The Gray Tower Trilogy: Books 1-3

by Alesha Escobar

  I gazed across the room and was startled to see Chief Valentin present. I wondered if he wanted to grab me and throw me out of the country because of the battle at the police station. He wore his pristine uniform, shiny black shoes, and he gave me a gracious nod when he saw me. He approached and held out his hand.

  “Is this some kind of trick?” My eyebrows shot up.

  He shook his head. “I believe this is called, thank you for saving my life...and my son’s. If you hadn’t gotten us out of that station when Zurek and Grom attacked, we would be dead.”

  “So...you don’t blame me for the mess at the station?”

  “I was the one who invited them without thinking they would act without restraint. I know we may not agree on this war, or you may not like me--but I’m not an ungrateful brute. For tonight, at least, I’ll not say or do anything about you and your wizard army. Let me know how it turns out, if you survive.”

  I finally shook his hand. “How’s your son?”

  He sighed. “He told me that he wants to pursue painting.”

  We both chuckled. “Thank you.”

  “I’ll be going now.” He whispered a goodbye to Brande and headed toward the exit.

  “Before we go down to teleport,” Brande whispered in my ear, “there’s one last thing we need to take care of.”

  I nodded, assuming I would have to address the large group and assure them that I wasn’t crazy or evil. “All right...”

  We passed a few familiar faces, snaking our way through the crowd. He brought me into the dining area where the large table stood. My chest tightened when I saw who sat there: Cathana Erin (the Master Alchemist), Master Moreau, Neal Warren--who technically was a Master Wizard since he had been promoted right before the Tower fell--and Ekwueme, the last of The Three.

  Cathana’s husband, Joran, stood nearby. I saw Gregory outside the entrance, but he couldn’t make it any closer because of the tight crowd. I spotted Izsak with his notes in hand, his gaze roving the crowd. Father Gabriel and Mehara stood next to each other, watching with a sense of unease. Joshua Morton stood near the back with a frown on his face, and Samson Grom gazed at us from a corner, observing us with his bright eyes. A part of the group behind me made room when my father approached, Cliff and Sadik by his side. The multitude of voices had fallen to hushed whispers and finally silence. I drew in a deep breath and sat across from the Master Wizards. I felt Brande’s strong hand on my shoulder as he stood behind me.

  Ekwueme sat up straight and addressed me in his Nigerian accent. “Isabella, the wizards here tonight have agreed to accompany you to the Den on one condition. If you accept, then you will have your army. If not, most of them will depart. Do you understand?”

  I spoke in a firm voice, though my hands were shaking. “I understand.”

  Cathana Erin, the Master Alchemist, ran a hand through her red hair and cleared her voice. “We have spoken with several wizards who know you personally. We have weighed your character and good deeds against the mistake you made. In order to ensure that the mission is not compromised, we need a failsafe.”

  My shoulders tightened, and I forced myself to continue meeting her gaze. The suggestion didn’t sound any less threatening when she said it in her Irish accent. I was beginning to see where this was headed. “And what sort of failsafe are you asking for?”

  Neal Warren spoke up. “One of us must place a heart-bind on you.”

  The room broke out into a flurry of whispers, and I turned to look over my shoulder. The crowd was so large that not everyone could fit into the dining area. I saw a line of wizards leading out of the door and filling up the hallway, even a few heads poking out of the open door of the room across from us. I turned back around and faced Neal. “And what’s the condition of the heart-bind?”

  Master Moreau folded his hands. “That you will fight by our side and not betray us, and that you’ll not make any concessions or agreements with our enemies--both natural and supernatural.”

  I felt Brande’s hand tighten on my shoulder, and I heard my father move closer toward me from behind. I straightened my back, determined not to show fear. “Before I accept, may I ask who will be the one placing the bind on me?”

  Cathana’s gaze went straight toward Brande. “Obviously certain people here are not fit for the job.”

  Neal eyed Cathana. “And neither should we give the task to someone unfairly antagonistic toward Isabella.”

