The Raven's Shadow: The Aegis of Merlin Book 4

by James E. Wisher

  The crowd seemed a little confused, but obliged him by clapping. Terra looked like she wanted to strangle him and Clair’s cheeks had turned bright red. Conryu didn’t know where Sarge was, but hoped he was equally embarrassed.

  “Next comes the three most important people in my life after my parents: Mr. and Mrs. Kane, along with their daughter Maria. Mr. Kane is the Department chief and he’s worked every bit as hard as his subordinates. Mrs. Kane singlehandedly held off the shadow beasts from one of the pillars; if not for her many more people would have died. And of course Maria, who worked herself to exhaustion healing people injured in the chaos. The three of them are family to me and I wouldn’t have been able to do any of the things I did without their support.”

  The cheers came unprompted this time. The mayor’s chair creaked as he started to rise. Conryu had no intention of going anywhere until he finished. They wanted him to give a speech and he meant to finish it.

  “Last, but not least, I need to mention someone who couldn’t be with us today. My best friend Jonny Salazar was nearly killed by the lunatic that caused all this mess. Jonny’s going to be okay, but he hasn’t woken up yet. If you’d send him your well wishes I’m sure his family would appreciate it. Thank you.”

  Conryu turned, nodded to the mayor, and marched off the stage. Kelsie jumped up and hurried to catch him. “I think they call what you just did, muddying the narrative.”

  “I call it telling the truth. If they didn’t want to hear it, they should have had someone else speak.”

  12

  Central Spy

  Conryu looked out the window as the scenery whizzed by. It was getting late. The plan was to travel through the night and arrive first thing in the morning. When he left the academy he hadn’t intended to be on his way back to Central so soon.

  He and Kelsie sat alone in a luxury cabin, Maria having not received an invitation to this get-together. Everything was leather, hardwood, and silver, including a little tray with snacks. He thought the private carriage they insisted he use when he went to school was nice, but this was over the top. It said something that Kelsie hadn’t even batted an eye when they boarded three hours after his speech. At least they’d given them a chance to pack a change of clothes.

  Terra and Clair were riding separately in the hopes that they wouldn’t be noticed. Judging by the amount of press that had seen Conryu and Kelsie off they’d gotten their wish. He doubted a single person noted the two women getting on board with the other passengers. He’d hardly recognized Terra when she showed up in street clothes instead of her usual gray robe.

  He’d tried to pry more information about their plan from the two women, but he hadn’t gotten much beyond the fact that they couldn’t tell him in case he ran into the spy at headquarters. Conryu figured they were still annoyed he mentioned them at the ceremony.

  “Penny for your thoughts,” Kelsie said when the silence had stretched for an uncomfortable length.

  “Just wondering what sort of craziness we’ll be drawn into this time. What do you think your grandmother will have to say?”

  She grimaced. “I’m not looking forward to finding out. Disobedience isn’t well received in my family.”

  “From what I can tell nothing is well received in your family. Maybe they’ll send some more thugs to grab you. I wouldn’t mind an old-fashioned fistfight after all the magic.”

  “I doubt it. There’ll be more press waiting when we arrive and we’re traveling in the presidential limo as a sign of gratitude. Mom wouldn’t want to make a scene with so many people watching.”

  Conryu settled deeper into the buttery leather. “Probably just as well. You should try and sleep. I’m beat.”

  He pushed the recliner back and closed his eyes. Prime would keep a lookout so he wasn’t worried on that score.

  The ringing of the cheap flip phone he’d been using woke him some time later. He blinked the sleep from his eyes and dug it out of his pocket. The little readout on the front said midnight. What did she want this late at night? Maria was the only one who had this number.

  “Yeah?”

  “Jonny woke up and he’s fine. A little weak and a lot hungry, but otherwise fully recovered.”

  A weight lifted off his chest. “That’s awesome. Tell him I’ll see him in a day or two. And thanks for calling.”

