[The Elustria Chronicles 03.0] Magic Betrayed

by Caethes Faron

  “Oh, there you are, Kat! It’s been so long since we’ve spoken. How are you, dear?” Marguerite and I had grown closer since I’d moved to the Citadel. Without her, I would have given up on family forever. My great-aunts were a little much to handle, and I hadn’t seen them since our initial meeting. As a link to my blood family and a girlfriend, Marguerite had filled an important role in my new life.

  “I’m doing fine. Not much to report.” Not only did I feel guilty for wanting to make our conversation quick so I could practice, but I hated having to lie. I couldn’t tell her about my work with the CCS. As far as she knew, I was living at the Citadel to learn magic. When I’d taken on the job, I hadn’t anticipated difficulties in keeping my employment secret. Alex and Millhook both knew. Nicole was the only other person I’d think about telling, and she was a human on Earth. Then Marguerite had lived up to her promise to spend time together as a family.

  “I want to come visit you, but they denied my request for a pass. They said they’re not taking non-essential visitors right now. Is everything there all right?” Marguerite peered at me with concern as if I might be held hostage and she needed to spot a secret signal from me to get help.

  The public wouldn’t be told the details, but Gareth wasted no time in tightening security. Word would get out that something was going on. We needed to manage any rumors.

  “Yeah, I don’t know what that’s all about. There is heightened security, but I haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary.”

  “Do you think it’s something to do with the Directorate? Have they come back?”

  The general population of Elustria wasn’t aware of the Directorate’s current activities. They had been more public years ago, but the CCS had worked hard to dampen their effect on day-to-day life in Elustria. “I don’t know. I mostly spend my time gardening and getting caught up on learning about Elustrian history and magic.”

  “Of course, and how is your magic coming? Any exciting new skills to tell me about?” Marguerite’s face brightened the way a parent’s would. I wished I could tell her something interesting, like my ability to listen in on any conversation happening around me no matter how shielded it was. I loved my work and wanted to share it with her.

  “Not much. I’m studying Cadaran. It’s made things a little easier.”

  “Good, good. My parents were big on learning the ancient language. Kids today think there’s nothing they can learn from the past, but there’s power there, and you can never go astray learning the basics. I’m happy you’re doing well. Anything to report on the romantic front? You had told me about a man who was visiting there, I think Kellan was his name?”

  Speaking to Marguerite was a tightrope act. There was only so much I could tell her, but it was important to me to keep this familial connection strong, so I had to tell her something. Kellan’s cover was that he was a botanist who came to study the rare plants in the Citadel’s greenhouse. “Like I told you last time, Kellan is just a friend.”

  “It sounded like he wants to be more than just friends.” Marguerite tilted her head knowingly.

  “Well, it’s not all about what he wants.”

  “All right.” Marguerite nodded. “Are you still holding a torch for that shifter you introduced us to, Alex? Have you heard from him lately?”

  My mind went to the letter that still sat tucked underneath my mattress. So much had happened that I hadn’t taken the time to sit and read it. With everything ahead of me, I wouldn’t have time for a while. “Yeah, we keep in touch, mainly letters. You know shifters, not much for magic.”

  “Of course not, but if he’s where your heart is, don’t let the fact that he’s a shifter dissuade you. I know my aunts made it seem like he’s not welcome, but don’t worry about them. This is about you and your happiness.”

  I appreciated her sentiment, but I was a little preoccupied with trying to stay alive. My mind wasn’t anywhere near the romantic. “Thanks, Aunt Marguerite. Right now, I want to be alone for a while, you know? I mean, so much has happened. I’ve been thrust into this new world. I feel like I kind of need to figure out who I am without someone else.”

  “Goodness, I wish I’d had your wisdom when I was your age. I had my heart broken more times than I can count. Well, I worry about you, I don’t know why since you show so much wisdom, but I do. I want you to take care of yourself, all right?”

