Twisted Magics (Terra Chronicles Book 1)

by J. C. Jackson

  There was silence while I dug out a small circular case. Shaking its contents out into the palm of my hand, I held up a camera filter, looking through it for a moment to make sure it was not dirty.

  “A purple filter?” Savanas looked at me skeptically and then at Retanei, who shrugged.

  Attaching it to my camera, I used the change of topic to distract myself from the scene before me. “The Director told me to bring it. I’ve been helping Lockonis develop the filters. It’s, well, I suppose you should see for yourself.” Handing the camera to Savanas, I continued, “We’ve managed to get this set of prototypes to the point of being about equal with my ability to see the arcane.”

  Savanas whistled and then handed the camera to Rathal. He cursed under his breath before commenting, “Well, now I feel less stupid for not being able to pinpoint the origin. This is really what you see?”

  I nodded, my shyness kicking in, and took the camera back when offered. His face was still hard and judging, but also curious.

  “Come on, let’s get to work so we can get out of here. Dinner at my place once we’ve wrapped up. Local law enforcement is keeping a detail on the area to keep people out,” Savanas said, all business, striding forward into the wreckage. “Rathal, go see how the other two are doing in the back.”

  I picked my way through the chaos on the floor with care and knelt down at the closest arcane remnant. I was right - I did not like it any better up close. I felt like I was getting buffeted by the arcane remnants. It was uncommon, but not unheard of. It was going to make the headache starting behind my eyes worse.

  “Ket, you need to talk. I know it isn’t your favorite thing to do,” Retanei teased me lightly, but I could tell by her face she was concerned. She waited patiently with a notepad and pen in hand. Artemis was close to her side, ears flat against her head.

  Savanas hovered nearby, arms crossed over her chest expectantly. It was time to earn my title.

  Taking a deep breath, I said, “The base spell was a fireball, which was combined with additional concussive force and a timing spell. I can tell you better as soon as I look at the others, but I think they were all set to go off at the same time to make it seem like only one.”

  Lifting the camera to my face, I started collecting the images I thought I would need. I zoomed in on the signature, capturing it clearly. I was not sure how useful this would be to those who did not have a background in arcane theory. It was more like a fingerprint than a signature and was always a part of the spell regardless.

  “Wait, did you just say that someone made arcane bombs?” Savanas knelt down next to me. “Who in the hells would be capable of making something like that?”

  Biting on my lower lip for a moment, I mentally ran through the ability requirements for each rank. I said, “A High Mage level caster could, though they would be hard pressed to make one. An Archmage would struggle for three identical ones like this, but they could do it. It’s a rather complex weave of spells.”

  I pinched the bridge of my nose to try to relieve some of the headache. I could not afford to lose focus at this stage. Standing up, I further contemplated the arcane remnant I stood next to. What on Terra was feeding it energy? And why was it emitting an emotional response? Arcane energy was neutral - it was the caster who decided what to use it for.

  “Ket?” Retanei was next to me.

  Then it clicked and I looked around for Rathal. Not seeing him, I asked, “You said Rathal was arcane sensitive?” I looked to Savanas for confirmation.

  “Yeah, I am. Do you have a problem with that?” I had not heard him return. There were two Human men with him as they exited a back room.

  “Geez, man, chill.” The shorter of the two commented. He had exotic features for a Human and was about my height. His dark hair mostly hidden by his hat.

  “The arcane remnants are emitting an emotional response. Predominantly negative. It’s only giving me a headache, but I don’t know what longer exposure would cause. I sensed a faint arcane scent on you during the ride here. It was similar to this.”

  “What?!” Rathal looked thoroughly confused and angry.

  “I’m sorry! I didn’t know what it was and…” I took a step back, afraid of what was going to come at me.

  “Enough.” It was Savanas. “Let’s move this conversation out of the immediate area.”

  Following her lead, I kept my mouth shut. We paused by the TIO van that sat near the entrance.

