Melissa seemed to be comforting one of the girls who seemed upset over something, in fact, they all looked a bit tired and like they hadn't had much sleep. Melissa wore sunglasses, despite being inside, but was otherwise dressed casually in jeans and a loose jumper with a wide neck that hung off one shoulder. The other two women wore mostly black, the one with black hair wore a short dress, the blonde wore leggings and a fitted grey top.
Melissa looked up at Amanda, her face blank as she gazed at Amanda and her companions before she returned to her two friends.
Miss Evens returned from the secretary desk.
'She’s ready to see you, come with me.'
She led Amanda and her friends through the waiting room towards the large double doors at the far end of the room. As they walked, Liz moved closer to Amanda and whispered to her.
'Was that?'
'I think so.' Amanda whispered back.
'Wow, a Movie star and a Magi?'
'I know, it seems like it could never work, but, I don’t know, maybe it does.'
'I’d love to get her Autograph… but I don’t think now is a good time.'
'I’m sure you’ll meet her again. Here we go…'
The group followed Miss Evans into a large, plush office where a confident looking woman with long straight dark hair sat at her huge oak desk. She stood and smiled, she wore a well-tailored jacket and fitted skirt and had a commanding presence that mixed well with what seemed like a congenial manor.
'Amanda, so nice to meet you finally.' She stepped out from behind her desk and shook Amanda’s hand warmly. 'And this must be Elizabeth, welcome to DC.'
'Call me Liz,' she smiled.
'Of course, welcome. And Gentle Water, so nice to see you again, it’s been a while. How’s is the Legacy these days?'
'We are well, thank you. Royston sends his regards.'
'And I send him mine. Come in, come in, take a seat please.' She guided them to the seats before her desk before returning to her chair on the other side of the desk. 'I must say, although I admire what you are doing, I do think it’s folly. New York is not a place for Arcadians like us. It’s dangerous and Lucian rules it with an iron fist.'
'That may be so, but it’s my home and I simply could not live with myself if I didn’t at least try to make a life there. Besides, I have a good feeling about this.' Amanda wasn’t lying about that feeling either. She had quickly come to the conclusion that she wanted to live in Manhattan after the events on the train. She loved Paris and Tibet was nice, but none of them really felt like home. She loved Ireland as well and it would always feel like a home to her, but after growing up there, she needed to be somewhere else, and only once place felt right. New York, Manhattan, the Big Apple, there was something about it, she just knew she needed to be there, that it was home. When she had told Gentle Water, she had expected resistance. She knew about Lucian just as Gentle Water did, and she expected him to say it was suicide, but he didn’t.
Oh, he warned her, made sure she was in no doubt of the danger of trying to set up a Coven in a Nomad stronghold, but he didn’t try and stop her, in fact he supported her from day one, as did Royston. It felt odd, but they seemed to just accept that this was where she needed to be.
Amanda wasn’t stupid, nor was she being suicidal, in fact there had already been a lot of preparation as regards security and secrecy, but she was under no delusions that Lucian probably had spies and informants in the Magi Houses that might talk to him about her plan and that Lucian might come knocking at her door. But that was the other thing about her, she hated bullies, and Lucian seemed like a bully to her, which made her all the more stubborn about moving to New York. Besides, she had fought and bested a couple of Nomads now on her missions with Xain and Orion. True, none of them where of Lucians skill when it came to Magic, so Lucian was arguably more dangerous.
But then, life in general could be dangerous, even Magi get knocked down as they cross the street, and you never got anywhere or did anything without a few risks.
'Good feeling or not, he won’t hesitate to kill you, all of you.' Victoria pointedly looked at all three of them. 'But, we’ve been through this before haven’t we, and I know there’s no dissuading you.'
Amanda nodded, they had spoken many times leading up to this day with Victoria always trying to persuade Amanda to change her mind. But Amanda was certain this was what she wanted to do.
'Has no one else objected to me moving to New York?' Amanda asked.
