Conrad Edison and the Broken Relic (Overworld Arcanum Book 3)

by John Corwin

  "Prove to me you learned anything," Ansel said.

  I stopped walking and shook my head. "I don't have to prove anything to you."

  "Hah," he scoffed. "Because you couldn't script a spell if you tried."

  I shrugged. "Believe what you want. The simple truth is, I don't need you. I don't even know why Esma introduced us except to show me there's more to magic than what they teach here."

  Ansel's lips flattened into a thin white line. He whipped a wand from within his vest and aimed it at me. It seemed I'd hardly reached for my arcwand and it was already in my hand, a defensive pattern flashing.

  A streak of fire jetted from Ansel's wand. My defensive spell summoned a shield and parried the attack. The fire rushed upward and dissipated in the air. A delighted grin spread across Ansel's face an instant before he was knocked off the rocket stick by a spell from Ambria. He hit the brick road with a grunt.

  Ansel picked himself up and brushed dust from the back of his pants. "It appears you have learned something."

  "In other words," Max said, "we don't need you."

  "Wrong, boy." Ansel deactivated his hovering rocket stick and tucked it under an arm. "Scripting with an arcwand is only one aspect. Casting with arcphones and other devices is different." He seemed to filter out everyone but me and him. "I can teach you those methods."

  "You can teach us." I waved a hand at my friends.

  Evadora laughed. "I can't learn your magic, silly."

  "I meant Max and Ambria," I told her.

  Her comment drew Ansel's gaze. "What are you, girl?"

  I interrupted before Evadora could respond. "Well, Ansel, will you teach us?"

  He scowled but reluctantly nodded. "Meet me after school on Monday." Ansel boarded his rocket stick and flew away without another word.

  "Creepy," Max said. "Do you really think it's worth going back to him?"

  I nodded. "If not, we have plenty more to learn from Adam Nosti's tutorials."

  Max's eyes went wide. "Oh, we're right next to a Mr. Nutter's bakery!" Before anyone could respond, he went inside an open shop door and began browsing a display case full of goodies.

  "I suppose this is a good place to discuss our master plans." Ambria rubbed her hands together and managed a slightly maniacal laugh. "Did that sound evil enough?"

  Evadora giggled and mimicked her, managing to sound like a complete lunatic. She raised eyebrows on a few passersby so I pulled the two girls into the bakery where Max had already ordered cookies for everyone.

  We sat down at a small table and munched while we discussed our next steps for retrieving the heart from the Glimmer. Though we all agreed that taking Gwyneth was required per my agreement with Underborn, Professor Sideon was another discussion altogether.

  "I think having a professor along might be safer," Max said.

  Ambria frowned. "I'd rather bring Esma than Sideon."

  "Why not both?" Evadora said. "The more the merrier."

  Max shivered. "More people for your monsters to eat."

  I wondered if Esma would come if I asked her. Her skillset would be a huge help. Then again, a larger group would be a bigger target. There was no reason to include Sideon in our trip to the Glimmer. Gwyneth was an experienced relic hunter so she could probably take care of herself.

  Della inserted her opinion. Take only who you trust. Such a journey will be risky enough without adding variables.

  I trust Esma, I told her.

  Do not grow overly attached, son.

  Take Sideon, Vic said. His voice sounded muffled even though it was in my head.

  Do not listen to him! Della shouted loud enough to make me wince.

  "You okay?" Ambria leaned closer.

  I nodded. "The soul fragments are arguing."

  Max grimaced. "Yikes. At least when my parents fight I can go away."

  Do not listen to me? Vic snarled, voice growing louder. You're only steering the boy into trouble. Pretending to be a loving mother when you're nothing but a pretender.

  His words chilled me to the core. What if he was right? What if Della had been pretending to be my friend all this time?

  Ignore him, son. He is a poison in your mind. Della seemed to whisper in my ear, as if that might prevent Vic from hearing. I do not wish you harm. I swear it.

  Vic tried to speak but it was like listening underwater.

  Are you silencing him? I asked.

