by Simone Pond
“It’s working!” Judith’s voice was barely audible over the havoc.
I opened my eyes and scanned the dark warehouse. Various lights randomly strobed in flashes. Shadows of people ambled throughout the warehouse as though waking up from a long slumber. The children were coming back to life—soon they’d be free of this hellhole.
Tabitha made one last thunderous boom and came to a complete stop. Then there was only the sound of bare feet padding about, muffled whispers of confusion, and 37 cursing as he rushed toward me. Fortunately, my magic shot up that time, encasing me in a protective sphere that kicked him back a good twenty feet. He didn’t bother getting up.
“Let’s round up the kids and head to the woods!” I told Judith.
“You must go on your own,” she said.
“What? No. Magnus is coming. We’re going to the woods. I know the way back to the left bank. That’s what I’m supposed to do. It’s the prophecy!”
Judith looked down and put her hands into the pockets of the oversized blazer. “The prophecy has only just begun, Jordan Temple. You must go.”
“Magnus will just put all of you back in those glass prisons and siphon you until you’re dead.”
She chuckled as others, stark naked and malnourished, gathered around her. I didn’t want to leave them behind for Magnus’s fiendish endeavors.
“Our magic has been returned, and Tabitha is broken. We’re safe for now,” Judith said.
“You’re crazy. Come on, let’s go!”
“You’ve seen what you needed to see. You must return to Haggai as he instructed. Go now, the High Warlock is here.”
My heart dropped. High Warlock? Well, that explained a great deal. How he got into Mysterium and worked as my grandfather’s right-hand man for several decades was as perplexing as it was impressive. No warlock had been permitted in the city for generations, and Mysterium had thorough magical protection in place to repel their dark arts. Magnus was the one who led the charge on laws and measures against magic; he persecuted Ancients more harshly than anyone else on the council, yet he was the grandest wielder of magic’s darkest order. How perfectly ironic.
“Go!” Judith yelled.
A large orb shot overhead and illuminated the warehouse. Judith motioned to the others and they joined hands in a long row.
Boots stomped into the facility. Dozens of Topaz operatives rushed inside. Magnus followed behind, his dark hair tied back at the nape of his neck. He wore his typical long black coat, and he carried a sleek cane with a large red ruby handle. That was new. He stopped, glanced over the row of children holding hands, then fixed his gaze on the inert Tabitha.
“37!” His voice boomed throughout the place.
37 failed to respond. Magnus raised his cane, then from behind some machine in the far corner of the place the trembling operative was hoisted into the air. Magnus, using his cane, reeled in the levitating, sweaty operative. The kid hovered about fifteen feet above the counselor. Not a word was spoken between the two. Magnus’s eyes flashed and 37’s skin began to take on a dark hue as tiny bubbles percolated on the surface. The High Warlock was frying him from the inside out. The poor guy ignited in a burst of flames, then Magnus lowered his cane and what remained of 37 dropped to a smoldering heap onto the cement floor.
Magnus turned his attention to the children, who were still holding hands before a bewildered Topaz unit. The kids had created their own magical force field—no machine required. He scanned past them, across the room, and locked directly into my eyes. His thin smile had an air of smugness to it, even though I’d clearly outsmarted the lunatic.
“Brava, Bachar,” he shouted.
“Not my name,” I shouted back.
The Topaz operatives aimed their weapons, ready to blast through the row of kids to get to me, but Magnus held up his hand.
“It’s no use,” he told the men. “Their magic is too strong.”
Judith glanced back at me, her brown eyes pleading. Please go, Jordan.
The barrier was taxing them to the limit. I wanted to stay and protect them from this warlock, but I also needed to follow Haggai’s instructions and get back to him. Maybe if I could get the operatives to come after me, they’d leave the kids alone. And so that’s what I did—I bolted toward the exit.
But nobody chased after me. Not a single operative. Magnus was letting me go free without a fight.
