“The limits of what is possible lay solely within the bounds of Lucy’s imagination. And combined with her magic—well, you experienced the results first hand.”
“Okay, so Lucy has some serious fire power at her disposal to protect herself from intrusions. Let’s shelve that for now. Why was she in Las Vegas, and when you said the other side found her first, what exactly does that mean?”
Cynthia pinched the bridge of her nose. “I can tell you what we know, the things we were able to piece together about that time.”
“Piece together? We’re the damn Paragon Society, how do we not know everything?” I asked, exasperated.
“Orson, while the Society wields immense power, it is not all-knowing,” said Ellen gently. “Lucy’s memory of that time is fragmented. When we found her, she had suffered incredible emotional damage. The healers did everything they could, but much of what was done to her was irreversible.”
“And yes,” Cynthia picked up the story. “We used all of our influence in the more mundane ways to gather the information, but Lucy’s history had been wiped clean.”
“What?” Elyse asked.
“Someone with vast resources had reached into every database and removed any trace of Lucy,” Cynthia explained.
“That’s some serious NSA stuff,” Wyatt said.
“And you need to remember,” Cynthia went on, “This was the year 1988, the digital revolution was over a decade away.”
“So, erasing somebody’s identity was a lot easier,” I finished for her.
Cynthia nodded.
“Do you guys even know why she was in Las Vegas?” I asked.
“Actually, the answer to that question is rather easy,” Cynthia replied.
I waited, but she didn’t elaborate.
“Ohhhh,” said Maddie, thinking it over.
“What?” Wyatt asked her, as in the dark as I was.
“If you didn’t know anything about the Society or magic, and then discovered all of a sudden that you could do stuff?” Maddie stopped and looked at Cynthia and Ellen. “How would her powers have first manifested? I mean, I was healing people and didn’t know it. I can only imagine what a battle-mage would be able to do.”
“Ohhhh,” Elyse said.
This was getting annoying. “Can someone fill me and Wyatt in, please? We’re still recovering from our magic-induced seizures.”
“Yeah,” Wyatt agreed.
Maddie swiveled her seat to look at Wyatt. “What did you do when you first figured out you could teleport?”
Wyatt’s face proceeded to give his red hair a run for its money. I knew most of the story, the kid had gone a little wild with the power.
“Ohhh,” I said, looking to Cynthia for confirmation. “Lucy found out she could do magic, probably something kinetic, and headed straight to Vegas. Wyatt, that table all the people were cheering around, remember?”
“It was a roulette table,” the kid muttered, still red as Rudolph’s nose.
“It’s a tale old as time,” Cynthia said.
Maddie and Elyse both stifled a giggle.
After glancing at the girl’s reaction with curiosity, Cynthia said, “The accumulation of wealth is the immediate aspiration of almost everyone who discovers the reality of magic, and then add to that the ability to make the magic work. I am sure you all get the idea.”
“What about the others?” Maddie asked.
“The others?” repeated Cynthia.
“You said ‘almost everyone’. I was just wondering if a person doesn’t go straight for the cash, what do they do instead?”
“Seek revenge on anyone who has wronged them,” Cynthia said, somberly.
“Oh,” Maddie said.
“So, Lucy went to Vegas, and from what we witnessed, ended up winning a pile of money,” I said. “Is that all you guys know?” I really hoped they had more than that to go on, because jumping back into Lucy’s memory without more information didn’t sound like a fun time.
“Actually we know just about everything that happened in Las Vegas over those two fateful days,” Cynthia said, using a remote to switch on the big screen TV that doubled as a computer monitor. “We have an eyewitness account.”
The video was taken in a hotel suite, the sparkling nighttime Vegas skyline visible through the giant windows. Even if the date and time hadn’t been stamped on the lower right, the square aspect ratio and quality of the image dated the video. After some shaky camera action, the person operating the thing finally got it stabilized and moved into the frame, sitting in a chair facing the camera.
“Hey,” said Wyatt. “That’s the dude who was with Lucy.”
It was the same guy all right. He looked tired, angry and just a little bit scared.
