Conjuring

by Ciara Graves

  Agnes stepped away as I spun the staff around, wielding it as I had my other one. I rested the end against the floor, and I frowned.

  “How am I supposed to use two staves?”

  “You can’t. You’ll have to decide which one works better for you.”

  “But you told me this one is only for a necromancer.”

  “I lied,” she said simply. “The staff you had crafted for yourself is capable of helping you with both paths. Yes, I lied about that too, so move on.” She waved at me when I opened my mouth to question her. “However, this one is already used to carrying the load of two paths. Its attuned to the path of a necromancer and a frost mage, but it is not attuned to you. There could be some obstacles along the way.”

  “Bad ones?”

  “Won’t know until you use it.”

  “And I’m assuming you want me to use it sooner rather than later? To avoid these obstacles happening when I need my powers most.”

  She nodded. “That’d be ideal. Only if you choose to carry this staff instead of your own.” She fell silent as she closed the case and watched me spin the staff around that belonged to my dad.

  It belonged with me, that’s what she said, and the easy way it rested in my hands told me I should use this one, but as right as it felt, I hesitated. He’d been a great necromancer. Did I want to be known for my necromancy, though? The part of me that scared me half to death to see again?

  “Now then, onto our next order of business. Moran has asked me to find a way for you to reach your balance.”

  “Please tell me you have a way to help.” I cringed.

  “I do, but it will be far from simple, and you may not like what you see.”

  “Meaning what? Agnes, what do you want me to do here?”

  She walked around the armory until she was back at the door, holding her hands together in front of her. “Necromancy is a touchy path to follow for one power, let alone balancing that magic with the unpredictable elemental ways of a mage.” She reached for Dad’s staff.

  I handed it over to her without question.

  She ran her hand over the top, smiling softly as if remembering the day she crafted it. “He learned over time to embrace that side of him. To accept it. In turn, he changed it, instead of letting it affect him negatively.”

  “Okay, but how do I do that,” I asked again, started to get agitated at her lack of a straight answer.

  “You would have to ask him.”

  I looked at her like she’d gone crazy. “Seriously?”

  “You are a necromancer,” she reminded me, tossing me Dad’s staff. “So speak to the dead.”

  “I can’t do that.”

  “There’s a lot you can do if you would only trust yourself. Trust the magic that runs through your veins. Trust your team. Your companions to be there for you just as you have been there for them.” She squeezed my shoulder then rested her hand on my head in blessing. “Have faith, Rori. That’s the key. For you to reach the spirit of your father, you must enter the void where all souls go when they pass.”

  “I got that, but how?”

  “You must find the door between our world and theirs, use the connection you three carry. They will be your tether back home.”

  “And how do I find him when I get there?”

  She nodded to the staff. “Carry this with you, and you’ll find him. Now, I suggest you use the temple. It should be nice and soothing in. Perfect for you to get to that specific state of mind. Do not tarry there for long,” she warned. “And remember, all you see there are dead. They cannot return with you.”

  “I thought the whole point of being a necromancer was to raise the dead?” I challenged.

  “Rori, listen to me,” Agnes said sternly, her eyes were glowing in warning. “The cycle of life and death is precious. You can raise the dead, but returning a soul to a body buried beneath the ground is a fate worse than death. Those souls that have died must remain so, or you will disrupt the natural order. Do you understand me?”

  I sighed, scratching the idea that had been forming in my mind to bring Dad back. “I do.”

  “Good. I suggest you three get a move on. I will see you in the morning.”

  Then she was gone.

  “Well, guess I’m going to the void. Sounds exciting,” I said trying to keep a smile on my face even as my hands shook. “I don’t think I can do this.”

  “You’re not alone,” Brogan reminded me. “We won’t let you get stuck there.”

  “Good to know. Chas? Why do you look so worried?”

  His brow was furrowed, and he was growling quietly. “From what I’ve heard, when someone’s in the void, they can’t hear anything back where their physical body is. If anything happens on this side, we won’t be able to reach you.”

  “What’s the worst that could happen?” I clutched Dad’s staff in my hands and after taking a deep breath, decided there was no time like the present.

  I had no idea where the temple was, but Chas said he would take us there if I was sure I was ready to do this. There was no other choice. The pressure was on for me to get a hold of my power and either figure out a way to use it, or decide to only walk one path.

  The entire walk, carrying Dad’s staff, I sensed his presence with me, which I took as a good sign. If I felt him already, then finding his soul in the void would be easy. I hoped. The temple space was near the rear of the outpost and was such a sheer contrast from the steel and stone of the rest of the outpost, I thought for a second we’d been transported somewhere else.

  “This is beautiful.” I turned slowly as I entered the area, taking in the yellow and red flowers on vibrant green vines crawling up the columns. Soft grass and moss covered the ground at our feet. At the center was a small pond with a large cushioned seat.

  “Get comfortable. That’s going to be the key to you getting enough focus to get to the void,” Chas told me.

  “Right.” I handed Dad’s staff to Brogan and kicked out of my boots, then peeled off my socks, too, wanting to feel the grass beneath my feet.