  The Master Alchemist nodded and said in her Irish accent, “Agreed. But who here is truly neutral in this matter?”

  Father Gabriel stepped forward. “I’m not a member of the Order of Wizards, therefore I’m not swayed by the biases that many of you have been ingrained with concerning the Drifter. I would be fair and honest.”

  I gave the Master Wizards a hopeful gaze. I trusted Father Gabriel.

  Neal observed the priest for a few moments. “With all due respect, we have already determined that a member of the Order should take on this responsibility.”

  I glared at Neal. “Master Warren, I think...”

  Neal winked at me. “I should place the bind on you.”

  I smiled at Neal. He was a fiercely loyal person, and I knew he’d do everything in his power to help me succeed so that he wouldn’t even have to enact the bind--if it ever came to that.

  Cathana snorted. “Can we at least choose someone with moral integrity? Master Warren busies himself with womanizing, opium, and purchasing dangerous items off the black market. Is this the type of person we want to do the binding?”

  Neal smirked. “And how, exactly, do those prevent me from placing or enacting the heart-bind?”

  I crossed my arms and let out a frustrated breath. “What about Master Ekwueme?”

  All eyes turned toward him. He leaned back in his seat and rubbed his chin. “If I am chosen to do this, Isabella, I will enact the bind if I need to. I will not be hindered by pity or emotional attachment.”

  Ekwueme had known me since I was eight years old. He was among the original group of wizards that had helped my father train and protect me. At the same time, he was the one who had contrived the Blue Door. He had always simultaneously saved my life and prepared for my death. I supposed if I wanted anyone to hold me under a heart-bind for this situation, it would be Ekwueme. He would do what needed to be done with impartiality, but I also trusted that he wouldn’t enact the bind out of irrational emotion.

  Master Moreau raised his right hand, gesturing to the other Masters that he had something to say. I wondered how much Scotch he had guzzled down after I left him in his office. “Master Ekwueme, you’re our highest ranking wizard...you’re one of The Three. You’ll especially be a target of the enemy, and our wizards will often look toward you for leadership during this battle. Will you even have the presence of mind to manage all this while monitoring Isabella? Whoever places the heart-bind on her must stay at her side.”

  Cathana arched an eyebrow. “I have an entire group of wizards to lead during the raid. I wouldn’t be able to do it. How about you, Master Moreau?”

  Moreau gave an incredulous laugh. “Me? No.”

  Cathana gestured toward him. “I think you’ve been rather even-handed with Isabella. You’re not attached to her, but neither do you fear or hate her. As you’ve just said, whoever has this task must remain at her side, his sole job to monitor her. I think you could do it.”

  An image of Moreau drinking Scotch and crying over heart-binds flashed through my mind. I grimaced and was about to speak up, but Moreau beat me to it. “I can’t do it. Besides, I need to be here with the talisman.”

  “Felix,” my father seemed to be looking directly at Moreau. “I’m skilled in enchantments. If you would choose to go, I could take care of the talisman and ensure its stability. As much as I would like to join you all on the other side...a blind man will only hinder you. Let me be of use to you all by stabilizing the talisman.”

  Neal leaned forward. “I agree with Carson. Let Moreau do the binding and
stay at Isabella’s side.”

  Ekwueme looked neither relieved nor disappointed. “I have no objections to the choice of Moreau.”

  Cathana folded her hands. “Well, what do you say, Master Moreau? Time to get out of the embassy and join the fray, old friend.”

  Moreau eyed my father. “Carson, are you sure about this?”

  My dad nodded. He probably didn’t like the idea of Ekwueme being the one, although I thought he was probably the best choice. “Yes, Felix.”

  Moreau sighed. “Very well, then. I’ll do my part.”

  69

  “If you enact the heart-bind when it’s unnecessary--I’ll destroy you.” Brande would probably still blast Moreau away for enacting the heart-bind, even if he was within his rights to do so. He watched Moreau place a quivering hand over my heart. His fingers were warm and sweaty.

  Moreau gulped. “Mr. Drahomir, I will do my best. Isabella, repeat the oath.”

