Deadly Design

by Brandy L Rivers

  “It doesn’t?” he asked. His father already warned him not to look into the vampire’s eyes.

  “No. And if you don’t have to resort to this, don’t. You may scare Robert McCallister, though if Elizandra is there, you’ll be fine. Robert is wary of things he doesn’t understand and prone to doing everything as outlined by the mages’ guidelines, but Elizandra will bend the rules where she can.”

  He didn’t care about that. He wanted to know how to save them all if everything went to crap like he suspected. “How do I stop a vampire?”

  “With a spell to stun him. Look him in the eye and order him to do as you want. In this case, make him confess. Keep him still. Let the mages do their job, while you keep him immobile. It will earn you respect.”

  “I’ll do my best.”

  “You always do.” She ruffled his hair. “Don’t worry. I have faith in your ability.”

  He managed a smile.

  “So, tell me about your trip to the Pike Place. Not the ghost part, but the rest. Because you’re floating on cloud nine.”

  He grinned. “She kissed me today.”

  “Monique?”

  He nodded, a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. “I would have done it last night, then Vivian came.” Erik sighed. “I wish Monique were still here.”

  “Don’t worry about her mother. Things will work out the way they’re supposed to.” Her smile didn’t reach her eyes, leaving Erik worried. “Though I’m surprised you hadn’t kissed her before now.”

  He blushed. “Wasn’t sure she was ready.”

  “She’s been yours since the day you met. Like your father and me. Even like Armand and Vivian. Sometimes you find your soul mate early in life.”

  * * * *

  Late that night, Monique sat at her window, watching Erik, who waited on the porch with his father. A dozen ravens gathered in their yard, keeping an eye on Erik.

  Were the birds a sign? They seemed to have some sort of significance.

  Robert McCallister pulled up in a brand-new, fancy car. Erik crossed the path with his father. They climbed into the backseat. Elizandra sat in the front with Robert. There was another mage with them, one she didn’t recognize.

  The moment the car drove away, the birds flew into the trees. She realized, for the first time, that ravens were often near him. He never seemed to notice them, but she did.

  Tears flowed down her face. She couldn’t help the fear pulsing through her. She tried to focus on the good parts of the day.

  Like while she was in the workshop with her father, she had told him all about their trip to Pike Place Market. Especially the kiss and how she loved Erik.

  Daddy smiled. Then he told her how proud he was of her choices and strength. She wished she were as strong as he claimed, but she was terrified Erik would be hurt, or worse.

  Someone knocked on her door, and she wiped the tears away.

  “Come in,” she called.

  Her father let himself in and brought a small mirror to her. “I’ve enchanted this so you can watch Erik. He won’t hear you, but you’ll see and hear everything he does. Before I give you this, I need you to promise not to freak out if you see something scary. Trust Erik can do this, because I know he can.” He smiled slightly. “His mother assured me he comes through this with more confidence and some respect from the mages. She already watched all of this unfold. Be strong for Erik, and you can watch what happens tonight.”

  “Promise,” she whispered, though fear danced along her nerves. “I need to know he’s all right, or I’ll stay up all night waiting for the car to come back.”

  He sat down beside her and handed her the mirror. “Wave your hand over the glass, and it will bring up the images. Remember, don’t cry out, or your mother may lose her mind when she finds out where you were today and what he’s doing tonight.”

  “I swear.” She wrapped her arms around her father. “Love you, Dad. Thank you.”

  “Anything for my angel. Now take care. I’m going to spend some time with your mother. Maybe I can pull her out of this mood of hers.”

  * * * *

  Amazingly enough, the ghost hadn’t followed Erik home earlier. However, he found her the moment they stepped into the quiet and dark market. Elizandra lifted a hand and called an orb of light as she started down the stairs in front of Robert, Father, and another mage named Preston.

  Erik followed behind. The woman stepped up next to him, still holding her dress together. “You came back.” She looked surprised.

  His head cocked to the side. “Why do you say that?” he whispered.

  Preston looked over his shoulder, one corner of his mouth lifting. He stopped the group. “Go ahead. Maybe she can guide us better.”

  Erik nodded, not used to anyone but his mother encouraging him to talk to people no one else could see. “I told you I would.”

  “No one else has.”

  “They didn’t have mages strong enough to stop a vampire,” Erik answered easily. “What’s your name?”

  A real smile brightened her expression. “Estella. Let me show you the way.” She walked ahead of the mages. He followed, and the mages let him have the lead.

  Silently, Erik hurried down the stairs. The orb of light went out. That was fine for Erik. He’d always been able to see in the dark.

  His father cast a spell to enhance everyone’s vision, but Erik shielded himself and followed Estella as she led him through the halls and to a room at the far back of the building.

  The smell of copper, something musky, and death assaulted him. Normally, that rotten, sweet scent didn’t bother him, but the combination churned through his gut as he pushed the door open.

  A scream pealed out of a woman who scooted into a corner. Her dress was torn and bloody below her hips.

  The vampire was in his face before he could tear his eyes from the latest victim. Fangs glistened in his blood-slicked mouth.

