Shadow Duel Prof Croft 9 Brad Magnarella Copyright © 2021 by Brad Magnarella All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Cover design by Damonza.com Table of Contents Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 The Doideag’s Prophecy Available Now! Free Books, Anyone? Author’s Notes Preview of Blue Curse Croftverse Catalogue Join the Strange Brigade The Prof Croft Series PREQUELS Book of Souls Siren Call MAIN SERIES Demon Moon Blood Deal Purge City Death Mage Black Luck Power Game Druid Bond Night Rune Shadow Duel MORE COMING! 1 “Thanks again for the lift,” I said, gathering my coat and cane. “Any time.” Using the hand controls, Bree-yark finished parking his giant Hummer. “No way was I gonna let you cab it all the way out here.” “My wallet and I appreciate that.” I got out and surveyed the scene. Bree-yark came around to join me, grunting with each step. “What in thunder are we doing here anyway?” he asked, one hand playing visor to his squinting goblin eyes. “That’s what I’d like to know.” A week ago, the citywide wards had picked up an energy discharge suggesting an arrival into our world. I rushed to the location, an alley in the Lower East Side, and found squat. Just the barest trace of dissipating energy. The conjured creature had flamed out, and the amateur caster had gathered his or her implements and scooted. Best case, the fool had been scared straight. Worst, he’d be fool enough to try again. And here we were, just as the sun was rising over a lovely landfill in central Queens. My cane tugged toward the valley of garbage, where earthmoving machines were already at work distributing the filth, and clouds of seagulls cried overhead. Minor conjurings typically led me to apartments, back alleys, and the occasional hobby shop, but there was a first time for everything. And hopefully a last. The wind shifted, scattering debris over the landfill. “You don’t have to join me,” I said, fishing a handkerchief from a coat pocket to breathe through. “I shouldn’t be long.” “Forget it. We’re going in together.” “You’re still not a hundred percent.” “Hey, I’m not the one carrying a cane,” he joked. “Well, I wasn’t demon-torched in a time catch and left for dead.” Bree-yark waved a hand as if I were referring to a minor bump. But it was a miracle he’d recovered, much less been able to fulfill his duties as my best man a few months later. Of course, we were talking about someone who’d spent nearly a century in the goblin army. He pulled off his collared shirt, his muscled torso a canvas of scars and faded tattoos, and draped it over his rearview mirror. “Lead the way,” he barked. I donned my trench coat and cinched it tight around my waist, then stuffed the cuffs of my pantlegs into my socks. Stepping over the guardrail, I began picking my way across a slope of rankness. Though I’d never wanted a protective shield more, I couldn’t risk it interfering with a hunting spell that was only tenuously locked onto its target. By the weakness of the signal, the target was probably sublimating, but I was still duty-bound to check it out. Plus, the city had been quiet in the last few months and I needed the practice. Bree-yark powered his stocky four-foot frame in my wake, trying hard to conceal his limp. “What are we even looking for?” “Shallow nether creature,” I said through my handkerchief. “They’re usually crablike or buggy. And they always show up hungry, so watch yourself.” The thing would have plenty to pick over here, I thought grimly. “Don’t worry. I’m packing goblin steel.” My lead foot plunged from view, and I nearly face-planted into a plastic bag squirming with maggots. Swearing, I drew my muck-covered foot back out. I was going to have plenty to say to the idiot conjurer when we found him—not only for getting me out of bed in the predawn, but for ruining a perfectly good pair of shoes. “You all right?” Bree-yark asked. “Fine.” The hunting spell continued to pull us toward a nearby hill. Above, a garbage truck beeped into reverse and sent its cargo spilling down an embankment. We were headed for the fresh stuff, which made me wonder if the creature had climbed into a trash container that had been picked up that morning. “How are things going with the move?” Bree-yark asked as I started forward again. “Oh, you know, adjustments all around,” I answered through my handkerchief. “Tabitha’s not thrilled.” Since the wedding last month, Vega had remained in Brooklyn with her son, Tony, so he could finish out the school year. That done, and following some modifications to my West Village loft, they were moving in permanently. “Aw, give Tabby time,” Bree-yark said. “She’s used to having you all to herself.” “I think it’s more that she’s used to having the loft all to herself.” Bree-yark chortled. How he was freely breathing this stuff, I had no idea. “How are things with Mae?” I asked. “Top notch. Thinking about popping the question.” I stopped to peer over a shoulder. “No kidding? That’s great.” “Well, she’s old fashioned, and I’m getting tired of just escorting her to her door at night. I’d like to be walking through it for a change. But, hey, this is just between us. I’m still working up the nerve.” “My lips are sealed,” I said, the final word ending on a gag. “How is the smell not strangling you?” I demanded, adjusting my handkerchief. He shrugged. “When you’ve lived in a goblin barracks, you’ve pretty much smelled it all.” As we neared the hill, my cane made small adjustments, guiding me toward a recent spill of garbage. Something skittered beneath the debris. There you are. My body hummed as
