by C E Johnson
“Your bondsmate has a question for me, doesn’t he?” Emily asked.
Dr. D nodded. “Dax wants to know if you can see his aura.”
Emily stared at subtle hints of sapphire around the fuzzy creature. “I can see it, but it’s fainter than yours.” She turned to her godfather and focused on him until she could see the faint outline of a blue glow about his figure like the faintest glimmer of light at the edge of a candle. The flickering and dancing colors became more prominent as she concentrated. They were in a variety of blue shades—cornflower, blue bonnets and denim. The whorls of rich color twisted and turned, surging in her mind with sparkling intensity. “I can see yours easily and I’m beginning to see elements of your personality within your aura. There are fibers and elements that suggest you are an overbearing taskmaster.”
Her godfather chuckled, “Is that so?”
I wonder why we don’t see other magicians, Xena mused to Emily.
“Why are we the only magicians around here?” Emily asked. She had asked him this question before, but his answers never fully satisfied her.
“Magicians are extremely rare in this region, and that’s why I want you to keep the majority of your powers a secret. People fear what they don’t understand.”
Emily peered deeper into the fibers of Dr. D’s aura. She could see elements of strength and love, but she could also see something hard under the surface, something that made her think of death and fear. His talks of fighting and battles suddenly made her wonder if her godfather had killed men before. The thought scared her. “Can you tell me more about auras,” she asked quietly.
Dr. D rubbed Dax. “An aura reveals the basic characteristics of a magician, their color of magic, and their underlying strength. You’re a blue magician, and your powers stem from an inner force called your magus. Each color of magic gives a magician advantages with a certain class of spells. Your blue magic will make you extremely skilled at shielding spells, protective spells.”
“Sometimes I wish I was a gold magician, a master of the elements,” Emily said with a smile. She attempted to make the liquid in Dr. D’s glass move, but she couldn’t even create a ripple. “Can you tell me more about my ki?”
“The voice you hear in your mind is called your ki, a blessing that’s only given to people with great talent, higher level magicians. Your voice developed early suggesting you have the potential to become very powerful.”
Emily could tell her godfather was impressed with this fact. She, likewise, felt a certain sense of pride. He asked her the next question, “What does your ki help you with?”
“Sometimes a magician’s ki will warn them that someone is approaching, and occasionally their ki will even name that person if they’re extremely powerful.” Emily tried to think of other situations that her ki had helped her with. “Rarely, a ki will lead you to your bondsmate,” she blurted.
Dr. D’s eyes glittered in the overhead lights and he spoke in a deep voice that was full of mystery. “It’s extremely rare, but it happened with you.”
Emily felt her heart abruptly began to beat more rapidly. Magic was definitely her favorite lesson.
Dr. Dalton’s magnificent blue aura intensified, forming around him in a glorious cloak of blue light as he spoke the words, Fegkos fulgar. The words were just loud enough for Emily to hear, and a dazzling blue light burst from his fingertip as he completed the incantation. “This is a light spell. I can vary the intensity of the light and the heat of the flame.”
“That’s a great spell.” Emily’s heart was fluttering. She could feel a tingling with her proximity to the blush of blue magus and electrified shivers started to flow on her skin. She wasn’t scared by his talents, simply intrigued. She absorbed all that he performed in respectful silence. The world had changed for her the day he taught her about magic, as if a secret door were being opened for her, a door that was always present but one that she hadn’t noticed before.
“All magicians must master the talent of spreading light,” Dr. D said with a happy warmth in his tone.
“I’m so weak compared to you.” Emily tried a light spell, but only a faint flame formed at her fingertip.
Her godfather rolled his bluestone cube in his hand. “It doesn’t matter how slow one starts an undertaking, as long as you don’t stop learning and listening to advice and instruction.” He pushed the bluestone half-way over to her across the desktop. “Try again with this.”
