Wild Fire

by Ally Shields

“Yep, like a ball hitting the floor and bouncing back. But what if there was no recoil? If the energy merely dissipated, if the ball dissolved before it hit the floor…there would be no bounce back, no resistance to feel. He wouldn’t notice right away, not if we’re keeping him distracted.”

  “But Arianna,” he interrupted. “I have already heard too many ifs in this theory.”

  “I know, but I’m working on the spell, and we should be able to come up with something to distract him. Once his immediate control is broken, we’ll get the council members away from him, and our conjurers will reverse the long-term enchantment.” She smiled at him, then cocked her head and sat up straighter. “Reverse… That gives me another idea.” She started turning pages again. “Read this. There’s a different type of reversal spell.”

  “To turn the spell back on the spellcaster. So? You cannot expect to enthrall Porbius with his own power.”

  “Why not? Why couldn’t it work?”

  Andreas hesitated, then dropped on the bed beside her. “In theory I suppose it could, but I don’t see how you hope to put all of this together. You are talking about several things happening at once and several spells.”

  “I won’t do it alone. We have lots of people to arrange everything, and you’re going to be helping me directly.” She grinned at him. “In fact, you’ll have the hardest part. Keeping Porbius too distracted to realize we’re stealing his mind slaves, and then initiating the take down.”

  “Me? I do not have sufficient vampiric power to oppose an elder. You should ask Daron to help you.”

  “Not vampire power, witch power.”

  His eyes went wide. “But, Arianna, I am just learning.”

  “Aren’t we all? Every time I try a new spell, it’s a new experience. You have the power, now you have the heirlooms.” She looked up from the book. “Remember how you once told me to believe in myself, in my magic? Well…”

  His lips curved in a slow smile. “What do you want me to do?”

  * * *

  Ari stood in the shadows beside the Magic Hall. Andreas was across the cul-de-sac. Daron had agreed to play a part in their drama, and she watched as he approached the front entrance. He knocked on the door, then rattled the handle and called Porbius’s name. He called again. Minutes passed, but Daron persisted, growing louder, more insistent all the time.

  Lights came on in the first floor.

  Ari raced to the back of the building where one of the shifters had already used a lock pick on the back entrance. She placed her ear against the door. When she was positive she heard Porbius’s steps descending the staircase to the first floor, she slipped inside. The raised voices of the vampires in the front were still distinct.

  “What do you want, Daron? Where is Andreas…and his witch? I am tired of waiting.” Porbius sounded petulant, condescending.

  “I am here to reason with you.” But Daron made no attempt to do so. He pounded on the door. “Let me in. We need to talk. Before you do something extremely stupid.” His primary job was to keep Porbius distracted while Ari and Andreas worked their spells. So far he had the elder’s attention.

  “How dare you speak to me that way! This is no concern of yours. Is Andreas with you?”

  “He is coming. Porbius, your behavior is beyond—”

  “I want him here now!” Porbius’s voice shook the building. “If not, I am going to start killing these sheep.”

  Ari bit her lip. The elder was losing it faster than anticipated. They’d have to work swiftly, and the next part was hers.

  She sprinted up the back stairs, chanting the words of the dissipate spell as she ran.

  Seek the spell that clouds their minds; slice the whole with many lines;

  Send the pieces through the air; here and there and everywhere;

  Gracious Goddess here my plea; so mote it be.

  It wasn’t her best rhyme, but she’d been in a hurry, and luckily the Goddess didn’t care.

  By the time she burst into the second floor chambers, the members were beginning to shake their heads as if just waking. She grabbed Zoe whose natural resistance was bringing her out of it faster than the others. “Get them out of here. Quickly. There are trucks waiting in back with people to help you. Hurry. You’ve all been enthralled by Porbius, and we need to get everyone away from here before we’re discovered.”

  Zoe nodded, still a little vague, but she’d caught the basics and began moving the council representatives. Hampered by the narrow back stairs and the grogginess of the members, the going was slow. Ari had to shush more than one person to keep them from asking questions too loudly. After a couple of minutes, a few of Daron’s vampires appeared and picked up those who were lagging and carried them out.