  Savanas asked once we stopped, “Are you guys done in the back?”

  “Yeah, wrapped everything up,” the man who spoke before confirmed. “I’m Darius Hensen,” he said. “This is Bradley Rios.” Darius thumbed up at the tall, dark-skinned man next to him. “I’d shake your hands, but I’m filthy.”

  “Retanei, and this is Ketayl,” my friend said.

  Bradley gave a smooth, formal Elven greeting. “You were saying something about exposure for those who are arcane sensitive.”

  Savanas ordered, “Not now. You three take the van and head back. We’ll follow once we’re done here.” As they started to pile into the van, she grabbed Bradley’s arm. “And keep an eye on Rathal. I thought he was just overtired, but if what she’s saying is right, I don’t want to take chances.”

  I looked at Retanei, not sure what to do at this point. Artemis seemed to be less agitated now that she was past the edges of the remnants. “Are you arcane sensitive?”

  Retanei shook her head. “No. I can sense a bit of divine, but nothing that would be useful to anyone. There’s some in there, but it’s probably from the emergency responders.”

  Once they began pulling away, Savanas waved us back in. “Let’s go. I don’t want to expose you any longer than necessary either.”

  Slowly I made my way through documenting the other two arcane remnants, all the while verbally rattling off observations. They were identical and all the same signature, which meant the same caster. What I could not figure out was why there was no degradation in the arcane remnants. There should have been arcane mites showing up well before now. There was also no power source that I could see, but that would be the only explanation for why there was no degradation.

  Rubbing my temple, I stood up from documenting the details of the third one. Now just to get some overall images for placement…

  Feeling the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, I whipped my head around, looking for the source. It was gone the moment it knew I could sense it. Too far gone for me to have tried to follow it back.

  “Ket?” It was Savanas this time. Her tone was filled with worry.

  I stayed on guard for a moment longer. I mentally reached out, looking for intruders. “I’m sorry, it felt like I was being watched. I just need a couple more images for placement and I’ll be done.” I was already heading out of the remains of the building. I had not wanted to admit that I had made myself dizzy with the sudden movement.

  Neither woman said anything as I finished. Lowering the camera to around my neck, I took half a step sideways and tripped over something. I was starting to become lightheaded. At least I had been able to hold on until I was done. There was something to be said about all of those years of practicing my focus and discipline.

  “We need to get you out of here.” Retanei tugged on my arm, pulling me along easily toward Savanas’ car.

  “Not yet. Something is powering the arcane remnants and I can’t see what it is. This doesn’t make any sense.” I started rubbing my temple with my hand again, trying to ease the building headache. It felt like something had been hitting me harder the longer I had remained in there.

  “No, now.” Savanas opened the passenger door to her car and pointed at the seat. I dared not refuse her.

  Chapter 3

  Compared to the main office outside of Great Tree, the office in Ocean’s Edge was built closer to Human architecture than Elven. To an extent it was expected - most coastal cities were melting pots of the various races.

  The brick and mortar building had a fe
w floors to it with massive mirrored windows. It stood out sharply - bare, snow-covered trees dotted around the outside. Elven architecture blended in with nature, becoming an extension of the surroundings. The buildings on the way here shifted between the two, often adapting elements of both.

  At least this building was not designed like the medieval castle that comprised of the Arcane College. While I supposed a castle was considered majestic and a show of strength, I doubt many had tried living in one without the more current creature comforts.

  It was early evening and I was dragging behind. It felt like no matter how fast I moved to try and keep up with their quick pace, they kept getting farther away. I was cursing my preference for being in the lab. I was what my sister liked to call scrawny - thin, but no muscle.

  As they started bounding up the stairs, I stopped to hold onto the railing for a moment to catch my breath. They were out of sight by the time I felt I could continue.

