A Magic Redemption

by Tena Stetler

  “No. No way. Today we’re going to have fun and forget all about magic, power, and dire consequences. Besides, Ma’s waiting for Storm.”

  The pup whined then barked. She jumped up, shrugged into a robe, and released Storm from her kennel. The pup raced to the front door and scratched on the door frame. Opening the front door, she thrust the leash in a surprised Gavin’s hand as the pup thundered out the door.

  “I’ll be ready in a minute. The alarm didn’t go off. Or I slept straight through it. Then woke up to—well you saw it.” Sprinting through the house, she tossed her robe on the bed, took a quick shower, and pulled on the jeans and a red sweatshirt she’d laid out last night. Quickly she pulled on socks then she slipped her feet into running shoes and grabbed Storm’s bowls. Mary had a bag of dog food at her place, along with several packages of puppy treats and extra toys.

  She yanked the door open to Gavin standing with his hand out as if he was about to open the door. “Ready.” She blew out a breath and pushed the sword appearance to the back of her mind. There was only so much she could handle. Gavin was right. She needed to get away from it all.

  “Storm’s in the truck. I’ll get her crate, and we’re off. Ma can feed her at the house.”

  “Sure this isn’t too much trouble for your ma?”

  A grin like a Cheshire cat turned up the corners of his mouth. “The trouble will be yours, when she returns a spoiled pup that won’t listen to a word you say.”

  “In one day. I doubt it,” she said smugly.

  He tossed the crate in the back of the truck and chuckled. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” The truck bumped up the road. The rain last night had cut ravines in the dirt road. “So how’d it go last night?”

  “Better than I anticipated. My control is good as long as I concentrate. I need to get to a point that reaction comes naturally, as it did before. The power, well, I can feel it surging through me if I pay attention to it.” She snickered. “There were a couple of incidents. Singed boots, earth and that tree out back of the pub, well, it’s a bit taller now. By accident, I conjured a thunderstorm. I couldn’t control it. Tristian had to cast a freeze spell, so I had time to get control. I’m afraid it’ll be a while before the night creatures venture anywhere near the pub.” She paused. “Seriously though with all the power, I worry that my disguising ability may not be strong enough to hide my magic signature any more. Can you feel it?”

  Giving her a sideways glance, he nodded. “Aye, it vibrates around you. Not type or strength of magic, but a kind of humming—an almost warning. You know what I mean?”

  “That’s about what Tristian said and indicated it was unacceptable. I should be able to walk through a group of magical beings without them being aware of what I am or the power I wield. By tonight, I have to be able to arrive for our lessons without Tristian being aware. Does that make sense?”

  “It does, but that’s a tall order.” Gavin rubbed his chin between his thumb and forefinger. “But our plans today will work to your advantage.” The truck slowed. Gavin turned the wheel toward the driveway and proceeded to where Mary stood outside waiting for them a picnic basket in hand.

  “I thought you said early,” she blustered, handing the basket to Gavin through the open window.

  “Had to let Synn get some rest. Tristian kept her out so late last night, or I should say early this morning.”

  Mary crossed to the passenger side of the truck. “So how’d it all go?” Mary tilted her head.

  “Not bad. Got a ways to go, but I’ll get there.” She stepped out of the truck and handed the leash to Mary with an apology. “Storm’s not been fed yet or exercised. She may be a handful.”

  “Good to know. She’ll be fine. Won’t you, li’l darlin’?” Mary cooed, opening the back door to the truck. She clipped the leash on the wriggling pup which was making it tough to pick her up. When Mary set her on the ground, Storm streaked up the path until the leash stopped her short. The pup pawed at the ground, tugged at the leash, barked, and howled. “Wish I had all the energy.” Mary waved at Synn dismissively. “Off with you two. Have a great time.”

  They got back into the truck. Gavin followed the road back to his house and got out of the truck. “Ready?”

  She stared at him in disbelief. “What are we doing here?”

