Seeking Magic

by Eden Briar

  “Long night.” He yawns and tips his head back.

  “The longest.” Longer than any I’ve lived through so far. I feel like we achieved a lot, even if I’m not sure exactly what most of it was.

  Ben drives us home, growing increasingly frustrated by the morning’s traffic and the fact that every single light seems to be against us.

  “Maybe the tree is sad to see us go?” I suggest as we’re stopped yet again. “I mean, it does power the whole city, right?”

  Whatever the cause, it’s a relief to finally reach the guild house. Ben stops outside the front door to let us out. We clamber from the car, a raggedy, tired bunch, and he pulls away to bring the car around to the parking garage.

  Jazz jogs up the stairs to the door, and Zac follows. I’m only a few steps behind when a limousine pulls up beside me. As I turn toward it, two guys jump out, running at me.

  “Zac!” I back toward him as they approach. But I’m tired and they’re fast. One of them grabs me and yanks me forward, while the other steps past me. In his hand is something that glints wickedly in the light. Zac yells out in pain, and I twist in my captor’s hold, trying to fight my way back to him.

  The second guy returns, and I’m propelled toward the vehicle. They bundle me into the backseat of the limousine, which takes off as soon as I’m inside, the door slamming shut a second later.

  So much for home, sweet home.

  37

  I dive for the door and yank at the handle, but it won’t open.

  “Ahem.”

  There’s a polite cough behind me, and I whip my head around. Two strangers stare back at me. Wait, not complete strangers.

  “I know you. You’re Ben’s family.”

  I’d glimpsed them briefly back at the guild house.

  The man on my left speaks first.

  “Yes, we are. My name is Joseph. I’m Bennett’s uncle. And this is Bennett’s father, Alistair.”

  Bennett, huh? Not the name I’d have guessed.

  “Bring me back to the guild house. They’ll be looking for me. You can’t just—”

  Joseph holds up a hand. “We’ll return you there shortly. We simply wanted to have a… conversation.”

  I grit my teeth. It’s a struggle to be polite.

  “If you want to have a ‘conversation’, come to the guild house and arrange a meeting. Don’t abduct me off the street.”

  Joseph smiles at me, faintly amused. “It’s hardly an abduction.”

  “What the hell did you do to Zac? Did you hurt him?”

  “The vampire?” He waves that off. “He’s not our concern.”

  “We’re here to talk about my son,” Alistair adds.

  I sit back in my seat, fold my arms, and put on my best unimpressed face. “What about Ben?”

  “We’re concerned for him, of course. After everything that’s happened.”

  He eyes me expectantly.

  “Ben seems fine to me.”

  They’re fishing for information, but I’m not playing their game.

  Alistair sits forward. “You’re new to our world, as I understand it. So you don’t appreciate the significance of who Bennett is.”

  “Why don’t you tell me?”

  “Bennett’s grandmother—”

  “He told me about her. And about you. That the clairvoyance skipped a generation, skipped you. And you disowned him, and left him and his mother to fend for themselves during the Cull.”

  Alistair’s mouth presses into a thin line.

  “That is a gross simplification. There were extenuating circumstances…”

  “I’ll bet there were. But I don’t want to hear about them.”

  Joseph interrupts us.

  “How did Ben wake from his coma?”

  “You should ask him that.”

  They exchange a look.

  “We’ve tried. He refuses to see us.”

  “Isn’t that answer enough for you?”

  “We understand that he ended up in that condition because of you. We’re curious as to why.”

  “I know. It’s the darnedest thing, isn’t it?”

  I’m enjoying how they look more and more displeased with every word that comes out of my mouth.

  “Indigo, there is far more at stake here than you realize.” Alistair leans forward again, lowering his voice. “There is a growing pattern amongst clairvoyants. Visions of the future become darker every year. Something is coming.”

  “Bennett may be crucial to understanding what the future holds.” Joseph pauses for dramatic effect. “And you are the key to Bennett’s clairvoyant powers.”