When I shot out the front door into the cold night, I found out why: another Topaz unit stood in a barricade outside the warehouse, waiting for me. My magic immediately encased me, shielding me from their weapons. Their electrons fired away at me, slamming against my magical shield. Nothing touched me, but holding back the onslaught was drawing immense energy and I could feel my resources draining. If I could find a way to reverse the direction of their weapons, the force might knock them back. Then what? The truck! I sprinted across the parking the lot, hoping the vehicle was still drivable. An armored car zipped in and stopped in my path. Nils Fox stepped out.
CHAPTER 14
My brain short-circuited seeing Nils Fox among these Topaz goons. Shock, sadness, and rage coursed through me.
I called out to him, “Nice work following my instructions.”
He grinned like the sly fox he was. “You honestly expected me to put the counselor in a mage-cage? Without just cause?”
“I told you what he’s been doing,” I said.
“You can’t just go locking up high-level council members without any factual evidence.” He took slow and deliberate steps toward me.
From behind, one of the operatives fired a high-powered device, but the beam boomeranged off my magical shield like a tidal wave. A few of the operatives got knocked back across the parking lot. I didn’t want to be crass, but I laughed at their attempt to take me down. My magical sphere pulsed around me and radiated brighter and brighter until the gleam became so intense, they all had to shield their eyes. They backed away and ducked behind their vehicles. But Nils remained. He stood about twenty feet away, unruffled by my display of magic.
“I do have evidence,” I said. “For one, this facility can prove that Magnus’s conduct is highly illegal. And so can the historical files.”
Nils paused a moment. “I’m just gonna get some take-out and go home. So, you lied. Then had me ditch my date that you forced me on—”
Behind us, the warehouse erupted with a tumultuous crash. I assumed the children had used their magic on the operatives and Magnus. Or at least that’s what I hoped.
“I didn’t want to involve you if I didn’t have to,” I said.
“I’m your partner. You’re supposed to involve me. How am I supposed to trust you?”
He was right about that. I hadn’t been honest, but I had sound reasons—I wanted to protect myself and those around me. Now, Nils stood about ten feet away, still impervious to the beaming light radiating from me. What kind of powerful magic was he hiding?
“How am I supposed to trust you?” I asked.
“What are you getting at?”
“The other operatives aren’t coming near me, but here you are—my magic doesn’t affect you. You run faster than anyone I’ve ever seen. You do things others can’t. You’re hiding something, too, partner.”
He was about to say something, but another resounding crack came from the warehouse.
Go, now! Judith’s voice echoed in my head.
Nils was still looking at the warehouse when I pushed my hands forward, creating an overpowering ripple across the air. This energy was strong enough to knock him back a few feet. As he staggered to regain his balance, I swiped my hand again with such force that he tripped and fell backwards. I didn’t like doing that to my partner, but Nils had gone to the dark side, leaving me no choice.
I sprinted to the truck and climbed inside. I sat behind the wheel, concentrating on the ignition, getting my magical hot-wire job to bring the engine to life. But when I pressed down on the gas pedal, the engine only revved and the truck remain
ed stagnant. It was stuck. The back end was propped up against a tree, the wheels off the ground.
I got out and made a frenzied attempt to pry the truck away from the tree, but my magic was tapped out. Behind the wheel again, I pressed down on the pedal and rocked my body forcefully, trying to jar the truck loose. The engine revved louder, but no matter how much I persisted, I wasn’t getting the truck away from that tree. I’d have to go by foot—but how far would I get in those woods with Magnus and his Topaz unit tracking me? Not very.
While I was pondering my lame options, Magnus stepped out of the warehouse and scanned the area. Disgust roiled in his face at the pathetic display of the operatives. One of them pointed toward me in the truck, and the High Warlock’s greenish-yellow glare flashed. A slight look of surprise crossed his eyes, seemingly impressed that I’d out-magicked Nils and the others. I could almost hear the thoughts churning … Why use her for convert assignments when I could drain every drop of her powerful magic … Of all the fates written in the book of life, that one would never be mine. I would make certain of it.