Emily stared at the stone, wanting it to come to her the rest of the way. Calm, pull, flow. She relaxed and mouthed propero, feeling pleased when she pulled a blue glow of sparks into her mind. The fiery force coalesced and gelled. She directed the current away from her to curl around the stone. It slid closer but stopped short of where she wanted it to go. “It’s frustrating to feel this magus inside of me, but not being able to harness it correctly.” Emily reached out to grasp the bluestone. She ran her finger along its surface and thought she could feel an inner electricity that called to her, dancing delicately from the tip of her finger to her palm. She held onto his bluestone and repeated her light spell. The flame she formed was definitely stronger.
“You’re doing fine,” Dr. D said gently as he took a sip of his water. “All magicians have trouble initially performing spells, but this lets us learn humility before we start to wallow in pride. A great magician should always remain humble.”
“I wish my parents were impressed with what I’m learning,” Emily said sadly with a chill in her heart. “I’ll never forget how they reacted to my talents when we tried to show them.” After Emily had moved a paperclip under Dr. D’s guidance, her parents had looked at each other with wide eyes and a faint underlying quiver had developed in their words. Although she knew her parents loved her intensely, sadly they weren’t raised around magic and they weren’t magicians.
“They love you,” Dr. D said with a somber sigh.
You’re going to have to always be guarded with what you reveal to them concerning your magic, Xena warned.
I can’t ever overwhelm them with my powers, Emily resolved. Glancing out the window, she could see the sky was cloudless. A hawk was wheeling through the heavens, free and unburdened. Thank goodness for Dr. D, she thought. The sun shone down on her through the open windows in full force, warming her, melting away the coldness in her chest.
Ask him about the painting, Xena whispered. There was only one painting on the wall. The painting depicted a graceful female warrior riding a golden horse that looked like an Akhal-Teke, a breed that appeared to be a mixture of a horse and a great dog. There were hundreds of soldiers standing guard around her. She wore a sword on her waist and had an ornate black bow across her back with faint, lacy golden designs along its wood. All the individuals in the painting had pointed ears, very similar to her own ears.
I will not, Emily chided Xena. No matter how many times I’ve asked, he refuses to discuss the painting.
For some reason, the picture made Emily think of her true family, perhaps because of the similar shape of the ears. This thought made her sad inside. She felt a lump form in her throat as she wondered what sort of parents would leave a baby just after birth. And why would they leave a note saying she might choose to visit them when she was ready.
We’ll find them, Xena vowed while sending love and reassurance across their link.
I love you, Z, Emily whispered. She tried to focus on something else before her eyes became moist. She used a small fraction of her energy to pull up her godfather’s aura. She could easily read the confusion flowing vibrantly through his deep blues and she realized he was still considering her story about the men who were watching her. Beneath the confusion was a touch of fear and even doubt. He frowned and began typing on his computer. What would I do without him? Emily wondered.
“Don’t worry about me, young lady.” Dr. D paused in his typing and peered past the computer screen at her. “I’ll be around long enough to guide you on your path, but I’m going to have to accelerate our lessons.” Dr. D had sl
ipped into their special language. He had started teaching her new languages from a very early age, and their favorite language was an ancient language called Acacean. Emily had mastered the fascinating written and spoken language, speaking it fluently now and even dreaming in Acacean conversations. The written form was something she was still mastering, a combination of letters and art.
She rolled her eyes at him. “How do you always know what I’m thinking?”
There was a weariness in his eyes that worried her. “Most people are an open book. With you, it’s different. I can only sense your feelings and some of your thoughts. As you’re getting older, it’s more difficult to determine what you’re thinking because you’re beginning to develop shields.”
“Will I be able to read other people’s minds?”
“You, my dear, have burgeoning powers, of which we’re continuing to learn.” He stared at his palms, flexed his fingers, and then pulled out a text from his library. He opened it to a spell page. “When you’re fully developed, I cannot imagine what you’ll be able to do.”
Emily felt proud. “What else are we studying today?”
