by Logan Byrne
“I’ll be fine, I’ll put it back on. I don’t even care about that, to be honest, at least not anymore. I’m just happy to be out of there. It was horrible, Blake, the way they treated us and kept us more like dogs than prisoners. That place needs to be shut down,” I said.
“Well, I’m not sure they’ll re-open it anytime soon. You guys did so much damage that I think it will take them a while to repair it. Besides, they want me and the others to go hunt down the other inmates who escaped. I guess a lot of them did, more than half of the population,” he said.
“Yeah, that’s because of us,” I said, smiling. “We opened all the cell blocks and let out everybody who wanted to escape. We needed the distraction. We figured if the guards were busy with them, they wouldn’t bother with us.”
“Smart thinking on your part, then. What are you plans now?” he asked.
“First I need to fully heal, and then start my work on toppling Kiren and his regime. I just wish I could do it from inside M.A.G.I.C., and not stuck inside this camp,” I said.
“I don’t like the thought of you doing this, Lexa. He already tossed you in Filtonshire, so what’s going to stop him from capturing you again or even killing you? He doesn’t care about you, me, or any of us. All he cares about is power,” he said.
“I can’t just let him go, though. You’re right, he only cares about power, and that’s why he needs to be stopped. Everything bad that happened in there was because of him, and I won’t stop until he himself is behind bars,” I said.
“Lexa!” Britta yelled as she ran into the tent, with Charlie and Faus not far behind her.
“You run too fast, and I’m a jaguar,” Charlie wheezed, out of breath.
“I’m so happy you’re awake,” Britta said, squeezing me with a hug.
“Ow, I’m not healed yet,” I said, wincing a little.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry! I didn’t even think!” she gasped.
“It’s okay, I promise. I just have to be careful,” I said, smiling.
“Hey, kid,” Charlie said, shuffling over with his hands in his pockets.
“What, no hug?” I asked, looking at him with an expression to let him know he better get himself over here.
He smiled, hugging me, though not as tightly as Britta had. “I’m glad you’re awake. I’ve missed you. They stuck me with Xelia and she works way too hard. That’s what happens when you don’t sleep.”
“Well, you’re going to have to work with her for a bit longer. I can’t come back,” I said.
“I know,” he said, with a disappointed tone. “Maybe I could leave and we could work together here.”
“No, that wouldn’t be right. Besides, Mirian wouldn’t let you. You know the resistance needs you, all of you, to stay put on the inside, especially with Kiren’s new power trip. He’s being too bold for any of you to leave,” I said.
“Now guys, Lexa needs to get her rest. You can visit her again tomorrow,” Paola said, coming back into the tent and scolding the guys.
“We aren’t sure how often we’ll get out of the precinct, but we’ll come out as often as we can,” Blake said, before leaning forward and giving me a slow kiss on the lips. I instantly felt sparks. It felt like a veritable lifetime had passed since I’d last kissed him, and the loving feeling I’d always had was still vibrant and strong. Prison might’ve changed some things about me, but definitely not the way I felt about him.
“See you soon,” Britta said, before she and Charlie hugged me again.
“Okay, I’ll see you guys. Please be safe, and stay under the radar. Trust me, you don’t want to be on this guy’s radar,” I said, laughing.
“Still making jokes, even after all this. Man, is she great,” Charlie said, shaking his head as they walked out of the tent.
“You need to get some sleep so you can heal. The herbs work more effectively when you’re asleep,” Paola said. “Drink this, it will help.”
She handed me some hot tea in a small ceramic mug. I sniffed it cautiously. The brew smelled like wet, moldy leaves, but I drank most of it, the tea singeing my taste buds before I felt it hit me. The room started to shift and move, before my head hit the pillow and I passed out.
“I believe the girl is working with others, perhaps inside the precinct itself,” Kiren said, as I stood in his office.
I was a ghost again—he couldn’t see me at all, even though I was mere feet from his desk. There was another man inside the office whom I’d never seen before, but I knew he was trouble just by looking at him. He wore a pinstriped suit, his slick black hair parted to the side. The one thing I couldn’t see, though, was his face. It was foggy, like something was blocking it so I couldn’t see clearly.
“What makes you say that, sir?” the man asked.
“There is no way she could’ve escaped like that, not with her skill. Some of the most powerful creatures in history have been exiled to that prison to rot away and die inside those walls. How could a girl like her, so inexperienced in comparison, get out? She must have had help,” Kiren said.
“And you believe her help came from inside M.A.G.I.C.?” the man asked.
“Start looking into her peers and who she spent time with in the precinct. Look at her partner, I know she has one, a shifter fellow. Make sure you start to keep an eye on them. Gather the evidence for me, don’t take action or make arrests, and we will go from there,” Kiren said.
“What if she’s a part of the resistance? Their numbers have been steadily growing, and they would relish the opportunity to get one of their own out of Filtonshire,” the man said.
“Yes, I suspect she might be active with them, but that doesn’t do me much good now, does it? If her little friends are part of the resistance as well, then we will take them down and throw away the key—permanently. I’m not going to take the risk of another breakout like this girl has proven capable of. If we get that far, just do the deed and take them out,” Kiren said.
