Magi Legend

by Andrew Dobell

  Maya stood an inch or so shorter than Amanda. She had a slim build and ashen skin. Her long, dark hair fell in lustrous waves around her head, framing a distinguished face with dark eyes and ruby lips. She wore a long black figure-hugging dress and had the languid movements of someone supremely confident in herself. Amanda’s Magical senses picked up on the lack of life signs within Maya’s body. Her heart didn’t beat, and she didn’t seem to breathe other than to speak.

  Yoh and Maya bowed to each other and then kissed cheeks with a smile. They were friends, but nothing more, Amanda guessed.

  “Good morning. I see you’ve brought some friends with you,” she said in her cultured accent with French undertones.

  “Hai, this is…” Yoh began.

  “...Amanda.” Maya finished the sentence for him, smiling mischievously. “We’ve met.”

  “Oh,” Yoh answered, surprised.

  “I’m pleased you finally made it to New York. It’s good to see you again.”

  “And you,” Amanda replied. She liked Maya, even though their contact up to this point had been limited. But there was something else about her that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. There was a feeling of familiarity with Maya. She felt comfortable around her, almost like she knew her from years ago somehow.

  It was strange, but she didn’t dwell on it.

  “When did you arrive?” Maya asked.

  “Today. We’ve only just got here, really. It’s good. Feels like coming home.”

  “I’m glad,” Maya replied.

  “So, you know Yoh?”

  Maya nodded. “I do. In fact, I live here, on Long Island.”

  “Oh, that’s grand, so it is.”

  Maya smiled, enjoying the conversation. “Thanks. You’ll have to visit me, sometime.”

  “We will.”

  “Excellent. Go on, I think Yoh wants to show you around the rest of the building. I’ll see you soon.”

  “To be sure,” Amanda answered, and followed Yoh and the others from the room, leaving Maya to her book.

  The next room was huge, but warm and inviting and was clearly for one purpose only—training. It was Yoh’s dojo. There were mats covered the floor, weapon racks where Japanese swords and other martial arts implements hung on the walls, and not too much else.

  Amanda smiled, she liked this room.

  Yoh walked over to a set of windows that overlooked the garden below. Sunlight streamed through them bathing Yoh in a golden light. Amanda couldn’t help but stare, he just looked so handsome in that light.

  She breathed in and sighed to herself, she liked him, a lot. But she also liked Raven. She liked them both, and then there was Maria.

  She found her thoughts returning to the brunette more and more recently, after her advances at the museum. She couldn’t help but notice Maria’s glances at her when she visited Legacy House, and the knowing smiles.

  There was something about her that she really quite liked, and yet, her interest in men hadn’t diminished either.

  She closed her eyes, not quite sure what she should do. She needed to think about it, but not right now.

  “I respect your bravery in coming to New York, Amanda-san,” Yoh said, without looking at them. “I’m not sure how wise it is, a move like this. As you know, this is Nomad territory, and Lucian has always been ruthless toward any Arcadian Magi who’ve come here. Few have lasted very long. I’ll help you, support you, but ultimately it’s up to you. If you want to remain here, you really only have two choices. You hide like I do, taking precautions and assuming that the slightest fuck up means you’re dead or on the run, at least. Or you face him and try to stand up to him.” Yoh turned to look at Amanda. “No one has succeeded at the second of those two choices yet.”

  Amanda nodded. “I understand. And for the time being, I’m happy to be careful and stay out of his way.”

  “I’m happy to hide, too,” Liz said, nodding enthusiastically at Amanda.

  Amanda smiled at her apprentice. “Don’t worry, I have no intentions of looking for a fight.”

  Liz stepped closer and gave Amanda a hug.

  Amanda looked at Gentle Water, who just nodded back at her.

  “Hai, that’s great!” Yoh said. “So, two things. Firstly,” he looked at Liz, “I understand you’re looking for a job, maybe?”

  Liz looked at Amanda. “Um,” Liz began. Amanda nodded to Liz, who then looked back at Yoh. “I am, yes,” she answered.

  “Great. Amanda told me, so I wondered if you might want to work here?”

  “Really?” Liz asked, her whole expression changing from slightly confused, to elated and surprised.

  “Really! There are a few things you could do. You can try everything from bartending to being Stella’s assistant. See what fits. Sound good?” Yoh said.

  “Yeah! That sounds great. Thank you.”

  “Dō itashimashite, my pleasure,” said Yoh, before looking back at Amanda. “Secondly, I wondered if you might be up for a quick sparring match, kohai?” he asked indicating the floor mats in the room with an almost cheeky smile on his lips.

  Amanda raised her eyebrows, surprised by his request.

  “Don’t worry, though, we can do this another time, doesn’t need to be today,” he said before Amanda could answer.

  Amanda smiled, sensing the friendly challenge in his tone. “Oh, but it does, senpai,” she quipped with an equally cheeky smile, and removed her jacket, shoes, and socks.

  Yoh threw her some padded gloves. “Let’s keep this friendly, shall we?”

  “Not afraid of a few bruises, are ye?” she answered, backhanding them out of the air and onto the floor beside her.

