Hidden Nature

by S. M. Savoy

  “Please, Joy, we can’t live like this.”

  Joy bit her lip, and then with a determined look at Sara, she released her magic. Charlie beckoned Drew over. Joy took his hand and pulled him into their magic. The magic rejoiced, magnifying their love and sharing it. Bright sparks bloomed and the hum increased. Drew grinned and kissed Joy on the mouth then leaned down and kissed Sara lightly. He kissed Charlie on the cheek, and then backed away. Charlie knew Drew was worried but his love for Joy was clear as was his affection for he and Sara.

  Joy lingered with Charlie and Sara a moment then followed Drew, but her magic remained, darting between them in small swirls.

  “Rick!” Charlie called his brother.

  Sara tensed in his arms. Stasia eyes flared blue and her hands clenched around Rick’s.

  “Please, Stasia, try to control it just for a moment, then you come to us too.”

  She nodded unhappily and released Rick’s hand. Rick crouched in front of them, surrounded by a cloud of his magic. Sara lifted a hand and placed it against his cheek. Her relief was as strong as Charlie’s that the magic didn’t respond. Rick gave them both a quick kiss on the cheek, and Charlie sagged with relief. The magic loved Rick but not as much as it loved Joy. With his eyes closed he could see the light that was Sara, and it was clear to him that neither his brother or his wife had a connection beyond the affection they shared for each other. The light that was her was firmly fixed on himself and it made him almost lightheaded with relief.

  Suddenly Stasia stood beside them.

  Rick took her hand. “Let your magic out, honey. It’s okay. Can’t you feel their love?”

  Tears trailed unheeded across Stasia’s cheeks as her magic mingled with theirs. She sank to the snow to kneel before Charlie. Magic eddy about them in gentle swirls.

  He didn’t have to ask; he knew she was overwhelmed with emotion. He closed his eyes and lifted his face to the starlight. Gentle radiance bathed him; a trickle of energy that grew stronger as if the night itself was sustaining him.

  Imagination? Reality? He didn’t care. He was just happy that the tight knot of his muscles was finally unwinding.

  Rick finally stood and pulled Stasia up, wiping the tears from her pale cheek with his thumbs. He led her to the side, and sat, pulling her into his lap while she cried quietly. Too low to hear, he whispered to her, and Charlie turned away to give them privacy.

  He called Toric next. Toric stepped forward hesitantly to stand in their magic. The magic twirled up and surrounded him in a tornado of sparks before resuming its lazy movement. Charlie eyed it dispassionately. It was probably as conflicted as he and Sara were. She liked him and he didn’t.

  Toric met his eye and nodded slowly. Charlie offered him his hand. He didn’t particularly like him, but he did respect him, and the magic made his feelings clear. Sara liked him, but in a friendly way. She was embarrassed and dismayed to feel Toric’s jealousy. Toric shook Charlie’s hand then kissed Sara’s cheek before moving to the back of the crowd where he stood with his arms crossed.

  Charlie called Major Nelson.

  Nelson marched into the magic. The magic receded from him after a bare moment. It didn’t like the major’s fear of them, Charlie thought in amusement.

  Sara was confused and saddened by the major’s reaction and it surprised Charlie that she hadn’t realized Nelson was afraid of them before this. He’d always known it, but then again, Sarah was a healer and didn’t weigh threats like he did. Not that he thought Nelson was a threat, but he knew the major was always watching and weighing their actions and if he thought they were becoming a threat, he’d report it to Campbell. Which, as far as Charlie was concerned, was fair because he’d do the same.

  The major pursed his lips, opening his mouth as if he might say something but he scurried away before speaking.

  One-by-one Charlie called the Scouts to their side. The magic greeted them with dips and twirls and bright displays of static and sparks, causing smiles laughter and tears as it shared Charlie’s and Sara’s feelings.

  It was both awkward and exhilarating to feel their admiration and respect. He was a bit surprised that they all felt such friendly feelings, not only for himself and Sara, but for each other. And he was certain it was their feelings he sensed because they had no magic of their own to influence them.