“Lexa,” I heard, before I looked around the room.
Like smoke, it started to blow away, and I gasped, opening my eyes to see Mirian standing over me. I calmed down, glancing around and seeing I was still in the infirmary tent, before wiping the sweat away from my brow.
“Were you experiencing a nightmare?” he asked.
“I think it was a vision,” I said.
“A vision? Really?” he asked.
“I’ve been having them, waves of them, and I think this was one. I think it has to do with the mark, like it gives me the ability to see into the future, but I’m not sure how far into the future this was,” I said.
“What did you see?” he asked.
“It was Kiren, he knows. He knows I’m a part of the resistance, and he’s going to keep tabs and gather evidence on you all. He’s after Charlie, Blake, Britta, and Faus, as well as anybody else I was friends with in the precinct. It’s only a matter of time before he connects the dots to you, especially with that prison visit,” I said.
“And you’re sure about this? You’re sure this was a vision and not just a dream?” he asked.
“Mirian, I’m sure. Like I said, I don’t know when this will start happening, but I need to give you the heads up. You need to tell the guys as well,” I said.
“I will, I promise I will. I’ll also tell Pote. She will want to know if we need to start extracting out agents if they’re going to be captured,” he said.
“He doesn’t want to capture people,” I said, with hard eyes. He got the hint, nodding, though not happily. To Kiren, death was the only option for people he thought opposed him, and we all definitely did.
“How are you feeling otherwise?” he asked.
“I’m, well, just a little shaken. I think I need to get out of this bed soon, though. This is too much lying around, and that’s coming from a woman whose spirit animal is a sloth,” I said.
“Still have your spunk, I see. Glad they didn’t take that away from you,” he said, with a laugh.
It would be two
days before my feet were allowed to hit the ground for any real length of time. I was under watch, making sure I allowed myself to heal and didn’t face any more problems, though I kept telling Paola that I was fine. I guess she wanted to be sure, and I couldn’t fault her for that. It was her job to make sure I got well, after all.
The scent of horse manure filled the air as I stepped out of the infirmary tent, freshly bathed, and breathed in deeply. It was like coming home. I looked around and saw masses of magical creatures running about and going on with their business. It was so different from working at the precinct, even though I saw a lot of these types of magical creatures during my duty there. There was something medieval about this place, a lot less modern than the precinct, and I definitely didn’t hate that aspect of it.
“Lexa!” I heard, before feeling someone grab me and hug me tightly.
“Rosie,” I said, laughing. “Are you feeling okay?”
“I’m doing great. My family is here!” she said, brimming from ear to ear with smiles and excitement.
“When did they get them out?” I asked.
“Just after we escaped they went and got them. I’m so thankful to you,” she said.
“Hey, I didn’t rescue them. Besides, you played a huge role in getting out of Filtonshire,” I said.
“Yeah, but because of you they’re here and safe, and I’m able to be with all of them. Thank you,” she said, tears welling up in her eyes.
“Anytime,” I said, rubbing her back.
“How are you feeling? You took a nasty fall that day,” she said.
“I’m feeling fine. I’m just ready to get back to work and get my hands wet again,” I said.
“Well, what are you going to do? It’s not like you can go back to your old job, can you?” she asked.
“Well, no, I can’t,” I said, realizing that going back to M.A.G.I.C. wasn’t an option. I obviously knew I wasn’t an auditor anymore, at least officially, but it hadn’t fully set in until I was broken out, healed, and ready to get back into action. I was done with that, and my wand had been taken away.
“Maybe there’s something around here for you to do. They’re already having me help with their systems. I’m helping any way I can,” she said.
“I’ll have to talk with Pote,” I said.
“You know her?” she asked, looking star-struck. “She’s such an amazing woman, being the leader of the resistance and all. I can’t believe it.”
“We’ve worked together, yes. She’s great,” I said. “I better go find her.”
“Okay, I’ll catch up with you later,” Rosie said.
A couple people nodded to me as I walked the muddy road, like they knew who I was. I wanted them to know, not for selfish or narcissistic reasons, but because it was a show of what we were capable of. I was a pilt, a prisoner, and somebody society had tossed aside, but I overcame it all. I did the impossible, and if I could do it given my upbringing, then anybody could.
When I walked up to Pote’s tent the guards moved to stop me, but she yelled through the doorway. “Let her in!” The guards backed down before I walked inside. “I knew you were coming,” she said, with a smile.
“How are you, Chancellor?” I asked, walking inside.
“How am I? I should be the one asking you how you are doing. Gracing me with her presence, the only known living person to break out of Filtonshire. That’s quite the accomplishment,” she said.
“It was nothing and besides, I didn’t do it alone. Not by a long shot,” I said.
“I have spoken with your compatriots, and am in the process of finding positions here for all of them. The least we could do is offer them jobs and protection, given they helped topple that sadistic prison. It’s lucky you found that wand inside,” she said, with a smile.
