“Yes, I know, dear.”
“You slapping my face like that...,” Lindsey pauses for a moment as he prepares what to say. “... feels like a complete betrayal of my trust and shows a lack of respect to me.”
“I was angry at you. I-I meant nothing by it,” Brianne says. “I... I... I’m sorry, Lin.”
“Sorry, won’t cut it right now,” Lindsey says.
Brianne rises to her feet. “Lin...”
Lindsey turns his back on her. “Like I said, this hurts me deep.”
“What can I do,” Brianne asks as she sees hurt in Lindsey’s eyes. She walks over to him and puts a hand on his bicep.
Lindsey jerks his arm away. “Don’t touch me right now,” He takes a deep breath and exhales. “It will take time for me to get over this, Bri. Remember that I still love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Lindsey turns and walks from the room. Anger and hurt still on his face. Brianne watches as he leaves. There is a look of hurt on her face.
Brianne rushes after Lindsey. As she catches up to him there is a popping sound, and he disappears. Brianne drops to her knees as tears stream down her face. “Why, Lin?!? Why?!?”
Three
A TALL golden locked lady in a red sundress strolls through some potted bluebonnets in her greenhouse. She picks one up and smells it. A smile crosses her face. A thought runs through her mind about her family.
“Percival,” She cries out.
“Yes, madam,” A butler, in a tuxedo, appears out of seemingly nowhere. “How may I be of service?”
“Did I receive any messages recently?”
“No, madam. None.”
She sets down the flower pot and rubs her chin. “Hmm. That is unusual. I have not heard from my brother in over a week.”
“Madam,” The tall, lanky, dark-haired butler responds.
“Prepare my car, Percival. Looks like I am going into town.”
“Yes, Mistress Calista,” Percival turns to walk away.
“Oh, one more thing, Percival.”
“Yes, madam,” He responds turning his head.
“Have Layla and Delilah prepare an overnight bag for me. I fear this is going to be a longer trip than I’d like.”
“Yes, of course, madam,” He bows. Then, he turns and walks out of the greenhouse.
Calista strolls through her greenhouse. She is trying to understand why she has had no contact from her brother. She sighs.
Jonas, dear brother, what are you up to?
JONAS AWAKENS ON HIS couch. There is a bottle of whiskey in his hand on the arm stretched out to the floor. He is still in his slacks from the night before but only in an undershirt as well.
Jonas smacks his lips. He opens his eyes a small bit. He opens his hands. The bottle of whiskey hits the floor with a thud. Jonas jerks awake.
He looks around the room. His head zips back and forth. “Huh? What?” Then, a realization hits him as his head begins hurting. “Ow. Ow. Ow.”
He places his head in his hands. Jonas shakes his head as the pounding gets worse. “Boy, I had too much to drink last night.” Jonas squints his eyes.
Jonas sets the nearly empty bottle of whiskey on the end table next to his couch. There is a buzzing sound. He hears it repeat.
“Huh,” Then, he hears the buzzing again. “Damn, where is my phone?”
He looks around the room. Jonas acts like he is stumbling around in the dark. He feels the couch cushions. One vibrates as his phone buzzes again. He reaches behind the cushion and pulls out his phone a ML X4.
The screen of his phone is red. He taps the phone. There is a phone number: CC-00421. Jonas rolls his eyes.
“Wonder what Cali wants.” Jonas shakes his head and winces. “I am sure that I will know soon enough. Cali hates it when I do not check-in with her on a regular basis.”
Jonas rises to his feet. He lumbers across the room to the bathroom. There is a stench emanating from him. “Ugh.”
Jonas lumbers into the bathroom. He stops in front of the mirror. He takes a look at himself. “Damn, I look like crap.”
His reflection, then, talks back. “Nah. You don’t look that good, bro.”
Jonas takes a step back. “What the hell? I must be tripping.” He shakes his head. “This cannot be happening.”
“Oh? You think it is not possible,” The reflection laughs. “Jonas, you are a wizard. You should know that anything is possible.”
