it turned out, the victim was an elf. Any Otherworlder would have been able to tell them that, but we were still refusing to admit out existence. Eventually, the big-wigs, the Master Vampires, Alpha Werewolves, and heads of the Mage Guild, finally decided we couldn't hide anymore. The human world accepted us with open arms. And hidden daggers.3

The next three years were full of terror and pain as the humans natural prejudice overwhelmed their sense. There were brawls in the streets as humans tried to hunt down anything that wasn't, well, strictly human. At first the Otherworlders wouldn't kill humans if it were possible. Once again the big-wigs were calling the shots. Everyone except the humans, it seemed, knew what a full-scale war would bring. Once the humans were killed off, and lets not kid ourselves, they had no chance, the rightful balance of power would shift as vampires no longer had weak humans to prey on, leaving the rest of us banding together to fight the vamps off. That, of course, is only if the humans didn't decide to use some of their nastier weapons, like nuclear weapons. Either way, the end of a war would have been catastrophic.4

By the end of the first three years, the world was on the brink of war when a charismatic ex-president of America stepped forward. The man hadn't been seen for years, most even thought he was dead. His name was Phillip Andrews, and he announced that he was an elf. Andrews gave a long-winded speech that sounded right out of a civil rights movement, and, I guess, technically it was. After the speech things calmed down. I'm not sure if it was the statement, or that enough time had passed, but either way the humans realized that Otherworlders wouldn't be killing them in the millions. I mean for God's sake we've been surrounding them since before they started to write down history. For two more years you'd hear about small street scuffles, always with a negative tilt from the media, but mostly we all became a big happy family. Or at least in-laws standing on opposite sides of the wedding.5

I almost make it sound like we are all kind and responsible adults, don't I. Let's get one thing straight. There is prejudice. Lots of it. Humans don't trust us, but there are laws protecting everyone, though the laws really only apply to humans. If an Otherworlder screws up, they get dealt with as is tradition by Otherworld law. What can I say, old habits die hard. It is the Otherworld lawbreakers who keep me fed. 6

After the human-run police found that they couldn't handle most Otherworlders, they started to place bounties, and that's where I come in. Some Were, Vamp, Wizard, or Other causes problems, I catch 'em and collect. Or at least, normally, I catch 'em. I also run 'security,' meaning if a dangerous activity, legal or otherwise, is happening I can be called for fire-power. I keep people alive, even if they aren't the most law-abiding citizens. When your stomach is rumbling and a Master Vamp asks you to help him, well it's pretty much an offer you can't refuse.7

“You with me, Ben?” A woman's voice asked softly in my ear.8

With a slight jump I came to, taking in my surroundings. Marilynn and I were in an alley, waiting. People and cars crossed on the far side, unseen through the boxes and trash, but clearly heard. It smelled horrid, so much trash and rotting things it overpowered the senses, keeping anyone from picking out individual scents. It would have been bad even for someone who didn't have an Otherworld nose, but for me it was torture. I don't know how Marilynn survived it. There was one door leading into the alley, and it let to a warehouse. Inside the warehouse a wizard was hiding out. A wizard who kept going on crime sprees. A few robberies and a death or two were enough to make a good enough bounty. If my sources were right, he'd be coming out soon.9

“Ben?”10

I turned so I could see her face over my shoulder. “I'm here, Mar, just lost in thought,” I whispered, meeting her worried gaze. “Honestly, I'm fine."11

Marilynn's long face creased further in worry. As one of my few friends, I had asked for her help, hoping a little extra muscle would keep this bounty alive. Marilynn is a werewolf, which, besides making her a little extra-hairy at least once a month, givers her quick reflexes and strong muscles. She held her body well, like a fighter always poised for combat. Her long limbs were slender, giving her a weak appearance that was all-too misleading. With a thin face covered in stringy brown hair, she looked like an anorexic. It was part of the Were metabolism. Some look lean and fit, but others look like they don't eat. Marilynn was part of the latter, yet with an almost model-like quality to well-kept appearance. She wore loose jeans and a thin t-shirt. Her green eyes sparkled with gold around the rims, letting me know her wolf was waiting to be released.12

Even as a lone wolf, Marilynn has the pack-mentality all Were's develop. Lone wolves aren't very common, since they are hard for the Alpha's to control, but Marilynn, as the daughter of one of the most powerful Alpha, got along just fine. The problem, though, is that she creates packs that have nothing to do with other wolves. Her pack is her friends, meaning if one is injured or upset, she feels the need to take care of them. I find it infuriating, even though I put up with it.13

Marilynn and I had met about two years ago when I did a job for her father. As two bounty hunters we immediately became rivals, though after six weeks of working together formed a deep friendship. It's funny how things happen sometimes.14

“How much longer do you think this will take, Ben?” Marilynn asked.15

Before I could answer the door to the warehouse opened. Out stepped a frail man, with a long bony face and short, brown hair. It was Mal Yenner, the bounty I was looking for. Stepping from the shadows I called to him. “Mal Yenner? Can I have a word?” I said with an implied threat.16