  “Stop!” Erik shouted half a second before the vampire bit him. “Don’t move.”

  The vampire balanced as if frozen in time as he glared at Erik.

  Someone gasped, but he held eye contact to ensure the vampire didn’t make another move.

  “How many have you killed?” Erik asked.

  The monster hissed. “Hundreds. Thousands. Centuries’ worth of worthless whores,” he spat.

  Elizandra snarled as flames cackled to life behind him.

  “This the one, Estella?” Erik asked, though he knew the answer.

  “Yes,” she answered. A thousand more voices echoed her affirmation. Some whispers, some shouts. So many voices pressed in on him, their presence pushing him forward, calling to his magic. He felt the fire ignite at his fingertips.

  “Burn him alive,” Estella called. The other voices rose, chanting with her, a steady roar growing with intensity.

  He breathed deep, holding his hands at his sides, though he felt the spirits plucking at his sleeves, trying to force him to move. “Robert, what do you want me to do?”

  “There’s more than enough evidence to end him now. Question is, can you do it? Or at the very least watch one of us.”

  “Say the word and I’ll do it now,” Erik answered, more than happy to end the monster before him. Seeing the woman in the corner, the ghost who came to him that afternoon, and hearing the hundreds of other dead victims, he wanted to be the one to avenge them.

  “Are you sure?” Father asked.

  He let the fire dance up his hands and forearms and reached out.

  The vampire screamed, “No!” with so much force Erik nearly stumbled back.

  Erik grabbed his face with his own command. “Silence.” He pushed fire at the vampire, watching his skin blacken and char.

  The woman in the corner turned away, sobbing.

  When his eyes popped and his clothes caught fire, Erik backed away. Preston cast a spell to contain the fire and smoke around the vampire as Elizandra went to the victim. />
  Ash spilled in a circle. The burning clothes fell to the floor.

  Preston dropped the shield and smoke wafted out before he pulled in the last of the fire and smoke into his hands—something Erik had never even heard of before.

  Someone gripped his shoulders as light filled the room. Blood covered every surface. The victim in the corner had stopped moving at some point.

  Robert crossed the room. “I’m taking her to the healers.” He disappeared with the woman.

  Father turned to Erik. “Hey, are you okay?”

  He nodded, though his hands shook. “Needed to be me.”

  Elizandra’s head cocked. “Why?” Curiosity colored her tone.

  “Estella, the woman who found me. She needed to know I’d finished the vampire.”

  Estella stepped beside Elizandra. “Thank you.” There was a sea of faces up the stairs, filling the room, and probably beyond. “You’ve given us all peace.”

  One by one, they faded, disappearing completely. The world became a little quieter as the ghosts passed from this realm to the next. Estella smiled, the blood fading, her dress mending. “Thank you for saving us.” She left like the rest of them.

  Relief flooded Erik.

  “What did you see?” Elizandra asked.

  “The vampire killed a lot of women over the years. So many were here, in this room. They finally have peace.”

  “Then it’s a good thing you ended it. Just remember, he would have kept killing.” Elizandra squeezed his shoulder. “You’re definitely what we need in the Council.”

  Erik managed a smile, but didn’t say anything. He didn’t expect enough mages to change their minds about his abilities. In fact, he was amazed none of these mages batted an eye at him doing what he did.

  Robert reappeared. “You saved that woman’s life.” He patted Erik on the back with a smile. “Without you, we wouldn’t have found him in time. The woman will be okay.”

  Closing his eyes, he nodded.

  Smiling, Robert watched Erik. “When we open the program to recruit non-mage casters into the Enforcer program, you’re going to be the first. You have the same abilities as a mage, plus hidden talents that kept all of us safe.”

  Erik’s mouth fell open. “Really?”

  “Indeed. Without you, someone would have been bitten. Someone may have been burned. It wouldn’t have gone as smoothly. You’re the reason Draecyn Montgomery wants to bring Others besides mages into the Council.”

  Erik nodded. “If the program is created, I’ll be happy to take part.”

  “It will, Son,” Dad told Erik.

  “Let’s get you home. I understand you have school tomorrow,” Preston offered.

  Dad chuckled. “I wouldn’t mind you skipping.”

  Erik smirked. “I need to go. Test is coming up. Plus, I want to see how Monique is doing.”

  “She’ll be all right. Her father is stronger than Vivian gives him credit for.”

  * * * *

  Headlights woke Monique as they came down the road. She sat up on the window bench and looked out to find Robert McCallister’s car on the road.

  She took a breath of relief and considered slipping outside and heading to his house. But she knew he would be tired. That many ghosts… He really did it. He eased the pain of so many and sent them on their way. She saw it all through the mirror, including the woman who found him in the Market and a thousand other women…maybe more.

  She was so proud of him. And her mother’s and father’s voices warred in her head about whether or not he was right to help the mages take credit for removing a threat to anyone.

  Mother would have said he should have just done it on his own.

  Father already told her that the Council taking people like Erik would bring true equality.

  And Monique didn’t know which was right. She leaned toward her mother’s side of the argument. Only, she couldn’t give Erik up. He was the other half of her heart. She wanted to see his face, to hear his voice, to feel his lips before she went to bed.