  Ari’s heart hammered as she hurried people along and kept one ear on the argument below. Mindless fury began to permeate the air as Porbius and Daron hurled insults at one another. Either Daron was an exceptional actor or he really despised the infuriated elder.

  A loud bellow of outrage caused her to spin toward the front stairs.

  “What’s going on up there?”

  Porbius was on to them. Blood pounded in her ears. She stole a quick look at the last of the representatives disappearing out the back, then turned to the broad staircase where Porbius continued to yell invectives.

  The elder’s face looked directly at her as he flew up the steps. “You!” He shook his fist, and a wave of vibrating power shot forward. Ari threw up a protective barrier; it barely slowed the bolt of energy that slammed into her and knocked her across the room. She curled into a ball but hit hard, rolled over, and scrambled for cover behind a row of chairs.

  The front doors splintered with a ground-shaking crash, and Prince Daron charged toward the staircase. A glowing ball of energy surrounded him and radiated outward; he looked ten feet tall. Porbius whirled to meet this new challenge, expanding his own powers to block the stairs. Ari froze in place, stunned by the spectacle before her. Two ancient vampires were ready to unleash their powers and incinerate one another—and the entire building—if someone didn’t do something to stop them.

  She struggled to her feet and climbed over the tumbled chairs, determined to throw herself between the combatants. They might not pay any attention to her, but she had to try. If either of these two vampires died tonight it would set off a vampire versus vampire war that would shake the world. She stepped forward.

  A fierce gale arose. Suddenly Andreas stood in the opening where the front door had been. A dark avenging angel, eyes blazing, hair blowing in the wind that swirled around him, he raised his virge high as if it were a sword and unleashed the reversal spell.

  Ari felt the rush of power and sucked in her breath. For an instant nothing happened, then Porbius grabbed his head with both hands and staggered on the stairs. Daron pulled back, and Andreas continued to pour his magic into the spell. But Porbius wasn’t beaten. He began to straighten, pushing back, shoving the energy outward, away from his body.

  Ari ran forward, dodged around the elder, and vaulted over the stair railing. Landing on both feet she raced to Andreas’s side and grabbed his free hand. She released her own magic into him to boost the power flowing through the virge.

  Porbius staggered again. He fell to one knee, slid sideways down the stairs, then pitched forward onto his face at the bottom.

  Empty silence. Power levels dropped to nearly nothing.

  Oh, dear Goddess. Had they killed him? Started the war they’d tried to stop?

  Daron knelt next to the fallen elder and touched Porbius’s temple. “He is alive, but barely. The reversal breached his mental shields. I suggest we take him to Bastian. If anyone can call his mind back, it would be the master of mind control.”

  * * *

  Ari threw open the door of Bastian’s iron-clad prison, and he bounded to his feet. His eyes swept past her to Porbius’s unconscious body supported between Daron and Andreas. “What happened to him?” He moved toward the door, and Ari moved aside to al
low him to follow them into the audience chambers as Porbius was laid on one of the couches used for waiting visitors.

  “His telepathic control was reversed and used against him,” she said.

  Bastian flashed her an incredulous look. “Explain.”

  “Witchcraft.” She described the scene at the Magic Hall and gave him the details of the reversal spell. She didn’t mention who had cast it.

  “I did not know that was possible.” Bastian bent over the other elder and placed one hand on Porbius’s forehead. “His mind has retreated to protect itself.”

  “Can you bring him back?” Daron asked.

  “I do not know. Perhaps.” He cocked his head. “Do you want me to try?”

  Ari’s temper flared. She stepped up beside him, demanding his attention. “Don’t you dare talk about more favors and owing you. I’d rather he stayed this way forever, but the others think the O-Seven might object.” She cocked her head and slitted her eyes. “I wouldn’t care about that either, except I want them to leave us alone. So do your thing.”

  His black eyes glinted. “Nothing is free, Arianna. But all I ask is you allow Porbius and I to leave without further conflict between us.”

  “Done,” Daron interrupted. “You have my word.”

