The Dark Storm by Kris Greene Read Free Book Online Page B

little girl had overdosed on heroin in one of Carol City’s housing projects. Rogue’s own sister had overdosed years earlier, so he took the girl’s death personally and took the law into his own hands. He hadn’t intended killing the dealer, but things got out of hand and Rogue found himself sitting in front of the Internal Affairs review board. Because of his family’s deep connections in the department, the death was ruled a justifiable homicide, so Rogue was able to avoid jail time, but because of his history of being especially brutal on dealers he was kicked off the force.
    The fact that Rogue had been a good cop earned him the respect of criminals and law enforcement, but it was his gift for spell casting that made him the scourge of the supernatural world. In addition to being a third-generation cop, Rogue was also a seventh-generation mage. The mages were spell casters, but not like witches or sorcerers. The difference was something like that between a pancake and a crepe, the same but different. Though hardly as gifted in the blood as sorcerers, mages made up in knowledge what they lacked in natural ability, dissecting and reconstructing age-old magics to suit their own dark purposes.The mages represented another spectrum of the magical wheel where light and dark were irrelevant and only power was absolute.
    Like the witches, the mages also had covens of sorts called houses. Rogue’s family represented the house of Thanos, the death cult. Thanos was one of two remaining mage houses in the modern world. The followers of the fallen god were said to be masters of death magic and traffickers of the dark. Some even whispered that their powers derived from the spirits they held prisoners in their black towers.
    However, Rogue and his family didn’t adhere to the general practices of their lineage. Since Rogue was a little boy his father had always taught his family that their gifts should only be used to help humanity and uphold the law. A sound philosophy until you learn that the line between law and lawlessness has become so blurred that doing the right thing feels wrong. Still, law and order was in Rogue’s veins and the situation demanded his attention.
    “I prefer the term ‘consultant,’ ” Rogue continued, “and I consult you jokers more than I handle my own cases. Hell, it’s a wonder that I even stay in business.”
    “I don’t care what and who you are; you can’t cross the line. This is a crime scene,” the chubby officer shot back. He folded his arms and stared at Rogue defiantly.
    Rogue sighed. He’d been hoping that he could use just his fast tongue to get what he needed from the crime scene, but the cop was being a prick about it and Rogue didn’t have time to play twenty questions. He was hoping he didn’t have to rattle the cage, but Rogue wasn’t big on twenty questions. “Let me talk to you for a second.” Rogue moved closer to the officer. Peering over the top of his shades, he said, “I just want a quick look to see if this is related to a jumper I’m looking for. I won’t disturb the scene.”
    The chubby officer knew that it was against procedure to let a civilian onto a crime scene, but there was something about the soothing tone of Rogue’s voice that made him feel wrong for denying the man. “I guess a quick look won’t hurt anything; just don’t tell the sergeant,” the officer said, not quite believing the words coming out of his mouth as he spoke.
    “Good man.” Rogue patted him on the back and crossed the yellow tape. His guest snickered quietly, but Rogue blocked him out. As he got closer, he could see body parts and broken glass strewn all over the parking lot. At the edge of the crime scene there was a second officer leaning against a car, spitting up the leftover Chinese food he’d had for dinner.
    “What’ve we got here?” Rogue asked, startling the second officer.
    “Hey, you’re not supposed to be back here,” the officer said, wiping his mouth