by Sean Davies
Daylight spread across the land, and Genie cringed as the light hit her face. She held her breath, hoping that Chloe’s potion had worked, and sighed with relief when her skin didn’t burn. However, the natural warmth had grown unfamiliar to her and everything seemed far too bright, including the blue sky and white puffy clouds. It took a while for her to adjust as she crawled along in the morning traffic, and rolled down her window to listen to the birds singing their morning melodies.
Eventually, the imposing, gargantuan steel and concrete city walls came into view at the centre of a massive plain of grassland, along with the tall buildings within. Looming above the rest, in the heart of Imperia City, was the World GOVT tower with its gleaming floor-to-ceiling windows. There were several buildings outside of the walls, as the city had grown beyond its war-time ring of protection, but they looked out of place and lonely compared to those within. Genevieve turned onto the main road leading into the city’s northern gate, and slowly but surely approached the sprawling metropolis.
The deep metal gates were guarded on both sides and above by Military Peace Keepers in black and red combat armour, and they were armed with powerful assault rifles. However, the MPKs only showed a fleeting interest to the vehicles entering and exiting the city, and they stood around smoking and talking to one another. Genevieve even caught the sickly-sweet aroma of Dreamleaf as she passed by an especially relaxed looking pair of officers.
People swarmed the wide pavements in droves as they flocked by or into the big fancy shops lining the main roads, which displayed expensive clothes, jewellery, and furniture. Even the supermarkets looked swanky. Most of the men were wearing expensive suits and the women were in smart exquisite outfits or dress suits, and even the people donning casual wear looked well-off. However, Genie did notice a few underdressed, or uniform clad, stressed looking people walking quickly through the masses, and assumed they were the menial workers trying to get to their jobs before they were late.
Genevieve followed the red, black, and white signs to the Capital Library, and turned off down some smaller roads that were less congested. She reached the long white building within minutes of escaping the current of rush hour traffic.
The Capital Library was supposedly the largest in the world, containing several floors worth of literature, and proudly boasted that it held a copy of every single book that had been published since Imperia secured its dominancy over the continent of Rura in the ancient times. Although modernised in places, the building was still an exquisite example of Ancient Imperian architecture, with its tall white marble pillars and arched alcoves which now accommodated brilliantly carved statues of Imperian heroes, Emperors, and Autocrats throughout the ages. The centre of the Capital Library’s roof was topped by a brilliant glass dome that was held in place by a fine grid of gold-plated metalwork.
Genevieve pulled into a parking space and turned to the sleeping O’Kelly family, who were still out cold after their stressful night filled with panic, confusion, and anxiety over their future.
“Hey, guys,” Genevieve said firmly but in a gentle tone. “We’re here.”
Chloe stirred first and lightly nudged her parents until they too opened their eyes.
“Mum, dad, wake up,” Chloe said softly. “We’ve arrived.”
Brian groaned. “I was hoping that it was all a horrible nightmare.”
“Afraid not,” Genie replied sympathetically before yawning.
“You drove all night without taking a break?” Kaitlyn asked critically.
Genevieve recognized the disapprovingly concerned tone, as it was the same type her own mother used. “Yes, ma’am, but I couldn’t risk stopping, and we had to be here for the morning.”
Kaitlyn frowned. “Okay, but make sure you rest up plenty today. I don’t want you falling ill on our account.”
Genie couldn’t help but smirk; even under the circumstances, Kaitlyn was still finding time to be motherly, even to someone she’d only just met, and Genevieve wondered if that was where the young Book Wielder got her courage from.
“Mum, Genie can take care of herself, she’s a fully-grown Vampire. Let’s just go…” Chloe grumbled in embarrassment.
“Do either of you have a piece of paper and a pen?” Genevieve asked before they got out.
“Yeah, I do,” Brian said, digging out a small sketchpad and a mechanical pencil.
The man quickly flicked through the pages, and Genevieve caught glimpses of incredibly detailed sketches of everything from fruit to landscapes. He stopped at a blank page, tore it out, and handed it to Genevieve along with the silver pencil.
