by June Leung
“Unless we nail the first time, there’s no point searching one by one. They are smarter than that. We are in the open and they are watching in the shade if they really exist.”
William rubbed his temple. “Well, last time, we found nothing. I have no better plan. Maybe if we are subtle, we stand a chance. They are hiding and should have no idea whether we are searching for them or not.”
“When should we start? I can’t wait to get Lia back,” Helen asked. It seemed William had his heart set on doing the search anyways. There was no point fighting over this.
“Maybe now. You and Eric will get part of the list while I will go for the rest.”
“Sure, I think we can do that, but how about Patrick? Are you going to go with him?” Helen asked, while taking the pile of documents in front of her, luckily it included Benjamin’s bar. She feared if William was going there, he would find out something. But Eric was equally smart. And regarding searching for dark magic, Helen had no idea how good the two were.
“I don’t know whether I want to include him or not. I worry he is a bit too quick-tempered. I think it is best to leave him out until we actually fight the dark magicians,” William said, rubbing his chin.
Eric’s eyes narrowed in thought. “I think he would be angry to be left out. But you’re right. Going to inspect them is dangerous enough without knowing where the dark magicians are. If he randomly attacks, there’s no telling if they would outnumber us.”
“Then should I pretend to know nothing if he asks?” Helen asked. Her heart beat quicker—now there was one more thing she had to keep secret.
“It will be for the best. He will know later. If he doesn’t understand, that’s still fine. Better than putting everyone in danger.” William stood and got ready to inspect the list in his hand while Helen followed Eric out of William’s office.
Helen got into Eric’s car, and they headed to the first location. “Do you think we will find the dark magicians like this?” Helen asked, staring out of the window.
“Honestly, I don’t think so. They are smarter than this. But I don’t have a better plan. It is a lot easier to hide than to hunt. If they exist all the time, I don’t understand why they never strike. I would hope they don’t exist, but hope is… not that reliable.”
“How will we know if dark magicians are really there? Or are we wasting time on nothing?” Helen held up the sheet of paper with Benjamin’s bar. It contained very little information about it, as did all the other sheets.
“It is all feeling, unless they fail to hide their magic, which doesn’t really happen. More likely you will know when they glare at you with the red eyes when they stab you to death.” Eric’s jaw tightened, as did his grip on the steering wheel.
She remembered clearly how Lia’s eyes glowed in red as she shot blasts at her, and how she jumped on her. Adrian’s red eyes when he yanked the gang members’ heads off was just as scary. Her hand reached up to her chest, where the meteorite monster clawed down before, the touch sending another shiver down her spine. But Adrian saved her life.
“Here we are,” Eric lowered the window on his side, peeking out. Benjamin’s bar was down the road, on the opposite side to them. Helen swallowed. What if Eric found out about Benjamin? Whose side would she be on?
Helen dreaded getting out of the car. She waited for Eric to get out, but he didn’t. “Are we going in?”
Eric shook his head. “The dark magicians know us, at least me and William, so I can’t get close to them. Luckily, I also know most of them, unless they’ve added new members. Maybe I can sniff out something from here. The dark magic has a strange feeling attached, like the unearthly thing it is.”
It was only the afternoon. The bar looked to be closed, but the door was open. There wasn’t light from the inside. She had only been there a few times when they planned the attack on The Orbit. The parking lot nearby was empty. She closed her eyes briefly, trying to catch some noise from it, there wasn’t any. Even with her magic, she didn’t feel anything. Maybe it was too far away. It sounded like nobody was there.
They stayed there for almost half an hour. There were a few passersby walking along the street, but none seemed to be paying attention to the bar. Helen leaned on the car door, resting her elbow on it, having nothing to do than stare blankly out of the window.
“It seems nothing is happening… Don’t you think we’re too early for a bar?” Helen asked.
“Maybe. I don’t feel anything. No scent of magic whatsoever.” Eric crossed his arms, checking the paper.
“Are we out of range? I don’t feel anything either.”
“It’s in my range. There’s likely nothing inside.”
Helen resisted a frown. Benjamin should be inside if the door was open, or was he hiding his power from Eric?
“Maybe I should go in and take a look,” Helen said. Maybe then we can leave before Benjamin or Adrian actually show up.
Eric asked, “Are you sure?”
“I mean… we are here anyway. Or are you just playing to William’s plan?”
Eric rubbed his forehead with a wry chuckle. “Actually, yes. Sometimes I don’t understand him. After all these years, he should know better. If the dark magicians got her, there’s no chance we would save her. If it wasn’t the dark magicians, we are wasting our time.”
“Then why did you agree to do this? Who do you think took Lia?”
He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel and sighed. “I have no idea. But what dark magician would pull Lia from William’s side? Even though they are strong, in that proximity, really? If they are after Lia, there are a lot more chances to do it without William around. I’d look into the other gangs in the city. Maybe it was those people that stabbed Lia before. Those aren’t dark magicians.”
“I see. Have you talked to Mike?” Helen wanted to tell Eric that the gang in The Orbit was already beaten, but she wouldn’t be able to explain why and how she knew.