  “I knew you’d want to know right away. How are you and Kelsie doing?” She didn’t even sound jealous which amazed him.

  Conryu glanced at the softly snoring Kelsie, a little drool pooled under her cheek. “We’re good. Happy to be bored for a few hours. I’m afraid it won’t last.”

  “I fear that too. Be careful.”

  “I’m always careful.”

  “Says the guy that walked into two portals to the netherworld. I mean it, Conryu.”

  “I know. I love you.”

  She was silent for a heartbeat. “Love you too.”

  He hung up and grinned. Jonny was awake and okay. That was the best news imaginable.

  The train stopped in the Central City station just as the sun was rising. The dazzling sunrise reflected from thousands of windows was breathtaking. He’d lost track of the fact that there were beautiful things in the world amidst all the madness. It was nice to get a reminder once in a while.

  Kelsie groaned and rubbed her eyes. She’d slept the whole way. Conryu wished he could say the same. After Maria’s call he’d mostly tossed and turned. His joy at knowing Jonny was awake and well made up for it. He felt like he could fly without magic.

  “I dreamed the phone rang last night,” Kelsie said.

  “It did.” He told her about Jonny. “His parents must be so relieved. He’s an only child, same as me.”

  She smiled and attempted to fix her hair with her fingers. “Me too. I’m going to wash up.”

  Kelsie went to the small bathroom and closed the door, leaving him alone. They’d be getting off soon so he wouldn’t have time to clean up. Luckily his short hair didn’t need much attention. A shower would be great though.

  Fifteen minutes later they were standing on the platform along with all the other passengers. A quick scan of the area revealed a man in black holding a sign with his last name on it. Conryu pointed him out and he and Kelsie strolled over. He’d kept Prime in his bag so as not to draw too much attention. It appeared to be too early for the press to be up.

  “Conryu Koda?” the man in black asked.

  “Yup.”

  “You look taller on tv.”

  He shrugged, not certain how to respond to that. “So where are we headed?”

  “The director has arranged a hotel room where you can prepare for the meeting with the president which is scheduled for ten o’clock.”

  “Great.” Conryu gestured toward the exit. “Lead on.”

  They made their way through the crowd and out the door. Waiting at the end of a flight of steps was a black limo with the Alliance flag—ten stars set in a circle on a blue rectangle—on the side. The driver held the door for them and he and Kelsie piled into the back along with their small bags. The door shut and a minute later they were off.

  Conryu was too nervous to care about the city outside the tinted windows. Was four hours going to be enough time for Terra and Clair to track down the spy? He hoped so, but it seemed pretty iffy. They’d spent most of a year trying to find Mercia and had come up empty.

  “You seem a bit tense,” Kelsie said.

  Conryu realized he’d sunk his fingers an inch into the leather-covered armrest. “Sorry. We’re so close to the end of this and I’m afraid something’s going to go wrong.”

  “That’s understandable, since nothing’s gone especially right since I met you. Try to bear in mind that you already saved a whole city. Surely you can handle a press conference and shaking hands with the president.”

  He hadn’t told Kelsie the real purpose of their visit and he wasn’t sure if anyone else had. Either way, he didn’t plan on discussing it in an unsecured locatio
n with a guy he didn’t know an arm’s length away. They passed the rest of the trip in silence and ten minutes later the car stopped in front of a thirty-story bronze-faced hotel called The Luxury Arms. He’d never heard of it, but that didn’t mean anything.

  Kelsie had a bright smile as they climbed out of the car. Conryu grabbed both bags without thinking about it. Hers didn’t weigh enough to say so thanks to the magic.

  The driver slammed the door. “I’ll be back to pick you up at nine thirty. Please be waiting in the lobby.”

  When he’d gone they started for the revolving door. “Do you know this place?” he asked.

  “I’ve never been here, but my family owns it. I think Mom meets her boyfriends here when she’s in the mood.”

  “Well, it’s a nice place for it.”