  “Being half-clairvoyant, your influence should not be underestimated,” Alistair adds.

  I open my mouth to correct them but change my mind. I’m not telling them anything they don’t need to know.

  “Stop the car and let me out. I’m done with this.”

  “This isn’t a game,” Alistair barks out. “This is life and death. The magic world stands on the brink of…”

  I’m tired and furious, so my response is less than polite.

  “Oh, stop with the theatrics. First you pretend to care about Ben’s welfare, now it’s the magic world. What is this really about?”

  Do they know what I am? I don’t feel like that’s the case, but I know they’re not being truthful. They share another look, and Alistair shakes his head. It’s Joseph who answers.

  “Despite your suspicions, it is Bennett we’re concerned about. His clairvoyance has always been a burden. Seeing him trapped like that… it evoked some difficult memories of the past.”

  “But we can see that you care for Bennett, that you want to protect him. All we ask is that you contact us if you feel he needs help handling his visions. There’s a lot we can do to assist him,” Alistair continues.

  It doesn’t add up.

  “But Ben’s clairvoyance has been active since he was a child. The guild must have reached out to you for help back then. Where have you been all this time?”

  They bristle at my question, and I know I’m on the right track. But why are they coming out of the woodwork now?

  “He’s a healer. That’s why you want him.” Healing is a rare caster talent, that’s what Jazz said. Ben’s newfound ability could give him power and influence in the magic world. And they want a controlling hand in it.

  “It’s a rare talent and uniquely tied to his clairvoyancy.” Joseph speaks with quiet insistence, exuding sincerity. “He cannot have one without the other. That makes it our concern. The guild doesn’t have the expertise to guide Bennett. That much is clear. We are his family. We should be the ones…”

  I hold up a hand and wait for silence, ignoring the glares both men send my way.

  “The guild protected Ben when no one else would. Sheltered him, trained him. And what did you do? You shunned him. Acted like he didn’t exist. Now he has something you want, and you’re trying to use me to get to him. It won’t work. If you want contact with Ben, talk to him. I’m not acting as go-between.”

  Joseph opens his mouth to reply, but Alistair puts a hand on his arm.

  “Of course. We understand your position perfectly. But he is my son and, as any father would, I worry for him. At least take my number, in case I can ever be of help.”

  I resist the urge to roll my eyes, accepting the embossed card he hands to me and tucking it away.

  “Can you let me out now?”

  “We’ll drive you back to the guild house.” Joseph knocks twice on the partition. “We’re not far.”

  A few minutes later, the car slows smoothly to a stop. Before I can open the door, it’s yanked open from the outside. Ben holds out a hand to me. I grab it and let him help me out. He pushes me behind him, putting himself between me and his family.

  “Stay the fuck away from us,” he growls at his father and uncle before slamming the door closed on their shocked faces.

  I’d like to believe their wide-eyed stares are down to his anger, but I suspect
it’s more to do with Ben’s hand holding mine. Another piece of the puzzle filled in for them, drawing a clear line between Ben and me. I hope they’re not as insightful as they think they are.

  Ben turns to me, cupping my face gently. “Are you okay?”

  I lean into his touch with a sigh. “I’m fine. Tired and pissed, that’s all.”

  “What did they want?”

  “Answers, I think. About you. Evidently, word of your healing talents has spread…”

  “… and they see dollar signs.” At my frown, he adds, “Clairvoyancy is big money, especially in the human market. Add in healing? You’re talking a multi-billion-dollar industry.”

  “Money talks, huh? Even in the magic world.”

  He strokes my cheek, smiling a little. “Even here. Come on, you’re exhausted. Let’s get inside.”

  Peter hovers nearby, talking on his phone. He gives me a nod as we walk past. “I’m calling off the search. We had a good idea who’d taken you, we just weren’t sure where they’d taken you.”

  “I think we were just circling the block.”

  He gestures us inside. “Welcome home.”

  As we reach the top of the steps, I hear a shout and turn to see Jazz jumping off his motorcycle. He races up the steps and engulfs me in a bear hug.

