Siphon Magic

by Alicia Fabel

  “We’re headed for the base of the Kyopili now,” Marianna informed them. “You’ll have a chance to get the High Witches up to speed soon.”

  “The only way to get close enough to the Siphon Master to kill him is by joining the horde,” said Addamas, who’d grown quiet.

  “I know,” replied Kale.

  “No,” said Vera. “First off, without the siphon to command the horde, what happens if the unnaturals go on a rampage? Can you fight off a thousand of them? What’s to stop them from tearing across the Earth at that point? Secondly, based on everything I’ve seen, joining the horde is the worst possible idea there is.” The thought of Kale joining them was a vice around Vera’s chest.

  “If Kale kills the siphon, he’ll become their leader,” Addamas revealed. “They won’t do anything without Kale’s okay after that.

  “Which means everyone would be safe,” Kale said. “It’s a good plan with little threat of casualties.”

  “Except you,” Vera pointed out.

  “I can handle it.” Kale turned to Addamas. “Would it work, though?”

  “There’s a lot of variables, but yeah. It’s a solid plan.”

  “Are we agreed then?” Kale asked the group.

  Everyone nodded except Vera, who sat dumbly.

  “Come on,” Mimi stood and grabbed Vera’s hand. “Let them talk out the details. We’ll go watch the trees go by.”

  Vera followed Mimi to the front porch. “What if something goes wrong? Kale will be alone in the middle of the horde. What if they turn on him? He says he can’t be killed, but I don’t know.”

  “Don’t worry, we won’t let him go in without backup,” said Mimi.

  “What backup?”

  “Like we were talking about earlier, some people will stand beside Kale. That number is growing all the time. We’ll make sure people are in place should things go sideways.”

  The tight coiling in Vera’s chest loosened some, but Mimi seemed lost in thought now.

  “So,” drawled Vera. “You’re a cat.”

  “Ha. I’m a morph. Not a very good one, though. Once I’m in my cat form, I have a hard time getting back to this one.”

  “Does it hurt?”

  “It’s not too bad. I have a hard time quieting my mind so I can change over, though. It takes a lot of focus.”

  “I can’t imagine.”

  “So, who gave you this?” Mimi picked up Vera’s charm for closer inspection.

  “His name’s Gage.”

  “Ohh,” Mimi sang. “Is Gage hot?”

  “He gave it to me because I had to leave my chick, Eggbert, behind. It’s a piece of his shell. Apparently the acorn he carved is a symbol of luck.”

  “That’s a yes on the hotness thing then.” Mimi nudged Vera’s arm. “He must like you quite a bit to be that thoughtful.”

  “What? No.” Vera protested. “He was just being nice. He’s like twenty-three or something. He’s too old for me.”

  Mimi choked a bit, looking past Vera. “Hey Kale. What’s up?”

  “I wanted to make sure you two hadn’t fallen off and been run over by the house.”

  “Now that’s something I never thought I’d hear.” Vera smiled ruefully up at Kale.

  “Wanna come sit with us?” Mimi asked, fluttering her eyelashes.

  “I don’t think so. Be careful.” Kale left them.

  “What do you have against older men?” Mimi jumped right back to their previous conversation.

  “Huh?” Vera peeled her mind away from the look on Kale’s face just then. “Nothing, I… Nothing.”

  Mimi studied Vera’s red cheeks suspiciously. “Gage totally likes you and you know it. You’re being bashful right now. Aww, you’re adorable. I’m glad I found you.” Mimi leaned against Vera.

  “Pretty sure I found you,” Vera said.

  “Then I shoved your butt out of a tree,” Mimi replied. “How could we not be friends after that?”

  “Mimi, dear,” Marianna said from the doorway. “I just wanted to let you know we’re almost to the world-gate.”

  “I thought we were on our way to Kyopili,” Mimi said, puzzled.

  “We are. The satyr said you’d be headed back to the meadow rather than joining the rest of the group.”

  “By Duat, I am.” Mimi jumped up fuming. “I’ll be back. You can keep this house moving.”

  “How are you holding up, Vera dear?” Marianna plopped into the spot Mimi had just vacated, cradling her bowl of acorns.