“I want you to memorize a reduction spell that decreases powerful or overwhelming stimuli in your mind,” Dr. D began. “For instance, if you’re injured and need to reduce pain, if your brain is going too fast and you’re scared, or if you need to relax, you say, Flammeus absorbeo. He drummed the tips of his fingers on the desk, and Emily could tell he was impatient.
“Got it,” Emily’s heart began to pound as she started to learn about spells, but also because there was danger in the air.
He’s rushed today, Xena whispered. Something is definitely wrong.
“Not sure if I’ll ever use that one,” Emily blurted, “but I guess if I had a severe injury, I might.”
“You never know.” Dr. D arched a bushy white eyebrow. “Now use the memory spell to commit everything to memory.”
Emily performed her incantation, speaking the word, Memoria. She felt the words of his advice sear into her memory with an icy blue. She filed the information in certain areas in her mind, so she could easily bring them into her consciousness.
“Remember, you don’t have to use a specific word to enact a spell, but it will help your mind to focus on the task at hand. As always, I recommend you use Latin roots, so you won’t confuse power words with daily words.” Dr. D’s eyes shone with pride as he continued to teach, but he was speaking rapidly, as if time was of the essence. “Practice your spells often. This will speed your performance of an incantation. If you’re in a battle, it has to be pure reflex.”
Emily laughed, “When am I going to be in a battle.” The thought was preposterous.
He ignored her question, pulling a pencil from his desk drawer and setting it in front of her. “Psionics,” he said rather forcefully.
While murmuring her incantation, Emily concentrated on the pencil before her. She calmed her mind, pulled, and let her magic coalesce and flow as blue sparks streamed through her brain. Propero. She focused on her word of power while causing the pencil to spin in the air. Dr. D nodded, steepling his fingers as he watched. The pencil danced through the air like a miniature drone, weaving through chair legs and by their heads. Emily made it write on a paper in front of her godfather, I’m a magic pencil.
He gave a resigned smile along with a trace of a frown. “Focus, Em.”
He’s in an unusual mood today, Xena thought while studying Dr. D suspiciously. I still haven’t learned much about him today. She snorted and placed her head next to Emily’s foot.
Hush, Z, Emily whispered softly. She guided the pencil through more gymnastics before allowing it to hover over the desk, letting it gradually lower to the table.
Dr. D studied her. “How do you feel? Are you tired?”
“No, I’m fine. I seem to gain more energy every day. I was actually able to shut my bedroom door the other night without feeling any strain.”
“You’re surpassing my own skills.” He put the pencil away in his desk. “You must remember to learn not only from me but also from your ki, which will give you strength when you’re weary, increase your power when you’re weak, and find you a refuge when you’re in trouble.”
Hearing something in his tone, Emily realized he was still disappointed that she hadn’t listened to her ki when fighting Delores. “I would have really hurt Delores if I had followed its advice,” she said quietly.
If you had simply kicked Delores when your ki instructed, it would have protected you from getting that kick to your own head, Xena chided protectively.
Don’t pile on, Emily retorted gently to her bondsmate.
“You’re going to have to get over your restraint very soon,” Dr. D began. His voice was firm. “To become a proficient magician and skilled warrior, you must learn to submit to your ki when you’re in trouble. Your ki is fused with the magus you’re gaining. I hope your inner self-preservation will eventually win out. There’s no reason to be afraid of the advice you’re receiving.” He took a long slow breath. “Everyone stumbles before learning to soar.”
Emily was sure her godfather was correct, but it was difficult to always follow his advice. I wonder if I truly want to overcome several of my flaws.
Xena lifted her head and peered into Emily’s eyes. He’s right. You must learn to fight without holding back.
You’re so critical of me today, Z, Emily teased, don’t you start on me again. Xena snorted playfully in response.
“Now, let’s keep moving. I want you to learn one more spell today.” Dr. D glanced at a clock on the wall.
