by Bill Hiatt
“This isn’t an illusion one can see through,” said Magnus. “Nor is it an ordinary copy that only looks the same. The body is the same. Even a human scientist examining the body’s smallest particles, what they call cells, could see no difference. If you were to search all day, you would not find one variation. Even most spells cannot tell the difference. Even most seers cannot.”
“If the bodies cannot be distinguished by magic, how were you able to break the spell?” asked the English second.
“As you saw, the transformation relies on the blood of the subject being copied. Even one drop lasts a fairly long time, and the spell can use a greater amount of blood to create a longer lasting copy. We haven’t found a way to break the spell yet, but we do have a way to adjust it so that it burns through blood much faster than normal. The spell fades earlier than it usually would, catching the user by surprise.”
I had seldom seen Magnus look truly happy, but surrounded by sorcerers, some with centuries of experience, who were fawning all over him because of their amazement at the new magic he had shown them, he looked different He smiled, not just with his mouth, but with his eyes.
Perhaps I could make use of his desire for praise.
“It’s good to see him look happy for a change,” said Shahriyar, who had walked up next to me without my realizing he was there.
“Thank you for saving me earlier. Your actions have pleased Amun.”
Shahriyar smiled in a strained way, as if he wanted to laugh but was trying not to. “I didn’t do it for Amun. I did it for you. You’re one of us now.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You hardly know me. I got the impression some of my acts were not popular in…your group.”
“It’s not your fault you switch back and forth between Amy and Amenirdis. That whole past lives thing is tricky. If you mean by pulling Chango into Lucas’s body—twice—yeah, you need to stop doing that. I don’t think anyone but Chango is going to complain too much about that second time, though. We might not have survived without his power. Lucas is formidable—but he can’t take down dozens of adversaries in a single stroke the way Chango can.”
“What did you mean when you said I was one of you?”
“All of us are touched by the supernatural—for better or worse. We’re like a big family. We stick together. We have each other’s backs. Every one of us has risked our lives for at least one person in the group. Even Magnus, who—well, don’t quote me, but he’s a bastard part of the time—even he has risked himself to save others.”
I smiled and did my best to look as if I believed what he was saying. I understood the value of loyalty. But loyalty to people who were not blood and were not Pharaoh or any of his surrogates? Such feelings were unknown to me. My first loyalty was to Amun and always would be.
The faeries finally let Magnus go. He shed Khalid’s form with ease and walked in my general direction. He did not get very far, though. His friends surrounded him, and there was much back-slapping and congratulating. Shahriyar raced over to join this ritual, and I followed. For the moment, it was to my advantage to have these people trust me.
I had hoped to return to our primary mission in Summerland, but just as the praising of Magnus was winding down, Gwynn ap Nudd joined the group. Would he delay our departure still further? He, too, was smiling, so there was some hope he would just send us on our way.
“I now understand how you came to be such good allies of my counterpart in your world. How did you learn of this dire deception in mine, though? You clearly know more than a visitor could possibly have found out.”
“Similar events occurred in our world,” said Magnus. “Things played out differently because we intervened earlier, but the spell and the general plan were the same. The short-term goal seems to be to consolidate power in Annwn and other faerie realms into fewer hands. The long-term goal is domination of other planes of existence.”
“It is good that you stopped it when you did.”
“It probably isn’t over,” said Shar. “In our universe, the plot originated with Hecate.”
“The Greek witch goddess?” asked Gwynn.
“The very same. We only just barely averted her plan to take over the Olympian plane by replicating and replacing all the major Olympians. Since our counterparts in this universe never became involved in the supernatural, it would be safe to assume Hecate succeeded and now rules that entire realm, probably through a fake Zeus.”
“She cannot escape her own plane, though,” said Gwynn.
“She has agents in yours,” said Stan. “It was she who developed the blood double spell. You need to know that the real Nicneven is most likely an ally of hers, just as her counterpart was in our world.”
Gwynn frowned. “I thought she was replaced as Oberon was. You unmasked her imposter.”
“In our universe, she used doubles for combat situations,” said Magnus. “The real Nicneven is probably safe at home in Elphame. She will shortly proclaim her ignorance of what has transpired and plot her next move.
“Long ago, when communication between the planes was easier, she made a pact with Hecate to augment her faerie abilities with Hecate’s witchcraft. She can still draw on that power. She has also formed an alliance with demons. You did notice the hellfire?”
“I always suspected something was wrong,” said Gwynn. “She claimed to have found a way to create a much more intense flame—an odd addition to a faerie whose powers are tied to winter.”
“She is secretly the queen of Scottish witches, and some of her followers sell their souls for access to hellfire,” said Stan.
“Do you have proof of these accusations?” asked Gwynn, looking around the group.
“We can prove what her counterpart in our world did—but I doubt that would carry much weight with faerie rulers here,” said Magnus.
Gwynn laughed. “I see you had some experience with faerie justice. Yes, I could present a mountain of evidence, and a vote of our council might still be close. Can you help me get proof?”
