Magi Legend

by Andrew Dobell

  To Angel’s credit, she did just go back to reading the paper and waited for Amanda to leave.

  After twenty minutes, Shaun contacted her again. ~He’s on the train and well away from you now. I’ll try to keep tabs on him, but coverage is spotty. But I think you’re good to leave.~

  ~Understood,~ Amanda replied, and stood up. “I’ll see you soon,” Amanda said to Angel as she left, crossing back over to the park. As she walked, another Mental Link came through as she considered her next move in dealing with Edge. She was intensely curious about what he knew about her mother.

  Amanda recognised Yasmin’s presence in the Link request, and with a deep breath, opened it up. A feeling of trepidation settled over her mind as she did so.

  ~Amanda, meet me at The Jade Palace. I’ll be waiting,~ Yasmin said before cutting the Link.

  - London

  Matt had walked away from that meeting with Seraphim, or Angel, whatever her name was, as quickly as he could. He’d walked directly to a tube station before going round the circle line a couple of times, changing trains three times and then heading home, in the hope of losing anyone that might be following him.

  Despite his best attempts to throw off any potential tail, though, by the time he got back to his home, he just couldn’t shake the feeling that someone had followed him.

  But what could he do? When he had seen Sophia there at the meeting, warning him away from Angel, he knew he had to leave. Sophia had saved his life once before back in Tārūt. He knew she only wanted to protect him, so he followed her directions.

  With a last glance down the street, spotting nothing suspicious, he entered his house and went back to his desktop computer in the basement.

  He found a message waiting for him, addressed to his online name of Edge, from someone on the Dark Web. The sender called himself Father Time and a friend of the Redhead he just met.

  Sophia.

  He gave Father Time the info he asked for.

  ***

  Cherub stood across the street from the house she had just watched Edge walk into and opened a Link to Angel.

  “I have him.”

  Forbidden Fruit

  New York

  Standing over the road from The Jade Palace, looking through the traffic and the people, Amanda quickly picked out Yasmin sitting outside the building.

  Taking a deep breath and feeling a lot more nervous about meeting her again than she had before, she walked towards the Arch Magus.

  Their previous meetings had always been cordial, but after seeing her yesterday, she just couldn’t get Yasmin out of her head. She had thought about her almost constantly last night and this morning. But the thoughts had changed.

  Last night, their little encounter had ignited a fire in Amanda. It took her a few hours to come to terms with it, but eventually, she couldn’t deny it any further.

  She fancied Yasmin.

  Or, at least, she fancied the idea of sleeping with her. She had no desire to have any kind of relationship with the woman, but a few hours of passion carried a certain fascination. No ties, no strings, she just wanted to bed her.

  Yasmin felt like the ultimate forbidden fruit, the mountain that she felt like she needed to conquer to prove something to herself. She was supposedly the Chosen One, after all. Getting this legendary Magus to come to bed with her, to seduce her felt like a challenge she wanted to take on, if only out of curiosity.

  Walking towards Yasmin, she couldn’t help but admire how she looked. It might not be how Amanda would personally dress, but it certainly showed off Yasmin’s body rather nicely. She wore black wet-look leggings with very high black stiletto heels, a black overbust corset which created an enticing show of cleavage, and a small black leather jacket. Her lion’s mane of hair remained loose and streaked through with purple as it caught the wind.

  Yasmin looked up at the last second and smiled at her. Amanda felt her heartbeat quicken and her breath catch in her throat for a moment as she locked eyes with Yasmin for the first time today.

  “Amanda, thank you for coming,” she said, as she stood up to greet her. Amanda felt suddenly self-conscious and guilty for thinking of Yasmin in a sexual way. She offered her hand in greeting, which seemed to amuse Yasmin, but she took Amanda’s hand in hers and shook it warmly.

  “No bother,” Amanda said.

  “Please, sit. I got you a coffee,” Yasmin said.

  “That’s grand, thank you,” she answered as she adjusted the position of the mug on the table, noting it still felt hot. “You wanted to see me?”

  “I think we need to talk.”