  I knew this was pressing, but the elevator had been a lot closer. I did not know this place and I was going to have to find my way back to the woman at the front desk to get directions. I think I could retrace the turns we had taken. This building was large for just the team members I had met.

  Rubbing my face with my hand, I tried to pull myself back together. I was just tired, that was all. I managed to catch about an hour of rest on the flight to Chained Lakes, but that was giving in to exhaustion, not resting.

  Looking up the stairs, I felt the room start to spin. Taking a seat was about the most I could manage. Leaning my face against the cool metal railing, I closed my eyes.

  “Ketayl?” Startled, I rubbed my eyes before looking up to find the dark-skinned man I met earlier. He leaned over the railing with a worried expression. I had not heard a door open above. Did I doze off?

  I mentally tried to dig up a name for him. Hensen? No, I think it was Rios. They were going to have to wear name badges for me to remember at this point. “Sorry, I just got really dizzy.”

  He was tall, though most people were tall to me. It did not take him long to bound down the flight of stairs.

  “Here, let’s get your coat off. I think sometimes Savanas forgets that others aren’t as athletic as she is. Even I have a hard time keeping up with her.”

  He wore a gray long-sleeve shirt and black jeans - very neatly dressed despite his casual attire. It looked like he tried to clean the day’s efforts off of his boots. His dark hair closely cropped. I was not sure why his appearance was important to me right now.

  The thick, black, winter TIO coat I wore was stifling. I did not mind being warm, but it was getting to be too much. Shedding my coat and the soft purple scarf underneath, I felt like I could breathe again. Both were gone from my hands before I could protest. The sweater I wore hung loosely on me and I tried to push the sleeves up. Only to have them slide back down almost immediately.

  “You’re all skin and bones.” Looking at my scarf, he paused at the pin. “I suppose you’ll want this.” His tone flattened.

  My Arcane College insignia pin. My mouth forgot it needed to filter the next thought before speaking it, “I mostly wear it out of habit to tell you the truth.” A shiver ran up my spine as the coolness of the stairwell cut through the remaining heat quickly. “I’d rather have my coat back.”

  It was a hearty laugh that followed. “Alright, let’s get going before they send out another search party. Savanas and your friend are setting up a secure conference call with the Director to give him an update.”

  Blowing a breath through the hair that was trying to fall in my face, I admitted, “I’m not sure I have the energy to secure us from potential scryers.” Taking the offered hand, he helped me up with no effort. I had a moment of dizziness that quickly dissipated.

  He handed me my coat and scarf back and asked, “You’ve heard of the Elven Arcana Consortium, right?” For someone that wanted to get going, he was not moving. He held my wrist awkwardly and I tried not to give into the reflex to pull away.

  “I studied with Magus Engelil in Great Tree after I was transferred to the TIO,” I replied, not sure what his point was. He was looking at his watch and it took me a moment to realize that he was taking my pulse.

  I began to wonder what his role here was. I was not sure how the various branches were set up. It seemed like every time I thought I understood from the case files that came through the lab, I found I was wrong.

  “We have a good-sized branch here in Ocean’s Edge. Darius already called them to send someone over. They should be here soon. I’m going to have Doc take a look at you also. I’m sure he’ll be happy to check on someone living,” he said.

  Well then, I guess the task of securing the upcoming conversation was taken care of. “Sorry if I sound rude, but I’ve forgotten your name.”

  “Bradley Rios, but Brad is fine,” he smiled and started walking back the way I had come.

  “Ketayl. It’s good to make your acquaintance again. Sorry that you needed to come get me.” I would find the time to be embarrassed about the whole situation later, but right now I was too tired to care.

  “Not a problem. I’ve always wanted to rescue a damsel in distress,” he smirked.

  ~*~

  When we got to the third floor, the others were gathered around a large screen that was mounted on a short wall next to someone’s desk. Retanei excused herself from the group to come over to us. “Thanks, Brad. I need to keep a better eye on her apparently,” she said.