  “I promise to aid my fellow wizards against Octavian and his coven. I will not betray them, flee, or accept any offers made by either Octavian or Ammon.”

  Tendrils of energy spun forth from Moreau’s hand and pressed into my chest. When I felt my heart speed up a few paces, and then my chest tighten, I knew the heart-bind had been completed. I glanced at each of the Master Wizards present as witnesses. The other wizards had already gone to prepare for the teleportation.

  I looked into Moreau’s eyes. “Do you still question if you’re making a mistake with me?”

  He gave a weak smile. “Prove to me that I’m not.”

  Cathana rose from her seat and addressed me. “We’ll see you down in the basement.”

  Neal stood with Cathana. “Your father should have the talisman ready in a few minutes.”

  Moreau followed Neal and Cathana out of the dining area, and Ekwueme stood gazing at me. I could tell something was bothering him, but trying to get him to discuss his feelings would be as easy as wrestling a grizzly bear.

  “I’ll...group the wizards into their teams.” He turned and left.

  Brande pulled me into a fierce hug. I gave him a soft kiss and leaned my head against his chest. Despite how many things were going wrong, I felt that this was at least one thing I had done right. He would always stand with me, even if the entire world was against me. I smiled up at him. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  His eyes were sad, but his voice was firm. “I’ll make sure you’ll never have to find out.”

  My father set the talisman in the center of the room with a delicate hand. The room vibrated with a burst of magical energy as the teleportation spell was activated. Cliff and Sadik eyed the talisman with amazement, and Izsak and Joshua Morton sat in the corner, watching with interest. My father stood upright. “Nikon, do all the teams have their maps of the Den’s interior?”

  She had just stepped into the room and wore a shocked expression at how easily he had detected her. She slowly approached and stood next to my father. “They do. However, I’m afraid, despite my best efforts, I still cannot communicate to you all about the exterior.”

  Just like those initiated into the Order of Wizards, those initiated into Octavian’s coven were bound by a magical enchantment that was the equivalent of a blood oath, which prevented them from communicating the whereabouts of their respective headquarters. We couldn’t tell people the country, city, street, or even the exterior physical description of the Gray Tower, and the same held for those who had been inside the Den.

  Praskovya had been able to draw up maps for our teams earlier so we could study the Den’s interior layout and strategize. The entranceway of the Den led to an inner courtyard with an enchanted pool. The purpose of the pool was to wash off blood, residual magic, and neutralize curses. A long hallway led from the inner courtyard where on the right stood the main control room which also doubled as a security station. At the end of the hall was the pantry and canteen.

  A second hallway, breaking off between the main control room and pantry, led to storage rooms, an armory, and the living quarters of the warlocks staying there. An elevator near the south storage room could take one to either the lower level--where a detention area and a place called the Sanctuary stood--or the upper level, where Octavian’s “throne room” was. If our raid proved successful and we destroyed our enemies, we would make it back down to the inner courtyard, where the swirling enchanted pool stood. It would be our gateway back over here.

  My father scratched his salt and pepper beard. “As agreed upon, Cathana will use her team to commandeer the main control room and move on toward the storage area and armory. Brande’s team will support Cathana’s and take out the warlocks on that level. From there, they can take the elevator to the lower level. The prisoners will be in the detention area.”

  My stomach tightened at the mention of the detention area. That was where my mom, brother, sister-in-law, and several other innocent people were being held. When Octavian had infiltrated and attacked the Gray Tower, he had taken several prisoners, including Master Ovidio, the head of the Order of Wizards, and Master Edom, one of The Three. My friend Bianca had days left before the next full moon--and then she’d be sacrificed as part of a Cruenti initiation ceremony. The thought of the fear and abuse the prisoners must’ve been enduring made me angry. I clenched my fists, and Brande wrapped his arm around my shoulder. He leaned in and spoke. “I will make sure your family and the others are freed and taken back to safety.”

  I whispered back to him. “I know you will.”

