The Gray Tower Trilogy: Books 1-3

by Alesha Escobar

  He wore a suit and tie, and had mahogany colored hair and a large nose. He waved at me while walking and nearly tripped. He quickly gathered his composure and closed in. “Isabella...you’re Bianca’s friend, are you not?”

  “Yes. Is there anything I could help you with?”

  He gulped and pushed up the bridge of his eyeglasses with his index finger. “Well...I’m Professor Kiaran Luka, and you see, I’ve discovered that her birthday is next week...and you know...”

  For an English professor, he was sure at a loss for words. “Are you asking me to tell you what kind of gift she would like?”

  “Yes...and it would be convenient...yes.”

  A smidgen of jealousy sparked in me. I couldn’t even remember the last time a guy was speechless over me like that. “Well, I have it on good authority that she loves anything with flowers. Good luck, professor.”

  He said something else, but I couldn’t hear him because the dinner bell rang and crescendoed across Tower grounds. I pretended that I heard him and nodded. With a goofy smile, he waved goodbye and headed off to the kitchens. I turned just in time to see the Master Mentalist, Leto Priya, along with his tracker, Mehara, drag in a man with a black hood over his head. I felt my heart clench as they took their prisoner toward the dungeon.

  Please...don’t let it be him, I pleaded in my mind.

  41

  I quickly reached out with my senses, sending a tendril of energy shooting toward them like an arrow. I felt around for any connection to the prisoner, for any identifying mark of his magic. What if this was my father being brought back from Cairo, the “abomination,” so they could execute him here, before the entire Order of Wizards?

  As soon as I formed the question in my mind, my vision went red and black as a searing headache gripped me. I dropped my wicker basket and buried my hands in my face to keep from screaming out.

  Back off, warned Master Priya’s voice in my head.

  I slowly pulled my magic away from the trio, angry and frustrated that Priya had used his mental powers to swat my probe away like an annoying fly. As if he were still reading my thoughts, he shot a glance at me and furrowed his brow. It made me shiver. I turned away and thought about one thing I did finally ascertain about the prisoner--he wasn’t a wizard. Whoever he was, he had probably spoken with or helped my father in some way, which meant that I needed to find out what he knew and how I could help him escape.

  But first, I needed to meet with Serafino at midnight, so he could reinforce my enchantment. I clung to the sapphire pendant, and with a queasy stomach, headed for the kitchens.

  I tucked myself away at a table in the patio area, where I could breathe the fresh air and ignore the cacophony of the rest of the eating area. When I saw Bianca enter, I waved her over. With a cola in one hand and a few pages of notes in the other, she came over with a smile and sat across from my seat.

  “What’s this?” I dipped my spoon into my bowl of soup and ate.

  “You need the Tower to hear you, to at least give you a chance, right?” She slid the notes over to me.

  I read through the first page, which explained how Tower law was formed and the process of instituting, changing, or even abolishing certain laws. “Thank you.”

  She pulled one of the roses from my wicker basket and smelled it. “Have you ever heard of a High Council meeting?”

  “No.”

  “That’s because it hasn’t been used in six hundred years.”

  I scanned the second page. “So it looks like whenever they needed to make an important decision or decree, they convened a High Council.”

  “And the issue with your dad counts as important, don’t you think?”

  “This could work,” I said, though a part of me said that if they knew the truth about me, and the mistakes I’ve already made, that no one would even want to “hear” anything from me and just call for my head.

  Bianca continued. “They don’t even need all of the Masters present, just those who are on Tower grounds at the time. If a little over half side with your cause, then you’re in a very good position.”

  “I’ll still need more information on how this works.”

  Maybe she’d get tired of doing the research or forget about this. I felt terrible accepting her help when part of me didn’t feel worthy of it. I wondered if the shadow figure would come back and if it could harm people around me. If it seized Casandra’s corpse, then what could it do to people who were alive?