  He did wonder if his, or more likely Sara’s, magic was influencing their affection but decided it wasn’t anything to worry about as there was no way to prove or disprove it. Besides, he liked them all too and didn’t feel manipulated to do so. They were good honorable people and it humbled him a bit to think they’d accepted him so readily as their leader.

  Finally, the only three left were the ones she’d changed last. The ones he was most worried about. He called Marcus.

  Marcus hesitated. A blush grew on his cheeks visible even in the dim light. “You know I love her too.”

  “I know. I know she loves you as well.” Charlie held his glowing hand to Marcus. The clearing was bright in his senses and he knew his eyes glowed.

  A fight between them wouldn’t be pretty but he doubted it would come to that. He had no doubt he’d win, and not just because Sara would support him, but because he was a better warrior. And he liked Marcus. He respected him and hoped that Marcus felt the same, but he braced himself to feel hatred.

  Marcus took his hand with his glowing one and knelt beside them and Charlie heaved a sigh of relief. Marcus was jealous but more worried than angry. He was embarrassed too but it faded to love or maybe that was Sara’s love he was sensing. She was sorry and sad and so protective it rung a surprised laugh from Charlie.

  Marcus released Charlie’s hand to touch Sara’s cheek. They stayed together for a few minutes, no one speaking. Marcus stood fifteen minutes later and backed away.

  “Come back. Sara wants you and she’s too weak to go to you,” Charlie said gruffly.

  Marcus glanced at him apologetically before going to Sara and hugging her tightly.

  Sara kissed his cheek. “We’re here for you always,” she said with a catch in her voice as Marcus walked away.

  Charlie felt badly that she hurt for Marcus. It worried him that the magic would push her to ease his hurt, but it didn’t make Marcus feel better to hug Sara, it made him unhappy, and he hoped the magic realized it and wouldn’t press either of them.

  “Mike,” Charlie called, and Mike came to them.

  When Mike’s magic touched them, Sara sat straighter and reached for him. Mike smiled and took her hand, holding it easily.

  Charlie closed his eyes and tried to run spell timers in his head. He was the jealous one now and he knew it was worrying everyone.

  Sara wanted Mike. None of the others affected her like this. She wanted to touch him, and her magic was letting her. There were no painful tingles for Mike.

  Mike made a surprised sound and pulled her away.

  “He feels like you, like safety and love,” Sara said as she hugged Mike.

  Mike placed her back in his lap. “That love was what she felt for you, not me.”

  Sara reached for Mike again and held his hand, turning worried eyes to Charlie. “The magic thinks it’s you.”

  “Call Brenda over,” Liz said. “His magic likes priest magic. Let it feel both of you.”

  Brenda joined them and touched Charlie’s hand with her glowing blue one. Her magic felt familiar enough that with his eyes closed he wouldn’t be certain if he was touching Sara or her. Her response when he touched her wasn’t at all the same though and it relieved him enough that he could say calmly, “Yes, she does feel like you.”

  Brenda took Mike’s hand and Sara took Charlie’s. The power of it would have made him yell in surprise if he could have moved but he was trapped, as locked in place as the very first time that magic had touched him.

  ***

  Liz watched anxiously as the magic wielders greeted each other. She kept an eye on her screens, moni
toring their vitals. Although they all appeared calm, everyone had elevated heartrates, even the watching Scouts.

  She stifled her nervous laugh and wiped her sweaty palms on her pants. Her heartrate was up too.

  “Ahh,” Sara exclaimed as the circle was complete. Mike, Brenda, and Charlie remained unnaturally still.

  The magic lit with a deep purple glow. Arcs of lightning flickered between them and the smell of ozone filled the air. Liz jumped and ran farther away. Thunder sounded and warm wind ruffled their hair as Saint Elmo’s fire appeared and covered everyone. Another clap of thunder sounded, and the purplish-blue fire spread from them in waves, coating the raid then leaping to the trees where it dissipated. The small hairs rose on her arms, each a small antenna that waved toward the glowing cloud.