'The other Covens and Houses? Well, they all think you’re a dead woman. Sure, if you were setting up a Legacy outpost in Texas or somewhere they might put up a fight, but not New York, I doubt they believe you will last a week.'
Amanda half smiled. Maybe they were right, maybe she would be dead in a few days, but deep down, she knew this was right, that this would work out fine.
'If you need anything, you can call me anytime Amanda. I’m not sure how much I can do for you in New York, and you know how slow things move when Magi politics comes into play, but I will do whatever I can.'
'Why have you never tried to take back New York?'
'Oh, we have, but Lucian has the backing of the Arch Magus Nymira in Haiti, and whenever we’ve tried, I mean seriously tried, things have always turned ugly very quickly when Nymira arrives, and a lot of innocents die'
'I see, no bother then.'
'Look, I can give you some help. I've mentioned the Arcadian Magus that has lived in New York beneath Lucian’s radar for a number of years now, he's waiting at your house in Manhattan as we speak. He'll be able to offer you some help.'
'That's awful generous, thank you.'
'Are you ready?'
'As I'll ever be.'
'Miss Evans will take you to the Portal.' Victoria stood, and smiled warmly, although Amanda detected a hint of sadness in her eyes, as though she were saying goodbye. She offered her hand and Amanda took it in both of hers and looked back at Victoria.
'I’ll be fine, trust me.' They were tough words, but she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t somewhat scared.
The air snapped and the trio of friends appeared in a partially furnished room. The mid-sized room had been carpeted and decorated, and the power seemed to be on judging from the light just above them, but other than that, the room sat empty.
'We’re here, in my house!' Amanda said, excitement making her speak in a higher pitch then normal with a huge grin spreading over her face.
'Hai. Yes, you are,' said a voice in a Japanese accent that she didn’t recognize, and a well built, broad shouldered, and tall Japanese man walked into the room. 'I’m Yoh, welcome to New York.'
Liz ran to the window and looked out into the street, 'Wow!' she said under her breath as she took in the vista of buildings outside before she charged off into the house.
Amanda walked over to Yoh, and smiling, offered her hand. 'I’m Amanda, lovely to meet you, Victoria told me all about you.'
'Not everything I hope. Your things have arrived from Paris by the way, they’re in the other room.' Yoh shook her hand and gave her a short quick bow in return.
'That’s great, thank you.' She smiled at Yoh, a warm feeling spreading over her temples and a slight feeling of shyness passing over her. She quite liked the look of this Yoh, he was handsome and tall. Did she fancy him she thought? Hmmm, maybe. He was a very good looking man.
‘May I have my hand back please?' He said.
'Ah, sorry,' she said, letting go of his large hand. He had a good firm grip.
'Nice to meet you,' said Gentle Water, stepping forward and bowing. Yoh answered in kind before Gentle Water excused himself and smiled at Amanda as he left the room.
Amanda caught the smile and telepathically sent to him, 'Don't give me that look.' Gentle Water didn't answer as he walked out of sight, still smiling.
'I'll be in the Kitchen, have a look around and see what you think of the place, I know you haven't actually seen it in person before.,' said Yoh.
'No both
er, I've been looking forward to this. I'll find you soon.'
Amanda practically bounced out the room and started to explore her new home. The place was a large Brownstone house on the corner of an intersection. It had a basement and three floors above that, plus a roof terrace, the place was big, and Amanda knew she had to have it when she saw it for sale, and now she was here, she loved it. She had already chosen her own bedroom on the first floor, from the floor plans she had seen Liz had also chosen hers and was in the process of rearranging some of the furniture even now.
Gentle Water had retreated to the roof terrace and Amanda eventually found him meditating up there when she reached the roof.
She left him be and walked to the railings and looked out over the city. That familiar skyline sang to her heart and filled her with a feeling of belonging. Yes, she was home. Finally.