  “And mine,” Andreas added.

  Bastian looked at Ari.

  “Yeah, sure. I agree too. I just wish you meant it.”

  He raised a brow, and she clarified. “No further conflict…ever.”

  “The future will have to take care of itself,” he murmured. “Now step back and give me room to work.”

  Bastian knelt on one knee beside the couch. He ran his hand back and forth over Porbius’s forehead, then rested his fingertips on the unconscious elder’s temples. Bastian closed his eyes and his body stilled.

  Seconds passed, then minutes. No dramatic flash of energy. In fact, nothing visible occurred, but the energy in the room raised the hairs on Ari’s arms. She let out a breath, and Andreas rested his hand on her shoulder. Daron stood stoically beside them. They watched and waited.

  At Gabriel’s urging, the other vampires and the shapeshifter leaders remained huddled around the conference table, staying well away from the drama taking place. Mike, Lilith, and Russell were close by with their guns in case something went wrong.

  Ari shifted uneasily. It had been too long. If this didn’t work, how could they possibly explain his death to the elders’ council?

  Bastian lifted his hands from Porbius’s face and stood. “His mind had retreated a long way, but he is nearly back. Before I wake him, I need to explain what I have done, but only to the three of you. I am asking you to clear the room.”

  Mike growled a protest, and Bastian waved a resigned hand. “I do not care about your guards, as long as they remain out of hearing.”

  Andreas shrugged. “We have come this far, I don’t see why we would refuse now.”

  Daron nodded, and Gabriel once again proved his worth by gathering everyone and escorting them to the lounge. If anyone protested, Ari didn’t hear it.

  Even after the door was closed, Bastian seemed uncomfortable. “Very well. I have made a few modifications to Porbius’s memory.” He hesitated. “I eliminated the last twenty-four hours. He will believe this is our first meeting and Arianna has just arrived.” He raised a hand to stop anyone from interrupting. “That is not all.” He turned to Andreas and Ari. “I have also planted the suggestion that Ursula’s wereraptor guards killed her in her sleep and have gone into hiding.”

  “Why would you do that?” Ari blurted.

  “Because it suits me.”

  Ari narrowed her eyes. She’d seen the calculation that went into everything Bastian did. What price did he expect for this piece of trickery?

  “You have gone to a great deal of trouble to avoid open hostilities.” Daron regarded his sire with hooded eyes. “Since you always have a self-serving plan in some stage of development, I can only assume the timing is not convenient for you to divulge it.”

  “True. Now…if you are ready, I will awaken him.” He leaned over the prostrate figure.

  “Wait!” Ari grabbed his arm. “You have to tell us more about what you’ve done. Will he recover his memories? Eventually know he was tricked? And what about the other elders…won’t they realize what you’ve done?”

  Bastian straightened and shook off her restraining hand. “Those memories are gone. He may notice gaps, inconsistencies, but he will not suspect the truth. Nor will the rest of the council. I would not take that risk.” He bent to his task but paused. “Be forewarned. Porbius does not like any of you. In time, he will find another reason to continue the fight.” This time Bastian reached down, tapped Porbius lightly on the forehead, and the elder’s eyes fluttered. Then flew open.

  He sat up and scowled. “Why am I laying on this couch?” His voice was querulous, suspicious.

  “You are in need of blood, my friend.” Bastian motioned toward the refreshments near the conference table. “If someone would bring him a goblet. Do you remember complaining of a sudden weakness?”

  Ari fetched the wine/blood mixture and offered it to Porbius.

  He blinked at her. “When did you get here?” He grasped the goblet and took a drink. He still appeared confused. “I do not feel weak. Was I unconscious?”

  “Not for long.” Bastian’s manner was brusque, verging on impatient. “Now, if you are better, perhaps we can finish our meeting.”

  Porbius stood, holding one hand to his head. “Where are the others? There were several present as I recall.”

  “Yes,” Bastian agreed. “We sent them away, so the five of us could talk privately.”

  “Oh, yes.” He drew himself up. “Then let us finish this business.”

