by Suzi Davis
The instant I pronounced the last word, Jai sucked in a deep, rattling breath that almost immediately turned into a hacking cough. With that same surprising calm, Bridgette helped Jai to sit up, I noticed her hands were trembling.
“Thank you, Grace.” Nathaniel’s voice came from behind me. He was wiping the thin trails of blood from his upper lip and glaring at David. “I should kill you for that, you bastard.”
“Look who finally grew a backbone after seven hundred years. You actually think that you could kill me? Please, I would love to see you try,” David taunted.
“Stop. He’s bound by the same rules as both of you. He can’t hurt either of you unless he feels you’re a threat to his own safety,” I warned.
“Can’t hurt us?” Jai wheezed disbelievingly. He was standing now, thanks to Bridgette’s help, and was running a hand through his hair, no doubt searching for the crack that had been in his skull moments before.
“My intention was not to hurt either of you,” David answered. “My only goal was for you to remember what you need in order to be of any use to us. And to motivate Gracelynn to embrace the powers she continues to deny. This whole tiresome ordeal will go a lot more smoothly if Ms. Righteous here gets over her incomprehensible reluctance to actually utilize the Lost Magic.”
All eyes turned to me. I didn’t know what to say; I couldn’t deny the truth to David’s words but how could I explain that I was still wary to let the Lost Magic back into my life? I was afraid each time that I used it that there would be a price to pay. That each time I changed fate, there would be a repercussion. I feared that every time I used my powers to get what I wanted, I was somehow putting my wants and my will above all others and I knew that couldn’t be right. I was afraid I would lose myself to the magic. And even worse, I was afraid I would eventually lose Sebastian as my magic would somehow drive us apart. In many ways, it already had.
“Someone has got to fill me in,” Bridgette announced, her breathless voice cutting sharply through my thoughts. I had almost forgotten about her. I sighed as I realized I was about to have to use the magic again to manipulate another person’s memories and desires. I steeled myself against her large, imploring eyes.
“Let’s all go back to your hotel,” David interrupted. “We can talk as we walk, get you all caught up. Come.”
To my annoyance, everyone fell into place behind him as he began marching across the square. At least Nathaniel had the courtesy to look ashamed as he allowed Bridgette to slide her arm back through his, but only for a moment before he was distracted by that pair of beautiful emerald eyes gazing up at him adoringly. Their heads bent close together as they whispered quietly back and forth, Nathaniel revealing far too much about the Lost Magic and all of us to Bridgette, for some reason. Not that it really mattered, I would erase her memory as soon as we returned to the hotel.
At the edge of the large, open square, David paused.
“I don’t know where we’re going,” he admitted without the slightest bit of shame.
I marched ahead and allowed David to fall in behind me. “Follow me.”
“Don’t I always?” he murmured with an arched brow.
“Are the others staying at The Queens also?” I asked Jai, speaking over my shoulder to him. It wasn’t necessary to clarify who I meant.
“We were all there,” he confirmed, his voice still carrying a rough edge. “We were all drawn together as soon as we entered the city. There were seventeen of us but our group quickly became divided. Nathaniel and I, and three others, wanted to stay and wait for you to come to us. There was one man who led the group in opposition to ours; he was advocating for immediate action… against you.”
“Jeremy,” I stated, ice forming around my heart.
“Yes,” Jai agreed. “He disappeared two nights ago, five others went with him. He had said he was going to do something to get your attention, something you wouldn’t be able to ignore.”
Fiery rage ignited my heart. “And you never thought to warn me?”
“We didn’t realize they’d left until the following morning and by then it was too late.” It was Nathaniel who spoke this time, in his gentle, hesitant voice. “Besides, we needed to get your attention too.”
I spun around, halting our whole party. Without thinking, my hand went out to Nathaniel’s throat, my fingertips squeezing delicately against his windpipe. I was so furious, I didn’t even have to speak the words. I wanted for him to remain motionless, for him to be under my full and total control—and he was. He stared at me helplessly, a faint gurgling sound bubbling in his throat.
“You have my full attention. Was it worth dying for?”
“Grace!” Bridgette gasped, her shocked voice bringing me back to reality. My anger evaporated as quickly as it had overcome me, my head instantly clearing. “What are you doing? Let go of him!” she cried. I let my hand drop down to my side.
“His friends took Sebastian; they could hurt him, they might even kill him. And he could have stopped them.” My fury had faded to a quiet, simmering anger that made my voice crack.
“But… Nathaniel just told me that he came to you for help and you turned him away. Despite what the people he was staying with may have done, if you wouldn’t help him then why should you expect his help in return?” Bridgette asked. I stared back at her wide, innocent eyes. David barked out a laugh beside me.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Bridgette. It’s much more complicated than that,” I stated stubbornly.
“Is it?” David smirked.
“This is how we stand. Jeremy and the other ‘rogues’ have taken Sebastian, whether just to get my attention or to actually cause him harm is unclear. Either way, I’m not waiting to find out. I need your help to rescue him and in return, I will teach you how to control your abilities and discover the full potential of the Lost Magic. I will guide you.”
