Siphon Magic

by Alicia Fabel

  “Vera, I’m glad you could return for the end of the transition festival,” said the witch while a blue lizard poked its head out of her hair near the witch’s ear.

  “Maiden,” Vera said tensely, checking the witch’s eyes for any sign of the Mother who was hiding in there somewhere.

  “Where’s your protector this morning?” asked Maiden, looking for Kale behind Vera.

  “He had something to take care of,” Vera answered honestly.

  “He’s so overbearing, he probably decided you’d be safer in here than out there where everyone is gathering, and where all the fun is happening,” guessed Maiden.

  “He is very overbearing,” Vera agreed carefully.

  “When he gets back, can you tell him I want to see him? I want to make sure he gets the Mother up to speed on everything that’s been happening as soon as possible tomorrow.”

  “Sure. But I’m not sure when that will be,” Vera said.

  “It’s okay. Whenever. I’m not going to be busy today. I usually spend my last day enjoying the festival, but my heart isn’t in it this year with so many good witches dead and missing this week. I’ll have to go out there soon and see how the news is spreading,” continued Maiden. “Mother will have a tough season, keeping everyone calm and unmasking our betrayer. I feel rather bad leaving her with this situation.”

  “It’s not like it’s your fault,” managed Vera. “I’m sure she won’t blame you.”

  “I know you’re right, but it’s still difficult.” Maiden rubbed Blue’s head. “Mother is incredible. You’re going to like her. And she’ll fix everything.”

  “What were you looking at?” Vera indicated the painting Maiden had been appreciating since there was no way she was touching that conversation.

  “Come look.” Maiden waved Vera closer. “This is my grandmother’s dragon. I was trying to memorize the details so I could share it with her when I get there.”

  “Are you glad to be going back?” asked Vera

  “Yes and no,” Maiden said. “I miss my grandmother when I’m here. But I miss my friends when I am there.”

  “Does it hurt when you leave your body?”

  “No, it feels like letting go of the shore and allowing a stream to carry me away.”

  “Hopefully not a stream that’s as cold as the one I was in this week.” Vera forced her mind to flit over the Kale-related details of that experience. “It fed into a lake with a monster which tried to eat me.”

  “You’ve had an exciting week.”

  “You could say that.” Vera frowned. “Could you let go anytime? Like, if you wanted to leave early?”

  “I can only leave during the solstice. Summartir has three each year. The ties that bind us here loosen for a short time during that period. Only the High Triad witches can come and go from our body, since it is not truly ours. I’ll wait for the Mother to get here first, and then slip out. Once solstice passes, the power rebinds to the land and Mother will be safely locked in until the next solstice.”

  “How will she find her way here?”

  “Our people sing for us. She’ll follow their voices.”

  “She won’t accidentally end up in the wrong body?”

  “Oh no. Every other body is already filled to the brim. I’ll push myself aside to let her in.”

  “What if you don’t leave?”

  “Vera, enough,” warned Mother through Maiden’s mouth, and then she was gone.

  Maiden shook her head dizzily, “I think I ate too many tarts for breakfast. The sugar is catching up to me. Mother is not going to be pleased with a sugar hangover when she gets here,” Maiden bit her bottom lip sheepishly. “Anyway, of course I’ll leave. It would be too cramped with more than one of us here. But other than my newts leaving the palace to come be near me at Kyopili, you won’t know anything has changed.”

  “I can’t believe those lizards can hide so well.” Vera studied Maiden’s hair.

  “Actually, only Blue is with me today. The rest are getting one last soak in the lily pool. They tend to mope my last days because they know we’re leaving it behind for the rest of the year. I should probably go see them so their feelings aren’t too hurt. Do you want to see them too?”

  “Sure,” Vera said with more enthusiasm than she’d intended. She hoped Mother hadn’t noticed.

  It was a short walk to Maiden’s room. Vera glanced around as inconspicuously as possible when she walked through the doors. There was nowhere to hide a giant bird.

  “Your rooms are beautiful,” said Vera to explain away her interest in the space. “I bet Mother is looking forward to being back here.”