  “I’m doing okay, I think.”

  “Well, your head hasn’t exploded yet, so that’s a good sign.” Marianna patted Vera’s knee.

  “Don’t speak too soon. I’m trying to figure out a plan B, and my head may still explode.”

  “What’s wrong with the plan they have now?” asked the weaver.

  “Oh, ya know. Either Kale could die or turn into a monster.”

  “And you care,” said Marianna.

  “Of course I care. He’s an infuriating jerk most of the time, but he’s my friend.”

  “Don’t fret yet,” Marianna said. “With a little luck, everything will work out.”

  “I don’t have good luck, Marianna.”

  “Maybe that good luck charm around your neck will help with that.”

  Vera lifted the egg chip, eyeing it. “Mitch did say it was for luck.”’

  “I think it will bring you just the luck you need,” Marianna said optimistically. “In the meantime, you know what helps me when I’m stressed?”

  “What?”

  “Food.” Marrianna popped an acorn into her mouth and thrust the bowl under Vera’s nose. “Want one?”

  “No thanks,” Vera said with a polite smile.

  18

  Rock crushed beneath Kale’s feet. Addamas tapped Kale’s elbow and angled his head toward the empty branches where the Crone’s crows should be roosting. This time of year, the trees should be teeming with newly hatched chicks and their mamas to yell at trespassers. The pools near the base of Kyopili were empty because the newts wintered at the palace with their Maiden. Kale wondered if any of the Mother’s kits would be playing on the rocks outside their dens. Based on the unusual fox activity in Summartir, Kale was thinking not.

  “I’m getting a bad feeling about this,” Addamas said quietly.

  The smell of new grass and spring were at odds with the ominous hush over the mountain. Addamas slowed, falling back to bring up the rear behind Mimi and Vera. The group clambered up the narrow ledge to the gaping mouth of the soul cavern. From there, they had a clear view of the deserted valley below.

  “I don’t like the idea of being in there with no lookout,” Addamas said, eyeing the dark cavern. “Why don’t Mimi and I keep watch while you and Vera have a chat with the High Witches?”

  “Don’t worry, Addamas,” Mimi patronized the satyr. “I’ll protect you if any dead witches come to say hi.”

  “I’m not scared of a few old ghosts, woman.” Addamas’s nose flared at Mimi’s insult.

  “You might not be, but this girl is.” Vera pointed at herself using both thumbs. “In fact, I might pee myself really soon.”

  “You’ll be fine. It’s just like an old folks home for women,” Mimi said.

  “Only the women are crankier, can become invisible, and float through walls,” Addamas said.

  “Don’t listen to this moron.” Mimi punched Addamas in the arm for emphasis. “His sister dropped him on his head when he was a baby.”

  Vera’s eyes widened.

  “It wasn’t her fault,” Mimi said. “Addamas bit her, like a little demon.”

  “I regret nothing.” Addamas raised a brow at Mimi. “My sister was obnoxious when we were kids. Like someone else I know.”

  “Suddenly, I’m ready to face a cave of ghosts,” Vera mumbled.

  “You and me both.” Kale tugged Vera’s arm, pulling her into the cave.

  They’d gone barely more than a dozen feet when Vera whispered, “Now what
?”

  “Why are you whispering?” demanded an old woman, hunched with age. She hadn’t been there a moment before. “I’m old. Speak up so I can hear you.”

  Vera jumped about twenty feet in the air and spun to face the High Crone, who sat casually on a stone altar. She appeared to be alone. Of course, other spirits could be surrounding them. They stood in what amounted to Kyolipi’s reception area. If spirits didn’t want to be seen, they weren’t. He was just relieved the Crone had come to greet them. There was always a chance that she’d ignore them. In that case, they would’ve probably wandered the caves all afternoon without seeing anyone. Vera’s attention latched onto the solid rock wall behind them, where the cave entrance had been moments before. He’d forgotten to mention the cave would seal them in until the witches were ready to let them go. The girl pinched the back of his arm to let him know she was not pleased. Kale resisted rubbing the spot. Infernals be damned, that stings.