  “Not at all,” he said with a smile as he removed his shoes and suit jacket.

  “Good, then let’s do this,” she said, raising her fists.

  - Online chat between Seraphim and Edge dated April 1st.

  Seraphim: Interesting blog you have there. I think you’re on to something.

  Edge: Thanks.

  Seraphim: I might be able to help you out if you’re interested.

  Edge: Sure. What do you have?

  Seraphim: I know of a secret organisation that’s linked to some of the events on your blog.

  Edge: Which events?

  Seraphim: The unexplained deaths of those people with no official records in South America. The Missing Boat in the Indian Ocean. The Artifact that was stolen from the museum in Dubai.

  Edge: Really?

  Seraphim: The organisation is known as the Syndicate. It’s run by a man who doesn't exist and is known only as Mr Black, and I know why those events I just mentioned happened.

  Reassigned

  Syndicate Island

  It felt like an age had passed since Angel had walked down these polished wood and marble corridors; a lifetime ago almost. And in some ways, it had been. The place seemed different, and yet the same. She knew the hallways and rooms well, and the majority of the same people were here. She nodded and said hello to those she knew as she passed them, feigning interest in their lives and work.

  But things were indeed different now. That difference, though, she knew, was internal, not external.

  The reasons for her to be here were now somewhat different. Before the events on the train, she had been investigating the Syndicate for her own ends. Becoming one of the Syndicate’s trusted employees to get to the information that she wanted. But now… now, Angel reported to Yasmin. She was here at her behest, but for much the same reasons.

  The Syndicate was hunting down artifacts, Magical artifacts, and so was Angel.

  Before, Angel had her eye on one artifact that she knew they were looking for—the Lazarus Scroll. But now, under Yasmin’s orders, her remit had widened to any artifact of significance.

  She’d been away for a while now. As far as the Syndicate knew, she’d been following up leads and having a vacation, but this was far from the truth.

  In reality, she had been on the trail of a book, an artifa
ct of Magical power that would have been a useful thing for her to have, to say the least. It was a mission that culminated in a confrontation on a high-speed train through France with the Legacy Coven and members of the Inquisition.

  Things had been going her way, as well. She outclassed the Magi who had been there, nearly killing the redhead. That was, until Yasmin showed up and showed her the error of her ways.

  She had tried to escape from Yasmin, but her new mistress had made it clear on so many levels that she would not stand for any insubordination. The choice was simple. She either served Yasmin, and worked as a subordinate of hers, or she died.

  Angel liked life. As much as it pained her to work for Yasmin, she knew she didn’t have a choice.

  She, of course, had gone back to Nephilim Industries, first. She had been away from her business for far too long, and she needed to make sure everything continued to run smoothly and that her coven continued their work.

  She also needed to make sure none of them were making power plays to take over. Something that was always a very real risk within the ranks of the Nomads.

  Her coven was ambitious and competent, but luckily for her, they were also incredibly busy running the business. Meaning, there had been little time for internal politics within the ranks of the coven itself.

  So, on Angel’s return to the head office, things were not too much different from when she’d last left them. Still, she made sure to make an impression on them, taking a few days to make her presence felt and ensure they each knew their place within the coven. She also made sure they had enough projects to keep them busy over the coming months.

  Once she felt happy with things, only then did she leave her Milan office and contact the Syndicate, asking to be brought back in.

  And here she was, in the air-conditioned halls of power within the Syndicate. After a few more steps, she reached her office and stepped inside. She reached over and placed her bag on the desk in front of her chair as she sensed and then heard someone approaching the office door behind her.

  She adjusted her pose for maximum effect as her Magical senses looked behind her and saw Ian, one of the aids to the board step into the doorway, only to be greeted with a view of her rear as she bent over the desk. Her pert bum pointed right at him, her skirt riding up and showing almost too much.

  It brought him up short and made her laugh inside to watch his reaction. He didn’t know where to look. Well, he knew what he wanted to look at, but he also knew that he shouldn’t.

  He did look though, for a second or two, admiring the view before he coughed to announce his presence.

  Angel looked over her shoulder at him in mock surprise. “Oh, hi, Ian. I didn’t hear you come in,” she said as she straightened up slowly, letting the moment last a little longer.

  “Sorry for the intrusion, Angel. I heard you were back and needed to come see you. The Director wants to have a meeting with you.”

  Angel raised her eyebrows ever so slightly. That was quick, she thought, and unusual. She knew she would be assigned to something, and that meant a meeting, usually with the board though, rather than the Director himself.

  She wondered if she should be concerned.

  She’d spent a long time building trust within the Syndicate, however. They knew she had some Magical talent. Sure, she could hide it, cover her tracks and seem to be nothing more than a regular Riven human, but that would be hard work and would likely backfire at some point with all the Magi here. Instead, she downplayed her power, convincing everyone that she was little more than a mere apprentice, new to the Magical Arts, and in no way a threat.

  Her Magical talent meant she climbed the ranks a little more quickly than she would have been able to otherwise, as well.

