“The police are here. They want to talk to you.” He came inside and knelt beside her. “What do you want to tell them?”
She knew what he was saying? How much did she want to expose herself in front of the police? By talking about magic and shields, she was probably setting herself to be taken for a fool. “We’ll leave out the parts they will not understand. Of course, I have to tell them about being able to talk to spirits. They know that already.”
“What did he do to break your shield? That must have been caught by the camera?”
Aerilyn brushed back a lock of his hair from his forehead. He’d risked his life to save hers. “Delusions of a mad man! People don’t take me seriously as a witch. They will just think he believed all the stories he heard about me. That’s why he brought along that ruby. There is nothing on screen that we can’t explain.”
“Right.” He nodded. “Makes sense. But how did he find out about you?”
“Someone who knows about my gift helped him. He must have access to another witch or wizard, someone who is selling his or her craft to outsiders. But I don’t think Robin would be too eager to talk about magic…that is, unless he plans on an insanity plea.”
“So we’ll never know who offered you up as a sacrifice. With your shield broken, you were a sitting duck.”
“I am a witch,” she asserted. “I could have damaged his shield, but yes, it was dangerous. He could’ve killed me. Perhaps we will never know who helped him or why. For now, we should be happy that we caught him, and his confession is enough to put him and his brother behind bars.”
“Right.” He stood, looking frustrated, but perhaps realizing that this was a discussion for another time. “Come on.” He offered his hand. She took it gladly and stood.
Together they walked into the living room, ready to explain all that had happened in words that people would understand.
----------
Two days later, she was sitting in the living room of her house. Knight was sitting on the couch beside her, sleeping. “Have you checked properly, Mr. Desmond?” she asked the superintendent of the building in New York where she had seen Simon. “The apartment is empty, are you sure?”
“We’ve been cleaning it for the past two weeks and no one has suffered any incident.” He sniffed. “Maybe that day…you imagined things?”
Aerilyn sighed. He didn’t really trust her. Although what he imagined had been their motivation to create such high drama was beyond her understanding.”Alright. Well, it relieves my mind to know that the apartment is now habitable.”
“Indeed it is.”
After he hung up, Aerilyn wondered if she should bother going there to check for herself if Simon had indeed crossed over. What if he had escaped from the apartment? It was difficult but not impossible for a spirit to free itself from the place that tied it to the earth. If he had done so, she shuddered to think what havoc he would create in the world. Although, of course, the possibility that he had crossed over was more likely than any other explanation.
“We could still go and check it ourselves if you want,” Cole offered. He’d been reading the paper while sitting opposite her while she talked to Desmond.
She shook her head. If Simon had been there, there would have been some paranormal activity. It remained to be seen where he’d gone, but for now, she was satisfied that the apartment was safe. “Did you find who leaked information about me to the Zing brothers?” She changed the topic.
He frowned. “Damon is investigating. It’s going to be hard to catch the leak. I am sure he or she has had years of practice betraying his own department.”
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation.
Cole opened the door. “Yes?”
“Rick?” Aerilyn put the tablet down, surprised to see the visitor. “What are you doing here? I mean, come in.”
Rick strode in. He was as handsome as she remembered. Blonde hair, streaked with gold, green eyes that could pierce into a person’s soul, and a hard, muscled body. At six feet two, he was equal in height to Cole. Both men appraised each other before Rick walked over. He held her hand in his firm grip and pulled her forward into a hug.
“I can’t believe you went through such a terrible ordeal, Aerilyn, and didn’t bother to inform me. I heard from Steve.” His voice was as she remembered, smoky, soft, but firm.
“Ah, sit!” She patted the couch. Knight woke, saw her ex-boyfriend, sneezed once, and jumped off. He stalked off inside as if in protest. “Steve shouldn’t have mentioned anything. It was nothing.”