  “Mother’s taste is a little different than mine. Her foxes don’t enjoy the humidity in my room either.”

  “Ah. I hadn’t thought of that.”

  Mother had her own room. Probably near Maiden’s. Maiden lifted the edges of the lily pads before brushing aside the flowers at the edge of the pool. The witch’s lips pinched tighter with each failed attempt to find her familiars.

  “I think those little stinks have already left. They’ve been extra temperamental this year.” Maiden sighed. “I should’ve spent more time with them. Next winter, I’ll have to add more flowers to earn their forgiveness.”

  Vera’s heart ached. She knew the newts likely hadn’t left at all. Just like Crone’s crows, Mother had gotten rid of them to keep her presence a secret. Maiden stood up from the edge of the pond and brushed off her knees.

  “Sorry, Vera. I know you were excited to see them. You’ll have to come back next winter and visit me again. We can share dragon stories too.”

  “That sounds like fun.” Inexplicably, Vera’s eyes began to sting, but she yawned to cover it up. “Wow. I didn’t sleep much last night. I think I may go get a nap if that’s okay.”

  “I’ll walk with you,” Maiden volunteered. “I’m headed that way anyway to go see the market. Sure you don’t want to come?”

  “Maybe later. I need to crash for a bit right now.”

  “I completely understand.”

  Vera memorized each turn on the way back to her room and watched Maiden leave before slipping down the hall to do some more snooping. She hadn’t made it far before she rounded a corner and nearly mowed over Margory. Vera grabbed the girl by the shoulders so she didn’t end up on the floor and apologized. Margory waved one hand to show she was fine and shuffled down the hall.

  “Are you okay, Margory?’ Vera called after the girl.

  “Just tired. I’ll be fine.”

  Vera’s shoulders fell. She suspected rest wouldn’t help the girl. Humans wished for magic, but since they’d never felt it, they didn’t know what it was to miss it. Margory only had a dab of magic, but she obviously felt the loss intensely. Did the girl even understand why she felt the way she did? Vera wondered how long it would take Margory to feel okay again, or if the girl would always feel off. If taking away a drop of magic hurt like that, what would happen to a threadbearer if someone took all their magic? Liah had seemed okay. But then again, Liah had willingly gifted her magic to her son. No one had stripped it from her. Vera would never drain someone of their magic ever again. Except Mother. But to do that, she had to get out from under Mother’s thumb.

  More determined than ever to find Gus, Vera pushed forward. Mother’s rooms were easy enough to find now that Vera knew the way. They were next door to Maiden’s rooms. The room was freshly aired out for Mother’s return. Unlike Maiden’s jungle room, Mother’s room was arid. The walls were rock with narrow crevices and burrows. There was nowhere to hide Gus. Ready to shriek in frustration, Vera hit up the hallways again. By sunset, there wasn’t a single door without a candle wax smudge. She’d searched the kitchens, ballrooms, meeting halls, and every single room in the palace, but she hadn’t found him. Nor had she found evidence of anything like a dungeon. Vera had failed. How can I help my friends take down Mother and keep Suzie’s Gus safe at the same time?

  Kale stared up at the stars. He’
d walked across the prairie until he couldn’t hear the whoops of the unnaturals or the screams of their entertainment. A truckload of college kids had the unfortunate idea to drive out to the middle of nowhere to shoot cans and get drunk. They’d tried to run once they realized their bullets didn’t pierce the skin of the unnaturals. For a bit of sport, the unnaturals had let a kid or two run for a while. It amped up the fear wafting off of them before the unnaturals hunted them down. Tonight, Kale added five more tallies to the body count he claimed responsibility for. One girl had seen Kale standing on two legs and pleaded for his help. He’d turned and walked away, abandoned her to the horde. Just like he’d done in the memory Vera had lived.