This is highly unusual. Xena lifted her head and regarded Dr. D. This is more spells than he’s ever taught in one lesson. Xena sniffed the air and Emily could smell anxiety, doubt and concern.
“You must learn about a dream-link.” Dr. D’s face was outwardly cool, guarded. “There are two ways magicians commonly send messages. One uses a fleck of a magestone to send a private and secure dispatch. Another uses a dream-link, which involves a sending and a receiving magician who know and trust each other, but there is a potential that the spell can be tampered with or intercepted. A communication can involve thoughts, memories or scenes, and if there’s enough trust, a link can be sent to a receiver at any time, even when they’re asleep.”
“Do you know where the call is coming from?” Emily asked, leaning forward, excited by the possibilities.
“A wonderful question. The sender can, in fact, transmit their location, even if they don’t really know where they are. The receiver can acquire the sender’s location through the spell.”
Emily was thoughtful for a moment. “So, if you were trapped somewhere and didn’t know where you were, you could perform a dream-link spell, and I would know where you were?”
“Yes, let’s practice. Open your mind to me.” Dr. D began his incantation, “Somnio.”
Closing her eyes while focusing on breathing through her nose to calm her mind, Emily entered her meditation-state. After several minutes, she could sense a message coming from him at the edge of her consciousness. She pictured herself walking through a field with her godfather and Xena. He sent her his current location and although the scene didn’t correlate, she could identify his current location as in his office. In the link, he asked her, “What do you think?” All at once the vision ended.
Emily opened her eyes. “I could tell the images were from you, but barely. I could faintly detect your aural signature on the images. The scene was life-like, like a perfect memory.” Emily was impressed. “I could definitely identify your location.”
“A dream-link is a wonderful spell that can be very powerful. The closer you are to the person physically, the easier and less energy it will cost you. The farther away, the greater the strain. Also, the spell is easier if you know the person very well.”
Emily filed the spell into her memory banks. Xena stood and loped toward the window, ears lifted, growling. Something’s wrong out there, she whispered.<
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“I feel uneasy,” Emily said in a hushed voice. “Xena’s been so on-edge.”
Dr. D stood and went to stand next to Xena, gazing out the window with his back to Emily. “I want you to be vigilant. I think you’re right, someone’s watching us. Your powers are very sensitive.”
“Does it have to do with the men at my match?” Emily pictured scientists studying them in a lab. She knew this was just an image she had from the movies, but she wondered how far off the idea really was.
Dr. D went back to the desk and picked up his bluestone which Emily had set down. He studied it intently before he began to speak. “We both have abilities that others don’t and as we’ve talked about before, someone might want to investigate our talents to harness our skills for their own benefit. I don’t fully understand the Stargate Project that President Hughes has focused so much energy on, but the government has become very interested in people like us. Please listen when your ki is sending you warnings and avoid anyone and anything that feels dangerous. Keep your abilities hidden until I can do more investigating of my own. Can you try sending me a dream-link to show me the faces of the men who were watching you?”
Emily performed the spell, not as flawlessly as Dr. D, but she was able to send across the mental images of the men. Dr. D was instantly happier, his mood had lifted, and he beamed with her success. She could sense him relaxing slightly. “I’ll find out more about them,” he promised. “Go and find your treasure.” Dr. D handed Emily a sheet of paper that had a GPS coordinate and a clue. “Meet me here tomorrow.”
Emily flashed him a quick smile and bolted out of his office with Xena hot on her heels. They were fully immersed in their link. One of the challenging games that Emily and her godfather played was a form of hide-and-seek merged with a scavenger hunt. He would give her the coordinates of latitude, longitude, and altitude, and she would use her phone to track to the first area.
Xena loped along at Emily’s side almost silently on her padded feet following unspoken directions. Emily was too focused on her game to notice a man and a lady watching her from inside a vehicle across the parking lot, but Xena wasn’t, and she directed Emily’s attention to both of them while conveying the smell of steel, power and death.