Gentle Water opened one eye and looked over at Amanda. She stood at the railing drinking in the view taking in a deep breath of New York's air. She seemed happy, very happy, and that made this risky move feel just a touch easier. New York, for Arcadian Magi, was dangerous. This, to his mind, might be a slightly foolish move, but according to those in the Coven who knew better, it was the right move. He trusted their council, and reluctantly agreed to support Amanda in this.
Only time would tell he supposed.
Two floors below, Liz sat on her bed and looked at her newly rearranged room, she felt happy with it, well, for now at least. Her gaze returned to the large window that looked out onto New York's awe inspiring streets, and as she looked, her mind wandered and she wondered what Fran and Stephan would have thought of all this. She thought about them often, and missed her family and friends dearly. It got easier day by day, and Mandy helped as much as she could. But she knew it was something that ultimately, she had to get through herself.
If only they could see me know she thought, see how far she had come, they would be amazed at what she could do now and where she had been. She wiped the single tear from her cheek, took a deep breath and turned her attention to the suitcase on the floor beside her bed, she had a lot of unpacking to do.
- Columbia.
Diego Alverez passed the envelope to the man stood on the other side of his huge ornate oak desk with its gold plated pens and priceless ornaments. The paper envelope bulged with cash that nearly fell out of it.
‘Make sure this reaches Governor Diaz tonight. The address on the letter. Go.’
The man left the room as quick as he could, no doubt thankful to be out of Diego’s presence. The last man to skim off the top of these bribes lay sprawled on the floor next to where the man had just been standing. The dead man’s head sat on the desk. Diego liked scaring his enforcers, reminding them who was boss.
‘Clean that up,’ he said to the two other men in the room, his two closest and most loyal guards.
A short time later Diego entered his private office, and stopped dead, looking at the figure on the other side of the room.
The man wore combat trousers and looked like a scruffy Jamican, but Diego knew him to be some sort of Voodoo Priest, he’d seen the curses this man could cast. Immediately on recognising him, Deigo dropped to his knees.
‘Master Deon, I had no idea you were here, had I known…’
‘Quiet, tell me, has the bribe been made? What about the sacrifices?’
Deon stood before Marcus, head bowed in deference to his superiority. A short distance beyond, he could see Nymira talking with others of Marcus’ Coven, one of Nymira’s inner circle of Nomadic Covens in the central American area that she controlled which included Mexico, Columbia, Jamaica, Haiti and more.
‘Speak Deon mon, we don’t have all day,’ Marcus snapped.
‘Baal Marcus, of course. The Sacrifices are being made ready, they will be delivered in a few days, the Bribe is on its way to the Governor, we have some new FBI Agents under our control, and the Assassins are in place and ready to take out the Cartel Leaders if needed, the Drug war will continue unabated, you have my word.’
Death Sentence
The Pit Club, Manhattan
May 8th
‘What do you plan on doing now mon?’ Ekua asked, contempt in his Jamaican accented voice as he addressed Lucian.
Lucian sat at the head of the large wooden oval table, the padded office chair he sat in creaked slightly as he shifted his position. He leant back, feigning a relaxed attitude as he eyed his Coven mate through the haze of cannabis smoke that hung in the air. Ekua lent forward, arms on the table, hands clasped as he stared at Lucian. Ekua’s bright eyes bore into Lucian, waiting for his answer, no doubt to try and pull him down a peg or two in front of the rest of the Coven.
No love was lost between them, and it had been that way since Lucian had taken control of this Coven many years ago.
Lucian’s gaze passed over the other faces at the table, known as The Harbingers of Darkness the rest of his Coven waited for his answer.
‘If you’re thinkin’ I’m gonna just roll over for these Legacy fucks Ekua, you couldn’t be more wrong. We following up on some leads to get some local help, the delivery will happen, don’t you worry.’ Lucian added some sarcasm into those last few words, feeling annoyed at Ekua’s latest barb. ‘So, any other business?’ Lucian asked as he looked round the table.