“Was that you?” I asked, shocked.
“Well, I ordered it, but sadly I cannot take full credit for it. It took our people on the inside to drop it off. I’m glad you found it okay, and that you were able to sneak it out and use it that day,” she said.
“Yeah, but now I’m a witch without one,” I said.
“That reminds me! I completely forgot you had your wand taken away, and for obvious reasons you couldn’t hold onto the prison one, with their tracking systems. Here, you deserve this,” she said, pulling out an oak box from underneath her desk.
She set it on top, turning it around. A golden clasp sealed the box shut. “This is for you,” she said.
I walked forward, smiling, before flicking open the clasp and slowly opening the box. I looked in awe at a beautiful wand lying on a bed of purple velvet inside. The wand wasn’t carved with intricate designs but I could tell it was cut by a master wand-maker who left it sleek and feminine. “Go ahead, pick it up. We had it made just for you.”
I touched it, feeling a surge of power flow through my body, as the tip lit up in the most spectacular way. A glow emanated from it, illuminating both of our faces with a bluish hue before dying down. I flicked the wand around, hearing it cut through the air with razor-like precision, before I broke it in for the first time. “Candelae,” I said, the tip lighting up the room.
“I knew it would be perfect for you. It’s infused with shards of Lapis Lazuli, a precious stone used extensively by Merlin himself. We figured if you bear the mark, you should have it amplified by using a wand infused with his crystal,” she said.
“It’s beautiful. I can feel the crystal, like it’s amplifying what’s inside me,” I said.
“That’s the hope. I’m happy we were able to have this made for you. We thought you deserved it, given everything you’ve done for us,” she said.
“I just wish I could use it,” I said.
“Well, why can’t you?” she asked.
“I’m not an auditor any longer. How am I going to use it to take anybody down?” I asked.
“Eventually you’ll be using it against Kiren, won’t you?” she asked.
“Well, yeah, but what about until then?” I asked.
“It’s a good thing you brought it up, because I was looking at sending you on a mission,” she said, grinning.
“That would be amazing,” I said, smiling, in total shock.
“I’m going to let you get your rest today and tonight, as well as spend time with your friends, but be back here in the morning tomorrow and be prepared to ship off. We cannot let the greatest witch of this century sit around here kicking rocks, can we?” she asked.
“Thank you, Chancellor. Thank you so much,” I said.
With a kick in my step, I walked outside, my new wand gripped tightly in my hand, when I noticed some targets in the distance. I walked over, nodding at the man next to me who was using a weathered old wand, before I pointed directly at one of the metal targets.
I flicked off bolts of energy, the tip of the wand glowing blue, as each bolt pushed the target back little by little. The old man next to me stared in awe as a pile of dirt grew behind the target as it scooted backwards. My heart and soul felt connected to the wand in ways I didn’t quite understand.
“Ignitus!” I roared, a bolt of fire escaping from my wand. It singed the targets, leaving a small flame burning out on top of the structure. I nodded, putting my wand away, and walked off.
“Man,” I heard, the old man whistling in shock. Kiren didn’t stand a chance.
Pote had arranged for me to have my old tent back, the same little one I’d started out in when I came here, and it was really the only place I’d rather be than my room with Britta back in the precinct. It felt small now, though the word Pote used was cozy, but I didn’t mind. At least I had a tent—a lot of people had to share.
My old things I’d left behind were gone, my chest being bare and empty, which made me a little sad. I never got the chance to clear out my things from my room back with Britta, and some of them were priceless to me. I hadn’t really thought about my things, or even had a chance to miss them, but now that I was out, I did feel a small hole in my heart.
“What are you guys doing here?” I asked, my mouth dropping open.
“You didn’t think we weren’t going to come see you again, did you?” Britta asked.
“Guys,” I said, grabbing them all and hugging them. “What if Commissioner Miln notices you guys keep leaving? I don’t want you to get in trouble just to come see me. Pote would have a fit,” I said.
“We’re fine, trust me. We have Mirian, Shira, and Xelia covering for us and making sure nobody tries to connect any dots. Besides, we heard you were going on a mission soon and we had to see you off,” Britta said.
“Yeah, so I hear,” I said.
“Where are you going?” Charlie asked.
“I don’t have the slightest clue. Pote said to report back in the morning, but other than that I’m completely in the dark. I hope it’s something exciting,” I said.
“I should be out there with you,” Charlie said, his arms crossed.
“You have more important things to do on the inside, and you know it. Once Kiren falls we’ll have tons more missions to go on together,” I said.
“Please be careful. I don’t even think you should be going out by yourself, given what you just went through,” Blake said, looking concerned.
“I’ll be fine, I promise. I know how to take care of myself, especially with this,” I said, pulling out my new wand. The tiny specks of blue crystal shimmered under the moonlight as the four of them looked on in awe.
“It’s beautiful,” Britta said.
“Where did you get it?” Faus asked.
“Pote gave it to me earlier today. She said they had it made for me, especially for me because of the mark. I guess the crystals inside are supposed to help amplify my powers. Merlin used these crystals,” I said.