“Two murder attempts on your life are not ‘nothing.’ At least, I wouldn’t take it so easy as to call them that.” He cast a glance at Cole, barely concealing the look of reproach. “It seems the company you’re keeping these days isn’t safe.”
Aerilyn ignored his comment. “Rick, Cole.” What was one supposed to say in this situation?
“So you’re the ex?” Cole smiled easily. “Aerilyn, I will be in the study.”
“Sure.” She watched him walk away. How easy it was to be with a man who had no insecurities? If the situation were reversed, Rick would never have given her the opportunity to hold a private conversation with another man. “What brings you by, Rick? It’s been a while since you came back.”
He curled his lip and sat. “Alby never held any attraction for me…that is, except for you. I couldn’t wait to get away. There is such an amazing, wonderful world out there. This small town is like a pond. I like to swim in the ocean.”
“The pond has its charm,” she countered as she sat on the other corner of the couch, keeping a distance between them. “But I am happy that you’re well.”
He leaned away from her, staring into her face as if seeing her for the first time. She detected surprise. Was he expecting another reaction from her? Of course, in the past, she had never been able to ignore his jibes at her hometown. But now, it didn’t bother her.
In fact, he didn’t bother her anymore. He was in her past now. Anything he said or did had no effect.
“What happened to the man who tried to attack you?”
“He is in jail along with his brother. Apart from his attack on me, he is also being investigated for two murders. I am sure justice will prevail.” It was satisfying to know that their efforts had led to this result.
“So, I heard the local police have asked you to help them with a number of cases.”
How had he heard about that? It was true that after Robin’s arrest she had been contacted by the police who wanted her help in a case where a body of a young female had been found in the mountains. She had been dead for a long time, more than three years actually. Aerilyn had called her spirit and identified her. Now, they had asked her to help with a few other cases.
“I can’t deny my help when it costs me so little to give it.”
He stood. “You’ve a rare, unusual talent. And yet, you waste it on these petty murders.” He sighed. “Well, I only came to see if you were alright. I’m going to the West Indies. There is an air wizard there who can do amazing things with his element. There is a lot to be learnt.”
Aerilyn joined him as he moved towards the door. His presence had been unexpected. Why had he come? Rick wasn’t one to look back unless he had a reason to do so. “Thank you,” she said.
After he left, she stood at the door for a long moment.
“He left already?” Cole came out. “What did he want?”
Aerilyn closed the door. There was a frown on her forehead. Going willingly into his arms, she rested her head on his chest. “Odd! Rick never offered help unless there was something in it for him.”
“Maybe he just wanted to see how you were doing?”
“Whatever!” She dismissed the surprise visit from her mind. “Mr. Hudson, I do remember you making a promise to take me to Paris? Or had you forgotten?”
“Indeed not.” He kissed her on her nose. “I was about to suggest you pack as quickly as you can. We’ll first visit Joan so you can do a
séance with her as you’d promised and then we shall be away for a one week visit to the romantic capital of the world. How does that sound?”
A sigh of pleasure escaped her lips. “Sounds wonderful!”
And indeed it was.
-----The End-----
About the Author
Sabine A. Reed is a fantasy author. The eldest among three children, she always had a book in her hand. To this date, she loves to read. When she is not shuttling her kids to and fro from their various activities, she is busy penning her new fantasy novel. Currently she is busy working on the third book in The Power of Three Trilogy as well as another urban fantasy novel. She can often be found at Goodreads and her website. She can also be found on twitter: SabineAReed. And on her facebook page: SabineAReed.
Her other fantasy novels include:
The Demon Mages, Book 1 of The Power of Three Trilogy
The Warrior Mage, Book 2 of The Power of Three trilogy
The Black Orb, a fantasy novella
Serpentine Love, a paranormal/fantasy novella
Coming soon:
The Water Mage, book 3 in The Power of Three trilogy
Author’s Note: If you wish to get latest information about my new books, you can sign up for my newsletter on my website.