The dimly lit room had only one light right above the table that seeped through the mist and haze, lighting the seven other people in here with an ominous glow.
Next to him on either side sat his two most loyal supporters, Raal and Lex. Raal sat to his right, his black robes almost disappearing into the gloom, his arms crossed, his tattooed face neutral. He rarely spoke at these meetings, preferring to listen and watch.
Lex, to his left, sat forward, listening intently to everything that happened. As usual, her large leather bound note book sat open in front of her, its pages covered in her handwriting. She often took notes or referred back to this book during these meetings. Whereas Raal played the role of the strong silent type, Lex took a far more active role in these meetings, speaking often and making sure the meeting didn’t move off topic too much. Lex acted as an executive manager for The Pit Club which this meeting room sat beneath.
The Club itself had a public manager, one of the Initiated that the Harbingers used for their day to day needs. These mundane humans who could not use magic but knew of its existence, and of the Magi hidden in the world about them worked for the Coven, usually in managerial roles within the Club. They made sure the Club ran smoothly and allowed the Magi that employed them to go about their business. Lex acted as the main point of contact for the Initiated when they needed to talk to the Magi in the Harbingers Coven.
Tattooed in Dark Script, the language of the Archons, from head to toe, Lex certainly made an impression. She lifted her head to look over the other faces that sat at the table, waiting to see if anyone would speak. Beyond the pitch black skinned Ekua, sat Bull, Noah and Shaun, and all of them shook their heads or made gestures to indicate they had nothing further to say.
Bull wasn’t terribly bright anyway, and rarely said much at these meetings unless it related to his pack of rabid Scion dogs down in the basement. Shaun and Noah, both of whom were Scion’s, also remained silent.
Sat between Lex and Shaun, Aneurin seemed to be ignoring Lucian’s question and reading something on the glowing screen of his tablet, Lucian looked at him for a moment, waiting to see if he had anything to add.
Aneurin couldn’t have been more opposite to the looks of Raal or Ekua, being relatively small and thin looking, but Aneurin’s strengths lay in other areas rather than in his fighting ability.
Lucian waited another few seconds, but with no motion from Aneurin, he took a breath and went to speak.
Only to be silenced by one raised finger from Aneurin. Lucian paused and waited, until his Coven mate looked up, a look of slight concern on his face.
Lucian scowled at Aneurin, he did not like being silenced like that, and the moment Aneurin l
ooked at Lucian, he knew he’d made an error.
‘Apologies for the slight Baal Lucian,’ he said meekly, using the Nomad honorific for master or leader, ‘but I believe you will be interested in this.’
‘Go on,’ Luician said, withholding judgement until he knew why Aneurin had been so presumptuous.
‘I’ve just had word from Washington, it seems that we have Arcadian visitors in Manhattan. Three Magi have moved from Europe to New York intending to settle here in the city.’
Lucian raised his eyebrows and promptly forgot the momentary loss of respect that Aneurin had displayed a few seconds before.
It had been a while since the last Arcadian had tried to move into New York, and after he and Nymira had made such an example of the last lot, he had hoped that there would be no further attempts for a good long while.
New York had been Nomad territory since he had been an apprentice, and now that he had risen to lead the Nomad Coven in this city, he had worked hard to solidify that position.
True, the Arcadians had tried many times over the years to either make dents in his territory, or to take it over entirely, but with Nymira behind him, every attempt had failed. The Arcadians had little stomach for the Mortal body count that always accompanied such a fight, and that alone had often ended these incursions, but there had always been the threat of Nymira to back him up as well. An Arch Master Nomad was not to be trifled with, something that many an Arcadian had discovered to their cost.
Arcadians, he thought with disgust, they never seemed to give up, it made him sick to think of their sentimental love for the Riven masses of the world. One day the Archons would teach them the true meaning of their abilities, their birth right as leaders and masters of humanity.
Magi Saga 2: Shadows of Darkness Page 3
