Walking down the murky bellows of the City of Downland, the horrid smells insult my nostrils, heading towards a shady alleyway on a Saturday night. I made my journey through the end of the alley, spotting a crowd where there were booths decorated in black curtains. Breathing a sigh of relief, the black market hasn’t closed down yet! Pushing through the throng, I struggled to find the booth where I needed to go. The Rise of Light could’ve found a better useless lackey to do this job! Whatever, better make this trip quick and settle any deals.

Arriving at the destination booth, a slick blond haired man wearing a long black trench coat was dealing with other customers. Groaning, I overheard customers ranting and raving about the high prices to the dealer while waiting in line. Cursing to myself, “Damn, I just left Roxanna and Casey for this?”

Impatiently tapping my foot, the line moved like a slug, which fueled the waiting frustration even more. I pulled out my cell phone, browsing through my text messages to see messages from several of the Rise of Light members and my little sister, Olive. Most of the messages from the Rise of Light members were mostly boring business conversations and couldn’t care much about it. However, Olive’s message stood out to me the most, since it was about our aunt, Michelle.

Trying to hide the mere disgust on my face, I read my sister’s message: “Mark, where have you been? I have been calling you since Aunt Michelle has been harassing me about getting the family back together sometime!”

Why bring up that bitch again? Who cares about that crappy city that we used to live in? I made a better life now outside there now that I didn’t have to be forced to live around weaker Outsider beings.

Olive seemed to forget that Aunt Michelle and our whore mother were the reason the family messed up our lives. I answered back to her kindly even though it made me want to throw up.

For a couple minutes, Olive responded: “Mark, don’t you think it’s a good idea to go back there? At least, make her think we’re okay. Plus, you promised your father to get the family amulet, and I think it would be a good idea to at least get Darren to join the cult with us."

Hating her response, it took every single ounce of my energy not to respond rashly. I took a deep breath and slowly texted back my response: “I didn’t forget my goal, Olive. Also, why would I want that demon bastard child to join the cult, anyway? His magic isn’t special like mine. Let him suffer. You know how Darren is such an Outsider lover with those friends of his! He wasn’t smart enough like you to figure out how hanging with them made him weak.”

Darren was our dear brother, well, at least HER dear brother. I wanted nothing to do with the other half demon child. Both my half sister and brother were the children of a weaker mage. My half-brother was nothing but a mirror copy of that low-powered son of a bitch that stole my mother away from my father. 

Reading her last message, Olive restated her point once more: “You know he is becoming more successful than you? I heard from sources that Darren’s band, The NorthEasters have been doing very well at your old stomping ground. And you know how much you hate it when Darren outshines you, right?”

Clutching my phone, this chick better be lying about that. This boy can’t be doing much better, and he would never outshine me! Perhaps it would be a good idea to pay a visit to the hell city to remind Darren where his place is.

“Hey, can you move, man?! We don’t have all day here!” Snapping me out of my focus, I turned to see a monkey-faced human man yelling at me.

Sending out my last text with some choice words to Olive, I moved quickly in line just for the man to stop yelling at me. Luckily, no one could recognize me so far thanks to one of the illusion potions that I brewed earlier. We can’t have a famous musician get exposed for shady dealings, can’t we? When the last person moved out of the line, it was finally my turn to meet with the dealer.

Glancing at the dealer, he was carrying a bunch of magic items in his arms to the table. Waiting for the man to put the items down, he turned his attention and leaned towards me. My eyes darted around to find anyone close by, then I spoke to the dealer, “Um Hello.. I am James. I am here for a shipment for my business, Richelson Industries.”

“Richelson Industries? Oh, I have your shipment here.” He answered in a hoarse voice. “It’s a large shipment? Where do you want to send the rest of them?”

I pulled out cash and a piece of paper out of my pocket, then gave it to the man. The man’s mouth formed a smile, then nodded, “Oh, Scarlet Cavens? We take everything else from there. Thank you for your business, sir.” 

The dealer handed me a box, then closed the curtains as I went on my way out of the market. Leaving the black market, I quickly went to find the limousine, which was hiding nearby another alleyway. Getting inside of the vehicle and gesturing to the driver, the driver nodded in response by pressing the gas to jet out of this area. As my disguise dissolved, I put down the box and pulled out my phone. One new text came up from my ex-girlfriend, Roxy. Curiously, the text spelled out: “I failed to recruit the target.”

Blinking my eyes in shock, I knew what she was talking about. She failed to recruit this crappy indie band, The Hexes!