  They pushed through the door and entered a lobby done up in polished brass and warm hardwoods. A collection of leather chairs sat in a clump to one side. A pair of men sat reading newspapers and drinking coffee. On the opposite side was the check-in desk.

  Kelsie walked over like she owned the place, which was appropriate. Conryu followed, feeling a good deal more out of his element. It took only a moment when they told the brunette behind the desk their names to get a key and head up to the president’s suite.

  “Is that gold?” Conryu asked when they reached the suite door. It had designs inlaid in the shiny yellow metal.

  “Yeah, this room is ten thousand dollars a night after all. The guests expect the best.” Kelsie unlocked the door and pushed it open.

  Sitting on the bed waiting for them was Malice Kincade.

  Terra hadn’t gotten used to working without her gray robes. How long had it been since she went anywhere in slacks and a blouse? Too long, if she was honest with herself. She flexed the fingers of her right hand. The gauntlet was back in storage and she found she missed its reassuring presence. That and her magic was so much weaker without it. Just as well she didn’t get used to it. Magical artifacts risked becoming a crutch if you came to depend on them too much.

  Out of the corner of her eye Terra noticed Conryu and Kelsie leaving the station. She’d never admit it, but she wished they could have brought him along on this job. Conryu had proven himself both reliable and powerful. Especially powerful. When he donned the Reaper’s Cloak and walked through her wall of fire like it was nothing her heart had skipped a beat. Those flames had been nearly two thousand degrees. Not to mention what entering a nether portal would do to a normal person.

  Clair gave her a shake. “Time’s wasting. Where are we meeting her?”

  “A coffee shack two blocks north.” Terra hitched her carryall up higher on her shoulder. It shouldn’t take more than a minute or two to walk it.

  The worst of the crowd had cleared so they had no trouble making their way down the steps and up the sidewalk. Cars clogged the road, horns honked, and several people shouted obscenities. Terra hated Central, everyone was so rude. It was like they thought living in the capital gave them the right to be jerks. With any luck she and Clair wouldn’t be here more than a day.

  They had no trouble finding the coffee shack. Sitting at a small table out front, sipping coffee and nibbling a croissant was a young woman in a bright red dress, holding a large leather purse on her lap. She fit the description they’d received perfectly. Terra’s instructions were to make contact, collect the artifact, and say nothing about their mission.

  She walked right up to the girl in red. “Evelin?”

  The girl put down her snack and looked up. “Yes. Terra?”

  “That’s right. You have something for me?”

  Evelin dug a package wrapped in plain brown paper out of her bag and handed it over. “Dean Blane never said what I was carrying.”

  The unspoken question lay between them, but Terra just accepted the item and nodded. “Thanks.”

  Evelin shrugged. “I guess I don’t need to know. Good luck with whatever.”

  Terra tucked the item into her carryall, nodded again, and set out down the street. They needed to find a quiet place to perform the ritual.

  “Do you know a good place?” Clair asked. She’d been quiet during their meeting with the courier, which was unlike her.

  “No, I haven’t been to Central since I joined the Department, right after graduation. Do you? You grew up here after all.”

  “I think there’s a park up the street aways. If it’s the one I remember there’s a bandstand and a thick clump of spruce. Either spot would offer a little privacy.”

  “Sounds perfect. How do you know about it?” She glanced at Clair whose cheeks were a little flushed.

  “My boyfriend and I used to make out in the bandstand when we were in high school.”

  “I didn’t know you had a boyfriend.” Clair had never spoken much about her life outside the Department and Terra was just as happy with things staying that way, but for some reason this mission felt less official than their work back in Sentinel City.

  “He dumped me after I passed the test. Didn’t want to date a wizard I guess. Made me a little wary of men in general.”

  Terra understood that. It was hard to find a man that understood the pressures of being a Department wizard, always on call, working long hours, hunting down dangerous wizards. When she had a free moment Terra allowed herself to imagine a relationship with Lin, but she never did anything about it. Maybe when this business was finished. She wasn’t getting any younger after all.

