Again

Jake’s eyes snapped open. He felt the seat beneath him moving. Not again.

Jake looked out the window. The train was moving quickly, unfamiliar scenery a blur. He heaved a sigh and readjusted himself, glancing around the compartment. Then he checked his pockets. Well at least his wallet was still there but his phone was gone. Jake stretched and tried to feel what his body was telling him. It was stiff. He needed some caffeine. Jake tried to pop his neck deciding he would wait a few minutes before he would get up to grab himself some. Probably a soda. The sugar helped it work better anyways.

Jake realized he was too late when the door to the compartment opened. “Ah, you’re awake.” Jake looked up. The man at the door had a casual otherworldly elegance about him. His long dark hair was loose and his amber eyes held mirth. He handed Jake a can of soda. “I was hoping you would be. These rides get very lonely.”

“What did you drug this time, Luke?” Jake asked, taking the can, and eyeing it.

“Your burger,” Luke admitted, sitting down. “I didn’t add anything to your soda.”

Jake placed the soda down. “You could just ask.”

“What would be the fun in that?”

“It’s my mom’s birthday. I’m supposed to be there for dinner.”

Luke checked his watch. “Missed it by now. Sorry.”

“Which is why you should ask. Couldn’t this wait?”

Luke looked out of the darkening window. “No.”

Jake groaned. “Can I at least have my phone so I can call her and apologize?”

“I dropped your phone off at your apartment,” Luke said.

“You suck.”

“I’m aware.”

“Where’s our final destination?”

“The train is our final destination.”

Jake crinkled his eyebrows. “How many?”

“Maybe a hundred. All underage.”

Jake rubbed his face. “Are they all below us?”

“No,” Luke shook his head. “Couple of cars at the back.”

“They put a spell on the tickets or something?” Jake asked.

“Over the train. I hid inside of you to get on.”

“Mhh,” Jake opened the soda. “That explains the stiffness. And how I got on here without anyone questioning why you were dragging a dead body.”

Luke laughed. “That was not my best moment. In all fairness you weren’t dead.”

“And in all fairness, you can just ask for my help,” Jake took a sip, feeling the immediate effects of the caffeine. “I’m already knee deep in the fight.”

“You’d let me borrow your body?” Luke asked.

“If that's the only way then yes,” Jake said, rotating his wrist. It was feeling normal again. “We’ve been doing this since we were 15.”

Luke smiled. “I thought you’d tire of me by now.”

“I tire of your methods, not you,” Jake rolled his eyes. “How long before we go?”

Luke looked out the window at the setting sun. “About 20 minutes.”

“Did you bring me armor?” Jake asked.

Luke stood and took a bag down from the overhead compartment. He tossed it to Jake. “Only the best.”

“I appreciate it.” Jake pulled out the crimson tunic. He admired the shine of the fabric for a moment before changing into it from his tee-shirt and jeans. He pulled the trousers out of the bag and pulled them on as well. Gloves and boots finished the ensemble. He glanced at his companion who had changed into a blue tunic. Luke’s dark hair was now braided allowing the points of his ears to show. He’d forgone the gloves and was now placing a sword onto his back. A circlet was on his forehead, its white gem glinting when the light hit it. Jake grabbed his wallet and pulled a pack of cards out of it.

“Can’t believe you still have those,” Luke muttered. “Most just leave them.”

“Most are stupid,” Jake strapped a pouch around his waist and slipped the cards in. “They’re multiple use. And I can’t just make more.”

“Most of them aren’t multiple use,” Luke admitted. “Mother added an extra charm.”

“Really? Remind me to thank her later.” Jake stashed his civilian clothes in the bag. He almost added his wallet but instead put it in his pouch. He’d had to abandon clothes before. “Ready.”

Luke nodded. “First thing’s first. We’ll have to make sure the train doesn’t stop.”

“What about the other humans?”

“I already cast a charm on them. They won’t notice anything.”

“Good,” Jake nodded. For a moment he wanted to curse his own father who had passed on his immunity. Jake had been perfectly happy growing up believing that fairy tales and the magic that was in them held no hint of truth. It had been a rude awakening the first time he’d seen Luke fight an actual monster. Luke had cast the charm so no humans would see what he was doing. But Jake wasn’t exactly human, was he?

Luke opened the compartment and led Jake towards the front of the train. “Might want to grab your dagger now,” he warned. “I wasn’t able to figure out how many are on here for sure.”