Most of the time, the bounties reply with wary caution, expecting a set-up. After all they are on the run. This guy started laughing. And not just a chuckle, either. No, the full-bodied laugh of a maniac who knows he just won. After a few moments he spoke. “This is just perfect,” he explains between hiccups of laughter. “The first attempt at collecting my bounty, is the very person who will pay my bribe.”17

Confused, I act like a normal bounty head. “Come again?”18

His smile widened, showing brilliantly white teeth. “You are Ben Zanders, the only known warlock in the surrounding area. The Mage Guild will pay off my bribe if I bring you to them. My only complaint is that they expect you alive.” He started to laugh maniacally again. “Oh well, I guess you can't have it all.”19

Before I could reply Mal's arms started to move in a complex pattern. As his spell formed, I erected a mental wall, refusing to allow him to control my mind. Instead of a compulsion spell, though, fire erupted into existence in front of Mal, flying straight towards me. Diving out of the way, I focused my will; causing a black ball of energy to shoot back towards Mal. He tried to dodge, but warlocks don't throw spells, we move energy. Focusing again, the ball changed directions, hitting him in the chest and throwing him back into the warehouse. 20

Before he emerged again, I pulled energy into myself and used it to augment my already keen senses. Marilynn was almost a wolf, by now, but I felt something out of place behind her. Spinning around, I called out. “Behind you!”21

A man stood with a gun aimed at Marilynn. He was a brute of a man, and I quickly realized he was just a hired human hand. “Not so fast Wolfy. Kindly change back,” he hissed at her.22

Slowly Marilynn reversed her transformation. “You see, Ben, I know your tricks, and I was expecting you eventually, just not so soon,” Mal chuckled as he limped out of the warehouse. “Now kindly come with me and she will be fine.”23

My mind raced, trying to come up with a good way out of this mess. “Why would I give a shit about some wolf?” I demanded, using a little energy to cause him to doubt himself.24

“Because,” he fumbled. “she is your friend. Marilynn Brennen. The only Were you would work with.” He almost sounded like he was asking a question, but then my hold broke and with more confidence, he added, “I know you, Ben. I did my research.”25

I chuckled softly, then burst into laughter, mimicking his early outburst. “How...lovely,” I said. “If I had known you were so stupid I wouldn't have planned at all. Marilynn wouldn't have been so stupid as to let her guard down, even while changing. No, that is just a dumb bitch that I was letting tag along for the money. A friend wanted her to see 'a hunter in action.' If she dies, then it's no sweat off my back.”26

My window of opportunity was opening, a little at a time. Mal was getting confused, I could almost see his brain working. Before I could continue my quick plan, a woman stepped calmly into the alley.27

“Am I interrupting?” she asked sweetly. I knew the voice, and sure enough, when I turned around it was Lira. Five-six, hundred and ten pound wizard, Lira.28

She was dressed in her usual attire. Tight shirt, short shorts, showing off a well-kept, curving body. Her short, blond hair fell around her face, almost touching her shoulders. She held herself as tall as she could, making herself appear cocky and unprepared, while her almost gold eyes scanned the alley. She was putting on a show, for whom, though, was the question.29

Smiling, almost menacingly, she spoke again. “Can I have a word, Ben?”30

Mal started chuckling, first softly and growing into a booming laughter. “You're a little late, sweetheart. He's coming with me.”31

Her smile grew even wider. “So you say.”32

That's when I lost it. “No! No fucking way!” I roared. “You cannot be pissed enough at me to claim a bounty. What grudge do you have against me, Lira? What the hell did I do to you? You were the one to break up with me, not the other way around!”33

I'm not quite sure what happened next. I saw a flash of motion, and, to be honest, the next thing I remember is finding myself against the wall, with Marilynn holding me still. The smell of death hung heavy in the air surrounding me. It was silent, not quiet, but silent, which was odd, but I ignored the fact.34

Against the other wall clung Lira, terror blazing behind her eyes. On the ground in front of me lay Mal Yenner and his hired goon. They looked as though someone had ripped them apart with claws, but there was too much blood around them to be just from the wounds I could see.35

When I glanced at my hands, they were covered in blood, and I swear I saw claws. I blinked and they were replaced by my normal hands. My bloody, normal hands. As I watched the blood seemed to seep into my skin.36

Looking up, I saw Lira vomiting, and still, there was only silence. Marilynn let go of me and started speaking to me through signs. “You alright?” she signed. When I nodded she signed again. “Meet me at the spot then.” I knew what she meant. Even though we use out own form of signing, Marilynn and I still don't take chances. She was refering to a bar we often hid out in after Hunts.37

I tried to catch Lira's eyes before I left, but she wouldn't look at me. With a soft shove, Marilynn sent me on my way. As soon as I left the alley, sound flooded my senses. People talking, small animals and insects, vehicles screaming past, it felt like un-muting a TV set way too loud. Shaking off the sudden explosion of noise, I went to flag a taxi.