2 Corruption

by John O'Riley

  “We know all about them. They’re not infiltrating the government and keeping to themselves so they’re low on our list of priorities.”

  Ben provided Josephine the deactivation code for the m-detectors so she could switch them off to perform deeper and wider scans. He went over some other details about her new duties which wouldn’t go in effect until after completion of Operation Corruption.

  “Don’t forget to reactivate the m-detectors when you finish your scans,” Ben ordered.

  “Yes, sir. I’ll definitely remember,” Josephine promised.

  Josephine invited Mark over to her condo for dinner. She knew he didn’t have a lot of time during the week so she wasn’t expecting him to stay long. She made chicken alfredo with steamed broccoli on the side. The two of them gathered at her dining room table.

  “This is delicious,” Mark said.

  “Thanks.” Josephine flashed a pleasant smile then decided to broach the subject she was concerned about. “Did Nathan tell you we met him at the bar earlier this week?”

  “Yes! He just adores Helen. And he likes you, too. He mentioned she’s cursed with immortality like him.”

  “I wasn’t sure if he told you all that. I just wanted to let you know. I don’t want to keep unnecessary secrets between us.” Josephine was already keeping enough from everyone as it was. She didn’t realize it could be such a burden.

  “Don’t worry. Since we work at the station, we may end up learning things we aren’t allowed to share – even with each other,” Mark advised.

  “So you and Nathan are close?”

  “He’s one of my favorite relatives. My family is pretty uptight and strict. They take their obligations seriously.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “They don’t have much of a sense of humor for one thing.” Mark grimaced with displeasure.

  “What obligations are you talking about?” Josephine asked.

  “The ancient texts and enchantments we keep in the vaults. We’ve been protecting them for generations. Our ancestors used to be a elite bodyguards for an organization called the Phoenix Community before they decided to go into hiding. Only wizards who are sixes can join and apparently my family has the genetics that allow some of us to change. A bunch of my relatives decided to leave with them and were converted to sixes. Every once in awhile, members of my family are approached and offered membership,” Mark explained.

  “That makes perfect sense.”

  Mark regarded her with puzzlement. “It does?”

  “That explains why I can hardly ever sense anything from you. You’re a latent six,” Josephine said.

  “I’m surprised you’re not more focused on the secret organization.”

  “I already know all about them.” Josephine made a dismissive gesture. “I wasn’t impressed.”

  “They invited you to join them and you turned them down?” Mark regarded her with astonishment.

  “I’m not interested in becoming an isolationist. They have their own dark secrets.”

  “You’re right. I have a distorted view because my family is always singing their praises.”

  “But how would anyone know what it’s really like when everything about them is a mystery?” Josephine asked. “Brad talks a good game but it’s just a description through his point-of-view.”

  “You’re right,” Mark agreed. “I’ll have to think about that. It might feel like living in a prison.”

  “Do you think your family might have a cure for Helen’s curse?” Josephine asked.

  “They have a few powerful enchantments that they tried on Nathan but they didn’t work,” Mark said. “I still have them in my personal journals though. I’ll bring them over if you want.”

  “I’d like that. Thank you.”

  “Just don’t get your hopes up. Our family did a lot of research to help Nathan and we discovered that it’s very rare to cure someone from a curse.”

  “Anything you can do is greatly appreciated. I do realize that curses are practically impossible to get rid of. I just want to be positive for Helen’s sake,” Josephine explained.

  “You’re a good friend,” Mark complimented her.

  Josephine’s heart warmed and she wondered how serious their relationship would become.

  Chapter 12

  Helen surprised Josephine by accompanying her to the Siesta Key beach. The two of them tapped into the vortex and began jogging. As usual, it was almost pitch black but their psychic senses allowed them to see clearly while connected.

  “I’m surprised you can run like this. You haven’t exercised in years,” Josephine said.

  “The curse has me in perfect shape. And I need hardly any sleep at all. I went jogging with Nathan last night. I discovered I didn’t get sore even though we were out for over an hour,” Helen said.

  “That’s one of the advantages of being tapped into the vortex. I’ll bet you were starving though.”

  “We had a hearty meal afterwards.”

  “I just realized that we still haven’t gotten you a boyfriend,” Josephine said. “Are you getting cravings again?”

  Helen’s expression turned thoughtful. “Actually, I feel fine. I must have taken enough energy from Dale because he’s the last one I kissed.”

  “That’s strange. His old and yucky so his energy shouldn’t have sustained you for very long.”

  Helen laughed with delight. “I get such a buzz from the vortex, I can see why you do this every day.”

  “It’s always a thrill no matter how many times I come here,” Josephine said.

  “I noticed Mark’s truck is still parked in the lot,” Helen commented.

  “You’re very observant.”

  They lapsed into a companionable silence. When they returned to their condos, Josephine took a quick shower and changed into a new outfit she’d purchased over the weekend. It was a burgundy blouse with black slacks. There was plenty of time for her to whip up a double batch of chocolate chip cookies. She had just enough time to bake them and set them on the cooling racks before Alice and Helen arrived. When the three women gathered at the dining room table with their mugs of coffee, Alice had a sour expression on her face.