  Elizandra and Robert climbed out of the car. Then Erik and Karl followed with the last mage. Robert patted Erik on the back. Elizandra squeezed his hand, then Karl and Erik went inside.

  Part of her wanted to send him a signal. Only, if he was exhausted, she didn’t want to bother him. Sighing, she leaned her head against the glass, watching, hoping.

  Before long Erik’s head popped over the eave as he hauled himself up and crept closer to the window. She slid the window open with a grin.

  Pressing one finger to his mouth, he whispered the silencing spell. His excitement lit up the entire room. “The ghost, she’s free of this world. So are the other victims. I even saved someone.”

  She picked up the mirror her father brought her. “I saw it all.”

  He froze. “What do you mean?”

  “I saw everything as if through your eyes. My father wanted me to see you were safe. He knew you would be. You were so brave.” She smiled, touching his face. “The mages are proud of you.”

  “Robert wants me to join the new program Draecyn is starting. They want me to be one of the first Other casters to help broaden the mages’ limited view.”

  “Will you?”

  He nodded. “If I can do something to shed light on the good we can do, maybe they’ll stop acting as if they’re better than the rest of us.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  His fingers slid into her hair, then his lips closed over hers. The kiss ignited a fire deep within. Her breath caught.

  It was over before she could catch up.

  “I needed to see you before I slept. Sorry you had to see it all.”

  Smiling, she brought him back for another kiss. When she broke away, she whispered, “I’m glad I saw. I have never feared your abilities. You did something that could help us all. You’re my everything, Raven.”

  His brow cocked. “Raven?”

  “They’re your animal.” She shrugged.

  “If you say so.”

  Smiling, she whispered, “You’re mine.”

  “And you’re mine. Now, I need some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Can hardly wait.”

  Chapter 5

  Forty-seven years earlier…

  “I hate that he’s in New York,” Monique told her father. She sat at the table, cutting fabric for her latest design. Dad watched her with a smile.

  “Young love.” He grinned. “I have something to tell you. I know it’s late notice, but I want you to intern for me in New York.”

  Her heart jumped into her throat. “You don’t want me to go to fashion school in Paris?”

  “Wouldn’t you rather be closer to Erik?”

  “Of course. I don’t know how I’m supposed to survive that long without him.”

  Dad laughed. “Exactly. So, instead of going abroad, work for me. My contacts can become yours. Before you know it, you’ll be in business for yourself.”

  “You’re not worried about the competition?” She raised a single eyebrow.

  “Not at all. I will happily share. Besides, one day, you’ll take over and I’ll take your mother to explore the world. What do you say? I never went to school and look at me now.”

  “And so many designers never did. I’m in.”

  “Good. And whatever your mother says, ignore. She’ll worry about how close you two have become, but once upon a time, she was reckless and in love just like you.”

  “Ah, but she’d point out the fact she wasn’t in love with a mage.”

  “Which you aren’t. Erik is a full-blown necromancer. Whether or not the Council will recognize him as such, he isn’t all mage. Your mother should remember that.” He sighed. “She’s never trusted the Silver Council, but that wasn’t the organization as a whole. It was a handful of mages who tormented her as a child. Kids. And now all mages have a bad name in her mind.”

  “I wish she could s
ee what I see.”

  “Maybe one day. Until then, just keep loving Erik. He’s good for you. He makes you smile, and you ease the darkness that could pull him under.”

  “What darkness?” she asked.

  “Every true Deathcaller must find their balance if they are to keep their soul. There are worse things than spirits of the dead, who can seep into the person and take possession. I’ve seen necromancers let demons in, and it’s not pretty.”

  “Demons?”

  He sighed. “Yes, demons. I don’t believe Erik will ever fall prey to such. Tyra has taught him well. Others, they let the power go to their head. Erik, he has a white soul. He wants to do right by his talent. Not let destruction in.”

  “I believe that.” She smiled. “So no school? When do we leave?”

  He pulled an envelope from his pocket. “Consider this your eighteenth birthday present. You leave in the morning.”

  “Where am I staying?”

  “Erik’s apartment. It’s a two-bedroom, but I know you two have been together.”

  Monique’s mouth popped open.

  “I’m not stupid, Monique. Your mother and I didn’t wait until marriage. And in this day and age, it’s not so uncommon.”

  She relaxed. “Not sure I needed to know that.”

  He laughed. “You two are whole together. Apart, you’re two halves. Like your mother and me.” He looked away, sadness lingering in his eyes.

  “What happened to you two?”

  “Fear robbed her of the lust for life she once had. She’s slowly coming back to me. Every couple has their hard times. You get through it.”

  “I hope my hardest times are those spent away from Erik.”

  “Barely a year, angel. He comes to visit. By the way, he knows to expect you tomorrow at five past six in the evening.”

  “Thank you, Dad. I’ll be the best assistant you ever had.”

  “Partner. Oh, did I mention that? You’ll be doing as much of the designing for the next show as I am. I want to help you build your name. You are easily as talented, if not more talented than I am.”