Nathaniel, Jai and Bridgette all stared at me wide-eyed. David scoffed quietly. I allowed a few seconds to pass, to let my words sink in and then I turned, continuing onwards through the awakening city streets and towards the massive Queens Hotel that overlooked the waterfront.
“What kind of offer is that?” David demanded. It pleased me to hear he was slightly out of breath, I was setting a quick pace and any discomfort I could cause him, no matter how small, was worth it. “We all remember how to use the magic now that we have our memories back. You offer us nothing.”
“You remember how you used the abilities given to you unnaturally; this is different. The Lost Magic no longer bends to your whims to make what you want come to be. The magic that has lain dormant in your souls for centuries has now been awakened. It runs wild through your body and can only be used to fulfill the strongest desires with the most unwavering focus.”
“What do you mean?” Nathaniel asked from behind me. “Didn’t David just use the Lost Magic to reawaken our memories?”
“Yes, but only because he was so angry. He’s furious at me and perhaps at you as well. Because of his previous experience with the Lost Magic, he still has a measure of control. It should come more easily to you and Jai as well. I’ve learnt how to control the Lost Magic in a way that you’ve never had to experience. I know how to focus my ability because my powers have always existed this way. When you are angry or when you feel the most passionate, the magic will come more easily to you but you need to be able to control it with a calm mind, with clear intentions. For example, if you were hungry right now and tried to want food to come your way, it will not happen. If you were starving and you wanted food more than anything else, if you truly believed that’s what you needed most in the world at this moment, if you could summon enough strength within yourself and focused your magic to get what you desired… you would find food.”
“If you’re so powerful, why can’t you just get Sebastian back on your own?” Bridgette suddenly asked. She was catching on fast, her question surprisingly intuitive. I realized I may have misjudged her but it didn’
t make a difference, she was going to have to forget all of this soon enough.
“I would assume that Jeremy and the ones with him are very angry with me. They must be using their anger to gain some control over their powers as well. No matter how powerful I am or how much control I might have, they still outnumber me.”
“Does Sebastian not have any magic to fight them with then?”
Bridgette’s sweet, curious voice sent a flash of pain through my heart.
“I can only assume, no, since he was not able to stop them from taking him. He might have been outnumbered but… no, I don’t think he does,” I answered quietly.
We rounded a last corner and reached the Queens Hotel. The old, gray building towered above us, reminiscent of a castle with its gargoyles, arched windows and steepled roofs. Thick, dark green vines covered much of the front of the building as it looked out towards the still and placid harbor. I marched towards its entrance, turning to face the rest of my group just before the arched entranceway and the massive glass doors.
“Time’s up. Are you with us or not?” I demanded, cutting to the chase. “I won’t force you to join us, I would like the decision to be yours. But I would ask you for your help.”
Jai and Nathaniel exchanged a quick glance. To my extreme irritation, they both looked to David briefly as well before meeting my eye.
“We’ve been waiting for you to guide us. We will follow where you lead,” Jai pronounced prophetically.
“The others are sure to come now too,” Nathaniel joined in, sounding confident.
“Good. Go inside, gather your things and let the ones who have remained know that I am ready. It’s time to go.”
Nathaniel nodded again and turned to follow Jai inside. Bridgette moved as if to join them.
“Not you, Bridgette,” I gently called. She turned back to me warily.
“I thought you needed our help to rescue Sebastian,” she stated with a frown. “What kind of Maid of Honour would I be if I bailed on you now? That’s why I’m here, Grace, to help you. I’m coming too.”
“No. Absolutely not. I can’t be responsible for you, Bridgette. This is going to be dangerous—extremely dangerous. Rescuing the groom from a group of angry people with an ancient and powerful magic at their disposal does not fall under the list of duties or expectations for a Maid of Honor. You don’t know what you’re getting into,” I added, speaking more softly.
Bridgette’s full lower lip pulled down in a pout.
“Well, then explain it to me. I’m not a kid anymore, Grace. I want to come, I want to help. I’m so bored here already. I’m not about to let you run off and have an adventure without me,” she declared. Her eyes were bright with excitement. I stifled an impatient sigh.
“I’m sorry, Bridgette. I don’t have time for this. I’m going to have to make you forget now.”
Bridgette gasped and then surprised me by taking an angry step forward, her full lips pressed into a tight line, her round, pretty eyes narrowed.
“You will not! You wouldn’t dare!” Her German accent was much clearer as she spoke, revealing just how angry she was.
“You can’t erase her memories, Grace,” David drawled. He looked almost bored.
“Why not?”
“Do I really have to explain it to you? Can’t you see why she’s here?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I denied, slowly shaking my head. I felt like I already knew the truth but I just couldn’t admit it. It couldn’t be.
“Focus, Grace,” David snapped in irritation. “I know you can feel it too. It’s faint but it’s definitely there.”
“What? What’s there? What are you talking about?” Bridgette demanded.
