by Simone Pond
Matthias handed me a water bottle. “You’ll be fine.”
“You can read minds?”
“No, but the look on your face …”
I chugged back the entire bottle, then put the empty container into my knapsack. “We might as well do this.”
Chloe stood with her hands on her hips. “Gotta do this part on your own, Chosen One. Pops is waiting up there.” She pointed to one of the mountain peaks.
“The highest one, huh?”
CeeCee’s snowy white hair tumbled in the wind. “Be strong and remember what you know is true.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
She just smiled.
Matthias gave me a quick hug. “We’ll be camped out right here.”
“I should just teleport to the top?” I asked.
“Unless you’re up for some strenuous rock climbing.”
I stood back from the others and called on my magic, trying to picture the top of that mountain … but nothing happened. I dug deeper. Still nothing.
Some help? I thought.
Just then, the guiding star appeared in the now dark sky and a stream of light beamed down. It completely wrapped around me and lifted me upward. My companions grew smaller as I was carried higher into the sky, and they eventually disappeared from my sight. The funnel of light deposited me gently upon the plateau of the mountain, then vanished.
I stood there, stunned. A warm breeze brushed my cheeks. A billion stars glittered across the black velvet sky, the guiding star radiating the brightest. I breathed out a sigh as peace settled through me.
“Jordan …” A soft voice came from behind—its tone rang so familiar. A voice I’d been hearing in my dreams all these years.
I turned around. A man with long gray hair and a matching beard was holding an orange tabby cat. He wore a robe made of pale linen and his feet were encased in sandals. The moonlight gleamed in his jade eyes—the exact same color as mine. Tears streamed down his tanned and slightly weathered cheeks.
“Father!” I ran over and wrapped my arms around him.
The cat meowed and jumped from his arms. We laughed, then cried, then trembled with sobs. The twenty-two years that had separated us melted away. And though I hadn’t seen my father during that season of my life, I now felt I knew him through and through. He was no longer a ghost.
“My little latke,” he said into my hair.
“I remember you calling me that,” I said.
“I’ve waited a long time to call you that again.”
We parted a bit to get some breathing room and wipe away the tears. Our magic had created a magnificent bloom of light around us. But a sadness fell over his face … why?
“You’re so beautiful. Smart, courageous, and strong,” he said. “I kept you in my prayers, and hoped your magic would help guide you and protect you. That it would reveal who you are and where you came from.”
I squeezed his hands. “I think I knew, but didn’t know if I knew … I am not making any sense …”
He gave me an assured smile.
I continued, “But now I know the story. I know everything. I don’t know why I’m the Chosen One or how I’m supposed to pull off this monumental prophecy … But that’s what I’m here to find out, Dad.” Wow, I called him “dad” like we’d never skipped a beat. I think we were operating on some sort of mystical level. I really felt like I had known him my entire life.
He smiled, touching my cheek and chuckling. “You got your mother’s sense of humor. You’re Chosen because it is written. As for pulling it off, that is for the Ancient One to explain. I’m only here to facilitate communication.”
He put his arm around my shoulders and ushered me over to some rocks, where we sat.
“You know what you must do, Jordan?”
“Go back to Mysterium, round up the Ancients from the left bank, and lead them home—wherever that is,” I said.
“Shteim'esrei is the original city.”
Oh yeah, the story Matthias had told me … about Shteim'esrei being created and looked after by the Ancient One. And how the god of the Ancients gave his people special magic because he loved them dearly. But then the dark deity Ashtar infiltrated many of his people, causing them to turn away from the Ancient One. And those who still listened to the Ancient One left Shteim'esrei and were saved before it was destroyed.
“So if it’s destroyed, how can I take them back there?” I asked.
“These are not questions I can answer.”
My father then stood and pulled me up next to him. He lifted his hands toward the sky, speaking some Ancient tongue. The guiding star shot a beam of golden light down onto the mountain top, directly into the crown of my head. Everything around me vanished, except for the voice of the Ancient One, which resonated inside my soul.