  My father addressed me. “Isabella, when Brande’s team breaks off and heads to the detention area, promise me you’ll let them do their job. I know you want to go straight to Mary and Johnnie and the others, but it’s crucial that your team goes upward and assaults the throne room.”

  I faced my father. “I’ll stick with the plan, Dad. Don’t worry.”

  My father looked pleased. “Good. And Felix...thank you, for doing this. And you as well, Nikon.”

  Moreau stood next to my father, reaching over and patting my dad’s shoulder. “Thank me when this is all over, Carson.”

  “You’re welcome,” Praskovya said, inclining her head toward my dad. I couldn’t help but imagine her biting down on that L-tablet. Then, I thought of the one she had given me. Despite my protests and talks about hope, fear had compelled me to lodge the second L-tablet in my mouth.

  It would be my last resort. My very last resort.

  “Gregory, would you please have Cathana’s team step inside?” My father gestured toward Gregory, who stood just outside the doorway. He nodded toward my dad and began ushering in the wizards on Cathana’s team.

  A large group broke off from the crowd in the hallway and filed into the training room. There were over sixty people in this first group, all a mix of Tower and Vatican wizards. Cathana Erin and her husband, the nature wizard Joran Macaskill, were at the head of the group. Their voices hushed when the chalk lines running along the floor glowed with a bright blue light. My father exhaled a breath and stiffened his spine as he made a circular motion with his right hand. The glowing lines along the floor flared beneath Cathana’s group, and they were teleported in an instant.

  Cliff and Sadik gasped. They stood near my father, knowing good and well he wouldn’t allow them to teleport. They had conducted themselves well and made it this far with us, but they were still seventeen year-olds. If Cliff and Sadik were at all disappointed, then they didn’t show it. They looked mesmerized by the spells my father cast. I glanced over and saw Izsak scribbling furiously in his notebook, and Joshua Morton looked like he wanted to jump through and teleport. I could imagine him arguing with me about it. He’d say something like, “I brought the bloody talisman here. I should be able to go...” I shook my head at him as a warning, and he frowned.

  My dad called Brande’s group next, and Gregory once again ushered them in. The second group was double the size of Cathana’s. They all entered and positioned themselves within the markings laid out on
the floor. Some of them let out nervous chuckles at being so tightly squeezed together so they could all fit. I saw Thierry, the wizard who had sparred with me, among them. He gave me a curt nod. With a sigh, I turned and threw myself into Brande’s arms one last time, giving him a heartfelt kiss before stepping aside. The same light that had enveloped Cathana’s group shot up beneath Brande and his wizards. Then, they were gone.

  My father made his circular hand motion again, controlling the flow of the talisman’s power. He steadied his hand, and in doing so, leveled the teleportation spell. “Isabella, Felix, Nikon, Neal, Ekwueme, Mehara, and Father Gabriel. It’s time.”

  Praskovya, Neal, Ekwueme, and Mehara went over and positioned themselves around the talisman. Father Gabriel followed, wearing black fatigues like the rest of us, his silver sword slipped into a back sheath. I approached my dad and gave him a kiss on the cheek, careful not to disturb his concentration on the talisman. I pulled out a velvet satchel and handed it to Cliff--Brande’s and my rings. “Keep these safe until we get back?”

  Cliff threw his arms around me. “We will. Be careful.”

  Sadik looked worried. “I wish we could come.”

  “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be okay. As soon as I recognize where we are over there, I’ll let you know.” I tapped my temple to remind Sadik about our mental link. Moreau said if Sadik directed his mental communication toward me through the energy of the teleportation, he’d be able to keep up a steady link with me, even if I were hundreds of miles away. I had only known of the most powerful Mentalists doing something like that without aid, like Master Priya, who had mentally summoned Neal to join him in Cairo, Egypt, even though Neal had been in London.

  I let out a deep breath and went over to join Father Gabriel and the others. Master Moreau came and stood at my side. He startled me when he grabbed my hand and squeezed it. I couldn’t tell if he was offering a gesture of encouragement or if he was afraid to be separated from me. He knew that if he failed at his task, that there’d be hell to pay.