  He opened the truck door and held his hand out. “We leave from here.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  A Learning Experience in a Magical Place with Unexpected Results

  She stepped out of the truck and into Gavin’s arms. He lowered her to the ground and kissed her nose. Reaching into the truck, he took a small leather bag from the back of the truck. To her surprise, he stripped right there, stuffed his clothes in the bag, and tossed it to her.

  “Where we’re going requires gryphon transportation.”

  She stood transfixed. Her lips formed an O as she blinked up at him. “But won’t we be seen?”

  “Not with the disguising spell I plan to use.” He grinned at her as yellowish feathers with a slight orange cast poked through his hair and framed his face. “As soon as I’ve shifted, climb aboard, put your arms around my neck, and hold tight. The edges of his form blurred, began to shimmer as a golden light spread across him. A tawny gryphon with large emerald eyes stood before her poised on his powerful hind legs, fur and feathers glistening in the sun. He leaned down nudging her with his beak.

  She’d seen him transform a few times before, from a distance, but up close—she sucked in a breath—he was magnificent. Hesitantly, she reached out and touched the feathers on his neck caressing them. He nudged her again, and this time nearly knocked her over. She grabbed onto his neck to steady herself. He curved his body into hers, and she swung onto his back. Wings spread, he sprinted a few yards and with a couple beats of his powerful wings they were airborne.

  The ground faded away. Tree tops spread out below. A flock of seabirds gave them a wide berth. She glanced down and saw nothing. They blended into the surroundings, air currents curved around their invisible bulk gliding though the bright blue sky. A couple times it appeared her hair escaped the disguising spell, as did a foot and her hand—for only a split second. Or maybe it was her imagination. She shrugged. Who could tell what was real or imagined as tired as she was.

  The forest below gave way to white capped waves on the ocean. She tightened her hold around him. The flight was disconcerting, but she felt so free. The breeze swept her hair from her face, and her shirt flapped behind her. Awe of his ability crashed around her as he banked left and spiraled downward toward a tiny island. They landed in a lush meadow. Tall grass swayed in the backwash of air caused by their arrival.

  Easing off his back, she set his bag on the ground and turned in a circle taking in her surroundings. She froze. Rustling in a bush only a few yards from where they stood caught her attention. A shimmering white unicorn bounded toward them but veered to the left at the last moment and disappeared.

  She scrubbed her hand over her face and rubbed her eyes. When she opened them again, a water sprite appeared in the creek ahead of them for a moment, then her form returned to the babbling stream with a splash. Crooked trees surrounding the meadow seemed to get closer each time she looked away and then back.

  The rock ledge’s shape between the meadow and ocean was rounded when they first landed. Now, it had sharp outcroppings and appeared to be changing again. Creatures flitted in an out of the trees and slithered through the grass so quickly, she couldn’t be sure what she was seeing.

  Cool arms reached around her, and she squealed. Balling up a fist, she swung. When she opened her hand, sparks danced on her palm and froze. She was so entranced at the surroundings that she’d failed to notice Gavin’s transformation. He shifted from behind to beside her and covered her hand with his extinguishing the sparks. “Remember, think before you react.”

  “Where the hell are we? Did you see the unicorn? It wasn’t real, was it? Those are only myths. Right?” She wrinkled
her forehead as her eyes rounded taking in the shimmering magic before her.

  “We are on one of the Phantom Islands.”

  “But those don’t really exist.” She paused and stared at him. “Do they?”

  Gavin raised an eyebrow and grinned. “Depends who you talk to. Aye…they are steeped in mystery. Many legends claim the Phantom Islands are a mystical land inhabited by mythical creatures. Which in my experience—” he spread his arms wide “—is exactly what we have here.”

  “Wh—You mean what I’m seeing is not an illusion of your creation, but real?” She abruptly sat on a large rock formation that appeared beside her.

  A chuckle rumbled up from his throat. “You give me too much credit for magical talents.” He paused. “I brought you here because you needed to get away, get your bearings, and consider all that’s happened in the past few days.”

  “Can Tristian find us here?” She glanced coyly at him from under her black eyelashes. Taking his hand in hers, they walked down a path toward the ocean.