  “Sure.” I wanted to get the conversation off of me. “How was Perthos?” She had just gotten back from a vacation to the floating island.

  Marguerite melted. “Absolutely delightful. I wish you could have come with me.”

  “Me too, but you know how protective the Council is. They don’t want me traveling until my mother’s killer is caught.” The circumstances of Meglana’s death weren’t public knowledge.

  “I think they’re overreacting, personally. How would her killer even know about you or want you dead? But your safety comes first. Next time, you must come. Perthos is wonderful. The entire island is designed for pleasure. The angel who waited on me, I wish I could’ve brought him home.”

  “Aunt Marguerite!” I’d never heard her talk like this. The vacation had done her good.

  “Oh hush. The reason I’ve stayed single this long is so I have the right to make those kinds of comments.”

  The creatures who lived on Perthos were actual angels: people with wings. They inhabited floating islands throughout Elustria. Not all of them were resort communities, but Perthos was the premier vacation spot in Elustria. From what Marguerite had told me, and according to the brochure she showed me, angels looked like chiseled Greek gods and goddesses who waited on you hand and foot.

  “Well, I’m happy you had a good time. It sounds amazing.”

  “It was. And don’t worry, honey, we’ll go there together someday, perhaps to celebrate once you’ve graduated your studies.”

  “Sounds like a date.”

  “I don’t want to keep you too long. I just wanted to check in. Don’t be shy. I know it’s not the cool thing to do to talk to your aunt, but I like hearing from you. It’s nice to have a younger member of the family to talk to.”

  “I’ll make sure to keep in better contact. I’ve got to go study.”

  “Talk to you later, then. Bye.” Marguerite’s face disappeared.

  It felt nice having a family member to talk to. I had great friends, but ever since my adoptive parents had died, things had been thin for me in the family department.

  At least with that out of the way, I could focus on the task at hand. Aunt Marguerite wouldn’t find it strange if I went another week or two without contacting her.

  I thought back to the memory of my father learning how to teleport and to what Millhook had told me about it. There was nothing to it. I only had to envision myself on the other side of the room. Add in some heightened emotion and I should be good to go. I closed my eyes.

  Knock, knock, knock.

  Shit. Could I not get a moment of peace?

  “It’s Gareth.”

  “Come in.” Not that I had much of a choice.

  “I wanted to stop by to see how you’re doing. How’s your day gone?”

  “Boring. Having your life threatened means you get stuck with the most uninteresting jobs. I was just talking to my aunt Marguerite when you came in.”

  “Oh, I hope I didn’t interrupt.” Genuine worry showed on his face.

  I waved it away. “No, we were finished.”

  “It’s good that you keep in touch with her. I know you don’t want to be stuck here in the Citadel, but it won’t be forever. I’m glad you have family outside to talk to.”

  “Yeah.” I didn’t try to make him feel welcome. The more awkward the silence was, the sooner he’d leave.

  Gareth smiled. “I also came by to introduce the captain of your guard.” He looked behind him and gestured for a man to enter then stepped aside to present him. “This is Sebastian.”

  Sebastian stood a head taller than me with turquois
e hair and dark burgundy eyes. His wand sat in a holster at his hip, the same as Gareth’s.

  “It’s good to meet you.” I nodded to him.

  “You as well, Kat. I’ll try not to be too obtrusive as long as you don’t try to undermine my work. If I know you’re not trying to get away from me, I can keep my distance.”

  I appreciated the effort to make this less awkward. “Well, I hate to bore you, but I pretty much go to work and stay in my room. This is going to be the easiest assignment you’ve ever had.”

  Gareth stepped back in to the conversation. “I know you think this is all overkill, but we need you to be on alert.”

  “I know.” Despite appearances, I did take this seriously. I knew more than they did what was at stake. “You just work on finding whoever’s responsible so all this can end.”

  Gareth scanned the room as I spoke. Apparently he thought dangers could be hidden in my little dorm-sized space.