A speck of light glittered on the windshield. The star … I craned my neck and gazed up to the sky. “Some help!”
The trees began swaying and the wind howled. A giant golden-white beam fired down from the sky. I thought the truck, the tree, and I were about to be blasted into another dimension or burnt to a crisp. But when the light made contact, the earth rumbled and shook the vehicle loose from the tree.
“Whoa!”
I slammed my foot down on the pedal and the truck barreled forward, plowing through the parking lot. I peeled away, catching a glimpse of Magnus in the rearview mirror—his eyes registered bewilderment and revelation. Did he now know the truth? That the Chosen One had been under his nose this whole time? And that his efforts to stop the Oracle’s prophecy many years ago had failed utterly? Laughter spilled from me as I raced down the narrow and winding road.
Magnus wasn’t going to let me get away that easily. The High Warlock had too much at stake. With nothing more than his power of levitation, he flew after me at breakneck speed. He caught up to the truck and in the side mirror, I saw him aiming his black cane. Bolts of red lightning spewed from the ruby gem and struck the bumper of the vehicle. The back end rose, then dropped hard. I swerved left and right. Another blast shot forth, shattering the back window. Glass sprayed across my shoulders and into the front seat. The impact caused me to jerk the wheel, and that’s when the truck hurtled over the side of the mountain.
CHAPTER 15
Before the truck smashed into the bedrock below, a powerful force enveloped the truck and carried it away, depositing me safely onto the road. It was the same route old Sam had driven with his jalopy earlier. Only now I heading in the direction of Haggai’s house.
I peered out the window to the sky and caught a glimpse of the star. “Thanks,” I said.
I rolled back into the left bank proper and ditched the truck by the river. I tossed my phone into the water, knowing Magnus had a tracker installed. I vaguely remembered how to get to Daniel and Haggai’s house, but I was disoriented from my adventures in High Warlock chases. It was late and no one was around to ask directions. I’d have to figure it out on my own.
On the water’s surface, a speckle of light twinkled. The reflection pointed to the sky and once again the guiding star called to me. Follow my path … And so I did.
I walked along the empty cobblestone streets with the guiding star illuminating where I needed to go. Occasionally, a left-bank drunkard staggered by; an alley cat here and a rat or two there, but no mages or Topaz operatives.
Eventually, I ended up in front of Haggai and Daniel’s brownstone townhouse. Not a single light or candle burned inside. It was well after midnight, and I wasn’t sure if I should just knock on the door and wake up the entire house or risk waiting outside until morning. Topaz units would be making their nightly rounds.
A shadowy figure wandered out of a nearby alley, making a sudden approach. “Who are you and what are you doing here?” he asked.
I stepped back, scoping out the stranger and preparing to flee. I didn’t need any more trouble. But when he crossed under the street lamp I could see he had the same dark hair and striking gray eyes as Daniel and Haggai. They had to be related.
I relaxed a bit. “Jordan Bachar … well, actually it’s Temple. I’m Jordan Temple.”
He was unimpressed. “What are you doing in front of my house at two in the morning?”
“Okay, good. So this is your house. Your father told me to come.”
He laughed, then grazed by me to the front steps. He unlocked the front door and turned around. “Look, I don’t know what a right-bank slaver is doing on my front steps, asking for my father, but you best be gettin’ on out of here before I call on some terrorist mages.”
I choked out an unsteady laugh. “Whaaat?”
“You heard me.”
“I’ve done nothing to deserve this rude behavior,” I said.
He released the door handle and hopped down the steps, standing inches away and towering over me.
“You’ve done nothing to deserve it?” he asked, though I suspected it was a rhetorical question.
“You don’t even know me,” I said.
A cold chill passed over my shoulders and my long brown hair fluttered away from my face.
“You right-bank slavers have been oppressing my people for decades. It was the Ancients who saved you fools from starvation and near extinction. And what did we get in return? A slow and steady removal of our Ancient-given gifts. You’ve turned us into your indentured slaves.” He spat next to my shoes, then glared at me. “Just get out of here before I do something stupid.”