  “Crone,” Kale dipped his head respectfully at the Crone.

  “Took you long enough to come see me,” chided the Crone. “If I’d had a crow left, I’d have sent it to peck out your eyes.”

  “Apologies for our delay,” Kale said humbly. “We came as soon as we knew the truth.”

  “Bah.” The Crone slashed a hand in front of herself. “You know nothing yet.”

  “We know the Maiden is responsible for trying to tear apart the world and destroy my realm,” Vera said with a tiny edge of offense.

  Kale pressed his lips together to contain his groan. One second the Crone was standing across the room, the next, she was inches from Vera’s face.

  “Child, I am tired. My crows are all dead. I am trapped here seeing all that wretched excuse for a witch is doing to my home, and I can do nothing. When I tell you that you know nothing, do not think me a fool. You. Know. Nothing.”

  “I’ve seen what the Maiden has done too,” Vera said, quieter, but still not backing down.

  “You saw, but you did not see,” replied the Crown harshly.

  “What did I not see?” asked Vera.

  “What color magic does the witch use?” questioned the Crone.

  “Black,” answered Vera.

  Kale’s eyes fell closed. Of course. It made sense now.

  “Did the witch ever use blue magic?” Kale asked Vera.

  “Twice. The first day I met her, and when she blasted a hole in the banquet-hall ceiling after she’d been poisoned.”

  “The only times her clean hands were on display for the Guardian,” said the Crone.

  “It made sense for her to be confused after she was poisoned.” Kale talked it through as the pieces fell into place. “No one questioned it—I didn’t question it. That was by design, I suspect. Where is the Mother?” he asked the Crone.

  “Now you know the truth,” said the Crone, retreating to her spot, perched on the altar.

  “Kale?” Vera frowned.

  “The Maiden never deceived me,” explained Kale. “A witch uses a single color of magic. You saw two different witches. The Mother is there too. The Maiden has no idea she’s not alone.”

  “I’m not sure if I should be glad that she’s double-stuffed instead of two-faced.” Vera shivered. “How did no one notice?”

  “The fox hiding in the henhouse,” said Kale. “Like Liah told us.”

  “Can you stop Mother?” Vera asked the Crone.

  “If that were possible, I’d have done it. Our magic is so intertwined, I cannot move mine against the Mother without her knowing what I do before I do it.”

  “If we weaken the Mother, force her to use her magic?” asked Kale.

  “If you could force her to use all she has down to the final drops, I could rip her from the threads without unraveling the whole of the world. But Mother is sly, like her familiars. Getting her to use up her magic stores like that, I’m not sure it’s possible.”

  “If the Maiden found out, could she help?” asked Vera.

  “If Maiden could fight from that side and me from this side, we might be able to bind the Mother,” said the Crone. “But once the Maiden transitions, she will be as helpless as I am now.”

  “So, we have less than three days to cut the Mother off from her unnatural army so she has no leverage, and let Maiden know what’s going on without alerting Mother. Cake,” Vera said sarcastically. “When we fail, the world will celebrate as my realm crashes and burns.”

  “You doubt your ability to succeed, girl?” asked the Crone curiously.

  “Against these odds, absolutely. But that’s never stopped me from trying. Ask him,” Vera tipped her head at Kale.

  “Vera will not be a part of the fight to come,” said Kale emphatically.

  “Never mind, don’t ask him,” Vera said. “It turns out he doesn’t know me at all.”

  “I think you just gave me the hope I have lacked.” The Crone’s face softened. “Take luck with you.”

  With that final wish, the Crone disappeared. Behind them, the cave opening reappeared.

  “Your part in this plan is to stay back and stay alive,” Kale said firmly.

  “I’m not discussing this with you,” Vera turned and walked away.

  Kale was working on his breathing when Vera stepped into the sunlight and slowly put her hands into the air. It was a particularly human movement that meant surrender. In a few strides, he inserted himself between Vera and the Mother waiting for them outside.

  “I was not happy to learn you’d come here,” Mother said. “But once I got here and secured a couple bargaining chips, I felt much better.”