“I can see where Chloe gets her artistic talents from,” Genie smiled as she scribbled down her contact information.
Chloe’s cheeks went flush. “Now you’re embarrassing me.”
Genie chuckled and handed her details over to the O’Kelly family. “I’m not around much, but that’s where you can reach me if there’s an emergency or if you need anything. I’m not sure how this arrangement with the Trinity will work but I’ll do what I can to help.”
“Again, thank you, Genevieve, for everything you’ve done for us and our daughter,” Kaitlyn said earnestly.
“Yes, thank you kindly,” Brian said, shaking her hand.
Genie went a bit red and smiled. Despite her embarrassment she felt good knowing that she’d helped, better in fact than she had done in a long time.
They left the car and unloaded the trunk. Genevieve carried most of the haphazardly packed bags with ease, and the O’Kelly family took the rest. Most people ignored the strange group as they headed towards the old building’s large stone steps, but a few threw critical looks their way and a very tired Genevieve stared them down until they scampered off. Jonathan Knight was waiting for them by the building’s double doors, wearing a smart blue suit and leaning casually on one of the white pillars. He was talking to three other Supernaturals, two of whom were wearing well-made casual clothing, and the other was in a blue chequered shirt tucked into grey trousers and wore a nametag that read ‘Ralph’.
Jonathan registered Genie and her human entourage, and composed himself. “Ah, Genevieve, you finally made it!”
“Yeah, sorry, traffic was manic,” she replied, shaking the Mage’s hand. “Cheers for sorting this out.”
“Don’t mention it,” Jonathan smiled. “And this must be Chloe, Brian, and Kaitlyn O’Kelly. I am Jonathan Knight, a representative of…” He paused when a pair of students walked by. “The Trinity of Old,” he concluded quietly.
“Hi,” Chloe said timidly. “Is it true that you’ll keep my parents safe?”
“Of course, a residency has been made available for you all in the Catacombs,” the Mage replied warmly. “I’d promise that we’ll keep you safe too, but that’s a bit tricky with the Gloom, isn’t it? What we will do is provide you with expert level training from our other Book Wielders… and arm you to the teeth.”
“Awesome,” Chloe grinned eagerly, as her parents shot each other worried looks.
“Now, if you’d like to hand some of your possessions to my associates, we’ll be on our way.” Jonathan gestured to the two Supernaturals in casual clothing.
The two members of the Trinity of Old took the family’s heaviest bags and lifted them as though they were as light as a feather, while Brian and Kaitlyn took the remainder. Ralph, the smartly dressed Werewolf with a nametag, opened the doors for them to enter as Chloe said her goodbyes to Genie.
Genevieve hugged the young Book Wielder tightly. “Be safe, Chloe O’Kelly.”
“You too, Genevieve Jameson,” Chloe replied in her bravest voice.
Genie ruffled her hair playfully. “I’ll figure out some way we can hang out together. I still owe you that shopping trip.”
“I’d say we were more than even after all this,” the young Book Wielder smiled, “but that sounds nice. I’m looking forward to it.”
“And don’t worry about your artwork, I’ll have it hidden safely in my apart
ment before the gang can do anything with it,” Genevieve added reassuringly, knowing how much the drawings meant to her. “Just don’t go making a name for yourself too soon.”
Chloe laughed. “That really shouldn’t be a problem.”
The young Book Wielder left with her parents and Jonathan lingered outside to speak with Genevieve. Ralph also joined the O’Kelly family, but gave Genie a filthy look before he went.
“I’m guessing he’s an Archivist… and that he knows what gang I’m with?” Genie assumed.
“The Archivists own this library, it’s technically their headquarters,” Jonathan explained, “and we own the Catacomb portal beneath it. Out of all the Supernaturals on the surface, they’re our closest allies.”
Genevieve sighed, aggravated that her association with the Golden Fangs caused others to view her in such a bad way. She let out a massive yawn and covered her mouth politely.
“Tired?” Jonathan asked rhetorically.
“Just a bit. I usually pass out between all-nighters,” she joked.