The Demon Mages
It was a good day for a mages’ war; hot and clear. There was not a single cloud in the dove-grey sky.
In the moss-covered glade, bright balls of red-blue flames spun in the air, jets of water sprayed over the ground, and gusts of wind twirled and looped, sweeping over everything in sight. Plants burst forth from the heaving earth, waving their thorny tentacles. Spelled bombs exploded, filling the glade with thick, black smoke. Arrows conjured out of thin air zoomed past, seeking fleshy targets.
Mages leapt, dived, blocked, and parried to avoid getting hit.
Zo stood at the top of a gently sloping hillock, and watched the chaotic activity taking place on the flat ground below. Next to her stood Mir, her second in command. He was a water mage, and had been training the young ones with her for the past two years.
He pointed at a mage. “Izzy has learnt the spells, but somehow she fails to implement them to her full capacity.”
“She hesitates because she is afraid to inflict harm,” said Zo.
Mir folded his arms across his chest. “In a real battle that could get her killed.”
“She is compassionate and considerate. It’s not a fatal flaw.” She sighed. “But you are right. She will have to toughen up.”
They continued to discuss the rest of the trainees even as Zo’s measured glance took into account each spell, block, and counter the mages used in the attempt to maim each other.
Suddenly, she cocked an eyebrow. Raising her arms, she muttered an enchantment. A single thunderbolt burst forth from the cloudless sky and speared the earth. Ash, mud, and smoke flew in the air, and a crater the size of a wagon wheel appeared where a reed-like plant was mere moments before. All the activity on the training ground halted as the young mages stared at the smoking crater.
It didn’t take them long to realize that one of them had made an elementary mistake.
“Illias!” Zo strode down the slope, her short, black cloak flowing behind her as a stray gust of wind caught its edges. “How many times do I’ve to remind you to reinforce your protection shield? If I hadn’t burned that plant down, it would’ve taken your head off instead of a chunk from your arm.” She yelled at the mage who was kneeling, clutching his wounded arm.
The group of mages surrounding Illias parted to make way as she marched past to stand beside the wounded trainee. Illias groaned, blood seeping from the fist-sized hole in his upper arm. His skin was the color of a freshly bleached sheet, and he looked ready to faint. Zo snapped her fingers at the trio of healers who were standing under the shade of a tree. At her command, they came running.
One of the healers pressed a poultice on his wound and another muttered an incantation, waving her hands. Illias groaned again as flesh and muscle began to knit together in response to the quick healing spells. The healer removed the poultice. The wound was healed and the blood on his tattered sleeve remained as the only evidence of his recent injury. After bowing to Zo, the trio moved off the field.
“Reinforce your shield,” Zo ordered, watching as Illias moved his arm to test its strength. “As a punishment for this carelessness you will be on latrine duty tomorrow. I’ll inspect them personally in the evening. If the same mistake happens ever again, you’ll be cleaning them for a whole week.”
“Yes, princess.” Illias bowed his head.
Zo turned her attention towards the mage who had conjured the forbidden plant. “I don’t want to see the use of flesh-eating plants in training sessions,” she rebuked. “This is not a war, and you are not aiming to kill.”
Dia’s face flushed with embarrassment. Earth mages carried the seeds of various plants in pouches they wore around a belt. By scattering the seeds, they could instantly make a plant grow. Similarly a water mage could use the slight bit of moisture found in air to make a fountain, an air mage could use a breeze to make a tornado, and a fire mage could use sunlight to conjure fire. Each mage had the talent to manipulate a particular element, and each mage honed this skill by learning the spells that could better make use of this magic.
Zo glanced at the sweat-drenched faces gathered around her. There were more than thirty novice mages working to sharpen their battle skills under her tutelage. The kingdom of Iram had not seen a battle for more than seventy years, and was unlikely to ever experience one. Still, someone had to teach the young ones, and she had been assigned this duty by her brother, the king.