An arm reaches out and grabs Jonas by the shirt and pulls him into the mirror. The reflection steps out of the mirror and replaces Jonas. He brushes off his shoulders. The stench remains.
“Hmm. Showering will be a good idea,” The mirror Jonas says.
Jonas bangs on the mirror. “No! Don’t go away! You can’t do this!”
The mirror Jonas turns his head with a smile. “I just did.”
The mirror Jonas proceeds to head to the shower to wash up. Jonas hangs his head as he watches the mirror Jonas begin to take over his life.
Four
CALDREN AND RAGNOR RELAX in their holding cell. Caldren leans up against the wall as Ragnor sits on a bench. He looks up at Caldren.
“How long til Orion gets here?”
“Not long. We’ll be out of here soon enough,” Caldren says. “I really hate being in here.”
“As do I,” Ragnor responds. “Seems like we keep getting caught.”
“Agreed,” Caldren says. “Wonder if we have a snitch amongst our crew.”
Someone walks towards their cell. They flick their wrist. The cell door opens. An officer looks at them. “You two are free to go.”
Caldren stands up straight as Ragnor rises to his feet. They both move towards the door. A smile is on Caldren’s face as he sees the officer. “You never could keep us here.”
“Something will stick, Caldren,” The officer spouts.
“You keep thinking that...,” Caldren snarks backs. “I seriously doubt there will ever come a time.”
There is a look of disdain on the officer’s face. Ragnor walks by him and snaps at him. The officer jumps back. Ragnor laughs and walks away.
Orion sees Caldren and Ragnor emerge from the holding area. There is a stern look on his face. “You did not accomplish your task, gentlemen. Come now. The boss wishes to talk with you.”
Caldren and Ragnor look at one another. They, then, turn towards Orion. A wry grin is on Caldren’s face.
“Let’s blow this place,” Caldren says with a reserved anger in his voice.
“Right this way,” A stoic tone is in the dapper Orion’s voice. “Our car awaits us.”
Caldren and Ragnor follow Orion out to the awaiting car. The pedestrians see the vehicle’s back door opened by itself. The others see the spirit that opens door for them.
Orion, Caldren, and Ragnor climb into the back seat of the limousine. The spirit closes the door. It heads to the driver’s door. It opens the door and gets in.
The limousine starts up and, then, heads away from the MLE Station. Orion raises a brow as he watches the excitement of the norms along their path.
“Bah, norms. They will never understand the world or its intricacies,” Orion says with disgust in his voice. “A bunch of Neanderthals. Not unlike, you two.”
“Excuse me,” Caldren exclaims. “I would watch who you call a Neanderthal. I don’t need my wand to perform magic.” Anger rises in him. Silently, Caldren calls forth a fireball.
“Impressive as that is, Caldren, you still screwed up,” Orion calmly and stoically states. “You did not kill the Maybins.”
“I had no idea they’d go to a norm restaurant.”
“You were to kill before that.”
“Too much collateral damage.”
Orion shakes his head. “That matters not to the boss.” Anger swells in Orion. He shakes his finger at them. “No more screw ups or next I let you two rot in jail!”
“Fine,” Caldren says crossing his arms. “So, what does the boss want now?”
&nbs
p; “You ‘ll find out soon enough,” Orion says.
The limousine continues along the main road leading out of town. It starts heading up a steep hill. The limousine turns on a road that forks off the right of the main road.
After a mile, the limousine stops at a gate. The gate opens into a sprawling estate. The lawn is vibrantly green with a fountain near the circular drive which stops in front of the three-story mansion. There is an overlooking balcony above the front door. A man smoking a cigar leans upon the balcony railing. He smiles as he tosses the cigar to the side.
The man jumps over the railing and lands onto the ground in a crouched position. He stands up and straightens his blazer. There is a smile on his face. The man opens his arms as the driver opens the back passenger door to the limousine.
Caldren and Ragnor step out of the limousine. Caldren turns to Orion. “Where is he? And who is this imposter?”
Orion smiles. “You noticed, huh?”
Orion rises from the backseat. Caldren crosses his arms. “Yeah, I noticed. Close in size and looks.”