“You will return to Mysterium and gather the people onto three large ships. You will take the River Elin to where the four channels meet. There you will find a portal. You must take the Ancients through the portal to return to the city of Shteim'esrei. I shall equip you with seven golden stars to pierce the heart of evil. The light will either change it or destroy it. You have all that you need to fulfill the prophecy. It is time.”
A sonic boom erupted in all directions. I dropped, my face smacking against the dirt. My heart was pounding so intensely the ground vibrated under my chest.
“Jordan!”
My father ran over and held my head in his lap, stroking strands of hair away from my cheeks. The orange tabby cat rubbed up against my arm, meowing. Something sharp poked at my palms. I opened my hand, revealing the seven golden stars the Ancient One had mentioned.
“To pierce the heart of evil …” I muttered, not sure what that meant.
“You must go now.” My father lifted me to my feet.
“Wait, aren’t you coming?”
“No. This is your prophecy to pull off.” He tried to force a smile.
I did my best not to lose it. “When will I see you again?”
“Time will tell, my daughter.” He kissed my cheek.
A burst of white light spread through my body, splintering me into a billion particles, and I found myself at the bottom of the Red Mountains.
“Whoa!” Benjamin jumped back.
Levi aimed his gun, then lowered it once he recognized me.
Matthias and CeeCee came over to me and gave a “Well? What’s up?” look, but I was too stunned to talk.
Matthias eventually broke the silence. “So … what happened?”
I shoved the seven golden stars into my pocket. “No words …”
“Do you know what to do?” Chloe asked.
I nodded with feigned confidence. Just because I knew what to do and how to do it didn’t mean I was ready to convince the entire left bank to hop on some ships and skip town. But they didn’t need to know that. They needed their leader to stand strong.
“When we get back to Mysterium,” I said to Matthias, “you need to gather the elders. If I convince them first, the others will follow.”
“Okay. I’ll call for a meeting in the Temple Chever.”
“We should get going. It’s a long trek back,” Benjamin said.
“Oh, sweetie, Jordan’s going to take us there,” Chloe said.
“I can’t teleport six people,” I said.
“Just because you’ve never tried it, doesn’t mean it’s impossible.”
In her effort to chide me, Chloe’s words actually helped. She was right—on many levels—and I knew it. But I wasn’t about to share the news with her. I simply told everyone to gather around in a circle and hold hands.
“You might want to close your eyes. And side note, it might not feel so great,” I warned.
I tilted my head back and stared at the guiding star above. I concentrated on the Temple Chever, picturing the stone pillars, the archways, the fire pits—down to the individual burning embers. We need to go to the temple, I told the guiding star. A stream of light shot down through me, then pour
ed from my hands into Matthias’s and CeeCee’s, then moved through the circle to Benjamin and Levi, then Chloe. The circle beamed like a crown of light. We expanded and stretched into a kaleidoscope of sparkling jewels. Then we blasted into oblivion.
CHAPTER 26
When our bodies rejoined, we were standing inside the Temple Chever on the left bank of Mysterium. That was some impressive magic. Though I did feel woozy.
“Jordan!” a familiar voice called out.
Across the temple, Daniel stood with his father, Haggai, among a group of men and women in robes. How sweet—a welcoming committee. I was happy to see Daniel and started walking toward him.
“No, run!” he shouted.
“What?” I asked as my magic shot up around me.
A Topaz operative stepped forward, parting the group of Ancients, and my heart dropped like a stone. Nils Fox smiled at me with his sly grin. He nudged Daniel to the side and made a slow approach, careful not to get too close. Why weren’t the Ancients using their magic to protect themselves? I’d seen what they could do. Azia the Conjurer—alone—could handle Nils. Then their lack of resistance made sense: a row of Topaz operatives had been stationed behind the Ancients, holding unfamiliar silver devices. Nils stomped his heavy boot onto the concrete. The operatives discharged their devices and released bolts of magically charged electricity into the group of elders, forcing them to their knees. So, they were binding their magic with some new high-octane device that I’m sure Magnus had developed in secrecy.