  From the corner of my eye I saw a lean man in a white shirt and blue tie approach. His dark hair had been neatly brushed and I could already smell his cologne. With a grin, he pulled up a chair and sat at our table. “Ladies, I apologize for interrupting, but I just wanted to introduce myself.” He held out his hand, and only Bianca shook it as she told him her name.

  “We were having a private conversation,” I said.

  His smile never faltered. “My name is Paul Casey, and I’m the U.S. Ambassador to the Tower. You’re Isabella, right?”

  I wondered if he knew one of my connections back home and had recognized me. “What can we do for you, Mr. Casey?”

  “I know about the murders in France, and I appreciate the help you gave the FBI. I want you to know that I’ve already filed a formal complaint with the Tower.”

  “But what do you need from us?” I asked.

  He leaned in. “Isabella, you’ve confronted the culprit, and you were one of the last people to speak with Henry Smith. I need you, and a few friendly Tower wizards ready to dig their feet in and back me up. Master Pedraic has been the most helpful, but Master Priya hasn’t even responded to my complaint.”

  A flash of anger ran through me at hearing Priya’s name. “I’ll help.”

  “Thank you. If there’s anything I can do for you in return--”

  “I think the Tower frowns on ambassadors wheeling and dealing like this,” I said in a warmer tone.

  He chuckled. “I’ve only been here three years, but I already know there’s nothing but wheeling and dealing. They do us favors, and we return them by making phone calls to our presidents and heads of state, or whatever else they ask. Half the ambassadors here have a sister, a cousin or distant uncle that was trained here.”

  Yeah, and we were just one big happy family. “Well, I’ve got some work to finish at the apothecary, but rest assured you can count on me, Mr. Casey.”

  Bianca squealed. “I almost forgot to pick up my dress for the installment ceremony! Do you want me to grab yours from the tailor shop?”

  I shook my head. “I’ll do it. See you later.”

  “Okay, bye.” She waved goodbye to Paul and rushed toward the exit.

  “Goodnight, Isabella.” He held out his hand, and I finally shook it.

  “Goodnight, Mr. Casey.”

  “Please, call me Paul.” He stood and excused himself before joining some other ambassadors at another table.

  I grabbed the wicker basket and headed toward the exit. I rushed across to the apothecary. It stood next to the bank, which had already closed for the evening. The apothecary lights were already on, and the door was unlocked. I stepped inside and saw Cliff and Sadik mopping the floor.

  I closed the door behind me and locked it. “What are you two doing here? Shouldn’t you be in bed or something?”

  Cliff spoke up. “We...we got caught drinking the Sherry in the kitchens.”

  Sadik shot Cliff an accusatory glance, as if marking him as the mastermind behind the whole fiasco. I went over to the stove in the back and put on a pot of water to boil. I turned to face the boys and observed them. They seemed sober enough to me.

  “So, do you still need the rose pills? Master Bazyli sent me to make some.”

  Sadik hiccupped, and Cliff placed his right hand over his stomach. “Yes, please.”

  I grimaced. “I don’t think I’ve ever annoyed Bazyli half as much as you two did.”

  Sadik set his mop aside and grabbed a pen and paper. He scribbled something down and
handed it to me. I read the note and sucked in a quick breath. “How did you know I was planning on seeing the prisoner in the dungeon? Do you know who he is?”

  He may have been a mute, but it didn’t mean he lacked intelligence. I searched his eyes for any telling signs, and all I saw was fear.

  Cliff put on a pair of five-lens goggles and opened the formula book. He began plucking the petals from the roses and dropping them into a large bowl. “I can finish this, if you want.”

  “That’s a complex formula.”

  “And I’m a Philosopher.”

  “In-training,” I added. “You’ve both got a long way to go, kiddo.”

  Sadik tapped my arm and handed me another note. He apologized.

  “It’s all right. How are you even able to probe someone’s mind without them feeling it, and especially since my mind’s sealed? I’ve only seen Elite and Master Mentalists do it that well. And don’t you know it’s against Tower law to read other people’s minds like that?”