  “Here we are.”

  She’d been so wrapped up in her thoughts Terra hadn’t even noticed the neatly trimmed park that appeared in front of them. It was a nice spot, not overly large, with a fountain in the center. She spotted the green-and-white bandstand not far from the fountain. It was way too exposed. If anyone passing by noticed their casting and called it in they’d draw attention better avoided. The thick stand of spruce near the northeast corner looked ideal.

  “Let’s use the trees.”

  Clair led the way. As they approached she muttered a spell and the branches swayed out of their way. The sun hardly reached them in the center of the grove. If they’d wanted to use dark magic it would have been an ideal spot.

  When the branches were back in place and obscuring them from view Terra pulled out the parcel and unwrapped it revealing a battered and bent, formerly white mask. She handed it to Clair and pulled out the black mask they’d seized from the still-unaware Mercia.

  It hadn’t taken Terra more than an hour to figure out the mask was a type of communication device. Once she knew that she’d called the school and discovered they’d dug a second one out of the sorority building’s rubble. With the two items in their possession it should be a simple matter to track down the spy.

  When they’d gotten as comfortable as possible under the circumstances Terra asked, “Ready?”

  Clair nodded and they began to chant.

  “Grandmother?” Kelsie couldn’t have been more surprised. She’d hoped for some time alone with Conryu, not that she expected anything to happen, but a girl could dream. “Why are you here?”

  Her grandmother’s expression pinched even tighter. “We need to talk before your meeting with the president. There are certain protocols and we’ve prepared a short speech for Conryu.”

  She glanced at Conryu who’d put the bags on the second bed. He didn’t seem especially surprised or put out to find someone waiting in their room.

  “It would be nice,” her grandmother continued, “if he stuck to it.”

  Conryu grinned. Kelsie couldn’t believe he had the audacity. “If it’s more nonsense like they wanted me to read yesterday, don’t get your hopes up.”

  The only sign of Grandmother’s displeasure was a slight deepening of the wrinkles around her eyes. “Don’t worry, it’s only a few paragraphs thanking the president for the medal and how honored you are to receive it.”

  “That’s fine, I guess. You two probably want to catch up. I’m going to hit the shower.” He strode off through a s
ide door and closed it behind him.

  Kelsie stared for a moment, wishing she had the guts to do something like that. When she turned back her grandmother was scowling even fiercer than usual.

  “What a troublesome young man. Why couldn’t someone more tractable have been born with his power?”

  Kelsie knew she didn’t actually want an answer. “So there must be something more important than discussing protocol that brought you out here.”

  “I had hoped that by coming myself I’d impress upon him the importance of behaving today.” Grandmother cocked her head when the shower turned on. “Have you made any progress getting him into bed?”

  Kelsie was struck dumb for a moment. She couldn’t believe her mother had shared the details of her plan with anyone else. And that Grandmother would bring it up with Conryu just yards away, even if he was in the shower, was unbelievable.

  “No. As I tried to explain to Mother, he doesn’t like me that way. We’re just friends.”

  Grandmother snorted. “I suspect if you’d walked into his bedroom naked, nature would have taken its course. He’s just a man after all. What was the point of you going home with him if you weren’t planning on carrying out your task?”

  “Maybe I just wanted a couple weeks away from Mother,” she dared to say.

  “Speaking of your mother, she expects the two of you for dinner tonight. Her exact words were that since Conryu was kind enough to host you at his home the least she could do is return the favor.”

  Kelsie grimaced. She hated the thought of exposing Conryu to her horrid home life. That said, she wasn’t sure she dared to disobey her mother a second time so soon after the first. If it was just one night it might be okay.

  “I’ll be sure to tell him.”

  “That’s better.” The water stopped and Grandmother changed subjects. “Have you been briefed on the second reason for your visit?”

  “I wasn’t aware there was a second reason.”