“Hello, my name is Morgan Crawford and if you’re watching this, then something bad probably happened to me.”
The kid, Morgan, paused and looked off camera, almost like he was making sure he was alone. After several long seconds he turned back. “The first thing you need to know, the first thing you must understand and accept, is that magic is real.”
My jaw dropped, Maddie sat up straighter, and Wyatt let out a huge snort.
Elyse summed it up perfectly when she said, “Well, that was unexpected.”
CHAPTER 10
Lucy was delighted to see Marcus and rushed into the room, pulling Penny behind her. Morgan continued to stand in the entryway, a frown on his face.
Lucy made a big show of introducing her friend. “Marcus, this is Penny. Penny, this is Marcus, our friend with the awesome connections.”
Marcus leaned over Penny’s outstretched hand, giving it a gentle kiss and making her giggle. “Penny, a pleasure.”
“Nice to meet you Marcus” Penny said, silently mouthing ‘gorgeous’ to Lucy over Marcus’ head. “Thank you for the bitchin’ room upgrade and the line of credit. We have won sooo much money.”
“Really?” Marcus said, gesturing for the girls to sit down and pouring them each a glass of champagne.
“I didn’t know you were coming to Vegas,” Morgan said, still standing in the entryway.
“I certainly had not planned on it, but when I saw the news reports about a wild animal loose at the hotel, well, I left Bel Air immediately to check on you and these lovely ladies.”
“Really?” said Morgan, doubtfully. “How did you get here so fast? The news vans didn’t show up until about an hour ago, right around the time the cops said it was an animal control situation.”
Marcus’ eyes flicked to Morgan. “Private jet,” he said, dismissively.
“A private jet would still take almost an hour and a half. Do you have your own private F-16?”
“Sheesh, rude much?” said Lucy. “Stop pestering Marcus with questions, he came all this way just to check on us.”
“Yes, Morgan, please come and sit down, have a glass of champagne,” Marcus said, flashing the same grin. “From your attire, I assume the three of you were enjoying the pool when the incident occurred?”
“Yes, and it was butt-crazy,” said Penny. “They think it was a tiger escaped from one of the magic shows.”
“It wasn’t a tiger,” Morgan said, finally moving from the door, but instead of joining Lucy and Penny on the couch, he chose a chair outside of the intimate seating that Marcus had corralled the girls in.
Lucy glanced at Morgan. He was sitting so stiffly in his chair, like he might need to bolt for safety at any moment—what was his problem?
Marcus poured a fourth glass of champagne and held it out for Morgan, who shook his head. Marcus paused, his grin faltering, and he stared intently at Morgan who stared right back.
What the heck was Morgan doing? It was like he was jealous or something.
Uh-oh.
Was that it? Was stupid Morgan jealous? Lucy wanted to throw something at him.
Marcus’s grin returned. He placed the glass on the edge of the table closest to where Morgan was sitting and eased back into his chair. “So, tell m
e all about the tiger,” Marcus said, dramatically.
Lucy took a sip of champagne, the bubbles tickling her nose. “I think Morgan may have a point when he says it wasn’t a tiger. It seemed way bigger. And the splash it made was like an explosion.”
“Really,” said Marcus. “Did the animal fall from a great height? My contacts in law enforcement say the working theory is that an animal, possibly a tiger, either jumped or was thrown from a balcony.”
Morgan snorted.
Lucy stared daggers at him.
Marcus asked Morgan, “Do you have something to add, Morgan?”
“How exactly would somebody ‘throw’ a tiger? And as for jumping, there are no balconies close enough. The pool is too far from the building.”
“Well then, what do you think happened?” Marcus asked.
“I have no idea. I just know it wasn’t a tiger or a bear, or any other kind of animal. It was big, and I know it sounds crazy but it had . . . “
Morgan obviously wasn’t willing to say what he was thinking.
“Tentacles?” Lucy offered.
Morgan leaned forward. “You saw it too?”
Lucy nodded.
“Tentacles? That sounds very out of the ordinary,” said Marcus. He scooted forward, setting his glass down. “Tell me every detail you remember.”