“There’s no string to pull there. Sadly, all our time in Zitannas is spent connecting with those government parts and everything above ground. I have no idea how to even start. Maybe you can just go in so we can report back to William.”
“Sure.” Helen nodded and got out of the car. The afternoon sun felt warm on her skin and she took a deep breath. You know they won’t hurt you. You’ve been there before. But she couldn’t stop worrying about Benjamin being inside and coming out to greet her.
Getting closer, Helen took in the entrance before slipping inside. The counters were still arranged the same way as they were the last time she was there. She squinted, trying to search for someone, but no one was there.
“Hey, anyone here?” she asked, her voice echoing in the empty bar. The smell of alcohol lingered, but there was no response. The hair on the back of her neck stood; something felt odd. Not to mention someone should be there if the door was open.
Helen pulled out her phone, wanting to call for Benjamin when his head popped up from the tiny storage room door. His hair was messy but he smiled weakly at her, waving.
She took a few steps to him, her brows furrowed in concern. She whispered, “Is something wrong?”
“We aren’t open for business as you know. No dark magicians are around.” He winked.
“You know I’m supposed to be here to catch you.” Helen raised her brows. She didn’t tell them yet, but he seemed to know their plan.
“The King has more eyes than you could guess,” he said. He gestured at the empty bar. “Just do whatever you need to do. I am holding back my power so Eric wouldn’t feel me around. Stay safe, will you?”
Helen nodded, her mind still wondering how Benjamin knew. “You don’t look very good.”
“I’m fine. Just had a discussion with the King about things and got tired. Not to mention suppressing my power is tiring.”
“Where is he?”
“He knew you were coming and left. Probably has no interest in getting slapped again.” He chuckled with a glint of amuseme
nt in his eyes.
“I didn’t think he would tell you.”
“You didn’t go easy on him, did you? I saw his face.” He gave her a knowing look with a smirk. “Anyway, just get going before your Elders barge in.”
She nodded, turning to the bar and taking a few photos of the counters, the chairs, and the wine displays. She soon left, not wanting Eric to worry about her. Outside, the sun was welcoming. She let out a sigh of relief.
She settled into the car. Eric raised his brows at her. She said, “I took a look. It seemed like just a regular bar.” She sent the photos to Eric’s phone. “Took a few pictures just in case William asks. See for yourself.”
He pulled out his phone, scrolling through the photos. “As expected, I guess. At least we can show William we were there. Anyone inside?”
“Yeah, a bartender was there tidying things. Just a human. At least I didn’t feel anything.”
He didn’t seem to be paying his attention to her though. Instead, he kept staring at the photos. “I see.”
“Is there something wrong?” Helen raised her brows as Eric stared at the photo of the darts machine.
“Nothing. I just don’t know what I could even do. Knowing the dark magicians… Well, if Lia was dead, we’d probably see her body in front of the door of the clan. I hope that won’t happen.” He scrolled to another photo, apparently trying to take his mind out of what could have happened to Lia.
Did Adrian do that to other magicians? Helen swallowed and sank into the seat. She wished she could tell Eric that Lia was safe. It wasn’t her plan to keep lying to them. Maybe she and Lia would think about something soon.
Chapter 26
Lia
It should be early in the morning, or is it late at night? Lia shook her head, opening her eyes to stare at the brick ceiling above. There was no way to tell without a window. She sat up, staring at the clock on the wall, but it didn’t help. She sighed, reaching out for her phone. The screen lit up to show it was around noon. She got out of bed. The conversation with Adrian a few days ago never left her mind.
“It will be great to see Helen in person,” she said.
“Very soon. Just be patient.”
“How soon is very soon?”
“Less than a month.”
Lia took a sip of water from the glass on the bedside table. She had to do something. Otherwise, things would turn ugly. It should be fine—there was still time. She just needed to think of a way to stop Adrian, and possibly also William. It couldn’t be that hard. She laughed at herself. Adrian was almost the scariest fighter she had seen, and with his history with William, it wouldn’t be that easy for them to not fight.
She paced around the room with her hands on her waist, her brain working quickly. All she knew was in a month, Adrian would attack William and Eric, but how were the Elders doing about her disappearing? She had to get in touch with Helen first, maybe the two of them could come up with something, and then…
The door squeaked open and Lia flinched. Adrian was there, holding up a takeaway bag. “Hungry? Got you lunch.”
Maybe she had to try to not make him suspicious first.
“Sure! What’ve you got?” She smiled, hugging him and pecking his cheek. They took a seat by the desk, taking out the food. “Wow! You got fried chicken. Not a bad choice!” She beamed, picking up a piece.
“Just not bad?” He raised his brows, taking a sip of his soft drink. Lia mumbled with half a piece of chicken in her mouth. Adrian laughed. “I can’t hear you when your mouth is full.”
“Not stroking your ego anytime soon.” She snorted after she swallowed. “By the way, can I go out for a while today?” Her heart raced, hoping it wouldn’t be hard to get through him.
He stared at her for a moment longer than she expected before shaking his head. “With Evelyn hunting you, I don’t think it is a good idea.”