  Kale didn’t have another choice. He couldn’t fight the horde and win while the siphon still lived. If he tried, he’d only blow his cover, and the kids would still die. Possibly worse deaths than they were already guaranteed. With them, millions of other people would die when this realm ceased to exist. If Kale was honest, he didn’t care about a billion humans. He cared about one, and she was not even human anymore. Vera was waiting for Kale to rescue her from a witch and get her back home. He couldn’t do that if her home was gone.

  “Afraid you’ll forget what it feels like to stand on two legs?” Grass crushed beneath Errock’s hoofed feet as he approached Kale.

  “Have you forgotten?”

  “Fortunately, yes. I don’t miss it. You won’t either.”

  “How did you survive all this time?” Kale asked.

  “Magic,” Errock answered cryptically.

  “I’m surprised you chose to follow a new Master when he didn’t create you and yours is long dead. You didn’t have to follow anyone. Why not make a different way?”

  “Because I enjoy it. I like being part of a horde. And taking what I want. I seem to remember when you enjoyed a little bloodletting yourself. Don’t worry, that will all come back to you once you give up those pathetic legs you’re wearing now. All those moral dilemmas you’re fighting in your head will go away too.”

  “How soon can this happen?”

  “The Master is here. He’s ready for you.”

  Kale followed Errock toward a choice that was going to rip Vera’s trust in him to shreds.

  Vera woke with a start. The hair on the back of her neck rose. She peered into the darkness surrounding her.

  “Who’s there?” she called.

  No one answered. Not that an intruder was likely to step forward and greet her properly. There were no shadowy forms or anything out of place in her room. Her heart pounded like there were two in her chest competing against each other. Vera pressed a fist to her chest. Something caressed Vera’s shoulder, and she bolted off the bed. No one was there. Just the pile of blankets. One must have slipped and brushed against her. Vera’s whole body felt constricted like it was stretched too tightly over her bones. In fact, her ribs were crushing her. Vera struggled to draw a breath. She stumbled to the bathroom. At the sink, she pumped water from the faucet. Her hands trembled as she raised a handful of water to her lips. And choked. There wasn’t enough room for the water to go down.

  Whoa there. Calm down, Vera.

  Vera froze. That wasn’t her thought.

  Suzie always said she wasn’t raising no fool, said the voice.

  Vera’s eyes flew open wide. Gus?

  Obviously.

  How are you in my head? Where are you? I’ve been trying to find you.

  I’m not just in your head. I’m in you, said Gus.

  Care to repeat that?

  Basically, I’m possessing you. Instead of crawling into your sleeping bag and shoving you to the bottom, I shimmied in beside you so we could share.

  Vera was too stunned to move. How?

  Not really the most important thing to worry about right now. Suffice it to say, the solstice has begun so a soul like mine, released from its body at just the right time, has a little extra freedom before afterlife calls. Finding you was easy. You’re not like anyone else around these parts.

  You’re dead, Vera concluded.

  Possession works best that way.

  Mother promised she wouldn’t kill you if I cooperated.

  She didn’t kill me, said Gus.

  Who killed you then?

  Ahh. While we’re getting off subject, would you mind scooching over a bit? I’m feeling squished over here.

  Vera unconsciously took a small step to the side. Literally. She side-stepped in the bathroom. She immediately felt Gus laughing at her.

  “Leave me alone. I have no idea how to shove myself over inside my own body.” She was so flustered she’d forgotten that she didn’t need to speak out loud.

  Here, just relax. I’ll help, said Gus, dousing his amusement at Vera’s expense. Just like that, Gus smooshed Vera to the side. Like he’d wiggled his butt between her body and her spirit, forcing her aside so he could have the space he wanted. There, that’s better.

  “I’m getting a little freaked out here,” Vera admitted.

  You’re doing very well. If I wasn’t here, do you think you’d be able to make room on your own if you needed to?

  “Uh. Yeah, I guess. Now that I know what it feels like.”

  Good. Don’t forget it.

  “Why would I ever need to do this?”

  You never know when a soul may need a little landing spot. It’s always good to be prepared.

  “In case a dead friend wants to visit?”

  Exactly. Suzie would want you to be a gracious host.

  “Could Suzie visit me?” Vera’s heart spiked with excitement.