I closed my eyes, shutting them all out. I slipped my hand under my scarf, reaching for the comforting warmth of my necklace, the beautiful Dara knot necklace that Sebastian had given me. Taking a slow breath, I tuned out all the noise around me: Bridgette, David, the traffic passing by the hotel, the distant cries of the seagulls, the chilly gusts of wind. I focused on the ancient magic vibrating and pulsating within me, letting it fill my mind and dominate above all else. And as I focused, I became aware of a quiet echo, a glimmer of power pulsating before me in perfect time to the rhythm of the Lost Magic within me. It was Bridgette.
I opened my eyes with a softly muttered curse.
“What? What is it?” Bridgette demanded, her eyes going back and forth between David and myself.
“There is a small amount of the magic in you. However weak, it was still powerful enough to bring you to me for guidance. You’re coming with us,” I sighed.
“Really?” Bridgette looked thrilled.
“Yes. Now go get your things. Tell Lena we’re going to a spa for a few days and that that you’re joining me on my ‘retreat’. That’s where my mother thinks I am.”
She clapped her hands together excitedly.
“Ok, I’ll be really quick. Oh, I have so many questions. There’s just so much I want to know. Wow. This is so exciting! Thank you, Grace,” she gushed, skipping around happily and dancing into the hotel.
“You knew all along,” I accused David as soon as she left.
“I suspected. I had hoped I was wrong. Her personality grates on me even more than yours.”
“Well at least that’s one reason I can be grateful she’s coming along.”
David took several steps away from me and then lit a cigarette. The familiar fragrance of cigarette smoke on a cold winter’s breeze tugged at my heartstrings. I moved even further away.
He had just finished his smoke when I saw Jai and Nathaniel walking across the hotel’s grand lobby towards the front doors. Bridgette followed closely behind them (wheeling a small suitcase behind her, of all things) and three others walked in her wake, a man in a suit who looked to be about forty with bright red hair and piercing blue eyes, a woman in her late twenties with short, bleached hair, ripped jeans and a nose ring and a tall, slim woman who looked to be in her early twenties, with shoulder-length black hair and brown skin. They all came out the hotel’s front doors and walked straight towards us.
“Is Lily with Jeremy then?” I asked, immediately disappointed. Her previous experience with the Lost Magic would have been a benefit to us, once I returned her memories.
“No. She was one of those who remained undecided. She left last night, going her own way,” Jai answered. He turned to the man in the suit who had walked up beside him. “Gracelynn, this is Red.” The tall, red-haired man grinned at me, his eyes crinkling at the edges and his blue eyes sparkling.
“How do ya do?” Red greeted me, his Australian accent only adding to his charm. I found myself smiling back at him.
“Nice to meet you,” I responded politely as I shook his hand.
“And this is Ella.” Jai indicated the punk-looking girl with the nose ring who surprised me by having a full and sweet smile that lit up and transformed her whole face.
“Hi, Gracelynn,” she murmured, almost shyly.
“Hello.”
“And I’m Sylvia,” the tall, dark-haired woman announced, a faint accent that I couldn’t place coloring her voice. “I am glad you have decided to lead us.”
“And I’m David and I am warning all of you now, to stay out of my way. So where, exactly, is it that you are ‘leading’ us to?” David stared down his nose at me, the heat in his gaze intimidating. I let my eyes burn back into his, refusing to submit. I clasped my necklace tightly.
“To the park, to teach you all your first lesson.”
He snorted.
“Which is?”
“We need to know where Jeremy and the others took Sebastian, and we need to know exactly who they are and what it is we’re up against. We are going to perform a group ceremony to contact the spirits and ask for their help.”
I thought I heard Bridgette gasp.
“Can’t you just want to know and you’ll find out?” Bridgette asked quietly. “Nathaniel made it seem like that
’s how it worked…”
“I do want to know and my gut tells me this is how I will find out. We don’t have time to wait for the information to come to us. We will summon the spirits and we will do it now.”
“Why at the park?” Red asked curiously.
“Because that is where I feel the strongest connection to Sebastian and the spirits have come to me there before. Now if you are going to question everything I do and say, we will never get anywhere. I’m sorry but you’re just going to have to trust me. No more questions, for now.”
“How about a suggestion?” Sylvia interrupted softly. She held up a set of keys and jingled them in front of me. “Why don’t we take my van?”
A couple people laughed, breaking the group tension. I slowly allowed myself to smile.
“Sure.”
She grinned back at me but her smile vanished when David snatched the keys from her hand.
“I’ll drive.” His eyes challenged her to argue but she just shrugged, looking away. I didn’t like the way they all seemed so wary of him. I realized it was going to be difficult to lead this group if they were all more afraid of him than me but did I really want to be their leader? Either way, the idea of being squished into a van with seven others all asking questions and making demands on me didn’t appeal at all. Until we found Sebastian, I just wanted to be alone.
“I think I’ll take my car,” I announced as I began searching through my pockets for my keys. David immediately shook his head. He stepped in close, lowering his voice.
“Bad leadership move,” he murmured in my ear. I fought the strange conflicting desires to lean in close and smell the skin at his neck while at the same time being repulsed by his proximity and wanting to pull away. “You’re going to be depending on their help—you should spend as much time with them as possible.”