  “We tried that once before,” said Amanda, remembering the meeting she’d had with Yasmin on her rooftop that didn’t exactly go to plan.

  “We did, yes, and I wasn’t very forthcoming, I know, but things have changed a bit, I think.”

  “To be sure,” Amanda said.

  “You wanted to know if I was a Nomad, if I remember correctly?” Yasmin mused.

  “That was part of it,” Amanda answered.

  “Well, I suppose I am, by the Arcadian’s narrow definition. But then, any Magi that isn’t a member of the Arcadians is in effect, a Nomad. Even the Inquisition could be considered as such by that definition.”

  “I’m not sure they consider the Inquisitors to be Nomads,” Amanda countered.

  “Maybe, maybe not. But what about the independent Magi of the world?”

  “You mean, like Nefertiti?”

  “Exactly. She might not be an Arcadian, and her methods can be a little harsh by the standards of most Arcadians, but most Nomads would not consider her to be part of their group, either.”

  “Okay. So, what’s your point?”

  “What is a Nomad?”

  “A Magus who walks the Dark Path,” Amanda answered without missing a beat.

  “That’s very vague, Mandy. I think we can do better than that. I would say that a Nomad is someone who worships and follows the will of the Archons. They submit themselves to the Archon of their choice and do their bidding.”

  “And you do not? Is that what you’re saying?” Amanda asked.

  “I do the opposite. The Archons have power, resources, abilities, things that I want for myself. Why should one have to submit oneself to these petty gods to partake in that power? No, I walk my own path. Like I said to you before, life is short and there are things out there for the taking, for those with the strength to do so. I take the things I want. I don’t submit to the power of any Archon, but I have taken the gifts they possess. I walk my own path. If that makes me a Nomad, so be it. It’s not for me to give myself a label, even though I personally don’t feel I have one.”

  “So, you don’t consider yourself a Nomad?”

  “As I said, that’s for others to decide, not me. But I do have power, and that attracts those who want power. It brings attention to me, sometimes that attention is unwanted, but it’s still there. I think you have some experience with this?”

  “I do.” She nodded and rubbed the tattoo on her arm. Since the events on the island and the rumours that had been spread about her, she’d garnered the attention of far too many people, most of which, even if they were technically on the same side, was unwanted.

  “Then you understand. Nothing is ever really black and white, or obvious, is it? I like you, Amanda, and I’m trying to be honest with you. It can be difficult to open up to Arcadians, though. So many of them are blinkered in their viewpoint and refuse to open themselves up to other possibilities.”

  “I’ve heard so much about you from other Arcadians, and they always paint you in a very negative light. And yet, I’ve only ever witnessed you being helpful to me, saving my life many times, and the two just don’t mesh. I’ve been the subject of rumours and hate ever since I came to America as a Magus, and I think I have some inkling about how it feels to be hated and to have that negative attention, so I do.”

  “Such as Demitriov, yesterday,” Yasmin said.

  “Exactly lik
e that. The ejit seemed to be speaking in riddles. He said he knew me from decades ago. Clearly, he’s confusing me with someone else, or maybe he’s just a crazy person who wants his share of the fame.”

  “Well, he certainly is a bit crazy. I’m sorry you had to deal with that. Those of us who shine a little brighter than others in the crowd attract that much more attention, like moths to the flame.”

  “To be sure, and sometimes they get burnt.”

  “But of course. Like Icarus, they can’t all fly close to the sun and survive. So you weren’t too bothered by the attack last night?”

  “Ah, it’s no bother I’m getting used to it, and I can look after myself these days.”

  “Would you walk with me, Mandy?” Yasmin asked.

  Amanda felt a little surprised by the request. She’d assumed they would be staying here for the meeting, but she also felt glad to be moving away from The Jade Palace, a known meeting point for New York’s Magi and a place where she might be seen, which would no doubt, bring her even more unwanted attention.

  “Sure, sure,” Amanda said. She quickly stood up from her chair and fell into step beside Yasmin as she strode down the street, her heels clicking on the concrete. Amanda glanced down, admiring the shape of Yasmin’s legs and wondering what it would be like to have them wrapped around her.