“Follow me, you two,” Orion says. He turns towards the imposter. “You can return to your post.”
He nods to Orion. “Yes, sir.”
Orion leads Caldren and Ragnor into the sprawling estate. The guards all nod to him. Caldren raises a brow. He senses something is off.
He stops in his tracks. Then, Caldren waves his hands. “Whoa. Hold on...,” Orion and Ragnor stop. They turn to face Caldren. “Something’s not right.”
“Oh?” Orion raises a brow. There is a wry grin on his face. “What makes you think this?”
Ragnor crosses his arms. He crooks his head. “Yeah, man. What’s up?”
“Don’t you see it, Ragnor,” Caldren says. “There is no bossman or the person we think is the boss is not the real person in charge.”
“Why do you say that,” Ragnor asks.
“Did you see how the guards acted as we passed them,” exclaims Caldren.
“So? Orion is the head lawyer for the bossman. They all show him respect,” Ragnor retorts.
“You got it wrong, Ragnor. The one reason we have never met this bossman is because we already know the man-in-charge.”
“Really? Who is it, Cal,” Ragnor asks with a furrowed brow.
“Easy. It’s Orion.”
Orion claps his hands together. Ragnor turns towards Orion. There is a huge smile on Orion’s face. “Bravo. Your intuition serves well, Caldren.” Orion turns. He motions to Caldren and Ragnor. “Come. We have much to discuss.”
Caldren and Ragnor look at one another. Both shrug their shoulders. They follow Orion deeper into the large estate.
Five
LINDSEY SITS AT A bar drinking. He hangs his head. Lindsey thinks about the events prior this past evening. He sighs.
“How? How did things get so bad so fast,” Lindsey mutters.
A young blonde woman with voluptuous breasts walks up to the bar. She sits down next to Lindsey. She orders her drink. She notices a wedding band on Lindsey’s finger.
“Trouble with the missus, honey,” She asks Lindsey
“You could say that...,” Lindsey says.
“I could take you time off that,” The buxom blonde smiles. She takes a sip of her drink.
“I’m sure you could if I wanted that,” Lindsey says. “But I am not that kind of man. I love my wife.”
The buxom blonde shakes her head. “Okay, honey. Your loss.”
“Only if I were to go with you,” Lindsey retorts. He stands up and places money onto the bar. “Thanks for the drinks.” Lindsey walks away from the bar.
The buxom blonde leaves in stunned silence as Lindsey leaves the bar. She shakes her head. “I-I...”
The bartender chuckles. “Your first rejection, Sam?”
“No,” Sam answers. She sighs. “Just been awhile. I, usually, have no trouble with men in the midst of marital discourse.” She widens her eyes. “Wow.”
“Yep,” The bartender says. “He loves his wife. She’s a looker, too, with ginger, curly locks.”
“Well, that makes me feel better...,” Sam says. “I guess I am not his type.” She, then, chugs back the rest of her drink. “I think I now have a challenge.” Sam rises from her seat and walks away.
The bartender raises an eyebrow. He watches Sam walk away as he dries of a glass. “Oh, boy. Lindsey. You better be careful. You’ve been marked.”
BRIANNE RUNS THROUGH THE park near her home. Frustration runs through her. She stops in the midst of the park at a bench. She is huffing and puffing. She looks around. No one is around. She can hear the crickets chirping.
“Damnit, Bri,” She mutters. “You really messed up.”
“Yes, you did,” A mysterious voice says. Brianne perks up as she looks around.
From her fanny pack, Brianne removes her wand. She looks around as she points her wand like a gun.
“Who are you? Show yourself,” Brianne demands.
“Put the wand away,” An elf emerges from the shadows. He is smiling. He is dressed in a long greenish-blue coat. His honey-blonde locks are pulled back into a braided ponytail. “I mean you no harm.”
Brianne raises a brow. She continues pointing her wand at the elf. “Identify yourself.”
The elf shakes his head. “My name is Caitharn.”
Brianne keeps her wand aimed at Caitharn. She is taking no chances. “Prove to me you are not threat.”