Jake pulled out a well-worn card, the little bit of magic he’d inherited from his father helping him to know which to grab. “What are we up against?”

“Shapeshifters. As far as I know they all only turn into one animal.”

“That’s reassuring. You’re so thorough,” Jake deadpanned.

“I would have been more thorough,” Luke defended himself. “But I found out about the hundred children who’s magic they plan to steal and decided it was better to move.”

“Do you know what race we’re saving?”

“No,” Luke admitted. “Just that they’re…” He trailed off and stopped walking. There were three people in front of them, two men and a woman. They were standing in a line watching the duo approach. Jake stepped up beside Luke. He flexed his dagger in his hand.

“Was wondering when you’d show up,” one of the men sneered. He was burley with a shaved head and tattoos up his arms. There were at least three animals that Jake could see on them. “You’d best turn around your majesty.”

Luke pulled out his sword.

“Do you think this is a game?” The other man chuckled. He was slim. Only one tattoo, a cheetah, sat on his face below the left eye.

“Never,” Luke answered. “Let them go and you don’t have to see how seriously I’m taking this.”

“He’s one of the spares I think,” the woman said. Jake couldn’t see where her tattoo was. “They won’t send anyone after him.”

“That’s all I need to know,” The burly man said before charging. His form shifted into a Grizzley Bear.

Luke moved his feet into a defensive pose. The bear ran into the invisible shield that was formed. The bear growled and attacked again.

Jake changed his focus to the cheetah that was now pacing. The shield was cracking. He had to be ready.

But his mind wandered for the briefest moment to his mother. He wondered if she suspected what had happened. His stepfather would be trying to poison her against him again. He would be saying how Jake was so lazy, how he didn’t care. But his mother would know. His half-sister too. Jake remembered the symbol she had drawn on his door.

“If you’re going to be involved in all this you need safety measures. Perhaps I should add talismans to your deck. Can’t hurt.”

Bless Lila.

The shield broke. Jake brought his dagger up as the cheetah ran. He move quickly, though not quick enough. The cheetah slashed. Jake was grateful for the elfin armor. He jumped back, flipping as he did so, bringing the dagger up again. The yowl was satisfying. He kicked the cheetah away and pulled out another card. As he threw it the card changed, netting the cheetah, forcing it to be still against the wall.

Jake turned to the woman who eyed him. She flung her brown hair behind her. Jake watched as her arms became wings and her feet talons. Ah. Harpy. Joy.

Jake grabbed his cards again. Blue fire. He needed a blue fire.

The harpy charged screeching. Why use someone who’s advantage was flight on a train? But Jake knew her wings were as sharp as her talons. He dodged as his fingers fumbled for the card. He needed that fire.

“Shit!” He felt her wing catch his face. Small and shallow as the cut was he knew it was going to sting like hell for weeks. His hand lighted on the right card.

Finally.

He threw it. She screeched flying back and hitting the ceiling. Apparently hard enough to knock herself out. Jake pulled the fire back and smirked. Flight was no advantage here. He cast a net and looked to Luke.

The bear had shifted into a tiger and was now on the ground, Luke’s magic binding it there. Luke looked at him. “Are you ok?”

“Her wing caught me,” Jake admitted. “But I’ll live.”

“We’ve got to get this train moving,” Luke said, breaking into a run. Jake followed him.

“How many cars?” Jake asked.

“Two more,” Luke said. “But then it’s twenty to get to the back.”

“Leave that to me,” Jake said.

Luke cut the engine room door open. Inside were two men. They both stood. Jake could see their skin start to shift. Damn.

He held his dagger at the ready as one launch towards him. Their body elongated. Jake barely had time to think before he was wrapped in its coils. He looked over to see Luke in the same predicament.

Damn it.

He couldn’t breathe.

The snake got tighter.

He could see his father. There was that awkward gait he always had.

“Half humans always have less magic,” he’d explained. “It’s better that way. You’ll be safe.”

Fat lot of good that did him.

“I have a brother who’s half.”

Luke. Luke had told him about Alan.

“The magic seemed to have skipped him. Mother put him with a human family. Keep him safe.”

Luke twisted his body. Trying to get the stupid shifter to loosen its hold.

“Are you sure about this?” his mother had asked. “It’s dangerous, your dad’s world.”

Jake moved his dagger. He felt it sink in. There was a hiss in his ear as the snake tightened more. Black dots spread across his vision. He was going to die.