  He glanced in Cliff’s direction and wrung his hands. He probably thought he’d be punished with a beating or something. I wondered who gave him those scars on his neck and ear.

  Cliff spoke again. “I think sometimes he doesn’t understand how strong he is. You won’t tell Master Bazyli, will you?”

  Far be it from me to be the one ratting people out based on Tower law. “I won’t say anything, but don’t do it anymore, Sadik. It’s dangerous.”

  The young man let out a grateful sigh as he took up his mop and continued his chore. Cliff sifted the jade powder, which imparted healing, and added it to the boiling pot. Then he poured in an amber liquid from a vial, and finally, added the rose petals. He worked with such meticulous efficiency that I wondered if he had a secondary talent for alchemy. In any case, my thoughts turned toward the appointment I had to keep. I wasn’t sure if the sapphire enchantment would wear off as soon as midnight came around or if I’d have the entire fifth day at my disposal.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow. Just take two pills each and bring the rest to me at breakfast tomorrow.”

  Cliff broke out into a wide grin. “So you want to have breakfast with us?”

  I chuckled. “I’ll see you two in the morning. Goodnight, Sadik.”

  With that same worried look in his eye, he waved goodbye.

  I shrugged off the unease I felt at Sadik so easily reading my mind and left the apothecary. To my surprise, I spotted Father Gabriel engaged in conversation with the Master Alchemist. When Cathana saw me, she seemed a little caught off guard. She shook Father Gabriel’s hand and mouthed a “goodnight” to me as she began walking toward the Grand Hall.

  Gabriel turned toward me and approached. “Isabella, how are you?”

  “I’m well, Father. So how’s being a Vatican ambassador working out for you?”

  He wore an amused expression, apparently detecting the hidden accusation. “I think the Holy Father has more important matters to attend to than spying on the Order of Wizards.”

  “Yeah? We’ll see.”

  He shook his head. “It’s almost midnight. I’ll escort you to where you need to go.”

  “I’m perfectly safe on Tower grounds.” At least for the time being. I turned and headed toward the old Tower. I could see the top window, illumined by candlelight, and wondered if Serafino had sent Bazyli away.

  “Nevertheless, I’ll walk you,” he affirmed.

  I let him fall in step with me and studied his features. I still couldn’t believe he was twice my age, yet looked like a twenty year-old. I had once asked him if looking so young was a gift or ability of his. With my luck, I’d be dipping myself in youth creams and powders in twenty years.

  “Father, since you’re here, I might as well ask you something.”

  “What is it?”

  “You specialize in fighting Cruenti, but what about demons?”

  He gave me a bewildered look. “Are you having problems with one?”

  “I’ve had a run-in with one. His name is Ammon.”

  The priest grabbed my arm so quickly and with such a painful grip that I immediately reacted by pressing my other hand against his chest and wresting myself free. I positioned myself in a defensive stance, my heart pounding at high speed. “What the hell is your problem?”

  “What do you know about Ammon?” He looked just as troubled as I was.

  “I don’t know! That’s why I asked you. If I knew you’d go psycho over it, I wouldn’t have mentioned it.”

  “You’re in danger--”

  “Hey!” I backed away when he extended his hand toward me. “It’s taken care of. Father Maolán Martin did an exorcism.”

  “On you?” His eyes widened.

  “No! God, no. A woman...an acquaintance. I kind of stepped into the middle of it. I just wanted to know if Ammon ever came back, how to destroy him.” I still kept my distance; I hadn’t forgotten that Father Gabriel carried a sword--and was damned good at using it.

  He averted his gaze and folded his hands behind his back. When I heard the footsteps of several people approaching, I realized that our conversation had gotten out of hand. Three Elites, the same who had conducted security checks when I arrived, closed in on us.

  Anastasio didn’t bother to remove his optical goggles this time and spoke. “It’s too late for such commotion.” His gaze went between Father Gabriel and me. “Is he harassing you?”

