Page 37 of Mystery of Magic

As I examined the lifeless figure on the office floor, the harsh overhead lights cast an unforgiving glare on the body before me. The air seemed charged with an eerie tension, as though the very room held its breath, waiting for answers.

My gaze was fixated on the strange dagger protruding from his back. It was like nothing I had ever seen before, a sinister work of art with ornate markings etched into its blade. The hilt was adorned with symbols that hinted at a dark and mysterious origin. I couldn’t help but wonder about the significance of this weapon in the man’s demise.

Kneeling beside him, I carefully examined the wound. The dagger had been expertly thrust into his back with a precision that spoke of a calculated and deliberate act. The crimson stain around the wound contrasted starkly with the man’s pale skin, a vivid reminder of the violence that had occurred.

As I studied the lifeless face before me, I couldn’t help butfeel a sense of empathy. This man had been someone’s son, perhaps a father, a husband, or a friend. His life had been abruptly extinguished, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and shattered dreams.

The room itself bore witness to the struggle that had taken place. Papers were strewn haphazardly across the floor, and a side lamp lay broken on the floor beside the man’s desk. It was clear that this was more than just a simple murder; it was a puzzle, a web of secrets and motives waiting to be unraveled.

“Why kill him? What significance does he play in all of this?”

Daryn held a file in his hand. “This business is run like any other mundane version. It purchases struggling businesses and sells off the parts. Corporate takeovers are hardly supernatural.”

I pointed to the dagger. “But this weapon is. I can feel the dark energy surrounding it.”

Daryn nodded. “The security guard called Cipher when he saw it and cleared the building so nobody else would see the body. He works for the council, as most security guards in town do.”

“Smart. If security reports to the council first, there is less interference from the mundane police.”

“It’s not infallible, but it does help.”

I put my finger close to the hilt, but Daryn spoke before I touched it. “Don’t. That is the Dagger of Delume. It suspends a witch or warlock’s magic. It makes it impossible for them to use any healing ability they may possess. Although it was thrust into his heart, so he likely never had a chance to call on his power.”

“How do you know so much about this dagger?”

Daryn put the file he was holding on the desk. “Because that weapon was stolen from the museum.”

“Do you know what they were looking for?”

Daryn shook his head. “There is nothing here but information on the merger Darwin was working on.”

I felt a flutter in my chest and stood before scanning the room. “Do you feel that?”

Daryn glanced around. “No. What is it?”

My eyes roamed over the bookshelf in the corner before landing on the portrait of the dead man. “It’s coming from behind the picture.”

Daryn moved to the picture and removed it to reveal a wall safe. “It is spelled, but it isn’t that sophisticated and it’s breaking down, which means that Darwin placed the spell.”

“I will make bets that his killer didn’t know about the safe and was looking for whatever was inside. Especially if his glamor spell was good enough.”

“Since this is essentially a mundane building, he shouldn’t have been using spells in his private office, but it works to our advantage.” He placed his hand on the front of the safe and the knob began to spin. It reversed twice before the lock clicked and the door swung open.

“I guess you could make a killing as a cat burglar if the whole hunter thing doesn’t work out.”

Daryn shot me a smile that made my heart flutter. “There is only one thing worth stealing, and I already have it.”

We both knew he was talking about my heart. “What is in there?”

Daryn pulled a scroll from the safe, then unraveled it. “This isn’t from the museum.”

I moved closer so I could read the parchment. “What is that?”

“I have no idea. I don’t recognize the symbols or the area.” He pulled out his phone and took a picture. “I am sending this to Cipher. Maybe he can figure out what it is.”

Daryn passed me the scroll.

My finger delicately traced the strange markings etched onto the parchment. The characters seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. As ahunter, I had seen my fair share of life’s mysteries, but this was something entirely different.

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