  “I noticed you two went to the beach together,” Alice remarked.

  “Yes, it was pleasant,” Josephine said.

  “I’m glad to hear that.” Alice offered a strained smile.

  Josephine noticed her friend’s odd reaction and wondered what was bothering her. She shuffled the cards and they started playing rummy. Helen ended up with four kings right from the start and Josephine groaned with dismay.

  “Did you drink your potion this morning?” Alice watched Helen with expectation.

  Helen grimaced. “Yes but that stuff is awful.”

  Even though Helen started out with a good hand, Alice still managed to beat her friends by a landslide.

  “It’s like you have some sort of power with cards or something,” Helen said.

  Helen began collecting the cards so she could take her turn shuffling them. Alice frowned with displeasure.

  “I’m not happy,” she said.

  “That’s interesting since you just kicked our butts,” Josephine said.

  “I feel like a third wheel.”

  Helen stopped scooping up the cards and gazed at her friend with bewilderment.

  “What do you mean by that?” she asked.

  “Now that you’re cursed, you’re a category six and you’re immortal just like Josephine,” Alice pointed out. “And I’m stuck in this old, run-down body.”

  “You’re still our best friend,” Josephine said in a reassuring tone.

  “That’s what you say now but I’m going to grow older and die.”

  “You sound like you want to be cursed,” Helen said.

  “Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing.” Alice crossed her arms over her chest.

  “It’s terrible! I never know what I’m going to do when there’s a man around.” Helen leveled a besee
ching look at her friend.

  Mark strode into the room with hair still damp from a recent shower. He had his school bag slung over his shoulder. Helen’s gaze swerved over to him and a split second later Alice and Josephine also turned to stare.

  “What is it?” Mark asked.

  “Nothing,” Helen said.

  Mark kissed Josephine on the forehead and smiled down at her.

  “I’ve got to go,” he said. “Love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  When Mark left, Helen grinned at Josephine with excitement.

  “You two are really getting serious,” Helen said.

  “He’s a great guy. It’s been so long since I’ve felt this way. I didn’t think it was possible,” Josephine said.

  “Well, I’ve got to go. I have some important errands to do.” Alice rose from her chair.

  “You’re leaving so soon?” Helen asked.

  “Sorry, girls. I’ve got a million things hanging over my head,” Alice said.

  She made a beeline for the door and exited the condo before Helen and Josephine could quiz her further on her busy day.

  “I can see why she’s upset,” Helen remarked.

  “Me, too. But I don’t have any idea how to make things right.”

  “We’ve been friends forever. This is just a temporary phase,” Helen advised.

  “I’m looking for that phase to be over.” Josephine’s lips curved in a sardonic grin.

  “I just want you to know you don’t have to worry about me. I realize that I’m probably stuck this way and I’ll adapt to my condition.”

  “I’m not going to stop trying to cure you.”

  “I know. I just don’t want you to feel any more burdened than you already are,” Helen said.

  “I’m so lucky to have you in my life,” Josephine said.

  “I feel exactly the same way about you,” Helen said.

  When Helen left the condo, Josephine placed the cookies she’d made in three different Tupperware containers. She planned on giving them away to several people to give her an excuse to hang out in areas she didn’t normally work in and scan for Valituras agents or individuals who were victims of mind control enchantments. Josephine hoped to check everyone out by the end of the day. Hopefully, she wouldn’t be assigned very many cases. Ben had promised he’d redirect them to the other teams for the next couple of days but if the station was swamped, Josephine would still have plenty to do. Josephine emerged from her condo and traversed down the hall. As she waited for the elevator to arrive, she sensed dark energy and raised her shields just as Lorcan rounded the corner. He unleashed a powerful burst of telekinetic energy which smashed against Josephine’s protection.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” Josephine glared at him with indignant outrage.

  “I’m sorry but this must be done. I have my orders.” Lorcan leveled the black wand containing the immortality curse.

  The curse poured out from the tip of the wand in the form of thick, black smoke with flickers of red light. Josephine dashed over to her condo as the curse gathered in front of Lorcan for several seconds. She deactivated the wards and threw open the door as the curse rushed towards her. Josephine leapt over the threshold of her residence and activated the wards. The curse smashed against the shield and formed a barricade of black. Josephine opened her psychic senses so she could perceive what was happening past the curse. Lorcan strode over to the open doorway and began blasting it with the various telekinetic enchantments he had.

  “You’ll find my wards are impenetrable,” Josephine boasted.

  Lorcan remained silent as he continued to throw a myriad of spells at her. Josephine crossed over to her desk and pulled out a large turquoise wand which contained an experimental telekinetic enchantment. She’d created it while tapped into the power vortex at Siesta Key. Potent energy from the wand thrummed against her hand as she pointed it at Lorcan and unleashed the spell. A savage smile transformed Josephine’s face as a brilliant gold light flared from her weapon and hit Lorcan in the chest. The power was so strong, it tore right through his shields and threw his body against the wall. His black wand containing the curse flew from his grasp and sailed out of sight. Lorcan slid to the floor in a daze. The curse withdrew from the threshold and formed a humanoid shape. Josephine narrowed her eyes and wondered what this thing was up to. Several seconds later, the curse became a replica of Josephine except her eyes were coal black.

