Excerpt: Fractured Magic: The Chronicles of the Buried Moon

"It? You know where it is?" His laughter echoed through the woods. "Perfect! Absolutely perfect! I've always wanted an it."

"The key," the boy corrected, and Mr. Pax stopped laughing. Still, the shadow man smirked, until the boy added, "The key to the Moon's Lantern. I know where it is. And you can't get to it without me."

Mr. Pax's eyes grew wide, then he quickly recovered his composure. "I told you not to lie to me, brat."

The boy grinned, smug, and lied through his teeth. "I'm not lying. I swear on my mother's life. And I'll give it to you—for a price."

"And what keeps me from taking it from your cold, dead hands?"

"You know the rules, sir. 'None but a human can steal from a human that which opens the Lantern of Luna.' If you take it from me without permission, or if you breach our contract, then it'll turn to dust in your hands. Surely you knew that already, didn't you?"

Mr. Pax snarled. Of course he knew. "And your price?"

"Oh, only the usual things. Luxury, guaranteed protection—for myself and my family and friends, of course, and anyone else I choose—success, and power."

With a glare, Mr. Pax said, "I'm not a ******* genie, boy."

The boy tilted his head. "I know. But I have something you want, and I'm the only one who can get it for you. You need me."

Mr. Pax spat and crossed his arms. "Or I could kill you now and save myself the trouble."

The boy shook his head. "Not if you ever want to see that key in one piece you can't. I have it protected, and I guarantee that even you can't get past what I've got around it if I'm dead. Unless you really want to destroy it, of course. Now, do we have an agreement?"

Mr. Pax swallowed, then nodded. "Yes, brat. Against my better judgment, we do. When will I have it?"

The boy bit the inside of his cheek and pondered. He had an idea of where he could find it, but he needed time. Finally, he said, "End of December. Right after Christmas. My parents will be out of the country then, and we won't have to meet out here--"

"We meet where I say!"

The boy shook his head. "No, we meet where I say. I hold the cards now, Mr. Pax, and I expect you to respect that. Okay?"

Mr. Pax sighed and nodded his head. He sounded pained when he said, "Yes, boy. I shall."

"Perfect," the boy said. "Shall we shake on it?"

As they shook hands, the two glared daggers at each other. The boy's heart hammered in his chest, and he wondered for a moment if he should change his mind, if he could change his mind, if he could take everything back. But before he could flee, he felt the burn of dark magic run down his arm and fought not to gasp at the pain. The deal was made, and he was spared for three more months.

He had plenty of time, he told himself. He just had to get that key.