  “I thought we were finished.” Andreas stepped forward and bowed toward Porbius and Bastian. “You had accepted our assurances that we support the O-Seven’s continuing control of Europe and…” he held out a hand to Ari, “had agreed to withdraw the bounty currently on our heads.” Andreas’s gaze held Bastian’s, defying him to contradict his words.

  By the Goddess! Ari squeezed her husband’s hand and stifled a gasp. How audacious. How very clever of him.

  “Is this true? Why do I not remember?” Porbius turned to frown at Bastian, but before the other elder could respond, Porbius switched his attention to Andreas. “I thought you… Do you deny killing Ursula?”

  “I most certainly do.”

  Ari tensed, tightening her grip on Andreas’s hand. Would he ask her next? With the picture in her head of Ursula dying in flames of her witch fire, could Ari lie convincingly?

  “We have been over all this, Porbius, and we reached an agreement.” By implication Bastian was supporting Andreas’s outrageous statements. “It is time for us to go. The council will be awaiting our report.”

  “Yes, we should do that.”

  Formal good-byes were taken. Daron, Andreas and Ari watched as Bastian urged Porbius toward the door.

  Porbius turned to Bastian, a puzzled expression on his face. “I have been wondering. Do you think Ursula’s guards could have rebelled?”

  Ari nearly choked to stop her laughter.

  * * *

  Two hours later, the vampire compound and the Toronto Magic Council were mostly back to normal. The vampire and shapeshifter leaders had gone home, and the Magic Council was already talking about an emergency meeting to review security measures and prevent a future reoccurrence.

  Ari made a mental note to encourage the Riverdale council to take similar precautions.

  Mike had returned to his security duties, and the werelions had gone to bed. Andreas, Gabriel, and Daron were having a last drink before dawn. Ari had joined them, but refused a drink saying it would interfere with sleep. Andreas had flashed her a conspiratorial smile, but neither of them was ready to share the truth.

  They’d just brought Gabriel up-to-date on what occurred in those last minutes when Bastian was bringing Porbi
us back from never-never land.

  “Will Porbius ever regain his memories?” Gabriel asked.

  Daron gestured his uncertainty. “Bastian claims he has wiped them away. At worst, Porbius may realize he has a time gap.” He took a last drink from his goblet. “I have to agree with Bastian that the truth is unlikely to occur to Porbius.”

  “Even if he were suspicious, he would never admit he could be manipulated like that.” Andreas stood. “It is getting near dawn. I am off to bed.”

  Ari rose and laced her fingers with his. He set down his empty goblet. “We have escaped disaster again.” He curled a stray strand of Ari’s hair behind her ear. “More than ever, I wish I could say this was the end of it.”

  “I’ll drink to that,” Gabriel said, downing the last of his wine.

  “Yeah, I wish that too.” She looked at Andreas, knowing they were both thinking of the child she carried. “It’s time to plan our own future, and the O-Seven be damned.”

  EPILOGUE

  The next evening their private jet landed in Riverdale shortly before eight o’clock. The weather was bitterly cold, and the crusted snow had left deep ruts on the roads. Ari had plenty of time on the lengthy drive to call Ryan and Claris to let them know they were safely home. She arranged to meet Claris for morning coffee. She wanted her baby’s godmother to be the first to know.

  Once they’d dropped their luggage at home, Ari and Andreas set out on foot for the caverns. It was time to make the attempt to restore Ari’s witch fire. Since Goshen Park was close to impassable this time of year, and Ari had no interest in freezing to death during the spell attempt, they’d chosen the Chamber of Ages for their witches’ circle. On the way they’d stopped at Zylla’s cave to update her on events and were surprised when she’d decided to accompany them and observe the ritual.

  Now they were ready to begin.

  Ari rubbed her clammy hands together, then rubbed them on her jeans. What if the spell went wrong? What if she never regained her witch fire? She glanced at Andreas. His jaw was tense; he acted almost as nervous as she was. Was it too soon for him to attempt this? A counterspell to the Maleficus was much less spectacular but harder than what he’d done in Toronto. And he’d had a long time for his imagination to invent things that might go wrong.