  “You’re safe.”

  “I’m fine. Ben’s family wanted a private chat. Apparently, the etiquette for that in the magic world requires kidnapping.”

  Jazz snorts, pulling back to meet my eyes.

  “We’ll have to start a counter. Zero days since Indy’s last abduction.”

  I shake my head, but I can’t help laughing.

  “Let’s get inside before we end up in the minuses.”

  “I’ll go put my bike away. Meet you in the kitchen?”

  “Trust you to think of food at a time like this,” Ben jokes.

  As soon as Jazz is out of earshot, he whispers in my ear. “I’m starving.”

  I grin at him. “A man after my own heart. What’s your opinion on lasagna for breakfast?”

  As we step through the door, it hits me that we’re missing someone.

  “Wait, where’s Zac. Is he okay?”

  “He’s fine, Indigo.”

  Archer is waiting for us inside. Waiting for me.

  “Are you sure? I thought he’d been hurt.”

  “They used a magic taser. A sorcerer invention. He’ll be sore and bruised for a day or two, but otherwise none the worse for wear.” Archer looks me up and down. “What about you? Are you okay?”

  “Oh, you know. I’m the Seeker. The fate of the magic world rests on my shoulders. I have to fall in love with seven guys. I’m no longer an orphan. Oh, and people keep abducting me.” I shrug my shoulders. “All things considered, I’m holding up okay.”

  “Yes,” he agrees wryly. “You are.”

  He smiles, and for the first time since I’ve known him, the smile reaches his green eyes. I saw those same eyes in the mirror when I met the younger version of myself.

  “Maybe we could talk soon.” I hate how hesitant I sound. “I have questions. About you, about my mom. Are there… pictures?”

  His eyes turn sorrowful, and then hopeful. “There are. Whenever you’re ready, we can look at them together.”

  He takes a step toward me, and it feels right to let his arms wrap around me in a hug. There’s comfort and safety in his embrace. It must hurt him to send me out into the world, knowing what’s coming my way.

  “Go, get some rest.” He pulls away and pats me on the shoulder. “I believe you’ll find Zac in the kitchen.”

  38

  Zac finds us first, running down the corridor and sweeping me off my feet.

  “I’m sorry, Blue.” He holds me close. “I should never have let them take you.”

  “You didn’t ‘let them’ do anything. Are you okay?”

  He nods and tries to smile, but I can see the strained fatigue behind his eyes.

  “Long day, huh?”

  “Mm-hmm.” He pulls me in for another hug. “What did the clarys want?”

  “The lowdown on their prodigal son, of course.”

  We both turn to look at Ben, who shrugs.

  “Don’t ask me. They’re no family of mine.”

  We reach the kitchen and find food laid out for us. Clearly, someone spent time preparing for our return.

  Jazz joins us as we’re loading up our plates. Lynea, Peter, and Archer follow a few minutes later. We all crowd around the small kitchen table, bumping elbows and reaching over each other. It’s hectic and chaotic, but it feels like nowhere has felt in a very long time—it feels like home.

  Ben and Jazz are sitting to my left and Zac to my right. Archer sits opposite us, a faraway look in his eyes.

  “We met Morwenna,” I tell him, remembering how she’d mentioned my mom.

  “She showed herself, did she? Good. You’re cousins, you know. I believe she’s Nana Bridget’s niece.”

  “Wait, are you saying Nana Bridget is actually my…”

  “Your grandmother, yes. Your mother’s mother.” His mouth twists unhappily as he speaks.

  “Is she still alive?”

  “As far as I know, but we haven’t spoken in many years. Not since she told me you and your mother were dead.”

  That explains the unhappy look on his face.

  “Do you think maybe it’s time you and she talked?”

  “Yes,” he agrees heavily. “I think it’s past time.”

  I get up to refill my coffee cup, and Ben follows, giving us a moment alone.

  “I’m really sorry about my dad and my uncle.”