“I fear we cannot stay that long,” said Tal as he rejoined the group. Magnus’s smile became tighter. Carla and Viviane also arrived. Taliesin and Carla looked a little pale, but they showed no signs of their previous drastic injuries. Viviane was indeed as great a healer as I had been led to believe.
“The same person who drew us here may do great harm in our own world. However, we will defeat that person before we return home. Since he has the power to cross the boundaries of parallel universes, it is likely he can also cross planes of existence in unusual ways. He may even be able to free Hecate. By stopping him, we may spare you a war against the Olympians.”
Gwynn nodded. “Under the circumstances, that will be more than I have any right to ask of you.”
“Yet we will do more,” said Taliesin. “Magnus or I can teach you the counterspell he used. You and the other faerie rulers can be secure against replacement in the future.”
“Excellent!” The Welsh faerie king had the worried look of someone who is having a hard time keeping up with the rush of events, but it was clear he was about to let us go back to take care of Amen Hafez.
“I need to ask two favors of you,” said Taliesin slowly. I tried not to let my irritation show.
“Anything that is within my power to grant you may have.”
“Will you parole Ceridwen to us?”
Gwynn’s smile vanished. “Your good intent I cannot doubt. Hers, however—but you have done too much for us today. She will be placed in your custody. However, you will be accountable for what she does.”
“Of course,” said Tal. “Second, one of us has a problem Arianrhod might be able to fix.”
“Something involving reincarnation, I take it.”
My heart skipped a beat. I managed to keep my face expressionless.
“Yes, our friend Amy over there has a past-life personality that takes over from time to time. We’d like to make the interaction between past and present personas more…collaborative.”
Gwynn looked at me and raised an eyebrow. “I do see something amiss, but it is beyond my skill to correct it.” He motioned Arianrhod over. “My aunt, however, is an expert, as you obviously know. If anyone can solve this problem, she can.”
“What if I do not wish to be fixed?” I asked. “I have a mission—”
“I’m not suggesting suppressing you completely,” said Taliesin. “Amy has a right to decide what happens to her own body, though.”
I could have used Amy as a mask again, but Arianrhod might see through the deception.
“And what of Amun?” I asked. “He brought me forth for a purpose. Who are any of us to question his will?”
“Was there some kind of special intercession in her case?” asked Arianrhod as if I were not standing right in front of her.
“As far as we can tell, her awakening happened spontaneously,” said Taliesin. “There was no sign of the awakening spell used on me, Stan, and Carla. Nor is there any trace of the Hermetic magic used on Lucas. There weren’t even any unusual circumstances I know of. When Shar’s Alexander personality started to surface, we were in the Greek Underworld, and in that case, Shar gained access to Alexander’s memories and skills, but Alexander himself didn’t put in an appearance.”
“That’s usually the way of such things,” said Arianrhod. “Some memories resurface, but a whole personality? I have never seen it.”
“Does that not prove that Amun has willed it so?” I asked.
“Has Amun spoken to you?” Arianrhod asked me.
“No. I sense that he is somehow…interfered with. He brought me back to set the world right.”
“Amun is locked away on another plane of existence,” said Arianrhod gently. “The same has happened to all the those who claimed to be Egyptian gods, Greek gods, Norse gods. We faeries escaped the same fate only by giving up our pretensions to godhood. I once claimed to be a moon goddess, as well as a guardian of time and of the reincarnation cycle. I know of what I speak.”
“Pretensions?” My voice sounded shrill, but I could not stop myself. “Amun is not pretending to be a god. He is one—the greatest of them all, more than capable of crushing all of you.”
“Hear me!” Despite myself, the commanding sound of Chango’s voice forced my eyes in his direction. “Orishas were once worshipped as gods. Arianrhod speaks the truth. We orisha are…on probation now, the mortals would say. God is giving us another chance to serve his purpose. That is why it is important that you do not keep dragging me back into worlds where I do not belong.”
Of all of them, Chango was the one I believed most likely to support me. I could no longer avoid the ugly truth—I was alone. I prayed silently to Amun, but I knew he wouldn’t answer.
I had seen their magic. I had seen their weapons. Even fully rested, I might beat one or two of them, but not all. My only hope was surprise—which I didn’t have now.
“Let us speak to Amy,” said Tal.
I started to back away. Strong arms grabbed me, Shahriyar from the left and Gordy from the right. I struggled, but their grip only tightened.
“We don’t want to hurt you,” said Tal.
“You want to destroy me!” I yelled. That is what burying me inside Amy would amount to.
“Can you bring out Amy?” Taliesin asked Arianrhod.
“It will be harder without cooperation, but I will try,” said the treacherous faerie. She bathed me in silver moonlight. I closed my eyes against it. I shut my mind against the power I felt reaching into it.
Amun was god not only of the wind, but of all things invisible, including every part of my mind. I could never beat some of these people in a physical contest—but I could and would keep them from desecrating my mind.
I imagined walls strong as a fortress protecting me on all sides. They were reinforced with the powers of Amun and of Ra. No, all the gods of Egypt in unison had blessed them. Arianrhod would not move a single grain of sand from any of them.
“She is strong-willed,” said the faerie. “I can break that will, but she will be damaged. Even Amy may be damaged.”