He reached into an inner pocket, took out two vials of clear liquid and passed them to Genie. “They’re energy potions, good for late nights at the office.”
“Cool, saves me shelling out for a dozen coffees,” she smirked, putting one potion in her bag and raising the other towards him in a toast. “Cheers!”
The solution tasted overwhelmingly sugary and left a slight tingling sensation on her tongue as though she had sprinkled it with sherbet. Her tiredness soon disappeared, and left her feeling recuperated and refreshed in both body and mind.
“They’re good!” she gasped approvingly.
“I’ll pass my compliments onto the maker. He’s quite the skilled Alchemist, and such a handsome fellow…” Jonathan chuckled playfully.
Genevieve put her hands on her hips. “It’s you, isn’t it?”
“Guilty as charged,” he laughed.
She giggled, then reached out and shook the Mage’s hand. “Thank you again for all this, Jonathan. I owe you, big time.”
“You’re welcome. You could start by coming with us,” he smiled coyly. “I don’t see Goldfang taking this little defection too well.”
“I’ve still got things to settle,” Genie sighed. ‘Like wiping out the Morriganigh’, she thought bitterly. “I’m going to tell Seth that Chloe died, so if you could keep her out of play for a while that would be great.”
“That won’t be an issue, she’s got a lot of training to do yet,” Jonathan replied, clearly amused that Genevieve was deceiving the Golden Fangs. “I have some info on your missing friend; it’s not much, but I’ve discovered that she was working for the Shadow Circle-”
“And they, or the Morriganigh, killed her,” Genevieve interrupted.
Jonathan looked surprised. “That I didn’t know… I’m deeply sorry for your loss. We’re not exactly on great terms with the Circle, but they’re really not the type to turn on their own-”
“So it’s most likely the Morriganigh’s doing,” Genie interrupted again.
“Maybe. All I do know is that revenge won’t bring her back,” Jonathan said gently.
Genie bit her lip, knowing that the Trinity Mage was right, but she wanted justice, answers, and closure, and the only way was finding the illusive Morriganigh leaders.
Jonathan went to say something but stopped himself, and looked incredibly awkward for a moment.
“What is it?” Genie pressed. “It looked like you had something important to say?”
The Trinity representative let out a long, defeated sigh and shook his head slowly. “I shouldn’t be telling you this… but the Shadow Circle’s primary Book Wielder usually eats at the Praetor’s Pride restaurant at lunchtime today. He’ll be there with his personal guard, the top brass in the Circle, and if you want answers about your friend they might be able to help. Tell the staff that you’re on Trinity business and that I sent you – that should give you free reign of the building.”
Genevieve’s jaw dropped, and she genuinely didn’t know what to say.
“Just please, please consider our offer,” Jonathan begged, pre-empting her gratitude.
Genevieve nodded dumbly. She was extremely grateful to have a lead to follow that could potentially pinpoint Anna’s killer, or at least shed some light onto her shady drug-dealing job that Genevieve had been deliberately kept in the dark about.
“Oh, and no offense,” Jonathan grimaced, “but you won’t be able to get into the Praetor’s Pride dressed like that.”
Genevieve looked down at her filthy clothes. “Good point. Guess I’ll have to check out the Capital’s shops, then,” she smiled eagerly.
Jonathan chuckled and walked slowly towards the library’s entrance, waving casually behind him. “Keep in touch, Genie, and don’t forget…”
“To consider the offer,” She finished chirpily, and she was genuinely considering it after the O’Kelly’s successful rehoming as she returned to her vehicle.
Genevieve drove her sporty dark blue jeep to a carpark close to the shops and nearby the lavish Praetor’s Pride restaurant, ever thankful that the morning rush had died down. She walked down the streets looking for a clothes shop that wasn’t too extravagant, and soaked up the sun as she had once again grown accustomed to its brightness and warmth.
She looked at the shop displays and eyed the price tags to gauge whether it was even worth entering, as some of the shops were completely out of her price range, but Genie still made a cheeky pit stop at a PC store and purchased a turn-based strategy game about managing an entire civilisation throughout the ages. Genie finally came across a store that was displaying good-looking formalwear at what she considered to be a reasonable price, and began browsing for something appropriate.
