by Martha Carr
“You think I should die.” Rhazdon hobbled into the foyer, pointing a twisted, mottled finger at Leira.
“I was wondering when you’d finally barge into our conversation. I’m not after your death, necessarily. I think you should answer for what you’ve done. Be made to stand up and tell the entire rabid story to all the victims’ families till they’re satisfied. Not just share a few spells. But that’s just me.”
“Rhazdon, leave us. I have business to discuss with Leira that doesn’t concern you.”
“Like she can’t eavesdrop if she wanted to.”
Rhazdon turned back at the door, eyeing Leira. “My powers are not what they once were. Neither is my resolve. I have no great conquests to fulfill.”
“Save it. You’re getting what you want. Selling me on it is a waste of everyone’s time.”
Turner waited for Rhazdon to go down the hall before he led Leira outside to the slate patio in the back. “I don’t entirely disagree with you, but I can’t let my emotions run the show.”
“Mine aren’t. Cold, hard reason,” said Leira, tapping the side of her head. She let out an angry sigh. “You wanted to talk to me about something.”
“I hope that some day you come to understand why I’ve taken this path with Rhazdon. Either way, it had to be done. The same reasons are going to pull you away from your job with the federal government. You need to be more independent, able to make the right choices without having to choose sides.”
“Like now.”
“I’m not asking you to choose a particular side. I’m asking you to use your common sense and utilize a valuable and rare resource against a darker foe.” Turner made his way over to his favorite green Adirondack chair overlooking the lake and settled into it. He took a soft plaid wool blanket off the foot stool and threw it over his legs. “Cool day for so late into spring. This is one of my favorite spots in all the world, and I have seen all the world has to offer. Maybe it’s because very little changes here.”
Leira sat down on the edge of the chair next to him. She zipped her leather jacket up part of the way against the chilly wind. She looked out over the lake and made herself take a deep breath and let it out. “The only reason I haven’t dragged her ass back to Oriceran and thrown her down in front of the queen is because of you. Remember that was my original assignment? I was hired by the king and queen to find the person who killed their son. That would be justice.”
Turner shifted in his chair. “On that, we agree. It’s unfortunate that events changed so much since then and justice will take a backseat to survival.” Turner crossed his hands over his chest. “Consider becoming independent. The world has changed and this will only increase and become harder to handle as the years go by and magic increases. Imagine what the world might be like in say, twenty years.”
“Hard to do from here.”
“There are written stories about what it was like the last time the gates were opening. It was chaos for a while, and that was before human beings became so advanced in technology. It was a lot easier then to make up some cockamamey story about magic and get the masses to believe. Not going to be so easy this time.”
“And everyone wants a little power of their own.”
“Yes,” Turner said, wearily. “Another complication. We need someone who can stand in the middle of all the competing forces and choose what’s best for the greatest number.”
“You mean me. Isn’t that vigilante justice?”
“It can be in the wrong hands. It would not be easy, but I believe it is doable and may keep us all from a venomous tipping point.”
“You’re usually more Zen about the world.”
“And I may be again but I’m also a realist. Can’t be the Fixer without a healthy does of that. I can see that the balance is shifting constantly and threatens everyone. We need someone who can be more impartial and cares about…”
“Justice…”
“That’s one word for it.”
“The dark syndicate needs to be stopped. They’re the greatest threat.”
“Completely agree.”
“And Lucius is a problem… along with the shifters.”
“Different kind of problem. They have a right to exist. Think about it Leira. We all fear them because they seem to be more animal than human or Elf or Wizard. But they’re a thinking being. They are not something to hunt down and exterminate. Besides, they’ve been here a long time and many have learned to assimilate. Do you propose ferreting them out of their middle class lives?”
“What about the ones who carry the curse?”
“That’s where Rhazdon becomes useful. She is the originator of the curse. Darkly ingenious, really. Create a killing machine that can shift into something that can hide in plain sight… and make it connect to you magically. Your thoughts and desires become their motivation, your vengeance their focused mission.”
Leira looked up, narrowing her eyes as certain pieces of the puzzle fell into place. “That’s it. That’s how the dark mist got hold of Lucius. The darkness was drawn to the curse and found that hole inside of his will created by Rhazdon and filled it. The curse makes beings susceptible to the strongest magic around them.”
“Remove the curse.”
“Drive back the mist. It loses its physical embodiment… for now. Might even make it possible to crush it.”
“Especially if Lucius has a two-way street with the mist. If he can tell us more about it than we can know from the outside, looking in.”
“Did you see that all along?”
“Not all along. Consider my offer. I have a foundation I run that is well funded for when the day came that life on Earth began to change. I believe it’s here. I can give you a new base of operation in one of my safe houses. A rather nice house in Georgetown along the Potomac River. It will come with a very generous allowance. You would be able to buy whatever you needed to get the job done, travel the old fashioned way… in planes, and have visitors.” He gave a sidelong glance at Leira.
“Okay, I get it. You’re a crafty old dude who can see the obvious.”