  Mike and Brenda leaned forward until their knees touched. The magic settled down into a dense blue cloud around them.

  “Valory, notify me immediately if their vitals fluctuate more than two percent from current readings.”

  “Acknowledged,” Liz’s Valory said.

  Nelson said, “Should we stop them?”

  “No. They’re in no distress.”

  “But is that safe…”

  Liz shrugged. She doubted it. Anyone with eyes could see something powerful was happening here, but she didn’t need him getting all antsy either.

  He wrinkled his nose and crossed his arms, and she held in her annoyed sigh with effort.

  “Valory, compare exercise graphs, casting and physical, to currently displayed readouts.”

  Nelson relaxed enough to lean over her shoulder to examine the displayed information.

  “It’s science,” she said as reassuringly as she could and he scoffed, but his lips were lifted now in a slight, if rueful, smile.

  ***

  Feeling gradually returned but with weight that was like pushing through concrete. Charlie thought it had been about ten minutes or so but speaking felt like a herculean effort that wasn’t worth making to get the time. He released Brenda’s hand and took Mike’s in both of his while Sara held Brenda’s.

  A hum built beneath Charlie’s skin and he felt the magic straining for understanding.

  “Sara?”

  “I’m trying,” she said, and he could feel her intense concentration. That one word had loosened the magic’s hold on him even more. He flexed his fingers and wriggled his toes while twisting his neck to release the tension there.

  He said without effort, “Give me your hand, Brenda, and concentrate hard on what you feel for me. Show it the difference in what you feel for Mike.”

  For minutes they traded hands. The magic’s concentration was a wave of heat that flowed between their clasped hands.

  Mike gave Charlie a small apologetic shrug, leaning in to kiss Sara. He sat back, took her hands again, and kissed Brenda. The magic swirled excitedly and the heat in Charlie’s hands broke into specs that flicked over them in static that he could see.

  Charlie laughed and kissed Sara. The magic started throwing off sparks of static electricity. He kissed her as passionately as he knew how. The heat he felt from her lips on his filled him with lust, and he deepened the kiss. She wanted him as much as he wanted her.

  He kissed her neck in her favorite spot, making her moan. The magic leaped. He moved Sara to his side, reached for Brenda and kissed her on the mouth. Still holding her hand, he kissed Sara again. The magic swirled in dizzying circles around he and Sara.

  “It’s learning,” he said huskily.

  Sara was embarrassed as were Mike and Brenda.

  He released Brenda and kissed Sara like he meant it, running his hand up her back under her shirt. She made a small, aroused sound and put both hands on his chest, then ran them down his arms. Her embarrassment was subsumed by lust and he wished they were alone.

  She was breathing harder when he stopped. He rested his forehead on hers. “I love you.” His eyes intent on hers, he drew back and framed her face with his hands. “Only you— just us.” He kissed her again as if they were alone. The magic swirled faster, echoing her lust to him until it was all he could do to pull away from her.

  Charlie laughed as he released her and noticed Mike’s expression, which was torn between embarrassment and heat when he looked at Brenda.

  “Spell timers,” he said and winked at Mike as he began to mutter them.

  Mike laughed and Brenda snickered. They all repeated their timers until they were laughing and no longer lustful.

  “This is awkward as hell,” Mike said.

  “It’s trying to learn,” Brenda said reassuringly.

  “I think it needs all of us,” Sara said.

  Charlie held out his hands as he called Rick. Rick came to them holding Stasia’s hand.

  Sara called Joy. With a worried look at Drew she went to them.

  “Marcus, Oz, Hawk, it needs all of us,” Charlie said.

  Sara sat in the circle of Charlie’s arms holding his and Mike’s hands. As soon as they all joined hands, the magic went wild. He was braced for it this time and the impact didn’t surprise him. Once again, he was locked in place. Heat built in his hands.

  Lightning flickered and thunder sounded in ringing peals. Above them the night sky was lit with bolt after bolt of lightning. The lightning hovered in the air, not touching down, flickering in scintillating patterns. Instead of landing it rose higher and higher, flowing south until it disappeared.