  For your own good. Della sounded desperate. I beg you, don't believe a word the liar says.

  But it was too late. What if I'd let my emotions affect my trust? What if Della was leading me into a trap? Then again, why would Vic try to stop her? My death would free the soul fragments and return them to my parents. Do you want to be free of me, Della?

  If only to free your mind, son. She sighed. I believe the Broken Relic can release you from us.

  Will you return to Delectra? I asked.

  Perhaps. Della sniffled. Otherwise, I suspect oblivion awaits. Our presence in your soul is harmful. I believe Vic is attempting to subvert you from within. I can help you resist, but he is equally capable of silencing me.

  "What are they saying?" Max said. "Your face keeps twisting up like you ate a lemon."

  I shook my head and blinked, bringing the world back into focus. "Della thinks Vic is trying to harm my soul. Vic told me that Della is pretending to be nice."

  Ambria's eyes flared. "Can you trust either of them?"

  "I-I don't know," I admitted.

  "What does your heart say?" Evadora asked.

  I already knew the answer without even thinking about it. But was it just emotion, or instinct? "I trust Della."

  Evadora nodded. "Then trust her."

  I took a deep breath to clear my head. Thankfully, the spirits remained quiet. "Let's keep the group small. Gwyneth should be the only other person, but only because we have to."

  "When?" Ambria asked.

  "During the holidays two weeks from now." I picked up another cookie and broke off a piece for Evadora who nibbled on it like a rabbit. "That should give us enough time to find the heart."

  "Agreed," Max said. He looked at Ambria.

  She nodded. "Yes, I agree."

  Evadora was completely engrossed with eating her cookie and took no notice of our questioning gazes.

  "I doubt she cares," Ambria said.

  "This is yummy." Evadora's eyelids were heavy with pleasure. "If only life were as sweet as a cookie."

  We burst into laughter.

  Monday came and my hopes of avoiding Sideon were dashed when he told me to see him after class.

  "The holidays will be here soon, Conrad." He flashed a friendly smile. "I believe that would be an excellent time to start our search."

  I didn't like how he assumed he'd be included in my quest, but since he was my teacher, I couldn't very well admonish him for it. "Unfortunately, I have some other stuff going on during the holidays."

  Sideon sighed and seemed to gather himself. "Then may I please use the nose to search for the relic myself? I cannot stress what a boon such a find would be for the academic community. I promise you would be able to use it for whatever purpose you deem necessary."

  "What if I want to destroy the world?" I said in a serious tone.

  He flinched. "Surely you jest."

  I smiled. "Of course." I tried to think of the best way to put him off again, but finally decided some of the truth might be better. "I have to use the nose to find another relic first."

  Sideon looked flabbergasted. "What other relic could be more important?"

  "All I can tell you is that a very dangerous individual is involved." I bit my lip and spoke in a low voice. "Underborn."

  His eyes flashed with alarm. "Are you in trouble, Conrad? Do you need my assistance?"

  I was touched by his concern even if it might be self-serving. "Do you dare risk going against Underborn?"

  Sideon smiled sheepishly and shrugged. "I doubt a professor would be much of an obstacle." He s
ighed. "I hope Underborn didn't discover you had the Nose of Jura because of me."

  I nearly told him that Underborn had no idea about the nose, but quickly stopped myself from blurting it. "I can't do anything now, but fulfill the contract I made with him."

  "I understand." Sideon shook his head slowly. "I don't know if anyone can help you against Underborn, but you might consider talking to Galfandor about it."

  "I'll consider it, but I don't want anyone to get hurt." Sideon seemed resigned to accept my story, so I turned and left before I accidentally gave anything away.

  One more complication was now out of the way.

  Chapter 24

  Esma zapped me with a spell the instant I entered the classroom, much to the amusement of Harris and the others. I drew my wand, but the disappointment on the professor's face made me feel ashamed. I'd been so preoccupied with mentally mapping out the quest that I'd let down my guard.

  "It appears you'll be the only person in detention today, Mr. Edison." Esma pointed at my desk. "Please take your seat."