“You believe us?” Morgan asked.
“It seems that both of you saw the exact same odd detail. That would suggest that what you witnessed was certainly not a tiger. How about you, Penny, did you notice tentacles or anything else out of the ordinary?”
Penny’s mouth was hanging open. “You guys really saw tentacles? Like an octopus?”
Yeah,” said Lucy. Morgan nodded.
Penny shivered and folded her arms. “I guess I was too busy being scared and running for my life, I didn’t see anything weird.”
“You all must forgive my manners,” said Marcus, standing up. “You have had a harrowing ordeal, you are still in your pool clothes, and here I am prattling on. Please, all of you need a long soak in a hot shower. While you’re doing that I’ll order a room service feast. We will continue our conversation while we eat.”
Marcus didn’t get any objections. Luckily the suite came equipped with three showers. Lucy stood under the shower head, letting the hot water beat down on her shoulders and base of her neck. She wasn’t crazy, Morgan had seen the tentacles too. She wondered if he had also seen Mr. Muscles’ monster claws. In her mind’s eye she replayed the last few seconds from the pool. She had seen a tentacle grab Mr. Muscles and drag him violently toward a mouth full of really pointy-looking teeth, but according to the news nobody had been killed. So what had happened to Mr. Muscles and the redheaded kid who had been with him? Heck, what had happened to the tentacle-monster? According to all reports the only sign that anything had happened at the pool was all the missing water and the banged-up people.
Lucy wasn’t sure if she should say anything about Mr. Muscles. He was clearly some kind of shape-shifter, which meant that Marcus would probably believe her, but what about Morgan and Penny? They had been right alongside her as her winning streak continued to snowball, but magic ritual baths were one thing. People who could turn into monsters were quite something else.
And then there was her reaction by the pool for her to consider. Lucy had wanted to stop running, to turn and face the danger, to protect her friends and the other people. It hadn’t just been a fleeting thought, but a feeling deep down in her gut. It reminded her of the one time she’d actually lost it.
Lucy had been ten or maybe eleven, in fifth grade, and Jason had just started kindergarten. Morgan came running up shouting about some older boys picking on Jason. Lucy had turned into a raving, bat-shit crazy person, finding her brother crying, the knees of his little-dude Levis scuffed up, the two sixth graders responsible still standing nearby laughing. Lucy had attacked them like a rabid dog, using her fists, feet and nails to claw and to bite. It took Morgan and three of her other friends to pull her off the boys. Two things happened after the fight. Lucy had been suspended—zero tolerance policy—and no one ever screwed with her brother again, not in elementary school and not in middle school.
It was that same fierce feeling of protection that flared in Lucy at the pool that afternoon. She felt like not only should she be protecting the frightened, scrambling tourists, but also, and maybe even more importantly, Mr. Muscles and the redhead. Why? They were strangers to Lucy. Why would she have those feelings? Maybe Marcus could help explain it?
No!
Lucy jumped, almost slipping on the wet tile of the shower. It sounded like somebody in the bathroom shouted the word, but Lucy could see she was alone.
“You’re losing it Maddox, totally.”
Lucy took the time to blow-dry her hair and put make-up on. Marcus was out in the living room and she wasn’t about to go out there without taking the time to look her best. She slipped into a denim Guess mini-skirt, an oversized sweater, and finished off the ensemble with a pair of red Reeboks. Lucy checked herself in the mirror and smiled, she looked good.
When Lucy walked back into the living room, the first thing she checked was Penny’s clothing choice—white Calvin Klein jeans and an Esprit t-shirt—she looked good too, but Lucy looked better.
“What took you so long?” Morgan said. “The food is getting cold.”
Lucy stuck her tongue out at him and pulled it back in before Marcus turned around. Marcus took his time looking at her, his eyes scrutinizing every detail. Lucy felt her neck flush, Marcus just smiled.
“Please Lucy, join us,” Marcus gestured at a room service trolley filled with food. “Your friends have been telling me all about how successful you’ve been at the gaming tables.”