  “Not sure. I’ve used this island for years when I needed to get away and think. Never been interrupted by anyone but the inhabitants of the island. And it’s always here.” He winked at her. “However, given Tristian’s vast knowledge and experience in the magical realms, I’m guessing he is aware of this place. Though he may not consider we know about it as long as you can keep your magic under wraps.”

  “So my little inadvertent display a few minutes ago when you frightened me, he’d track.”

  “Probably. You’re leaking magic regularly since your powers returned. I had a heck of a time keeping your magic disguised during my flight. Another reason we’re here. Practice disguising your power and magic without interference from anyone. Hopefully.”

  “I don’t leak magic. Never have. It could get you killed in my profession.” She huffed out a breath.

  “Things have changed. You’ve changed. You’re not a warrior controlled by another—being. The Fae magic awakened inside you changes how your other powers react. Now you’re not under duress all the time. That being said, the situation you are in now requires you learn to control it all and in a short time. Or the consequences could be devastating to all of us.” He leaned over to the ground reaching out with his hand, caught a tendril dark mist trailing from her foot, and tossed it to her.

  “Shit.” She absorbed the mist in the palm of her hand. “Was that me?”

  He nodded. “My thoughts. Baltizar’s magic is trying to escape the Fae influence coursing through your body. You don’t notice it because it’s not really yours. You need to own and control it if you’ve any hope of defeating Baltizar once and for all.”

  The wind whipped around them. Clouds obscured the sun, and the magical creatures disappeared. She landed unceremoniously on her ass when the rock she’d been sitting on disappeared into the earth.

  A black cloaked figure glided toward her. The hood obscured his face. He raised an arm and pointed at her. The sleeve slid over his hand, and light glittered inside. Without warning, the figure zinged a bolt of white-hot magic toward her.

  She gulped in air quickly raising a hand and absorbed it. Wow…look at that. Her heart raced, panic hit her, but without hesitation she took several steps back. Tugging Gavin with her, she raised her arms murmuring an incantation toward the rock that had disappeared moments earlier. The jagged stone erupted from the earth, between her and the figure, rising higher and higher until it formed a solid wall concealing both her and Gavin. It spread wider across the beach at the edge of the meadow. She sucked in a breath and to her surprise blew flames as she exhaled. “Holy shit, that’s a new one.”

  Gavin’s eyebrows winged up as he sidestepped her. “Interesting.”

  When she raised one arm higher, the sword appeared in her hand. Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. The clouds split, and the sun glinted off the silver blade. A stone encased in the hilt of the weapon pulsed white pearlescent to a deep blue, then flickered red as she closed her fingers around the handle. Feeling one with the sword, the power was exhilarating. She fought for control.

  In a split second, she had clarity of the situation and influence over the weapon. Holding the sword high over her head, she swung it in an arc in front of her.

  A barrier protecting her and Gavin rose between them and the rock. “Identify yourself,” she demanded sliding to the side of the rock where she had a view of the intruder. Prodding the figure’s magic signature with her power she gasped.

  The figure pushed back his hood and shifted to face her arms held out in front of him palms up. “Tristian, enforcer to the Overlord of the Western Hemisphere.” He disguised a snicker with a cough. “I see you wield a new weapon.” Disappearing, his voice boomed from the forested glade in front of them where he reappeared. “Nice. You’ve been practicing.”

  “No—you did that all night. It’s become second nature.”

  “So I did.” He stared pointedly at her foot. “But didn’t bring forth your new addition.”

  Rather than follow his glaze, she concentrated her magic at her core and disappeared. Reappearing behind him. “What the hell are you doing? You nearly scared ten years off my life.” When she relaxed her arm, the sword in her hand shimmered and faded. Narrowing her eyes at him she began, “I could have—”

  “But you didn’t. You showed control and forethought. Didn’t even follow my gaze when I tried to throw you off your game. Good Job. Remember to keep your detection ability active at all times. Not sure you could have penetrated my disguising spell, but…”

  “You didn’t sense my arrival. With your powers, you should have.”