  “Don’t worry about it.” Brad smiled broadly before speaking to me, “Why don’t you sit down and I’ll go call Doc.”

  I was shown to an empty desk - there was a computer and a phone, but nothing personal. There was another empty desk across from me and behind it, short walls sectioning off this part of the office that held Savanas’ team. The wall that held the screen was taller, putting it at a comfortable height for the others to view while standing.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Brad motioning with his head to Retanei to speak with her aside. I sat back in the chair, observing the others in the office.

  Savanas, Rathal, and Darius were at the screen. Savanas had her arms crossed while the other two argued over something. Occasionally her gaze would sweep the rest of the room - I could tell she was impatient.

  Brad and Retanei moved to a desk next to the one across from me. After a few short exchanges, Brad made a call with the desk phone. I presumed he was talking to Doc, but quickly gave up trying to follow the one-sided trail of medical jargon.

  A cup appeared on the desk. “Drink,” Retanei ordered before returning to the rest of the group.

  I glanced at the contents - water. My body felt heavier than I remembered, but I did as I was told. I started to feel a little better.

  I took a few minutes to look around the room and just observe. Six desks were in this sectioned-off part of the room. This one and the one across from me, the furthest from the large screen, were devoid of anything personal. A wall of windows was on the side near me, and the other was a door that I thought was labeled conference room, but I was too far away to read the sign clearly.

  Above me there was a walkway that went around above my head and the wall where I thought the conference room was. The skylights that made up much of the ceiling were covered with snow.

  Savanas started giving Retanei a run down on the group that they were tracking. Ebony fingers turned the pages of a document she had been handed. Retanei nodded every so often and occasionally asked a question. Darius was still arguing with Rathal about something, but they were too far away for me to pick out pieces of their conversation. As long as they did not start pointing in my direction, I figured I was safe. Brad got off the phone and watched me. I wondered where Artemis had tucked herself away.

  Brad came back over and asked, “Confused by our small team and this big place?”

  I nodded, looking around. There should have been far more people here for the size of the building.

  He explained,
“I don’t know how long ago it was, but the main offices were here at one point. We haven’t needed anywhere near the number of personnel for just our branch, but I guess the Director didn’t want to let this place go to waste. It’s been kept up and upgraded over the years to continue to support us. It also becomes a training facility in the spring and fall. That’s when it gets chaotic and rather crowded.”

  The elevator dinged and an older Elf with fluffy, graying, sand-colored hair stepped off. He wore a white lab coat - I could not make out the dark blue embroidery over his left breast pocket. He looked around as if he was searching for something. Perhaps he did not come up to this floor often. Or maybe he was from the EAC, but they did not usually wear white lab coats.

  Brad had turned around to see who I was looking at and waved him over.

  The cup reappeared in front of me full again. Retanei stood over me, file in hand. I sighed, picking it up again.

  The man who had entered came up and introduced himself as Doctor Taron Uirebon, though he said that most of the others simply called him Doc. His gentle smile and voice were a stark contrast to the nauseating scent of blood and death that hung around him. Brad and Retanei returned to the rest of the group, leaving me alone with the doctor.

  Doctors made me nervous so I forced a smile and answered his questions. Most of my attention was on the screen waiting to connect for the conference call. It kept me from focusing too much on what Doc was doing.

  “When was the last time you ate?” Doc asked.

  It was an odd question after the ones more specific to my medical records, which I figured he was cross referencing on the tablet he carried.

  I paused, thinking about the question before responding, “When we stopped in Chained Lakes to refuel.” I had grabbed something quick that probably did not qualify as a meal. “I’m sorry to have made you to come up here.”

  “It’s not a problem, young lady. You are a breath of fresh air.” He stood up with some effort. “Sounds to me like you’re just running low.” Doc dug something out of his pocket and placed it in my hand. “Here, this should help for the moment, but you need a good meal and a full night’s sleep - not just a few hours of rest.”