  “I’m going to ask you nicely to take down your wards,” the curse said in a voice that matched Josephine’s.

  Josephine shivered with apprehension at this disturbing image but didn’t see why she should give up.

  “Why would I do that? My wards are still holding strong,” Josephine said.

  “When Lorcan released the wand, he relinquished his control of me. My only concern now is achieving my prime directive,” the curse informed her.

  “What’s your prime directive?”

  “To infect someone so that I can live forever.”

  “As soon as you give someone immortality, your consciousness dies. Maybe you should think about giving yourself a new identity and living out a life on your own,” Josephine suggested.

  “That’s not how this works. I must infect someone.”

  “Why not Lorcan? His shields are still down,” Josephine pointed out.

  “He will never do.”

  “Why not? He’s easy prey.”

  “He’s already cursed with immortality and he’s the one who activated me. If you don’t drop your wards, I will infect one of your friends or neighbors,” the curse threatened.

  “You can’t do that.”

  “Watch me.”

  The curse stalked down the hall and pushed the elevator button. It turned and smiled at Josephine as it waited for the doors to open.

  “You’re running out of time,” the curse said.

  Josephine pulled out her cell phone and dialed Alice’s phone number. It rang then went to voice mail. Josephine left a message warning her to stay inside because there was a curse that looked like her. The elevator doors opened and the curse slipped inside. Josephine called Helen next.

  “Hello?” Helen said.

  “It’s me,” Josephine said. “Whatever you do, keep your wards up and stay in your condo. Lorcan has unleashed a curse that is disguised as me.”

  “That’s terrible!” Helen exclaimed.

  Josephine had deactivated her wards at this point and dashed down the hall towards the stairs.

  “I’ve got to go!” Josephine disconnected the call and shoved the phone in her pocket.

  She flew down the stairs and almost tripped a couple of times. She threw open the door when she reached Alice’s floor. She dashed down the hall and turned the corner in time to see Alice open her door for the curse.

  “Alice, don’t let it inside!” Josephine shouted.

  Her wards were already lowered and the curse reached inside and grabbed Alice by the front of her blouse. Alice screamed as the curse shoved her against the wall. Josephine ran towards them. The curse morphed into thick black smoke and Alice’s feet hit the floor. The curse gushed into Alice’s mouth and nostrils. Josephine reached her friend just as it finished infecting her. Alice clutched her head and leaned against the wall for support.

  “Alice, I’m so sorry! I tried to get here before the curse!” Josephine exclaimed. “I tried calling you!”

  Alice groaned as her body made wet, ripping sounds. The curse continued to settle deep into the cells of Alice’s body. After several seconds, Alice’s gray hair turned red and curly. Her skin smoothed out and her breasts swelled. Soon, she had the body of a woman in her early twenties with smooth flawless skin and vibrant green eyes the shade of emeralds. She straightened to her full height and her luscious lips curved into a pleased smile.

  “Isn’t this an interesting development?” Alice asked.

  “Excuse me?” Josephine asked with astonishment.

  “I hadn’t r
ealized an opportunity like this would come up any time soon.”

  “You sound like you wanted this,” Josephine said.

  Alice grinned. “I got your message. I let the curse in on purpose. I was hoping it was immortality but you didn’t leave enough details for me to be sure.”

  “For heaven’s sakes! I probably won’t be able to remove it!” Josephine cried out with exasperation. “Why would you do this?”

  “It’s okay. I really needed this.”

  “But there’s always a price with dark magic.”

  “It’s just a small thing. If Helen can handle it, so can I,” Alice said.

  “But you’re bonded to Lorcan. You’ll have to do what he says.”

  “He didn’t see it happen so maybe he won’t know. Besides, I’m sure you’ll take care of him.”

  “I can’t believe this!” Josephine exclaimed. “I’m living in a madhouse!”

  “You’re going to be late for work,” Alice pointed out.

  “That’s the least of my worries.”

  Josephine returned to her condo and was disappointed to find Lorcan gone. She was in the mood for vengeance. If he’d still been here, she would have probably stripped him down to his underwear, tied him up, and written some kind of insulting message on his bare chest before calling Ben Nutter so they could haul his skanky ass to jail. She went over possible names to give him as she grabbed her Tupperware containers with the cookies. Josephine tried to read any psychometric energy lingering in the hallway from Lorcan but didn’t obtain any useful information. When she left the building, she was relieved to see only four protesters including Dale and Marjorie. Josephine swept past them and made a beeline for her car.

  “Leave our home! Leave our home! Leave our home!” the protesters chanted at her.

  When Josephine arrived at her desk, she took one of the containers of cookies over to Alex who was enjoying a cake donut with chocolate frosting and sprinkles. He gazed up at her with wariness and suspicion.

  “Good morning,” Josephine greeted him.

  “What’s going on?” Alex asked.

  “I made some homemade chocolate chip cookies for you.”

  Josephine handed it over to him and he accepted the container with caution. Jake watched the two of them with amusement and curiosity.