Caitharn chuckles. “You are wary of me. Interesting.”
“You have yet to prove a thing to me, elf,” Brianne says. She is in a crouch. “The last elf I met destroyed my last wand.”
“Huh? You survived a fight with an elf before,” Caitharn muses. A smile crosses his face. “You must be special and powerful.”
“Flattery will get you nowhere,” Brianne cynically says. She straightens up into a more relaxed position.
“Darn...,” Caitharn snaps his fingers together. “The truth can be flattery, Brianne. Your wand was destroyed by an elf, not you. That is annoying in its own right.”
“I got close enough to knock her out with a punch to the face.”
Caitharn raises a brow. “Her? Really?”
“Yeah, the bitch deserved it,” Brianne crosses her arms. She holds her wand in one hand. A brow is raised. “So, why are you here?”
Caitharn’s eyes light up. “I was getting to that...” He clears his throat. You and your husband have been marked.”
“Why us? We are a witch and wizard. Not all that great either. Why are we marked,” Brianne asks.
“I don’t know for certain,” Caitharn answers. “Could be the potential of your bloodlines coming together. Could be someone hates you both. I really don’t know, honestly.”
Brianne takes a deep breath. She exhales. “Thank you, Caitharn.” She relaxes the tension within herself. “I need to head home. Lindsey shall be returning home soon.”
“I will be in touch, Brianne,” Caitharn says. He turns and walks back into the shadows.
“How will I fond you,” Brianne asks.
Caitharn smiles. “No need. I will find you. He, then, disappears.
Brianne sighs. “Great. He can show at any moment, literally.” She hangs her head. Then, she turns back to the direction from which she came. “Back home I go.”
Brianne puts her wand back in her fanny pack. She, then, jogs back the way she entered. A look of wary is on her face.
When will this stop?
Six
CALISTA CARVER PULLS UP to a small two-story building. She gets out of her car. A brow raises on her forehead. She looks at the stone-gray building.
“Why does he choose to live here?” Calista shakes her head. “He could have his choice of places to live. Anywhere he wanted. But why here?”
Calista walks up to the door. She pulls out her phone and dials the last number she called. She holds the phone up to her ear.
“Come on, Jonas... answer your phone,” Calista mutters.
&
nbsp; “Yes...” Calista hears over the phone.
“Jonas?” Calista raises a brow.
“Yes, dear sister...,” Jonas says with a smirk on his face. “... what a lovely surprise to see you here.”
“Huh,” Calista has a look of shock on her face. She sighs. Something is different about him. Very different about him. I just cannot put my finger on it, yet.
Jonas motions to Calista. “You coming?”
Calista shakes her head. “Yes. Yes, of course.” Then, she clears her throat. “So, why do you want to live in this dump instead of a nice home like mine?”
Jonas shakes his head as there is a thunderclap in the distance. “If you wish to get out, you best come inside.”
“Coming. Coming,” Calista says as Jonas walks up the stone steps to his front door. He seems more confident than normal. I like him this way. She gulps and feels a chill up her spine. Get a grip, Cali. He’s your brother.
She heads inside with Jonas just before the rain falls. Calista turns and sees the rain. She feels an unnatural easiness inside her. Then, she shuts the front door behind her.
I hope I don’t regret this.
Seven
ORION LEADS CALDREN AND Ragnor into his favorite room, the study. Caldren stops in the doorway. He raises a brow. “Why do you think keeping everyone in the dark about you is good?”
Orion walks over to the desk and sets his briefcase down. He opens the case. “Now, Caldren, do you ever see me in a jail cell?”
“No, I have not,” Caldren admits.
“There is a reason. A very simple reason,” Orion says.
“What that be,” Ragnor asks. He crosses his arms.
“I thought it was very simple. You two are part of a system of operatives I have out there,” Orion reaches into his case and removes two objects. He turns around and brandishes their wands. “I believe you two will need these.”
Caldren raises a brow. He walks over to Orion. “Thought these were confiscated. Didn’t expect to get it back.”
The Magical Book of Wands Page 42