  Yasmin was naturally taller, but her heels really made her tower above Amanda by several inches. She almost wished she’d worn her own heels rather than the sneakers she currently had on.

  “Well done on putting a stop to Mr Black’s plans on the atoll. You handled yourself well.”

  “Ah, now it’s fine, to be sure, but I’m sure ye know yourself that I couldn’t have done that without your help.”

  “Perhaps. Echo did seem to be turning the tide against you,” Yasmin admitted.

  “Until you helped me once again. I don’t think I’ve ever really thanked you for saving my life as often as you have. I certainly wouldn’t be alive right now if it wasn’t for you, to be sure,” Amanda said with feeling.

  “Come now, you don’t know that. There might be another guardian angel out there, watching you for all you know.”

  Amanda laughed. “God love yeh for saying so, but I doubt it. And even if there were, ye were the one that stepped up to the plate and put your life on the line.”

  “Forget about it,” Yasmin said.

  But Amanda wanted to make sure that she thanked Yasmin properly, so she took her hand and brought her to a stop. Turning Yasmin to face her and pulling her towards the buildings, they stepped towards an alleyway.

  “No, I mean it, thank you,” Amanda said, looking into Yasmin’s eyes as she spoke. Yasmin looked back at her, a slight smile playing on her lips. She said nothing. Then Yasmin stepped into her, putting one hand on the side of her head and her other around her waist and kissed her.

  Yasmin walked her backwards, off the street, between the two buildings they were next to and into the shade of the alleyway. Amanda went with it, her mind blank for a moment as she let this statuesque beauty ravish her. She loved the taste of her, the touch of her body pressed into hers, and the feeling of being taken like that. It took her several seconds to get her head around the event, but as it went on, Amanda just couldn’t resist any longer and kissed her back. Taking hold of her, Amanda ran her hands all over Yasmin and pulling her in to make the kiss as deep as possible.

  “I want you, now,” Amanda gasped.

  “Don’t speak, I know you do.”

  “I don’t think you do,” Amanda said and pushed off from the wall. Turning Yasmin she pressed her back into the wall, pinning her there as she kissed her face and neck.

  “Believe me, I understand,” Yasmin said, and worked her Magic. Amanda knew the effect and let it happen, allowing Yasmin to Port them both. They appeared in a hotel room, with the bed behind Amanda. Yasmin pushed her back so that she fell onto the mattress. Looking up, Yasmin used her Magic to rip Amanda’s clothes from her body, which was a curious sensation, leaving her naked on the bed. The clothes Yasmin wore seemed to disintegrate and fade to nothing at the same time, leaving her in only a pair of heels and a smile.

  Yasmin wasted no time and quickly took control of the lovemaking, playing the part of a Dominatrix. They made love for over an hour, their Magic keeping things going far longer than usual with Yasmin taking the lead and keeping control.

  Amanda loved every moment and felt incredibly satisfied by the experience. It was unlike any sex she’d ever had, feeling rougher and kinkier than usual. She’d simply allowed Yasmin to do pretty much whatever she wanted and Yasmin ravished her.

  The memories of this encounter would linger for a long time to come, of that she felt sure.

  Amanda lay on the bed, naked and tired, but satisfied, her mind in a state of bliss.

  “So, where did you last see the Lazarus Scroll?” Yasmin asked.

  “We lost it on the island,” Amanda answered without thinking. But as she lay there, she suddenly realised that she had just given Yasmin some valuable information. She lifted her head and looked across the room to where Yasmin sat in a chair at the bottom of the bed. The light coming from the window behind her cast her in shadow, but Amanda could still make out the smile that spread over Yasmin’s face. A smile that Amanda did not like.

  With a snap of Magic, Yasmin disappeared, leaving Amanda alone. She sat up on the bed and looked to where Yasmin had been a moment before.

  That felt strange.

  None of this felt right. It wasn’t vital information, but she’d basically just admitted to Yasmin that she didn’t have the scroll. That it was out in the world somewhere.