  Mimi was bound to the mountainside by magical ties that Kale could not see and was circled by foxes. One fox had its mouth around Mimi’s throat. Addamas stood back, unable to move without risking Mimi, which the satyr would never do, no matter how much the two bickered.

  “I’ll let you take your friends here with you,” Mother offered Kale. “All you have to do is give me the siphon.”

  “No,” yelled Mimi.

  The Mother clicked her tongue, and a fox ripped a chunk of flesh from Mimi’s calf. Mimi screamed. Addamas shot forward but Mother tsked. With the wave of a hand, she knocked him into a pine tree.

  “Stay down. Or she’ll lose more of that flesh you like so much,” warned the Mother.

  “I’ll come with you,” Vera cried, easing around Kale.

  “No.” Kale stepped in front of her again.

  “I won’t let her kill Mimi.”

  “But you’ll let her kill you?”

  “She doesn’t want to kill me,” Vera said loud enough for the Mother to hear. “She wants to use me.”

  “For someone so dense, that’s rather insightful of you, Vera,” said the Mother.

  “Which means my life is safe for now. Mimi’s is not.” Vera squared her shoulders.

  Vera was scared of spiders and jumpy around strangers, but put someone in danger or piss her off, and she’d go up against a demon. She’d go up against Kale.

  “You’re right,” said Kale, running a hand through his hair. “But I’m not sure I’m capable of letting you go. I need to figure out a way to save you both.”

  “Save Mimi,” Vera said gently. “Let me save myself. And you.”

  “What do you mean by that?” Kale’s stomach rolled.

  “I’m a siphon and Mother has too much magic,” Vera whispered. “This is my role in this battle.”

  “No, we stick to the plan we agreed to,” said Kale.

  “I never agreed to that plan. In fact, I hate it.”

  “Vera, you’re killing me here.”

  “I have to try,” said Vera. “At least this way we have another option if your plan fails. If something happens to my realm, and I did nothing when I could have, I wouldn’t be able live with myself. Let me try to save my people.”

  “You have a trade,” Kale informed the Mother heavily.

  “First, I want the Pathmaker to open a path and walk away,” instructed Mother.

  “Th
at wasn’t part of the deal,” argued Addamas.

  “I’m not an idiot,” said Mother. “You’re waiting for me to be distracted by this exchange, but that won’t happen.”

  “Go,” said Kale to Addamas.

  Addamas shook his head.

  “I will bring Mimi home alive,” Kale promised.

  “Go, you fool satyr,” said Mimi.

  “If you die, I’m going to be pissed at you,” Addamas said.

  “Fine, if I die, you can chew me out later,” Mimi said.

  “Count on it.” Addamas turned and vanished.

  “Stay there, Guardian. Only Vera now. As soon as Vera and I have portaled away, my friends over there will leave, and you may gather your friend. Harm any of my foxes, and I’ll repay it on your Vera.”

  Vera took a breath to steel herself.

  “Oh, I almost forgot something.” Mother pulled Gus’s acorn medallion from her pocket. “I borrowed this from a birdy friend of yours. You’ll want to do what you’re told, Vera, and not do anything regrettable. Unless you’re not worried about how many feathers he keeps.”

  Vera’s breath hitched. Kale twirled her into his arms before she could walk away. He pressed his face to the top of Vera’s head and held her tight.

  “I won’t be able to help you after all,” Vera said. “Not when she has Gus. But I don’t want to lose you either. If you go face the siphon, what will happen to you?”

  Kale felt like he’d been punched in the gut. This girl would be his undoing.

  “Look at me,” Kale said. “I promise you, you will not lose me. Whatever happens, I will be the same man when I come for you as I am today. Trust that, okay? I’m calling in our bet now. Trust me. No arguments, no questions.”

  “Got it, Scotchie,” Vera said with a pathetic attempt at a smile.

  The Mother yanked Vera from him. A portal swirled up to take them away. Kale let them go.

  “What are we doing here?” Vera asked, standing over Margory as the young girl slept.

  “I want you to siphon Margory’s magic and give it to me.” Mother brushed Margory’s hair back from her face. “I slipped a sleeping potion in her tea. She won’t wake.”