“Good to see you, partner,” Nils said.
“I see you got promoted.”
He shrugged, looking down at his uniform with an air of pride. “The counselor has a proposition.”
I laughed. Or maybe it was more of a chuff. “Of course he does.”
“He wants to meet at midnight tonight. At the estate,” Nils said.
“Absolutely out of the question.”
Nils jerked his head at two Topaz operatives. They came from behind the group of elders, then pulled Daniel and Haggai up and shoved them forward. Their gray eyes were vacant and glazed over in a hypnotic stare. Matthias started going after his brother and father, but I grabbed his arm and shook my head.
Magnus had sent Nils here to force my hand. The message was loud and clear: if I didn’t meet with Magnus, he’d kill Daniel and Haggai. Okay. But if I decided to meet with Magnus, he’d kill me—or worse, he’d chain me to that deplorable machine and drain my magic the rest of my life. I pretty much loathed Nils for standing there, grinning like it was no big deal. The choice was far from simple, but I knew what had to be done.
“I’ll meet with your High Warlock,” I said. “But I’m not going anywhere near the estate. We can meet on neutral ground. The middle of the Uphaz Bridge.”
Nils rubbed his jaw, then took out his phone. Looked like he was sending a text.
We all stood around for an awkward moment, then his phone vibrated and he checked it. “Midnight. Uphaz Bridge.” He strode to the exit, then snapped his fingers for the operatives to bring the half-cognizant Daniel and Haggai.
“You don’t need to take them!” I said.
“Insurance,” Nils said.
“I said I’d be there!”
“Honesty isn’t your strongest suit, partner … And, Jordy, come alone, or they will die.”
“Is Magnus coming alone?” I asked.
“I’ll be there,” he said.
“Well, I’m bringing Matthias. He’s their kin.”
I was also bringing CeeCee, Benjamin, and Levi because I wasn’t walking onto that bridge to rendezvous with a High Warlock who had a twenty-two-year vendetta against me without a team of skilled warriors on my side. Chloe could stay behind with the elders.
“Fine. Your boyfriend can come.” Nils gave me a curt nod, then left the temple.
After the remaining Topaz unit cleared out, the group of elders collapsed. They’d been drained of their energy and magic from that new device. My shield dispelled. All of us ran over and gave them fresh water. Matthias and CeeCee did what they could to restore some of their energy. As they began to regain their strength, we explained what needed to happen. Then Matthias had one of the elders send out word to every neighborhood, calling for every single Ancient to come to the Temple Chever.
Within hours the place was packed to the pillars with Ancients from all corners of the left bank. I stood on a platform at the center and shared what had happened when I met with my father—John Temple—and how the Ancient One gave me instructions to take them back home to their original city of Shteim'esrei.
“There are three ships south of here. We will take the River Elin tonight,” I said.
“But you’re the one on the newsfeed they’ve been talking about. The traitor!” someone called out from the crowd.
“You’ve broken every law there is!” yelled another person.
“You’re Mysterium’s Most Wanted! … Why should we believe you? … You’re just gonna make it worse for all of us …”
Before the entire crowd completely turned against me, I caught a glimpse of the night sky through one of the archways. Yes—the guiding star was twinkling high above. I lifted my hands and called for some assistance. A stream of golden light poured in through the archway and plunged into my heart. I spread open my arms and filled the entire temple with the glorious light from above.
The trickling of whispers became a torrent of bursting cheers.
“The Chosen One has finally come!”
The temple settled down to low murmurs and I addressed the Ancients once more. “We have the magic of the Ancient One. We have the guiding star. And I’m counting on you to get to the ships. I’m also counting on the elders to put your protective magic over each ship as soon as you arrive. Tonight we will fulfill the prophecy.”