Far be it from me to be derelict in my duties. She motioned them back to their positions. “Get to work,” she shouted. “Put up your protective shields.”
Mir was still at the top of the hillock. She joined him and they watched the battle resume.
“Dia has an uncanny ability to judge her opponent’s weakness. She doesn’t hesitate to unleash her own spells,” Mir commented.
“Talent needs to be tempered with control. Excessive force is just as bad as too little force.”
Zo narrowed her eyes. “I want you to pair Izzy and Dia together for the next few weeks. Let’s see if they can help each other find a balance.”
Mir nodded. “That’s a good idea, princess. I will do so.”
They both continued to oversee the fight. For this session, the mages were divided into two opposing teams. One group wore red tunics, the other green. Satisfied, she watched as they tried to hurt each other. Apart from making sure they put into practice all the spells they had learnt in their morning classes, it was her job to ensure that none of them died during training. Hence, the healers remained nearby during each brutal training session.
Without any reprieve Zo allowed the battle to continue until the mid-afternoon light faded into the warm reddish glow of dusk. Finally, she dismissed the class and watched as they all limped off the field while Mir followed them. The healers went too.
Raising her arms, she stretched her body. It had been a satisfying practice session. Barring Illias, none of them were seriously injured, and that was something to celebrate indeed. Trainee mages sometimes didn’t understand the extent of their own power. Last week one mage fainted after being hit with a particularly vicious spell and had to be carried off the field. It took him three days to recover fully.
As the novices disappeared behind the line of tree that surrounded the glade, Zo sighed with relief. Finally, the day was near to an end. To the west, the sky was a bright coalescence of crimson, yellow, and orange streaks. She wasn’t able to see the wooden buildings of the training camp as the trees hid her view, but she could almost smell the aroma of roasting meat that would soon be served in the kitchen hall.
It was time to rustle up a good supper and retire to her cabin for the night. She ran a hand through her short hair, and then patted it down, smothering it in
to place. As she walked down the hillock, a faint cry reached her ears. Looking up, she saw a speck high in the sky. It was an eagle. The handsome bird flew in big circles, and then smaller ones as it prepared to land. From the distinct gold and red coloring of its feathers, she knew it was a royal eagle, bred to convey messages. Someone from the castle must have sent it.
Communication from the castle through such urgent means was rare. Who was the recipient of the message?
With a frown, she watched as the bird locked on to its target and landed in front of her. Tied to its left leg was a tiny, tightly wrapped scroll. The eagle pecked at the ground, eager to be off again. Bending, Zo untied the scroll. She straightened and watched the great bird take off. Zo unrolled the scroll, the slight tremor in her hands betraying her fear-soaked emotions. The last time she’d received such a scroll was when she was eight years old, and her mother had died after falling down the castle stairs. Zo and her siblings were out on a royal hunt with their father when they all learnt the tragic news. Despite the passage of so much time, the memory of that sad incident was still fresh in her mind.
Shaking off the bad memories, she looked at the script. It was her sister Alicia’s handwriting. Two lines completed the message. “Come quick! The king requires your immediate presence.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Zo ran down the hillock. The scroll still clutched in her hands, she sprinted towards the stable. “Get me my horse, quick,” she ordered the baffled stable hand who met her at the gate. To another, she yelled. Get me some food, and a water bag. And tell Ishtian and Mir that I've left for the castle."
Within moments, her gelding was presented, saddled for the journey. After a quick tug at the saddle straps to ensure they were properly secured, Zo mounted. The stable boy tied on a bundle of food and a water bag to the saddle, and she was off. Leaving behind the camp of tents and thatched huts that housed the trainees and the trainers, she urged the mount to move onwards towards the dusty road that led out into the plain. The castle was only three leagues away but it would be nearly midnight before she reached, even if she pushed her horse to its limit.
The Spiritist: A Aerilyn Mathew Novel (Aerilyn Mathew Novels Book 1) Page 24