Stunned, I remained standing in the middle of the sidewalk. He stalked up the steps and into the house.
Hmm … I guess Haggai hadn’t mentioned anything about me being the Chosen One …
I sat on the curb and shivered. I didn’t know where to go. Mysterium was no longer an option. I had five other cities to choose from, none of them appealing. Magnus had his claws in all of them, except of course the Madlands, which happened to be the least appealing of them all.
Exhaustion pressed down, and I needed to get some rest before making any decisions or moves. I went around to the alley adjacent to their house and climbed the fence into the backyard. Near the kitchen door, I found a shed where they stored wood and tools. That would be my resting place until morning.
I snuggled up against a pile of cut wood and pulled a tarp over me to keep from freezing. Sleep would restore my outlook on things. And in the morning, when the aroma of Daniel’s delicious potato latkes wafted through the air, I’d go knock on the kitchen door and talk to Haggai.
My soft breathing began to lure me into a peaceful slumber … until the door barged open and jarred me awake. Moonlight filled the shed and Daniel’s ill-mannered older brother charged inside, flanked by two robed mages.
CHAPTER 16
The twin mages lifted their arms and formed identical swirling orbs of fire in their hands, which I suspected they were about to hurl at me. Daniel’s older brother smirked as the glow from the flames lit up his eyes.
“Coulda sworn I told you to leave,” he said.
I sat up and called into my depths for my magic. The warmth rose up through me like a funnel and a halo of violet light illuminated the shed. The twins’ orbs fizzled out and both of them attempted to cover their faces with their arms to block out the blinding light.
Daniel’s brother tried shielding his own eyes. “Who in Ancient’s name are you?”
“I told you. I’m Jordan Temple.”
One of the twins shook his head. “You wanted us to mess with the Jordan Temple, you idiot?!”
The other mage leapt at Daniel’s brother.
“Stop!” I shouted.
I lowered my magic, bringing the shed back to normal luminescence again, with only the moonlight pouring in. The twin mages dropped to their kn
ees and bowed before me.
“Oh … no. Please don’t do that.” Heat flushed my cheeks.
I heard the kitchen door slam, then Daniel and Haggai walked into the shed.
“What’s going on?” Haggai said.
The brother ignored Haggai’s question and focused on me. “I thought you said you were Jordan Bachar.”
I shrugged. “I also said Temple. I’m still getting used to the new name. I was just recently informed of it.”
Daniel stepped over to me and reached for my hand. Without his newsboy cap, his dark, wavy hair was an unruly mess. “Come on, Jordan. Let’s get you inside. You’re shivering.”
“Can someone tell me what’s going on?” the brother asked.
“Calm down, son. You’ve been gone for weeks. I’ll fill you in,” Haggai said.
“We’re leaving,” said one of the mages.
“Sorry, guys,” the brother told them.
“Next time you want us to ‘straighten out’ a right-bank slaver, make sure she isn’t the Chosen One.” The mages disappeared in a flurry of white smoke.
Daniel shoved his brother out of the way and took me into the house. He sat me in the chair next to the fire and came back with a pair of brown pants and a gray sweater that probably belonged to his brother.
“Sorry, but my sisters are all much younger than you. And my mother passed away a long time ago, so we don’t have any women’s clothes in the house.”
I laughed and patted his messy head of hair. “Actually, I prefer this. But I don’t think your brother will be too happy.”
Daniel sighed and sat in the armchair across from mine. “Yeah, Matthias is not a fan of the right bank. He’s actually a part of the rebellion. They’ve been trying to destroy the aqueducts for years. Says you guys have been poisoning us so our magic is diminished, making us docile. Most of the time he’s not around because he’s usually in trouble with our elders.”
So his name was Matthias. Nice enough name. I’d pegged him for a Brutus. I pulled the sweater over my head, feeling grateful for the long sleeves to cover my bare arms. Daniel turned away when I removed my pants and pulled on his brother’s pair of sturdy brown ones.