  Brogan handed Dad’s staff over and kissed my cheek. “You’ve got this.”

  Chas and Brogan stepped over the water to the stone platform in the center of the pond. Chas reached back to help me hop over to join them.

  The nervous energy coming off Chas made me pause, but he said nothing and motioned for me to have a seat.

  “Should one of you come with me?” I asked suddenly as I sat cross-legged on the cushion.

  “Can we?” Brogan asked.

  “Agnes didn’t say we couldn’t,” Chas said slowly. “But I’m not sure if it’s a good idea.”

  “Why not?”

  “Whoever goes with you will be riding along your power, meaning they’ll be able to see into your mind. Do you want one of us inside your head like that?” Chas raised a brow.

  He had a point, and I shook my head. “Not particularly.” I settled Dad’s staff to my right, unsure if I would need it for an extra power boost, snapped my fingers and summoned my staff, placing it alongside Dad’s. Seeing how similar they were brought a sad smile to my face, knowing I’d never get the chance to fight side-by-side with him. “Think I’m ready.”

  Chas and Brogan sat on either side of me as I closed my eyes, focusing on Dad and the void. Agnes had not given me any specific instructions, so I cleared my mind the best I could, then drew on my necromancer powers. Immediately the shadow was there, telling me I shouldn’t do this, that I should trust it and be done with this. Its voice grew louder and louder, and when I yelled for it to shut up, a loud crack sounded.

  I winced as power crackled along the staves and into me.

  “Rori?” Brogan asked worried, reaching out.

  “Damn. I’m alright,” I told him, glaring at the staves. “I’m fine. It's being difficult.”

  “It?”

  “Shadow me,” I muttered and shut my eyes again, blocking out their breathing and the quiet argument they were having. “You know i
f you two could shut up, that’d be great,” I said when it kept going.

  They fell silent immediately, but the tension in the room had risen.

  I scrunched my eyes tighter, focusing only on my breathing. My hand moved on its own, reaching out for Dad’s staff. My fingers closed around the cool metal, and a jolt shot through my body as a door appeared in my mind.

  “I see a door,” I whispered. “I think this is the void.”

  “Can you step through?” Brogan asked.

  I reached for it in my mind, but the door slipped out of sight before I could. “Lost it. I don’t think I’m strong enough on my own.”

  “We’ll give you a boost.” Chas placed his hand on my left shoulder as Brogan did the same to my right.

  I gasped at the sudden influx of power flowing through my veins and latched onto the steady flow of power running from one of us to the other. Around and around in an endless circle.

  The door burst to life with glowing color this time, and I stepped forward, ready to push through.

  Until I sensed another presence in my mind. Two actually.

  Brogan and Chas were both here, about to go through the door with me.

  I remembered what Chas said, and suddenly the last thing I wanted was for Brogan to know whatever was going on inside my head.

  The door opened on its own and as I was pulled inside the swirling void beyond.

  One presence came with me for the ride, while the other was left behind in the temple.

  I was floating, and then my feet hit solid ground.

  I blinked to clear the blurriness away and found I stood in a colorless world.

  I was on a street but had no idea where it actually was.

  Thankfully, Dad’s staff was still in my right hand, and as I held it up, the sapphire started to glow, then flickered and went out.

  “No. No. Come on.” I shook the staff as if that would get it working again. “Shit!”

  “Rori?”

  I jumped at the sound of Chas’s voice, then whirled around.

  He stood beside me, looking at me with a very confused look on his face.

  “Well, hell.”

  “Yeah, you could say that,” he growled. “What did you do?”

  Chapter 10

  Chas

  This was not what I expected to happen at all. I blinked as I took in the surroundings of the drab world. The people walking around, not noticing us at all.

  “Is this the void?”

  “I’m going to say yes,” Rori replied.

  “And what exactly am I doing here with you?” There’d been a tug as I was pulled along with her. But I was certain she shoved Brogan and me back to our own minds. Apparently, I was wrong. “Where’s Brogan?”

  She held her Dad’s staff in front of her, as if it would ward off whatever we were about to face. Or maybe protect against my annoyance at being the one sucked into this mess with her, instead of Brogan. He was the one dating her, after all.

  “Rori?”

  “Alright, I sensed you both, and at the last second, I might’ve thrown Brogan back.”

  I crossed my arms with a grunt. “Why, might I ask, would you do that?”

  “You really think I want the guy I’m dating seeing anything going on inside my head?” she shot back. “I have no idea what you might see, or hear, or whatever. But I definitely don’t need him catching sight of anything.”

  “Understandable,” I said, but had no idea why she hadn’t tried to shove me out of her head, too. We got along for the most part, but it was no secret, Rori and I were the more combustible of our small group. I tilted my head, thinking on the matter, sensing there was another reason.

  She said nothing else and instead held out her dad’s staff.

  “Is it not working?”

  “No. It went out as soon as we got here.”

  “Only you can get it to work.”

  “And if I can’t?”

  “Then we can’t find your dad,” I said, annoyed. “Try it again.”