  I shook my head. “No, we just...had a misunderstanding. It’s nothing.”

  “My apologies,” Gabriel added.

  “What are you two doing out here at midnight?” Anastasio asked.

  Midnight? I should’ve been at the Tower by now! I felt a tingling sensation in my chest, and I knew it was the sapphire pendant losing its potency. If I didn’t get out of here, I’d have the entire security team on me.

  “Is...there some kind of curfew?” I asked.

  Anastasio let out an irritated breath. “No, there’s no curfew except for Boetheos, but I wanted to know what you are doing out here with him this late at night.”

  “Hey buddy, he was out here with the Master Alchemist. Ask her. I have to go.” The tingling in my chest increased, and my heart began racing. I wondered how much of Maolán’s enchantment had broken down.

  “Anastasio,” a familiar Australian accent rang out in a clear voice. The Gatekeeper, Matthew, stalked toward us. “There’s something at the Gate that I want you to see.”

  Anastasio waved him off. “I’ll be with you shortly.”

  “Let me clarify my statement, mate. I want you to see it...now.”

  Anastasio cursed under his breath in Spanish. “Just go,” he said to Gabriel and me.

  As Anastasio and his men followed Matthew toward the Main Gate, I threw Father Gabriel one last glare before running like hell down the pathway to the Tower.

  “So,” Master Bazyli said as he shut the curtain to the Tower window, “when they execute us all for treachery...what would you like the epitaph on your headstone to say?”

  “He was a man of progress, and of learning. He was a smart man...but not smart enough.” Serafino Pedraic shut his spell book with an ominous thump, and his lips curled into a half-smile.

  I sat on the floor, with my legs folded beneath me. I pulled down my Apprentice’s hood and had already removed my jewelry. Ekwueme skirted the edge of the Transformation Circle which surrounded me. He prodded and fine-tuned the spell that would be the building block for the others.

  “Master,” I said to Ekwueme, “were you the third man who came that night when my father took me away?”

  His eyes caught the glow of the Transformation Circle and lit up like flames. “Yes, but you were a child then. You were more impressionable to the Veil.”

  He left the rest of his thoughts unsaid, though I had a pretty good idea of what they were. I was older, had already tasted my power as a Drifter, and with knowledge and memory I knew how to pull the Veil off.

  “How did you convince the other Master Wizards
that my father was the Drifter?”

  Ekwueme stopped pacing. “We manipulated certain projections so it seemed your father knew the future, even ahead of me. We were able to cast a Veil on you and enhance your secondary abilities as an alchemist, and we worked together to impart your father with superficial abilities mimicking a Drifter.”

  Bazyli grabbed a worn wooden cane by the door. He mumbled a few names and what sounded like a mathematical equation. He struck the floor with the tip of the cane five times and then a blast of wind, loaded with a spell, filled the room and penetrated the walls. I could feel it extending throughout Tower grounds.

  My expression fell, and my chest tightened. “Every wizard in the area must’ve felt that! Are you sure you aren’t trying to get me killed?”

  “Hmph.” Bazyli tossed the cane into a corner. “For your information, I set up a Circle of Protection and a web of deflections throughout the entire area, so the Circle can’t be detected. Only those stronger than me, of which there are only five, will be able to tell something’s off.”

  I let out a low breath. “Great, so at any moment five Master Wizards could come barging in here?”

  “I threw a little something in there to confuse their senses. They’ll unwind the web and find each other at the end of it. And, hopefully, before they track me, we’ll all be tucked into our beds. Now, are we ready to lay the Veil?”

  “Let’s begin.” Serafino rose from his seat. He stood in front of me, at the head of the Circle, while Ekwueme and Bazyli stood behind me, forming a triangle outside the Circle. I closed my eyes, and the memory of myself as a ten year-old girl flashed in my mind. The last time they had done this, my father was present, and his friend Veit Heilwig was alive and well.