  Sorry, girl. She’s already moved on. But if she were still here, you can bet she’d visit and talk your ear off.

  “Oh. That makes sense.” Vera was disappointed. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to you soon enough to save you.”

  You couldn’t have. I was never here to begin with. Kalesius killed me back on Earth a little while ago.

  Vera couldn’t breathe. Her lungs wouldn’t pull in air.

  Breathe, girl! He didn’t want to. I didn’t give him much choice.

  Gus played his memory of Kale and the shack in the middle of a field of unnaturals.

  “How could you do that to him?” Vera was appalled. “Plus, you helped Mother trick me into coming here?” Vera was seeing red and wondering how to deck the man possessing her without giving herself a black eye.

  As long as you’ll forgive him, Kale will be fine.

  “There’s nothing to forgive him for. You, however, are unspeakable. Get out of me.”

  I always did appreciate your stubborn temper. Just like Suzie’s when she was your age.

  Vera gave Gus her metaphorical back.

  The important thing is that the Mother has no hold on you now that I’m gone. But she doesn’t know I’m gone. Or that you know. Which gives you an advantage.”

  Vera maintained her silent treatment.

  I’m sorry I never tried harder to get to know you. I should have. But I knew what I’d have to do to you when this time came. I thought it’d be easier if you didn’t love me like you loved Suzie. I am sorry. Know I have the best intentions and know we are both proud of you, girl. You can have everything you want in this life, so go make it happen.

  Wait. Tears dripped down Vera’s cheeks. Gus was gone. Her body felt too big now. And lonely. “I’ll miss you, Gus. Tell Suzie I love her,” Vera whispered to the empty bathroom.

  This time Vera knew she didn’t imagine the caress across her cheek or the kiss on the top of her head.

  20

  Kale’s bare torso was slick with sweat when he reached Earth’s world-gate. A few steps and he’d be back in the meadow. The rumble of thousands of hooves behind Kale echoed the ones beneath him. He’d led the horde over hundreds of miles that night and into the morning. Now, they’d follow him to Summartir.

  “Find the Mother witch!” Kale bellowed to all those who could hear him. The rest would follow their lead. “Take her, and no one else will be strong enou
gh to stop you. You’ll never have to hide on the prairies waiting for scraps again. Summartir will be yours!”

  The horde raised their voices in a cry for blood and power. By withholding magic, the witch had effectively starved the horde, kept them weak and destructible. And very angry. They would slaughter everyone in their path all the way to the witch who’d held them down. They would claim her magic, and then all the magic in Summartir. Nothing would be able to stop them after that.

  “But remember, the siphon girl is mine!” Kale said as a warning.

  Kale twisted to meet the eyes of his closest soldiers. They nodded, understanding of his orders. None would touch Vera except him. And once she learns the truth, she’ll never want my touch again.

  Vera stood just inside the palace doors with Margory, hidden in the shadows. They had a clear view of the palace steps, where the transition would take place. Mother surfaced to give Vera a few last-minute warnings and threats before Maiden walked outside. The witch naively waved farewell to the gathered crowd. Vera hadn’t worried about anything Mother said except the reminder that the Monroe family was hunting Vera as a murderer. If Vera knew what was good for her, she’d not let anyone see her in case they recognized her.

  Maiden stood on the palace landing. Below, a sea of faces looked up toward her. The remaining triad witches solemnly lined the palace steps on either side of their High Witch. After the transition, those most powerful of witches of Summartir would scour the crowd for death brands. They’d kept news of the recent deaths quiet so the crowds would gather as usual without fear. Those happy people who’d come to wish Maiden farewell and welcome Mother back had no idea what was coming for them. Celebrations and merriment would not continue into the night as they’d imagined. Instead, there would be an all-out witch hunt. Among the hunters, Mother would secretly search for witches powerful enough to be threadbearers. Those would all die. As many as necessary until Mother found the right ones. Given enough time, Vera had no doubt that Mother would find Liah’s son too. The boy who would grow up without a mother because the High Mother murdered his. Vera’s anger rose.