  She started to get the rather distinct feeling that she had just been thoroughly manipulated and played by Yasmin, who had only actually wanted that one piece of information. But it seemed strange to her that Yasmin would go to the lengths she had to get it. Why did Yasmin meet with her, seduce her, and have sex with her when she could have just as easily ripped that information from her mind, unless, of course, the act itself meant something, or served some kind of purpose?

  Amanda started to feel a keen and distinct sinking sensation. She felt like she had just made a mistake that she would live to regret.

  - New York

  Rylie closed the door to her apartment and slowly caught her breath after the frantic dash across town, thinking that she would be found and caught at any second. But she had made it back, and she knew she had struck gold.

  She lifted the camera from her bag and turned it on. She took a breath and pressed the play button, causing an image to appear on the screen on the back of the camera.

  Cycling through the photos, it looked like some kind of porn show. Photos of Yasmin and Amanda, a Nomad and an Arcadian, having sex.

  Forest would be over the moon, and as for poor little Amanda, well, she was fucked!

  Literally.

  Meeting

  New York

  Amanda stood in the alleyway behind The Jade Palace, looking up at the huge hulking form of Horlack, standing over twice her size and barely fitting down the alleyway at all due to his bulk.

  The Scion’s beast-like face looked down at Amanda, and as he stepped up to her, he crouched down, bringing himself closer to her level.

  “Has she agreed?” he asked, his voice a deep rumble.

  Amanda smiled up at the nightmarish visage before her. “Actually, yes, she has,” Amanda said.

  Getting back from her encounter with Yasmin this afternoon, Amanda had felt very much in a daze and felt sure she had just done something that she would live to regret, but on her return to her house, there seemed to be no great drama, and everything looked as it usually did.

  The only item of interest was a message that Gentle Water had taken from Maya saying that she would agree to the meeting with Horlack. Amanda immediately felt better and quickly sent Horlack a telepathic message telling him to meet her in the alley behind The Jade Palace.

  Porting over to the
alleyway, she didn’t have to wait long before he dropped down from the rooftop just in front of her.

  The smile that played over Horlack’s face as Amanda gave him the good news made him look even more terrifying than usual, but she knew he was at least pleased with the outcome.

  “When?” he said simply.

  “Let me ask her,” she said and used her Magic to open the Link to Maya.

  ~Amanda, I take it you got my message?~

  ~I did, thank you. I’m with Horlack now, actually. He’d like to know when you’d like to meet.~ she said.

  ~Oh, well, I suppose now would be okay. On The Jade Palace’s roof in a few moments?~ Maya suggested.

  ~Bang on, I’ll let him know. I’ll come too.~

  ~No, no. That’s not necessary. I’ll do this alone, thank you,~ Maya protested.

  ~That’s not a good idea. It’s no bother, I’ll help. ”

  ~Seriously, no, I’ll be fine, he wants to meet with me, not with me and you. I’m sure he’d just want for me to come alone, and anyway, I can handle myself.”

  ~But, with the Chosen One on your side...~

  ~I said no!~ Maya snapped.

  ~OK, fine.~ Amanda sighed to herself. What was it with people? ~We’ll talk later. You can let me know how the meeting goes.~

  ~Yeah, maybe…~

  With a sigh, Amanda cut the Link and returned her focus to the Scion. “She’ll meet you now, on the roof,” Amanda said, pointing upwards.

  Horlack nodded to her. “Thank you, I will remember this, no matter the outcome,” he said.

  Amanda smiled, and with a quick working of Magic, Ported out of the alleyway.

  ***

  Yoh walked up the stairs next to Maya, feeling a little frustrated by this sudden turn of events. They had been having a pleasant evening which he’d been enjoying thoroughly, until this interruption. Yoh didn’t know much about Horlack or his connection to Maya, but he did know that this demonic Scion had been the one to attack Amanda in the alleyway. It had triggered her Epiphany in what sounded like a terrifying encounter that had killed one of her friends. The fact that according to Maya, Amanda had organised all this sounded like madness. But then, Amanda wasn’t quite her usual self right now. Maya had been talking about it earlier, and it sounded like the attention had gone to Amanda’s head. He decided to stay out of it for now.