  “Have you noticed anything different about your room? Anything where it shouldn’t be? Any new objects?” he asked without looking at me.

  “No, why?”

  Gareth furrowed his brow and pursed his lips as he had when thinking in front of Calista and Thaddeus. He went to my dresser and opened one of the drawers. As soon as it opened a crack, he yelled, “Run!”

  Before I could react, Sebastian grabbed my arm and yanked me from the room. Between his firm grip and height, my feet barely touched the floor.

  Gareth’s footsteps sounded on the stone floor behind us. It was all the warning I had before his body crashed into mine, toppling us to the floor. An explosion sounded behind us. A high-pitched ringing filled my ears, but other than that, there was an eerie silence.

  Gareth’s weight lifted off of me. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine.” It wasn’t strictly true. Being shoved to a stone floor after my ordeal at the trials wasn’t pleasant.

  Gareth helped me to my feet then patted Sebastian on the shoulder. “Good work. You got her out just in time.”

  “Good work yourself, sir. I should’ve detected that device.”

  “I almost didn’t notice it. It would have been easy to miss. Stay here and don’t allow anyone into the area. We’ll need to assess the damage, and I don’t want this scene contaminated. I must confer with my fellow Councilors about this.”

  “Yes, sir.” Sebastian went to work shooing away people who came to see what all the commotion was about.

  “What are you going to do now?” I asked.

  “I would’ve thought that was obvious. I’m going to speak with Calista and Thaddeus. They need to know about this, and we need to come up with a plan of action.”

  “Do they really have to know?” I had been so close to getting answers by porting to section five. “This falls under your jurisdiction being a security matter. It didn’t happen in the CCS; it was in the Citadel. Telling them will only worry them.”

  He raised his eyebrows, incredulous. “You’ve got to be out of your mind if you think I’ll keep this from them.”

  “Gareth, please. If they know, they’ll never let me out of here. They’re going to wrap me in cotton and shove me in a closet somewhere.”

  “You should have more trust in them. We all want what’s best for you. I’m going to report to them, and because I like you so much, I’ll fail to mention that you wanted me to keep this a secret. If you don’t have to go to the infirmary, you may come along.”

  I couldn’t help stomping like a spoiled child as I followed him.

  Twelve

  By the time Gareth and I reached Calista’s office, the ringing in my ears had subsided to a mild annoyance. News of the explosion had spread, and another Councilor spoke to Calista and Thaddeus through an orb as we entered.

  “I want a report on Councilor Gareth’s findings as soon as you have them.” Councilor Olivandron’s pale green hair and even paler skin made her appear serene despite her demands.

  Gareth stepped into Olivandron’s line of sight. “I’ll deliver my report to you directly, Olivandron.”

  She raised one green eyebrow but didn’t show any surprise at his appearance. “Be sure that you do. It’s disgraceful that an explosive device slipped through your security.” Her face disappeared.

  Calista gave me a cursory glance as if making sure I had all of my limbs then focused on Gareth. “What happened?”

  “A listening device was planted in Kat’s room. Upon discovery, it exploded. We’re lucky it didn’t injure anyone,” Gareth said.

  Thaddeus crossed his arms over his chest. “Did it appear that your movement set it off, or do you think whoever was listening knew they had been found out and destroyed the evidence?”

  “I would guess the latter. The device was in Kat’s dresser, so if movement were the trigger, it would have gone off before now.”

  “You can’t be sure of that. If it was planted while she was at work today, they could have planned to take her out when she got back.”

  “That’s true, but the blast was small and contained. I still think it was meant to destroy the device and not much else. I didn’t get a good enough look at it before it exploded to give many details.”

  “At this point, the details are irrelevant,” Calista said. “Whoever’s after her is clearly not going to stop. Kat, is there anything you could’ve said in your room that would leave us exposed?”