  She really should have let Brogan come. Not me. This was the first time we’d been alone together in weeks. Okay, we weren’t completely alone, not if we counted the souls wandering aimlessly around us. In all the time I spent with Rori, I noticed every move she made, no matter how many times I tried to suppress the feelings I had toward her.

  Pissing off Brogan by starting a jealous spat was never my intention, but each time she was hurt, it tore me up inside just as much as it did him. Worse, since I couldn’t comfort her the way he did. I told myself over and over, she made her choice to be with him, and saw me as a friend. A teammate, and nothing more.

  But I was the one she pulled with her into the void. Not Brogan.

  “Chas?”

  “Nothing. It’s nothing,” I said in a rush. “Are you thinking of your dad?” I cleared my throat when my voice came out rough.

  “I am, but it’s not working.”

  “Close your eyes, think of him. Try again.”

  She pursed her lips, but did as I asked. Her hands held the staff tightly.

  I watched the sapphire at the top, waiting to see any sign of life. I was so intent on watching it, I nearly missed the words whispered in my ear. As if Rori was talking to me the same time she was standing in front of me. Though her eyes and mouth were clearly closed.

  Great, now I’ve got Chas in my head, this is perfect. Really perfect. Bad enough I almost had Brogan here, but now I’ve got Chas? Shit, this is bad. All of this is just bad. What if he sees what I’m thinking about him, or trying not to think about him… everything’s been such a mess, and it’s all so damned confusing with them both. If he sees anything… No, can’t let him. Just have to not think about him or anything except what we’re doing here. That’s all…

  I coughed, averting my gaze as her thoughts continued to ramble on and on inside my head, until I couldn’t take it anymore. “Uh, Rori? You might want to watch your thoughts.”

  “Why?” she asked, peeking one eye open.

  “Because whatever connection we have going on, I can hear them. All of them.”

  Her face reddened, and she gulped. “Oh, come on. Can’t anything go right for me?”

  I smirked until she glowered at me.

  “What? Not my fault you’re broadcasting every little thought to me.”

  “No, you’re right, I just… never mind.” She set the staff down and huffed. “I have no idea what to do if we can’t get the staff to work. Guess we could just walk around?”

  “Wouldn’t be a bad start. Though, we can’t stay here forever.”

  “Does this place feel familiar to you?” she asked as we set off down the street in a random direction.

  “Kinda.”

  The street was lined with shops and cafes. A park came into view, and we paused at the white fence that surrounded it.

  I paused. “I’ve been here before.”

  “When you were a kid?”

  “Yeah, think you were here, too though.” I studied the playground, then reached back into my mind, as I focused on the names of the business. “This is my hometown. Where I grew up with my parents, before I went to stay with Moran and Agnes. I think… I think Trevor grew up here, too, until he met your mom.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah… let’s keep going. I think this is a good sign.”

  The souls continued to pay no attention to us. Most were smiling and talking with others. A few appeared solemn and sad, but none of them were threatening. It was peaceful. I understood how someone could get lost here easily. Despite the lack of color, it was calm and comforting. There was no war here, no fighting. We walked, and our hands brushed casually as we did, like they had so many times before. Unlike the other times, there was a spark of warmth against the cold of her skin, and I was acutely aware of how close her shoulder was to mine. How her breathing grew slightly faster.

  “Is there something you need to tell me?” I finally asked, unable to keep silent about it any longer.


  “Nope. Nothing at all,” she said quickly.

  “Rori, come on. I heard your entire tirade. Just tell me.” I held my breath, not sure what the hell I was hoping for, and why I suddenly wanted to hear her say she liked me more than Brogan. What was I, ten years old? But the longer she took the answer, the more I got my hopes up, that maybe there was more to this relationship between us than I originally thought.

  She grabbed my arm, pulling me to a stop. “Look. I’ll admit, at first, I didn’t like you.”

  I laughed as I nodded. “The feeling was mutual.”

  Her eyes narrowed even as she started to smile. “But with the way things have changed… and I feel so connected to you and Brogan, there are times where I’m not sure what I feel. If it’s real or heat of the moment. And then there are times when I look at you, and I get a little lost.”

  “Lost?”

  “In a good way. Or not in a good way?” She grunted in annoyance, shaking out her braids. “Sorry, this is not making any sense, probably making it all worse. Just pretend you didn’t hear anything. and that I said nothing.”

  “Afraid it’s not so simple,” I murmured.

  This time she was the one watching me intensely. “Chas? Something you need to tell me?”

  I rubbed the back of my neck hard, wishing for a fight to interrupt the conversation. “It’s nothing.”

  “Obviously not. I told you. Now you tell me. What have you been hiding?”

  “Honestly? Quite a bit, but I’m not about to get between you and Brogan.”

  “How long?” she asked.

  I shrugged, telling myself to lie and say it was recently, so I didn’t come across as a damned sap. Suddenly, I was replying without even stopping to think of what I was about to say. “First time I saw you.”

  “No,” she said with a surprised laugh. “You were so annoyed with me.”

  “Annoyed, amused.” I tilted my head back and forth. “You are quite the intriguing one, Rori. And for some reason, I was drawn to you. Even without Moran telling me I might be compatible with you.”

  “You mean the last first time you saw me, right?”