  Harris and Baxter snickered, but they knew better than to say anything to me in front of the professor.

  Esma drew me aside after class. "Ansel told me you're scheduled to meet him today and that he's impressed with how far you've progressed."

  "Yes, Esma." I looked down. "I'm sorry I failed to block your attack today."

  "It's fortunate you're alive to be sorry, Conrad." She cupped her hand under my chin and drew my eyes up to meet hers. "It doesn't matter how skilled you are. One attack could kill you or knock you unconscious. You must strive to be ever on guard."

  "It's not easy."

  "Nothing worth doing ever is." Esma smoothed back my hair from my face. "How are you doing, child?"

  Her motherly touch sent a shiver across my scalp. Somehow, I remembered to answer her. "We're going to the Glimmer during the holidays. Hopefully we'll find the heart and then Underborn will hold up his bargain to help us find the Broken Relic." I told her about our small group.

  "I think it's wise to keep your party small," she said, continuing to smooth my hair almost unconsciously. "Evadora should keep you quite safe, I think." Esma jerked back her hand and looked at it as if it had betrayed her. "Apologies, Conrad. I should not be so familiar with you."

  I gripped her hand in both of mine. "It's okay Esma. I know you're my professor, but you're also my mentor."

  "Even so, a mentor should maintain a professional distance." I noticed she didn't try to free her hand and her eyes softened. "You make it rather difficult."

  I wanted so desperately to tell her how I felt. How important she was to me. "Your help means everything in the world, Esma. I wouldn't be the person I am without you."

  She blinked rapidly, tears welling in her eyes. "I don't deserve such credit."

  "No, you do." I gently kissed her hand and let it go. "Please don't take this the wrong way, but you're like a mother to me." I backed away, afraid she'd close up again.

  Instead, she gripped me in a fierce hug. "You make me proud, Conrad." Esma released me and backed away. "A mother couldn't ask for a better son." She wiped her eyes. "Don't expect preferential treatment because I'm fond of you."

  I smiled. "I wouldn't dream of it." Esma was not the kind who showed favoritism by coddling. I suspected the more she liked someone, the harder she drove them. If that was the case, then I must have been her favorite by far. I dug into my pocket and produced one of the spare vine necklaces Evadora had given me. "In case something happens to me, I want you to have this."

  Esma took it, her lower lip trembling. "Is this—"

  "Yes." I closed her fingers over it. "It's a piece of the anchor stone. It will keep you alive forever, provided you don't get into a horrible accident." I managed a smile.

  "It's the same stone you used to get into the reflected world?" she asked. "The one you used those magic words with?"

  I nodded. "The very same." I smiled. "Maybe it will keep you healed when your chronic illness strikes again."

  She wiped at the corner of her eye. "I'll treasure it always, Conrad." She kissed my forehead. "I wish I could rightfully call you my son."

  I swallowed the knot in my throat and nodded. "That would be the most wonderful thing in the world." Because she began to look distinctly uncomfortable, I backed away smiling. "I'll see you soon, Esma."

  She swallowed hard and nodded. "Be safe, son."

  I could barely contain my exuberant mood for the rest of the day. Ansel took note of it when my friends and I met him in his office that afternoon.

  "You're excited," he said, clasping his hands together. "That's wonderful." Ansel laid out several arcphones. "Today you will be learning advanced casting with these devices."

  Ansel proved considerably more adept at teaching than he'd previously let on. For the next several days, he taught us methods of scripting and casting that worked even better than what we'd learned from the tutorial videos. While arcwands and arcstaffs required some pattern usage, arcphones and arctablets performed those functions invisibly and even allowed advanced techniques such as spell hacking.

  We were scheduled to play Tiberius Keep in Kabash that weekend, but an unexpected hailstorm swept through Queens Gate and the game was postponed until after the holidays. By the start of the final week, snow blanketed the university campus and spread into the valley. Even though I had no family gathering or celebrations to look forward to, the weather put me in good holiday cheer.

  I always knew when Shushiel was guarding me, because when I walked through the snow, she left prints as well. Unfortunately, her family problems required her to be away quite often, though she still showed up nightly to guard me.