  “I did. Just before I peered around the rock. I sensed your magic. Faint, but there.” She straightened her shoulders puffing out her chest a bit. “What do you know about this sword?”

  “Over all, you passed this test with flying colors. I’ll leave you to enjoy the rest of your day.” Not even a breath of air out of place and he was gone.

  “But wait.” She stomped her foot.

  “He’s not going to tell you anymore than you’re able to ascertain on your own.” Gavin grinned wide. “Wow, my girlfriend is a kick-ass warrior with a blade to match.”

  “Synn always was.” A lilting voice floated behind them.

  Gavin grumbled and fisted his hands at his side. “This place is busier than the pub on Saturday night.”

  She whirled around to find Erin seated on a rock smiling. Tiarnan stood behind Erin, hands on her shoulders. His face was unreadable. “How do you like our little slice of heaven?”

  Gavin bristled. “I’ve never seen you on my get-away visits. I’ve used it for years.”

  “So you have, laddie. But your moods were so dark the times you were here, we chose to leave you to your brooding.” His eyes twinkled as his lips twitched.

  “I don’t brood. I didn’t sense…”

  Tiarnan waved his hand dismissively. “No matter. We’ve come to talk with Synn.”

  “Excuse me.” Gavin backed away a thunderous expression on his face.

  “Why what did you do?” Erin teased. “We’ll only be here for a few minutes. Didn’t mean to interrupt your little holiday. But the appearance of the Sword of Kilara required our intervention and explanation.”

  “The sword has a name?” Her eyes grew wide.

  “Yes indeed. It belonged to your mother’s bloodline. The weapon is infused with Fae magic to protect those who wield it.”

  “Why didn’t it protect my mother when she really needed it?” She straightened, squared her shoulders, and stared defiantly at Erin.

  “We don’t know. The sword was lost centuries before the murder of your family.” Erin sighed. “I’m so sorry. We were shocked to feel its presence in the universe last night. Figured you’d be the one that called it.”

  “I didn’t call anyone—thing. I woke up from a terrible dream. Not like I haven’t had those before. Even yanked Gavin into a few without meaning to. As you know. But
there it was floating above my bed, over my body, shimmering, and pulsing… I don’t know. I couldn’t help but reach out and touch it. Then poof…it’s gone. Only to reappear a few minutes ago.”

  “When you were threatened,” Tiarnan suggested. “As it has always been.”

  “If the sword is truly yours, the gauntlets can’t be far behind.” Erin tapped her index finger to her lips. “I can’t remember the last documented time those appeared. In ancient times they appeared together. Sword as defense and gauntlets to absorb evil magic and send it back upon the wearers command. Quite useful, though I’ve never had the opportunity to use either item. Wrong blood line, I guess.” She sighed and brushed a bit of sand from her skirt.

  “Aye, you were trapped by your own family problems.” The corner of Tiarnan’s mouth kicked up in a lopsided grin, and he wrapped his arm around Erin. “’Tis all good now. As yours will be one day soon.” His gaze shifted from his beloved to her. “Enuff said, we’re off—enjoy the rest of your day.” In the blink of an eye, Erin and the King of the Faeries were gone. A bit of sand swirled where’d they’d stood before settling at the base of the rock.

  Gavin scooped her up and sprinted across the glade, leaving footprints in the grass. An outline of a cottage emerged in the forested landscape as he slowed to a quick walk. “This is what I wanted to show you.” Dew drops glistened on the broad leaves of the plants growing on the forest floor. Huge pink blooms with lavender centers swayed in the breeze.

  He touched the far corner of the outline, and the full image of the cottage came into view. Flowering vines wound up the walls, and a variety of exotic blooming plants covered the building’s roof. Walking through what appeared to be a solid door, he lowered her to her feet.

  “Alone at last.” Gavin sighed, gathered her into his arms, and lowered his head until their lips met.

  Without hesitation, she melted into him. The touch of his lips was a delicious sensation. Her mind reveled in the velvet warmth of his kiss. Her lips parted as she nibbled on his bottom lip, soothing it with her tongue until his slid inside to tangle with hers.