“Correk is a good choice…”
“Don’t make it creepy by saying you approve. Look, I’ll think about it. Less than a year ago I was a homicide detective living a pretty normal existence even if I thought my mother was crazy and my grandmother was MIA. It had a certain order to it. Not much changed, and that was the way I liked it. Everything is different, including me. Now, I’m supposed to pick up and move away and do what? Hunt for problems to solve?”
“Trouble will find you. You’ll find the house is very well equipped with whatever enhanced technology you’ll need.”
“You mean like the virtual board at the warehouse.”
“That’s a child’s toy. There are far more efficient ways to monitor the world, and a team of contractors you can call on to help you when needed.”
“My own Justice League.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself. They’re only there for support. They can’t ride out to take care of things for you. Do you accept?”
“I’ll think about it. That’s all I can offer right now. I’ll let you know. I’ll see myself out.” Leira walked around the outside of the house, grateful to avoid seeing Rhazdon again.
Rhazdon watched from an upstairs window as Leira climbed into the green Mustang and drove away down the long driveway. “All I wanted was to be respected and instead I became feared and reviled,” she muttered, lost in memories. “Perhaps it’s not too late, still.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“In memory of my beautiful wife.” Sirius Pickering raised his glass in a toast. The 2010 Spring Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was a deep ruby color in the firelight in front of the oversized stone hearth. The other elders joined him and raised their glasses. “To Juliana…”
Sirius swirled the wine around in his mouth, doing his best to get the image of the remains of his wife’s body out of his mind. That’s all there was by the time he got to her
. Remains.
“Such a powerful Witch and she never got to use her wand. What kind of monster…” The Wizard caught the cold steady gaze of Sirius as his voice trailed off and he took another sip of the wine, choosing to stay silent.
“The beast was on her before she had a chance.” Agnes gripped the stem of her glass tightly. “You weren’t there. There was nothing any of us could do.”
“No one is blaming you, Agnes.” Sirius eyed her coolly, swirling the wine in his glass. “At least, not for that…” He tapped his finger against the glass as everyone else looked away, not willing to be involved in his wrath.
“I did exactly as you asked. The trap was set perfectly. That bitch, Leira Berens walked right into it with only a boy Wizard at her side. A thief who calls himself a scavenger. The shifters were set loose on them. If the plan failed, blame their handlers, not me.”
Sirius set his glass down on the mantle, warming his hands in front of the fire. “Merely a setback. The curse worked… to a degree. The shifters were unable to think for themselves as a pack. It’s unfortunate that one of them slipped the ties that bind and appointed himself the alpha. Interesting though, isn’t it? They chose to listen to one of their own.”
Agnes took another long gulp, staring down at the carpet.
“Something has to be done about the growing threat of humans and magic. The gates are opening whether we like it or not,” said a balding Wizard. “We need to secure our stature. The damn humans have turned out to be a little more clever than we realized.”
“The young amongst us show mixed promise at best. Most of them ran at the first sign of trouble. So much for testing them,” said a pinched-face Witch with long, straight dark hair. “I knew it would fail.”
“Perhaps it’s time to vote on leadership roles. We never had a proper council meeting since your brother was dragged into… well, into the world in between.” The tall, wiry Wizard with a thick head of dark hair, slicked back gazed down his nose at Sirius. “We need some reassurance that any of our plans will actually succeed.”
Sirius looked bored as he raised his wand and flicked it toward the heavy closed doors to the library where they were gathered. They opened softly as five young Wizards entered and stood in front of the door, grim faced and waiting.
“What’s this?” The balding Wizard’s voice rose in concern.
“Sirius? I demand an answer.”
“Is this protection for us? We are perfectly capable of taking care of ourselves.”
“I think I’m leaving. Where’s my wrap? Are they going to get out of our way?”
Sirius flicked the wand again as if he was leading an orchestra, yanking the various wands out of their hiding places from each of his guests and throwing them into the fire. All except Agnes. They watched in horror as the flames turned a burnished yellow, blue and purple, releasing the magic into the atmosphere.
“What the fuck?” Agnes slowly backed away from the group, relieved she was being spared.
“Come stand by my side, would you?” Agnes quickly did as she was told as Sirius gave a nod to the young cadre of Wizards. They stepped forward as Sirius waved his wand again, whispering a spell binding the other guests’ arms to their sides. “You know, feedback is so useful at times. It gives clarity about what to do next. I agree that we need shifters who will feel some kind of natural connection to the families.” He shrugged. “It’ll make for an interesting experiment at least. Mix it up a little.”
The tall Wizard’s face grew pale as he tried to struggle. “No! No, Sirius, you can’t! My family has been in this syndicate for almost a thousand years!”
Agnes watched silently, afraid to say anything.
“And the rest of your family will remain. Think of the contribution you’ll be making. Who knows? If we’re successful this time you can be on the cutting edge of a new form of leadership.”