  He closed his eyes to concentrate and was surprised to see not only Sara but everyone near them as shining tendrils of light. He had the barest moment to think, uh oh, as the light yanked him in, smothering him in a blinding white flash.

  - 6 -

  Magic is Born

  Liz’s attention was captured from the display in the sky by the people in the circle when they moved as one, sitting as closely as they could.

  “Stay back,” they said in unison, making goosebumps appear on her arms.

  The magic settled around them, outlining their bodies. An arc of electricity circled, going faster and faster until it appeared to be a solid line of light.

  The hair on Liz’s arm rose. She checked her recorder to make sure it was still on. They shifted hands again in no pattern Liz could make out. For minutes they sat unspeaking, randomly changing hands.

  “The magic is communicating,” she whispered to Nelson.

  He nodded, intent on the display in front of him.

  The Scouts without magic of their own were watching just as intently, sitting in the snow behind Nelson and Liz.

  The brilliant light continued to circle the wielders. It slowed and flickered, disappearing and reappearing as it careened among them.

  Two hours later the magic wielders released hands. Sara kissed Charlie, and he kissed Brenda, Brenda kissed Rick and he kissed Stasia, she kissed Oz, and the kiss continued around the circle until Mike kissed Sara. They leaned forward and stacked their hands in the center of the circle. Lightning bloomed with a crack of thunder that made Liz’s ears ring. Small scintillating strands of light wove around them.

  Nelson grimaced and unbuckled his tranquilizer gun. Liz clasped his hand, pressing the gun back into the holster.

  “We’ll trust them. They’re good people. Let’s not panic until we have to.”

  The major withdrew his hand and stepped back. “I’m worried; Sara can’t take much more physically.”

  “Eight minutes.” Drew tapped his wristcomp and made the health monitor larger.

  Liz nodded.

  No one in the circle moved. Tendrils arced into the air, reaching for the Scouts.

  Sara removed her hand from the group. “No,” she said clearly.

  “No,” they all echoed, and the hair rose again on Liz’s arms.

  “This is enough for now,” Sara said.

  “Enough,” they all repeated.

  “Charlie is mine alone,” Sara said.

  “Alone,” they repeated one after
the other.

  “I’m his alone,” Sara said.

  “Alone,” they repeated again. This time they kept saying it.

  “No,” Sara said, and they stopped saying alone.

  Sara reached down and joined Rick and Stasia’s hands together.

  “Yes,” they all said together.

  She put Mike and Brenda’s hands together.

  “Yes,” they all said again.

  She took Charlie’s hand in hers.

  “Yes,” they all said again.

  She put Charlie’s hand down and picked up Mike’s. “No,” she said.

  “Yes,” They all said.

  “No!” She repeated louder. She took Charlie’s hand and said, “Yes.”

  “She’s trying to teach it,” Nelson said and Liz nodded agreement.

  Liz watched Sara move their hands around for another hour, telling the magic yes and no.

  “It doesn’t want to listen.” Nelson frowned at his wristcomp. “How long can they sit in the lightning?”

  Sara stopped moving hands around. Grimacing, she casted dispel on herself and screamed.

  “Pain” she said in a gasping voice.

  “Pain, pain, pain,” they echoed. They kept repeating it until she held Charlie’s hand and kissed him. “Yes,” she said. She leaned over and kissed Mike. “No— pain.”

  They were silent.

  Finally, they said “No pain?”

  It sounded questioning to Liz, like they wanted to understand but couldn’t.

  Sara kissed Mike again quickly. “No! Pain!” She kissed Charlie. “Yes!” She hugged him tightly. “Yes!”

  They were silent again and withdrew their hands from each other. The lightning faded slowly. That sat silently in the circle again. One-by-one they fell over and the magic disappeared.

  “No,” Liz said as the Scouts behind her began to stand. “Let them be. Their vitals are fine. I think they’re still communing or whatever we’re calling it.”

  “Do you think it learned?” Nelson gestured to the small arcs of electricity leaping between them.