I stepped down from the platform, feeling excited and nervous. Chloe stepped up and took charge of organizing the mass exodus. She instructed the people, separating them into groups and assigning leaders. Within minutes, Chloe had the Ancients streaming down the mountain in organized and orderly droves. Her bossiness was good for some things … And I was glad to put her to use somewhere since she wasn’t coming with us to the bridge. The most important phase of the plan was underway—the Ancients were actually heading to the ships. Soon we’d be cruising down the River Elin and leaving Mysterium for good.
Except I needed to rescue Daniel and Haggai first. And Magnus would make that task extraordinarily hellish. This would be no simple surrender.
“We’ve got about an hour to come up with a plan,” I said to our group.
“If all of us show up, he’ll kill my brother and father, and us,” Matthias said.
“You and I will meet the counselor like I promised, but these guys will be close at hand. Magnus will definitely pull something,” I said.
CeeCee stepped forward. “I don’t do battle anymore.”
“I understand, but we need your strength and power,” I said.
“You’ll have it. But I’ll only heal the wounded,” she said.
I couldn’t argue that point, nor did I want to. “Benjamin, you said you’re a shifter. So what’s your other form?”
“Eagle.” He lowered his head.
“He’s been struggling since the Alpha used some crazy binding spell on him a few months back,” Matthias explained.
Benjamin glanced up at me, shame filling his eyes. “Last few times, I only shifted halfway.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll help you,” I told him.
Benjamin’s face lit up. “Cool! I’ll be able to soar again.”
“What else have we got?” I asked.
Levi coughed from where he sat, digging through a duffle bag and organizing a stack of guns by size and caliber.
“Take your pick,” Levi said.
“I don’t need a gun,” I said.
Matthias shot me a look. “What if your magic craps out like it does every time you use too much? I won’t have time to restor
e it if we’re in the middle of a fight.”
I reached into my pocket and pulled out one of the seven golden stars.
“What’s that?” he asked.
“To pierce the heart of evil. It will either change it or destroy it. It’s from the Ancient One.”
Matthias reached and touched the star. A jolt shot him back with such force, he hit the ground. “Whoa!”
“Sorry!” I put the star back into my pocket.
“That’s some serious magic.” Matthias stood up and came back over, laughing. “You sure you need us?”
Need them? I didn’t want to get emotional at such a critical moment. If we weren’t about to walk into a potential bloodbath, I might’ve told Matthias how good it felt to finally belong somewhere. I’d found my home.
“I need you guys,” I said.
We spent another ten minutes outlining our positioning around the left bank portion of the Uphaz Bridge and feasible attack strategies. Once the temple was cleared of every last Ancient, I gathered the five of us into a circle and we teleported to the mouth of the bridge.
CHAPTER 27
The five of us stood by the left bank of the River Elin, near the bridge. That familiar icy breeze blew off the river, stinging my cheeks. I tied my hair into a ponytail to prevent it from whipping in the wind. Magnus was out there, I could sense it in my bones.
“You ready?” I asked them.
CeeCee nodded and disappeared into the shadows. Levi darted along the side of the bridge with his arsenal bag strapped to his back. He climbed up one of the suspension cables, making his way onto one of the towers, where he perched high above in his sniper’s nest.
Benjamin paced, his breathing getting more and more shallow.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“I can’t shift.”
“Sure you can. See that bright star above?” I pointed to the sky. “Just concentrate on that and ask for some help.”
“I’m from Lycaeon and not of Ancient blood. I can’t call on your Ancient One.”
“Not actually true. You know, everyone originally came from Ancient blood. Where do you think you got your magic? It was a gift from the Ancient One. You can blame Ashtar for separating everyone into factions. For breaking you off from the Ancient One. But you have a choice, my friend. All you have to do is ask for help.”