Their screams of protest could be heard all the way down the great hall as they were dragged away. “Maybe you’ll even turn out to be an alpha, although I doubt it.” Sirius let out a bored laugh as he flicked his wand again, shutting the doors. “Meeting adjourned. More wine, Agnes?”
“Why did you spare me?” she asked, lifting her chin, defiantly.
“Don’t annoy me, Agnes. I can call them back if necessary. Drink your wine. You live to fight another day… for now.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Correk stood on the grounds of Turner’s old estate in Charlottesville. He was dropping off a reluctant teenage Wizard in baggy jeans and an old AC DC t-shirt who was being hunted by the Silver Griffins. “It’s here or Trevilsom Prison. You choose.”
The teenager looked around at the large manor set back from the road and the iron gates. “Doesn’t look like much. Is this some kind of juvey hall? I have rights, you know.”
“You have plenty of them. You turned over most of them when you decided to send snakes down the main street of your small town.”
The young Wizard smiled, showing braces across his teeth. “I’m a regular Pied Piper, right?”
“I think you mean St Patrick, and no, you’re no saint, Joey. You’re not even Irish.”
“Got that right. One hundred percent American Wizard. See? My underwear is the stars and stripes.” The teenager lifted his shirt to show Correk his boxers that were drifting out of his pants. Correk rolled his eyes and took the kid by his arm, roughly moving him along the long driveway toward the house.
“Hey! Isn’t this some kind of kidnapping? That has to be against your Fixer rules.”
“Your parents were the ones that shoved you at me. Remember?”
“Well, I can’t stay here forever. What is this place anyway? Looks abandoned. I’m not gonna be here all alone, am I?” Joey was quickly losing his bravado as his feet tried to run backwards. Correk easily lifted him off his feet, letting him run in air as he half carried him toward their destination.
“You’re in luck. The old Fixer has made a deal with the Feds. You are looking at a brand new school for misfit toys like yourself. Seems that some human beings want to be ahead of the curve and they actually think your sorry skinny ass is part of the answer.”
“Really?” Joey settled down, giving in and walking toward the manor still in the distance, looking around at the grounds. “Not much here. They’ll have to do a better job of jazzing up the place if they want a bunch of magical Witches and Wizards to hang around the place and not set it on fire.” Joey threw up his hands to protect his head. “Not that I would do something like that. I know where to draw the line.”
“Won’t just be Witches and Wizards, Joey. You’re going to have to learn to get along with all kinds of magical beings. All of you getting ready to help with the gates opening.”
“Ah, the great migration. I’ve heard about that. Heard my parents talking about it. They think Oriceran is going to pull a Krypton and go boom.” He blew out his cheeks and held up his hands.
“That’s not really the prophesy… they got it wrong… never mind. Drop it. Look Joey, there are spells protecting this place and you’ll be able to stay here without being detected. There’s a warrant out by the Silver Griffins to take you in to be tried and probably convicted. It doesn’t look good for you. You want a second chance? This is it. Keep your head down, do a close approximation of what you’re told and try to make something of yourself. You clearly have some talent… Some… You can learn to channel it.”
“For the Feds…” Joey rolled his eyes, even as Correk was still dragging him along by his arm. “For the humans who run the Feds. That’s like turning on my own kind. Is this really all such a good idea?”
“We’re almost there, Joey. Let me know if you want to go with Plan B and we’ll step back out on the road where your presence will light up the board at the Silver Griffins nearest headquarters. Shouldn’t take them long to swoop down in their minivan and pick you up. Who knows? Maybe they’ll set you loose again while you still have hair. Although, if you end up in Trevilsom you may
not have enough of a mind left to know if you still have hair.”
“School for the human Feds it is. You know if this place gets wifi? So far I only have two bars.”
“Give me that.”
***
Correk left Joey with the groundskeeper who answered the door. “We’ve been expecting you, Joey. Follow me.” Joey gave Correk a look like he was ready to bolt but all Correk had to do was step out of the way and let him.
“Go ahead. Make a break for it. Look out for any soccer moms in minivans while you’re out there.”
Joey let out a defeated growl and picked up his duffel bag, trudging along behind the groundskeeper.
“See you around, Joey.”
Joey responded by slowly raising his middle finger behind his back, never turning back around as he smiled at the groundskeeper.
“Joey will be just fine. He’s already learned to smile up.” Correk took a last look around at the marble inlaid floors and the vaulted cupola in the ceiling and let out a low whistle as he walked out, shutting the door behind him. “Hope Turner knows what he’s doing setting a bunch of spoiled teenagers with wands loose in his country palace.”
He headed for the road, glad to not be dragging Joey along with him. He saw a shadow come over where he was walking and looked up in time to see a young gargoyle come in for a landing, settling on his shoulder, weighing him down. “Two moons, what the hell!”
The gargoyle dug in with his claws, gently pinching Correk’s skin under his jacket. Correk struggled to get the gargoyle to land somewhere else but all it did was get the creature to flap his wings longer, batting Correk in the head and stirring up the air around them.