“Please? I’ll be very safe if you go with me. You aren’t that easy to beat, right?”
He turned away, busying himself with the fries. “Of course I’m not easy to beat. But I don’t want to risk you. Please be patient. We can go out together soon. You can even meet Helen.”
“What will be different in a month’s time? You will have beaten Evelyn already?” Lia busied herself with an onion ring.
It took a while before he said, “Just… it will be safer by then.”
“Why?”
“You will know.” He frowned slightly, likely not intending to tell her anything more. Lia sighed silently.
“OK… I hope it would work out.”
“Me too. I’m trying everything to make sure you will be safe. I can’t stand the thought of anything happening to you, not even the chance. I will not allow that to happen again,” he said with a solemn face, his jaw tight. He gripped strongly on the soft drink cup, it buckled slightly.
Luckily, the fried chicken hid her gulp. She took a sip of her drink, pretending nothing happened. Happen again? Ariel was killed by William… Is that the thing he is fighting to avoid? This is not going to end well.
They finished the rest of the food in silence. As they packed up the trash, Lia nudged him. “Hey, I understand why I should stay here. Can you at least show me around again so I don’t have to stay in this room all day? I’m still worried that I will get lost in this big of a maze if you aren’t here with me all day.”
“Of course. I’m sorry there’s no internet here. I should’ve at least told you where to get some fun.”
They took out the trash and Adrian led her down the corridors holding hands. She took the time to remember the route to the training room.
“I think this should be more familiar to you, seeing we have been here a few times.” He turned on the lights; they were back in the room with rubber mats. Lia nodded, looking at two ends of the corridors, trying to distinguish them.
Adrian laughed as she was still confused. She huffed, rolling her eyes. “Why must it be that complicated?”
“Actually, it is in reverse. It is so simple here everything blends in,” he said, crossing his arms with a smug smile.
“Of course you’d think that. You built it.”
“Don’t you think it would be fun to go on an adventure here? Feel free to walk around. It is not really that big, so you should be able to figure it out.”
“Then I hope you won’t find out about me getting lost. Is it really OK if I walk around? In case there are places I can’t go? Like how you may have a few skeletons buried somewhere?”
Like how I heard about your secret plan?
“Skeletons, really? Who would do that in their home? It’s fine. Even if I tell you not to go somewhere, being someone who causes trouble all the time, you will still find your way in.” He spread his arms to his side and shrugged.
Lia growled, smacking his back. Great, so you can’t blame me for finding out something.
They kept walking until they arrived at a heavy brick door, but there wasn’t a doorknob. At the center of the door, there was a silvery sign of a wolf. Adrian gestured at the door. She pushed it, but it remained still.
“I know this door is not meant to be pushed or pulled. You can just tell me.” She squinted at him as he fought to stifle a laugh.
“It’s just fun to see you struggle. Anyways, I think you should be able to open it. I remember making it for magicians in general, so we will try.” He gestured for her to rest her hand on the wolf.
She followed, the wolf cold on her hand. There were tiny tingles like static electricity. She jerked back her hand, looking at him. He nodded reassuringly. She rested her hand on it again. The tingles were still there, but with the expectation for them, she kept her hand there. After the initial touch, the wolf sign felt calming. There seemed to be some kind of magic in it that spoke to her power.
“Now just will it to move to the left. Focus on channelling your power into the sign.”
Lia closed her eyes, focusing on the wolf. The whole door seemed to be in her hand. She willed the do
or to move, and when she opened her eyes, it had moved away. She stared at the door, rubbing her eyes.
“You aren’t that bad” He chuckled, walking inside and gesturing for her to follow. As they walked in, the door closed behind them so the room was completely dark. Adrian snapped his fingers and the lights turned on. “The light is the same; you just will it on.”
“Are you sure this is just willing it to light?” She pointed at his fingers.
“Well, isn’t it fun to act at times? It helps to keep secrets in check.” He winked and snapped his fingers again.
“Other rooms are the same?” Lia raised her brows. She remembered him reaching for the switches in others.
“No, this one is special. Only magicians are allowed here. The door is activated by magic only.”
There was a time humans were here?
“Why?” This room was filled with bookshelves. Under the yellowish light, they looked more antique than they probably were. She walked up to one of the shelves.
“You will soon see.” He stood next to her, picking out one of the books and showing it to Lia. It was a guidebook about summoning magic.
“Does this really work? Or would the average person think it is just a joke?” She furrowed her brows.
“When the first human who had too much time on their hands actually tried it, things would go down before you know it. Although not every human has the potential for magic, there are enough of them to disrupt the balance.” He flipped open the book, reading from it, “With the focus of the heart and the call from the core, one shall wield the gifted power. In the blink of an eye, substances can be created, and in time, it fades.”
Lia frowned deeper. “It is my… our magic? Or the way of the Elements’ magic?”
“Someone compiled ways the average person could check whether they’re a magician or not.”
“Still, it doesn’t look dangerous enough to warrant this kind of security. What’s so bad with having more magicians?”
He flipped a few more pages. “Try this. ‘It is believed that magic can be transferred by blood and of blood, both life-granting and filled with blessings.’”