With the help of an attendee, Genevieve selected a tasteful figure-hugging red dress, discreet red lingerie to match, and a pair of black high heels. Genie was tempted by a selection of silver accessories but didn’t want to use all her money, as she needed to fill her jeep’s DVO petrol tank for the journey home. She got changed in the store and stuffed her tatty clothing in a bag, thanked the staff, and left to find a public restroom to do her makeup.
By the time it was lunchtime Genevieve looked more amazing than usual, and she was confident that she’d meet the dress code and blend in with the swanky restaurant’s elite clientele. Genie wanted to do something with her bland brown hair, but lacked the time and resources, and didn’t want to spend more money visiting a salon at the last minute. In hindsight, she wished that she’d called into the hairdresser in Taynulia that Kaylie and the other Supernatural girls always raved about. Genevieve walked down the street towards the restaurant, passing beneath World Banners that hung proudly from the fronts of tall old buildings, and smiled as pedestrians gave her appreciative glances.
Genie arrived at the Praetor’s Pride and was immediately taken aback by the restaurant’s imposing luxury. The exterior of the building was styled in the fashion of ancient Imperian architecture, much like the Capital Library, only manufactured in recent years, with white marble columns, statues of athletic half-naked men and women built into raised alcoves, and magnificent flower trellises that were arranged beside the restaurant’s long crystal-clear windows. The inside of the Praetor’s Pride was no less extravagant, decorated with antique vases, tall potted plants, and exquisite crystal chandeliers which the wealthy patrons dined beneath. Even the dark wooden tables looked priceless. Waiters and waitresses glided along balancing multiple plates and silver serving trays with well-practised ease, and their black and white uniforms were incredibly flattering and smart. Genevieve thought that her briefly worn Woodsholme Grill attire was complete garbage in comparison. As she approached the old male Maître D’ she wondered what had become of Eryn, her old supervisor of sorts who had fled the Golden Fangs, and Genevieve hoped that she was faring better than poor overworked Dane.
“Good afternoon, Madame,” the Maître D’ spoke formally, already primed to check h
is leather-bound book of names on his small wooden desk. “Do you have a reservation?”
“Good afternoon,” Genevieve replied, making sure to stay well-spoken. “No, I’m afraid I don’t, but I’m actually here on behalf of Jonathan Knight and the Trinity…”
“Of course, say no more. Mr Knight called ahead on your behalf, Miss. Jameson.” The old man gently clapped his hands together, smiled, and looked into her eyes as though he was trying to discern their true colour. “If you’ll follow me, please.”
“Thank you,” Genevieve said with a slight nod of her head.
She followed the Maître D’ through the restaurant, eying the rich patrons and their big plates of fancy food as they passed by. Genevieve thought she had done well to dress the part, but felt incredibly underdressed compared to the beautiful women in their elegant dresses that were works of art in comparison to her own, and the handsome men in their extremely smart suits. The smell of their enticing perfumes and aftershaves floated in the air along with the aroma of freshly cooked food, tobacco, wine and spirits, and Genevieve imagined it to be the scent of pure wealth incarnate.
They entered an outside dining area adorned with well-kept gardens, pleasant fountains, and even a sheltered bar. The tranquil area was deserted except for a table of five Supernaturals and one well-fed human sitting at the far end of the picturesque enclosure. The Maître D’ pointed Genie in their direction, gave her a partial bow, and left. Genevieve thanked him and walked over to the Shadow Circle gang members, trying to hide her nervous apprehension. She studied the Circle members as she slowly approached and quickly tried to think of what to say, and in what manner.
Sitting at the end of the table was the chubby human, who Genie assumed was their primary Book Wielder. He had a shaven head and a neatly trimmed brown beard, cautious hazel eyes, and was in the process of demolishing a big serving of white chocolate cheesecake. He was wearing a black pinstriped suit with the Shadow Circle’s emblem stitched onto the pocket in silver thread, and a pair of black rimmed glasses.