Suddenly, Jake could breathe again. He fell to his knees, sputtering and coughing.

“I hate snakes,” Jake heard Luke next to him. “You good?”

“Have to be,” Jake forced himself up. He pulled out a card and slapped it on the dashboard. The train sped up. No stopping now.

Jake turned to Luke. His sword was bloody.

“Had to be done.”

“You don’t hear me complaining.” Jake pulled out the next card. “It’ll take two jumps.”

“Fine,” Luke agreed, massaging his neck. “Let’s save them.”

Jake threw the card. It grew and morphed until a silver oval stood in front. Luke ran and jumped, Jake behind him.

Luke was already swinging magic at the shifters who met them. Jake grabbed the oval and threw the card once more. He jumped, Luke following this time.

Jake grabbed the oval once more, cutting off the portal. He stood back-to-back with Luke.

“It’s too quiet,” Luke murmured, looking around the empty car.

Jake agreed. They moved toward the door and stepped through into the next car.

Jake could feel the magic now. There were children everywhere. Centaurs, fawns, elves, gnomes, there was even a cage with fairies. He could see the window to the next can, which was filled with water.

A man, dark and handsome stepped forward. “I heard one of the princes was on board.” Luke moved creating a shield once more. Jake looked behind the man, seeing five or six others. The man in front had pointed ears and short silver hair. Elf.

The Elf shook his head. “Lucan, right? The fifth prince? Not even an important prince.”

Luke glared. “And who are you?”

“I prefer no name,” The Elf said. “Too much power held in them. Don’t you think so, Lucan Cindor Jorudel Fellmirr Rhyavel?”

Luke stiffened. The sword dropped.

“That’s it.” The Elf grinned. “So dangerous. Though their majesties did well in protection. Five names.”

Jake tried to run forward. The elf snapped and Jake felt ropes spring from the ground and wrap around him. His dagger fell uselessly, landing as a card.

“Kneel before me, Lucan,” The Elf commanded. Jake watch in horror as Luke did so. The silver haired elf walked around Luke. “You’ll of course be the jewel of my buyer’s collection.”

“And what are the rest of them?” Luke spat.

The Elf smiled slowly. “Options.”

Jake tried to reach into his pack. What could he even try? They knew Luke’s name. They had the power.

“Kill the human,” The elf ordered. Two men came forward, eager grins.

Jake’s hand landed on some cards. Those would work. “Sorry to disappoint,” Jake twisted and cut the ropes with another card before throwing three. Two turned into nets wrapping themselves around the two men. The third cut the silver haired elf’s cheek. “I’m not human.”

The Elf grinned. “Very well. Lucan Cindor Jorudel Fellmirr Rhyavel, pick up your sword and kill the halfling.”

Luke closed his eyes. His body was shaking as he took his sword and stood. ‘Sorry,’ Luke mouthed.

Jake pulled another card, revealing his own sword. Luke ran at him. Jake moved, crouching down. He grabbed Luke and flipped him over. Jake stood and threw another card, that landed on the floor. Darkness spilled from it.

Jake ran forward. He needed to take the elf out, fast. He jumped feeling his feet connect with someone. He let his limited magic guide him, certain he was taking out the enemy, not the children they were helping. Soon he didn’t know where to hit.

Jake stood listening. Where was The Elf? Where was Luke?

He heard a door open and a woosh. Water slammed him against a wall and he knew only darkness.

“Jake? Jake?”

“I hate you,” Jake moaned. He opened his eyes. “You ok?”

Luke sighed. “Not really.”

“Are the kids ok?”

“Yeah,” Luke looked around. “Ozzy’s taken over. He’s going to get them home.”

Jake sat up. “How’d he learn your name?”

“No idea,” Luke sat next to Jake. “Mother and Father are going to investigate. He got away.”

“Sorry. I tried.”

“I know. You did good. The rest have been caught.” Luke grinned. “That’s why I bring you with me.”

“Great. Now if you can just learn to ask instead of abducting me.”

Luke laughed. “Maybe.”

“I’ll take it,” Jake smiled. “Are you going after him?’

Luke leaned back. “Maybe? It depends on Mother and Father. He knows my name. It’ll be dangerous.”

“When has that stopped us?” Jake asked.

Luke smiled. “Never.”

“Good.”

Jake watched as Luke’s older brother dealt with the children. They would be home soon, their magic safe. He would be home soon, as well. And then he would probably wake up on another train. Or a plane. Or a boat.

Again.