  We met Gwyneth at the Dancing Pig on Friday where we laid out plans for infiltrating the Glimmer through the reflected world.

  "It sounds fascinating," she said. "Have you explored this reflected world much?"

  Max snorted. "Don't do that unless you want to lose part of your soul."

  She frowned. "What do you mean?"

  "If your reflection touches you, it'll steal a piece," Ambria said. "It's important we don't dilly-dally at all."

  Gwyneth nodded matter-of-factly, as if she'd been through so many bizarre situations already that this was no different than anything else. "I'll follow your lead." She took out her arcphone and projected a list. "These are the supplies I'm taking with us. Everyone will carry a light pack with food, water, and other immediate necessities."

  "Climbing gear?" Max looked up from the list. "Can't we just use brooms?"

  "I've been places where you don't dare use magic," Gwyneth said. "Even the slightest disturbance might set off a booby trap. Sometimes you have to use ordinary equipment."

  Max shook his head. "I won't be climbing any cliffs, that's for sure."

  Gwyneth didn't seem concerned by that. "Can you think of anything else we should bring?"

  I scanned through it, but it appeared she'd planned for the worst, as she'd probably done many times before. "Nothing I can think of."

  Ambria shrugged. "I just wonder how you're going to carry so much."

  "Technically, I won't be carrying much of anything." Gwyneth opened her satchel and took out a matchbox-sized piece of wood inlaid with gold. The edges were rough and splintered as if broken from a larger piece. "I'll have most of our extra supplies inside this."

  Max frowned. "How are you supposed to fit climbing gear inside a chunk of wood?"

  "This is the Lost Room of Jura." Gwyneth stroked the wood with a finger. The air shimmered and an ornate wooden door appeared with a thick golden ring mounted in the center. A divot in the door looked as if the wood Gwyneth held would fit neatly inside. Gwyneth tugged on the ring and the door opened with a creak.

  I walked over to it and peered inside. As the name implied, there was a room on the other side with a black marble floor polished to a mirror surface, and walls of white stone. It measured perhaps thirty by forty feet. The room was bare of furnishing
other than two doors, two windows, and several shelves along the walls. The aforementioned climbing gear sat on one shelf; bottled water, canned foods, and other supplies on another.

  "Whoa!" Max put a foot tentatively through the door. "That's really neat."

  "Where do the other doors lead?" I asked.

  "Nowhere," Gwyneth said. "I mean that quite literally. One door opens to pitch black and the other to brilliant white. We sent through cameras, but they were unable to record anything."

  "Did anyone try going through?" Max asked.

  "I did," Gwyneth said. "I couldn't see anything. The white light is too bright even with sunglasses, and no light could penetrate the darkness in the other one." She shrugged. "If I hadn't had a rope on me, I never would've found my way back."

  "You're crazy," Ambria said in a horrified voice. "What if you'd died?"

  "I felt confident I wouldn't." Gwyneth motioned us inside. "Take a look through the windows."

  I expected to see nothing and was shocked when the vista of a magnificent city greeted me. A golden street shined between towering buildings, and at the far end, a palace that dwarfed even the university. It glowed white as if it made of pure light. The area teemed with people. Angels flew overhead, women with fish tails instead of feet swam through crystal-clear canals on the sides of the golden street, and ordinary people walked in between.

  I managed to overcome my awe long enough to ask a question. "What are we seeing?"

  "We believe this is the final day of Juranthemon." Gwyneth touched a hand to the window. "Hours from now, the sky will turn blood red and the city will be destroyed. This room somehow survived and turned into a relic."

  Max pressed a hand against the glass window. "Can you open this and go outside?"

  "No." Gwyneth picked up a hammer from the climbing equipment. Before I was full aware of her intentions, she reared back and slammed it against the window.

  We jumped back with shouts and cries of dismay. The hammer clinked as if hitting solid metal, leaving nary a mark on the transparent material.

  "You cannot destroy relics," she said. "I suppose if they survived the destruction of the world, there's little we could do to harm them."