“Let’s try a different approach,” said Tal. They all fell silent. I knew they were plotting against me, mind-to-mind. I tried to overhear them, but the connection was blocked as resolutely as I had blocked my mind against them.
Magnus began to play on that cursed lyre, and I heard Chango’s dancing steps as well. The group was building power to shatter the fortress of my mind. Tal and others would have what they wanted—and they cared not what it would cost me.
I felt magic easing its way into me, but it did not assail my fortress. That was odd, but I kept my determination focused on those walls. They were stone, the thickest man had ever carved. They were immovable. Not even earthquake or flood would overpower them. Not even a volcano below would topple them. They would survive until the end of the world.
Too late I realized my mistake. Another wall had formed around mine, enclosing me in a great stone bubble.
I stopped hearing both lyre and dance steps. I opened my eyes, but I was blind. I could no longer feel the firm hands grasping my arms.
They had not tried to break me. They had bypassed me instead.
Decisions
“Amy? Are you with us?” asked Tal.
I opened my eyes for the first time in what seemed like hours.
“It’s me,” I said. “Amenirdis…I thought she could help in the battle.”
“It’s her. You can let go,” he said. Gordy and Shar released my arms.
“I feel…Amenirdis is trying to take control again.”
“We have her isolated,” said Tal. “She can’t take over again right now. Arianrhod is certain she can exclude her permanently.”
“Is that wise?” I had a hard time forcing the words out. Was I already rusty at controlling my own body?
“What do you mean?” asked Viviane. Surprise showed through her clinical façade. “If we do nothing, she can take over again whenever it suits her.”
“We do not want that,” said Lucas—no, Chango. “She does not understand the way the world is now or how badly her decisions might affect it.”
“It’s just that…aren’t you going to need her? She did help in that battle. Amen Hafez doesn’t seem like a pushover. Amenirdis is a pretty powerful addition to your team, isn’t she?” Tal looked amazed I would say such a thing.
I was amazed myself. I should have been rooting for locking Amenirdis up and throwing away the key. Hell, melting the key down and pouring it into a bottomless pit.
I knew one thing, though. I couldn’t continue just drifting along, pushed this way and that by forces I didn’t understand. It was time I took some control of my own life.
“Is this really Amy?” asked Eva. “If so, is Amenirdis manipulating her in some way?”
“Sorry, Amy, but I need to poke around in your mind a little bit.” Tal was telling me, not asking me, but under the circumstances, I could hardly blame him.
“Magnus, I need you to check my results.”
I felt both of them enter my mind. Tal’s touch was subtle, almost gentle. Magnus’s was a little rougher, but even he seemed to be trying not to hurt me.
“That feels so weird.”
“Sorry,” said Tal. “If you hadn’t been touched by the supernatural, you wouldn’t feel it at all.” To the group, he added, “She’s Amy as far as I can tell, and I don’t sense Amenirdis exerting any kind of influence. Magnus?”
“That’s how I see it, too. Since true mind-reading is so rare, I doubt Amenirdis would know how to conceal her activities from a scan.”
“Then let me address your concern, Amy,” said Shar. “Sure, Hafez is strong, we don’t fully understand his power, and he has a home court advantage over us. Even so, I like our odds in a fight. Amenirdis was in control of your body then, but you saw the battle, didn’t you?”
“Yes. I couldn’t always tell what I was seeing, but what you guys did was amazing. Amenirdis helped quite a bit
, though, didn’t she?”
“She did,” said Stan. “However, we had to fight against a numerically overwhelming force. It’s pretty hard to put a supernatural army anywhere close to that large into play on Earth. Supernaturals, even evil ones, don’t want to risk that kind of exposure. Individual human beings usually aren’t much of a threat to someone with supernatural abilities. However, the billions of ordinary humans far outnumber the supernaturals, including the handful of human sorcerers with real power. Also, humans have greater scientific knowledge than supernaturals. Most supernaturals believe that, if humanity knew of their existence, it could wipe out the supernatural community on Earth.
“Besides, supernaturals have other worries besides humans. Nobody wants to risk ending up like…well, like Amun and company, confined to their own plane of existence. That’s why faeries, even though they can still visit Earth, so seldom do. Even though they don’t claim divinity any longer, they’re afraid that too much interference will lead to a reaction by God.”
“Yet we encountered some axexes.”
“A few, and in a relatively isolated area. It’s not like Hafez risked flying an air force-sized squadron over Santa Barbara,” said Gordy.
“What about the shadow assassins?”
“By their nature, my…former people only show up when they’re hard to see, and they will normally go to great lengths not to be spotted by anyone other than their target,” said Umbra in her usual, toneless voice. “Only if they encountered someone who knew who they were and who blocked access to their target would they show themselves—and then it would be to kill the obstacle.”
“And the other ghosts in the cellar in Summerland?”
“Out of sight and, as far as we know, not interacting with ordinary people,” said Jimmie.
“What about the magic snakes in Orcutt? I’m not trying to be difficult, but couldn’t someone besides us have stumbled upon them? Oh, and didn’t Hafez pull our van into this world in the middle of relatively heavy traffic?”