  Ian Hammond was not a Magus, but like nearly everyone within the Syndicate, he was an Initiated. Although he had no magical power of his own, he knew it existed and knew of the shadow world all around him.

  He also happened to be close to the inner circle of Mr Black’s organisation, so she had seduced him with barely any Magic and brought him “on side”, along with some other staff in the building. She needed leverage, and she needed to get it without arousing the suspicions of the Syndicate Magi.

  She already had more than enough material to blackmail Ian and the others, but they always needed a reminder of just where they stood with her.

  Angel turned and perched her bum on the edge of the desk.

  “Come in, Ian. How have you been? Busy, I take it?”

  Ian stepped inside and smiled at her.

  “Yeah, I have, thanks. It’s been fairly manic here…”

  The door shut by itself behind him, startling him slightly. Angel just smiled at him. He knew she could use Magic, so he quickly recovered.

  “The new mission has been taking up a lot of my time. The logistics of it are a nightmare.”

  “New mission?” Angel asked quizzically.

  “Down at the South Pole, it’s the Director’s new project. Not sure of the exact details; it’s on a need to know basis, of course.”

  “Of course,” she purred. “Have you missed me, Ian?”

  Ian nodded, flushing slightly as he did so.

  Angel smiled and raised one leg up and placed her foot on the chair to her right, spreading her legs. Ian looked, he couldn’t help it. She could sense his heart rate quicken. She could read his thoughts and knew what he wanted to do.

  “Want a taste?” she asked. “I did promise you, and it’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

  Ian nodded. “It has,” he croaked, his mouth dry with anticipation.

  Angel placed her hands on the desk behind her and closed her eyes.

  “Don’t keep me waiting then,” she said.

  Seconds later, she let out a moan of pleasure as he knelt down before her, his head between her legs.

  ***

  It didn’t take long.

  Standing to one side of the room, she checked her makeup in the mirror as he sat on her sofa where she had left him, trousers round his ankles, head back, relaxed in satisfaction as his arousal dwindled.

  “Wow,” he said under his breath.

  “I think you missed that, didn’t you?” she teased.

  “Did I ever.”

  “How’s the wife?”

  Ian raised his head and eyed her. The mention of his partner subtly changed the mood and reminded him of the hold she had over him.

  “Fine,” he answered shortly.

  In the mirror she saw him stand, pull up his pants and straighten himself out.

  “Um, okay, so you have your meeting scheduled for 11 am,” he said, checking his watch.

  She turned and pulled her blonde hair back into a bun as she approached him.

  “I’m sorry I mentioned her.”

  He smiled back at her, but there was no humour there.

  “Don’t worry, it’s fine.”

  She stepped in closer, put her hands on his hips, and looked at him over her glasses.

  “Play your cards right, young man, and you’ll get a lot more than a blow job from me soon.” She reached around, grabbed a bum cheek in each hand and pulled him in. She leaned in, her lips close to his. Slowly, she licked his lips with her tongue, her eyes looking deep into his as she did it. She could feel him harden against her lower stomach as she teased him. She smiled and let go.

  “Now, back to work, you,” she said, opening the door to her office and guiding him out.

  She shut the door and turned back to her office, feeling pleased with herself.

  Ian was useful. He knew a lot of what happened at the highest levels and was trusted by the board. She had already used him to gently sway the policies and direction of the Syndicate to her favour, and no doubt she would do it again sometime. The secret recordings of their sexual encounters were useful insurance against him, as well.

  She reached out then with her Magic and stopped the hidden camera from recording. Another session to add to the archive.

 
***

  Angel knocked on the black lacquered door that led to one of the more secure meeting rooms in the building. She could see her reflection in the high polish of the wood.

  She carried some files and her organiser, ready to take notes. She didn’t need it, but it was a useful prop.

  The door opened and a large Security Officer looked down at her.

  “Yes?” he said.

  “Angel, sir, reporting for the scheduled meeting.”

  “Let her in,” said a female voice from inside. The man opened the door wider and let Angel pass.

  In front of her stood a long table, one end of it pointed at the door she had just entered through. A laptop sat in front of the nearest empty chair. The screen was black with a small white stylised S in the centre.

  One of the board members stood beside the table. Angel knew her as Roxane Carter, and slightly behind her stood Ian.

  Ian smiled warmly just for a second as Angel entered. Roxane did not smile.

  “Thank you for coming, Angel. Mr Black wishes to speak with you. Please, take a seat and when you’re ready hit any key.

  Angel nodded and sat in the chair that Roxane indicated in front of the laptop. She glanced up at Roxane, who watched her carefully. Angel didn’t know much about her, beyond that she was an Initiated. Angel also knew she had some kind of artifact on her, something that hid her thoughts. She’d seen these before, most of the Initiated board members seemed to have access to them. Most carried them around at all times. It was a precaution against the Magi and Scions that worked within the Syndicate, and something Angel had come up against a few times now. It was another reason why she concentrated on the board's aids, such as Ian, who didn’t have access to items like that.

  She could overload the item, destroying its effect. It didn’t seem all that powerful from what she could tell, but that was a risky thing to do and would likely be traced back to her eventually.