  I thought back to all the conversations I’d had in my room. There wouldn’t be anything of interest in my conversation with Aunt Marguerite. My discussions with Millhook were another matter. We talked a lot, and we didn’t keep secrets from each other. He was one of the few people who knew I worked for the CCS. I wouldn’t speak about classified material in an unsecured location, but Millhook had cleared the room before every conversation. If Gareth was able to find this device, then Millhook would’ve. That meant it had to have been planted after our last conversation.

  As I reviewed all this in my mind, I came to a quick decision that Calista didn’t need to know any of it. If she or Thaddeus were the mole, they would’ve overheard everything anyway. And if they weren’t, there was no sense leaving them to believe the Directorate had overheard anything when I was confident they hadn’t.

  “No, I was just speaking to my aunt Marguerite about her vacation. Nothing sensitive at all there.”

  “Good to know you’ve learned to keep your mouth shut in at least one place,” Thaddeus said.

  Why did that man always have to provoke me? I was the one whose life was being threatened here, yet he acted as if it were a huge inconvenience for him. “This wouldn’t have happened if you had listened to me. If I were in the field right now instead of locked up here like a prisoner, there wouldn’t have been an explosion.”

  Thaddeus scoffed. “You don’t expect that argument to work, do you? Someone got into your private room and planted a listening device, and you didn’t even detect it.”

  That didn’t look good. “Whoever’s doing this is obviously fixated on me. There haven’t been any other security issues. My being here is endangering the Citadel and the CCS. If I were on assignment, our operations would be safer, and I’d be able to do the work I trained for.”

  “Your training didn’t stick very well.”

  “That’s enough, you two.” Calista glared at Thaddeus and then me. “You may not care if you die or not, Kat, but we do. To be frank, your blatant disregard for your own life is a little worrisome. It’s not a trait we value in a CCS agent. While you should be willing to die for our cause, we don’t want you throwing your life away. You have value here. We’re all working to get you into the field so you can exercise that value. We want to see you as an agent; it’s what we trained you for. You need to realize that losing you would be a blow to the CCS, a rather big one.”

  That was the most appreciation anyone had shown me since I came to the Citadel. It annoyed me that it was in defense of keeping me behind a desk. “Then at least let me help in the investigation. How can
that hurt?”

  “This incident has shown that you’re not ready, just as I’ve argued before,” Thaddeus said. “You need to go back into training. The best thing you can do is learn to be a better agent, to have better mastery over magic. We all want you working so badly that we may have overlooked some things. You’re good, but you didn’t grow up with magic. It’s unreasonable to expect that after six months you’d be on the same level as an agent who’s been practicing magic since before they could walk.”

  “Last time I checked, I survived the most dangerous trials that have ever happened at the CCS. So I don’t see how I’m at a disadvantage here.”

  “You’re also the only CCS agent who has ever let someone blow up their room.” He had a point there. “I won’t change my mind. You’re to report back to training.”

  I turned to Calista, not believing Thaddeus could be so unreasonable. “Is that what you think?”

  “I don’t agree with Thaddeus’s assessment of your skills. Accidents can and do happen. You passed your trials, and they were the most difficult ones we’ve ever done. However, there’s not much else for you to do. You might as well spend this time training. You hate working as an analyst, and a good agent knows they’re never done learning. Try to take advantage of this time to hone your skills to better prepare yourself. This will get you from behind the desk.”

  “So I can’t do any work then? Just training?”

  “No, I’ll leave that to you. You can help out where you can as an analyst and continue your training.”

  Great, I was being held back. “Fine. Is that all?”

  My attitude wouldn’t improve my case, but I couldn’t help it. There were only so many blows a person could take.

  Calista ignored my tone. “Yes, that will be all. You’ll have to move into a new room. We’ll need to have access to your old room to investigate.”

  “Wonderful.” I nodded and left with Gareth following me. I thought he would want to stay behind and speak with the others in private, but no, that would’ve left me without a babysitter. Couldn’t have that.