Lucy loaded a plate with chicken fingers. She wasn’t a shy eater and she was hungry. “Yeah, it’s been super-awesome. The ritual bath has proven to be the real deal.”
“Penny, are you familiar with the concept of ritual baths and aura infusing?” Marcus asked, politely.
“Oh yeah, my aunt was at Woodstock,” Penny said easily, as if a hippy aunt was all one needed to understand the ins and outs of magic. “She’s totally into all that crystal energy, aura, New Age stuff.”
Marcus laughed. “Penny, you are a delight.”
Penny batted her eyes at the compliment. Lucy tore a chicken finger in two, her eyes narrowing at Penny’s reaction.
“I’m curious, Morgan, how has your luck been?” Marcus asked.
Morgan choked on the French fry he had just popped in his mouth. Penny reached over and slapped him on his back. Morgan got his hacking under control and after a large gulp of Pepsi he stammered, “It seems like Lucy’s got the touch this trip. We all started betting as a group, so we’ve all won.”
“But it’s Lucy who has picked the winning numbers?” said Marcus.
“Well, technically speaking, yes,” Morgan was looking everywhere except at Marcus or Lucy.
“Are you all right?” Lucy asked.
“Yeah,” Morgan barked. “I’m fine. I’m good. Everything’s good.”
“Really?” said Penny. “Because you’re totally buggin’ “
Morgan was acting so weird. Lucy did her best to catch his eye, but he was avoiding looking at her.
Whatever.
Lucy said, “Marcus, we can’t thank you enough for teaching us about all of this, it’s totally worked, beyond what I—that we imagined.”
“Yes,” said Marcus. “That’s the thing, you see. Ritual baths, when done correctly, do draw prosperity. But what you’ve experienced, the amount of your winnings, it is unusual.”
“Unusual? How?” Lucy asked, the image of the creepy old woman from her bathroom popping into her head. “I don’t want things to be unusual. I just want regular, old, normal magic.”
Marcus chuckled. “There is nothing to worry about. When I say unusual, I mean that something seems to have super-charged the basic spell you and Morgan performed. I think it has
to do with what we discussed the last time we met. You, Lucy, have a natural affinity to magical energy.”
“Cool,” said Penny. “Does that mean she can do more stuff? Ooh, how about a love spell?”
Morgan fumbled his can of Pepsi, sloshing soda onto his Levis.
“You’re such a spaz, tonight,” Penny teased.
Lucy’s brain was spinning. This was what she wanted, to learn more magic. There had to be more to it than just ritual baths. And if Marcus thought she had an affinity maybe he would agree to teach her some more.
Lucy leaned in toward Marcus. “Do you think I can do more stuff? I mean magic?”
“Most certainly so,” said Morgan. “And I think it best if I personally assess your current ability.”
“How?” Lucy asked.
“I’m going to take you gambling and observe.”
“Bitchin’,” Penny said, dropping her plate on the table and slipping her feet into a pair of green Jellies. “Where are we headed?”
“Oh dear, I should have been more clear,” said Marcus. “I need to see Lucy in action, observe how her aura reacts to the situation, and as you can imagine it takes quite a bit of concentration. I’m afraid that it will have to be just the two of us this time.”
Penny frowned and slumped back into the sofa. “Oh.”
Lucy wanted to pinch herself. Marcus was taking her out on a date. He may be calling it an assessment or whatever, but the two of them were going out alone and that was her definition of a date
Morgan, who had been very quiet since almost spilling his Pepsi, broke his silence. “Wait, you want to take Lucy out and leave us here? What are we supposed to do? And are we all forgetting about the thing in the pool, the thing with tentacles? That was sooo not normal. It was like Twilight Zone level of not normal.”
“Morgan, this is Las Vegas, I’m sure you can find a way to amuse yourselves.” Marcus said, standing to leave. “As for the incident at the pool, I think letting the proper authorities handle it is probably for the best. I will, of course, pass along what you and Lucy have shared with me. It’s just the idea of something with tentacles in the desert—it will probably be dismissed as the result of panic and adrenaline.
Lucy: A Paragon Society Novel (Book 3) Page 10