  “It’s not your fault your family are jerks. And I don’t believe their ‘concern’ for a second.”

  He gives me a wry smile. “Yeah, neither do I. It’s a little too convenient that they’ve decided they care now, after…”

  “After you discover you have healing powers?”

  “Yeah, that.”

  He looks distracted for a moment, and I remember to ask, “What did you see, when you healed Jazz?”

  He bites down on his lower lip, his face twisting in uncertainty.

  “Ben?” I prompt gently.

  “More visions about Balor.”

  “Blood and death, city on fire?” We both know what that looks like.

  “No, these were different. They were images of places I’ve never seen before. I think they’re connected to Balor’s resurrection. I’ll tell Archer what I can. Maybe they’re places that were important in the binding of Balor centuries ago.”

  “So you get super-helpful visions, but at a pretty hefty cost?”

  So far, he’s only had those visions when saving the life of someone he’s close to.

  “Seems like it.”

  “I don’t suppose if Jazz got mortally wounded, over and over, you could keep healing him and fill in the blanks?”

  I’m joking, mostly. Ben laughs, shaking his head. But his answer, when it comes, is serious.

  “If visions have a trigger and you… fake that trigger, you don’t get a vision. You do sometimes get a blinding headache to teach you a lesson, or so I’ve heard. We’d also run the risk of Jazz dying.”

  “Nothing’s worth that. Even if he does make terrible jokes sometimes.”

  “Even if,” Ben agrees with a wry smile.

  We return to the table, and I make it most of the way through my plate before my eyelids start to droop. Downing another half cup of coffee does nothing to stall my drowsiness.

  “Let’s get you to bed, sleeping beauty.” Zac slings an arm around me as he helps me up from my seat.

  “My prince charming.” I lean on him as we make for the door.

  “Always,” he murmurs in my ear.

  The others let us go, Zac keeping me company as we climb the stairs to my room.

  “Does it feel better or worse?” he asks as we step inside. “Coming to terms with who you really are?”

  I sit on the edg
e of my bed, shrugging out of my T-shirt.

  “The truth is scary. But it’s easier to face it knowing I’m not alone.”

  I have the guys, I have Lynea and Peter. And I have Archer, who is so much more than he seemed at first glance. I’m not ready to call him Dad, but that day is coming. And I wonder about my mom. He was told we were dead. If I’m still alive, maybe she’s out there somewhere too.

  “Stay here a minute,” Zac says, stepping into the bathroom.

  I pull off my jeans and bra and grab some pajama shorts to go with my tank top. Comfortable sleeping is not to be underrated. There are a few scattered bruises across my body, and a patchy layer of dirt on my skin, but it isn’t enough to drag me to the shower.

  Zac emerges from the bathroom with a damp towel in his hands and a dry one over his shoulder. “It’s no bath, but we can get you cleaned up a bit.”

  He crouches down in front of me and takes my hand in his. I let him, watching through sleepy eyes as he runs the warm, wet towel up my arm from my hand to my elbow. He turns my arm a little and does it again, long sweeping strokes. It feels amazing, and I sigh as he moves up my arm to my shoulder. He tugs the strap of my tank top out of the way and leans in as he draws the washcloth along the curve of my neck.

  “You’re not gonna bite me, are you?” I tease softly, seeing the look of deep concentration on his face.

  “Maybe just a nibble,” he murmurs, his eyes meeting mine.

  In the light of day, they’re a pale green. Back in the maze, under the moonlight, they were a deep jade.

  “Ben told me how you resuscitated me in the maze.” He pauses expectantly.

  “You said a druid’s power peaks with the sun. And Archer can control light, so I just thought…” It’s easy to explain my train of thought, not so much the execution.

  “Conjuring sunlight is no mean feat. I’m surprised you’re still awake and talking after that.”

  My voice drops to a whisper.

  “I didn’t want to lose you. You weren’t breathing, your heart wasn’t beating. You were…”

  I don’t want to say dead, but there’s no better word for it.